title: Novel insights into the function of β-cell M3 muscarinic acetylcholine receptors: therapeutic implications.
abstract: Impaired function of pancreatic β-cells is one of the hallmarks of type 2 diabetes. β-cell function is regulated by the activity of many hormones and neurotransmitters, which bind to specific cell surface receptors. The M(3) muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (M3R) belongs to the superfamily of G protein-coupled receptors and, following ligand dependent activation, selectively activates G proteins of the G(q/11) family. Recent studies with M3R mutant mice strongly suggest that β-cell M3Rs play a central role in promoting insulin release and maintaining correct glucose homeostasis. In this review, we highlight recent studies indicating that β-cell M3Rs and components of downstream signaling pathways might represent promising new targets for the treatment of type 2 diabetes.
authors.affiliation: Molecular Signaling Section, Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
authors.forename: Inigo
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Ruiz de Azua
authors.forename: Dinesh
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gautam
authors.forename: Jean-Marc
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Guettier
authors.forename: Jürgen
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wess
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D019204:GTP-Binding Proteins / Q000502:physiology; D006706:Homeostasis / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000378:metabolism; D000078790:Insulin Secretion; D050417:Insulin-Secreting Cells / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology*; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D008817:Mice, Mutant Strains; D009154:Mutation; D020710:RGS Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D043587:Receptor, Muscarinic M3 / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D007328:Insulin; D020710:RGS Proteins; D043587:Receptor, Muscarinic M3; C098799:RGS4 protein; D019204:GTP-Binding Proteins