Inositol trisphosphate analogues induce different oscillatory patterns in Xenopus oocytes.

Agonists that utilize the calcium-mobilizing second messenger inositol(1,4,5)trisphosphate Ins(1,4,5)P3 usually generate oscillations in intracellular calcium. Such oscillations, based on the periodic release of calcium from the endoplasmic reticulum, can also be induced by injecting cells with Ins(1,4,5)P3. The mechanism responsible for oscillatory activity was studied in Xenopus oocytes by injecting them with different inositol trisphosphates. The plasma membrane of Xenopus oocytes has calcium-dependent chloride channels that open in response to calcium, leading to membrane depolarization. Oscillations in calcium were thus monitored by recording membrane potential. The naturally occurring Ins(1,4,5)P3 produced a large initial transient followed by a single transient or a burst of oscillations. By contrast, two analogues (Ins(2,4,5)P3 and Ins(1,4,5)P(S)3) produced a different oscillatory pattern made up of a short burst of sharp transients. Ins(1,3,4,5)P4 had no effect when injected by itself, and it also failed to modify the oscillatory responses to either Ins(2,4,5)P3 or Ins(1,4,5)P(S)3. Both analogues failed to induce a response when injected immediately after the initial Ins(1,4,5)P3-induced response, indicating that they act on the same intracellular pool of calcium. The existence of different oscillatory patterns suggests that there may be different mechanisms for setting up calcium oscillations. The Ins(2,4,5)P3 and Ins(1,4,5)P(S)3 analogues may initiate oscillations through a negative feedback mechanism whereby calcium inhibits its own release. The two-pool model is the most likely mechanism to describe the Ins(1,4,5)P3-induced oscillations.     

Cytosolic calcium oscillators

Many cells display oscillations in intracellular calcium resulting from the periodic release of calcium from intracellular reservoirs. Frequencies are varied, but most oscillations have periods ranging from 5 to 60 s. For any given cell, frequency can vary depending on external conditions, particularly the concentration of natural stimuli or calcium. This cytosolic calcium oscillator is particularly sensitive to those stimuli (neurotransmitters, hormones, growth factors) that hydrolyze phosphoinositides to give diacylglycerol and inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (Ins1,4,5P3). The ability of Ins1,4,5P3 to mobilize intracellular calcium is a significant feature of many of the proposed models that are used to explain oscillatory activity. Receptor-controlled oscillator models propose that there are complex feedback mechanisms that generate oscillations in the level of Ins1,4,5P3. Second messenger-controlled oscillator models demonstrate that the oscillator is a component of the calcium reservoir, which is induced to release calcium by a constant input of either Ins1,4,5P3 or calcium itself. In the latter case, the process of calcium-induced calcium release might be the basis of oscillatory activity in many cell types. The function of calcium oscillations is still unknown. Because oscillator frequency can vary with agonist concentration, calcium transients might be part of a frequency-encoded signaling system. When an external stimulus arrives at the cell surface the information is translated into a train of calcium spikes, i.e., the signal is digitized. Certain cells may then convey information by varying the frequency of this digital signal.     

Inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate-induced calcium mobilization is localized in Xenopus oocytes

Injection of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (Ins(1,4,5)P3) into the animal pole of Xenopus oocytes induced membrane depolarization due to the internal mobilization of calcium, which activates a chloride conductance. Repetitive injections of Ins(1,4,5)P3 results in desensitization probably as a result of depletion of the internal store of calcium. Desensitization was restricted to the region surrounding the site of injection. Injection of Ins(1,4,5)P3 at one position induced desensitization, which failed to spread to a neighbouring region (ca. 200 microns away). Even when sufficient Ins(1,4,5)P3 was injected to induce calcium oscillations, there was still no evidence for the effects of Ins(1,4,5)P3 spreading to neighbouring regions. The fact that periodic calcium transients could also be established by the repetitive injection of small amounts of Ins(1,4,5)P3 suggests that calcium oscillations may also be localized. It is concluded that the Ins(1,4,5)P3-sensitive store of calcium comprises separate local compartments that can be activated independently of each other.     

Effect of inositol trisphosphate and calcium on oscillating elevations of intracellular calcium in Xenopus oocytes

Stimulation of many nonexcitable cells by Ca2(+)-mobilizing receptor agonists causes oscillating elevations of the intracellular free Ca2+ concentration ((Ca2+]i), rather than a continuous increase. It has been proposed that the frequency at which [Ca2+]i oscillates determines the biological response. Because the occurrence of [Ca2+] oscillations is observed together with endogenous inositol polyphosphate (InsPs) production or following InsPs application, we injected Xenopus laevis oocytes with InsPs and monitored Ca2(+)-activated Cl- currents as an assay of [Ca2+]i. Microinjection of the poorly metabolizable inositol trisphosphate (InsP3) derivatives inositol 2,4,5-trisphosphate (Ins(2,4,5)P3) and inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphorothioate (Ins(1,4,5) P3S3) induced [Ca2+]i oscillations. The frequency at which [Ca2+]i oscillated increased with the injected dose, indicating that the frequency-generating mechanism lies distal to InsP3 production and that generation of oscillations does not require either oscillation of InsP3 levels or InsP3 metabolism. Injections of high doses of Ins(1,4,5)P3 or Ins(2,4,5)P3 inhibited ongoing oscillations, whereas Ca2+ injections decreased the amplitude of Ins(2,4,5)P3-induced oscillations without altering their frequency. Injections of the Ins(1,4,5)P3 metabolite inositol 1,3,4,5-tetrakisphosphate also caused oscillations whose frequency was related to the injected dose, although inositol tetrakisphosphate injection induced an increase in the cellular level of Ins(1,4,5)P3. The results suggest a multicomponent oscillatory system that includes the InsP3 target as well as a Ca2(+)-sensitive step that modulates amplitude.     

Injection of inositol 1,3,4,5-tetrakisphosphate into Xenopus oocytes generates a chloride current dependent upon intracellular calcium

Injection of inositol 1,3,4,5-tetrakisphosphate (Ins(1,3,4,5)P4) into voltage-clamped oocytes of Xenopus laevis elicited an oscillatory chloride membrane current. This response did not depend upon extracellular calcium, because it could be produced in calcium-free solution and after addition of cobalt to block calcium channels in the surface membrane. However, it was abolished after intracellular loading with the calcium chelating agent EGTA, indicating a dependence upon intracellular calcium. The mean dose of Ins(1,3,4,5)P4 required to elicit a threshold current was 4 x 10(-14) mol. In comparison, inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (Ins(1,4,5)P3) gave a similar oscillatory current with doses of about one twentieth as big. Hyperpolarization of the oocyte membrane during activation by Ins(1,3,4,5)P4 elicited a transient inward current, as a result of the opening of calcium-dependent chloride channels subsequent to the entry of external calcium. In some oocytes the injection of Ins(1,3,4,5)P4 was itself sufficient to allow the generation of the transient inward current, whereas in others a prior injection of Ins(1,4,5)P3 was required. We conclude that Ins(1,3,4,5)P4 causes the release of intracellular calcium from stores in the oocyte, albeit with less potency than Ins(1,4,5)P3. In addition, Ins(1,3,4,5)P4 activates voltage-sensitive calcium channels in the surface membrane, via a process that may require 'priming' by Ins(1,4,5)P3.     

Calcium oscillations: phenomena, mechanisms and significance

Many hormones that mobilise intracellular calcium via inositol 1,4,5 trisphosphate induce oscillations in cytoplasmic free Ca. Two basic oscillatory patterns occur: quasi-sinusoidal oscillations and repetitive free Ca transients. The mechanisms responsible for generating these oscillations are not clear; calcium-induced calcium release, interplay between two intracellular calcium pools and repetitive generation of InsP3 are discussed. The significance of different oscillatory patterns induced by different agonists in the same cell is emphasised, and mechanisms by which the oscillators may retain-receptor specific information are proposed, such as negative feedback onto receptors or G-proteins by protein kinase C. Reasons why cells generate free Ca oscillations and possible consequences such as oscillations in downstream pathways are explored. The possibility that pathological conditions such as aluminium toxicity are exerted through distortion of oscillatory free Ca signalling is raised.     

The Croonian lecture, 1988. Inositol lipids and calcium signalling

The response of cells to many external stimuli requires a decoding process at the membrane to transduce information into intracellular messengers. A major decoding mechanism employed by a variety of hormones, neurotransmitters and growth factors depends on the hydrolysis of a unique inositol lipid to generate two key second messengers, diacylglycerol and inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (Ins(1,4,5)P3). Here I examine the second messenger function of Ins(1,4,5)P3 in controlling the mobilization of calcium. We know most about how this messenger releases calcium from internal reservoirs but less is known concerning the entry of external calcium. One interesting possibility is that Ins(1,4,5)P3 might function in conjunction with its metabolic product Ins(1,3,4,5)P4 to control calcium entry through a mechanism employing a region of the endoplasmic reticulum as a halfway house during the transfer of calcium from outside the cell into the cytoplasm. The endoplasmic reticulum interposed between the plasma membrane and the cytosol may function as a capacitor to insure against the cell being flooded with external calcium. When stimulated, cells often display remarkably uniform oscillations in intracellular calcium. At least two oscillatory patterns have been recognized suggesting the existence of separate mechanisms both of which may depend upon Ins(1,4,5)P3. In one mechanism, oscillations may be driven by periodic pulses of Ins(1,4,5)P3 produced by receptors under negative feedback control of protein kinase C. The other oscillatory mechanism may depend upon Ins(1,4,5)P3 unmasking a process of calcium-induced calcium release from the endoplasmic reticulum. The function of these calcium oscillations is still unknown. This Ins(1,4,5)P3/calcium signalling system is put to many uses during the life history of a cell.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Caffeine inhibits inositol-trisphosphate-induced membrane potential oscillations in Xenopus oocytes.

Immature Xenopus oocytes injected with inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (Ins(1,4,5)P3) give a complex electrophysiological response comprising an a early depolarizing spike followed by a burst of oscillations. These two components have been interpreted on the basis of an interaction between two internal calcium stores: an Ins(1,4,5) P3-sensitive pool responsible for the early spike which then primes an Ins(1,4,5) P3-insensitive pool to begin to oscillate through a process of calcium-induced calcium release (Berridge, M. J., J. Physiol., Lond. 403, 589-599 (1988)). The role of the latter was investigated in Xenopus oocytes by using the drug caffeine which can trigger calcium-induced calcium release in muscle cells. Caffeine had no effect on the early Ins(1,4,5)P3-induced spike but it suppressed the subsequent oscillations. The spontaneous oscillations observed in some oocytes were also abolished by caffeine. Oscillation amplitude and duration was slightly reduced following incubation of oocytes with adenosine or isobutylmethylxanthine. Because these two agents gave large membrane hyperpolarizations indicative of an increase in cyclic AMP, it can be concluded that this second messenger is not responsible for the inhibitory action of caffeine. The ability of caffeine to abolish oscillations while not affecting the early Ins(1,4,5) P3 response is discussed with regard to the two-pool model for generating calcium oscillations.     

Inositol trisphosphate isomers, but not inositol 1,3,4,5-tetrakisphosphate, induce calcium influx in Xenopus laevis oocytes

To investigate the mechanisms by which inositol phosphates regulate cytosolic free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]c), we injected Xenopus oocytes with inositol phosphates and measured Ca2+-activated Cl- currents as an assay of [Ca2+]c. Inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (Ins(1,4,5)P3) injection (0.1-10.0 pmol) induced an initial transient Cl- current (I1) followed by a second more prolonged Cl- current (I2). Both currents were Ca2+-dependent, but the source of Ca2+ was different. Release of intracellular Ca2+ stores produced I1, whereas influx of extracellular Ca2+ produced I2; Ca2+-free bathing media and inorganic calcium channel blockers (Mn2+, Co2+) did not alter I1 but completely and reversibly inhibited I2. Injection of the Ins(1,4,5)P3 metabolite, inositol 1,3,4,5-tetrakisphosphate (Ins(1,3,4,5)P4) (0.2-10.0 pmol) generated a Ca2+-dependent Cl- current with superimposed current oscillations that resulted from release of intracellular Ca2+, not Ca2+ influx. Injection of the Ins(1,3,4,5)P4 metabolite, inositol 1,3,4-trisphosphate (10.0 pmol), or the synthetic inositol trisphosphate isomer, inositol 2,4,5-trisphosphate (1.0-10.0 pmol), mimicked the effect of Ins(1,4,5)P3, stimulating an I1 resulting from release of intracellular Ca2+ and an I2 resulting from influx of extracellular Ca2+. The results indicate that several inositol trisphosphate isomers stimulate both release of intracellular Ca2+ and influx of extracellular Ca2+. Ins(1,3,4,5)P4 also stimulated release of intracellular Ca2+, but it was neither sufficient nor required for Ca2+ influx.     

The families of kinases removing the Ca2+ releasing second messenger Ins(1,4,5)P3

The formation and degradation of the second messenger D-myo-inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate [Ins(1,4,5)P3] are of great metabolic importance, because of its role in the mediation of calcium release from intracellular stores. The concentration of Ins(1,4,5)P3 in the cell is regulated by three signaling enzymes: phospholipase C isoforms release Ins(1,4,5)P3 from the plasma membrane by hydrolysis of phosphatidyl inositol 4,5-bisphosphate, whereas inositol phosphate 5-phosphatases remove it by dephosphorylation and a group of inositol phosphate kinases eliminate it by further phosphorylation at its 3- or 6-hydroxy group. The latter group is formed by the three isoforms of Ins(1,4,5)P3 3-kinase (IP3K) and inositol phosphate multikinase. In this article the tissue specific gene expression, molecular structure, role in calcium oscillations, regulation by calcium calmodulin, by phosphorylation and by intracellular localization of the IP3K isoforms are discussed. Another important aspect is the evolution of diverse inositol phosphate metabolizing enzymes from a eukaryotic founder by different mechanisms of gene diversification. Finally the role of IPMK in calcium signaling will be elucidated in more detail.     

Role of Ca2+ feedback on single cell inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate oscillations mediated by G-protein-coupled receptors

The dynamics of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (Ins (1,4,5)P3) production during periods of G-protein-coupled receptor-mediated Ca2+ oscillations have been investigated using the pleckstrin homology (PH) domain of phospholipase C (PLC) delta1 tagged with enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP-PHPLCdelta1). Activation of noradrenergic alpha1B and muscarinic M3 receptors recombinantly expressed in the same Chinese hamster ovary cell indicates that Ca2+ responses to these G-protein-coupled receptors are stimulus strength-dependent. Thus, activation of alpha1B receptors produced transient base-line Ca2+ oscillations, sinusoidal Ca2+ oscillations, and then a steady-state plateau level of Ca2+ as the level of agonist stimulation increased. Activation of M3 receptors, which have a higher coupling efficiency than alpha1B receptors, produced a sustained increase in intracellular Ca2+ even at low levels of agonist stimulation. Confocal imaging of eGFP-PHPLCdelta1 visualized periodic increases in Ins(1,4,5)P3 production underlying the base-line Ca2+ oscillations. Ins(1,4,5)P3 oscillations were blocked by thapsigargin but not by protein kinase C down-regulation. The net effect of increasing intracellular Ca2+ was stimulatory to Ins(1,4,5)P3 production, and dual imaging experiments indicated that receptor-mediated Ins(1,4,5)P3 production was sensitive to changes in intracellular Ca2+ between basal and approximately 200 nM. Together, these data suggest that alpha1B receptor-mediated Ins(1,4,5)P3 oscillations result from a positive feedback effect of Ca2+ onto phospholipase C. The mechanisms underlying alpha1B receptor-mediated Ca2+ responses are therefore different from those for the metabotropic glutamate receptor 5a, where Ins(1,4,5)P3 oscillations are the primary driving force for oscillatory Ca2+ responses (Nash, M. S., Young, K. W., Challiss, R. A. J., and Nahorski, S. R. (2001) Nature 413, 381-382). For alpha1B receptors the Ca2+-dependent Ins(1,4,5)P3 production may serve to augment the existing regenerative Ca2+-induced Ca2+-release process; however, the sensitivity to Ca2+ feedback is such that only transient base-line Ca2+ spikes may be capable of causing Ins(1,4,5)P3 oscillations.     

The effects of inositol trisphosphates and inositol tetrakisphosphate on Ca2+ release and Cl- current pattern in the Xenopus laevis oocyte.

We report that Ins(1,3,4,5)P4 releases calcium from intracellular stores of intact Xenopus laevis oocytes, as indicated by two different techniques, Ca2(+)-sensitive microelectrodes and a fura-2 imaging system. Ins(1,3,4,5)P4 releases only 20% as much Ca2+ as the same amount of Ins(1,4,5)P3. This effect is not due to the conversion of the injected Ins(1,3,4,5)P4 to Ins(1,4,5)P3, which is known to release Ca2+, because the amount of [3H]Ins(1,3,4,5)P4 that is converted to Ins(1,4,5)P3 is extremely small, as determined using HPLC. Examination of the different current patterns induced by Ins(1,4,5)P3 and Ins(1,3,4,5)P4, when injected into voltage-clamped oocytes, provided further evidence that the Ins(1,3,4,5)P4 was not being converted back to Ins(1,4,5)P3. We investigated the effects of four compounds, three inositol trisphosphates (Ins(1,4,5)P3, Ins(2,4,5)P3, and Ins(1,3,4)P3), and Ins(1,3,4,5)P4, on Cl- current conductance in order to examine (1) the possible role of Ins(1,3,4,5)P4 in cell activation and (2) the relationships between intracellular Ca2+ and the activation of Cl- currents. Immature stage VI Xenopus laevis oocytes were voltage-clamped and injected with Ins(1,4,5)P3, Ins(2,4,5)P3, and Ins(1,3,4)P3. Ins(1,4,5)P3 and Ins(2,4,5)P3 triggered Ca2(+)-dependent Cl- currents, but Ins(1,3,4)P3 did not trigger currents nor did it release intracellular Ca2+. Ins(2,4,5)P3 was fourfold less effective at inducing the immediate Cl- current pulse than Ins(1,4,5)P3. The Cl- current pattern was quite dependent on the amount of Ins(1,4,5)P3 injected into the oocyte. Low amounts of Ins(1,4,5)P3 triggered only an immediate single Cl- current pulse, whereas large amounts triggered the immediate single pulse, followed by a quiescent period, followed by oscillating Cl- currents. In contrast to the response of Ins(1,4,5)P3, injection of Ins(1,3,4,5)P4 triggered only oscillating Cl- currents whose magnitude, but not pattern, was dependent on the amount injected into the cell. The currents generated by Ins(1,3,4,5)P4 resemble the oscillating Cl- currents triggered by large amounts of Ins(1,4,5)P3 and Ins(2,4,5)P3. Ins(1,3,4,5)P4, unlike Ins(1,4,5)P3 and Ins(2,4,5)P3, rarely caused an immediate Cl- current pulse, but caused an immediate release of calcium. Therefore, we suggest that the oscillating currents are only indirectly dependent on calcium. These [Ca2+]i and conductance measurements suggest that both Ins(1,4,5)P3 and Ins(1,3,4,5)P4 have roles in intracellular Ca2+ regulation.     

Inositol tetrakisphosphate as a frequency regulator in calcium oscillations in HeLa cells

Cellular signaling mediated by inositol (1,4,5)trisphosphate (Ins(1, 4,5)P(3)) results in oscillatory intracellular calcium (Ca(2+)) release. Because the amplitude of the Ca(2+) spikes is relatively invariant, the extent of the agonist-mediated effects must reside in their ability to regulate the oscillating frequency. Using electroporation techniques, we show that Ins(1,4,5)P(3), Ins(1,3,4, 5)P(4), and Ins(1,3,4,6)P(4) cause a rapid intracellular Ca(2+) release in resting HeLa cells and a transient increase in the frequency of ongoing Ca(2+) oscillations stimulated by histamine. Two poorly metabolizable analogs of Ins(1,4,5)P(3), Ins(2,4,5)P(3), and 2,3-dideoxy-Ins(1,4,5)P(3), gave a single Ca(2+) spike and failed to alter the frequency of ongoing oscillations. Complete inhibition of Ins(1,4,5)P(3) 3-kinase (IP3K) by either adriamycin or its specific antibody blocked Ca(2+) oscillations. Partial inhibition of IP3K causes a significant reduction in frequency. Taken together, our results indicate that Ins(1,3,4,5)P(4) is the frequency regulator in vivo, and IP3K, which phosphorylates Ins(1,4, 5)P(3) to Ins(1,3,4,5)P(4), plays a major regulatory role in intracellular Ca(2+) oscillations.     

Inositol tetrakisphosphates as second messengers induce Ca(++)-dependent chloride currents in Xenopus laevis oocytes.

Microinjection of inositol 1,3,4,5-tetrakisphosphate or inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate induced distinct chloride membrane currents in defolliculated Xenopus laevis oocytes. To decide whether these Cl(-)-currents were due to the injected compounds or their metabolic products, [3H]Ins(1,3,4,5)P4 or [3H]Ins(1,4,5)P3 were injected into oocytes and their metabolites were analyzed by HPLC. Our results indicate that Ins(1,3,4,5)P4 itself or its metabolite Ins(1,3,4,6)P4 is able to induce Cl(-)-membrane currents, most likely by increasing the cytosolic Ca(++)-concentration.     

Modelling receptor-controlled intracellular calcium oscillators.

This paper presents mathematical models for the hepatocyte calcium oscillator which follow the concepts in a class of informal models developed to account for the striking dependence on the receptor type of several features of the calcium oscillations, in particular the shape and duration of the free calcium transients. The essence of these models is that the transients should be timed by a build-up of activated GTP-binding proteins, which, combined with positive feedback processes and perhaps with cooperative effects, leads to a sudden activation of phospholipase C (PLC), followed by negative feedback processes which switch off the calcium rise and lead to a fall in free calcium back to resting levels. These models predict pulsatile oscillations in inositol (1,4,5)P3 as well as in free calcium. We show that receptor-controlled intracellular calcium oscillators involving an unknown positive feedback pathway onto PLC and negative feedback from protein kinase C (PKC) onto G-proteins and receptors, or negative feedback by stimulation of GTPase activity can simulate many of the features of observed intracellular calcium oscillations. These oscillators exhibit a dependence of frequency on agonist concentration and a dependence of transient duration on receptor and G-protein type. We also show that a PLC-dependent GTPase activating factor (GAF) could provide explanations for some otherwise puzzling features of intracellular calcium oscillations.     

The localization of calcium release by inositol trisphosphate in Limulus photoreceptors and its control by negative feedback

Microvillar photoreceptors of invertebrates exhibit a light-induced rise in the intracellular concentration of free calcium (Cai) that results in part from release of calcium from an intracellular compartment. This light-induced release of calcium appears to result from a cascade of reactions that involve rhodopsin, a GTP-binding protein and a phospholipase-C which releases inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (Ins(1,4,5)P3) from the plasma membrane; the Ins(1,4,5)P3 acts to release calcium from smooth endoplasmic reticulum. In the ventral photoreceptor of the horseshoe crab Limulus polyphemus not all of the endoplasmic reticulum is subject to calcium release by Ins(1,4,5)P3. Only endoplasmic reticulum in the light-sensitive region of the cell is competent to release calcium in response to Ins(1,4,5)P3. The release of calcium by Ins(1,4,5)P3 in ventral photoreceptors appears to be subject to feedback inhibition through elevated Cai. We suggest that this feedback inhibition contributes to sensory adaptation in the photoreceptor and may account for oscillatory membrane responses sometimes observed with large injections of Ins(1,4,5)P3.     

Adenophostin A induces spatially restricted calcium signaling in Xenopus laevis oocytes.

The activation of intracellular calcium release and calcium entry across the plasmalemma in response to intracellular application of inositol 2,4,5-trisphosphate and adenophostin A, two metabolically stable agonists for inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptors, was investigated using Xenopus laevis oocytes and confocal imaging. Intracellular injection of inositol 2,4,5-trisphosphate induced a rapidly spreading calcium signal associated with regenerative calcium waves; the calcium signal filled the peripheral regions of the cell in 1-5 min. Injection of high concentrations of adenophostin A (250 nM) similarly induced rapidly spreading calcium signals. Injection of low concentrations of adenophostin A resulted in calcium signals that spread slowly (>1 h). With extremely low concentrations of adenophostin A (approximately 10 pM), stable regions of Ca2+ release were observed that did not expand to peripheral regions. When the adenophostin A-induced calcium signal was restricted to central regions, compartmentalized calcium oscillations were sometimes observed. Restoration of extracellular calcium caused a rise in cytoplasmic calcium restricted to the region of adenophostin A-induced calcium mobilization. The limited diffusion of adenophostin A provides an opportunity to examine calcium signaling processes under spatially restricted conditions and provides insights into mechanisms of intracellular calcium oscillations and capacitative calcium entry.     

Intercellular communication between follicular angiotensin receptors and Xenopus laevis oocytes: medication by an inositol 1,4,5- trisphosphate-dependent mechanism

In Xenopus laevis oocytes, activation of angiotensin II (AII) receptors on the surrounding follicular cells sends a signal through gap junctions to elevate cytoplasmic calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) within the oocyte. The two major candidates for signal transfer through gap junctions into the oocyte during AII receptor stimulation are Ins(1,4,5)P3 and Ca2+. In [3H]inositol-injected follicular oocytes, AII stimulated two- to fourfold increases in phosphoinositide hydrolysis and production of inositol phosphates. Injection of the glycosaminoglycan, heparin, which selectively blocks Ins(1,4,5)P3 receptors, prevented both AII-stimulated and Ins(1,4,5)P3-induced Ca2+ mobilization in Xenopus follicular oocytes but did not affect mobilization of Ca2+ by ionomycin or GTP. These results indicate that the AII-regulated process of gap junction communication between follicular cells and the oocyte operates through an Ins(1,4,5)P3-dependent mechanism rather than through transfer of Ca2+ into the ooplasm and subsequent Ca(2+)-induced Ca2+ release.     

Positive feedback regulation of phospholipase C by vasopressin-induced calcium mobilization in WRK1 cells

In WRK1 cells vasopressin stimulates Ins(1,4,5)P3 accumulation and mobilizes intracellular calcium. These two phenomena are transient and exhibit similar time-courses. Experiments performed on intact cells or membrane preparations demonstrate that calcium may also stimulate an accumulation of inositol phosphates. This suggests a possible positive feedback regulation of the primary accumulation of Ins(1,4,5)P3 induced by vasopressin. In order to test such a possibility we studied the vasopressin-induced Ins(1,4,5)P3 accumulation, where intracellular calcium mobilization is artificially suppressed by incubating the cells with EGTA in the presence of ionomycin. Under these conditions the accumulation of Ins(1,4,5)P3 induced by 1 microM vasopressin is inhibited by around 50% when measured 5 s after stimulation. This inhibition is not due to an alteration of the VIa vasopressin receptor binding properties, a reduction of the amount of substrate available for the phospholipase C, a stimulation of the Ins(1,4,5)P3 5-phosphatase or an activation of the Ins(1,4,5,)P3 kinase. It is more likely the consequence of the suppression of calcium wave generated by Ins(1,4,5)P3 which may in its turn stimulate a phospholipase C. Different arguments favour this hypothesis: (1) calcium at an intracellular physiological concentration (0.1-1 microM) is able to stimulate a phospholipase C; (2) artificially increasing the [Ca2+]i inside the WRK1 cell induces an accumulation of Ins(1,4,5)P3; and (3) the time-course of the inhibition of Ins(1,4,5)P3 accumulation induced by an EGTA/ionomycin treatment correlates well with that of the calcium mobilization. Altogether these results suggest that Ins(1,4,5)P3 accumulation in WRK1 cells may result from two distinct mechanisms: a direct vasopressin receptor-mediated PLC activation which is independent of calcium and a calcium-mediated PLC activation related to the intracellular calcium mobilization.     

Inositol polyphosphates and intracellular calcium release

The hydrolysis of inositol lipids triggered by the occupation of cell surface receptors generates several intracellular messengers. Many different inositol phosphate isomers accumulate in stimulated cells. Of these D-myo-inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (Ins 1,4,5-P3) is responsible for discharging Ca2+ from intracellular stores. Specific membrane binding sites for Ins 1,4,5-P3 have been detected. The properties of these sites and their possible relationship to the calcium release process is reviewed. Ins 1,4,5-P3 binding sites may be present in discrete subcellular structures ("calciosomes"). Kinetic and some electrophysiological evidence indicates that Ins 1,4,5-P3 acts to open a Ca2+ channel. Recent progress on the purification of the receptor from neuronal tissues is summarized. Phosphorylation of Ins 1,4,5-P3 by a specific kinase results in the production of D-myo-inositol 1,3,4,5-tetraphosphate (Ins 1,3,4,5-P4). This inositol phosphate has been reported to increase the entry of Ca2+ across the plasma membrane, activate nonspecific ion channels in the plasma membrane, alter the Ca2+ content of the Ins 1,4,5-P3-releasable store, and bind to and alter the activity of certain enzymes. These data and the possible biological significance of Ins 1,3,4,5-P4 are discussed.