Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 18, 2026

Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy of Calcium Dynamics in Acute Mouse Pancreatic Tissue Slices
10:49

Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy of Calcium Dynamics in Acute Mouse Pancreatic Tissue Slices

Published on: April 13, 2021

Calpains and their multiple roles in diabetes mellitus

Frederick Harris1, Suman Biswas, Jaipaul Singh

  • 1Department of Forensic and Investigative Science, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, PR1 2HE, United Kingdom.

Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences
|December 8, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Calpains, particularly calpain 10, are implicated in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) genetic susceptibility and biochemical defects. Research links other calpain family members to T2DM metabolic pathways and related complications.

Area of Science:

  • Genetics
  • Biochemistry
  • Endocrinology

Background:

  • Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a complex, multifactorial disorder with significant global health implications.
  • The precise genetic and biochemical underpinnings of T2DM remain incompletely understood.
  • Calpains, a family of intracellular cysteine proteases, have emerged as potential contributors to T2DM pathogenesis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the role of calpains in the genetic and biochemical pathways associated with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.
  • To explore the association of various calpain family members with T2DM susceptibility and related phenotypes.
  • To summarize current understanding of calpains in T2DM development and complications.

Main Methods:

  • Review of recent scientific literature and positional cloning studies.
  • Analysis of genetic polymorphisms in the CAPN10 gene.
  • Examination of associations between calpain family members and T2DM-related metabolic pathways, phenotypes, and complications.

Main Results:

  • Positional cloning identified CAPN10, encoding calpain 10, as a susceptibility gene for T2DM.
  • Noncoding and coding polymorphisms in CAPN10 are functionally associated with T2DM.
  • Calpain 5, 3, 2, and 1 are linked to T2DM metabolic pathways, obesity, impaired insulin secretion, and complications like diabetic cataract.

Conclusions:

  • Calpain 10 plays a significant role in T2DM susceptibility and disease mechanisms.
  • Multiple calpain family members are involved in T2DM pathogenesis and associated conditions.
  • Further research into calpains offers potential therapeutic targets for T2DM.

More Related Videos

Imaging Calcium Dynamics in Subpopulations of Mouse Pancreatic Islet Cells08:03

Imaging Calcium Dynamics in Subpopulations of Mouse Pancreatic Islet Cells

Published on: November 26, 2019

A Simple and Rapid Method for Simultaneous Isolation of Primary Islets and Primary Pancreatic Acinar Cells from Mice14:39

A Simple and Rapid Method for Simultaneous Isolation of Primary Islets and Primary Pancreatic Acinar Cells from Mice

Published on: January 9, 2026

Related Concept Videos

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...
Acute Pancreatitis II: Pathophysiology01:21

Acute Pancreatitis II: Pathophysiology

The pathophysiology of acute pancreatitis centers on injury to pancreatic acinar cells, which initiates a cascade of harmful intracellular events.This injury leads to premature activation of trypsinogen to trypsin in the pancreas. Trypsin then activates other digestive enzymes, such as chymotrypsin, elastase, and phospholipase A2, which begin breaking down pancreatic tissue. The resulting autodigestion causes local inflammation, tissue swelling, hemorrhage, and fat necrosis.Injured acinar cells...
Type I Diabetes II: Pathophysiology01:26

Type I Diabetes II: Pathophysiology

Type 1 diabetes mellitus arises from an immune-mediated destruction of pancreatic β-cells, resulting in an absolute deficiency of insulin. This process develops in genetically susceptible individuals when autoimmunity, environmental exposures, and immunologic dysregulation converge to trigger a targeted attack on the insulin-producing cells of the pancreas. The β-cells are located within the islets of Langerhans and are essential for regulating blood glucose by facilitating cellular uptake of...
Pathophysiology of Diabetes01:20

Pathophysiology of Diabetes

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycemia. The four categories of diabetes are type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, other specific types of diabetes, and gestational diabetes.
Type 1 diabetes is characterized by autoimmune-mediated destruction of pancreatic β cells, with environmental factors potentially triggering this process in genetically susceptible individuals. Despite many not having a family history, certain genes increase susceptibility, suggesting a...
Type II Diabetes II: Pathophysiology01:24

Type II Diabetes II: Pathophysiology

PathophysiologyType 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM ) is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by insulin resistance and progressive pancreatic β-cell dysfunction, leading to impaired glucose homeostasis. It results from interactions among genetic predisposition, environmental factors, and metabolic stressors, such as overnutrition and a sedentary lifestyle.Insulin Resistance and Glucose DysregulationEarly T2DM involves insulin resistance in skeletal muscle, adipose tissue, and the liver.
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...