title: Molecular pathways underlying the pathogenesis of pancreatic alpha-cell dysfunction.
abstract: Glucagon plays a critical role in glucose homeostasis by counteracting insulin action, especially during hypoglycemia. Glucagon secretion from pancreatic alpha-cells is regulated by various mechanisms including glycemia, neural input, and secretion from neighboring beta-cells. However, glucagon secretion is dysregulated in diabetic states, causing exacerbation of glycemic disorders. Recently, new therapeutic approaches targeting excess glucagon secretion are being explored for use in diabetes treatment. Therefore, understanding the molecular mechanism of how glucagon secretion is regulated is critical for treating the alpha-cell dysfunction observed in diabetes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Joslin Diabetes Center, and Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA. dan.kawamori@joslin.harvard.edu
authors.forename: Dan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kawamori
authors.forename: Hannah J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Welters
authors.forename: Rohit N
authors.initials: RN
authors.lastname: Kulkarni
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003921:Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / Q000378:metabolism; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D005934:Glucagon / Q000378:metabolism; D050416:Glucagon-Secreting Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D006801:Humans; D006943:Hyperglycemia / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D006984:Hypertrophy / Q000378:metabolism; D007515:Islets of Langerhans / Q000378:metabolism; D008954:Models, Biological; D009420:Nervous System / Q000378:metabolism; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000378:metabolism; D010179:Pancreas / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction; D013004:Somatostatin / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents; D013004:Somatostatin; D005934:Glucagon