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Glucose-responsive (GR) neurons in the hypothalamus are thought to be critical in glucose homeostasis, but it is not known how they function in this context. Kir6.2 is the pore-forming subunit of K(ATP) channels in many cell types, including pancreatic beta-cells and heart. Here we show the complete absence of both functional ATP-sensitive K+ (K(ATP)) channels and glucose responsiveness in the neurons of the ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH) in Kir6.2-/- mice. Although pancreatic alpha-cells were functional in Kir6.2-/-, the mice exhibited a severe defect in glucagon secretion in response to systemic hypoglycemia. In addition, they showed a complete loss of glucagon secretion, together with reduced food intake in response to neuroglycopenia. Thus, our results demonstrate that KATP channels are important in glucose sensing in VMH GR neurons, and are essential for the maintenance of glucose homeostasis.

Original publication

DOI

10.1038/87455

Type

Journal article

Journal

Nat Neurosci

Publication Date

05/2001

Volume

4

Pages

507 - 512

Keywords

ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters, Animals, Blood Glucose, Catecholamines, Eating, Electrophysiology, Epinephrine, Glucagon, Glucose, Homeostasis, Hormones, Hypoglycemia, Hypothalamus, In Vitro Techniques, KATP Channels, Mice, Mice, Knockout, Potassium Channels, Potassium Channels, Inwardly Rectifying, Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction