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The insulin-secreting pancreatic beta cell is electrically excitable and changes in the membrane potential play an important role in coupling the metabolism of glucose (and other nutrient secretagogues) to the discharge of the insulin-containing granule. The application of the patch-clamp technique, which permits the recordings of the minute currents associated with the opening of individual ion channels, to pancreatic islet cells has revolutionized our understanding of the beta cell electrophysiology. Here we review some of the recent progress in the field. The properties of functionally important ion channels are described and their possible roles are discussed.

Type

Conference paper

Publication Date

03/1994

Volume

20

Pages

138 - 145

Keywords

Adenosine Triphosphate, Animals, Calcium Channels, Electric Conductivity, Insulin, Insulin Secretion, Ion Channels, Islets of Langerhans, Membrane Potentials, Potassium Channels