This study examines the calcium store-regulated (capacitative) calcium influx pathway in the endocrine pancreatic cell line RINm5F, utilizing thapsigargin. After preincubation of the cells with the phorbol ester TPA, thapsigargin induced a sustained elevation of cytosolic calcium as well as a sustained stimulation of manganese entry, the latter being used to assess calcium influx. Thapsigargin given alone provoked a smaller and only transient elevation of cytosolic calcium and stimulation of manganese entry. The protein kinase C inhibitor staurosporine antagonized the effect of the phorbol ester. Verapamil, nifedipine, or measures to hyperpolarize the cells exerted no inhibitory action against this effect, which excludes an involvement of voltage-dependent calcium channels. In conclusion, our data shows for the first time that protein kinase C stimulation activates the capacitative calcium influx pathway of endocrine pancreatic insulin-producing cells.
