Dual role of nitric oxide in pancreatic β-cells

J Pharmacol Sci. 2013;123(4):295-300. doi: 10.1254/jphs.13r10cp. Epub 2013 Nov 26.

Abstract

An involvement of inducible nitric oxide (NO) synthase (NOS) in pancreatic β-cell degeneration during the process of type 1 diabetes has been well discussed. Recently, there is growing evidence for pivotal roles of constitutive NOS (cNOS) in β-cells; the presence of NOS1 and NOS3 in pancreatic β-cells and the effects of low-concentration NO, which is assumed to be derived from cNOS, on β-cell functions have been reported. However, the roles of cNOS-derived NO in β-cells are still under debate. One of the reasons seems to be that NO has multiple biological activities, which are dependent on its concentration. In β-cells, NO has been shown to exert positive and negative regulation of insulin secretion and anti- and pro-apoptotic activities, which is likely to be dependent on concentrations. In this review article, we will describe the current understanding of the roles of NO in pancreatic β-cells, especially focusing on cNOS-derived NO and its differential roles depending on concentrations.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Apoptosis
  • Cell Line
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / metabolism
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / pathology*
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / metabolism
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / pathology
  • Humans
  • Insulin / metabolism
  • Insulin Secretion
  • Insulin-Secreting Cells / enzymology
  • Insulin-Secreting Cells / metabolism
  • Insulin-Secreting Cells / pathology*
  • Insulin-Secreting Cells / physiology*
  • Nitric Oxide / metabolism*
  • Nitric Oxide / physiology*
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase / physiology*

Substances

  • Insulin
  • Nitric Oxide
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase