| First Author | Düfer M | Year | 2011 |
| Journal | Diabetologia | Volume | 54 |
| Issue | 2 | Pages | 423-32 |
| PubMed ID | 20981405 | Mgi Jnum | J:166518 |
| Mgi Id | MGI:4847972 | Doi | 10.1007/s00125-010-1936-0 |
| Citation | Dufer M, et al. (2011) BK channels affect glucose homeostasis and cell viability of murine pancreatic beta cells. Diabetologia 54(2):423-32 |
| abstractText | AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: Evidence is accumulating that Ca(2+)-regulated K(+) (K(Ca)) channels are important for beta cell function. We used BK channel knockout (BK-KO) mice to examine the role of these K(Ca) channels for glucose homeostasis, beta cell function and viability. METHODS: Glucose and insulin tolerance were tested with male wild-type and BK-KO mice. BK channels were detected by single-cell RT-PCR, cytosolic Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+)](c)) by fura-2 fluorescence, and insulin secretion by radioimmunoassay. Electrophysiology was performed with the patch-clamp technique. Apoptosis was detected via caspase 3 or TUNEL assay. RESULTS: BK channels were expressed in murine pancreatic beta cells. BK-KO mice were normoglycaemic but displayed markedly impaired glucose tolerance. Genetic or pharmacological deletion of the BK channel reduced glucose-induced insulin secretion from isolated islets. BK-KO and BK channel inhibition (with iberiotoxin, 100 nmol/l) broadened action potentials and abolished the after-hyperpolarisation in glucose-stimulated beta cells. However, BK-KO did not affect action potential frequency, the plateau potential at which action potentials start or glucose-induced elevation of [Ca(2+)](c). BK-KO had no direct influence on exocytosis. Importantly, in BK-KO islet cells the fraction of apoptotic cells and the rate of cell death induced by oxidative stress (H(2)O(2), 10-100 mumol/l) were significantly increased compared with wild-type controls. Similar effects were obtained with iberiotoxin. Determination of H(2)O(2)-induced K(+) currents revealed that BK channels contribute to the hyperpolarising K(+) current activated under conditions of oxidative stress. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: Ablation or inhibition of BK channels impairs glucose homeostasis and insulin secretion by interfering with beta cell stimulus-secretion coupling. In addition, BK channels are part of a defence mechanism against apoptosis and oxidative stress. |
