Genetic evidence that HNF-1α–dependent transcriptional control of HNF-4α is essential for human pancreatic β cell function

Abstract

Mutations in the genes encoding hepatocyte nuclear factor 4α (HNF-4α) and HNF-1α impair insulin secretion and cause maturity onset diabetes of the young (MODY). HNF-4α is known to be an essential positive regulator of HNF-1α. More recent data demonstrates that HNF-4α expression is dependent on HNF-1α in mouse pancreatic islets and exocrine cells. This effect is mediated by binding of HNF-1α to a tissue-specific promoter (P2) located 45.6 kb upstream from the previously characterized Hnf4α promoter (P1). Here we report that the expression of HNF-4α in human islets and exocrine cells is primarily mediated by the P2 promoter. Furthermore, we describe a G → A mutation in a conserved nucleotide position of the HNF-1α binding site of the P2 promoter, which cosegregates with MODY. The mutation results in decreased affinity for HNF-1α, and consequently in reduced HNF-1α–dependent activation. These findings provide genetic evidence that HNF-1α serves as an upstream regulator of HNF-4α and interacts directly with the P2 promoter in human pancreatic cells. Furthermore, they indicate that this regulation is essential to maintain normal pancreatic function.