Transcriptional regulation of pancreas development and function

描述（由申请人提供）：所有形式的糖尿病都是胰腺内分泌中产生胰岛素的功能性细胞逐渐丧失。了解内分泌胰腺的发育和功能是开发这种疾病的新疗法的基础。遗传学研究表明，转录因子在调节-细胞的建立和维持中起着至关重要的作用。胰岛-1 （islet -1）是一种包含同源结构域的转录因子，在胚胎前肠和成年胰岛细胞中表达，对早期内分泌细胞分化至关重要。然而，由于isl1缺陷小鼠的早期胚胎致命性，isl1在调节-细胞生长、存活和功能中的作用尚未得到解决。在过去的一年里，我们利用Pdx1-Cre/ isl1 /LoxP/LoxP小鼠，对isl1在第二波内分泌细胞分化中的作用的理解取得了重大进展。在接下来的五年里，我们计划利用诱导小鼠模型研究is -1在更具体的发育阶段的作用。我们假设isl1是出生后细胞生长和/或存活以及功能所必需的，并且在细胞中需要通过直接激活MafA和胰岛素转录来调节MafA和胰岛素的表达。在目标1和目标3中，我们将使用诱导小鼠模型专门测试is -1在新生儿细胞重塑和成人细胞功能中的作用。Aim 2将确定is -1调控MafA和胰岛素基因表达的分子机制。这些数据将进一步加深我们对细胞生物学的理解，并可能导致糖尿病治疗的新疗法。公共卫生相关性：糖尿病是一种代谢性疾病，目前影响着全球超过1.8亿人。更换丢失或功能不正常的产品

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Common to all forms of diabetes is the gradual loss of functional insulin-producing ¿-cells in the endocrine pancreas. Understanding the development and function of the endocrine pancreas is fundamental to the development of novel therapeutics for this disease. Genetic studies have revealed that transcription factors play an essential role in regulating the establishment and maintenance of ¿-cells. Islet-1 (Isl-1), a homeo- domain containing transcription factor expressed in embryonic foregut and later in adult islet cells, is essential for early endocrine cell differentiation. However, because of the early embryonic lethality of Isl-1 deficient mice, the roles of Isl-1 in the regulation of ¿-cell growth, survival and function have not been addressed. In the past year, we have made significant progress to our understanding of the role of Isl-1 during second wave of endocrine cell differentiation using the Pdx1-Cre/Isl-1/LoxP/LoxP mice. Over the next five years we plan to investigate the role of Isl-1 at more specific developmental stages utilizing an inducible mouse model. We hypothesize that Isl-1 is required for postnatal ¿-cell growth and/or survival as well as function and is required in ¿-cells to regulate MafA and Insulin expression through direct activation of MafA and Insulin transcription. In Aim 1 and 3, we will specifically test the role of Isl-1 during neonatal ¿-cell remodeling and during adult ¿-cell function using an inducible mouse model. Aim 2 will determine the molecular mechanism by which Isl-1 regulates MafA and Insulin gene expression. These data will further our understanding of ¿-cell biology and may lead to novel therapeutics for the treatment of diabetes mellitus. PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE: Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder that currently affects over 180 million people worldwide. Replacement of lost or improperly functioning ¿-cells represents the best possibility to cure, treat, or prevent diabetes. The experiments described in this application will help delineate the mechanisms controlling the growth and development of ¿-cells and bring us closer to generating functional ¿-cells for cell replacement therapy.