Tomosyn is expressed in β-cells and negatively regulates insulin exocytosis

Tomosyn, a syntaxin-binding protein, is capable of dissociating mammalian homolog of the Caenorhabditis elegans unc-18 gene from syntaxin and is involved in the regulation of exocytosis. We have investigated the expression, cellular localization, and functional role of tomosyn in pancreatic β-cells. Western blotting revealed a 130-kDa protein corresponding to tomosyn in insulin-secreting β-cell lines. RT-PCR amplification showed that b-, m-, and s-tomosyn isoform mRNAs are expressed in β-cell lines and rat pancreatic islets. Immunohistochemistry revealed punctate tomosyn immunoreactivity in the cytoplasm of insulin-, glucagon-, pancreatic polypeptide-, and somatostatin-containing islet cells. Syntaxin 1 coimmunoprecipitated with tomosyn in extracts of insulin-secreting cells. Overexpression of m-tomosyn in mouse β-cells significantly decreased exocytosis, whereas inhibition of tomosyn expression by small interfering RNA increased exocytosis. Hence, in the pancreatic β-cell, tomosyn negatively regulates insulin exocytosis.