Specific Deletion of CASK in Pancreatic β-Cells Affects Glucose Homeostasis and Improves Insulin Sensitivity in Obese Mice by Reducing Hyperinsulinemia

Abstract

Calcium/calmodulin-dependent serine protein kinase (CASK) is involved in the secretion of insulin vesicles in pancreatic β-cells. The current study revealed a new in vivo role of CASK in glucose homeostasis during the progression of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). A Cre-loxP system was used to specifically delete the Cask gene in mouse β-cells (βCASKKO), and glucose metabolism was evaluated in βCASKKO mice fed a normal chow diet (ND) or a high-fat diet (HFD). ND-fed mice exhibited impaired insulin secretion in response to glucose stimulation. Transmission electron microscopy showed significantly reduced numbers of insulin granules at or near the cell membrane in the islets of βCASKKO mice. By contrast, HFD-fed βCASKKO mice showed reduced blood glucose and a partial relief of hyperinsulinemia and insulin resistance when compared with HFD-fed wild-type mice. The IRS1/PI3K/AKT signaling pathway was upregulated in the adipose tissue of HFD-fed βCASKKO mice. These results indicated that knockout of the Cask gene in β-cells had a diverse effect on glucose homeostasis; it reduced insulin secretion in ND-fed mice but improved insulin sensitivity in HFD-fed mice. Therefore, CASK appears to function in insulin secretion and contributes to hyperinsulinemia and insulin resistance during the development of obesity-related T2DM.