Long-lasting and rapid calcium changes during mitosis

A more complete understanding of calcium's role in cell division requires knowledge of the timing, magnitude, and duration of changes in cytoplasmic-free calcium, [Ca2+]i, associated with specific mitotic events. To define the temporal relationship of changes in [Ca2+]i to cellular and chromosomal movements, we have measured [Ca2+]i every 6-7 s in single-dividing Pt K2 cells using fura-2 and microspectrophotometry, coupling each calcium measurement with a bright-field observation. In the 12 min before discernable chromosome some separation, 90% of metaphase cells show at least one transient of increased [Ca2+]i, 72% show their last transient within 5 min, and a peak of activity is seen at 3 min before chromosome separation. The mean [Ca2+]i of the metaphase transients is 148 +/- 31 nM (61 transients in 35 cells) with an average duration of 21 +/- 14 s. The timing of these increases makes it unlikely that these transient increases in [Ca2+]i are acting directly to trigger the start of anaphase. However, it is possible that a transient rise in calcium during late metaphase is part of a more complex progression to anaphase. In addition to these transient changes, a gradual increase in [Ca2+]i was observed starting in late anaphase. Within the 2 min surrounding cytokinesis onset, 82% of cells show a transient increase in [Ca2+]i to 171 +/- 48 nM (53 transients in 32 cells). The close temporal correlation of these changes with cleavage is consistent with a more direct role for calcium in this event, possibly by activating the contractile system. To assess the specificity of these changes to the mitotic cycle, we examined calcium changes in interphase cells. Two-thirds of interphase cells show no transient increases in calcium with a mean [Ca2+]i of 100 +/- 18 nM (n = 12). However, one-third demonstrate dramatic and repeated transient increases in [Ca2+]i. The mean peak [Ca2+]i of these transients is 389 +/- 70 nM with an average duration of 77 s. The necessity of any of these transient changes in calcium for the completion of mitotic or interphase activities remains under investigation.     

Intracellular free calcium concentrations in isolated pancreatic acini; effects of secretagogues

Isolated pancreatic acini were loaded with the calcium selective fluorescent indicator, quin-2. Measurements of cellular K+ content and lactic dehydrogenase release indicated that cell viability was not affected by quin-2 loading. The concentration of intracellular free calcium of unstimulated acinar cells was calculated to be 180 +/- 4 nM. When cells suspended in media containing millimolar calcium were exposed to the secretagogues carbachol and cholecystokinin a rapid increase in [Ca2+]i occurred. Both the amplitude and rate of rise of the concentration increase were dose dependent with [Ca2+]i reaching a maximum of 860 +/- 41 nM. The dose-response relationship coincides with the known concentration dependence of the stimulation of amylase release by these agents. In the absence of extracellular calcium, carbachol was still able to elicit a rise in [Ca2+]i. These studies indicate that pancreatic secretagogues induce an increase in [Ca2+]i of acinar cells, both in the presence or absence of extracellular calcium.     

The caffeine-sensitive Ca2+ store in bovine adrenal chromaffin cells; an examination of its role in triggering secretion and Ca2+ homeostasis

The effect of caffeine on catecholamine secretion and intracellular free Ca2+ concentration [( Ca2+]i) in bovine adrenal chromaffin cells was examined using single fura-2-loaded cells and cell populations. In cell populations caffeine elicited a large (approximately 200 nM) transient rise in [Ca2+]i that was independent of external Ca2+. This rise in [Ca2+]i triggered little secretion. Single cell measurements of [Ca2+]i showed that most cells responded with a large (greater than 200 nM) rise in [Ca2+]i, whereas a minority failed to respond. The latter, whose caffeine-sensitive store was empty, buffered a Ca2+ load induced by a depolarizing stimulus more effectively than those whose store was full. The caffeine-sensitive store in bovine chromaffin cells may be involved in Ca2+ homeostasis rather than in triggering exocytosis.     

AT1 angiotensin II receptor mediates intracellular calcium mobilization in normal and cancerous breast cells in primary culture

Angiotensin II (Ang II) increases intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) in both normal and cancerous human breast cells in primary culture. Maximal [Ca2+]i increase is obtained using 100nM Ang II in both cell types; in cancerous breast cells, [Ca2+]i increase (delta[Ca2+]i) is 135+/-10nM, while in normal breast cells it reaches 65+/-5 nM (P<0.0001). In both cell types, Ang II evokes a Ca2+ transient peak mediated by thapsigargin (TG) sensitive stores; neither Ca2+ entry through L-type membrane channels or capacitative Ca2+ entry are involved. Type I Ang II receptor subtype (AT1) mediates Ang II-dependent [Ca2+]i increase, since losartan, an AT1 inhibitor, blunted [Ca2+]i increase induced by Ang II in a dose-dependent manner, while CGP 4221A, an AT2 inhibitor, does not. Phospholipase C (PLC) is involved in this signaling mechanism, as U73122, a PLC inhibitor, decreases Ang II-dependent [Ca2+]i transient peak in a dose-dependent mode.Thus, the present study provides new information about Ca2+ signaling pathways mediated through AT1 in breast cells in which no data were yet available.     

Characterization of the calcium response to thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) in cells transfected with TRH receptor complementary DNA: importance of voltage-sensitive calcium channels.

TRH stimulates a biphasic increase in intracellular free calcium ion, [Ca2+]i. Cells stably transfected with TRH receptor cDNA were used to compare the response in lines with and without L type voltage-gated calcium channels. Rat pituitary GH-Y cells that do not normally express TRH receptors, rat glial C6 cells, and human epithelial Hela cells were transfected with mouse TRH receptor cDNA. All lines bound similar amounts of [3H][N3-Me-His2]TRH with identical affinities (dissociation constant = 1.5 nM). Both pituitary lines expressed L type voltage-gated calcium channels; depolarization with high K+ increased 45Ca2+ uptake 20- to 25-fold and [Ca2+]i 12- to 14-fold. C6 and Hela cells, in contrast, appeared to have no L channel activity. GH4C1 cells responded to TRH with a calcium spike (6-fold) followed by a sustained second phase. When TRH was added after 100 nM nimodipine, an L channel blocker, the initial calcium burst was unaffected but the second phase was abolished. GH-Y cells transfected with TRH receptor cDNA responded to TRH with a 6-fold [Ca2+]i spike followed by a plateau phase (>8 min) in which [Ca2+]i remained elevated or increased. Nimodipine did not alter the peak TRH response or resting [Ca2+]i but reduced the sustained phase, which was eliminated by chelation of extracellular Ca2+. In the transfected glial C6 and Hela cells without calcium channels, TRH evoked transient, monophasic 7- to 9-fold increases in [Ca2+]i, and [Ca2+]i returned to resting levels within 3 min. Thapsigargin stimulated a gradual, large increase in [Ca2+]i in transfected C6 cells, and subsequent addition of TRH caused no further rise. Removal of extracellular Ca2+ from transfected C6 cells shortened the [Ca2+]i responses to TRH, to endothelin 1, and to thapsigargin. The TRH responses were pertussis toxin-insensitive. In summary, TRH can generate a calcium spike in pituitary, C6, and Hela cells transfected with TRH receptor cDNA, but the plateau phase of the [Ca2+]i response is not observed when the receptor is expressed in a cell line without L channel activity.     

Ammonium ions mobilize calcium from an internal pool which is insensitive to TRH and ionomycin in bovine anterior pituitary cells

The effects of NH4Cl on cytoplasmic free calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) and pH (pHi) in single bovine anterior pituitary cells were determined using fluorescence imaging microscopy. Addition of NH4Cl (10-40 mM) in the presence of 1 mM extracellular calcium ([Ca2+]e) increased [Ca2+]i to a peak which then fell to a sustained plateau, returning to resting levels upon removal of NH4Cl. In medium containing 0.1 microM [Ca2+]e, or in 1 mM [Ca2+]e medium containing 0.1 microM nitrendipine, the plateau was absent leaving only a transient [Ca2+]i spike. NH4Cl also increased pHi and this, like the [Ca2+]i plateau, remained elevated during the continued presence of NH4Cl. In medium containing only 0.1 microM [Ca2+]e, to preclude refilling of internal stores by entry of external calcium, repeated exposures to NH4Cl induced repeated [Ca2+]i transients. In contrast, only the initial exposure to thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH; 20-500 nM) caused a [Ca2+]i rise but, after an additional exposure to NH4CI, TRH responses re-emerged in some cells. Pre-treatment with the calcium ionophore ionomycin abolished the rise caused by TRH, but neither TRH nor ionomycin pretreatment affected the response to NH4Cl. Neither acetate removal nor methylamine increased [Ca2+]i in medium containing 0.1 microM [Ca2+]e, although in both cases pHi increased. We conclude that in bovine anterior pituitary cells NH4Cl raises [Ca2+]i by two independent pathways, increasing net calcium entry and mobilizing Ca2+ from a TRH-insensitive calcium store.     

Analysis of calcium homeostasis in activated human polymorphonuclear leukocytes. Evidence for two distinct mechanisms for lowering cytosolic calcium

The stimulation of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) by chemoattractants triggers a rapid rise in cytosolic free calcium concentration(s) ([Ca2+]i), which quickly returns to base line, suggesting a role for calcium removal in the homeostasis of activated PMNs. To investigate cytosolic calcium homeostasis, PMNs were treated with a fluoroprobe and ionomycin to induce a sustained elevation of [Ca2+]i. The cells were then stimulated, and attenuation of the fluorescence signal was measured as an indication of calcium loss from the cytosol. The formyl peptide chemoattractant N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLP), phorbol myristate acetate (PMA), and 1,2-dioctanoyl-sn-glycerol, but not the inactive phorbol ester 4 alpha-phorbol didecanoate, induced a dose-dependent decrease in [Ca2+]i in ionomycin-pretreated cells. However, the decline in [Ca2+]i caused by PMA was sustained and occurred following a lag time, whereas the response to fMLP was immediate, lasted approximately 2 min, and then was followed by a return of [Ca2+]i to its initial level. The restoration of [Ca2+]i required extracellular calcium. Varying the ionomycin concentration allowed studies at different initial [Ca2+]i, which in untreated PMNs was approximately 135 nM. In contrast to fMLP, PMA did not lower calcium at concentrations below 200 nM. The decline in [Ca2+]i induced by fMLP, but not PMA, was blocked by pertussis toxin. In contrast, the decrease in [Ca2+]i caused by PMA and 1,2-dioctanoyl-sn-glycerol, but not fMLP, was inhibited by the protein kinase C antagonists staurosporine, H-7, and sphingosine. These results suggest that formyl peptide chemoattractants transiently stimulate an activity which lowers [Ca2+]i to normal intracellular levels. Activation of this process appears to be independent of protein kinase C. An additional cytosolic calcium lowering activity, dependent on protein kinase C, operates at [Ca2+]i above 200 nM. Thus, activated PMNs can use at least two processes for attentuation of elevated cytosolic calcium levels.     

Chick heart cells with high intracellular calcium concentration have a higher affinity for cardiac glycosides than those with low intracellular calcium concentration, as revealed by affinity labelling with a digoxigenin derivative.

Digital-imaging fluorescence microscopy with fura-2 allows the determination of intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) in single cells. At a cell density of 10(5) cells/petri dish 44% of the chick embryo heart cells had a high [Ca2+]i of 99.4 +/- 7.1 nM and 56% of the cells a low [Ca2+]i of 27.8 +/- 4.4 nM (mean +/- SE). This laboratory previously reported that high-[Ca2+]i and low-[Ca2+]i cells from chick embryo hearts differ in their sensitivity to cardiac glycosides, as shown by measuring the increase in [Ca2+]i to reach a new steady state [Ahlemeyer, B., Weintraut, H., Seibold, G. & Schoner, W. (1991) in The sodium pump: recent developments (Kaplan, J. H. & De Weer, P., eds) pp. 653-656, Rockefeller University Press, New York]. This time we used N-hydroxysuccinimidyl digoxigenin-3-O-methylcarbonyl-epsilon-aminocaproate (HDMA) which binds irreversibly to amino groups of the Na+/K(+)-ATPase, and sheep anti-digoxigenin Fab fragments coupled with fluorescein isothiocyanate to identify different cardiac glycoside-binding sites. Half-maximal labelling of high-[Ca2+]i cells was obtained at 0.36 nM HDMA, and at 12.0 nM with the low-[Ca2+]i cells. Specific labelling of the cells by HDMA was 91% and 80% in high-[Ca2+]i and low-[Ca2+]i cells, respectively, as revealed by competition experiments with a 1000-fold excess of ouabain. HDMA half-maximally elevated the [Ca2+]i of high-[Ca2+]i cells at a concentration of 50 pM and that of low-[Ca2+]i cells at 8.0 nM. Concentrations higher than 0.1 microM produced signs of intoxication. When the labelled cells were subjected to a SDS/PAGE, a 100-kDa band was found to contain HDMA. The electrophoretic mobility of a protein labelled at 10 nM HDMA was slightly higher than that of a protein labelled at 1.0 microM. The data suggest that different isoforms of the alpha-subunit of Na+/K(+)-ATPase may exist in low-[Ca2+]i and high-[Ca2+]i cells of chick embryo heart.     

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.     

Simultaneous measurements of cytosolic calcium and secretion in single bovine adrenal chromaffin cells by fluorescent imaging of fura-2 in cocultured cells

The cytosolic free calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) and exocytosis of chromaffin granules were measured simultaneously from single, intact bovine adrenal chromaffin cells using a novel technique involving fluorescent imaging of cocultured cells. Chromaffin cell [Ca2+]i was monitored with fura-2. To simultaneously follow catecholamine secretion, the cells were cocultured with fura-2-loaded NIH-3T3t cells, a cell line chosen because of their irresponsiveness to chromaffin cell secretagogues but their large Ca2+ response to ATP, which is coreleased with catecholamine from the chromaffin cells. In response to the depolarizing stimulus nicotine (a potent secretagogue), chromaffin cell [Ca2+]i increased rapidly. At the peak of the response, [Ca2+]i was evenly distributed throughout the cell. This elevation in [Ca2+]i was followed by a secretory response which originated from the entire surface of the cell. In response to the inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (InsP3)-mobilizing agonist angiotensin II (a weak secretagogue), three different responses were observed. Approximately 30% of chromaffin cells showed no rise in [Ca2+]i and did not secrete. About 45% of the cells responded with a large (greater than 200 nM), transient elevation in [Ca2+]i and no detectable secretory response. The rise in [Ca2+]i was nonuniform, such that peak [Ca2+]i was often recorded only in one pole of the cell. And finally, approximately 25% of cells responded with a similar Ca2+-transient to that described above, but also gave a secretory response. In these cases secretion was polarized, being confined to the pole of the cell in which the rise in [Ca2+]i was greatest.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Stimulus-response coupling in monocytes infected with Leishmania. Attenuation of calcium transients is related to defective agonist-induced accumulation of inositol phosphates.

Mononuclear phagocytes infected with Leishmania have been shown to have defective responses to extracellular stimuli. To investigate the potential relationship of these findings to alterations in calcium-dependent signaling pathways, the regulation of [Ca2+]i concentrations was examined in human peripheral blood monocytes infected with amastigotes of Leishmania donovani. Measurements of [Ca2+]i in fura-2-loaded monocytes were made at the single cell level by microfluorimetry. In normal monocytes, resting [Ca2+]i was 56 +/- 2 nM (mean +/- SEM). In contrast, in monocytes infected with Leishmania there was an approximately twofold increase in basal [Ca2+]i (122 +/- 5 nM, p less than 0.01 vs control). Treatment of cells with pertussis toxin before infection did not abrogate infection-induced increases in basal [Ca2+]i, suggesting that this effect was not mediated via the activation of a G protein coupled to phospholipase C. However, elevated resting [Ca2+]i did correlate with increased rates of 45Ca2+ uptake by infected monocytes. As expected, in response to treatment with 10(-7) M FMLP, control monocytes showed rapid net increases in [Ca2+]i of 303 +/- 19 nM. In contrast, net transients of [Ca2+]i in infected monocytes in response to FMLP were attenuated to only 137 +/- 9 nM (p less than 0.01 vs control). This result was not related to excess buffering of [Ca2+]i in infected cells as both control and infected monocytes showed equivalent transients of [Ca2+]i in response to the calcium ionophore A23187. Rather, inhibition of agonist-induced calcium release in infected cells appeared related to defective generation of second messenger because compared to control cells labeled with myo-[2-3H]inositol, little accumulation of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate was detected in infected monocytes. Attenuation of inositol phosphate accumulation and calcium release in response to chemotactic peptide correlated with decreased FMLP-induced superoxide and hydrogen peroxide production by infected monocytes. These results provide direct evidence for defective regulation of [Ca2+]i and calcium-dependent signaling in Leishmania-infected monocytes and provide a basis for understanding abnormalities in activation-related responses that involve signaling through Ca(2+)-regulated pathways.     

Influx of extracellular calcium is required for the membrane translocation of 5-lipoxygenase and leukotriene synthesis.

Our studies assessed the effects of increases in intracellular calcium concentrations [( Ca2+]i) on leukotriene synthesis and membrane translocation of 5-lipoxygenase (5LO). The calcium ionophore ionomycin and the tumor promoter thapsigargin stimulated leukotriene production and translocation of 5-lipoxygenase to the membrane. Both agents elicited prolonged rises in [Ca2+]i. Leukotriene C4 production associated with [Ca2+]i in cells stimulated with various concentrations of ionomycin and thapsigargin suggests that a threshold [Ca2+]i level of approximately 300-400 nM is required. In the absence of extracellular Ca2+, both the ionomycin- and thapsigargin-induced rises in [Ca2+]i were transient, indicating that the prolonged [Ca2+]i elevation is due to an influx of extracellular Ca2+. Addition of EGTA to the external medium before, or at different times during, the treatment with ionomycin or thapsigargin instantaneously inhibited 5LO translocation and leukotriene synthesis, indicating that Ca2+ influx plays an essential role in 5LO membrane translocation and leukotriene synthesis. No leukotriene production was detected when cells were stimulated by a physiological stimulus of leukotriene D4. The addition of 100 nM leukotriene D4 triggered peak rises in [Ca2+]i that were comparable to those achieved by the ionomycin and thapsigargin. However, the leukotriene D4 induced rise was transient and rapidly declined to a lower but still elevated steady-state level, which was attributed to Ca2+ influx. Stimulation with 100 nM leukotriene D4 for 15 s increased the cellular levels of 1,4,5-inositol triphosphate (IP3), 1,3,4-IP3, and 1,3,4,5-inositol tetraphosphate (IP4).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Calcium homeostasis in a clonal pituitary cell line of mouse corticotropes.

Calcium homeostasis was studied following a depolarization-induced transient increase in [Ca2+]i in single cells of the clonal pituitary cell line of corticotropes, AtT-20 cells. The KCl-induced increase in [Ca2+]i was blocked in (i) extracellular calcium-deficient solutions, (ii) external cobalt (2.0 mM), (iii) cadmium (200 microM), and (iv) nifedipine (2.0 microM). The mean increase in [Ca2+]i in single cells in the presence of an uncoupler of mitochondrial function [carbonyl cyanide p-(trifluoromethoxy)phenylhydrazone, FCCP, 1 microM] was 54 +/- 13 nM (n = 9). The increase in [Ca2+]i produced by FCCP was greater either during or following a KCl-induced [Ca2+]i load. However, FCCP did not significantly alter the clearance of calcium during a KCl-induced rise in [Ca2+]i. Fifty percent of the cells responded to caffeine (10 mM) with an increase in [Ca2+]i (191 +/- 24 nM; n = 21) above resting levels; this effect was blocked by ryanodine (10 microM). Thapsigargin (2 microM) and 2,5 di(-t-butyl)-1,4 hydroquinone (BuBHQ, 10 microM) produced increases in [Ca2+]i (47 +/- 11 nM, n = 6 and 22 +/- 4 nM, n = 8, respectively) that increased cell excitability. These results support a role for mitochondria and sarco-endoplasmic reticulum calcium stores in cytosolic [Ca2+]i regulation; however, none of these organelles are primarily responsible for the return of [Ca2+]i to resting levels following this KCl-induced [Ca2+]i load.     

Spatial and temporal aspects of ACh-induced [Ca2+]i oscillations in porcine tracheal smooth muscle

This study evaluated the relationship between regional elevation in intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) induced by acetylcholine (ACh) and the global cellular responses in porcine tracheal smooth muscle (TSM) cells. Regional (approximately 1.5 microm3) and global (whole cell) changes in [Ca2+]i were measured in fluo-3 loaded TSM cells using real-time confocal microscopy. Regional responses appeared as propagating [Ca2+]i oscillations whereas global responses reflected the spatiotemporal integration of these regional responses. Within a region, [Ca2+]i oscillations were 'biphasic' with initial higher frequencies, followed by slower steady-state oscillations. With increasing ACh concentration, the peak (maximum value relative to 0 nM) of regional [Ca2+]i oscillations remained relatively constant, whereas both frequency and propagation velocity increased. In contrast, the global spatiotemporal integration of the regional oscillatory responses appeared as a concentration-dependent increase in peak as well as mean cellular [Ca2+]i. We conclude that the significance of ACh-induced [Ca2+]i oscillations lies in the establishment of mean [Ca2+]i level for slower Ca2+-dependent physiological processes via modulation of oscillation frequency and propagation velocity.     

Spatially resolved cytosolic calcium response to angiotensin II and potassium in rat glomerulosa cells measured by digital imaging techniques

The response of cytosolic calcium [Ca2+]i to angiotensin II (AII) and potassium (K+) in individual rat glomerulosa cells was determined using the calcium-sensitive fluorescent dye, fura-2 and digital imaging. Control (4 mM K+) cytosolic calcium levels were generally in the 80-120 nM range and increased monotonically as [K+] was increased from 4 to 12 mM. There was no delay in the onset of the response. In most cells the [Ca2+]i decreased from its peak after 3-4 min, even in the presence of superfusate containing elevated K+. The time course of the change in [Ca2+]i in response to AII stimulation, on the other hand, was more variable. It was most often characterized by an early decrease followed by a large delayed increase. The response also was observed to decline during sustained AII stimulation. The majority of the cells showed some response to one or the other secretagogue with a sizeable minority (25%) having an increase in [Ca2+]i in excess of 200%. While the majority showed a response, the cell to cell variation was substantial. Finally, the pattern of cytosolic calcium increase sometimes showed a marked dependence on the secretagogue used, with different regions of the same cell being more strongly affected by one agent or the other. A few cells (10%) responded to AII only at one pole, establishing a large concentration gradient of calcium across the cell. Because of differences in time course, pattern, and degree of responsiveness, it is likely that the mechanisms underlying the Ca2+ elevation with K+ and AII are different.     

Alpha 1-adrenergic stimulation and cytoplasmic free calcium concentration in cultured renal proximal tubular cells: evidence for compartmentalization of quin-2 and fura-2

This study was designed to examine the role of changes in cytoplasmic free calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) during the response to alpha 1-adrenergic agonists in cultured renal proximal tubular cells. Experiments were carried out on primary cultures of canine proximal tubular cells grown in defined culture medium on a solid support, on collagen-coated polycarbonate membranes, or on collagen-coated glass coverslips. Quin-2 and fura-2 were used to monitor [Ca2+]i. The basal level of [Ca2+]i was 101 nM, as measured with quin-2, and 122 nM, as determined using fura-2. Fluorescence flow cytometry revealed that about 85% of the population of proximal tubular cells responded to phenylephrine with an increase in [Ca2+]i. Phenylephrine (10(-5) M) caused an immediate actual increase in [Ca2+]i by 18 and 24%, as determined with quin-2 and fura-2, respectively, with the peak increase in [Ca2+]i averaging 22% and 44% over the basal level (180-300 sec). This effect did not require extracellular calcium. The effect of phenylephrine was abolished by prazosin and verapamil. Fluorescence microscopy of quin-2 or fura-2 loaded cells revealed punctate areas of fluorescence within the cytoplasm suggesting vesicular uptake of the dyes. Pinocytotic entrapment of the dyes was demonstrated by the transfer of cell-impermeant fura-2 across tubular cell monolayers mounted in Ussing chambers. The transfer of the dye was similar to that of a marker of fluid-phase pinocytosis, Lucifer Yellow (LY). This pinocytotic entrapment of Ca2+-indicators would lead to underestimation of the actual calcium transients. Microfluorometric study of single proximal tubular cells "scrape-loaded" with fura-2 revealed a four-fold increase in [Ca2+]i concentration following stimulation with phenylephrine.     

Low concentrations of the stable prostaglandin endoperoxide U44069 stimulate shape change in quin2-loaded platelets without a measurable increase in [Ca2+]i

Dose-response relationships for raised cytoplasmic free calcium concentration, [Ca2+]i, and shape change were measured simultaneously in quin2-loaded human platelets. With the calcium ionophore ionomycin the threshold [Ca2+]i for shape change was 300 nM with a maximal response at 800 nM. With 1 mM external Ca2+ the U44069 concentrations required to stimulate half-maximal shape change and an increase in [Ca2+]i were 2 and 41 nM, respectively. For PAF these values were 8.7 and 164 pg/ml, respectively. Low concentrations of U44069 and PAF evoked substantial shape change without any rise in [Ca2+]i. In the absence of external Ca2+, U44069 stimulated half-maximal shape change at 2 nM, and half-maximal elevation of [Ca2+]i at 69 nM: here, increased [Ca2+]i never reached the threshold [Ca2+]i for shape-change derived with ionomycin. These results suggest that some transduction mechanism other than elevated [Ca2+]i, as yet unidentified, can cause shape change.     

Magnesium regulates intracellular free ionized calcium concentration and cell geometry in vascular smooth muscle cells.

Regulatory effects of extracellular magnesium ions ([Mg2+]o) on intracellular free ionized calcium ([Ca2+]i) were studied in cultured vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) from rat aorta by use of the fluorescent indicator fura-2 and digital imaging microscopy. With normal Mg2+ (1.2 mM)-containing incubation media, [Ca2+]i in VSMCs was 93.6 +/- 7.93 nM with a heterogeneous cellular distribution. Lowering [Mg2+]o to 0 mM or 0.3 mM (the lowest physiological range) resulted in 5.8-fold (579.5 +/- 39.99 nM) and 3.5-fold (348.0 +/- 31.52 nM) increments of [Ca2+]i, respectively, without influencing the cellular distribution of [Ca2+]i. Surprisingly, [Mg2+]o withdrawal induced changes of cell geometry in many VSMCs, i.e., the cells rounded up. However, elevation of [Mg2+]o up to 4.8 mM only induced slight decrements of [Ca2+]i (mean = 72.0 +/- 4.55 nM). The large increment of [Ca2+]i induced by [Mg2+]o withdrawal was totally inhibited when [Ca2+]o was removed. The data suggest that: (1) [Mg2+]o regulates the level of [Ca2+]i in rat aortic smooth muscle cells, and (2) [Mg2+] acts as an important regulatory ion by modulating cell shapes in cultured VSMc and their metabolism to control vascular contractile activities.     

糖皮质激素对肝细胞内游离钙的作用

应用钙离子荧光指示剂ｆｕｒａ－２,对糖皮质激素（Ｇｌｕｃｏｃｏｒｔｉｃｏｉｄ,ＧＣ）是否影响肝细胞内游离钙（Ｉｎｔｒａｃｅｌｌｕｌａｒ　ｆｒｅｅ　ｃａｌｃｉｕｍ,［Ｃａ２＋］ｉ作了初步探讨。结果发现,ＧＣ在短期内能升高肝细胞［Ｃａ２＋］ｉ,水平,并具有明显的量效关系。以１．０μｍｏｌ／Ｌ的Ｃｏｒｔｉｓｏｌ和１０．０μｍｏｌ／Ｌ的Ｄｅｘａｍｅｔｈａｓｏｎｅ效果最好。加入１．０μｍｏｌ／Ｌ的Ｃｏｒｔｉｓｏｌ０．２５ｍｉｎ即可引起肝细胞［Ｃａ２＋］ｉ的明显升高,到１０分钟时效应达高峰。此时与静息状态的肝细胞［Ｃａ２＋］ｉ水平相比,胞浆内游离钙升高了近３倍;与相应对照组比较,胞浆内游离钙升高具有明显的统计学意义,Ｐ＜０．０１。ＲＵ４８６为一种人工合成的糖皮质激素受体（Ｇｌｕｃｏｃｏｒｔｉｃｏｉｄ　ｒｅｃｅｐｔｏｒ,ＧＲ）的拮抗剂,它可以取消ＧＣ升高肝细胞［Ｃａ２＋］ｉ的效应,提示ＧＣ升高肝细胞内［Ｃａ２＋］ｉ可能与ＧＲ介导有一定关系。鉴于ＧＣ升高［Ｃａ２＋］ｉ时间较短,推测与肝细胞膜ＧＲ的非基因快速调节作用影响钙离子通道有关。     

Regulation of cytosolic Ca2+ in clonal human muscle cell cultures

Human muscle cells were grown in culture and clonally selected for fusion potential. The concentration of cytoplasmic ionized calcium, [Ca2+]i, was measured in monolayers of fused myotubes using the Ca2+ indicator indo-1. The contributions of independent routes of Ca2+ influx and efflux to/from the cytoplasm on [Ca2+]i were investigated. The resting [Ca2+]i was 170-190 nM in different cell clones. Acetylcholine increased [Ca2+]i by about 2-fold in the presence of absence of extracellular Ca2+. Cell depolarization by K+ elevated [Ca2+]i about 3-fold, and this increase was largely dependent on extracellular Ca2+. Replacing Na+ by N-methylglucammonium+ raised [Ca2+]i greater than 5-fold, and 50% of this increase was dependent on extracellular Ca2+. All these increases in [Ca2+]i were transient, returning to basal [Ca2+]i within 2 min. It is concluded that cells in culture [Ca2+]i can be elevated transiently by acetylcholine through Ca2+ release from intracellular stores, and by K through Ca2+ influx. The return to basal [Ca2+]i is due to Na+/Ca2+ exchange and Ca2+-ATPase activity.