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Determination of Beta-Cell Function: Ion Channel Function in Beta Cells

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Animal Models in Diabetes Research

Part of the book series: Methods in Molecular Biology ((MIMB,volume 933))

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Abstract

For the regulation of beta-cell function ion channels are of outstanding importance. Beta cells are specialized to convert changes in blood glucose concentration to an adequate secretory response. To achieve this, nutrient-induced alterations of electrical activity are directly coupled to changes in insulin release. Consequently, determination and analysis of ion channel activity are important tools for the characterization of beta-cell (patho)physiology and for the investigation of drugs that influence insulin release. With implementation of the patch-clamp technique it has become possible to analyze ion currents in beta cells under various conditions (e.g., in intact cells or independent of cell metabolism, as whole-cell currents or on a single channel level). In addition, this method enables to combine ion current recordings with determination of membrane potential and exocytosis. This chapter introduces the basic principles of different patch-clamp configurations and focuses on experimental protocols for ion channel recordings in beta cells.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Clinical Pharmacy, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany

    Martina Düfer

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  1. Martina Düfer
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Correspondence to Martina Düfer .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. , Department of Pharmacology, German Institute of Human Nutrition, Arthur-Scheunert-Allee 114-116, Nuthetal, 14558, Germany

    Hans-Georg Joost

  2. German Diabetes Centre, Clinical Biochemistry &Pathobiochemistry, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Auf'm Hennekamp 65, Düsseldorf, 40225, Germany

    Hadi Al-Hasani

  3. , Department of Experimental Diabetology, German Institute of Human Nutrition, Arthur-Scheunert-Allee 114-116, Nuthetal, 14558, Germany

    Annette Schürmann

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Düfer, M. (2012). Determination of Beta-Cell Function: Ion Channel Function in Beta Cells. In: Joost, HG., Al-Hasani, H., Schürmann, A. (eds) Animal Models in Diabetes Research. Methods in Molecular Biology, vol 933. Humana Press, Totowa, NJ. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-62703-068-7_13

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-62703-068-7_13

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  • Publisher Name: Humana Press, Totowa, NJ

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-62703-067-0

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-62703-068-7

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