Regulatory Networks of Pancreatic Beta-Cell Function and Insulin Secretion: Intrinsic Mechanisms and Extrinsic Modulators

A special issue of Diabetology (ISSN 2673-4540).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 January 2026 | Viewed by 12

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
Interests: diabetes; physiology; obesity; lipid metabolism; human islet function; non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We invite you to contribute to this Special Issue dedicated to exploring the “Regulatory Networks of Pancreatic Beta-Cell Function and Insulin Secretion: Intrinsic Mechanisms and Extrinsic Modulators”. Pancreatic beta-cells are a central part of glucose homeostasis, and their dysfunction is a defining feature of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Therefore, understanding how beta-cell activity is regulated is essential for developing new therapeutic approaches.

This Special Issue aims to highlight the complex regulatory networks governing beta-cell function, encompassing both intrinsic mechanisms—such as transcriptional and epigenetic regulation, cellular metabolism, and stress responses—and extrinsic modulators, including hormonal signals, nutrient availability, interactions in the neural and immune systems, and microbiota-derived metabolites. In particular, we aim to focus on emerging concepts such as beta-cell plasticity, inter-organ communication, and the influence of circadian rhythms on insulin secretion.

We welcome the submission of original research articles, reviews, and perspectives that address these multifaceted regulatory pathways, spanning from molecular and cellular mechanisms to physiological and pathophysiological contexts. By bringing together diverse insights and cutting-edge findings, this Special Issue aims to foster a deeper understanding of beta-cell biology and support the development of innovative strategies for diabetes prevention and therapy.

We look forward to receiving your valuable contributions.

Warm regards,

Dr. Chiara Saponaro
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Diabetology is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1200 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • beta-cell function
  • insulin secretion
  • type 2 diabetes
  • hormone secretion regulation
  • glucose homeostasis
  • beta-cell plasticity
  • islet biology
  • metabolic signaling
  • inter-organ communication

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Published Papers

This special issue is now open for submission.
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