Abstract: The invention relates to an isolated human nucleic acid, characterized in that it corresponds to the promoter of the human FATP5 protein, and to an isolated human nucleic acid coding for a protein, particularly for the human FATP5 protein, placed under the dependence of said promoter. The invention further relates to a vector comprising said nucleic acid, or to a host cell into which said nucleic acid or said vector has been introduced. Finally, the invention relates to the use of said nucleic acid, said vector or said host cell in a method of identifying a product capable of modulating the expression of a nucieotide sequence placed under the dependence of said promoter of the human FATP5 protein, and to said method of identification.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of a modulator of the expression or activity of the E2IG4 gene for the treatment of diabetes or its complications, obesity or insulin resistance, to a method of screening compounds useful in the treatment of these pathological conditions, and to a method for the diagnosis or prognosis of these pathological conditions.

Abstract: The invention relates to the field of biology and, in particular, to the field of cellular biology. The invention concerns a novel glucose-sensitive cell line designated .beta. cell line (INS-I) expressing glucokinase and the glucose carrier Glut 2 at levels comparable with those of normal .beta. cells but which is, in addition, incapable of IGF-II expression-dependent proliferation because of genetic manipulation. The invention also concerns a method for the production of said novel cell line, its aggregation in the form of a pseudoislet, its immobilization in a biocompatible hydrogel and its hardening by means of a hardening solution. Application in insulin-secreting .beta.-cell transplants.