Effects of guanosine on insulin secretion and adenylyl and guanylyl cyclase activities of isolated rat islets of Langerhans.

The effect of guanosine on insulin secretion, adenylyl and guanylyl cyclase activities of isolated rat islets of Langerhans was investigated. Guanosine (1-100 micron) inhibited glucose, tolbutamide, theophylline and prostaglandin E2-stimulated insulin secretion although it failed to affect glucagon stimulated secretion. Prostaglandin E2-stimulated adenylyl cyclase activity of islets was inhibited by guanosine although guanosine had no effect on basal, fluoride, glucagon or GTP-stimulated activity. Guanosine markedly decreased basal guanylyl cyclase activity of islets. These results suggest that guanosine may affect insulin release by inhibiting adenylyl and guanylyl cyclase activities in the beta-cell thereby decreasing the intracellular concentrations of cyclic nucleotides. This effect may be important in modulating the secretory response of the islets to a variety of hormonal agents.