A novel optical tracer for VMAT2 applied to live cell measurements of vesicle maturation in cultured human β-cells.

ABSTRACT: The islet β-cells integrate external signals to modulate insulin secretion to better regulate blood glucose levels during periods of changing metabolic demand. The vesicular monoamine transporter type 2 (VMAT2), an important regulator of CNS neurotransmission, has an analogous role in the endocrine pancreas as a key control point of insulin secretion, with additional roles in regulating β-cell differentiation and proliferation. Here we report on the synthesis and biological characterisation of a fluorescent ligand for VMAT2 suitable for live cell imaging. Staining for VMAT2 and dopamine in live β-cell cultures show colocalisation in specific vesicles and reveal a heterogeneous population with respect to cell size, shape, vesicle number, size, and contents. Staining for VMAT2 and zinc ion,

SUBMITTER: Pecic S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6443945 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature