Identification of transcriptional targets during pancreatic growth after partial pancreatectomy and exendin-4 treatment

Physiol Genomics. 2006 Jan 12;24(2):133-43. doi: 10.1152/physiolgenomics.00156.2005.

Abstract

After partial pancreatectomy (Ppx), substantial regeneration of the endocrine and exocrine pancreatic compartments has been shown in adult rodents. Exendin-4 (Ex-4) is a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist that augments endocrine beta-cell mass by stimulating neogenesis, proliferation, and cell survival. After Ppx, treatment with Ex-4 ameliorates hyperglycemia by stimulating beta-cell mass recovery. We utilized a cDNA microarray approach to identify genes differentially regulated during pancreatic regeneration after Ppx and/or Ex-4 administration. The pancreatic remnant after Ppx showed a large number of differentially regulated genes. In contrast, Ex-4 treatment resulted in a smaller number of differentially regulated genes. Of note, a common subset of genes regulated by Ex-4 and after Ppx was identified, including three members of the mitogenic Reg gene family, Reg2, -3gamma, and -3beta, as well as fragilis, a gene that maintains pluripotency during germ cell specification, and Serpin b1a, a member of an intracellular protease inhibitor family involved in cell survival. These observations were confirmed by real-time PCR. We determined that Reg3beta protein is also induced in the acinar pancreas after Ppx, suggesting a novel role for this factor in pancreatic growth or response to injury. Finally, comparison of transcription factor-binding sites present in the proximal promoters of these genes identified potential common transcription factors that may regulate these genes. Chromatin immunoprecipitation analyses confirmed Reg3gamma as a novel transcriptional target of Foxa2 (HNF3beta). Our data suggest molecular pathways that may regulate pancreatic growth and offer a unique set of candidate genes to target in the development of therapies aimed at improving pancreatic growth and function.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Binding Sites / genetics
  • Exenatide
  • Gene Expression Profiling
  • Hepatocyte Nuclear Factor 3-beta / genetics
  • Male
  • Membrane Proteins / genetics
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Pancreas / cytology
  • Pancreas / drug effects*
  • Pancreas / growth & development*
  • Pancreas / metabolism
  • Pancreatectomy*
  • Peptides / pharmacology*
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic / genetics
  • Proteins / genetics
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • Regeneration / drug effects
  • Regeneration / genetics
  • Serpins / genetics
  • Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Transcription, Genetic / drug effects*
  • Transcription, Genetic / genetics
  • Venoms / pharmacology*

Substances

  • Foxa2 protein, mouse
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Peptides
  • Proteins
  • RNA, Messenger
  • RegIII protein, mouse
  • Serpins
  • Transcription Factors
  • Venoms
  • fragilis protein, mouse
  • Hepatocyte Nuclear Factor 3-beta
  • Exenatide