Calcium signaling in pancreatic β-cells in health and in Type 2 diabetes

Changes in cytosolic free Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+)]c) play a crucial role in the control of insulin secretion from the electrically excitable pancreatic β-cell. Secretion is controlled by the finely tuned balance between Ca(2+) influx (mainly through voltage-dependent Ca(2+) channels, but also through voltage-independent Ca(2+) channels like store-operated channels) and efflux pathways. Changes in [Ca(2+)]c directly affect [Ca(2+)] in...