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Updated: Jun 28, 2026

Single-Cell Calcium Imaging for Studying the Activation of Calcium Ion Channels
Published on: December 13, 2024
Regulation of calcium-permeable TRPV2 channel by insulin in pancreatic beta-cells
Etsuko Hisanaga1, Masahiro Nagasawa, Kohjiro Ueki
1Institute for Molecular and Cellular Regulation, Gunma University, Maebashi, Japan.
Objective:
Calcium-permeable cation channel TRPV2 is expressed in pancreatic beta-cells. We investigated regulation and function of TRPV2 in beta-cells.
Research Design And Methods:
Translocation of TRPV2 was assessed in MIN6 cells and cultured mouse beta-cells by transfecting TRPV2 fused to green fluorescent protein or TRPV2 containing c-Myc tag in the extracellular domain. Calcium entry was assessed by monitoring fura-2 fluorescence.
Results:
In MIN6 cells, TRPV2 was observed mainly in cytoplasm in an unstimulated condition. Addition of exogenous insulin induced translocation and insertion of TRPV2 to the plasma membrane. Consistent with these observations, insulin increased calcium entry, which was inhibited by tranilast, an inhibitor of TRPV2, or by knockdown of TRPV2 using shRNA. A high concentration of glucose also induced translocation of TRPV2, which was blocked by nefedipine, diazoxide, and somatostatin, agents blocking glucose-induced insulin secretion. Knockdown of the insulin receptor attenuated insulin-induced translocation of TRPV2. Similarly, the effect of insulin on TRPV2 translocation was not observed in a beta-cell line derived from islets obtained from a beta-cell-specific insulin receptor knockout mouse. Knockdown of TRPV2 or addition of tranilast significantly inhibited insulin secretion induced by a high concentration of glucose. Likewise, cell growth induced by serum and glucose was inhibited by tranilast or by knockdown of TRPV2. Finally, insulin-induced translocation of TRPV2 was observed in cultured mouse beta-cells, and knockdown of TRPV2 reduced insulin secretion induced by glucose.
Conclusions:
TRPV2 is regulated by insulin and is involved in the autocrine action of this hormone on beta-cells.
Insights
Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid 2 (TRPV2) channels in pancreatic beta-cells are regulated by insulin. TRPV2 plays a key role in insulin secretion and beta-cell growth.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Cell Biology
- Ion Channels
Background:
- Pancreatic beta-cells synthesize and secrete insulin.
- Calcium-permeable cation channel TRPV2 is expressed in beta-cells.
- The regulation and function of TRPV2 in beta-cells remain largely uncharacterized.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the regulation of TRPV2 by insulin in pancreatic beta-cells.
- To elucidate the role of TRPV2 in beta-cell function, including insulin secretion and growth.
Main Methods:
- TRPV2 translocation was assessed in MIN6 cells and primary mouse beta-cells using fluorescent and c-Myc tagged TRPV2.
- Calcium entry was measured using fura-2 fluorescence.
- TRPV2 and insulin receptor (IR) knockdown were performed using shRNA.
Main Results:
- Exogenous insulin induced TRPV2 translocation to the plasma membrane, increasing calcium entry, which was blocked by TRPV2 inhibition or knockdown.
- High glucose also induced TRPV2 translocation, and its effect on insulin secretion and cell growth was inhibited by TRPV2 knockdown or tranilast.
- Insulin-induced TRPV2 translocation was dependent on the insulin receptor.
Conclusions:
- TRPV2 is regulated by insulin in pancreatic beta-cells.
- TRPV2 is involved in the autocrine action of insulin, modulating insulin secretion and beta-cell growth.
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