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Micromanaging insulin secretion

Nature Medicine volume 10, pages 1297–1298 (2004)Cite this article

The human genome is peppered with genes for small microRNAs, whose functions are only beginning to come to light. One such microRNA is now implicated in the secretion of insulin from pancreatic beta cells.

Biological pathways critical to survival often rely on layers of fail-safe mechanisms. One such pathway is the secretion of insulin from pancreatic beta cells—failure to secrete insulin is lethal, and death by injection of insulin is a theme of fictional and real-life murder mysteries. Control of insulin transcription and secretion is set by potent stimulatory and inhibitory signals, finely tuned to the metabolic state with input from neuronal circuits and growth factors.

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Figure 1: Insulin secretion and microRNA.

Deborah Maizels

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Howard Hughes Medical Institute and Program in Molecular Medicine,

    Craig C Mello & Michael P Czech

  2. Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School Worcester, 01605, Massachusetts, USA

    Craig C Mello & Michael P Czech

Authors
  1. Craig C Mello
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  2. Michael P Czech
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Mello, C., Czech, M. Micromanaging insulin secretion. Nat Med 10, 1297–1298 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1038/nm1204-1297

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