Pattern of rise in subplasma membrane Ca2+ concentration determines type of fusing insulin granules in pancreatic beta cells

Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2009 Jul 31;385(3):291-5. doi: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2009.04.155. Epub 2009 May 6.

Abstract

We simultaneously analyzed insulin granule fusion with insulin fused to green fluorescent protein and the subplasma membrane Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+](PM)) with the Ca2+ indicator Fura Red in rat beta cells by dual-color total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy. We found that rapid and marked elevation in [Ca2+](PM) caused insulin granule fusion mostly from previously docked granules during the high KCl-evoked release and high glucose-evoked first phase release. In contrast, the slow and sustained elevation in [Ca2+](PM) induced fusion from newcomers translocated from the internal pool during the low KCl-evoked release and glucose-evoked second phase release. These data suggest that the pattern of the [Ca2+](PM) rise directly determines the types of fusing granules.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Calcium / metabolism*
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Insulin / metabolism*
  • Insulin-Secreting Cells / metabolism
  • Insulin-Secreting Cells / physiology*
  • Insulin-Secreting Cells / ultrastructure
  • Intracellular Membranes / metabolism
  • Intracellular Membranes / physiology*
  • Intracellular Membranes / ultrastructure
  • Male
  • Membrane Fusion*
  • Microscopy, Fluorescence
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Secretory Vesicles / metabolism
  • Secretory Vesicles / physiology*
  • Secretory Vesicles / ultrastructure

Substances

  • Insulin
  • Calcium