Our results are consistent with the central importance of selective uptake and alkylating activity in the mechanism of streptozotocin diabetogenicity. Alkylation of DNA leads to necrosis of pancreatic beta cells and thus to a state of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, well-known as streptozotocin diabetes in experimental diabetes research.

Our results are consistent with the central importance of selective uptake of alloxan through the low affinity GLUT2 glucose transporter for the pancreatic beta-cell toxicity and diabetogenicity of this substance. Redox cycling and the subsequent generation of oxygen free radicals leads to necrosis of pancreatic beta cells and thus to a state of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, well-known as alloxan diabetes in experimental diabetes research.

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