Role of divalent cations in EOG generation

Underwater EOGs in response to 10^–4 M isoamyl acetatewere recorded in vivo in frogs. The olfactory mucosa was superfusedby sodium-free sucrose solutions, and the effect of the additionof millimolar concentrations of sodium, calcium, cobalt, bariumor cadmium was studied. All voltage responses were standardizedaccording to the solution resistivities. Barium and calciumefficiently restored the response; sodium and cobalt were lessefficient. Cobalt did not alter the restoring effect of calcium.Cadmium induced an irreversible blockage irrespective of thepresence of calcium. These results are discussed in terms ofpossible ionic mechanisms mediating olfactory responses.     

The effect of ions, ion channel blockers, and ionophores on uptake of vitellogenin into cockroach follicles

Since calcium plays an important role in vitellogenin binding and uptake in Nauphoeta cinerea and because calcium channels have been described in follicles of this species, we investigated the effect of various ions, ionophores, and ion channel blockers on vitellogenin uptake in vitro. Calcium significantly stimulated vitellogenin uptake; this effect could be substituted best by barium and less well by strontium and magnesium. The stimulatory effect of calcium, and to a certain extent also that of barium, was dependent on the vitellogenin concentration, whereas the effect of strontium and magnesium was not. In the presence of calcium, vitellogenin uptake was inhibited by barium, strontium, and magnesium as well as by the transition elements nickel, cobalt, and zinc, but not by manganese which had a stimulatory effect. Valinomycin, verapamil, tetraethylammonium, and atropine reduced vitellogenin uptake, while amiloride and ouabain were ineffective. Our results indicate that calcium inward (and possibly potassium outward) fluxes play an important role in vitellogenin uptake.     

Protective effects of manganese, cobalt, nickel, and barium against a calcium paradox in the isolated frog heart

The effect of inorganic slow channel blockers on the calcium paradox in the frog heart was examined. Addition of the divalent cations of manganese, cobalt, nickel, or barium during calcium depletion protected the frog heart against a calcium paradox. This protective effect was indicated by reduced protein release, maintenance of electrical activity, and recovery of mechanical activity during reperfusion. Tissue calcium determination results showed that in the control paradox in the absence of divalent cations, there is an efflux of calcium from myocardial cells during calcium depletion and a massive influx of calcium during the following reperfusion, leading to a calcium overload. Divalent cations protected frog myocardial cells, when present in the calcium-free perfusion medium, by reducing both calcium efflux during calcium depletion and the massive calcium influx during reperfusion. The effectiveness of the added divalent cations showed a strong dependence upon their ionic radius. The most potent inhibitors of the calcium paradox in the frog heart were the divalent cations having an ionic radius closer to the ionic radius of calcium. These results are discussed in terms of the possible mechanism involved in the protective effect of manganese, cobalt, nickel, and barium.     

Calcium-antagonists inhibit secretion of very-low-density lipoprotein from cultured rat hepatocytes.

The effects of different calcium-antagonists on secretion of very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) from cultured rat hepatocytes were examined. Verapamil (an inhibitor of voltage-dependent calcium channels) and EGTA (a calcium chelator) decreased VLDL-triacylglycerol secretion in a concentration-dependent manner, with maximum inhibition (about 90%) at 0.2 mM-verapamil and 5 mM-EGTA. Inorganic calcium-antagonists such as lanthanum, nickel, cobalt and manganese decreased secretion of VLDL-triacylglycerol by 55-95%, whereas the calcium-agonist barium did not affect secretion. Inhibition of VLDL-triacylglycerol secretion appeared within 30 min, without inhibition of triacylglycerol synthesis. Pulse-chase experiments revealed that verapamil and cobalt inhibited the secretory pathway itself. Cobalt showed a concentration-dependent inhibition of VLDL-triacylglycerol secretion, with maximal effect at 8 mM. Although inhibition by cobalt was not completely reversible, Trypan Blue exclusion and lactate dehydrogenase leakage indicated that the hepatocytes were not injured by cobalt or any of the other calcium-antagonists tested. Inhibition of protein synthesis by cycloheximide did not affect triacylglycerol secretion (up to 2 h), and the observed effects were therefore probably not due to impaired production of apolipoproteins. Taken together, these results suggest that calcium is important for secretion of VLDL particles.     

The effect of some drugs on the mitral cell odor-evoked responses in the gecko olfactory bulb

The activity of odor-evoked olfactory mitral cell response of the gecko was recorded extracellularly by glass microelectrodes. The activities of the mitral cell observed during the presentation of the odor (n-amyl acetate) could be described as excitation, suppression or zero. The present experiments were undertaken to study the neural activities of the mitral cell in the olfactory bulb by perfusion application of some drugs (cobalt chloride, carnosine, norepinephrine, GABA and D-L-homocysteate) on the olfactory bulb surface or iontophoretic application of some drugs (carnosine, norepinephrine, GABA and D-L-homocysteate) to the glomerulus and the external plexiform layer to change the physiological environment. The effect of the drugs suggested that the synaptic neurons on the mitral cell have different chemical characteristics.     

Electrogenic responses elicited by transmembrane depolarizing current in aerated body wall muscles ofDrosophila melanogaster larvae

Summary Electrical excitability of the longitudinal ventrolateral body wall muscle of the third instar larva ofDrosophila melanogaster was demonstrated. This is in contrast to previous papers which have reported that this muscle is electrically inexcitable. It was found that an air supply to the muscle through the tracheoles is essential for maintaining its excitability. In an aerated preparation, the muscle maintained a resting potential of around –80 mV for more than 1.5 h, while a nonaerated muscle depolarized to about –30 mV within 30 min. Muscles with resting potentials larger than –70 mV showed graded regenerative potentials with a double-peaked configuration in response to transmembrane depolarizing current. A tetrodotoxin- (TTX-)sensitive, voltage-dependent inward sodium current, and a tetraethylammonium-(TEA-)sensitive, voltage-dependent outward potassium current were found to be responsible for the first peak of the electrogenic response of this muscle. The rising phase of the second peak was caused by a cobalt/manganese-sensitive, voltage-dependent inward calcium current that had a threshold level near –40 mV. Elimination by TEA or barium of the delayed rectification following the first peak caused the second peak to be triggered at a lower threshold. The second peak was profoundly elongated by barium, and this effect was antagonized by external calcium. Thus, the falling phase of the second peak was most likely driven by a calcium-dependent, outward potassium current.     

Serotonin, nitric oxide and histamine enhance the excitability of neuron MCC by diverse mechanisms

Serotonin, nitric oxide (NO) and histamine are neuromodulators used in molluscan nervous systems. We have found that each of them depolarizes and increases the excitability of the serotonergic feeding neural circuit modulator neuron, MCC, of Aplysia, but each induces different changes in background ionic currents and uses a different second messenger. Stimulation of neuron C2 in the cerebral ganglion induces a vsEPSP in MCC using NO and histamine. When these neurons are isolated in culture they form synapses that mediate the vsEPSP. The ionic currents induced by these neuromodulators were investigated in isolated cultured MCCs. Histamine reduced a background outward current between -70 and -30 mV that was blocked by cobalt treatment, indicating that it is a calcium activated potassium current. Serotonin reduced a background outward current from -65 mV to -30 mV and enhanced a potassium inward current more negative than -70 mV that was blocked by cesium and barium. This response was mimicked by 8-Br-cAMP. NO donors reduced a cobalt insensitive background outward current between -70 and -30 mV. This response was mimicked by 8-Br-cGMP. These responses show that MCC can produce complex time and state-dependent activity during its modulation of the feeding neural circuit.     

Pharmacological control of the pattern of activity in leech Retzius neurones

1. Changes in the activity pattern of leech Retzius (R) cells were investigated using intracellular recording. 2. The presence of an after-hyperpolarisation (AHP) is closely related to activity pattern; regular firing being associated with an AHP, bursting with its absence. 3. Increasing external calcium (Cao), cyclic AMP levels or activity of kinase A enhanced the AHP. 4. Bursting was induced by low Cao, EGTA, barium, cobalt or injection of phorbol ester. 5. Reduction of Cao to zero caused long paroxysmal depolarising shifts of potential which could be reversed to bursting by cobalt, IBMX or injection of kinase A catalytic subunit. 6. The possible roles of a calcium-activated potassium channel and protein phosphorylation in regulating the activity of the cell are discussed.     

Calcium spikes in cultured human reticular cells from peritoneal exudates

Intracellular recordings of cultured human peritoneal exudate cells reveal that cells within the culture exhibit an active depolarizing response to injected currents which can reach positive potentials and resemble slow spikes. The cells exhibiting spikes are similar to the reticular cells described by Stuart and Davidson (1971a,b) in that they are esterase(+), acid phosphatase(+), and internalize colloidal carbon but not opsonized red blood cells. The active depolarizing response is unaffected by either decreasing the external sodium concentration or by adding tetrodotoxin (3 X 10(-5) M), whereas increasing the external calcium concentration increases both the spike amplitude and rate of rise, and the addition of cobalt (3 mM) blocks the response. Addition of barium increases the duration and amplitude of the spikes but reduces the afterhyperpolarization. The data indicate that cultured human reticular cells from the peritoneal cavity exhibit a calcium spike.     

Interaction between Calcium Ions and Bacillus thuringiensis Toxin Activity against Sf9 Cells (Spodoptera frugiperda, Lepidoptera)

The effects of calcium ions and modulators of calcium movement on Bacillus thuringiensis insecticidal protein toxicity were investigated with Sf9 cells (Spodoptera frugiperda, fall armyworm) by a new B. thuringiensis toxicity assay based on measurement of fluorescence of ethidium homodimer, a high-affinity DNA stain. CryIC toxicity was substantially stimulated by extracellular calcium in a dose-dependent way (in the millimolar range), while toxicity enhancement could not be replicated when calcium was replaced by barium. This incremental toxicity was reduced by cobalt and lanthanum ions, two inorganic-calcium transport inhibitors. Methoxyverapamil, a voltage-dependent calcium channel blocker, and nifedipine, an inhibitor of dihydropyridine-sensitive L-type calcium channels, had no effect on CryIC toxin activity, but BAY K 8644, an L-type calcium channel activator, increased CryIC activity at high concentrations of extracellular calcium. While A23187, a calcium ionophore, and TMB-8, an inhibitor of intracellular-calcium mobilization, did not change CryIC-induced mortality, thapsigargin, an inhibitor of calcium uptake in intracellular stores, and more particularly trifluoperazine, which inhibits calcium-calmodulin-dependent processes, increased CryIC-mediated toxicity. The incremental effect of extracellular calcium on CryIC-induced toxicity was consistent with an increased concentration of intracellular calcium.     

Effect of divalent cations of the amphetamine-induced stimulation of [3H]catechol synthesis in the striatum.

Abstract— The effects of divalent cations on the stimulation of [³H]catechol formation in striatal slices induced by d-amphetamine was studied in order to determine the role of calcium in this action of amphetamine. In the absence of any divalent cations in the medium, amphetamine did not significantly stimulate [³H]catechol synthesis in striatal slices, but it produced a marked stimulation of synthesis when calcium (1.25 mm ) was added to the medium. In the presence of calcium (1.25 mm ), high concentrations of magnesium (15mm ), other divalent cations (2.5 mm ) such as barium, strontium, manganese and cobalt, as well as verapamil, inhibited the amphetamine-induced stimulation. When the slices were incubated in medium containing no divalent cations, the addition to the medium of either strontium, cobalt, zinc, or magnesium (2.5 mm ) could not support the amphetamine-induced stimulation of [³H]catechol synthesis, while the addition of barium resulted in a significant stimulation of synthesis. In contrast, the stimulation produced by amphetamine in the presence of manganese was comparable to that observed when calcium had been added to the medium. Since amphetamine did not alter the specific activity of [³H]tyrosine in the tissue in the presence of any of the divalent cations tested, the amphetamine-induced stimulation of [³H]catechol synthesis was probably due to an increase in tyrosine hydroxylase activity. Calcium and manganese were also able to support the stimulation of [³H]catechol synthesis in striatal slices induced by high potassium concentration. However, compared to the effects with amphetamine, manganese was much less effective than calcium in supporting the stimulation induced by high potassium concentration. These results show that specific divalent cations can support the stimulation of catechol synthesis induced by amphetamine in striatal slices, and suggest that the entry of these specific ions into cells, presumably dopamine neurons, is involved in this action.     

Resistance of frog olfactory bulb slow potential and afferent input inhibition to hypoxia and synaptic transmission blockade by manganese,cobalt, and magnesium ions

The effect of hypoxia and application of manganese, cobalt, and magnesium ions on electrical responses of the frog olfactory bulb to adequate stimulation and to direct electrical stimulation of the olfactory nerve were studied. The slow potential evoked by adequate stimulation and the associated inhibition of the afferent input of the olfactory bulb were found to be much more resistant to inhibition of synaptic transmission by all methods used than the postsynaptic components of the orthodromic response and associated postsynaptic inhibition. A slow potential was recorded even when synaptic transmission in the olfactory bulb was completely blocked by magnesium ions. It is concluded that the slow potential of the olfactory bulb and inhibition of its afferent input are nonsynaptic in nature. It is postulated that the slow potential reflects mainly depolarization of glial cells in the glomerular layer of the bulb evoked by accumulation of potassium ions. The possible mechanisms of inhibition of the afferent input are discussed.     

Influence of castration of the neonatal rat on the contractile effects of barium chloride and adrenaline in isolated vas deferens: the role of calcium

Time-response curves to maximal concentrations of barium chloride (BaCl2) (3 X 10(-2) M) and adrenaline (10(-4) M) were studied in vasa deferentia from 3-month-old rats castrated at birth. Either barium or adrenaline was left in the organ baths for 5-min periods, at intervals of about 30 min, and the corresponding isotonic contractions recorded. Two types of effects were measured: the fade response (Jurkiewicz et al., 1977) and the rate at which responses were reduced after Ca2+ withdrawal from nutrient solution. The fade response for BaCl2 was strikingly greater than that in controls. When calcium was removed from the nutrient solution, an almost complete loss of the response to BaCl2 was achieved in less than 3 min for preparations of 3-day castrates, in about 40 min for the organs of 15-day castrates, and in more than 140 min for normal preparations. Treatment with testosterone, 1 week before the experiments, abolished the fade response to BaCl2 and antagonized the loss of responsiveness observed for this substance in a calcium-deficient solution. These data suggest that the production of testosterone by the testis during the critical period of neonatal differentiation is important for the translocation of calcium ions in the isolated vas deferens of the adult rat.     

Ionic channels of the inner segment of tiger salamander cone photoreceptors

Cone photoreceptors were isolated enzymatically and their ionic currents studied by the whole-cell, gigaseal voltage-clamp technique. Five nonsynaptic currents were identified. A prominent, poorly selective cation current, Ih, activated after a delay during hyperpolarizations and then deactivated with a delay on return to potentials greater than -50 mV. An empirical model for Ih gating kinetics is developed with three open and two closed states. Depolarization elicits a small, voltage-gated calcium current (ICa). Block by nitrendipine, nickel, cadmium, and cobalt, increase of current with barium, lack of rapid inactivation, and relatively high threshold suggest an L-type Ca channel. No evidence was found for low-threshold Ca channels. An anion current ICl(Ca) was present after pulses that led to a significant inward ICa (but not IBa) and was not elicited when cobalt was present. Tails of ICl(Ca) were short (100 ms) after short depolarizations and were longer after longer depolarizations. Two TEA-sensitive K currents were also elicited by depolarizations. One, IK(Ca), was calcium sensitive. We looked for modulation of Ih, ICa, and ICl(Ca) by a number of neurotransmitters. No changes of Ih were seen, but ICa and ICl(Ca) were depressed in a few cones when GABA or adenosine were applied. We discuss how this modulation might contribute to the feedback effects of horizontal cells on cones when surrounding cones are illuminated.     

External cadmium and internal calcium block of single calcium channels in smooth muscle cells from rabbit mesenteric artery.

The patch clamp technique was used to record unitary currents through single calcium channels from smooth muscle cells of rabbit mesenteric arteries. The effects of external cadmium and cobalt and internal calcium, barium, cadmium, and magnesium on single channel currents were investigated with 80 mM barium as the charge carrier and Bay K 8644 to prolong openings. External cadmium shortened the mean open time of single Ca channels. Cadmium blocking and unblocking rate constants of 16.5 mM-1 ms-1 and 0.6 ms-1, respectively, were determined, corresponding to dissociation constant Kd of 36 microM at -20 mV. These results are very similar to those reported for cardiac muscle Ca channels (Lansman, J. B., P. Hess, and R. W. Tsien. 1986. J. Gen. Physiol. 88:321-347). In contrast, Cd2+ (01-10 mM), when applied to the internal surface of Ca channels in inside-out patches, did not affect the mean open time, mean unitary current, or the variance of the open channel current. Internal calcium induced a flickery block, with a Kd of 5.8 mM. Mean blocking and unblocking rate constants for calcium of 0.56 mM-1 ms-1 and 3.22 ms-1, respectively, were determined. Internal barium (8 mM) reduced the mean unitary current by 36%. We conclude that under our experimental conditions, the Ca channel is not symmetrical with respect to inorganic ion block and that intracellular calcium can modulate Ca channel currents via a low-affinity binding site.     

Characterization of divalent cation-induced [3H]Acetylcholine release from EGTA-treated rat hippocampal synaptosomes

Calcium-naive synaptosomes were used to assess the effects of divalent cations on [³H]acetylcholine release from rat hippocampal homogenates. Following equilibration with calcium-free buffer (containing 10M EGTA), calcium reversibly increased [³H]acetylcholine efflux (up to five-fold) while causing no measurable efflux of lactate dehydrogenase. When substituted for calcium, strongtium and barium behaved similarly although barium exhibited three-fold greater efficacy. In the presence of elevated potassium, 4-aminopyridine or tetraethylammonium, the secretagogue efficacy of calcium (but not barium) was markedly increased. The release-promoting effects of both cations were inhibited by lanthanum, magnesium, cadmium, and -conotoxin but were insensitive to nifedipine and cobalt (both 10 M). In addition, stimulation of muscarnic cholinergic autoreceptors substantially inhibited both calcium and barium-evoked [³H]acetylcholine release. Taken together, these results indicate that cation-evoked transmitter release from calcium-naive synaptosomes is subject to normal neuroregulatory mechanisms and therefore should be useful for investigating presynaptic modulation of neuronal exocytosis.     

Characterization of the transient receptor potential channels mediating lysophosphatidic acid-stimulated calcium mobilization in B lymphoblasts

Altered 1-oleoyl-lysophosphatidic acid (LPA, 100 microM)-stimulated calcium responses occur in B-lymphoblast cell lines from bipolar disorder patients, but the mechanism(s) involved is uncertain. Lysophosphatidic acid shares a structurally similar fatty acid side chain with the diacylglycerol analogue, 1-oleoyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycerol (OAG), a known activator of subtypes 3, 6 and 7 of the canonical transient receptor potential (TRPC) cation channel subfamily. Accordingly, the objective of this study was to determine whether the LPA-stimulated calcium response in B-lymphoblasts is mediated, in part, through this TRPC channel subfamily. Divalent cation selectivity in response to thapsigargin, LPA and OAG were used to distinguish TRPC-like character of the responses to these agents in BLCLs. The sensitivity to gadolinium, an inhibitor of capacitative calcium channels, was used to determine the store-operated nature of the responses. The TRPC isoforms that are present in BLCLs as identified by immunoblotting and/or PCR include TRPC1, 3 and 5. Minimal barium influx in calcium-free buffer was observed following thapsigargin stimulation. However, LPA stimulated barium influx of a magnitude similar to that induced by OAG. Thapsigargin-provoked calcium influx was completely inhibited by gadolinium (10 microM), whereas LPA and OAG-stimulated responses were partially inhibited and potentiated, respectively. The results suggest that 100 microM LPA stimulates calcium entry through channels with characteristics similar to TRPC3, as TRPC6 and 7 are absent in B-lymphoblasts.     

Inactivation of tyrosine 3-monooxygenase by acetone precipitation and its restoration by incubation with a sulfhydryl agent and iron

The acetone precipitation of a partially purified tyrosine 3-monooxygenase (L-tyrosine, tetrahydropteridine: oxygen oxidoreductase (3-hydroxylating), EC 1.14.16.2) resulted in the complete loss of enzymatic activity. The enzymatic activity was restored by incubation with iron and dithiothreitol. The restoration of the activity was a pH-, temperature- and time-dependent reaction. Since cobalt, nickel, copper, zinc, manganese, cadmium, magnesium calcium and barium ions were all ineffective in restoring activity, iron ion appeared to be specifically required in the restoration of the enzyme activity. Dithiothreitol could be partially replaced in the restoration step by glutathione, 2-mercaptoethanol or cysteine.     

Octopamine modulates activity of neural networks in the honey bee antennal lobe

Neuronal plasticity allows an animal to respond to environmental changes by modulating its response to stimuli. In the honey bee (Apis mellifera), the biogenic amine octopamine plays a crucial role in appetitive odor learning, but little is known about how octopamine affects the brain. We investigated its effect in the antennal lobe, the first olfactory center in the brain, using calcium imaging to record background activity and odor responses before and after octopamine application. We show that octopamine increases background activity in olfactory output neurons, while reducing average calcium levels. Odor responses were modulated both upwards and downwards, with more odor response increases in glomeruli with negative or weak odor responses. Importantly, the octopamine effect was variable across glomeruli, odorants, odorant concentrations and animals, suggesting that the octopaminergic network is shaped by plasticity depending on an individual animal’s history and possibly other factors. Using RNA interference, we show that the octopamine receptor AmOA1 (homolog of the Drosophila OAMB receptor) is involved in the octopamine effect. We propose a network model in which octopamine receptors are plastic in their density and located on a subpopulation of inhibitory neurons in a disinhibitory pathway. This would improve odor-coding of behaviorally relevant, previously experienced odors.     

Cobalt activates potassium conductance in the plasma membrane of cultured renal epithelioid (MDCK)-cells

Cobalt has been shown to stimulate sodium transport across the distal nephron of the newt kidney. The mechanism of this action remained elusive. The present study has been performed to test for effects of cobalt on electrical properties of cultured subconfluent kidney (MDCK)-cells: cobalt (10 microM) leads to a rapid, sustained and reversible hyperpolarization of the cell membrane, paralleled by an increase of the potassium selectivity and a decrease of the resistance. Thus, cobalt increases the potassium conductance of the cell membrane. The half-maximal effect is elicited by approx. 1 microM. At extracellular calcium concentration reduced to less than 0.1 microM, cobalt (10 microM) leads to a transient hyperpolarization, which can be elicited only once. Thus, cobalt enhances the potassium conductance in a calcium dependent way. At higher concentrations (100 microM) cobalt hyperpolarizes the cell membrane only transiently even in the presence of extracellular calcium. Furthermore 100 microM cobalt interferes with ATP-induced hyperpolarization, which is known to result from calcium mediated activation of K+ channels. Thus, 100 microM cobalt may inhibit ATP-stimulated calcium entry into the cell.