Calcium and pancreatic beta-cell function: modification of 45Ca fluxes by methylxanthines and dibutyryl cyclic-AMP

Cyclic AMP dynamics in the pancreatic β-cell

Insulin secretion from pancreatic β-cells is tightly regulated by glucose and other nutrients, hormones, and neural factors. The exocytosis of insulin granules is triggered by an elevation of the cytoplasmic Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+)](i)) and is further amplified by cyclic AMP (cAMP). Cyclic AMP is formed primarily in response to glucoincretin hormones and other G(s)-coupled receptor agonists, but generation of the nucleotide is critical also for an optimal insulin secretory response to glucose. Nutrient and receptor stimuli trigger oscillations of the cAMP concentration in β-cells. The oscillations arise from variations in adenylyl cyclase-mediated cAMP production and phosphodiesterase-mediated degradation, processes controlled by factors like cell metabolism and [Ca(2+)](i). Protein kinase A and the guanine nucleotide exchange factor Epac2 mediate the actions of cAMP in β-cells and operate at multiple levels to promote exocytosis and pulsatile insulin secretion. The cAMP signaling system contains important targets for pharmacological improvement of insulin secretion in type 2 diabetes.

Oscillatory control of insulin secretion

Pancreatic beta-cells possess an inherent ability to generate oscillatory signals that trigger insulin release. Coordination of the secretory activity among beta-cells results in pulsatile insulin secretion from the pancreas, which is considered important for the action of the hormone in the target tissues. This review focuses on the mechanisms underlying oscillatory control of insulin secretion at the level of the individual beta-cell. Recent studies have demonstrated that oscillations of the cytoplasmic Ca(2+) concentration are synchronized with oscillations in beta-cell metabolism, intracellular cAMP concentration, phospholipase C activity and plasma membrane phosphoinositide lipid concentrations. There are complex interdependencies between the different messengers and signalling pathways that contribute to amplitude regulation and shaping of the insulin secretory response to nutrient stimuli and neurohormonal modulators. Several of these pathways may be important pharmacological targets for improving pulsatile insulin secretion in type 2 diabetes.

The ryanodine receptor calcium channel of beta-cells: molecular regulation and physiological significance

The list of Ca(2+) channels involved in stimulus-secretion coupling in beta-cells is increasing. In this respect the roles of the voltage-gated Ca(2+) channels and IP(3) receptors are well accepted. There is a lack of consensus about the significance of a third group of Ca(2+) channels called ryanodine (RY) receptors. These are large conduits located on Ca(2+) storage organelle. Ca(2+) gates these channels in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. Activation of these channels by Ca(2+) leads to fast release of Ca(2+) from the stores, a process called Ca(2+)-induced Ca(2+) release (CICR). A substantial body of evidence confirms that beta-cells have RY receptors. CICR by RY receptors amplifies Ca(2+) signals. Some properties of RY receptors ensure that this amplification process is engaged in a context-dependent manner. Several endogenous molecules and processes that modulate RY receptors determine the appropriate context. Among these are several glycolytic intermediates, long-chain acyl CoA, ATP, cAMP, cADPR, NO, and high luminal Ca(2+) concentration, and all of these have been shown to sensitize RY receptors to the trigger action of Ca(2+). RY receptors, thus, detect co-incident signals and integrate them. These Ca(2+) channels are targets for the action of cAMP-linked incretin hormones that stimulate glucose-dependent insulin secretion. In beta-cells some RY receptors are located on the secretory vesicles. Thus, despite their low abundance, RY receptors are emerging as distinct players in beta-cell function by virtue of their large conductance, strategic locations, and their ability to amplify Ca(2+) signals in a context-dependent manner.

Cyclic AMP raises cytoplasmic calcium in pancreatic alpha 2-cells by mobilizing calcium incorporated in response to glucose

The cytoplasmic Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) was monitored in individual guinea-pig pancreatic alpha 2-cells exposed to modulators of glucagon release. Addition of the stimulatory amino acid arginine resulted in a sustained increase in [Ca2+]i, whereas the inhibitor glucose had the opposite effect. Epinephrine, the beta-adrenergic agonist isoproterenol, the adenylate cyclase activator forskolin and 8-bromo-cAMP transiently raised [Ca2+]i provided that the cells had been pretreated with glucose. However, simultaneous presence of glucose was not required and the effect occurred even in the absence of extracellular Ca2+. Carbachol, the alpha 2-adrenergic agonist clonidine and the sulfonylurea tolbutamide lacked effects on [Ca2+]i. In addition to providing support for the concept that glucagon release is positively modulated by [Ca2+]i, the results demonstrate that cAMP raises [Ca2+]i in the alpha 2-cells by mobilizing calcium incorporated in response to glucose.

Cyclic AMP potentiates glucose-induced insulin release from mouse pancreatic islets without increasing cytosolic free Ca2+

The effects of various stimulants of insulin release on cytosolic free Ca2+, [Ca2+]i, in dispersed and cultured pancreatic beta-cells from ob/ob-mice were studied using the indicator quin-2, which in itself has only slight effects on the glucose-induced insulin release and the metabolism of the sugar. The resting [Ca2+]i was 158 +/- 7 nM. After increasing glucose to 20 mM there was a lag-period of 1-2 min before [Ca2+]i gradually rose, reaching a new plateau 60% higher after 5-6 min. Increasing intracellular cyclic AMP by adding forskolin did not further increase [Ca2+]i; on the contrary there was a slight temporary reduction despite a doubling of insulin secretion. The maintenance of the beta-cell function was evident from a marked increase of cytosolic [Ca2+]i after depolarization evoked by high extracellular K+. Also dibutyryl cyclic AMP and theophylline lacked the ability to raise [Ca2+]i beyond that obtained by glucose. The results suggest that cyclic AMP potentiates glucose-induced insulin release by sensitizing the secretory machinery to changes of [Ca2+]i rather than by increasing the cytosolic concentration of the ion.

Glyceraldehyde, but not cyclic AMP-stimulated insulin release is preceded by a rise in cytosolic free Ca2+

The dynamics of changes in membrane potential, cytosolic free Ca2+, [Ca2+]i and immunoreactive insulin release were assessed in RINm5F cells. Membrane depolarization and a rise in [Ca2+]i preceded the stimulation of insulin release by D-glyceraldehyde. Forskolin, which raised the cellular cyclic AMP levels, stimulated insulin release without changing membrane potential or [Ca2+]i. It is concluded that cyclic AMP acts on insulin release not by mobilizing Ca2+ but by another, as yet undefined, mechanism.

Effects of theophylline and dibutyryl cyclic adenosine monophosphate on the membrane potential of mouse pancreatic beta-cells

The effects of theophylline and dibutyryl cyclic AMP on the membrane potential of mouse beta-cells were studied with micro-electrodes. They were compared to their effects on insulin release by perifused mouse islets. In 3 mM-glucose, theophylline (10 mM) depolarized the beta-cell membrane and stimulated insulin release, but did not induce electrical activity. Dibutyryl cyclic AMP (1 mM) was without effect. In 7 mM-glucose, theophylline (0.5-2 mM) and dibutyryl cyclic AMP (1 mM) slightly depolarized the beta-cell membrane, induced electrical activity in otherwise silent cells and increased insulin release. A higher concentration of theophylline (10 mM) hyperpolarized the beta-cell membrane, did not induce electrical activity, but also stimulated insulin release. In 10 mM-glucose, the membrane potential of beta-cells exhibited repetitive slow waves with bursts of spikes on the plateau. Under steady state, these slow waves were differently affected by low or high concentrations of theophylline. At 0.5-2 mM, theophylline shortened the intervals, lengthened the slow waves and slightly increased their frequency. On the other hand, 10 mM-theophylline markedly decreased the duration of both intervals and slow waves, and increased their frequency. The effects of 1 mM-dibutyryl cyclic AMP were similar to those of 2 mM-theophylline. With 2-10 mM-theophylline, two other effects were also observed: a transient hyperpolarization with suppression of electrical activity immediately after addition of the methylxanthine and an increase in electrical activity upon its withdrawal. Theophylline and dibutyryl cyclic AMP markedly potentiated insulin release induced by 10 mM-glucose. The magnitude of these changes did not correlate well with the importance of the changes in electrical activity. However, with 2-10 mM-theophylline the increase in release was also preceded by an initial transient inhibition, whereas withdrawal of the methylxanthine was accompanied by a further increase. When Ca influx was inhibited by D600, the slow waves were suppressed, the membrane was depolarized to the plateau level and only few spikes were present. Although theophylline markedly increased insulin release under these conditions, it did not affect the membrane potential. Several conclusions can be drawn from this study. Insulin release and electrical activity in beta-cells can be dissociated when intracellular Ca is used to trigger exocytosis. High concentrations of theophylline produce effects unrelated to cyclic AMP.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Protein secretion induced by isoproterenol or pentoxifylline in lacrimal gland: Ca2+ effects

In exorbital lacrimal glands, pentoxifylline (a methylxanthine) induces labeled protein secretion in a dose-related manner: the half-maximal and maximal stimulations are at 4 and 10 mM, respectively. In the presence of papaverine (10(-5) M), a phosphodiesterase inhibitor, labeled protein discharge is strongly stimulated by isoproterenol, via beta-adrenergic receptors: the maximal response is at 10(-6) M. l-Propranolol specifically inhibits the secretory stimulation to isoproterenol in a dose-related manner: for 5 X 10(-6) M isoproterenol in the presence of 10(-5) M papaverine, the half-maximal and maximal inhibitions are at 3 X 10(-7) and 10(-5) M, respectively. The beta-adrenergic response is mimicked by the adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) analogue dibutyryl cAMP (DBcAMP) at a 10(-3) M concentration. The time course of labeled protein secretion induced by pentoxifylline, DBcAMP, and isoproterenol shows a latency. In the presence or absence of extracellular calcium, pentoxifylline and isoproterenol immediately increase the cAMP intracellular level. Extracellular calcium omission increases the observed latency and also affects the maximal rate of protein secretion. As opposed to the cholinergic agonist, pentoxifylline has only a slight but sustained effect on 45Ca efflux, whereas isoproterenol has none. These data suggest that labeled protein secretion, such as that of peroxidase, can also be stimulated in rat exorbital lacrimal gland, through beta-adrenergic receptors; in the stimulation evoked by a beta-adrenergic agonist, DBcAMP, or methylxanthine, calcium could play a key role.

The interaction between manganese and calcium fluxes in pancreatic beta-cells

Electrothermal atomic-absorption spectroscopy was employed for measuring manganese in beta-cell-rich pancreatic islets isolated from ob/ob mice. The efflux from preloaded islets was estimated from the amounts remaining after 30 min of subsequent test incubations in the absence of Mn2+. An increase in the extracellular Mg2+ concentration promoted the Mn2+ efflux and removal of Na+ from a Ca2+-deficient medium had the opposite effect. Addition of 25 mM-K+ failed to affect Mn2+ outflow as did 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine and dibutyryl cyclic AMP. Whereas tolbutamide caused retention of manganese, the ionophore Br-X537A promoted an efflux. D-Glucose was equally potent in retaining the islet manganese when the external Ca2+ concentration ranged from 15 microM to 6.30 mM. Subcellular-fractionation experiments indicated a glucose-stimulated incorporation of manganese into all fractions except the microsomes. The effect was most pronounced in the mitochondrial fraction, being as high as 164%. The glucose-induced uptake of intracellular 45Ca was abolished in the presence of 0.25 mM-Mn2+. When added to medium containing 2.5 mM-Mn2+, glucose even tended to decrease 45Ca2+ uptake. The inhibitory effect of Mn2+ was apparent also from a diminished uptake of 45Ca into all subcellular fractions. The efflux of 45Ca2+ was markedly influenced by Mn2+ as manifested in a prominent stimulation followed by inhibition. In addition to demonstrating marked interactions between fluxes of Mn2+ and Ca2+, the present studies support the view that the glucose inhibition of the efflux of bivalent cations from pancreatic beta-cells is accounted for by their accumulation in the mitochondria.