The appropriate
regulation of intracellular bioenergy and
nutrient metabolism is a basic requirement for proper function and
survival of
pancreatic beta cells, where
mitochondria-
endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-
associations play crucial
roles.
Mitochondria are changed dynamically according to intracellular energy and
nutrients, which provides material
foundation for energy
homeostasis; while ER regulates metabolic
enzymes and
protein synthesis in different pathways. This
review sheds
light upon the development of
mitochondria-ER
associations and its
role in the
regulation of
insulin secretion in
pancreatic beta cell. The impact on beta
cell viability is discussed. Interruption of
calcium and
redox oxidative species results in reduction of
glucose-stimulated
insulin secretion, while intracellular
calcium levels could be partial altered by depleting
calcium from the ER. Given the tight link between ER and
mitochondria, the
association are crucial to the
homeostasis and are an
indicator of overall beta
cell status, with a potential as a novel
drug target for
treatment of
type 2 diabetes mellitus.