kn-62 and Insulinoma

Stimulation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) in skeletal muscle and liver is seen as an exciting prospect for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. However, we have recently demonstrated that changes in AMPK activity accompany the exposure of pancreatic islet beta-cells to elevated glucose concentrations and may be involved in the activation of insulin secretion. Here, we discuss this hypothesis and explore the potential role of changes in AMPK activity in the actions of other secretagogues. Amino acids decreased AMPK activity in MIN6 beta-cells with an order of potency for inhibition: arg=leu < gln= leu + glu < glucose, which was closely correlated with the stimulation of insulin release (r2=0.76). By contrast, increases in intracellular Ca2+ concentration provoked by cell depolarization with KCl activated AMPK in the face of increased free intracellular ATP concentrations. Elevation of intracellular cAMP levels with isobutylmethylxanthine or forskolin had no effect on AMPK activity. We conclude that metabolizable amino acids regulate AMPK in the beta-cell via increases in the cytosolic ATP/AMP ratio and via phosphorylation by the upstream kinase LKB1. Intracellular Ca2+ ions may activate AMPK by calmodulin kinase 1 kinase-mediated phosphorylation. The latter may act as a novel feedback mechanism to inhibit excessive insulin secretion under some circumstances.

Topics: 1-(5-Isoquinolinesulfonyl)-2-Methylpiperazine; Amino Acids; AMP-Activated Protein Kinases; Animals; Calcium; Cell Line, Tumor; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Enzyme Inhibitors; Insulinoma; Islets of Langerhans; Kinetics; Mice; Multienzyme Complexes; Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases

To probe for the involvement of Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II in the regulation of insulin secretion, the effects of a specific inhibitor of this enzyme, KN-62, on secretagogue-stimulated insulin secretion, cytosolic Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) rise, membrane depolarization, and nutrient metabolism were examined in HIT-T15 cells. KN-62 dose-dependently inhibited insulin secretion induced by a nutrient mixture (10 mM glucose, 5 mM leucine, and 5 mM glutamine) alone or combined with either the Ca(2+)-mobilizing receptor agonist bombesin or the cAMP-raising agent forskolin in intact cells. KN-62 did not affect Ca(2+)- or GTP analogue-induced insulin secretion from permeabilized cells, indicating an action at a step before exocytosis. The stimulating effects of nutrients on insulin secretion, [Ca2+]i, and membrane depolarization were potentiated by bombesin. Similarly, bombesin promoted a larger depolarization and [Ca2+]i rise in the presence of nutrients. This was associated with enhanced Ca2+ mobilization and the appearance of sustained [Ca2+]i elevation. The bombesin-induced membrane depolarization, like the nutrient effect, was inhibited by diazoxide, suggesting that this is due to closure of ATP-sensitive K+ channels. Bombesin elicited Ca2+ influx by both membrane potential-sensitive and -insensitive conductance pathways. KN-62 did not affect Ca2+ mobilization and only partially reduced Ca2+ entry during the sustained [Ca2+]i rise in bombesin-stimulated cells. When added before or during the stimulation, KN-62 dose-dependently inhibited nutrient- and KCl-stimulated [Ca2+]i elevation and Mn2+ influx (reflecting Ca2+ entry). The calmodulin antagonist CGS 9343B and the L-type Ca2+ channel blocker SR-7037 mimicked the inhibitory effect of KN-62 on stimulated insulin secretion and [Ca2+]i elevation. Membrane depolarization and nutrient metabolism (reduction of a tetrazolium derivative), however, were not altered by KN-62 treatment, indicating that the early coupling events from nutrient metabolism to closure of ATP-sensitive K+ channels remain operative. These results suggest that KN-62 and the calmodulin antagonist CGS 9343B inhibit Ca2+ influx by means of direct interaction with L-type Ca2+ channels, which, in turn, causes inhibition of stimulated insulin secretion. Thus, it appears that Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II is not involved in the regulation of insulin secretion.

Topics: 1-(5-Isoquinolinesulfonyl)-2-Methylpiperazine; Animals; Benzimidazoles; Calcium; Calcium Channel Blockers; Calcium Channels; Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinases; Calmodulin; Cell Membrane Permeability; Colforsin; Cricetinae; Diphosphonates; Drug Synergism; Insulin; Insulin Secretion; Insulinoma; Ion Channel Gating; Isoquinolines; Manganese; Membrane Potentials; Mitochondria; Piperazines; Protein Kinase Inhibitors; Stimulation, Chemical; Tumor Cells, Cultured