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Related Concept Videos

Cells and Secretions of the Pancreas01:16

Cells and Secretions of the Pancreas

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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.
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Glucose Homeostasis: Pancreatic Islets and Insulin Secretion01:27

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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...
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Insulin: Biosynthesis, Chemistry, and Preparation01:25

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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.
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Tissue Renewal without Stem Cells01:23

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After cellular or tissue damage, the resident stem cells present in the human body can locally repair and regenerate the damaged tissue or organ. However, even though some tissues do not have stem cells, they can repair and regenerate with the help of pre-existing cells. For example, beta cells of the pancreas and hepatocytes of the liver can divide to renew and regenerate the tissue. Here, both cell division and cell death are well regulated by homeostasis.
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Insulin Secretory Vesicles01:05

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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...
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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...
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 8, 2026

Analysis of Beta-cell Function Using Single-cell Resolution Calcium Imaging in Zebrafish Islets
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Is a β cell a β cell?

Chaoxing Yang1, Feorillo Galivo, Craig Dorrell

  • 1aProgram in Molecular Medicine, Diabetes Center of Excellence, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts bOregon Stem Cell Center, Papé Family Pediatric Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA.

Current Opinion in Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Obesity
|January 19, 2017
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Recent studies reveal pancreatic beta cells exhibit functional and phenotypic diversity. Distinct beta cell subpopulations, identified through single-cell transcriptomics, have implications for understanding islet function and type 2 diabetes.

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Area of Science:

  • Endocrinology
  • Cell Biology
  • Genomics

Background:

  • Pancreatic beta cells are crucial for glucose homeostasis.
  • Recent advancements in single-cell analysis have spurred interest in beta cell heterogeneity.
  • Understanding beta cell diversity is key to normal and abnormal islet function.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review recent publications on phenotypic and functional heterogeneity in pancreatic beta cells.
  • To investigate the roles of this heterogeneity in normal and abnormal islet function.
  • To highlight the impact of new single-cell study methods.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of recent publications focusing on single-cell transcriptomics.
  • Identification of markers for temporal and structural heterogeneity.
  • Comparison of distinct beta cell subpopulations in mouse and human islets.

Main Results:

  • Temporal heterogeneity identified through serotonin and SIX2/3 expression.
  • Functionally distinct 'hub' and 'follower' beta cells observed in mouse islets.
  • Heterogeneous expression of Fltp, ST8SIA1, and CD9 linked to functional potential.
  • Single-cell transcriptomics revealed previously unknown beta cell subpopulations.

Conclusions:

  • Significant data on beta cell heterogeneity, including transcriptomes and subpopulations, has been gathered.
  • Two broad categories of beta cells suggested: proliferative/less functional and less proliferative/more functional.
  • Distinct subpopulations and their link to type 2 diabetes highlight clinical relevance.