Delayed-rectifier (KV2.1) regulation of pancreatic β-cell calcium responses to glucose:: inhibitor specificity and modeling

The delayed-rectifier (voltage-activated) K+ conductance (K-V) in pancreatic islet beta-cells has been proposed to regulate plasma membrane repolarization during responses to glucose, thereby determining bursting and Ca2+ oscillations. Here, we verified the expression of K(V)2.1 channel protein in mouse and human islets of Langerhans. We then probed the function of K(V)2.1 channels in islet glucose responses by comparing the effect of hanatoxin (HaTx), a specific blocker of K(V)2.1 channels, with a nonspecific K+ channel blocker, tetraethylammonium (TEA). Application of HaTx ( 1 mu M) blocked delayed-rectifier currents in mouse beta-cells, resulting in a 40-mV rightward shift in threshold of activation of the voltage-dependent outward current. In the presence of HaTx, there was negligible voltage-activated outward current below 0 mV, suggesting that K(V)2.1 channels form the predominant part of this current in the physiologically relevant range. We then employed HaTx to study the role of K(V)2.1 in the beta-cell Ca2+ responses to elevated glucose in comparison with TEA. Only HaTx was able to induce slow intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+](i)) oscillations in cells stimulated with 20 mM glucose, whereas TEA induced an immediate rise in [Ca2+](i) followed by rapid oscillations. In human islets, HaTx acted in a similar fashion. The data were analyzed using a detailed mathematical model of ionic flux and Ca2+ regulation in beta-cells. The results can be explained by a specific HaTx effect on the K-V current, whereas TEA affects multiple K+ conductances. The results underscore the importance of K(V)2.1 channel in repolarization of the pancreatic beta-cell plasma membrane and its role in regulating insulin secretion.