Aims/hypothesis Suppressor of cytokine signalling (SOCS) proteins are powerful inhibitors of pathways involved in survival and function of pancreatic beta cells. Whereas SOCS1 and SOCS3 have been involved in immune and inflammatory processes, respectively, in beta cells, nothing is known about SOCS2 implication in the pancreas. Methods Transgenic (tg) mice were generated that constitutively produced SOCS2 in beta cells (βSOCS2) to define whether this protein is implicated in beta cell functioning and/or survival.Results Constitutive production of SOCS2 in beta cells leads to hyperglycaemia and glucose intolerance. This phenotype is not a consequence of decreased beta cell mass or inhibition of insulin synthesis. However, insulin secretion to various secretagogues is profoundly altered in intact animals and isolated islets. Interestingly, constitutive SOCS2 production dampens the rise in cytosolic free calcium concentration induced by glucose, while glucose metabolism is unchanged. Moreover, tg islets have a depletion in endoplasmic reticulum Ca 2+ stores, suggesting that SOCS2 interferes with calcium fluxes. Finally, inElectronic supplementary material The online version of this article