Galanin inhibits somatostatin release by the rat islet cell tumor in culture, Rin-m

Abstract

Using a rat islet cell tumor in culture, Rin-m, we studied the effects of the neuropeptide, galanin, on somatostatin release. Galanin applied to the incubation medium inhibited pancreatic hormone release rapidly and dose dependently with an IC50 at 4 nM and the maximal effect (40% inhibition) was elicited by 100 nM peptide. Pretreatment of Rin-m cells with pertussis toxin abolished the inhibitory effect of galanin on somatostatin release. The results suggest that galanin probably controls the function of the pancreatic delta cell through a pertussis toxin-sensitive pathway.