INSM1 [MD168R]

Insulinoma-associated 1 or INSM1/IA1 is a zinc-finger transcription factor restrictedly expressed in pancreatic β-cells during early pancreas development. INSM1/IA1 regulates NeruoD1/β2 and insulin gene expression during β-cell maturation. INSM1 transcription factor, an important player in early embryonic neurogenesis, contributes to endocrine and neuroendocrine cell differentiation. INSM1 is expressed transiently in embryonic neuroendocrine (NE) tissue, thought to coordinate termination of cell division with differentiation of NE and neuroepithelial cells. In adult tissues, INSM1 has been identified in multiple tumors of NE or neuroepithelial origin and might be a potential neoplastic marker.