Abstract
Elements of the endocannabinoid system (ECS) are expressed by islet endocrine cells and activation of CB1 and CB2 cannabinoid receptors regulates insulin secretion from mouse and human β-cells. The current study aimed to investigate the expression and function, in mouse and human β-cells, of monoacylglycerol lipase (MGL), an enzyme that facilitates degradation of the endocannabinoid 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG). We found that MGL mRNA is expressed by MIN6 β-cells, mouse islets, human islets and enriched human islet β-cells, and immunohistochemistry indicated that MGL localisation in human islets is consistent with its expression by some β- and -α-cells. Blockade of MGL activity with the pharmacological inhibitor URB602 led to increased [Ca<sup>2+</sup>]<sub>i </sub>and enhanced insulin secretion from MIN6 β-cells, and MGL inhibition also elevated insulin and glucagon secretion from isolated human islets in vitro. These data imply a stimulatory role for endogenous 2-AG in islets that is amplified when its degradation is blocked.
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