RFX6 Regulates Insulin Secretion by Modulating Ca²⁺ Homeostasis in Human β Cells

Highlights

• RFX6 regulates insulin expression and secretion in human pancreatic β cells

• Knockdown of RFX6 results in reduced L- and P/Q-type Ca²⁺-channel expression

• This subsequently disturbs Ca²⁺ homeostasis and electrical activity in β cells

• This provides insight into certain forms of neonatal diabetes

Summary

Development and function of pancreatic β cells involve the regulated activity of specific transcription factors. RFX6 is a transcription factor essential for mouse β cell differentiation that is mutated in monogenic forms of neonatal diabetes. However, the expression and functional roles of RFX6 in human β cells, especially in pathophysiological conditions, are poorly explored. We demonstrate the presence of RFX6 in adult human pancreatic endocrine cells. Using the recently developed human β cell line EndoC-βH2, we show that RFX6 regulates insulin gene transcription, insulin content, and secretion. Knockdown of RFX6 causes downregulation of Ca²⁺-channel genes resulting in the reduction in L-type Ca²⁺-channel activity that leads to suppression of depolarization-evoked insulin exocytosis. We also describe a previously unreported homozygous missense RFX6 mutation (p.V506G) that is associated with neonatal diabetes, which lacks the capacity to activate the insulin promoter and to increase Ca²⁺-channel expression. Our data therefore provide insights for understanding certain forms of neonatal diabetes.