Participation of Na+ channels in the potentiation by Tityus serrulatus α-toxin TsTx-V of glucose-induced electrical activity and insulin secretion in rodent islet β-cells

The effects of TsTx-V, an alpha-toxin isolated from Tityus serrulatus venom, on electrical activity and insulin secretion by rodent pancreatic islet cells were studied. TsTx-V (5.6 mug/ml) depolarized mouse pancreatic beta-cells, diminished the membrane input resistance and increased the duration of the active phase of glucose-induced electrical activity. Similar results were observed with the Na+ channel agonist veratridine (110 muM). Both agents potentiated glucose (8.3 mM)-induced insulin secretion in rat islet. In the presence of TsTx-V or veratridine, insulin secretion increased 2- and 1.4-fold over basal values, respectively (P < 0.001). The Na+ channel antagonist tetrodotoxin (6 μM) significantly decreased glucose- and TsTx-V-induced insulin secretion (P < 0.001). TsTx-V also stimulated insulin secretion at low glucose concentrations (2.8 mM) whereas the beta-toxin, Ts-gamma (gamma toxin), also obtained from Tityus serrulatus venom, significantly reduced TsTx-V-induced secretion at sub- and suprathreshold concentrations of glucose. These results are consistent with a model whereby Na+ channels participate in glucose-induced electrical activity. Alteration in the activity of these channels changes the length of time during which the beta-cell depolarizes, thereby altering the secretory behavior of the cell. The construction of a three-dimensional model for TsTx-V revealed a conserved core containing an alpha-helix and three beta-strands, with minor differences when compared with toxins from other scorpion venoms. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.