Expression of imprinted genes during the course of differentiation from mouse embryonic stem cells to islet-like cells in vitro / 中国当代儿科杂志

ABSTRACT

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the effects of in vitro inducement on the expression of SF1-G imprinted genes, Kcnq1 and Cdkn1c during the course of differentiation from mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells to islet-like cells.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Mouse ES cells were induced to differentiate into islet-like cells in vitro. The expression of islet specific markers was tested by RT-PCR or immunofluorescence. RT-PCR/RFLP was used to test the imprinted genes parental expression in cells at different stages.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Islet specific genes, such as Insulin, Glucagon, Somatostatin, IAPP and Glut2, were expressed in differentiated cells. The proteins of insulin, C-peptide and Somastatin were expressed in the final stage cells. Imprinted gene Kcnq1 and Cdkn1c were biallelicly expressed in islet-like cells.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Mouse ES cells can be successfully induced into islet-like cells in vitro. Gene imprinting status of Kcnq1 and Cdkn1c may be changed in differentiated cells (causing loss of imprinting) during the in vitro inducement.</p>