Search

Abstract: Over the last two decades we have focused on beta cell signal transduction, bringing many new insights, especially in the context of insulin signal transduction, the role of inositol polyphosphates and the regulation of cytoplasmic free Ca2+ concentration. However, there has been a growing awareness that the beta cell, which is mandatory for insulin secretion, has a unique context within the micro-organ of the pancreatic Islet of Langerhans. In this environment the beta cell both mediates and receives paracrine regulation, critical for the control of blood glucose homeostasis. Failure of an appropriate beta cell function leads to the development of diabetes mellitus. In our quest to understand the molecular events maintaining beta cell function we have faced two key challenges. Firstly, whilst there are many similarities between signal transduction in pancreatic islets between the much used rodent models and humans there are some notable differences. Critical distinctions between rodent and primate can be made in the structure of the islet, including the arrangement of the islet cells, the innervation pattern and the microcirculation. This means that important signaling interactions between islets cells, mediated through for example insulin, glucagon, GABA, glutamate and ATP, will have a unique human framework. The second challenge was to be able to take the discoveries we have made using in vitro systems and examine them in an in vivo context. Advances in in vivo imaging achieved by utilizing the anterior chamber of the eye as a transplantation site for pancreatic islets make it possible for non-invasive, longitudinal studies at single cell resolution in real time of islet cell physiology and pathology. Thus it is becoming possible to study the insulin secreting pancreatic beta cell within the framework of the unique micro-organ, the Islet of Langerhans, for the first time in a physiological context, i.e. when being innervated and connected to the blood supply. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Pancreatic β-cells release insulin in appropriate amounts in order to keep blood glucose levels within physiological limits. Failure to do so leads to the most common metabolic disorder in man, diabetes mellitus. The glucose-stimulus/insulin-secretion coupling represents a sophisticated interplay between glucose and a variety of modulatory factors. These factors are provided by the blood supply (such as nutrients, vitamins, incretins etc.), the nerval innervations, cell-cell contacts as well as by paracrine and autocrine feedback loops within the pancreatic islet of Langerhans. However, the underlying mechanisms of their action remain poorly understood. In the present mini-review we discuss novel aspects of selective insulin signaling in the β-cell and novel insights into the role of higher inositol phosphates in insulin secretion. Finally we present a newly developed experimental platform that allows non-invasive and longitudinal in vivo imaging of pancreatic islet/β-cell biology at single-cell resolution. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The function and survival of pancreatic β cells critically rely on complex electrical signaling systems composed of a series of ionic events, namely fluxes of K, Na, Ca and Cl across the β cell membranes. These electrical signaling systems not only sense events occurring in the extracellular space and intracellular milieu of pancreatic islet cells, but also control different β cell activities, most notably glucose-stimulated insulin secretion. Three major ion fluxes including K efflux through ATP-sensitive K (K) channels, the voltage-gated Ca (Ca) channel-mediated Ca influx and K efflux through voltage-gated K (K) channels operate in the β cell. These ion fluxes set the resting membrane potential and the shape, rate and pattern of firing of action potentials under different metabolic conditions. The K channel-mediated K efflux determines the resting membrane potential and keeps the excitability of the β cell at low levels. Ca influx through Ca1 channels, a major type of β cell Ca channels, causes the upstroke or depolarization phase of the action potential and regulates a wide range of β cell functions including the most elementary β cell function, insulin secretion. K efflux mediated by K2.1 delayed rectifier K channels, a predominant form of β cell K channels, brings about the downstroke or repolarization phase of the action potential, which acts as a brake for insulin secretion owing to shutting down the Ca channel-mediated Ca entry. These three ion channel-mediated ion fluxes are the most important ionic events in β cell signaling. This review concisely discusses various ionic mechanisms in β cell signaling and highlights K channel-, Ca1 channel- and K2.1 channel-mediated ion fluxes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of RX871024, a compound with an imidazoline structure, on cytoplasmic-free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) in mouse pancreatic beta-cells were studied. RX871024 modulates [Ca2+]i by at least two mechanisms. One mechanism involves closure of ATP-regulated K+ channels, resulting in membrane depolarization, opening of voltage-gated L-type Ca2+ channels, and a subsequent increase in [Ca2+]i. Another mechanism, reported here for the first time, deals with RX871024-induced mobilization of Ca2+ from nonmitochondrial thapsigargin-sensitive intracellular stores. Reduced glutathione, inhibitors of cytochrome P-450, and monoaminooxidases A and B blocked this Ca2+ mobilization. It is concluded that the mechanism of RX871024-induced Ca2+ mobilization from intracellular stores involves changes in the oxidation/reduction state of the pancreatic beta-cell and may be controlled by cytochrome P-450. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]