Impact of epigenetic mechanisms on the regulation of gene expression during intrauterine programming of the endocrine pancreas

Abstract

The pancreas develops due to the function of many interconnected transcription factors and the regulation provided by them. Among the elements that regulate transcription are epigenetic factors, DNA methylation, histone modifications, and noncoding RNAs. Some of these factors regulate the differentiation of endocrine and exocrine tissue, cell fate determination into the distinct types of the endocrine cells (especially alpha and beta), and the maintenance of cell identity. We herein summarize the epigenetic mechanisms that occur during the normal development of the pancreas and also during negative programming due to the effects of some adverse environmental factors in the uterus such as unbalanced maternal nutrition. All the current data come from animal models because of the ability to control variables, the availability of organisms, and the relatively short life cycle. By means of specific cases, we present the importance of epigenetic processes in the normal and altered pancreatic development and function.