Biomedical subjects

G W Sharp

Publications and source records attributed to G W Sharp.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

PubMed1995

Unusual carbachol responses in RINm5F cells: evidence for a "distal" site of action in stimulus-secretion coupling.

The mechanisms by which carbachol stimulates insulin release were studied in RINm5F cells. Stimulation was associated with mobilization of Ca2+ from thapsigargin-sensitive intracellular stores and elevation of the cytosolic Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i). However, when the elevation of [Ca2+]i was blocked by prior treatment of the cells with thapsigargin or with the anticalmodulin agents W-7 or W-13, the effect of carbachol to stimulate insulin release was unchanged. Thus, the effect of carbachol to increase [Ca2+]i was dissociated from the stimulation of release. The role of protein kinase C (PKC) was next investigated. Carbachol-stimulated insulin release was unchanged by phorbol ester-induced down-regulation of PKC, at a time when the stimulation of release by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate was abolished. Similarly, when the effect of 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate to stimulate release was blocked by each of three separate PKC inhibitors (staurosporine, bisindolylmaleimide, or 1-O-hexadecyl-2-O-methylglycerol), carbachol stimulated insulin release normally. Thus, the carbachol activation of PKC was also dissociated from the stimulation of insulin release. Finally, the effect of carbachol was examined in PKC-down-regulated cells in the simultaneous presence of thapsigargin. Carbachol still stimulated insulin release normally. It is concluded that carbachol stimulates insulin release in RINm5F cells by a novel mechanism that does not involve the elevation of [Ca2+]i or the activation of PKC. The action of carbachol appears to be exerted at a "distal site," beyond the point of increased [Ca2+]i, in stimulus-secretion coupling.

Arachidonic Acid↗

PubMed1994

A critical period in the development of the insulin secretory response to glucose in fetal rat pancreas.

Insulin secretion by fetal rat pancreas was studied at 19.5 and 20.5 days of gestation. Over this 24-hour period, the response to glucose changed rapidly from one that is insensitive to the calcium channel antagonist nitrendipine but markedly enhanced by the presence of the inhibitor of fatty acid oxidation 2-bromostearate, to one that is larger, sensitive to nitrendipine but now not enhanced by 2-bromostearate. The 19.5-day pancreas that is not affected by nitrendipine when responding to glucose alone, is inhibited by nitrendipine when the response to glucose is enhanced by 2-bromostearate. The data suggest a possible metabolic change in the developing B-cell in which fatty acid oxidation is decreased, glucose oxidation increased, and a change in stimulus-secretion coupling from a (KATP) channel-independent mechanism alone, to a combination of that system with the (KATP) channel-dependent system. This could be achieved by a simple increase in the strength of the signal from glucose metabolism.

Animals↗

PubMed1994

Effects of galanin on short circuit current and electrolyte transport in rabbit ileum.

Galanin decreased short circuit current (Isc) and increased active Na+ and Cl- absorption in rabbit ileum. In the absence of calcium, the galanin-induced decrease in Isc was inhibited by approximately 60%. Tetrodotoxin significantly reduced the effect of galanin on Isc, and tetrodotoxin and EGTA totally blocked the effect, indicating that the nonneuronal mediator of the effect is Ca2+ dependent. Galanin binding to basolateral membranes prepared from ileal epithelial cells was specific and of high affinity. These results suggest the involvement of this peptide in the regulation of intestinal epithelial cell function.

Animals↗

PubMed1994

ADP ribosylation by cholera toxin identifies three G-proteins that are activated by the galanin receptor. Studies with RINm5F cell membranes.

Inhibition of insulin secretion by galanin is pertussis toxin (PTX) sensitive, suggesting the activation of one or more heterotrimeric (alpha, beta, gamma) G-proteins (Gi/Go). Multiple effectors, including the K+ATP and L-type Ca2+ channels, adenylyl cyclase, and an as yet unidentified system at a site close to exocytosis, are modulated by galanin. Therefore, it is necessary to delineate the particular G-proteins activated by the galanin receptor as a first step to understanding its net cellular response. During specific conditions, cholera toxin (CTX) can ADP-ribosylate the alpha i/alpha o-subunits of the PTX-sensitive substrates but only during receptor/G-protein interaction. Therefore, we used CTX-catalyzed ADP ribosylation to identify galanin receptor-associated G-protein alpha-subunits in RINm5F cells. Galanin enhanced the ADP ribosylation of membrane proteins separated by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) in two bands at 39,000 and 42,000 M(r). This labeling was blocked in membranes prepared from PTX-treated cells, enhanced by Mg2+, and showed a biphasic dependence on exogenous guanine nucleotides. Identification of the CTX ADP-ribosylated G-proteins by immunoprecipitation with selective antisera indicate activation by the galanin receptor of alpha i1 and alpha i3, which have the same mobility on SDS-PAGE (42,000 M(r)), and alpha i2 (39,000 M(r)). These studies provide evidence for the activation of multiple G-proteins by receptors for galanin in RINm5F cells.

Adenosine Diphosphate Ribose↗

PubMed1993

Mastoparan stimulates exocytosis at a Ca(2+)-independent late site in stimulus-secretion coupling. Studies with the RINm5F beta-cell line.

Mastoparan, a tetradecapeptide from wasp venom, stimulated exocytosis in a concentration-dependent manner, which was enhanced by pertussis toxin pre-treatment, in the insulin secreting beta-cell line RINm5F. Mastoparan (3-20 microM) also elevated cytosolic free calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i), a rise that was not attenuated by nitrendipine. Divalent cation-free Krebs-Ringer bicarbonate (KRB) medium with 0.1 mM EGTA nullified the mastoparan-induced increase in [Ca2+]i, suggesting that the peptide increased Ca2+ influx but not through the L-type voltage-dependent Ca2+ channel. Depletion of the intracellular Ca2+ pool did not affect the mastoparan-induced elevation of [Ca2+]i. Remarkably, in divalent cation-free KRB medium with 0.1 mM EGTA and 2 microM thapsigargin in which mastoparan reduced [Ca2+]i, the mastoparan-stimulated insulin release was similar to that in normal Ca(2+)-containing KRB medium. Inhibitors of protein kinase C, such as bisindolylmaleimide, staurosporine, and 1-O-hexadecyl-2-O-methyl-rac-glycerol did not suppress the mastoparan-stimulated insulin release. Mastoparan at 10-20 microM did not increase cellular cAMP levels, nor did mastoparan at 5-10 microM affect [3H]arachidonic acid release. In conclusion, although mastoparan increased [Ca2+]i, this increase was not involved in the stimulation of insulin release. Rather, the data suggest that mastoparan directly stimulates exocytosis in a Ca(2+)-independent manner. As GTP-binding proteins (G proteins) are thought to be involved in the process of exocytosis and as mastoparan is known to exert at least some of its effects by activation of G proteins, an action of mastoparan to activate the putative stimulatory Ge (exocytosis) protein is likely.

Animals↗

PubMed1993

Inhibition of insulin secretion: a fail-safe system.

Insulin secretion from the beta-cells of the endocrine pancreas is subject to a pot-pourri of stimulatory, modulatory and inhibitory influences. beta-Cell secretion is reduced or blocked by a variety of inhibitors (including galanin, somatostatin and noradrenaline) which reach the cells either via the islet vascular system or are released locally from sympathetic and peptidergic nerves terminating in the pancreas. It is now becoming clear that among these many inhibitors, several have multiple mechanisms by which they inhibit release at the cellular level. Indeed, with multiple inhibitors (some of which are co-secreted) and multiple mechanisms of inhibition, the latter including a late effect in stimulus secretion coupling (perhaps on the exocytotic step per se), inhibition of insulin secretion has the characteristics of a fail-safe system.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

PubMed1993

Galanin-stimulated high-affinity GTPase activity in plasma membranes from RINm5F cells.

GTPase activity was studied in plasma membranes purified from the clonal beta-cell line RINm5F. GTPase activities were identified as two broad classes with high or low affinity for GTP. The low-affinity GTPase activity had a Km > 60 microM. In contrast, the high-affinity activity had a Km of 225 nM. Only the high-affinity activity was stimulated by galanin. The stimulated activity had a higher Km (448 nM) and Vmax (75 pmol P(i).min-1.mg-1 protein) compared with the basal. This does not necessarily reflect a complex mechanism of stimulation. Rather, it may reflect that basal activity most likely results from multiple GTPases, whereas the stimulated activity probably reflects one or two specific GTPases. Galanin stimulated the high-affinity GTPase, over the concentration range in which it inhibits stimulated insulin secretion, to a maximal rate 80% greater than the basal rate. The EC50 was 5 nM. Murine and porcine galanin had similar potencies and intrinsic activities on the GTPase. Treatment of the RINm5F cells with PTX before making membranes completely eliminated the stimulatory effect of galanin. Thus, galanin stimulates PTX-sensitive GTPase activity in RINm5F cell membranes in a manner consistent with receptor activation.

Animals↗

PubMed1992

Glucose-induced insulin release in islets of young rats: time-dependent potentiation and effects of 2-bromostearate.

The development of glucose-stimulated insulin release and time-dependent potentiation (TDP) has been studied in isolated islets from 7-, 14-, and 21-day-old and 3-mo-old rats. Responses were small at 7 days and changed little at 14 days. At 21 days the amount of insulin released in response to glucose was two times that at 14 days but was still less than one-half that released by 3-mo islets. Glucose-induced TDP was absent at 7 days but was present at 21 days. The second phase response to glucose decreased with perifusion time in 7-, 14-, and 21-day islets. In 7- and 21-day islets, high glucose in the presence of 2-bromostearate, an inhibitor of fatty acid oxidation, prevented the time-dependent decrease in responses; in addition, it induced TDP and enhanced TDP in the 7-day and 21-day islets, respectively. The data suggest that, in the young islet, glucose metabolism fails to inhibit fatty acid oxidation as it does in the mature islet and that this leads to a diminished signal for stimulus-secretion coupling.

Aging↗

PubMed1991

Galanin inhibits a dihydropyridine-sensitive Ca2+ current in the RINm5f cell line.

Mechanisms of action of the neuropeptide galanin, a putative neuromodulator in the central and peripheral nervous systems, have been evaluated extensively in insulin-secreting cells isolated from pancreas and cell lines derived from pancreatic tumors. Galanin inhibits insulin secretion from these cells through several mechanisms, including activation of ATP-dependent K+ channels and inhibition of adenylyl cyclase leading to a decrease in cAMP. Here we report that galanin also inhibits a dihydropyridine-sensitive Ca2+ current. Both electrophysiological actions by galanin would result in less Ca2+ entry, as the action to increase K+ current would hyperpolarize the cells and the decrease in voltage-gated Ca2+ current would decrease Ca2+ influx at depolarized potentials where these channels are activated. These galanin actions would directly counter the two opposing electrophysiological responses to carbohydrate stimulation in RINm5f cells, which are to inhibit K+ current and to stimulate Ca2+ current. Given that stimulation of presynaptic nerve terminals in pancreas releases galanin, these results suggest that Ca(2+)-dependent insulin release from native pancreatic beta cells may also be regulated by similar neuropeptide effects.

Animals↗

PubMed1991

Uncoupling of phospholipase C from receptor regulation of [Ca2+]i in T84 colonic cells by prolonged exposure to phorbol dibutyrate.

The T84 colonic cell line, a cultured Cl- secretory cell, elevates intracellular free Ca2+ [( Ca2+]i) in a concentration-dependent manner when exposed to carbachol or histamine. As determined with a fluorescence microscope imaging system, exposure of T84 cells to 100 microM carbachol or histamine resulted in an immediate [Ca2+]i rise of approximately 50-80 nM in all cells. Preincubation of monolayers for 1 h or longer with 0.4 microM phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate (PDB) reduced the number of cells which responded to histamine or carbachol and reduced the magnitude of the increase in the responding cells. This effect reached its maximum after 2 h and persisted for at least 24 h of PDB incubation. Binding of quinuclidinyl benzilate, a cholinergic receptor antagonist, indicated that down-regulation of external receptors was not an explanation for this effect. Examination of phospholipase C activity in T84 cell membranes showed increased basal activity in PDB-treated compared with control cells. Measurement of inositol phosphates generated by intact cells using myo-[3H]inositol incorporation or receptor binding assays showed that 2 h of incubation with PDB elevated basal levels of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate and prevented any further carbachol-induced generation of inositol trisphosphate. Probably as a consequence, both total cell calcium and Ca2+ ionophore-releasable calcium were decreased after 2 h of PDB incubation. Membrane-associated protein kinase C activity was elevated after a 2 h exposure to PDB but was below the level of detection after 24 h with PDB. Protein kinase C antagonists neither duplicated nor blocked the uncoupling of carbachol receptors induced by long term treatment with PDB. The results suggest that prolonged PDB incubation caused uncoupling and elevation of phospholipase C activity from cholinergic and histaminergic receptor regulation resulting in increased basal levels of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate. Protein kinase C apparently is not involved directly in the mechanism that leads to these effects.

Animals↗

PubMed1991

Electrolyte transport in piglets infected with transmissible gastroenteritis virus. Stimulation by verapamil and clonidine.

The effects of clonidine, an alpha 2-adrenergic agonist, and verapamil, a Ca2+ channel blocker, on Na+ and Cl- absorption were studied in stripped jejunal mucosa from control and transmissible-gastroenteritis-virus-infected piglets. All infected piglets developed severe diarrhea 18-24 hours after oral inoculation. Jejunum from infected animals, as compared with control jejunum, had decreased mucosal-to-serosal, serosal-to-mucosal, and net Na+ and Cl- fluxes. Clonidine and verapamil caused a decrease in short-circuit current and stimulation of Na+ and Cl- absorption in control jejunum. In infected piglets, although the jejunum exhibited severe villus atrophy, both drugs stimulated Na+ and Cl- absorption and the magnitude of Na+ and Cl- absorption was similar in control and transmissible-gastroenteritis-infected jejunum. In contrast, D-glucose stimulated Na+ absorption, and the decrease in short-circuit current caused by verapamil and clonidine, were decreased in transmissible-gastroenteritis-infected jejunum. Such pharmacological stimulation of Na+ and Cl- absorption might be useful in the management and treatment of certain viral diarrheal diseases.

Animals↗

PubMed1991

Characterization of the synergistic interaction of Escherichia coli heat-stable toxin and carbachol.

STa, the heat-stable enterotoxin of Escherichia coli, is a specific activator of membrane-bound guanylyl cyclase and stimulates secretion of Cl- in a human colonic carcinoma cell line (T84). We investigated the effect of the cholinergic agent carbachol on the secretory response to STa. T84 cell monolayers were studied under voltage-clamped conditions in modified Ussing chambers. Simultaneous addition of STa and carbachol resulted in a biphasic synergistic response characterized by a brief peak in short-circuit current (Isc) followed by a prolonged plateau phase lasting up to 90 min. A synergistic response was also seen with sequential addition of the agonists, and was altered by the order and timing of agonist addition. Pretreatment with STa enhanced the synergistic response to carbachol, while the reverse order of additions produced synergy only when STa was added during or immediately after the Isc response to carbachol. Synergy occurred only with a concentration of STa sufficient to produce an Isc response alone. However, a concentration of carbachol that caused neither an increase in Isc nor intracellular Ca2+ mobilization was sufficient to evoke a synergistic response. Addition of 8-bromoguanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate also produced a synergistic Isc response with carbachol, although maximal synergism was seen with simultaneous addition. Augmentation of the intracellular Ca2+ response to carbachol by STa is not the mechanism of synergy. Although the mechanism of synergy is not understood, these studies suggest that STa-induced cGMP interacts with other second messengers to produce the synergistic response, and that multiple intracellular mediators may influence the ability of STa to cause disease.

8-Bromo Cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate↗

PubMed1991

Carbachol- and elevated Ca(2+)-induced translocation of functionally active protein kinase C to the brush border of rabbit ileal Na+ absorbing cells.

Protein kinase C is involved in mediating the effects of elevated Ca2+ in ileal villus Na+ absorbing cells to inhibit NaCl absorption. The present studies were undertaken to understand the mechanism by which this occurs. The effects of carbachol and the calcium ionophore A23187, agents which elevate intracellular Ca2+ and inhibit NaCl absorption in ileal villus cells, were studied. Carbachol treatment of villus cells caused a rapid decrease in protein kinase C activity in cytosol, with an accompanying increase in microvillus membrane C kinase. Exposure of the villus cells to calcium ionophore also caused a quantitatively similar decrease in cytosol C kinase and increase in C kinase activity in the microvillus membrane. This increase caused by carbachol and Ca2+ ionophore was specific for the microvillus membrane. In fact, 30 s and 10 min after exposure of the cells to carbachol, basolateral membrane protein kinase C decreased, in a time-dependent manner; whereas 10 min of Ca2+ ionophore exposure did not alter basolateral C kinase. Exposure of villus cells to Ca2+ ionophore or carbachol caused similar increases in microvillus membrane diacylglycerol content. As judged by the ability to inhibit Na+/H+ exchange measured in ileal villus cell brush border membrane vesicles, the protein kinase C which translocated to the microvillus membrane was functionally significant. Inhibition of Na+/H+ exchange required ATP and was reversed by the protein kinase C antagonist H-7. In conclusion, the effect of carbachol and Ca2+ ionophore in regulation of ileal NaCl absorption is associated with an increase in microvillus membrane diacylglycerol content and functionally active protein kinase C. The effects of both carbachol and Ca2+ ionophore are different on brush border and basolateral membrane distribution of protein kinase C.

Absorption↗

PubMed1991

Identification of G protein alpha-subunits in RINm5F cells and their selective interaction with galanin receptor.

Galanin, an inhibitor of insulin secretion in pancreatic beta-cells, exerts its multiple effects through mechanisms that are sensitive to pertussis toxin (PTX). G proteins have been characterized in RINm5F cells. By ADP ribosylation and immunoblotting, the alpha-subunits of Gi1, Gi2, Gi3, and two forms of Go were identified, Gi alpha 2 being predominant. As expected from a G protein-linked receptor, GTP and its nonhydrolyzable analogue GTP-gamma-S decreased tracer galanin binding to cell membranes. This resulted from a change in receptor affinity without any modification in the number of sites. Selective antibodies against the COOH-terminal decapeptide of the alpha-subunits of the Gi and Go proteins were used to block G protein interaction before we studied galanin binding. Antibody AS, which selectively recognizes Gi alpha 1 and Gi alpha 2, decreased tracer galanin binding to membranes at concentrations where there were no effects of other antibodies specifically directed against Gi alpha 3 or G alpha o. These data suggest that Gi1 and/or Gi2 interact with the galanin receptor and probably mediate the effects of galanin in pancreatic beta-cells.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1991

Binding of the dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker (+)-[3H] isopropyl-4-(2,1,3-benzoxadiazol-4-yl)-1,4-dihydro-5-methoxycarbonyl-2, 6-dimethyl-3-pyridinecarboxylate (PN200-110) to RINm5F membranes and cells: characterization and functional significance.

This report provides direct evidence for a dihydropyridine receptor/calcium channel in the insulin-secreting beta-cell line RINm5F. The receptor/channel can modulate the intracellular Ca++ concentration and the resultant insulin secretion by regulating the influx of extracellular Ca++ through dihydropyridine-sensitive voltage-dependent L-type Ca++ channels. Elevated extracellular K+ or the dihydropyridine Ca++ channel agonist, BAY k 8644 [methyl 1,4-dihydro-2,6-dimethyl-3-nitro-4-(2-trifluoromethyl- phenyl)pyridine-5-carboxylate], stimulated the uptake of 45Ca++, raised [Ca++]i, and increased insulin secretion in a concentration-dependent manner. These actions were inhibited by L-type Ca++ channel blockers including nitrendipine, verapamil and diltiazem. (+)-[3H]PN200-110 bound specifically with high affinity to RINm5F cell membranes (Kd approximately 200 pM). Specific binding was inhibited competitively by dihydropyridines whereas phenylalkylamines inhibited incompletely (+)-[3H]PN200-110 binding, consistent with an allosteric interaction. The benzothiazepine diltiazem had no effect on (+)-[3H]PN200-110 binding in the presence of Ca++, but increased binding allosterically in the absence of Ca++ (in the presence of EGTA). Maximal (+)-[3H]PN200-110 binding required divalent cations, with Mg++, Mn++ and Ba++ essentially as effective as Ca++ in reversing the effects of EGTA, whereas binding was not supported by Cd++ or La . Specific high affinity (+)-[3H]PN200-110 binding was also demonstrated in intact RINm5F cells and shown to be modulated by membrane potential. Depolarization of the cells by raising extracellular K+ from 5 to 80 mM increased the affinity of (+)-[3H]PN200-110 4- to 5-fold (decreased Kd) with no significant effect on the maximum number of binding sites.

3-Pyridinecarboxylic acid, 1,4-dihydro-2,6-dimethy↗

PubMed1990

Rabbit ileal villus cell brush border Na+/H+ exchange is regulated by Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II, a brush border membrane protein.

Ileal brush border membranes contain an endogenous Ca2+/calmodulin (CaM)-dependent protein kinase activity that modulates the activity of the apical membrane Na+/H+ exchanger. To further characterize this kinase, synapsin I, a substrate for Ca2+/CaM-dependent protein kinases, was added to preparations of ileal brush border membranes. In the presence of Ca2+/CaM, synapsin I was phosphorylated. Phosphopeptide mapping demonstrated that the addition of Ca2+/CaM to brush border membranes stimulated the phosphorylation of sites in synapsin I specific for Ca2+/CaM-dependent protein kinase II. Immunoblots containing brush border and microvillus membrane proteins were probed with an antibody that recognizes the 50-kDa subunit of rat brain Ca2+/CaM-dependent protein kinase II. This antibody labeled major and minor species of 50 and 53 kDa, respectively, with more labeling of the brush border than the microvillus membranes. Right-side-out ileal villus cell brush border vesicles were prepared containing CaM, ATP, and 350 nM free Ca2+. Na+/H+ exchange was inhibited by the presence of Ca2+/CaM/ATP within the vesicles. A 21-amino acid peptide inhibitor of CaM kinase II was enclosed within some vesicle preparations by freeze-thaw. The effect on Na+/H+ exchange of Ca2+/CaM/ATP was partially reversed by the inhibitor peptide. These studies demonstrate the presence of Ca2+/CaM-dependent protein kinase II in rabbit ileal villus cell brush border membranes. Based on the effect of a specific inhibitor peptide of Ca2+/CaM kinase II, it is concluded that this kinase inhibits brush border Na+/H+ exchange, which participates in the regulation of ileal Na+ absorption.

Animals↗

PubMed1990

Maternal diet and insulin secretion in islets of lactating, nonlactating, and young rats.

The effects of dietary phosphorus (P) on insulin secretion by pancreatic islets of rats at peak lactation (14 days after parturition) and by islets of nonlactating previously pregnant rats have been determined. In addition, the effects of changed dietary P in the maternal diet on insulin secretion by islets of the 1- and 14-day-old offspring were studied. Lactating rats had increased food intake relative to nonlactating rats and correspondingly increased P intake on the 0.4 and 0.7% P diets. Serum P levels were elevated in lactating rats consuming the 0.7% P feed relative to those on the 0.4% P feed and also relative to the nonlactating rats on the 0.7% P feed. Lactating rats had decreased bone calcium compared with the nonlactating rats. Islets from lactating rats on the 0.7% P feed secreted more insulin in response to glucose or to 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX) than lactating rats on the 0.4% P feed. Additionally, lactating rats on the 0.7% P feed secreted more insulin in response to glucose than nonlactating rats on the same 0.7% P feed. The maternal diet had no influence on the endocrine pancreatic responses of the 1- and 14-day-old offspring in response to glucose or IBMX.

1-Methyl-3-isobutylxanthine↗

PubMed1990

Calmodulin and insulin secretion: use of naphthalenesulfonamide compounds.

Studies have been performed on the involvement of calmodulin in the control of stimulated insulin secretion. The W-compounds, which are sulfonamide-derivative calmodulin inhibitors, were used in analogue pairs to control for hydrophobic and nonspecific effects. N-(4-aminobutyl)-5-chloro-2-naphthalenesulfonamide HCl (W-13) inhibited glucose-stimulated insulin secretion from rat pancreatic islets over the concentration range appropriate for an action involving calmodulin. The control compound N-(4-aminobutyl)-2-naphthalenesulfonamide HCl (W-12) inhibited slightly only at higher concentrations. Similar differential inhibition by the analogue pairs was found using W-13 and W-12 and N-(6-aminohexyl)-5-chloro-1-naphthalenesulfonamide HCl (W-7) and N-(6-aminohexyl)-1-naphthalenesulfonamide HCl (W-5) against depolarization-induced insulin secretion in the RINm5F clonal beta-cell line. A sufficient explanation for the inhibition of insulin release was found in the differential inhibition of depolarization-induced Ca2+ uptake, which located the action of the W-compounds at the voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels. These data suggest an action of the W-compounds at a point before elevation of intracellular Ca2+ concentration [( Ca2+]i) in stimulus-secretion coupling. In subsequent studies, with the voltage-dependent Ca2(+)-channel agonist BAY K 8644, which increases Ca2+ uptake and the rate of insulin secretion, it was demonstrated that the W-compounds had no effect on the stimulation of 45Ca2+ uptake or insulin secretion. Thus the W-compounds inhibit stimulus-secretion coupling before the elevation of [Ca2+]i but appear to have no action subsequently. These data cast doubt on the hypothesis that calmodulin is involved in stimulus-secretion coupling.

3-Pyridinecarboxylic acid, 1,4-dihydro-2,6-dimethy↗