Role of MafA gene in insulin production-Analysis of heterozygous knockout mice

Abstract

Objective To clarify the role of MafA gene in development of MODY (maturity onset diabetes of the young) by studying insulin production,gene expression,and serum glucose level in heterozygous MafA gene knockout mice.Methods C57BL/6J mice were used as control animals,MafA gene heterozygous mice were analyzed.The distribution curve of blood sugar levels over time and serum insulin of heterozygous mice were determined by using IPGTT.The sensitivity of the mice to insulin was examined by injecting insulin assay.The expression levels of genes of MafA,insulin,pdX1,Beta2,and other genes of heterozygous mice were analyzed by semi-quantitative RT-PCR.Morphological changes in pancreatic tissue and α-and β-cell counts were obtained by using immunofluorescence/histological examination.Results (1) Two weeks after birth,MafA gene heterozygous mice began to show that the blood glucose level was increased,weight was reduced,and the amount of insulin secretion was clearly decreased (P＜0.05 or P＜0.01) while the insulin sensitivity did not change significantly.(2)The islet volume in MafA gene heterozygous mice was increased significantly as compared with the control group.However there were no significant changes in the number of pancreatic cells,distribution patterns,and the ratio of α and β cell.(3) Semi-quantitative RT-PCR detection showed that,compared with the control group,MafA gene level,the amount of insulin and Beta2 gene in MafA gene heterozygous mice were significantly reduced(all P＜0.05),while no changes in the amount of glucagons and level of Pdx1 were found.Conclusions The blood glucose level of MafA gene heterozygous mice was raised early after birth.MafA gene is likely to be a new disease ralated gene of MODY. Key words: MafA gene ; Knockout ; Heterozygotes ; Insulin