Paradoxical augmentation of (-)Bay K 8644-induced calcium influx by nitrendipine

(-)Bay K 8644 produced a concentration-dependent contraction of porcine coronary artery rings with the maximal contraction at 10(-6) M. Pretreatment of the rings with 10(-6) M nitrendipine inhibited (-)Bay K 8644-induced contraction, while pretreatment with 10(-8) M nitrendipine potentiated the contraction elicited by (-)Bay K 8644. (-)Bay K 8644 (10(-6) M) significantly stimulated Ca2+ influx. Although 10(-8) M nitrendipine never stimulated Ca2+ influx, Ca2+ influx induced by (-)Bay K 8644 was significantly potentiated by pretreatment with 10(-8) M nitrendipine. Pretreatment with 10(-6) M nitrendipine significantly decreased Ca2+ influx in tissues treated with (-)Bay K 8644. Our results suggest that the increased Ca2+ influx might be involved in the mechanisms by which (-)Bay K 8644-induced contraction was potentiated by pretreatment with nitrendipine.     

In vitro secretion of calcitonin from a rat C cell line: effect of repetitive stimulation with the calcium channel agonist BAY K 8644.

Calcium and BAY K 8644 acutely stimulate calcitonin secretion by influx of extracellular calcium (Ca) through voltage-dependent calcium channels, leading to an increase in cytosolic free Ca. Repetitive exposure to BAY K 8644 (10(-6) M) resulted in an increase in calcitonin (CT) secretion in the rat C-cell line (rMTC 6-23) lasting 9 hours, in comparison to that of 3 mM Ca2+ which lasted 6 hours. Equimolar concentration of nifedipine did not inhibit the stimulatory effect of BAY K 8644 as compared to the nifedipine only group. The decrease in stimulated CT secretion during long-term exposure to BAY K 8644 is due to desensitization of cells which may be attributed to down-regulation of dihydropyridine receptors. After 12 h exposures to 3 mM Ca2+ alone, BAY K 8644 (10(-6) M) alone or in combination with nifedipine (10(-6) M), CT content decreased below the control level, indicating a decrease in synthesis. Overall cellular protein content was not affected by the test agents. Repetitive exposure of C-cells to BAY K 8644 revealed a desensitization of the stimulatory effect on CT secretion and a decrease in CT cell content.     

Dihydropyridine modulators of voltage-sensitive Ca2+ channels specifically regulate prolactin production by GH4C1 pituitary tumor cells

To determine whether hormone synthesis by the GH4C1 pituitary cell line could be regulated by specifically modulating the movement of Ca2+ through voltage-sensitive channels, we have compared the effects of the dihydropyridine Ca2+ channel agonist BAY K8644 and the antagonist nimodipine on hormone production and Ca2+ current in these cells. BAY K8644 elicited, after a 10-15-h lag, a dose-dependent increase in prolactin (PRL) production as determined by measurements of total intracellular and secreted hormone. Over a 72-h period, GH4C1 cells incubated with 300 nM BAY K8644 produced 2-3 times as much total PRL as control cells. The effect on PRL was specific, since BAY K8644 did not increase growth hormone production, cell growth rate, or total cell protein. Exposing GH4C1 cells to BAY K8644 for short periods, up to 90 min, did not induce the delayed increase in PRL production observed with longer incubations. The effects of nimodipine were opposite to those of the Ca2+ channel agonist. PRL production was reduced 85% during 48-h treatment with 200 nM nimodipine, whereas growth hormone production was decreased less than 15%, and cell growth and total protein were unaffected. The actions of these two drugs on PRL production were well correlated with their effects on GH4C1 Ca2+ currents as measured by whole-cell patch-clamp recordings. BAY K8644 enhanced the magnitude of the peak Ca2+ current and shifted the current-voltage relationship such that Ca2+ channels were activated at less depolarized potentials. Nimodipine potently inhibited Ca2+ movement through the non-inactivating channel, while it antagonized the increases elicited by BAY K8644. These results indicate that PRL synthesis by GH4C1 cells can be specifically regulated by agents that enhance or block the movement of Ca2+ through voltage-sensitive channels. They also suggest that hormone synthesis by a secretory cell may be coupled to electrical activity by the opening of Ca2+ channels.     

Osteoclast cytosolic calcium, regulated by voltage-gated calcium channels and extracellular calcium, controls podosome assembly and bone resorption

The mechanisms of Ca2+ entry and their effects on cell function were investigated in cultured chicken osteoclasts and putative osteoclasts produced by fusion of mononuclear cell precursors. Voltage-gated Ca2+ channels (VGCC) were detected by the effects of membrane depolarization with K+, BAY K 8644, and dihydropyridine antagonists. K+ produced dose- dependent increases of cytosolic calcium ([Ca2+]i) in osteoclasts on glass coverslips. Half-maximal effects were achieved at 70 mM K+. The effects of K+ were completely inhibited by dihydropyridine derivative Ca2+ channel blocking agents. BAY K 8644 (5 X 10(-6) M), a VGCC agonist, stimulated Ca2+ entry which was inhibited by nicardipine. VGCCs were inactivated by the attachment of osteoclasts to bone, indicating a rapid phenotypic change in Ca2+ entry mechanisms associated with adhesion of osteoclasts to their resorption substrate. Increasing extracellular Ca2+ ([Ca2+]e) induced Ca2+ release from intracellular stores and Ca2+ influx. The Ca2+ release was blocked by dantrolene (10(-5) M), and the influx by La3+. The effects of [Ca2+]e on [Ca2+]i suggests the presence of a Ca2+ receptor on the osteoclast cell membrane that could be coupled to mechanisms regulating cell function. Expression of the [Ca2+]e effect on [Ca2+]i was similar in the presence or absence of bone matrix substrate. Each of the mechanisms producing increases in [Ca2+]i, (membrane depolarization, BAY K 8644, and [Ca2+]e) reduced expression of the osteoclast-specific adhesion structure, the podosome. The decrease in podosome expression was mirrored by a 50% decrease in bone resorptive activity. Thus, stimulated increases of osteoclast [Ca2+]i lead to cytoskeletal changes affecting cell adhesion and decreasing bone resorptive activity.     

The protein kinase inhibitor, K-252a, decreases elicitor-induced Ca2+ uptake and K+ release, and increases coumarin synthesis in parsley cells

An elicitor preparation from fungal cell walls known to induce coumarin synthesis in suspension-cultured parsley cells also elicits a rapid and transient Ca2+ uptake, K+ release and external alkalinization, and increases uptake of 45Ca2+ into the cells. The latter three responses were inhibited by the protein kinase inhibitor K-252a at 0.2 microM. Elicitor-induced coumarin synthesis, a process which requires gene activation, was greatly enhanced by K-252a. These results suggest that protein phosphorylation might be involved in the initial steps of signal transduction as well as in the long-term induction of coumarin synthesis.     

Cell shape and increased free cytosolic calcium [Ca2+]i induced by growth factors

Growth factors stimulate DNA synthesis of neoplastic cells but not of non-neoplastic cells in suspension cultures. Similarly, growth ceases in dense monolayers of non-neoplastic cells, while crowded neoplastic cells continue to grow. The mechanism of these important phenotypic changes is unknown; the block in growth stimulation could occur in early events of signal transduction at the plasma membrane or in a late step in the final steps of gene activation and induction of DNA synthesis. One particular early intracellular event, [Ca2+]i increases, is in fact necessary for the induction of DNA synthesis in attached non-neoplastic Balb/c 3T3 cells stimulated by platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF). We therefore used digital image analysis of intracellular Fura-2 fluorescence to determine whether PDGF can stimulate [Ca2+]i transients in suspension or in dense monolayer cultures of Balb/c 3T3 cells. In dense cells (greater than 8 x 10(4) cells/cm2) the basal [Ca2+]i and [Ca2+]i response to PDGF stimulation were both lower than those in sparser, more spread cells. PDGF also did not release internal stores of Ca2+ or produce Ca2+ influx in completely suspended cells. Remarkably, attachment alone, with minimal cell spreading, was enough to reinitiate the entire early signalling mechanism stimulated by PDGF. Thus, a block in PDGF-induced [Ca2+]i increases may contribute to the inability of PDGF to stimulate DNA synthesis in suspended non-neoplastic cells. This early block in signal transduction must be abrogated in neoplastic cells growing in suspension and dense monolayer cultures.     

Elicitor-Induced Changes in Ca2+ Influx,K+ Efflux,and 4-Hydroxybenzoic Acid Synthesis in Protoplasts of Daucus carota L

Suspension-cultured carrot cells (Daucus carota) and their protoplasts respond to a fungal elicitor prepared from the culture medium of Pythium aphanidermatum by accumulating 4-hydroxybenzoic acid (4-HBA). Protoplasts release the compound into the culture medium. Using 45CaCl2 as a tracer, we were able to demonstrate that the secretion of 4-HBA is preceded by a rapid increase in the Ca2+ influx and a concomitant K+ efflux. If the increased Ca2+ influx was prevented by ethyleneglycol-bis([beta]-aminoethylether)-N,N[prime]-tetraacetic acid, 4-HBA synthesis was inhibited by 70%. These results are discussed with regard to signal transduction from the plasma membrane to the nucleus of carrot protoplasts.     

Melatonin inhibits release of luteinizing hormone (LH) via decrease of [Ca2+]i and cyclic AMP

The role of [Ca2+]i and cAMP in transduction of the melatonin inhibitory effect on GnRH-induced LH release from neonatal rat gonadotrophs has been studied, because melatonin inhibits the increase of both intracellular messengers. Treatments increasing Ca2+ influx (S(-) Bay K8644 or KCI) or cAMP concentration (8-bromo-cAMP or 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine) potentiated the GnRH-induced LH release and partially diminished the inhibitory effect of melatonin. Combination of the treatments increasing cAMP and calcium concentrations blocked completely the melatonin inhibition of LH release. The combined treatment with 8-bromo-cAMP and S(-) Bay K8644 also blocked the melatonin inhibition of GnRH-induced [Ca2+]i increase in 89 % of the gonadotrophs, while any of the treatments alone blocked the melatonin effect in about 25 % of these cells. These observations suggest that a cAMP-dependent pathway is involved in regulation of Ca2+ influx by melatonin and melatonin inhibition of LH release may be mediated by the decrease of both messengers.     

Protein kinase C mediated regulation of calcium channels in PC-12 pheochromocytoma cells

Depolarization of PC-12 pheochromocytoma cells with K+ produces an immediate increase in catecholamine release. The stimulation of release is blocked by Co2+, removal of extracellular Ca2+ or by dihydropyridine drugs such as nitrendipine. Release is enhanced by other dihydropyridines such as BAY K8644. Release is accompanied by a voltage dependent uptake of 45Ca2+ which is also blocked by Co2+ or nitrendipine and enhanced by BAY K8644. The phorbol ester phorbol 12-myristate-13-acetate (TPA) in the range 10(-9)-10(-6) M produced little effect by itself but augmented the K+ evoked release of catecholamine. An analog of TPA which does not activate protein kinase C was ineffective. In contrast, TPA in the same concentration range blocked influx of 45Ca2+ induced by 70 mM K+ or 70 mM K+/BAY K8644. 45Ca2+ influx produced by A23187 was not blocked by TPA. The results suggest a system by which protein kinase C may regulate the output of transmitters from secretory cells.     

Interaction of secreted insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) with cell surface receptors is the dominant mechanism of IGF-I's autocrine actions.

In a prior report we presented evidence that insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) can act in an autocrine fashion by demonstrating that FRTL-5 cells transfected with hIGF-IA fusion genes express and secrete biologically active IGF-I that renders the stimulation of DNA synthesis in FRTL-5 cells independent of their requirement for exogenous IGFs or insulin. To determine if IGF-I's autocrine actions require secretion or can be mediated by interactions with intracellular receptors, we have created a new line of FRTL-5 cells that express a mutant IGF-IA precursor containing the endoplasmic reticulum retention amino acid sequence, Lys-Asp-Glu-Leu (KDEL), at its carboxyl terminus. The mutant IGF-IA/KDEL precursor expressed by stably transfected FRTL-5 cells was shown to be retained intracellularly and to have biological activity comparable with mature IGF-I, as judged by the activity of partially purified IGF-IA/KDEL in wild type FRTL-5 cells. Expression of IGF-IA/KDEL in FRTL-5 cells, however, neither augmented TSH-stimulated DNA synthesis nor stimulated IGF-binding protein-5 expression, as does IGF-IA expression in transfected FRTL-5 cells and the addition of exogenous IGF-I to wild type FRTL-5 cells. IGF-IA/KDEL expression, however, desensitized FRTL-5 cells to the actions of exogenous IGF-I despite having only minimal effects on cell surface type I receptor number, suggesting that intracellular IGF-I is capable of significant biological actions. The failure of IGF-IA/KDEL to replicate the actions of secreted IGF-I, taken together with the findings that a monoclonal antibody against IGF-I blocked IGF-I's actions in IGF-I-secreting transfected FRTL-5 cells, provides evidence that IGF-I secretion and interaction with cell surface type I IGF receptors is the dominant mechanism of IGF-I's autocrine actions.     

Studies on the Effect of Insulin-Like Growth Factor-I on Catecholamine Secretion from Chromaffin Cells

Chromaffin cells cultured in serum-free medium secreted a smaller percentage of their catecholamine stores in response to stimulation by high K+ (55 mM) than did cells cultured in serum-containing medium. Addition of insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) to serum-free medium restored high K(+)-stimulated catecholamine secretion to the levels seen in serum-treated cultures. In contrast, addition of IGF-I to serum-containing medium had little effect on catecholamine secretion. These results suggest that serum contains IGF-I or another factor that maintains the secretory responsiveness of chromaffin cells. IGF-I not only enhanced high K(+)-stimulated catecholamine secretion, but also augmented secretion elicited by the nicotinic agonist dimethyl-phenylpiperazinium, the dihydropyridine agonist Bay K 8644, and Ba2+. IGF-I did not affect the dependence of catecholamine secretion on extracellular Ca2+ concentration nor did it affect the time course of secretion. Experiments using 45Ca2+ demonstrated that IGF-I treatment enhanced Ca2+ uptake into the cells. When cells were permeabilized by treatment with digitonin, Ca2(+)-dependent catecholamine secretion was slightly, but consistently, greater from IGF-I-treated cells than from untreated cells. Our results suggest that IGF-I may enhance catecholamine secretion partly by increasing Ca2+ entry into the cells and partly by affecting a step distal to Ca2+ entry.     

Carmustine augments the effects of tert-butyl hydroperoxide on calcium signaling in cultured pulmonary artery endothelial cells

The effects of oxidant stress and inhibition of glutathione reductase on the bradykinin-stimulated changes in cytosolic free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) of calf pulmonary artery endothelial cells were determined using the intracellular fluorescent probe, fura-2. Changes in [Ca2+]i upon stimulation with bradykinin were measured after incubation of cells with the chemical oxidant tert-butyl hydroperoxide (0.4 mM) for various times. After 60 min, bradykinin-stimulated Ca2+ influx was significantly decreased. With more prolonged incubations with the peroxide, bradykinin had little effect on cytosolic calcium concentration. Preincubation of cells with the glutathione reductase inhibitor, carmustine, led to elevated basal [Ca2+]i, yet the cells remained responsive to bradykinin. However, incubation of carmustine-treated cells with tert-butyl hydroperoxide for 30 min dramatically reduced both bradykinin-stimulated release of Ca2+ from internal stores and influx of Ca2+ from the extracellular space. These results suggest that inhibition of glutathione reductase alters cytosolic Ca2+ homeostasis and enhances the effects of oxidative stress on signal transduction in vascular endothelial cells.     

Somatostatin inhibits insulin secretion by a G-protein-mediated decrease in Ca2+ entry through voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels in the beta cell.

We tested the hypothesis that somatostatin (SRIF) inhibits insulin secretion from an SV40 transformed hamster beta cell line (HIT cells) by an effect on the voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels and examined whether G-proteins were involved in the process. Ca2+ currents were recorded by the whole cell patch-clamp method, the free cytosolic calcium, [Ca2+]i, was monitored in HIT cells by fura-2, and cAMP and insulin secretion were measured by radioimmunoassay. SRIF decreased Ca2+ currents, [Ca2+]i, and basal insulin secretion in a dose-dependent manner over the range of 10(-12)-10(-7)M. The increase in [Ca2+]i and insulin secretion induced by either depolarization with K+ (15 mM) or by the Ca2+ channel agonist, Bay K 8644 (1 microM) was attenuated by SRIF in a dose-dependent manner over the same range of 10(-12)-10(-7) M. the half-maximal inhibitory concentrations (IC50) for SRIF inhibition of insulin secretion were 8.6 X 10(-12) M and 8.3 X 10(-11) M for K+ and Bay K 8644-stimulated secretion and 1 X 10(-10) M and 2.9 X 10(-10) M for the SRIF inhibition of the K+ and Bay K 8644-induced rise in [Ca2+]i, respectively. SRIF also attenuated the rise in [Ca2+]i induced by the cAMP-elevating agent, isobutylmethylxanthine (1 mM) in the presence of glucose. Bay K 8644, K+ and SRIF had no significant effects on cAMP levels and SRIF had no effects on adenylyl cyclase activity at concentrations lower than 1 microM. SRIF (100 nM) did not change K+ efflux (measured by 86Rb+) through ATP-sensitive K+ channels in HIT cells. SRIF (up to 1 microM) had no significant effect on membrane potential measured by bisoxonol fluorescence. Pretreatment of the HIT cells with pertussis toxin (0.1 microgram/ml) overnight abolished the effects of SRIF on Ca2+ currents, [Ca2+]i and insulin secretion implying a G-protein dependence in SRIF's actions. Thus, one mechanism by which SRIF decreases insulin secretion is by inhibiting Ca2+ influx through voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels, an action mediated through a pertussis toxin-sensitive G-protein.     

Opposing actions of Bay K 8644 enantiomers on calcium current, prolactin secretion, and synthesis in pituitary cells.

Dihydropyridine (DHP) Ca2+ channel modulators were used to explore the relationship between voltage-gated Ca2+ channels and PRL secretion, synthesis, and mRNA in PRL-secreting pituitary cells. Optical isomers of the Ca2+ channel agonist Bay K 8644 produced stereospecific and opposing effects on L-type Ca2+ current, PRL release, and synthesis in GH3 and GH4C1 cells. (-)-Bay K 8644 (R5417) behaved as a pure agonist, enhancing Ca2+ current several-fold while shifting the current-voltage curve 10-15 mV in the hyperpolarizing direction. The agonist effect was independent of holding potential, but decreased during prolonged Ba2+ or Ca2+ entry. R5417 produced a concentration-dependent increase in acute PRL release and enhanced PRL production by GH cells several-fold during a 72-h period. (+)-Bay K 8644 (R4407) behaved as a weak Ca2+ channel antagonist, inhibiting L-type Ca2+ current, KCl-stimulated PRL secretion, and PRL production at concentrations of 0.5-5 microM. These two isomers produced similar effects on PRL production by normal rat pituitary cells in dispersed culture. R5417 (500 nM) increased PRL produced in 72 h to 233 +/- 8% of the control value. R4407 reduced this quantity by 36 +/- 9%. The effects of the DHPs on PRL mRNA levels were consistent with the effects observed for acute secretion and hormone production. The agonist R5417 increased PRL mRNA 147 +/- 5% over a 30-h period, and the potent DHP Ca2+ channel blocker nimodipine inhibited PRL mRNA production 2-fold. These results demonstrate that racemic Bay K 8644 interacts with L-type Ca2+ channels in normal and transformed pituitary cells as a mixed agonist-antagonist.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Involvement of calcium in the mevalonate-accelerated degradation of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase

3-Hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase (HMG-CoA reductase), the rate-limiting enzyme in the biosynthesis of cholesterol and isoprenoids, is subject to rapid degradation which is regulated by mevalonate (MVA)-derived metabolic products. HMG-CoA reductase is an integral membrane protein of the endoplasmic reticulum, the largest nonmitochondrial pool of cellular Ca2+. To assess the possible role of Ca2+ in the regulated degradation of HMG-CoA reductase, we perturbed cellular Ca2+ concentration and followed the fate of HMG-CoA reductase and of HMGal, a fusion protein consisting of the membrane domain of HMG-CoA reductase and the soluble bacterial enzyme beta-galactosidase. The degradation of HMGal mirrors that of HMG-CoA reductase, demonstrating that the membrane domain of HMG-CoA reductase is sufficient to confer regulated degradation (Skalnik, D.G., Narita, H., Kent, C., and Simoni, R.D. (1988) J. Biol. Chem. 263, 6836-6841; Chun, K.T., Bar-Nun, S., and Simoni, R.D. (1990) J. Biol. Chem. 265, 22004-22010). In this study we show that the MVA-dependent accelerated rates of degradation of HMG-CoA reductase and HMGal in cells maintained in Ca(2+)-free medium are 2-3-fold slower than the rate of degradation in cells grown in high (1.8-2 mM) Ca2+ concentration. This effect is reversed upon addition of Ca2+ to the medium. Furthermore, when cells maintained in high Ca2+ are treated with 1 microM ionomycin, the MVA-dependent accelerated degradation of HMG-CoA reductase and HMGal is also reduced about 2-3-fold. This inhibition is not due to a Ca(2+)-dependent uptake or incorporation of MVA into sterols, since these processes are not affected in the absence of external Ca2+. In addition, cobalt, a known antagonist of Ca(2+)-dependent cellular functions, totally abolishes (IC50 = 520 microM in the presence of 1.8 mM extracellular Ca2+) the MVA-accelerated degradation of HMGal. These results suggest that Ca2+ plays a major role in the regulated degradation of HMG-CoA reductase.     

Ligand-activated signal transduction in the 2-cell embryo

Platelet-activating factor (PAF) is an autocrine trophic/survival factor for the preimplantation embryo. PAF induced an increase in intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) in the 2-cell embryo that had an absolute requirement for external calcium. L-type calcium channel blockers (diltiazem, verapamil, and nimodipine) significantly inhibited PAF-induced Ca2+ transients, but inhibitors of P/Q type (omega-agatoxin; omega-conotoxin MVIIC), N-type (omega-conotoxin GVIA), T-type (pimozide), and store-operated channels (SKF 96365 and econazole) did not block the transient. mRNA and protein for the alpha1-C subunit of L-type channels was expressed in the 2-cell embryo. The L-type calcium channel agonist (+/-) BAY K 8644 induced [Ca2+]i transients and, PAF and BAY K 8644 each caused mutual heterologous desensitization of each other's responses. Depolarization of the embryo (75 mM KCl) induced a [Ca2+]i transient that was inhibited by diltiazem and verapamil. Whole-cell patch-clamp measurements detected a voltage-gated channel (blocked by diltiazem, verapamil, and nifedipine) that was desensitized by prior responses of embryos to exogenous or embryo-derived PAF. Replacement of media Ca2+ with Mn2+ allowed Mn2+ influx to be observed directly; activation of a diltiazem-sensitive influx channel was an early response to PAF. The activation of a voltage-gated L-type calcium channel in the 2-cell embryo is required for normal signal transduction to an embryonic trophic factor.     

The effects of pravastatin,an HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor,on cell viability and dna production of rat hepatocytes

Some metabolites and products of mevalonic acid are involved in various cellular functions, particularly cell growth. In this study, we assessed the effects of pravastatin, a 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitor, on cell viability and DNA production of rat hepatocytes stimulated with epidermal growth factor. Pravastatin (0.1 to 10μM) induced a dose-dependent reduction of DNA synthesis, assessed by ³H-thymidine incorporation in rat hepatocytes, which dropped by approximately 60% al a drug concentration of 10 μM. This suppression of DNA synthesis was nearly reversed by exogenous mevalonic acid, but was not prevented by purified low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Pravastatin did not affect the mitochondrial reduction of Dimethylthiazolyl-diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide (MTT), but induced apoptotic change as assessed by nuclear chromatin staining. This apoptolic change was also reversed by exogenous mevalonic acid. These results indicate that mevalonic acid metabolites are necessary for DNA synthesis by rat hepatocytes stimulated by epidermal growth factor and for suppressing cell death.     

Calcium channels in isolated cells and strips of longitudinal muscle of rat myometrium

The properties of Ca2+ channels in strips and single muscle cells of longitudinal muscle of estrogen-dominated rat myometrium were studied under the effects of elevation of K+ concentration, the partial channel agonist Bay K 8644, and nitrendipine. In isolated strips in 0.5 mM Ca2+, Bay K 8644 (pD2 = 7.8-8.0) lowered the threshold for and enhanced the contractions in response to an elevation of K+ concentration, including the maximum response to K+ elevation alone. Bay K 8644 alone in concentrations up through 10(-6) M did not initiate contractions in 0.5 mM Ca2+ solutions. At higher concentrations (10(-5) M), Bay K 8644 behaved as an antagonist to contractions induced by elevation of K+. In isolated cells 10(-7) M Bay K 8644 enhanced the shortenings to elevated K+ and lowered the threshold K+ concentration required. Also no significant contraction occurred with 10(-7) M Bay K 8644 at normal K+ concentration. In contrast with its effect in isolated strips, no significant increase in maximum shortening (to 60 mM K+) was observed, possibly because cells without a mechanical load were maximally shortened by K+ alone. From these studies, we conclude that Ca2+ channels of isolated strips and cells of rat myometrium behave similarly and have similar properties to those of other smooth muscles in their interactions with elevation of K+, nitrendipine, and Bay K 8644.     

Regulation of proliferation by the cholera toxin B subunit in FRTL-5 cells may involve a mechanism independent from the modulation of membrane receptor function

In quiescent rat thyroid (FRTL-5) cells, the B subunit of cholera toxin, which binds to cell surface ganglioside GM1 specifically, alone induced DNA synthesis and markedly enhanced that induced by insulin in serum-free medium. On the other hand, the B subunit inhibited DNA synthesis induced by thyrotropin (TSH). The B subunit did not activate adenylate cyclase and had no effect on the TSH-induced cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cAMP) production. Moreover, the B subunit inhibited DNA synthesis induced by dibutyryl cAMP (Bt2cAMP) or phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA). These data demonstrate that the B subunit has both stimulatory and inhibitory effects on DNA synthesis in FRTL-5 cells depending on the presence of other growth factors and that these effects on cell proliferation by the interaction of the B subunit, possibly with cell surface ganglioside GM1, may involve a mechanism independent from the modulation of membrane receptor function through interaction with growth factor receptor.