Dominant-negative alpha-subunit of farnesyl- and geranyltransferase inhibits glucose-stimulated, but not KCl-stimulated, insulin secretion in INS 832/13 cells

Diabetes. 2007 Jan;56(1):204-10. doi: 10.2337/db06-0668.

Abstract

The majority of small G-proteins undergo posttranslational modifications (e.g., isoprenylation) at their C-terminal cysteine residues. Such modifications increase their hydrophobicity, culminating in translocation of the modified proteins to their relevant membranous sites for interaction with their respective effectors. Previously, we reported glucose-dependent activation and membrane association of Rac1 in INS 832/13 cells. We also demonstrated modulatory roles for Rac1/GDP dissociation inhibitor in glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS) in INS 832/13 cells, further affirming roles for Rac1 in GSIS. Herein, we demonstrate that geranylgeranyltransferase inhibitor-2147 (GGTI-2147), an inhibitor of protein prenylation, markedly increased cytosolic accumulation of Rac1 and elicited significant inhibition of GSIS from INS 832/13 cells. In the current study, we also examined the localization of protein prenyltransferases (PPTases) and regulation of GSIS by PPTases in INS 832/13 cells. Western blot analyses indicated that the regulatory alpha-subunit and the structural beta-subunit of PPTase holoenzyme are predominantly cytosolic in their distribution. Overexpression of an inactive mutant of the regulatory alpha-subunit of PPTase markedly attenuated glucose- but not KCl-induced insulin secretion from INS 832/13 cells. Together, our findings provide the first evidence for the regulation of GSIS by PPTase in INS 832/13 cells. Furthermore, they support our original hypothesis that prenylation of specific G-proteins may be necessary for GSIS.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Line
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / pharmacology*
  • Farnesyltranstransferase / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Farnesyltranstransferase / metabolism*
  • Geranyltranstransferase / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Geranyltranstransferase / metabolism*
  • Glucose / pharmacology*
  • Imidazoles / pharmacology
  • Islets of Langerhans / drug effects
  • Islets of Langerhans / enzymology
  • Islets of Langerhans / metabolism*
  • Leucine / analogs & derivatives
  • Leucine / pharmacology
  • Potassium Chloride / pharmacology*
  • Protein Subunits / metabolism
  • Rats

Substances

  • Enzyme Inhibitors
  • GGTI 2147
  • Imidazoles
  • Protein Subunits
  • Potassium Chloride
  • Geranyltranstransferase
  • Farnesyltranstransferase
  • Leucine
  • Glucose