Characteristics of 5-hydroxytryptamine transport in pancreatic islets

Amplification of exocytosis by Ca2+-induced Ca2+ release in INS-1 pancreatic beta cells

Functional coupling between Ca(2+)-induced Ca(2+) release (CICR) and quantal exocytosis in 5-hydroxytryptamine-loaded INS-1 beta cells was assessed through the use of carbon fibre amperometry in combination with Fura-2. CICR was evoked by the glucagon-like-peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist exendin-4 (Ex-4) and was accompanied by quantal secretory events appearing as amperometric current spikes time-locked to the increase of [Ca(2+)](i). The action of Ex-4 was reproduced by treatment with caffeine, and the source of Ca(2+) serving as a stimulus for exocytosis originated from ryanodine and thapsigargin-sensitive Ca(2+) stores. Two distinct patterns of exocytosis occurred within 5 s following the initiation of CICR. Non-summating exocytosis (NS-type) was defined as multiple asynchronous current spikes, and the half-height duration of each spike was 12-48 ms. Summating exocytosis (S-type) was defined as a cluster of spikes. It generated a macroscopic current, the half-height duration of which was 243-682 ms. The release charge of S-type exocytosis was 3.2-fold greater than that of NS-type when measured 2 s following the initiation of secretion. NS-type exocytosis was observed frequently under conditions in which the basal Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+)](B)) was low (75-150 nM), whereas S-type exocytosis predominated under conditions in which the [Ca(2+)](B) was elevated (200-275 nM). Depolarization-induced Ca(2+) influx triggered NS-type exocytosis in most cells tested, irrespective of [Ca(2+)](B). It is concluded that CICR is a highly effective stimulus for exocytosis in INS-1 cells. The increase of [Ca(2+)](i) that accompanies CICR stimulates the asynchronous release of a small number of secretory granules under conditions of low [Ca(2+)](B). When [Ca(2+)](B) is slightly elevated, CICR targets a much larger pool of secretory granules that undergo summating exocytosis. The transition from NS-type to S-type exocytosis may represent an amplification mechanism for Ca(2+)-dependent exocytosis.

Enhancement of [m-methoxy 3H]MDL100907 binding to 5HT2A receptors in cerebral cortex and brain stem of streptozotocin induced diabetic rats

5-Hydroxytryptamine2A (5-HT2A) receptor kinetics was studied in cerebral cortex and brain stem of streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic rats. Scatchard analysis with [3H] (+/-) 2,3dimethoxyphenyl-1-[2-(4-piperidine)-methanol] ([3H]MDL100907) in cerebral cortex showed no significant change in maximal binding (Bmax) in diabetic rats compared to controls. Dissociation constant (Kd) of diabetic rats showed a significant decrease (p < 0.05) in cerebral cortex, which was reversed to normal by insulin treatment. Competition studies of [3H]MDL100907 binding in cerebral cortex with ketanserin showed the appearance of an additional low affinity site for 5-HT2A receptors in diabetic state, which was reversed to control pattern by insulin treatment. In brain stem, scatchard analysis showed a significant increase (p < 0.05) in Bmax accompanied by a significant increase (p < 0.05) in Kd. Competition analysis in brain stem also showed a shift in affinity towards a low affinity State for 5-HT2A receptors. All these parameters were reversed to control level by insulin treatment. These results show that in cerebral cortex there is an increase in affinity of 5-HT2A receptors without any change in its number and in the case of brain stem there is an increase in number of 5HT2A receptors accompanied by a decrease in its affinity during diabetes. Thus, from the results we suggest that the increase in affinity of 5-HT2A receptors in cerebral cortex and upregulation of 5-HT2A receptors in brain stem may lead to altered neuronal function in diabetes.

Effects of serotonin on blood glucose and insulin levels of glucose- and streptozotocin-treated mice

Effects of serotonin (5-HT) on plasma glucose and serum insulin levels were studied in mice. In normal mice, 5-HT induced a dose-dependent hypoglycemia and an increase in serum insulin levels. 5-HT significantly inhibited glucose-induced hyperglycemia and increased glucose-stimulated insulin release. However, in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice, 5-HT changed neither the glucose nor insulin levels. These results strongly suggest that 5-HT-induced hypoglycemia is brought on by increasing serum insulin levels.

Aromatic-L-amino-acid decarboxylase activity in mouse pancreatic islets

Aromatic-L-amino-acid decarboxylase activity has been measured in intact or homogenised pancreatic islets of ob/ob mice (Umeå ob/ob). The method used involves the trapping and measuring of the 14CO2 released from L-[1-14C]dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-dopa). Islets showed a decarboxylase activity which was dependent on pyridoxal phosphate and inhibitable by 0.1 mM benserazide or 0.1 mM alpha-monofluoromethyldopa. Maximum activity in intact islets was about 330 mmol/kg dry islet per h with an apparent Km of 3.3 mM. Islet homogenates had a Vmax of about 120 mmol/kg per h with a Km of 0.3 mM. L-5-Hydroxytryptophan, m-tyrosine and o-tyrosine interfered with the decarboxylation of L-dopa in a way that suggested a high activity also towards those substrates. L-Phenylalanine, L-tyrosine and D-glucose had no effect. At 0.05 mM L-dopa islet homogenates showed a much higher activity than homogenates of liver, kidney, or spleen. Islet uptake of L-[3H]dopa was well in excess of the decarboxylation rate and thus probably not rate-limiting. It is concluded that mouse pancreatic islets have a high activity of aromatic-L-amino-acid decarboxylase. This is in accordance with previous suggestions of a stimulatory effect of this enzyme on insulin secretion.

Rubidium uptake by mouse pancreatic islets exposed to 6-hydroxydopamine, ninhydrin, or other generators of hydroxyl radicals

The purpose was to study the toxicity of drugs known to generate free radicals on isolated pancreatic islets. The accumulation of 86Rb+ by mouse pancreatic islets was measured in vitro. Exposing the islets to 6-hydroxydopamine, ninhydrin, or phenazine methosulphate+NADH inhibited the Rb+ uptake, whereas paraquat or acetylphenylhydrazine had no effect. This effect of 6-hydroxydopamine was prevented by either of the hydroxyl radical scavengers, sodium benzoate and mannitol, but not by the non-scavenger, urea; ninhydrin was partially protected against by mannitol but not by benzoate. Protection against 6-hydroxydopamine was also afforded by D-glucose but not by L-glucose or 3-O-methyl-D-glucose; none of the sugars protected against ninhydrin. In damaging islet beta-cells and in being protected against by D-glucose, 6-hydroxydopamine closely resembles the diabetogenic drug, alloxan. It is suggested that protection against alloxan may involve both glucose metabolism and the interaction of glucose with its membrane-located carrier, while protection against 6-hydroxydopamine appears to be unrelated to the hexose carrier mechanism.

5-Hydroxytryptamine transport in cells and secretory granules from a transplantable rat insulinoma

Mechanisms of transport of 5-hydroxytryptamine in the pancreatic B-cell were investigated by using cell suspensions and secretory granules prepared from a transplantable rat insulinoma. (1) Cells incubated with 5-hydroxy[G-3H]tryptamine at concentrations ranging from 0.1 microM to 5 mM accumulated the radioisotope principally by a simple diffusion process. The incorporated radioactivity was recovered principally as the parent molecule and was recovered predominantly in soluble protein and secretory-granule fractions prepared from the tissue. (2) Isolated granules incubated in buffered iso-osmotic medium without ATP accumulated the amine to concentrations up to 38-fold that of the medium. This process was insensitive to reserpine and occurred over a wide range of 5-hydroxytryptamine concentrations (0.075 microM-25 mM). Above 5 mM, 5-hydroxytryptamine accumulation decreased in parallel with the breakdown of the delta pH across the granule membrane. Uptake was favoured by alkaline media and was reduced by the addition of (NH4)2SO4. In both cases a close correlation was observed between uptake and the transmembrane delta pH, a finding that suggested that 5-hydroxytryptamine permeated the membrane as the free base and equilibrated across the membrane with the delta pH. Binding of 5-hydroxytryptamine to granule constituents also played a part in this process. ATP caused a further doubling of granule 5-hydroxytryptamine uptake by a process that was sensitive to reserpine (0.5 microM). Inhibitor studies suggested that amine transport in this instance was linked to the activity of the granule membrane proton-translocating ATPase. (3) It was concluded that the uptake of amines driven by proton gradients across the insulin-granule membrane could account for the accumulation in vivo of amines in the B-cell.

Opposite effects of 5-hydroxytryptophan and 5-hydroxytryptamine on the function of microdissected ob/ob-mouse pancreatic islets

The effects of 5-hydroxytryptamine and 5-hydroxytryptophan on insulin release and 45Ca2+ uptake in islets microdissected from ob/ob mice were studied. At a concentration of 4 mmol/l both compounds slightly stimulated insulin release at a low glucose concentration (3 mmol/l). Insulin release induced by 20 mmol/l D-glucose was inhibited by 4 mmol/l 5-hydroxytryptamine but potentiated by 4 mmol/l L-5-hydroxytryptophan. Mannoheptulose (20 mmol/l) blocked the combined effects of 20 mmol/l D-glucose and 4 mmol/l L-5-hydroxytryptophan on insulin release. 45Ca2+ uptake was inhibited by 4 mmol/l 5-hydroxytryptamine and stimulated by 4 mmol/l L-5-hydroxytryptophan. Mannoheptulose (20 mmol/l) did not affect the 45Ca2+ uptake induced by the latter. When 4 mmol/l L-5-hydroxytryptophan was present only during the 30-min preincubation period. 20 mmol/l-glucose-induced insulin release and 45Ca2+ uptake during a subsequent incubation period were inhibited. Externally added 5-hydroxytryptamine (4 mmol/l) did not change the effects of 4 mmol/l L-5-hydroxytryptophan on insulin release and 45Ca2+ uptake. It is concluded that, when added directly into the incubation medium, 5-hydroxytryptophan has effects on insulin release and 45Ca2+ uptake which are opposite to those observed when 5-hydroxytryptamine is added. These effects do not seem to be mediated by 5-hydroxytryptamine formed intracellularly from 5-hydroxytryptophan.

Further studies on 5-hydroxytryptamine transport in pancreatic islets and isolated beta-cells

1 The transport mechanism for (3)H-labelled 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) in isolated pancreatic islets of non-inbred ob/ob mice was further characterized.2 Isolated beta-cells accumulated 5-HT to the same degree and with the same Na(+)-dependence as whole islets.3 Imipramine inhibited the uptake in a concentration-dependent way.4 Reserpine did not affect the uptake or efflux rates.5 Glucose stimulation of insulin secretion did not affect the uptake rate.6 It is concluded that the observed islet uptake of [(3)H]-5-HT represents an intracellular accumulation by the beta-cells. Mechanisms at the level of the plasma membrane may be rate-limiting for this process.

Characterization of 5-hydroxytryptamine uptake in sliced rat lung

Slices of rat lung were incubated with tritiated 5-hydroxytryptamine and the tissue uptake of tritium was studied after separating the free and bound radioactivity by filtration on glass fiber filters. At 37 degrees a rapid uptake occurred during the first 10 min. After that time the uptake was less marked but it was still present after 60 min. The uptake was moderately potentiated by the MAO inhibitor iproniazid (3 micrometers) after 30-60 min. incubation. The 5-hydroxytryptamine uptake was inhibited by some uptake inhibitors, their order of potency beeing: clomipramine greater than imipramine greater than or equal to nortriptyline greater than or equal to cocaine greater than or equal to desipramine greater than maprotiline. At 0 degrees the uptake of 5-hydroxytryptamine was negligible. Non-linear regression analysis of uptake data indicated that 5-hydroxytryptamine was taken up by two different mechanisms. One of the uptake processes was saturated by high concentrations of 5-hydroxytryptamine and showed an apparent Km of 8 X 10(-7) M. The other uptake was linearly related to the 5-hydroxytryptamine concentration and could not be saturated even by concentration up to 5 X 10(-5) M of the amine.