PDX1, or Pancreatic and Duodenal Homeobox 1, is a critical transcription factor belonging to the homeobox protein family. It is primarily expressed in pancreatic β-cells, responsible for regulating insulin gene expression and β-cell differentiation. PDX1 plays a role in various biological reactions and signaling pathways, especially in regulating pancreatic development and metabolic diseases such as diabetes. Changes or mutations in its specific gene expression can lead to abnormal pancreatic development, closely associated with metabolic diseases like type 2 diabetes.