Rainbow trout were used as a model system to evaluate the role of glucose i
n regulating the expression of preprosomatostatin I. Glucose increased panc
reatic levels of preprosomatostatin I mRNA in vivo, in concert with elevate
d plasma somatostatin levels, and in vitro. Glucose-stimulated expression o
f preprosomatostatin I mRNA required the uptake, phosphorylation, and subse
quent metabolism of the sugar in pancreatic islets. These results suggest t
hat glucose modulates both the production and release of somatostatin. (C)
2000 Federation of European Biochemical Societies.