Insulin secretion from pancreatic β-cells is regulated by both metabolic pathways (glucose, amino acids, free fatty acids) and extracellular signals (hormones, free fatty acids, neurotransmitters and various small molecules) acting predominantly via G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs). Signals from both metabolic pathways and cell surface receptors characteristically converge at the level of both plasmalemmal and ion channels, which modulate electrical activity and thereby influence transmembrane Ca2+-fluxes, and intracellular second messenger systems (MAPKs) that modulate ultimately insulin secretion. Thus type 2 diabetes results from impaired insulin secretion and action.
GPCRs (a family of seven transmembrane spanning receptors) are one of the largest known families in the human genome. Analysis of the human genome (with the roughly 865 GPCRs) has revealed that approximately 139 GPCRs still have unknown natural ligands. These receptors are known as orphan GPCRs. Our preliminary data indicate that a number of these orphan GPCRs are also expressed in human pancreatic islets. Approximately 35 % of all drugs on the market target these receptors. It has also been shown that some identified GPCRs function as sensors of extracellular signals, mediating metabolic information from the environment (body) into the β-cell, thereby modifying insulin secretion. We have already identified a few of GPCRs, which are of high importance for β-cell function and type 2 diabetes. Moreover, based on our preliminary results we have reason to believe that some of these identified GPCRs might play a role in mitochondrial function.
We aim at identifying new GPCRs that regulate insulin secretion. This information will then be the basis of efforts to identify novel receptor ligands that might mark the foundation of novel therapies aimed at the treatment and prevention of diabetes mellitus.
Last updated: November 23, 2011
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