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Updated: Oct 9, 2026

Measuring Relative Insulin Secretion using a Co-Secreted Luciferase Surrogate
Published on: June 25, 2019
alpha-Endosulfine, a new entity in the control of insulin secretion
D Bataille1, L Héron, A Virsolvy
1Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale U376, CHU Arnaud-de-Villeneuve, Montpellier, France. bataille@montp.inserm.fr
Abstract:
ATP-dependent potassium (K ATP) channels occupy a key position in the control of insulin release from the pancreatic beta cell since they couple cell polarity to metabolism. These channels close when more ATP is produced via glucose metabolism. They are also controlled by sulfonylureas, a class of drugs used in type 2 diabetic patients for triggering insulin secretion from beta cells that have lost part of their sensitivity to glucose. We have demonstrated the existence of endogenous counterparts to sulfonylureas which we have called 'endosulfines.' In this review, we describe the discovery, isolation, cloning, and biological features of the high-molecular-mass form, alpha-endosulfine, and discuss its possible role in the physiology of the beta cell as well as in pathology.
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