The role of pancreatic duodenum homeobox protein-1 in the development of diabetes mellitus

Pancreatic duodenum homeobox protein-1 (Pdx-1, also known as Idx-1, Ipf-1, Stf-1) is a homeodomain protein of 283 amino acids whose expression is required for pancreas development to occur. This protein is now recognized to be a critically important transcription factor involved in the regulation of the expression of multiple genes essential for the proper functioning of the beta cells in the endocrine pancreas (islets of Langerhans) that produce insulin, a lack of which results in the development of diabetes mellitus. Finding a way to increase Pdx-1 expression and the neogenesis of beta cells, perhaps through the stimulating effects of glucagon-like peptide-1, may be useful for the treatment of this crippling disease. (C) 2002 Prous Science. All rights reserved.