Inhibition of electrical activity in mouse pancreatic β‐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 β‐cell through the simulation 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 β‐cel function. Author Keywords: Bongkrekic acid; Metabolism; ATP‐sensitive potassium channel; Pancreatic β‐cell