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. 1975 Oct;56(4):1066–1070. doi: 10.1172/JCI108154

A morphological basis for intercellular communication between alpha- and beta-cells in the endocrine pancreas.

L Orci, F Malaisse-Lagae, M Ravazzola, D Rouiller, A E Renold, A Perrelet, R Unger
PMCID: PMC301963  PMID: 1099118

Abstract

By degranulating beta-cells in the islets of Langerhans of the rat with sulfonylurea, it has been possible to distinguish unambiguously alpha-cells from beta-cells in freeze-fracture replicas. In such preparations, we found morphologically typical tight and gap junctions occurring between alpha- and beta-cells. The presence of gap junctions offers indirect evidence that these cells are coupled with one another; coupling may influence the secretory behavior of alpha- and beta-cells maintaining glucose homeostasis within tightly constricted limits.

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Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

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