Novel regulation of insulin secretion: the role of mitochondria.

Coupling of glucose entry to insulin secretion in pancreatic beta-cells depends on numerous intracellular metabolic steps. In this process, mitochondria play a central role, and defects in this organelle are associated with impaired glucose-evoked insulin release. In response to a glucose rise, nucleotides and metabolites are generated by mitochondria and participate, together with cytosolic Ca2+, in the stimulation of insulin exocytosis. This review describes the mitochondria-dependent pathways of regulated insulin secretion. In addition, new potential drug targets for therapeutic interventions in diabetes are discussed.