pubmed:abstractText |
Extracellular adenosine 5'-triphosphate modulates the functions of the adult pancreas via 2 nucleotide receptor families, the P2X and P2Y receptors. Expression of the P2X7 receptor has been demonstrated in islet cells of the pancreas, particularly the mature alpha cells that secrete glucagon. In the streptozotocin-induced diabetic model, a loss of insulin-secreting cells was accompanied by an increase in alpha cells that expressed the P2X7 receptor.
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