Islet-1 (ISL-1) is a transcription factor that plays an important role in the embryogenesis of pancreatic islets of Langerhans.
It is expressed in subsets of neurons of the adrenal medulla and dorsal root ganglion, inner nuclear and ganglion cell layers in the retina, the pineal and some regions of the brain.
In mouse embryos, a deficiency of this gene fail to undergo neural tube motor neuron differentiation.
More recently it has been identified as a marker for a cardiac progenitor cell lineage that is capable of differentiating into all 3 major heart cell types: cardiomyocytes, smooth muscle and endothelial cell lineages.
This gene encodes a member of the LIM/homeodomain family of transcription factors.
The encoded protein binds to the enhancer region of the insulin gene, among others, and may play an important role in regulating insulin gene expression.
The encoded protein is central to the development of pancreatic cell lineages and may also be required for motor neuron generation.
Mutations in this gene have been associated with maturity-onset diabetes of the young.
Applications:Suitable for use in Western Blot and Immunohistochemistry.