ISL1
ISL1 (ISL LIM homeobox 1, also known as Isl-1 or ISLET1) is a nuclear LIM/homeodomain transcription factor that activates target genes by binding DNA. It binds the insulin gene enhancer and contributes to pancreatic, neuronal and cardiac development. Browse Assay Genie's current range of ISL1 research reagents below, or read on for the biology behind the target.
ISL1 is a DNA-binding transcriptional activator. It recognises the consensus octamer binding site 5'-ATAATTAA-3' in the promoters of target genes, and it also binds insulin gene enhancer sequences. In the developing retina, ISL1 sits within the gene regulatory network that drives retinal ganglion cell differentiation. It cooperates with the transcription factor POU4F2 to reach maximal expression of retinal ganglion cell target genes and to specify retinal ganglion cell fate. In motor neuron specification it acts together with LHX3 and LDB1.
ISL1 is also essential for heart development. It marks a progenitor cell population that gives rise to the outflow tract, the right ventricle, a subset of left ventricular cells and many atrial cells, and its function is required for these progenitors to contribute to the heart. In this population ISL1 controls expression of FGF and BMP growth factors. It is needed for the proliferation and survival of cells in pharyngeal foregut endoderm and adjacent splanchnic mesoderm, and for the migration of cardiac progenitors into the heart. The ISL1 gene encodes a member of the LIM/homeodomain family and belongs to the HGNC group of LIM class homeoboxes. Mouse and rat both carry an Isl1 ortholog.
NCBI Gene describes the encoded protein as central to the development of pancreatic cell lineages, and as possibly important in regulating insulin gene expression and in motor neuron generation. Mutations in the gene have been associated with maturity-onset diabetes of the young. The earlier HGNC name, ISL1 transcription factor, LIM/homeodomain (islet-1), reflects this family and its link to islet biology. ISL2 is a related LIM homeobox gene.
ISL1 marks progenitors that form the outflow tract, right ventricle and atria, and is required for their contribution to the heart.
ISL1 binds the insulin gene enhancer, is central to pancreatic cell lineages and has been linked to maturity-onset diabetes of the young.
ISL1 works with LHX3 and LDB1 to specify motor neurons, making it a focus for neuronal differentiation studies.
ISL1 cooperates with POU4F2 to drive retinal ganglion cell target gene expression and fate specification in the developing retina.
ISL1 is a DNA-binding transcriptional activator that binds the octamer site 5'-ATAATTAA-3' and insulin gene enhancer sequences. It supports retinal ganglion cell differentiation, motor neuron specification and heart development, and is central to pancreatic cell lineage development.
ISL1 is also written Isl-1 or ISLET1. UniProt lists the protein as insulin gene enhancer protein ISL-1, and the earlier HGNC name was ISL1 transcription factor, LIM/homeodomain (islet-1). Its full current name is ISL LIM homeobox 1.
NCBI Gene reports that mutations in ISL1 have been associated with maturity-onset diabetes of the young. Mouse and rat each have an Isl1 ortholog. Check the datasheet of any product for its validated reactivity.
A related LIM homeobox transcription factor with products at Assay Genie.
Gene and protein annotations from HGNC, NCBI Gene and UniProt P61371; product specifications from Assay Genie datasheets.