US 5,969,210 A · Methods for the characterization of compounds which stimulate STF-1 expression in pancreatic islet cells

Abstract

One embodiment of the present invention provides a method of testing for compounds which may induce STF-1 transcription. Pancreatic islet cells which express the STF-1/lacz fusion gene are isolated and the effect of various compounds on STF-1 expression is measured by adding the compound of interest to STF-1/lacZ expressing cells. LacZ activity in control and treated cells is then quantitated by a colorimetric assay. Using this method, a large number of compounds can be screened and STF-1 inducing compounds can be identified readily. Another embodiment of the present invention provides a method of using the STF-1 promoter to mark insulin producing pancreatic islet cells in vivo. In this regard, the green fluorescent protein (GFP) served as an indicator. The introduction of the STF-1 green fluorescent protein transgene into pigs allows for the efficient and rapid recovery of insulin producing cells from the pancreas.

Claims9

Dependent claims

A method for determining an ability of a test compound to stimulate pancreatic islet cells to induce STF-1 transcription, comprising the steps of:

providing a vector comprising in operable association an STF enhancer of SEQ ID NO:
1 or SEQ ID NO:
2 or fragments there of with STF enhancer activity, a promoter and a reporter gene, and wherein expression of the reporter gene confers a detectable signal to a pancreatic host cell;
introducing said vector into pancreatic islet host cells in vitro;
culturing said host cells in the presence of a test compound;
and
assaying for said compound to stimulate said host cells to produce said detectable signal, wherein the presence of said signal indicates that said test compound stimulates pancreatic islet cells to induce STF-1 transcription, and wherein the absence of said signal indicates that said test compound does not stimulate pancreatic cells to induce STF-1 transcription.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Methods for the characterization of compounds which stimulate STF-1 expression in pancreatic islet cells

Life of this patent

Methods for the characterization of compounds which stimulate STF-1 expression in pancreatic islet cells

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims9