Abstract

Glucose stimulation of pancreatic islets is characterized by an initial decline in intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) (phase 0), followed by an increase in peak [Ca2+]i (phase 1). The effect of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and cyclic nucleotides on the glucose-induced phase 0 [Ca2+]i was investigated by Fura-2 fluorescent imaging in single beta-cells from isolated islets of rats maintained at 1.67 mmol/l glucose. ANP (1 nmol/l to 1 micromol/l) inhibited the glucose (8.2 mmol/l)-induced phase 0 [Ca2+], in a concentration-dependent manner. Forskolin, 8-bromo-cyclic AMP (8BrcAMP), and 8-bromo-cyclic guanosine monophosphate (8BrcGMP) also inhibited the glucose-induced phase 0 [Ca2+]i. The Ca2+ channel blocker, D 600, prevented the response to 8BrcAMP but not to ANP or 8BrcGMP on phase 0 [Ca2+]i. Thapsigargin (TG) also inhibited phase 0 [Ca2+]i by 90%. ANP, 8BrcGMP, and TG also reduced the time required for glucose to initiate the phase 1 increase in [Ca2+]i, and each of these agents potentiated the effect of glucose on peak [Ca2+]i. Furthermore, sarco(endo)-plasmic reticulum (Ca[2+] + Mg2+)-ATPase (SERCA) activity in RINm5F insulinoma cells was inhibited by 8BrcGMP and TG, but not 8BrcAMP. Thus, ANP and cGMP modulate [Ca2+]i regulation in pancreatic beta-cells perhaps through mechanisms involving changes in SERCA activity and Ca2+ influx.