Channels formed by the gap junction protein connexin36 (Cx36) contribute to the proper
control of insulin secretion. We investigated the impact of chronic hyperlipidemia on Cx36
expression in pancreatic β-cells. Prolonged exposure to the saturated free fatty acid
palmitate reduced the expression of Cx36 in several insulin-secreting cell lines and isolated
mouse islets. The effect of palmitate was fully blocked upon protein kinase A (PKA) inhibition
by H89 and (Rp)-cAMP, indicating that the cAMP/PKA pathway is involved in the control of …