The bell-shaped Ca2+ dependence of the inositol 1,4, 5-trisphosphate-induced Ca2+ release is modulated by Ca2+/calmodulin.

Calmodulin inhibits inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) binding to the IP3 receptor in both a Ca2+-dependent and a Ca2+-independent way. Because there are no functional data on the modulation of the IP3-induced Ca2+ release by calmodulin at various Ca2+ concentrations, we have studied how cytosolic Ca2+ and Sr2+ interfere with the effects of calmodulin on the IP3-induced Ca2+ release in permeabilized A7r5 cells. We now report that calmodulin inhibited Ca2+ release through the IP3 receptor with an IC50 of 4.6 microM if the cytosolic Ca2+ concentration was 0.3 microM or higher. This inhibition was particularly pronounced at low IP3 concentrations. In contrast, calmodulin did not affect IP3-induced Ca2+ release if the cytosolic Ca2+ concentration was below 0.3 microM. Calmodulin also inhibited Ca2+ release through the IP3 receptor in the presence of at least 10 microM Sr2+. We conclude that cytosolic Ca2+ or Sr2+ are absolutely required for the calmodulin-induced inhibition of the IP3-induced Ca2+ release and that this dependence represents the formation of the Ca2+/calmodulin or Sr2+/calmodulin complex.     

Stimulus-secretion coupling in bovine parathyroid cells. Dissociation between secretion and net changes in cytosolic Ca2+

The relationship between the concentration of cytosolic free Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) and secretion of parathyroid hormone (PTH) was investigated in isolated bovine parathyroid cells using the fluorescent Ca2+ indicator, quin 2. Increasing the concentration of extracellular Ca2+ from 0.5 to 2.0 mM caused a 3-fold increase in [Ca2+]i (from 183 +/- 4 to 568 +/- 21 nM) which was associated with a 2-4-fold decrease in secretion of PTH. Decreasing extracellular Ca2+ to about 1 microM caused a corresponding fall in [Ca2+]i to 60-90 nM. Extracellular Ca2+-induced changes in [Ca2+]i were not affected by omission of extracellular Na+. Depolarizing concentrations of K+ (30 mM) depressed [Ca2+]i at all concentrations of extracellular Ca examined, and this was associated with increased secretion of PTH. Ionomycin (0.1 or 1 microM) increased [Ca2+]i at extracellular Ca2+ concentrations of 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 mM, but inhibited secretion of PTH only at Ca concentrations near the "Ca2+ set point" (1.25 microM). In contrast, dopamine, norepinephrine (10 microM each), and Li+ (20 mM) potentiated secretion of PTH without causing any detectable change in [Ca2+]i. The results obtained with these latter secretagogues provide evidence for a mechanism of secretion which is independent of net changes in [Ca2+]i. The phorbol ester 12-O-tetradecanoyl phorbol 13-acetate (TPA) did not alter [Ca2+]i or secretion of PTH at low (0.5 mM) extracellular Ca2+ concentrations. At 2.0 mM extracellular Ca2+, however, TPA (20 nM or 1 microM) depressed [Ca2+]i and potentiated secretion of PTH. The addition of TPA prior to raising the extracellular Ca2+ concentration reduced the subsequent increase in [Ca2+]i. The results show that the effects of TPA on secretion in the parathyroid cell are not readily dissociated from changes in [Ca2+]i and suggest that some TPA-sensitive process, perhaps involving protein kinase C, may be involved in those mechanisms that regulate [Ca2+]i in response to changes in extracellular Ca2+.     

An ATP-dependent and inositol trisphosphate-sensitive Ca2+ pool linked with microfilaments of the parietal cell

In digitonin-permeabilized parietal cells, myo-inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (Ins P3) or Ca2+ ionophore (A23187) increased the cytosolic Ca2+ concentration due to the intracellular Ca2+ release. Addition of ATP decreased the cytosolic Ca2+ concentration due to the rapid Ca2+ re-uptake into the same or similar pool which releases Ca2+ from a non-mitochondrial location (measured by quin2/AM and 45Ca2+). Cytochalasin B failed to increase the cytosolic Ca2+ concentration in response to Ins P3 or A23187 and even failed to decrease the cytosolic Ca2+ concentration in response to ATP. This implies that the ATP-dependent and Ins P3-sensitive Ca2+ pool is linked with the microfilaments of the parietal cell. In intact parietal cells, A23187 increased the amino[14C]pyrine accumulation (an index of acid secretion), that was independent of medium Ca2+. This increase of acid secretion was inhibited by the pretreatment with cytochalasin B. This suggests that medium Ca2+-independent acid secretion (by A23187) is regulated by the microfilaments. Therefore, there is a close relationship between the intracellular Ca2+ metabolism, microfilaments and acid secretion.     

Cyclic AMP enhances inositol trisphosphate-induced mobilization of intracellular Ca2+ in cultured aortic smooth muscle cells

The effect of cAMP on ATP-induced intracellular Ca+ mobilization in cultured rat aortic smooth muscle cells was investigated. Treatment of cells for 3 min at 37 degrees C with dibutyryl cAMP, a membrane-permeable analogue of cAMP, at concentration up to 500 microM resulted in 1.5- to 1.7-fold increase in the peak cytosolic Ca2+ concentration when cells were stimulated with 3 to 200 microM ATP either in the presence or absence of extracellular Ca2+. Similar results were obtained when 0.5 mM 8-Br-cAMP or 10 microM forskolin was used instead of dibutyryl cAMP. In contrast to the Ca2+ response, dibutyryl cAMP did not affect ATP-induced formation of inositol trisphosphate (IP3). Furthermore, the dibutyryl cAMP treatment did not affect the size of the Ca2+ response elicited by 10 microM ionomycin. These results suggest that intracellular cAMP potentiates the ATP-induced Ca2+ response by enhancing Ca2+ release from the intracellular Ca2+ store(s), rather than by increasing the ATP-induced production of IP3 or by increasing the size of the intracellular Ca2+ store. Using saponin-permeabilized cells, we have shown directly that cAMP enhances Ca2+ mobilization by potentiating the Ca2+-releasing effect of IP3 from the intracellular Ca2+ store.     

Effect of GTP and Ca2+ on inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate induced Ca2+ release from permeabilized rat exocrine pancreatic acinar cells

The effects of Ca2+ and GTP on the release of Ca2+ from the inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) sensitive Ca2+ compartment were investigated with digitonin permeabilized rat pancreatic acinar cells. The amount of Ca2+ released due to IP3 directly correlated with the amount of stored Ca2+ and was found to be inversely proportional to the medium free Ca2+ concentration. Ca2+ release induced by 0.18 microM IP3 was half maximally inhibited at 0.5 microM free Ca2+, i.e. at concentrations observed in the cytosol of pancreatic acinar cells. GTP did not cause Ca2+ release on its own, but a single addition of GTP (20 microM) abolished the apparent desensitization of the Ca2+ release which was observed during repeated IP3 applications. This effect of GTP was reversible. GTP gamma S could not replace GTP. Desensitization still occurred when GTP gamma S was added prior to GTP. The reported data indicate that GTP, stored Ca2+ and cytosolic free Ca2+ modulate the IP3 induced Ca2+ release.     

High extracellular Ca2+ and Mg2+ stimulate accumulation of inositol phosphates in bovine parathyroid cells

We examined the effects of the divalent cations Ca2+ and Mg2+ on inositol phosphate accumulation in bovine parathyroid cells prelabelled with [3H]inositol to determine whether the high extracellular Ca2+ and Mg2+-evoked transients in cytosolic Ca2+ in these cells might result from increases in cellular IP3 levels. In the presence of Li+, both Ca2+ and Mg2+ produced rapid, 2-6-fold increases in IP3 and IP2 and a linear increase in IP of 6-8-fold at 30 min. Smaller (1.5-2-fold) increases in IP2 and IP3 were evident within 7.5-15 s upon exposure to high (3 mM) Ca2+ in the absence of Li+. The relative potencies of Ca2+ and Mg2+ (Ca2+ 3-fold more potent than Mg2+) in elevating inositol phosphates were similar to those for their effects in inhibiting PTH release. Fluoride (5 and 10 mM) also produced similar increases in inositol phosphate accumulation, presumably through activation of phospholipase C by a guanine nucleotide (G) protein-dependent process. Thus, high extracellular Ca2+ and Mg2+-induced spikes in cytosolic Ca2+ in bovine parathyroid cells may be mediated by increases in IP3, perhaps through a receptor-mediated process linked to phospholipase C by a G-protein.     

Fast release of 45Ca2+ induced by inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate and Ca2+ in the sarcoplasmic reticulum of rabbit skeletal muscle: evidence for two types of Ca2+ release channels.

The kinetics of Ca2+ release induced by the second messenger D-myoinositol 1,4,5 trisphosphate (IP3), by the hydrolysis-resistant analogue D-myoinositol 1,4,5 trisphosphorothioate (IPS3), and by micromolar Ca2+ were resolved on a millisecond time scale in the junctional sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) of rabbit skeletal muscle. The total Ca2+ mobilized by IP3 and IPS3 varied with concentration and with time of exposure. Approximately 5% of the 45Ca2+ passively loaded into the SR was released by 2 microM IPS3 in 150 ms, 10% was released by 10 microM IPS3 in 100 ms, and 20% was released by 50 microM IPS3 in 20 ms. Released 45Ca2+ reached a limiting value of approximately 30% of the original load at a concentration of 10 microM IP3 or 25-50 microM IPS3. Ca(2+)-induced Ca2+ release (CICR) was studied by elevating the extravesicular Ca2+ while maintaining a constant 5-mM intravesicular 45Ca2+. An increase in extravesicular Ca2+ from 7 nM to 10 microM resulted in a release of 55 +/- 7% of the passively loaded 45Ca2+ in 150 ms. CICR was blocked by 5 mM Mg2+ or by 10 microM ruthenium red, but was not blocked by heparin at concentrations as high as 2.5 mg/ml. In contrast, the release produced by IPS3 was not affected by Mg2+ or ruthenium red but was totally inhibited by heparin at concentrations of 2.5 mg/ml or lower. The release produced by 10 microM Ca2+ plus 25 microM IPS3 was similar to that produced by 10 microM Ca2+ alone and suggested that IP3-sensitive channels were present in SR vesicles also containing ruthenium red-sensitive Ca2+ release channels. The junctional SR of rabbit skeletal muscle may thus have two types of intracellular Ca2+ releasing channels displaying fast activation kinetics, namely, IP3-sensitive and Ca(2+)-sensitive channels.     

Parathyroid hormone secretion in the absence of extracellular free Ca2+ and transmembrane Ca2+ influx

The involvement of extracellular Ca2+ and Ca2+ influx across the plasma membrane in parathyroid hormone (PTH) secretion was investigated in vitro using a new preparation of bovine parathyroid cells. Incubation of these cells in the presence of 25 microM or 2.5 microM free ambient Ca2+ induced a maximal rate of PTH secretion. Low free Ca2+ secretion is not associated with changes in membrane permeability, requires metabolic energy, and is reversible. The Ca2+ channel blocker D600 had no effect on either 45Ca-influx or PTH secretion in these cells. These results, showing that extracellular Ca2+ and Ca2+ influx across the plasma membrane are not required for PTH secretion by parathyroid cells, emphasize the differences in the cellular mechanisms underlying the secretion of PTH vs that of other secretory cells.     

Distinct occurrence of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate-induced Ca2+ release and inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate-induced release in ATP-dependent Ca2+-transporting platelet microsomes

The effects of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PtdInsP2) and inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate(InsP3) on the Ca2+ release from ATP-dependent Ca2+-transporting microsomes prepared from ox platelets were investigated. Under optimal conditions, both PtdInsP2 and InsP3 released Ca2+ from the microsomes in a similar dose-dependent manner. However, the maximal amount of Ca2+ released by InsP3 was almost one-fourth of that released by PtdInsP2. Neither PtdInsP2 nor InsP3 appeared to act as a Ca2+ ionophore since they showed no effect on the Ca2+ content of liposomes prepared from platelet microsomal lipids. InsP3-induced but not PtdInsP2-induced Ca2+ release was decreased with increasing extravesicular Ca2+ from 0.1 microM to 10 microM and it was completely inhibited by 10 microM Ca2+. PtdInsP2-induced but not InsP3-induced Ca2+ release was markedly inhibited by Mg2+, ruthenium red and neomycin. In addition, InsP3 could induce no additional Ca2+ release after the accumulated Ca2+ had been maximally released by PtdInsP2. These results indicate that PtdInsP2 releases Ca2+ from platelet microsomes more effectively than InsP3 by a mechanism distinct from that of InsP3-induced release, and further that InsP3-sensitive microsomes are included within the population of PtdInsP2-sensitive microsomes.     

Regulation of hormone secretion and cytosolic Ca2+ by extracellular Ca2+ in parathyroid cells and C-cells: role of voltage-sensitive Ca2+ channels

The two dihydropyridine enantiomers, (+)202-791 and (-)202-791, that act as voltage-sensitive Ca2+ channel agonist and antagonist, respectively, were examined for effects on cytosolic Ca2+ concentrations ([Ca2+]i) and on hormones secretion in dispersed bovine parathyroid cells and a rat medullary thyroid carcinoma (rMTC) cell line. In both cell types, small increases in the concentration of extracellular Ca2+ evoked transient followed by sustained increases in [Ca2+]i, as measured with fura-2. Increases in [Ca2+]i obtained by raised extracellular Ca2+ were associated with a stimulation of secretion of calcitonin (CT) and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) in rMTC cells, but an inhibition of secretion of parathyroid hormone (PTH) in parathyroid cells. The Ca2+ channel agonist (+)202-791 stimulated whereas the antagonist (-)202-791 inhibited both transient and sustained increases in [Ca2+]i induced by extracellular Ca2+ in rMTC cells. Secretion of CT and CGRP was correspondingly enhanced and depressed by (+)202-791 and (-)202-791, respectively. In contrast, neither the agonist nor the antagonist affected [Ca2+]i and PTH secretion in parathyroid cells. Depolarizing concentrations of extracellular K+ increased [Ca2+]i and hormone secretion in rMTC cells and both these responses were potentiated or inhibited by the Ca2+ channel agonist or antagonist, respectively. The results suggest a major role of voltage-sensitive Ca2+ influx in the regulation of cytosolic Ca2+ and hormones secretion in rMTC cells. Parathyroid cells, on the other hand, appear to lack voltage-sensitive Ca2+ influx pathways and regulate PTH secretion by some alternative mechanism.     

Inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate and the endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ cycle of a rat insulinoma cell line

Regulation of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) Ca2+ cycling by inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) was studied in saponin-permeabilized RINm5F insulinoma cells. Cells were incubated with mitochondrial inhibitors, and medium Ca2+ concentration established by nonmitochondrial pool(s) (presumably the ER) was monitored with a Ca2+ electrode. IP3 degradation accounted for the transience of the Ca2+ response induced by pulse additions of the molecule. To compensate for degradation, IP3 was infused into the medium. This resulted in elevation of [Ca2+] from about 0.2 microM to a new steady state between 0.3 and 1.0 microM, depending on both the rate of IP3 infusion and the ER Ca2+ content. The elevated steady state represented a bidirectional buffering of [Ca2+] by the ER, as slight displacements in [Ca2+], by small aliquots of Ca2+ or the Ca2+ chelator quin 2, resulted in net uptake or efflux of Ca2+ to restore the previous steady state. When IP3 infusion was stopped, [Ca2+] returned to its original low level. Ninety per cent of the Ca2+ accumulated by the ER was released by IP3 when the total Ca2+ content did not exceed 15 nmol/mg of cell protein. Above this high Ca2+ content, Ca2+ was accumulated in an IP3-insensitive, A23187-releasable pool. The maximal amount of Ca2+ that could be released from the ER by IP3 was 13 nmol/mg of cell protein. The data support the concept that in the physiological range of Ca2+ contents, almost all the ER is an IP3-sensitive Ca2+ store that is capable of finely regulating [Ca2+] through independent influx (Ca2+-ATPase) and efflux (IP3-modulated component) pathways of Ca2+ transport. IP3 may continuously modulate Ca2+ cycling across the ER and play an important role in determining the ER Ca2+ content and in regulating cytosolic Ca2+ under both stimulated and possibly basal conditions.     

Clomiphene, an ovulation-inducing agent, mobilizes intracellular Ca2+ and causes extracellular Ca2+ influx in bladder female transitional carcinoma cells

BACKGROUND/METHODS: The effect of clomiphene, an ovulation-inducing agent, on cytosolic free Ca2+ levels ([Ca2+]i) in populations of BFTC human bladder cancer cells was explored by using fura-2 as a Ca2+ indicator. RESULTS: Clomiphene at concentrations between 10 and 75 microM increased [Ca2+]i in a concentration-dependent manner and the signal saturated at 50 microM. The [Ca2+]i signal was biphasic with an initial rise and a slow decay. Ca2+ removal inhibited the Ca2+ signal by about 40-50% in maximum [Ca2+]i. Adding 3 mM Ca2+ increased [Ca2+]i in cells pretreated with 50 microM clomiphene in Ca2+-free medium, suggesting that clomiphene induced capacitative Ca2+ entry. In Ca2+-free medium, pretreatment with 50 microM brefeldin A (to disrupt the Golgi complex Ca2+ store), 1 microM thapsigargin (to inhibit the endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ pump), and CCCP (to uncouple mitochondria) inhibited 85% of clomiphene-induced intracellular Ca2+ release. Conversely, pretreatment with 50 microM clomiphene in Ca2+-free medium abolished the [Ca2+]i increase induced by brefeldin, thapsigargin or CCCP. The intracellular Ca2+ release was unaltered by inhibiting formation of inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) with 2 mM 1-(6-((17beta-3-methoxyestra-1,3,5(10)-trien-17-yl)amino)hexyl)-1H-pyrrole-2,5-dione (U73122; a phospholipase C inhibitor). CONCLUSION: The [Ca2+]i increase induced by 50 microM clomiphene was not affected by 10 microM of nifedipine, verapamil or diltiazem. Collectively, the results suggest that clomiphene releases intracellular Ca2+ in an IP3-independent manner and also activates extracellular Ca2+ influx.     

Thiophosphorylation causes Ca2+-independent norepinephrine secretion from permeabilized PC12 cells

Adenosine-5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate) (ATP gamma S) was used to examine the role of phosphorylation in the regulation of norepinephrine secretion by digitonin-permeabilized PC12 cells. While most kinases will use ATP gamma S to thiophosphorylate proteins, thiophosphorylated proteins are relatively resistant to dethiophosphorylation by protein phosphatases. Norepinephrine secretion by permeabilized PC12 cells was ATP- and Ca2+-dependent but resistant to calmodulin antagonists. Half-maximum secretion was obtained in 0.75 microM Ca2+. Permeabilized PC12 cells were incubated with ATP gamma S in the absence of Ca2+, the ATP gamma S was removed, and norepinephrine secretion was determined. Preincubation with ATP gamma S increased the amount of norepinephrine secreted in the absence of Ca2+, but it had no effect on the amount released in the presence of Ca2+. After a 15-min preincubation in 1 mM ATP gamma S, there was almost as much secretion in the absence of Ca2+ as in its presence. Inclusion of ATP in the preincubation inhibited the effect of ATP gamma S. Ca2+ stimulated the rate of modification by ATP gamma S as brief preincubations with ATP gamma S in the presence of Ca2+ resulted in higher levels of Ca2+-independent secretion than did preincubations with ATP gamma S in the absence of Ca2+. Similarly, brief preincubations of permeabilized cells with ATP in the presence of Ca2+ resulted in elevated levels of Ca2+-independent secretion. Secretion of norepinephrine from ATP gamma S-treated cells was ATP-dependent. These results suggest that norepinephrine secretion by PC12 cells is regulated by a Ca2+-dependent phosphorylation. Once this phosphorylation has occurred, secretion is still ATP-dependent, but it no longer requires Ca2+.     

Effects of Ca2+ on phosphoinositide breakdown in exocrine pancreas.

Recent studies have established that inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate [I(1,4,5)P3] provides the link between receptor-regulated polyphosphoinositide hydrolysis and mobilization of intracellular Ca2+. Here, we report the effects of Ca2+ on inositol trisphosphate (IP3) formation from phosphatidylinositol bisphosphate (PIP2) catalysed by phospholipase C in intact and electrically permeabilized rat pancreatic acinar cells. In permeabilized cells, the Ca2+-mobilizing agonist caerulein stimulated [3H]IP3 formation when the free [Ca2+] was buffered at 140 nM, the cytosolic free [Ca2+] of unstimulated pancreatic acinar cells. When the free [Ca2+] was reduced to less than 10 nM, caerulein did not stimulate [3H]IP3 formation. Ca2+ in the physiological range stimulated [3H]IP3 formation and reduced the amount of [3H]PIP2 in permeabilized cells. The effects of Ca2+ and the receptor agonist caerulein were additive, but we have not established whether this reflects independent effects on the same or different enzymes. The effect of Ca2+ on [3H]IP3 formation by permeabilized cells was unaffected by inhibitors of the cyclo-oxygenase and lipoxygenase pathways of arachidonic acid metabolism; nor were the effects of Ca2+ mimicked by addition of arachidonic acid. These results suggest that the effects of Ca2+ on phospholipase C activity are not a secondary consequence of Ca2+ activation of phospholipase A2. Changes in free [Ca2+] (less than 10 nM-1.2 mM) did not affect the metabolism of exogenous [3H]I(1,4,5)P3 by permeabilized cells. In permeabilized cells, breakdown of exogenous [3H]IP3 to [3H]IP2 (inositol bisphosphate), and formation of [3H]IP3 in response to receptor agonists were equally inhibited by 2,3-bisphosphoglyceric acid. This suggests that the [3H]IP2 formed in response to receptor agonists is entirely derived from [3H]IP3. In intact cells, [3H]IP3 formation was stimulated when ionomycin was used to increase the cytosolic free [Ca2+]. However, a maximal concentration of caerulein elicited ten times as much IP3 formation as did the highest physiologically relevant [Ca2+]. We conclude that the major effect of receptor agonists on IP3 formation does not require an elevation of cytosolic free [Ca2+], although the increase in free [Ca2+] that normally follows IP3 formation may itself have a small stimulatory effect on phospholipase C.     

Ga3+ inhibits parathyroid hormone release without interacting with the Ca2+ receptor of the parathyroid cell.

Gallium nitrate is an antihypercalcemic agent with established actions on bone. The effects of Ga(NO3)3 on parathyroid hormone (PTH) release, cytoplasmic Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) and cAMP production of enzymatically dispersed parathyroid cells from bovine as well as normal and pathological human parathyroid glands have now been studied. Ga3+ at 200 microM inhibited PTH release whereas 600 microM NO3- had no effect. The inhibition was additive to that obtained by elevating extracellular Ca2+. Unlike Ca2+, Ga3+ failed to increase [Ca2+]i or reduce cAMP formation. The results indicate that Ga3+ inhibits PTH release by a mechanism other than activation of the cation receptor of the parathyroid cells. This mechanism may contribute also to inhibition by other cations.     

GTP-sensitivity of the energy-dependent Ca2+ storage pool in permeabilized pancreatic acinar cells

Isolated rabbit pancreatic acinar cells, permeabilized by saponin treatment and incubated in the presence of 0.1 microM free Ca2+, accumulated 3.3 nmol of Ca2+/mg of acinar protein in an energy-dependent pool. Part of this energy-dependent pool could be released by GTP in a polyethylene glycol-dependent manner. The kinetics of GTP-induced release of Ca2+ showed a biphasic pattern with an initial rapid phase followed by a sustained slower phase. In contrast, IP3-induced release of Ca2+ was completed within 30 s following addition of IP3. No reuptake of Ca2+ was observed following GTP- or IP3-induced release of Ca2+. The GTP effect was independent of IP3 and not inhibited by Ca2+, indicating that the IP3-operated Ca2+ channel is not involved in GTP-induced release of Ca2+. The size of the IP3-releasable pool was not affected by GTP, indicating that GTP, when added to permeabilized acinar cells, does not promote the coupling between IP3-insensitive and IP3-sensitive Ca2+ accumulating organelles. Thus, in permeabilized acinar cells, GTP and IP3 act on different Ca2+ sequestering pools. Interestingly, however, comparison of the size of the GTP-releasable pool with that of the IP3-releasable pool for the cell preparations used in the present study, revealed an inversed relationship, indicating that at the time of permeabilization the GTP-releasable pool can be coupled to a greater or lesser extent to the IP3-releasable pool. This suggests that, in the intact cell, a GTP-dependent mechanism may exist that controls the size of the IP3-releasable pool by coupling IP3-insensitive to IP3-sensitive organelles. Moreover, this suggests that the extent of coupling is preserved during permeabilization.     

Transformation of local Ca2+ spikes to global Ca2+ transients: the combinatorial roles of multiple Ca2+ releasing messengers

In pancreatic acinar cells, low, threshold concentrations of acetylcholine (ACh) or cholecystokinin (CCK) induce repetitive local cytosolic Ca2+ spikes in the apical pole, while higher concentrations elicit global signals. We have investigated the process that transforms local Ca2+ spikes to global Ca2+ transients, focusing on the interactions of multiple intracellular messengers. ACh-elicited local Ca2+ spikes were transformed into a global sustained Ca2+ response by cyclic ADP-ribose (cADPR) or nicotinic acid adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NAADP), whereas inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) had a much weaker effect. In contrast, the response elicited by a low CCK concentration was strongly potentiated by IP3, whereas cADPR and NAADP had little effect. Experiments with messenger mixtures revealed a local interaction between IP3 and NAADP and a stronger global potentiating interaction between cADPR and NAADP. NAADP strongly amplified the local Ca2+ release evoked by a cADPR/IP3 mixture eliciting a vigorous global Ca2+ response. Different combinations of Ca2+ releasing messengers can shape the spatio-temporal patterns of cytosolic Ca2+ signals. NAADP and cADPR are emerging as key messengers in the globalization of Ca2+ signals.     

Rapid mobilization of cellular Ca2+ in bovine parathyroid cells evoked by extracellular divalent cations. Evidence for a cell surface calcium receptor

The concentration of intracellular free Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) was measured in dissociated bovine parathyroid cells using the fluorescent indicator quin-2 or fura-2. Small increases in the concentration of extracellular Ca2+ produced relatively slow, monophasic increases in [Ca2+]i in quin-2-loaded cells, but rapid and transient increases followed by lower, yet sustained (steady-state), [Ca2+]i increases in fura-2-loaded cells. The different patterns of change in [Ca2+]i reported by quin-2 and fura-2 appear to result from the greater intracellular Ca2+-buffering capacity present within quin-2-loaded cells, which tends to damp rapid and transient changes in [Ca2+]i. In fura-2-loaded parathyroid cells, other divalent cations (Mg2+, Sr2+, Ba2+) also evoked transient increases in [Ca2+]i, and their competitive interactions suggest that they all affect Ca2+ transients by acting on a common site. In contrast, divalent cations failed to cause increases in steady-state levels of cytosolic Ca2+. Low concentrations of La3+ (0.5-10 microM) depressed steady-state levels of cytosolic Ca2+ elicited by extracellular Ca2+ but were without effect on transient increases in [Ca2+]i elicited by extracellular Ca2+, Mg2+ or Sr2+, suggesting that increases in the steady-state [Ca2+]i arise from the influx of extracellular Ca2+. Mg2+- and Sr2+-induced cytosolic Ca2+ transients persisted in the absence of extracellular Ca2+ but were abolished by pretreatment with ionomycin. These results show that cytosolic Ca2+ transients arise from the mobilization of cellular Ca2+ from a nonmitochondrial pool. Extracellular divalent cations thus appear to act at some site on the surface of the cell, and this site can be considered a "Ca2+ receptor" which enables the parathyroid cell to detect small changes in the concentration of extracellular Ca2+.     

Ca2(+)-sensitivity of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate-mediated Ca2+ release in permeabilized pancreatic acinar cells.

Hormonal and phorbol ester pretreatment of pancreatic acinar cells markedly decreases the Ins(1,4,5)P3-induced release of actively stored Ca2+ [Willems, Van Den Broek, Van Os & De Pont (1989) J. Biol. Chem. 264, 9762-9767]. Inhibition occurred at an ambient free Ca2+ concentration of 0.1 microM, suggesting a receptor-mediated increase in Ca2(+)-sensitivity of the Ins(1,4,5)P3-operated Ca2+ channel. To test this hypothesis, the Ca2(+)-dependence of Ins(1,4,5)P3-induced Ca2+ release was investigated. In the presence of 0.2 microM free Ca2+, permeabilized cells accumulated 0.9 nmol of Ca2+/mg of acinar protein in an energy-dependent pool. Uptake into this pool increased 2.2- and 3.3-fold with 1.0 and 2.0 microM free Ca2+ respectively. At 0.2, 1.0 and 2.0 microM free Ca2+, Ins(1,4,5)P3 maximally released 0.53 (56%), 0.90 (44%) and 0.62 (20%) nmol of Ca2+/mg of acinar protein respectively. Corresponding half-maximal stimulatory Ins(1,4,5)P3 concentrations were calculated to be 0.5, 0.6 and 1.4 microM, suggesting that the affinity of Ins(1,4,5)P3 for its receptor decreases beyond 1.0 microM free Ca2+. The possibility that an inhibitory effect of sub-micromolar Ca2+ is being masked by the concomitant increase in size of the releasable store is excluded, since Ca2+ release from cells loaded in the presence of 0.1 or 0.2 microM free Ca2+ and stimulated at higher ambient free Ca2+ was not inhibited below 1.0 microM free Ca2+. At 2.0 and 10.0 microM free Ca2+, Ca2+, Ca2+ release was inhibited by approx. 30% and 75% respectively. The results presented show that hormonal pretreatment does not lead to an increase in Ca2(+)-sensitivity of the release mechanism. Such an increase in Ca2(+)-sensitivity to sub-micromolar Ca2+ is required to explain sub-micromolar oscillatory changes in cytosolic free Ca2+ by a Ca2(+)-dependent negative-feedback mechanism.     

High extracellular Ca2+ hyperpolarizes human parathyroid cells via Ca(2+)-activated K+ channels

Membrane potential has a major influence on stimulus-secretion coupling in various excitable cells. The role of membrane potential in the regulation of parathyroid hormone secretion is not known. High K+-induced depolarization increases secretion from parathyroid cells. The paradox is that increased extracellular Ca2+, which inhibits secretion, has also been postulated to have a depolarizing effect. In this study, human parathyroid cells from parathyroid adenomas were used in patch clamp studies of K+ channels and membrane potential. Detailed characterization revealed two K+ channels that were strictly dependent of intracellular Ca2+ concentration. At high extracellular Ca2+, a large K+ current was seen, and the cells were hyperpolarized (-50.4 +/- 13.4 mV), whereas lowering of extracellular Ca2+ resulted in a dramatic decrease in K+ current and depolarization of the cells (-0.1 +/- 8.8 mV, p < 0.001). Changes in extracellular Ca2+ did not alter K+ currents when intracellular Ca2+ was clamped, indicating that K+ channels are activated by intracellular Ca2+. The results were concordant in cell-attached, perforated patch, whole-cell and excised membrane patch configurations. These results suggest that [Ca2+]o regulates membrane potential of human parathyroid cells via Ca2+-activated K+ channels and that the membrane potential may be of greater importance for the stimulus-secretion coupling than recognized previously.