Enhancers of cytosolic cAMP augment depolarization-induced exocytosis from pancreatic B-cells: evidence for effects distal to Ca2+ entry.

We have investigated the effects of cAMP-enhancing agents on depolarization-induced membrane capacitance increases (delta Cm) in single rat pancreatic B-cells. Concentrations of IBMX, 8-CPT cAMP and forskolin, which enhance cAMP and insulin release, all enhance depolarization-induced delta Cm's seen in response to single voltage-clamp pulses and reduce the depression of delta Cm responses often seen with trains of pulses. These effects often occur in the absence of changes in peak Ca2+ current or the total Ca2+ charge entry during the depolarizing pulse. These data suggest that cAMP-modulating maneuvers may directly affect the mechanism of insulin granule mobilization into a readily releasible store or fusion at a discharge site.