Abstract
Insulin gene expression is regulated by several islet-enriched transcription factors. However, MafA is the only beta cell-specific activator. Here, we show that MafA selectively induces endogenous insulin transcription in non-beta cells. MafA was also first detected in the insulin-producing cells formed during the second and predominant phase of beta cell differentiation, and absent in the few insulin-positive cells found in Nkx6.1(-/-) pancreata, which lack the majority of second-phase beta cells. These results demonstrate that MafA is a potent insulin activator that is likely to function downstream of Nkx6.1 during islet insulin-producing cell development.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
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Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
MeSH terms
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Animals
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Base Sequence
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Cell Line
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DNA Primers
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Gene Expression Regulation / genetics*
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Humans
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Immunohistochemistry
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Insulin / biosynthesis
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Insulin / genetics*
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Islets of Langerhans / physiology
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Lectins, C-Type
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Maf Transcription Factors, Large
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Mice
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Molecular Sequence Data
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Organ Specificity
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Rats
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Receptors, Immunologic
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Recombinant Proteins / biosynthesis
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Trans-Activators / metabolism*
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Transcription Factors / metabolism
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Transfection
Substances
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DNA Primers
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Insulin
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KLRG1 protein, human
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Lectins, C-Type
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Maf Transcription Factors, Large
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Mafa protein, mouse
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Receptors, Immunologic
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Recombinant Proteins
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Trans-Activators
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Transcription Factors