Date of Award
1-1-2009
Document Type
Masters Thesis
Degree Name
M.S.
Organizational Unit
Biological Sciences
First Advisor
Joseph Angleson, Ph.D.
Second Advisor
Nancy Lorenzon
Third Advisor
Robert M. Dores
Keywords
Alpha cells, cAMP, Cyclic AMP, Endocrinology, Epac, PKA, Protein kinase A
Abstract
Blood glucose levels are regulated by the interactions between insulin and glucagon. Pancreatic alpha cells release glucagon in response to a drop in blood sugar. Pancreatic alpha cells appear to be regulated through multiple signaling pathways. One potential method of regulation occurs from α-MSH or epinephrine stimulated production of the intracellular messenger cyclic AMP. Exocytosis of dense core vesicles containing glucagon ultimately requires an increase in cytosolic calcium. This study focused on the link between cyclic AMP and calcium in pancreatic alpha cells which allows alpha cell regulation. Interactions between calcium and cyclic AMP in pancreatic alpha cells consists of PKA-dependant and PKA-independent pathways. The results indicate cyclic AMP pathways control L-type voltage-gated calcium channels and also increase cytoplasmic calcium from intracellular stores. Store release appears to be through IP3 mediated pathways and not through the ryanodine-sensitive receptor.
Publication Statement
Copyright is held by the author. User is responsible for all copyright compliance.
Rights Holder
Julianne Michelle Imseis
Provenance
Received from ProQuest
File Format
application/pdf
Language
en
File Size
65 p.
Recommended Citation
Imseis, Julianne Michelle, "Assessing Crosstalk Between Calcium and cAMP in Pancreatic Alpha Cells" (2009). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 829.
https://digitalcommons.du.edu/etd/829
Copyright date
2009
Discipline
Cellular biology, Molecular biology