Open AccessPancreatic β-cell overexpression of the glucagon receptor gene results in enhanced β-cell function and mass
Author(s) -
Richard W. Gelling,
Patricia Vuguin,
Xiaoqing Du,
Lingguang Cui,
John Rømer,
Raymond A. Pederson,
Margarita Leiser,
Heidi Sørensen,
Jens J. Holst,
Christian Fledelius,
Peter Johansen,
Norman Fleischer,
Christopher H.S. McIntosh,
Erica Nishimura,
Maureen J. Charron
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
endocrinology and metabolism/american journal of physiology: endocrinology and metabolism
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.507
H-Index - 201
eISSN - 1522-1555
pISSN - 0193-1849
DOI - 10.1152/ajpendo.00082.2009
Subject(s) - glucagon , function (biology) , receptor , cell , medicine , cell function , glucagon receptor , gene , chemistry , endocrinology , microbiology and biotechnology , biology , biochemistry , insulin
In addition to its primary role in regulating glucose production from the liver, glucagon has many other actions, reflected by the wide tissue distribution of the glucagon receptor (Gcgr). To investigate the role of glucagon in the regulation of insulin secretion and whole body glucose homeostasis in vivo, we generated mice overexpressing the Gcgr specifically on pancreatic beta-cells (RIP-Gcgr). In vivo and in vitro insulin secretion in response to glucagon and glucose was increased 1.7- to 3.9-fold in RIP-Gcgr mice compared with controls. Consistent with the observed increase in insulin release in response to glucagon and glucose, the glucose excursion resulting from both a glucagon challenge and intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test (IPGTT) was significantly reduced in RIP-Gcgr mice compared with controls. However, RIP-Gcgr mice display similar glucose responses to an insulin challenge. beta-Cell mass and pancreatic insulin content were also increased (20 and 50%, respectively) in RIP-Gcgr mice compared with controls. When fed a high-fat diet (HFD), both control and RIP-Gcgr mice developed similar degrees of obesity and insulin resistance. However, the severity of both fasting hyperglycemia and impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) were reduced in RIP-Gcgr mice compared with controls. Furthermore, the insulin response of RIP-Gcgr mice to an IPGTT was twice that of controls when fed the HFD. These data indicate that increased pancreatic beta-cell expression of the Gcgr increased insulin secretion, pancreatic insulin content, beta-cell mass, and, when mice were fed a HFD, partially protected against hyperglycemia and IGT.