Anti-Nkx6.1 from rabbit, purified by affinity chromatography

Homeobox protein Nkx-6.1 (UniProt: P78426; also known as Homeobox protein NK-6 homolog A) is encoded by the NKX6-1 (also known as NKX6A) gene (gene ID: 4825) in human. Nkx-6.1 is a transcription factor that binds to specific A/T-rich DNA sequences in the promoter regions of a number of genes. It is expressed in pancreatic beta cells and is involved in transcriptional regulation in islet beta cells. During pancreatic development both Pdx-1 and Nkx-6.1 are observed in rat pancreas. However, later Nkx-6.1 became more beta-cell-restricted, and Pdx-1 is found in other islet cell types and in the duodenal epithelium. Nkx-6.1 binds to the insulin promoter and is involved in regulation of the insulin gene. The C-terminal domain of Nkx-6.1 contributes to sequence-specific DNA-binding. Together with NKX2-2 and IRX3 it acts to restrict the generation of motor neurons to the appropriate region of the neural tube. Belongs to the class II proteins of neuronal progenitor factors, which are induced by Sonic hedgehog (Shh) signals. Although Shh signaling is required for Nkx-6.1 expression in the ventral neural tube and spinal meninges, a Shh-independent pathway appears to operate in regulating Nkx-6.1 expression in the foregut region. (Ref.: Cai, J., et al. (2000). Genesis. 27(1); 6-11; Oster, A., et al. (1998). J. Histochem. Cytochem. 46(6); 707-715).