Pancreatic beta-cells: Role of glycerol and aquaglyceroporin 7.

Pancreatic β-cells originate from gut endoderm during development. Pancreatic endocrine cells represent about 10% of the mature pancreatic cells, and β-cells represent the majority of endocrine cells. β-cells secrete insulin in response to elevation of nutrient concentrations. Insulin maintains glucose homeostasis by stimulating glucose uptake into muscle and adipose tissue. Aquaglyceroporin 7, permeable to water, glycerol and urea, is expressed in pancreatic β-cells and was recently described as being involved in the control of insulin secretion.