On the possible role of thiol groups in the insulin-releasing action of mercurials, organic disulfides, alkylating agents, and sulfonylureas
The thiol activity of pancreatic islets was spectrophotometrically assayed as the formation of 6-mercaptonicotinic acid from the organic disulfide, 6, 6’-dithiodinicotinic acid. Islets containing more than 90% β-cells were microdissected from non-inbred oblob-mice. Comparisons of intact with homogenized islets indicated that the organic disulfide penetrates relatively slowly into the β-cells. When