Association and stoichiometry of K(ATP) channel subunits.

ATP-sensitive potassium channels (K(ATP) channels) are heteromultimers of sulfonylurea receptors (SUR) and inwardly rectifying potassium channel subunits (K(IR)6.x) with a (SUR-K(IR)6.x)4 stoichiometry. Association is specific for K(IR)6.x and affects receptor glycosylation and cophotolabeling of K(IR)6.x by 125I-azidoglibenclamide. Association produces digitonin stable complexes with an estimated mass of 950 kDa. These complexes can be purified by lectin chromatography or by using Ni2(+)-agarose and a his-tagged SUR1. Expression of SUR1 approximately (K(IR)6.2)i fusion constructs shows that a 1:1 SUR1:K(IR)6.2 stoichiometry is both necessary and sufficient for assembly of active K(ATP) channels. Coexpression of a mixture of strongly and weakly rectifying triple fusion proteins, rescued by SUR1, produced the three channel types expected of a tetrameric pore.

Studies on the role of beta-cell metabolism in the insulinotropic effect of alpha-ketoisocaproic acid.

alpha-Ketoisocaproic acid has been shown to be a potent insulin secretagogue but the mechanism has not been elucidated. To define the role of beta-cell metabolism in the insulinotropic activity of alpha-ketoisocaproic acid the utilization of glucose and the oxidation of alpha-ketoisocaproic and isovaleric acid by incubated islets of obese hyperglycemic mice were measured. Glucose metabolism was never enhanced by alpha-ketoisocaproic acid. The same 14CO2 amounts were released from the non-secretagogue [1-14C]isovaleric acid (10 mM) or from alpha-keto[2-14C]isocaproic acid (5--20 mM). Pyruvate (20 mM) did not inhibit alpha-ketoisocaproic acid-induced insulin secretion in spite of reduction of decarboxylation of alpha-ketoisocaproic acid by more than 40%. The results indicate that stimulated insulin release in response to alpha-ketoisocaproic acid is not mediated by an indirect increase in glucose metabolism and further suggest that isovaleryl-CoA and following CoA-esters in alpha-ketoisocaproic acid degradation are not likely recognized as signals. The possibility, however, remains that enhanced intramitochondrial production of reducing equivalents elicits insulin secretion.

Glucose induces temperature-dependent oscillations of cytoplasmic Ca2+ in single pancreatic beta-cells related to their electrical activity.

Glucose induces large amplitude oscillations of the cytoplasmic Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) in pancreatic beta-cells. The effects of temperature on these oscillations were examined by monitoring [Ca2+]i continuously in single beta-cells from ob/ob-mice using dual wavelength microfluorometry. The oscillations of [Ca2+]i disappeared when the temperature was increased above 42 degrees C and were reversibly inhibited below 30 degrees C. However, cooling did not prevent a glucose response in terms of the average rise of [Ca2+]i. Since patch clamp studies of single beta-cells have indicated a random occurrence of glucose-induced action potentials at room temperature, it was important to explore how the sugar affected the electrical activity at 37 degrees C. Using the cell-attached configuration of the patch clamp technique for such analyses, the action potentials were found to occur in bursts with durations similar to the large amplitude oscillations of [Ca2+]i.

O2 consumption by isolated pancreatic islets, as measured in a microincubation system with a Clark-type electrode.

The role of B-cell respiration in fuel-induced insulin secretion has not been clarified. Therefore, a new method for the measurement of O2 uptake in islets of Langerhans was developed. An all-glass microincubation chamber was equipped with a Clark-type electrode, a stirring bar, and a special channel for loading the chamber with islets, media, and test compounds. The sensitivity of the system was sufficient for convenient determination of O2 consumption by less than 100 islets. Using DNA as reference value, the exactness of the method was scaled up considerably. Basal O2 uptake in mouse islets amounted to 5.6 +/- 0.2 nmol/h/micrograms DNA. alpha-Ketoisocaproic acid (2.5-20 mM) enhanced O2 consumption by 63-207%. The rate of O2 uptake as well as those of insulin secretion and oxidation of alpha-ketoisocaproic acid in incubated mouse islets were maximal at about 10 mM alpha-ketoisocaproic acid. 14CO2 production from U-14C-labeled alpha-ketoisocaproic acid was up to 36% lower than the corresponding increase in O2 uptake. However, the differences were partly caused by insufficient mixing of media in the oxidation studies. D-Glucose (20 mM) released more than twice the amount of insulin than 5 mM alpha-ketoisocaproic acid, although O2 uptake in the islets did not differ. The results are consistent with the view that an increase in the production of metabolic energy is necessary for recognizing insulin-releasing fuels by B-cells.

Cytosolic ADP enhances the sensitivity to tolbutamide of ATP-dependent K+ channels from pancreatic B-cells.

The effects of intracellular purine nucleotides on tolbutamide-induced block of ATP-dependent K+ channels from mouse pancreatic B-cells were studied using the patch-clamp technique. When applied to the inside of excised patches, tolbutamide alone blocked channel activity half-maximally at 55 microM and the concentration-response curve for the inhibition of K+ channels by tolbutamide was flat. ADP (1 mM), but not other nucleotides (AMP, GTP or GDP) increased the steepness of the concentration-response curve and decreased the half-maximally effective tolbutamide concentration to 4.2 microM. It is suggested that the ATP-dependent K+ channel or a closely related structure contains a receptor which is accessible for cytosolic ADP and controls the sensitivity to tolbutamide.

Effects of alpha-adrenoceptor antagonists on clonidine-induced inhibition of insulin secretion by isolated pancreatic islets.

The effects of clonidine, yohimbine, corynanthine and prazosin on glucose-induced insulin secretion by incubated or perifused mouse pancreatic islets were investigated. Clonidine (0.1 microM) inhibited glucose-induced insulin secretion alone and in the presence of yohimbine (0.1 microM), corynanthine (10 microM) or prazosin (1 microM). In higher concentrations, yohimbine (1-10 microM) antagonized the inhibitory effect of clonidine (0.1 microM) upon glucose-induced insulin secretion by incubated islets and by perifused islets. The results support the view that adrenergic inhibition of insulin secretion is mediated by alpha 2-adrenoceptors on pancreatic beta-cells.

Interaction of tolbutamide and cytosolic nucleotides in controlling the ATP-sensitive K+ channel in mouse beta-cells.

1. In mouse pancreatic beta-cells the role of cytosolic nucleotides in the regulation of the sulphonylurea sensitivity of the adenosine 5'-triphosphate-sensitive K+ channel (KATP-channel) was examined. Patch-clamp experiments with excised inside-out membrane patches were carried out using an experimental protocol favouring phosphorylation of membrane proteins. 2. In the absence of Mg2+, the KATP-channel-inhibiting potency of cytosolic nucleotides decreased in the order ATP = adenosine 5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate) (ATP gamma S) > adenosine 5'-diphosphate (ADP) > adenosine 5'-O-(2-thiodiphosphate) (ADP beta S) = adenylyl-imidodiphosphate (AMP-PNP) > 2'-deoxyadenosine 5'-triphosphate (dATP) > uridine 5'-triphosphate (UTP) > 2'-deoxyadenosine 5'-diphosphate (dADP) > guanosine 5'-triphosphate (GTP) > guanosine 5'-diphosphate (GDP) > uridine 5'-diphosphate (UDP). 3. In the presence of Mg2+, the inhibitory potency of cytosolic nucleotides decreased in the order ATP gamma S > ATP > AMP-PNP > ADP beta S > dATP > UTP. In the presence of Mg2+, the KATP-channels were activated by dADP, GTP, GDP and UDP. 4. Tolbutamide inhibited the KATP-channels not only in the presence but also in the prolonged absence of Mg2+. In nucleotide-free solutions, the potency of tolbutamide was very low. When about half of the KATP-channel activity was inhibited by ATP, AMP-PNP, ADP beta S or ADP (absence of Mg2+), the potency of tolbutamide was increased. 5. Tolbutamide (100 microM) slightly enhanced the channel-inhibiting potency of AMP-PNP and inhibited the channel-activating effect of MgGDP in a non-competitive manner. 6. Channel activation by MgGDP (0.5 mM) competitively antagonized the inhibitory responses to AMP-PNP (1 MicroM- 1 mM). This effect of GDP was neutralized by tolbutamide (100 MicroM).7. The stimulatory effect of 0.5 mM MgGDP was neutralized by 200 MicroM AMP-PNP. Under these conditions the potency of tolbutamide was much higher than in the presence of 0.5 mM MgGDP alone or in the absence of any nucleotides.8. dADP (0.3-1 mM) increased the potency of tolbutamide. Additional application of 200 MicroM AMPPNP caused a further increase in the potency of tolbutamide.9. In conclusion, in the simultaneous presence of inhibitory and stimulatory nucleotides, binding of sulphonylureas to their receptor causes direct inhibition of channel activity, non-competitive inhibition of the action of stimulatory nucleotides and interruption of the competitive interaction between stimulatory and inhibitory nucleotides. The latter effect increases the proportion of KATP- channels staying in the nucleotide-blocked state. In addition, this state potentiates the direct effect of sulphonylureas.

Interaction of N-benzoyl-D-phenylalanine and related compounds with the sulphonylurea receptor of beta-cells.

1. The structure activity relationships for the insulin secretagogues N-benzoyl-D-phenylalanine (NBDP) and related compounds were examined at the sulphonylurea receptor level by use of cultured HIT-T15 and mouse pancreatic beta-cells. The affinities of these compounds for the sulphonylurea receptor were compared with their potencies for K(ATP)-channel inhibition. In addition, the effects of cytosolic nucleotides on K(ATP)-channel inhibition by NBDP were investigated. 2. NBDP displayed a dissociation constant for binding to the sulphonylurea receptor (K(D) value) of 11 microM and half-maximally effective concentrations of K(ATP)-channel inhibition (EC50 values) between 2 and 4 microM (in the absence of cytosolic nucleotides or presence of 0.1 mM GDP or 1 mM ADP). 3. In the absence of cytosolic nucleotides or presence of GDP (0.1 mM) maximally effective concentrations of NBDP (0.1-1 mM) reduced K(ATP)-channel activity to 47% and 44% of control, respectively. In the presence of ADP (1 mM), K(ATP)-channel activity was completely suppressed by 0.1 mM NBDP. 4. The L-isomer of N-benzoyl-phenylalanine displayed a 20 fold lower affinity and an 80 fold lower potency than the D-isomer. 5. Introduction of a p-nitro substituent in the D-phenylalanine moiety of NBDP did not decrease lipophilicity but lowered affinity and potency by more than 30 fold. 6. Introduction of a p-amino substituent in the D-phenylalanine moiety of NBDP (N-benzoyl-p-amino-D-phenylalanine, NBADP) reduced lipophilicity and lowered affinity and potency by about 10 fold. This loss of affinity and potency was compensated for by formation of the phenylpropionic acid derivative of NBADP. A similar difference in affinity was observed for the sulphonylurea carbutamide and its phenylpropionic acid derivative. 7. Replacing the benzene ring in the D-phenylalanine moiety of NBDP by a cyclohexyl ring increased lipophilicity, and the K(D) and EC50 values were slightly lower than for NBDP. Exchange of both benzene rings in NBDP by cyclohexyl rings further increased lipophilicity without altering affinity and potency. 8. This study shows that N-acylphenylalanines interact with the sulphonylurea receptor of pancreatic beta-cells in a stereospecific manner. Their potency depends on lipophilic but not aromatic properties of their benzene rings. As observed for sulphonylureas, interaction of N-acylphenylalanines with the sulphonylurea receptor does not induce complete inhibition of K(ATP)-channel activity in the absence of inhibitory cytosolic nucleotides.

Structural requirements of alloxan and ninhydrin for glucokinase inhibition and of glucose for protection against inhibition.

1. In order to elucidate the mechanism underlying the interactions between glucose and alloxan when competing for the sugar binding site of glucokinase from pancreatic B-cells or liver, the structural requirements of the enzyme for inhibition by alloxan and for protection by glucose were determined. 2. With a half-maximal inhibitory concentration of 5 microM, alloxan was the most potent pyrimidine derivative inhibitor of glucokinase. Uramil was a less potent enzyme inhibitor. A variety of other pyrimidine derivatives and related substances were ineffective. 3. Ninhydrin also inhibited glucokinase with a half-maximal inhibitory concentration of 5 microM. Isatin was a slightly less potent enzyme inhibitor. Several other indoline derivatives were ineffective. 4. Only glucose derivatives with a sufficiently bulky substituent in position C-2, such as the glucokinase substrates glucose and mannose and the inhibitors mannoheptulose, glucosamine, and N-acetylglucosamine, protected glucokinase against inhibition by alloxan by binding to the active site of the enzyme. Glucose epimers which differed in other positions did not protect the enzyme against alloxan inhibition. 5. DTT (dithiothreitol) protected glucokinase against inhibition by alloxan and reversed the inhibition of the enzyme induced by alloxan. Thus the mechanism of glucokinase inhibition by alloxan and other inhibitors, such as uramil and ninhydrin, is an oxidation of functionally essential SH groups of the enzyme, where the most reactive keto group of the inhibitor acts as the hydrogen acceptor. The protective action of glucose and several C-2 epimers demonstrates that these functionally essential SH groups are situated in the sugar binding site of the glucokinase. 6. The present results support our contention, that the pancreatic B-cell glucokinase is the major target mediating the inhibition of insulin secretion by alloxan.

Structural requirements of sulphonylureas and analogues for interaction with sulphonylurea receptor subtypes.

1. The structure-activity relationship for hypoglycaemic sulphonylureas and analogues was examined. Binding affinities were compared using membranes from HIT-T15 cells (beta-cell line) and from COS-7 cells transiently expressing sulphonylurea receptor subtypes (SUR1, SUR2A and SUR2B). Inhibition of adenosine-triphosphate-sensitive K+ channels (KATP-channels) was measured in mouse pancreatic beta-cells. 2. The tested compounds displayed similar binding affinities for SUR2A and SUR2B. 3. Meglitinide (benzoic acid derivative) bound to SUR1 and the SUR2 isoforms with similar affinities. Replacement of the carboxyl group of meglitinide by a methyl group significantly decreased the binding affinities for SUR1 and the SUR2 isoforms (>4 fold) and the potency to inhibit KATP-channel activity of beta-cells (24 fold). Replacement of the carboxyl group of meglitinide by a sulphonylurea group significantly increased the affinities for SUR1 (5 fold) and the SUR2 isoforms (13 - 16 fold). 4. Glibenclamide bound to the SUR2 isoforms with 300 - 500 fold lower affinity than to SUR1. Exchanging the cyclohexyl ring of glibenclamide by a methyl group or removal of the lipophilic side chain of glibenclamide (5-chloro-2-methoxy-benzamidoethyl chain) markedly reduced but did not abolish the selectivity for SUR1. 5. In conclusion, interaction of sulphonylureas and acidic analogues with SUR1, SUR2A and SUR2B is favoured by the anionic group of these drugs. Hypoglycaemic sulphonylureas (e.g. glibenclamide) owe selectivity for SUR1 to lipophilic substitution on their urea group. Sulphonylureas without lipophilic substitution on the urea group could represent lead compounds for the development of SUR2-selective drugs.

Effect of MgATP on pinacidil-induced displacement of glibenclamide from the sulphonylurea receptor in a pancreatic beta-cell line and rat cerebral cortex.

1. The effects of blockers and openers of K+ channels on binding of [3H]-glibenclamide to microsomes obtained from a pancreatic beta-cell line (HIT-T15) or rat cerebral cortex were examined. 2. The blockers quinine, chlorpromazine and thiopentone and the openers cromakalim [(+/- ) 6-cyano-3,4-dihydro-2,2-dimethyl-trans-4-(2-oxo-1- pyrrolidyl)-2H-benzo[b]pyran-3-ol] and minoxidil sulphate did not significantly interact with the sulphonylurea receptor of HIT-cells both at phosphorylating (presence of MgATP) and dephosphorylating (absence of MgATP) conditions. 3. In the absence of MgATP, pinacidil (200-500 microM) did not significantly displace [3H]-glibenclamide binding to microsomes from HIT-cells. The displacement of [3H]-glibenclamide binding was strongly enhanced by MgATP and was due to a decrease in the number of high affinity binding sites for glibenclamide. 4. MgATP enhanced pinacidil-induced inhibition of [3H]-glibenclamide binding to microsomes from rat cerebral cortex. 5. The effect of MgATP on pinacidil-induced inhibition of [3H]-glibenclamide binding was maintained after solubilization of the membranes from HIT-cells or rat cerebral cortex. 6. It is concluded that the sulphonylurea receptor is regulated not only by sulphonylureas but also by the K+ channel openers, diazoxide and pinacidil, and by protein phosphorylation. The binding sites for sulphonylureas and these K+ channel openers are not identical, but appear to be located at a single protein or at tightly associated proteins.

Location of the sulphonylurea receptor at the cytoplasmic face of the beta-cell membrane.

1. In insulin-secreting cells the location of the sulphonylurea receptor was examined by use of a sulphonylurea derivative representing the glibenclamide molecule devoid of its cyclohexy moiety (compound III) and a benzenesulphonic acid derivative representing the glibenclamide molecule devoid of its cyclohexylurea moiety (compound IV). At pH 7.4 compound IV is only present in charged form. 2. Lipid solubility declined in the order tolbutamide > compound III > compound IV. 3. The dissociation constant (KD) for binding of compound IV to the sulphonylurea receptor in HIT-cells (pancreatic beta-cell line) was similar to the KD value for tolbutamide and fourfold higher than the KD value for compound III. 4. In mouse pancreatic beta-cells, drug concentrations inhibiting adenosine 5'-triphosphate-sensitive K+ channels (KATP-channels) half-maximally (EC50) were determined by use of the patch-clamp technique. When the drugs were applied to the extracellular side of outside-out or the intracellular side of inside-out membrane patches, the ratio of extracellular to intracellular EC50 values was 281 for compound IV, 25.5 for compound III and 1.2 for tolbutamide. 5. In mouse pancreatic beta-cells, measurement of KATP-channel activity in cell-attached patches and recording of insulin release displayed much higher EC50 values for compound IV than inside-out patch experiments. A corresponding, but less pronounced difference in EC50 values was observed for compound III, whereas the EC50 values for tolbutamide did not differ significantly. 6. It is concluded that the sulphonylurea receptor is located at the cytoplasmic face of the beta-cell plasma membrane. Receptor activation is induced by the anionic forms of sulphonylureas and their analogues.

Diazoxide-sensitivity of the adenosine 5'-triphosphate-dependent K+ channel in mouse pancreatic beta-cells.

1. In mouse pancreatic beta-cells the regulation of the diazoxide-sensitivity of the adenosine 5'-triphosphate-dependent K+ channel (K-ATP-channel) was examined by use of the patch-clamp technique. 2. In intact beta-cells incubated at 37 degrees C in the presence of 3 mM D-glucose, diazoxide did not affect the single channel conductance but stimulated channel-opening activity. Diazoxide produced half-maximal effects at 82 microM and 13 fold activation at maximally effective concentrations (300-400 microM). The response to diazoxide (300 microM) was not completely suppressed by saturating tolbutamide concentrations (1 or 5 mM). 3. Inside-out patch-clamp experiments were carried out using an experimental protocol favouring phosphorylation of membrane proteins. Under these conditions diazoxide was ineffective in the absence of any nucleotides, weakly effective in the presence of MgATP (26 or 87 microM) and strongly effective in the presence of the Mg complexes of adenosine 5'-diphosphate, 2'-deoxyadenosine 5'-diphosphate or guanosine 5'-diphosphate (MgADP, MgdADP or MgGDP). 4. In inside-out patches exposed to nucleotide-free solutions, saturating concentrations of tolbutamide did not cause complete block of K-ATP-channels. When the channels were activated by MgdADP (48 microM), tolbutamide was even less effective. Sensitization of MgdADP-induced channel activation by diazoxide further weakened the effects of tolbutamide. 5. Diazoxide (50 or 300 microM) prevented the complete channel block induced by saturating tolbutamide concentrations in the presence of Mg2+ and ADP (1 mM). 6. In the presence of Mg2", the K-ATP-channel-blocking potency of cytosolic ATP decreased in the order inside-out> outside-out> whole-cell configuration of the patch-clamp technique.7. It is concluded that the K-ATP-channel is controlled via four separate binding sites for inhibitory nucleotides (e.g. free ATP and ADP), stimulatory nucleotides (MgADP, MgdADP, MgGDP), sulphonylureas and diazoxide. Strong inhibition of the channel openings by sulphonylureas results from occupation of both sites for nucleotides. Diazoxide is only effective when the site for stimulatory nucleotides is occupied.

Adenine nucleotide-induced inhibition of binding of sulphonylureas to their receptor in pancreatic islets.

1. The effects of the Mg complex of adenosine 5'-triphosphate (MgATP) on binding of sulphonylureas to microsomes obtained from mouse pancreatic islets were examined. 2. MgATP inhibited the binding of both glibenclamide and tolbutamide to microsomes. 3. Binding of [3H]-glibenclamide inhibited by MgATP was not further diminished by Mg(2+)-bound adenosine 5'-(beta, gamma-imidotriphosphate) (AMP-PNP) or free adenosine 5'-diphosphate (ADP). Higher concentrations of MgAMP-PNP induced a partial reversal of the inhibitory effect of MgATP on [3H]-glibenclamide binding. 4. The apparent dissociation constant (K'D) for binding of [3H]- glibenclamide remained constant when 5. Extracellular ADP did not markedly stimulate insulin release from mouse pancreatic islets. 6. It is concluded that sulphonylureas and cytosolic nucleotides exert their inhibitory effects on the K-ATP-channels of beta-cells by binding to different sites. The binding properties of the sulphonylurea receptor seem to be modulated by protein phosphorylation.

Control of insulin secretion by sulfonylureas, meglitinide and diazoxide in relation to their binding to the sulfonylurea receptor in pancreatic islets.

Sulfonylureas inhibit an ATP-dependent K+ channel in the B-cell plasma membrane and thereby initiate insulin release. Diazoxide opens this channel and inhibits insulin release. In mouse pancreatic islets, we have explored whether other targets for these drugs must be postulated to explain their hypo- or hyperglycaemic properties. At non-saturating drug concentrations the rates of increase in insulin secretion declined in the order tolbutamide = meglitinide greater than glipizide greater than glibenclamide. The same rank order was observed when comparing the rates of disappearance of insulin-releasing and K+ channel-blocking effects. The different kinetics of response depend on the lipid solubility of the drugs, which controls their penetration into the intracellular space. Allowing for the different kinetics, the same maximum secretory rates were caused by saturating concentrations of tolbutamide, meglitinide, glipizide and glibenclamide. A close correlation between insulin-releasing and K+ channel-blocking potencies of these drugs was observed. The relative potencies of tolbutamide, meglitinide, glipizide and glibenclamide corresponded well to their relative affinities for binding to islet-cell membranes, suggesting that the binding site represents the sulfonylurea receptor. The biphasic time-course of dissociation of glibenclamide binding indicates a complex receptor-drug interaction. For diazoxide there was no correlation between affinity of binding to the sulfonylurea receptor and potency of inhibition of insulin secretion. Thus, opening or closing of the ATP-dependent K+ channel by diazoxide or sulfonylureas, respectively, appears to be due to interaction with different binding sites in the B-cell plasma membrane. The free concentrations of tolbutamide, glipizide, glibenclamide and diazoxide which are effective on B-cells are in the range of therapeutic plasma concentrations of the free drugs. It is concluded that the hypo- and hyperglycaemic effects of these drugs result from changing the permeability of the ATP-dependent K+ channel in the B-cell plasma membrane.

Comparison of alpha-ketoisocaproic acid and glucose in rats: effects on insulin and somatostatin release and on islet cAMP content.

The insulinotropic effects of alpha-ketoisocaproic acid and glucose reveal many common characteristics in vivo and in vitro. They qualify as initiators of insulin release, their action is amplified by potentiators of insulin release, and they have a similar potency at equimolar concentrations. The dynamics of insulin release evoked by alpha-ketoisocaproic acid and glucose are similar. Epinephrine completely inhibits the insulinotropic effect of glucose and alpha-ketoisocaproic acid. Mannoheptulose exhibits a complete, immediate and reversible blockade of glucose-induced insulin release. In contrast, inhibition of alpha-ketoisocaproic acid-induced insulin release occurs after a lag period and is not reversed by removal of the inhibitor. alpha-ketoisocaproic acid, at equimolar concentrations, is several-fold more effective than glucose in elevating cAMP content in islet. alpha ketoisocaproic acid and glucose are about equally effective in stimulating somatostatin release from isolated rat pancreatic islets. This stimulation is inhibited by epinephrine. Mannoheptulose inhibits only somatostatin release induced by glucose but not by alpha-ketoisocaproic acid. It suggested that the insulinotropic characteristics of glucose and alpha-ketoisocaproic acid reveal many common features, while their mode of action appears to be different.

Effects of alpha-ketomonocarboxylic acids upon insulin secretion and metabolism of isolated pancreatic islets.

In perifused isolated pancreatic islets alpha-ketoisocaproic acid (KIC) or alpha-ketocaproic acid (KC) induced a high insulin secretion rate and a steep increase of the fluorescence of reduced pyridine pyridine nucleotides [NAD(P)H] which fell again to almost prestimulatory levels 6 min after medium change. Insulin release in response to alpha-ketooctanoic (KO) acid started slowly and was accompanied by a decrease of the NAD(P)H-fluorescence trace. Beta-phenylpyruvate which is known to initiate insulin release also caused a fluorescence decrease. Alpha-keto-isovaleric (KIV) acid or pyruvate had no significant effects upon insulin secretion or NAD(P)H-fluorescence. In contrast to l-leucine, l-norleucine or l-valine did not enhance insulin release or fluorescence of NAD(P)H. KIV, alpha-keto-beta-methylvaleric acid (KMV), KIC and KC raised the production their corresponding amino acids by islet cells. From these results it is concluded that alpha-ketomonocarboxylic acids as such trigger insulin release by acting upon receptor sites which differ from those occupied by amino acids.

Tolbutamide- and diazoxide-sensitive K+ channel in neurons of substantia nigra pars reticulata.

Single-channel K+ currents were recorded in cell-attached patches from slices of rat substantia nigra. On the somata of neurons in the caudal half of the substantia nigra pars reticulata a K+ selective channel with a unitary conductance of 71 pS (154 mmol/l K+ in pipette filling solution) was identified. The channel was activated both by application of diazoxide (300 mumol/l) and by energy-depleting conditions (200 mumol/l cyanide) and was reversibly blocked by tolbutamide (0.1-1 mmol/l). It is concluded that neurons in the substantia nigra pars reticulata of the rat contain a typical ATP-sensitive K+ channel the activity of which can be modulated by diazoxide and sulfonylureas.

Monoamine oxidase in pancreatic islets, exocrine pancreas, and liver from rats. Characterization with clorgyline, deprenyl, pargyline, tranylcypromine, and amezinium.

Monoamine oxidase (MAO) was characterized in tissue homogenates from pancreatic islets, exocrine pancreas, and liver from rats. Phenylethylamine was preferentially deaminated by pancreatic islet MAO while 5-hydroxytryptamine was preferentially deaminated by MAO from exocrine pancreas, and tyramine was a good substrate for both tissues. All three substrates were well deaminated by liver tissue. Clorgyline, a selective inhibitor of MAO-A, preferentially inhibited deamination of 5-hydroxytryptamine by all three tissue homogenates, while deprenyl, a selective inhibitor of MAO-B, preferentially inhibited deamination of phenylethylamine. In the case of pargyline, a less selective MAO-B inhibitor, the preference in favour of phenylethylamine was less pronounced. According to these results, MAO in pancreatic islets can be classified as predominantly type B enzyme species and MAO in exocrine pancreas as predominantly type A enzyme species while both types of the enzyme are present in the liver. Using the same three MAO substrates and compared with the effects of the selective enzyme inhibitors, clorgyline and deprenyl, tranylcypromine can be classified as a potent nonselective inhibitor of MAO in homogenates of all three tissues investigated with a slight preference in favour of the inhibition of the B-form of the enzyme, while in contrast amezinium can be classified as a weak nonselective inhibitor of MAO with a slight preference in favour of the inhibition of the A-form of the enzyme. All MAO inhibitors tested also inhibited insulin secretion by isolated incubated rat pancreatic islets, however only at IC50 which were two to three decimal powers higher than those necessary for the inhibition of the MAO activity, thus indicating that inhibition of MAO activity and inhibition of insulin secretion are apparently not closely related.

Phosphate and thiophosphate group donating adenine and guanine nucleotides inhibit glibenclamide binding to membranes from pancreatic islets.

In microsomes obtained from mouse pancreatic islets, the Mg complex of adenosine 5'-triphosphate (MgATP) increased the dissociation constant (KD) for binding of [3H]glibenclamide by sixfold. In the presence of Mg2+, not only ATP but also adenosine 5'-0-(3-thiotriphosphate) (ATP gamma S), adenosine 5'-diphosphate (ADP), guanosine 5'-triphosphate (GTP), guanosine 5'-diphosphate (GDP), guanosine 5'-0-(3-thiotriphosphate) (GTP gamma S) and guanosine 5'-0-(2-thiodiphosphate) (GDP beta S) inhibited binding of [3H]glibenclamide. These effects were not observed in the absence of Mg2+. Half maximally effective concentrations of the Mg complexes of ATP, ADP, ATP gamma S and GDP were 11.6, 19.0, 62.3 and 90.1 mumol/l, respectively. The non-hydrolyzable analogues adenosine 5'-(beta,gamma-imidotriphosphate) (AMP-PNP) and guanosine 5'-(beta,gamma-imidotriphosphate) (GMP-PNP) did not alter [3H]glibenclamide binding in the presence of Mg2+, MgADP acted much more slowly than MgATP and both MgADP and MgGDP did not inhibit [3H]glibenclamide binding when the concentrations of MgATP and MgGTP were kept low by the hexokinase reaction. Development of MgATP-induced inhibition of [3H]glibenclamide binding and dissociation of [3H]glibenclamide binding occurred at similar rates. However, the reversal of MgATP-induced inhibition of [3H]glibenclamide binding was slower than the association of [3H]glibenclamide with its binding site. Exogenous alkaline phosphatase accelerated the reversal of MgATP-induced inhibition of [3H]glibenclamide binding. MgATP enhanced displacement of [3H]glibenclamide binding by diazoxide. The data suggest that sulfonylureas and diazoxide exert their effects by interaction with the same binding site at the sulfonylurea receptor and that protein phosphorylation modulates the affinity of the receptor.