Alpha the versatile: Guardians of the islets.

Recent progress in α-cell research has newly revealed its versatility including secretion of multiple hormones, trans-differentiation, and abundant proliferation. A recent report from the Kushner laboratory further provided direct evidence of active proliferation of α-cells in both T1D and non-diabetic control donors. α-cells are suggested to maintain both quality and quantity of islets by serving as 'guardians' of the islets.