Scientists Use Transcription Factors To Increase Insulin Production In Diabetic Mice

A group of Japanese scientists has used gene therapy to deliver three insulin transcription factors, MafA, PDX-1, and NeuroD, to the livers of diabetic mice. As a result, the mice experienced an increase in insulin gene expression and insulin production, raising the possibility that this could eventually be used to treat diabetes. The research appears as the "Paper of the Week" in the April 15 issue of the Journal of Biological Chemistry, an American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology journal.