NK6 Homeobox Protein 1 (NKX6-1)

In the pancreas, NKX6.1 is required for the development of beta cells and is a potent bifunctional transcription regulator that binds to AT-rich sequences within the promoter region of target genes Iype et al. (2004).

Homeobox genes encode a highly conserved DNA-binding domain that plays a role in cell-specific differentiation and development. Inoue et al. (1997) cloned the human NKX6A gene. It encodes a predicted 367-amino acid protein that is 97% identical to the protein product of the previously identified hamster NK homeobox gene, Nkx6.1 (Nkx6A), which is expressed in pancreatic islet beta-cell lines.The PBE is made up of an AT-containing sequence flanked by GC-rich stretches. Mouse Nkx6.1 robustly activated transcription through direct interaction with the AT-rich sequence in this element.