Pancreatic progenitor 1 gene and its uses

Patent Number: 6911533

PP1 is a protein marker of a type of tissue stem cells or progenitor cells. The PP1 protein is made of 221 amino acids and contains two cysteine-rich domains. PP1 is expressed in the ducts of the regenerating pancreas in regions where new islets are developing. In addition, PP1 is expressed in embryonic foregut, stomach and duodenum, but not in developing pancreas or mature pancreas, The PP1 expressing cells in the gut are localized in the endodermal pouch; and is also found in intestinal crypt cells. These cells have stem cell like properties. The invention covers an antibody that recognizes PP1

View this patent on the USPTO website.