title: Minimal model for membrane oscillations in the pancreatic beta-cell.
abstract: Following the experimental findings of Atwater et al. (In Biochemistry Biophysics of the Pancreatic-beta-Cell, George Thieme Verlag, New York, 100-107), we have formulated a mathematical model for ionic and electrical events that take place in pancreatic-beta-cells. Our formulation incorporates a Hodgkin-Huxley type gating mechanism for Ca2+ and K+ channels, in addition to Ca2+ gated K+-channels. Consistent with the experimental observations, our model generates spikes and bursts in beta-cell membrane potentials and gives the correct responses to additions of glucose, quinine, and tetraethylammonium ions. The response of the oscillations to ouabain and changing concentrations of external K+ can be incorporated into the present model, although a more complete treatment would require inclusion of the Na+/K+ pump.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001048:Aplysia; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D004553:Electric Conductivity; D007473:Ion Channels / Q000502:physiology; D007515:Islets of Langerhans / Q000502:physiology*; D008433:Mathematics; D008564:Membrane Potentials / Q000187:drug effects; D008954:Models, Biological; D011188:Potassium / Q000378:metabolism; D011803:Quinine / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D007473:Ion Channels; D011803:Quinine; D011188:Potassium; D002118:Calcium