Life Sciences Commons^™

Defining Nkx6.1 Binding Partners In Young And Aged Pancreatic Islet, Sean Kang, Dr. Jeffery Tessem

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Diabetes is an increasing epidemic that deserves more attention. Those affected by diabetes are restricted to either strict diets or remedial insulin supplementation. Both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes are directly related to a decrease in functional β-cell mass. Exciting research has revealed Nkx6.1 to be an influential transcription factor which induces β-cell proliferation, protects against apoptosis and enhances insulin secretion when overexpressed 1 . Our recent findings indicate significant β-cell proliferation is limited to β-cells from adolescent rats, with a severe decrease in proliferation as the animal ages. 2 Nkx6.1 expression is present in every stage of development, …