MIN-6

MIN-6 is a murine β-cell line derived from C57BL/6 background IT6 transgenic mice. Although not from diabetic models, MIN-6 is used in β-cell regulation, islet development, and diabetes-related studies. These cells exhibit glucose-dependent insulin secretion like normal mouse islet cells but are a mixed cell line, secreting insulin, glucagon, somatostatin, and ghrelin. They display polygonal morphology and grow as monolayers under standard conditions (37°C, 5% CO₂) with a doubling time of 2–3 days. They express insulin I & II, liver-type glucose transporter mRNA, proglucagon, somatostatin, pancreatic polypeptide (PP), and ghrelin mRNA.When transplanted into immunocompromised mice, MIN-6 cells form tumors and secrete insulin, demonstrating tumorigenic potential. They are free of HPV, HIV, or EBV. MIN-6 is an important model in β-cell function, cytokine signaling, oncogene activity, and drug screening.