A screen for compounds that promote ES cell differentiation into pancreatic β cells identified a VMAT2- and monoamine-dependent suppression mechanism of pancreatic β-cell differentiation. VMAT2 inhibitors potentiated differentiation from Pdx1-positive pancreatic progenitor cells into Ngn3-positive endocrine precursors, and then into β cells with increased insulin production.
- Daisuke Sakano
- Nobuaki Shiraki
- Shoen Kume
