Sodium uptake by microdissected pancreatic islets: effects of ouabain and chloromercuribenzene-p-sulphonic acid

Glycerol 3-phosphate-induced ATP production in intact mitochondria from pancreatic B-cells

A bioluminescent method is presented that allows monitoring of ATP production from mitochondria corresponding to one islet of Langerhans per sample. In mitochondria from ob/ob mice Ca2+ stimulates the ATP production in the presence of L-glycerol 3-phosphate (GP) by reducing the Km for GP by one order of magnitude to about 3 mM. Maximal ATP production in the presence of Ca2+ (200 nM) is obtained at 10 mM GP. The free calcium concentration required to reach half-maximal stimulation (K0.5Ca2+) depends on the GP concentration, thus half-maximal effects are observed at about 80 nM at low GP (1 mM) and 10 nM at high GP (10 mM). Sodium can replace Ca2+ as a stimulator of GP-induced ATP production. It activates ADP phosphorylation by B-cell mitochondria in a sigmoidal concentration-dependent manner in the absence of Cs2+ (Hill coefficient 2.3 +/- 0.2) but does not change K0.5ca2+ nor the maximal mitochondrial activity. Ca2+ concentrations higher than 300 nM are inhibitory at all tested substrate concentrations. Mitochondria from ob/ob mice showed no functional defect when compared with normal controls. It is concluded that activation of the glycerol phosphate shuttle may not be the main coupling site for glucose-induced insulin release at maximal cytoplasmic Ca2+ levels.

Carbachol has opposite effects to glucose in raising the sodium content of pancreatic islets

Integrating flame photometry was used for measuring sodium in single pancreatic islets from ob/ob mice. Exposure to 100 microM carbachol resulted in a 25-40% increase in sodium without any effect on potassium during incubation with 0-5 mM glucose in media deficient or not in Ca2+. This action of carbachol was abolished by 10 microM atropine or by raising the glucose concentration to 20 mM. A minor increase of the steady state content of sodium occurred in the presence of 200 microM ATP or 10 nM tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA). Carbachol differed from TPA in markedly stimulating sodium accumulation after ouabain inhibition of the Na/K pump. The results indicate that muscarinic receptor activation has opposite effects to glucose in inducing a rise of the islet content of sodium. It is suggested that the cholinergic control of the endocrine pancreas involves entry of Na+ in addition to the Na+ entry mediated by protein kinase C activation of Na+/H+ countertransport.

Characterization of the glucose-induced lowering of sodium in mouse pancreatic beta-cells

The mechanisms for glucose regulation of the sodium content of the pancreatic beta-cells were examined using aggregates of cells prepared from ob/ob-mice of a local colony. Exposure to glucose rapidly resulted in a protracted lowering of the sodium content as estimated with integrating flame photometry. Sodium became decreased after addition of 1 mmol l-1 glucose, and this effect was maximal with 5 mmol l-1 of the sugar. The effects of low glucose concentrations on the sodium content could not be mimicked by the poorly metabolized 3-o-methyl-D-glucose, and it disappeared in the presence of the metabolic inhibitor antimycin A. The significance of the Na/K pump for maintaining low sodium was illustrated by a substantial increase of the element in the presence of ouabain. However, there was no indication that glucose-induced lowering of sodium reflected activation of this pump when measuring the ouabain-sensitive uptake of 86Rb+. Neither bumetanide nor the bromo derivatives of cyclic AMP or cyclic GMP modified the glucose action on the sodium content. In evaluating whether the effect of glucose was mimicked by other inhibitors of the K+ permeability it was observed that 100 mumol l-1 quinine, but not tolbutamide, decreased sodium. It is concluded that the beta-cell is exceptional among excitable cells in responding to its natural physiological stimulant (glucose) by reduction of sodium. Acting in this way glucose facilitates the removal of Ca2+ from the cytoplasm.

Effects of acute sodium omission on insulin release, ionic flux and membrane potential in mouse pancreatic B-cells

The effects of acute omission of extracellular Na+ on pancreatic B-cell function were studied in mouse islets, using choline and lithium salts as impermeant and permeant substitutes, respectively. In the absence of glucose, choline substitution for Na+ hyperpolarized the B-cell membrane, inhibited 86Rb+ and 45Ca2+ efflux, but did not affect insulin release. In contrast, Li+ substitution for Na+ depolarized the B-cell membrane and caused a Ca2+-independent, transient acceleration of 45Ca2+ efflux and insulin release. Na+ replacement by choline in the presence of 10 mM glucose and 2.5 mM Ca2+ again rapidly hyperpolarized the B-cell membrane. This hyperpolarization was then followed by a phase of depolarization with continuous spike activity, before long slow waves of the membrane potential resumed. Under these conditions, 86Rb+ efflux first decreased before accelerating, concomitantly with marked and parallel increases in 45Ca2+ efflux and insulin release. In the absence of Ca2+, 45Ca2+ and 86Rb+ efflux were inhibited and insulin release was unaffected by choline substitution for Na+. Na+ replacement by Li+ in the presence of 10 mM glucose rapidly depolarized the B-cell membrane, caused an intense continuous spike activity, and accelerated 45Ca2+ efflux, 86Rb+ efflux and insulin release. In the absence of extracellular Ca2+, Li+ still caused a rapid but transient increase in 45Ca2+ and 86Rb+ efflux and in insulin release. Although not indispensable for insulin release, Na+ plays an important regulatory role in stimulus-secretion coupling by modulating, among others, membrane potential and ionic fluxes in B-cells.

Quantitative energy dispersive X-ray microanalysis of eight elements in pancreatic endocrine and exocrine cells after cryo-fixation

Quantitative X-ray microanalysis of 8 elements was performed on ultrathin, freeze-dried sections of islets and pancreas pieces from non-inbred ob/ob-mice. Diffusion of elements was reduced to a minimum by rapidly freezing the tissue samples between nitrogen-cooled polished copper surfaces and avoiding the use of chemical fixatives and stains. The ultrastructural morphology was adequately maintained to allow measurements on secretory granules, mitochondria, cell nuclei, and cytoplasm free of these organelles. The distribution of the various elements between cellular compartments was similar in islet beta-cells and exocrine pancreas cells. However, the insulin secretory granules were outstanding in exhibiting the highest concentrations of zinc and calcium. In comparison with cytoplasm in the beta-cells, the insulin granules accumulated calcium 2-fold and zinc as much as 40-fold. As no correlation could be made for endoplasmic reticulum in the cytoplasmic measurements areas, the true accumulations above cytosol are likely to be even higher.

Glucose-induced reduction of the sodium content in beta-cell-rich pancreatic islets

The sodium contents of beta-cell-rich pancreatic islets from ob/ob-mice were measured with an integrating flame photometer. After washing to an apparent steady state with different types of ice-cold media, islets incubated in the absence of glucose contained 79-108 mmol sodium kg-1 dry weight. Exposure to glucose resulted in 25% reduction of the islet content of sodium. This effect became manifest in the presence of 5 mM glucose, there being no additional reduction with a further increase of glucose to 20 mM. Depression of Na+ activity may partially explain why glucose, under certain conditions, can lower cytoplasmic Ca2+ and even inhibit insulin release.

Effects of monensin on metabolism of isolated rat islets of Langerhans

Monensin, a univalent ionophore, is a carboxylic acid produced by Streptomyces cinnamonensis. It will complex various alkali-metal ions, but most readily binds Na+. Because of interest in the possible role of Na+ in the regulation of insulin secretion, we examined its effects on several aspects of the metabolism of isolated rat islets of Langerhans. The ionophore inhibited glucose-stimulated insulin release in a concentration-dependent manner, completely inhibiting secretion evoked by 20 mM-glucose at concentrations as low as 0.1 microM in static incubations. In perifusion experiments, both phases of insulin release were equally affected. Monensin (0.1 microM) had no significant effect on glucose oxidation as measured by the generation of 14CO2 from [14C]glucose. Monensin increased the rate of 22Na+ efflux from preloaded islets and net 22Na+ uptake over 30 min, in the absence of changes in islet volume or extracellular space. The ionophore increased the Rb+/K+ permeability of islet cells, as shown by its inhibition of 86Rb+ retention and stimulation of 86Rb+ efflux. At 0.1 microM, monensin abolished glucose-stimulated 45Ca2+ uptake by islets during 5 min incubations, and stimulated 45Ca2+ efflux from preloaded islets perifused with Ca2+-free medium, even in the complete absence of extracellular Na+. Studies of the uptake of 14C-labelled 5,5-dimethyloxazolidine-2,4-dione showed that 0.1 microM-monensin increased net intracellular pH from 7.05 to 7.13. 7 Monensin has widespread, complex, effects on the secretory responses and ion handling by the B cells, which are difficult to interpret in terms solely of actions as a Na+ ionophore.

Fluctuations of calcium, phosphorus, sodium, potassium, and chlorine in single alpha and beta cells during glucose perifusion of rat islets

To study the relationship between islet hormonal secretion and intracellular content of five elements, a rat islet perifusion technique was used in 24 paired experiments. Control and experimental chambers each containing 100 islets, received 2.8 and 16.7 mM D-glucose, respectively. Effluent was collected frequently for hormone measurements. At eight different time intervals form 0--30 min islets were fixed and prepared for scanning electron microscopy. Over 900 unobscured alpha and beta cells were selected by size and shape criteria. Energy dispersive x-ray analysis was applied to each single cell to determine relative content of calcium (Ca), potassium (K), sodium (Na), chlorine (Cl), and phosphorus (P). Experimental chambers exhibited typical acute (0--9 min) and second phase (10--30 min) insulin secretion in association with suppression of glucagon release after 10 min. At 2 min an abrupt upward K spike in both alpha and beta cells was followed at 3--4 min with a 1.5- to 2-fold rise of Ca and a reciprocal decrease in K, Na, Cl, and P. From 3 to 30 min biphasic insulin secretion. Reduced alpha cell calcium after 6 min preceded suppression of glucagon secretion. After 2 min K related inversely to Ca content in both alpha and beta cells. These results could not be reproduced when D-galactose was substituted for D-glucose. We conclude that sequential changes of Ca content that are reciprocally related to K are predictive of beta cell insulin release and suppression of alpha cell glucagon secretion.

On insulin secretion

Aspects of insulin secretory mechanisms and models of diabetogenic B cell damage are discussed. Measurements of fluxes of 3H-labelled triphenylmethylphosphonium ion, 86Rb+, 42K+, 22Na+, and 45Ca2+ in isolated islets indicate that the triggering of insulin release depends on alterations in the interaction of ions with the B cells. One difficulty in the detailed analysis of these alterations are uncertainties which arise when macroscopic concepts for homogenous phases are applied to microscopic and heterogenous compartments, as exemplified by the meaning of pH in insulin secretory granules and of membrane electric potential. Nonetheless, the importance of an apparent decreased K+ permeability in mediating the insulin-releasing action of glucose, and of an apparent increased Na+ permeability in mediating the potentiating action of acetylcholine is emphasized. Fluorescent probing of Ca2+ by chlorotetracycline revealed effects of glucose alone as well as glucose-dependent and atropine-sensitive effects of acetylcholine. Although acetylcholine, sulfonylureas, and certain thiol-blocking agents may stimulate insulin release by direct effects on the B cell plasma membrane, a high capacity for D-glucose transmembrane transport has probably evolved in order that the interior of the B cells can always sense the circulating glucose concentration. A signal to secretion is thought to be transmitted from glucose metabolism to altered ion fluxes by intervention of reduced pyridine nucleotides and hypothetical redox protein for which thioredoxin may be a model. The insulin secretory defect in hereditary diabetic C57BL/KsJ-db/db-mice is apparently linked to a decreased basal permeability for K+ and a failure of the B cells to decrease further this permeability in response to glucose. Functioning B cells are acutely damaged when exposed to heterologous serum or alloxan in vitro; cytotoxic activation of complement by the alternative pathway could perhaps occur during islet inflammation. Protection experiments with free-radical scavengers in vitro and in vivo support the theory that hydroxyl radicals are instrumental in the production of alloxan diabetes. Rapid reduction of alloxan by thioredoxin in the presence of molecular oxygen and NADPH leads to strong chemiluminescence from luminol indicative of an intense radical protection. The sensitivity of B cells to alloxan may be due to physiological specializations of their plasma membranes, involving the highly effective glucose carrier or the hypothetical oxidation/reduction systems or both.

Regulation of calcium fluxes in rat pancreatic islets: calcium extrusion by sodium-calcium countertransport

The mechanisms by which glucose regulates calcium fluxes in pancreatic endocrine cells were investigated by monitoring the efflux of 45Ca from prelabeled and perifused rat pancreatic islets. In the absence of both extracellular calcium and glucose, partial or total removal of extracellular sodium decreases the efflux of 45Ca from prelabeled islets. Glucose also reduces the efflux of 45Ca from islets perifused in the absence of extracellular calcium. This inhibitory effect of glucose on 45Ca efflux is decreased by half when the extracellular concentration of sodium is lowered to 24 mM. In the absence of extracellular calcium but presence of glucose, partial or even total removal of extracellular sodium fails to decrease the efflux of 45Ca. At normal extracellular calcium concentration (1 mM) partial removal of extracellular sodium dramatically increases 45Ca efflux from pancreatic islets. This increase in 45Ca efflux is partially but not totally suppressed by either 16.7 mM glucose or cobalt. It is totally suppressed by 4.4 mM glucose or by the combination of 16.7 mM glucose and cobalt. At normal extracellular calcium concentration, glucose initially reduces and subsequently increases 45Ca efflux. The initial fall is unaffected by tetrodotoxin but decreased by 50% at low extracellular sodium concentration (24 mM). The present results suggest the existence in pancreatic endocrine cells of a glucose-sensitive process of sodium-calcium counter-transport. By inhibiting such a process, glucose may decrease the efflux of calcium from islet cells. The effect of glucose is not mediated by an increase in intracellular sodium concentration. It could contribute to the intracellular accumulation of calcium which is thought to trigger insulin release.

Evidence for the involvement of Na/Ca exchange in glucose-induced insulin release from rat pancreatic islets

Glucose-induced inhibition of Ca(++) extrusion from the beta-cell may contribute to the rise in cytosol Ca(++) that leads to insulin release. To study whether interference with Na/Ca exchange is involved in this inhibition the effects of glucose were compared to those of ouabain. This substance inhibits Na/K ATPase, decreases the transmembrane Na(+) gradient in islets, and thus interferes with Na/Ca exchange. Collagenase isolated rat islets were maintained for 2 d in tissue culture with a trace amount of (45)Ca(++). Insulin release and (45)Ca(++) efflux were then measured during perifusion. In Ca(++)-deprived medium (to avoid changes in tissue specific radioactivity) 16.7 mM glucose inhibited (45)Ca(++) efflux. Initially 1 mM ouabain inhibited (45)Ca(++) efflux in a similar fashion, the onset being even faster than that of glucose. The effects of 16.7 mM glucose and ouabain were not additive, indicating that both substances may interfere with Na/Ca exchange. In the presence of Ca(++), 16.7 mM glucose induced biphasic insulin release. Ouabain alone caused a gradual increase of insulin release. Again, the effects of ouabain and 16.7 mM glucose were not additive. In contrast, at a submaximal glucose concentration (7 mM) ouabain enhanced both phases of release. An important role for Na/Ca exchange is suggested from experiments in which Ca(++) was removed at the time of glucose-stimulation (16.7 mM). The resulting marked inhibition of insulin release was completely overcome during first phase by ouabain added at the time of Ca(++) removal; second phase was restored to 60%. This could be due to the rapid inhibitory action of ouabain on Ca(++) efflux thereby preventing loss of cellular calcium critical for glucose to induce insulin release. It appears, therefore, that interference with Na/Ca exchange is an important event in the stimulation of insulin release by glucose.

The stimulus-secretion coupling of glucose-induced insulin release. Metabolism of glucose in K+-deprived islets

1. When pancreatic islets were exposed to a K(+)-free medium, the intracellular concentration of K(+) was decreased and that of Na(+) increased. 2. In the K(+)-deprived islets, the utilization of [5-(3)H]glucose, output of lactic acid and oxidation of [U-(14)C]-glucose were decreased by about 30-40% below the control values found at normal extracellular K(+) concentration (5.0mm). However, the oxidation of [U-(14)C]pyruvate was unaffected. 3. The omission of extracellular K(+) little affected the production of (14)CO(2) from islets prelabelled with [U-(14)C]palmitate and incubated in the absence of glucose, despite the fact that K(+) deprivation significantly increased the ATP concentration and ATP/ADP concentration ratio in the glucose-deprived islets. 4. At normal K(+) concentration, glucose increased the concentrations of phosphoenolpyruvate, NAD(P)H and ATP in the islets. In the glucose-stimulated islets, the concentration of phosphoenolpyruvate, but not that of either NAD(P)H or ATP, was higher in the absence than in the presence of extracellular K(+). In islet homogenates, the activity of pyruvate kinase (EC 2.7.1.40) was stimulated by K(+) (optimal activity at 100-150mm-K(+)) and inhibited by Na(+) (except at very low K(+) concentrations). 5. K(+) could be replaced by NH(4) (+), Rb(+), Cs(+) or Na(+) to maintain, at least to some extent, pyruvate kinase activity in islet homogenates. Addition of Rb(+) or Cs(+), but not NH(4) (+), to K(+)-deprived media also increased [U-(14)C]glucose oxidation by intact islets. 6. The omission of K(+) did not cause any obvious anomaly in the apparent dependency of (45)Ca(2+) net uptake on NAD(P)H concentration in the islets. 7. These data suggest that the coupling between metabolic and ionic events in the islet cells involves feedback mechanisms through which glucose oxidation may be modulated by cationic factors.

Effects of acetylcholine on ion fluxes and chlorotetracycline fluorescence in pancreatic islets

1. Acetylcholine potentiated glucose-stimulated insulin release from ob/ob-mouse islets in salt-balanced bicarbonate buffer and to a lesser extent in Tris buffer; basal insulin release at 3 mM-D-glucose was not affected. Potentiation required the presence of Ca(2+).2. In bicarbonate buffer, ACh stimulated the islet uptake of (45)Ca(2+) at 3 mM-glucose but not significantly at 11 mM; no effect was seen in Tris buffer.3. At 11 mM-glucose, ACh increased the fluorescence from Ca(2+)-chlorotetracycline in dispersed islet cells; the effect was inhibited by atropine.4. At both 3 and 11 mM-glucose, ACh stimulated the islet uptake of (22)Na(+) in 60 min. At 11 mM-glucose, (22)Na(+) uptake in 5 min was also enhanced significantly, and this effect was inhibited by atropine.5. At 3 mM-glucose, ACh probably stimulated the islet uptake of (86)Rb(+) in 10 min.6. ACh had no effect on (36)Cl(-) retention at 3 or 11 mM-glucose, or on the oxidation of D-[U-(14)C]glucose (11 mM).7. The insulin secretory potentiator, ACh, does not act by accelerating glucose oxidation and does not induce the same ionic effects as the secretory initiator, D-glucose. Increased Na(+) permeability and altered interaction of Ca(2+) with the plasma membrane may play roles in the cholinergic depolarization of beta-cells and potentiation of insulin release.

Effects of glucose, chloromercuribenzene-p-sulphonic acid and 4-acetamido-4'-isothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-disulphonic acid on phosphate efflux from pancreatic islets

Collagenase-isolated pancreatic islets of non-inbred ob/ob mice, containing more than 90% beta-cells, were labelled with radioactive orthophosphate (32P or 33P) and then subjected to non-recirculating perifusion. The basal D-glucose concentration in the perifusion medium was 2.8 mM. When the concentration was suddenly raised to 5.6, 8.3 or 16.7 mM, D-glucose promptly elicited a transient and dose-dependent release of radiophosphate. In the presence of 2.8 mM D-glucose, 0.1 mM of the poorly permeating sulphydryl blocker, chloromercuribenzene-p-sulphonic acid, also evoked a phosphate flush resembling the one induced by D-glucose. The basal radiophosphate release was partially inhibited by 1 mM 4-acetamido-4-'-isothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-disulphonic acid. However, the phosphate flush induced by 16.7 mM D-glucose was not noticeably inhibited by 4-acetamido-4'-isothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-disulphonic acid. It is concluded that the phosphate flush emanates from beta-cells and that membrane sulphydryl groups may participate in its regulation. Although at least the basal phosphate release may in part represent transmembrane transport through 4-acetamido-4'-isothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-disulphonic acid-sensitive anion channels, other mechanisms are also likely to participate in the glucose-induced phosphate flush.

Insulin release: the fuel hypothesis

The immediate and direct regulation of insulin release by circulating nutrients, especially glucose, is thought to be mediated in the pancreatic B-cell by a sequence of metabolic, ionic, and motile events. On the basis of previous work, it is assumed that the process by which glucose is recognized as an insulinotropic agent entirely depends on the metabolic changes evoked by the sugar in the islet cells. Several factors are considered as possible candidates for the coupling between these metabolic changes and subsequent ionic events such as altered phosphate, chloride, sodium, potassium, and calcium handling. It is acknowledged that changes in the concentrations of glycolytic intermediates and cyclic nucleotides (adenosine- or guanosine-3', 5'-cyclic monophosphate), or both, could play a modulatory role upon stimulated insulin release. However, the initiation of insulin release seems to depend on the generation of two essential coupling factors: H+ and reduced pyridine nucleotides. The changes in H+ fluxes may account for the glucose-induced decrease in K+ and Ca2+ fractional outflow rate, all three parameters displaying hyperbolic-like dose-response curves with half-maximal values at noninsulinotropic glucose concentrations. The changes in NAD(P)H concentration may account for a glucose-induced Ca2+--Ca2+ exchange process due to a change in affinity of a native ionophoretic system. The dose-response curves for these parameters yield a sigmoidal pattern analogous to that which depicts the rate of insulin release at increasing glucose concentrations. It is proposed that such a coupling between metabolic and cationic events is operative in response to other insulinotropic nutrients and that its time course may be relevant to the phasic aspect of insulin release. Thus, the nutrient-induced release of insulin (and possibly other pancreatic hormones), which is essential for the regulation of fuel homeostasis, would depend on the capacity of circulating nutrients to act as a fuel in the islet cells. This concept raises a question as to the existence and nature of feedback mechanisms regulating the metabolic fluxes in the islet cells as a function of their energy expenditure.

Sulphydryl requirement for insulin release from the perfused pancreas. Studies with ethacrynic acid and dithiothreitol

Using the isolated, perfused rat pancreas the importance of sulphydryl groups for the secretory process of insulin was investigated. It was found that ethacrynic acid (EA, 0.075-0.6 mmol/1) caused a dose-dependent, monophasic insulin release. Addition of EA to a glucose-stimulated (20 mmol/1) pancreas led to a sudden increase in hormone release, followed by a dose-dependent inhibition of release, which was not reversible after removal of EA. The same phenomenon was seen in the presence of 20 mmol/1 leucine. Dithiothreitol (DTT, 0.1 and 1 mmol/1) had no effect on basal insulin secretion. Added to a glucose-stimulated pancreas DTT (1 mmol/1) caused a reversible inhibition of insulin release. The persistent inhibitory action of EA on glucose-induced insulin release could be reversed by simultaneous perfusion of EA and DTT. Sequential exposure of a glucose-stimulated pancreas to EA and DTT led to a rapid release of insulin, due to DTT; however, the EA-induced inhibition of insulin secretion could not be prevented. Two kinds of thiol groups in the plasma membrane and in the beta cell might be responsible for the various kinetics of insulin release induced by EA and DTT.

Effect of glucose on 22Na+ efflux in pancreatic islets

Glucose provokes an immediate and possibly sustained increase in the fractional outflow rate of 22Na+ in isolated islets of Langerhans.

The stimulus-secretion coupling of glucose-induced insulin release. XXVIII. Effect of glucose on Na+ fluxes in isolated islets

The effect of glucose upon the handling of 22Na+ by pancreatic islets was investigated. Using a triple-isotope technique, the apparent concentration of Na+ in islet cells was estimated at 50--75 mM. The pattern of 22Na+ efflux from perifused islets indicates that this intracellular Na+ load is compartmentalized among a small, possibly organelle-bound pool characterized by a low fractional turnover rate (5%/min) and a large, presumably cystosolic pool displaying a much higher fractional turnover rate (20--34%/min). Glucose provokes a rapid, pronounced and sustained increase in the fractional outflow rate of Na+ across the plasma membrane and, under steady-state conditions, moderately reduces the concentration of Na+ inside the islet cells. The glucose-induced increase in Na+ outflow rate, which is also observed in response to glyceraldehyde and dose not require the presence of extracellular Ca2+, might be mediated, in part at least, by an ouabain-resistant ionophoretic system. The experimental data suggest that glucose also increases the inward transport of Na+ in islet cells by a veratridine-sensitive channel.

NaK-ATPase in rat pancreatic islets

Shifts in the distribution of the monovalent cations Na+ and K+ between the extra- and intracellular space seem to be important for the secretory response of the beta-cell. An attempt was therefore made to study the enzyme responsible for monovalent cation transport, the (NaK)-activated ATPase. In the presence of NaN3 as inhibitor of the mitochondrial Mg-ATPase, a NaK-ATPase with a specific activity of 72 mU X mg protein-1 could be demonstrated in crude membrane preparations of rat pancreatic islets. The enzyme, which was inactive in the absence of Mg++, needed both Na+ and K+ for activation and was inhibited by ouabain and PCMB. The main part of the NaK-ATPase was localized in the microsomal fraction. Glucose, sulphonylureas, somatostatin and diazoxide were without effect on NaK-ATPase.

Effects of dextran-linked chloromercuribenzoic acid on insulin release from microdissected pancreatic islets

Insulin release in response to dextran-linked p-chloromercuribenzoic acid was studied in microdissected pancreatic islets of non-inbred ob/ob-mice. No contamination of the dextran-linked mercurial with free chloromercuribenzoic acid was detected before or after the incubation with islets. In comparison with free mercurial, of the same thiol-blocking activity, the dextran-linked compound had a weak insulin-releasing action with a different dose vs. response relationship. The dextran-linked mercurial had no demonstrable effect on the islet content of cyclic AMP. The results support the hypothesis that free organic mercurials mainly stimulate insulin release by blocking thiol ground that are embedded within the beta-cell plasma membranes beneath their surfaces.

Transport of rubidium and sodium in pancreatic islets

1. Fluxes of (86)Rb(+) and (22)Na(+) were measured in pancreatic islets of ob/ob-mice. The islets, which contain more than 90% beta-cells, were incubated at 37 degrees C in Krebs-Ringer bicarbonate buffer with modifications known to influence insulin release.2. In the presence of Na(+), the islets vigorously accumulated Rb(+). The Rb(+) uptake was inhibited by depletion of islet Na(+) or by 1 mm ouabain or 0.1 mm chloromercuribenzene-p-sulphonic acid. Rb(+) uptake was stimulated by 1 mm-5,5'-dithiobis (2-nitrobenzoic acid) or by depletion of islet Ca(2+), while 20 mm glucose, 5 mm theophylline, 0.1 mm iodoacetamide, or 1 mm-6,6'-dithionicotinic acid had no significant effects.3. The efflux of Rb(+) from preloaded islets followed exponential kinetics with a half-life of about 16 min. The rate of efflux was enhanced by 0.1 mm chloromercuribenzene-p-sulphonic acid and inhibited by 20 mm glucose. Omission of Na(+), K(+) or Ca(2+) from the incubation medium had no significant effects.4. The efflux of (22)Na(+) from islets preloaded with this isotope was enhanced by 0.1 mm chloromercuribenzene-p-sulphonic acid or by Ca(2+) deficiency. It was inhibited by 1 mm ouabain, 0.1 mm-2,4-dinitrophenol, or by omission of Na(+) from the incubation medium. Omission of K(+) or the addition of 20 mm glucose had no significant effects.5. It is concluded that the beta-cells are permeable to Na(+) and Rb(+) and expel Na(+) by an active mechanism similar to, or identical with, the Na(+)/K(+)-pump in other cells. The mechanisms of active and passive cation movements are discussed in relation to current hypotheses of stimulus-secretion coupling in the beta-cells depending on interactions between Na(+) and Ca(2+). In particular, the results support the hypotheses of insulin release being stimulated by ouabain through inhibition of the Na(+)/K(+)-pump and by organic mercurials through enhancement of membrane permeability to cations.