Expression of voltage-gated potassium channels in human and rhesus pancreatic islets.
Voltage-gated potassium channels (Kv channels) are involved in repolarization of excitable cells. In pancreatic beta-cells, prolongation of the action potential by block of delayed rectifier potassium channels would be expected to increase intracellular free calcium and to promote insulin release in a glucose-dependent manner. However, the specific Kv channel subtypes responsible for repolarization in beta-cells, most importantly in humans, are not completely resolved. In this study, we have investigated the expression of 26 subtypes from Kv subfamilies in human islet mRNA. The results of the RT-PCR analysis were extended by in situ hybridization and/or immunohistochemical analysis on sections from human or Rhesus pancreas. Cell-specific markers were used to show that Kv2.1, Kv3.2, Kv6.2, and Kv9.3 are expressed in beta-cells, that Kv3.1 and Kv6.1 are expressed in alpha-cells, and that Kv2.2 is expressed in delta-cells. This study suggests that more than one Kv channel subtype might contribute to the beta-cell delayed rectifier current and that this current could be formed by heterotetramers of active and silent subunits.
Yan
Lizhen
L
Department of Ion Channels, Merck Research Laboratories, Rahway, New Jersey, USA. lizhen_yan@merck.com
Figueroa
David J
DJ
Austin
Christopher P
CP
Liu
Yuan
Y
Bugianesi
Randal M
RM
Slaughter
Robert S
RS
Kaczorowski
Gregory J
GJ
Kohler
Martin G
MG
D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D017931:DNA Primers; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006801:Humans; D007515:Islets of Langerhans / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D008253:Macaca mulatta; D015221:Potassium Channels / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics; D051669:Shab Potassium Channels; D013045:Species Specificity
D017931:DNA Primers; C496992:KCNB2 protein, human; D015221:Potassium Channels; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D051669:Shab Potassium Channels