Activation of extracellular signal-regulated protein kinases 1 and 2 (ERK1/2) by free fatty acid receptor 1 (FFAR1/GPR40) protects from palmitate-induced beta cell death, but plays no role in insulin secretion.

Aims: GPR40/FFAR1 mediates palmitate-induced stimulation of insulin secretion but its involvement in lipotoxicity is controversial. Our previous observations suggest that FFAR1/GPR40 agonists protect against lipotoxicity although the underlying mechanism remains elusive. The present study examines the role of ERK1/2 and GPR40/FFAR1 in palmitate-induced stimulation of insulin secretion and beta cell death.

Detection of free fatty acid receptor 1 expression: the critical role of negative and positive controls.

Aims/hypothesis: Adequate evaluation of protein expression is a crucial prerequisite for functional studies. Commonly used strategies comprise detection of proteins by specific antibodies using western blotting and immunohistochemical staining, or detection of mRNA by in situ hybridisation and RT-PCR. We evaluated the tools for the detection of free fatty acid receptor 1 (FFAR1) expression.