Ionomycin produces an improved volume recovery by an increased efflux of taurine from hypoosmotically stressed molluscan red blood cells.

Nucleated erythrocytes of the blood clam, Noetia ponderosa, recover cell volume after a hypoosmotic stress by an efflux of K+, Cl- and taurine. When the cells are exposed to ionomycin followed by hypoosmotic stress, swelling is less and volume recovery is both faster and more complete than in control cells without the ionophore. The improved volume recovery is caused by a large increase in the efflux of taurine. The taurine efflux is altered by changing Ca2+ concentrations in the presence of the ionophore. Potassium regulation by the osmotically stressed erythrocytes is also increased in the presence of ionomycin, but only by a small amount, perhaps accounting for the initial decrease in swelling. Variation of Ca2+ in the presence of ionomycin without osmotic stress produces no change in the regulation of either osmolyte. These results indicate that both the osmotic stress and an increase in [Ca2+]i are required for the permeability change that produces taurine efflux.     

A possible role of the phosphorylation of synaptic membrane proteins in the control of calcium ion permeability

Incubation of synaptosomes under conditions which result in complete phosphorylation of membrane bound accepter proteins does not affect the permeability to Na⁺ or K⁺ as measured by a spectrophotometric method. This technique was not, however, sensitive enough to determine permeability to Ca²⁺ which was thus estimated using ⁴⁵Ca²⁺. It was found that although phosphorylation did not affect the equilibrium binding of ⁴⁵Ca it did lower the rate of both Ca²⁺ uptake and efflux. The most likely interpretation of these results is that phosphorylation of proteins in the synaptic membrane lowers the permeability of the membrane to Ca²⁺. This could have a role in the regulation of synaptic transmission.     

Structural changes ofNoetia ponderosa red blood cell membranes during cell volume regulation in reduced salinities: A freeze fracture study

Summary Changes in molluscan blood cell membrane structure coincided with changes in membrane amino acid permeability during cell volume regulation. Blood cells were freeze fractured after the free amino acid permeability of their membranes had been altered by modifying the extracellular Ca²⁺ and intracellular ATP levels and the membrane particles examined for changes in size, number/area and distribution. Test substances that altered the divalent cation or ATP levels also altered membrane particle densities, but not size or distribution, of freeze fractured blood cells. Those test substances (Ca²⁺-free seawater, DNP, low temperature) that inhibited volume regulation and the FAA efflux caused decreased membrane particle density, while those test substances (Co²⁺, Mn²⁺) that potentiated volume regulation and the FAA efflux increased the number of membrane particles/unit area. These changes in membrane particle density appear to result from the changes in surface area due to the treatment effects on cell volume, so that the number of membrane particles per cell remained constant. Therefore, altered membrane FAA permeability is associated with altered membrane particle density, but the effect of this structural alteration on membrane permeability is not clear.Abbreviations FAA free amino acid - DMSO dimethylsulfoxide - DNP dinitrophenol - ASW artificial seawater     

Oxidative Burst and Hypoosmotic Stress in Tobacco Cell Suspensions

Oxidative burst constitutes an early response in plant defense reactions toward pathogens, but active oxygen production may also be induced by other stimuli. The oxidative response of suspension-cultured tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum cv Xanthi) cells to hypoosmotic and mechanical stresses was characterized. The oxidase involved in the hypoosmotic stress response showed similarities by its NADPH dependence and its inhibition by iodonium diphenyl with the neutrophil NADPH oxidase. Activation of the oxidative response by hypoosmotic stress needed protein phosphorylation and anion effluxes, as well as opening of Ca²⁺ channels. Inhibition of the oxidative response impaired Cl⁻ efflux, K⁺ efflux, and extracellular alkalinization, suggesting that the oxidative burst may play a role in ionic flux regulation. Active oxygen species also induced the cross-linking of a cell wall protein, homologous to a soybean (Glycine max L.) extensin, that may act as part of cell volume and turgor regulation through modification of the physical properties of the cell wall.     

Fusion and fission of plasma-membrane material accommodates for osmotically induced changes in the surface area of guard-cell protoplasts

Stomatal movement requires large and repetitive changes in cell volume and consequently changes in surface area. The patch-clamp technique was used to monitor changes in plasma-membrane surface area of individual guard-cell protoplasts (GCPs) by measuring membrane capacitance (C_m), a parameter proportional to the surface area. The membrane capacitance increased under hypoosmotic conditions and decreased after hypertonic treatment. As the specific capacitance remained constant, this demonstrates that osmotically induced changes in surface area are associated with incorporation and removal of membrane material. Osmotically induced fusion and fission of plasma-membrane material was not affected by removal of extracellular Ca²⁺. Dialysing protoplasts with very low (<2 nM) or high (1 μM) Ca²⁺ had no effect on changes in C_m under hypo- and hyperosmotic conditions. However, the rate of change in surface area was dependent on the size of the difference in osmotic potential applied. The larger the osmotic difference and thus changes in membrane tension caused by water influx or efflux, the faster the change in C_m. The results therefore demonstrate that osmotically induced fusion and fission of plasma-membrane material in GCPs are Ca²⁺-independent and modulated by membrane tension. Received: 10 February 1998 / Accepted: 21 April 1998     

Free amino acid mediated volume regulation of isolatedNoetia ponderosa red blood cells: Control by Ca2+ and ATP

Summary The ionic and metabolic requirements of cellular volume regulation and the free amino acid (FAA) efflux from hypoosmotically stressedNoetia ponderosa (Mollusca: Arcidae) red blood cells was studied. Deletion of Ca²⁺ from 50% ASW prevented cell volume regulation and decreased the FAA efflux. Addition of Co²⁺, Mn²⁺, or La³⁺ to 50% ASW increased volume regulation and the FAA efflux, while verapamil, a Ca²⁺ antagonist, inhibited volume regulation and the FAA efflux. Volume regulation by the blood cells has a metabolic component also since DNP or incubation of the cells at 4°C both inhibited volume regulation and the FAA efflux. Thus, the FAA permeability ofN. ponderosa blood cell membranes can be manipulated by altering seawater [Ca²⁺] or by indirectly modifying intracellular levels of ATP.Abbreviations FAA free amino acid - ASW artificial seawater - DMSO dimethylsulfoxide - DNP dinitrophenol     

The Activation Pathway of the Volume-Sensitive Organic Osmolyte Channel in Xenopus laevis Oocytes Expressing Skate Anion Exchanger 1 (AE1)

When swollen, skate red blood cells increase permeability and allow efflux of a number of solutes, including taurine. Hypoosmosis-induced taurine permeability appears to involve the red cell anion exchanger. However, three isoforms have been cloned from these cells. Therefore, to determine the ability of the individual isoform skate anion exchanger 1 (skAE1) to mediate hypoosmosis-induced taurine permeability as well as associated regulatory events, skAE1 was expressed in Xenopus oocytes. This study focused on investigating the role of tyrosine kinases and lipid rafts in the regulation of the channel. The results showed that tyrosine kinase inhibitors and lipid raft-disrupting agents inhibited the volume-sensitive organic osmolyte channel while protein tyrosine phosphatase inhibitors activated the channel in oocytes expressing skAE1. To study the role of lipid rafts in the activation of the volume-sensitive organic osmolyte channel, the cellular localization of skAE1 was investigated. Also, the role of tyrosine kinases was investigated by examining the tyrosine phosphorylation state of skAE1. Hypoosmotic stress induced mobilization of skAE1 into light membranes and the cell surface as well as tyrosine phosphorylation of skAE1. These events are involved in the activation of the volume-sensitive organic osmolyte channel in Xenopus oocytes expressing skAE1.     

Inhibition of oxidative phosphorylation by a Ca2+-induced diminution of the adenine nucleotide translocator

The mechanism through which internal Ca²⁺ inhibits oxidative phosphorylation of rat heart mitochondria has been explored. In parallel to a Ca²⁺-induced diminution of the activity of the adenine nucleotide translocator, an efflux of internal adenine nucleotides is observed. The efflux of adenine nucleotides depends on the amount of Ca²⁺ accumulated by the mitochondria and on the time that Ca²⁺ remains in the mitochondria; this efflux is atractyloside insensitive. These results suggest that internal Ca²⁺, by inducing a lowering of the internal concentration of adenine nucleotides, diminishes the rate of exchange of adenine nucleotides via the translocase, and in consequence of oxidative phosphorylation. Under conditions in which the Ca²⁺-induced release of adenine nucleotides takes place, no gross changes of the permeability properties of the membrane are observed. As revealed by studies with arsenate, respiratory activity and the function of the ATPase in the direction of ATP synthesis are not affected by internal Ca²⁺.     

Calcium mobilizing hormones activate the plasma membrane Ca2+ pump of pancreatic acinar cells

Summary ⁴⁵Ca fluxes and free-cytosolic Ca²⁺ ([Ca²⁺] _i ) measurements were used to study the effect of Ca²⁺-mobilizing hormones on plasma membrane Ca²⁺ permeability and the plasma membrane Ca²⁺ pump of pancreatic acinar cells. We showed before (Pandol, S.J., et al., 1987.J. Biol. Chem. 262:16963–16968) that hormone stimulation of pancreatic acinar cells activated a plasma membrane Ca²⁺ entry pathway, which remains activated for as long as the intracellular stores are not loaded with Ca²⁺. In the present study, we show that activation of this pathway increases the plasma membrane Ca²⁺ permeability by approximately sevenfold. Despite that, the cells reduce [Ca²⁺]i back to near resting levels. To compensate for the increased plasma membrane Ca²⁺ permeability, a plasma membrane Ca²⁺ efflux mechanism is also activated by the hormones. This mechanism is likely to be the plasma membrane Ca²⁺ pump. Activation of the plasma membrane Ca²⁺ pump by the hormones is time dependent and 1.5–2 min of cell stimulation are required for maximal Ca²⁺ pump activation. From the effect of protein kinase inhibitors on hormone-mediated activation of the pump and the effect of the phorbol ester 12-0-tetradecanoyl phorbol, 13-acetate (TPA) on plasma membrane Ca⁺ efflux, it is suggested that stimulation of protein kinase C is required for the hormone-dependent activation of the plasma membrane Ca²⁺ pump.     

Mitochondrial permeability transition in Ca(2+)-dependent apoptosis and necrosis

A variety of stimuli utilize an increase of cytosolic free Ca²⁺ concentration as a second messenger to transmit signals, through Ca²⁺ release from the endoplasmic reticulum or opening of plasma membrane Ca²⁺ channels. Mitochondria contribute to the tight spatiotemporal control of this process by accumulating Ca²⁺, thus shaping the return of cytosolic Ca²⁺ to resting levels. The rise of mitochondrial matrix free Ca²⁺ concentration stimulates oxidative metabolism; yet, in the presence of a variety of sensitizing factors of pathophysiological relevance, the matrix Ca²⁺ increase can also lead to opening of the permeability transition pore (PTP), a high conductance inner membrane channel. While transient openings may serve the purpose of providing a fast Ca²⁺ release mechanism, persistent PTP opening is followed by deregulated release of matrix Ca²⁺, termination of oxidative phosphorylation, matrix swelling with inner membrane unfolding and eventually outer membrane rupture with release of apoptogenic proteins and cell death. Thus, a rise in mitochondrial Ca²⁺ can convey both apoptotic and necrotic death signals by inducing opening of the PTP. Understanding the signalling networks that govern changes in mitochondrial free Ca²⁺ concentration, their interplay with Ca²⁺ signalling in other subcellular compartments, and regulation of PTP has important implications in the fine comprehension of the main biological routines of the cell and in disease pathogenesis.     

Mitochondrial calcium and the permeability transition in cell death

Dysregulation of Ca²⁺ has long been implicated to be important in cell injury. A Ca²⁺-linked process important in necrosis and apoptosis (or necrapoptosis) is the mitochondrial permeability transition (MPT). In the MPT, large conductance permeability transition (PT) pores open that make the mitochondrial inner membrane abruptly permeable to solutes up to 1500 Da. The importance of Ca²⁺ in MPT induction varies with circumstance. Ca²⁺ overload is sufficient to induce the MPT. By contrast after ischemia-reperfusion to cardiac myocytes, Ca²⁺ overload is the consequence of bioenergetic failure after the MPT rather than its cause. In other models, such as cytotoxicity from Reye-related agents and storage-reperfusion injury to liver grafts, Ca²⁺ appears to be permissive to MPT onset. Lastly in oxidative stress, increased mitochondrial Ca²⁺ and ROS generation act synergistically to produce the MPT and cell death. Thus, the exact role of Ca²⁺ for inducing the MPT and cell death depends on the particular biologic setting.     

The effect of cyclic nucleotides and protein phosphorylation on the permeability of human erythrocyte ghosts to certain cations

Summary Preparations of human erythrocyte membranes have been made which are in the form of sealed vesicles and which behave as osmometers on suspension in solutions of simple inorganic salts. Using these preparations the permeability of the membranes to Na⁺, K⁺, Mg²⁺ and Ca²⁺ was measured. Cyclic AMP (but not cyclic GMP) increased the permeability of the membranes to Ca²⁺ with a half maximal effect at a concentration of 25µm but did not affect the permeability to the other ions tested. Phosphorylation of proteins in the erthrocyte membrane lowered the permeability to Ca²⁺ without affecting the permeability to the other ions tested and there was a good correlation between the time course of protein phosphorylation and decrease in Ca²⁺ permeability.It is postulated that the system through which cyclic AMP causes an initial rapid rise in Ca²⁺ permeability followed by increased phosphorylation of membrane proteins and reduced Ca²⁺ permeability may have a widespread occurrence in biological systems and serve to control the concentration of Ca²⁺ in the cytoplasm.     

MAINTENANCE OF IONS,PROTEINS AND WATER IN LENS FIBER CELLS BEFORE AND AFTER TREATMENT WITH NON-IONIC DETERGENTS

If the plasma membrane and its associated transport proteins are solely responsible for maintenance of the asymmetric solute distribution then disruption of the plasma membrane would quickly lead to the symmetric distribution of all unattached inorganic ions between the cell and the extracellular environment. To test this hypothesis fresh pig lenses were incubated in Hanks ’ balanced salt solution in either absence or presence of non-ionic detergents (0.2 % Triton X-100 or 0.2 % Brij 58). Both detergents caused permeabilization of every lens fiber cell as shown by electron microscopy. The flux kinetics of K⁺, Mg^{2 +}, Na⁺, Ca^{2 +}, water and protein out of and into the permeabilized lens fiber cells was measured. Triton X-100 caused a faster flux rate of all solutes than did Brij 58. The Triton X-100 induced flux of solutes and water was associated with a decrease in lens ATP. Incubation of untreated lenses in solutions of different osmotic pressures at 0 °C demonstrated that the major fraction of lens water was osmotically unresponsive. Thus the asymmetric distribution of solutes in lens fiber cells is dependent on an intact plasma membrane and on a co-operative ATP-dependent association between K⁺, Mg^{2 +}, water and cytomatrix proteins.     

Lysophosphatidylcholine Induces Taurine Release from HeLa Cells

The putative role of lysophospholipids in activation and regulation of the volume-sensitive taurine efflux was investigated in HeLa cells using tracer technique. Lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC, 10 μm) with oleic acid increased taurine efflux during hypotonic and isotonic conditions. Substituting palmitic or stearic acid for oleic acid enhanced taurine release during isotonic conditions, whereas ethanolamine, serine or inositol containing lysophospholipids were ineffective. High concentrations of LPC (25 μm) induced Ca²⁺ influx, loss of adenosine nucleotides, taurine and the Ca²⁺-sensitive probe Fura-2, and thus reflected a general breakdown of the membrane permeability barrier. Low concentrations of LPC (5–10 μm) solely induced taurine efflux. The LPC-induced taurine release was unaffected by anion channel blockers (DIDS, MK196) and the 5-lipoxygenase inhibitor ETH 615-139, which all blocked the volume sensitive taurine efflux. Furthermore, LPC-induced taurine release was reduced by antioxidants (NDGA, vitamin E) and the protein tyrosine kinase inhibitor genistein. The swelling-induced taurine efflux was in the absence of LPC unaffected by vitamin E, blocked by genistein, and increased by H₂O₂ and the protein tyrosine phosphatase inhibitor vanadate. It is suggested that low concentrations of LPC permeabilizes the plasma membrane in a Ca²⁺-independent process that involves generation of reactive oxygen species and tyrosine phosphorylation, and that LPC is not a second messenger in activation of the volume sensitive taurine efflux in HeLa cells. Received: 17 December 1999/Revised: 13 April 2000     

Multi-parameter Measurement of the Permeability Transition Pore Opening in Isolated Mouse Heart Mitochondria

The mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mtPTP) is a non specific channel that forms in the inner mitochondrial membrane to transport solutes with a molecular mass smaller than 1.5 kDa. Although the definitive molecular identity of the pore is still under debate, proteins such as cyclophilin D, VDAC and ANT contribute to mtPTP formation. While the involvement of mtPTP opening in cell death is well established¹, accumulating evidence indicates that the mtPTP serves a physiologic role during mitochondrial Ca²⁺ homeostasis², bioenergetics and redox signaling ³.mtPTP opening is triggered by matrix Ca²⁺ but its activity can be modulated by several other factors such as oxidative stress, adenine nucleotide depletion, high concentrations of Pi, mitochondrial membrane depolarization or uncoupling, and long chain fatty acids⁴. In vitro, mtPTP opening can be achieved by increasing Ca²⁺ concentration inside the mitochondrial matrix through exogenous additions of Ca²⁺ (calcium retention capacity). When Ca²⁺ levels inside mitochondria reach a certain threshold, the mtPTP opens and facilitates Ca²⁺ release, dissipation of the proton motive force, membrane potential collapse and an increase in mitochondrial matrix volume (swelling) that ultimately leads to the rupture of the outer mitochondrial membrane and irreversible loss of organelle function.Here we describe a fluorometric assay that allows for a comprehensive characterization of mtPTP opening in isolated mouse heart mitochondria. The assay involves the simultaneous measurement of 3 mitochondrial parameters that are altered when mtPTP opening occurs: mitochondrial Ca²⁺ handling (uptake and release, as measured by Ca²⁺ concentration in the assay medium), mitochondrial membrane potential, and mitochondrial volume. The dyes employed for Ca²⁺ measurement in the assay medium and mitochondrial membrane potential are Fura FF, a membrane impermeant, ratiometric indicator which undergoes a shift in the excitation wavelength in the presence of Ca²⁺, and JC-1, a cationic, ratiometric indicator which forms green monomers or red aggregates at low and high membrane potential, respectively. Changes in mitochondrial volume are measured by recording light scattering by the mitochondrial suspension. Since high-quality, functional mitochondria are required for the mtPTP opening assay, we also describe the steps necessary to obtain intact, highly coupled and functional isolated heart mitochondria.     

DHPR activation underlies SR Ca2+ release induced by osmotic stress in isolated rat skeletal muscle fibers

Changes in skeletal muscle volume induce localized sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca²⁺ release (LCR) events, which are sustained for many minutes, suggesting a possible signaling role in plasticity or pathology. However, the mechanism by which cell volume influences SR Ca²⁺ release is uncertain. In the present study, rat flexor digitorum brevis fibers were superfused with isoosmotic Tyrode''s solution before exposure to either hyperosmotic (404 mOsm) or hypoosmotic (254 mOsm) solutions, and the effects on cell volume, membrane potential (E_m), and intracellular Ca²⁺ ([Ca²⁺]_i) were determined. To allow comparison with previous studies, solutions were made hyperosmotic by the addition of sugars or divalent cations, or they were made hypoosmotic by reducing [NaCl]_o. All hyperosmotic solutions induced a sustained decrease in cell volume, which was accompanied by membrane depolarization (by 14–18 mV; n = 40) and SR Ca²⁺ release. However, sugar solutions caused a global increase in [Ca²⁺]_i, whereas solutions made hyperosmotic by the addition of divalent cations only induced LCR. Decreasing osmolarity induced an increase in cell volume and a negative shift in E_m (by 15.04 ± 1.85 mV; n = 8), whereas [Ca²⁺]_i was unaffected. However, on return to the isoosmotic solution, restoration of cell volume and E_m was associated with LCR. Both global and localized SR Ca²⁺ release were abolished by the dihydropyridine receptor inhibitor nifedipine by sustained depolarization of the sarcolemmal or by the addition of the ryanodine receptor 1 inhibitor tetracaine. Inhibitors of the Na-K-2Cl (NKCC) cotransporter markedly inhibited the depolarization associated with hyperosmotic shrinkage and the associated SR Ca²⁺ release. These findings suggest (1) that the depolarization that accompanies a decrease in cell volume is the primary event leading to SR Ca²⁺ release, and (2) that volume-dependent regulation of the NKCC cotransporter contributes to the observed changes in E_m. The differing effects of the osmotic agents can be explained by the screening of fixed charges by divalent ions.     

Regulation of the Cellular Content of the Organic Osmolyte Taurine in Mammalian Cells

Change in the intracellular concentration of osmolytes or the extracellular tonicity results in a rapid transmembrane water flow in mammalian cells until intracellular and extracellular tonicities are equilibrated. Most cells respond to the osmotic cell swelling by activation of volume-sensitive flux pathways for ions and organic osmolytes to restore their original cell volume. Taurine is an important organic osmolyte in mammalian cells, and taurine release via a volume-sensitive taurine efflux pathway is increased and the active taurine uptake via the taurine specific taurine transporter TauT decreased following osmotic cell swelling. The cellular signaling cascades, the second messengers profile, the activation of specific transporters, and the subsequent time course for the readjustment of the cellular content of osmolytes and volume vary from cell type to cell type. Using Ehrlich ascites tumor cells, NIH3T3 mouse fibroblasts and HeLa cells as biological systems, it is revealed that phospholipase A₂-mediated mobilization of arachidonic acid from phospholipids and subsequent oxidation of the fatty acid via lipoxygenase systems to potent eicosanoids are essential elements in the signaling cascade that is activated by cell swelling and leads to release of osmolytes. The cellular signaling cascade and the activity of the volume-sensitive taurine efflux pathway are modulated by elements of the cytoskeleton, protein tyrosine kinases/phosphatases, GTP-binding proteins, Ca²⁺/calmodulin, and reactive oxygen species and nucleotides. Serine/threonine phosphorylation of the active taurine uptake system TauT or a putative regulator, as well as change in the membrane potential, are important elements in the regulation of TauT activity. A model describing the cellular sequence, which is activated by cell swelling and leads to activation of the volume-sensitive efflux pathway, is presented at the end of the review.     

A Ca2+ influx in response to hypo-osmotic stress may alter osmolyte permeability by a phenothiazine-sensitive mechanism

The phenomenon of cell volume recovery following a hypo-osmotic stress mediated by intracellular osmolyte regulation is well known. In many, perhaps all, cell types, the osmolytes involved are usually inorganic ions and amino acids. The details of the regulatory mechanisms for the organic-type osmolytes are not well known. We have found that an immediate influx of external Ca2+ occurs coincident with the application of a hypo-osmotic stress into red cells of two invertebrate species. In both, the influx is initiated by the osmotic stress, not the concomitant ionic decrease. Volume recovery in clam red blood cells is blocked by phenothiazines. In addition, the effect of the phenothiazines is to reduce the amino acid efflux; the ionic portion of the volume response is unaffected. In contrast, the phenothiazines potentiate the volume recovery in worm red coelomocytes. A23187 also potentiates the volume recovery of the worm red cells. The results suggest that the Ca2+ influx is involved in the mechanism that alters cell membrane permeability permitting the amino acid efflux by a mechanism that may involve calmodulin.     

Calcium-dependent peripheral localization of 4.1-like proteins and fodrin in cultured human keratinocytes

Summary— Recently, several proteins immunologically related to erythrocyte membrane skeletal proteins, such as protein 4.1 and fodrin (non-erythroid spectrin), have been found in keratinocytes. In the present study, in order to investigate the roles of these proteins in cell-cell contact, we analyzed the distribution of non-erythroid protein 4.1, β-fodrin and actin in cultured human keratinocytes at low (0.15 mM) and standard (1.85 mM) Ca²⁺ concentrations. Immunofluorescence microscopy revealed that immunoreactive forms of protein 4.1, β-fodrin and actin filaments were present in the cytoplasm of cells cultured in low Ca²⁺ medium, while in cells in the standard Ca²⁺ medium, these proteins were localized at the cell boundary and partially in the cytoplasm. When cells in the low-Ca²⁺ medium were treated with 100 nM 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) for 1 h, these proteins were also present at the cell boundary. Increasing extracellular Ca²⁺ concentration from low to standard in the medium induces cell-cell contact among the cultured human keratinocytes, accompanied by the translocation of protein 4.1 and β-fodrin from the cytoplasm to the membrane. On the basis of the present study, movement of membrane skeletal proteins from the cytosol to the membrane suggests that either these proteins or the membrane skeletal lattice plays an important role in the regulation of cell-cell intergigitations in response to changes in the Ca²⁺ concentrations in culture medium, and that phosphorylation of these skeletal proteins might be involved in the regulation of the membrane skeletal proteins of keratinocytes in response to Ca²⁺.     

Triphenyltin as inductor of mitochondrial membrane permeability transition

The effect of triphenyltin on mitochondrial Ca²⁺ content was studied. It was found that this trialkyltin compound induces an increase in membrane permeability that leads to Ca²⁺ release, drop of the transmembrane potential, and efflux of matrix proteins. Interestingly, cyclosporin A was unable to inhibit triphenyltin-induced Ca²⁺ release. Based on these results it is proposed that the hyperpermeable state is produced by modification of 2.25 nmol of membrane thiol groups.