Changes of free amino acids in pancreatic beta-cells after starvation and substrate deprivation
Gylfe, E.
Acta Endocrinologica 75(1): 105-118
1974
ISSN/ISBN: 0001-5598 PMID: 4597206 Document Number: 81594
A method is described for estimation of free amino acids in beta -cell-rich pancreatic islets from female obese hyperglycaemic mice by reaction with dansyl (1-dimethylaminonaphthalene-5-sulphonyl) chloride and subsequent thin-layer chromatography. The mice were fed freely or starved for 3 days before they were killed. The islets contained gamma -aminobutyric acid and high concentrations of taurine. Islets dissected from fresh pancreas contained more leucine and valine than those from freeze-dried pancreas. When micro-dissected islets were incubated in substrate-free medium (Krebs Ringer bicarbonate buffer, KRB) the concentrations of leucine and valine remained high whereas that of aspartic acid decreased. When islets were incubated in vitro in a continuous flow of KRB medium the concentrations of glycine, leucine, lysine, phenylalanine and valine decreased. When mice were starved the concentrations of gamma -aminobutyric acid and leucine in beta -cells increased and those of aspartic and glutamic acids decreased.