Acute effect of parathyroid hormone on Ca2+ ATPase of pancreatic islets

The Vmax of Ca2+ ATPase of pancreatic islets is reduced in states of chronic excess of PTH. This has been attributed to the reduced ATP content of pancreatic islet and to impaired response of the enzyme to calmodulin. It is also possible that excess PTH directly inhibits the activity of islet Ca2+ ATPase. The present study examined this issue. Small doses of 1-84 PTH (0.0625 and 0.125 x 10(-7) M) stimulated while larger doses (0.25, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0 and 4.0 x 10(-7) M) inhibited the activity of Ca2+ ATPase of intact islets. PTH has no effect on Ca2+ ATPase when the hormone was added to preparation of membrane homogenate of islets. Verapamil abolished both the stimulatory as well the inhibitory effects of PTH on Ca2+ ATPase of intact islets. The data indicate that PTH does not have a direct effect on the Vmax of islet Ca2+ ATPase of islet. Its effect on the enzyme activity of intact islet is most likely mediated through the hormone-induced calcium influx.