Endocrine Abstracts

Mice and rats are unusual amongst mammals for having 2 structurally similar but non-allelic insulin genes. Both genes are functional but their expression patterns relative to each other have not been conclusively determined. The insulin 1 gene (ins 1) has been shown in several studies to be selectively glucose responsive in mice and rats. We have used the MIN6 cell line to examine passage-related changes in ins 1 and 2 expression and to test glucose responsiveness of the 2 gen...

Embryonic stem cells (ES cells) represent a population of self renewing pluripotent cells, capable of differentiating into derivatives of the 3 embryonic germ layers and are therefore a promising source material for generation of replacement pancreatic beta cells for transplantation in type 1 diabetes. ES cells can be induced to undergo unregulated differentiation when cultured as floating clusters (embryoid bodies). Successful generation of pancreatic endocrine cells from ES ...

Embryonic stem cells (ES cells) represent a population of self renewing pluripotent cells, capable of differentiating into derivatives of the 3 embryonic germ layers and are therefore a promising source material for generation of replacement pancreatic beta cells for transplantation in type 1 diabetes. ES cells can be induced to undergo unregulated differentiation when cultured as floating clusters (embryoid bodies). Successful generation of pancreatic endocrine cells from ES ...