The role of various calcium and potassium channels in the regulation of somatodendritic serotonin release

We prepared slices from midbrain containing the raphe nuclei and from hippocampus of rats. The brain slices were loaded with [³H]serotonin and superfused in order to measure the release of radioactivity at rest and in response to electrical stimulation. No difference was observed in the resting and stimulated fractional release of tritium in the somatodendritic and axon terminal parts of serotonergic neurons. The selective 5-HT_1A receptor agonist 8-OH-DPAT decreased the electrically induced tritium effux from raphe nuclei slices preloaded with [³H]serotonin, and this inhibition was reversed by 5-HT_1A receptor antagonist (+)WAY-100135. The 5-HT_1B receptor agonist CGS-12066B but not 8-OH-DPAT, inhibited the stimulation-evoked tritium efflux from hippocampal slices after labeling with [³H]serotonin. The electrical stimulation-evoked tritium efflux in raphe nuclei slices incubate with [³H]serotonin was completely external Ca²⁺-dependent, and omega-conotoxin GVIA and Cd²⁺, but not diltiazem, inhibited the tritium overflow. In raphe nuclei slices 4-aminopyridine enhanced the electrical stimulation-induced trititum release in a concentration-dependent manner. The inhibition of tritium efflux by 8-OH-DPAT was abolished with 4-aminopyridine. Glibenclamide or tolbutamide proved to be ineffective. These data indicate that (1) different 5-HT receptor subtypes (5-HT_1A and 5-HT_1B) regulate dendritic and axon terminal 5-HT release; (2) serotonin release from the dendrites may be regulated by the voltage-sensitive N-type Ca²⁺ channels; (3) the 5-HT_1A receptor-mediated inhibition of serotonin release may be due to opening of voltage-sensitive K⁺ channels.     

Voltage-operated Ca2+ channels regulate dopamine release from somata of dopamine neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta

Dopamine (DA) neurons release DA not only from axon terminals at the striatum, but from their somata and dendrites at the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc). Released DA may auto-regulate further DA release or modulate non-DA cells. However, the actual mechanism of somatodendritic DA release, especially the Ca²⁺ dependency of the process, remains controversial. In this study, we used amperometry to monitor DA release from somata of acutely isolated rat DA neurons. We found that DA neurons spontaneously released DA in the resting state. Removal of extracellular Ca²⁺ and application of blockers for voltage-operated Ca²⁺ channels (VOCCs) suppressed the frequency of secretion events. Activation of VOCCs by stimulation with K⁺-rich saline increased the frequency of secretion events, which were also sensitive to blockers for L- and T-type Ca²⁺ channels. These results suggest that Ca²⁺ influx through VOCCs regulates DA release from somata of DA neurons.     

Voltage-Sensitive Ca2+ Channels Involved in Nicotinic Receptor-Mediated [3H]Dopamine Release from Rat Striatal Synaptosomes

Abstract: The potent nicotinic agonist anatoxin-a elicits mecamylamine-sensitive [³H]dopamine release from striatal synaptosomes, and this action is both Na⁺ and Ca²⁺ dependent and is blocked by Cd²⁺. This suggests that stimulation of presynaptic nicotinic receptors results in Na⁺ influx and local depolarisation that activates voltage-sensitive Ca²⁺ channels, which in turn provide the Ca²⁺ for exocytosis. Here we have investigated the subtypes of Ca²⁺ channels implicated in this mechanism. [³H]Dopamine release evoked by anatoxin-a (1 µM) was partially blocked by 20 µM nifedipine, whereas KCl-evoked release was insensitive to the dihydropyridine. However, a ⁸⁶Rb⁺ efflux assay of nicotinic receptor function suggested that nifedipine has a direct effect on the receptor, discrediting the involvement of L-type channels. The N-type Ca²⁺ channel blocker ω-conotoxin GVIA (1 µM) blocked anatoxin-a-evoked [³H]dopamine release by 60% but had no significant effect on ⁸⁶Rb⁺ efflux; release evoked by both 15 and 25 mM KCl was inhibited by only 30%. The P-type channel blocker ω-agatoxin IVA (90 nM) also inhibited KCl-evoked release by ～30%, whereas anatoxin-a-evoked release was insensitive. The Q-type channel blocker ω-conotoxin MVIIC (1 µM) had no effect on either stimulus. These results suggest that presynaptic nicotinic receptors on striatal nerve terminals promote [³H]dopamine release by activation of N-type Ca²⁺ channels. In contrast, KCl-evoked [³H]dopamine release appears to involve both N-type and P-type channels.     

Glutamate receptor agonists evoked Ca2+-dependent and Ca2+-independent release of [3H]d-Aspartate from cultured chick retina cells

We studied the release of [³H]d-aspartate evoked by glutamate receptor agonists from monolayer cultures of chick retina cells, and found that activation of the glutamate receptors can evoke both Ca²⁺-dependent and Ca²⁺-independent release of [³H]d-aspartate. In Ca²⁺-free (no added Ca²⁺) Na⁺ medium, the agonists of the glutamate receptors induced the release of [³H]d-aspartate with the following rank order of potency: kainate>α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA)∼N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA). In media containing 1 mM CaCl₂ the release of [³H]d-aspartate evoked by NMDA, kainate and AMPA was increased by about 112%, 20% and 39%, respectively, as compared to the release evoked by the same agonists in Ca²⁺-free medium. NMDA was the most potent agonist in stimulating the Ca²⁺-dependent release of [³H]d-aspartate, possibly by exocytosis, and AMPA was as potent as kainate. The Ca²⁺-dependent release of [³H]d-aspartate evoked by kainate was dependent on the influx of Ca²⁺ through the receptor associated channel, as well as through the N- (ω-Conotoxin GVIA-sensitive) and L- (nitrendipine-sensitive)type voltage-sensitive Ca²⁺ channels (VSCC). The exocytotic release of [³H]d-aspartate evoked by AMPA relied exclusively on Ca²⁺ entry through the L-type VSCC, whereas the effect of NMDA was partially mediated by the influx of Ca²⁺ through the receptor-associated channel, but not through L- or N-type VSCC. Thus, activation of these different glutamate receptors under physiological conditions is expected to cause the release of cytosolic and vesicular glutamate, and the routes of Ca²⁺ entry modulating vesicular release may be selectively recruited.     

Effect of Subtype-Specific Ca2+-Antagonists and Ca2+-Free Media on the Field Stimulation-Evoked Release of ATP and [3H]Acetylcholine from Rat Habenula Slices

The involvement of different subtypes of voltage-sensitive Ca²⁺ channels in the initiation of field stimulation-induced endogenous adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and [³H]acetylcholine ([³H]ACh) release was investigated in the superfused rat habenula slices. ATP, measured by the luciferin-luciferase assay, and [³H]ACh were released simultaneously from the tissue in response to low frequency electrical stimulation (2 Hz, 2.5 msec, 360 shocks). The N-type Ca²⁺ channel blocker -conotoxin GVIA (-CgTX, 0.01–1 M) reduced the stimulation-evoked release of ATP and [³H]ACh in a dose-dependent manner. Similarly, the P-type Ca²⁺ channel antagonist -agatoxin IVA (-Aga IVA) (0.05 M) and the inorganic Ca²⁺ channel blocker Cd²⁺ (0.2 mM) inhibited the outflow of both transmitters, while Ni²⁺ (0.1 mM) was without significant effect. A high correlation was observed between the percent inhibition of ATP release and percent inhibition of ACh release caused by the different Ca²⁺ antagonists. Long-term perfusion (i.e., 90 min) with Ca²⁺ free solution inhibited the evoked-release of ATP and [³H]ACh. In contrast, perfusion of slices with the same media for a shorter time (i.e., 20 min) did not reduce the release of [³H]ACh and ATP but even increased the evoked-release of ATP about fourfold. The breakdown of extracellular ATP was not blocked under low [Ca²⁺]₀ condition, measured by the creatine phosphokinase assay and HPLC-UV technique. Application of extra- or intracellular Ca²⁺ chelators, and dipyridamole (2 M), the nucleoside transporter inhibitor, did not reduce the excess release of ATP after short-term perfusion with Ca²⁺-free media. Tetrodotoxin (TTX, 1 M), while inhibiting the majority of ATP release under normal conditions, was also unable to reduce release under low [Ca²⁺]₀ conditions. In summary, we showed that both N- and P-type Ca²⁺ channels are involved in the initiation of electrical stimulation-evoked release of ATP and [³H]ACh in the rat habenula under normal extracellular calcium concentration. Under low [Ca²⁺]₀ conditions an additional release of ATP occurs, which is not associated with action potential propagation.     

Dopamine Efflux from Striatum After Chronic Nicotine: Evidence for Autoreceptor Desensitization

We examined the effect of chronic nicotine treatment on dopaminergic activity by measuring the effects of D1 and D2 dopamine (DA) receptor agonists and antagonists on tritium release from mouse striatum preloaded with [3H]DA. The radioactivity released during superfusion was separated on alumina columns and the distribution and efflux of [3H]DA and its main 3H-labeled metabolites were quantified. After preloading by incubation with [3H]DA, the electrical stimulation-evoked tritium overflow was higher in striatum prepared from nicotine-treated mice, whereas in vitro addition of nicotine caused a similar increase in tritium release from striatum of untreated and chronic nicotine-treated mice. The overflow of [3H]DA and its 3H-metabolites exhibited similar distribution patterns in [3H]DA-preloaded striatum dissected from untreated and chronic nicotine-pretreated mice, indicating that repeated injections with nicotine did not alter the metabolism of [3H]DA taken up by the tissue. (-)-Quinpirole, a selective agonist for D2 DA receptors, and apomorphine, a nonselective D1/D2 agonist, inhibited the electrical stimulation-induced tritium efflux from striatum of untreated mice, whereas (+/-)-sulpiride, a D2 DA receptor antagonist, enhanced the evoked release of tritium. These changes in tritium efflux effected by (-)-quinpirole and (+/-)-sulpiride reflected changes in [3H]DA release and not in DA metabolism, as shown by separation of the released radioactivity on alumina columns. The D1 receptor agonist (+/-)-SKF-38393 did not affect the tritium overflow, whereas the D1 receptor antagonist (+)-SCH-23390 exerted a stimulatory action but only at a high concentration.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Longitudinal smooth muscle of the mammalian intestine

Ca²⁺ mobilization in muscle cells from the circular muscle layer of the mammalian intestine is mediated by IP₃-dependent Ca²⁺ release. Ca²⁺ mobilization in muscle from the adjacent longitudinal muscle layer involves a distinct, phosphoinositide-independent pathway. Receptors for contractile agonists in longitudinal muscle cells are coupled via a pertussis toxinsensitive G protein to activation of PLA₂ and formation of arachidonic acid (AA). The latter activates Cl⁻ channels resulting in depolarization of the plasma membrane and opening of voltage-sensitive Ca²⁺ channels. Ca²⁺ influx via these channels induces Ca²⁺ release by activating sarcoplasmic ryanodine receptor/Ca²⁺ channels. The increase in [Ca²⁺]_i activates membrane-bound ADP ribosyl cyclase, and the resultant formation of cADPR enhances Ca²⁺-induced Ca²⁺ release.     

A non-invasive vibrating calcium-selective electrode measures acetylcholine-induced calcium flux across the sarcolemma of a smooth muscle

To determine possible sources of Ca²⁺ during excitation-contraction coupling in smooth muscle, a vibrating Ca²⁺-selective electrode was used to measure Ca²⁺ flux during the process of contraction. The smooth muscle model was the longitudinal muscle of the body wall of a sea cucumberSclerodactyla briareus. Because acetylcholine caused slow contractions of the muscle that were inhibited by Ca²⁺ channel blockers diltiazem and verapamil in earlier mechanical studies, we chose a vibrating Ca²⁺-selective electrode as our method to test the hypothesis that acetylcholine may be stimulating Ca²⁺ influx across the sarcolemma, providing a Ca²⁺ source during excitation-contraction coupling. Acetylcholine treatment stimulated a net Ca²⁺ efflux that was both dose and time dependent. We then tested two L-type Ca²⁺ channel blockers, diltiazem and verapamil, and two non-specific Ca²⁺ blockers, cobalt (Co²⁺) and lanthanum (La³⁺) on acetylcholine-induced Ca²⁺ flux. All four Ca²⁺ blockers tested potently inhibited Ca²⁺ efflux induced by physiological doses of acetylcholine. We propose that the acetylcholine-induced Ca²⁺ efflux was the result of, first, Ca²⁺ influx through voltage-sensitive L-type Ca²⁺ channels, then the rapid extrusion of Ca²⁺ by an outwardly directed carrier such as the Na–Ca exchanger as suggested by Li⁺ substitution experiments. The vibrating Ca²⁺ electrode has provided new insights on the active and complex role the sarcolemma plays in Ca²⁺ homeostasis and regulating Ca²⁺ redistribution during excitation-contraction coupling.Abbreviations ACh acetylcholine - E-C coupling excitation-contraction coupling - LMBW longitudinal muscle of the body wall     

Adrenaline Stimulates Glucagon Secretion in Pancreatic A-Cells by Increasing the Ca2+ Current and the Number of Granules Close to the L-Type Ca2+ Channels

We have monitored electrical activity, voltage-gated Ca²⁺ currents, and exocytosis in single rat glucagon-secreting pancreatic A-cells. The A-cells were electrically excitable and generated spontaneous Na⁺- and Ca²⁺-dependent action potentials. Under basal conditions, exocytosis was tightly linked to Ca²⁺ influx through ω-conotoxin-GVIA–sensitive (N-type) Ca²⁺ channels. Stimulation of the A-cells with adrenaline (via β-adrenergic receptors) or forskolin produced a greater than fourfold PKA-dependent potentiation of depolarization-evoked exocytosis. This enhancement of exocytosis was due to a 50% enhancement of Ca²⁺ influx through L-type Ca²⁺ channels, an effect that accounted for <30% of the total stimulatory action. The remaining 70% of the stimulation was attributable to an acceleration of granule mobilization resulting in a fivefold increase in the number of readily releasable granules near the L-type Ca²⁺ channels.     

Ca disorder caused by rapid electrical field stimulation can be modulated by CaMKIIδ expression in primary rat atrial myocytes

Abnormalities in intracellular Ca²⁺ handing are believed to contribute to arrhythmogenesis during atrial fibrillation (AF). Ca²⁺/calmodulin-dependent protein kinaseII δ (CaMKIIδ) overexpression was detected in atrial myocytes from patients and animal models with persistent AF. In the present study, we found that rapid electrical field stimulation applied to primary atrial myocytes altered the CaMKIIδ activity, not expression level, resulting in Ca²⁺ disorder. By lentivirus mediated delivery of CaMKIIδ gene or siRNA into atrial myocytes, cells with different CaMKIIδ expression were generated. Changes of CaMKIIδ expression altered the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca²⁺ release and L-type Ca²⁺ channels current (I_Ca) in both steady and electrical stimulating state. These results revealed the important role of CaMKIIδ in Ca²⁺ disorder caused by electrical field stimulation. It also provided a potential method to improve Ca²⁺ disorder in AF by modulating CaMKIIδ expression level.     

A Functional Study of Single Mammalian CNS “Synaptic Bouton”

Single CNS neurons could be dissociated with adherent functional synaptic boutons without using any enzyme, namely when preparing a “synaptic bouton.” This allows experimenters to investigate the effects of presynaptic modulators of synaptic transmission with unprecedented case and accuracy. Moreover, a single bouton can be visualized using fluorescent markers and can also be focally stimulated with electrical pulses. In this communication, high voltage-dependent Ca²⁺ channels of nerve endings, as one of experimental examples using the “synaptic bouton” preparation, are described. Ca²⁺ channels belonging to different subtypes, which trigger GABA release from nerve terminals (boutons) projecting to rat hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons, were studied. GABA-ergic evoked inhibitory postsynaptic currents (eIPSCs) were recorded; these currents were evoked by focal stimulation of single boutons in mechanically dissociated neurons and by stimulation of a nerve bundle in slice preparations. Nilvadipine, an L-type Ca²⁺ channel blocker, completely inhibited eIPSCs evoked by stimulation of single boutons but exerted no effect on eIPSCs evoked by low-frequency stimulation of the nerve bundle. Nilvadipine did, however, prevent potentiation of the eIPSC amplitude following high-frequency stimulation of the nerve bundles in slice preparations. ω-Conotoxin-GVIA, an N-type Ca²⁺ channel blocker, and ω-Agatoxin-IVA, a P/Q-type Ca²⁺ channel blocker, completely inhibited the eIPSCs in 33.3 and 83.3% of the recordings from single boutons, respectively. In response to low-frequency nerve bundle stimulation in the slice preparation, both ω-Conotoxin-GVIA and ω-Agatoxin-IVA partially reduced the amplitude of eIPSC, and the residual component could be abolished by Cd²⁺. From these results, the following hypotheses could be drawn. (i) The distribution of P/Q- and N-type Ca²⁺ channels at a single bouton is nonuniform; (ii) when a focal stimulation is applied to a single bouton, L-type Ca²⁺ channels play a significant role in generation of action potentials, which subsequently activate P/Q- and N-type Ca²⁺ channels at GABA release sites; and (iii) action potentials conducted through axons in the slice preparation are sufficient to depolarize the bouton membrane, even when L-type Ca²⁺ channels are suppressed. Neirofiziologiya/Neurophysiology, Vol. 37, No. 2, pp. 181–183, March–April, 2005.     

Stimulation of Ca efflux by N-formyl chemotactic peptides in guinea-pig peritoneal macrophages

Effects of N-formyl chemotactic peptides on the Ca²⁺ influx and efflux were investigated in guinea-pig peritoneal macrophages using an isotope tracer. fMet-Leu-Phe did not enhance the influx of ⁴⁵Ca²⁺ into macrophages, whereas it stimulated the efflux of ⁴⁵Ca²⁺ from macrophages at concentrations ranging from 10⁻¹⁰ M to 10⁻⁷ M. fMet-Met-Met and fMet-Leu also stimulated the ⁴⁵Ca²⁺ efflux, albeit at much higher concentrations, while there was no stimulation with fMet. The mitochondrial inhibitors, oligomycin and NaN₃, did not modify the ⁴⁵Ca²⁺ efflux induced by the chemoattractants, yet they did induce the release of ⁴⁵Ca²⁺ from the mitochondria. On the other hand, higher concentrations of the calmodulin antagonists, chlorpromazine and trifluoperazine, induced the release of ⁴⁵Ca²⁺ from the NaN₃-insensitive Ca²⁺ store site and mimicked the enhancement of the ⁴⁵Ca²⁺ efflux by N-formyl chemotactic peptides. Thus, N-formyl chemotactic peptides appear to increase the levels of intracellular free Ca²⁺ in guinea-pig peritoneal macrophages, probably by inducing the release of Ca²⁺ from the NaN₃-insensitive Ca²⁺ store site.     

Endothelin-3 stimulates inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate production and Ca2+ influx to produce biphasic dopamine release from rat striatal slices

Summary 1. Real-time monitoring of dopamine (DA) release from rat striatal slices demonstrated that endothelin (ET)-3 (0.1–10M) produced a biphasic DA release consisting of transient and sustained components. When extracellular Ca²⁺ was removed, the sustained but not transient response remarkably decreased.2. ET-3 (1–10M) stimulated an increase in the intracellular Ca²⁺ concentration ([Ca²⁺]_i), which also consisted of two components. The external Ca²⁺ depletion inhibited primarily the sustained component of the Ca²⁺ response to ET-3.3. ET-3 increased inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) concentrations in striatal slices. This response peaked at 10 to 20 sec and returned to the basal level 2 min after stimulation, an event which was in good accord with a prompt and transient phase of both cytosolic Ca²⁺ activity and DA release evoked by ET-3.4. Thus, ET-3 produces a transient and a sustained release of DA from striatal slices by stimulating intracellular Ca²⁺ mobilization via IP3 formation and extracellular Ca²⁺ influx, respectively.     

Vesicular and carrier-mediatied depolarization-induced release of [3H]GABA: Inhibition by amiloride and verapamil

The Ca²⁺-dependent, presumably exocytotic fraction of the [³H]GABA released by depolarization is dissected from the depolarization-induced Na⁺-dependent, carrier-mediated fraction of [³H]GABA release in mouse brain synaptosomes. GABA homoexchange is prevented by the [³H]GABA carrier blocker, DABA. The absence of external Na⁺ completely abolishes the release of the carrier-mediated, presumably cytoplasmic release of [³H]GABA induced by homoexchange and heteroexchange with GABA and DABA, respectively. The carrier-mediated, Na⁺-dependent fraction of the depolarization-induced release of [³H]GABA is resistant to tetrodotoxin (TTX) but is sensitive to amiloride and verapamil. The Ca²⁺-dependent fraction of the [³H]GABA released by high K⁺ depolarization is also completely abolished by amiloride (from 300 M) and sensitive to verapamil (30 M), but in contrast is insensitive to the absence of external Na⁺ and to DABA. On the basis of these results we conclude that amiloride and verapamil inhibit high K⁺-induced release of [³H]GABA by antagonizing the entrance of Ca²⁺ (and possibly Na⁺ when external Ca²⁺ is absent) through a population of voltage sensitive presynaptic Ca²⁺ channels activated by depolarization.Depto. de Biología Molecular Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas UNAM.     

Dependence of the resting [Ca2+]cyt of RBL-1 cells on Ca2+ entry

The cytoplasmic Ca²⁺ concentration ([Ca²⁺]_cyt) in resting cells in an equilibrium between several influx and efflux mechanisms. Here we address the question of whether capacitative Ca²⁺ entry to some extent is active at resting conditions and therefore is part of processes that guarantee a constant [Ca²⁺]_cyt. We measured changes of [Ca²⁺]_cyt in RBL-1 cells with fluorometric techniques. An increase of the extracellular [Ca²⁺] from 1.3 mM to 5 mM induced an incrase in [Ca²⁺]_cyt from 105±10 nM to 145±8.5 nM. This increase could be inhibited by 10 μM Gd³⁺, 10 μM La³⁺ or 50 μM 2-aminoethoxydiphenyl borate, blockers of capacitative Ca²⁺ entry. Application of those blockers to a resting cell in a standard extracellular solution (1.3 mM Ca²⁺) resulted in a decrease of [Ca²⁺]_cyt from 105±10 nM to 88.5±10 nM with La³⁺, from 103±12 to 89±12 nM with Gd³⁺ and from 102±12 nM to 89.5±5 nM with 2-aminoethoxydiphenyl borate. From these data, we conclude that capacitative Ca²⁺ entry beside its function in Ca²⁺ signaling contributes to the regulation of resting [Ca²⁺]_cyt.     

Calcium efflux from platelet vesicles of the dense tubular system. Analysis of the possible contribution of the Ca2+ pump

The ATP dependent Ca²⁺ uptake of platelet vesicles was inhibited by the two hydrophobic drugs trifluoperazine (TFP) and propranolol (PROP). Inhibition was significantly lowered when Pi was used instead of oxalate as a precipitant agent. When the ATPase ligands substrate (Mg²⁺ and Pi) were absent of the efflux medium, a slow release of Ca²⁺ which did not couple with ATP synthesis (passive Ca²⁺ efflux) was observed. Both, TFP and PROP enhanced the passive Ca²⁺ efflux. This enhanced efflux was partially inhibited only when Mg²⁺ and Pi were added together to the efflux reaction media, but it was not affected by spermidine, ruthenium red or thapsigargin (TG). The Ca²⁺ ionophores A23187 and ionomycin, also enhanced passive Ca²⁺ efflux. However, in this case, Ca²⁺ efflux was inhibited just by inclusion of Mg²⁺ to the medium. Ca²⁺ efflux promoted by Triton X-100 was not affected by either Mg²⁺ or Pi, included together or separately into the efflux medium. The ATP Pi measured in the presence of Triton X-100 and millimolar Ca²⁺ concentrations was inhibited by both TFP and PROP, but not by Ca²⁺ ionophores up to 4 M. The data suggest that the observed enhancement of passive Ca²⁺ efflux promoted by TFP and PROP could be attributed to a direct effect of these drugs over the platelet Ca²⁺ pump isoforms (Sarco Endoplasmic Reticulum Calcium ATPase, SERCA_2b and SERCA₃) themselves, as it was reported for the sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca²⁺ ATPase (SERCA₁).     

Role of Na+/Ca2+ exchange and the plasma membrane Ca2+ pump in hormone-mediated Ca2+ efflux from pancreatic acini

Summary The relative contributions of the Na⁺/Ca²⁺ exchange and the plasma membrane Ca²⁺ pump to active Ca²⁺ efflux from stimulated rat pancreatic acini were studied. Na⁺ gradients across the plasma membrane were manipulated by loading the cells with Na⁺ or suspending the cells in Na⁺-free media. The rates of Ca²⁺ efflux were estimated from measurements of [Ca²⁺] _i using the Ca²⁺-sensitive fluorescent dye Fura 2 and⁴⁵Ca efflux. During the first 3 min of cell stimulation, the pattern of Ca²⁺ efflux is described by a single exponential function under control, Na⁺-loaded, and Na⁺-depleted conditions. Manipulation of Na⁺ gradients had no effect on the hormone-induced increase in [Ca²⁺] _i . The results indicate that Ca²⁺ efflux from stimulated pancreatic acinar cells is mediated by the plasma membrane Ca²⁺ pump. The effects of several cations, which were used to substitute for Na⁺, on cellular activity were also studied. Choline⁺ and tetramethylammonium⁺ (TMA⁺) released Ca²⁺ from intracellular stores of pancreatic acinar, gastric parietal and peptic cells. These cations also stimulated enzyme and acid secretion from the cells. All effects of these cations were blocked by atropine. Measurements of cholecystokinin-octapeptide (CCK-OP)-stimulated amylase release from pancreatic acini, suspended in Na⁺, TMA⁺, choline⁺, or N-methyl-d-glucamine⁺ (NMG⁺) media containing atropine, were used to evaluate the effect of the cations on cellular function. NMG⁺, choline⁺, and TMA⁺ inhibited amylase release by 55, 40 and 14%, respectively. NMG⁺ also increased the Ca²⁺ permeability of the plasma membrane. Thus, to study Na⁺ dependency of cellular function, TMA⁺ is the preferred cation to substitute for Na⁺. The stimulatory effect of TMA⁺ can be blocked by atropine.     

Cytoplasmic Ca2+ does not inhibit the cardiac muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum ryanodine receptor Ca2+ channel,although Ca2+-induced Ca2+ inactivation of Ca2+ release is observed in native vesicles

Single channel properties of cardiac and fast-twitch skeletal muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) release channels were compared in a planar bilayer by fusing SR membranes in a Cs⁺-conducting medium. We found that the pharmacology, Cs⁺ conductance and selectivity to monovalent and divalent cations of the two channels were similar. The cardiac SR channel exhibited multiple kinetic states. The open and closed lifetimes were not altered from a range of 10^–7 to 10^–3 M Ca²⁺, but the proportion of closed and open states shifted to shorter closings and openings, respectively.However, while the single channel activity of the skeletal SR channel was activated and inactivated by micromolar and millimolar Ca²⁺, respectively, the cardiac SR channel remained activated in the presence of high [Ca²⁺]. In correlation to these studies, [³H]ryanodine binding by the receptors of the two channel receptors was inhibited by high [Ca²⁺] in skeletal but not in cardiac membranes in the presence of adenine nucleotides. There is, however, a minor inhibition of [³H]ryanodine binding of cardiac SR at millimolar Ca²⁺ in the absence of adenine nucleotides.When Ca²⁺-induced Ca²⁺ release was examined from preloaded native SR vesicles, the release rates followed a normal biphasic curve, with Ca²⁺-induced inactivation at high [Ca²⁺] for both cardiac and skeletal SR. Our data suggest that the molecular basis of regulation of the SR Ca²⁺ release channel in cardiac and skeletal muscle is different, and that the cardiac SR channel isoform lacks a Ca²⁺-inactivated site.This work was supported by research grants from the National Institutes of Health HL13870 and AR38970, and the Texas Affiliate of the American Heart Association, 91A-188. M. Fill was the recipient of an NIH fellowship AR01834.     

The actin cytoskeleton differentially regulates NG115-401L cell ryanodine receptor and inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor induced calcium signaling pathways

Regulation of bi-directional communication between intracellular Ca²⁺ pools and surface Ca²⁺ channels remains incompletely characterized. We report Ca²⁺ release mediated by inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor (IP₃R) and ryanodine receptor (RyR) pathways is diminished under actin cytoskeleton disruption in NG115-401L (401L) neuronal cells, yet despite truncated Ca²⁺ release, Ca²⁺ influx was not significantly altered in these experiments. However, disruption of cortical actin networks completely abolished IP₃R induced Ca²⁺ release, whereas RyR-mediated Ca²⁺ release was preserved, albeit attenuated. Moreover, cortical actin disruption completely abolished IP₃R and RyR linked Ca²⁺ influx even though Ca²⁺ pool sensitivities were different. These findings suggest discrete Ca²⁺ store/Ca²⁺ channel coupling mechanisms in the IP₃R and RyR pathways as revealed by the differential sensitivity to actin perturbation.     

Proportions of Ca2+ Channel Subtypes in Chick or Rat P2 Fraction and NG108-15 Cells Using Various Ca2+ Blockers

The proportions of calcium (Ca²⁺) channel subtypes in chick or rat P₂ fraction and NG 108-15 cells were investigated using selective L-, N-, P- and P/Q- type Ca²⁺ channel blockers. KCl-stimulated ⁴⁵Ca²⁺ uptake by chick P₂ fraction was blocked by 40~50% using N-type Ca²⁺ channel blockers [-conotoxin GVIA, aminoglycoside antibiotics and dynorphin A(1–13)], but was not inhibited by P- or P/Q-type blockers (-agatoxin IVA or -conotoxin MVIIC). On the other hand, KCl-stimulated ⁴⁵Ca²⁺ uptake by rat P₂ fraction was blocked by 30~40% using P- or P/Q-type Ca²⁺ channel blockers, but was not inhibited by N-type Ca²⁺ channel blockers. The L-type Ca²⁺ channel blockers 1,4-dihydropyridines, diltiazem and verapamil, but not calciseptine (CaS), inhibited both KCl-stimulated ⁴⁵Ca²⁺ uptake and veratridine-induced ²²Na⁺ uptake by chick or rat P₂ fraction with similar IC₅₀ values. CaS did not have any effect on ⁴⁵Ca²⁺ uptake by either chick or rat P₂ fraction. In NG108-15 cells, CaS, -agatoxin IVA and -conotoxin MVIIC, but not -conotoxin GVIA, inhibited KCl-stimulated ⁴⁵Ca²⁺ uptake by 30–40%. Various combinations of these Ca²⁺ channel blockers had no significant additional effects in chick or rat P₂ fraction or NG 108-15 cells. These findings suggest that KCl-stimulated ⁴⁵Ca²⁺ uptake by chick or rat P₂ fraction and NG 108-15 cells is a convenient and useful model for screening whether or not natural or synthetic substances have selective effects as L-, N-, P-, or P/Q- type Ca²⁺ channel antagonists or agonists.