Requirement for the ryanodine receptor type 3 for efficient contraction in neonatal skeletal muscles.

The skeletal isoform of Ca2+ release channel, RyR1, plays a central role in activation of skeletal muscle contraction. Another isoform, RyR3, has been observed recently in some mammalian skeletal muscles, but whether it participates in regulating skeletal muscle contraction is not known. The expression of RyR3 in skeletal muscles was studied in mice from late fetal stages to adult life. RyR3 was found to be expressed widely in murine skeletal muscles during the post-natal phase of muscle development, but was not detectable in muscles of adult mice, with the exception of the diaphragm and soleus muscles. RyR3 knockout mice were generated, and it was shown that skeletal muscle contraction in these mice was impaired during the first weeks after birth. In skeletal muscles isolated from newborn RyR3(-/- )mice, but not in those from adult mice, the twitch elicited by electrical stimulation and the contracture induced by caffeine were strongly depressed. These results provide the first evidence that RyR3 has a physiological role in excitation-contraction coupling of neonatal skeletal muscles. The disproportion between the low amount of RyR3 and the large impact of the RyR3 knockout suggests that this isoform contributes to the amplification of Ca2+ released by the existing population of ryanodine receptors (RyR1).     

Functional properties of the native type 3 ryanodine receptor Ca2+-release channel from canine diaphragm

mRNA and protein analyses have previously shown that the diaphragm expresses two ryanodine receptor isoforms: RyR1 and RyR3. RyR1 is the main Ca2+-releasing pathway in this muscle type. We now report the conducting, gating, and immunological properties of the native and purified forms of the less abundant RyR3 channel. The conductance of this native Ca2+-release channel was 330 pS in 50 mM/250 mM trans/cis CsCH3SO3. It was activated by Ca2+ concentrations of 1-1000 microM, and did not inactivate at mM concentrations of Ca2+. Both isoforms were purified by either a sucrose density gradient or immunoprecipitation as > 450 kDa proteins on SDS-PAGE. Western blot analysis confirmed the presence of RyR1 and RyR3, which displayed conductances of 740 +/- 30 and 800 +/- 25 pS, respectively, in 250 mM KCl. We thus provide evidence that one form of the diaphragm SR Ca2+-release channels may be classified as RyR3, with gating properties different from those of the well-characterized RyR1 and RyR2 isoforms.     

Systemic ablation of RyR3 alters Ca2+ spark signaling in adult skeletal muscle

Ca2+ sparks are localized intracellular Ca2+ release events from the sarcoplasmic reticulum in muscle cells that result from synchronized opening of ryanodine receptors (RyR). In mammalian skeletal muscle, RyR1 is the predominant isoform present in adult skeletal fibers, while some RyR3 is expressed during development. Functional studies have revealed a differential role for RyR1 and RyR3 in the overall Ca2+ signaling in skeletal muscle, but the contribution of these two isoforms to Ca2+ sparks in adult mammalian skeletal muscle has not been fully examined. When enzyme-disassociated, individual adult skeletal muscle fibers are exposed to an osmotic shock, the resting fiber converts from a quiescent to a highly active Ca2+ release state where Ca2+ sparks appear proximal to the sarcolemmal membrane. These osmotic shock-induced Ca2+ sparks occur in ryr3(-/-) muscle with a spatial distribution similar to that seen in wild type muscle. Kinetic analysis reveals that systemic ablation of RyR3 results in significant changes to the initiation, duration and amplitude of individual Ca2+ sparks in muscle fibers. These changes may reflect the adaptation of the muscle Ca2+ signaling or contractile machinery due to the loss of RyR3 expression in distal tissues, as biochemical assays identify significant changes in expression of myosin heavy chain protein in ryr3(-/-) muscle.     

ATP-induced activation of expressed RyR3 at low free calcium

Ca(2+) channel properties of the mink ryanodine receptor type 3 (RyR3), expressed in HEK293 cells, were studied in planar lipid bilayers to which RyR3 rich membrane fragments had been fused. RyR3 channels were not active at resting levels of Ca(2+)(free) but were gated by an additional 1 mM ATP, exhibiting long open times. The second major finding was the absence of channel inactivation at millimolar Ca(2+)(free). Insertion of a myc tag at the N-terminus of RyR3 did not affect the channel properties. As to skeletal muscle, the observed type 3 channel properties appear physiologically meaningful by assisting type 1 channels in calcium release.     

Concerted vs. sequential. Two activation patterns of vast arrays of intracellular Ca2+ channels in muscle

To signal cell responses, Ca(2+) is released from storage through intracellular Ca(2+) channels. Unlike most plasmalemmal channels, these are clustered in quasi-crystalline arrays, which should endow them with unique properties. Two distinct patterns of local activation of Ca(2+) release were revealed in images of Ca(2+) sparks in permeabilized cells of amphibian muscle. In the presence of sulfate, an anion that enters the SR and precipitates Ca(2+), sparks became wider than in the conventional, glutamate-based solution. Some of these were "protoplatykurtic" (had a flat top from early on), suggesting an extensive array of channels that activate simultaneously. Under these conditions the rate of production of signal mass was roughly constant during the rise time of the spark and could be as high as 5 microm(3) ms(-1), consistent with a release current >50 pA since the beginning of the event. This pattern, called "concerted activation," was observed also in rat muscle fibers. When sulfate was combined with a reduced cytosolic [Ca(2+)] (50 nM) these sparks coexisted (and interfered) with a sequential progression of channel opening, probably mediated by Ca(2+)-induced Ca(2+) release (CICR). Sequential propagation, observed only in frogs, may require parajunctional channels, of RyR isoform beta, which are absent in the rat. Concerted opening instead appears to be a property of RyR alpha in the amphibian and the homologous isoform 1 in the mammal.     

Chicken skeletal muscle ryanodine receptor isoforms: ion channel properties.

To define the roles of the alpha- and beta-ryanodine receptor (RyR) (sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ release channel) isoforms expressed in chicken skeletal muscles, we investigated the ion channel properties of these proteins in lipid bilayers. alpha- and beta RyRs embody Ca2+ channels with similar conductances (792, 453, and 118 pS for K+, Cs+ and Ca2+) and selectivities (PCa2+/PK+ = 7.4), but the two channels have different gating properties. alpha RyR channels switch between two gating modes, which differ in the extent they are activated by Ca2+ and ATP, and inactivated by Ca2+. Either mode can be assumed in a spontaneous and stable manner. In a low activity mode, alpha RyR channels exhibit brief openings (tau o = 0.14 ms) and are minimally activated by Ca2+ in the absence of ATP. In a high activity mode, openings are longer (tau o1-3 = 0.17, 0.51, and 1.27 ms), and the channels are activated by Ca2+ in the absence of ATP and are in general less sensitive to the inactivating effects of Ca2+. beta RyR channel openings are longer (tau 01-3 = 0.34, 1.56, and 3.31 ms) than those of alpha RyR channels in either mode. beta RyR channels are activated to a greater relative extent by Ca2+ than ATP and are inactivated by millimolar Ca2+ in the absence, but not the presence, of ATP. Both alpha- and beta RyR channels are activated by caffeine, inhibited by Mg2+ and ruthenium red, inactivated by voltage (cytoplasmic side positive), and modified to a long-lived substate by ryanodine, but only alpha RyR channels are activated by perchlorate anions. The differences in gating and responses to channel modifiers may give the alpha- and beta RyRs distinct roles in muscle activation.     

The Mu class glutathione transferase is abundant in striated muscle and is an isoform-specific regulator of ryanodine receptor calcium channels

Members of the glutathione transferase (GST) structural family are novel regulators of cardiac ryanodine receptor (RyR) calcium channels. We present the first detailed report of the effect of endogenous muscle GST on skeletal and cardiac RyRs. An Mu class glutathione transferase is specifically expressed in human muscle. An hGSTM2-2-like protein was isolated from rabbit skeletal muscle and sheep heart, at concentrations of approximately 17-93 microM. When added to the cytoplasmic side of RyRs, hGSTM2-2 and GST isolated from skeletal or cardiac muscle, modified channel activity in an RyR isoform-specific manner. High activity skeletal RyR1 channels were inactivated at positive potentials or activated at negative potentials by hGSTM2-2 (8-30 microM). Inactivation became faster as the positive voltage was increased. Channels recovered from inactivation when the voltage was reversed, but recovery times were significantly slowed in the presence of hGSTM2-2 and muscle GSTs. Low activity RyR1 channels were activated at both potentials. In contrast, hGSTM2-2 and GSTs isolated from muscle (1-30 microM) in the cytoplasmic solution, caused a voltage-independent inhibition of cardiac RyR2 channels. The results suggest that the major GST isoform expressed in muscle regulates Ca2+ signalling in skeletal and cardiac muscle and conserves Ca2+ stores in the sarcoplasmic reticulum.     

Critical amino acid residues determine the binding affinity and the Ca2+ release efficacy of maurocalcine in skeletal muscle cells

Maurocalcine (MCa) is a 33 amino acid residue peptide toxin isolated from the scorpion Scorpio maurus palmatus. MCa and mutated analogues were chemically synthesized, and their interaction with the skeletal muscle ryanodine receptor (RyR1) was studied on purified RyR1, sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) vesicles, and cultured myotubes. MCa strongly potentiates [3H]ryanodine binding on SR vesicles (7-fold at pCa 5) with an apparent EC50 of 12 nm. MCa decreases the sensitivity of [3H]ryanodine binding to inhibitory high Ca2+ concentrations and increases it to the stimulatory low Ca2+ concentrations. In the presence of MCa, purified RyR1 channels show long-lasting openings characterized by a conductance equivalent to 60% of the full conductance. This effect correlates with a global increase in Ca2+ efflux as demonstrated by MCa effects on Ca2+ release from SR vesicles. In addition, we show for the first time that external application of MCa to cultured myotubes produces a cytosolic Ca2+ increase due to Ca2+ release from 4-chloro-m-cresol-sensitive intracellular stores. Using various MCa mutants, we identified a critical role of Arg24 for MCa binding onto RyR1. All of the other MCa mutants are still able to modify [3H]ryanodine binding although with a decreased EC50 and a lower stimulation efficacy. All of the active mutants produce both the appearance of a subconductance state and Ca2+ release from SR vesicles. Overall, these data identify some amino acid residues of MCa that support the effect of this toxin on ryanodine binding, RyR1 biophysical properties, and Ca2+ release from SR.     

Selective expression of the type 3 isoform of ryanodine receptor Ca2+ release channel (RyR3) in a subset of slow fibers in diaphragm and cephalic muscles of adult rabbits

The expression pattern of the RyR3 isoform of Ca2+ release channels was analysed by Western blot in neonatal and adult rabbit skeletal muscles. The results obtained show that the expression of the RyR3 isoform is developmentally regulated. In fact, RyR3 expression was detected in all muscles analysed at 2 and 15 days after birth while, in adult animals, it was restricted to a subset of muscles that includes diaphragm, masseter, pterygoideus, digastricus, and tongue. Interestingly, all of these muscles share a common embryonic origin being derived from the somitomeres or from the cephalic region of the embryo. Immunofluorescence analysis of rabbit skeletal muscle cross-sections showed that RyR3 staining was detected in all fibers of neonatal muscles. In contrast, in those adult muscles expressing RyR3 only a fraction of fibers was labelled. Staining of these muscles with antibodies against fast and slow myosins revealed a close correlation between expression of RyR3 and fibers expressing slow myosin isoform.     

Calsequestrin and the calcium release channel of skeletal and cardiac muscle

Calsequestrin is by far the most abundant Ca(2+)-binding protein in the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) of skeletal and cardiac muscle. It allows the Ca2+ required for contraction to be stored at total concentrations of up to 20mM, while the free Ca2+ concentration remains at approximately 1mM. This storage capacity confers upon muscle the ability to contract frequently with minimal run-down in tension. Calsequestrin is highly acidic, containing up to 50 Ca(2+)-binding sites, which are formed simply by clustering of two or more acidic residues. The Kd for Ca2+ binding is between 1 and 100 microM, depending on the isoform, species and the presence of other cations. Calsequestrin monomers have a molecular mass of approximately 40 kDa and contain approximately 400 residues. The monomer contains three domains each with a compact alpha-helical/beta-sheet thioredoxin fold which is stable in the presence of Ca2+. The protein polymerises when Ca2+ concentrations approach 1mM. The polymer is anchored at one end to ryanodine receptor (RyR) Ca2+ release channels either via the intrinsic membrane proteins triadin and junctin or by binding directly to the RyR. It is becoming clear that calsequestrin has several functions in the lumen of the SR in addition to its well-recognised role as a Ca2+ buffer. Firstly, it is a luminal regulator of RyR activity. When triadin and junctin are present, calsequestrin maximally inhibits the Ca2+ release channel when the free Ca2+ concentration in the SR lumen is 1mM. The inhibition is relieved when the Ca2+ concentration alters, either because of small changes in the conformation of calsequestrin or its dissociation from the junctional face membrane. These changes in calsequestrin's association with the RyR amplify the direct effects of luminal Ca2+ concentration on RyR activity. In addition, calsequestrin activates purified RyRs lacking triadin and junctin. Further roles for calsequestrin are indicated by the kinase activity of the protein, its thioredoxin-like structure and its influence over store operated Ca2+ entry. Clearly, calsequestrin plays a major role in calcium homeostasis that extends well beyond its ability to buffer Ca2+ ions.     

Ca2+ signaling in microdomains: Homer1 mediates the interaction between RyR2 and Cav1.2 to regulate excitation-contraction coupling

Excitation-contraction (E-C) coupling and Ca(2+)-induced Ca(2+) release in smooth and cardiac muscles is mediated by the L-type Ca(2+) channel isoform Ca(v)1.2 and the ryanodine receptor isoform RyR2. Although physical coupling between Ca(v)1.1 and RyR1 in skeletal muscle is well established, it is generally assumed that Ca(v)1.2 and RyR2 do not directly communicate either passively or dynamically during E-C coupling. In the present work, we re-examined this assumption by studying E-C coupling in the detrusor muscle of wild type and Homer1(-/-) mice and by demonstrating a Homer1-mediated dynamic interaction between Ca(v)1.2 and RyR2 using the split green fluorescent protein technique. Deletion of Homer1 in mice (but not of Homer2 or Homer3) resulted in impaired urinary bladder function, which was associated with higher sensitivity of the detrusor muscle to muscarinic stimulation and membrane depolarization. This was not due to an altered expression or function of RyR2 and Ca(v)1.2. Most notably, expression of Ca(v)1.2 and RyR2 tagged with the complementary C- and N-terminal halves of green fluorescent protein and in the presence and absence of Homer1 isoforms revealed that H1a and H1b/c reciprocally modulates a dynamic interaction between Ca(v)1.2 and RyR2 to regulate the intensity of Ca(2+)-induced Ca(2+) release and its dependence on membrane depolarization. These findings define the molecular basis of a "two-state" model of E-C coupling by Ca(v)1.2 and RyR2. In one state, Ca(v)1.2 couples to RyR2 by H1b/c, which results in reduced responsiveness to membrane depolarization and in the other state H1a uncouples Ca(v)1.2 and RyR2 to enhance responsiveness to membrane depolarization. These findings reveal an unexpected and novel mode of interaction and communication between Ca(v)1.2 and RyR2 with important implications for the regulation of smooth and possibly cardiac muscle E-C coupling.     

Calmodulin regulation and identification of calmodulin binding region of type-3 ryanodine receptor calcium release channel

Ryanodine receptors (RyRs) are a family of intracellular Ca(2+) channels that are regulated by calmodulin (CaM). At low Ca(2+) concentrations (<1 microM), CaM activates RyR1 and RyR3 and inhibits RyR2. At elevated Ca(2+) concentrations (>1 microM), CaM inhibits all three RyR isoforms. Here we report that the regulation of recombinant RyR3 by CaM is sensitive to redox regulation. RyR3 in the presence of reduced glutathione binds CaM with 10-15-fold higher affinity, at low and high Ca(2+) concentrations, compared to in the presence of oxidized glutathione. However, compared to RyR1 assayed at low Ca(2+) concentrations under both reducing and oxidizing conditions, CaM binds RyR3 with reduced affinity but activates RyR3 to a greater extent. Under reducing conditions, RyR1 and RyR3 activities are inhibited with a similar affinity at [Ca(2+)] > 1 microM. Mutagenesis studies demonstrate that RyR3 contains a single conserved CaM binding site. Corresponding amino acid substitutions in the CaM binding site differentially affect CaM binding and CaM regulation of RyR3 and those of the two other isoforms. The results support the suggestion that other isoform dependent regions have a major role in the regulation of RyRs by CaM [Yamaguchi et al. (2004) J. Biol. Chem. 279, 36433-36439].     

Type 1 and type 3 ryanodine receptors generate different Ca(2+) release event activity in both intact and permeabilized myotubes.

In this investigation we use a "dyspedic" myogenic cell line, which does not express any ryanodine receptor (RyR) isoform, to examine the local Ca(2+) release behavior of RyR3 and RyR1 in a homologous cellular system. Expression of RyR3 restored caffeine-sensitive, global Ca(2+) release and causes the appearance of relatively frequent, spontaneous, spatially localized elevations of [Ca(2+)], as well as occasional spontaneous, propagating Ca(2+) release, in both intact and saponin-permeabilized myotubes. Intact myotubes expressing RyR3 did not, however, respond to K(+) depolarization. Expression of RyR1 restored depolarization-induced global Ca(2+) release in intact myotubes and caffeine-induced global release in both intact and permeabilized myotubes. Both intact and permeabilized RyR1-expressing myotubes exhibited relatively infrequent spontaneous Ca(2+) release events. In intact myotubes, the frequency of occurrence and properties of these RyR1-induced events were not altered by partial K(+) depolarization or by application of nifedipine, suggesting that these RyR1 events are independent of the voltage sensor. The events seen in RyR1-expressing myotubes were spatially more extensive than those seen in RyR3-expressing myotubes; however, when analysis was limited to spatially restricted "Ca(2+) spark"-like events, events in RyR3-expressing myotubes were larger in amplitude and duration compared with those in RyR1. Thus, in this skeletal muscle context, differences exist in the spatiotemporal properties and frequency of occurrence of spontaneous release events generated by RyR1 and RyR3. These differences underscore functional differences between the Ca(2+) release behavior of RyR1 and RyR3 in this homologous expression system.     

Comparison of properties of Ca2+ release channels between rabbit and frog skeletal muscles

Biochemical investigation of Ca2+ release channel proteins has been carried out mainly with rabbit skeletal muscles, while frog skeletal muscles have been preferentially used for physiological investigation of Ca2+ release. In this review, we compared the properties of ryanodine receptors (RyR), Ca2+ release channel protein, in skeletal muscles between rabbit and frog. While the Ryr1 isoform is the main RyR of rabbit skeletal muscles, two isoforms, - and -RyR which are homologous to Ryr1 and Ryr3 isoforms in mammals, respectively, coexist as a homotetramer in a similar amount in frog skeletal muscles. The two isoforms in an isotonic medium show very similar property in [3H]ryanodine binding activity which is parallel to Ca2+-induced Ca2+ release (CICR) activity, and make independent contributions to the activities of the sarcoplasmic reticulum. CICR and [3H]ryanodine binding activities of rabbit and frog are qualitatively similar in stimulation by Ca2+, adenine nucleotide and caffeine, however, they showed the following quantitative differences. First, rabbit RyR showed higher Ca2+ affinity than the frog. Second, rabbit RyR showed higher activity in the presence of Ca2+ alone with less stimulation by adenine nucleotide than the frog. Third, rabbit RyR displayed less enhancement of [3H]ryanodine binding by caffeine in spite of having a similar magnitude of Ca2+ sensitization than the frog, which may explain the occasional difficulty by researchers to demonstrate caffeine contracture with mammalian skeletal muscles. Finally, but not least, rabbit RyR still showed marked inhibition of [3H]ryanodine binding in the presence of high Ca2+ concentrations in the 1 M NaCl medium, while frog RyR showed disinhibition. Other matters relevant to Ca2+ release were also discussed.     

Dynamic alterations in myoplasmic Ca2+ in malignant hyperthermia and central core disease

Ca2+ ions play a pivotal role in a wide array of cellular processes ranging from fertilization to cell death. In skeletal muscle, a mechanical interaction between plasma membrane dihydropyridine receptors (DHPRs, L-type Ca2+ channels) and Ca2+ release channels (ryanodine receptors, RyR1s) of the sarcoplasmic reticulum orchestrates a complex, bi-directional Ca2+ signaling process that converts electrical impulses in the sarcolemma into myoplasmic Ca2+ transients during excitation-contraction coupling. Mutations in the genes that encode the two proteins that coordinate this electrochemical conversion process (the DHPR and RyR1) result in a variety of skeletal muscle disorders including malignant hyperthermia (MH), central core disease (CCD), multiminicore disease, nemaline rod myopathy, and hypokalemic periodic paralysis. Although RyR1 and DHPR disease mutations are thought to alter excitability and Ca2+ homeostasis in skeletal muscle, only recently has research begun to probe the molecular mechanisms by which these genetic defects lead to distinct clinical and histopathological manifestations. This review focuses on recent advances in determining the impact of MH and CCD mutations in RyR1 on muscle Ca2+ signaling and how these effects contribute to disease-specific aspects of these disorders.     

Characterization of RyR1-slow, a ryanodine receptor specific to slow-twitch skeletal muscle

Two distinct skeletal muscle ryanodine receptors (RyR1s) are expressed in a fiber type-specific manner in fish skeletal muscle (11). In this study, we compare [(3)H]ryanodine binding and single channel activity of RyR1-slow from fish slow-twitch skeletal muscle with RyR1-fast and RyR3 isolated from fast-twitch skeletal muscle. Scatchard plots indicate that RyR1-slow has a lower affinity for [(3)H]ryanodine when compared with RyR1-fast. In single channel recordings, RyR1-slow and RyR1-fast had similar slope conductances. However, the maximum open probability (P(o)) of RyR1-slow was threefold less than the maximum P(o) of RyR1-fast. Single channel studies also revealed the presence of two populations of RyRs in tuna fast-twitch muscle (RyR1-fast and RyR3). RyR3 had the highest P(o) of all the RyR channels and displayed less inhibition at millimolar Ca(2+). The addition of 5 mM Mg-ATP or 2.5 mM beta, gamma-methyleneadenosine 5'-triphosphate (AMP-PCP) to the channels increased the P(o) and [(3)H]ryanodine binding of both RyR1s but also caused a shift in the Ca(2+) dependency curve of RyR1-slow such that Ca(2+)-dependent inactivation was attenuated. [(3)H]ryanodine binding data also showed that Mg(2+)-dependent inhibition of RyR1-slow was reduced in the presence of AMP-PCP. These results indicate differences in the physiological properties of RyRs in fish slow- and fast-twitch skeletal muscle, which may contribute to differences in the way intracellular Ca(2+) is regulated in these muscle types.     

The 30 S lobster skeletal muscle Ca2+ release channel (ryanodine receptor) has functional properties distinct from the mammalian channel proteins.

The 3-[(3-cholamidopropyl)dimethylammonio]-1-propanesulfonate (Chaps)-solubilized ryanodine receptor (RyR) of lobster skeletal muscle has been isolated by rate density centrifugation as a 30 S protein complex. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoretic analysis of the purified 30 S receptor revealed a single high molecular weight protein band with a mobility intermediate between those of the mammalian skeletal and cardiac M(r) 565,000 RyR polypeptides. Immunoblot analysis showed no or only minimal cross-reactivity with the rabbit skeletal and canine cardiac RyR polypeptides. By immunofluorescence the lobster RyR was localized to the junctions of the A-I bands. Following planar lipid bilayer reconstitution of the purified 30 S lobster RyR, single channel K+ and Ca2+ currents were observed which were modified by ryanodine and optimally activated by millimolar concentrations of cis (cytoplasmic) Ca2+. Vesicle-45Ca2+ flux measurements also indicated an optimal activation of the lobster Ca2+ channel by millimolar Ca2+, whereas 45Ca2+ efflux from mammalian skeletal and cardiac muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) vesicles is optimally activated by micromolar Ca2+. Further, mammalian muscle SR Ca2+ release activity is modulated by Mg2+ and ATP, whereas neither ligand appreciably affected 45Ca2+ efflux from lobster SR vesicles. These results suggested that lobster and mammalian muscle express immunologically and functionally distinct SR Ca2+ release channel protein complexes.