Store-operated Ca2+ entry in insulin-releasing pancreatic beta-cells

The fluorescent indicator Fura-2 was used to characterize the store-operated Ca2+ entry in insulin-releasing pancreatic beta-cells. To avoid interference with voltage-dependent Ca2+ entry, the cells were hyperpolarized with 400 mu M diazoxide and the channel blocker methoxyverapamil was also present in some experiments. The cytoplasmic Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+](i)) of hyperpolarized mouse beta-cells was strikingly resistant to changes in external Ca2+. In cells exposed to 20 mM glucose, stimulation with 100 mu M carbachol induced an initial [Ca2+](i) peak followed by a sustained increase due to store-operated influx of the cation. Store-operated influx was also induced by the intracellular Ca2+-ATPase inhibitor thapsigargin. In the presence of store-operated influx, [Ca2+](i) became markedly sensitive to variations in external Ca2+, but this sensitivity was blocked by La3+. In beta-cells exposed to both Ca2+ and Mn2+ there was slow Mn2+ quenching of the Fura-2 fluorescence, which was accelerated upon stimulation of store-operated influx. This acceleration was reversed by-glucose-stimulated filling of the internal Ca2+ stores. The store-operated Ca2+ entry increased markedly during culture of the beta-cells. Activation of protein kinase C by the phorbol ester 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13 acetate, inhibition of serine/threonine phosphatase by okadaic acid and inhibition of tyrosine kinase by genistein had little effect on the store-operated influx of Ca2+. In beta-cells equilibrated in 5 mM Sr2+, carbachol exposure resulted in a pronounced cytoplasmic Sr2+ ([Sr2+](i)) peak due to intracellular mobilization, but little or no sustained elevation. Moreover, after activating the store-operated pathway by exposure to thapsigargin, variations in extracellular Sr2+ between 0-20 mM had only marginal effects on [Sr2+](i). Although the store-operated influx apparently accounts for a minor fraction of the Ca2+ entry, its depolarizing influence may under certain conditions be up-regulated with resulting distortion of the beta-cell function.