The beta cells of the pancreatic islets of Langerhans are the only cells in the body that produce and secrete insulin. This metabolic hormone plays a central role in the maintenance of glucose homeostasis. This book provides a comprehensive review of the beta cell in health and disease. The book's primary aim is to encourage investigators to become actively involved in diabetes research and the search for new approaches to prevent and treat diabetes.

Inhalt
Pancreatic Beta Cell and Insulin Biosynthesis.- Architecture of Pancreatic Islets.- Transcriptional Regulation of Insulin Gene Expression.- The Biosynthesis of Insulin.- Cell Signaling and Insulin Secretion.- Metabolic Regulation of Insulin Secretion.- Mechanisms of Beta-Cell Death in Diabetes.- Ion Channels and Insulin Secretion.- Gap Junctions and Insulin Secretion.- Protein Kinase A-Independent Mechanism of cAMP in Insulin Secretion.- Regulation of Insulin Granule Exocytosis.- Mechanism of Insulin Exocytosis Analyzed by Imaging Techniques.- Two-Photon Excitation Imaging of Insulin Exocytosis.- Pancreatic Development and Beta-Cell Formation.- Regulation of Beta-Cell Growth and Death.- Beta-Cell Replication.- Stem Cells as a Cure for Diabetes.- Use of Extra-Pancreatic Tissues for Cell Replacement Therapy for Diabetes.- Incretins and Beta-Cell Function.- Molecular Biology of Gluco-Incretin Function.- Incretins and Regulation of Insulin Secretion.- Pancreatic Beta Cell and Disease.- Pancreatic Islet Pathology in Type 2 Diabetes.- Genetic Disorders of the Pancreatic Beta Cell and Diabetes (Permanent Neonatal Diabetes and Maturity-Onset Diabetes of the Young).- ATP-Sensitive Potassium Channels in Health and Disease.- Glucokinase in Glucose Homeostasis, Diabetes Mellitus, Hypoglycemia, and as Drug Receptor.