Urocortin III Is Expressed in Pancreatic β-Cells and Stimulates Insulin and Glucagon Secretion
2003; Oxford University Press; Volume: 144; Issue: 7 Linguagem: Inglês
10.1210/en.2002-0087
ISSN1945-7170
AutoresChien Li, Peilin Chen, Joan Vaughan, Amy L. Blount, Alon Chen, Pauline Jamieson, Jean Rivier, M. Susan Smith, Wylie Vale,
Tópico(s)Adipose Tissue and Metabolism
ResumoUrocortin (Ucn) III, or stresscopin, is a high affinity ligand for the type 2 corticotropin-releasing factor (CRFR2) receptor recently identified in rodents and human. Ucn III was initially identified as a neuropeptide expressed in discrete areas in the brain. In the present study, we demonstrate that Ucn III is expressed in pancreatic beta-cells and in a mouse beta-cell line, MIN6. Ucn III secretion from the cells was measured using a highly specific RIA, and we found that high potassium, forskolin, or high glucose can stimulate Ucn III secretion from these cells. In vivo studies showed that rats receiving an iv Ucn III injection had a significant elevation of plasma glucagon followed by plasma glucose levels compared with rats receiving vehicle. Ucn III injections also result in an increase in plasma insulin levels. The observed effects of Ucn III were blocked by pretreatment with a CRFR2 antagonist, astressin(2)-B. Furthermore, Ucn III stimulated glucagon and insulin release from isolated rat islets, and astressin(2)-B abolished the effects of Ucn III, in keeping with a CRFR2-mediated mechanism. Taken together, the present studies suggest pancreatic Ucn III acting through CRFR2 is involved in the local regulation of glucagon and insulin secretion.
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