Gap Junctions and Insulin Secretion

摘要: About 30 years ago, pancreatic beta cells were shown to be connected by gap junctions and exhibit glucose-induced oscillatory electrical activity, two features that hypothetically linked insulin secretion. Since then, have been an obligatory feature of in all species physiological conditions studied. They are composed connexin proteins allow for beta-cell exchanges current-carrying ions other small cytosolic metabolites which synchronize the metabolic activity cells, recruit these biosynthesis release. Together, effects account significant contribution junction-dependent signaling control More recent data suggest junctions, either via expression and/or intercellular communications permit, also significantly influence growth, apoptosis, resistance islets immune attack. The mechanism(s) whereby junction exerts multiple is still obscure. Understanding this mechanism relevant both our understanding physiology pathophysiology dysfunction type 1 2 diabetes. Furthermore, appropriate may a prerequisite engineering surrogate insulin-producing their proper three-dimensional packaging, important using as cell-based therapy treatment diabetic patients. Here, we review current status knowledge field its exciting perspectives.