Cx36 makes channels coupling human pancreatic β-cells, and correlates with insulin expression

Oscillations, Intercellular Coupling, and Insulin Secretion in Pancreatic β Cells

I t's easy to say we are what we eat, but this simple statement belies the complexity of metabolic signalling that goes into balancing food intake with energy expenditure. One hormone in particular—insulin—is a critically important regulator of whole body energy metabolism. It is secreted from the pancreas when blood glucose levels are high, and it acts to maintain glucose homeostasis by promot...

Voltage-gated ion channels in human pancreatic β-cells Electrophysiological characterization and role in insulin secretion

Glucose regulation of insulin gene expression in pancreatic β-cells

Production and secretion of insulin from the β-cells of the pancreas is very crucial in maintaining normoglycaemia. This is achieved by tight regulation of insulin synthesis and exocytosis from the β-cells in response to changes in blood glucose levels. The synthesis of insulin is regulated by blood glucose levels at the transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels. Although many transcripti...

Cx36 Preferentially Connects -Cells Within Pancreatic Islets

Previous studies have provided evidence for the transcripts of Cx43 and Cx45 within pancreatic islets. As of yet, however, it has proven difficult to unambiguously demonstrate the expression of these proteins by islet cells. We have investigated whether Cx36, a new connexin species recently identified in mammalian brain and retina, may also be expressed in pancreatic islets. Using probes that p...

Impaired β-cell-β-cell coupling mediated by Cx36 gap junctions in prediabetic mice.

Gap junctional intercellular communication between β-cells is crucial for proper insulin biosynthesis and secretion. The aim of this work was to investigate the expression of connexin (Cx)36 at the protein level as well as the function and structure of gap junctions (GJ) made by this protein in the endocrine pancreas of prediabetic mice. C57BL/6 mice were fed a high-fat (HF) or regular chow die...