Role of protein kinase C and Ca2+ in glucose-induced sensitization/desensitization of insulin secretion

The role of protein kinase C and Ca²⁺ in glucose-induced sensitization/desensitization of insulin secretion was studied. A 22–24h exposure of mouse pancreatic islets to glucose (16.7 mmol/l) in TCM 199 culture medium, with 0.26 mmol/l or 1.26 mmol/l Ca²⁺, reduced total islet protein kinase C activity to approx. 85% and 60% of control values, respectively. At 0.26 mmol/l Ca²⁺ in TCM 199 medium, exposure to glucose (16.7 mmol/l) led to a potentiation of both phase 1 and phase 2 of glucose-induced insulin secretion, and caused a shift in the dose-response curve with 10 mmol/l and 16.7 mmol/l glucose exhibiting equipotent effects in stimulation of insulin secretion. In glucose-sensitized islets, the phorbol ester 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (0.16 μmol/l) did not further potentiate induction of secretion by 10 mmol/l or 16.7 mmol/l glucose. At 3.3 mmol/l glucose, however, phorbol ester-induced secretion was augmented, and was characterized by a faster onset of secretion in glucose-sensitized islets relative to control islets. In contrast, a partial reduction in arachidonic acid (100 μmol/l)-induced insulin release was observed in glucose-sensitized islets in the absence of extracellular Ca²⁺. Increasing the Ca²⁺ concentration to 1.26 mmol/l in TCM 199 during the 22–24h exposure to glucose (16.8 mmol/l) led to inhibition of phase 1 and abolition of phase 2 of glucose (10 mmol/l, 16.7 mmol/l)-induced insulin secretion. In addition, this treatment abolished phorbol ester-induced and arachidonic acid-induced insulin secretion at 3.3 mmol/l glucose. Altogether, these data suggest that sensitization of insulin secretion is caused by a preferential down-regulation of the inhibitory effects of protein kinase C, leading to an increased first phase, and an increased coupling of glucose to the stimulatory effects of protein kinase C during the second phase of glucose-induced insulin secretion. Desensitization of insulin secretion appears to be a consequence of sustained Ca²⁺ influx, inducing extensive down-regulation of protein kinase C and also causing deleterious effects on islet cell function in protein kinase C-deprived islets.     

Effect of vincristine on glucose-induced insulin secretion in man

Summary 60 min after the injection of therapeutic doses of vincristine for cancer chemotherapy, there is a reduction of the total (40%) and of the acute phase (43%) areas of insulin secretion induced by a 5-g i.v. glucose load, and the constant of glucose utilization is reduced by 25%. No differences are observed after 3 5-g i.v. glucose loads given at hourly intervals in control subjects.Acknowledgment. The authors are grateful to Mr S. Castiglioni and to Miss Maria Luisa Fuser for their skillful technical assistance.     

Extracellular Ca2+ and Mg2+ and cellular metabolism of phospholipids.

High extracellular concentration of Ca2+ inhibits the incorporation of 32P into the cellular phospholipids. This effect is more significant in neoplastic than in normal cells, and it is accompanied by an increase of the percentual incorporation into the lecithin fraction.     

Cytosolic free Ca2+ in insulin secreting cells and its regulation by isolated organelles

Summary The role of Ca²⁺ in secretagogue-induced insulin release is documented not only by the measurements of⁴⁵Ca fluxes in pancreatic islets, but also, by direct monitoring of cytosolic free Ca²⁺, [Ca²⁺]_i. As demonstrated, using the fluorescent indicator quin 2, glyceraldehyde, carbamylcholine and alanine raise [Ca²⁺]_i in the insulin secreting cell line RINm5F, whereas glucose has a similar effect in pancreatic islet cells. The regulation of cellular Ca²⁺ homeostasis by organelles from a rat insulinoma, was investigated with a Ca²⁺ selective electrode. The results suggest that both the endoplasmic reticulum and the mitochondria participate in this regulation, albeit at different Ca²⁺ concentrations. By contrast, the secretory granules do not appear to be involved in the short-term regulation of [Ca²⁺]_i. Evidence is presented that inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate, which is shown to mobilize Ca²⁺ from the endoplasmic reticulum, is acting as an intracellular mediator in the stimulation of insulin release.     

Cytosolic free Ca2+ in insulin secreting cells and its regulation by isolated organelles

The role of Ca2+ in secretagogue-induced insulin release is documented not only by the measurements of 45Ca fluxes in pancreatic islets, but also, by direct monitoring of cytosolic free Ca2+, [Ca2+]i. As demonstrated, using the fluorescent indicator quin 2, glyceraldehyde, carbamylcholine and alanine raise [Ca2+]i in the insulin secreting cell line RINm5F, whereas glucose has a similar effect in pancreatic islet cells. The regulation of cellular Ca2+ homeostasis by organelles from a rat insulinoma, was investigated with a Ca2+ selective electrode. The results suggest that both the endoplasmic reticulum and the mitochondria participate in this regulation, albeit at different Ca2+ concentrations. By contrast, the secretory granules do not appear to be involved in the short-term regulation of [Ca2+]i. Evidence is presented that inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate, which is shown to mobilize Ca2+ from the endoplasmic reticulum, is acting as an intracellular mediator in the stimulation of insulin release.     

Effect of phosphate omission on glucose-induced insulin release in vitro.

In the isolated perfused rat pancreas, omission of extracellular phosphate (H2PO-4) significantly reduces the insulin secretion in response to 16.7 mM glucose.     

Effect of protein kinase C activation and depletion on insulin stimulation of glycogen synthesis in cultured hepatoma cells

Summary Insulin stimulation of glycogen synthesis was nearly abolished in hepatoma cells shortly treated with 4 ß-phorbol 12 \-myristate, 13 -acetate (protein kinase C activation) but remained unmodified in cells chronically treated with the phorbol ester (protein kinase C depletion). Thus, although exogenous activation of protein kinase C results in an inhibition of insulin action, protein kinase C depletion has no influence on this process. The results suggest that, in hepatoma cells, no endogenous activation of protein kinase C may occur in response to the signal triggered by insulin.     

Effect of protein kinase C activation and depletion on insulin stimulation of glycogen synthesis in cultured hepatoma cells

Insulin stimulation of glycogen synthesis was nearly abolished in hepatoma cells shortly treated with 4 beta-phorbol 12 beta-myristate, 13 alpha-acetate (protein kinase C activation) but remained unmodified in cells chronically treated with the phorbol ester (protein kinase C depletion). Thus, although exogenous activation of protein kinase C results in an inhibition of insulin action, protein kinase C depletion has no influence on this process. The results suggest that, in hepatoma cells, no endogenous activation of protein kinase C may occur in response to the signal triggered by insulin.     

Ethanol reduces Ca2+ concentrations in arterial and venous smooth muscle.

The present results, using isolated rat aortic strips and portal vein segments, demonstrate that ethanol (170--430 mM) significantly inhibits calcium uptake in these 2 different types of vascular smooth muscle.     

The possible involvement of protein kinase C and phospholipase A2 inHydra tentacle regeneration

The participation of protein kinase C (PKC) in the regeneration of tentacles ofHydra vulgaris was studied. Regeneration was induced by 1,2-sn-dioctanoyl-glycerol (diC₈) and the novel diterpenoidic diacylglycerol verrucosin B (VB), a potent PKC activator extracted from marine sources. VB substantially increasedHydra average tentacle number (ATN) at concentrations 10,000 times lower than those needed for diC₈ to exert an analogous effect. When both synthetic and natural VB analogues were tested, the structure/activity relationship found inHydra tentacle regeneration was identical to that known for DAG-induced activation of PKC in vitro. VB-induced increase of ATN was strongly counteracted by the PKC inhibitors sphingosine and A3, but was not synergic with a tenfold increase of extracellular Ca²⁺ concentration or with an increase of intracellular Ca²⁺ concentration obtained either with the ionophore A23187 or with thapsigargin. This suggested the involvement of a non-Ca²⁺-dependent PKC in VB-triggeredHydra tentacle regeneration. The involvement of phospholipase A₂ (PLA₂) activation inHydra regenerative processes was studied using the novel site-specific inhibitor of the enzyme, oleyloxyethylphosphorylcholine (OOPC), which brought about a striking inhibition of ATN in the low molar range. This effect was reversed by arachidonic acid (AA), while an enhancement of ATN was also observed with an inhibitor of AA uptake from membrane phospholipids, thus suggesting that PLA₂-catalysed liberation of AA is involved inHydra tentacle regeneration. OOPC also blocked verrucosin B-induced PKC-mediated enhancement of ATN, thus suggesting that this effect is also mediated by PLA₂ activation. ATN was increased also by compound 48/80, a direct activator of pertussis toxin-sensitive GTP-binding proteins, and this effect was counteracted by pertussis toxin pretreatment. None of the known AA cascade inhibitors exhibited an effect on ATN comparable to that exerted by OOPC, but, surprisingly, the cycloxygenase inhibitor indomethacin strongly enhanced ATN, thus suggesting that prostanoids might effect a negative control onHydra regenerative processes. This represents the first attempt so far reported to study the implication of more than one biochemical pathway as a signalling event in the hydroid regenerative processes.     

Subtypes of protein kinase C in rat cerebral microvessels

Protein kinase C in rat cerebral microvessels was characterized. By hydroxyapatite column chromatography, protein kinase C in the soluble fraction was resolved into two major peaks corresponding to type II and III enzymes, in the proportion of 57% and 38%, respectively. Since each subtype is considered to have a distinct role, the high proportion of type II enzyme found in this study suggests that this type may be involved in specific functions of the cerebral microvessels.     

Subtypes of protein kinase C in rat cerebral microvessels

Summary Protein kinase C in rat cerebral microvessels was characterized. By hydroxyapatite column chromatography, protein kinase C in the soluble fraction was resolved into two major peaks corresponding to type II and III enzymes, in the proportions of 57% and 38%, respectively. Since each subtype is considered to have a distinct role, the high proportion of type II enzyme found in this study suggests that this type may be involved in specific functions of the cerebral microvessels.     

The effect of temperature on Ca2+ uptake and Ca2+-activated ATP hydrolysis by cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum

Zusammenfassung Der Ca²⁺-Transport und die Ca²⁺-aktivierte ATP Hydrolyse (ATP extra Spaltung) durch Membranen des cardialen sarkoplasmatischen Retikulums zeigen die gleiche Temperaturabhängigkeit. Die Aktivierungsenergie der Ca²⁺-Aufnahme und der ATP extra Spaltung, gemessen bei Anwesenheit von Oxalat, beträgt 16.65±0.87 und 17.93±0.49 Kcal/Mol^–1.     

Postnatal decline of (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-activated membrane ATPase in cattle red cells.

Acitivity of membrane bound (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-stimulated ATPase, associated with Ca2+ outward transport, in calf red cells is high at birth and declines with a rate constant of 0.041 d-1 after the 3rd week. The decline parallels the disappearance of fetal hemoglobin.     

Response of briefly glycerinated smooth muscle to Ca2+ and Mg2+

Summary Smooth muscle, treated with 50% glycerol solution at 27°C for 20 min, contracted on the application of Ca²⁺ or Mg²⁺. The briefly glycerinated smooth muscle can be used as a model system of smooth muscle contraction.