Role of Epac2A/Rap1 signaling in interplay between incretin and sulfonylurea in insulin secretion

H Takahashi, T Shibasaki, JH Park, S Hidaka… - Diabetes, 2015 - Am Diabetes Assoc
H Takahashi, T Shibasaki, JH Park, S Hidaka, T Takahashi, A Ono, DK Song, S Seino
Diabetes, 2015Am Diabetes Assoc
Incretin-related drugs and sulfonylureas are currently used worldwide for the treatment of
type 2 diabetes. We recently found that Epac2A, a cAMP binding protein having guanine
nucleotide exchange activity toward Rap, is a target of both incretin and sulfonylurea. This
suggests the possibility of interplay between incretin and sulfonylurea through Epac2A/Rap1
signaling in insulin secretion. In this study, we examined the combinatorial effects of incretin
and various sulfonylureas on insulin secretion and activation of Epac2A/Rap1 signaling. A …
Incretin-related drugs and sulfonylureas are currently used worldwide for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. We recently found that Epac2A, a cAMP binding protein having guanine nucleotide exchange activity toward Rap, is a target of both incretin and sulfonylurea. This suggests the possibility of interplay between incretin and sulfonylurea through Epac2A/Rap1 signaling in insulin secretion. In this study, we examined the combinatorial effects of incretin and various sulfonylureas on insulin secretion and activation of Epac2A/Rap1 signaling. A strong augmentation of insulin secretion by combination of GLP-1 and glibenclamide or glimepiride, which was found in Epac2A+/+ mice, was markedly reduced in Epac2A−/− mice. In contrast, the combinatorial effect of GLP-1 and gliclazide was rather mild, and the effect was not altered by Epac2A ablation. Activation of Rap1 was enhanced by the combination of an Epac-selective cAMP analog with glibenclamide or glimepiride but not gliclazide. In diet-induced obese mice, ablation of Epac2A reduced the insulin secretory response to coadministration of the GLP-1 receptor agonist liraglutide and glimepiride. These findings clarify the critical role of Epac2A/Rap1 signaling in the augmenting effect of incretin and sulfonylurea on insulin secretion and provide the basis for the effects of combination therapies of incretin-related drugs and sulfonylureas.
Am Diabetes Assoc