The response of pancreatic beta-cell membrane potential to potassium-induced calcium influx in the presence of glucose

Organelle selection determines agonist-specific Ca2+ signals in pancreatic acinar and beta cells

How different extracellular stimuli can evoke different spatiotemporal Ca2+ signals is uncertain. We have elucidated a novel paradigm whereby different agonists use different Ca2+-storing organelles ("organelle selection") to evoke unique responses. Some agonists select the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), and others select lysosome-related (acidic) organelles, evoking spatial Ca2+ responses that mirror the organellar distribution. In pancreatic acinar cells, acetylcholine and bombesin exclusively select the ER Ca2+ store, whereas cholecystokinin additionally recruits a lysosome-related organelle. Similarly, in a pancreatic beta cell line MIN6, acetylcholine selects only the ER, whereas glucose mobilizes Ca2+ from a lysosome-related organelle. We also show that the key to organelle selection is the agonist-specific coupling messenger(s) such that the ER is selected by recruitment of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (or cADP-ribose), whereas lysosome-related organelles are selected by NAADP.

Magnitude and modulation of pancreatic beta-cell gap junction electrical conductance in situ

The parallel gap junction electrical conductance between a beta-cell and its nearest neighbors was measured by using an intracellular microelectrode to clamp the voltage of a beta-cell within a bursting islet of Langerhans. The holding current records consisted of bursts of inward current due to the synchronized oscillations in membrane potential of the surrounding cells. The membrane potential record of the impaled cell, obtained in current clamp mode, was used to estimate the behavior of the surrounding cells during voltage clamp, and the coupling conductance was calculated by dividing the magnitude of the current bursts by that of the voltage bursts. The histogram of coupling conductance magnitude from 26 cells was bimodal with peaks at 2.5 and 3.5 nS, indicating heterogeneity in extent of electrical communication within the islet of Langerhans. Gap junction conductance reversibly decreased when the temperature was lowered from 37 to 30 degrees C and when the extracellular calcium concentration was raised from 2.56 to 7.56 mM. The coupling conductance decreased slightly during the active phase of the burst. Activation of adenylate cyclase with forskolin (10 microM) resulted in an increase in cell-to-cell electrical coupling. We conclude that beta-cell gap junction conductance can be measured in situ under near physiological conditions. Furthermore, the magnitude and physiological regulation of beta-cell gap junction conductance suggest that intercellular electrical communication plays an important role in the function of the endocrine pancreas.

Modulation of K+ conductance by intracellular pH in pancreatic beta-cells

Measurements of the effects of NH3/NH4+ on glucose-induced electrical activity in beta-cells from microdissected mouse islets of Langerhans and on intracellular pH in single collagenase-isolated islets pre-loaded with a fluorescent pH probe were performed and are reported here. Application of NH3/NH4+ (15 mM) in the presence of glucose (11 mM) promptly hyperpolarized the beta-cell membrane, reduced input resistance by 60% and blocked electrical activity. These changes were paralleled by an increase in islet fluorescence indicative of a cytosolic pH increase. Removal of NH4Cl initially stimulated electrical activity, which returned to resting level with a time constant of 51 s. Concomitant with the removal of NH4Cl there was a drop in pHi followed by a slow return to resting level with a time constant of 83 s. The results suggest that the [Ca2+]-dependent K+ channel in the beta-cell membrane is activated by a rise in cytosolic pH.

Effects of the calcium channel agonist, BAY K 8644, on electrical activity in mouse pancreatic B-cells

We studied the effects of the dihydropyridine derivative BAY K 8644 on the membrane potential of B-cells in mouse pancreatic islets. BAY K 8644, in a dose-dependent manner, decreased the spike frequency but increased the duration of the spikes elicited by glucose with or without quinine or tetraethylammonium (TEA). These effects were antagonized by cobalt and nifedipine but not by tetrodotoxin. The interval between spikes was proportionate to the duration of the spikes and the ratio of the interval to the spike duration was constant at all concentrations of BAY K 8644 tested. Peak inward current, estimated from the derivative of the action potential recorded in the presence of TEA, was increased by BAY K 8644 and decreased by nifedipine. BAY K 8644 elicited spike activity when the membrane was moderately depolarized by either 5.6 mM glucose or 15 mM K+, but did not change the membrane potential of the resting hyperpolarized B-cell. These results suggest that BAY K 8644 acts on the open Ca2+-channels. The threshold occurs at a membrane potential of -50 mV. Also, the modifications of the shape of the spikes appear to reflect specific changes in Ca2+ entry. We propose the existence of a Ca2+-induced Ca2+-channel inactivation process in the pancreatic B-cell.

Properties of the Ca-activated K+ channel in pancreatic beta-cells

The existence of [Ca2+]i-activated K+-channels in the pancreatic beta-cell membrane is based in two observations: quinine inhibits K+-permeability and, increasing intracellular Ca2+ stimulates it. The changes in K+-permeability of the beta-cell have been monitored electrically by combining measurements of the dependence of the membrane potential on external K+ concentration and input resistance. The changes in the passive 42K and 86Rb efflux from the whole islet have been measured directly. Intracellular Ca2+ has been increased by various means, including increasing extracellular Ca2+, addition of the Ca2+-ionophore A23187 or noradrenaline and application of mitochondrial uncouplers and blockers. In addition to quinine, many other substances have been found to inhibit or modulate the [Ca2+]i-activated K+-channel. The most important of these is the natural stimulus for insulin secretion, glucose. Glucose may inhibit K+-permeability by lowering intracellular Ca2+. Glibenclamide, a hypoglycaemic sulphonylurea, is about 25 times more active than quinine in blocking the K+-channel in beta-cells. The methylxanthines, c-AMP, various calmodulin inhibitors and Ba2+ also inhibit K+-permeability. Genetically diabetic mice have been studied and show an alteration in the [Ca2+]i-activated K+-channel. It is concluded that the [Ca2+]i-activated K+-channel plays a major role in the normal function of the pancreatic beta-cell. The study of its properties should prove valuable for the understanding and treatment of diabetes.