| abstract |
The present invention relates to the production of islet cells and insulin in a subject by providing for expression of an islet transcription factors in the pancreas of the subject, by for example, introduction of nucleic acid encoding an islet transcription factor or a factor that induces expression of an islet transcription factor, with Ngn3, NeuroD1, and Mash1 being of particular interest. The present invention also relates to methods for using an islet transcription factor gene and the islet transcription factor polypeptide to alter cellular differentiation in culture orin vivo to produce new .beta.-cells to treat patients with diabetes mellitus. The present invention will be useful in, for example, the maintenance and treatment of type 2 diabetes and also allow for the replacement of beta cells lost to autoimmune destruction in individuals with type 1 diabetes. |