Urocortin III is expressed in pancreatic beta-cells and stimulates insulin and glucagon secretion.
Urocortin (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.
Li
Chien
C
Clayton Foundation Laboratories for Peptide Biology, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, 10010 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA.
Chen
Peilin
P
Vaughan
Joan
J
Blount
Amy
A
Chen
Alon
A
Jamieson
Pauline M
PM
Rivier
Jean
J
Smith
M Susan
MS
Vale
Wylie
W
D000818:Animals; D002460:Cell Line; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology; D005934:Glucagon / Q000378:metabolism*; D007328:Insulin / Q000378:metabolism*; D000078790:Insulin Secretion; D007515:Islets of Langerhans / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D018019:Receptors, Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000378:metabolism; D054832:Urocortins
C101531:CRF receptor type 2; D007328:Insulin; D018019:Receptors, Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone; D054832:Urocortins; D005934:Glucagon; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone