Genetic activation of glucokinase in a minority of pancreatic beta cells causes hypoglycemia in mice.

ABSTRACT:

Aims

Glucokinase (GK) is expressed in the glucose-sensing cells of the islets of Langerhans and plays a critical role in glucose homeostasis. Here, we tested the hypothesis that genetic activation of GK in a small subset of β-cells is sufficient to change the glucose set-point of the whole islet.

Material and methods

Mouse models of cell-type specific GK deficiency (GKKO) and genetic enzyme activation (GKKI) in a subset of β-cells were obtained by crossing the αGSU (gonadotropin alpha subunit)-Cre transgene with the appropriate GK mutant alleles. Metabolic analyses consisted of glucose tolerance tests, perifusion of isolated islets and intracellular calcium measurements.

Key findings

The αGSU-Cre transgene produced genetically mosaic islets, as Cre was active in 15 ± 

SUBMITTER: Chen KH 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10312065 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature