Rab27a: a new face in β cell metabolism-secretion coupling

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Abstract

In pancreatic β cells, not only insulin exocytosis per se, but translocation of β granules toward the plasma membrane — an event upstream of exocytosis — are under the control of glucose. However, the molecular basis of this translocation has been poorly understood. Rab27a-mediated translocation of glucose-induced β granules is reported in this issue of the JCI. Rab27a or its effector molecule may constitute a novel pharmacological target because potentiation of the Rab27a pathway is expected to restore β cell glucose competency in patients with diabetes mellitus.

Authors

Toru Aizawa, Mitsuhisa Komatsu