The Presence of Human Chorionic Gonadotropin/Luteinizing Hormone Receptors in Pancreatic β-Cells

Reprod Sci. 2015 Aug;22(8):1000-7. doi: 10.1177/1933719115570910. Epub 2015 Feb 10.

Abstract

We investigated the possible presence of functional human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)/luteinizing hormone (LH) receptors in β-cells of pancreas, using a combination of techniques on hCG/LH receptor knockout mice, immortalized rat insulinoma cells, and human pancreatic islets. The results showed the presence of receptors and their activation resulted in a dose-dependent increase in glucose-induced release of insulin. These findings place hCG and LH among the regulators of insulin release with potential implications for insulin-level changes during the periods of altered hCG and LH secretion.

Keywords: colocalization; glucose; hCG/LH receptors; insulin release; β-cells of pancreas.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cadaver
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Chorionic Gonadotropin / pharmacology
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Female
  • Glucose / metabolism
  • Insulin / metabolism
  • Insulin Secretion
  • Insulin-Secreting Cells / drug effects
  • Insulin-Secreting Cells / metabolism*
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Rats
  • Receptors, LH / agonists
  • Receptors, LH / deficiency
  • Receptors, LH / genetics
  • Receptors, LH / metabolism*
  • Tissue Culture Techniques

Substances

  • Chorionic Gonadotropin
  • Insulin
  • Receptors, LH
  • Glucose