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Related Concept Videos

Hormones Regulating Blood Glucose01:16

Hormones Regulating Blood Glucose

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...
Type I Diabetes II: Pathophysiology01:26

Type I Diabetes II: Pathophysiology

Type 1 diabetes mellitus arises from an immune-mediated destruction of pancreatic β-cells, resulting in an absolute deficiency of insulin. This process develops in genetically susceptible individuals when autoimmunity, environmental exposures, and immunologic dysregulation converge to trigger a targeted attack on the insulin-producing cells of the pancreas. The β-cells are located within the islets of Langerhans and are essential for regulating blood glucose by facilitating cellular uptake of...
Glucose Homeostasis: Pancreatic Islets and Insulin Secretion01:27

Glucose Homeostasis: Pancreatic Islets and Insulin Secretion

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 co-secreted in...
Feedback Loops01:01

Feedback Loops

In most cases, excessive hormone production is prevented by negative feedback—a loop that starts with a stimulus inducing the release of a particular substance, like a hormone, to maintain a certain level before triggering a signal that results in a decrease in further release of the hormone.
Insulin: Biosynthesis, Chemistry, and Preparation01:25

Insulin: Biosynthesis, Chemistry, and Preparation

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 primarily uses...
Cell Specific Gene Expression01:58

Cell Specific Gene Expression

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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Somatostatin receptors shape insulin and glucagon output within the pancreatic islet in mice through direct and paracrine effects.

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 22, 2026

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

Tuning beta cells to the right frequency.

Ryan G Hart1, Mark O Huising2

  • 1Department of Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA.

Cell Systems
|May 20, 2026
PubMed
Summary

High blood sugar causes calcium oscillations in beta cells, leading to insulin release. New research shows alpha and delta cells influence the frequency of these oscillations during glucose stimulation.

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Last Updated: May 22, 2026

Analysis of Beta-cell Function Using Single-cell Resolution Calcium Imaging in Zebrafish Islets
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Area of Science:

  • Endocrinology
  • Cell Biology
  • Metabolic Regulation

Background:

  • Hyperglycemia, or high blood glucose, triggers calcium oscillations in pancreatic beta cells.
  • These oscillations are crucial for insulin secretion, which helps restore normal blood glucose levels (normoglycemia).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of pancreatic alpha and delta cells in modulating beta cell calcium oscillation frequency.
  • To understand how intercellular communication within pancreatic islets impacts glucose homeostasis.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized techniques to monitor calcium dynamics in different islet cell types.
  • Analyzed the impact of glucose stimulation on cellular communication and oscillation patterns.

Main Results:

  • Demonstrated that alpha and delta cells significantly influence the frequency of glucose-induced calcium oscillations in beta cells.
  • Identified specific signaling pathways involved in this intercellular regulation.

Conclusions:

  • Neighboring alpha and delta cells play a critical regulatory role in beta cell function.
  • Understanding these interactions is key to developing new therapeutic strategies for diabetes and metabolic disorders.