Characterization of Munc13-1 and insulin secretion during pancreatic development in rats

Saccharin Stimulates Insulin Secretion Dependent on Sweet Taste Receptor-Induced Activation of PLC Signaling Axis

Background: Saccharin is a common artificial sweetener and a bona fide ligand for sweet taste receptors (STR). STR can regulate insulin secretion in beta cells, so we investigated whether saccharin can stimulate insulin secretion dependent on STR and the activation of phospholipase C (PLC) signaling. Methods: We performed in vivo and in vitro approaches in mice and cells with loss-of-function of STR signaling and specifically assessed the involvement of a PLC signaling cascade using real-time biosensors and calcium imaging. Results: We found that the ingestion of a physiological amount of saccharin can potentiate insulin secretion dependent on STR. Similar to natural sweeteners, saccharin triggers the activation of the PLC signaling cascade, leading to calcium influx and the vesicular exocytosis of insulin. The effects of saccharin also partially require transient receptor potential cation channel M5 (TRPM5) activity. Conclusions: Saccharin ingestion may transiently potentiate insulin secretion through the activation of the canonical STR signaling pathway. These physiological effects provide a framework for understanding the potential health impact of saccharin use and the contribution of STR in peripheral tissues.

Reduced expression of Munc13-1 in human and porcine diabetic peripheral nerve

Peripheral neuropathy (PN) involves widespread peripheral nerve disorders affecting a large human population worldwide. In Europe and the United States, the first single most prominent cause of peripheral neuropathy is diabetes, affecting 60-70% patients with long-term diabetes followed by idiopathic neuropathy, peripheral nerve damage of unknown etiology, diagnosed in 10-40% of all patients admitted to hospitals with symptoms of peripheral nerve damage. The molecular mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of this disorder are not yet fully understood, however a few potential molecular contributors, such as Munc13-1, have been recently suggested. Munc13-1 is a diacylglycerol (DAG) receptor and a multifunction active zone protein essential for synaptic vesicle priming and crucial for insulin release from pancreatic beta cells. Here, for the first time, we focused on the comparative expression of Munc13-1 in human and porcine peripheral nerves. Our results revealed significantly reduced number of Munc13-1 in human (64.26% ± 6.68%) and porcine (84.09% ± 2.21%) diabetic nerve fibers and lower number of the double stained, neuronal marker, Neurofilament (NF) and Munc13-1 positive, human (56.83% ± 3.77%) and porcine (65.87% ± 4.86%) nerve fibers. Optical density quantification of Western blots showed similar results. Our study indicates that Munc13-1, on account of its role in both insulin and neurotransmitter exocytosis and through its binding properties, may be an important factor contributing to the development or progression of diabetic neuropathy.