GC-Globulin/Vitamin D-Binding Protein Is Required for Pancreatic α-Cell Adaptation to Metabolic Stress.

Viloria K., Nasteska D., Ast J., Hasib A., Cuozzo F., Heising S., Briant LJB., Hewison M., Hodson DJ.

GC-globulin (GC), or vitamin D-binding protein, is a multifunctional protein involved in the transport of circulating vitamin 25(OH)D and fatty acids, as well as actin scavenging. In the pancreatic islets, the gene encoding GC, GC/Gc, is highly localized to glucagon-secreting α-cells. Despite this, the role of GC in α-cell function is poorly understood. We previously showed that GC is essential for α-cell morphology, electrical activity, and glucagon secretion. We now show that loss of GC exacerbates α-cell failure during metabolic stress. High-fat diet-fed GC-/- mice have basal hyperglucagonemia, which is associated with decreased α-cell size, impaired glucagon secretion and Ca2+ fluxes, and changes in glucose-dependent F-actin remodelling. Impairments in glucagon secretion can be rescued using exogenous GC to replenish α-cell GC levels, increase glucagon granule area, and restore the F-actin cytoskeleton. Lastly, GC levels decrease in α-cells of donors with type 2 diabetes, which is associated with changes in α-cell mass, morphology, and glucagon expression. Together, these data demonstrate an important role for GC in α-cell adaptation to metabolic stress.

DOI

10.2337/db22-0326

Type

Journal article

Publication Date

2023-02-01T00:00:00+00:00

Volume

72

Pages

275 - 289

Total pages

14

Addresses

Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research (IMSR), and Centre of Membrane Proteins and Receptors (COMPARE), University of Birmingham, Birmingham, U.K.

Keywords

Animals, Mice, Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2, Glucagon, Vitamin D-Binding Protein, Globulins, Stress, Physiological

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