Conditional deletion of Men1 in the pancreatic β-cell leads to glucagon-expressing tumor development

Endocrinology. 2015 Jan;156(1):48-57. doi: 10.1210/en.2014-1433.

Abstract

The tumor suppressor menin is recognized as a key regulator of β-cell proliferation. To induce tumorigenesis within the pancreatic β-cells, floxed alleles of Men1 were selectively ablated using Cre-recombinase driven by the insulin promoter. Despite the β-cell specificity of the RipCre, glucagon-expressing tumors as well as insulinomas developed in old mutant mice. These glucagon-expressing tumor cells were menin deficient and expressed the mature α-cell-specific transcription factors Brain-specific homeobox POU domain protein 4 (Brn4) and v-maf musculoaponeurotic fibrosarcoma oncogene family, protein B (MafB). Moreover, the inactivation of β-cell-specific transcription factors was observed in mutant β-cells. Our work shows that Men1 ablation in the pancreatic β-cells leads to the inactivation of specific transcription factors, resulting in glucagon-expressing tumor development, which sheds light on the mechanisms of islet tumorigenesis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Female
  • Gene Deletion
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / physiology*
  • Genotype
  • Glucagon / metabolism*
  • Glucagon-Secreting Cells / physiology
  • Glucagonoma / genetics
  • Glucagonoma / metabolism*
  • Insulin-Secreting Cells / metabolism*
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / genetics
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins / genetics*
  • Transcription Factors

Substances

  • Men1 protein, mouse
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins
  • Transcription Factors
  • Glucagon