Adrenaline Stimulates Glucagon Secretion in Pancreatic A-Cells by Increasing the Ca2+ Current and the Number of Granules Close to the L-Type Ca2+ Channels

J Gromada, K Bokvist, WG Ding, S Barg… - The Journal of general …, 1997 - rupress.org
J Gromada, K Bokvist, WG Ding, S Barg, K Buschard, E Renström, P Rorsman
The Journal of general physiology, 1997rupress.org
We have monitored electrical activity, voltage-gated Ca2+ currents, and exocytosis in single
rat glucagon-secreting pancreatic A-cells. The A-cells were electrically excitable and
generated spontaneous Na+-and Ca2+-dependent action potentials. Under basal
conditions, exocytosis was tightly linked to Ca2+ influx through ω-conotoxin-GVIA–sensitive
(N-type) Ca2+ channels. Stimulation of the A-cells with adrenaline (via β-adrenergic
receptors) or forskolin produced a greater than fourfold PKA-dependent potentiation of …
We have monitored electrical activity, voltage-gated Ca2+ currents, and exocytosis in single rat glucagon-secreting pancreatic A-cells. The A-cells were electrically excitable and generated spontaneous Na+- and Ca2+-dependent action potentials. Under basal conditions, exocytosis was tightly linked to Ca2+ influx through ω-conotoxin-GVIA–sensitive (N-type) Ca2+ channels. Stimulation of the A-cells with adrenaline (via β-adrenergic receptors) or forskolin produced a greater than fourfold PKA-dependent potentiation of depolarization-evoked exocytosis. This enhancement of exocytosis was due to a 50% enhancement of Ca2+ influx through L-type Ca2+ channels, an effect that accounted for <30% of the total stimulatory action. The remaining 70% of the stimulation was attributable to an acceleration of granule mobilization resulting in a fivefold increase in the number of readily releasable granules near the L-type Ca2+ channels.
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