The assignment of the Ca2+-ATPase activity of chromaffin granules to the proton translocating ATPase

CaATP is shown to function as a substrate for the proton translocating ATPase of chromaffin granule ghosts at concentrations which are comparable to that of MgATP. Using the initial rate of the proton pump activity as the measure (delta pH/delta t), an apparent Km-value of 139 +/- 8 microM was estimated for CaATP and 59 +/- 3 microM for MgATP. The maximal rate was markedly higher with MgATP than with CaATP, partly due to an inhibition of the hydrolytic activity at the higher concentrations of CaATP. The proton pump activity with CaATP was inhibited by N-ethylmaleimide and N,N'-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide at concentrations similar to that found for MgATP. No inhibition was observed with sodium vanadate in the concentration range 0-15 microM. Calmodulin and trifluoperazine had no effect on the overall ATPase activity with CaATP. These findings establish this activity as an intrinsic property of the chromaffin granules, i.e., linked to the H+-ATPase. No evidence was obtained for the presence of a Ca2+-translocating ATPase [Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase) in the chromaffin granules.     

Role of calcium as an inhibitor of rat liver carbamylphosphate synthetase I

The mechanism of Ca2+ inhibition of carbamylphosphate synthetase I has been investigated using purified enzyme obtained from livers of rats fed a high protein diet. Binding of Mn2+ to the enzyme was measured by EPR techniques at pH 7.8, and Scatchard plots of the data indicated one Mn2+-binding site with a K'd of 13 microM. From competition studies between Mn2+ and Ca2+ or Mg2+ binding, values of 180 microM were obtained for K'd (Mg) and 193 microM for K'd (Ca). A nonlinear least squares curve fitting program was used to calculate the K'm for MgATP2- at the metal-nucleotide binding sites using a simplified rate equation of the enzyme reaction mechanism. Values of 140 and 2420 microM were obtained for K'm (MgATP) at the first and second sites, respectively, at pH 7.8, with a free Mg2+ of 1 mM and other substrates and activators present at saturating concentrations. Variations of the bicarbonate, N-acetylglutamate, and ammonia concentrations in the absence and presence of different amounts of total calcium, from which free Ca2+, free Mg2+, MgATP2-, and CaATP2- concentrations were calculated, permitted values for K'i (CaATP) to be obtained by graphic procedures. Mean values of 375 and 120 microM were obtained for K'i (CaATP) at the first and second sites, respectively. Using the above kinetic constants, a computer model of the enzyme reaction was constructed and tested using two further sets of kinetic data obtained by varying the concentrations of Mg2+, Ca2+, MgATP2-, and CaATP2-. Poor fits were obtained unless the formation of a mixed complex involving CaATP2- competition with MgATP2- at the second metal-nucleotide-binding site was incorporated into the rate equation. Nonlinear least squares curve fitting of both sets of experimental data gave a well determined value of 124 microM for this final CaATP2- inhibitory constant. Sensitivity tests for variation of the primary kinetic constants with the computer model showed that the inhibitory effect of free Ca2+ was weak and that the observed calcium inhibition of carbamylphosphate synthetase can be accounted for primarily by competitive interaction of CaATP2- at the second MgATP2- binding site. With 1 mM free Mg2+ and 5 mM MgATP2-, half-maximal inhibition of enzyme activity was obtained with 0.2 mM CaATP2-.     

Delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol induces apoptosis in human prostate PC-3 cells via a receptor-independent mechanism

During hypoxia of isolated cardiomyocytes, Ca2+ entry into mitochondria may occur via the Na/Ca exchanger, the normal efflux pathway, and not the Ca-uniporter, the normal influx route. If this is the case, then depletion of myocyte Na+ should inhibit Ca2+ uptake, and collapse of the mitochondrial membrane potential (delta psi(m)) would inhibit the uniporter. To test these hypotheses, isolated rat myocytes were exposed to metabolic inhibition, to mimic hypoxia, and [Ca2+]m and [Ca2+]c determined by selective loading of indo-1 into these compartments. Delta psi(m) was determined using rhodamine 123. Following metabolic inhibition, [Ca2+]m was significantly lower in Na-depleted cells than controls (P<0.001), [Ca2+]c was approximately the same in both groups, and mitochondria depolarised completely. Thus Na-depletion inhibited mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake, suggesting that Ca2+ entry occurred via Na/Ca exchange, and the collapse of delta psi(m) during metabolic inhibition is consistent with inactivity of the Ca-uniporter.     

Sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca-ATPase: distinction of phosphoenzymes formed from MgATP and CaATP as substrates and interconversion of the phosphoenzymes by Mg2+ and Ca2+

In order to characterize the phosphoenzymes (EPs) formed from MgATP and CaATP as substrates, the effects of Mg2+ and Ca2+ outside SR vesicles on the hydrolysis rates of EPs were examined by using purified and unpurified Ca-ATPases of sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) at low [gamma-32P]ATP (4-10 microM), 0.1 M KCl, pH 7.0, and 0 degrees C. When the phosphorylation reaction was stopped by adding an excess of EDTA over Ca and Mg, two components of EP, EPfast (rate constant, kfast = 15-20 min-1), and EPslow (kslow = 0.3-0.4 min-1), were recognized in the time course of EP decomposition. These two rates did not depend on the Ca2+ or Mg2+ concentration in the medium during the phosphorylation reaction, although the proportions of EPfast and EPslow essentially depended on the concentrations of MgATP and CaATP in the phosphorylation reaction medium. The proportion of EPfast increased with increasing [MgATP]/[CaATP] in the medium, whereas that of EPslow decreased. The rate of EPslow hydrolysis in the presence of excess EDTA was basically the same as that of EP formed from CaATP. These results suggest that EPfast and EPslow are derived from MgATP and CaATP, respectively, and EPfast is a reaction intermediate with Mg bound at the substrate site (MgEP), while the main EPslow is a reaction intermediate with Ca bound at the substrate site (CaEP) which is readily converted to metal-free EP by EDTA addition (Shigekawa et al., (1983) J. Biol. Chem. 258, 8698-8707). Mg2+ added outside SR vesicles stimulated the conversion of CaEP to MgEP and inhibited the hydrolysis of MgEP in the relatively high concentration range (K(Mg) = 7.9 mM). Ca2+ added outside SR vesicles stimulated the conversion of MgEP to CaEP and inhibited the conversion of CaEP to MgEP by Mg2+ addition. The Ca2+ outside SR vesicles did not essentially affect the hydrolysis of MgEP. These results suggest that the interconversion between MgEP and CaEP takes place during the reaction by exchange of the divalent cation on the substrate site. The following scheme is proposed. (formula: see text)     

Role of Ca2+ in H+ transport by rabbit gastric glands studied with A23187 and BAPTA, an incorporated Ca2+ chelator

The role of Ca2+ in stimulation of H+ gastric secretion by cAMP-dependent and -independent secretagogues was studied in isolated rabbit glands using Ca2+ ionophore, A23187, and an intracellular Ca2+ chelator (BAPTA, 1,2-bis(2-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid) incorporated as its acetoxymethyl ester (BAPTA-AM). Acetylcholine (ACh), tetragastrin (TG), histamine and forskolin induced a transitory increase of intracellular Ca2+ concentration, [Ca2+]i, measured in gastric glands loaded with Ca2+-sensitive dye fura-2, and provoked an acid secretory response evaluated with aminopyrine accumulation ratio (AP ratio). The Ca2+-ionophore A23187 also induced an increase in [Ca2+]i and in AP ratio. cAMP-dependent secretagogues were more potent stimulants of acid secretion than cAMP-independent secretagogues. cAMP analogue, 8-bromo-adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (8-BR-cAMP) induced an increase in AP ratio without modifying [Ca2+]i. BAPTA-AM (5-25 microM) induced a transient decrease of resting [Ca2+]i which returned to basal level due to extracellular Ca2+ entry. Increases in [Ca2+]i produced by ACh and TG were abolished by BAPTA and those produced by Ca2+ ionophore A23187 were partially buffered. BAPTA inhibited in a dose-dependent manner H+ secretion induced by cholinergic and gastrinergic stimulants in the presence of cimetidine. A23187 increased the AP ratio to values similar to those obtained with ACh or TG and was not inhibited by BAPTA. BAPTA partially inhibited (40%) the increase in AP ratio induced by forskolin and histamine inspite of the complete inhibition of the Ca2+ response. BAPTA did not inhibit the response to 8-BR-cAMP. BAPTA inhibition of forskolin stimulation was reversed by A23187 and the response was potentiated. These results indicate that ACh and TG response are completely dependent on an increase of [Ca2+]i. The response to cAMP-dependent agonists histamine and forskolin depend both on Ca2+ and cAMP. For forskolin stimulation the response may be the result of a potentiation between Ca2+ and cAMP.     

Facilitatory and inhibitory transmitters modulate calcium influx during action potentials in aplysia sensory neurons

Serotonin (5-HT) produces presynaptic facilitation and FMRFamide produces presynaptic inhibition in Aplysia sensory neurons. These effects may involve the modulation of Ca2+ influx into sensory neuron terminals during action potentials. Here, we have used the Ca2+ indicator dye fura-2 to monitor directly the effects of 5-HT and FMRFamide on internal Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i). 5-HT caused a 50% increase in the transient rise in [Ca2+]i in response to action potentials, whereas FMRFamide decreased the [Ca2+]i transient by 40%. Neither transmitter altered the resting [Ca2+]i, the time course of recovery of the [Ca2+]i transient, or the [Ca2+]i transients produced by intracellular injection of CaCl2 or inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate. We conclude that the effects of the transmitters on the action potential-induced [Ca2+]i transient are due to changes in Ca2+ influx and not in intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis.     

The role of tightly bound ADP on chloroplast ATPase

Isolated chloroplast coupling factor 1 ATPase is known to retain about 1 mol of tightly bound ADP/mol of enzyme. Some experimental results have given evidence that the bound ADP is at catalytic sites, but this view has not been supported by observations of a slow replacement of the bound ADP when CaATP or MgATP is added. The experiments reported in this paper show why a slow replacement of ADP bound at a catalytic site can occur. When coupling factor 1, labeled with tightly bound [3H]ADP, is exposed to Mg2+ or Ca2+ prior to the addition of MgATP or CaATP, a pronounced lag in the onset of ATP hydrolysis is observed, and only slow replacement of the [3H]ADP occurs. Mg2+ or Ca2+ can induce inhibition very rapidly, as if an inhibited form of the enzyme results whenever the enzyme with tightly bound ADP encounters Mg2+ or Ca2+ prior to ATP. The inhibited form can be slowly reactivated by incubation with EDTA, although some irreversible loss in activity is encountered. In contrast, when MgATP or CaATP is added to enzyme depleted of Mg2+ and Ca2+ by incubation with EDTA, a rapid onset of ATP hydrolysis occurs and most of the tightly bound [3H]ADP is released within a few seconds, as expected for binding at a catalytic site. The Mg2+-induced inhibition of both the ATPase activity and the lack of replacement of tightly bound [3H] ADP can be largely prevented by incubation with Pi under conditions favoring Pi addition to the site containing the tightly bound ADP. Our and other results can be explained if enzyme catalysis is greatly hindered when MgADP or CaADP without accompanying Pi is tightly bound at one of the three catalytic sites on the enzyme in a high affinity conformation.     

Modulation of thapsigargin-induced calcium mobilisation by cyclic AMP-elevating agents in human lymphocytes is insensitive to the action of the protein kinase A inhibitor H-89

Ca2+ mobilisation from internal stores and from the extracellular medium is one of the primary events involved in lymphocyte activation and proliferation. Regulation of these processes by adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) and cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) was studied in Fura2-loaded human peripheral blood lymphocytes. Cytosolic Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) was measured in single cells by the use of a ratio imaging fluorescence microscope and Ca2+ mobilisation was achieved by the use of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) Ca2+ ATPase inhibitor, thapsigargin (Thg). Our results show that both activation and inhibition of PKA, with forskolin (FSK) and N-[2-(p-bromocinnamylamino)ethyl]-5-isoquinolinesulfonamide.2HCl (H-89), respectively, inhibited the Thg-induced Ca2+ entry. Furthermore, FSK also reduced the ability of Thg to release Ca2+ from internal stores. This reduction was inhibited by the adenylyl cyclase (AC) inhibitor 9-(tetrahydro-2-furanyl)-9-H-purin-6-amine (SQ22,536), but not by the PKA inhibitor H89, indicating that cAMP but not PKA is responsible for this effect. FSK effect was mimicked by dibutyryl cAMP (dbcAMP) and by inhibition of phosphodiesterases (PDEs) with rolipram (ROL) and milrinone (MIL). We also showed that a very high concentration of H-89 (100 microM) releases Ca2+ from an intracellular pool, although this action is probably independent of PKA inhibition. Neither 10 microM H-89 nor other cAMP/PKA-modulating drugs had any effect on the basal [Ca2+]i of human lymphocytes. We conclude that PKA may act as a fine modulator of capacitative Ca2+ entry, while cAMP has a PKA-independent interaction with the Ca2+ stores of human lymphocytes.     

MgADP promotes a catch-like state developed through force-calcium hysteresis in tonic smooth muscle.

Tonic rabbit femoral artery and phasic rabbit ileum smooth muscles permeabilized with Triton X-100 were activated either by increasing [Ca2+] from pCa > 8.0 to pCa 6.0 (calcium-ascending protocol) or contracted at pCa 6.0 before lowering [Ca2+] (calcium-descending protocol). The effects of, respectively, high [MgATP]/low [MgADP] [10 mM MgATP + creatine phosphate (CP) + creatine kinase (CK)] or low [MgATP]/[MgADP] (2 mM MgATP, 0 CP, 0 CK) on the "force-[Ca]" relationships were determined. In femoral artery at low, but not at high, [MgATP]/[MgADP] the force and the ratio of stiffness/force at pCa 7.2 were significantly higher under the calcium-descending than calcium-ascending protocols (54% vs. 3% of Po, the force at pCa 6.0) (force hysteresis); the levels of regulatory myosin light chain (MLC20) phosphorylation (9 +/- 2% vs. 10 +/- 2%) and the velocities of unloaded shortening V0 (0.02 +/- 0.004 l/s with both protocols) were not significantly different. No significant force hysteresis was detected in rabbit ileum under either of these experimental conditions. [MgADP], measured in extracts of permeabilized femoral artery strips by two methods, was 130-140 microM during maintained force under the calcium-descending protocol. Exogenous CP (10 mM) applied during the descending protocol reduced endogenous [MgADP] to 46 +/- 10 microM and abolished force hysteresis: residual force at low [Ca2+] was 17 +/- 5% of maximal force. We conclude that the proportion of force-generating nonphosphorylated (AMdp) relative to phosphorylated cross-bridges is higher on the Ca2+-descending than on the Ca2+-ascending force curve in tonic smooth muscle, that this population of positively strained dephosphorylated cross-bridges has a high affinity for MgADP, and that the dephosphorylated AMdp . MgADP state makes a significant contribution to force maintenance at low levels of MLC20 phosphorylation.     

Modulation of the epithelial calcium channel, ECaC, by intracellular Ca2+

We have studied the modulation by intracellular Ca2+ of the epithelial Ca2+ channel, ECaC, heterologously expressed in HEK 293 cells. Whole-cell and inside-out patch clamp current recordings were combined with FuraII-Ca2+ measurements:1. Currents through ECaC were dramatically inhibited if Ca2+ was the charge carrier. This inhibition was dependent on the extracellular Ca2+ concentration and occurred also in cells buffered intracellularly with 10 mM BAPTA.2. Application of 30 mM [Ca(2)]e induced in non-Ca2+] buffered HEK 293 cells at -80 m V an increase in intracellular Ca2+([Ca2]i) with a maximum rate of rise of 241 +/-15nM/s (n= 18 cells) and a peak value of 891 +/- 106 nM. The peak of the concomitant current with a density of 12.3 +/- 2.6 pA/pF was closely correlated with the peak of the first-time derivative of the Ca2+ transient, as expected if the Ca2+ transient is due to influx of Ca2+. Consequently, no Ca2+] signal was observed in cells transfected with the Ca2+ impermeable ECaC mutant, D542A, in which an aspartate in the pore region was neutralized.3. Increasing [Ca2+]i by dialyzing the cell with pipette solutions containing various Ca2+] concentrations, all buffered with 10 mM BAPTA, inhibited currents through ECaC carried by either Na+ or Ca2+] ions. Half maximal inhibition of Ca(2+)currents in the absence of monovalent cations occurred at 67 nM (n between 6 and 8), whereas Na+ currents in the absence of Ca2+] and Mg2+ were inhibited with an IC50 of 89 nM (n between 6 and 10). Currents through ECaC in the presence of 1 mM Ca2+ and Na+, which are mainly carried by Ca2+, are inhibited by [Ca2]i with an IC50of 82 nM (n between 6 and 8). Monovalent cation currents through the Ca2+impermeable D542A ECaC mutant were also inhibited by an elevation of [Ca2]i (IC50 = 123 nM, n between 7 and 18). 4. The sensitivity of ECaC currents in inside-out patches for [Ca2]i was slightly shifted to higher concentrations as compared with whole cell measurements. Half-maximal inhibition occurred at 169 nM if Na+ was the charge carrier (n between 4 and 11) and 228 nM at 1 mM [Ca2]e (n between 4 and 8).5. Recovery from inhibition upon washout of extracellular Ca2+ (whole-cell configuration) or removal of Ca2+ from the inner side of the channel (inside-out patches) was slow in both conditions. Half-maximal recovery was reached after 96 +/- 34 s (n= 15) in whole-cell mode and after 135 +/- 23 s (n = 17) in inside-out patches.6. We conclude that influx of Ca2+ through ECaC and [Ca2]i induce feedback inhibition of ECaC currents, which is controlled by the concentration of Ca2+ in a micro domain near the inner mouth of the channel. Slow recovery seems to depend on dissociation of Ca( 2+ from an internal Ca2+ binding site at ECaC.     

Model study of ATP and ADP buffering, transport of Ca(2+) and Mg(2+), and regulation of ion pumps in ventricular myocyte.

We extended the model of the ventricular myocyte by Winslow et al. (Circ. Res 1999, 84:571-586) by incorporating equations for Ca(2+) and Mg(2+) buffering and transport by ATP and ADP and equations for MgATP regulation of ion transporters (Na(+)-K(+) pump, sarcolemmal and sarcoplasmic Ca(2+) pumps). The results indicate that, under normal conditions, Ca(2+) binding by low-affinity ATP and diffusion of CaATP may affect the amplitude and time course of intracellular Ca(2+) signals. The model also suggests that a fall in ATP/ADP ratio significantly reduces sarcoplasmic Ca(2+) content, increases diastolic Ca(2+), lowers systolic Ca(2+), increases Ca(2+) influx through L-type channels, and decreases the efficiency of the Na(+)/Ca(2+) exchanger in extruding Ca(2+) during periodic voltage-clamp stimulation. The analysis suggests that the most important reason for these changes during metabolic inhibition is the down-regulation of the sarcoplasmic Ca(2+)-ATPase pump by reduced diastolic MgATP levels. High Ca(2+) concentrations developed near the membrane might have a greater influence on Mg(2+), ATP, and ADP concentrations than that of the lower Ca(2+) concentrations in the bulk myoplasm. The model predictions are in general agreement with experimental observations measured under normal and pathological conditions.     

Spread of Ca2+ in the sarcomere during fast and slow activation of mammalian cardiac myocytes

A multi-compartment model was used to estimate Ca2+ gradients in a sarcomere of a cardiac myocyte. The mathematical model assumed Ca2+ release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum as a driving function, and calculated Ca2+ binding to myoplasmic buffers, Ca2+ uptake by the sarcoplasmic reticulum, and diffusion of Ca2+ (and the buffers). During the fast Ca2+ transient similar to those observed during a twitch, the model predicted a large Ca2+ gradient in the sarcomere. A trajectory of the instantaneous relation between spatially averaged concentrations of Ca2+ and the Ca2+-troponin complex showed a counterclockwise loop, indicating non-equilibrium Ca2+ binding to troponin. During slow changes in [Ca2+] with time to peaks of approximately 500 ms or longer, the gradient of [Ca2+] was largely dissipated and the apparent equilibrium of the Ca2+-troponin binding reaction was suggested with little hysteresis of the trajectory. We conclude that a steady-state relation between [Ca2+] and mechanical activity can be achieved uniformly in the sarcomere by slowing the rate of Ca2+ release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum.     

Diverse effects of hydrogen peroxide on cytosolic Ca2+ homeostasis in rat pancreatic beta-cells

Oxygen-free radicals are thought to be a major cause of beta-cell dysfunction in diabetic animals induced by alloxan or streptozotocin. We evaluated the effect of H2O2 on cytosolic Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) and the activity of ATP-sensitive potassium (K+ATP) channels in isolated rat pancreatic beta-cells using microfluorometry and patch clamp techniques. Exposure to 0.1 mM H2O2 in the presence of 2.8 mM glucose increased [Ca2+]i from 114.3+/-15.4 nM to 531.1+/-71.9 nM (n=6) and also increased frequency of K+ATP channel openings. The intensity of NAD(P)H autofluorescence was conversely reduced, suggesting that H2O2 inhibited the cellular metabolism. These three types of cellular parameters were reversed to the control level on washout of H2O2, followed by a transient increase in [Ca2+]i, the transient inhibition of K+ATP channels associated with action currents and increase of the NAD(P)H intensity with an overshoot. In the absence of external Ca2+, 0.1 mM H2O2 increased [Ca2+]i from 88.8+/-7.2 nM to 134.6+/-8.3 nM. Magnitude of [Ca2+]i increase induced by 0.1 mM H2O2 was decreased after treatment of cells with 0.5 mM thapsigargin, an inhibitor of endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ pump (45.8+/-4.9 nM vs 15.0+/-4.8 nM). Small increase in [Ca2+]i in response to an increase of external Ca2+ from zero to 2 mM was further facilitated by 0.1 mM H2O2 (330.5+/-122.7 nM). We concluded that H2O2 not only activates K+ATP channels in association with metabolic inhibition, but also increases partly the Ca2+ permeability of the thapsigargin-sensitive intracellular stores and of the plasma membrane in pancreatic beta-cells.     

Endothelin-sensitive intracellular Ca2+ store overlaps with caffeine-sensitive one in rat aortic smooth muscle cells in primary cultures

We made use of quin2 microfluorometry to determine the effects of endothelin (ET) on cytosolic free Ca2+ concentrations [Ca2+]i) in rat aortic smooth muscle cells in primary culture. In Ca2+-containing medium, ET induced a rapid and sustained elevation of [Ca2+]i. In the latter component, in particular, the elevation of [Ca2+]i was inhibited by diltiazem. In Ca2+-free medium, ET induced a rapid and transient [Ca2+]i elevation, which was not inhibited by diltiazem. When the caffeine-sensitive intracellular Ca2+ store was practically depleted by repeated treatment with caffeine in Ca2+-free media, ET did not elevate [Ca2+]i. Thus, it was suggested that ET induces [Ca2+]i elevation not only by extracellular Ca2+-dependent, mechanisms but also by releasing Ca2+ from the intracellular store, and that the ET-sensitive Ca2+ store may overlap with the caffeine-sensitive one, in cultured vascular smooth muscle cells.     

Inhibition of Cyclic AMP Accumulation in Intact NCB-20 Cells as a Direct Result of Elevation of Cytosolic Ca2+

Earlier studies established that adenylyl cyclase in NCB-20 cell plasma membranes is inhibited by concentrations of Ca2+ that are achieved in intact cells. The present studies were undertaken to prove that agents such as bradykinin and ATP, which elevate the cytosolic Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) from internal stores in NCB-20 cells, could inhibit cyclic AMP (cAMP) accumulation as a result of their mobilization of [Ca2+]i and not by other mechanisms. Both bradykinin and ATP transiently inhibited [3H]cAMP accumulation in parallel with their transient mobilization of [Ca2+]i. The [Ca2+]i rise stimulated by bradykinin could be blocked by treatment with thapsigargin; this thapsigargin treatment precluded the inhibition of cAMP accumulation mediated by bradykinin (and ATP). A rapid rise in [Ca2+]i, as elicited by bradykinin, rather than the slow rise evoked by thapsigargin was required for inhibition of [3H]cAMP accumulation. Desensitization of protein kinase C did not modify the inhibitory action of bradykinin on [3H]cAMP. Effects of Ca2+ on phosphodiesterase were also excluded in the present studies. The accumulated data are consistent with the hypothesis that hormonal mobilization of [Ca2+]i leads directly to the inhibition of cAMP accumulation in these cells and presumably in other cells that express the Ca(2+)-inhibitable form of adenylyl cyclase.     

Expression of active p21-activated kinase-1 induces Ca2+ flux modification with altered regulatory protein phosphorylation in cardiac myocytes

p21-Activated kinase-1 (Pak1) is a serine-threonine kinase that associates with and activates protein phosphatase 2A in adult ventricular myocytes and, thereby, induces increased Ca2+ sensitivity of skinned-fiber tension development mediated by dephosphorylation of myofilament proteins (Ke Y, Wang L, Pyle WG, de Tombe PP, Solaro RJ. Circ Res 94: 194-200, 2004). We test the hypothesis that activation of Pak1 also moderates cardiac contractility through regulation of intracellular Ca2+ fluxes. We found no difference in field-stimulated intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) transient amplitude and extent of cell shortening between myocytes expressing constitutively active Pak1 (CA-Pak1) and controls expressing LacZ; however, time to peak shortening was significantly faster and rate of [Ca2+]i decay and time of relengthening were slower. Neither caffeine-releasable sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+ content nor fractional release was different in CA-Pak1 myocytes compared with controls. Isoproterenol application revealed a significantly blunted increase in [Ca2+]i transient amplitude, as well as a slowed rate of [Ca2+]i decay, increased SR Ca2+ content, and increased cell shortening, in CA-Pak1 myocytes. We found no significant change in phospholamban phosphorylation at Ser16 or Thr17 in CA-Pak1 myocytes. Analysis of cardiac troponin I revealed a significant reduction in phosphorylated species that are primarily attributable to Ser(23/24) in CA-Pak1 myocytes. Nonstimulated, spontaneous SR Ca2+ release sparks were significantly smaller in amplitude in CA-Pak1 than LacZ myocytes. Propagation of spontaneous Ca2+ waves resulting from SR Ca2+ overload was significantly slower in CA-Pak1 myocytes. Our data indicate that CA-Pak1 expression has significant effects on ventricular myocyte contractility through altered myofilament Ca2+ sensitivity and modification of the [Ca2+]i transient.     

The effects of cyanide on intracellular ionic exchange in ferret and rat ventricular myocardium

The effects of cyanide on Ca2+ exchange in isolated ventricular myocytes and on the intracellular concentrations of Ca2+, Na+ and H+ have been investigated to assess the contribution that mitochondria might play in cellular Ca2+ metabolism. Ionic levels were measured with ion-selective electrodes. KCN (2.5 mM) inhibited a component of Ca2+ exchange in myocytes that could be attributed to mitochondrial exchange, but was without effect on non-mitochondrial Ca2+ exchange. NaCN (2.5 mM) caused a transient reduction of [H+]i, [Na+]i and [Ca2+]i when applied to the superfusate bathing ventricular trabeculae or papillary muscles. The transient changes of [Na+]i were accentuated when the preparation was exposed to a solution which would be expected to increase the cellular calcium content. The reduction of [Na+]i which accompanies a reduction of the extracellular sodium concentration, [Na]o, was attenuated in the presence of NaCN, but the intracellular acidosis resulting from a reduction of [Na]o was unaffected by NaCN. A small, but significant, rise of [Ca2+]i accompanied a reduction of [Na]o but only when NaCN was present in the superfusate. It is concluded that cyanide ions have a reasonably specific action on cardiac cellular ionic metabolism. Its primary action is to prevent mitochondrial Ca2+ sequestration. It is postulated that a Na+/H+ exchange, possibly at the sarcolemma, could account for some of the changes to sarcoplasmic ionic levels observed. In a solution of low [Na]o, it is concluded that mitochondria could sequester at least 30% of the calcium accumulated by the cell even though the sarcoplasmic [Ca2+] does not exceed 0.3 microM.     

Cardiac effects of the extract and active components of Radix stephaniae tetrandrae. I. Electrically-induced intracellular calcium transient and protein release during the calcium paradox.

The present study was designed to compare the cardiac actions of the extract and individual components, tetrandrine (Tet) and fangchinoline (Fan), of Radix stephaniae tetrandrae (RST). We measured the electrically induced [Ca2+]i transient in single rat ventricular myocytes and protein release following perfusion with a Ca2+ free solution (the Ca2+ paradox) from the isolated perfused rat heart, both of which are known to relate to Ca2+ influx. We found that Tet inhibited both electrically induced [Ca2+]i transient and protein release during the Ca2+ paradox, while Fan had no significant effects. The RST extract containing 9% Tet and 6% Fan by weight also affected the [Ca2+]i transient, and was only slightly, though significantly, less effective/potent than Tet alone. On the other hand, RST extract had a significantly greater inhibitory effect on protein release during the Ca2+ paradox than Tet alone. The observations suggest that the RST extract, which contains a mixture of components, may have more potent effects in the heart than its main active component.     

Effects of impaired Ca2+ homeostasis on contraction in postinfarction myocytes.

The significance of altered Ca2+ influx and efflux pathways on contractile abnormalities of myocytes isolated from rat hearts 3 wk after myocardial infarction (MI) was investigated by varying extracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]o, 0.6-5.0 mM) and pacing frequency (0.1-5.0 Hz). Myocytes isolated from 3-wk MI hearts were significantly longer than those from sham-treated (Sham) hearts (125 +/- 1 vs. 114 +/- 1 micrometer, P < 0.0001). At high [Ca2+]o and low pacing frequency, conditions that preferentially favored Ca2+ influx over efflux, Sham myocytes shortened to a greater extent than 3-wk MI myocytes. Conversely, under conditions that favored Ca2+ efflux (low [Ca2+]o and high pacing frequency), MI myocytes shortened more than Sham myocytes. At intermediate [Ca2+]o and pacing frequencies, differences in steady-state contraction amplitudes between Sham and MI myocytes were no longer significant. Collectively, the interpretation of these data was that Ca2+ influx and efflux pathways were subnormal in MI myocytes and that they contributed to abnormal cellular contractile behavior. Because Na+/Ca2+ exchange activity, but not whole cell Ca2+ current, was depressed in 3-wk MI rat myocytes, our results on steady-state contraction are consistent with, but not proof of, the hypothesis that depressed Na+/Ca2+ exchange accounted for abnormal contractility in MI myocytes. The effects of depressed Na+/Ca2+ exchange on MI myocyte mechanical activity were further evaluated in relaxation from caffeine-induced contractures. Because Ca2+ uptake by sarcoplasmic reticulum was inhibited by caffeine and with the assumption that intracellular Na+ and membrane potential were similar between Sham and MI myocytes, myocyte relaxation from caffeine-induced contracture can be taken as an estimate of Ca2+ extrusion by Na+/Ca2+ exchange. In MI myocytes, in which Na+/Ca2+ exchange activity was depressed, the half time of relaxation (1.54 +/- 0.14 s) was significantly (P < 0.02) prolonged compared with that measured in Sham myocytes (1.10 +/- 0.10 s).     

Use of a microfluorometric method for measuring free calcium in the cytoplasm of isolated cultured rat cardiomyocytes

Dual wavelength microfluorometry was used to measure the cytoplasmic free calcium concentration [( Ca2+]in) in single cultured cells from ventricular myocytes of neonatal rats loaded with the indicator fura-2. At 2.5 nmol/l extracellular Ca2+ in the resting cells [Ca2+]in was between 80 and 110 nmol/l. Sometimes, spontaneous low-frequency (approximately 0.1 Hz) [Ca2+]in oscillations were observed. High-potassium depolarization led to a Ca2+-antagonists-sensitive rise of [Ca2+]in. Both caffeine++ (5-10 mmol/l) and thymol (lmmol/l) initialized transient increase of [Ca2+]in. Mechanisms of [Ca2+]in homeostasis in heart muscle cells were discussed.