Ion homeostasis and the functional roles of SERCA reactions in stimulus–secretion coupling of the pancreatic β-cell: A mathematical simulation Original Research Article

The present paper concerns with ion homeostatic reactions in view of stimulus–secretion coupling of the β-cell, including Ca2+ fluxes of the endoplasmatic reticulum (ER). A steady state of cytosolic sodium and potassium ion concentrations ([Na+]c and [K+]c, respectively), and of the membrane potential (Δcϕ) can be attained only, if the flux through the electrogenic Na-K pump (JNaK) is balanced electrically, and if JNaK is rather high (about 25% of total ATP consumption at 10 mM glucose). Metabolically caused changes of cellular pH are unlikely, because, on the one hand, CO2 can rapidly leave the cell through cellular membranes, and because ATP cycling cannot produce nor consume protons. A slight decrease of pHc during cellular activity is caused mainly by an increased Ca-H exchange flux through the plasma membrane Ca2+ pump (JPMCA), which might be overcome, however, by H+ transport into secretory granules. The present simulations show that the conductance of ATP-sensitive K+ channels (KATP) is highly susceptible to changes of [Mg2+]c. As a physical link between the Ca2+ filling state of the ER and the initiation of a depolarising, Ca2+ release-activated current (ICRAN), a metabolite (inositol 1,4,-diphosphate (IP2)) of the inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate (IP3) cycle is introduced. Sufficient ATP for insulin secretion is made available during glucose activation by [IP2] inhibition of a parallel [ATP]c consuming flux through protein biosynthesis (JPbs). This leads to fast oscillations with a triphasic patterns of [Ca2+]c oscillations. Slow oscillations are initiated by including a Ca2+ leak current through highly uncoupled SERCA3 pumps. Both types of oscillations may superimpose yielding compound bursting and mixed oscillations of [Ca2+]c.