Effects of vasopressin and La3+ on plasma-membrane Ca2+ inflow and Ca2+ disposition in isolated hepatocytes. Evidence that vasopressin inhibits Ca2+ disposition.

Vasopressin caused a 40% inhibition of 45Ca uptake after the addition of 0.1 mM-45Ca2+ to Ca2+-deprived hepatocytes. At 1.3 mM-45Ca2+, vasopressin and ionophore A23187 each caused a 10% inhibition of 45Ca2+ uptake, whereas La3+ increased the rate of 45Ca2+ uptake by Ca2+-deprived cells. Under steady-state conditions at 1.3 mM extracellular Ca2+ (Ca2+o), vasopressin and La3+ each increased the rate of 45Ca2+ exchange. The concentrations of vasopressin that gave half-maximal stimulation of 45Ca2+ exchange and glycogen phosphorylase activity were similar. At 0.1 mM-Ca2+o, La3+ increased, but vasopressin did not alter, the rate of 45Ca2+ exchange. The results of experiments performed with EGTA or A23187 or by subcellular fractionation indicate that the Ca2+ taken up by hepatocytes in the presence of La3+ is located within the cell. The addition of 1.3 mM-Ca2+o to Ca2+-deprived cells caused increases of approx. 50% in the concentration of free Ca2+ in the cytoplasm [( Ca2+]i) and in glycogen phosphorylase activity. Much larger increases in these parameters were observed in the presence of vasopressin or ionophore A23187. In contrast with vasopressin, La3+ did not cause a detectable increase in glycogen phosphorylase activity or in [Ca2+]i. It is concluded that an increase in plasma membrane Ca2+ inflow does not by itself increase [Ca2+]i, and hence that the ability of vasopressin to maintain increased [Ca2+]i over a period of time is dependent on inhibition of the intracellular removal of Ca2+.     

Regulation of cytosolic Ca2+ in clonal human muscle cell cultures

Human muscle cells were grown in culture and clonally selected for fusion potential. The concentration of cytoplasmic ionized calcium, [Ca2+]i, was measured in monolayers of fused myotubes using the Ca2+ indicator indo-1. The contributions of independent routes of Ca2+ influx and efflux to/from the cytoplasm on [Ca2+]i were investigated. The resting [Ca2+]i was 170-190 nM in different cell clones. Acetylcholine increased [Ca2+]i by about 2-fold in the presence of absence of extracellular Ca2+. Cell depolarization by K+ elevated [Ca2+]i about 3-fold, and this increase was largely dependent on extracellular Ca2+. Replacing Na+ by N-methylglucammonium+ raised [Ca2+]i greater than 5-fold, and 50% of this increase was dependent on extracellular Ca2+. All these increases in [Ca2+]i were transient, returning to basal [Ca2+]i within 2 min. It is concluded that cells in culture [Ca2+]i can be elevated transiently by acetylcholine through Ca2+ release from intracellular stores, and by K through Ca2+ influx. The return to basal [Ca2+]i is due to Na+/Ca2+ exchange and Ca2+-ATPase activity.     

Stimulation of inositol trisphosphate formation in hepatocytes by vasopressin, adrenaline and angiotensin II and its relationship to changes in cytosolic free Ca2+.

At maximally effective concentrations, vasopressin (10(-7) M) increased myo-inositol trisphosphate (IP3) in isolated rat hepatocytes by 100% at 3 s and 150% at 6 s, while adrenaline (epinephrine) (10(-5) M) produced a 17% increase at 3 s and a 30% increase at 6 s. These increases were maintained for at least 10 min. Both agents increased cytosolic free Ca2+ [( Ca2+]i) maximally by 5 s. Increases in IP3 were also observed with angiotensin II and ATP, but not with glucagon or platelet-activating factor. The dose-responses of vasopressin and adrenaline on phosphorylase and [Ca2+]i showed a close correspondence, whereas IP3 accumulation was 20-30-fold less sensitive. However, significant (20%) increases in IP3 could be observed with 10(-9) M-vasopressin and 10(-7) M-adrenaline, which induce near-maximal phosphorylase activation. Vasopressin-induced accumulation of IP3 was potentiated by 10mM-Li+, after a lag of approx. 1 min. However the rise in [Ca2+]i and phosphorylase activation were not potentiated at any time examined. Similar data were obtained with adrenaline as agonist. Lowering the extracellular Ca2+ to 30 microM or 250 microM did not affect the initial rise in [Ca2+]i with vasopressin but resulted in a rapid decline in [Ca2+]i. Brief chelation of extracellular Ca2+ for times up to 4 min also did not impair the rate or magnitude of the increase in [Ca2+]i or phosphorylase a induced by vasopressin. The following conclusions are drawn from these studies. IP3 is increased in rat hepatocytes by vasopressin, adrenaline, angiotensin II and ATP. The temporal relationships of its accumulation to the increases in [Ca2+]i and phosphorylase a are consistent with it playing a second message role. Influx of extracellular Ca2+ is not required for the initial rise in [Ca2+]i induced by these agonists, but is required for the maintenance of the elevated [Ca2+]i.     

The T-cell antigen receptor regulates sustained increases in cytoplasmic free Ca2+ through extracellular Ca2+ influx and ongoing intracellular Ca2+ mobilization.

Signal transduction by the T-cell antigen receptor involves the turnover of polyphosphoinositides and an increase in the concentration of cytoplasmic free Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i). This increase in [Ca2+]i is due initially to the release of Ca2+ from intracellular stores, but is sustained by the influx of extracellular Ca2+. To examine the regulation of sustained antigen-receptor-mediated increases in [Ca2+]i, we studied the relationships between extracellular Ca2+ influx, the mobilization of Ca2+ from intracellular stores, and the contents of inositol polyphosphates after stimulation of the antigen receptor on a human T-cell line, Jurkat. We demonstrate that sustained antigen-receptor-mediated increases in [Ca2+]i are associated with ongoing depletion of intracellular Ca2+ stores. When antigen-receptor-ligand interactions are disrupted, [Ca2+]i and inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate return to basal values over 3 min. Under these conditions, intracellular Ca2+ stores are repleted if extracellular Ca2+ is present. There is a tight temporal relationship between the fall in [Ca2+]i, the return of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate to basal values, and the repletion of intracellular Ca2+ stores. Reversal of the increase in [Ca2+]i preceeds any fall in inositol tetrakisphosphate by 2 min. These studies suggest that sustained antigen-receptor-induced increases in [Ca2+]i, although dependent on extracellular Ca2+ influx, are also regulated by ongoing inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate-mediated intracellular Ca2+ mobilization. In addition, an elevated concentration of inositol tetrakisphosphate in itself is insufficient to sustain an increase in [Ca2+]i within Jurkat cells.     

2,5-Di-(tert-butyl)-1,4-benzohydroquinone rapidly elevates cytosolic Ca2+ concentration by mobilizing the inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate-sensitive Ca2+ pool

2,5-Di-(tert-butyl)-1,4-benzohydroquinone (tBuBHQ), a potent inhibitor of liver microsomal ATP-dependent Ca2+ sequestration (Moore, G. A., McConkey, D. J., Kass, G. E. N., O'Brien, P. J., and Orrenius, S. (1987) FEBS Lett. 224, 331-336), produced a concentration-dependent, rapid increase in cytosolic free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) in isolated rat hepatocytes (EC50 = 1-2 microM). The amplitude of the [Ca2+]i increase was essentially identical with that produced by vasopressin, but the tBuBHQ-stimulated [Ca2+]i increase remained sustained for 15-20 min. Vasopressin added 2-3 min after tBuBHQ caused [Ca2+]i to rapidly return to basal levels; however, tBuBHQ added after vasopressin resulted in a Ca2+ transient rather than a sustained [Ca2+]i elevation. Ca2+ influx was not stimulated in tBuBHQ-treated hepatocytes, but was markedly enhanced upon addition of vasopressin. Depletion of the endoplasmic reticular Ca2+ pool by the addition of vasopressin to hepatocytes incubated in low Ca2+ medium virtually abolished the tBuBHQ-mediated [Ca2+]i rise and vice versa. In saponin-permeabilized hepatocytes, tBuBHQ released Ca2+ from the same nonmitochondrial, ATP-dependent Ca2+ pool which was released by inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate. Furthermore, tBuBHQ-induced Ca2+ release in saponin-permeabilized cells was not inhibited by neomycin, and tBuBHQ did not produce any apparent accumulation of inositol phosphates in intact hepatocytes. The rate of passive efflux of Ca2+ from Ca2+-loaded hepatic microsomes was unaltered by tBuBHQ. Thus, tBuBHQ inhibits ATP-dependent Ca2+ sequestration via a direct effect on the endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ pump, resulting in net Ca2+ release and elevation of [Ca2+]i. Taken together, our results show that in the absence of hormonal stimuli, excess Ca2+ is only slowly cleared from the hepatocyte cytosol, indicating that the basal rate of Ca2+ removal by the plasma membrane Ca2+ pump and mitochondria is slow. Furthermore, Ca2+-mobilizing hormones appear to stimulate an active process of Ca2+ removal from hepatocyte cytosol which does not depend on re-uptake into the endoplasmic reticulum.     

Na+-Ca2+ exchange and Ca2+ efflux in transfected Chinese hamster ovary cells

The objective of this study was to assess the contribution of Na+-Ca2+ exchange activity to Ca2+ efflux at various cytosolic Ca2+ concentrations ([Ca2+]i) in transfected Chinese hamster cells expressing the bovine cardiac Na+-Ca2+ exchanger. Ionomycin was added to fura-2 loaded cells and the resulting [Ca2+]i transient was monitored in Ca2+-free media with or without extracellular Na+. The presence of Na+ reduced both the amplitude and duration of the [Ca2+]i transient. Na+ had similar effects when the peak of the [Ca2+]i transient was buffered to 100 nM by cytosolic EGTA, or when Ca2+ was slowly released from internal stores with thapsigargin. Ca2+ efflux following ionomycin addition was directly measured with extracellular fura-2 and followed a biphasic time course (t(1/2) approximately = 10 s and 90s). The proportion of total efflux owing to the rapid phase was increased by Na+ and reduced by EGTA-loading. Na+ accelerated the initial rate of Ca2+ efflux by 65% in unloaded cells but only by 16% in EGTA-loaded cells. In both cases, the stimulation by Na+ was less than expected, given the pronounced effects of Na+ on the [Ca2+]i transient. We conclude that the exchanger contributes importantly to Ca2+ efflux activity at all [Ca2+]i values above 40 nM. We also suggest that Ca2+ efflux pathways may involve non-cytosolic or local routes of Ca2+ traffic.     

Ca2(+)-mobilizing hormones stimulate Ca2+ efflux from hepatocytes

Treatment of hepatocytes with 2,5-di-(tert-butyl)-1,4-benzohydroquinone (tBuBHQ), a novel mobilizer of the inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate-sensitive Ca2+ pool, produces a sustained elevation of [Ca2+]i (Kass, G. E. N., Duddy, S. K., and Orrenius, S. (1989) J. Biol. Chem. 264, 15192-15198). Exposure of hepatocytes to the Ca2(+)-mobilizing hormones, vasopressin, angiotensin II, or ATP following [Ca2+]i elevation by tBuBHQ produced a rapid return of [Ca2+]i to basal or near basal levels. Release of the inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate-sensitive Ca2+ pool by tBuBHQ following pretreatment with vasopressin or angiotensin II resulted in a [Ca2+]i transient and not the sustained [Ca2+]i elevation observed in the absence of the Ca2(+)-mobilizing hormones. The G-protein activator, NaF plus AlCl3, mimicked both effects of the Ca2(+)-mobilizing hormones on [Ca2+]i. The mechanism for Ca2+ removal from the cytosol by Ca2(+)-mobilizing hormones did not involve cyclic nucleotides nor did it require protein kinase C activation or cyclo- and lipoxygenase-dependent metabolites of arachidonic acid. Furthermore, the hormone-mediated decrease in [Ca2+]i did not involve the pertussis toxin-sensitive Gi-protein. Removal of the tBuBHQ-mobilized Ca2+ from the cytosol of hepatocytes by Ca2(+)-mobilizing hormones was mediated by stimulation of a Ca2+ efflux pathway. Thus, in addition to initiating [Ca2+]i transients by releasing Ca2+ from the inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate-sensitive Ca2+ store and stimulating Ca2+ influx, Ca2(+)-mobilizing hormones also regulate the termination of the [Ca2+]i transient by stimulating a Ca2+ efflux pathway.     

HgCl2-induced changes in cytosolic Ca2+ of cultured rabbit renal tubular cells

Fura 2 was used to measure changes in cytosolic [Ca2+] ([Ca2+]i) in cultured rabbit kidney proximal tubule cells exposed to HgCl2. Treatment with 2.5-10 microM HgCl2 resulted in an extracellular [Ca2+] ([Ca2+]e)-independent 2- to 12-fold increase in [Ca2+]i above resting levels of about 100 nM. Treatment with 25-100 microM HgCl2 caused a rapid [Ca2+]e-independent 10- to 12-fold increase in [Ca2+]i within 1 min followed by a recovery to about 2-fold steady state by 3 min. With 25-100 microM HgCl2, both magnitude and rate of Ca2+ increase were similar, but recovery was greater with increasing doses. A slower, secondary increase in [Ca2+]i followed which varied with HgCl2 concentration and required [Ca2+]e. The first increase in [Ca2+]i represents release from intracellular pools. Calcium channel blockers, calmodulin inhibitors, and mitochondrial inhibitors do not alter the patterns of [Ca2+]i changes due to HgCl2. The recovery response with higher HgCl2 concentrations appears to be triggered by Hg2+ and not by the increased [Ca2+]i. Sulfhydryl modifiers N-ethylmaleimide, PCMB and PCMBS produced [Ca2+]e-independent [Ca2+]i increases similar to those induced by low HgCl2 concentrations. Cell killing with HgCl2 was about 50% greater with normal [Ca2+]e than with low [Ca2+]e, suggesting that [Ca2+]e influx is important in accelerating injury leading to cell death.     

Acetylcholine-evoked increase in the cytoplasmic Ca2+ concentration and Ca2+ extrusion measured simultaneously in single mouse pancreatic acinar cells.

The intracellular free Ca2+ concentration ([free Ca2+]i) was measured simultaneously with the Ca2+ extrusion from single isolated mouse pancreatic acinar cells placed in a microdroplet of extracellular solution using the fluorescent probes fura-2 and fluo-3. The extracellular solution had a low total calcium concentration (15-35 microM), and acetylcholine (ACh), applied by microionophoresis, therefore only evoked a transient elevation of [free Ca2+]i lasting about 2-5 min. The initial sharp rise in [free Ca2+]i from about 100 nM toward 0.5-1 microM was followed within seconds by an increase in the total calcium concentration in the microdroplet solution ([Ca]o). The rate of this rise of [Ca]o was dependent on the [free Ca2+]i elevation, and as [free Ca2+]i gradually decreased Ca2+ extrusion declined with the same time course. Ca2+ extrusion following ACh stimulation was not influenced by removal of all Na+ in the microdroplet solution indicating that the Ca2+ extrusion is not mediated by Na(+)-Ca2+ exchange but by the Ca2+ pump. The amount of Ca2+ extruded during the ACh-evoked transient rise in [free Ca2+]i corresponded to a decrease in the total intracellular Ca concentration of about 0.7 mM which is close to previously reported values (0.5-1 mM) for the total concentration of mobilizable calcium in these cells. Our results therefore demonstrate directly the ability of the Ca2+ pump to rapidly remove the large amount of Ca2+ released from the intracellular pools during receptor activation.     

Thapsigargin increases cytoplasmic free Ca2+ without influencing steroidogenesis in chicken granulosa cells.

The effects of thapsigargin on intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) and progesterone production were determined in granulosa cells from the two largest preovulatory follicles of laying hens. [Ca2+]i was measured in cells loaded with the Ca(2+)-responsive fluorescent dye Fura-2. Thapsigargin stimulated a 4.6 +/- 0.2-fold increase in [Ca2+]i from a resting level of 55 +/- 6 nM up to 233 +/- 23 nM (n = 8) in 100% of the cells tested (n = 86). However, two different response patterns were observed. Dependent on the cell populations, a maximally effective concentration of thapsigargin (100 nM) stimulated either a rapid (within 16 +/- 2 s) transient increase in [Ca2+]i or a slowly (99 +/- 20 s) developing and sustained increase in [Ca2+]i. Both [Ca2+]i responses were concentration (0.001-1 microM)-dependent with an EC50 around 40 nM. The transient [Ca2+]i response occurred in the absence of extracellular Ca2+ and was unaffected by pretreating the cells with the Ca2+ channel blockers methoxyverapamil (50 microM) or lanthanum (1 mM). The plateau phase of the sustained [Ca2+]i response returned to resting level in the absence of extracellular Ca2+, but remained elevated in the presence of methoxyverapamil (50 microM) or lanthanum (1 mM). Despite its ability to cause transient or prolonged increases in [Ca2+]i, thapsigargin (0.001-1 microM) did not affect basal or luteinizing hormone-stimulated progesterone production by chicken granulosa cells.     

Determination of mitochondrial calcium content in hepatocytes by a rapid cellular fractionation technique. Vasopressin stimulates mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake.

Stimulation of hepatocytes with vasopressin (10 nM) in the presence of 1.25 mM extracellular Ca2+ increased glycogen phosphorylase activity 4-fold within 15s and provoked a rapid efflux of cell-associated Ca2+. Vasopressin also caused a transient increase in the Ca content of a mitochondria-rich fraction separated within seconds of hormone stimulation by a rapid fractionation technique [Shears & Kirk (1984) Biochem. J. 219, 375-382]. The Ca content of this fraction was restored to the control value within 2 min of hormone addition. These results indicate that mitochondria are not the source of the cell-associated Ca which is mobilized in the cytosol of vasopressin-stimulated hepatocytes. Rather, these organelles buffer the increase in cytosol [Ca2+] attributable to Ca mobilization from non-mitochondrial sources.     

Overexpression of Na+/Ca2+ exchanger alters contractility and SR Ca2+ content in adult rat myocytes

The functional consequences of overexpression of rat heart Na+/Ca2+ exchanger (NCX1) were investigated in adult rat myocytes in primary culture. When maintained under continued electrical field stimulation conditions, cultured adult rat myocytes retained normal contractile function compared with freshly isolated myocytes for at least 48 h. Infection of myocytes by adenovirus expressing green fluorescent protein (GFP) resulted in >95% infection as ascertained by GFP fluorescence, but contraction amplitude at 6-, 24-, and 48-h postinfection was not affected. When they were examined 48 h after infection, myocytes infected by adenovirus expressing both GFP and NCX1 had similar cell sizes but exhibited significantly altered contraction amplitudes and intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) transients, and lower resting and diastolic [Ca2+]i when compared with myocytes infected by the adenovirus expressing GFP alone. The effects of NCX1 overexpression on sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+ content depended on extracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]o), with a decrease at low [Ca2+]o and an increase at high [Ca2+]o. The half-times for [Ca2+]i transient decline were similar, suggesting little to no changes in SR Ca2+-ATPase activity. Western blots demonstrated a significant (P < or = 0.02) threefold increase in NCX1 but no changes in SR Ca2+-ATPase and calsequestrin abundance in myocytes 48 h after infection by adenovirus expressing both GFP and NCX1 compared with those infected by adenovirus expressing GFP alone. We conclude that overexpression of NCX1 in adult rat myocytes incubated at high [Ca2+]o resulted in enhanced Ca2+ influx via reverse NCX1 function, as evidenced by greater SR Ca2+ content, larger twitch, and [Ca2+]i transient amplitudes. Forward NCX1 function was also increased, as indicated by lower resting and diastolic [Ca2+]i.     

Glucagon and vasopressin interactions on Ca2+ movements in isolated hepatocytes.

The effects of glucagon and vasopressin, singly or together, on cytosolic free Ca2+ concentration [( Ca2+]i) and on the 45Ca2+ efflux were studied in isolated rat liver cells. In the presence of 1 mM external Ca2+, glucagon and vasopressin added singly induced sustained increases in [Ca2+]i. The rate of the initial fast phase of the [Ca2+]i increase and the magnitude of the final plateau were dependent on the concentrations (50 pm-0.1 microM) of glucagon and vasopressin. Preincubating the cells with a low concentration of glucagon (0.1 nM) for 2 min markedly accelerated the fast phase and elevated the plateau of the [Ca2+]i increase caused by vasopressin. In the absence of external free Ca2+, glucagon and vasopressin transiently increased [Ca2+]i and stimulated the 45Ca2+ efflux from the cells, indicating mobilization of Ca2+ from internal store(s). Preincubating the cells with 0.1 nM-glucagon accelerated the rate of the fast phase of the [Ca2+]i rise caused by the subsequent addition of vasopressin. However, unlike what was observed in the presence of 1 mM-Ca2+, glucagon no longer enhanced the maximal [Ca2+]i response to vasopressin. In the absence of external free Ca2+, higher concentrations (1 nM-0.1 microM) of glucagon, which initiated larger increases in [Ca2+]i, drastically decreased the subsequent Ca2+ response to vasopressin (10 nM). At these concentrations, glucagon also decreased the vasopressin-stimulated 45Ca2+ efflux from the cells. It is suggested that, in the liver, glucagon accelerates the fast phase and elevates the plateau of the vasopressin-mediated [Ca2+]i increase respectively by releasing Ca2+ from the same internal store as that permeabilized by vasopressin, probably the endoplasmic reticulum, and potentiating the influx of extracellular Ca2+ caused by this hormone.     

The thapsigargin-sensitive intracellular Ca2+ pool is more important in plasma membrane Ca2+ entry than the IP3-sensitive intracellular Ca2+ pool in neuronal cell lines

In NG108-15 cells, bradykinin (BK) and thapsigargin (TG) caused transient increases in a cytosolic free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i), after which [Ca2+]i elevated by TG only declined to a higher, sustained level than an unstimulated level. In PC12 cells, carbachol (CCh) evoked a transient increase in [Ca2+]i followed by a sustained rise of [Ca2+]i, whereas [Ca2+]i elevated by TG almost maintained its higher level. In the absence of extracellular Ca2+, the sustained elevation of [Ca2+]i induced by each drug we used was abolished. In addition, the rise in [Ca2+]i stimulated by TG was less affected after CCh or BK, whereas CCh or BK caused no increase in [Ca2+]i after TG. TG neither increased cellular inositol phosphates nor modified the inositol phosphates format on stimulated by CCh or BK. We conclude that TG may release Ca2+ from both IP3-sensitive and -insensitive intracellular pools and that some kinds of signalling to link the intracellular Ca2+ pools and Ca2+ entry seem to exist in neuronal cells.     

The measurement of Ca2+ inflow across the liver cell plasma membrane by using quin2 and studies of the roles of Na+ and extracellular Ca2+ in the mechanism of Ca2+ inflow.

1. Rates of Ca2+ inflow across the hepatocyte plasma membrane in the presence of vasopressin were estimated by using quin2. 2. Plots of the rate of Ca2+ inflow as a function of the intracellular quin2 concentration reached a plateau at about 1.7 mM intracellular quin2. Ca2+ inflow was inhibited by 60% in the presence of 400 microM-verapamil. 3. A plot of the rate of Ca2+ inflow as a function of the concentration of extracellular Ca2+ ([Ca2+]o) was biphasic. The second (slower) phase showed no sign of saturation at values of [Ca2+]o up to 5 mM. It is concluded that, in the presence of vasopressin, Ca2+ flows into the liver cell by two different processes, one of which is not readily saturated by Ca2+o. 4. The effect of the replacement of extracellular NaCl by choline or tetramethylammonium chloride on cellular Ca2+ movement was found to depend on the presence or absence of intracellular quin2. 5. In cells loaded with quin2 and incubated in the presence of choline or tetramethylammonium chloride, a small decrease in the basal intracellular free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) was observed, and the increase in [Ca2+]i caused by the addition of vasopressin was considerably diminished when compared with cells incubated in the presence of NaCl. In cells loaded with quin2, replacement of NaCl by choline chloride caused a decrease in Ca2+ inflow in the presence of vasopressin, as measured by using quin2 or 45Ca2+ exchange, whereas no change in Ca2+ inflow was observed in the absence of vasopressin. 6. In cells not loaded with quin2, replacement of NaCl by choline chloride did not alter Ca2+ inflow either in the presence or in the absence of vasopressin. 7. It is concluded that (i) Ca2+ inflow through the basal and receptor-activated Ca2+ inflow systems does not involve the inward movement of Ca2+ in exchange for Na+ or the induction of Ca2+ inflow by intracellular Na+, and (ii) the presence of both intracellular quin2 and extracellular choline or tetramethylammonium chloride (in place of NaCl) inhibits Ca2+ inflow through the receptor-activated Ca2+ inflow system but not through the basal Ca2+ inflow system, and inhibits the release of Ca2+ from intracellular stores.     

Characterization of oscillations in cytosolic free Ca2+ concentration and measurement of cytosolic Na+ concentration changes evoked by angiotensin II and vasopressin in individual rat aortic smooth muscle cells. Use of microfluorometry and digital imaging

Dual wavelength microfluorometry was used to characterize the changes in cytosolic free Ca2+ concentration [( Ca2+]i) in individual cultured rat aortic vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC). Angiotensin II (ANG II) at 10(-8) M induced a transient rise in [Ca2+]i from 43 +/- 2 to 245 +/- 23 nM, lasting for approximately 60 s (n = 42). In half of the population, discrete oscillations in [Ca2+]i of smaller amplitude occurred after the initial [Ca2+]i peak, with a period of 58 +/- 8 s and a maximum height of 132 +/- 24 nM. A similar oscillatory pattern was observed with arginine vasopressin (AVP). The oscillations depended upon the presence of extracellular Ca2+. Cytosolic free Na+ concentration ([Na+]i) in VSMC was also measured using the fluorescent Na+ probe sodium-binding benzofuran isophthalate. ANG II induced a gradual and sustained elevation of [Na+]i, from 24.0 +/- 6.2 to 36 +/- 9.7 mM. In response to AVP, [Na+]i rose to 41.0 +/- 11.6 mM. Video imaging of individual VSMC, with on-line ratio calibration of [Ca2+]i, revealed an inhomogeneous distribution of Ca2+ within the cell. [Ca2+] in the nucleus was invariably lower than in the cytoplasm in resting cells. In the cytoplasm, there were small regions in which [Ca2+] was elevated, or "hot spots." In Ca(2+)-containing medium, the initial rise in [Ca2+]i triggered by ANG II and AVP appeared to emanate from the hot spots and to spread evenly throughout the cytoplasm. Between [Ca2+]i oscillations, Ca2+ retreated back to the original hot spots. This study demonstrates the cellular and subcellular heterogeneity of [Ca2+]i both in resting VSMC and during stimulation by ANG II and AVP and reports the direct measurement of [Na+]i in VSMC. The results suggest an action of Ca2+ in both the initial and sustained phases of the response in VSMC and a link between changes in [Ca2+]i and [Na+]i.     

Evidence that phorbol ester interferes with stimulated Ca2+ redistribution by activating Ca2+ efflux in neutrophil leucocytes.

The free calcium ion concentration, [Ca2+]i, in the cytoplasmic matrix of quin2-loaded neutrophil leucocytes increases rapidly after addition of concanavalin A. This increase is effectively abolished by a short (3 min) preincubation with 10 nM-TPA (12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate). TPA also inhibits a [Ca2+]i rise of similar magnitude induced by low concentrations (10 nM) of calcium ionophore A23187, suggesting that phorbol ester does not interfere with a physiological influx mechanism. To investigate the effects of TPA further, cells were depleted of Ca2+ during quin2 loading and then re-equilibrated with normal extracellular [Ca2+]. The return to a stable [Ca2+]i value was preceded by a transient overshoot in [Ca2+]i, implying delayed activation of an efflux mechanism by rising [Ca2+]i. TPA abolished the transient, suggesting preactivation by TPA of the efflux mechanism before Ca2+ influx. TPA also stimulates net Ca2+ efflux from neutrophils and neutrophil cytoplasts. These observations are consistent with the thesis that TPA stimulates a Ca2+-efflux mechanism in these cells.     

Regulation of hormone secretion and cytosolic Ca2+ by extracellular Ca2+ in parathyroid cells and C-cells: role of voltage-sensitive Ca2+ channels

The two dihydropyridine enantiomers, (+)202-791 and (-)202-791, that act as voltage-sensitive Ca2+ channel agonist and antagonist, respectively, were examined for effects on cytosolic Ca2+ concentrations ([Ca2+]i) and on hormones secretion in dispersed bovine parathyroid cells and a rat medullary thyroid carcinoma (rMTC) cell line. In both cell types, small increases in the concentration of extracellular Ca2+ evoked transient followed by sustained increases in [Ca2+]i, as measured with fura-2. Increases in [Ca2+]i obtained by raised extracellular Ca2+ were associated with a stimulation of secretion of calcitonin (CT) and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) in rMTC cells, but an inhibition of secretion of parathyroid hormone (PTH) in parathyroid cells. The Ca2+ channel agonist (+)202-791 stimulated whereas the antagonist (-)202-791 inhibited both transient and sustained increases in [Ca2+]i induced by extracellular Ca2+ in rMTC cells. Secretion of CT and CGRP was correspondingly enhanced and depressed by (+)202-791 and (-)202-791, respectively. In contrast, neither the agonist nor the antagonist affected [Ca2+]i and PTH secretion in parathyroid cells. Depolarizing concentrations of extracellular K+ increased [Ca2+]i and hormone secretion in rMTC cells and both these responses were potentiated or inhibited by the Ca2+ channel agonist or antagonist, respectively. The results suggest a major role of voltage-sensitive Ca2+ influx in the regulation of cytosolic Ca2+ and hormones secretion in rMTC cells. Parathyroid cells, on the other hand, appear to lack voltage-sensitive Ca2+ influx pathways and regulate PTH secretion by some alternative mechanism.     

Hormone-induced increase in free cytosolic calcium and glycogen phosphorylase activation in rat hepatocytes incubated in normal and low-calcium media.

The action of alpha 1-adrenergic agonists (noradrenaline in the presence of propranolol), vasopressin and angiotensin on the intracellular free Ca2+ concentration, [Ca2+]i, was determined by using the fluorescent dye quin2 in isolated rat liver cells. In the presence of external Ca2+ (1.8 mM), 1 microM-noradrenaline induced an increase in [Ca2+]i up to about 800 nM without apparent delay, whereas 10 nM-vasopressin and 1 nM-angiotensin increased [Ca2+]i to values higher than 1500 nM with a lag period of about 6s. The successive addition of the hormones and of their specific antagonists indicated that the actions of the three Ca2+-mobilizing hormones occurred without apparent desensitization (over 6 min) and via independent receptors. The relative contributions of internal and external Ca2+ pools to the cell response were determined by studying the hormone-mediated [Ca2+]i increase and glycogen phosphorylase activation in low-Ca2+ media (22 microM). In this medium: (1) [Ca2+]i was lowered and the hormones initiated a transient instead of a sustained increase in [Ca2+]i; subsequent addition (2 min) of a second hormone promoted a lesser increase in [Ca2+]i; in contrast, the subsequent addition (2 min) of Ca2+ (1.8 mM) caused [Ca2+]i to increase to a value close to that initiated by the hormone in control conditions, the amplitude of the latter response being dependent on the concentration of Ca2+ added to the medium; (2) returning to normal Ca2+ (1.8 mM) restored the resting [Ca2+]i and allowed the hormone added 2 min later to promote a large increase in [Ca2+]i whose final amplitude was also dependent on the concentration of Ca2+ added beforehand. Similar results were found when the same protocol was applied to the glycogen phosphorylase activation. It is concluded that Ca2+ influx is required for a maximal and sustained response and to reload the hormone-sensitive stores.     

Simultaneous analysis of cell Ca2+ and Ca2(+)-stimulated chloride conductance in colonic epithelial cells (HT-29).

We used perforated patch, whole-cell current recordings and video-based fluorescence ratio imaging to monitor the relation of plasma membrane ionic conductances to intracellular free Ca2+ within individual colonic epithelial cells (HT-29). The Ca2(+)-mediated agonist, neurotensin, activated K+ and Cl- conductances that showed different sensitivities to [Ca2+]i. The Cl- conductance was sensitive to increases or decreases in [Ca2+]i around the resting value of 76 +/- 32 (mean +/- SD) nM (n = 46), whereas activation of the K+ conductance required at least a 10-fold rise in [Ca2+]i. Neurotensin increased [Ca2+]i by stimulating a transient intracellular Ca2+ release, which was followed by a sustained rise in [Ca2+]i due to Ca2+ influx from the bath. The onset of the initial [Ca2+]i transient, monitored at a measurement window over the cell interior, lagged behind the rise in Cl- current during agonist stimulation. This lag was not present when the [Ca2+]i rise was due to Ca2+ entry from the bath, induced either by the agonist or by the Ca2+ ionophore ionomycin. The temporal differences in [Ca2+]i and Cl- current during the agonist-induced [Ca2+]i transient can be explained by a localized Ca2+ release from intracellular stores in the vicinity of the plasma membrane Cl- channel. Chloride currents recover toward basal values more rapidly than [Ca2+]i after the agonist-induced [Ca2+]i transient, and, during a sustained neurotensin-induced [Ca2+]i rise, Cl- currents inactivate. These findings suggest that an inhibitory pathway limits the increase in Cl- conductance that can be evoked by agonist. Because this Cl- current inhibition is not observed during a sustained [Ca2+]i rise induced by ionomycin, the inhibitory pathway may be mediated by another agonist-induced messenger, such as diacylglycerol.