NOVEL METHODS FOR THE CHARACTERIZATION OF COMPOUNDS WHICH STIMULATE STF-1 EXPRESSION IN PANCREATIC ISLET CELLS

摘要

The present invention provides two embodiments. One is 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. The other is 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.