Diabetes, Vol 37, Issue 11 1478-1483, Copyright © 1988 by American Diabetes Association
Influence of cAMP and calcium on [3H]inositol efflux, inositol phosphate accumulation, and insulin release from isolated rat islets
WS Zawalich, VA Diaz and KC Zawalich
Yale University School of Nursing, New Haven, CT 06536-0740.
The influence of cyclic AMP (cAMP) and extracellular calcium on
phosphoinositide (PI) hydrolysis in isolated islets was assessed and
related to insulin output. Three stimulants were chosen to activate the
beta-cell: sulfated cholecystokinin (CCK-8S, 200 nM), high-level glucose
(20 mM), and the sulfonylurea tolbutamide (200 microM). The insulin
secretory response to all three agonists was amplified by forskolin (which
increases cAMP levels) and reduced by nitrendipine (which decreases calcium
influx). All three stimulants increased the hydrolysis of
inositol-containing phospholipids, an event monitored by an increase in
[3H]inositol efflux from [3H]inositol-prelabeled islets and by the
accumulation of labeled inositol phosphates. Forskolin, despite its
positive impact on insulin secretion, reduced [3H]inositol efflux and
inositol phosphate accumulation in response to all agonists. A similar
inhibitory effect on these parameters was noted with nitrendipine; however,
nitrendipine abolished secretion in response to all agonists. These
findings support the following conclusions: 1) an increase in cellular cAMP
levels reduces the quantitative impact of various agonists on these indices
of PI hydrolysis; 2) despite this inhibitory effect, cAMP amplifies the
insulin secretory response to these agonists; and 3) extracellular calcium
is a crucial determinant of both PI hydrolysis and the ensuing insulin
secretory response.