Interplay of Ca2+ and cAMP signaling in the insulin-secreting MIN6 beta-cell line

J Biol Chem. 2005 Sep 2;280(35):31294-302. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M505657200. Epub 2005 Jun 29.

Abstract

Ca2+ and cAMP are important second messengers that regulate multiple cellular processes. Although previous studies have suggested direct interactions between Ca2+ and cAMP signaling pathways, the underlying mechanisms remain unresolved. In particular, direct evidence for Ca2+-regulated cAMP production in living cells is incomplete. Genetically encoded fluorescence resonance energy transfer-based biosensors have made possible real-time imaging of spatial and temporal gradients of intracellular cAMP concentration in single living cells. Here, we used confocal microscopy, fluorescence resonance energy transfer, and insulin-secreting MIN6 cells expressing Epac1-camps, a biosynthetic unimolecular cAMP indicator, to better understand the role of intracellular Ca2+ in cAMP production. We report that depolarization with high external K+, tolbutamide, or glucose caused a rapid increase in cAMP that was dependent on extracellular Ca2+ and inhibited by nitrendipine, a Ca2+ channel blocker, or 2',5'-dideoxyadenosine, a P-site antagonist of transmembrane adenylate cyclases. Stimulation of MIN6 cells with glucose in the presence of tetraethylammonium chloride generated concomitant Ca2+ and cAMP oscillations that were abolished in the absence of extracellular Ca2+ and blocked by 2',5'-dideoxyadenosine or 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine, an inhibitor of phosphodiesterase. Simultaneous measurements of Ca2+ and cAMP concentrations with Fura-2 and Epac1-camps, respectively, revealed a close temporal and causal interrelationship between the increases in cytoplasmic Ca2+ and cAMP levels following membrane depolarization. These findings indicate highly coordinated interplay between Ca2+ and cAMP signaling in electrically excitable endocrine cells and suggest that Ca2+-dependent cAMP oscillations are derived from an increase in adenylate cyclase activity and periodic activation and inactivation of cAMP-hydrolyzing phosphodiesterase.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Calcium / metabolism*
  • Cell Line
  • Cyclic AMP / analogs & derivatives
  • Cyclic AMP / metabolism*
  • Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer
  • Fluorescent Dyes / metabolism
  • Glucose / metabolism
  • Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factors / genetics
  • Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factors / metabolism
  • Hypoglycemic Agents / metabolism
  • Insulin / metabolism*
  • Islets of Langerhans* / cytology
  • Islets of Langerhans* / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Potassium Chloride / metabolism
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / genetics
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / metabolism
  • Second Messenger Systems / physiology
  • Tetraethylammonium / metabolism
  • Tolbutamide / metabolism

Substances

  • Fluorescent Dyes
  • Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factors
  • Hypoglycemic Agents
  • Insulin
  • RAPGEF3 protein, human
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins
  • Tetraethylammonium
  • Potassium Chloride
  • Tolbutamide
  • Cyclic AMP
  • Glucose
  • Calcium