Blocking Ca²⁺ Channel β₃ Subunit Reverses Diabetes.

ABSTRACT: Voltage-gated Ca²⁺ channels (Ca_v) are essential for pancreatic beta cell function as they mediate Ca²⁺ influx, which leads to insulin exocytosis. The β3 subunit of Ca_v (Ca_vβ₃) has been suggested to regulate cytosolic Ca²⁺ ([Ca²⁺]_i) oscillation frequency and insulin secretion under physiological conditions, but its role in diabetes is unclear. Here, we report that islets from diabetic mice show Ca_vβ₃ overexpression, altered [Ca²⁺]_i dynamics, and impaired insulin secretion upon glucose stimulation. Consequently, in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced diabetes, Ca_vβ₃-deficient (Ca_vβ₃^-/-) mice showed improv

SUBMITTER: Lee K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6083041 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature