Down-regulated expression of exocytotic proteins in pancreatic islets of diabetic GK rats

Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2002 Mar 8;291(4):1038-44. doi: 10.1006/bbrc.2002.6555.

Abstract

Exocytosis is regulated by exocytotic proteins, which are present in insulin-secreting beta-cells and play regulatory roles in insulin secretion. Non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (type 2 diabetes) is a disease characterized by impaired insulin secretion and insulin resistance. Exocytotic protein immunoreactivities were studied in pancreatic islets of type 2 diabetic Goto-Kakizaki (GK) rats using immunofluorescence histochemistry. The immunoreactivities for vesicle-associated membrane protein-2 (VAMP-2), synaptotagmin III, cysteine string protein (CSP), mammalian homologue of the unc-18 gene (Munc-18), alpha-soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive attachment protein (alpha-SNAP), N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor (NSF) and synaptosomal-associated protein of 25 kDa (SNAP-25) exhibited weaker immunofluorescence intensity in islets of GK rats as compared to control Wistar rats. Insulin immunoreactivity was also decreased in GK rat beta-cells, whereas no detectable alterations in the expression of actin immunoreactivity could be detected. The data suggest that reduced expression of exocytotic proteins and decreased insulin content may contribute to the diabetic syndrome in the GK rat.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Actins / analysis
  • Actins / immunology
  • Animals
  • Biomarkers / analysis
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / metabolism*
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / pathology
  • Down-Regulation*
  • Exocytosis
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Insulin / analysis
  • Insulin / immunology
  • Islets of Langerhans / metabolism*
  • Male
  • Membrane Proteins / analysis
  • Membrane Proteins / immunology
  • Microscopy, Confocal
  • Microscopy, Fluorescence
  • Proteins / analysis
  • Proteins / immunology
  • Rats
  • Rats, Mutant Strains
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Secretory Vesicles / chemistry

Substances

  • Actins
  • Biomarkers
  • Insulin
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Proteins