ATP-sensitive K ؉ (K ATP ) channels regulate many cellular functions by linking cell metabolism to membrane potential. We have generated K ATP channel-deficient mice by genetic disruption of Kir6.2, which forms the K ؉ ion-selective pore of the channel. K ATP channels couple cell metabolism to membrane potential in many tissues (1-7). Classical K ATP channels comprise two subunits: a receptor [SUR1 (8), SUR2A (9), or SUR2B (10)] of sulfonylureas such as glibenclamide and tolbutamide, widely used to treat noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, and an inward rectifier K ϩ channel member, Kir6.2 (11,12). The pancreatic beta cell K ATP channel comprises SUR1 and Kir6.2 (11, 12), while the skeletal muscle and cardiac K ATP channel comprises SUR2A and Kir6.2 (9). The pancreatic beta cell K ATP channels, as ATP and ADP sensors, have been thought to play a critical role in the regulation of glucose-and sulfonylurea-induced insulin secretion (13). In fact, mutations of the SUR1 or Kir6.2 gene are known to cause familial hypoglycemia associated with unregulated insulin secretion (14-18). However, recent studies suggest that both glucose and the sulfonylureas might have additional effects distal to those on the K ATP channels (19-21). In addition, although different roles of the K ATP channels in the various tissues, including cytoprotection in heart and brain ischemia and excitability of muscles and neurons, have been proposed (22,23), no direct evidence has been available. To clarify the physiological roles of K ATP channels in various cellular functions directly, we generated K ATP channel-deficient mice by disruption of the Kir6.2 gene. In the present study, we have focused on the role of the K ATP channels in pancreatic beta cell function. Our data clearly demonstrate that both glucose-and sulfonylureainduced insulin secretion depend critically on K ATP channeldependent pathway, and also suggest that the K ATP channels in skeletal muscle are involved in insulin action. MATERIALS AND METHODSTargeting the Kir6.2 Gene. The Kir6.2 gene was cloned from a 129͞Sv mouse genomic DNA library (Stratagene) by using its cDNA probe. A targeting vector was constructed by inserting the neomycin-resistance gene at the XhoI site in Kir6.2. The herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase gene was inserted downstream (Fig. 1 A). The targeting vector was introduced into E14 embryonic stem (ES) cells by electroporation. The homologous recombinant clone was identified by Southern blot analysis, and homozygous mice (Kir6.2 Ϫ͞Ϫ ) were generated by the standard procedures.Electrophysiology and Measurements of Intracellular Calcium Concentrations ([Ca 2؉ ] i ). Pancreatic islets were isolated by collagenase digestion method (24), and dispersed islet cells were cultured in DMEM supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum, plated into 3.5-cm dishes containing Cellocate Coverslips (Eppendorf), and incubated at 37°C for 24-72 hr before experiments. The whole-cell recordings, single-channel recordings, and measurements of [Ca 2ϩ ] i in single p...

ATP-sensitive potassium (K(ATP)) channels are present in many tissues, including pancreatic islet cells, heart, skeletal muscle, vascular smooth muscle, and brain, in which they couple the cell metabolic state to its membrane potential, playing a crucial role in various cellular functions. The K(ATP) channel is a hetero-octamer comprising two subunits: the pore-forming subunit Kir6.x (Kir6.1 or Kir6.2) and the regulatory subunit sulfonylurea receptor SUR (SUR1 or SUR2). Kir6.x belongs to the inward rectifier K(+) channel family; SUR belongs to the ATP-binding cassette protein superfamily. Heterologous expression of differing combinations of Kir6.1 or Kir6.2 and SUR1 or SUR2 variant (SUR2A or SUR2B) reconstitute different types of K(ATP) channels with distinct electrophysiological properties and nucleotide and pharmacological sensitivities corresponding to the various K(ATP) channels in native tissues. The physiological and pathophysiological roles of K(ATP) channels have been studied primarily using K(ATP) channel blockers and K(+) channel openers, but there is no direct evidence on the role of the K(ATP) channels in many important cellular responses. In addition to the analyses of naturally occurring mutations of the genes in humans, determination of the phenotypes of mice generated by genetic manipulation has been successful in clarifying the function of various gene products. Recently, various genetically engineered mice, including mice lacking K(ATP) channels (knockout mice) and mice expressing various mutant K(ATP) channels (transgenic mice), have been generated. In this review, we focus on the physiological and pathophysiological roles of K(ATP) channels learned from genetic manipulation of mice and naturally occurring mutations in humans.

cAMP is well known to regulate exocytosis in various secretory cells, but the precise mechanism of its action remains unknown. Here, we examine the role of cAMP signaling in the exocytotic process of insulin granules in pancreatic beta cells. Although activation of cAMP signaling alone does not cause fusion of the granules to the plasma membrane, it clearly potentiates both the first phase (a prompt, marked, and transient increase) and the second phase (a moderate and sustained increase) of glucoseinduced fusion events. Interestingly, all granules responsible for this potentiation are newly recruited and immediately fused to the plasma membrane without docking (restless newcomer). Importantly, cAMP-potentiated fusion events in the first phase of glucose-induced exocytosis are markedly reduced in mice lacking the cAMP-binding protein Epac2 (Epac2 ko/ko ). In addition, the small GTPase Rap1, which is activated by cAMP specifically through Epac2 in pancreatic beta cells, mediates cAMP-induced insulin secretion in a protein kinase A-independent manner. We also have developed a simulation model of insulin granule movement in which potentiation of the first phase is associated with an increase in the insulin granule density near the plasma membrane. Taken together, these data indicate that Epac2/Rap1 signaling is essential in regulation of insulin granule dynamics by cAMP, most likely by controlling granule density near the plasma membrane.insulin secretion ͉ total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy ͉ pancreatic beta cell