Glibenclamide-Induced Apoptosis Is Specifically Enhanced by Expression of the Sulfonylurea Receptor Isoform SUR1 but Not by Expression of SUR2B or the Mutant SUR1(M1289T)

Sulfonylurea receptor 1 (SUR1) is the regulatory subunit of the pancreatic ATP-sensitive K+ channel (K(ATP) channel), which is essential for triggering insulin secretion via membrane depolarization. Sulfonylureas, such as glibenclamide and tolbutamide, act as K(ATP) channel blockers and are widely used in diabetes treatment. These antidiabetic substances are known to induce apoptosis in pancreatic beta-cells or beta-cell lines under certain...