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Related Concept Videos

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...
Cell Specific Gene Expression01:58

Cell Specific Gene Expression

Multicellular organisms contain a variety of structurally and functionally distinct cell types, but the DNA in all the cells originated from the same parent cells. The differences in the cells can be attributed to the differential gene expression. Liver cells, whose functions include detoxification of blood, production of bile to metabolize fats, and synthesis of proteins essential for metabolism, must express a specific set of genes to perform their functions. Gene expression also varies with...
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...
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...
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...
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...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 4, 2026

A High-content In Vitro Pancreatic Islet &#946;-cell Replication Discovery Platform
09:35

A High-content In Vitro Pancreatic Islet β-cell Replication Discovery Platform

Published on: July 16, 2016

Selenium stimulates pancreatic beta-cell gene expression and enhances islet function.

Susan C Campbell1, Ali Aldibbiat, Claire E Marriott

  • 1Institute for Cell and Molecular Biosciences, Newcastle University, UK.

FEBS Letters
|June 10, 2008
PubMed
Summary

Selenium supplementation enhances pancreatic beta-cell function by upregulating insulin promoter factor 1 (Ipf1) gene expression. This leads to increased insulin production and secretion, suggesting a potential role for selenium in improving overall islet health.

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Assessing Replication and Beta Cell Function in Adenovirally-transduced Isolated Rodent Islets
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Assessing Replication and Beta Cell Function in Adenovirally-transduced Isolated Rodent Islets

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Last Updated: Jul 4, 2026

A High-content In Vitro Pancreatic Islet &#946;-cell Replication Discovery Platform
09:35

A High-content In Vitro Pancreatic Islet β-cell Replication Discovery Platform

Published on: July 16, 2016

Assessing Replication and Beta Cell Function in Adenovirally-transduced Isolated Rodent Islets
09:31

Assessing Replication and Beta Cell Function in Adenovirally-transduced Isolated Rodent Islets

Published on: June 25, 2012

Area of Science:

  • Endocrinology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Nutritional Science

Background:

  • Pancreatic beta-cells are crucial for glucose homeostasis, and their dysfunction is linked to diabetes.
  • The role of trace elements, such as selenium, in regulating beta-cell function requires further elucidation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the specific effects of selenium on pancreatic beta-cell function and gene expression.
  • To determine if selenium influences key genes involved in insulin production and secretion.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized the mouse beta-cell line Min6 for gene expression studies.
  • Analyzed the activation of the insulin promoter factor 1 (Ipf1) gene promoter region (-2715 to -1960).
  • Measured insulin mRNA levels and insulin content/secretion in Min6 cells and primary rat islets.

Main Results:

  • Selenium specifically upregulated Ipf1 gene expression in Min6 cells.
  • Selenium treatment increased both Ipf1 and insulin mRNA levels.
  • Selenium stimulated significant increases in insulin content and secretion in isolated rat islets.

Conclusions:

  • This study provides the first evidence implicating selenium in the regulation of specific beta-cell target genes.
  • Selenium demonstrates a direct role in enhancing Ipf1 gene expression, a key regulator of beta-cell function.
  • The findings suggest that selenium may promote an overall improvement in pancreatic islet function and insulin secretion.