Abstract
Zinc concentrates in islet cells and is related to insulin secretion. Islet cells act as a unit within islets and hormone secretion in the islets is profoundly influenced by paracrine and autocrine regulation. Zinc has been recognised as a candidate paracrine inhibitor of glucagon secretion in α-cells. Further zinc fluxes may contribute to regulation of cell mass, Zn2+ may be cytotoxic and Zn2+ depletion by itself can cause cell death induced by oxidative stress. Recently, both free zinc ions and a number of zinc transporters have been localized in α-cells. These include zinc importers, ZIP1, ZIP10, and ZIP14 of the SLC39A family and zinc exporters, ZnT1, and ZnT4-8 of the SLC30A family. Furthermore, the redox state of thiol groups and Voltage Gated Ca2+ Channels (VGCC) add to the maintenance of a tight cytoplasmatic zinc homeostasis in the α-cells. The ZnT8 protein has emerged as particularly interesting since this zinc transporter has been identified as a genetic risk factor for the development of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes in which both α- and β-cell functions are affected. Recent data discussed here suggest specific effects of Zn2+ on glucagon secretion and other α-cell functions.
Keywords: Pancreas, Diabetes, α-cells, Glucagon, Zinc transporters, Zn2+
Current Diabetes Reviews
Title: Zinc, Alpha Cells and Glucagon Secretion
Volume: 6 Issue: 1
Author(s): Laerke Egefjord, Andreas B. Petersen, Ann M. Bak and Jorgen Rungby
Affiliation:
Keywords: Pancreas, Diabetes, α-cells, Glucagon, Zinc transporters, Zn2+
Abstract: Zinc concentrates in islet cells and is related to insulin secretion. Islet cells act as a unit within islets and hormone secretion in the islets is profoundly influenced by paracrine and autocrine regulation. Zinc has been recognised as a candidate paracrine inhibitor of glucagon secretion in α-cells. Further zinc fluxes may contribute to regulation of cell mass, Zn2+ may be cytotoxic and Zn2+ depletion by itself can cause cell death induced by oxidative stress. Recently, both free zinc ions and a number of zinc transporters have been localized in α-cells. These include zinc importers, ZIP1, ZIP10, and ZIP14 of the SLC39A family and zinc exporters, ZnT1, and ZnT4-8 of the SLC30A family. Furthermore, the redox state of thiol groups and Voltage Gated Ca2+ Channels (VGCC) add to the maintenance of a tight cytoplasmatic zinc homeostasis in the α-cells. The ZnT8 protein has emerged as particularly interesting since this zinc transporter has been identified as a genetic risk factor for the development of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes in which both α- and β-cell functions are affected. Recent data discussed here suggest specific effects of Zn2+ on glucagon secretion and other α-cell functions.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Egefjord Laerke, Petersen B. Andreas, Bak M. Ann and Rungby Jorgen, Zinc, Alpha Cells and Glucagon Secretion, Current Diabetes Reviews 2010; 6 (1) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/157339910790442655
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/157339910790442655 |
Print ISSN 1573-3998 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1875-6417 |
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
- Announcements
Related Articles
-
Mass Spectrometry in the Study of Hemoglobin: from Covalent Structure to Higher Order Assembly
Current Organic Chemistry Epidemiology of Septic Acute Kidney Injury
Current Drug Targets Fluid and Electrolyte Disorders in the Newborn: Sodium and Potassium
Current Pediatric Reviews Glyoxal Induced Transition of Transferrin to Aggregates: Spectroscopic, Microscopic and Molecular Docking Insight
Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology Endothelial (Dys)Function in Lone Atrial Fibrillation
Current Pharmaceutical Design Role of Statins in Diabetes Complications
Current Diabetes Reviews Repositioning the Old Fungicide Ciclopirox for New Medical Uses
Current Pharmaceutical Design Serum Endocan, Neuron-Specific Enolase and Ischemia-Modified Albumin Levels in Newborns with Partial Blood Exchange Transfusion
Combinatorial Chemistry & High Throughput Screening Neuron-glia Interaction as a Possible Pathophysiological Mechanism of Bipolar Disorder
Current Neuropharmacology The Role of Antiplatelet Agents in the Management of Patients Receiving Intracardiac Closure Devices
Current Pharmaceutical Design Emblica officinalis (Amla) Ameliorates High-Fat Diet Induced Alteration of Cardiovascular Pathophysiology
Cardiovascular & Hematological Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Codon Usage Biases in Alzheimers Disease and Other Neurodegenerative Diseases
Protein & Peptide Letters Stem Cells Derived from Human Exfoliated Deciduous Teeth (SHED) in Neuronal Disorders: A Review
Current Stem Cell Research & Therapy S100A1: Structure, Function, and Therapeutic Potential
Current Chemical Biology Metformin, A New Era for an Old Drug in the Treatment of Immune Mediated Disease?
Current Drug Targets MCI Patients in Europe: Medication and Comorbidities. The DESCRIPA Study
Current Alzheimer Research Therapeutic Implications of Tocilizumab, A Humanized Anti-Interleukin-6 Receptor Antibody, for Various Immune-Mediated Diseases: An Update Review
Current Rheumatology Reviews Patent Selections
Recent Patents on Endocrine, Metabolic & Immune Drug Discovery Pharmacological Evidence of α -adrenergic Receptors in the Hypotensive Effect of Chamaemulum nobile L.
Cardiovascular & Hematological Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Fighting Type-2 Diabetes: Present and Future Perspectives
Current Medicinal Chemistry