A morphological basis for intercellular communication between alpha- and beta-cells in the endocrine pancreas

By degranulating beta-cells in the islets of Langerhans of the rat with sulfonylurea, it has been possible to distinguish unambiguously alpha-cells from beta-cells in freeze-fracture replicas. In such preparations, we found morphologically typical tight and gap junctions occurring between alpha- and...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The Journal of clinical investigation 1975-10, Vol.56 (4), p.1066-1070
Main Authors: Orci, L, Malaisse-Lagae, F, Ravazzola, M, Rouiller, D, Renold, A E, Perrelet, A, Unger, R
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Glucose - metabolism
Homeostasis
Intercellular Junctions - ultrastructure
Islets of Langerhans - ultrastructure
Rats
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Summary:By degranulating beta-cells in the islets of Langerhans of the rat with sulfonylurea, it has been possible to distinguish unambiguously alpha-cells from beta-cells in freeze-fracture replicas. In such preparations, we found morphologically typical tight and gap junctions occurring between alpha- and beta-cells. The presence of gap junctions offers indirect evidence that these cells are coupled with one another; coupling may influence the secretory behavior of alpha- and beta-cells maintaining glucose homeostasis within tightly constricted limits.
ISSN:0021-9738
DOI:10.1172/jci108154