Calcium Signaling in ß-cell Physiology and Pathology: A Revisit.

ABSTRACT

Pancreatic beta (ß) cell dysfunction results in compromised insulin release and, thus, failed regulation of blood glucose levels. This forms the backbone of the development of diabetes mellitus (DM), a disease that affects a significant portion of the global adult population. Physiological calcium (Ca2+) signaling has been found to be vital for the proper insulin-releasing function of ß-cells. Calcium dysregulation events can have a dramatic effect on the proper functioning of the pancreatic ß-cells. The current review discusses the role of calcium signaling in health and disease in pancreatic ß-cells and provides an in-depth look into the potential role of alterations in ß-cell Ca2+ homeostasis and signaling in the development of diabetes and highlights recent work that introduced the current theories on the connection between calcium and the onset of diabetes.