TRAFALOGY · Functional analysis of transcription factors in L-cell biology

L-cells in the intestinal epithelium are specialized enteroendocrine cells which secrete several peptide hormones after a meal, including glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP1), oxyntomodulin (OXM) and peptide tyrosine tyrosine (PYY). These hormones are key regulators of glucose metabolism and body weight, by stimulating insulin release by pancreatic beta cells, slowing down gastric emptying and by acting on brain areas involved in body weight control. Although all three of these hormones are at least in pre-clinical trials for the treatment of obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus, surprisingly little is known about the biology of L-cells and the molecular mechanisms behind metabolite sensing as well as GLP1/OXM/PYY expression and release by L-cells. This proposal aims to identify novel regulators of L-cell biology by defining transcription factors regulating these processes.Transcription factors are critical regulators of all cellular processes