Localized Apical Increases of Cytosolic Free Calcium Control Pollen Tube Orientation

To reach the ovule, pollen tubes must undergo many changes in growth direction. We have shown in previous work that elevation of cytosolic free calcium ([Ca2+]c) can manipulate orientation in growing pollen tubes, but our results suggested that [Ca2+]c changes either in the tip or in more distal regions might regulate the critical orienting mechanism. To identify the spatial location of the orienting motor, we combined the techniques of ion imaging with confocal microscopy and localized photoactivation of loaded caged Ca2+ (nitr-5) and diazo-2 (a caged Ca2+ chelator) to manipulate [Ca2+]c in different pollen tube domains. We found that increasing [Ca2+]c on one side of the pollen tube apex induced reorientation of the growth axis toward that side. Similarly, a decrease in [Ca2+]c promoted bending toward the opposite side. These effects could be mimicked by imposing localized external gradients of an ionophore (A23187) or a Ca2+ channel blocker (GdCl3); the pollen tubes bend toward the highest concentration of A23187 and away from GdCl3. Manipulation of [Ca2+]c in regions farther back from the apical zone also induced changes in growth direction, but the new orientation was at random. We observed communication of these distal events to the tip through a slow-moving [Ca2+]c wave. These data show that localized changes of [Ca2+]c in the tip, which could result from asymmetric channel activity, control the direction of pollen tube growth.     

Ca2+ influx into lily pollen grains through a hyperpolarization-activated Ca2+-permeable channel which can be regulated by extracellular CaM

Confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) and whole-cell patch-clamp were used to investigate the role of Ca2+ influx in maintaining the cytosolic Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]c) and the features of the Ca2+ influx pathway in germinating pollen grains of Lilium davidii D. [Ca2+]c decreased when Ca2+ influx was inhibited by EGTA or Ca2+ channel blockers. A hyperpolarization-activated Ca2+-permeable channel, which can be suppressed by trivalent cations, verapamil, nifedipine or diltiazem, was identified on the plasma membrane of pollen protoplasts with whole-cell patch-clamp recording. Calmodulin (CaM) antiserum and W7-agarose, both of which are cell-impermeable CaM antagonists, lead to a [Ca2+]c decrease, while exogenous purified CaM triggers a transient increase of [Ca2+]c and also remarkably activated the hyperpolarization-activated Ca2+ conductance on plasma membrane of pollen protoplasts in a dose-dependent manner. Both the increase of [Ca2+]c and the activation of Ca2+ conductance which were induced by exogenous CaM were inhibited by EGTA or Ca2+ channel blockers. This primary evidence showed the presence of a voltage-dependent Ca2+-permeable channel, whose activity may be regulated by extracellular CaM, in pollen cells.     

Relocation of a Ca2+-dependent protein kinase activity during pollen tube reorientation

Pollen tube reorientation is a dynamic cellular event that is crucial for successful fertilization. We have shown previously that pollen tube orientation is regulated by cytosolic free calcium ([Ca2+]c). In this paper, we studied the activity of a Ca2+-dependent protein kinase during reorientation. The kinase activity was assayed in living cells by using confocal ratio imaging of BODIPY FL bisindolylmaleimide. We found that growing pollen tubes exhibited higher protein kinase activity in the apical region, whereas nongrowing cells showed uniform distribution. Modification of growth direction by diffusion of inhibitors/activators from a micropipette showed the spatial redistribution of kinase activity to predict the new growth orientation. Localized increases in [Ca2+]c induced by photolysis of caged Ca2+ that led to reorientation also increased kinase activity. Molecular and immunological assays suggest that this kinase may show some functional homology with protein kinase C. We suggest that the tip-localized gradient of kinase activity promotes Ca2+-mediated exocytosis and may act to regulate Ca2+ channel activity.     

A cytoplasmic gradient of Ca2+ is correlated with the growth of lily pollen tubes.

We have measured the distribution of cytoplasmic calcium in lily pollen tubes by microinjecting them with indo-1 and performing fluorescence ratio image analysis on them. All of the 16 tubes that were growing at the time of the calcium measurements showed a gradient of [Ca2+]i in the tip region, with Ca2+ being 1.25 to 3.32 times higher at the distal end in 15 cases and more than 5 times higher in one case. The extent of the gradient ranged from 22 to 65 microns. Most of the 15 nongrowing tubes either had no gradient or had lower Ca2+ in the tip region. While we have confirmed a previous report that lily pollen tubes can be loaded with the membrane-permeable acetoxymethyl ester forms of calcium indicators, the dyes loaded in this way are visibly partitioned into organelles and this method of loading is, therefore, not useful for the measurement of [Ca2+]i. Iontophoresis of the dye free acids into tubes produces a more uniform and diffuse fluorescence which does not appear to partition into organelles. Indo-1 remains in the pollen tubes longer than fura-2. The correlation between growth and the [Ca2+]i gradient in the apical portion of the pollen tube is discussed in relation to previous reports that have suggested that such a gradient should exist during polarized growth.     

Calcium channel blocker and calmodulin antagonists affect the gradient of free calcium ions in lily pollen tubes.

The distribution of intracellular free calcium ions ([Ca2+]i) was measured in pollen tubes of Lilium longiflorum using video imaging microscopy and the calcium sensitive indicators fura-2 and quin-2. The mean [Ca2+]i in growing pollen tubes measured with fura-2 shows a maximum of 1.7 to 2.6 microM in the tube tip and decreases almost exponentially to 60 to 100 nM at 100 microns behind the tip. Using quin-2, the maximum [Ca2+]i was also found in the tube tip but with a lower Ca2+ concentration, namely 1 microM. Addition of the calcium channel blocker La3+ caused a decrease of the [Ca2+]i maximum in the tube tip, indicating a heterogeneous distribution of Ca2+ channels along the plasma membrane of pollen tubes. The [Ca2+]i increased after addition of vanadate or compound 48/80. This suggests an involvement of a calmodulin-dependent Ca2+ pump in generation of the Ca2+ gradient in lily pollen tubes. The high [Ca2+]i found in the tube tip with fura-2 seems to indicate the real Ca2+ concentration and is probably responsible for vesicle fusion, fragmentation of actin filaments, and inhibition of cytoplasmic streaming.     

Investigation of factors affecting fluorometric quantitation of cytosolic [Ca2+] in perfused hearts.

The goal of these studies was to examine the effects of several factors that may artifactually influence quantitation of cytosolic [Ca2+], [Ca2+]c, while using the fluorescent calcium indicator Indo-1. The following factors were investigated: 1) a possible fluorescence contribution from unhydrolized Indo-1/AM (by Mn2+ quenching), 2) Ca2+ buffering by Indo-1 (by varying [Indo-1]), 3) endothelial and mitochondrial Indo-1 loading (by bradykinin stimulation and calculations), and 4) effects of changing tissue fluorescence (predominantly NAD(P)H) on calculated [Ca2+]c during hypoxia (by a new method which allowed simultaneous determination of [Ca2+]c and changes in [NAD(P)H]). No significant contribution of Indo-1/AM was found. With increasing [Indo-1], calculated systolic [Ca2+]c fell significantly. Indo-1 incorporation (< 18%) into endothelial cells, caused a slight underestimation of systolic [Ca2+]c, while mitochondrial Indo-1 loading may cause overestimation of [Ca2+]c. With increased tissue fluorescence, during hypoxia, systolic [Ca2+]c may be underestimated by approximately 27% (for Indo-1 loading factors three to five times original tissue fluorescence). These studies suggest conditions in which experimental artifacts could be minimized to allow reliable quantitation of [Ca2+]c in intact perfused hearts using Indo-1 fluorometry. The major problem of obtaining reliable results depended on the ability to correct for changing NAD(P)H fluorescence while keeping [Indo-1] low.     

Growth of Pollen Tubes of Papaver rhoeas Is Regulated by a Slow-Moving Calcium Wave Propagated by Inositol 1,4,5-Trisphosphate

A signaling role for cytosolic free Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) in regulating Papaver rhoeas pollen tube growth during the self-incompatibility response has been demonstrated previously. In this article, we investigate the involvement of the phosphoinositide signal transduction pathway in Ca2+-mediated pollen tube inhibition. We demonstrate that P. rhoeas pollen tubes have a Ca2+-dependent polyphosphoinositide-specific phospholipase C activity that is inhibited by neomycin. [Ca2+]i imaging after photolysis of caged inositol (1,4,5)-trisphosphate (Ins[1,4,5]P3) in pollen tubes demonstrated that Ins(1,4,5)P3 could induce Ca2+ release, which was inhibited by heparin and neomycin. Mastoparan, which stimulated Ins(1,4,5)P3 production, also induced a rapid increase in Ca2+, which was inhibited by neomycin. These data provide direct evidence for the involvement of a functional phosphoinositide signal-transducing system in the regulation of pollen tube growth. We suggest that the observed Ca2+ increases are mediated, at least in part, by Ins(1,4,5)P3-induced Ca2+ release. Furthermore, we provide data suggesting that Ca2+ waves, which have not previously been reported in plant cells, can be induced in pollen tubes.     

Ionic and osmotic disruptions of the lily pollen tube oscillator: testing proposed models

Two mechanisms have been proposed as the primary control of oscillating tip growth in Lilium longiflorum Thunb. pollen tubes: changes in cell wall strength (Holdaway-Clarke et al. 1997) or alternatively, changes in turgor pressure (Messerli et al. 2000). Here we have modified the ionic and osmotic concentrations of the growth medium to test predictions derived from both models. Raising the [Ca2+]o tenfold above normal reduced the amplitude of the [Ca2+]i oscillations and growth oscillations while it raised the basal [Ca2+]i and growth rate such that the average growth rate did not change. Raising the [H+] of the growth medium tenfold reversibly decreased and sometimes eliminated the [Ca2+]i and growth oscillations without changing the average growth rate. Lowering the [H+] tenfold led to irregular frequency and amplitude [Ca2+]i oscillations, reduced the average growth rate of tubes and led to cell bursting in 33% of tubes. Addition of 50 mM H+ buffer, MES, to prevent pH changes in the cell wall increased the period, amplitude and duration of both [Ca2+]i and growth oscillations. Changing the [K+]o did not markedly effect [Ca2+]i oscillations. Reducing the osmolarity of the medium led to transient large-amplitude [Ca2+]i and growth oscillations while reducing large-amplitude oscillations over long periods. In many different conditions under which growth still occurs, lily pollen tubes maintain growth oscillations, albeit with modified frequency, amplitude and duration. We conclude that modifications to both proposed models are necessary to explain oscillating growth in this system.     

A Putative Calcium-Permeable Cyclic Nucleotide-Gated Channel, CNGC18, Regulates Polarized Pollen Tube Growth

A tip-focused Ca^2＋ gradient is tightly coupled to polarized pollen tube growth, and tip-localized influxes of extracellular Ca^2＋ are required for this process. However the molecular identity and regulation of the potential Ca^2＋ channels remains elusive. The present study has implicated CNGC18 （cyclic nucleotide-gated channel 18） in polarized pollen tube growth, because its overexpression induced wider and shorter pollen tubes. Moreover, CNGC18 overexpression induced depolarization of pollen tube growth was suppressed by lower extracellular calcium （[Ca^2＋]ex）. CNGC18-yellow fluorescence protein （YFP） was preferentially localized to the apparent post-Golgi vesicles and the plasma membrane （PM） in the apex of pollen tubes. The PM localization was affected by tip-localized ROP1 signaling. Expression of wild type ROP1 or an active form of ROP1 enhanced CNGC18-YFP localization to the apical region of the PM, whereas expression of RopGAP1 （a ROP1 deactivator） blocked the PM localization. These results support a role for PM-Iocalized CNGC18 in the regulation of polarized pollen tube growth through its potential function in the modulation of calcium influxes.     

Ca2+-permeable channels in the plasma membrane of Arabidopsis pollen are regulated by actin microfilaments

Cytosolic free Ca2+ and actin microfilaments play crucial roles in regulation of pollen germination and tube growth. The focus of this study is to test the hypothesis that Ca2+ channels, as well as channel-mediated Ca2+ influxes across the plasma membrane (PM) of pollen and pollen tubes, are regulated by actin microfilaments and that cytoplasmic Ca2+ in pollen and pollen tubes is consequently regulated. In vitro Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) pollen germination and tube growth were significantly inhibited by Ca2+ channel blockers La3+ or Gd3+ and F-actin depolymerization regents. The inhibitory effect of cytochalasin D (CD) or cytochalasin B (CB) on pollen germination and tube growth was enhanced by increasing external Ca2+. Ca2+ fluorescence imaging showed that addition of actin depolymerization reagents significantly increased cytoplasmic Ca2+ levels in pollen protoplasts and pollen tubes, and that cytoplasmic Ca2+ increase induced by CD or CB was abolished by addition of Ca2+ channel blockers. By using patch-clamp techniques, we identified the hyperpolarization-activated inward Ca2+ currents across the PM of Arabidopsis pollen protoplasts. The activity of Ca2+-permeable channels was stimulated by CB or CD, but not by phalloidin. However, preincubation of the pollen protoplasts with phalloidin abolished the effects of CD or CB on the channel activity. The presented results demonstrate that the Ca2+-permeable channels exist in Arabidopsis pollen and pollen tube PMs, and that dynamic actin microfilaments regulate Ca2+ channel activity and may consequently regulate cytoplasmic Ca2+.     

Phosphoinositides and phosphatidic acid regulate pollen tube growth and reorientation through modulation of [Ca2+]c and membrane secretion

The maintenance of a calcium gradient and vesicle secretion in the apex of pollen tubes is essential for growth. It is shown here that phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) and D-myo-inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3), together with phosphatidic acid (PA), play a vital role in the regulation of these processes. Changes in the intracellular concentration of both PIP2 and IP3 (induced by photolysis of caged-probes), modified growth and caused reorientation of the growth axis. However, measurements of cytosolic free calcium ([Ca2+]c) and apical secretion revealed significant differences between the photo-release of PIP2 or IP3. When released in the first 50 mum of the pollen tube, PIP2 led to transient growth perturbation, [Ca2+]c increases, and inhibition of apical secretion. By contrast, a concentration of IP3 which caused a [Ca2+]c transient of similar magnitude, stimulated apical secretion and caused severe growth perturbation. Furthermore, the [Ca2+]c transient induced by IP3 was spatially different causing a pronounced elevation in the sub-apical region. These observations suggest different targets for the two phosphoinositides. One of the targets is suggested to be PA, a product of PIP2 hydrolysis via phospholipase C (PLC) or phospholipase D (PLD) activity. It was found that antagonists of PA accumulation (e.g. butan-1-ol) and inhibitors of PLC and PLD reversibly halted polarity. Reduction of PA levels caused the dissipation of the [Ca2+]c gradient and inhibited apical plasma membrane recycling. It was also found to cause abolition of the apical zonation. These data suggest that phosphoinositides and phospholipids regulate tip growth through a multiple pathway system involving regulation of [Ca2+]c levels, endo/exocytosis, and vesicular trafficking.     

Calcium channels in PDGF-stimulated A172 cells open after intracellular calcium release and are not voltage-dependent.

Using laser image cytometry and Indo-1 fluorescence, we investigated the intracellular free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) of confluent A172 human glioblastoma cells stimulated by the BB homodimer of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF-BB). The shape of the calcium transients and the delay time between stimulation and the beginning of the transient varied considerably. The percentage of responsive cells, the peak [Ca2+]i and the duration of the response were directly related to PDGF-BB dose, while the delay time was inversely related; the maximal response occurred at a PDGF-BB concentration of 20 ng/ml. Studies with EGTA and inorganic calcium-channel blockers (Ni2+, La3+) showed that the increase of [Ca2+]i resulted from initial release of intracellular stores and subsequent calcium influx across the plasma membrane. Opening of calcium channels in the plasma membrane, monitored directly by studying Mn2+ quenching of Indo-1 fluorescence, was stimulated by PDGF-BB and blocked by La3+; the opening occurred 55 +/- 10 s after the initial increase in [Ca2+]i. Therefore, in these tumor cells, intracellular release always occurs before channel opening in the plasma membrane. Depolarization of cells with high extracellular [K+] did not generally induce calcium transients but did decrease calcium influx. L-type calcium-channel blockers (verapamil, nifedipine, and diltiazem) had little or no effect on the calcium influx induced by PDGF-BB. These results indicate that PDGF-BB induces calcium influx by a mechanism independent of voltage-sensitive calcium channels in A172 human glioblastoma cells.     

Con A刺激致T淋巴细胞胞浆游离Ca~(2+)浓度升高

本文分别应用荧光Ca~(2+)指示剂Quin2和Indo-1研究了Con A刺激的T淋巴细胞[Ca~(2+)]i升高过程及其发生机制.结果表明Con A与T淋巴细胞作用可导致细胞[Ca~(2+)]i的迅速升高.这种增加的胞内游离Ca~(2+)不仅来自胞外Ca~(2+)的内流,也来源于胞内钙库的释放.其中Ca~(2+)内流与T细胞钙通道的开放有关.可被钙通道抑制剂戊脉胺抑制,细胞的去极化及钾通道阻断剂四乙胺均不能阻断Ca~(2+)的内流,提示Ca~(2+)内流不是通过电位操纵的钙通道实现的,也与拥通道的开闭无关.Ca~(2+)内流可能是通过Con A受体活化的受体操纵的钙通道而实现的.     

Protein phosphorylation activates the guard cell Ca2+ channel and is a prerequisite for gating by abscisic acid

Protein phosphorylation and cytosolic-free [Ca2+] ([Ca2+]i) contribute to signalling cascades evoked by the water-stress hormone abscisic acid (ABA) that lead to stomatal closure in higher-plant leaves. ABA activates an inward-rectifying Ca2+ channel at the plasma membrane of stomatal guard cells, promoting Ca2+ entry by shifting the voltage-sensitivity of the channels. Because many of these effects could be mediated by kinase/phosphatase action at the membrane, we examined a role for protein (de-)phosphorylation in plasma membrane patches from Vicia guard cells. Ca2+ channel activity decayed rapidly in excised patches, and recovered on adding ATP (K1/2, 1.3 +/- 0.7 mm) but not the non-hydrolyzable analog ATPgammaS. ABA activation of the channel required the presence of ATP and like ABA, the 1/2 A-type protein phosphatase antagonists okadaic acid (OA) and calyculin A (CA) enhanced Ca2+ channel activity by increasing the open probability and number of active channels. Neither ATP nor the antagonists affected the mean open lifetime of the channel, suggesting an action through changes in closed lifetime distributions. Like ABA, OA and CA shifted the voltage-sensitivities of the Ca2+ current and [Ca2+]i increases in intact guard cells towards positive voltages. OA and CA also augmented the [Ca2+]i rise evoked by hyperpolarization and delayed its recovery. These results demonstrate a membrane-delimited interaction between 1/2 A-type protein phosphatase(s) and the Ca2+ channel or associated proteins, and they are consistent with a role for protein (de-)phosphorylation in ABA signalling mediated directly through Ca2+ channel gating that leads to [Ca2+]i increases in the guard cells.     

Evidence that binding of Indo-1 to cardiac myocyte protein does not markedly change Kd for Ca2+

Quantitative measurement of [Ca2+]i with the fluorescent Ca(2+)-indicators Indo-1 and Fura-2 is complicated by the possibility that the value of the dissociation constant (Kd) may be influenced by binding to intracellular proteins. We investigated this question in cultured chick ventricular myocytes by use of two different Indo-1 calibration methods. First, the Indo-1 fluorescence ratio (R) (400/500 nm) was measured in beating myocytes loaded by exposure to Indo-1/AM. Then, cells were exposed to the Ca2+ ionophore Br A-23187 and fluorescence ratio was measured in the presence of 500 nM Ca2+ (EGTA-Ca2+ buffer). Subsequently cells were permeabilized to Ca2+ by a 1 min exposure to 25 microM digitonin in the presence of 'zero' Ca2+ (10 mM EGTA) and saturating 1 mM Ca2+ to obtain Rmin, Rmax and beta. We then calculated [Ca2+]i from the formula ([Ca2+]i = Kd [( R - Rmin)/(Rmax - R)]beta). With Kd = 250 nM, calculated systolic [Ca2+]i was 750 +/- 44 nM and diastolic 269 +/- 19 nM (means +/- SEM, n = 16). The R value calculated for an assumed [Ca2+]i = 500 nM using the above formula and digitonin derived constants was very similar to the value measured using Br A-23187 (digitonin, 0.67 +/- 0.03: Br A-23187, 0.66 +/- 0.03, ns). As the Br A-23187 method is independent of the value chosen for Kd, we conclude that the Kd of 250 nM for Indo-1 measured in free solutions closely approximates the Kd for intracellular Indo-1 in these cells, and that therefore the Kd of Indo-1 for Ca2+ does not appear to be markedly affected by binding to proteins or other intracellular molecules.     

Endo/exocytosis in the pollen tube apex is differentially regulated by Ca2+ and GTPases

Pollen tube growth relies on an extremely fast delivery of new membrane and wall material to the apical region where growth takes place. Despite the obvious meaning of this fact, the mechanisms that control this process remain very much unknown. It has previously been shown that apical growth is regulated by cytosolic free calcium ([Ca(2+)](c)) so it was decided to test how changes in [Ca(2+)](c) affect endo/exocytosis in pollen tube growth and reorientation. The endo/exocytosis was assayed in living cells using confocal imaging of FM 1-43. It was found that growing pollen tubes exhibited a higher endo/exocytosis activity in the apical region whereas in non-growing cells FM 1-43 is uniformly distributed. During pollen tube reorientation, a spatial redistribution of exocytotic activity was observed with the highest fluorescence in the side to which the cell will bend. Localized increases in [Ca(2+)](c) induced by photolysis of caged Ca(2+) increased exocytosis. In order to find if [Ca(2+)](c) changes were modulating endo/exocytosis directly or through a signalling cascade, tests were conducted to find how changes in GTP levels and GTPase activity (primary regulators of the secretory pathway) affect the apical [Ca(2+)](c) gradient and endo/exocytosis. It was found that increases in GTP levels could promote exocytosis (and growth). Interestingly, the increase in [GTP] did not significantly affect [Ca(2+)](c) distribution, thus suggesting that the apical endo/exocytosis is regulated in a concerted but differentiated manner by the Ca(2+) gradient and the activity of GTPases. Rop GTPases are likely candidates to mediate the Ca(2+)/GTP cross-talk as shown by knock-down experiments in growing pollen tubes.     

Caffeine activates a Ca(2+)-permeable, nonselective cation channel in smooth muscle cells

The effects of caffeine on cytoplasmic [Ca2+] ([Ca2+]i) and plasma membrane currents were studied in single gastric smooth muscle cells dissociated from the toad, Bufo marinus. Experiments were carried out using Fura-2 for measuring [Ca2+]i and tight-seal voltage-clamp techniques for recording membrane currents. When the membrane potential was held at -80 mV, in 15% of the cells studied caffeine increased [Ca2+]i without having any effect on membrane currents. In these cells ryanodine completely abolished any caffeine induced increase in [Ca2+]i. In the other cells caffeine caused both an increase in [Ca2+]i and activation of an 80-pS nonselective cation channel. In this group of cells ryanodine only partially blocked the increase in [Ca2+]i induced by caffeine; moreover, the change in [Ca2+]i that did occur was tightly coupled to the time course and magnitude of the cation current through these channels. In the presence of ryanodine, blockade of the 80-pS channel by GdCl3 or decreasing the driving force for Ca2+ influx through the plasma membrane by holding the membrane potential at +60 mV almost completely blocked the increase in [Ca2+]i induced by caffeine. Thus, the channel activated by caffeine appears to be permeable to Ca2+. Caffeine activated the cation channel even when [Ca2+]i was clamped to below 10 nM when the patch pipette contained 10 mM BAPTA suggesting that caffeine directly activates the channel and that it is not being activated by the increase in Ca2+ that occurs when caffeine is applied to the cell. Corroborating this suggestion were additional results showing that when the membrane was depolarized to activate voltage-gated Ca2+ channels or when Ca2+ was released from carbachol- sensitive internal Ca2+ stores, the 80-pS channel was not activated. Moreover, caffeine was able to activate the channel in the presence of ryanodine at both positive and negative potentials, both conditions preventing release of Ca2+ from stores and the former preventing its influx. In summary, in gastric smooth muscle cells caffeine transiently releases Ca2+ from a ryanodine-sensitive internal store and also increases Ca2+ influx through the plasma membrane by activating an 80- pS cation channel by a mechanism which does not seem to involve an elevation of [Ca2+]i.     

High levels of cytosolic free calcium inhibit dephosphorylation of insulin receptor and glycogen synthase.

Treatment of adipocytes with depolarizing concentrations of K+ (40 mM) for 60 min increased [Ca2+]i from 158 +/- 28 nM to 328 +/- 38 nM. This significantly reduced (up to 80% inhibition) dephosphorylation of insulin receptor (IR), EGF receptor (EGF-R) and glycogen synthase (GS). The calcium channel blocker, nitrendipine (30 microM), or Ca2+ free medium completely prevented K(+)-induced inhibition of phosphoprotein phosphatase (PPTase). This effect of high [Ca2+]i was completely reversible when the cells were returned into the non-depolarizing medium. Trypsin treatment (4 micrograms/ml) of the membrane fraction containing inhibited PPTase activity, restored dephosphorylation activity to normal suggesting that elevated [Ca2+]i may inhibit PPTase by promoting its association with the inhibitors. These observations indicate that dephosphorylation of IR and GS can be regulated by [Ca2+]i.     

The role of K+ in the regulation of the increase in intracellular Ca2+ mediated by the T lymphocyte antigen receptor

The regulation of the increase in intracellular calcium ([Ca2+]i) occurring in cytolytic T lymphocytes (CTLs) upon their interaction with antigen was examined. This [Ca2+]i increase and lytic function were insensitive to verapamil, a Ca channel blocker. An antigen-independent increase in [Ca2+]i was not induced by depolarization of CTLs with excess extracellular K+, suggesting that Ca2+ influx is not mediated by the ubiquitous voltage-gated Ca channel. The antigen-induced [Ca2+]i increase was inhibited by prior membrane hyperpolarization with valinomycin. Hyperpolarization occurred under normal circumstances in CTLs exposed to antigen-receptor-specific antibodies. This potential change was Ca2+-dependent and inhibited by K channel blockade. Conversely, K channel blockade augmented the antigen-specific [Ca2+]i increase while markedly decreasing the K+ efflux associated with CTL lytic function. Therefore, either membrane potential or intracellular K+ regulates the antigen-specific [Ca2+]i increase in CTLs.     

Transmembrane calcium influx induced by ac electric fields.

Exogenous electric fields induce cellular responses including redistribution of integral membrane proteins, reorganization of microfilament structures, and changes in intracellular calcium ion concentration ([Ca2+]i). Although increases in [Ca2+]i caused by application of direct current electric fields have been documented, quantitative measurements of the effects of alternating current (ac) electric fields on [Ca2+]i are lacking and the Ca2+ pathways that mediate such effects remain to be identified. Using epifluorescence microscopy, we have examined in a model cell type the [Ca2+]i response to ac electric fields. Application of a 1 or 10 Hz electric field to human hepatoma (Hep3B) cells induces a fourfold increase in [Ca2+]i (from 50 nM to 200 nM) within 30 min of continuous field exposure. Depletion of Ca2+ in the extracellular medium prevents the electric field-induced increase in [Ca2+]i, suggesting that Ca2+ influx across the plasma membrane is responsible for the [Ca2+]i increase. Incubation of cells with the phospholipase C inhibitor U73122 does not inhibit ac electric field-induced increases in [Ca2+]i, suggesting that receptor-regulated release of intracellular Ca2+ is not important for this effect. Treatment of cells with either the stretch-activated cation channel inhibitor GdCl3 or the nonspecific calcium channel blocker CoCl2 partially inhibits the [Ca2+]i increase induced by ac electric fields, and concomitant treatment with both GdCl3 and CoCl2 completely inhibits the field-induced [Ca2+]i increase. Since neither Gd3+ nor Co2+ is efficiently transported across the plasma membrane, these data suggest that the increase in [Ca2+]i induced by ac electric fields depends entirely on Ca2+ influx from the extracellular medium.