Essential biochemical design features of the fuel-sensing system in pancreatic beta-cells

Chem Biol. 1997 Apr;4(4):249-57. doi: 10.1016/s1074-5521(97)90068-5.

Abstract

The beta-cells of the pancreas control the blood levels of glucose and other nutrients by secreting insulin. They sense blood nutrient levels not by using a classical receptor-signaling system, but by detecting the products of nutrient metabolism. Mutations in this pathway can cause diabetes or hypoglycemia.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acids / metabolism
  • Calcium / metabolism
  • Diabetes Mellitus / metabolism
  • Energy Metabolism
  • Glucokinase / deficiency
  • Glucokinase / metabolism
  • Glucose / metabolism
  • Homeostasis
  • Humans
  • Insulin / metabolism*
  • Insulin Secretion
  • Islets of Langerhans / metabolism*
  • Lipid Metabolism
  • Potassium Channels / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction

Substances

  • Amino Acids
  • Insulin
  • Potassium Channels
  • Glucokinase
  • Glucose
  • Calcium