Role of High Voltage-Gated Ca²⁺ Channel Subunits in Pancreatic β-Cell Insulin Release. From Structure to Function.

ABSTRACT: The pancreatic islets of Langerhans secrete several hormones critical for glucose homeostasis. The β-cells, the major cellular component of the pancreatic islets, secrete insulin, the only hormone capable of lowering the plasma glucose concentration. The counter-regulatory hormone glucagon is secreted by the α-cells while δ-cells secrete somatostatin that via paracrine mechanisms regulates the α- and β-cell activity. These three peptide hormones are packed into secretory granules that are released through exocytosis following a local increase in intracellular Ca²⁺ concentration. The high voltage-gated Ca²⁺ channels (HVCCs) occupy a central role in pancreatic hormone release both as a source of Ca²⁺ required for excitation-secretion coupling as well as a sca

SUBMITTER: Tuluc P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8393260 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature