Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Hormones Regulating Blood Glucose01:16

Hormones Regulating Blood Glucose

7.5K
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...
7.5K
mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression03:03

mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression

4.9K
The mammalian target of rapamycin or mTOR protein was discovered in 1994 due to its direct interaction with rapamycin. The protein gets its name from a yeast homolog called TOR. The mTOR protein complex in mammalian cells plays a major role in balancing anabolic processes such as the synthesis of proteins, lipids, and nucleotides and catabolic processes, such as autophagy in response to environmental cues, such as availability of nutrients and growth factors.
The mTOR pathway or the...
4.9K
Insulin: The Receptor and Signaling Pathways01:28

Insulin: The Receptor and Signaling Pathways

5.2K
Insulin action is mediated through a receptor tyrosine kinase, akin to the IGF-1 receptor. The number of receptors per cell varies significantly, from 40 on erythrocytes to 300,000 on adipocytes and hepatocytes. The insulin receptor consists of linked α/β subunit dimers, forming a heterotetramer glycoprotein with two extracellular α subunits and two β subunits spanning the membrane. The α subunits inhibit the inherent tyrosine kinase activity of the β subunits, but...
5.2K
Insulin Secretory Vesicles01:05

Insulin Secretory Vesicles

7.2K
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...
7.2K
PI3K/mTOR/AKT Signaling Pathway01:22

PI3K/mTOR/AKT Signaling Pathway

5.9K
The mammalian target of rapamycin  (mTOR) is a serine/threonine kinase that regulates growth, proliferation, and cell survival in response to hormones, growth factors, or nutrient availability. This kinase exists in two structurally and functionally distinct forms: mTOR complex 1  (mTORC1) and mTOR complex 2  (mTORC2). The first form (mTORC1) is composed of a rapamycin-sensitive Raptor and proline-rich Akt substrate, PRAS40. In contrast,  mTORC2 consists of a...
5.9K
Glucose Homeostasis: Pancreatic Islets and Insulin Secretion01:27

Glucose Homeostasis: Pancreatic Islets and Insulin Secretion

2.8K
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...
2.8K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Hippo signalling as a nexus in host-virus interactions.

PLoS pathogens·2026
Same author

Hippo signalling in cellular and tissue-level metabolism across health and disease.

Trends in endocrinology and metabolism: TEM·2026
Same author

To β or not to β: think zinc (again)!

Cell research·2026
Same author

Mitochondrial Cell-Type-Specific Profiling: Differential Function of Mesophyll and Guard Cells is Reflected by Their Mitochondrial Proteome.

Physiologia plantarum·2025
Same author

The Hippo terminal effector YAP boosts enterovirus replication in type 1 diabetes.

Nature communications·2025
Same author

Joint analysis of the nPOD-Virus Group data: the association of enterovirus with type 1 diabetes is supported by multiple markers of infection in pancreas tissue.

Diabetologia·2025

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 28, 2026

High-resolution Respirometry to Measure Mitochondrial Function of Intact Beta Cells in the Presence of Natural Compounds
12:32

High-resolution Respirometry to Measure Mitochondrial Function of Intact Beta Cells in the Presence of Natural Compounds

Published on: January 23, 2018

13.0K

mTORC in β cells: more Than Only Recognizing Comestibles.

Kathrin Maedler1, Amin Ardestani2

  • 1University of Bremen, Centre for Biomolecular Interactions Bremen, Bremen, Germany kmaedler@uni-bremen.de.

The Journal of Cell Biology
|June 14, 2017
PubMed
Summary

Researchers found that mTOR protects pancreatic beta cells in diabetes by suppressing TXNIP, which reduces oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction. This discovery offers new insights into diabetes treatment strategies.

More Related Videos

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

15.4K
Visualization of Endogenous Mitophagy Complexes In Situ in Human Pancreatic Beta Cells Utilizing Proximity Ligation Assay
08:40

Visualization of Endogenous Mitophagy Complexes In Situ in Human Pancreatic Beta Cells Utilizing Proximity Ligation Assay

Published on: May 2, 2019

6.4K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Feb 28, 2026

High-resolution Respirometry to Measure Mitochondrial Function of Intact Beta Cells in the Presence of Natural Compounds
12:32

High-resolution Respirometry to Measure Mitochondrial Function of Intact Beta Cells in the Presence of Natural Compounds

Published on: January 23, 2018

13.0K
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

15.4K
Visualization of Endogenous Mitophagy Complexes In Situ in Human Pancreatic Beta Cells Utilizing Proximity Ligation Assay
08:40

Visualization of Endogenous Mitophagy Complexes In Situ in Human Pancreatic Beta Cells Utilizing Proximity Ligation Assay

Published on: May 2, 2019

6.4K

Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Endocrinology
  • Metabolism

Background:

  • Pancreatic beta cell survival is crucial for diabetes management but the underlying regulatory pathways remain unclear.
  • Oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction contribute to beta cell failure in diabetic conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) in regulating pancreatic beta cell survival during diabetes.
  • To elucidate the molecular mechanisms by which mTOR influences beta cell apoptosis and function in a diabetic setting.

Main Methods:

  • The study involved investigating the interaction between mTOR, the ChREBP-Mlx transcription factor complex, and TXNIP.
  • Experiments likely utilized cell culture models and potentially in vivo studies to assess beta cell function and apoptosis.

Main Results:

  • mTOR was shown to bind to the ChREBP-Mlx complex.
  • This interaction leads to the suppression of Thioredoxin-interacting protein (TXNIP) expression.
  • Suppression of TXNIP by mTOR protects pancreatic beta cells from apoptosis by mitigating oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction.

Conclusions:

  • mTOR plays a protective role in pancreatic beta cells within the diabetic environment.
  • Targeting the mTOR-ChREBP-Mlx-TXNIP axis could be a therapeutic strategy for preserving beta cell function in diabetes.