%0 Journal Article
%T Role of Calcium in Glucagon Secretion
%A Willy J. Malaisse
%J Advances in Biological Chemistry
%P 191-196
%@ 2162-2191
%D 2014
%I Scientific Research Publishing
%R 10.4236/abc.2014.43023
%X The role of calcium ions in the process by which nutrients affect glucagon secretion by pancreatic islet ¦Á-cells remains the matter of an apparently endless debate. In the prolongation of recent articles dealing with this matter, the present review draws attention to the dual role of Ca<sup>2+</sup> as revealed by prior publications. In such a perspective, emphasis is placed on the increase in glucagon output in response to the omission of extracellular Ca<sup>2+</sup> as recorded in the presence of D-glucose or 2-ketoisocaproate, the permissive role of extracellular Ca<sup>2+</sup> in the positive secretory response to arginine or a mixture of fumarate, glutamate and pyruvate, and the effects of an organic calcium-antagonist on glucagon output. Considering the role currently ascribed to Ca<sup>2+</sup> in the activation of motile events involved in stimulus-secretion coupling, attention is also given to the effects of cytochalasin B, D<sub>2</sub>O and mitotic-spindle inhibitors upon the secretory response of ¦Á-cells exposed to D-glucose in the absence or presence of arginine.
%K Calcium Ions
%K Glucagon Secretion
%K Verapamil
%K Nutrional Factors
%K Microtubular-Microfilamentous System
%U http://www.scirp.org/journal/PaperInformation.aspx?PaperID=45099