The cover picture shows a high-resolution scanning electron micrograph of a single mitochondrion in a pancreatic acinar cell. The density of mitochondria in a cell parallels its capacity for oxidative phosphorylation. Defects in mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation have been linked to skeletal muscle insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. In the present issue of Diabetologia (50: 790-796) Boushel et al. report that oxidative phosphorylation and electron transport capacity in muscle extracts obtained from patients with type 2 diabetes are normal. See also the commentary by Hawley & Lessard (50: 699-702).
Cover credit: Professors P. Motta and T. Naguro / SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY