title: Islet amyloid polypeptide--hen or egg in type 2 diabetes pathogenesis?
abstract: Islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP or amylin) was first identified as the major peptide constituent of amyloid deposited in the islets of Langerhans in patients with type-2 diabetes mellitus or in insulinomas. It was subsequently shown that IAPP is produced by the pancreatic beta-cells, co-stored and co-released with insulin. IAPP is homologous with the neuropeptide calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) and has therefore been assumed to have a function as an endocrine, paracrine or autocrine hormone. This has prompted the search for its physiological function as well as a putative pathogenic role in type 2 diabetes mellitus.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, University of Uppsala, Sweden.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Betsholtz
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Christmanson
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gebre-Medhin
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Westermark
mesh_terms: D000682:Amyloid / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000209:etiology* / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D058228:Islet Amyloid Polypeptide
chemical_list: D000682:Amyloid; D058228:Islet Amyloid Polypeptide