PDX1 activates insulin， somatostatin， glucokinase， islet amyloid polypeptide and glucose transporter type 2 gene transcription. IPF1 is particularly involved in glucose-dependent regulation of insulin gene transcription. Pancreas Duodenum Homeobox-1 binds preferentially the DNA motif 5’-[ct]taat[tg]-3’. During development， specifies the early pancreatic epithelium， permitting its proliferation， branching and subsequent differentiation. At adult stage， it is required for maintaining the hormone-producing phenotype of the beta-cell.
