Generation of animals allowing the conditional inactivation of the Pax4 gene.

Pax4 belongs to the paired-box family of transcription factors. The analysis of loss- and gain-of-function mutant animals revealed that this factor plays a crucial role in the endocrine pancreas. Indeed, Pax4 is required for the genesis of insulin-producing beta-cells. Remarkably, the sole misexpression of Pax4 in glucagon-expressing cells is able to induce their regeneration, endow these with beta-cell features, and thereby counter chemically induced diabetes. However, the function of Pax4 in adult endocrine cells remains unclear. Herein, we report the generation of Pax4 conditional knockout mice that will allow the analysis of Pax4 function in mature beta-cells, as well as in the adult central nervous system.