Role of Meis1 in mitochondrial gene transcription of pancreatic cancer cells

► Downregulation of Meis1 resulted in downregulation of mitochondrial genes. ► Binding of Meis1 to the mitochondrial promoter region was shown. ► Luciferase activity increased in a construct containing Meis1 binding region. ► These findings suggest Meis1 as a transcription factor for mitochondrial genes.