RNA profiling and chromatin immunoprecipitation-sequencing reveal that PTF1a stabilizes pancreas progenitor identity via the control of MNX1/HLXB9 and a network of other transcription factors

Nancy Thompson, Emilie Gésina, Peter Scheinert, Philipp Bucher, Anne Grapin-Botton

35 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Pancreas development is initiated by the specification and expansion of a small group of endodermal cells. Several transcription factors are crucial for progenitor maintenance and expansion, but their interactions and the downstream targets mediating their activity are poorly understood. Among those factors, PTF1a, a basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factor which controls pancreas exocrine cell differentiation, maintenance, and functionality, is also needed for the early specification of pancreas progenitors. We used RNA profiling and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) sequencing to identify a set of targets in pancreas progenitors. We demonstrate that Mnx1, a gene that is absolutely required in pancreas progenitors, is a major direct target of PTF1a and is regulated by a distant enhancer element. Pdx1, Nkx6.1, and Onecut1 are also direct PTF1a targets whose expression is promoted by PTF1a. These proteins, most of which were previously shown to be necessary for pancreas bud maintenance or formation, form a transcription factor network that allows the maintenance of pancreas progenitors. In addition, we identify Bmp7, Nr5a2, RhoV, and P2rx1 as new targets of PTF1a in pancreas progenitors.
Original languageEnglish
JournalMolecular and Cellular Biology
Volume32
Issue number6
Pages (from-to)1189-99
Number of pages11
ISSN0270-7306
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Mar 2012

Keywords

  • Animals
  • Chromatin Immunoprecipitation
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental
  • Homeodomain Proteins
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Pancreas
  • RNA
  • Stem Cells
  • Transcription Factors

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'RNA profiling and chromatin immunoprecipitation-sequencing reveal that PTF1a stabilizes pancreas progenitor identity via the control of MNX1/HLXB9 and a network of other transcription factors'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this