Amplification of insulin secretion by acetylcholine or phorbol ester is independent of β-cell microfilaments and distinct from metabolic amplification.

Insulin secretion (IS) triggered by β-cell Ca(2+) is amplified by metabolic and receptor-generated signals. Diacylglycerol largely mediates acetylcholine (ACh) effects through protein-kinase C and other effectors, which can be directly activated by phorbol-ester (PMA). Using mouse islets, we investigated the possible role of microfilaments in ACh/PMA-mediated amplification of IS. PMA had no steady-state impact on actin microfilaments. Although ACh slightly augmented and PMA diminished glucose- and tolbutamide-induced increases in β-cell Ca(2+), both amplified IS in control islets and after microfilament disruption (latrunculin) or stabilization (jasplakinolide). Both phases of IS were larger in response to glucose than tolbutamide, although Ca(2+) was lower. This difference in secretion, which reflects metabolic amplification, persisted in presence of ACh/PMA and was independent of microfilaments. Amplification of IS by ACh/PMA is thus distinct from metabolic amplification, but both pathways promote acquisition of release competence by insulin granules, which can access exocytotic sites without intervention of microfilaments.