Expression of the Inositol 1,4,5-Trisphosphate Receptor and the Ryanodine Receptor Ca2+-Release Channels in the Beta-Cells and Alpha-Cells of the Human Islets of Langerhans

Abstract

Calcium signaling regulates secretion of hormones and many other cellular processes in the islets of Langerhans. The three subtypes of the inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptors (IP3Rs), inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor type 1 (IP3R1), 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor type 2 (IP3R2), 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor type 3 (IP3R3), and the three subtypes of the ryanodine receptors (RyRs), ryanodine receptor 1 (RyR1), ryanodine receptor 2 (RyR2) and ryanodine receptor 3 (RyR3) are the main intracellular Ca2+-release channels. The identity and the relative levels of expression of these channels in the alpha-cells, and the beta-cells of the human islets of Langerhans are unknown. We have analyzed the RNA sequencing data obtained from highly purified human alpha-cells and beta-cells for quantitatively identifying the mRNA of the intracellular Ca2+-release channels in these cells. We found that among the three IP3Rs the IP3R3 is the most abundantly expressed one in the beta-cells, whereas IP3R1 is the most abundantly expressed one in the alpha-cells. In addition to the IP3R3, beta-cells also expressed the IP3R2, at a lower level. Among the RyRs, the RyR2 was the most abundantly expressed one in the beta-cells, whereas the RyR1 was the most abundantly expressed one in the alpha-cells. Information on the relative abundance of the different intracellular Ca2+-release channels in the human alpha-cells and the beta-cells may help the understanding of their roles in the generation of Ca2+ signals and many other related cellular processes in these cells.