The cellular protein involved in the development of many diseases, is important for insulin.
Only a fifth of the mice with a disabled channel ClC-3, allowing the chlorine ions to pass through the cell membrane, insulin elaborated normally.
Insulin is produced by special cells in the pancreas. Cells synthesize proinsulin, which is getting in the secretory granules, is transformed into insulin and moves to the cell surface, which it leaves in the blood.
The blood of mice with a disabled channel contains low levels of insulin and beta-cells developed fewer secretory granules. Thus, they have slowed the transformation of proinsulin.
The mutation of ClC-3 leads to some cases of diabetes in young people. Besides blocking the channel in mice caused
epilepsy.
A new law in Illinois, forcing doctors to register and investigate every new cases of child diabetes, because the disease can be caused by genetic mutation.