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Updated: Nov 25, 2025

High-resolution Respirometry to Measure Mitochondrial Function of Intact Beta Cells in the Presence of Natural Compounds
Published on: January 23, 2018
CASK modulates the assembly and function of the Mint1/Munc18-1 complex to regulate insulin secretion
Zhe Zhang1, Wei Li2, Guang Yang1,3
1State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China.
Calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein serine kinase (CASK) regulates insulin secretion by forming a complex with Mint1 and Munc18-1. This CASK-Mint1-Munc18 signaling axis is crucial for vesicle fusion and glucose-stimulated insulin release in beta cells.
Area of Science:
- Molecular biology
- Cell biology
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein serine kinase (CASK) is known for its role in neuronal vesicle transport.
- Its function in non-neuronal systems, like insulin secretion, is less understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of CASK in regulating insulin secretion from pancreatic beta cells.
- To elucidate the molecular mechanism of CASK in insulin release.
Main Methods:
- CASK depletion in mouse islets and beta cells.
- Analysis of insulin secretion and vesicle docking/fusion.
- Crystal structure determination of the CASK/Mint1 complex.
- Investigation of ternary complex formation involving CASK, Mint1, and Munc18-1.
Main Results:
- CASK depletion significantly reduced insulin secretion and vesicle docking/fusion.
- CASK forms a glucose-regulated ternary complex with Mint1 and Munc18-1 in beta cells.
- The crystal structure revealed Mint1's unique whip-like structure interacting with CASK, critical for ternary complex assembly and Munc18-1 localization.
Conclusions:
- CASK is a key regulator of insulin secretion in pancreatic beta cells.
- The CASK-Mint1 interaction is essential for forming the CASK-Mint1-Munc18-1 complex, controlling Munc18-1 localization and insulin release.
- This study reveals the molecular basis of the CASK-Mint1-Munc18 signaling axis in insulin secretion.
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