Mechanisms of the Glycaemic Effects of Sulfonylureas

Abstract

Sulfonylureas are widely used to treat non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus. These drugs exert their hypoglycaemic effects by stimulating insulin secretion from the pancreatic β-cell. Their primary mechanism of action is to close ATP-sensitive K-channels in the β-cell plasma membrane, and so initiate a chain of events which results in insulin release. Recent studies have shown that the β-cell ATP-sensitive K-channel is a complex of two proteins: a pore-forming subunit (Kir6.2) and a drug-binding subunit (SUR1) which functions as the receptor for sulfonylureas. This review summarizes recent advances in our understanding of the molecular mechanism of sulfonylurea action, focusing on the relationship between the sulfonylurea receptor and the K-ATP channel. Earlier studies are also re-examined in the light of new findings.

Key words

Sulfonylurea - Kir6.2 - SUR1 - Sulfonylurea Receptor - ATP-sensitive K-Channel - Pancreatic β-Cell - Insulin Secretion