Localization of the pancreatic beta cell glucose transporter to specific plasma membrane domains

• Published in: Science (American Association for the Advancement of Science) 1989-07, Vol.245 (4915), p.295-297
• Main Authors: Orci, Lelio, Thorens, Bernard, Ravazzola, Mariella, Lodish, Harvey F.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Acinar cells; Antibodies; Antiserum; Beta cells; binding proteins; Biological and medical sciences; Cell lines; Cell Membrane - analysis; Cell membranes; Cell physiology; Cell research; cell structure; Cytological research; Endocrine cells; estructura celular; Fluorescent Antibody Technique; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; glucosa; Glucose; Glucose synthesis; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; immunologie; immunology; inmunologia; Innovations; Insulin; islets of Langerhans; Islets of Langerhans - analysis; Islets of Langerhans - ultrastructure; Liver; Medical research; Membrane and intracellular transports; metabolisme des proteines; metabolismo proteico; Microscopy, Electron; Microvilli; Molecular and cellular biology; Monosaccharide Transport Proteins - analysis; P branes; pancreas; Plasma membranes; protein metabolism; proteinas aglutinantes; proteine de liaison; rat; rata; rats; structure cellulaire; Synthesis
• ISSN: 0036-8075; 1095-9203
• DOI: 10.1126/science.2665080

Immunocytochemical techniques revealed that the "liver-type" glucose transporter is present in the insulin-producing beta cells of rat pancreatic islets but not in other islet endocrine cells. Ultrastructural analysis of the transporter by the protein A-gold technique showed that it is restricted to certain domains of the plasma membrane, its density being sixfold higher in microvilli facing adjacent endocrine cells than in the flat regions of the plasma membrane. These results support a possible role for this glucose transporter in glucose sensing by beta cells and provide evidence that these cells are polarized.