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Armour SL, Stanley JE, Cantley J, Dean ED, Knudsen JG. Metabolic regulation of glucagon secretion. J Endocrinol 2023; 259:e230081. [PMID: 37523232 PMCID: PMC10681275 DOI: 10.1530/joe-23-0081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023]
Abstract
Since the discovery of glucagon 100 years ago, the hormone and the pancreatic islet alpha cells that produce it have remained enigmatic relative to insulin-producing beta cells. Canonically, alpha cells have been described in the context of glucagon's role in glucose metabolism in liver, with glucose as the primary nutrient signal regulating alpha cell function. However, current data reveal a more holistic model of metabolic signalling, involving glucagon-regulated metabolism of multiple nutrients by the liver and other tissues, including amino acids and lipids, providing reciprocal feedback to regulate glucagon secretion and even alpha cell mass. Here we describe how various nutrients are sensed, transported and metabolised in alpha cells, providing an integrative model for the metabolic regulation of glucagon secretion and action. Importantly, we discuss where these nutrient-sensing pathways intersect to regulate alpha cell function and highlight key areas for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah L Armour
- Section for cell biology and physiology, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, DK
| | - Jade E. Stanley
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, USA
| | - James Cantley
- Division of Cellular and systems medicine, School of Medicine, University of Dundee, UK
| | - E. Danielle Dean
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, USA
- Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology, & Metabolism, Vanderbilt University Medical Center school of medicine, USA
| | - Jakob G Knudsen
- Section for cell biology and physiology, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, DK
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2
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Gelbach PE, Zheng D, Fraser SE, White KL, Graham NA, Finley SD. Kinetic and data-driven modeling of pancreatic β-cell central carbon metabolism and insulin secretion. PLoS Comput Biol 2022; 18:e1010555. [PMID: 36251711 PMCID: PMC9612825 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1010555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2021] [Revised: 10/27/2022] [Accepted: 09/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic β-cells respond to increased extracellular glucose levels by initiating a metabolic shift. That change in metabolism is part of the process of glucose-stimulated insulin secretion and is of particular interest in the context of diabetes. However, we do not fully understand how the coordinated changes in metabolic pathways and metabolite products influence insulin secretion. In this work, we apply systems biology approaches to develop a detailed kinetic model of the intracellular central carbon metabolic pathways in pancreatic β-cells upon stimulation with high levels of glucose. The model is calibrated to published metabolomics datasets for the INS1 823/13 cell line, accurately capturing the measured metabolite fold-changes. We first employed the calibrated mechanistic model to estimate the stimulated cell's fluxome. We then used the predicted network fluxes in a data-driven approach to build a partial least squares regression model. By developing the combined kinetic and data-driven modeling framework, we gain insights into the link between β-cell metabolism and glucose-stimulated insulin secretion. The combined modeling framework was used to predict the effects of common anti-diabetic pharmacological interventions on metabolite levels, flux through the metabolic network, and insulin secretion. Our simulations reveal targets that can be modulated to enhance insulin secretion. The model is a promising tool to contextualize and extend the usefulness of metabolomics data and to predict dynamics and metabolite levels that are difficult to measure in vitro. In addition, the modeling framework can be applied to identify, explain, and assess novel and clinically-relevant interventions that may be particularly valuable in diabetes treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick E. Gelbach
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, USC, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Dongqing Zheng
- Mork Family Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, USC, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Scott E. Fraser
- Translational Imaging Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Kate L. White
- Departments of Biological Sciences and Chemistry, Bridge Institute, USC Michelson Center, USC, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Nicholas A. Graham
- Mork Family Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, USC, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Stacey D. Finley
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, USC, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
- Mork Family Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, USC, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
- Department of Quantitative and Computational Biology, USC, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Abstract
The ability to maintain normoglycaemia, through glucose-sensitive insulin release, is a key aspect of postnatal beta cell function. However, terminally differentiated beta cell identity does not necessarily imply functional maturity. Beta cell maturation is therefore a continuation of beta cell development, albeit a process that occurs postnatally in mammals. Although many important features have been identified in the study of beta cell maturation, as of yet no unified mechanistic model of beta cell functional maturity exists. Here, we review recent findings about the underlying mechanisms of beta cell functional maturation. These findings include systemic hormonal and nutritional triggers that operate through energy-sensing machinery shifts within beta cells, resulting in primed metabolic states that allow for appropriate glucose trafficking and, ultimately, insulin release. We also draw attention to the expansive synergistic nature of these pathways and emphasise that beta cell maturation is dependent on overlapping regulatory and metabolic networks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tom Barsby
- Stem Cells and Metabolism Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
| | - Timo Otonkoski
- Stem Cells and Metabolism Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
- Children's Hospital, Helsinki University Hospital and University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
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Murao N, Yokoi N, Takahashi H, Hayami T, Minami Y, Seino S. Increased glycolysis affects β-cell function and identity in aging and diabetes. Mol Metab 2022; 55:101414. [PMID: 34871777 PMCID: PMC8732780 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmet.2021.101414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2021] [Revised: 11/25/2021] [Accepted: 12/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Age is a risk factor for type 2 diabetes (T2D). We aimed to elucidate whether β-cell glucose metabolism is altered with aging and contributes to T2D. METHODS We used senescence-accelerated mice (SAM), C57BL/6J (B6) mice, and ob/ob mice as aging models. As a diabetes model, we used db/db mice. The glucose responsiveness of insulin secretion and the [U-13C]-glucose metabolic flux were examined in isolated islets. We analyzed the expression of β-cell-specific genes in isolated islets and pancreatic sections as molecular signatures of β-cell identity. β cells defective in the malate-aspartate (MA) shuttle were previously generated from MIN6-K8 cells by the knockout of Got1, a component of the shuttle. We analyzed Got1 KO β cells as a model of increased glycolysis. RESULTS We identified hyperresponsiveness to glucose and compromised cellular identity as dysfunctional phenotypes shared in common between aged and diabetic mouse β cells. We also observed a metabolic commonality between aged and diabetic β cells: hyperactive glycolysis through the increased expression of nicotinamide mononucleotide adenylyl transferase 2 (Nmnat2), a cytosolic nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD)-synthesizing enzyme. Got1 KO β cells showed increased glycolysis, β-cell dysfunction, and impaired cellular identity, phenocopying aging and diabetes. Using Got1 KO β cells, we show that attenuation of glycolysis or Nmnat2 activity can restore β-cell function and identity. CONCLUSIONS Our study demonstrates that hyperactive glycolysis is a metabolic signature of aged and diabetic β cells, which may underlie age-related β-cell dysfunction and loss of cellular identity. We suggest Nmnat2 suppression as an approach to counteract age-related T2D.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naoya Murao
- Division of Molecular and Metabolic Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe University, 7-5-1 Kusunoki-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo 650-0017, Japan
| | - Norihide Yokoi
- Division of Molecular and Metabolic Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe University, 7-5-1 Kusunoki-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo 650-0017, Japan; Laboratory of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto 606-8502, Japan
| | - Harumi Takahashi
- Division of Molecular and Metabolic Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe University, 7-5-1 Kusunoki-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo 650-0017, Japan.
| | - Tomohide Hayami
- Division of Molecular and Metabolic Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe University, 7-5-1 Kusunoki-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo 650-0017, Japan; Division of Diabetes, Department of Internal Medicine, Aichi Medical University, Nagakute, Aichi 480-1195, Japan
| | - Yasuhiro Minami
- Division of Cell Physiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe University, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo 650-0017, Japan
| | - Susumu Seino
- Division of Molecular and Metabolic Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe University, 7-5-1 Kusunoki-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo 650-0017, Japan
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Asadi F, Dhanvantari S. Pathways of Glucagon Secretion and Trafficking in the Pancreatic Alpha Cell: Novel Pathways, Proteins, and Targets for Hyperglucagonemia. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2021; 12:726368. [PMID: 34659118 PMCID: PMC8511682 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2021.726368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2021] [Accepted: 09/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Patients with diabetes mellitus exhibit hyperglucagonemia, or excess glucagon secretion, which may be the underlying cause of the hyperglycemia of diabetes. Defective alpha cell secretory responses to glucose and paracrine effectors in both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes may drive the development of hyperglucagonemia. Therefore, uncovering the mechanisms that regulate glucagon secretion from the pancreatic alpha cell is critical for developing improved treatments for diabetes. In this review, we focus on aspects of alpha cell biology for possible mechanisms for alpha cell dysfunction in diabetes: proglucagon processing, intrinsic and paracrine control of glucagon secretion, secretory granule dynamics, and alterations in intracellular trafficking. We explore possible clues gleaned from these studies in how inhibition of glucagon secretion can be targeted as a treatment for diabetes mellitus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farzad Asadi
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Western University, London, ON, Canada
- Program in Metabolism and Diabetes, Lawson Health Research Institute, London, ON, Canada
| | - Savita Dhanvantari
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Western University, London, ON, Canada
- Program in Metabolism and Diabetes, Lawson Health Research Institute, London, ON, Canada
- Imaging Research Program, Lawson Health Research Institute, London, ON, Canada
- Department of Medical Biophysics, Western University, London, ON, Canada
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Metabolomics Analysis of Nutrient Metabolism in β-Cells. J Mol Biol 2020; 432:1429-1445. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2019.07.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2019] [Revised: 07/03/2019] [Accepted: 07/11/2019] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
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Asadi F, Dhanvantari S. Stathmin-2 Mediates Glucagon Secretion From Pancreatic α-Cells. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2020; 11:29. [PMID: 32117057 PMCID: PMC7011091 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2020.00029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2019] [Accepted: 01/14/2020] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Inhibition of glucagon hypersecretion from pancreatic α-cells is an appealing strategy for the treatment of diabetes. Our hypothesis is that proteins that associate with glucagon within alpha cell secretory granules will regulate glucagon secretion, and may provide druggable targets for controlling abnormal glucagon secretion in diabetes. Recently, we identified a dynamic glucagon interactome within the secretory granules of the α cell line, αTC1-6, and showed that select proteins within the interactome could modulate glucagon secretion. In the present study, we show that one of these interactome proteins, the neuronal protein stathmin-2, is expressed in αTC1-6 cells and in mouse pancreatic alpha cells, and is a novel regulator of glucagon secretion. The secretion of both glucagon and Stmn2 was significantly enhanced in response to 55 mM K+, and immunofluorescence confocal microscopy showed co-localization of stathmin-2 with glucagon and the secretory granule markers chromogranin A and VAMP-2 in αTC1-6 cells. In mouse pancreatic islets, Stathmin-2 co-localized with glucagon, but not with insulin, and co-localized with secretory pathway markers. To show a function for stathmin-2 in regulating glucagon secretion, we showed that siRNA-mediated depletion of stathmin-2 in αTC1-6 cells caused glucagon secretion to become constitutive without any effect on proglucagon mRNA levels, while overexpression of stathmin-2 completely abolished both basal and K+-stimulated glucagon secretion. Overexpression of stathmin-2 increased the localization of glucagon into the endosomal-lysosomal compartment, while depletion of stathmin-2 reduced the endosomal localization of glucagon. Therefore, we describe stathmin-2 as having a novel role as an alpha cell secretory granule protein that modulates glucagon secretion via trafficking through the endosomal-lysosomal system. These findings describe a potential new pathway for the regulation of glucagon secretion, and may have implications for controlling glucagon hypersecretion in diabetes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farzad Asadi
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - Savita Dhanvantari
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada
- Department of Medical Biophysics, Western University, London, ON, Canada
- Lawson Health Research Institute, London, ON, Canada
- *Correspondence: Savita Dhanvantari
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Asadi F, Dhanvantari S. Plasticity in the Glucagon Interactome Reveals Novel Proteins That Regulate Glucagon Secretion in α-TC1-6 Cells. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2019; 9:792. [PMID: 30713523 PMCID: PMC6346685 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2018.00792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2018] [Accepted: 12/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Glucagon is stored within the secretory granules of pancreatic alpha cells until stimuli trigger its release. The alpha cell secretory responses to the stimuli vary widely, possibly due to differences in experimental models or microenvironmental conditions. We hypothesized that the response of the alpha cell to various stimuli could be due to plasticity in the network of proteins that interact with glucagon within alpha cell secretory granules. We used tagged glucagon with Fc to pull out glucagon from the enriched preparation of secretory granules in α-TC1-6 cells. Isolation of secretory granules was validated by immunoisolation with Fc-glucagon and immunoblotting for organelle-specific proteins. Isolated enriched secretory granules were then used for affinity purification with Fc-glucagon followed by liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry to identify secretory granule proteins that interact with glucagon. Proteomic analyses revealed a network of proteins containing glucose regulated protein 78 KDa (GRP78) and histone H4. The interaction between glucagon and the ER stress protein GRP78 and histone H4 was confirmed through co-immunoprecipitation of secretory granule lysates, and colocalization immunofluorescence confocal microscopy. Composition of the protein networks was altered at different glucose levels (25 vs. 5.5 mM) and in response to the paracrine inhibitors of glucagon secretion, GABA and insulin. siRNA-mediated silencing of a subset of these proteins revealed their involvement in glucagon secretion in α-TC1-6 cells. Therefore, our results show a novel and dynamic glucagon interactome within α-TC1-6 cell secretory granules. We suggest that variations in the alpha cell secretory response to stimuli may be governed by plasticity in the glucagon "interactome."
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Affiliation(s)
- Farzad Asadi
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
| | - Savita Dhanvantari
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
- Department of Medical Biophysics, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
- Metabolism, Diabetes and Imaging Programs, Lawson Health Research Institute, London, ON, Canada
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Abstract
Pancreatic islet β cells secrete insulin in response to nutrient secretagogues, like glucose, dependent on calcium influx and nutrient metabolism. One of the most intriguing qualities of β cells is their ability to use metabolism to amplify the amount of secreted insulin independent of further alterations in intracellular calcium. Many years studying this amplifying process have shaped our current understanding of β cell stimulus-secretion coupling; yet, the exact mechanisms of amplification have been elusive. Recent studies utilizing metabolomics, computational modeling, and animal models have progressed our understanding of the metabolic amplifying pathway of insulin secretion from the β cell. New approaches will be discussed which offer in-roads to a more complete model of β cell function. The development of β cell therapeutics may be aided by such a model, facilitating the targeting of aspects of the metabolic amplifying pathway which are unique to the β cell.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael A Kalwat
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, United States.
| | - Melanie H Cobb
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, United States
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10
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Abstract
The pancreatic β-cell secretes insulin in response to elevated plasma glucose. This review applies an external bioenergetic critique to the central processes of glucose-stimulated insulin secretion, including glycolytic and mitochondrial metabolism, the cytosolic adenine nucleotide pool, and its interaction with plasma membrane ion channels. The control mechanisms responsible for the unique responsiveness of the cell to glucose availability are discussed from bioenergetic and metabolic control standpoints. The concept of coupling factor facilitation of secretion is critiqued, and an attempt is made to unravel the bioenergetic basis of the oscillatory mechanisms controlling secretion. The need to consider the physiological constraints operating in the intact cell is emphasized throughout. The aim is to provide a coherent pathway through an extensive, complex, and sometimes bewildering literature, particularly for those unfamiliar with the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- David G Nicholls
- Buck Institute for Research on Aging, Novato, California; and Department of Clinical Sciences, Unit of Molecular Metabolism, Lund University Diabetes Centre, Malmo, Sweden
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Brun T, Maechler P. Beta-cell mitochondrial carriers and the diabetogenic stress response. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-MOLECULAR CELL RESEARCH 2016; 1863:2540-9. [PMID: 26979549 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamcr.2016.03.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2016] [Revised: 03/08/2016] [Accepted: 03/09/2016] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Mitochondria play a central role in pancreatic beta-cells by coupling metabolism of the secretagogue glucose to distal events of regulated insulin exocytosis. This process requires transports of both metabolites and nucleotides in and out of the mitochondria. The molecular identification of mitochondrial carriers and their respective contribution to beta-cell function have been uncovered only recently. In type 2 diabetes, mitochondrial dysfunction is an early event and may precipitate beta-cell loss. Under diabetogenic conditions, characterized by glucotoxicity and lipotoxicity, the expression profile of mitochondrial carriers is selectively modified. This review describes the role of mitochondrial carriers in beta-cells and the selective changes in response to glucolipotoxicity. In particular, we discuss the importance of the transfer of metabolites (pyruvate, citrate, malate, and glutamate) and nucleotides (ATP, NADH, NADPH) for beta-cell function and dysfunction. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Mitochondrial Channels edited by Pierre Sonveaux, Pierre Maechler and Jean-Claude Martinou.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thierry Brun
- Department of Cell Physiology and Metabolism, Faculty Diabetes Center, Geneva University Medical Centre, 1 rue Michel-Servet, 1211 Geneva 4, Switzerland
| | - Pierre Maechler
- Department of Cell Physiology and Metabolism, Faculty Diabetes Center, Geneva University Medical Centre, 1 rue Michel-Servet, 1211 Geneva 4, Switzerland.
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Abstract
Glucose stimulation of insulin secretion in pancreatic β cells involves cell depolarization and subsequent opening of voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels to elicit insulin granule exocytosis. This pathway alone does not account for the entire magnitude of the secretory response in β cells. In this issue, Ferdaoussi, Dai, and colleagues reveal that insulin secretion is amplified by cytosolic isocitrate dehydrogenase-dependent transfer of reducing equivalents, which generates NADPH and reduced glutathione, which in turn activates sentrin/SUMO-specific protease-1 (SENP1). β Cell-specific deletion of Senp1 in murine models reduced the amplification of insulin exocytosis, resulting in impaired glucose tolerance. Further, their studies demonstrate that restoring intracellular NADPH or activating SENP1 improves insulin exocytosis in human β cells from donors with type 2 diabetes, suggesting a potential therapeutic target to augment insulin production.
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