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Nerve growth factor increases sodium current in pancreatic beta cells
T Rosenbaum1, R Vidaltamayo, D Sánchez-Herrera
1Department of Neurosciences, Institute of Cellular Physiology, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, Mexico D. F. 04510.
The Journal of Membrane Biology
|September 1, 1996
Summary
Nerve growth factor (NGF) enhances pancreatic beta cell electrical activity by increasing sodium current density. This differentiation effect was observed in cultured adult rat beta cells treated with NGF.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Endocrinology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Nerve growth factor (NGF) and cyclic AMP (dbcAMP) influence pancreatic beta cell morphology.
- NGF and dbcAMP synergistically promote neuritelike process outgrowth in beta cells.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of NGF and dbcAMP on the electrical activity of adult rat beta cells.
- To determine if NGF- and dbcAMP-induced differentiation alters beta cell sodium current.
Main Methods:
- Adult rat beta cells were cultured for one week with NGF or dbcAMP.
- Macroscopic Na current was studied using electrophysiology.
- Beta cells were identified using the reverse hemolytic plaque assay.
Main Results:
- NGF treatment increased macroscopic Na current by 48% in beta cells.
- The increase in Na current was attributed to enhanced Na current density.
- dbcAMP did not significantly alter Na current density, despite affecting cell morphology.
Conclusions:
- NGF significantly enhances the electrical excitability of adult pancreatic beta cells.
- NGF-induced differentiation increases beta cell sodium current density.
- dbcAMP affects beta cell morphology but not sodium current.