# The role of Lhx1 in pancreatic beta cell development and function

> **NIH NIH F31** · UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM · 2020 · $19,820

## Abstract

Project Summary/ Abstract
The gradual loss of insulin-producing beta cells of the endocrine pancreas is common to all forms of diabetes.
Elucidating transcriptional complexes that increase our understanding of underlying mechanisms governing
pancreatic beta-cell development and function is critical for the development of novel therapeutics that will
improve beta-cell function. Loss- and gain-of-function mouse studies have demonstrated critical roles of
transcription factors in regulating the establishment and function of beta cells. Preliminary data from our lab
and others suggest Lhx1, a LIM-homeodomain transcription factor, is expressed and functions in the
developing and adult pancreas. Over the next three years, I propose to investigate in detail the role of Lhx1 in
regulating beta-cell development and function using beta cell lines as well as a newly developed conditional
knockout model. I hypothesize that Lhx1 is a regulator of endocrine cell development and function. In Aim
1, I will characterize Lhx1 expression at specific developmental and postnatal stages. In Aim 2, I will determine
Lhx1 gene regulatory mechanisms in beta cells. In Aim 3, I will characterize the effects of Lhx1 ablation in the
developing and adult pancreas using pancreas-specific cre/lox knockout approaches."

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9948669
- **Project number:** 5F31DK111181-04
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM
- **Principal Investigator:** Maigen Michelle Bethea
- **Activity code:** F31 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $19,820
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2017-07-01 → 2020-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9948669

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9948669, The role of Lhx1 in pancreatic beta cell development and function (5F31DK111181-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9948669. Licensed CC0.

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