MAFA, NKX6.1, and PDX1 are the key beta cell transcription factors regulating beta cell function, identity and proliferation (Gao et al, 2014; Aigha & Abdelalim, 2020; Nishimura et al, 2022) while repression of these transcription factors mediates the loss of beta cell identity and progression of islet failure in T2D (Guo et al, 2013). The gene discussed is NKX6-1; the disease is type 2 diabetes mellitus.