Effect of protein-modifying factors on sodium and potassium leakage currents of the secretory cell membranes

Potassium and sodium leakage currents decrease when pH of the surroundings is lowering. Dicyclohexylcarbodiimide, a specific reagent of the COOH-groups does not change leakage currents. Trypsin, chymotrypsin, papain and pronase increase the sodium leakage current, not altering the potassium one. Blocking agents of the SH-groups: Hg2+ and Cd2+ decrease potassium leakage current, without changing the sodium one. Results of the proteolysis testify to that the diffusion of sodium into the cells in response is accomplished through the protein components of the membrane. The action of the blocking agents of SH-groups points out that the diffusion of potassium from the cells is realized also via the protein components of the membrane.     

Neuronal Control of Exocytosis and Calcium Homeostasis

We showed that 5 M acetylcholine (ACh) and 100 M norepinephrine (NE) cause increases in the total Ca²⁺ content in acinar cells by 30 and 87% and in the exocytosis intensity by 15 and 20%, respectively. Application of 5 M ACh and 100 M NE increased the free cytosolic Ca²⁺ concentration ([Ca²⁺] _i ) by 87 ± 2 and 140 ± 7 nM, respectively. Application of ACh and NE in a Ca²⁺-free external solution caused a [Ca²⁺] _i increase that was 40 and 67% lower than in physiological solution. We postulate that the exocytosis developing upon neural stimulation of the gland results from generation of Ca²⁺ transients that are spreading from the basal to the apical region of the exocrine cell, where secretory granules are concentrated.     

Processes Maintaining Calcium Homeostasis in Acinar Cells of the Rat Submandibular Salivary Gland

Using a Ca²⁺-sensitive fluorescent indicator, fura-2/AM, we recorded calcium transients in secretory cells of isolated acini of the rat submandibular salivary gland; these transients were induced by hyperpotassium-induced depolarization (after an increase in [K⁺] _e up to 50 mM) of the plasma membrane of the above cells. Calcium transients were significantly suppressed by 50 M nifedipine. Addition of 10 M carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone to the normal extracellular solution was accompanied by a rise in [Ca²⁺] _i , whereas when hyperpotassium solution is used the effect was less expressed. Blockers of CA²⁺-ATPase in the cellular membrane and in the endoplasmic reticulum, eosin Y (5 M) and cyclopiazonic acid (CPA, 5 M), respectively, evoked a significant increase in [Ca²⁺] _i and a decrease in the K⁺-depolarization-induced calcium transient. Extracellular application of caffeine (2, 10, or 30 mM) was accompanied by a concentration-dependent rise in [Ca²⁺] _i . Therefore, potassium depolarization of the plasma membrane of acinar cells of the rat submandibular salivary gland activates both the voltage-dependent Ca²⁺ influx and Ca²⁺-induced Ca²⁺ release from the endoplasmic reticulum; the initial level of [Ca²⁺] _i was restored at the joint involvement of Ca²⁺-ATPases in the plasma membrane and the membranes of the endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria.     

Dependence of sodium-calcium exchange current through the membrane of salivary gland cells ofChironomus on pH of the extracellular solution

The dependence of sodium-calcium exchange current (I _Na(Ca)) through the membrane of isolated secretory cells ofChironomus larva on pH of the extracellular solution was studied with the voltage-clamp technique with intracellular perfusion.I _Na(Ca) evoked by hyperpolarization of the membrane from –20 to –60 mV was recorded within physiological values of Na⁺ and Ca²⁺ gradients. It was established that acidification of extracellular solution from pH 7.2 to 4.0 gradually decreased the amplitude ofI _Na(Ca) with pK' — 3.72. In all cases at pH 3.0 an outward current of considerable amplitude emerged in response to membrane hyperpolarization. The reversal of the current occurred at pH around 3.25. A decrease inI _Na(Ca) was due to protonation of acid ionogenic groups (quite possibly, of the residues of aspartic or glutamic amino acids), which had been involved in binding of cations. Alkalization of extracellular solution from pH 7.2 to 10.0 produced a gradual increase in theI _Na(Ca) amplitude; pK' was in the pH range between 9 and 10. The increase inI _Na(Ca) in alkaline medium was probably due to the appearance of negatively charged cations at binding sites, which could be carried by deprotonated thiosulfate groups of cysteine residues. This was indicated by the possibility of initial decrease inI _Na(Ca) under the action of Hg²⁺ ions.Neirofiziologiya/Neurophysiology, Vol. 28, No. 4/5, pp. 193–196, July–October, 1996.     

The identification and properties of chloride potential-dependent channels in the membrane of secretory cells]

Outward current of the salivary gland cells membrane of chironomus larva activated by the displacement of the membrane potential to the region of positive values has been registered by the voltage-clamp method under conditions of intracellular dialysis in the presence of the chloride transmembrane gradient. Activation threshold of the current is about +20 mV. Subsequent displacement of the membrane potential to the region of positive values causes an increase of the current. Time constant of the current activation is (573 +/- 34.4) ms. The current decreases with the reduction of extracellular chloride concentration, under the influence of tannin acid and temperature lowering, under conditions of alkaline medium. The current increases due to Hg2+ ions and lowering of the outward solution pH. Thus, the membrane of secretory cells contain high-threshold potential-dependent chloride channels which are characterized by the following selectivity series: Br- greater than Cl- greater than NO3- greater than SO4(2-) greater than F- greater than HCOO- greater than CH3COO-.     

Role of SH Groups in the Functioning of Ca2+-Transporting ATPases Regulating Ca2+ Homeostasis and Exocytosis

Using a ^Ca2+-sensitive fluorescent indicator, Fura-2/AM, and a metallochromic dye, arsenazo, we measured the intracellular concentration of Ca²⁺ ([Ca²⁺] _i ) and the content of total calcium in isolated acinar cells of the rat submandibular salivary gland. It was shown that the influence of a mercaptide-forming compound, sodium p-chloromercuribenzoate (pChMB), increased both the [Ca²⁺] _i and content of total calcium but did not change the intensity of exocytosis. Such a situation is probably related to the fact that pChMB inhibits plasmalemmal Ca²⁺-ATPase (PMCA). The absence of changes in the exocytotic activity can be explained as follows: the influence of a pChMB-induced significant increase in the [Ca²⁺] _i is neutralized due to the functioning of Ca²⁺-ATPases of the endoplasmic reticulum (SERCA), which pump Ca²⁺ into the store. Incubation of a microsomal fraction with pChMB resulted in suppression of the specific PMCA and SERCA activities with apparent constants of inhibition (I ₅₀) 245 and 52 M, respectively. Dithiothreitol (DTT, 0.1 mM) increased the PMCA and SERCA activities (probably facilitating the access of substrate to the active centers of ATPases at the expense of a decrease in the number of disulfide bonds, which is followed by changes in the conformation of intracellular hydrophilic loops of their molecules). Dithiothreitol also recovered the suppression of PMCA and SERCA activities induced by pre-incubation with pChMB (by 45 and 32%, respectively); these activities did not, however, reach the initial levels. A probable interpretation of this fact is that DTT shields from the action of pChMB only superficial but not sterically less accessible SH groups. Limited proteolysis of the microsomes by -chymotrypsin decreased the specific PMCA and SERCA activities by 16 and 60%, respectively. Incubation of the microsomes in an -chymotrypsin-containing medium (15 sec) with subsequent addition of 150 M pChMB exerted almost no influence on the PMCA activity, whereas the SERCA activity dramatically increased (by 146%). This fact allows us to suggest that -chymotrypsin is capable of eliminating the inhibitory effect of pChMB on the SERCA activity; the mechanism of this effect remains unknown. Therefore, functionally important SH groups are present in the catalytic and active centers of both PMCA and SERCA; superficial SH groups dominate in the PMCA molecules, whereas SERCA is controlled by more deeply localized SH groups.