title: The islet beta-cell.
abstract: The beta-cell is one of four major types of cells present in the islets of Langerhans, which are islands of cells distributed throughout the endocrine pancreas in most mammals. The beta-cell synthesizes and secretes the hormone insulin mainly in response to glucose but also in response to several nutrients, hormones and nervous stimuli. In adult rodents the beta-cell has a slow mitotic rate. Recent studies provide novel insights into the functions of the beta-cell. The presence of functional insulin-like growth factor-1 and insulin receptors and components of their signaling pathway indicate an important role for insulin/IGF-1 signaling in the regulation of beta-cell function. Further, the recent discovery of glucokinase (GK) and the ATP-dependent potassium channels on insulin secretory granules, the detection of AMP-protein kinase in the beta-cell and the identification of a new beta-cell transcription factor, mMafA, are some exciting new areas of research currently underway to further understand the complex pathways that regulate the functions of beta-cells.
authors.affiliation: Research Division, Joslin Diabetes Center, Harvard Medical School, One Joslin Place, Boston, MA 02215, USA. rohit.kulkarni@joslin.harvard.edu
authors.forename: Rohit N
authors.initials: RN
authors.lastname: Kulkarni
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy; D015316:Genetic Therapy; D005947:Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D007328:Insulin / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000378:metabolism; D000078790:Insulin Secretion; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Q000378:metabolism; D007515:Islets of Langerhans / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D051379:Mice
chemical_list: D007328:Insulin; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I; D005947:Glucose