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

Insulin: Biosynthesis, Chemistry, and Preparation01:25

Insulin: Biosynthesis, Chemistry, and Preparation

605
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...
605
Tissue Renewal without Stem Cells01:23

Tissue Renewal without Stem Cells

1.8K
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.
However, failure of such a system...
1.8K
Glucose Homeostasis: Pancreatic Islets and Insulin Secretion01:27

Glucose Homeostasis: Pancreatic Islets and Insulin Secretion

1.5K
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...
1.5K
Insulin Secretory Vesicles01:05

Insulin Secretory Vesicles

5.6K
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...
5.6K
Glucagon-like Receptor Agonists01:24

Glucagon-like Receptor Agonists

452
Incretins include glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP), which stimulate insulin secretion post-meals. In type 2 diabetes, GIP's efficacy is reduced, making GLP-1 a viable drug target. GIP originates from preproGIP.
GLP-1, when administered in high doses intravenously, triggers insulin secretion, inhibits glucagon release, slows gastric emptying, reduces food intake, and restores normal insulin secretion. However, its rapid inactivation by...
452

You might also read

Related Articles

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

Sort by
Same author

A potent HNF4α agonist reveals that HNF4α controls genes important in inflammatory bowel disease and Paneth cells.

PloS one·2022
Same author

Long-term oral administration of an HNF4α agonist prevents weight gain and hepatic steatosis by promoting increased mitochondrial mass and function.

Cell death & disease·2022
Same author

Liver fat storage is controlled by HNF4α through induction of lipophagy and is reversed by a potent HNF4α agonist.

Cell death & disease·2021
Same author

PAR2 regulates regeneration, transdifferentiation, and death.

Cell death & disease·2016

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Sep 29, 2025

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

11.3K

Approaches to Inducing β-Cell Regeneration.

Fred Levine1

  • 1SBP Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA.

Biomedicines
|March 25, 2022
PubMed
Summary

Generating new beta-cells is key for diabetes research. This review critically examines proposed pathways, focusing on how alpha-cells may convert into functional beta-cells to restore islet cell numbers.

Area of Science:

  • Endocrinology and Metabolism
  • Cell Biology
  • Diabetes Research

Background:

  • Reduced beta-cell mass or function is a hallmark of diabetes mellitus.
  • Generating new, functional beta-cells is a primary therapeutic goal for diabetes.
  • The precise mechanisms for beta-cell regeneration in diabetes remain largely unknown.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To critically review proposed mechanisms for increasing functional beta-cell numbers.
  • To evaluate the evidence for different beta-cell generation pathways, especially in humans.
  • To specifically focus on the potential of alpha-cell transdifferentiation into beta-cells.

Main Methods:

  • Critical analysis and discussion of existing scientific literature.
  • Evaluation of proposed pathways including beta-cell replication, neogenesis, redifferentiation, and transdifferentiation.
Keywords:
diabetesinsulinisletpancreasregenerationstem cellβ-cell

More Related Videos

Sustained Administration of β-cell Mitogens to Intact Mouse Islets Ex Vivo Using Biodegradable Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) Microspheres
09:31

Sustained Administration of β-cell Mitogens to Intact Mouse Islets Ex Vivo Using Biodegradable Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) Microspheres

Published on: November 5, 2016

7.4K
Author Spotlight: Advancements and Challenges in β-Cells Differentiation from Pluripotent Stem Cells
06:33

Author Spotlight: Advancements and Challenges in β-Cells Differentiation from Pluripotent Stem Cells

Published on: February 2, 2024

2.1K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Sep 29, 2025

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

11.3K
Sustained Administration of β-cell Mitogens to Intact Mouse Islets Ex Vivo Using Biodegradable Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) Microspheres
09:31

Sustained Administration of β-cell Mitogens to Intact Mouse Islets Ex Vivo Using Biodegradable Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) Microspheres

Published on: November 5, 2016

7.4K
Author Spotlight: Advancements and Challenges in β-Cells Differentiation from Pluripotent Stem Cells
06:33

Author Spotlight: Advancements and Challenges in β-Cells Differentiation from Pluripotent Stem Cells

Published on: February 2, 2024

2.1K
  • Emphasis on evidence supporting alpha-cell to beta-cell conversion.

    • Main Results:

    • Several pathways, including replication, neogenesis, redifferentiation, and transdifferentiation, have been proposed for beta-cell generation.
    • Definitive evidence, particularly in human subjects, for these pathways is often lacking.
    • Transdifferentiation of alpha-cells to beta-cells is a significant area of investigation.

    Conclusions:

    • Understanding beta-cell regeneration is crucial for developing novel diabetes therapies.
    • Further research is needed to definitively establish the mechanisms of beta-cell formation.
    • Alpha-cell transdifferentiation represents a promising, yet under-proven, avenue for beta-cell replacement.