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ATP-sensitive potassium (K(ATP)) channels in pancreatic beta-cells comprise sulfonylurea receptor (SUR) 1 and inwardly-rectifying potassium channel (Kir) 6.2 subunits. We have evaluated the effect of intracellular taurine on K(ATP) channel activity in rat pancreatic beta-cells using the patch-clamp technique. The mechanism of taurine action was also examined using recombinant K(ATP) channels. The islets and single beta-cells from male Sprague-Dawley rats were collected by collagenase digestion technique. Single K(ATP) channel currents were recorded by the inside-out mode at a membrane potential of -60mV. Cytosolic free-Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+)](c)) and insulin secretory capacity were measured by the dual-excitation fluorimetry and radioimmunoassay, respectively. The native beta-cell K(ATP) channel was directly inhibited by taurine in a dose-dependent manner. Taurine did not influence ATP-mediated inhibition or MgADP-induced activation of the channel activity. The sensitivity of the K(ATP) channel to glybenclamide, but not gliclazide, was enhanced by taurine. Glybenclamide elicited a greater increase in [Ca(2+)](c) and increased insulin secretion in the beta-cells when pretreated with taurine. Taurine did not inhibit Kir6.2DeltaC36 currents, a truncated form of Kir6.2, expressed in Xenopus oocytes without SUR. These results demonstrate that taurine inhibits the K(ATP) channel activity in the beta-cells, interacting with a benzamido-binding site on SUR1, but not Kir6.2.

Original publication

DOI

10.1016/j.bcp.2003.11.003

Type

Journal article

Journal

Biochem Pharmacol

Publication Date

15/03/2004

Volume

67

Pages

1089 - 1096

Keywords

Adenosine Diphosphate, Adenosine Triphosphate, Animals, Binding Sites, Drug Interactions, Glyburide, Insulin, Islets of Langerhans, Male, Membrane Proteins, Potassium Channels, Potassium Channels, Inwardly Rectifying, Protein Subunits, Rats, Rats, Sprague-Dawley, Sulfonylurea Compounds, Taurine