Four subtypes of human insulin producing beta cells identified
Q. How many types of beta cells which control insulin in human body have been identified recently?- Published on 13 Jul 16a. 8
b. 2
c. 4
d. 6
ANSWER: 4
- Researchers have identified at least four separate subtypes of human insulin producing beta cells that may be important in the understanding and treatment of diabetes.
- Some of the cells are better at releasing insulin than others, whereas others may regenerate quicker.
- Diabetes is caused by the dysfunction or loss of insulin producing beta cells, which help the body to achieve normal blood sugar levels. Previously, only a single variety of beta cell was known to exist.
- However, using human pancreatic islets, or clusters of up to 4,000 cells, Grompe and colleagues discovered a method to identify and isolate four distinct types of beta cells.
- They also found that hundreds of genes were differently expressed between cell subtypes and that they produced different amounts of insulin.
