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Characterization of Erg K+ channels in alpha- and beta-cells of mouse and human islets.

ABSTRACT: Voltage-gated eag-related gene (Erg) K(+) channels regulate the electrical activity of many cell types. Data regarding Erg channel expression and function in electrically excitable glucagon and insulin producing cells of the pancreas is limited. In the present study Erg1 mRNA and protein were shown to be highly expressed in human and mouse islets and in alpha-TC6 and Min6 cells alpha- and beta-cell lines, respectively. Whole cell patch clamp recordings demonstrated the functional expression of Erg1 in alpha- and beta-cells, with rBeKm1, an Erg1 antagonist, blocking inward tail currents elicited by a double pulse protocol. Additionally, a small interference RNA approach targeting the kcnh2 gene (Erg1) induced a significant decrease of Erg1 inward tail current in Min6 cells. To investigate further the role of Erg channels in mouse and human islets, ratiometric Fura-2 AM Ca(2+)-imaging experiments were performed on isolated alpha- and beta-cells. Blocking Erg channels with rBeKm1 induced a transient cytoplasmic Ca(2+) increase in both alpha- and beta-cells. This resulted in an increased glucose-dependent insulin secretion, but conversely impaired glucagon secretion under low glucose conditions. Together, these data present Erg1 channels as new mediators of alpha- and beta-cell repolarization. However, antagonism of Erg1 has divergent effects in these cells; to augment glucose-dependent insulin secretion and inhibit low glucose stimulated glucagon secretion.

SUBMITTER: Hardy AB

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2781599 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Characterization of Erg K+ channels in alpha- and beta-cells of mouse and human islets.

Hardy Alexandre B AB Fox Jocelyn E Manning JE Giglou Pejman Raeisi PR Wijesekara Nadeeja N Bhattacharjee Alpana A Sultan Sobia S Gyulkhandanyan Armen V AV Gaisano Herbert Y HY MacDonald Patrick E PE Wheeler Michael B MB

The Journal of biological chemistry 20090818 44

Voltage-gated eag-related gene (Erg) K(+) channels regulate the electrical activity of many cell types. Data regarding Erg channel expression and function in electrically excitable glucagon and insulin producing cells of the pancreas is limited. In the present study Erg1 mRNA and protein were shown to be highly expressed in human and mouse islets and in alpha-TC6 and Min6 cells alpha- and beta-cell lines, respectively. Whole cell patch clamp recordings demonstrated the functional expression of E ...[more]

PMID: 19690348

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Project description:microRNAs (miRNAs) play an important role in pancreatic development and adult ?-cell physiology. Our hypothesis is based on the assumption that each islet cell type has a specific pattern of miRNA expression. We sought to determine the profile of miRNA expression in ?-and ?-cells, the main components of pancreatic islets, because this analysis may lead to a better understanding of islet gene regulatory pathways. Highly enriched (>98%) subsets of human ?-and ?-cells were obtained by flow cytometric sorting after intracellular staining with c-peptide and glucagon antibody. The method of sorting based on intracellular staining is possible because miRNAs are stable after fixation. MiRNA expression levels were determined by quantitative high throughput PCR-based miRNA array platform screening. Most of the miRNAs were preferentially expressed in ?-cells. From the total of 667 miRNAs screened, the Significant Analysis of Microarray identified 141 miRNAs, of which only 7 were expressed more in ?-cells (?-miRNAs) and 134 were expressed more in ?-cells (?-miRNAs). Bioinformatic analysis identified potential targets of ?-miRNAs analyzing the Beta Cell Gene Atlas, described in the T1Dbase, the web platform, supporting the type 1 diabetes (T1D) community. cMaf, a transcription factor regulating glucagon expression expressed selectively in ?-cells (TF?) is targeted by ?-miRNAs; miR-200c, miR-125b and miR-182. Min6 cells treated with inhibitors of these miRNAs show an increased expression of cMaf RNA. Conversely, over expression of miR-200c, miR-125b or miR-182 in the mouse alpha cell line ?TC6 decreases the level of cMAF mRNA and protein. MiR-200c also inhibits the expression of Zfpm2, a TF? that inhibits the PI3K signaling pathway, at both RNA and protein levels.In conclusion, we identified miRNAs differentially expressed in pancreatic ?- and ?-cells and their potential transcription factor targets that could add new insights into different aspects of islet biology and pathophysiology.

Project description:ObjectiveTo document the properties of the voltage-gated ion channels in human pancreatic alpha-cells and their role in glucagon release.Research design and methodsGlucagon release was measured from intact islets. [Ca(2+)](i) was recorded in cells showing spontaneous activity at 1 mmol/l glucose. Membrane currents and potential were measured by whole-cell patch-clamping in isolated alpha-cells identified by immunocytochemistry.ResultGlucose inhibited glucagon secretion from human islets; maximal inhibition was observed at 6 mmol/l glucose. Glucagon secretion at 1 mmol/l glucose was inhibited by insulin but not by ZnCl(2). Glucose remained inhibitory in the presence of ZnCl(2) and after blockade of type-2 somatostatin receptors. Human alpha-cells are electrically active at 1 mmol/l glucose. Inhibition of K(ATP)-channels with tolbutamide depolarized alpha-cells by 10 mV and reduced the action potential amplitude. Human alpha-cells contain heteropodatoxin-sensitive A-type K(+)-channels, stromatoxin-sensitive delayed rectifying K(+)-channels, tetrodotoxin-sensitive Na(+)-currents, and low-threshold T-type, isradipine-sensitive L-type, and omega-agatoxin-sensitive P/Q-type Ca(2+)-channels. Glucagon secretion at 1 mmol/l glucose was inhibited by 40-70% by tetrodotoxin, heteropodatoxin-2, stromatoxin, omega-agatoxin, and isradipine. The [Ca(2+)](i) oscillations depend principally on Ca(2+)-influx via L-type Ca(2+)-channels. Capacitance measurements revealed a rapid (<50 ms) component of exocytosis. Exocytosis was negligible at voltages below -20 mV and peaked at 0 mV. Blocking P/Q-type Ca(2+)-currents abolished depolarization-evoked exocytosis.ConclusionsHuman alpha-cells are electrically excitable, and blockade of any ion channel involved in action potential depolarization or repolarization results in inhibition of glucagon secretion. We propose that voltage-dependent inactivation of these channels underlies the inhibition of glucagon secretion by tolbutamide and glucose.

Dataset Information

Characterization of Erg K+ channels in alpha- and beta-cells of mouse and human islets.

Publications

Characterization of Erg K+ channels in alpha- and beta-cells of mouse and human islets.

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