Gluconeogenic Enzymes in beta-Cells: Pharmacological Targets for Improving Insulin Secretion

Abstract

Pancreatic beta-cells express the gluconeogenic enzymes glucose 6-phosphatase (G6Pase), fructose 1,6-bisphosphatase (FBP), and phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP) carboxykinase (PCK), which modulate glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS) through their ability to reverse otherwise irreversible glycolytic steps. Here, we review current knowledge about the expression and regulation of these enzymes in the context of manipulating them to improve insulin secretion in diabetics. Because the regulation of gluconeogenic enzymes in beta-cells is so poorly understood, we propose novel research avenues to study these enzymes as modulators of insulin secretion and beta-cell dysfunction, with especial attention to FBP, which constitutes an attractive target with an inhibitor under clinical evaluation at present.