title: [Electrophysiological studies of insulin secretion, physiology and pathophysiology].
abstract: Recent progress in experimental diabetes research is reviewed in this article. The application of the patch-clamp technique to the insulin-secreting pancreatic beta-cell has revolutionised our understanding of how an increase in the blood glucose concentration is linked to stimulation of insulin secretion. A major advance was the identification of an ATP-regulated K-channel (KATP-channel) as the glucose-sensitive membrane conductance of the beta-cell. Closure of these channels underlies the glucose-induced depolarisation of the beta-cell, which then triggers the opening of voltage-gated Ca(2+)-channels and the onset of Ca(2+)-dependent exocytosis. With the patch-clamp technique, it was also possible to demonstrate that the KATP-channel represents the molecular target of the hypoglycaemic sulphonylureas, compounds which are used clinically in the treatment of type 2 diabetes.
authors.affiliation: Novo Nordisk A/S, Køobenhavn.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Rorsman
mesh_terms: D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate / Q000378:metabolism; D001363:Awards and Prizes; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D004594:Electrophysiology / Q000379:methods; D005089:Exocytosis; D007328:Insulin / Q000378:metabolism*; D000078790:Insulin Secretion; D007473:Ion Channels / Q000502:physiology; D008564:Membrane Potentials; D010179:Pancreas / Q000378:metabolism; D018408:Patch-Clamp Techniques; D010766:Phosphorylation; D010827:Physiology; D011506:Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D013268:Stimulation, Chemical; D013453:Sulfonylurea Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology; D013548:Sweden
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D007328:Insulin; D007473:Ion Channels; D011506:Proteins; D013453:Sulfonylurea Compounds; D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate