Functional identification and monitoring of individual alpha and beta cells in cultured mouse islets of Langerhans.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate, by use of fluorescence microscopy and immunofluorescence stainings, the use of a fluorescent membrane potential sensitive probe as a means to identify and monitor changes in membrane potential of individual cell types in whole islets of Langerhans over time. Our work supports the use of the fluorescent probe bis-(1,3 dibutylbarbituric acid) trimethine oxonol (diBAC(4)(3)), in identification of single alpha and beta cells in the periphery of mouse pancreatic islets cultured on extracellular matrix. At a low extracellular glucose concentration (3 mM), heterogeneous staining of the islets was observed. Approximately 97% of the peripheral cells that stained brightly with diBAC(4)(3) were glucagon positive. Additional diBAC(4)(3) studies, demonstrated that an increase in glucose concentration from 3 to 10 mM is paralleled by repolarization of alpha cells and depolarization of beta cells. This suggests that reciprocity of glucagon and insulin release upon glucose stimulation is coupled to divergent changes in membrane potential of these cell types and supports the use of diBAC(4)(3) as a means to detect changes in secretion in both cell types.

Phenylcyanoguanidines as inhibitors of glucose-induced insulin secretion from beta cells.

3,5-Disubstituted-phenylcyanoguanidines have been identified as activators of SUR1/Kir6.2 potassium channels and as potent inhibitors of insulin release from pancreatic beta cells in vitro.

Simultaneous visualization of the translocation of protein kinase Calpha-green fluorescent protein hybrids and intracellular calcium concentrations.

The alpha isoform of protein kinase C (PKCalpha) is a ubiquitous protein kinase, which, upon activation, translocates rapidly from the cytoplasm to the plasma membrane. To follow this translocation, PKCalpha was tagged with a highly fluorescent derivative of green fluorescent protein and stably expressed in baby hamster kidney cells overexpressing the muscarinic type 1 receptor. Addition of the agonist carbamylcholine triggered the onset of translocation within 1 s. Half-maximal and maximal translocation occurred after about 3 and 15 s respectively. Plasma membrane association of the fusion protein was transient and the protein returned to the cytoplasm within about 45 s. A high-resolution study showed an almost homogeneous cytoplasmic distribution of tagged PKCalpha in unstimulated cells and virtually complete translocation to the plasma membrane in response to the phorbol ester, PMA. Simultaneous visualization of intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) and PKCalpha translocation in single cells showed a good correlation between these parameters at intermediate and high concentrations of agonist. At low agonist concentration, a small increase in [Ca2+]i was observed, without detectable translocation of PKCalpha. In contrast, PMA induced translocation of PKCalpha without any increase in [Ca2+]i. Neither cytochalasin D nor colcemid influenced the distribution or calcium-dependent translocation of tagged PKCalpha, indicating that PKCalpha translocation may be independent of both actin filaments and microtubules. The time course of PKCalpha translocation is compatible with diffusion of the protein from its cytoplasmic localization to the plasma membrane.