Fig. 1.
E2 regulation of KATP channel activity is abolished in β-cells from ERβ−/− mice. A, E2 at 1 nm decreased KATP channel activity in intact pancreatic islet cells from WT mice. The records show the KATP channel activity before application of E2, 7 min after application of E2, 8 min after application of 8 mm glucose, and 3 min after application of 100 μm diazoxide. B, Percentage of activity of the KATP channels elicited by vehicle (n =7), 1 nm E2 (n =3), and 8 mm glucose (n =4). C, 1 nm E2 had no significant effect on KATP channel activity in intact pancreatic β-cells from ERβ−/− mice. As in A, the records show KATP channel activity before application of E2, 7 min after application of E2, 8 min after application of 8 mm glucose, and 3 min after application of 100 μm diazoxide. D, Percentage of activity of the KATP channels elicited by vehicle (control) (n =4), 1 nm E2 (n =4), and 8 mm glucose (n =3). **, P < 0.01 Student’s t test comparing 8 mm glucose with control. E, The same experiment as in A but using β-cells from ERα−/− mice. F, Percentage calculated as in B and D. Note that 1 nm E2 decreases KATP channel activity to the same extent as in WT mice (n =4). **, P < 0.01 Student’s t test comparing E2 with control and 8 mm glucose with control.