Insulin secretion can be blocked by another blood hormone

What is it about?

The secretion of insulin from cells in rsponse to elvated blood glucoserequires the entry of calcium ions from the plasma, through pores in the cell membrane, into these very same cells. In addition to glucose, insulin release is controlled by many other agents circulating in the blood. One of these, somatostatin, is released form the gut in respone to feeding and is thought to dampen down the release of insulin in response to a meal. Here I show that this is achieved, in part by a direct interaction by somatostatin with one of the pore types that allows calcium ions into the cell .

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Why is it important?

This finding suggests a possible new therapeutic lead to treat diseases that lead to excessive insulin release