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Related Concept Videos

Glucose Homeostasis: Pancreatic Islets and Insulin Secretion01:27

Glucose Homeostasis: Pancreatic Islets and Insulin Secretion

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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.
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Paracrine Signaling01:21

Paracrine Signaling

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Paracrine signaling allows cells to communicate with their immediate neighbors via secretion of signaling molecules. Such a signal can only trigger a response in nearby target cells because the signal molecules degrade quickly or are inactivated if not taken up. Prominent examples of paracrine signaling include nitric oxide signaling in blood vessels, synaptic signaling of neurons, the blood clotting system, tissue repair/wound healing, and local allergic skin reactions. Nitric oxide as a...
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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...
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Cells and Secretions of the Pancreas01:16

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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.
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Overview of Cell Signaling01:23

Overview of Cell Signaling

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Despite the protective membrane that separates a cell from the environment, cells need the ability to detect and respond to environmental changes. Additionally, cells often need to communicate with one another. Unicellular and multicellular organisms use a variety of cell signaling mechanisms to communicate with the environment.
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Autocrine Signaling01:01

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Autocrine signaling is one of the many signaling mechanisms that function inside multicellular organisms to carry out intercellular communication. In this type of signaling mechanism, the same cell that secretes an extracellular signaling molecule also expresses the receptors to bind and respond to that signaling molecule.
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Related Experiment Video

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A Method for Mouse Pancreatic Islet Isolation and Intracellular cAMP Determination
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Paracrine signaling in islet function and survival.

Sean M Hartig1,2, Aaron R Cox3

  • 1Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.

Journal of Molecular Medicine (Berlin, Germany)
|February 19, 2020
PubMed
Summary

Pancreatic islets regulate glucose homeostasis through intricate paracrine signaling. Diabetes disrupts these signals, impacting beta cell function and survival, highlighting potential therapeutic targets.

Keywords:
DiabetesIslet biologyIslet functionParacrine signalingSurvival

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Area of Science:

  • Endocrinology
  • Cell Biology
  • Metabolic Disease Research

Background:

  • Pancreatic islets are crucial for glucose homeostasis, containing diverse endocrine cells and supportive networks.
  • Intraislet paracrine signaling regulates endocrine cell function, survival, and overall islet function.
  • Diabetes mellitus is characterized by beta cell dysfunction, loss, and altered glucagon secretion.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review paracrine signals governing islet endocrine function and cell survival.
  • To examine how diabetes disrupts intraislet communication and cell function.
  • To identify potential therapeutic targets for preserving beta cell mass and function in diabetes.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of current research on pancreatic islet biology and diabetes.
  • Analysis of endocrine and paracrine signaling pathways within the islet.
  • Synthesis of findings on diabetes-induced islet dysfunction and therapeutic strategies.

Main Results:

  • Recent advances reveal novel islet cell identities, transcriptomes, and paracrine mechanisms.
  • Disrupted paracrine signaling contributes to beta cell loss and impaired insulin secretion in diabetes.
  • Somatostatin and ghrelin exhibit previously unrecognized paracrine actions within the islet.

Conclusions:

  • Understanding intraislet paracrine signaling is key to addressing diabetes pathogenesis.
  • Therapeutic strategies targeting paracrine pathways may preserve beta cell function and mass.
  • Further research into islet cell interactions offers promising avenues for diabetes treatment.