Dynamical complexity and temporal plasticity in pancreatic beta-cells.
We discuss some of the biological and mathematical issues involved in understanding and modelling the bursting electrical activity in pancreatic beta-cells. These issues include single-cell versus islet behaviour, parameter heterogeneity, channel noise, the effects of hormones, neurotransmitters, and ions, and multiple slow biophysical processes. Some of the key experimental and modelling studies are described, and some of the major open questions are discussed.
Bertram
R
R
Institute of Molecular Biophysics, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA. bertram@sb.fsu.edu
Sherman
A
A
D000109:Acetylcholine / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D001683:Biological Clocks; D002118:Calcium / Q000494:pharmacology; D002450:Cell Communication; D002469:Cell Separation; D004594:Electrophysiology; D005947:Glucose / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D007473:Ion Channels / Q000378:metabolism; D007515:Islets of Langerhans / Q000502:physiology*; D008954:Models, Biological; D017711:Nonlinear Dynamics
D007473:Ion Channels; D005947:Glucose; D000109:Acetylcholine; D002118:Calcium