Palmitate-induced changes in protein expression of insulin secreting INS-1E cells

Elevated blood levels of glucose and lipids in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus have been observed to cause impairment of insulin secretion from pancreatic β-cells. Chronic exposure to either of the circulating fatty acid oleate or palmitate has different effects on the β-cell. Whereas palmitate causes functional impairment of the β-cell and apoptosis, oleate has only minor negative effects on β-cell function and mass. The aim of the present study was to delineate mechanisms by which the fatty acids affect the β-cell differently. In particular, the aim was to identify β-cell proteins exclusively regulated by palmitate. INS-1E cells were cultured for 24 h in medium supplemented with palmitate or oleate. After culture, cells were lysed and subjected to two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. Proteins specifically regulated by palmitate were excised from the gel and identified by peptide mass fingerprinting using MALDI-TOF MS. Proteins exclusively regulated by palmitate were classified into proteins of carbohydrate or protein metabolism and Ca2+ or mRNA binding proteins. The specific palmitate-induced down-regulation of enzymes of glycolysis, proteins of protein turnover and anti-apoptotic protein may contribute to explain the different effects exerted by palmitate and oleate on β-cell function and mass.

Graphical abstractFigure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload high-quality image (222 K)Download as PowerPoint slideProtein expression pattern of INS-1E cells cultured in presence of palmitate. Proteins exclusively regulated by palmitate were classified into proteins of carbohydrate or protein metabolism and Ca2+ or mRNA binding proteins.