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Related Concept Videos

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...
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...
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...
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...
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...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 20, 2026

Analysis of Beta-cell Function Using Single-cell Resolution Calcium Imaging in Zebrafish Islets
08:50

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

Published on: July 3, 2018

How to make beta cells?

Malgorzata Borowiak1, Douglas A Melton

  • 1Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Department of Stem Cell and Regeneration Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA. mborowiak@mcb.harvard.edu

Current Opinion in Cell Biology
|September 29, 2009
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Diabetic patients need new insulin-producing beta cells. Current strategies include stem cell differentiation, cell reprogramming, and beta cell replication, but the most effective method remains uncertain.

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

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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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Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 20, 2026

Analysis of Beta-cell Function Using Single-cell Resolution Calcium Imaging in Zebrafish Islets
08:50

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

Published on: July 3, 2018

A High-content In Vitro Pancreatic Islet β-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:

  • Regenerative Medicine
  • Endocrinology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Diabetes mellitus is characterized by the loss or insufficiency of insulin-producing beta cells.
  • This deficiency poses a significant challenge for effective diabetes management and treatment.
  • The need for novel therapeutic strategies to restore beta cell function is critical.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review and summarize the current promising strategies for generating new beta cells to address diabetes.
  • To evaluate the progress and potential of different approaches in beta cell replacement therapy.
  • To highlight the ongoing challenges and future directions in the field of beta cell regeneration.

Main Methods:

  • Review of current scientific literature on beta cell generation and regeneration.
  • Analysis of three primary strategies: de novo differentiation, cell reprogramming, and beta cell replication.
  • Assessment of progress and limitations for each therapeutic approach.

Main Results:

  • Significant advancements have been made in generating beta cells from embryonic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells.
  • Cellular reprogramming shows potential for converting existing cell types into functional beta cells.
  • Methods to promote existing beta cell replication in vivo and in vitro are also under active investigation.
  • Each strategy demonstrates progress, yet none has definitively emerged as the optimal solution.

Conclusions:

  • Multiple promising avenues exist for generating new beta cells to treat diabetes.
  • Further research is essential to determine the most effective and clinically viable strategy.
  • The ultimate success of beta cell replacement therapy will depend on continued innovation and comparative analysis of these approaches.