Glycolytic activation of β-cell Na+/K+-ATPases containing β1-subunits accelerates Na+ extrusion, prolonging the duration of Ca2+ oscillations but decreasing insulin secretion Article Swipe
YOU?
·
· 2025
· Open Access
·
· DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.molmet.2025.102296
· OA: W4416980796
Electrogenic Na<sup>+</sup>/K<sup>+</sup> ATPases (NKAs) control β-cell Ca<sup>2+</sup> influx and insulin secretion by integrating the signal strength of stimulatory G protein (G<sub>s</sub>)-coupled ligands (e.g., GLP-1, glucagon) and inhibitory G protein (G<sub>i</sub>)-coupled ligands (e.g., somatostatin, epinephrine). However, there is a significant gap in our understanding of how specific NKA subunits contribute to β-cell function. Here, we demonstrate that the NKA β1-subunit (NKAβ1) is highly expressed and functional at the plasma membrane of mouse and human β-cells. β-cell-specific NKAβ1 knockout improves glucose tolerance and hepatic insulin sensitivity, coinciding with enhanced first- and second-phase glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS). Electrophysiological studies reveal that β-cell NKAβ1 enhances somatostatin-induced NKA currents, increases action potential afterhyperpolarization amplitude, and accelerates action potential frequency. Loss of NKAβ1 delays glucose-stimulated Ca<sup>2+</sup> entry by impairing glycolysis-dependent NKA activation and reduces Na<sup>+</sup> clearance efficiency during Ca<sup>2+</sup> oscillations, resulting in prolonged silent phases. Thus, glycolytic stimulation of Na<sup>+</sup> influx dictates silent phase duration via the kinetics of Na<sup>+</sup> clearance by NKA, which is diminished in β-cells without NKAβ1. Furthermore, NKAβ1 differentially modulates β-cell G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) signaling by attenuating G<sub>i</sub>-GPCR effects and augmenting G<sub>s</sub>-coupled GLP-1 receptor-mediated cAMP production and Ca<sup>2+</sup> entry. β-cell NKAβ1 knockdown in human pseudoislets led to tonically elevated intracellular Ca<sup>2+</sup> and increased insulin secretion. These findings establish NKAβ1-containing NKA complexes as critical regulators of β-cell electrical activity, Ca<sup>2+</sup> oscillations, and secretory patterns, with direct consequences for systemic glucose homeostasis.