Tubulin: Structure and polarity of microtubules.

Recently, a we published a series of posts focusing on research tools aiming at studying actin through biochemical assays and in fixed and living cells  (e.g. Actin visualization, Actin binding, Actin polymerization, and measurement of the G:F actin ratio in cells).

Today, this is the first post on how to vizualize tubulin in cells. This is the first publication of a series, that will be dedicated to tubulin visualization, binding and polymerization as well as measurement of the tubulin vs. microtubule ratio.

Insulin and Glucagon are involved in glucose homeostasis in addition to other factors secreted by the adipose tissue (adipokines). Insulin and Glucagon are produced by the endocrine pancreas. While Glucagon is released by alpha-cells of the islets of Langerhans to raise glycemia when blood glucose levels fall too low, Insulin has the opposite effect. Insulin is produced by beta-cells of the islets of Langerhans. It allows glucose to be taken up from the bloodstream when blood glucose levels are high and to be used by insulin-dependent tissues (liver, skeletal muscles, fat tissue…).

Let’s take a look at a selection of immuno-assays and primary cells for analysing these two hormones and the recentlly launched primary Human Islet cells.