Cited by 599Pancreatic function and diabetesDiabetes and associated disordersDiabetes Treatment and Management

Regulation of Insulin Secretion in Human Pancreatic Islets

Rorsman, Patrik, Braun, Matthias·2013·Annual Review of Physiology

Abstract

Pancreatic β cells secrete insulin, the body's only hormone capable of lowering plasma glucose levels. Impaired or insufficient insulin secretion results in diabetes mellitus. The β cell is electrically excitable; in response to an elevation of glucose, it depolarizes and starts generating action potentials. The electrophysiology of mouse β cells and the cell's role in insulin secretion have been extensively investigated. More recently, similar studies have been performed on human β cells. These studies have revealed numerous and important differences between human and rodent β cells. Here we discuss the properties of human pancreatic β cells: their glucose sensing, the ion channel complement underlying glucose-induced electrical activity that culminates in exocytotic release of insulin, the cellular control of exocytosis, and the modulation of insulin secretion by circulating hormones and locally released neurotransmitters. Finally, we consider the pathophysiology of insulin secretion and the interactions between genetics and environmental factors that may explain the current diabetes epidemic.

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.1146/annurev-physiol-030212-183754

Cites

136 of 136 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

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  • The primary secretory pathway of glucose-stimulated insulin secretion is associated with complex patterns of electrical activity across the plasma membrane, which allow Ca2+ ions to enter the cell and trigger the secretory machinery.

    “The primary secretory pathway of glucose-stimulated insulin secretion is associated with complex patterns of electrical activity across the plasma membrane, which allow Ca2+ ions to enter the cell and trigger the secretory machinery.”

    From Mathematical Modelling of Endocrine Systems (2019) · cites this paper as [11]

  • Electrical activity in beta cells is coupled to cell metabolism, which acts as a glucose sensor by raising the intracellular ATP:ADP ratio, causing KATP channels to close, depolarising the membrane and driving it towards its threshold for action potential initiation.

    “This electrical activity is coupled to cell metabolism, which acts as a glucose sensor by raising the intracellular ATP:ADP ratio, causing KATP channels to close, depolarising the membrane and driving it towards its threshold for action potential initiation [11].”

    From Mathematical Modelling of Endocrine Systems (2019) · cites this paper as [11]

  • Adrenaline and somatostatin lead to transient repolarization and suppression of glucose-induced electrical activity in human β-cells.

    “Adrenaline and somatostatin lead to transient repolarization and suppression of glucose-induced electrical activity (327, 568).”
  • Human β-cell action potentials are triggered from a more negative membrane potential than mouse β-cells (-60 mV rather than -50 to -40 mV) and often overshoot, peaking above zero mV.

    “The action potentials of human β-cells are also triggered from a more negative membrane potential in human than in mouse β-cells (-60 mV rather than -50 to -40 mV) and often overshoot, peaking at potentials above zero mV (568).”
  • The action potentials of both mouse and human β-cells are short, ranging between 5 ms (human) and 30-40 ms (mouse).

    “The action potentials of both mouse and human β-cells are short, ranging between 5 ms (human) and 30-40 ms (mouse) (568, 570).”

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Authors
Rorsman, P., & Braun, M.
Affiliations
  • University of Oxford (GB)
  • University of Alberta (CA)
Venue
Annual Review of Physiology
Published
2013-02-10
Volume
75
Issue
1
Pages
155-179
ISSN
  • 0066-4278 (ISSN-L)
  • 1545-1585
OpenAlex
W2140402299
Cited by
599
References
134
Citations by year
2026: 15 · 2025: 21 · 2024: 26 · 2023: 44 · 2022: 60 · 2021: 57 · 2020: 42 · 2019: 41 · 2018: 59 · 2017: 47 · 2016: 50 · 2015: 51 · 2014: 54 · 2013: 28 · 2012: 2
FWCI
8.33
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Annual Review of Physiology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
  • Wellcome Trust (095531/Z/11/Z, 095531)
  • Canadian Institutes of Health Research
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Surgery › Pancreatic function and diabetes
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Genetics › Diabetes and associated disorders
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism › Diabetes Treatment and Management
Keywords
insulin secretion, pancreatic beta cells, human beta cells, glucose detection, action potential, ion channels, exocytosis, neurotransmitters, circulating hormones, diabetes mellitus, genetic and environmental risk factors
MeSH terms
Insulin Secretion, Action Potentials, Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2, Glucose, Humans, Insulin, Ion Channels, Islets of Langerhans, Insulin-Secreting Cells

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