K(ATP)-channels and glucose-regulated glucagon secretion.
Glucagon, secreted by the alpha-cells of the pancreatic islets, is the most important glucose-increasing hormone of the body. The precise regulation of glucagon release remains incompletely defined but has been proposed to involve release of inhibitory factors from neighbouring beta-cells (paracrine control). However, the observation that glucose can regulate glucagon secretion under conditions when insulin secretion does not occur argues that the alpha-cell is also equipped with its own intrinsic (exerted within the alpha-cell itself) glucose sensing. Here we consider the possible mechanisms involved with a focus on ATP-regulated K(+)-channels and changes in alpha-cell membrane potential.
Rorsman
Patrik
P
Oxford Centre for Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, University of Oxford, Churchill Hospital, Oxford OX3 7LJ, UK. patrik.rorsman@ocdem.ox.ac.uk
Salehi
S Albert
SA
Abdulkader
Fernando
F
Braun
Matthias
M
MacDonald
Patrick E
PE
D000818:Animals; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy; D005934:Glucagon / Q000378:metabolism*; D050416:Glucagon-Secreting Cells / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D005947:Glucose / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D054086:KATP Channels / Q000502:physiology*; D008564:Membrane Potentials / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D008954:Models, Biological; D019899:Paracrine Communication / Q000502:physiology; D014044:Tolbutamide / Q000494:pharmacology
D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D054086:KATP Channels; D005934:Glucagon; D014044:Tolbutamide; D005947:Glucose