IAPP, also known as Amylin, is commonly found in pancreatic islets of patients suffering diabetes mellitus type II, or harboring an insulinoma. IAPP is co-secreted with insulin by pancreatic β-cells and largely contributes to glycemic control. Studies suggest that this protein, like the related beta-amyloid(Abeta) associated with Alzheimer's disease, can induce apoptotic cell-death in particular cultured cells, an effect that may be relevant to the development of type II diabetes.
