Figure 8
From: CFTR is involved in the regulation of glucagon secretion in human and rodent alpha cells
Model suggesting how CFTR affects glucagon secretion in pancreatic alpha cells. Glucose stimulated glucagon secretion results in the black curve, while the summed effect of cAMP on amplification pathways and activation of CFTR results in the red curve. Inhibition of CFTR in the continued presence of cAMP results in the blue curve. Glucagon secretion at 1mM glucose is represented by the grey area under the black curve. Activation of CFTR and cAMP amplifies glucagon secretion represented by the hatched red area under the red curve. Inhibition of CFTR results in an increased glucagon secretion (blue area under the blue curve) due to increased action potential frequency and activation of otherwise silent alpha cells. A similar pattern is observed at 6 mM glucose but the KATP conductance is so low that activation of CFTR does not silence any alpha cells.
