Sodium-dependent action potentials induced by brevetoxin-3 trigger both IP3 increase and intracellular Ca2+ release in rat skeletal myotubes

Brevetoxin-3 (PbTx-3), described to increase the open probability of voltage-dependent sodium channels, caused trains of action potentials and fast oscillatory changes in fluorescence intensity of fluo-3-loaded rat skeletal muscle cells in primary culture, indicating that the toxin increased intracellular Ca(2+) levels. PbTx-3 did not elicit calcium transients in dysgenic myotubes (GLT cell line), lacking the alpha1 subunit of the dihydropyridine receptor (DHPR), but after transfection of the alpha1DHPR cDNA to GLT cells, PbTx-3 induced slow calcium transients that were similar to those of normal cells. Ca(2+) signals evoked by PbTx-3 were inhibited by blocking either IP(3) receptors, with 2-aminoethoxydiphenyl borate, or phospholipase C with U73122. PbTx-3 caused a tetrodotoxin-sensitive increase in intracellular IP(3) mass levels, dependent on extra-cellular Na(+). A similar increase in IP(3) mass was induced by high K(+) depolarization but no action potential trains (nor calcium signals) were elicited by prolonged depolarization under current clamp conditions. The increase in IP(3) mass induced by either PbTx-3 or K(+) was also detected in Ca(2+)-free medium. These results establish that the effect of the toxin on both intracellular Ca(2+) and IP(3) levels occurs via a membrane potential sensor instead of directly by Na(+) flux and supports the notion of a train of action potentials being more efficient as a stimulus than sustained depolarization, suggesting that tetanus is the physiological stimulus for the IP(3)-dependent calcium signal involved in regulation of gene expression.     

A new mode of Ca2+ signaling by G protein-coupled receptors: gating of IP3 receptor Ca2+ release channels by Gbetagamma

The most common form of Ca(2+) signaling by Gq-coupled receptors entails activation of PLCbeta2 by Galphaq to generate IP(3) and evoke Ca(2+) release from the ER. Another form of Ca(2+) signaling by G protein-coupled receptors involves activation of Gi to release Gbetagamma, which activates PLCbeta1. Whether Gbetagamma has additional roles in Ca(2+) signaling is unknown. Introduction of Gbetagamma into cells activated Ca(2+) release from the IP(3) Ca(2+) pool and Ca(2) oscillations. This can be due to activation of PLCbeta1 or direct activation of the IP(3)R by Gbetagamma. We report here that Gbetagamma potently activates the IP(3) receptor. Thus, Gbetagamma-triggered [Ca(2+)](i) oscillations are not affected by inhibition of PLCbeta. Coimmunoprecipitation and competition experiments with Gbetagamma scavengers suggest binding of Gbetagamma to IP(3) receptors. Furthermore, Gbetagamma inhibited IP(3) binding to IP(3) receptors. Notably, Gbetagamma activated single IP(3)R channels in native ER as effectively as IP(3). The physiological significance of this form of signaling is demonstrated by the reciprocal sensitivity of Ca(2+) signals evoked by Gi- and Gq-coupled receptors to Gbetagamma scavenging and PLCbeta inhibition. We propose that gating of IP(3)R by Gbetagamma is a new mode of Ca(2+) signaling with particular significance for Gi-coupled receptors.     

Mechanism of bradykinin-induced Ca(2+) mobilization in MG63 human osteosarcoma cells.

BACKGROUND: The effect of bradykinin on intracellular free Ca(2+) levels ([Ca(2+)](i)) in MG63 human osteosarcoma cells was explored using fura-2 as a Ca(2+) dye. METHODS/RESULTS: Bradykinin (0.1 nM-1 microM) increased [Ca(2+)](i) in a concentration-dependent manner with an EC(50) value of 0.5 nM. The [Ca(2+)](i) signal comprised an initial peak and a fast decay which returned to baseline in 2 min. Extracellular Ca(2+) removal inhibited the peak [Ca(2+)](i )signals by 35 +/- 3%. Bradykinin (1 nM) failed to increase [Ca(2+)](i) in the absence of extracellular Ca(2+ )after cells were pretreated with thapsigargin (an endoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+) pump inhibitor; 1 microM). Bradykinin (1 nM)-induced intracellular Ca(2+) release was nearly abolished by inhibiting phospholipase C with 2 microM 1-(6-((17 beta-3-methoxyestra-1,3,5(10)-trien-17-yl)amino)hexyl)-1H-pyrrole-2,5-dione (U73122). The [Ca(2+)](i )increase induced by 1 nM bradykinin in Ca(2+)- free medium was abolished by 1 nM HOE 140 (a B2 bradykinin receptor antagonist) but was not altered by 100 nM Des-Arg-HOE 140 (a B1 bradykinin receptor antagonist). Pretreatment with 1 pM pertussis toxin for 5 h in Ca(2+) medium inhibited 30 +/- 3% of 1 nM bradykinin-induced peak [Ca(2+)](i) increase. CONCLUSIONS: Together, this study shows that bradykinin induced [Ca(2+)](i) increases in a concentration-dependent manner, by stimulating B2 bradykinin receptors leading to mobilization of Ca(2+) from the thapsigargin-sensitive stores in a manner dependent on inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate, and also by inducing extracellular Ca(2+) influx. The bradykinin response was partly coupled to a pertussis toxin-sensitive G protein pathway.     

A crucial role for cAMP and protein kinase A in D1 dopamine receptor regulated intracellular calcium transients

D1-like dopamine receptors stimulate Ca(2+) transients in neurons but the effector coupling and signaling mechanisms underlying these responses have not been elucidated. Here we investigated potential mechanisms using both HEK 293 cells that stably express D1 receptors (D1HEK293) and hippocampal neurons in culture. In D1HEK293 cells, the full D1 receptor agonist SKF 81297 evoked a robust dose-dependent increase in Ca(2+)(i) following 'priming' of endogenous G(q/11)-coupled muscarinic or purinergic receptors. The effect of SKF81297 could be mimicked by forskolin or 8-Br-cAMP. Further, cholera toxin and the cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) inhibitors, KT5720 and H89, as well as thapsigargin abrogated the D1 receptor evoked Ca(2+) transients. Removal of the priming agonist and treatment with the phospholipase C inhibitor U73122 also blocked the SKF81297-evoked responses. D1R agonist did not stimulate IP(3) production, but pretreatment of cells with the D1R agonist potentiated G(q)-linked receptor agonist mobilization of intracellular Ca(2+) stores. In neurons, SKF81297 and SKF83959, a partial D1 receptor agonist, promoted Ca(2+) oscillations in response to G(q/11)-coupled metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR) stimulation. The effects of both D1R agonists on the mGluR-evoked Ca(2+) responses were PKA dependent. Altogether the data suggest that dopamine D1R activation and ensuing cAMP production dynamically regulates the efficiency and timing of IP(3)-mediated intracellular Ca(2+) store mobilization.     

Effects of ECL cell extracts and granule/vesicle-enriched fractions from rat oxyntic mucosa on cAMP and IP(3) in rat osteoblast-like cells

The existence of an osteotropic hormone (referred to as gastrocalcin) in the ECL cells of the gastric mucosa has been suggested. Both gastrin and an extract of the oxyntic mucosa lower blood Ca(2+) and stimulate Ca(2+) uptake into bone. The ECL cells are known to operate under gastrin control and, conceivably, gastrin lowers blood Ca(2+) indirectly by releasing the hypothetical ECL cell hormone. We have shown earlier that extracts of isolated ECL cells or of the granule/vesicle fraction of the oxyntic mucosa evoke a typical Ca(2+)-mediated second messenger response in osteoblastic cells. In the present study, we characterize this response further. An increase in intracellular inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP(3)) concentration was observed after treatment of UMR-106.01 osteoblast-like cells with extracts of ECL cells or granule/vesicle-enriched fractions from oxyntic mucosa. Intracellular cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) concentrations were not affected. Inhibition of phospholipase C (PLC) by U-73122 abolished the increase in [Ca(2+)](i). Preincubation of UMR-106.01 cells with pertussis toxin, which blocks many G-proteins, did not prevent the increases in IP(3) and [Ca(2+)](i). It was also found that the novel peptide hormone ghrelin, produced in the A-like cells of the oxyntic mucosa, did not evoke any Ca(2+) signal in osteoblastic cells. The results indicate that the extracts mediate their effects through a pertussis toxin-insensitive mechanism, and that binding to a receptor leads to activation of PLC and production of IP(3) resulting in increased [Ca(2+)](i). The putative osteotropic hormone is distinct from ghrelin.     

Production of beta-defensin-2 by human colonic epithelial cells induced by Salmonella enteritidis flagella filament structural protein.

We recently showed that FliC of Salmonella enteritidis increased human beta-defensin-2 (hBD-2) expression, and now describe the signaling responsible pathway. FliC increased the intracellular Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+)](in)) in Caco-2 cells. The [Ca(2+)](in) increase induced by FliC was prevented by U73122 and heparin, but not by chelating extracellular Ca(2+) or pertussis toxin. The FliC-induced increase in hBD-2 promoter activity via nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB) was also inhibited by chelation of intracellular Ca(2+) or by U73122. We conclude that FliC increased [Ca(2+)](in) via inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate, which was followed by up-regulating hBD-2 mRNA expression via an NF-kappaB-dependent pathway.     

Phosphorylation-dependent modulation of cardiac calcium current by intracellular free magnesium

We compared the effects of cytosolic free magnesium (Mg(2+)(i)) on L-type Ca(2+) current (I(Ca,L)) in patch-clamped guinea pig ventricular cardiomyocytes under basal conditions, after inhibition of protein phosphorylation, and after stimulation of cAMP-mediated phosphorylation. Basal I(Ca,L) density displayed a bimodal dependence on the concentration of Mg(2+)(i) ([Mg(2+)](i); 10(-6)-10(-2) M), which changed significantly as cell dialysis progressed due to a pronounced and long-lasting rundown of I(Ca,L) in low-Mg(2+) dialysates. Ten minutes after patch breakthrough, I(Ca,L) density (at +10 mV) in Mg(2+)(i)-depleted cells ([Mg(2+)](i) approximately 1 microM) was elevated, increased to a maximum at approximately 20 microM [Mg(2+)](i), and declined steeply at higher [Mg(2+)](i). Treatment with the broad-spectrum protein kinase inhibitor K252a (10 microM) reduced I(Ca,L) density and abolished these effects of Mg(2+)(i) except for a negative shift of I(Ca,L)-voltage relations with increasing [Mg(2+)](i). Maximal stimulation of cAMP-mediated phosphorylation occluded the Mg(2+)(i)-induced stimulation of I(Ca,L) and prevented inhibitory effects of the ion at [Mg(2+)](i) <1 mM but not at higher concentrations. These results show that the modulation of I(Ca,L) by Mg(2+)(i) requires protein kinase activity and likely originates from interactions of the ion with proteins involved in the regulation of protein phosphorylation/dephosphorylation. Stimulatory effects of Mg(2+)(i) on I(Ca,L) seem to increase the cAMP-mediated phosphorylation of Ca(2+) channels, whereas inhibitory effects of Mg(2+)(i) appear to curtail and/or reverse cAMP-mediated phosphorylation.     

Sperm factor induces intracellular free calcium oscillations by stimulating the phosphoinositide pathway

Injection of a porcine cytosolic sperm factor (SF) or of a porcine testicular extract into mammalian eggs triggers oscillations of intracellular free calcium ([Ca(2+)](i)) similar to those initiated by fertilization. To elucidate whether SF activates the phosphoinositide (PI) pathway, mouse eggs or SF were incubated with U73122, an inhibitor of events leading to phospholipase C (PLC) activation and/or of PLC itself. In both cases, U73122 blocked the ability of SF to induce [Ca(2+)](i) oscillations, although it did not inhibit Ca(2+) release caused by injection of inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate (IP(3)). The inactive analogue, U73343, had no effect on SF-induced Ca(2+) responses. To determine at the single cell level whether SF triggers IP(3) production concomitantly with a [Ca(2+)](i) rise, SF was injected into Xenopus oocytes and IP(3) concentration was determined using a biological detector cell combined with capillary electrophoresis. Injection of SF induced a significant increase in [Ca(2+)](i) and IP(3) production in these oocytes. Using ammonium sulfate precipitation, chromatographic fractionation, and Western blotting, we determined whether PLCgamma1, PLCgamma2, or PLCdelta4 and/or its splice variants, which are present in sperm and testis, are responsible for the Ca(2+) activity in the extracts. Our results revealed that active fractions do not contain PLCgamma1, PLCgamma2, or PLCdelta4 and/or its splice variants, which were present in inactive fractions. We also tested whether IP(3) could be the sensitizing stimulus of the Ca(2+)-induced Ca(2+) release mechanism, which is an important feature of fertilized and SF-injected eggs. Eggs injected with adenophostin A, an IP(3) receptor agonist, showed enhanced Ca(2+) responses to CaCl(2) injections. Thus, SF, and probably sperm, induces [Ca(2+)](i) rises by persistently stimulating IP(3) production, which in turn results in long-lasting sensitization of Ca(2+)-induced Ca(2+) release. Whether SF is itself a PLC or whether it acts upstream of the egg's PLCs remains to be elucidated.     

Intracellular angiotensin II activates rat myometrium

Angiotensin II is a modulator of myometrial activity; both AT(1) and AT(2) receptors are expressed in myometrium. Since in other tissues angiotensin II has been reported to activate intracellular receptors, we assessed the effects of intracellular administration of angiotensin II via microinjection on myometrium, using calcium imaging. Intracellular injection of angiotensin II increased cytosolic Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+)](i)) in myometrial cells in a dose-dependent manner. The effect was abolished by the AT(1) receptor antagonist losartan but not by the AT(2) receptor antagonist PD-123319. Disruption of the endo-lysosomal system, but not that of Golgi apparatus, prevented the angiotensin II-induced increase in [Ca(2+)](i). Blockade of AT(1) receptor internalization had no effect, whereas blockade of microautophagy abolished the increase in [Ca(2+)](i) produced by intracellular injection of angiotensin II; this indicates that microautophagy is a critical step in transporting the peptide into the endo-lysosomes lumenum. The response to angiotensin II was slightly reduced in Ca(2+)-free saline, indicating a major involvement of Ca(2+) release from internal stores. Blockade of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP(3)) receptors with heparin and xestospongin C or inhibition of phospholipase C (PLC) with U-73122 abolished the response to angiotensin II, supporting the involvement of PLC-IP(3) pathway. Angiotensin II-induced increase in [Ca(2+)](i) was slightly reduced by antagonism of ryanodine receptors. Taken together, our results indicate for the first time that in myometrial cells, intracellular angiotensin II activates AT(1)-like receptors on lysosomes and activates PLC-IP(3)-dependent Ca(2+) release from endoplasmic reticulum; the response is further augmented by a Ca(2+)-induced Ca(2+) release mechanism via ryanodine receptors activation.     

Store-operated Ca2+ entry in porcine airway smooth muscle

Ca(2+) influx triggered by depletion of sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca(2+) stores [mediated via store-operated Ca(2+) channels (SOCC)] was characterized in enzymatically dissociated porcine airway smooth muscle (ASM) cells. When SR Ca(2+) was depleted by either 5 microM cyclopiazonic acid or 5 mM caffeine in the absence of extracellular Ca(2+), subsequent introduction of extracellular Ca(2+) further elevated [Ca(2+)](i). SOCC was insensitive to 1 microM nifedipine- or KCl-induced changes in membrane potential. However, preexposure of cells to 100 nM-1 mM La(3+) or Ni(2+) inhibited SOCC. Exposure to ACh increased Ca(2+) influx both in the presence and absence of a depleted SR. Inhibition of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP)-induced SR Ca(2+) release by 20 microM xestospongin D inhibited SOCC, whereas ACh-induced IP(3) production by 5 microM U-73122 had no effect. Inhibition of Ca(2+) release through ryanodine receptors (RyR) by 100 microM ryanodine also prevented Ca(2+) influx via SOCC. Qualitatively similar characteristics of SOCC-mediated Ca(2+) influx were observed with cyclopiazonic acid- vs. caffeine-induced SR Ca(2+) depletion. These data demonstrate that a Ni(2+)/La(3+)-sensitive Ca(2+) influx via SOCC in porcine ASM cells involves SR Ca(2+) release through both IP(3) and RyR channels. Additional regulation of Ca(2+) influx by agonist may be related to a receptor-operated, noncapacitative mechanism.     

Phosphatidic acid increases inositol-1,4,5,-trisphosphate and [Ca2+]i levels in neonatal rat cardiomyocytes.

Phosphatidic acid (PA), which can be synthesized de novo, or as a product of phosphatidylcholine hydrolysis and/or phosphorylation of 1,2-diacylglycerol (DAG), mediates diverse cellular functions in various cell types, including cardiomyocytes. We set out to characterize the effect of PA on intracellular free calcium ([Ca2+]i) and inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP(3)) levels in primary cultures of neonatal rat cardiomyocytes. Addition of PA led to rapid, concentration and time dependent increases in both IP(3) and [Ca2+]i levels in adherent cells. There was strong correlation in the concentration-response relationships between IP(3) and [Ca2+]i increases evoked by PA. Incubation with the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+ pump inhibitor, cyclopiazonic acid (CPA), significantly attenuated the PA evoked [Ca2+]i increase but had no significant effect on IP(3) accumulation. The phospholipase C (PLC) inhibitor, D-609, attenuated both IP(3) and [Ca2+]i elevations evoked by PA whereas staurosporine (STS), a potent and non-selective PKC inhibitor, had no significant effect on either. Another PLC inhibitor, U73122, but not its inactive analog, U73343, also inhibited PA evoked increases in [Ca2+]i. Depletion of extracellular calcium attenuated both basal and PA evoked increases in [Ca2+]i. The PLA(2) inhibitors, bromophenylacyl-bromide (BPB) and CDP-choline, had no effect on PA evoked [Ca2+]i responses. Neither the DAG analog, dioctanoylglycerol, nor the DAG kinase inhibitor, R59949, affected PA evoked changes in [Ca2+]i. Taken together, these data indicate that PA, in a manner independent of PKC, DAG, or PLA(2), may enhance Ca2+ release from IP(3) sensitive SR Ca(2+) stores via activation of PLC in neonatal rat cardiomyocytes.     

Signal transduction by neutrophil immunoglobulin G Fc receptors. Dissociation of intracytoplasmic calcium concentration rise from inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate.

The signal transduction mechanisms involved in the regulation of phagocytosis are largely unknown. We have recently shown that in neutrophils, when IgG-mediated phagocytosis is stimulated by formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenyl-alanine (fMLP), the enhanced ingestion is dependent on the increase in [Ca2+]i which results from ligation of Fc receptors by the IgG-coated target (Rosales, C., and Brown, E. (1991) J. Immunol. 146, 3937-3944). Now, we have studied the mechanism by which this rise in [Ca2+]i occurs. Aggregated IgG, the monoclonal antibody 3G8 (which recognizes Fc receptor type III), and insoluble immune complexes caused an increase in [Ca2+]i. The rise in [Ca2+]i induced by Fc receptor ligation was resistant to pertussis toxin. In contrast, fMLP induced a rise in [Ca2+]i which was inhibited by pertussis toxin. fMLP-induced [Ca2+]i was accompanied by an accumulation of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) which peaked by 15 s, and which was also abolished by pertussis toxin. IP3 accumulation after aggregated IgG, 3G8, or insoluble immune complexes was much less than after fMLP. Unlike [Ca2+]i rise induced by Fc receptor ligation, this small increase in IP3 was inhibited by pertussis toxin. These data demonstrated that the [Ca2+]i increase induced by Fc receptor ligation is not mediated by IP3. Immediate pretreatment of human polymorphonuclear neutrophils with optimal doses of fMLP also reduced subsequent increase in [Ca2+]i rise from thapsigargin, a sesquiterpene lactone tumor promoter that releases intracellular Ca2+ from IP3-sensitive stores without IP3 turnover. Similarly, to its effects on thapsigargin, fMLP inhibited the [Ca2+]i rise upon subsequent immune complex binding. Pretreatment of cells with immune complexes also prevented subsequent [Ca2+]i rise from thapsigargin and fMLP. These data demonstrate that IgG Fc receptor ligation and fMLP activation of human polymorphonuclear neutrophils use distinct signal transduction mechanisms to release Ca2+ from the same thapsigargin-sensitive intracellular pool. In contrast to fMLP, signal transduction for increased [Ca2+]i after Fc receptor stimulation does not involve a pertussis toxin-sensitive G protein, and is independent of IP3.     

The externally derived portion of the hyperosmotic shock-activated cytosolic calcium pulse mediates adaptation to ionic stress in suspension-cultured tobacco cells

The influx of Ca(2+) into the cytosol has long been suggested to serve as a signaling intermediate in the acquisition of tolerance to hyperosmotic and/or salinity stresses. Here we use aequorin-transformed suspension-cultured tobacco cells to directly assess the role of cytosolic calcium (Ca(2+)(cyt)) signaling in salinity tolerance acquisition. Aequorin luminescence recordings and (45)Ca influx measurements using inhibitors of Ca(2+) influx (Gd(3+) and the Ca(2+)-selective chelator EGTA), and modulators of organellar Ca(2+) release (phospholipase C inhibitors U73122 or neomycin) demonstrate that hyperosmolarity, whether imposed by NaCl or by a non-ionic molecule sorbitol, induces a rapid (returning to baseline levels of Ca(2+) within 10 min) and complex Ca(2+)(cyt) pulse in tobacco cells, deriving both from Gd(3+)-sensitive externally derived Ca(2+) influx and from U73122- and neomycin-sensitive Ca(2+) release from an organelle. To determine whether each of the two components of this brief Ca(2+) signal regulate adaptation to hyperosmotic shock, the Ca(2+) pulse was modified by the addition of Gd(3+), U73122, neomycin, or excess Ca(2+), and then cells were treated with salt or sorbitol. After 10 min the cell culture medias were diluted with additional hyperosmotic media to reduce the toxic affects of the modulators, and the growth of cells was measured after 1 week. Gd(3+) treatment reduced growth in salt relative to control cells but not in sorbitol, and exposure to excess Ca(2+) increased growth in salt but not in sorbitol. In contrast, exposure to inhibitors of IP(3) formation had no effect on growth in salt or sorbitol. Therefore, although hyperosmotic treatment stimulates both Ca(2+) influx and Ca(2+) release from an internal Ca(2+) depot, only Ca(2+) influx has a measurable impact on ionic stress tolerance acquisition in tobacco cell suspensions. In contrast, osmoadaptation in these cells appears to occur independent of Ca(2+) signaling.     

Ligation of low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein with antibodies elevates intracellular calcium and inositol 1,4, 5-trisphosphate in macrophages

We have probed the signaling characteristics of the macrophage low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein (LRP) with monoclonal antibody 8G1, its Fab and F(ab')(2) fragments directed against the ligand binding heavy chain, and monoclonal antibody 5A6 directed against the membrane-spanning light chain of LRP. Ligation of LRP with 8G1, its Fab and F(ab')(2) fragments, or 5A6 increased intracellular Ca(2+) levels two- to threefold. Prior ligation of LRP with 8G1 did not affect the increase in [Ca(2+)](i) observed on subsequent ligation of LRP with lactoferrin, P. exotoxin A, or lipoprotein lipase. Binding to LRP by 8G1, its Fab and F(ab')(2) fragments, or 5A6 increased inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP(3)) levels by 50 to 100%. Incubation of macrophages with guanosine 5', 3'-O(thio)-triphosphate (GTP-gamma-S) before treatment with antibody potentiated and sustained the 8G1-induced increase in IP(3) levels. Treatment of macrophages with guanyl-5'-yl thiophosphate prior to GTP-gamma-S treatment abolished the GTP-gamma-S-potentiated increase in IP(3) levels in 8G1-treated macrophages. Antibody-induced increases in IP(3) and [Ca(2+)](i) in macrophages on ligation of LRP were pertussis toxin sensitive. Binding of 8G1 or its Fab or F(ab')(2) fragments to LRP stimulated macrophage protein kinase C (PKC) activity as evaluated by histone IIIs phosphorylation by about two- to sevenfold. Staurosporin inhibited the anti-LRP antibody-induced increase in PKC activity. Ligation of LRP with 8G1 increased cellular cAMP levels about twofold. Preincubation of macrophage with the LRP-binding protein receptor-associated protein suppressed the 8G1-induced increase in cAMP levels. Thus, binding of antibodies directed against either chain of LRP triggers complex signaling cascades.     

Activation of H2O2-induced VSOR Cl- currents in HTC cells require phospholipase Cgamma1 phosphorylation and Ca2+ mobilisation.

Volume-sensitive outwardly rectifying (VSOR) Cl(-) channels participate in several physiological processes such as regulatory volume decrease, cell cycle regulation, proliferation and apoptosis. Recent evidence points to a significant role of hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) in VSOR Cl(-) channel activation. The aim of this study was to determine the signalling pathways responsible for H(2)O(2)-induced VSOR Cl(-) channel activation. In rat hepatoma (HTC) cells, H(2)O(2) elicited a transient increase in tyrosine phosphorylation of phospholipase Cgamma1 (PLCgamma1) that was blocked by PP2, a Src-family protein kinases inhibitor. Also, H(2)O(2) triggered an increase in cytosolic [Ca(2+)] that paralleled the time course of PLCgamma1 phosphorylation. The H(2)O(2)-induced [Ca(2+)](i) rise was prevented by the generic phospholipase C (PLC) inhibitor U73122 and the inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate-receptor (IP(3)R) blocker 2-APB. In line with these results, manoeuvres that prevented PLCgamma1 activation and/or [Ca(2+)](i) rise, abolished H(2)O(2)-induced VSOR Cl(-) currents. Furthermore, in cells that overexpress a phosphorylation-defective dominant mutant of PLCgamma1, H(2)O(2) did not induce activation of VSOR Cl(-) currents. All these H(2)O(2)-induced effects were independent of extracellular Ca(2+). Our findings suggest that activation of PLCgamma1 and subsequent Ca(2+)(i) mobilisation mediate H(2)O(2)-induced VSOR Cl(-) currents, indicating that H(2)O(2) operates via redox-sensitive signalling pathways akin to those activated by osmotic challenges.     

Essential role of EP3 subtype in prostaglandin E2-induced adhesion of mouse cultured and peritoneal mast cells to the Arg-Gly-Asp-enriched matrix

Accumulating evidence has indicated that mast cells can modulate a wide variety of immune responses. Migration and adhesion play a critical role in regulation of tissue mast cell function, in particular, under inflammatory conditions. We previously demonstrated that prostaglandin (PG) E(2) stimulates adhesion of a mouse mastocytoma cell line, P-815, to the Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD)-enriched matrix through cooperation between two PGE(2) receptor subtypes: EP3 and EP4 (Hatae N, Kita A, Tanaka S, Sugimoto Y, Ichikawa A. J Biol Chem 278: 17977-17981, 2003). We here investigated PGE(2)-induced adhesion of IL-3-dependent bone marrow-derived cultured mast cells (BMMCs). In contrast to the elevated cAMP-dependent adhesion of P-815 cells, EP3-mediated Ca(2+) mobilization plays a pivotal role in PGE(2)-induced adhesion of BMMCs. Adhesion and Ca(2+) mobilization induced by PGE(2) were abolished in the Ptger3(-/-) BMMCs and were significantly suppressed by treatment with pertussis toxin, a phospholipase C inhibitor, U-73122, and a store-operated Ca(2+) channel inhibitor, SKF 36965, indicating the involvement of G(i)-mediated Ca(2+) influx. We then investigated PGE(2)-induced adhesion of peritoneal mast cells to the RGD-enriched matrix. EP3 subtype was found to be the dominant PGE receptor that expresses in mouse peritoneal mast cells. PGE(2) induced adhesion of the peritoneal mast cells of the Ptger3(+/+) mice, but not that of the Ptger3(-/-) mice. In rat peritoneal mast cells, PGE(2) or an EP3 agonist stimulated both Ca(2+) mobilization and adhesion to the RGD-enriched matrix. These results suggested that the EP3 subtype plays a pivotal role in PGE(2)-induced adhesion of murine mast cells to the RGD-enriched matrix through Ca(2+) mobilization.     

Is Ca2+ release from internal stores involved in membrane excitation in characean cells?

An action potential in characean cells is accompanied by an increase in the cytosolic Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+)](c)) which subsequently causes cessation of cytoplasmic streaming. Two Ca(2+ )origins are postulated for the increase in [Ca(2+)](c), extracellular and intracellular ones. For the extracellular origin, a Ca(2+) influx through voltage-dependent Ca(2+)-permeable channels is postulated. For the intracellular origin, a chain of reactions is assumed to occur, involving phosphoinositide-specific phospholipase C (PI-PLC) activation, production of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP(3)) and IP(3)-dependent Ca(2+) release from internal stores [Biskup et al. (1999) FEBS Lett. 453: 72]. The hypothesis of the intracellular Ca(2+) origin was tested in three ways: injection of IP(3) into the streaming endoplasm, application of inhibitors of PI-PLC (U73122 and neomycin) and application of an inhibitor of IP(3)-receptor (2-aminoethoxydiphenyl borate; 2APB). Injection of 1 mM IP(3) into Chara cells did not change the rate of cytoplasmic streaming. Both U73122 (20 micro M) and neomycin (200 micro M) did not affect the generation of the action potential, cessation of cytoplasmic streaming and the increase in [Ca(2+)](c) caused by electric stimulus even 20-30 min after application. 2APB depolarized the membrane and inhibited the excitability of the plasma membrane. The results are not consistent with the data obtained by Biskup et al. (1999) who found inhibition of the excitatory inward current by neomycin and U73122. The hypotheses of internal and external Ca(2+) origins are discussed in the light of the present results.     

Inactivation of the calcium sensing receptor inhibits E-cadherin-mediated cell-cell adhesion and calcium-induced differentiation in human epidermal keratinocytes

Extracellular Ca(2+) (Ca(2+)(o)) is a critical regulator that promotes differentiation in epidermal keratinocytes. The calcium sensing receptor (CaR) is essential for mediating Ca(2+) signaling during Ca(2+)(o)-induced differentiation. Inactivation of the endogenous CaR-encoding gene CASR by adenoviral expression of a CaR antisense cDNA inhibited the Ca(2+)(o)-induced increase in intracellular free calcium (Ca(2+)(i)) and expression of terminal differentiation genes, while promoting apoptosis. Ca(2+)(o) also instigates E-cadherin-mediated cell-cell adhesion, which plays a critical role in orchestrating cellular signals mediating cell survival and differentiation. Raising Ca(2+)(o) concentration ([Ca(2+)](o)) from 0.03 to 2 mm rapidly induced the co-localization of alpha-, beta-, and p120-catenin with E-cadherin in the intercellular adherens junctions (AJs). To assess whether CaR is required for the Ca(2+)(o)-induced activation of E-cadherin signaling, we examined the impact of CaR inactivation on AJ formation. Decreased CaR expression suppressed the Ca(2+)(o)-induced AJ formation, membrane translocation, and the complex formation of E-cadherin, catenins, and the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), although the expression of these proteins was not affected. The assembly of the E-cadherin-catenin-PI3K complex was sensitive to the pharmacologic inhibition of Src family tyrosine kinases but was not affected by inhibition of Ca(2+)(o)-induced rise in Ca(2+)(i). Inhibition of CaR expression blocked the Ca(2+)(o)-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of beta-, gamma-, and p120-catenin, PI3K, and the tyrosine kinase Fyn and the association of Fyn with E-cadherin and PI3K. Our results indicate that the CaR regulates cell survival and Ca(2+)(o)-induced differentiation in keratinocytes at least in part by activating the E-cadherin/PI3K pathway through a Src family tyrosine kinase-mediated signaling.