Background A 65-kD mdr1(multi-drug resistance protein 1,P-glycoprotein)-like protein has been suggested to be the regulatory protein to the chloride channel protein 3(CIC-3)mediating insulin granules acidification and release in mouse pancreatic beta cells.But the protein has not been deeply investigated.In this study,we identified existence of the 65-kda protein in rat islets and preliminarily explored its biological functions.Methods Total RNAs of rat kidneys served as positive controls,and pancreas,islets and INS-1 cells were extracted for reverse-transcript PCR(RT-PCR),respectively.The cDNAs were run with specific primers selected from the mRNA of abcblb encoding P-glycoprotein.All PCR products were visualized in agarose gel electrophoresis and sequenced.Homogenates of rat islets and INS-1 cells were applied to SDS-PAGE.P-glycoprotein was detected by a specific monoclonal antibody,C219.Biphasic insulin release was measured in static incubations of rat islets with radioimmunology assay.Results Compared with positive control,expression of the P-glycoprotein mRNA segments were detected in the islets,INS-1 cells and pancreas.Sequence analysis confirmed that the PCR products were matched with mRNA of P-glycoprotein.A 65-kda protein was recognized by the antibody in the islets homogenate but not in that of INS-1 cells in West-blotting.Instead,the homogenate of INS-1 cells contained a 160-kda protein recognized by the antibody.Insulin secretion of rat islets were stimulated by high glucose(16.7mmol/L),and showed biphasic curve during 60-minute incubation.After co-incubation with cyclosporine A(CsA),specific inhibitor to P-glycoprotein,the second phase of insulin secretion was reduced significantly while the first phase was not influenced.Conclusions The 65-kda protein expressed in rat islets is most likely a mini-P-glycoprotein.It may play a key role regulating biphasic insulin release.