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

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

Calcium-induced inhibition of phosphoserine phosphatase in insulin target cells is mediated by the phosphorylation and activation of inhibitor 1.

In this study, we examined the mechanism of inhibition of phosphoserine phosphatase (PSPase) activity by elevated [Ca2+]i in insulin target cells. In in vitro studies, isolated rat adipocytes were incubated with either 40 mM K+ or parathyroid hormone (PTH) (20 ng/ml) for 1 h. In in vivo studies, rats were injected with PTH (three hourly injections of 40 micrograms intraperitoneally) prior to isolation of either adipocytes or skeletal muscle. Under these conditions, intracellular [Ca2+]i changed from 100 +/- 8.7 to 263 +/- 10.5 nM. There was a concomitant 30% decrease in adipocyte PSPase activity and a 35% decrease in skeletal muscle PSPase activity, assayed using 32P-labeled phosphorylase "a" as a substrate. The inhibition of PSPase was accompanied by a 60% increase in adipocytes (p less than 0.05) and a 118% increase (p less than 0.01) in skeletal muscle inhibitor 1 (I1) activities, respectively. Since I1 is active only in the phosphorylated state, we studied the effect of [Ca2+]i on I1 phosphorylation. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of heat treated extracts immunoprecipitated with I1 antibody revealed significant increase in 32P incorporation (45-60%, p less than 0.05) into I1 protein in cells with elevated [Ca2+]i. Nitrendipine, a calcium channel blocker, completely prevented increases in I1 phosphorylation and activity in cells exposed to K+ but was only partially effective in the PTH-treated cells. In contrast, a cyclic AMP antagonist, RpcAMP, prevented both the K(+)-and the PTH-induced increases in I1 phosphorylation and activity, even though it failed to block the elevations in [Ca2+]i in these cells. We conclude that [Ca2+]i-induced and cAMP-mediated phosphorylation and activation of I1 results in inhibition of PSPase activity in insulin target cells. The inhibition of PSPases may cause inappropriate serine dephosphorylation of substrates of insulin action resulting in insulin resistance.     

Astrocytes modulate thapsigargin-induced changes in calcium concentration and neuronal survival

When mature cerebellar granule neurons (CGN) grown in high K+ (25 mM K+, HK)-serum containing medium are subjected to the HK/serum deprivation, they are destined for neuronal death. In this study, we attempted to elucidate the roles of endoplasmic reticular (ER) Ca2+-store and co-cultured astrocytes in HK/serum deprivation induced neuronal death. Thapsigargin (TG), an inhibitor of ER Ca2+-ATPase was simultaneously applied with normal K+ (5 mM K+, NK) serum free medium, and its effects on neuronal death in either astrocyte-poor or astrocyterich culture were examined. By means of the fura-2 microfluorimetric technique, we monitored the changes of the intracellular Ca2+ concentration, [Ca2+]i, associated with neuronal death under various treatments. The results obtained showed that in astrocyte-poor cultures of mature CGN (10 days in vitro, DIV), the basal level of [Ca2+]i markedly decreased from 184 +/- 5 to 89.7 +/- 5 nM 24 h after HK/serum deprivation. Although treatment with TG slightly increased the [Ca2+]i to 117.6 +/- 4 nM, the survival rate of the neurons was even worse; it was reduced from 49 +/- 4% to 28 +/- 2%. In the astrocyte-rich cultures, HK/serum deprivation also caused a profound reduction of neuronal [Ca2+]i, from 166 +/- 3 to 90.2 +/- 6 nM, accompanied by even more serious neuronal death (95.5 +/- 1%). On the other hand, treatment with TG in astrocyterich cultures further lowered the [Ca2+]i to 65 +/- 2 nM but markedly improved the neuronal survival rate from 4.5 +/- 1% to 60 +/- 2% in a concentration-dependent manner. The strong implication of these findings is that ER Ca2+-store and astrocytes participate in modulating the responses of neurons to stress stimulation.     

Production of NAADP and its role in Ca2+ mobilization associated with lysosomes in coronary arterial myocytes

The present study was designed to determine the production of nicotinic acid adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NAADP) and its role associated with lysosomes in mediating endothelin-1 (ET-1)-induced vasoconstriction in coronary arteries. HPLC assay showed that NAADP was produced in coronary arterial smooth muscle cells (CASMCs) via endogenous ADP-ribosyl cyclase. Fluorescence microscopic analysis of intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) in CASMCs revealed that exogenous 100 nM NAADP increased [Ca2+]i by 711 +/- 47 nM. Lipid bilayer experiments, however, demonstrated that NAADP did not directly activate ryanodine (Rya) receptor Ca2+ release channels on the sarcoplasmic reticulum. In CASMCs pretreated with 100 nM bafilomycin A1 (Baf), an inhibitor of lysosomal Ca2+ release and vacuolar proton pump function, NAADP-induced [Ca2+]i increase was significantly abolished. Moreover, ET-1 significantly increased NAADP formation in CASMCs and resulted in the rise of [Ca2+]i in these cells with a large increase in global Ca2+ level of 1,815 +/- 84 nM. Interestingly, before this large Ca2+ increase, a small Ca2+ spike with an increase in [Ca2+]i of 529 +/- 32 nM was observed. In the presence of Baf (100 nM), this ET-1-induced two-phase [Ca2+]i response was completely abolished, whereas Rya (50 microM) only markedly blocked the ET-1-induced large global Ca2+ increase. Functional studies showed that 100 nM Baf significantly attenuated ET-1-induced maximal constriction from 82.26 +/- 4.42% to 51.80 +/- 4.36%. Our results suggest that a lysosome-mediated Ca2+ regulatory mechanism via NAADP contributes to ET-1-induced Ca2+ mobilization in CASMCs and consequent vasoconstriction of coronary arteries.     

Intracellular Ca2+ requirement for activation of the Na+/H+ exchanger in vascular smooth muscle cells

The role for intracellular Ca2+ in modulating activity of the Na+/H+ exchanger was studied in cultured vascular smooth muscle cells. Na+/H+ exchange was activated by four distinct stimuli: 1) phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate, 2) thrombin, 3) cell shrinkage, and 4) intracellular acid loading. [Ca2+]i was independently varied between 40 and 200 nM by varying the bathing Ca2+ from 10 nM to 5.0 mM. Thrombin-induced intracellular Ca2+ transients were blocked with bis(2-amino-5-methylphenoxy)ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid tetraacetoxymethyl ester (MAPTAM). In the absence of stimulators of Na+/H+ exchange, varying [Ca2+]i above or below the basal level of 140 nM did not activate Na+/H+ exchange spontaneously. However, varying [Ca2+]i did affect stimulus-induced activation of Na+/H+ exchange. Activation of the exchanger by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate was blunted by reduced intracellular Ca2+ (half-maximal activity at 50-90 nM [Ca2+]i), consistent with a Ca2+ requirement for protein kinase C (Ca2+/phospholipid-dependent enzyme). Activation of the exchanger by thrombin in protein kinase C-depleted cells was also sensitive to reduced intracellular Ca2+ (half-maximal activity at 90-140 nM [Ca2+]i) and was increased 40% by raising [Ca2+]i to 200 nM. Activation of the exchanger by cell shrinkage or intracellular acid loads was not significantly affected over the range of [Ca2+]i tested. Thus, altered [Ca2+]i does not itself affect Na+/H+ exchange activity in vascular smooth muscle but instead modulates activation of the transporter by particular stimuli.     

Histamine type I receptor occupancy increases endothelial cytosolic calcium, reduces F-actin, and promotes albumin diffusion across cultured endothelial monolayers

Considerable evidence suggests that Ca2+ modulates endothelial cell metabolic and morphologic responses to mediators of inflammation. We have used the fluorescent Ca2+ indicator, quin2, to monitor endothelial cell cytosolic free Ca2+, [Ca2+]i, in cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells. Histamine stimulated an increase in [Ca2+]i from a resting level of 111 +/- 4 nM (mean +/- SEM, n = 10) to micromolar levels; maximal and half-maximal responses were elicited by 10(-4) M and 5 X 10(-6) M histamine, respectively. The rise in [Ca2+]i occurred with no detectable latency, attained peak values 15-30 s after addition of stimulus, and decayed to a sustained elevation of [Ca2+]i two- to threefold resting. H1 receptor specificity was demonstrated for the histamine-stimulated changes in [Ca2+]i. Experiments in Ca2+-free medium and in the presence of pyrilamine or the Ca2+ entry blockers Co2+ or Mn2+, indicated that Ca2+ mobilization from intracellular pools accounts for the initial rise, whereas influx of extracellular Ca2+ and continued H1 receptor occupancy are required for sustained elevation of [Ca2+]i. Ionomycin-sensitive intracellular Ca2+ stores were completely depleted by 4 min of exposure to 5 X 10(-6) M histamine. Verapamil or depolarization of endothelial cells in 120 mM K+ did not alter resting or histamine-stimulated [Ca2+]i, suggesting that histamine-elicited changes are not mediated by Ca2+ influx through voltage-gated channels. Endothelial cells grown on polycarbonate filters restricted the diffusion of a trypan blue-albumin complex; histamine (through an H1- selective effect) promoted trypan blue-albumin diffusion with a concentration dependency similar to that for the histamine-elicited rise in [Ca2+]i. Exposure of endothelial cells to histamine (10(-5) M) or ionomycin (10(-7) M) was associated with a decline in endothelial F- actin (relative F-actin content, 0.76 +/- 0.07 vs. 1.00 +/- 0.05; histamine vs. control, P less than 0.05; relative F-actin content, 0.72 +/- 0.06 vs. 1.00 +/- 0.05; ionomycin vs. control, P less than 0.01). The data support a role for cytosolic calcium in the regulation of endothelial shape change and vessel wall permeability in response to histamine.     

Thyroid status and beta-agonistic effects on cytosolic calcium concentrations in single rat cardiac myocytes activated by electrical stimulation or high-K+ depolarization.

The effects of the thyroid status on the cytosolic free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) in single cardiomyocytes were studied at rest and during contraction. The mean resting [Ca2+]i increased significantly from the hypothyroid (45 +/- 4 nM) through the euthyroid (69 +/- 12 nM) to the hyperthyroid condition (80 +/- 11 nM) at extracellular Ca2+ concentrations ([Ca2+]o) up to 2.5 mM. At [Ca2+]o above 2.5 mM the differences in [Ca2+]i between the groups became less. The amplitude of the Ca2+ transients became higher in all groups with increasing [Ca2+]o (1, 2.5 and 5 mM), and was highest at all [Ca2+]o in hyperthyroid myocytes. The beta-agonist isoprenaline elevated peak [Ca2+]i during contraction and increased the rate of the decay of the Ca2+ transients to a greater extent in hypothyroid myocytes than in hyperthyroid myocytes. Depolarization with high [K+]o induced a large but transient [Ca2+]i overshoot in hypothyroid myocytes, but not in hyperthyroid myocytes, before a new elevated steady-state [Ca2+]i was reached, which was not different between the groups. When isoprenaline was added to K+ o-depolarized myocytes after a steady state was reached, a significantly larger extra increase in [Ca2+]i was measured in the hypothyroid group (28%) compared with the hyperthyroid group (8%). It is concluded that in cardiac tissue exposed to increasing amounts of thyroid hormones (1) [Ca2+]i increases at rest and during contraction in cardiomyocytes and (2) interventions which favour Ca2+ entry into the cytosol [( Ca2+]o elevation, high [K+]o, beta-agonists) tend to have less impact on Ca2+ homoeostasis.     

Unusual sensitivity of cytosolic free Ca2+ to changes in extracellular Ca2+ in rat C-cells

An essential function of C-cells is to monitor extracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]e) and to respond to changes in [Ca2+]e by regulating hormone secretion. Using the calcitonin-secreting rat C-cell line rMTC 44-2, we have investigated a possible tight linkage between [Ca2+]e and cytosolic free Ca2+ ([Ca/+]i). We have demonstrated, using the Ca2+ indicator Quin 2, that the [Ca2+]i is particularly sensitive to changes in [Ca2+]e. Sequential increases in [Ca2+]e as small as 0.1 mM evoke clear elevations in [Ca2+]i. In contrast, other cell types tested did not alter their [Ca2+]i in response to increasing [Ca2+]e even to levels as high as 4.0 mM. Sequential 1.0 mM increments in [Ca2+]e caused the [Ca2+]i to rise from a base line of 357 +/- 20 nM Ca2+i at 1.0 mM Ca2+e to a maximum of 1066 +/- 149 nM Ca2+i at 5.0 mM Ca2+e. [Ca2+]e above 2.0 mM produced a biphasic response in [Ca2+]i consisting of an immediate (less than 5 s) spike followed by a decay to a new plateau. Treatment of rMTC 44-2 cells with either 50 mM K+ or 100 nM ionomycin at 1.0 mM Ca2+e caused an immediate spike in [Ca2+]i to micromolar levels. Pretreatment with EGTA or verapamil inhibited completely the increase in [Ca2+]i induced by 50 mM K+. However, pretreatment with EGTA only slightly attenuated the spike phase in [Ca2+]i produced by ionomycin, demonstrating that ionomycin released intracellular stores of calcium. We conclude that rMTC 44-2 cells regulate [Ca2+]i by monitoring small physiological changes in [Ca2+]e, the primary secretagogue for C-cells.     

Dissociation of Ca2+ entry and Ca2+ mobilization responses to angiotensin II in bovine adrenal chromaffin cells

In fura-2-loaded bovine adrenal chromaffin cells, 0.5 microM angiotensin II (AII) stimulated a 185 +/- 19 nM increase of intracellular-free calcium [( Ca2+]i) approximately 3 s after addition. The time from the onset of the response until achieving 50% recovery (t 1/2) was 67 +/- 10 s. Concomitantly, AII stimulated both the release of 45Ca2+ from prelabeled cells, and a 4-5-fold increase of [3H]inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate [( 3H]Ins(1,4,5)P3) levels. In the presence of 50 microM LaCl3, or when extracellular-free Ca2+ [( Ca2+]o) was less than 100 nM, AII still rapidly increased [Ca2+]i by 95-135 nM, but the t 1/2 for recovery was then only 23-27 s. In medium with 1 mM MnCl2 present, AII also stimulated a small amount of Mn2+ influx, as judged by quenching of the fura-2 signal. When [Ca2+]o was normal (1.1 mM) or low (less than 60 nM), 1-2 microM ionomycin caused [Ca2+]i to increase 204 +/- 26 nM, while also releasing 45-55% of bound 45Ca2+. With low [Ca2+]o, ionomycin pretreatment abolished both the [Ca2+]i increase and 45Ca2+ release stimulated by AII. However, after ionomycin pretreatment in normal medium, AII produced a La3+-inhibitable increase of [Ca2+]i (103 +/- 13 nM) with a t 1/2 of 89 +/- 8 s, but no 45Ca2+ release. No pretreatment condition altered AII-induced formation of [3H]Ins(1,4,5)P3. We conclude that AII increased [Ca2+]i via rapid and transient Ca2+ mobilization from Ins(1,4,5)P3- and ionomycin-sensitive stores, accompanied (and/or followed) by Ca2+ entry through a La3+-inhibitable divalent cation pathway. Furthermore, the ability of AII to activate Ca2+ entry in the absence of Ca2+ mobilization (i.e. after ionomycin pretreatment) suggests a receptor-linked stimulus other than Ca2+ mobilization initiates Ca2+ entry.     

Noncyclooxygenase metabolites of arachidonic acid amplify the vasopressin-induced Ca2+ signal in glomerular mesangial cells by releasing Ca2+ from intracellular stores

Noncyclooxygenase metabolites of arachidonic acid may be potent modulators of the mitogenic response of renal mesangial cells to the mitogenic vasoactive peptide arginine vasopressin (AVP). Since Ca2+ is a critical second messenger in the response of mesangial cells to AVP, and Ca2+ has been implicated in the regulation of growth, we determined whether noncyclooxygenase metabolites altered the phospholipase C-Ca2+ signalling cascade which is activated by AVP. Pretreatment of mesangial cells for 10 min with lipoxygenase and cytochrome P450 monooxygenase inhibitors, nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA, 10(-5) M) or SKF-525A (2.5 x 10(-5) M), but not the cyclooxygenase inhibitor indomethacin (2 x 10(-5) M), reduced the magnitude of the AVP (10(-8) and 10(-7) M)-induced increase in cytosolic free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) without affecting inositol trisphosphate production. With 10(-8) M AVP, [Ca2+]i increased to 250 +/- 47 nM in NDGA-treated cells versus 401 +/- 59 nM in control cells (p less than 0.01). [Ca2+]i, measured 2 min after exposure to AVP, was also lower with NDGA (152 +/- 21 nM) when compared with AVP alone (220 +/- 22 nM, p less than 0.01). 14,15-epoxyeicosatrienoic acid (EET) (10(-8) M), which had no effect on inositol trisphosphate production, completely reversed the NDGA-induced inhibition of the [Ca2+]i transient, whereas 5-hydroperoxyeicosatetraenoic acid (HPETE) (5 x 10(-7) M) did not. Pretreatment with higher concentrations of 14,15-EET (10(-7)-10(-6) M) markedly potentiated the AVP-induced increase in [Ca2+]i. NDGA-induced inhibition of the AVP-generated [Ca2+]i transient was also observed when cells were incubated in low Ca2+ media ([Ca2+] less than 5 x 10(-8) M), suggesting that NDGA pretreatment impaired intracellular release of Ca2+. Since NDGA had no direct effect on inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate-induced Ca2+ release, we postulated that NDGA blocked production of a metabolite that releases Ca2+ from intracellular stores. 14,15-EET and 15-HPETE, but not 15-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (each at 3 x 10(-7) M), raised [Ca2+]i when added directly to cells in low Ca2+ media. In permeabilized cells 14,15-EET and 15-HPETE (10(-7) M) potently released Ca2+ from intracellular stores. In summary, noncyclooxygenase metabolites of arachidonic acid, and in particular P450 metabolites, are potent endogenous amplifiers of the AVP-induced [Ca2+]i signal by mechanisms not directly involving phospholipase C activation. This effect is mediated, at least in part, by enhanced release of Ca2+ from intracellular storage sites by an inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate-independent mechanism.     

Cytosolic free magnesium in cardiac myocytes: identification of a Mg2+ influx pathway

Regulation of intracellular Mg2+ activity in the heart is not well characterized. Cardiac myocytes were prepared as primary cultures from 7 day old chick embryo hearts and intracellular Mg2+ concentration [( Mg2+]i) was determined in single ventricular cells with mag-fura-2. Basal [Mg2+]i was 0.48 +/- 0.03 mM in normal culture medium. There was no correlation of basal [Mg2+]i with cellular contraction or intracellular [Ca2+]i (determined with fura-2). Cardiocytes cultured (16 hr) in low Mg (0.16 mM) media contained 0.21 +/- 0.05 mM Mg2+ which returned to normal levels when placed in Mg media with a refill time of 20 min. Basal [Ca2+]i (121 +/- 11 nM) and stimulated [Ca2+]i (231 +/- 41 nM) was similar to control cells. Verapamil, 25 microM, reversibly blocked Mg2+ refill. In conclusion, the basal [Mg2+]i of isolated cardiomyocytes is considerably below the Mg2+ electrochemical equilibrium allowing passive Mg2+ influx. The influx pathway for Mg2+ is inhibited by verapamil and appears to be independent of Ca2+ as assessed by fura-2.     

Effects of cyclopiazonic acid on cytosolic calcium in bovine airway smooth muscle cells

In many cells, inhibition of sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+-ATPase activity induces a steady-state increase in cytosolic calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) that is sustained by calcium influx. The goal was to characterize the response to inhibition of SR Ca2+-ATPase activity in bovine airway smooth muscle cells. Cells were dispersed from bovine trachealis and loaded with fura 2-AM (0.5 microM) for imaging of single cells. Cyclopiazonic acid (CPA; 5 microM) inhibited refilling of both caffeine- and carbachol-sensitive calcium stores. In the presence of extracellular calcium, CPA caused a transient increase in [Ca2+]i from 166 +/- 11 to 671 +/- 100 nM, and then [Ca2+]i decreased to a sustained level (CPA plateau; 236 +/- 19 nM) significantly above basal. The CPA plateau spontaneously declined toward basal levels after 10 min and was attenuated by discharging intracellular calcium stores. When CPA was applied during sustained stimulation with caffeine or carbachol, decreases in [Ca2+]i were observed. We concluded that the CPA plateau depended on the presence of SR calcium and that SR Ca2+-ATPase activity contributed to sustained increases in [Ca2+]i during stimulation with caffeine and, to a lesser extent, carbachol.     

Synaptosomal [Ca2+]i as influenced by Na+/Ca2+ exchange and K+ depolarization.

The modulation of the intrasynaptosomal concentration of Ca2+, [Ca2+]i, by Na+/Ca2+ exchange was studied using Indo-1 fluorescence. The electrochemical gradient of Na+ was manipulated by substituting Li+ or choline for Na+ in the external medium and, then, the influx of 45Ca2+ and the [Ca2+]i were measured. It was found that the increase in [Ca2+]i induced by K+ depolarization is lower if the value of [Ca2+]i has been previously raised by Na+/Ca2+ exchange, suggesting that Ca2+ entering by Na+/Ca2+ exchange reduces the Ca2+ entering by voltage-dependent calcium channels. Our results show that a value of [Ca2+]i of about 650 nM induced by Na+/Ca2+ exchange reduces by 50% the Ca2+ entering due to K+ depolarization and no Ca2+ enters through the channels if the [Ca2+]i is previously raised above about 800 nM. Furthermore, predepolarization of the synaptosomes in a Ca-free medium also inhibits by at least 40% the [Ca2+]i rise through Ca2+ channels. Thus, the results suggest that both predepolarization and [Ca2+]i rise due to Na+/Ca2+ exchange decrease the Ca2+ entering by voltage-sensitive Ca2+ channels. The Ca2+ entering by Na+/Ca2+ exchange might contribute to the regulation of neurotransmitter release. Our results also show that the presence of Li+ in the external medium decreases the buffering capacity of synaptosomes, probably by releasing Ca2+ from mitochondria by Li+/Ca2+ exchange.     

Inhibition of endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation by extracellular K(+): a novel controlling signal for vascular contractility

The effects of extracellular K+ on endothelium-dependent relaxation (EDR) and on intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) were examined in mouse aorta, mouse aorta endothelial cells (MAEC), and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). In mouse aortic rings precontracted with prostaglandin F2alpha or norepinephrine, an increase in extracellular K+ concentration ([K+]o) from 6 to 12 mM inhibited EDR concentration dependently. In endothelial cells, an increase in [K+]o inhibited the agonist-induced [Ca2+]i increase concentration dependently. Similar to K+, Cs+ also inhibited EDR and the increase in [Ca2+]i concentration dependently. In current-clamped HUVEC, increasing [K+]o from 6 to 12 mM depolarized membrane potential from -32.8 +/- 2.7 to -8.6 +/- 4.9 mV (n = 8). In voltage-clamped HUVEC, depolarizing the holding potential from -50 to -25 mV decreased [Ca2+]i significantly from 0.95 +/- 0.03 to 0.88 +/- 0.03 microM (n = 11, P < 0.01) and further decreased [Ca2+]i to 0.47 +/- 0.04 microM by depolarizing the holding potential from -25 to 0 mV (n = 11, P < 0.001). Tetraethylammonium (1 mM) inhibited EDR and the ATP-induced [Ca2+]i increase in voltage-clamped MAEC. The intermediate-conductance Ca2+-activated K+ channel openers 1-ethyl-2-benzimidazolinone, chlorozoxazone, and zoxazolamine reversed the K+-induced inhibition of EDR and increase in [Ca2+]i. The K+-induced inhibition of EDR and increase in [Ca2+]i was abolished by the Na+-K+ pump inhibitor ouabain (10 microM). These results indicate that an increase of [K+]o in the physiological range (6-12 mM) inhibits [Ca2+]i increase in endothelial cells and diminishes EDR by depolarizing the membrane potential, decreasing K+ efflux, and activating the Na+-K+ pump, thereby modulating the release of endothelium-derived vasoactive factors from endothelial cells and vasomotor tone.     

Control of cytosolic free calcium in rat and chicken osteoclasts. The role of extracellular calcium and calcitonin

Single cell [Ca2+], studies were performed in chicken and rat osteoclasts loaded with fura-2 and exposed to a variety of treatments. Under resting conditions, basal [Ca2+]i, was 79.2 +/- 47.3 and 84.3 +/- 65.7 nM (averages +/- S.D.; n = 141 and 126) in the osteoclasts of the two species, respectively. Basal [Ca2+]i was stable in all rat and in approximately 80% of chicken osteoclasts. In the remaining 20%, spontaneous, irregular [Ca2+], fluctuations were observed (amplitude range: 50-200 nm over basal values). Increase of [Ca2+]o over the concentration of the Krebs-Ringer incubation medium (2 mM) induced rises of [Ca2+] in almost all cells investigated. [Ca2+] rises were already appreciable with 0.5 mM [Ca2+]o additions and reached high values with 4 mM additions: 390 +/- 113 and 364 +/- 214 nM [Ca2+], in rat and chicken osteoclasts, respectively (n = 122 and 101). Qualitatively, the responses to [Ca2+]o additions consisted of discrete [Ca2+]i transients, biphasic (an initial spike followed by a plateau), or monophasic (either the spike or the plateau). In a few chicken osteoclasts, the [Ca2+]i increase occurring after [Ca2+]o addition consisted of multiple, irregular fluctuations, similar to those observed in 20% of these cells under resting conditions. In individual osteoclasts subsequently exposed to multiple [Ca2+]o increase pulses, the type of the [Ca2+]i transient (mono- or biphasic) was maintained, and the size was dependent on the magnitude of the [Ca2+]o additions. Effects similar to those of [Ca2+]o were induced by the addition of Cd2+ or Ba2+ (but not La3+ or Mg2+) into the medium. The Cd2+ effect was maintained in part even in a Ca2+-free medium. Of various hormones and factors, parathormone, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, and prostaglandin E2 were inactive. In contrast, calcitonin was active in rat osteoclasts (which express numerous receptors). [Ca2+]i increases were small (19 +/- 17.9 nM; n = 21) when the hormone was administered alone; they were synergistic (severalfold potentiation) when the hormone was administered before or after [Ca2+]o. The [Ca2+]i effects of calcitonin were mimicked by 8Br-cAMP (31 +/- 26 nM; n = 12) when the nucleotide was administered alone; marked synergism when it was administered in combination with [Ca2+]o. This paper demonstrates for the first time that changes of [Ca2+]i are induced in osteoclasts by treatments with [Ca2+]o and calcitonin and can therefore be involved in intracellular mediation of the physiological effects of these two extracellular signals.     

Neural regulation of parvalbumin expression in mammalian skeletal muscle.

The receptor mechanisms underlying vasopressin-induced human platelet activation were investigated with respect to stimulation of phosphoinositide metabolism and changes in the cytosolic free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i). Vasopressin stimulated phosphoinositide metabolism, as indicated by the early formation of [32P]phosphatidic acid ([32P]PtdA) and later accumulation of [32P]phosphatidylinositol ([32P]PtdIns). In addition, vasopressin elicited a transient depletion of [glycerol-3H]PtdIns and accumulation of [glycerol-3H]PtdA. The effects of vasopressin on phosphoinositide metabolism were concentration-dependent, with half maximal [32P]PtdA formation occurring at 30 +/- 15 nM-vasopressin. In the presence of 1 mM extracellular free Ca2+, vasopressin induced a rapid, concentration-dependent elevation of [Ca2+]i in quin2-loaded platelets: half-maximal stimulation was observed at 53 +/- 20 nM-vasopressin. The V1-receptor antagonist [1-(beta-mercapto-beta, beta-cyclopentamethylenepropionic acid),2-(O-methyl)tyrosine,8-arginine]-vasopressin selectively inhibited vasopressin (100 nM)-induced [32P]PtdA formation [I50 (concn. giving 50% inhibition) = 5.7 +/- 2.4 nM] and elevation of [Ca2+]i (I50 = 3 +/- 1.5 nM). Prior exposure of platelets to vasopressin rendered them unresponsive, in terms of [32P]PtdA formation and elevation of [Ca2+]i, to a subsequent challenge with vasopressin, but responsive to a subsequent challenge with U44069, a thromboxane-A2 mimetic. These results indicate that vasopressin-induced human platelet activation is initiated by combination with specific V1 receptors on the platelet, and that the sequelae of receptor occupancy (stimulation of phosphoinositide metabolism and elevation of [Ca2+]i) are equally susceptible to inhibition by receptor antagonists and by receptor desensitization.     

Large changes in intracellular pH and calcium observed during heat shock are not responsible for the induction of heat shock proteins in Drosophila melanogaster.

Heat shock caused significant changes in intracellular pH (pHi) and intracellular free calcium concentration [( Ca2+]i) which occurred rapidly after temperature elevation. pHi fell from a resting level value at 25 degrees C of 7.38 +/- 0.02 (mean +/- standard error of the mean, n = 15) to 6.91 +/- 0.11 (n = 7) at 35 degrees C. The resting level value of [Ca2+]i in single Drosophila melanogaster larval salivary gland cells was 198 +/- 31 nM (n = 4). It increased approximately 10-fold, to 1,870 +/- 770 nM (n = 4), during a heat shock. When salivary glands were incubated in calcium-free, ethylene glycol-bis(beta-aminoethyl ether)-N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid (EGTA)-buffered medium, the resting level value of [Ca2+]i was reduced to 80 +/- 7 nM (n = 3), and heat shock resulted in a fourfold increase in [Ca2+]i to 353 +/- 90 nM (n = 3). The intracellular free-ion concentrations of Na+, K+, Cl-, and Mg2+ were 9.6 +/- 0.8, 101.9 +/- 1.7, 36 +/- 1.5, and 2.4 +/- 0.2 mM, respectively, and remained essentially unchanged during a heat shock. Procedures were devised to mimic or block the effects of heat shock on pHi and [Ca2+]i and to assess their role in the induction of heat shock proteins. We report here that the changes in [Ca2+]i and pHi which occur during heat shock are not sufficient, nor are they required, for a complete induction of the heat shock response.     

Ca2+-sensitivity and cGMP-independent effects of NO in vascular smooth muscle.

The effects of NO on Ca2+-sensitivity of vascular smooth muscle (VSM) myofilaments have been the focus of this study. Simultaneous measurements of [Ca2+]i and force were carried out in rat tail artery segments. NO, 10(-7) M, evoked a transient decrease in [Ca2+]i accompanied by sustained relaxation (45.3+/-6.3 vs. 69.45+/-7.2%, P<0.05, respectively) of VSM precontracted with K+ (70 mM), suggesting a decrease in Ca2+-sensitivity of VSM. This decrease in Ca2+-sensitivity was completely abolished by preincubation of VSM with ODQ (10(-6) M) (63.9+/-7.8% for [Ca2+]i vs. 20.5+/-8.4% for relaxation, P<0.05). Ca2+-presensitization of VSM myofilaments with PE (10(-6) M) decreased the efficacy of NO to relax VSM (44.25+/-6.9% vs. 69.45+/-7.2%, P<0.05), but increased its ability to lower [Ca2+]i (70.5+/-6.8% vs. 45.3+/-6.3%, P<0.05). Application of DTT (10(-3) M) together with ODQ (10(-6) M) to subtract possible cGMP-independent effects revealed the total suppression of both the relaxant responses and [Ca2+]i of VSM under high-K+ preactivation of VSM. The data indicate that NO not only relaxes VSM and lowers [Ca2+]i in K+-preactivated VSM, but also decreases Ca2+-sensitivity of VSM myofilaments and these effects are strongly cGMP-dependent. In PE-induced contractions of VSM, NO relaxed VSM of rat tail artery and lowered [Ca2+]i, but failed to reverse Ca2+-presensitized myofilaments. We suggest that alternative cGMP-independent effects of NO are primarily manifested via activation of K+-channels and inhibition of Ca2+ current rather than to affect relaxation. An importance of reduced SH-groups within VSM myoplasm for both relaxation and [Ca2+]i disposal evoked by NO is evident whatever Ca2+-mobilization pathways are involved.     

Parathyroid hormone inhibition of Na+/phosphate cotransport in OK cells: intracellular [Ca2+] as a second messenger

Parathyroid hormone increases cellular cAMP, 1,2-diacylglycerol, inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate and cytosolic Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) in OK cells. In the present study, we determined the importance of the PTH-dependent increase in [Ca2+]i in the control of sodium-dependent phosphate (Na+/Pi) cotransport. PTH (10(-7) M) results in a transient increase in [Ca2+]i from basal levels of 67 +/- 4 nM to maximal concentrations of 190 +/- 9 nM. The increase in [Ca2+]i was dose-dependent with half-maximal increases at about 5.10(-8) M PTH. These hormone levels were 10(3)-fold higher than that required for half-maximal inhibition of Na+/Pi cotransport. Clamping [Ca2+]i with either intracellular Ca2+ chelators or by ionomycin in the presence of high concentrations of extracellular Ca2+ did not alter PTH-dependent inhibition of Na/Pi cotransport. Nor did indomethacin, an inhibitor of the cyclooxygenase pathway, influence the hormonal inhibition of cotransport. Accordingly, these data suggest that changes in [Ca2+]i and/or activation of the phospholipase A2 and the cyclooxygenase pathways are not involved in signal induction of the PTH-mediated control of Na+/Pi cotransport.     

The role of Ca2+ in steroidogenesis in Leydig cells. Stimulation of intracellular free Ca2+ by lutropin (LH), luliberin (LHRH) agonist and cyclic AMP.

The requirements of purified rat Leydig cells for intra- and extra-cellular Ca2+ during steroidogenesis stimulated by LH (lutropin), cyclic AMP analogues and LHRH (luliberin) agonist were investigated. The intracellular Ca2+ concentrations ([Ca2+]i) were measured by using the fluorescent Ca2+ chelator quin-2. The basal [Ca2+]i was found to be 89.4 +/- 16.6 nM (mean +/- S.D., n = 25). LH, 8-bromo cyclic AMP and dibutyryl cyclic AMP increased [Ca2+]i, by 300-500 nM at the highest concentrations of each stimulator, whereas LHRH agonist only increased [Ca2+]i by a maximum of approx. 60 nM. Low concentrations of LH (less than 1 pg/ml) and all concentrations of LHRH agonist increased testosterone without detectable changes in cyclic AMP. With amounts of LH greater than 1 pg/ml, parallel increases in cyclic AMP and [Ca2+]i occurred. The steroidogenic effect of the LHRH agonist was highly dependent on extracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]e), whereas LH effects were only decreased by 35% when [Ca2+]e was lowered from 2.5 nM to 1.1 microM. No increase in [Ca2+]i occurred with the LHRH agonist in the low-[Ca2+]e medium, whereas LH (100 ng/ml) gave an increase of 52 nM. It is concluded that [Ca2+]i can be modulated in rat Leydig cells by LH via mechanisms that are both independent of and dependent on cyclic AMP, whereas LHRH-agonist action on [Ca2+]i is independent of cyclic AMP. The evidence obtained suggests that, at sub-maximal rates of testosterone production, Ca2+, rather than cyclic AMP, is the second messenger, whereas for maximum steroidogenesis both Ca2+- and cyclic-AMP-dependent pathways may be involved.