Rat insulinoma-derived INS-1 cells constitute a widely used beta-cell surrogate. However, due to their nonclonal nature, INS-1 cells are heterogeneous and are not stable over extended culture periods. We have isolated clonal INS-1E cells from parental INS-1 based on both their insulin content and their secretory responses to glucose. Here we describe the stable differentiated INS-1E beta-cell phenotype over 116 passages (no. 27-142) representing a 2.2-yr continuous follow-up. INS-1E cells can be safely cultured and used within passages 40-100 with average insulin contents of 2.30 +/- 0.11 microg/million cells. Glucose-induced insulin secretion was dose-related and similar to rat islet responses. Secretion saturated with a 6.2-fold increase at 15 mm glucose, showing a 50% effective concentration of 10.4 mm. Secretory responses to amino acids and sulfonylurea were similar to those of islets. Moreover, INS-1E cells retained the amplifying pathway, as judged by glucose-evoked augmentation of insulin release in a depolarized state. Regarding metabolic parameters, INS-1E cells exhibited glucose dose-dependent elevations of NAD(P)H, cytosolic Ca(2+), and mitochondrial Ca(2+) levels. In contrast, mitochondrial membrane potential, ATP levels, and cell membrane potential were all fully activated by 7.5 mm glucose. Using the perforated patch clamp technique, 7.5 and 15 mm glucose elicited electrical activity to a similar degree. A K(ATP) current was identified in whole cell voltage clamp using diazoxide and tolbutamide. As in native beta-cells, tolbutamide induced electrical activity, indicating that the K(ATP)conductance is important in setting the resting potential. Therefore, INS-1E cells represent a stable and valuable beta-cell model.

Aims/hypothesis The expression of several neuronal genes in pancreatic beta cells is due to the absence of the transcription factor repressor element 1 (RE-1) silencing transcription factor (REST). The identification of these traits and their functional significance in beta cells has only been partly elucidated. Herein, we investigated the biological consequences of a repression of REST target genes by expressing REST in beta cells. Methods The effect of REST expression on glucose homeostasis, insulin content and release, and beta cell mass was analysed in transgenic mice selectively expressing REST in beta cells. Relevant target genes were identified in INS-1E and primary beta cells expressing REST. Results Transgenic mice featuring a beta cell-targeted expression of REST exhibited glucose intolerance and reduced beta cell mass. In primary beta cells, REST repressed several proteins of the exocytotic machinery, including synaptosomal-associated protein (SNAP) 25, synaptotagmin (SYT) IV, SYT VII, SYT IX and complexin II; it impaired first and second phases of insulin secretion. Using RNA interference in INS-1E cells, we showed that SYT IV and SYT VII were implicated in the control of insulin release.

Transfer of reducing equivalents between cytosolic compartments and the mitochondrial matrix is mediated by NADH shuttles. Among these, the malate-aspartate shuttle has been proposed to play a major role in beta-cells for the control of glucose-stimulated insulin secretion. AGC1 or Aralar1 (aspartate-glutamate carrier 1) is a key component of the malate-aspartate shuttle. Overexpression of AGC1 increases the capacity of the malate-aspartate shuttle, resulting in enhanced metabolism-secretion coupling, both in INS-1E cells and rat islets. In the present study, knockdown of AGC1 was achieved in the same beta-cell models, using adenovirus-mediated delivery of shRNA (small-hairpin RNA). Compared with control INS-1E cells, down-regulation of AGC1 blunted NADH formation (-57%; P<0.05), increased lactate production (+16%; P<0.001) and inhibited glucose oxidation (-22%; P<0.01). This correlated with a reduced secretory response at 15 mM glucose (-25%; P<0.05), while insulin release was unchanged at intermediate 7.5 mM and basal 2.5 mM glucose. In isolated rat islets, efficient AGC1 knockdown did not alter insulin exocytosis evoked by 16.7 mM glucose. However, 4 mM amino-oxyacetate, commonly used to block transaminases of the malate-aspartate shuttle, inhibited glucose-stimulated insulin secretion to similar extents in INS-1E cells (-66%; P<0.01) and rat islets (-56%; P<0.01). These results show that down-regulation of the key component of the malate-aspartate shuttle AGC1 reduced glucose-induced oxidative metabolism and insulin secretion in INS-1E cells, whereas similar AGC1 knockdown in rat islets did not affect their secretory response.

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