Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 9, 2026

Analysis of Beta-cell Function Using Single-cell Resolution Calcium Imaging in Zebrafish Islets
Published on: July 3, 2018
Potassium-stimulated 45Ca2+ uptake by subcellular particles of pancreatic beta-cells
Abstract:
Accumulation of 45Ca2+ by a microsomal fraction from pancreatic beta-cells of obese-hyperglycemic (ob/ob) mice was stimulated by Mg2+ in a concentration-dependent manner when 2 mM ATP was present. Maximum effect was reached at 2 mM Mg2+. Increasing the Na+ concentration from 20 to 115 mM had no significant effect, but K+ (10-123 mM) stimulated 45Ca2+ accumulation markedly when tested in the presence of 2 mM Mg2+. This effect was not due to changes of osmolarity, ionic strength, or the concentration of Cl-. Stimulation by K+ was drastically reduced on omission of Mg2+ from the incubation medium. K+ did not significantly affect 45Ca2+ uptake by a mitochondria-rich fraction of ob/ob mouse islets. It is suggested that K+ may be involved in modifying the subcellular distribution of calcium ions in pancreatic beta-cells.
Related Concept Videos
Glucose Absorption Into the Small Intestine
Insulin Secretory Vesicles
cAMP-dependent Protein Kinase Pathways
Feedback Regulation of Calcium Concentration
Various transmembrane receptors, such as G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), elicit a response to extracellular signals by increasing cytosolic calcium. Activated GPCRs...
Hormones Regulating Blood Glucose
In addition to accelerating glucose uptake and utilization, insulin has...
Glucose Homeostasis: Pancreatic Islets and Insulin Secretion
Insulin and C-peptide are co-secreted in...

