P2Y receptor activation enhances insulin release from pancreatic β-cells by triggering the cyclic AMP/protein kinase A pathway

Adenine nucleotides stimulate insulin secretion by binding to P2 receptors of the pancreatic β-cells; the stimulus-secretion coupling is not yet clearly established and may depend on the receptor subtype. The aim of the present study was to further investigate the mechanism whereby P2Y receptor agonists enhance glucose-induced insulin secretion. Experiments were performed in rat pancreatic islets and in the INS-1 secreting cell line in the presence of a slightly stimulating glucose concentration (8.3 mmol/l).