Insights into pancreatic β cell energy metabolism using rodent β cell models
Morten K., Potter M., Badder L., Sivathondan P., Dragovic R., Neumann A., Gavin J., Shrestha R., Reilly S., Phadwal K., Lodge T., Borzychowski A., Cookson S., Mitchell C., Morovat A., Simon AK., Uusimaa J., Hynes J., Poulton J.
Background: Mitochondrial diabetes is primarily caused by β-cell failure, but there are gaps in our understanding of pathogenesis. Methods: By reducing glucose, we induced energetic stress in two rodent β-cell models to assess effects on cellular function. Results: Culturing rat insulin-secreting INS-1 cells in low glucose conditions caused a rapid reduction in whole cell respiration, associated with elevated mitochondrial reactive oxygen species production, and an altered glucose-stimulated insulin secretion profile. Prolonged exposure to reduced glucose directly impaired mitochondrial function and reduced autophagy. Conclusions: Insulinoma cell lines provide a useful model of mechanisms affecting β-cell mitochondrial function or studying mitochondrial associated drug toxicity.