Calcium sensing receptor activation by a calcimimetic suggests a link between cooperativity and intracellular calcium oscillations

Activation of the calcium sensing receptor (CaR) by small increments in extracellular calcium (Ca(2+)(e)) induces intracellular calcium (Ca(2+)(i)) oscillations that are dependent on thapsigargin-sensitive intracellular calcium stores. Phenylalkylamines such as NPS R-568 are allosteric modulators (calcimimetics) that activate CaR by increasing the apparent affinity of the receptor for calcium. We determined, by fluorescence imaging with fura-2, whether the calcimimetic NPS R-568 could activate Ca(2+)(i) oscillations in HEK-293 cells expressing human CaR. NPS R-568 was more potent than Ca(2+)(e) at eliciting Ca(2+)(i) oscillations, particularly at low [Ca(2+)](e) (as low as 0.1 mm). The oscillation frequencies elicited by NPS R-568 varied over a 2-fold range from peak to peak intervals of 60-70 to 30-45 s, depending upon the concentrations of both Ca(2+)(e) and NPS R-568. Finally, NPS R-568 induced sustained (>15 min after drug removal) Ca(2+)(i) oscillations, suggesting slow release of the drug from its binding site. We exploited the potency of NPS R-568 for eliciting Ca(2+)(i) oscillations for structural studies. Truncation of the CaR carboxyl terminus from 1077 to 886 amino acids had no effect on the ability of Ca(2+) or NPS R-568 to induce Ca(2+)(i) oscillations, but further truncation (to 868 amino acids) eliminated both highly cooperative Ca(2+)-dependent activation and regular Ca(2+)(i) oscillations. Alanine scanning within the amino acid sequence from Arg(873) to His(879) reveals a linkage between the cooperativity for Ca(2+)-dependent activation and establishment and maintenance of intracellular Ca(2+) oscillations. The amino acid residues critical to both functions of CaR may contribute to interactions with either G proteins or between CaR monomers within the functional dimer.     

L-phenylalanine and NPS R-467 synergistically potentiate the function of the extracellular calcium-sensing receptor through distinct sites

The extracellular calcium (Ca(2+)(o))-sensing receptor (CaR) can be potentiated by allosteric activators including calcimimetics and l-amino acids. In this study, we found that many mutations had differential effects on the functional modulation of the CaR by these two allosteric activators, supporting the idea that these modulators act through distinct sites. 10 mm l-phenylalanine and 1 microm NPS R-467, submaximal doses of the two agents, each elicited similar modulation of R185Q. However, there are different relative potencies for these two modulators with some receptors being more responsive to l-phenylalanine and others being more responsive to NPS R-467. The responsiveness of the CaR to Ca(2+)(o) appears to be essential to observe the potentiating action of l-phenylalanine but not of NPS R-467 on the receptor. NPS R-467 reduces the Hill coefficients of the wild-type as well as mutant receptors, suggesting that engagement of all Ca(2+) binding sites is not required when the receptor is activated by NPS R-467. In contrast, l-phenylalanine has little effect on the Hill coefficients of mutant receptors. The two-site model is further supported by the observation that these two classes of modulators exert a synergistic effect on CaRs with inactivating mutations that are responsive to both modulators.     

The Ca2+-sensing receptor activates cytosolic phospholipase A2 via a Gqalpha -dependent ERK-independent pathway

The Ca(2+)-sensing receptor (CaR) stimulates a number of phospholipase activities, but the specific phospholipases and the mechanisms by which the CaR activates them are not defined. We investigated regulation of phospholipase A(2) (PLA(2)) by the Ca(2+)-sensing receptor (CaR) in human embryonic kidney 293 cells that express either the wild-type receptor or a nonfunctional mutant (R796W) CaR. The PLA(2) activity was attributable to cytosolic PLA(2) (cPLA(2)) based on its inhibition by arachidonyl trifluoromethyl ketone, lack of inhibition by bromoenol lactone, and enhancement of the CaR-stimulated phospholipase activity by coexpression of a cDNA encoding the 85-kDa human cPLA(2). No CaR-stimulated cPLA(2) activity was found in the cells that expressed the mutant CaR. Pertussis toxin treatment had a minimal effect on CaR-stimulated arachidonic acid release and the CaR-stimulated rise in intracellular Ca(2+) (Ca(2+)(i)), whereas inhibition of phospholipase C (PLC) with completely inhibited CaR-stimulated PLC and cPLA(2) activities. CaR-stimulated PLC activity was inhibited by expression of RGS4, an RGS (Regulator of G protein Signaling) protein that inhibits Galpha(q) activity. CaR-stimulated cPLA(2) activity was inhibited 80% by chelation of extracellular Ca(2+) and depletion of intracellular Ca(2+) with EGTA and inhibited 90% by treatment with W7, a calmodulin inhibitor, or with KN-93, an inhibitor of Ca(2+), calmodulin-dependent protein kinases. Chemical inhibitors of the ERK activator, MEK, and a dominant negative MEK, MEK(K97R), had no effect on CaR-stimulated cPLA(2) activity but inhibited CaR-stimulated ERK activity. These results demonstrate that the CaR activates cPLA(2) via a Galpha(q), PLC, Ca(2+)-CaM, and calmodulin-dependent protein kinase-dependent pathway that is independent the ERK pathway.     

Cellular "sensing" of extracellular calcium (Ca(2+)(o)): emerging roles in regulating diverse physiological functions

The extracellular Ca(2+) (Ca(2+)(o))-sensing receptor (CaR) critically influences Ca(2+)(o) homeostasis by regulating parathyroid hormone (PTH) secretion and renal Ca(2+) handling. Moreover, its expression in intestinal and bone cells suggests roles in all of the organs involved in maintaining systemic Ca(2+)(o) homeostasis. This G-protein coupled receptor is also expressed in a wide variety of additional cells throughout the body. While our understanding of its role(s) outside of the system governing Ca(2+)(o) metabolism remains rudimentary, the CaR will probably emerge as a versatile regulator of diverse cellular functions, including proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, gene expression and maintenance of membrane potential. Finally, the recently developed, "calcimimetic" CaR activators, exemplified by a NPS R-467 and NPS R-568, provide novel approaches to treating diseases that previously had no effective medical therapies: topic likewise covered in this review.     

Protein kinase C-mediated phosphorylation of the calcium-sensing receptor is stimulated by receptor activation and attenuated by calyculin-sensitive phosphatase activity

The agonist sensitivity of the calcium-sensing receptor (CaR) can be altered by protein kinase C (PKC), with CaR residue Thr(888) contributing significantly to this effect. To determine whether CaR(T888) is a substrate for PKC and whether receptor activation modulates such phosphorylation, a phospho-specific antibody against this residue was raised (CaR(pT888)). In HEK-293 cells stably expressing CaR (CaR-HEK), but not in cells expressing the mutant receptor CaR(T888A), phorbol ester (PMA) treatment increased CaR(pT888) immunoreactivity as observed by immunoblotting and immunofluorescence. Raising extracellular Ca(2+) concentration from 0.5 to 2.5 mM increased CaR(T888) phosphorylation, an effect that was potentiated stereoselectively by the calcimimetic NPS R-467. These responses were mimicked by 5 mM extracellular Ca(2+) and abolished by the calcilytic NPS-89636 and also by PKC inhibition or chronic PMA pretreatment. Whereas CaR(T888A) did exhibit increased apparent agonist sensitivity, by converting intracellular Ca(2+) (Ca(2+)(i)) oscillations to sustained plateau responses in some cells, we still observed Ca(2+)(i) oscillations in a significant number of cells. This suggests that CaR(T888) contributes significantly to CaR regulation but is not the exclusive determinant of CaR-induced Ca(2+)(i) oscillations. Finally, dephosphorylation of CaR(T888) was blocked by the protein phosphatase 1/2A inhibitor calyculin, a treatment that also inhibited Ca(2+)(i) oscillations. In addition, calyculin/PMA cotreatment increased CaR(T888) phosphorylation in bovine parathyroid cells. Therefore, CaR(T888) is a substrate for receptor-induced, PKC-mediated feedback phosphorylation and can be dephosphorylated by a calyculin-sensitive phosphatase.     

Rescue of calcium-sensing receptor mutants by allosteric modulators reveals a conformational checkpoint in receptor biogenesis

The calcium-sensing receptor (CaR), a member of G protein-coupled receptor family C, regulates systemic calcium homeostasis by activating G(q)- and G(i)-linked signaling in the parathyroid, kidney, and intestine. CaR is ubiquitinated by the E3 ligase dorfin and degraded via the endoplasmic reticulum-associated degradation pathway (Huang, Y., Niwa, J., Sobue, G., and Breitwieser, G. E. (2006) J. Biol. Chem. 281, 11610-11617). Here we provide evidence for a conformational or functional checkpoint in CaR biogenesis using two complementary approaches. First we characterized the sensitivity of loss- or gain-of-function CaR mutants to proteasome inhibition by MG132. The stabilization of loss-of-function mutants and insensitivity of gain-of-function mutants to MG132 suggests that receptor sensitivity to calcium influences susceptibility to proteasomal degradation. Second, we used the allosteric activator NPS R-568 and antagonist NPS 2143 to promote the active and inactive conformations of wild type CaR, respectively. Overnight culture in NPS R-568 increased expression of CaR, whereas NPS 2143 had the opposite effect. NPS R-568 and NPS 2143 differentially regulated maturation and cell surface expression of wild type CaR, directly affecting maximal signaling responses. NPS R-568 rescued expression of loss-of-function CaR mutants, increasing plasma membrane expression and ERK1/2 phosphorylation in response to 5 mM Ca(2+). Disorders of calcium homeostasis caused by CaR mutations may therefore result from altered receptor biogenesis independent of receptor function, i.e. a protein folding disorder. The allosteric modulators NPS R-568 and NPS 2143 not only alter CaR sensitivity to calcium and hence signaling but also modulate receptor expression.     

Involvement of protein kinase C-alpha and -epsilon in extracellular Ca(2+) signalling mediated by the calcium sensing receptor

The sensing of extracellular Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+)](o)) and modulation of cellular processes associated with acute or sustained changes in [Ca(2+)](o) are cell-type specific and mediated by the calcium sensing receptor (CaR). [Ca(2+)](o) signalling requires protein kinase C (PKC), but the identity and role of PKC isoforms in CaR-mediated responses remain unclear. Here we show that high [Ca(2+)](o) activated PKC-alpha and PKC- in parathyroid cells and in human embryonic kidney (HEK293) cells overexpressing the CaR (HEK-CaR) and that this response correlated with the CaR-dependent activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases ERK1/2. Activation of ERK1/2 by acute high [Ca(2+)](o) required influx of Ca(2+)through Ni(2+)-sensitive Ca(2+)channels and phosphatidylinositol-dependent phospholipase C-beta activity. Inhibition of PKC by co-expression of dominant-negative (DN) mutants of PKC-alpha or - with the CaR attenuated sustained ERK1/2 activation. Overexpression of a PKC phosphorylation site (T888A) mutant CaR in HEK293 cells showed that this site was important for ERK1/2 activation at high [Ca(2+)](o). Activation of ERK1/2 by high [Ca(2+)](o) was not necessary for the [Ca(2+)](o)-regulated secretion of parathyroid hormone (PTH) in dispersed bovine parathyroid cells. These data suggest that the CaR-mediated [Ca(2+)](o) signal leading to regulated PTH secretion that requires diacylglycerol-responsive PKC isoforms is not mediated via the ERK pathway.     

Expression of extracellular calcium-sensing receptor in human osteoblastic MG-63 cell line

We have previously shown the expression of the extracellular calcium (Ca2+o)-sensing receptor (CaR) in osteoblast-like cell lines, and others have documented its expression in sections of murine, bovine, and rat bone. The existence of the CaR in osteoblasts remains controversial, however, since some studies have failed to document its expression in the same osteoblast-like cell lines. The goals of the present study were twofold. 1) We sought to determine whether the CaR is expressed in the human osteoblast-like cell line, MG-63, which has recently been reported by others not to express this receptor. 2) We investigated whether the CaR, if present in MG-63 cells, is functionally active, since most previous studies have not proven the role of the CaR in mediating known actions of Ca2+o on osteoblast-like cells. We used immunocytochemistry and Western blotting with the specific, affinity-purified anti-CaR antiserum 4637 as well as Northern blot analysis and RT-PCR using a riboprobe and PCR primers specific for the human CaR, respectively, to show readily detectable CaR protein and mRNA expression in MG-63 cells. Finally, we employed the patch-clamp technique to show that an elevation in Ca2+o as well as the specific, allosteric CaR activator NPS R-467 (0.5 microM), but not its less active stereoisomer NPS S-467 (0.5 microM), activate an outward K+ channel in MG-63 cells, strongly suggesting that the CaR in MG-63 cells is not only expressed but is functionally active.     

The calcimimetic R-467 potentiates insulin secretion in pancreatic beta cells by activation of a nonspecific cation channel

The extracellular, G protein-linked Ca(2+)-sensing receptor (CaSR), first identified in the parathyroid gland, is expressed in several tissues and cells and can be activated by Ca(2+) and some other inorganic cations and organic polycations. Calcimimetics such as NPS (R)-N-(3-phenylpropyl)-alpha-methyl-3-methoxybenzylamine hydrochloride (R-467), a phenylalkylamine, are thought to activate CaSR by allosterically increasing the affinity of the receptor for Ca(2+). When tested for its effect on insulin release in C57BL/6 mice, R-467 had no effect under basal conditions but enhanced both phases of glucose-stimulated release. The betaHC9 cell also responded to R-467 and to the enantiomer S-467 with a stimulation of insulin release. In subsequent studies with the betaHC9 cell, it was found that the stimulatory effect was due to activation of a nonspecific cation channel, depolarization of the beta-cell, and increased Ca(2+) entry. No other stimulatory mechanism was uncovered. The depolarization of the cell induced by the calcimimetic could be due to a direct action on the channel or via the CaSR. However, it appeared not to be mediated by G(i), G(o), G(q/11), or G(s). The novel mode of action of the calcimimetic, combined with the glucose-dependence of the stimulation on islets, raises the possibility of a totally new class of drugs that will stimulate insulin secretion during hyperglycemia but which will not cause hypoglycemia.     

Extracellular calcium-sensing receptor is expressed in rat hepatocytes. coupling to intracellular calcium mobilization and stimulation of bile flow

Liver cells respond to changes in Ca(2+)(o). The hepatic functions affected include bile secretion, metabolic activity, liver regeneration, and the response to xenobiotics. In the present study, we demonstrate the presence, in the liver, of the extracellular calcium-sensing receptor (CASR), described previously in the parathyroid and thyroid glands and kidney. CASR mRNA was specifically expressed in hepatocytes and was absent in nonparenchymal liver cells (stellate, endothelial, and Kupffer cells). Western blot analysis using a specific CASR antibody showed staining in both whole liver and hepatocyte extracts. Immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization of rat liver sections showed expression of CASR protein and mRNA by a subset of hepatocytes. The known agonists of the CASR, gadolinium (Gd(3+); 0.5-3.0 mm) and spermine (1.25-20 mm), in the absence of Ca(2+)(o), elicited dose-related increases in Ca(2+)(i) in isolated rat hepatocytes loaded with Fura-2/acetoxymethyl ester. There was a greatly attenuated response to a second challenge with either agonist. The response was also abrogated when inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP(3))-sensitive calcium pools had been depleted by pretreatment with either thapsigargin or phenylephrine, an alpha(1)-adrenergic receptor agonist known to mobilize Ca(2+)(i) from IP(3)-sensitive pools. Addition of the deschloro-phenylalkylamine compound, NPS R-467, but not the S enantiomer, NPS S-467, increased the sensitivity of the Ca(2+)(i) mobilization response to 1.25 mm spermine. Bile flow ceased after Ca(2+)(o) withdrawal, and its recovery was enhanced by spermine in isolated perfused liver preparations. The CASR agonists Ca(2+) and Gd(3+) increased bile flow, and the response to a submaximal Ca(2+) concentration was enhanced by NPS R-467 but not the S compound. Thus, the data indicate that rat hepatocytes harbor a CASR capable of mobilizing Ca(2+)(i) from IP(3)-sensitive stores and that activation of the CASR stimulates bile flow.     

Parallel activation of phosphatidylinositol 4-kinase and phospholipase C by the extracellular calcium-sensing receptor

The calcium-sensing receptor (CaR) is a G protein-coupled receptor that regulates physiological processes including Ca(2+) metabolism, Na(+), Cl(-), K(+), and H(2)0 balance, and the growth of some epithelial cells through diverse signaling pathways. Although many effects of CaR are mediated by the heterotrimeric G proteins Galpha(q) and Galpha(i), not all signaling pathways regulated by CaR have been identified. We used human embryonic kidney (HEK)-293 cells that stably express human CaR to study the regulation of inositol lipid metabolism by CaR. The nonfunctional mutant CaR(R796W) was used as a negative control. We found that CaR regulates phosphatidylinositol (PI) 4-kinase, the first step in inositol lipid biosynthesis. In cells pretreated with to inhibit phospholipase C activation and to block the degradation of PI 4,5-bisphosphate to form [(3)H]inositol trisphosphate (IP(3)), CaR stimulated the accumulation of [(3)H]PI monophosphate (PIP). Additionally, wortmannin, an inhibitor of both PI 3-kinase and type III PI 4-kinase, blocked CaR-stimulated accumulation of [(3)H]PIP and inhibited [(3)H]IP(3) production. CaR-stimulated inositol lipid synthesis was attributable to PI 4-kinase and not PI 3-kinase because CaR did not activate Akt, a downstream target of PI 3-kinase. CaR associates with PI 4-kinase based on the findings that CaR and the 110-kDa PI 4-kinase beta can be co-immunoprecipitated with antibodies against either CaR or PI 4-kinase. The PI-4 kinase in co-immunoprecipitates with anti-CaR antibody was activated in Ca(2+)-stimulated HEK-293 cells, which stably express the wild type CaR. Pertussis toxin did not affect the formation of [(3)H]IP(3) or the rise in intracellular Ca(2+) (Handlogten, M. E., Huang, C. F., Shiraishi, N., Awata, H., and Miller, R. T. (2001) J. Biol. Chem. 276, 13941-13948). RGS4, an accelerator of GTPase activity of members of the Galpha(i) and Galpha(q) families, attenuated the CaR-stimulated PLC activation and IP(3) accumulation, which is mediated by Galpha(q), but did not inhibit CaR-stimulated [(3)H]PIP formation. In HEK-293 cells, which express wild type CaR, Rho was enriched in immune complexes co-immunoprecipitated with the anti-CaR antibody. C(3) toxin, an inhibitor of Rho, also inhibited the CaR-stimulated [(3)H]IP(3) production but did not lead to CaR-stimulated [(3)H]PIP formation, reflecting inhibition of PI 4-kinase. Taken together, our data demonstrate that CaR stimulates PI 4-kinase, the first step in inositol lipid biosynthesis conversion of PI to PI 4-P by Rho-dependent and Galpha(q)- and Galpha(i)-independent pathways.     

Termination of cAMP signals by Ca2+ and G(alpha)i via extracellular Ca2+ sensors: a link to intracellular Ca2+ oscillations

Termination of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) signaling via the extracellular Ca(2+)-sensing receptor (CaR) was visualized in single CaR-expressing human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293 cells using ratiometric fluorescence resonance energy transfer-dependent cAMP sensors based on protein kinase A and Epac. Stimulation of CaR rapidly reversed or prevented agonist-stimulated elevation of cAMP through a dual mechanism involving pertussis toxin-sensitive Galpha(i) and the CaR-stimulated increase in intracellular [Ca2+]. In parallel measurements with fura-2, CaR activation elicited robust Ca2+ oscillations that increased in frequency in the presence of cAMP, eventually fusing into a sustained plateau. Considering the Ca2+ sensitivity of cAMP accumulation in these cells, lack of oscillations in [cAMP] during the initial phases of CaR stimulation was puzzling. Additional experiments showed that low-frequency, long-duration Ca2+ oscillations generated a dynamic staircase pattern in [cAMP], whereas higher frequency spiking had no effect. Our data suggest that the cAMP machinery in HEK cells acts as a low-pass filter disregarding the relatively rapid Ca2+ spiking stimulated by Ca(2+)-mobilizing agonists under physiological conditions.     

Ca2+-sensing receptor induces Rho kinase-mediated actin stress fiber assembly and altered cell morphology, but not in response to aromatic amino acids

The Ca²⁺-sensing receptor (CaR) is a pleiotropic, type III G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) that associates functionally with the cytoskeletal protein filamin. To investigate the effect of CaR signaling on the cytoskeleton, human embryonic kidney (HEK)-293 cells stably transfected with CaR (CaR-HEK) were incubated with CaR agonists in serum-free medium for up to 3 h. Addition of the calcimimetic NPS R-467 or exposure to high extracellular Ca²⁺ or Mg²⁺ levels elicited actin stress fiber assembly and process retraction in otherwise stellate cells. These responses were ablated by cotreatment with the calcilytic NPS 89636 and were absent in vector-transfected HEK-293 cells. Cotreatment with the Rho kinase inhibitors Y-27632 and H1152 attenuated the CaR-induced morphological change but not intracellular Ca²⁺ (Ca_i²⁺) mobilization or ERK activation, although transfection with a dominant-negative RhoA-binding protein also inhibited calcimimetic-induced actin stress fiber assembly. CaR effects on morphology were unaffected by inhibition of G_q/11 or G_i/o signaling, epidermal growth factor receptor, or the metalloproteinases. In contrast, CaR-induced cytoskeletal changes were not induced by the aromatic amino acids, treatments that also failed to potentiate CaR-induced ERK activation despite inducing Ca_i²⁺ mobilization. Together, these data establish that CaR can elicit Rho-mediated changes in stress fiber assembly and cell morphology, which could contribute to the receptor's physiological actions. In addition, this study provides further evidence that aromatic amino acids elicit differential signaling from other CaR agonists. cytoskeleton; signaling     

Role of ceramide in Ca2+-sensing receptor-induced apoptosis

Increased extracellular Ca(2+) ([Ca(2+)](o)) can damage tissues, but the molecular mechanisms by which this occurs are poorly defined. Using HEK 293 cell lines that stably overexpress the Ca(2+)-sensing receptor (CaR), a G protein-coupled receptor, we demonstrate that activation of the CaR leads to apoptosis, which was determined by nuclear condensation, DNA fragmentation, caspase-3 activation, and increased cytosolic cytochrome c. This CaR-induced apoptotic pathway is initiated by CaR-induced accumulation of ceramide which plays an important role in inducing cell death signals by distinct G protein-independent signaling pathways. Pretreatment of wild-type CaR-expressing cells with pertussis toxin inhibited CaR-induced [(3)H]ceramide formation, c-Jun phosphorylation, and caspase-3 activation. The ceramide accumulation, c-Jun phosphorylation, and caspase-3 activation by the CaR can be abolished by sphingomyelinase and ceramide synthase inhibitors in different time frames. Cells that express a nonfunctional mutant CaR that were exposed to the same levels of [Ca(2+)](o) showed no evidence of activation of the apoptotic pathway. In conclusion, we report the involvement of the CaR in stimulating programmed cell death via a pathway involving GTP binding protein alpha subunit (Galpha(i))-dependent ceramide accumulation, activation of stress-activated protein kinase/c-Jun N-terminal kinase, c-Jun phosphorylation, caspase-3 activation, and DNA cleavage.     

The extracellular calcium-sensing receptor is expressed in rat microglia and modulates an outward K+ channel

The calcium-sensing receptor (CaR) is a G protein-coupled receptor that "senses" extracellular calcium ions (Ca2+o) as an extracellular first messenger. In this report, we have shown that the CaR is expressed in primary cultures of microglial cells derived from rat brain as assessed by RT-PCR using four CaR-specific primer pairs followed by sequencing of the amplified products, by northern blot analysis using a CaR-specific probe, as well as by immunocytochemistry and western analysis utilizing a specific polyclonal anti-CaR antiserum. In addition, raising Ca2+o from 0.75 to 3.0 mM or addition of the polycationic CaR agonist neomycin or a "calcimimetic" CaR activator (R-467; NPS Pharmaceuticals) increased the open state probability (Po) of a Ca(+)-activated K+ channel having a unitary conductance of 84+/-4 pS, indicating that the channel is modulated by the CaR. Therefore, our data strongly suggest that a functional CaR is expressed in cultured rat microglia, similar to that in parathyroid gland and kidney, which could potentially play an important role(s) in regulating microglial function.     

Lipid phosphate phosphatase-1 and Ca2+ control lysophosphatidate signaling through EDG-2 receptors

The serum-derived phospholipid growth factor, lysophosphatidate (LPA), activates cells through the EDG family of G protein-coupled receptors. The present study investigated mechanisms by which dephosphorylation of exogenous LPA by lipid phosphate phosphatase-1 (LPP-1) controls cell signaling. Overexpressing LPP-1 decreased the net specific cell association of LPA with Rat2 fibroblasts by approximately 50% at 37 degrees C when less than 10% of LPA was dephosphorylated. This attenuated cell activation as indicated by diminished responses, including cAMP, Ca(2+), activation of phospholipase D and ERK, DNA synthesis, and cell division. Conversely, decreasing LPP-1 expression increased net LPA association, ERK stimulation, and DNA synthesis. Whereas changing LPP-1 expression did not alter the apparent K(d) and B(max) for LPA binding at 4 degrees C, increasing Ca(2+) from 0 to 50 micrometer increased the K(d) from 40 to 900 nm. Decreasing extracellular Ca(2+) from 1.8 mm to 10 micrometer increased LPA binding by 20-fold, shifting the threshold for ERK activation to the nanomolar range. Hence the Ca(2+) dependence of the apparent K(d) values explains the long-standing discrepancy of why micromolar LPA is often needed to activate cells at physiological Ca(2+) levels. In addition, the work demonstrates that LPP-1 can regulate specific LPA association with cells without significantly depleting bulk LPA concentrations in the extracellular medium. This identifies a novel mechanism for controlling EDG-2 receptor activation.     

Ca2+ influx through reverse mode Na+/Ca2+ exchange is critical for vascular endothelial growth factor-mediated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2 activation and angiogenic functions of human endothelial cells

VEGF is a key angiogenic cytokine and a major target in anti-angiogenic therapeutic strategies. In endothelial cells (ECs), VEGF binds VEGF receptors and activates ERK1/2 through the phospholipase γ (PLCγ)-PKCα-B-Raf pathway. Our previous work suggested that influx of extracellular Ca(2+) is required for VEGF-induced ERK1/2 activation, and we hypothesized that this could occur through reverse mode (Ca(2+) in and Na(+) out) Na(+)-Ca(2+) exchange (NCX). However, the role of NCX activity in VEGF signaling and angiogenic functions of ECs had not previously been described. Here, using human umbilical vein ECs (HUVECs), we report that extracellular Ca(2+) is required for VEGF-induced ERK1/2 activation and that release of Ca(2+) from intracellular stores alone, in the absence of extracellular Ca(2+), is not sufficient to activate ERK1/2. Furthermore, inhibitors of reverse mode NCX suppressed the VEGF-induced activation of ERK1/2 in a time- and dose-dependent manner and attenuated VEGF-induced Ca(2+) transients. Knockdown of NCX1 (the main NCX isoform in HUVECs) by siRNA confirmed the pharmacological data. A panel of NCX inhibitors also significantly reduced VEGF-induced B-Raf activity and inhibited PKCα translocation to the plasma membrane and total PKC activity in situ. Finally, NCX inhibitors reduced VEGF-induced HUVEC proliferation, migration, and tubular differentiation in surrogate angiogenesis functional assays in vitro. We propose that Ca(2+) influx through reverse mode NCX is required for the activation and the targeting of PKCα to the plasma membrane, an essential step for VEGF-induced ERK1/2 phosphorylation and downstream EC functions in angiogenesis.     

Protein kinase C (PKC) phosphorylation of the Ca2+ o-sensing receptor (CaR) modulates functional interaction of G proteins with the CaR cytoplasmic tail

The extracellular calcium (Ca(2+)(o))-sensing receptor (CaR) activates Ca(2+) influx independent of the release of intracellular Ca(2+) stores. The latter can be negatively regulated by protein kinase C (PKC) through phosphorylation of Thr-888 of the CaR. In this study, we substituted Thr-888 with various amino acid residues or a stop codon to understand how PKC phosphorylation of the CaR inhibits receptor-mediated release of intracellular Ca(2+) stores. Substitutions of Thr-888 with hydrophobic and hydrophilic amino acid residues had various effects on CaR-mediated release of intracellular Ca(2+) stores as well as activation of Ca(2+) influx. Several point mutations, such as T888D, had marked negative effects on CaR-mediated release of intracellular Ca(2+) stores but not on phorbol myristate acetate-insensitive activation of Ca(2+) influx. Presumably, the negatively charged aspartate mimics phospho-threonine. Interestingly, truncating the receptor at 888 had an even more pronounced negative effect on CaR-elicited release of intracellular Ca(2+) stores without significantly affecting CaR-mediated activation of Ca(2+) influx. Therefore, truncation at position 888 of the CaR affects the activity of the receptor in a manner that resembles PKC phosphorylation of the CaR. This in turn suggests that PKC phosphorylation of the CaR prevents G protein subtypes from interacting with the region of the receptor critical for releasing Ca(2+) stores, which is missing in the truncated receptor.     

Functional selectivity of G protein signaling by agonist peptides and thrombin for the protease-activated receptor-1

Thrombin activates protease-activated receptor-1 (PAR-1) by cleavage of the amino terminus to unmask a tethered ligand. Although peptide analogs can activate PAR-1, we show that the functional responses mediated via PAR-1 differ between the agonists. Thrombin caused endothelial monolayer permeability and mobilized intracellular calcium with EC(50) values of 0.1 and 1.7 nm, respectively. The opposite order of activation was observed for agonist peptide (SFLLRN-CONH(2) or TFLLRNKPDK) activation. The addition of inactivated thrombin did not affect agonist peptide signaling, suggesting that the differences in activation mechanisms are intramolecular in origin. Although activation of PAR-1 or PAR-2 by agonist peptides induced calcium mobilization, only PAR-1 activation affected barrier function. Induced barrier permeability is likely to be Galpha(12/13)-mediated as chelation of Galpha(q)-mediated intracellular calcium with BAPTA-AM, pertussis toxin inhibition of Galpha(i/o), or GM6001 inhibition of matrix metalloproteinase had no effect, whereas Y-27632 inhibition of the Galpha(12/13)-mediated Rho kinase abrogated the response. Similarly, calcium mobilization is Galpha(q)-mediated and independent of Galpha(i/o) and Galpha(12/13) because pertussis toxin Y-27632 and had no effect, whereas U-73122 inhibition of phospholipase C-beta blocked the response. It is therefore likely that changes in permeability reflect Galpha(12/13) activation, and changes in calcium reflect Galpha(q) activation, implying that the pharmacological differences between agonists are likely caused by the ability of the receptor to activate Galpha(12/13) or Galpha(q). This functional selectivity was characterized quantitatively by a mathematical model describing each step leading to Rho activation and/or calcium mobilization. This model provides an estimate that peptide activation alters receptor/G protein binding to favor Galpha(q) activation over Galpha(12/13) by approximately 800-fold.