TY - JOUR T1 - Inhibition of Insulin Biosynthesis by Alloxan, Streptozotocin, and <em>N</em>-Nitrosomethylurea JF - Molecular Pharmacology JO - Mol Pharmacol SP - 759 LP - 765 VL - 11 IS - 6 AU - ROLF GUNNARSSON Y1 - 1975/11/01 UR - http://molpharm.aspetjournals.org/content/11/6/759.abstract N2 - Isolated mouse pancreatic islets were used to evaluate the effect of a single intravenous injection of alloxan (100 mg/kg body weight), streptozotocin (200 mg/kg), or N-nitrosomethylurea (78 mg/kg) on glucose-stimulated biosynthesis of insulin in the B-cell. The animals were killed 10 min after injection of the drugs, and the rate of insulin synthesis was estimated by measurements of the incorporation of [3H]leucine into proinsulin and insulin. Alloxan completely blocked insulin biosynthesis, whereas with streptozotocin and N-nitrosomethylurea the inhibition was only partial. Nicotinamide restored insulin biosynthesis after the latter drugs but was completely without effect on alloxan-induced inhibition. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The author is indebted to Associate Professor Claes Hellerström for valuable advice and review of the manuscript. The skillful technical assistance of Mrs. Parri Wentzel is gratefully acknowledged. ER -