Paracrine Hormonal Signals From Islet α-Cells Regulate Microtubule Dynamics in β-Cells to Promote Insulin Secretion in Mouse and Human Islets.

ABSTRACT: The microtubule network in β-cells attenuates insulin secretion by pulling insulin secretory granules away from the plasma membrane. Thus, high-glucose-induced microtubule remodeling is required for robust glucose-stimulated insulin secretion. We now demonstrate that hormones secreted by α-cells regulate microtubule dynamics in β-cells through receptors for glucagon (GcgR) and glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1R). Activation of GcgR or GLP-1R destabilizes microtubules in β-cells, accompanied by increased insulin secretion. In contrast, inhibiting these receptors attenuates high-glucose-induced microtubule destabilization and decreases secretion. Supporting the physiological significance of this regulation, β-cells in islets with a higher α-cell-to-β-cell ratio exhibit more dynamic microtubules

SUBMITTER: Ho KH 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12928739 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature