Neuromedin U uses Gαi2 and Gαo to suppress glucose-stimulated Ca2+ signaling and insulin secretion in pancreatic β cells

PLoS One. 2021 Apr 15;16(4):e0250232. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0250232. eCollection 2021.

Abstract

Neuromedin U (NMU), a highly conserved peptide in mammals, is involved in a wide variety of physiological processes, including impairment of pancreatic β-cell function via induction of mitochondrial dysfunction and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, ultimately suppressing insulin secretion. NMU has two receptors, NMU receptor 1 (NMUR1) and NMUR2, both of which are G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). Only NMUR1 is expressed in mouse islets and β cell-derived MIN6-K8 cells. The molecular mechanisms underlying the insulinostatic action mediated by NMUR1 in β cells have yet to be elucidated. In this study, we explored the molecular mechanism driving impairment of insulin secretion in β cells by the NMU-NMUR1 axis. Pretreatment with the Gαi/o inhibitor Bordetella pertussis toxin (PTX), but not the Gαq inhibitor YM254890, abolished NMU-induced suppression of glucose-stimulated insulin secretion and calcium response in β cells. Knockdown of Gαi2 and Gαo in β cells counteracted NMU-induced suppression of insulin secretion and gene alterations related to mitochondrial fusion (Mfn1, Mfn2), fission (Fis1, Drp1), mitophagy (Pink1, Park2), mitochondrial dynamics (Pgc-1α, Nrf1, and Tfam), ER stress (Chop, Atp2a3, Ryr2, and Itpr2), intracellular ATP level, and mitochondrial membrane potential. NMU decreased forskolin-stimulated intracellular cAMP in both mouse and human islets. We concluded that NMUR1 coupled to PTX-sensitive Gαi2 and Gαo proteins in β cells reduced intracellular Ca2+ influx and cAMP level, thereby causing β-cell dysfunction and impairment. These results highlight a novel signaling mechanism of NMU and provide valuable insights into the further investigation of NMU functions in β-cell biology.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Calcium Signaling / drug effects*
  • Cell Line
  • GTP-Binding Proteins / metabolism*
  • Glucose / pharmacology*
  • Humans
  • Insulin Secretion / drug effects*
  • Insulin-Secreting Cells / drug effects*
  • Insulin-Secreting Cells / metabolism
  • Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial / drug effects
  • Mice
  • Neuropeptides / pharmacology*
  • Receptors, Neurotransmitter / metabolism*

Substances

  • Neuropeptides
  • Receptors, Neurotransmitter
  • neuromedin U receptor
  • neuromedin U
  • GTP-Binding Proteins
  • Glucose

Grants and funding

This study was supported in part by grants from the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) KAKENHI (16H05333 to M. N.) and the Agency for Medical Research and Development-Core Research for Evolutional Science and Technology (AMED-CREST) (JP19gm0610016 to M. N.). This study was also supported in part by grants from the Japan foundation for applied enzymology (Front Runner of Future Diabetes Research associated research grant, FFDR 2020 to W.Z.).