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

Glucose Homeostasis: Pancreatic Islets and Insulin Secretion01:27

Glucose Homeostasis: Pancreatic Islets and Insulin Secretion

1.3K
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...
1.3K
Cells and Secretions of the Pancreas01:16

Cells and Secretions of the Pancreas

2.2K
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...
2.2K
Cell Specific Gene Expression01:58

Cell Specific Gene Expression

13.6K
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...
13.6K
Hormones Regulating Blood Glucose01:16

Hormones Regulating Blood Glucose

3.4K
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...
3.4K
Regulation of Food Intake01:30

Regulation of Food Intake

239
Short-term regulation of food intake primarily involves neural signals from the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, blood nutrient levels, and GI tract hormones. Communication between the gut and brain via vagal nerve fibers plays a significant role in evaluating the contents of the gut. Clinical studies have shown that protein ingestion produces a more prolonged response in these nerve fibers compared to an equivalent amount of glucose. Additionally, the activation of stretch receptors caused by GI...
239
Insulin Secretory Vesicles01:05

Insulin Secretory Vesicles

5.0K
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...
5.0K

You might also read

Related Articles

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

Sort by
Same author

The formin Fhod3 is required for sarcomere reassembly after mitosis in postnatal cardiomyocytes.

Cellular and molecular life sciences : CMLS·2026
Same author

Decision tree-based prediction of 5-year weight trajectories after bariatric surgery in adolescents and young adults: a retrospective cohort study from France and Sweden.

International journal of obesity (2005)·2026
Same author

Metabolic state determines the brain and direct islet effects of liraglutide on enhanced insulin secretion.

Diabetologia·2026
Same author

A soft tissue mass around the arteries after pancreatectomy: the association with local recurrence and the impact of neoadjuvant radiotherapy in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

Surgery today·2026
Same author

Effect of Alumina Airborne-Particle Abrasion Followed by Plasma Treatment on Bond Strength of Dental PEEK to MMA-Based Luting Systems.

Bioengineering (Basel, Switzerland)·2026
Same author

Simultaneous Pancreas and Kidney Transplantation in a Patient With Congenital Hemophilia A: A rare Case Report and Management Insights.

Transplantation proceedings·2026

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 8, 2025

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

12.1K

The NERP-4-SNAT2 axis regulates pancreatic β-cell maintenance and function.

Weidong Zhang1,2, Ayako Miura2,3, Md Moin Abu Saleh2,4

  • 1Department of Bioregulatory Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki, Japan.

Nature Communications
|December 9, 2023
PubMed
Summary

Neuroendocrine regulatory peptide-4 (NERP-4) enhances insulin secretion by stimulating amino acid uptake in pancreatic beta cells. This peptide-amino acid transporter axis is crucial for beta cell function and maintenance.

More Related Videos

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

11.2K
A Method for Mouse Pancreatic Islet Isolation and Intracellular cAMP Determination
12:33

A Method for Mouse Pancreatic Islet Isolation and Intracellular cAMP Determination

Published on: June 25, 2014

65.3K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 8, 2025

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

12.1K
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

11.2K
A Method for Mouse Pancreatic Islet Isolation and Intracellular cAMP Determination
12:33

A Method for Mouse Pancreatic Islet Isolation and Intracellular cAMP Determination

Published on: June 25, 2014

65.3K

Area of Science:

  • Endocrinology
  • Cell Biology
  • Metabolism

Background:

  • Insulin secretion from pancreatic beta cells is regulated by various factors, including nutrients and hormones.
  • Amino acids influence insulin secretion through specific transporters on beta cells.
  • The VGF protein and its derived peptide, NERP-4, play roles in beta cell function.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of NERP-4 in regulating insulin secretion and beta cell function.
  • To elucidate the mechanism by which NERP-4 affects beta cells, focusing on amino acid transport.
  • To determine if NERP-4 can protect beta cells in a model of diabetes.

Main Methods:

  • Measuring Ca2+ influx in pancreatic tissue from transgenic mice.
  • Assessing glucose-stimulated insulin secretion from isolated human and mouse islets and beta-cell lines.
  • Evaluating the effects of NERP-4 on beta-cell function and mitochondrial activity in db/db mice.
  • Investigating the interaction of NERP-4 with the sodium-coupled neutral amino acid transporter 2 (SNAT2) and its impact on amino acid uptake.
  • Examining the consequences of SNAT2 deletion or inhibition on NERP-4's protective effects.

Main Results:

  • NERP-4 increases Ca2+ influx and enhances glucose-stimulated insulin secretion in various models.
  • NERP-4 administration improves beta-cell maintenance and function in db/db mice by boosting mitochondrial function and reducing metabolic stress.
  • NERP-4 stimulates insulin secretion by acting on SNAT2, increasing the uptake of glutamine, alanine, and proline.
  • SNAT2 deletion or inhibition abrogates the protective effects of NERP-4 on beta-cell maintenance.

Conclusions:

  • NERP-4 represents a novel autocrine mechanism for regulating beta cell function and maintenance.
  • The peptide-amino acid transporter axis, specifically involving NERP-4 and SNAT2, is critical for beta cell health.
  • NERP-4 holds potential therapeutic value for conditions involving beta cell dysfunction.