Krister Bokvist

Co-localization of L-type Ca2+ channels and insulin-containing secretory granules and its significance for the initiation of exocytosis in mouse pancreatic B-cells.

We have monitored L‐type Ca2+ channel activity, local cytoplasmic Ca2+ transients, the distribution of insulin‐containing secretory granules and exocytosis in individual mouse pancreatic B‐cells. Subsequent to the opening of the Ca2+ channels, exocytosis is initiated with a latency < 100 ms. The entry of Ca2+ that precedes exocytosis is unevenly distributed over the cell and is concentrated to the region with the highest density of secretory granules. In this region, the cytoplasmic Ca2+ concentration is 5‐ to 10‐fold higher than in the remainder of the cell reaching concentrations of several micromolar. Single‐channel recordings confirm that the L‐type Ca2+ channels are clustered in the part of the cell containing the secretory granules. This arrangement, which is obviously reminiscent of the ‘active zones’ in nerve terminals, can be envisaged as being favourable to the B‐cell as it ensures that the Ca2+ transient is maximal and restricted to the part of the cell where it is required to rapidly initiate exocytosis whilst at the same time minimizing the expenditure of metabolic energy to subsequently restore the resting Ca2+ concentration.

Exocytosis elicited by action potentials and voltage‐clamp calcium currents in individual mouse pancreatic B‐cells.

1. Measurements of membrane capacitance, as an indicator of exocytosis, and intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) were used to determine the Ca2+ dependence of secretion in single pancreatic B‐cells. 2. Exocytosis was dependent on a rise in [Ca2+]i and could be evoked by activation of voltage‐dependent Ca2+ currents. The threshold for depolarization‐induced release was 0.5 microM [Ca2+]i. Once the [Ca2+]i threshold was exceeded, exocytosis was rapidly (< 50 ms) initiated. When individual pulses were applied, exocytosis stopped immediately upon repolarization and the Ca2+ channels closed, although [Ca2+]i remained elevated for several seconds. 3. During repetitive stimulation (1 Hz), when [Ca2+]i attained micromolar levels, exocytosis also took place during the interpulse intervals albeit at a slower rate than during the depolarizations. 4. Exocytosis could be initiated by simulated action potentials. Whereas a single action potential only produced a small capacitance increase, and in some cells even failed to stimulate release, larger and more consistent responses were obtained with > or = four action potentials. 5. Comparison of the rates of exocytosis measured in response to depolarization, mobilization of Ca2+ from intracellular stores or infusion of Ca2+ through the patch pipette suggests that [Ca2+]i at the secretory sites attains a concentration of several micromolar. This is much higher than the average [Ca2+]i detected by microfluorimetry suggesting the existence of steep spatial gradients of [Ca2+]i within the B‐cell. 6. Inclusion of inhibitors of Ca2+/calmodulin‐dependent protein kinase II in the intracellular solution reduced the depolarization‐induced exocytotic responses suggesting this enzyme may be involved in the coupling between elevation of [Ca2+]i to stimulation of the secretory machinery. 7. The size of the unitary exocytotic event was 2 fF, corresponding to a secretory granule diameter of 250 nm. 8. Over short periods, exocytosis may be extremely fast (1 pF/s or 500 granules/s), which is much higher than the rate of endocytosis (18 fF/s or 9 granules/s). Since the latter is in better agreement with the maximum rate of insulin secretion from islets (approximately 2 granules/s), we suggest that membrane retrieval may set an upper limit on the rate of exocytosis during extended periods of secretion.

PKC-dependent stimulation of exocytosis by sulfonylureas in pancreatic beta cells.

Hypoglycemic sulfonylureas represent a group of clinically useful antidiabetic compounds that stimulate insulin secretion from pancreatic β cells. The molecular mechanisms involved are not fully understood but are believed to involve inhibition of potassium channels sensitive to adenosine triphosphate (KATP channels) in the β cell membrane, causing membrane depolarization, calcium influx, and activation of the secretory machinery. In addition to these effects, sulfonylureas also promoted exocytosis by direct interaction with the secretory machinery not involving closure of the plasma membrane KATP channels. This effect was dependent on protein kinase C (PKC) and was observed at therapeutic concentrations of sulfonylureas, which suggests that it contributes to their hypoglycemic action in diabetics.

Glucagon-like peptide 1 (7-36) amide stimulates exocytosis in human pancreatic beta-cells by both proximal and distal regulatory steps in stimulus-secretion coupling.

The effect of glucagon-like peptide 1(7–36) amide [GLP-l(7–36) amide] on membrane potential, wholecell ATP-sensitive potassium channel (KATP) and Ca2+ currents, cytoplasmic Ca2+ concentration, and exocytosis was explored in single human β-cells. GLP-1(7–36) amide induced membrane depolarization that was associated with inhibition of whole-cell KATP current. In addition, GLP-l(7–36) amide (and forskolin) produced greater than fourfold potentiation of Ca2+-dependent exocytosis. The latter effect resulted in part (40%) from acceleration of Ca2+ influx through voltage-dependent (L-type) Ca2+ channels. More importantly, GLP- 1(7–36) amide (via generation of cyclic AMP and activation of protein kinase A) potentiated exocytosis at a site distal to a rise in the cytoplasmic Ca2+ concentration. Photorelease of caged cAMP produced a two- to threefold potentiation of exocytosis when the cytoplasmic Ca2+ concentrations were clamped at >170 nmol/1. The effect of GLP-1(7–36) amide was antagonized by the islet hormone somatostatin. Similar effects on membrane potential, ion conductances, and exocytosis were observed with glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP), the second major incretin. The present data suggest that the strong insulinotropic action of GLP-1(7–36) amide and GIP in humans results from its interaction with several proximal as well as distal important regulatory steps in the stimulus-secretion coupling.

Neurotransmitter-induced inhibition of exocytosis in insulin-secreting beta cells by activation of calcineurin

Neurotransmitters and hormones such as somatostatin, galanin, and adrenalin reduce insulin secretion. Their inhibitory action involves direct interference with the exocytotic machinery. We have examined the molecular processes underlying this effect using high resolution measurements of cell capacitance. Suppression of exocytosis was maximal at concentrations that did not cause complete inhibition of glucose-stimulated electrical activity. This action was dependent on activation of G proteins but was not associated with inhibition of the voltage-dependent Ca2+ currents or adenylate cyclase activity. The molecular processes initiated by the agonists culminate in the activation of the Ca(2+)-dependent protein phosphatase calcineurin, and suppression of the activity of this enzyme abolishes their action on exocytosis. We propose that mechanisms similar to those we report here may contribute to adrenergic and peptidergic inhibition of secretion in other neuroendocrine cells and in nerve terminals.

Cooling inhibits exocytosis in single mouse pancreatic B-cells by suppression of granule mobilization

1. The mechanisms by which cooling inhibits insulin secretion were investigated by capacitance measurements of exocytosis in single mouse pancreatic B‐cells maintained in short‐term tissue culture. 2. A reduction of the bath temperature from 34 to 24 degrees C produced a gradual inhibition of exocytosis. Inhibition of exocytosis was use dependent rather than time dependent. The steady‐state inhibition amounted to 90%, which was paralleled by a 30% reduction of the peak Ca2+ current. 3. The Q10 values (between 27 and 37 degrees C) for inhibition of exocytosis and the peak Ca2+ current amplitude were determined as > 5 and 1.6, respectively. From the temperature dependence of exocytosis, an energy of activation was estimated as 145 kJ mol‐1. 4. Suppression of exocytosis was not the result of a reduction of Ca2+ influx. When the Ca2+ currents were blocked by 30% (comparable to that produced by cooling) by using a low concentration of Co2+, exocytosis was reduced by < 25%. 5. Elevation of cytoplasmic free Ca2+, by photorelease of ‘caged’ Ca2+ from Ca(2+)‐nitrophenyl‐EGTA preloaded into the B‐cell, was equally effective at eliciting exocytosis at 24 and 34 degrees C. 6. Cooling produced 70% inhibition of exocytosis evoked by infusion of Ca2+ through the recording electrode. Omission of either MgATP or cAMP from the electrode solution resulted in a comparable reduction of exocytosis. Cooling had no additional inhibitory effect when exocytosis was already suppressed by removal of cytoplasmic MgATP. 7. Our data indicate that exocytosis of granules already docked beneath the membrane is little affected by cooling in the B‐cell. Instead, the high overall temperature sensitivity of insulin secretion arises because the replenishment of the readily releasable pool is temperature dependent.

Phosphatidylinositol 4-kinase serves as a metabolic sensor and regulates priming of secretory granules in pancreatic beta cells.

Insulin secretion is controlled by the β cell′s metabolic state, and the ability of the secretory granules to undergo exocytosis increases during glucose stimulation in a membrane potential-independent fashion. Here, we demonstrate that exocytosis of insulin-containing secretory granules depends on phosphatidylinositol 4-kinase (PI 4-kinase) activity and that inhibition of this enzyme suppresses glucose-stimulated insulin secretion. Intracellular application of phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate and phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate [PI(4,5)P2] stimulated exocytosis by promoting the priming of secretory granules for release and increasing the number of granules residing in a readily releasable pool. Reducing the cytoplasmic ADP concentration in a way mimicking the effects of glucose stimulation activated PI 4-kinase and increased exocytosis whereas changes of the ATP concentration in the physiological range had little effect. The PI(4,5)P2-binding protein Ca2+-dependent activator protein for secretion (CAPS) is present in β cells, and neutralization of the protein abolished both Ca2+- and PI(4,5)P2-induced exocytosis. We conclude that ADP-induced changes in PI 4-kinase activity, via generation of PI(4,5)P2, represents a metabolic sensor in the β cell by virtue of its capacity to regulate the release competence of the secretory granules.

CaM kinase II-dependent mobilization of secretory granules underlies acetylcholine-induced stimulation of exocytosis in mouse pancreatic B-cells

1 Measurements of cell capacitance were used to investigate the mechanisms by which acetylcholine (ACh) stimulates Ca2+‐induced exocytosis in single insulin‐secreting mouse pancreatic B‐cells. 2 ACh (250 μM) increased exocytotic responses elicited by voltage‐clamp depolarizations 2.3‐fold. This effect was mediated by activation of muscarinic receptors and dependent on elevation of the cytoplasmic Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) attributable to mobilization of Ca2+ from intracellular stores. The latter action involved interference with the buffering of [Ca2+]i and the time constant (τ) for the recovery of [Ca2+]i following a voltage‐clamp depolarization increased 5‐fold. As a result, Ca2+ was present at concentrations sufficient to promote the replenishment of the readily releasable pool of granules (RRP; > 0.2 μM) for much longer periods in the presence than in the absence of the agonist. 3 The effect of Ca2+ on exocytosis was mediated by activation of CaM kinase II, but not protein kinase C, and involved both an increased size of the RRP from 40 to 140 granules and a decrease in τ for the refilling of the RRP from 31 to 19 s. 4 Collectively, the effects of ACh on the RRP and τ result in a > 10‐fold stimulation of the rate at which granules are supplied for release.

Block of ATP-regulated and Ca2(+)-activated K+ channels in mouse pancreatic beta-cells by external tetraethylammonium and quinine.

1. The whole‐cell and outside‐out patch configurations of the patch‐clamp technique were used to investigate the effects of extracellular tetraethylammonium ions (TEA+) and quinine on both Ca2(+)‐activated and ATP‐regulated K+ channels in mouse pancreatic beta‐cells. 2. The Ca2(+)‐activated K+ channel has a single‐channel K+ permeability of 4.7 x 10(‐13) cm3 s‐1 when recorded with physiological ionic gradients. This value decreased to 2.9 x 10(‐13) cm3 s‐1 after addition of 0.3 mM‐TEA+. 3. Two exponentials with time constants of 0.2 and 4.7 ms were required to describe the distribution of the channel openings suggesting that the Ca2(+)‐activated K+ channel has at least two open states. The fast and slow components comprised 16 and 84% of the total number of openings respectively. 4. TEA+ caused a concentration‐dependent decrease in the single‐channel amplitude and open probability of the Ca2(+)‐activated K+ channel. A Kd for the reduction in the mean current of 0.14 mM was observed. The stoichiometry was approximately 1:1. 5. Quinine blocked the Ca2(+)‐activated K+ channel in a concentration‐dependent manner. Half‐maximal block was observed at 0.10 mM and binding was 1:1. Inhibition by 20 microM‐quinine was not associated with a decrease in channel amplitude but markedly reduced the lifetime of the channel openings. Two exponentials, with time constants of 0.5 and 1.3 ms, were required to describe the channel openings. The rapid component contained 55% of the events. 6. TEA+ reduced the single‐channel amplitude of the ATP‐regulated K+ channel in a concentration‐dependent manner. Kd for the block was 22 mM and the binding approximately 1:1. The block was not associated with changes in the open probability or channel kinetics. Two exponentials were required to describe the distribution of the open times. The time constants for the fast and slow components were approximately 2 and approximately 20 ms respectively. The rapid component accounted for approximately 35% of the events. 7. Quinine (10‐20 microM) almost abolished activity of the ATP‐regulated K+ channels. Inhibition was characterized by slow onset and reversibility but not associated with a change in the appearance of the single‐channel events. Quinine‐induced block could not be reversed by diazoxide. 8. We conclude that TEA+ produces rapid block of both Ca2(+)‐activated and ATP‐regulated K+ channels.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Stimulation of the KATP channel by ADP and diazoxide requires nucleotide hydrolysis in mouse pancreatic beta-cells.

1. The mechanisms by which ADP and the hyperglycaemic compound diazoxide stimulate the activity of the ATP‐regulated K+ channel (KATP channel) were studied using inside‐out patches isolated from mouse pancreatic beta‐cells maintained in tissue culture. 2. The ability of diazoxide and ADP to increase KATP channel activity declined with time following patch excision and no stimulation was observed after 15‐40 min. 3. Activation of KATP channels by ADP required the presence of intracellular Mg2+. The stimulatory effect of ADP was mimicked by AMP but only in the presence of ATP. Replacement of ATP with the non‐hydrolysable analogue beta, gamma‐methylene ATP did not interfere with the ability of ADP to stimulate KATP channel activity. By contrast, enhancement of KATP channel activity was critically dependent on hydrolysable ADP and no stimulation was observed after substitution of alpha,beta‐methylene ADP for standard ADP. 4. The ability of diazoxide to enhance KATP channel activity was dependent on the presence of both internal Mg2+ and ATP. Diazoxide stimulation of KATP channel activity was not observed after substitution of beta,gamma‐methylene ATP for ATP. However, in the presence of ADP, at a concentration which in itself had no stimulatory action (10 microM), diazoxide was stimulatory also in the presence of the stable ATP analogue. 5. The stimulatory action of diazoxide on KATP channel activity in the presence of ATP was markedly enhanced by intracellular ADP. This potentiating effect of ADP was not reproduced by the stable analogue alpha,beta‐methylene ADP and was conditional on the presence of intracellular Mg2+. A similar enhancement of channel activity was also observed with AMP (0.1 mM). In the absence of ATP, diazoxide was still capable of stimulating channel activity provided ADP was present. This effect was not reproduced by AMP. 6. In both nucleotide‐free solution and in the presence of 0.1 mM ATP, the distribution of the KATP channel open times were described by a single exponential with a time constant of approximately 20 ms. Addition of ADP or diazoxide resulted in the appearance of a second component with a time constant of > 100 ms which comprised 40‐70% of the total number of events. Under the latter experimental conditions, the open probability of the channel increased more than fivefold relative to that observed in the presence of ATP alone.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)