Interactions of intracellular mediators of amylase secretion in permeabilized pancreatic acini.

Mouse pancreatic acini were permeabilized with streptolysin O to investigate amylase secretion stimulated by various intracellular mediators and the kinetics of secretion as a function of temperature. Amylase secretion was temperature dependent in that the initial rate of Ca2(+)-stimulated secretion increased with increasing temperature. In addition, there was no enhancement of Ca2(+)-stimulated secretion by GTP[gamma S] at 14 degrees C, while enhancement was maximal at 30 degrees C. GTP[gamma S]-mediated enhancement of secretion at a given temperature was mostly due to sustained secretion with a small increase in secretory rate. At 30 degrees C Ca2(+)-stimulated secretion was also enhanced by cAMP and phorbol ester (TPA) to similar extents as by GTP[gamma S]. The maximally effective concentration of cAMP was 1-10 microM in the presence of 0.1 mM isobutylmethylxanthine. The enhancements of Ca2(+)-stimulated amylase secretion by all combinations of cAMP (100 microM plus 0.1 mM isobutylmethylxanthine), TPA (1 microM), and GTP[gamma S] (30 microM) were fully additive. In Ca2(+)-free buffer, cAMP, TPA or GTP[gamma S] individually had no effect on amylase secretion. Together, TPA and GTP[gamma S] stimulated Ca2(+)-independent secretion, which was 187 +/- 38% of basal. Cyclic AMP together with TPA and GTP[gamma S] in the absence of Ca2+ stimulated 329 +/- 30% of basal secretion. Ca2(+)-stimulated amylase secretion was decreased about 50% by metabolic inhibition, while the enhancement by cAMP, TPA or GTP[gamma S] was totally blocked by metabolic inhibitors. These data demonstrate that amylase secretion in the acinar cell is mediated by multiple intracellular pathways which act in parallel and probably converge at a distal step in the exocytotic process.     

Biosynthesis of phosphatidylinositol in Crithidia fasciculata

Microsomal preparations from the protozoan (Crithidia fasciculata were shown to incorporate myo-[2-3H]inositol into phosphatidylinositol by both the CDPdiacylglycerol:myo-inositol phosphatidyltransferase reaction and by a myo-inositol exchange reaction. Non-ionic detergent and Mg2+ were necessary for the measurement of transferase activity. Untreated preparations could not be saturated with Mg2+, even at very high concentrations (50-75 mM). However, low concentrations of EGTA (75 micro M) both stimulated the activity 3-fold and reduced the Mg2+ required for saturation to 15-20 mM. EGTA also increased the apparent Km for CDPdiacylglycerol while increasing the sensitivity to substrate inhibition above 1 mM. The transferase activity was inhibited by relatively low concentrations of Ca2+ (50 micro M). This and the EGTA effect suggest a possible role for Ca2+ in the modulation of phosphatidylinositol synthesis. The myo-inositol exchange activity required Mn2+, was insensitive to Ca2+ inhibition and was only slightly stimulated by detergents and EGTA. This activity was preferentially inactivated by heating at 50 degrees C in the presence of Triton X-100. In a detergent solubilized preparation the exchange activity but not the transferase exhibited a non-specific requirement for phospholipid. The differences in properties of the two activities suggest the presence of a separate exchange enzyme.     

Stimulus-secretion coupling in bovine parathyroid cells. Dissociation between secretion and net changes in cytosolic Ca2+

The relationship between the concentration of cytosolic free Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) and secretion of parathyroid hormone (PTH) was investigated in isolated bovine parathyroid cells using the fluorescent Ca2+ indicator, quin 2. Increasing the concentration of extracellular Ca2+ from 0.5 to 2.0 mM caused a 3-fold increase in [Ca2+]i (from 183 +/- 4 to 568 +/- 21 nM) which was associated with a 2-4-fold decrease in secretion of PTH. Decreasing extracellular Ca2+ to about 1 microM caused a corresponding fall in [Ca2+]i to 60-90 nM. Extracellular Ca2+-induced changes in [Ca2+]i were not affected by omission of extracellular Na+. Depolarizing concentrations of K+ (30 mM) depressed [Ca2+]i at all concentrations of extracellular Ca examined, and this was associated with increased secretion of PTH. Ionomycin (0.1 or 1 microM) increased [Ca2+]i at extracellular Ca2+ concentrations of 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 mM, but inhibited secretion of PTH only at Ca concentrations near the "Ca2+ set point" (1.25 microM). In contrast, dopamine, norepinephrine (10 microM each), and Li+ (20 mM) potentiated secretion of PTH without causing any detectable change in [Ca2+]i. The results obtained with these latter secretagogues provide evidence for a mechanism of secretion which is independent of net changes in [Ca2+]i. The phorbol ester 12-O-tetradecanoyl phorbol 13-acetate (TPA) did not alter [Ca2+]i or secretion of PTH at low (0.5 mM) extracellular Ca2+ concentrations. At 2.0 mM extracellular Ca2+, however, TPA (20 nM or 1 microM) depressed [Ca2+]i and potentiated secretion of PTH. The addition of TPA prior to raising the extracellular Ca2+ concentration reduced the subsequent increase in [Ca2+]i. The results show that the effects of TPA on secretion in the parathyroid cell are not readily dissociated from changes in [Ca2+]i and suggest that some TPA-sensitive process, perhaps involving protein kinase C, may be involved in those mechanisms that regulate [Ca2+]i in response to changes in extracellular Ca2+.     

Voltage-regulated calcium channels involved in the regulation of enkephalin synthesis are blocked by phorbol ester treatment

Treatment of bovine chromaffin cells with 40 mM KCl stimulates a 3-fold increase in total methionine enkephalin immunoreactivity (medium plus cells) and a 4-fold increase in proenkephalin mRNA (mRNAenk). These effects of KCl, which are dependent on extracellular calcium, can be blocked by treatment with 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA), although release of methionine enkephalin appears less affected. Using fura-2-loaded chromaffin cells and a dual-excitation wavelength spectrofluorometer, we have examined whether the actions of KCl and TPA on methionine enkephalin synthesis and release can be explained by changes in intracellular free calcium ([Ca2+]i). KCl produced a rapid 600 nM increase in [Ca2+]i from resting levels of approximately 170 nM. Subsequently, [Ca2+]i declined to a new steady-state plateau which was approximately 275 nM higher than the original resting levels. The postdepolarization plateau of [Ca2+]i was reduced by TPA, (-)-(R)-202,791 (a dihydropyridine calcium channel antagonist), and LaCl3 (a nonselective calcium channel blocker). TPA also inhibited potentiation of the KCl-stimulated plateau of [Ca2+]i due to (+)-(S)-202,791, a calcium channel agonist. In contrast, TPA had no effect on resting [Ca2+]i and only slightly inhibited the initial rapid KCl-stimulated increase in [Ca2+]i. The inhibitory effects were maintained for 24 h in the continuous presence of TPA. We conclude 1) that TPA inhibits enkephalin synthesis by inactivating dihydropyridine-sensitive voltage-dependent calcium channels, 2) that these channels alone maintain elevated [Ca2+]i following KCl depolarization, and 3) that sustained elevation in [Ca2+]i is necessary in order to increase enkephalin synthesis in KCl-treated chromaffin cells.     

Stimulation of hepatic glycogenolysis by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) via a calcium requiring process

12-O-Tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) stimulated glycogenolysis in perfused rat liver which was perfused with Krebs-Ringer-bicarbonate buffer containing 1 mM CaCl2 but no substrate. Verapamil (100 microM), diltiazem (100 microM) and trifluoperazin (100 microM), all inhibited the effect of TPA in the presence of CaCl2. Omission of CaCl2 from the perfusate or the addition of EGTA markedly attenuated the effect of TPA. TPA decreased net release of 45Ca from 45Ca-preloaded liver. The effect of maximal concentration of TPA (20 ng/ml) was not additive to that of 0.6 microM A23187. These data suggest that TPA increases calcium influx into hepatocytes and stimulates glycogenolysis through a calcium-calmodulin dependent mechanism.     

Initiation of DNA synthesis in murine B cells is independent of early changes in the cytosolic free calcium

The relationship between changes in the intracellular free Ca2+ concentration, [Ca2+]i, and the initiation of proliferation of murine B cells after the addition of mitogens and activators was studied. The effects of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), 12-O-tetradecanoyl phorbol-13-acetate (TPA), rabbit IgG antimouse Fab (IgG RAM Fab), and its F(ab')2 fragment (F(ab')2 anti-Fab) on the [Ca2+]i were measured using the fluorescent calcium indicator Fura-2. In parallel experiments, DNA and/or RNA synthesis were measured by assaying [3H]thymidine and/or [3H]uridine uptake. LPS stimulated a 20-120 X increase in the [3H]thymidine uptake, and a 3-7 X increase in [3H]uridine uptake without inducing any change in the [Ca2+]i. TPA induced a marginal increase in [3H]thymidine and [3H]uridine uptake, without effecting any change in the [Ca2+]i. In contrast, low doses of IgG RAM Fab produced a triphasic change in the [Ca2+]i, but had no effect on the [3H]thymidine or [3H]uridine uptake, even at much higher concentrations. Similarly, low doses of the F(ab')2 fragment induced sizable increases in the [Ca2+]i without affecting the [3H]nucleoside uptake. However, higher concentrations of F(ab')2 anti Fab increased the [3H]thymidine uptake and [3H]uridine uptake, while also increasing the [Ca2+]i. Significantly, pretreating the cells with TPA for 3 min virtually abolished the [Ca2+]i increase induced by IgG RAM Fab while simultaneously potentiating an increase in the IgG RAM Fab-induced [3H]thymidine uptake 85-fold. In the presence of TPA, IgG RAM Fab also induced a 2- to 30-fold increase in [3H]uridine uptake. Similarly, TPA virtually abolished the [Ca2+]i increase induced by the F(ab')2 anti-Fab fragment, yet it stimulated a F(ab')2 anti-Fab-induced uptake of [3H]thymidine and [3H]uridine by 120 and 10 times, respectively.     

A metal binding in the polypeptide chain improves the folding efficiency of a denatured and reduced protein

In order to examine the effect of a metal binding to the polypeptide chain on the aggregation of a protein in the refolding process, we prepared a mutant hen lysozyme possessing the same Ca(2+) binding site as in human alpha-lactalbumin by Escherichia coli expression system (Ser(-1) CaB lysozyme). In the presence of 2 mM CaCl(2), the refolding yield of Ser(-1) CaB lysozyme at a low protein concentration (25 microg/mL) was similar to that of the wild-type lysozyme (80%), but that at high protein concentration (200 microg/mL) decreased (15%) due to aggregation comparing to that of the wild-type lysozyme (45%). However, the refolding yield of Ser(-1) CaB lysozyme in the presence of 100 mM CaCl(2) even at a protein concentration of 200 microg/mL was 80% and was higher than that of the wild-type lysozyme. From analysis of chemical shift changes of the cross peaks in the backbone region of total correlated spectroscopy (TOCSY) spectra of a decapeptide possessing the same calcium binding site as in Ser(-1) CaB lysozyme in the presence of various concentrations of Ca(2+), it was suggested that the dissociation constant of Ca(2+)-peptide complex was estimated to be 20-36 mM. Moreover, the solubility of the denatured Ser(-1) CaB lysozyme in the presence of 100 mM CaCl(2) was higher than that in the presence of 2 mM CaCl(2) whereas the solubility of the denatured Ser(-1) lysozyme in the presence of 100 mM CaCl(2) was not higher than that in the presence of 2 mM CaCl(2). Therefore, it was concluded that the reduced lysozyme possessing the Ca(2+) binding site was efficiently folded in the presence of high concentration of Ca(2+) (100 mM) even at high protein concentration due to depression of aggregation by the binding of Ca(2+) to the polypeptide chain in Ser(-1) CaB lysozyme.     

Cationic specificity of a Ca2+-accumulating system in smooth muscle cell mitochondria

In the experiments conducted with application of an isotopic technique (45Ca2+) on the myometrium cells suspension treated by digitonin solution (0.1 mg/ml) some properties of Ca ions accumulation system in the mitochondria--cationic and substrate specificity as well as effects of Mg2+ and some other bivalent metals ions on the Ca2+ accumulation velocity have been estimated. Ca ions accumulation from the incubation medium containing 3 mM sodium succinate Na, 2 mM Pi (as potassium K(+)-phosphate buffer, pH 7.4 at 37 degrees C), 0.01 mM (40CaCl2 + 45CaCl2) and 100 nM thapsigargin--selective inhibiting agent of endoplasmatic reticulum calcium pump were demonstrated as detected just only in presence of Mg, while not Ni, Co or Cu ions. The increase of Mg2+ concentration from 1 x 10(-6) to 10(-3) M induced the ATP dependent transport activation in the myometrium mitochondria. Under [Mg2+] increase till 40 mM this cation essentially decreased Ca2+ accumulation (by 65% from the maximal value). The optimum for Ca2+ transport in the myometrium cells suspension is Mg2+ 10 mM concentration. Ka activation apparent constant along Mg2+ value (in presence 3 mM ATP and 3 mM sodium succinate) is 4.27 mM. The above listed bivalent metals decreased Mg2+, ATP-dependent accumulation of calcium, values of inhibition apparent constants for ions Co2+, Ni2+ and Cu2+ were--2.9 x 10(-4) M, 5.1 x 10(-5) M and 4.2 x 10(-6) M respectively. For Mg2+, ATP-dependent Ca2+ transport in the uterus myocytes mitocondria a high substrate specificity is a characteristic phenomenon in elation to ATP: GTP, CTP and UTP practically fail to provide for Ca accumulation process.     

Hydrolysis of 1-palmitoyl-2-[6-(pyren-1-yl)]hexanoyl-sn-glycero- 3-phospholipids by phospholipase A2: effect of the polar head-group

The effect of the phospholipid polar head-group on the porcine pancreatic phospholipase A2 (phosphatidylcholine 2-acylhydrolase, EC 3.1.1.4) reaction was studied using 1-palmitoyl-2-[6-(pyren-1-yl)]hexanoyl-sn-glycero-3- phosphatidylcholine, -ethanolamine, -glycerol, -monomethylester and -serine as substrates. Except for the monomethylester analogue, which was maximally activated by 3.5 mM CaCl2, maximal enhancement of hydrolysis of the other pyrenephospholipids was obtained at 2 mM Ca2+. Sodium cholate inhibited hydrolysis of the ethanolamine and serine lipids, whereas a slight (1.4-2.0-fold) activation was observed for the -choline, -glycerol and -monomethylester derivatives. Arrhenius plots of hydrolysis of pyrenephospholipids by porcine pancreatic phospholipase A2 revealed no discontinuities, thus indicating the absence of phase transition for these lipids in the temperature range 15-45 degrees C. Specific activities of porcine and bovine pancreatic, porcine intestinal and snake venom (Crotalus atrox) phospholipases A2 towards pyrenephospholipid liposomes were then compared. Whereas the snake venom phospholipase A2 preferred phosphatidylcholine as a substrate, the other phospholipases A2 preferred acidic phospholipids in the order monomethylester greater than or equal to glycerol greater than or equal to serine.     

Elevated extracellular calcium concentrations induce type X collagen synthesis in chondrocyte cultures

Chondrocytes at different stages of cellular differentiation were isolated from the tarsal element (immature chondrocytes) and zones 2 and 3 (mature chondrocytes) of 12-d chick embryo tibiotarsus. The chondrocytes from the two sources differed in their cell morphologies, growth rate and production of type X collagen. In 24 h, zone 2 and 3 chondrocytes synthesized 800 times more type X collagen than tarsal chondrocytes. The effect of exogenous CaCl2 (5 and 10 mM) on the synthesis of type X collagen by both mature and immature chondrocytes was tested. After a 72-h incubation of zone 2 and 3 chondrocytes with CaCl2 type X collagen increased 8-fold with 5 mM and 10-fold with 10 mM Ca2+. [3H]Proline incorporation into culture medium and matrix macromolecules increased 11 and 32% with 5 and 10 mM CaCl2, respectively. Type II collagen synthesis was not affected by elevated extracellular Ca2+ during this 72-h period. Similar studies with tarsal chondrocytes demonstrated a time- and dose-dependent response to CaCl2 with type X collagen levels reaching a 4-fold and 15-fold increase over controls with 5 and 10 mM Ca2+, respectively, at 48 h. Elevated extracellular Ca2+ had no effect on cell proliferation. These observations offer the first direct evidence of the induction of type X collagen synthesis with elevated extracellular Ca2+.     

Effects of calcium and magnesium ions on the interaction of corticosterone with rat brain cytosol receptor(s).

The apparent maximum corticosterone binding (B max) with rat brain cytosol and the apparent dissociation constant of this steroid-receptor binding (Kd) estimated with a Scatchard plot was 2.9 X 10(-13) moles/mg cytosol protein and 4.0 X 10(-9) M, respectively. When increasing amounts of CaCl2 or MgCl2 up to 5.0 mM were added, a specific [3H] corticosterone binding increased 4-fold by CaCl2 at concentrations of 1.0-2.0 mM and 1.5-fold by MgCl2 at concentrations of 0.5-5.0 mM. The addition of MnCl2 and KCl did not affect this binding. Binding of corticosterone with rat brain cytosol receptor(s) were decreased by increasing amounts of EGTA and complete inhibition was observed at concentrations equal to and greater than 2.5 mM. Inhibition of this binding by EDTA was less than by EGTA. Either theophylline or dibutyryl cyclic AMP had no effect on this binding.     

Ca2+ dependence of the interactions between protein C, thrombin, and the elastase fragment of thrombomodulin. Analysis by ultracentrifugation.

The two-way and three-way interactions among active-site-blocked bovine thrombin, bovine protein C, and the elastase fragment of rabbit thrombomodulin (elTM) were examined by analytical ultracentrifugation at 23.3 degrees C in 100 mM NaCl, 50 mM Tris (pH 7.65), and 1 mM benzamidine, in the presence of 0 to 5 mM calcium chloride. Thrombin and elTM form a tight (Kd less than 10(-8) M) 1:1 complex in the absence of Ca2+ that weakens with the addition of Ca2+ (Kd approximately 4 microM in 5 mM Ca2+). Without Ca2+, thrombin and protein C form a 1:1 complex (Kd approximately 1 microM) and what appears to be a 1:2 thrombin-protein C complex. The Kd for the 1:1 complex weakens over 100-fold in 5 mM CaCl2. Protein C and elTM form a Ca(2+)-independent 1:1 complex (Kd approximately 80 microM). Nearly identical binding to thrombin and elTM is observed when active-site-blocked activated bovine protein C is substituted for protein C. Thrombin inhibited by diisopropyl fluorophosphate and thrombin inhibited by a tripeptide chloromethyl ketone exhibited identical behavior in binding experiments, suggesting that the accessibility of protein C to the substrate recognition cleft of these two forms of thrombin is nearly equal. Human protein C binds with lower affinity than bovine protein C. Ternary mixtures also were examined. Protein C, elTM, and thrombin form a 1:1:1 complex which dissociates with increasing [Ca2+]. In the absence of Ca2+, protein C binds to the elTM-thrombin complex with an apparent Kd approximately 1 microM.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Ca2+-Calmodulin Modulates Ion Channel Activity in Storage Protein Vacuoles of Barley Aleurone Cells

Many plant ion channels have been identified, but little is known about how these transporters are regulated. We have investigated the regulation of a slow vacuolar (SV) ion channel in the tonoplast of barley aleurone storage protein vacuoles (SPV) using the patch-clamp technique. SPV were isolated from barley aleurone protoplasts incubated with CaCl2 in the presence or absence of gibberellic acid (GA) or abscisic acid (ABA). A slowly activating, voltage-dependent ion channel was identified in the SPV membrane. Mean channel conductance was 26 pS when 100 mM KCl was on both sides of the membrane, and reversal potential measurements indicated that most of the current was carried by K+. Treatment of protoplasts with GA3 increased whole-vacuole current density compared to SPV isolated from ABA- or CaCl2-treated cells. The opening of the SV channel was sensitive to cytosolic free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) between 600 nM and 100 [mu]M, with higher [Ca2+]i resulting in a greater probability of channel opening. SV channel activity was reduced greater than 90% by the calmodulin (CaM) inhibitors W7 and trifluoperazine, suggesting that Ca2+ activates endogenous CaM tightly associated with the membrane. Exogenous CaM partially reversed the inhibitory effects of W7 on SV channel opening. CaM also sensitized the SV channel to Ca2+. In the presence of ~3.5 [mu]M CaM, specific current increased by approximately threefold at 2.5 [mu]M Ca2+ and by more than 13-fold at 10 [mu]M Ca2+. Since [Ca2+]i and the level of CaM increase in barley aleurone cells following exposure to GA, we suggest that Ca2+ and CaM act as signal transduction elements mediating hormone-induced changes in ion channel activity.     

Regulation of Muscarinic Agonist-Induced Activation of Phosphoinositidase C in Electrically Permeabilized SH-SY5Y Human Neuroblastoma Cells by Guanine Nucleotides

myo-[3H]Inositol-labelled SH-SY5Y cells were permeabilized with electrical discharges. 3H-Inositol phosphate formation in cells shown to be fully permeable was stimulated by the muscarinic agonist carbachol, by guanosine 5'-(gamma-thio)triphosphate [GTP(S)], and by guanosine 5'-(beta gamma-imido)diphosphate (GppNHp). Synergism was observed on coincubation of these GTP analogues with carbachol. GTP was also stimulatory and guanosine 5'-(beta-thio)diphosphate was inhibitory in the presence of agonist. Atropine blocked the effects of carbachol. Stimulation by GTP(S) (0.1 mM) occurred after a 1-2-min lag, whereas Ca2+ (0.5 mM), carbachol (1 mM), and carbachol plus GTP(S) stimulated without delay. The effects of carbachol plus GTP(S) but not those of Ca2+ were inhibited by spermine (4 mM). Accumulation of 3H-inositol phosphates was enhanced by Li+ (4 mM) only in intact cells. In intact or permeabilized cells, the "partial" agonist arecoline was maximally 40-50% as efficacious as carbachol. In permeabilized cells, the maximal effects of carbachol and arecoline were enhanced 2.8- and 5.3-fold, respectively, by 0.1 mM GTP(S), but only the EC50 for carbachol was substantially reduced. The binding affinity of carbachol but not that of arecoline in permeabilized cells was significantly reduced by 0.1 mM GppNHp. These data indicate that a guanine nucleotide-binding regulatory protein is involved in coupling muscarinic receptors to phosphoinositidase C in SH-SY5Y cells and that the activity of this protein influences the relationship between receptor occupation and phosphoinositide response.     

Structural changes in dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine bilayer promoted by Ca2+ ions: a small-angle neutron scattering study

Small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) curves of unilamellar dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) vesicles in 1-60mM CaCl2 were analyzed using a strip-function model of the phospholipid bilayer. The fraction of Ca2+ ions bound in the DPPC polar head group region was determined using Langmuir adsorption isotherm. In the gel phase, at 20 degrees C, the lipid bilayer thickness, dL, goes through a maximum as a function of CaCl2 concentration (dL=54.4A at approximately 2.5mM of CaCl2). Simultaneously, both the area per DPPC molecule AL, and the number of water molecules nW located in the polar head group region decrease (DeltaAL=AL(DPPC))-AL(DPPC+Ca)=2.3A2 and Deltan=n(W(DPPC))-n(W(DPPC+Ca))=0.8mol/mol at approximately 2.5mM of CaCl2). In the fluid phase, at 60 degrees C, the structural parameters d(L), A(L), and n(W) show evident changes with increasing Ca2+ up to a concentration C(Ca)(2+) < or = 10mM. DPPC bilayers affected by the calcium binding are compared to unilamellar vesicles prepared by extrusion. The structural parameters of DPPC vesicles prepared in 60mM CaCl2 (at 20 and 60 degrees C) are nearly the same as those for unilamellar vesicles without Ca2+.     

Effect of mefloquine on the mechanical activity of the mouse isolated rectal smooth muscle.

The effects of mefloquine on the mechanical activity of the mouse isolated rectal smooth muscle was studied. Mefloquine (4.1x10-5 - 5.2x10-3M) when applied alone and separately exerted variable effects on the rectum. In some preparations, it caused slight phasic contractions while in others no response was elicited. When the external Ca(2+) was increased from 1.8mM to 300mM mefloquine produced phasic contractile activity which was abolished on return to normal 1.8mM suggesting that the contractile activity was due to extracellular Ca(2+) influx. Meflaquine [4.1x10-6M - 4.1x10-4M] caused contraction - dependent inhibition of KCL, Carbachol and CaCl2 [in depolarizing Tyrode Solution]. Mefloquine [2.1x10-4M] blocked KCL, but not carbachol contractions which were largely reversed by increasing [Ca2+]. The results show that mefloquine possesses anticholinergic and appreciable calcium channel blocking activity.     

Ca2+ channel ligand sensitive responses to the phorbol ester 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate in vascular smooth muscle

The action of a tumor-promoting phorbol ester, 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA), on isolated rat aortic and tail artery strips has been characterized. TPA (10(-9)-10(-7) M) produced a graded contraction developing maximum tension over 30-40 min. The contraction was irreversible and was not relaxed by prolonged washing with physiologic saline. Relaxation occurred upon washing with Ca2+-free saline but readdition of Ca2+ restored response. TPA was without significant effect in rat tail arteries in physiologic saline but produced responses in saline containing elevated K+ (15 mM). The protein kinase C inhibitor, CP-46,665-1 (4-aminomethyl-1-[2,3-(di-n-decyloxy)n-propyl]-4-phenylpiperidine dihydrochloride) (5 X 10(-5) M), blocked the response to TPA but was without effect on responses to Bay K 8644 (2,6-dimethyl-3-carbomethoxy-5-nitro-4-(2-trifluoromethylphenyl) 1,4-dihydropyridine), KCl, phenylephrine, and B-HT 920 (6-allyl-2-amino-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-4H-thiazolo[4,5-d]azepin dihydrochloride). The calcium channel antagonist nifedipine and its analogue, 2,6-dimethyl-3,5-dicarbomethoxy-4-(3-cyanophenyl)-1,4-dihydr opyridine, inhibited TPA responses with IC50 values of 9.28 X 10(-9) and 1.96 X 10(-7) M, respectively. Responses to Bay K 8644 in rat aorta were maximum in the presence of elevated KCl (10 mM), but TPA at concentrations of 10(-9) and 3 X 10(-9) M potentiated responses to Bay K 8644 in physiologic saline to levels approximating those in elevated K+ saline. TPA similarly potentiated responses to Ca2+ in Ca2+-free solution.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Kinetics of the activation of human prothrombin by human coagulation factor Xa. Initial rate studies in the presence of Ca2+ and phospholipid.

Steady state kinetic studies have been performed to investigate the formation of thrombin from prothrombin by human coagulation Factor Xa in the presence of Ca2+ and phospholipid. The concentration of ligand which gives 50% of the maximum velocity (K0.5) is 2.3 mM for Ca2+, 7.4 microM for phospholipid, and 0.006 microM for prothrombin. Hill plots of the Ca2+ enhancement of the reaction give a Hill coefficient of 3.1, indicating positive cooperativity. The initial velocity patterns are consistent with an ordered addition of reactants with phospholipid as the second reactant to bind to the enzyme. Although our results do not differentiate between Ca2+ or the prothrombin substrate as the first reactant to bind to Factor Xa, it is established that Ca2+ can bind to Factor Xa in the absence of the other reactants. Thus, the most probable order of addition of reactants is Ca2+, phospholipid, and the prothrombin substrate. Plots of (v)-1 versus (prothrombin)-1 or (v)-1 versus [(Ca2+)3]-1 at several constant concentrations of phospholipid indicate that the major effect of phospholipid is to increase the turnover number of Factor Xa.     

Differentiation of enzyme and substrate binding in the prothrombinase complex

The Ca2+ dependence of factor Xa binding to phospholipid vesicles was measured in the presence and absence of factor Va. The increase in polarization of a fluorescently labeled derivative of factor Xa, [5-(dimethylamino)-1-naphthalenesulfonyl] glutamylglycylarginyl factor Xa (Dns-EGR-Xa), was used as a probe to measure the interaction of factor Xa with phospholipid. The Ca2+ concentration required for half-maximal binding of Dns-EGR-Xa to phospholipid vesicles was 3.5 X 10(-4) M in the presence of factor Va and 9.5 X 10(-4) M in the absence of factor Va. At a Ca2+ concentration of 5 X 10(-4) M, the binding of Dns-EGR-Xa to phospholipid-bound factor Va was near maximal, whereas there was no detectable interaction of Dns-EGR-Xa with phospholipid alone at this Ca2+ concentration as detected by fluorescence polarization. These results were qualitatively confirmed by high-performance liquid chromatography. The rate of hydrolysis of the factor Xa synthetic substrate, benzoylisoleucylglutamylglycylarginine p-nitroanilide, by factor Xa in the presence of factor Va and phospholipid decreased in a Ca2+-dependent manner. These data were analyzed as fraction of factor Xa bound to the phospholipid. A Ca2+ concentration of 2.7 X 10(-4) M resulted in half-maximal binding by this technique. The relationship observed between rates of prothrombin activation and Ca2+ concentration could be predicted quantitatively from calculations of local enzyme and substrate concentrations.     

Limited autolysis reduces the Ca2+ requirement of a smooth muscle Ca2+-activated protease

Chicken gizzard smooth muscle contains large amounts of Ca2+-activated protease activity. Approximately 15 mg of purified enzyme can be obtained from 1 kg of fresh muscle. The enzyme consists of two subunits (Mr = 80,000 and 30,000) present in a 1:1 molar ratio. In the presence of CaCl2, the 80,000/30,000-dalton heterodimer (form I) is rapidly converted by limited autolysis to a 76,000/18,000-dalton species (form II). Both the 80,000- and 30,000-dalton subunits are degraded simultaneously. Moreover, the Ca2+ dependence for autolysis (K0.5 = 300 microM) is identical for both subunits. Neither the time course nor the Ca2+ dependence of the autolytic conversion reaction is altered by 10- and 20-fold molar excesses of substrate. Limited autolysis markedly reduces the Ca2+ requirement for substrate degradation. Using N-[ethyl-2-3H]maleimide-labeled 27,000-dalton cardiac myosin light chains as substrate, the Ca2+ requirement of form I was found to be quite high (K0.5 = 150 microM). Under similar conditions, the Ca2+ requirement of form II was 30-fold lower (K0.5 = 5 microM). Limited autolysis did not alter the specific activity of the enzyme. Our results demonstrate that smooth muscle contains an abundant amount of Ca2+-activated protease. Moreover, autolysis of this enzyme may play an important regulatory role by converting the native form to a species that is fully active at physiological levels of intracellular calcium ion.