Genetic abnormalities in transcription factors HNF-1α, HNF-4α, and HNF-1β  expressed in pancreatic β-cells cause hereditary insulin-deficient diabetes mellitus called MODY. It was the first time in the world that we discovered that (Yamagata K. Nature 1996a, Yamagata K. Nature 1996b, Horikawa Y. Nature Genet. 1997). We are investigating how HNF regulates insulin secretion by generating organ-specific knockout mice and knockdown cells, and using various methods of molecular biology and biochemistry. increase. To date, HNF has been found to regulate insulin secretion via various target genes (Diabetes 2002a, 2002b, Cell Metabolism 2005, JBC 2006, 2012, 2017). Recently, we have identified Anks4b as a novel target gene of HNF-4α and are analyzing its function. Through research on HNF, a key molecule for insulin secretion, we aim to establish new therapeutic strategies for diabetes.