Guoqiang Gu

July 9, 2020

Keeping beta cells “fit”

Vanderbilt cell biologists are defining the factors that help beta cells in the pancreas stay healthy, secrete insulin and prevent diabetes initiation and progression.

By Leigh MacMillan
July 29, 2019

New role for microtubules in diabetes

Microtubules — part of the cell’s cytoskeleton — regulate the secretion of insulin, suggesting that they may be a new target for treating diabetes.

By Bill Snyder
green traffic light
December 3, 2015

Microtubules act as cellular ‘rheostat’ to control insulin secretion

Microtubules — cellular “highways” that deliver cargo to the cell membrane for secretion — have a surprising role in pancreatic beta cells. Instead of facilitating glucose-stimulated insulin secretion, they limit it, a team of Vanderbilt investigators reported recently in Developmental Cell.

By Leigh MacMillan