Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 20, 2026

Single-cell Transcriptomic Analyses of Mouse Pancreatic Endocrine Cells
Published on: September 30, 2018
Minireview: transcriptional regulation in pancreatic development
Joel F Habener1, Daniel M Kemp, Melissa K Thomas
1Laboratory of Molecular Endocrinology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard Medical School, 55 Fruit Street, WEL320, Boston, Massachusetts 02114, USA. jhabener@partners.org
Abstract:
Considerable progress has been made in the understanding of the sequential activation of signal transduction pathways and the expression of transcription factors during pancreas development. Much of this understanding has been obtained by analyses of the phenotypes of mice in which the expression of key genes has been disrupted (knockout mice). Knockout of the genes for Pdx1, Hlxb9, Isl1, or Hex results in an arrest of pancreas development at a very early stage (embryonic d 8-9). Disruption of genes encoding components of the Notch signaling pathway, e.g. Hes1 or neurogenin-3, abrogates development of the endocrine pancreas (islets of Langerhans). Disruption of transcription factor genes expressed more downstream in the developmental cascade (Beta2/NeuroD, Pax4, NKx2.2, and Nkx6.1) curtails the formation of insulin-producing beta-cells. An understanding of the importance of transcription factor genes during pancreas development has provided insights into the pathogenesis of diabetes, in which the mass of insulin-producing beta-cells is reduced.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Master Transcription Regulators
Cell Specific Gene Expression
Regulation of Expression at Multiple Steps
RNA Polymerase II Accessory Proteins
Transcription
Transcription Can Produce Different Kinds of RNA Molecules
In eukaryotes,...
Transcription
Transcription is the process of synthesizing RNA from a DNA sequence by RNA polymerase. It is the first step in producing a protein from a gene sequence. Additionally, many other proteins and regulatory sequences are involved in the proper synthesis of messenger RNA (mRNA). Regulation of transcription is responsible for the differentiation of all the different types of cells and often for the proper cellular response to environmental signals.
Transcription Can Produce Different Kinds...

