Calyculin-A disrupts subplasmalemmal junction and recurring Ca2+ waves in vascular smooth muscle

Excitation-contraction coupling (E-C coupling) in phenylephrine(PE)-stimulated rabbit inferior vena cava (IVC) depends on the generation of asynchronous recurring Ca2+ waves in the in situ vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC). Previous studies by our group have implicated a putative non-selective cationic store-operated channel and the reverse-mode Na+-Ca2+ exchange in refilling of the intracellular Ca2+ store via the sarco/endoplasmic reticulum ATPase (SERCA) and the maintenance of the recurring Ca2+ waves. We hypothesize that for the proper functioning of these three Ca2+ translocators in the process of SR refilling, the plasma membrane (PM) and the underlying superficial sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) form specialized PM-SR junctions, which are essential for the maintenance of the recurring Ca2+ waves. In order to test this hypothesis, calyculin-A, a serine/threonine phosphatase inhibitor that has been demonstrated to result in the disruption of the PM-SR junctions was used. In the control rabbit IVC, electron microscopy of the in situ VSMC indicates that 14.2+/-0.7% of the PM is closely apposed by the prominent superficial SR network, forming numerous flattened PM-SR junctional cytoplasmic spaces. In the control IVC stimulation with 5 microM PE resulted in sustained recurring Ca2+ waves with a frequency of 0.42+/-0.02 Hz. In calyculin-A treated rabbit IVC, a concentration-dependent dissociation of the superficial SR and loss of PM-SR junctions was observed. This progressive loss of the PM-SR junctions occurs over the same concentration range as the inhibition of PE-induced recurring Ca2+ waves. These findings offer support for the hypothesis that the presence of the PM-SR junctions is required for the generation of asynchronous recurring Ca2+ waves, which underlie excitation-contraction coupling in the VSMC of the rabbit IVC.     

Smooth muscle actomyosin promotes Ca2+-dependent interactions between annexin VI and detergent-insoluble glycosphingolipid-enriched membrane domains

The mechanical link coupling cytoskeletal and contractile proteins to the sarcolemma of smooth muscle cells is essential for transmitting tension from the cell's interior to exterior. In addition to the well-characterized actin-integrin associations present in adhaerens junctions, our recent work has postulated the existence of a reversible annexin-dependent membrane-cytoskeleton complex, forged in response to a rise in intracellular Ca2+ concentration following smooth muscle cell stimulation (Babiychuk et al., J. Biol Chem. 1999, 274, 35191-35195). Detailed biochemical characterization of the interactions responsible for the formation of this complex revealed that annexins II and VI interact with actomyosin, or detergent-insoluble glycosphingolipid-enriched membrane domains (rafts) purified from smooth muscle, in a concentration- and Ca2+-dependent manner. Annexin II interacted with lipid rafts with high Ca2+-sensitivity, while for annexin VI this interaction required non-physiologically high concentrations of free Ca2+. However, the Ca2+-sensitivity of the latter interaction strongly increased in the presence of purified smooth muscle actomyosin. The detailed biochemical analysis of the interactions occurring between annexin II, annexin VI, actomyosin and rafts suggests that annexins regulate sarcolemmal organization during smooth muscle cell contraction.     

Gap junctions synchronize action potentials and Ca2+ transients in Caenorhabditis elegans body wall muscle

The sinusoidal locomotion of Caenorhabditis elegans requires synchronous activities of neighboring body wall muscle cells. However, it is unknown whether the synchrony results from muscle electrical coupling or neural inputs. We analyzed the effects of mutating gap junction proteins and blocking neuromuscular transmission on the synchrony of action potentials (APs) and Ca2+ transients among neighboring body wall muscle cells. In wild-type worms, the percentage of synchronous APs between two neighboring cells varied depending on the anatomical relationship and junctional conductance (Gj) between them, and Ca2+ transients were synchronous among neighboring muscle cells. Compared with the wild type, knock-out of the gap junction gene unc-9 resulted in greatly reduced coupling coefficient and asynchronous APs and Ca2+ transients. Inhibition of unc-9 expression specifically in muscle by RNAi also reduced the synchrony of APs and Ca2+ transients, whereas expression of wild-type UNC-9 specifically in muscle rescued the synchrony defect. Loss of the stomatin-like protein UNC-1, which is a regulator of UNC-9-based gap junctions, similarly impaired muscle synchrony as unc-9 mutant did. The blockade of muscle ionotropic acetylcholine receptors by (+)-tubocurarine decreased the frequencies of APs and Ca2+ transients, whereas blockade of muscle GABAA receptors by gabazine had opposite effects. However, both APs and Ca2+ transients remained synchronous after the application of (+)-tubocurarine and/or gabazine. These observations suggest that gap junctions in C. elegans body wall muscle cells are responsible for synchronizing muscle APs and Ca2+ transients.     

Coordinated intercellular calcium waves induced by noradrenaline in rat hepatocytes: dual control by gap junction permeability and agonist.

Calcium-mobilizing agonists induce intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) changes thought to trigger cellular responses. In connected cells, rises in [Ca2+]i can propagate from cell to cell as intercellular Ca2+ waves, the mechanisms of which are not elucidated. Using fura2-loaded rat hepatocytes, we studied the mechanisms controlling coordination and intercellular propagation of noradrenaline-induced Ca2+ signals. Gap junction blockade with 18 alpha-glycyrrhetinic acid resulted in a loss of coordination between connected cells. We found that second messengers and [Ca2+]i rises in one hepatocyte cannot trigger Ca2+ responses in connected cells, suggesting that diffusion across gap junctions, while required for coordination, is not sufficient by itself for the propagation of intercellular Ca2+ waves. In addition, our experiments revealed functional differences between noradrenaline-induced Ca2+ signals in connected hepatocytes. These results demonstrate that intercellular Ca2+ signals in multicellular systems of rat hepatocytes are propagated and highly organized through complex mechanisms involving at least three factors. First, gap junction coupling ensures coordination of [Ca2+]i oscillations between the different cells; second, the presence of hormone at each hepatocyte is required for cell-cell Ca2+ signal propagation; and third, functional differences between adjacent connected hepatocytes could allow a 'pacemaker-like' intercellular spread of Ca2+ waves.     

Endothelial cell signaling during conducted vasomotor responses

ACh and KCl stimulate vasomotor responses that spread rapidly and bidirectionally along arteriole walls, most likely via spread of electric current or Ca2+ through gap junctions. We examined these possibilities with isolated, cannulated, and perfused hamster cheek pouch arterioles (50- to 80-microm resting diameter). After intraluminal loading of 2 microM fluo 3 to measure Ca2+ or 1 microM di-8-ANEPPS to measure membrane potential, photometric techniques were used to selectively measure changes in intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) or membrane potential in endothelial cells. Activation of the endothelium by micropipette application of ACh (10-4 M, 1.0-s pulse) to a short segment of arteriole (100-200 microm) increased endothelial cell [Ca2+]i and caused hyperpolarization at the site of stimulation. This response was followed rapidly by vasodilation of the entire arteriole ( approximately 2-mm length). Change in membrane potential always preceded dilation, both at the site of stimulation and at distant sites along the arteriole. In contrast, an increase in endothelial cell [Ca2+]i was observed only at the application site. Micropipette application of KCl, which can depolarize both smooth muscle and endothelial cells (250 mM, 2.5-s pulse), also caused a rapid, spreading response consisting of depolarization followed by vasoconstriction. With KCl stimulation, in addition to changes in membrane potential, increases in endothelial cell [Ca2+]i were observed at distant sites not directly exposed to KCl. The rapid longitudinal spread of both hyperpolarizing and depolarizing responses support electrical coupling as the mode of signal transmission along the arteriolar length. In addition, the relatively short distance between heterologous cell types enables the superimposed radial Ca2+ signaling between smooth muscle and endothelial cells to modulate vasomotor responses.     

Na+ entry via TRPC6 causes Ca2+ entry via NCX reversal in ATP stimulated smooth muscle cells

Reversal of the Na+/Ca2+ -exchanger (NCX) has been shown to mediate Ca2+ influx during activation of G-protein linked receptors. Functional coupling between the reverse-mode NCX and the canonical transient receptor potential channels (TRPCs) has been proposed to mediate Ca2+ influx in HEK-293 cells overexpressing TRPC3. In this communication we present evidence for similar functional coupling of NCX to endogenously expressed TRPC6 in rat aorta smooth muscle cells. Selective inhibition of reverse-mode NCX with KB-R7943 and of non-selective cation-channels with SKF-96365 abolished Ca2+ influx in response to agonist stimulation (ATP). Expression of a dominant negative TRPC6 mutant also reduced the Ca2+ influx in proportion to its transfection efficiency. Calyculin A, which is known to disrupt the junctions of the plasma membrane and sarco/endoplasmic reticulum, increased global Na+ elevations and reduced stimulated Ca2+ influx. Together our data provide evidence that localized Na+ elevations are generated by TRPC6 and drive reversal of NCX to mediate Ca2+ influx.     

Intercellular calcium signaling via gap junctions in glioma cells

Calcium signaling in C6 glioma cells in culture was examined with digital fluorescence video microscopy. C6 cells express low levels of the gap junction protein connexin43 and have correspondingly weak gap junctional communication as evidenced by dye coupling (Naus, C. C. G., J. F. Bechberger, S. Caveney, and J. X. Wilson. 1991. Neurosci. Lett. 126:33-36). Transfection of C6 cells with the cDNA encoding connexin43 resulted in clones with increased expression of connexin43 mRNA and protein and increased dye coupling, as well as markedly reduced rates of proliferation (Zhu, D., S. Caveney, G. M. Kidder, and C. C. Naus. 1991. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA. 88:1883-1887; Naus, C. C. G., D. Zhu, S. Todd, and G. M. Kidder. 1992. Cell Mol. Neurobiol. 12:163-175). Mechanical stimulation of a single cell in a culture of non-transfected C6 cells induced a wave of increased intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) that showed little or no communication to adjacent cells. By contrast, mechanical stimulation of a single cell in cultures of C6 clones expressing transfected connexin43 cDNA induced a Ca2+ wave that was communicated to multiple surrounding cells, and the extent of communication was proportional to the level of expression of the connexin43 cDNA. These results provide direct evidence that intercellular Ca2+ signaling occurs via gap junctions. Ca2+ signaling through gap junctions may provide a means for the coordinated regulation of cellular function, including cell growth and differentiation.     

Sphingosine 1-phosphate-induced mobilization of intracellular Ca2+ mediates rac activation and adherens junction assembly in endothelial cells

Sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) ligation of endothelial differentiation gene-1 receptor coupled to the heterotrimeric G protein, Gi, promotes endothelial barrier strengthening via Rac-dependent assembly of adherens junctions (AJs). However, the mechanism of Rac activation induced by S1P stimulation remains unclear. In live endothelial cells expressing GFP-Rac, we observed that S1P induced the translocation of Rac to intercellular junctions, resulting in junctional sealing. We investigated the role of intracellular Ca2+ in signaling Rac activation and the enhancement of endothelial barrier function. We observed that S1P activated the release of Ca2+ from endoplasmic reticulum stores, and subsequent Ca2+ entry via lanthanum-sensitive store-operated Ca2+ channels (SOC) after store depletion. Inhibition of Gi, phospholipase C, or inositol trisphosphate receptor prevented the S1P-activated increase in intracellular Ca2+ as well as Rac activation, AJ assembly, and enhancement of endothelial barrier. Chelation of intracellular Ca2+ with BAPTA blocked S1P-induced Rac activation, indicating the requirement for Ca2+ in the response. Inhibition of SOC by lanthanum or transient receptor potential channel 1 (TRPC1), a SOC constituent, by TRPC1 antibody, failed to prevent S1P-induced Rac translocation to junctions and AJ assembly. Thus, our results demonstrate that S1P promotes endothelial junctional integrity by activating the release of endoplasmic reticulum-Ca2+, which induces Rac activation and promotes AJ annealing.     

Gap junction structure and cell-to-cell coupling regulation: is there a calmodulin involvement?

In most tissues neighboring cells communicate directly with each other by exchanging ions and small metabolites via cell-to-cell channels located at the intermembrane particles of gap junctions. Evidence indicates that the channels close when the [Ca2+]i or [H+]i increases. The channel occlusion (cell-to-cell uncoupling) is mainly a safety device by which cells can isolate themselves from damaged neighboring cells ("healing-over" process). Despite our knowledge of uncoupling agents, the uncoupling mechanism is still poorly understood. Uncoupling treatments have been shown to cause structural changes in gap junctions, characterized by an increase in tightness and regularity (crystallization) of particle packing and a decrease in particle size. Recently these changes have been shown to be induced by Ca2+ or H+ in isolated lens junctions and by Ca2+ in liver junctions, which suggests a close relationship between structural changes and uncoupling, but preliminary studies indicate that the junctional changes may not be synchronous with uncoupling but may lag behind it. However, recent X-ray diffraction data show that the channels of crystalline gap junctions (typical of uncoupled cells) are indeed closed, because they are inaccessible to sucrose (a gap junction permeant). Thus it seems that crystalline junctions are indeed in a non-permeable state, but the occlusion of the channels may precede the crystallization process. In the lens, junction crystallization is inhibited by a calmodulin (CaM) inhibitor, trifluoperazine (TFP). Is CaM involved in the uncoupling mechanism? To test this hypothesis, TFP and calmidazolium (CDZ), the most specific CaM inhibitor, were used on amphibian embryonic cells electrically uncoupled by CO2. Both TFP and CDZ effectively protect the cells from uncoupling, which suggests that CaM participates in the process. As a hypothesis, we propose that channel occlusion follows a CaM-mediated conformational change in the junctional protein. Particle crystallization may follow the conformational changes and result from a modification in electrostatic repulsion among the particles.     

Spatial and temporal relationships between cadherins and PECAM-1 in cell-cell junctions of human endothelial cells

The integrity of the endothelial layer, which lines the entire cavity of the vascular system, depends on tight adhesion of the cells to the underlying basement membrane as well as to each other. It has been previously shown that such interactions occur via membrane receptors that determine the specificity, topology, and mechanical properties of the surface adhesion. Cell-cell junctions between endothelial cells, in culture and in situ, involve both Ca(2+)-dependent and -independent mechanisms that are mediated by distinct adhesion molecules. Ca(2+)- dependent cell-cell adhesion occurs mostly via members of the cadherin family, which locally anchor the microfilament system to the plasma membrane, in adherens junctions. Ca(2+)-independent adhesions were reported to mainly involve members of the Ig superfamily. In this study, we performed three-dimensional microscopic analysis of the relative subcellular distributions of these two endothelial intercellular adhesion systems. We show that cadherins are located at adjacent (usually more apical), yet clearly distinct domains of the lateral plasma membrane, compared to PECAM-1. Moreover, cadherins were first organized in adherens junctions within 2 h after seeding of endothelial cells, forming multiple lateral patches which developed into an extensive belt-like structure over a period of 24 h. PECAM-1 became associated with surface adhesions significantly later and became progressively associated with the cadherin-containing adhesions. Cadherins and PECAM-1 also differed in their detergent extractability, reflecting differences in their mode of association with the cytoskeleton. Moreover, the two adhesion systems could be differentially modulated since short treatment with the Ca2+ chelator EGTA, disrupted the cadherin junctions leaving PECAM-1 apparently intact. These results confirm that endothelial cells possess distinct intercellular contact mechanisms that differ in their spatial and temporal organization as well as in their functional properties.     

The tandem C2 domains of synaptotagmin contain redundant Ca2+ binding sites that cooperate to engage t-SNAREs and trigger exocytosis

Real-time voltammetry measurements from cracked PC12 cells were used to analyze the role of synaptotagmin-SNARE interactions during Ca2+-triggered exocytosis. The isolated C2A domain of synaptotagmin I neither binds SNAREs nor inhibits norepinephrine secretion. In contrast, two C2 domains in tandem (either C2A-C2B or C2A-C2A) bind strongly to SNAREs, displace native synaptotagmin from SNARE complexes, and rapidly inhibit exocytosis. The tandem C2 domains of synaptotagmin cooperate via a novel mechanism in which the disruptive effects of Ca2+ ligand mutations in one C2 domain can be partially alleviated by the presence of an adjacent C2 domain. Complete disruption of Ca2+-triggered membrane and target membrane SNARE interactions required simultaneous neutralization of Ca2+ ligands in both C2 domains of the protein. We conclude that synaptotagmin-SNARE interactions regulate membrane fusion and that cooperation between synaptotagmin's C2 domains is crucial to its function.     

OX1 orexin receptors activate extracellular signal-regulated kinase in Chinese hamster ovary cells via multiple mechanisms: the role of Ca2+ influx in OX1 receptor signaling

Activation of OX1 orexin receptors heterologously expressed in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells led to a rapid, strong, and long-lasting increase in ERK phosphorylation (activation). Dissection of the signal pathways to ERK using multiple inhibitors and dominant-negative constructs indicated involvement of Ras, protein kinase C, phosphoinositide-3-kinase, and Src. Most interestingly, Ca2+ influx appeared central for the ERK response in CHO cells, and the same was indicated in recombinant neuro-2a cells and cultured rat striatal neurons. Detailed investigations in CHO cells showed that inhibition of the receptor- and store-operated Ca2+ influx pathways could fully attenuate the response, whereas inhibition of the store-operated Ca2+ influx pathway alone or the Ca2+ release was ineffective. If the receptor-operated pathway was blocked, an exogenously activated store-operated pathway could take its place and restore the coupling of OX1 receptors to ERK. Further experiments suggested that Ca2+ influx, as such, may not be required for ERK phosphorylation, but that Ca2+, elevated via influx, acts as a switch enabling OX1 receptors to couple to cascades leading to ERK phosphorylation, cAMP elevation, and phospholipase C activation. In conclusion, the data suggest that the primary coupling of orexin receptors to Ca2+ influx allows them to couple to other signal pathways; in the absence of coupling to Ca2+ influx, orexin receptors can act as signal integrators by taking advantage of other Ca2+ influx pathways.     

A possible Na/Ca exchange in the follicle cells of Xenopus oocyte

In manually dissected Xenopus oocytes, we found that the replacement of external sodium by Tris, choline, or lithium induced a large membrane depolarization and, in voltage clamp, a large inward current. This current appears to be due to activation of a calcium-dependent chloride conductance since it is reversed near ECl, increased by the removal of external chloride, and can be abolished by an injection of BAPTA or by the removal of external Ca2+. Using the Ca-dependent Cl current as a monitor of Ca concentration at the inner surface of the oocyte membrane, we are led to propose that the removal of external Na+ induces an increase in internal Ca2+ via the activation of a Na/Ca exchanger operating in the reverse mode. This interpretation is supported by the finding that the chloride current is diminished in either 3',4'-dichlorobenzamyl (DCB) or high external [Mg2+]o, both of which are known to block the Na/Ca exchanger, whereas it is increased when Li+, rather than Tris or choline, is used as the substitute for Na. The effect of zero [Na+]o was not obtained in oocytes from which follicular cells were removed by enzymatic treatment. This observation led us to test the possibility that the Na/Ca exchanger was present in the follicle cells and not in the oocyte membrane, assuming that entering Ca2+ could pass into the oocyte through gap junctions. Octanol, which blocks gap junctions, or a high [Ca2+]o both considerably reduced the inward current. While octanol probably blocked the gap junctions directly, we propose that the block by high [Ca2+] was due to an excessive rise of [Ca2+]i in the follicular cells. These results, taken together, indirectly suggest the presence of a Na/Ca exchanger in the follicular cells. These results, taken together, indirectly suggest the presence of a Na/Ca exchanger in the follicle cells of Xenopus oocyte which could contribute to the regulation of the internal Ca concentration of the oocyte before fertilization.     

Mechanosensitivity and intercellular communication in HOBIT osteoblastic cells: a possible role for gap junction hemichannels

Mechanically induced intercellular Ca2+ signalling was investigated in differentiated HOBIT osteoblastic cells. HOBIT cells express connexin43 clustered at the cell-to-cell boundary and display functional intercellular coupling assessed by intercellular transfer of Lucifer yellow. Mechanical stimulation of single cells, besides leading to an intracellular Ca2+ rise, induced a wave of increased Ca2+ that was radially propagated to surrounding cells. Treatment of cells with thapsigargin blocked mechanically induced signal propagation. Intercellular Ca2+ spreading was inhibited by 18alpha-glycyrrhetinic acid, demonstrating the involvement of gap junctions in signal propagation. Suramin and apyrase decreased the extent of wave propagation, suggesting that ATP-mediated paracrine stimulation contribute to cell-to-cell signalling. The functional expression of gap-junctional hemichannels was evidenced in experiments of Mn2+ quenching, extracellular dye uptake and intracellular Ca2+ release, activated by uptake of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate from the external medium. Gap-junctional hemichannels were activated by low extracellular Ca2+ concentrations and inhibited by 18alpha-glycyrrhetinic acid.     

Evidence for an intracellular calcium store releasable by surface stimuli ifibroblasts (L cells)

A spontaneously occurring or electrically elicited hyperpolarizing activation (HA) in L cells was previously shown to be due to a specific increase in the membrane K+ permeability (Nelson et at. 1972. J. Gen. Physiol. 60:58--71). Intracellular injection of Ca++ elicits an identical hyperpolarizing response which suggests that the increased K+ permeability associated with the HA is mediated by an increase in cytoplasmic Ca++. In zero-Ca, EGTA-containing saline the proportion of cells in which HA's can be evoked decreases, but the amplitude of those HA's that are produced is comparable to that of HA's in normal Ca saline. Co++ does block the HA but only after a period of 2 h or longer; D-600 does not affect the HA. The observations, with others, suggest that the primary source of the Ca mediating the HA response is intracellular. In L cells the endoplasmic reticulum forms morphologically specialized appositions with the surface membrane which resemble structures at the triads of muscle that are thought to mediate coupling between surface membrane electrical activity and contraction via Ca release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum. The similar structures in L cells may mediate coupling between surface membrane electrical, mechanical, or chemical stimuli and the HA response via release of Ca from the endoplasmic reticulum. Surface-coupled release of Ca from intracellular stores might also regulate a number of other intracellular functions in nonmuscle cells.     

Calcium waves in astrocytes-filling in the gaps.

Stimulus-evoked cellular responses are sometimes organized in the form of propagating waves of cytoplasmic Ca2+ increase. Ca2+ waves can be elicited in cultured astrocytes by the neurotransmitter glutamate; however, the propagation mechanism is unknown. Here, qualitative and quantitative features of propagation suggest that astrocytic Ca2+ waves are mediated by an intracellular signal that crosses intercellular junctions. The role of gap junctions in cell-cell Ca2+ wave propagation was specifically tested. Functional gap junctions were demonstrated using a noninvasive fluorescence recovery method and the gap junction blockers halothane and octanol. Gap junction closure prevented intracellular waves from propagating between cells without affecting the velocity of the intracellular wave itself. The pivotal role played by the gap junction creates the potential for dynamic changes in glial connectivity and long-range glial signaling.     

Uncoupling store-operated Ca2+ entry and altered Ca2+ release from sarcoplasmic reticulum through silencing of junctophilin genes

Junctophilin (JP) mediates the close contact between cell surface and intracellular membranes in muscle cells ensuring efficient excitation-contraction coupling. Here we demonstrate that disruption of triad junction structure formed by the transverse tubular (TT) invagination of plasma membrane and terminal cisternae of sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) by reduction of JP expression leads to defective Ca2+ homeostasis in muscle cells. Using adenovirus with small hairpin interference RNA (shRNA) against both JP1 and JP2 genes, we could achieve acute suppression of JPs in skeletal muscle fibers. The shRNA-treated muscles exhibit deformed triad junctions and reduced store-operated Ca2+ entry (SOCE), which is likely due to uncoupled retrograde signaling from SR to TT. Knockdown of JP also causes a reduction in SR Ca2+ storage and altered caffeine-induced Ca2+ release, suggesting an orthograde regulation of the TT membrane on the SR Ca2+ release machinery. Our data demonstrate that JPs play an important role in controlling overall intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis in muscle cells. We speculate that altered expression of JPs may underlie some of the phenotypic changes associated with certain muscle diseases and aging.     

Intercellular Ca2+ signaling in alveolar epithelial cells through gap junctions and by extracellular ATP

Inter- and extracellular-mediated changes in intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) can ensure coordinated tissue function in the lung. Cultured rat alveolar epithelial cells (AECs) have been shown to respond to secretagogues with increases in [Ca2+]i and have been shown to be gap junctionally coupled. However, communication of [Ca2+]i changes in AECs is not well defined. Monolayers of AECs were mechanically perturbed and monitored for [Ca2+]i changes. Perturbation of AECs was administered by a glass probe to either mechanically stimulate or mechanically wound individual cells. Both approaches induced a change in [Ca2+]i in the stimulated cell that was propagated to neighboring cells (Ca2+ waves). A connexin mimetic peptide shown to uncouple gap junctions eliminated Ca2+ waves in mechanically stimulated cells but had no effect on mechanically wounded cells. In contrast, apyrase, an enzyme that effectively removes ATP from the extracellular milieu, had no effect on mechanically stimulated cells but severely restricted mechanically wounded Ca2+ wave propagation. We conclude that AECs have the ability to communicate coordinated Ca2+ changes using both gap junctions and extracellular ATP.     

Mechanical stimulation and intercellular communication increases intracellular Ca2+ in epithelial cells.

Intercellular communication of epithelial cells was examined by measuring changes in intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i). Mechanical stimulation of respiratory tract ciliated cells in culture induced a wave of increasing Ca2+ that spread, cell by cell, from the stimulated cell to neighboring cells. The communication of these Ca2+ waves between cells was restricted or blocked by halothane, an anesthetic known to uncouple cells. In the absence of extracellular Ca2+, the mechanically stimulated cell showed no change or a decrease in [Ca2+]i, whereas [Ca2+]i increased in neighboring cells. Iontophoretic injection of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) evoked a communicated Ca2+ response that was similar to that produced by mechanical stimulation. These results support the hypothesis that IP3 acts as a cellular messenger that mediates communication through gap junctions between ciliated epithelial cells.     

A new Na/Ca exchanger splicing pattern identified in situ leads to a functionally active 70kDa NH(2)-terminal protein

Deiters' cells function as supporting cells for the sensory-motor outer hair cells of the mammalian cochlea and are interconnected by gap junctions. Here the electrical and Ca2+ responses of Deiters' cells evoked by purinergic stimulation were investigated in the organ of Corti, the auditory sensory epithelium. Adenosine 59-triphosphate (ATP, 50-100 microM) applied focally by pressure increased the intracellular free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i). At the same time ATP evoked an early inward current that was followed by an outward component, reflecting a sustained Ca2+-dependent reduction of the pre-stimulus offset current. These responses were maintained when Ca2+ was removed from the extracellular medium (0 [Ca2+]o), indicating a contribution to Ca2+ signalling from P2Y metabotropic receptors. UV photolysis of caged inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate (InsP3, 16 microM) produced Ca2+ responses similar to those evoked by exogenous ATP, accompanied by reduction of the offset current. In Deiters' cells uncoupled by octanol (1mM), ATP activated only the early inward current, suggesting that functional gap junctions are required in the late phase of the current responses. Following the delivery of UV flashes to pairs of Deiters' cells loaded with caged InsP3, the electrical coupling ratio (CR), monitored by double patch-clamp recordings, was strongly attenuated. These data support the idea that, by promoting inflow of cations and by controlling gap-junction conductance in a Ca2+-and InsP3-dependent way, ATP might serve a protective role in the cochlea.