β‐Adrenergic Blockers Increase <scp>cAMP</scp> and Stimulate Insulin Secretion Through a <scp>PKA</scp> / <scp>RYR2</scp> / <scp>TRPM5</scp> Pathway in Pancreatic β‐Cells In Vitro
β-adrenergic blockers (β-blockers) are extensively used to inhibit β-adrenoceptor activation and subsequent cAMP production in many cell types. In this study, we characterized the effects of β-blockers on mouse pancreatic β-cells. Unexpectedly, high concentrations (100 μM) of β-blockers (propranolol and bisoprolol) paradoxically increased cAMP levels 5-10 fold, enhanced Ca<sup>2+</sup> influx, and stimulated a 2-4 fold increase in glucose- and glimepiride-induced insulin secretion in MIN6-K8 clonal β-cells and isolated mouse pancreatic islets. These effects were observed despite minimal expression of β-adrenoceptors in these cells. Mechanistically, the cAMP increase led to ryanodine receptor 2 (RYR2) phosphorylation via protein kinase A (PKA), triggering Ca<sup>2+</sup>-induced Ca<sup>2+</sup> release (CICR). CICR then activates transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily M member 5 (TRPM5), resulting in increased Ca<sup>2+</sup> influx via voltage-dependent Ca<sup>2+</sup> channels. These effects contradict the conventional understanding of the pharmacology of β-blockers, highlighting the variability in β-blocker actions depending on the experimental context.
Authors
- Naoya Murao (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7424-4476)
- Atsushi Suzuki (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0807-199X)
- Kenju Shimomura (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1539-2532)
- Risa Morikawa
- Yusuke Seino (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9099-3493)
- Yuko Maejima (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5370-5758)
- Yuichiro Yamada (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1623-0815)
Institutions
- Fukushima Medical University (JP)
- Fujita Health University (JP)
- Kansai Electric Power (Japan) (JP)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Pharmacology Research & Perspectives
- Published
- 2025-04-01
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1002/prp2.70092
- Citations
- 2
- Primary Topic
- Pancreatic function and diabetes
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 4.01
Funders
- Suzuken Memorial Foundation
- Japan Association for Diabetes Education and Care
- Hori Sciences and Arts Foundation
- Daiwa Securities Health Foundation
- Manpei Suzuki Diabetes Foundation
- Fujita Health University
- Japan Diabetes Foundation
- Japan Society for the Promotion of Science