Calcium-imaging in INS1 insulinoma cells by confocal laser scanning microscopy

Introduction: The main secretory product of the pancreatic β-cell, as well as of the INS1 cell, is insulin. Regulation of the free intracellular calcium concentration [Ca2+]i is crucial for the stimulus secretion coupling and the increase of [Ca2+]i is primarily responsible for the release of insulin. Recently it has been shown that melatonin influences the pancreatic β-cell and the insulin secretion [1]. This influence seems to be complex and time-dependent, involving different intracellular signalling pathways, including those of cAMP, cGMP, and IP3. Whereas application of melatonin immediately stimulates IP3…