Regulation of glucagon and glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor messenger ribonucleic acid expression in cultured rat pancreatic islets by glucose, cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate, and glucocorticoids. 1995

N Abrahamsen, and E Nishimura
Department of Molecular Endocrinology, Hagedorn Research Institute, Gentofte, Denmark.

Glucagon and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) are important regulators of glucose homeostasis, and both are involved in regulating pancreatic islet hormone secretion. Since the sensitivity of the endocrine pancreas to regulatory hormones can be influenced by their receptor number, we have examined the regulation of glucagon receptor and GLP-1 receptor messenger RNA (mRNA) expression in cultured rat pancreatic islets by various factors, including glucose, cAMP, and glucocorticoids. By ribonuclease protection assay we have demonstrated the expression of both glucagon and GLP-1 receptor mRNA in cultured rat islets. We observed a dose-dependent increase in glucagon receptor mRNA expression with increasing glucose concentrations: an approximately 3-fold increase in glucagon receptor mRNA in islets cultured in 22 mM glucose as compared to 3.5 mM glucose. GLP-1 receptor mRNA levels, on the other hand, were not affected by culturing the islets in low glucose concentrations; however, a small, but significant, decrease in GLP-1 receptor mRNA levels was detected when islets were cultured in 20 mM glucose. Forskolin and 3-isobuty-1-methylxanthine, which increase intracellular cAMP levels, caused a 75% reduction in glucagon receptor mRNA expression. Somatostatin 14 and 28, both of which can inhibit intracellular cAMP production, stimulated glucagon receptor mRNA expression by 40% and 75%, respectively. GLP-1 receptor mRNA levels remained unchanged under all conditions that altered intracellular cAMP levels. Finally, in islets cultured in the presence of 10 nM dexamethasone an approximately 50% decrease in both glucagon and GLP-1 receptor mRNA expression was observed. These results indicate that the expression of glucagon and GLP-1 receptor mRNA is differentially regulated in rat pancreatic islets and suggest that regulation of receptor mRNA expression may be an important mechanism for controlling the sensitivity of the islets to glucagon and GLP-1.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007515 Islets of Langerhans Irregular microscopic structures consisting of cords of endocrine cells that are scattered throughout the PANCREAS among the exocrine acini. Each islet is surrounded by connective tissue fibers and penetrated by a network of capillaries. There are four major cell types. The most abundant beta cells (50-80%) secrete INSULIN. Alpha cells (5-20%) secrete GLUCAGON. PP cells (10-35%) secrete PANCREATIC POLYPEPTIDE. Delta cells (~5%) secrete SOMATOSTATIN. Islands of Langerhans,Islet Cells,Nesidioblasts,Pancreas, Endocrine,Pancreatic Islets,Cell, Islet,Cells, Islet,Endocrine Pancreas,Islet Cell,Islet, Pancreatic,Islets, Pancreatic,Langerhans Islands,Langerhans Islets,Nesidioblast,Pancreatic Islet
D010446 Peptide Fragments Partial proteins formed by partial hydrolysis of complete proteins or generated through PROTEIN ENGINEERING techniques. Peptide Fragment,Fragment, Peptide,Fragments, Peptide
D011498 Protein Precursors Precursors, Protein
D002478 Cells, Cultured Cells propagated in vitro in special media conducive to their growth. Cultured cells are used to study developmental, morphologic, metabolic, physiologic, and genetic processes, among others. Cultured Cells,Cell, Cultured,Cultured Cell
D003907 Dexamethasone An anti-inflammatory 9-fluoro-glucocorticoid. Hexadecadrol,Decaject,Decaject-L.A.,Decameth,Decaspray,Dexasone,Dexpak,Hexadrol,Maxidex,Methylfluorprednisolone,Millicorten,Oradexon,Decaject L.A.
D004305 Dose-Response Relationship, Drug The relationship between the dose of an administered drug and the response of the organism to the drug. Dose Response Relationship, Drug,Dose-Response Relationships, Drug,Drug Dose-Response Relationship,Drug Dose-Response Relationships,Relationship, Drug Dose-Response,Relationships, Drug Dose-Response
D005576 Colforsin Potent activator of the adenylate cyclase system and the biosynthesis of cyclic AMP. From the plant COLEUS FORSKOHLII. Has antihypertensive, positive inotropic, platelet aggregation inhibitory, and smooth muscle relaxant activities; also lowers intraocular pressure and promotes release of hormones from the pituitary gland. Coleonol,Forskolin,N,N-Dimethyl-beta-alanine-5-(acetyloxy)-3-ethenyldodecahydro-10,10b-dihydroxy-3,4a,7,7,10a-pentamethyl-1-oxo-1H-naphtho(2,1-b)pyran-6-yl Ester HCl,NKH 477,NKH-477,NKH477
D005786 Gene Expression Regulation Any of the processes by which nuclear, cytoplasmic, or intercellular factors influence the differential control (induction or repression) of gene action at the level of transcription or translation. Gene Action Regulation,Regulation of Gene Expression,Expression Regulation, Gene,Regulation, Gene Action,Regulation, Gene Expression
D005934 Glucagon A 29-amino acid pancreatic peptide derived from proglucagon which is also the precursor of intestinal GLUCAGON-LIKE PEPTIDES. Glucagon is secreted by PANCREATIC ALPHA CELLS and plays an important role in regulation of BLOOD GLUCOSE concentration, ketone metabolism, and several other biochemical and physiological processes. (From Gilman et al., Goodman and Gilman's The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics, 9th ed, p1511) Glucagon (1-29),Glukagon,HG-Factor,Hyperglycemic-Glycogenolytic Factor,Proglucagon (33-61),HG Factor,Hyperglycemic Glycogenolytic Factor
D005947 Glucose A primary source of energy for living organisms. It is naturally occurring and is found in fruits and other parts of plants in its free state. It is used therapeutically in fluid and nutrient replacement. Dextrose,Anhydrous Dextrose,D-Glucose,Glucose Monohydrate,Glucose, (DL)-Isomer,Glucose, (alpha-D)-Isomer,Glucose, (beta-D)-Isomer,D Glucose,Dextrose, Anhydrous,Monohydrate, Glucose

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