Negatively Regulate Insulin Secretion In Pancreatic Β Cells

Microtubules are components of the cytoskeleton of the cell that are made up of tubulin. They are the largest component of the cytoskeleton which is a reason why much of cytoskeleton research centers focus on this specific element. In this paper entitled Microtubules Negatively Regulate Insulin Secretion in Pancreatic β Cells, understanding the role these microtubules play is key in understanding the research findings. Microtubules are made up of protofilaments that are composed of a dimer: tubulin that contains two polypeptides. It is important to note that polymerization of microtubules on the positive ends will occur more readily then on the minus end, thus the importance in polarity. As stated in the paper, microtubules grow the positive ends move toward the edge of the cell. Through the bulk of the paper one learns …show more content…
The goal behind this work was to observe the overall effect of microtubules in regard to transportation of granules in β cells that regulate insulin secretion. To determine answers to various questions, researchers stimulated cells with various reagents and observed the results of the stimulation and ultimately what controls the amount of insulin that is released. The focus on β cells in essential in the fact that these are the cells in which insulin is produced. There are many factors that come into play in regard to what the researchers are trying to accomplish such as granule secretion. Scientist experiments to test their hypothesis including glucose stimulation of cells, stimulation of nocodazole, colchicines, and others. When stimulated with glucose, microtubules prevailed in the Golgi as oppose to the centrosome. The role of the Golgi is