Immunocytochemical localization of alpha-protein kinase C in rat pancreatic beta-cells during glucose-induced insulin secretion

The role of protein kinase C (PKC) in insulin secretion regulation was investigated. The study protocol involved confocal immunofluorescent microscopic visualization of the intracellular localization of alpha-PKC in beta-cells from isolated rat pancreatic islets and the pancreas of intact, unstressed rats. The results showed that glucose metabolism induces the redistribution of alpha-PKC to the beta-cell periphery both in isolated pancreatic islets and intact animals. Therefore, alpha-PKC has a role in insulin secretion induced by glucose.