Glucose regulates free cytosolic Zn²? concentration, Slc39 (ZiP), and metallothionein gene expression in primary pancreatic islet ?-cells.
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ABSTRACT: Zn²? is an important cofactor for insulin biosynthesis and storage in pancreatic ?-cells. Correspondingly, polymorphisms in the SLC30A8 gene, encoding the secretory granule Zn²? transporter ZnT8, are associated with type 2 diabetes risk. Using a genetically engineered (FRET)-based sensor (eCALWY-4), we show here that elevated glucose time-dependently increases free cytosolic Zn²? ([Zn²?](cyt)) in mouse pancreatic ?-cells. These changes become highly significant (853 ± 96 pm versus 452 ± 42 pm, p < 0.001) after 24 h and are associated with increased expression of the Zn²? importer family members Slc39a6, Slc39a7, and Slc39a8, and decreased expression of metallothionein 1 and 2. Arguing that altered expression of the above genes is not due to altered [Zn²?](cyt), elevation of extracellular (and intracellular) [Zn²?] failed to mimic the effects of high glucose. By contrast, increases in intracellular cAMP prompted by 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine and forskolin partially mimicked the effects of glucose on metallothionein, although not ZiP, gene expression. Modulation of intracellular Ca²? and insulin secretion with pharmacological agents (tolbutamide and diazoxide) suggested a possible role for changes in these parameters in the regulation of Slc39a6 and Slc39a7 but not Slc39a8, nor metallothionein expression. In summary, 1) glucose induces increases in [Zn²?](cyt), which are then likely to facilitate the processing and/or the storage of insulin and its cocrystallization with Zn²?, and 2) these increases are associated with elevated expression of zinc importers. Conversely, a chronic increase in [Zn²?](cyt) following sustained hyperglycemia may contribute to ?-cell dysfunction and death in some forms of diabetes.
SUBMITTER: Bellomo EA
PROVIDER: S-EPMC3138249 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Jul
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
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