Inhibition of electrical activity in mouse pancreatic beta-cells by the ATP/ADP translocase inhibitor, bongkrekic acid

Abstract

Bongkrekic acid causes fatal food poisoning which is associated with hyperglycaemia. Here we demonstrate that bongkrekic acid, a potent inhibitor of the mitochondrial ATP/ADP translocase, inhibits glucose-induced electrical activity in the pancreatic beta-cell through the stimulation of ATP-sensitive potassium channel (K-ATP-channel) activity. By comparison of its effects with those of oligomycin, we suggest that bongkrekic acid acts by the inhibition of glucose metabolism and may induce hyperglycaemia by impairing beta-cell function.