Synaptotagmin-7 phosphorylation mediates GLP-1-dependent potentiation of insulin secretion from β-cells

The impact of GLP-1 signalling on the energy metabolism of pancreatic islet β-cells and extrapancreatic tissues

Glucagon-like peptide-1 signalling impacts glucose homeostasis and appetite thereby indirectly affecting substrate availability at the whole-body level. The incretin canonically produces an insulinotropic effect, thereby lowering blood glucose levels by promoting the uptake and inhibiting the production of the sugar by peripheral tissues. Likewise, GLP-1 signalling within the central nervous system reduces the appetite and food intake, whereas its gastric effect delays the absorption of nutrients, thus improving glycaemic control and reducing the risk of postprandial hyperglycaemia. We review the molecular aspects of the GLP-1 signalling, focusing on its impact on intracellular energy metabolism. Whilst the incretin exerts its effects predominantly via a Gs receptor, which decodes the incretin signal into the elevation of intracellular cAMP levels, the downstream signalling cascades within the cell, acting on fast and slow timescales, resulting in an enhancement or an attenuation of glucose catabolism, respectively.

The lysosomal trafficking regulator "LYST": an 80-year traffic jam

Lysosomes and lysosome related organelles (LROs) are dynamic organelles at the intersection of various pathways involved in maintaining cellular hemostasis and regulating cellular functions. Vesicle trafficking of lysosomes and LROs are critical to maintain their functions. The lysosomal trafficking regulator (LYST) is an elusive protein important for the regulation of membrane dynamics and intracellular trafficking of lysosomes and LROs. Mutations to the LYST gene result in Chédiak-Higashi syndrome, an autosomal recessive immunodeficiency characterized by defective granule exocytosis, cytotoxicity, etc. Despite eight decades passing since its initial discovery, a comprehensive understanding of LYST's function in cellular biology remains unresolved. Accumulating evidence suggests that dysregulation of LYST function also manifests in other disease states. Here, we review the available literature to consolidate available scientific endeavors in relation to LYST and discuss its relevance for immunomodulatory therapies, regenerative medicine and cancer applications.

Endocrine islet β-cell subtypes with differential function are derived from biochemically distinct embryonic endocrine islet progenitors that are regulated by maternal nutrients

Endocrine islet b cells comprise heterogenous cell subsets. Yet when/how these subsets are produced and how stable they are remain unknown. Addressing these questions is important for preventing/curing diabetes, because lower numbers of b cells with better secretory function is a high risk of this disease. Using combinatorial cell lineage tracing, scRNA-seq, and DNA methylation analysis, we show here that embryonic islet progenitors with distinct gene expression and DNA methylation produce b-cell subtypes of different function and viability in adult mice. The subtype with better function is enriched for genes involved in vesicular production/trafficking, stress response, and Ca2+-secretion coupling, which further correspond to differential DNA methylation in putative enhancers of these genes. Maternal overnutrition, a major diabetes risk factor, reduces the proportion of endocrine progenitors of the b-cell subtype with better-function via deregulating DNA methyl transferase 3a. Intriguingly, the gene signature that defines mouse b-cell subtypes can reliably divide human cells into two sub-populations while the proportion of b cells with better-function is reduced in diabetic donors. The implication of these results is that modulating DNA methylation in islet progenitors using maternal food supplements can be explored to improve b-cell function in the prevention and therapy of diabetes.

Regulation of insulin secretion by the post-translational modifications

Post-translational modification (PTM) has a significant impact on cellular signaling and function regulation. In pancreatic β cells, PTMs are involved in insulin secretion, cell development, and viability. The dysregulation of PTM in β cells is clinically associated with the development of diabetes mellitus. Here, we summarized current findings on major PTMs occurring in β cells and their roles in insulin secretion. Our work provides comprehensive insight into understanding the mechanisms of insulin secretion and potential therapeutic targets for diabetes from the perspective of protein PTMs.

Genetic ablation of synaptotagmin-9 alters tomosyn-1 function to increase insulin secretion from pancreatic β-cells improving glucose clearance

Stimulus-coupled insulin secretion from the pancreatic islet β-cells involves the fusion of insulin granules to the plasma membrane (PM) via SNARE complex formation-a cellular process key for maintaining whole-body glucose homeostasis. Less is known about the role of endogenous inhibitors of SNARE complexes in insulin secretion. We show that an insulin granule protein synaptotagmin-9 (Syt9) deletion in mice increased glucose clearance and plasma insulin levels without affecting insulin action compared to the control mice. Upon glucose stimulation, increased biphasic and static insulin secretion were observed from ex vivo islets due to Syt9 loss. Syt9 colocalizes and binds with tomosyn-1 and the PM syntaxin-1A (Stx1A); Stx1A is required for forming SNARE complexes. Syt9 knockdown reduced tomosyn-1 protein abundance via proteasomal degradation and binding of tomosyn-1 to Stx1A. Furthermore, Stx1A-SNARE complex formation was increased, implicating Syt9-tomosyn-1-Stx1A complex is inhibitory in insulin secretion. Rescuing tomosyn-1 blocked the Syt9-knockdown-mediated increases in insulin secretion. This shows that the inhibitory effects of Syt9 on insulin secretion are mediated by tomosyn-1. We report a molecular mechanism by which β-cells modulate their secretory capacity rendering insulin granules nonfusogenic by forming the Syt9-tomosyn-1-Stx1A complex. Altogether, Syt9 loss in β-cells decreases tomosyn-1 protein abundance, increasing the formation of Stx1A-SNARE complexes, insulin secretion, and glucose clearance. These outcomes differ from the previously published work that identified Syt9 has either a positive or no effect of Syt9 on insulin secretion. Future work using β-cell-specific deletion of Syt9 mice is key for establishing the role of Syt9 in insulin secretion.

Noncanonical Regulation of cAMP-Dependent Insulin Secretion and Its Implications in Type 2 Diabetes

Impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and β-cell dysfunction in insulin resistance associated with obesity lead to type 2 diabetes (T2D). Glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS) from β-cells occurs via a canonical pathway that involves glucose metabolism, ATP generation, inactivation of K ATP channels, plasma membrane depolarization, and increases in cytosolic concentrations of [Ca 2+ ] c . However, optimal insulin secretion requires amplification of GSIS by increases in cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) signaling. The cAMP effectors protein kinase A (PKA) and exchange factor activated by cyclic-AMP (Epac) regulate membrane depolarization, gene expression, and trafficking and fusion of insulin granules to the plasma membrane for amplifying GSIS. The widely recognized lipid signaling generated within β-cells by the β-isoform of Ca 2+ -independent phospholipase A 2 enzyme (iPLA 2 β) participates in cAMP-stimulated insulin secretion (cSIS). Recent work has identified the role of a G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR) activated signaling by the complement 1q like-3 (C1ql3) secreted protein in inhibiting cSIS. In the IGT state, cSIS is attenuated, and the β-cell function is reduced. Interestingly, while β-cell-specific deletion of iPLA 2 β reduces cAMP-mediated amplification of GSIS, the loss of iPLA 2 β in macrophages (MØ) confers protection against the development of glucose intolerance associated with diet-induced obesity (DIO). In this article, we discuss canonical (glucose and cAMP) and novel noncanonical (iPLA 2 β and C1ql3) pathways and how they may affect β-cell (dys)function in the context of impaired glucose intolerance associated with obesity and T2D. In conclusion, we provide a perspective that in IGT states, targeting noncanonical pathways along with canonical pathways could be a more comprehensive approach for restoring β-cell function in T2D. © 2023 American Physiological Society. Compr Physiol 13:5023-5049, 2023.

Rab26 restricts insulin secretion via sequestering Synaptotagmin-1

Rab26 is known to regulate multiple membrane trafficking events, but its role in insulin secretion in pancreatic β cells remains unclear despite it was first identified in the pancreas. In this study, we generated Rab26-/- mice through CRISPR/Cas9 technique. Surprisingly, insulin levels in the blood of the Rab26-/- mice do not decrease upon glucose stimulation but conversely increase. Deficiency of Rab26 promotes insulin secretion, which was independently verified by Rab26 knockdown in pancreatic insulinoma cells. Conversely, overexpression of Rab26 suppresses insulin secretion in both insulinoma cell lines and isolated mouse islets. Islets overexpressing Rab26, upon transplantation, also failed to restore glucose homeostasis in type 1 diabetic mice. Immunofluorescence microscopy revealed that overexpression of Rab26 results in clustering of insulin granules. GST-pulldown experiments reveal that Rab26 interacts with synaptotagmin-1 (Syt1) through directly binding to its C2A domain, which interfering with the interaction between Syt1 and SNAP25, and consequently inhibiting the exocytosis of newcomer insulin granules revealed by TIRF microscopy. Our results suggest that Rab26 serves as a negative regulator of insulin secretion, via suppressing insulin granule fusion with plasma membrane through sequestering Syt1.

Excessive iron inhibits insulin secretion via perturbing transcriptional regulation of SYT7 by OGG1

Although iron overload is closely related to the occurrence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), the specific mechanism is unclear. Here, we found that excessive iron inhibited the secretion of insulin (INS) and impaired islet β cell function through downregulating Synaptotagmin 7 (SYT7) in iron overload model in vivo and in vitro. Our results further demonstrated that 8-oxoguanine DNA glycosylase (OGG1), a key protein in the DNA base excision repair, was an upstream regulator of SYT7. Interestingly, such regulation could be suppressed by excessive iron. Ogg1-null mice, iron overload mice and db/db mice exhibit reduced INS secretion, weakened β cell function and subsequently impaired glucose tolerance. Notably, SYT7 overexpression could rescue these phenotypes. Our data revealed an intrinsic mechanism by which excessive iron inhibits INS secretion through perturbing the transcriptional regulation of SYT7 by OGG1, which suggested that SYT7 was a potential target in clinical therapy for T2DM.

Multiplexed microfluidic platform for stem-cell derived pancreatic islet β cells

Stem cell-derived β cells offer an alternative to primary islets for biomedical discoveries as well as a potential surrogate for islet transplantation. The expense and challenge of obtaining and maintaining functional stem cell-derived β cells calls for a need to develop better high-content and high-throughput culture systems. Microphysiological systems (MPS) are promising high-content in vitro platforms, but scaling for high-throughput screening and discoveries remain a challenge. Traditionally, simultaneous multiplexing of liquid handling and cell loading poses a challenge in the design of high-throughput MPS. Furthermore, although MPS for islet β culture/testing have been developed, studies on multi-day culture of stem-cell derived β cells in MPS have been limited. We present a scalable, multiplexed islet β MPS device that incorporates microfluidic gradient generators to parallelize fluid handling for culture and test conditions. We demonstrated the viability and functionality of the stem cell-derived enriched β clusters (eBCs) for a week, as assessed by the ∼2 fold insulin release by the clusters to glucose challenge. To show the scalable multiplexing for drug testing, we demonstrated the loss of stimulation index after long-term exposure to logarithmic concentration range of glybenclamide. The MPS cultured eBCs also confirmed a glycolytic bottleneck as inferred by insulin secretion responses to metabolites methyl succinate and glyceric acid. Thus, we present an innovative culture platform for eBCs with a balance of high-content and high-throughput characteristics.

Epigallocatechin gallate inhibits SNARE-dependent membrane fusion by blocking trans-SNARE assembly

Insulin secretion is a signal-triggered process that requires membrane fusion between the secretory granules and plasma membrane in pancreatic β cells. The exocytosis of insulin is mediated by target-soluble N-ethylmaleimide sensitive factor attachment protein receptors (SNAREs) on the plasma membrane and vesicle-SNAREs on the vesicles, which assemble into a quaternary trans-SNARE complex to initiate the fusion. Expression of fusion proteins is reduced in the islets of patients with type II diabetes, indicating that SNARE-mediated fusion defect is closely related to insulin-based metabolic diseases. Previous studies have suggested that epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) has an inhibitory effect on membrane fusion. In the present study, we performed in vitro reconstitution assays to unravel the molecular mechanisms of EGCG in SNARE-mediated insulin secretory vesicle fusion. Our data show that EGCG efficiently inhibits insulin secretory SNARE-mediated membrane fusion. Mechanistic studies indicated that EGCG blocks the formation of the trans-SNARE complex. Furthermore, calcium/synaptotagmin-7-stimulated fusion kinetics were largely reduced by EGCG, confirming that it is a potential regulator of SNARE-dependent insulin secretion. Our findings suggest that the trans-SNARE complex might be a promising target for controlling SNARE-dependent vesicle fusion.

Reduced calcium levels and accumulation of abnormal insulin granules in stem cell models of HNF1A deficiency

Mutations in HNF1A cause Maturity Onset Diabetes of the Young (HNF1A-MODY). To understand mechanisms of β-cell dysfunction, we generated stem cell-derived pancreatic endocrine cells with hypomorphic mutations in HNF1A. HNF1A-deficient β-cells display impaired basal and glucose stimulated-insulin secretion, reduced intracellular calcium levels in association with a reduction in CACNA1A expression, and accumulation of abnormal insulin granules in association with SYT13 down-regulation. Knockout of CACNA1A and SYT13 reproduce the relevant phenotypes. In HNF1A deficient β-cells, glibenclamide, a sulfonylurea drug used in the treatment of HNF1A-MODY patients, increases intracellular calcium, and restores insulin secretion. While insulin secretion defects are constitutive in β-cells null for HNF1A, β-cells heterozygous for hypomorphic HNF1A (R200Q) mutations lose the ability to secrete insulin gradually; this phenotype is prevented by correction of the mutation. Our studies illuminate the molecular basis for the efficacy of treatment of HNF1A-MODY with sulfonylureas, and suggest promise for the use of cell therapies.

14-3-3-zeta mediates GLP-1 receptor agonist action to alter α cell proglucagon processing

Recent studies demonstrate that α cells contribute to glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS). Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R) agonists potently potentiate GSIS, making these drugs useful for diabetes treatment. However, the role of α and β cell paracrine interactions in the effects of GLP-1R agonists is undefined. We previously found that increased β cell GLP-1R signaling activates α cell GLP-1 expression. Here, we characterized the bidirectional paracrine cross-talk by which α and β cells communicate to mediate the effects of the GLP-1R agonist, liraglutide. We find that the effect of liraglutide to enhance GSIS is blunted by α cell ablation in male mice. Furthermore, the effect of β cell GLP-1R signaling to activate α cell GLP-1 is mediated by a secreted protein factor that is regulated by the signaling protein, 14-3-3-zeta, in mouse and human islets. These data refine our understanding of GLP-1 pharmacology and identify 14-3-3-zeta as a potential target to enhance α cell GLP-1 production.

Get Closer to the World of Contact Sites: A Beginner's Guide to Proximity-Driven Fluorescent Probes

To maintain cellular homeostasis and to coordinate the proper response to a specific stimulus, information must be integrated throughout the cell in a well-organized network, in which organelles are the crucial nodes and membrane contact sites are the main edges. Membrane contact sites are the cellular subdomains where two or more organelles come into close apposition and interact with each other. Even though many inter-organelle contacts have been identified, most of them are still not fully characterized, therefore their study is an appealing and expanding field of research. Thanks to significant technological progress, many tools are now available or are in rapid development, making it difficult to choose which one is the most suitable for answering a specific biological question. Here we distinguish two different experimental approaches for studying inter-organelle contact sites. The first one aims to morphologically characterize the sites of membrane contact and to identify the molecular players involved, relying mainly on the application of biochemical and electron microscopy (EM)-related methods. The second approach aims to understand the functional importance of a specific contact, focusing on spatio-temporal details. For this purpose, proximity-driven fluorescent probes are the experimental tools of choice, since they allow the monitoring and quantification of membrane contact sites and their dynamics in living cells under different cellular conditions or upon different stimuli. In this review, we focus on these tools with the purpose of highlighting their great versatility and how they can be applied in the study of membrane contacts. We will extensively describe all the different types of proximity-driven fluorescent tools, discussing their benefits and drawbacks, ultimately providing some suggestions to choose and apply the appropriate methods on a case-to-case basis and to obtain the best experimental outcomes.

Development of Type 1 Diabetes may occur through a Type 2 Diabetes mechanism

BACKGROUND

At diagnosis of Type 1 Diabetes (T1D), 30% of the beta cells are dormant, i.e. alive, but inactive. This could reduce beta cell destruction, as cellular stress contributes to beta cell damage. However, the beta cells, that are still active, must produce more insulin and are therefore more vulnerable. The inactive beta cells represent a potential for restoring the insulin secretion.

METHODS

We analyzed the expression of selected genes in islets from live, newly diagnosed T1D patients from the DiViD study and organ doners with longer duration of T1D, type 2 diabetes (T2D), or no diabetes from the nPOD study. Additionally, analysis of polymorphisms was performed on all the investigated genes.

FINDINGS

Various possibilities were considered for the inactivity of the beta cells: secretion defect, fetal state, hibernation, and insulin resistance. We analyzed genes related to the ceramide and sphingomyelin synthesis and degradation, secretion, circadian rhythm and insulin action, and found changes in T1D islets that resemble fetal dedifferentiation and asynchrony. Furthermore, we found low levels of insulin receptor mRNA in the islets. No polymorphisms were found.

INTERPRETATION

Our findings suggest a secretion defect, but also fetal dedifferentiation and desynchronization in the inactive beta cells. Together with previous evidence, that predisposing factors for T2D are also present for T1D development, we raise the idea to treat individuals with ongoing T1D development prophylactically with T2D medicine like GLP-1 receptor agonists, metformin, or others, combined with anti-inflammatory compounds, in order to reactivate the dormant beta cells, and to prevent autoimmune destruction. T2D mechanisms during T1D development should be investigated further.

Targeting the insulin granule for modulation of insulin exocytosis

The pancreatic β-cells control insulin secretion in the body to regulate glucose homeostasis, and β-cell stress and dysfunction is characteristic of Type 2 Diabetes. Pharmacological targeting of the β-cell to increase insulin secretion is typically utilised, however, extended use of common drugs such as sulfonylureas are known to result in secondary failure. Moreover, there is evidence they may induce β-cell failure in the long term. Within β-cells, insulin secretory granules (ISG) serve as compartments to store, process and traffic insulin for exocytosis. There is now growing evidence that ISG exist in multiple populations, distinct in their protein composition, motility, age, and capacity for secretion. In this review, we discuss the implications of a heterogenous ISG population in β-cells and highlight the need for more understanding into how unique ISG populations may be targeted in anti-diabetic therapies.

β-Cell Knockout of SENP1 Reduces Responses to Incretins and Worsens Oral Glucose Tolerance in High-Fat Diet-Fed Mice

SUMOylation reduces oxidative stress and preserves islet mass at the expense of robust insulin secretion. To investigate a role for the deSUMOylating enzyme sentrin-specific protease 1 (SENP1) following metabolic stress, we put pancreas/gut-specific SENP1 knockout (pSENP1-KO) mice on a high-fat diet (HFD). Male pSENP1-KO mice were more glucose intolerant following HFD than littermate controls but only in response to oral glucose. A similar phenotype was observed in females. Plasma glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) responses were identical in pSENP1-KO and wild-type littermates, including the HFD-induced upregulation of GIP responses. Islet mass was not different, but insulin secretion and β-cell exocytotic responses to the GLP-1 receptor agonist exendin-4 (Ex4) and GIP were impaired in islets lacking SENP1. Glucagon secretion from pSENP1-KO islets was also reduced, so we generated β-cell-specific SENP1 KO mice. These phenocopied the pSENP1-KO mice with selective impairment in oral glucose tolerance following HFD, preserved islet mass expansion, and impaired β-cell exocytosis and insulin secretion to Ex4 and GIP without changes in cAMP or Ca²⁺ levels. Thus, β-cell SENP1 limits oral glucose intolerance following HFD by ensuring robust insulin secretion at a point downstream of incretin signaling.

Synthesis, molecular docking, dynamic simulation and pharmacological characterization of potent multifunctional agent (dual GPR40-PPARγ agonist) for the treatment of experimental type 2 diabetes

The current manuscript describes two molecules that were designed against PPARγ and GPR40 receptors. The preparation of the compounds was carried out following a synthetic route of multiple steps. Then, the mRNA expression levels of PPARγ, GLUT4, and GPR40 induced by compounds were measured and quantified in adipocyte and β-pancreatic cell cultures. The synthesized compound 1 caused an increase in the 4-fold expression of mRNA of PPARγ regarding the control and had a similar behavior to the pioglitazone, while compound 2 only increased 2-fold the expression. Also, the compound 1 increased to 7-fold the GLUT4 expression levels, respect to the control and twice against the pioglitazone. On the other hand, the 1 increase 3-fold GPR40 expression, and compound 2 had a minor activity. Besides, 1 and 2 showed a moderated increase on insulin secretion and calcium mobilization versus the glibenclamide. Based on the molecular docking studies, the first compound had a similar conformation to co-crystal ligands into the binding site of both receptors. The poses were docked keeping the most important interactions and maintaining the interaction along the Molecular Dynamics simulation (20 ns). Finally, compound (1) showed an antihyperglycemic effect at 5 mg/kg, however at higher doses of 25 mg/kg it controlled blood glucose levels associated with feeding intake and without showing the adverse effects associated with insulin secretagogues (hypoglycemia). For these reasons, we have concluded that molecule 1 acts as a dual PPARγ and GPR40 agonist offering a better glycemic control than current treatments.

Slow digestion-oriented dietary strategy to sustain the secretion of GLP-1 for improved glucose homeostasis

Dysregulated glucose metabolism is associated with many chronic diseases such as obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and strategies to restore and maintain glucose homeostasis are essential to health. The incretin hormone of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) is known to play a critical role in regulating glucose homeostasis and dietary nutrients are the primary stimuli to the release of intestinal GLP-1. However, the GLP-1 producing enteroendocrine L-cells are mainly distributed in the distal region of the gastrointestinal tract where there are almost no nutrients to stimulate the secretion of GLP-1 under normal situations. Thus, a dietary strategy to sustain the release of GLP-1 was proposed, and the slow digestion property and dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP-IV) inhibitory activity of food components, approaches to reduce the rate of food digestion, and mechanisms to sustain the release of GLP-1 were reviewed. A slow digestion-oriented dietary approach through encapsulation of nutrients, incorporation of viscous dietary fibers, and enzyme inhibitors of phytochemicals in a designed whole food matrix will be implemented to efficiently reduce the digestion rate of food nutrients, potentiate their distal deposition and a sustained secretion of GLP-1, which will be beneficial to improved glucose homeostasis and health.

Local cyclic adenosine monophosphate signalling cascades-Roles and targets in chronic kidney disease

The molecular mechanisms underlying chronic kidney disease (CKD) are poorly understood and treatment options are limited, a situation underpinning the need for elucidating the causative molecular mechanisms and for identifying innovative treatment options. It is emerging that cyclic 3',5'-adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) signalling occurs in defined cellular compartments within nanometre dimensions in processes whose dysregulation is associated with CKD. cAMP compartmentalization is tightly controlled by a specific set of proteins, including A-kinase anchoring proteins (AKAPs) and phosphodiesterases (PDEs). AKAPs such as AKAP18, AKAP220, AKAP-Lbc and STUB1, and PDE4 coordinate arginine-vasopressin (AVP)-induced water reabsorption by collecting duct principal cells. However, hyperactivation of the AVP system is associated with kidney damage and CKD. Podocyte injury involves aberrant AKAP signalling. cAMP signalling in immune cells can be local and slow the progression of inflammatory processes typical for CKD. A major risk factor of CKD is hypertension. cAMP directs the release of the blood pressure regulator, renin, from juxtaglomerular cells, and plays a role in Na⁺ reabsorption through ENaC, NKCC2 and NCC in the kidney. Mutations in the cAMP hydrolysing PDE3A that cause lowering of cAMP lead to hypertension. Another major risk factor of CKD is diabetes mellitus. AKAP18 and AKAP150 and several PDEs are involved in insulin release. Despite the increasing amount of data, an understanding of functions of compartmentalized cAMP signalling with relevance for CKD is fragmentary. Uncovering functions will improve the understanding of physiological processes and identification of disease-relevant aberrations may guide towards new therapeutic concepts for the treatment of CKD.

Ca2+ sensor proteins in spontaneous release and synaptic plasticity: Limited contribution of Doc2c, rabphilin-3a and synaptotagmin 7 in hippocampal glutamatergic neurons

Presynaptic neurotransmitter release is strictly regulated by SNARE proteins, Ca2+ and a number of Ca2+ sensors including synaptotagmins (Syts) and Double C2 domain proteins (Doc2s). More than seventy years after the original description of spontaneous release, the mechanism that regulates this process is still poorly understood. Syt-1, Syt7 and Doc2 proteins contribute predominantly, but not exclusively, to synchronous, asynchronous and spontaneous phases of release. The proteins share a conserved tandem C2 domain architecture, but are functionally diverse in their subcellular location, Ca2+-binding properties and protein interactions. In absence of Syt-1, Doc2a and -b, neurons still exhibit spontaneous vesicle fusion which remains Ca2+-sensitive, suggesting the existence of additional sensors. Here, we selected Doc2c, rabphilin-3a and Syt-7 as three potential Ca2+ sensors for their sequence homology with Syt-1 and Doc2b. We genetically ablated each candidate gene in absence of Doc2a and -b and investigated spontaneous and evoked release in glutamatergic hippocampal neurons, cultured either in networks or on microglial islands (autapses). The removal of Doc2c had no effect on spontaneous or evoked release. Syt-7 removal also did not affect spontaneous release, although it altered short-term plasticity by accentuating short-term depression. The removal of rabphilin caused an increased spontaneous release frequency in network cultures, an effect that was not observed in autapses. Taken together, we conclude that Doc2c and Syt-7 do not affect spontaneous release of glutamate in hippocampal neurons, while our results suggest a possible regulatory role of rabphilin-3a in neuronal networks. These findings importantly narrow down the repertoire of synaptic Ca2+ sensors that may be implicated in the spontaneous release of glutamate.

Conventional and Unconventional Mechanisms by which Exocytosis Proteins Oversee β-cell Function and Protection

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is one of the prominent causes of morbidity and mortality in the United States and beyond, reaching global pandemic proportions. One hallmark of T2D is dysfunctional glucose-stimulated insulin secretion from the pancreatic β-cell. Insulin is secreted via the recruitment of insulin secretory granules to the plasma membrane, where the soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein receptors (SNAREs) and SNARE regulators work together to dock the secretory granules and release insulin into the circulation. SNARE proteins and their regulators include the Syntaxins, SNAPs, Sec1/Munc18, VAMPs, and double C2-domain proteins. Recent studies using genomics, proteomics, and biochemical approaches have linked deficiencies of exocytosis proteins with the onset and progression of T2D. Promising results are also emerging wherein restoration or enhancement of certain exocytosis proteins to β-cells improves whole-body glucose homeostasis, enhances β-cell function, and surprisingly, protection of β-cell mass. Intriguingly, overexpression and knockout studies have revealed novel functions of certain exocytosis proteins, like Syntaxin 4, suggesting that exocytosis proteins can impact a variety of pathways, including inflammatory signaling and aging. In this review, we present the conventional and unconventional functions of β-cell exocytosis proteins in normal physiology and T2D and describe how these insights might improve clinical care for T2D.

MS-275, a class 1 histone deacetylase inhibitor augments glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonism to improve glycemic control and reduce obesity in diet-induced obese mice

Given its glycemic efficacy and ability to reduce the body weight, glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor (GLP-1R) agonism has emerged as a preferred treatment for diabetes associated with obesity. We here report that a small-molecule Class 1 histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor Entinostat (MS-275) enhances GLP-1R agonism to potentiate glucose-stimulated insulin secretion and decrease body weight in diet-induced obese (DIO) mice. MS-275 is not an agonist or allosteric activator of GLP-1R but enhances the sustained receptor-mediated signaling through the modulation of the expression of proteins involved in the signaling pathway. MS-275 and liraglutide combined therapy improved fasting glycemia upon short-term treatment and a chronic administration causes a reduction of obesity in DIO mice. Overall, our results emphasize the therapeutic potential of MS-275 as an adjunct to GLP-1R therapy in the treatment of diabetes and obesity.

Synaptotagmin-7 deficiency induces mania-like behavioral abnormalities through attenuating GluN2B activity

Synaptotagmin-7 (Syt7) probably plays an important role in bipolar-like behavioral abnormalities in mice; however, the underlying mechanisms for this have remained elusive. Unlike antidepressants that cause mood overcorrection in bipolar depression, N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor (NMDAR)-targeted drugs show moderate clinical efficacy, for unexplained reasons. Here we identified Syt7 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in patients with bipolar disorder and demonstrated that mice lacking Syt7 or expressing the SNPs showed GluN2B-NMDAR dysfunction, leading to antidepressant behavioral consequences and avoidance of overcorrection by NMDAR antagonists. In human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived and mouse hippocampal neurons, Syt7 and GluN2B-NMDARs were localized to the peripheral synaptic region, and Syt7 triggered multiple forms of glutamate release to efficiently activate the juxtaposed GluN2B-NMDARs. Thus, while Syt7 deficiency and SNPs induced GluN2B-NMDAR dysfunction in mice, patient iPSC-derived neurons showed Syt7 deficit-induced GluN2B-NMDAR hypoactivity that was rescued by Syt7 overexpression. Therefore, Syt7 deficits induced mania-like behaviors in mice by attenuating GluN2B activity, which enabled NMDAR antagonists to avoid mood overcorrection.

Glucosamine potentiates the differentiation of adipose-derived stem cells into glucose-responsive insulin-producing cells

Background

Islet transplantation might be a logical strategy to restore insulin secretion for the treatment of diabetes, however, the scarcity of donors poses an obstacle for such a treatment. As an alternative islet source, differentiation of stem cells into insulin-producing cells (IPCs) has been tried. Many protocols have been developed to improve the efficiency of differentiation of stem cells into IPCs. In this study, we investigated whether glucosamine supplementation during differentiation of human adipose-derived stem cells (hADSCs) into IPCs can improve the insulin secretory function.

Methods

Glucosamine was added to the original differentiation medium at different stages of differentiation of hADSCs into IPCs for 12 days and insulin secretion was analyzed.

Results

Addition of glucosamine alone to the growth medium of hADSCs did not affect the differentiation of hADSCs to IPCs. Supplementation of the differentiation medium with glucosamine at a later stage (protocol G3) proved to have the greatest effect on IPC differentiation. Basal and glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS) was significantly increased and the expression of insulin and C-peptide was increased in differentiated IPCs as compared with that in differentiated IPCs using the conventional protocol (protocol C). In addition, the expression of beta-cell specific transcription factors such as pancreatic and duodenal homeobox1 (PDX1) and neurogenin 3 (NGN3) was also increased. Furthermore, the expression of genes related to insulin secretion, including synaptotagmin 4 (Syt4), glucokinase (Gck) and glucose transporter 2 (Glut2), was also increased.

Conclusions

We conclude that glucosamine supplementation potentiates the differentiation of hADSCs into IPCs.

Drosophila Synaptotagmin 7 negatively regulates synaptic vesicle release and replenishment in a dosage-dependent manner

Synchronous neurotransmitter release is triggered by Ca2+ binding to the synaptic vesicle protein Synaptotagmin 1, while asynchronous fusion and short-term facilitation is hypothesized to be mediated by plasma membrane-localized Synaptotagmin 7 (SYT7). We generated mutations in Drosophila Syt7 to determine if it plays a conserved role as the Ca2+ sensor for these processes. Electrophysiology and quantal imaging revealed evoked release was elevated 2-fold. Syt7 mutants also had a larger pool of readily-releasable vesicles, faster recovery following stimulation, and intact facilitation. Syt1/Syt7 double mutants displayed more release than Syt1 mutants alone, indicating SYT7 does not mediate the residual asynchronous release remaining in the absence of SYT1. SYT7 localizes to an internal membrane tubular network within the peri-active zone, but does not enrich at active zones. These findings indicate the two Ca2+ sensor model of SYT1 and SYT7 mediating all phases of neurotransmitter release and facilitation is not applicable at Drosophila synapses.

Improved glucose tolerance with DPPIV inhibition requires β-cell SENP1 amplification of glucose-stimulated insulin secretion

Pancreatic islet insulin secretion is amplified by both metabolic and receptor-mediated signaling pathways. The incretin-mimetic and DPPIV inhibitor anti-diabetic drugs increase insulin secretion, but in humans this can be variable both in vitro and in vivo. We examined the correlation of GLP-1 induced insulin secretion from human islets with key donor characteristics, glucose-responsiveness, and the ability of glucose to augment exocytosis in β-cells. No clear correlation was observed between several donor or organ processing parameters and the ability of Exendin 4 to enhance insulin secretion. The ability of glucose to facilitate β-cell exocytosis was, however, significantly correlated with responses to Exendin 4. We therefore studied the effect of impaired glucose-dependent amplification of insulin exocytosis on responses to DPPIV inhibition (MK-0626) in vivo using pancreas and β-cell specific sentrin-specific protease-1 (SENP1) mice which exhibit impaired metabolic amplification of insulin exocytosis. Glucose tolerance was improved, and plasma insulin was increased, following either acute or 4 week treatment of wild-type (βSENP1+/+ ) mice with MK-0626. This DPPIV inhibitor was ineffective in βSENP1+/- or βSENP1- / - mice. Finally, we confirm impaired exocytotic responses of β-cells and reduced insulin secretion from islets of βSENP1- / - mice and show that the ability of Exendin 4 to enhance exocytosis is lost in these cells. Thus, an impaired ability of glucose to amplify insulin exocytosis results in a deficient effect of DPPIV inhibition to improve in vivo insulin responses and glucose tolerance.

Synaptotagmin-7 is a key factor for bipolar-like behavioral abnormalities in mice

The pathogenesis of bipolar disorder (BD) has remained enigmatic, largely because genetic animal models based on identified susceptible genes have often failed to show core symptoms of spontaneous mood cycling. However, pedigree and induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-based analyses have implicated that dysfunction in some key signaling cascades might be crucial for the disease pathogenesis in a subpopulation of BD patients. We hypothesized that the behavioral abnormalities of patients and the comorbid metabolic abnormalities might share some identical molecular mechanism. Hence, we investigated the expression of insulin/synapse dually functioning genes in neurons derived from the iPSCs of BD patients and the behavioral phenotype of mice with these genes silenced in the hippocampus. By these means, we identified synaptotagmin-7 (Syt7) as a candidate risk factor for behavioral abnormalities. We then investigated Syt7 knockout (KO) mice and observed nocturnal manic-like and diurnal depressive-like behavioral fluctuations in a majority of these animals, analogous to the mood cycling symptoms of BD. We treated the Syt7 KO mice with clinical BD drugs including olanzapine and lithium, and found that the drug treatments could efficiently regulate the behavioral abnormalities of the Syt7 KO mice. To further verify whether Syt7 deficits existed in BD patients, we investigated the plasma samples of 20 BD patients and found that the Syt7 mRNA level was significantly attenuated in the patient plasma compared to the healthy controls. We therefore concluded that Syt7 is likely a key factor for the bipolar-like behavioral abnormalities.

Stimulus-Secretion Coupling in Beta-Cells: From Basic to Bedside

Insulin secretion in humans is usually induced by mixed meals, which upon ingestion, increase the plasma concentration of glucose, fatty acids, amino acids, and incretins like glucagon-like peptide 1. Beta-cells can stay in the off-mode, ready-mode or on-mode; the mode-switching being determined by the open state probability of the ATP-sensitive potassium channels, and the activity of enzymes like glucokinase, and glutamate dehydrogenase. Mitochondrial metabolism is critical for insulin secretion. A sound understanding of the intermediary metabolism, electrophysiology, and cell signaling is essential for comprehension of the entire spectrum of the stimulus-secretion coupling. Depolarization brought about by inhibition of the ATP sensitive potassium channel, together with the inward depolarizing currents through the transient receptor potential (TRP) channels, leads to electrical activities, opening of the voltage-gated calcium channels, and exocytosis of insulin. Calcium- and cAMP-signaling elicited by depolarization, and activation of G-protein-coupled receptors, including the free fatty acid receptors, are intricately connected in the form of networks at different levels. Activation of the glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor augments insulin secretion by amplifying calcium signals by calcium induced calcium release (CICR). In the treatment of type 2 diabetes, use of the sulfonylureas that act on the ATP sensitive potassium channel, damages the beta cells, which eventually fail; these drugs do not improve the cardiovascular outcomes. In contrast, drugs acting through the glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor protect the beta-cells, and improve cardiovascular outcomes. The use of the glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists is increasing and that of sulfonylurea is decreasing. A better understanding of the stimulus-secretion coupling may lead to the discovery of other molecular targets for development of drugs for the prevention and treatment of type 2 diabetes.

Enhanced expression of β cell CaV3.1 channels impairs insulin release and glucose homeostasis

We reveal that increased expression of Ca_V3.1 channels in rat islets selectively impairs first-phase glucose-stimulated insulin secretion. This deterioration is recapitulated in human islets. Its causal role in diabetes development is clearly manifested in an in vivo diabetic model. Mechanistically, this is due to reduction of phosphorylated FoxO1 in the cytoplasm, elevated FoxO1 nuclear retention, and decreased syntaxin 1A, SNAP-25, and synaptotagmin III in a Ca_V3.1 channel- and calcineurin-dependent manner. Our findings suggest that elevated expression of Ca_V3.1 channels in pancreatic islets drives FoxO1-mediated down-regulation of exocytotic proteins resulting in the diabetic phenotypes of impaired insulin secretion and aberrant glucose homeostasis. This causal connection pinpoints β cell Ca_V3.1 channels as a potential druggable target for antidiabetes therapy.

Voltage-gated calcium 3.1 (Ca_V3.1) channels are absent in healthy mouse β cells and mediate minor T-type Ca²⁺ currents in healthy rat and human β cells but become evident under diabetic conditions. Whether more active Ca_V3.1 channels affect insulin secretion and glucose homeostasis remains enigmatic. We addressed this question by enhancing de novo expression of β cell Ca_V3.1 channels and exploring the consequent impacts on dynamic insulin secretion and glucose homeostasis as well as underlying molecular mechanisms with a series of in vitro and in vivo approaches. We now demonstrate that a recombinant adenovirus encoding enhanced green fluorescent protein–Ca_V3.1 subunit (Ad-EGFP-Ca_V3.1) efficiently transduced rat and human islets as well as dispersed islet cells. The resulting Ca_V3.1 channels conducted typical T-type Ca²⁺ currents, leading to an enhanced basal cytosolic-free Ca²⁺ concentration ([Ca²⁺]_i). Ad-EGFP-Ca_V3.1-transduced islets released significantly less insulin under both the basal and first phases following glucose stimulation and could no longer normalize hyperglycemia in recipient rats rendered diabetic by streptozotocin treatment. Furthermore, Ad-EGFP-Ca_V3.1 transduction reduced phosphorylated FoxO1 in the cytoplasm of INS-1E cells, elevated FoxO1 nuclear retention, and decreased syntaxin 1A, SNAP-25, and synaptotagmin III. These effects were prevented by inhibiting Ca_V3.1 channels or the Ca²⁺-dependent phosphatase calcineurin. Enhanced expression of β cell Ca_V3.1 channels therefore impairs insulin release and glucose homeostasis by means of initial excessive Ca²⁺ influx, subsequent activation of calcineurin, consequent dephosphorylation and nuclear retention of FoxO1, and eventual FoxO1-mediated down-regulation of β cell exocytotic proteins. The present work thus suggests an elevated expression of Ca_V3.1 channels plays a significant role in diabetes pathogenesis.

CREB Promotes Beta Cell Gene Expression by Targeting Its Coactivators to Tissue-Specific Enhancers

CREB mediates effects of cyclic AMP on cellular gene expression. Ubiquitous CREB target genes are induced following recruitment of CREB and its coactivators to promoter proximal binding sites. We found that CREB stimulates the expression of pancreatic beta cell-specific genes by targeting CBP/p300 to promoter-distal enhancer regions. Subsequent increases in histone acetylation facilitate recruitment of the coactivators CRTC2 and BRD4, leading to release of RNA polymerase II over the target gene body. Indeed, CREB-induced hyperacetylation of chromatin over superenhancers promoted beta cell-restricted gene expression, which is sensitive to inhibitors of CBP/p300 and BRD4 activity. Neurod1 appears critical in establishing nucleosome-free regions for recruitment of CREB to beta cell-specific enhancers. Deletion of a CREB-Neurod1-bound enhancer within the Lrrc10b-Syt7 superenhancer disrupted the expression of both genes and decreased beta cell function. Our results demonstrate how cross talk between signal-dependent and lineage-determining factors promotes the expression of cell-type-specific gene programs in response to extracellular cues.

Calcium Signaling Pathways: Key Pathways in the Regulation of Obesity

Nowadays, high epidemic obesity-triggered hypertension and diabetes seriously damage social public health. There is now a general consensus that the body's fat content exceeding a certain threshold can lead to obesity. Calcium ion is one of the most abundant ions in the human body. A large number of studies have shown that calcium signaling could play a major role in increasing energy consumption by enhancing the metabolism and the differentiation of adipocytes and reducing food intake through regulating neuronal excitability, thereby effectively decreasing the occurrence of obesity. In this paper, we review multiple calcium signaling pathways, including the IP3 (inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate)-Ca²⁺ (calcium ion) pathway, the p38-MAPK (mitogen-activated protein kinase) pathway, and the calmodulin binding pathway, which are involved in biological clock, intestinal microbial activity, and nerve excitability to regulate food intake, metabolism, and differentiation of adipocytes in mammals, resulting in the improvement of obesity.

A promotive effect for halofuginone on membrane repair and synaptotagmin-7 levels in muscle cells of dysferlin-null mice

In the absence of dysferlin, skeletal muscle cells fail to reseal properly after injury, resulting in slow progress of the dysferlinopathy muscular dystrophy (MD). Halofuginone, a leading agent in preventing fibrosis in MDs, was tested for its effects on membrane resealing post-injury. A hypo-osmotic shock assay on myotubes derived from wild-type (Wt) and dysferlin-null (dysf-/-) mice revealed that pre-treatment with halofuginone reduces the percentage of membrane-ruptured myotubes only in dysf-/- myotubes. In laser-induced injury of isolated myofibers, halofuginone decreased the amount of FM1-43 at the injury site of dysf-/- myofibers while having no effect on Wt myofibers. These results implicate halofuginone in ameliorating muscle-cell membrane integrity in dysf-/- mice. Halofuginone increased lysosome scattering across the cytosol of dysf-/- primary myoblasts, in a protein kinase/extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase and phosphoinositide 3 kinase/Akt-dependent manner, in agreement with an elevation in lysosomal exocytotic activity in these cells. A spatial- and age-dependent synaptotagmin-7 (Syt-7) expression pattern was shown in dysf-/- versus Wt mice, suggesting that these pattern alterations are related to the disease progress and that sytnaptotagmin-7 may be compensating for the lack of dysferlin at least with regard to membrane resealing post-injury. While halofuginone did not affect patch-repair-complex key proteins, it further enhanced Syt-7 levels and its spread across the cytosol in dysf-/- myofibers and muscle tissue, and increased its co-localization with lysosomes. Together, the data imply a novel role for halofuginone in membrane-resealing events with Syt-7 possibly taking part in these events.

Structural Impact of Phosphorylation and Dielectric Constant Variation on Synaptotagmin's IDR

We used time-resolved Förster resonance energy transfer, circular dichroism, and molecular dynamics simulation to investigate the structural dependence of synaptotagmin 1's intrinsically disordered region (IDR) on phosphorylation and dielectric constant. We found that a peptide corresponding to the full-length IDR sequence, a ∼60-residue strong polyampholyte, can sample structurally collapsed states in aqueous solution, consistent with its κ-predicted behavior, where κ is a sequence-dependent parameter that is used to predict IDR compaction. In implicit solvent simulations of this same sequence, lowering the dielectric constant to more closely mimic the environment near a lipid bilayer surface promoted further sampling of collapsed structures. We then examined the structural tendencies of central region residues of the IDR in isolation. We found that the exocytosis-modulating phosphorylation of Thr¹¹² disrupts a local disorder-to-order transition induced by trifluoroethanol/water mixtures that decrease the solution dielectric constant and stabilize helical structure. Implicit solvent simulations on these same central region residues testing the impact of dielectric constant alone converge on a similar result, showing that helical structure is formed with higher probability at a reduced dielectric. In these helical conformers, lysine-aspartic acid salt bridges contribute to stabilization of transient secondary structure. In contrast, phosphorylation results in formation of salt bridges unsuitable for helix formation. Collectively, these results suggest a model in which phosphorylation and compaction of the IDR sequence regulate structural transitions that in turn modulate neuronal exocytosis.

The regulation of insulin secretion via phosphoinositide-specific phospholipase Cβ signaling

Phospholipase Cβ (PLCβ) is a membrane-associated enzyme activated by membrane receptors, especially G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs). It propagates intracellular signaling by mediating phospholipid metabolism and generating key second messengers, such as inositol triphosphate and diacylglycerol, leading to intracellular Ca²⁺ mobilization and activation of kinases, such as protein kinases C. In pancreatic β-cells, PLCβ-mediated signaling activated by various factors, such as free fatty acids and neuronal and hormonal ligands, has been confirmed as being involved in the regulation of insulin secretion, and PLCβs have been regarded as essential mediators for augmenting insulin secretion. In this review, we describe the physiological function of PLCβs in the regulation of glucose-stimulated insulin secretion and discuss emerging data on GPCR/PLCβ signaling that is being developed as a target for the treatment of diabetes mellitus.

The LIM homeodomain protein ISL1 mediates the function of TCF7L2 in pancreatic beta cells

Pancreatic β-cell Tcf7l2 deletion or its functional knockdown suggested the essential role of this Wnt pathway effector in controlling insulin secretion, glucose homeostasis and β-cell gene expression. As the LIM homeodomain protein ISL1 is a suggested Wnt pathway downstream target, we hypothesize that it mediates metabolic functions of TCF7L2. We aimed to determine the role of ISL1 in mediating the function of TCF7L2 and the incretin hormone GLP-1 in pancreatic β-cells. The effect of dominant negative TCF7L2 (TCF7L2DN) mediated Wnt pathway functional knockdown on Isl1 expression was determined in βTCFDN mouse islets and in the rat insulinoma cell line INS-1 832/13. Luciferase reporter assay and chromatin immunoprecipitation were utilized to determine whether Isl1 is a direct downstream target of Tcf7l2 TCF7L2DN adenovirus infection and siRNA-mediated Isl1 knockdown on β-cell gene expression were compared. Furthermore, Isl1 knockdown on GLP-1 stimulated β-catenin S675 phosphorylation and insulin secretion was determined. We found that TCF7L2DN repressed ISL1 levels in βTCFDN islets and the INS-1 832/13 cell line. Wnt stimulators enhanced Isl1 promoter activity and binding of TCF7L2 on Isl1 promoter. TCF7L2DN adenovirus infection and Isl1 knockdown generated similar repression on expression of β-cell genes, including the ones that encode GLUT2 and GLP-1 receptor. Either TCF7L2DN adenovirus infection or Isl1 knockdown attenuated GLP-1-stimulated β-catenin S675 phosphorylation in INS-1 832/13 cells or mouse islets and GLP-1 stimulated insulin secretion in INS-1 832/13 or MIN6 cells. Our observations support the existence of TCF7L2-ISL1 transcriptional network, and we suggest that this network also mediates β-cell function of GLP-1.

The high-affinity calcium sensor synaptotagmin-7 serves multiple roles in regulated exocytosis

MacDougall et al. review the structure and function of the calcium sensor synaptotagmin-7 in exocytosis.

Synaptotagmin (Syt) proteins comprise a 17-member family, many of which trigger exocytosis in response to calcium. Historically, most studies have focused on the isoform Syt-1, which serves as the primary calcium sensor in synchronous neurotransmitter release. Recently, Syt-7 has become a topic of broad interest because of its extreme calcium sensitivity and diversity of roles in a wide range of cell types. Here, we review the known and emerging roles of Syt-7 in various contexts and stress the importance of its actions. Unique functions of Syt-7 are discussed in light of recent imaging, electrophysiological, and computational studies. Particular emphasis is placed on Syt-7–dependent regulation of synaptic transmission and neuroendocrine cell secretion. Finally, based on biochemical and structural data, we propose a mechanism to link Syt-7’s role in membrane fusion with its role in subsequent fusion pore expansion via strong calcium-dependent phospholipid binding.

Synaptotagmin 4 Regulates Pancreatic β Cell Maturation by Modulating the Ca2+ Sensitivity of Insulin Secretion Vesicles

Islet β cells from newborn mammals exhibit high basal insulin secretion and poor glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS). Here we show that β cells of newborns secrete more insulin than adults in response to similar intracellular Ca2+ concentrations, suggesting differences in the Ca2+ sensitivity of insulin secretion. Synaptotagmin 4 (Syt4), a non-Ca2+ binding paralog of the β cell Ca2+ sensor Syt7, increased by ∼8-fold during β cell maturation. Syt4 ablation increased basal insulin secretion and compromised GSIS. Precocious Syt4 expression repressed basal insulin secretion but also impaired islet morphogenesis and GSIS. Syt4 was localized on insulin granules and Syt4 levels inversely related to the number of readily releasable vesicles. Thus, transcriptional regulation of Syt4 affects insulin secretion; Syt4 expression is regulated in part by Myt transcription factors, which repress Syt4 transcription. Finally, human SYT4 regulated GSIS in EndoC-βH1 cells, a human β cell line. These findings reveal the role that altered Ca2+ sensing plays in regulating β cell maturation.

A post-translational balancing act: the good and the bad of SUMOylation in pancreatic islets

Post-translational modification of proteins contributes to the control of cell function and survival. The balance of these in insulin-producing pancreatic beta cells is important for the maintenance of glucose homeostasis. Protection from the damaging effects of reactive oxygen species is required for beta cell survival, but if this happens at the expense of insulin secretory function then the ability of islets to respond to changing metabolic conditions may be compromised. In this issue of Diabetologia, He et al ( https://doi.org/10.1007/s00125-017-4523-9 ) show that post-translational attachment of small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO) to target lysine residues (SUMOylation) strikes an important balance between the protection of beta cells from oxidative stress and the maintenance of insulin secretory function. They show that SUMOylation is required to stabilise nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) and increase antioxidant gene expression. Decreasing SUMOylation in beta cells impairs their antioxidant capacity, causes cell death, hyperglycaemia, and increased sensitivity to streptozotocin-induced diabetes, while increasing SUMOylation is protective. However, this protection from overt diabetes occurs in concert with glucose intolerance due to impaired beta cell function. A possible role for SUMOylation as a key factor balancing beta cell protection vs beta cell responsiveness to metabolic cues is discussed in this Commentary.

Control of insulin secretion by GLP-1

Stimulation of insulin secretion by glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and other gut-derived peptides is central to the incretin response to ingesting nutriments. Analogues of GLP-1, and inhibitors of its breakdown, have found widespread clinical use for the treatment of type 2 diabetes (T2D) and obesity. The release of these peptides underlies the improvements in glycaemic control and disease remission after bariatric surgery. Given therapeutically, GLP-1 analogues can lead to side effects including nausea, which limit dosage. Greater understanding of the interactions between the GLP-1 receptor (GLP-1R) and both the endogenous and artificial ligands therefore holds promise to provide more efficacious compounds. Here, we discuss recent findings concerning the signalling and trafficking of the GLP-1R in pancreatic beta cells. Leveraging "bias" at the receptor towards cAMP generation versus the recruitment of β-arrestins and extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK1/2) activation may allow the development of new analogues with significantly improved clinical efficacy. We describe how, unexpectedly, relatively low-affinity agonists, which prompt less receptor internalisation than the parent compound, provoke greater insulin secretion and consequent improvements in glycaemia.

Pancreatic β-Cell Electrical Activity and Insulin Secretion: Of Mice and Men

The pancreatic β-cell plays a key role in glucose homeostasis by secreting insulin, the only hormone capable of lowering the blood glucose concentration. Impaired insulin secretion results in the chronic hyperglycemia that characterizes type 2 diabetes (T2DM), which currently afflicts >450 million people worldwide. The healthy β-cell acts as a glucose sensor matching its output to the circulating glucose concentration. It does so via metabolically induced changes in electrical activity, which culminate in an increase in the cytoplasmic Ca2+ concentration and initiation of Ca2+-dependent exocytosis of insulin-containing secretory granules. Here, we review recent advances in our understanding of the β-cell transcriptome, electrical activity, and insulin exocytosis. We highlight salient differences between mouse and human β-cells, provide models of how the different ion channels contribute to their electrical activity and insulin secretion, and conclude by discussing how these processes become perturbed in T2DM.

Fusion pore in exocytosis: More than an exit gate? A β-cell perspective

Secretory vesicle exocytosis is a fundamental biological event and the process by which hormones (like insulin) are released into the blood. Considerable progress has been made in understanding this precisely orchestrated sequence of events from secretory vesicle docked at the cell membrane, hemifusion, to the opening of a membrane fusion pore. The exact biophysical and physiological regulation of these events implies a close interaction between membrane proteins and lipids in a confined space and constrained geometry to ensure appropriate delivery of cargo. We consider some of the still open questions such as the nature of the initiation of the fusion pore, the structure and the role of the Soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive-factor Attachment protein REceptor (SNARE) transmembrane domains and their influence on the dynamics and regulation of exocytosis. We discuss how the membrane composition and protein-lipid interactions influence the likelihood of the nascent fusion pore forming. We relate these factors to the hypothesis that fusion pore expansion could be affected in type-2 diabetes via changes in disease-related gene transcription and alterations in the circulating lipid profile. Detailed characterisation of the dynamics of the fusion pore in vitro will contribute to understanding the larger issue of insulin secretory defects in diabetes.

Recent new insights into the role of SNARE and associated proteins in insulin granule exocytosis

Initial work on the exocytotic machinery of predocked insulin secretory granules (SGs) in pancreatic β-cells mimicked the SNARE hypothesis work in neurons, which includes SM/SNARE complex and associated priming proteins, fusion clamps and Ca²⁺ sensors. However, β-cell SGs, unlike neuronal synaptic vesicles, exhibit a biphasic secretory response that requires additional distinct features in exocytosis including newcomer SGs that undergo minimal docking time at the plasma membrane (PM) before fusion and multi-SG (compound) fusion. These exocytotic events are mediated by Munc18/SNARE complexes distinct from that which mediates predocked SG fusion. We review some recent insights in SNARE complex assembly and the promiscuity in SM/SNARE complex formation, whereby both contribute to conferring different insulin SG fusion kinetics. Some SNARE and associated proteins play non-fusion roles, including tethering SGs to Ca²⁺ channels, SG recruitment from cell interior to PM, and inhibitory SNAREs that block the action of profusion SNAREs. We discuss new insights into how sub-PM cytoskeletal mesh gates SG access to the PM and the targeting of SG exocytosis to PM domains in functionally polarized β-cells within intact islets. These recent developments have major implications on devising clever SNARE replacement therapies that could restore the deficient insulin secretion in diabetic islet β-cells.

Synaptotagmin-7 is overexpressed in hepatocellular carcinoma and regulates hepatocellular carcinoma cell proliferation via Chk1-p53 signaling

Background

Synaptotagmin-7 (Syt-7) is a member of the synaptotagmin (Syt) family, which plays an important role in many physiological and pathological processes. However, to the best of our knowledge, there is no study describing its function in tumors, particularly in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Therefore, in this study, we examined the role of Syt-7 in HCC and attempted to elucidate its underlying mechanism.

Materials and methods

We examined the expression levels of Syt-7 in HCC cell lines and normal hepatocytes by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis. The effects of Syt-7 knockdown on in vitro cell growth were assessed by Celigo image cytometry, MTT assay, colony formation assay, and cell cycle analysis. In vivo tumorigenesis was evaluated using a nude mouse model. The underlying molecular mechanism was evaluated using a PathScan Stress Signaling Antibody Array.

Results

Syt-7 mRNA levels were highly expressed in Huh-7 and Hep3B cells; moderately expressed in SMMC-7721, HepG2, and BEL-7402 cells; and lowly expressed in normal hepatocytes L-O2. Functional experiments demonstrated that Syt-7 knockdown significantly suppressed cell proliferation and induced cell cycle arrest by increasing phosphorylation of Chk1 and p53. Furthermore, Syt-7 knockdown remarkably reduced the growth of xenograft tumors in mice.

Conclusion

The results of this study suggest that Syt-7 plays a vital role in tumorigenesis and in the development of HCC. Syt-7 can be used as a new diagnostic and therapeutic target in HCC.

Recent Advances in GLP-1 Receptor Agonists for Use in Diabetes Mellitus

Preclinical Research Mimetics of Glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) represent a useful alternative or complementary treatment choice to insulin in the treatment of diabetes mellitus. The lack of hypoglycemia as a side effect when GLP-1 receptor agonists are used along with the tendency of these therapeutic agents to prevent or even reduce weight gain makes them valuable targets in therapy development. However, native GLP-1 and many of its early analogues have very short half-lives, requiring repeated treatment to maintain therapeutic levels. As all current treatments are injected subcutaneously, a large focus has been made on trying to extend the half-lives of GLP-1 analogues while retaining bioactivity. Most success in this regard has been achieved with the use of peptide-protein fusions, which are not as well suited for oral administration. However, recent work focused on the development of non-fusion peptides with increased half-lives that may be more appropriate for oral administration. This minireview discusses the structural characteristics of past and present analogues as well as the recent work conducted toward developing novel GLP-1 receptor agonists. Drug Dev Res 78 : 292-299, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Molecular regulation of insulin granule biogenesis and exocytosis

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycemia, insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia in early disease stages but a relative insulin insufficiency in later stages. Insulin, a peptide hormone, is produced in and secreted from pancreatic β-cells following elevated blood glucose levels. Upon its release, insulin induces the removal of excessive exogenous glucose from the bloodstream primarily by stimulating glucose uptake into insulin-dependent tissues as well as promoting hepatic glycogenesis. Given the increasing prevalence of T2DM worldwide, elucidating the underlying mechanisms and identifying the various players involved in the synthesis and exocytosis of insulin from β-cells is of utmost importance. This review summarizes our current understanding of the route insulin takes through the cell after its synthesis in the endoplasmic reticulum as well as our knowledge of the highly elaborate network that controls insulin release from the β-cell. This network harbors potential targets for anti-diabetic drugs and is regulated by signaling cascades from several endocrine systems.

GLP-1 receptor signalling promotes β-cell glucose metabolism via mTOR-dependent HIF-1α activation

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) promotes insulin secretion from pancreatic β-cells in a glucose dependent manner. Several pathways mediate this action by rapid, kinase phosphorylation-dependent, but gene expression-independent mechanisms. Since GLP-1-induced insulin secretion requires glucose metabolism, we aimed to address the hypothesis that GLP-1 receptor (GLP-1R) signalling can modulate glucose uptake and utilization in β-cells. We have assessed various metabolic parameters after short and long exposure of clonal BRIN-BD11 β-cells and rodent islets to the GLP-1R agonist Exendin-4 (50 nM). Here we report for the first time that prolonged stimulation of the GLP-1R for 18 hours promotes metabolic reprogramming of β-cells. This is evidenced by up-regulation of glycolytic enzyme expression, increased rates of glucose uptake and consumption, as well as augmented ATP content, insulin secretion and glycolytic flux after removal of Exendin-4. In our model, depletion of Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1 alpha (HIF-1α) impaired the effects of Exendin-4 on glucose metabolism, while pharmacological inhibition of Phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) or mTOR completely abolished such effects. Considering the central role of glucose catabolism for stimulus-secretion coupling in β-cells, our findings suggest that chronic GLP-1 actions on insulin secretion include elevated β-cell glucose metabolism. Moreover, our data reveal novel aspects of GLP-1 stimulated insulin secretion involving de novo gene expression.

Molecular Mechanisms for the Coupling of Endocytosis to Exocytosis in Neurons

Neuronal communication and brain function mainly depend on the fundamental biological events of neurotransmission, including the exocytosis of presynaptic vesicles (SVs) for neurotransmitter release and the subsequent endocytosis for SV retrieval. Neurotransmitters are released through the Ca²⁺- and SNARE-dependent fusion of SVs with the presynaptic plasma membrane. Following exocytosis, endocytosis occurs immediately to retrieve SV membrane and fusion machinery for local recycling and thus maintain the homeostasis of synaptic structure and sustained neurotransmission. Apart from the general endocytic machinery, recent studies have also revealed the involvement of SNARE proteins (synaptobrevin, SNAP25 and syntaxin), synaptophysin, Ca²⁺/calmodulin, and members of the synaptotagmin protein family (Syt1, Syt4, Syt7 and Syt11) in the balance and tight coupling of exo-endocytosis in neurons. Here, we provide an overview of recent progress in understanding how these neuron-specific adaptors coordinate to ensure precise and efficient endocytosis during neurotransmission.