Insulin inhibits rat hippocampal neurones via activation of ATP-sensitive K+ and large conductance Ca2+-activated K+ channels.
In this study, we have used a combination of immunocytochemical and Ca(2+) imaging techniques to determine the functional localisation of insulin receptors as well as the potential role for insulin in modulating hippocampal synaptic activity. Comparison of insulin receptor and MAP2 labelling demonstrated extensive insulin receptor immunoreactivity on the soma and dendrites of cultured hippocampal neurones. Dual labelling with synapsin 1 also showed punctate insulin receptor labelling associated with synapses. In functional studies, insulin inhibited spontaneous Ca(2+) oscillations evoked in cultured hippocampal neurones following Mg(2+) removal. This action of insulin was mimicked by the ATP-sensitive K(+) (K(ATP)) channel opener diazoxide or the large conductance Ca(2+)-activated K(+) (BK) channel activator NS-1619. Furthermore, application of the K(ATP) channel blocker glybenclamide or the BK channel inhibitors iberiotoxin or charybdotoxin attenuated the actions of insulin, whereas prior incubation with a combination of glybenclamide and iberiotoxin completely blocked insulin action. The ability of insulin to modulate the Ca(2+) oscillations was reduced by the inhibitors of MAPK activation PD 98059 and U0126, but not by the PI 3-kinase inhibitors LY 294002 or wortmannin, indicating that a MAPK-driven process underlies insulin action. In conclusion, insulin inhibits spontaneous Ca(2+) oscillations via a process involving MAPK-driven activation of BK and K(ATP) channels. This process may be a useful therapeutic target for the treatment of epilepsy and certain neurodegenerative diseases.
O'Malley
Dervla
D
Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 9SY, UK.
Shanley
Lynne J
LJ
Harvey
Jenni
J
D018528:ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters; D000818:Animals; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D020013:Calcium Signaling / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects*; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007328:Insulin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D054086:KATP Channels; D051036:Large-Conductance Calcium-Activated Potassium Channels; D020928:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / Q000378:metabolism; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects*; D000081082:Phosphoinositide-3 Kinase Inhibitors; D015221:Potassium Channels / Q000819:agonists*; D024681:Potassium Channels, Calcium-Activated / Q000819:agonists*; D024661:Potassium Channels, Inwardly Rectifying; D051381:Rats; D011972:Receptor, Insulin / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology
D018528:ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D007328:Insulin; D054086:KATP Channels; D051036:Large-Conductance Calcium-Activated Potassium Channels; D000081082:Phosphoinositide-3 Kinase Inhibitors; D015221:Potassium Channels; D024681:Potassium Channels, Calcium-Activated; D024661:Potassium Channels, Inwardly Rectifying; C092520:uK-ATP-1 potassium channel; D011972:Receptor, Insulin; D020928:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; D002118:Calcium