Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 2, 2026

Coculture Analysis of Extracellular Protein Interactions Affecting Insulin Secretion by Pancreatic Beta Cells
05:51

Coculture Analysis of Extracellular Protein Interactions Affecting Insulin Secretion by Pancreatic Beta Cells

Published on: June 15, 2013

A morphological basis for intercellular communication between alpha- and beta-cells in the endocrine pancreas

L Orci, F Malaisse-Lagae, M Ravazzola

    The Journal of Clinical Investigation
    |October 1, 1975
    PubMed

    More Related Videos

    Isolating and Analyzing Cells of the Pancreas Mesenchyme by Flow Cytometry05:38

    Isolating and Analyzing Cells of the Pancreas Mesenchyme by Flow Cytometry

    Published on: January 28, 2017

    Analysis of Beta-cell Function Using Single-cell Resolution Calcium Imaging in Zebrafish Islets08:50

    Analysis of Beta-cell Function Using Single-cell Resolution Calcium Imaging in Zebrafish Islets

    Published on: July 3, 2018

    Related Concept Videos

    What is Cell Signaling?02:03

    What is Cell Signaling?

    Despite the protective membrane that separates a cell from the environment, cells need the ability to detect and respond to environmental changes. Additionally, cells often need to communicate with one another. Unicellular and multicellular organisms use a variety of cell signaling mechanisms to communicate to respond to the environment.
    Insulin Secretory Vesicles01:05

    Insulin Secretory Vesicles

    Insulin secretory vesicles release insulin to stimulate blood glucose uptake and regulate carbohydrate metabolism. When the blood glucose levels increase, glucose enters the pancreatic β-islet cells through glucose transporters. Once inside, glucose is metabolized through glycolysis, the citric acid cycle, and the electron transport chain, producing ATP. This increase in ATP concentration closes ATP-sensitive potassium channels, leading to depolarization of the membrane and the opening of...
    Cells and Secretions of the Pancreas01:16

    Cells and Secretions of the Pancreas

    The pancreas, a vital organ within the abdominal cavity, plays dual roles in the digestive and endocrine systems, collaborating with exocrine and endocrine cells to maintain optimal digestion and blood sugar levels.
    Exocrine function is carried out by acinar cells, organized into clusters known as acini. These cells contribute to digestion by releasing substantial quantities of enzyme-rich, alkaline digestive juices.
    Concurrently, the dispersed clusters of endocrine cells throughout the...
    Hormones Regulating Blood Glucose01:16

    Hormones Regulating Blood Glucose

    Insulin is released by beta cells of the pancreas when blood glucose levels are high. It facilitates glucose absorption and utilization in insulin-dependent cells with insulin receptors on their plasma membranes. Insulin promotes glucose uptake by increasing the number of glucose transport proteins in the cell membrane, allowing glucose to enter the cell. As a result, glucose utilization and ATP production are enhanced.
    In addition to accelerating glucose uptake and utilization, insulin has...
    Glucose Homeostasis: Pancreatic Islets and Insulin Secretion01:27

    Glucose Homeostasis: Pancreatic Islets and Insulin Secretion

    The pancreatic islets comprising only 1%-2% of the volume are highly vascularized and innervated mini-organs. They contain five endocrine cell types, including β cells that secrete insulin, which is synthesized as a single polypeptide chain, preproinsulin, processed to proinsulin, and finally to insulin and C-peptide. This process is complex and regulated, involving the Golgi complex, the endoplasmic reticulum, and the secretory granules of the β cell.
    Insulin and C-peptide are co-secreted in...
    Insulin: Biosynthesis, Chemistry, and Preparation01:25

    Insulin: Biosynthesis, Chemistry, and Preparation

    The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) of pancreatic β-cells synthesizes preproinsulin, which consists of a signal peptide, A and B chains, and a C-peptide. Preproinsulin is then cleaved and folded into proinsulin, which translocates to the Golgi apparatus for sorting and packaging into secretory granules. In these granules, enzymatic clipping generates insulin and C-peptide.
    Damage or functional impairment of β-cells inhibits insulin production, leading to diabetes. Diabetes treatment primarily uses...