The effects of pentachlorophenol (PCP) at the toad neuromuscular junction

1. Effects of PCP at the frog neuromuscular junction were studied in vitro in sciatic nerve sartorius muscle of the toad Pleurodema-thaul. 2. Within the concentration 0.003-0.1 mM, PCP caused a dose-time-dependent block of evoked transmitter release acompanied by an increase in the rate of spontaneous quantal release. 3. PCP induced an increase in miniature endplate potential (MEPP) frequency and it was not antagonized in a Ca2(+)-free medium, indicating that it does not depend upon Ca2+ influx from the external medium, but may act by releasing Ca2+ from intraterminal stores. 4. The present data, together with previous results concerning PCP at eighth sympathetic ganglia indicate that 3,4-diaminopyridine (3,4-DAP) counteracts the effects of PCP on synaptic transmission. This result suggests that PCP interfering Ca2+ influx occurs during depolarization of motor nerve terminals.     

Effect of progesterone on the contractile response of isolated pulmonary artery in rabbits.

The purpose of this study was to assess the direct effect of progesterone on rabbit pulmonary arteries and to examine the mechanism of its action. Rings of pulmonary artery from male rabbits were suspended in organ baths containing Krebs solution, and isometric tension was measured. The response to progesterone was investigated in arterial rings contracted with noradrenaline (NA), KCl, and CaCl2. The effects of endothelium, nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandins, cyclic GMP (cGMP), and the adrenergic beta-receptor on progesterone-induced relaxation were also assessed. Progesterone inhibited the vasocontractivity to NA, KCl, and CaCl2, and relaxed rabbit pulmonary artery. The relaxing response of progesterone in pulmonary artery was significantly reduced by removal of endothelium, inhibitors of nitric oxide synthase and guanylate cyclase, but not by prostaglandin synthase inhibitor and blockage of the adrenergic beta-receptor. In Ca2+-free (0.1 mM EGTA) Krebs solution, progesterone inhibited NA-induced contraction that was intracellular Ca2+-dependent, but didn't affect the contraction of extracellular Ca2+-dependent component. Our results suggest that progesterone induces relaxation of isolated rabbit pulmonary arteries partially via NO and cGMP. Progesterone may also inhibit Ca2+ influx through potential-dependent calcium channels (PDCs) and Ca2+ release from intracellular stores.     

Reverse Na(+)/Ca(2+)-exchange mediated Ca(2+)-entry and noradrenaline release in Na(+)-loaded peripheral sympathetic nerves

[(3)H]noradrenaline ([(3)H]NA) released from sympathetic nerves in the isolated main pulmonary artery of the rabbit was measured in response to field stimulation (2Hz, 1ms, 60V for 3min) in the presence of uptake blockers (cocaine, 3 x10(-5)M and corticosterone, 5 x10(-5)M). The [(3)H]NA-release was fully blocked by the combined application of the selective and irreversible 'N-type' voltage-sensitive Ca(2+)-channel (VSCC)-blocker omega-conotoxin (omega-CgTx) GVIA (10(-8)M) and the 'non-selective' VSCC-blocker aminoglycoside antibiotic neomycin (3x10(-3)M). Na(+)-loading (Na(+)-pump inhibition by K(+)-free perfusion) was required to elicit further NA-release after blockade of VSCCs (omega-CgTx GVIA+neomycin). In K(+)-free solution, in the absence of functioning VSCCs (omega-CgTx GVIA+neomycin), the fast Na(+)-channel activator veratridine (10(-5)M) further potentiated the nerve-evoked release of [(3)H]NA. This NA-release was significantly inhibited by KB-R7943, and fully blocked by Ca(o)(2+)-removal. However, Li(+)-substitution was surprisingly ineffective. The non-selective K(+)-channel blocker 4-aminopyridine (4-AP, 10(-4)M) also further potentiated the nerve-evoked release of NA in K(+)-free solution. This potentiated release was concentration-dependently inhibited by KB-R7943, significantly inhibited by Li(+)-substitution and abolished by Ca(o)(2+)-removal. It is concluded that in Na(+)-loaded sympathetic nerves, in which the VSCCs are blocked, the reverse Na(+)/Ca(2+)-exchange-mediated Ca(2+)-entry is responsible for transmitter release on nerve-stimulation. Theoretically we suppose that the fast Na(+)-channel and the exchanger proteins are close to the vesicle docking sites.     

Characteristics of the histamine-sensitive calcium store in vascular smooth muscle. Comparison with norepinephrine- or caffeine-sensitive stores

Using the microfluorometry of an intracellularly trapped calcium indicator dye, quin2, characteristics of intracellular Ca2+ store sites sensitive to histamine, norepinephrine, or caffeine were investigated using rat vascular smooth muscle cells in primary culture at 25 degrees C. With similar time courses, both histamine- and the norepinephrine-sensitive Ca2+ store sites were readily depleted in Ca2(+)-free medium and almost completely replenished by loading the cells with 1.0 mM Ca2+ solution for 3 min, while the caffeine-sensitive Ca2+ store site was little affected. In the absence of extracellular Ca2+, transient elevations of cytosolic Ca2+ repeatedly appeared in response to repetitive applications of histamine, norepinephrine, or caffeine, with progressive reductions in peak levels. Histamine released Ca2+ from the norepinephrine-sensitive store site and norepinephrine released Ca2+ from the histamine-sensitive one. On the other hand, caffeine had little effect on the histamine- and/or the norepinephrine-sensitive Ca2+ store site in Ca2(+)-free medium, and vice versa. We propose that the location and mechanisms of release of Ca2+ of the histamine-sensitive Ca2+ store site are identical with events at the norepinephrine-sensitive site, and differ from the caffeine-sensitive one, in vascular smooth muscle cells in primary culture.     

Ca2+ influx-independent synaptic potentiation mediated by mitochondrial Na(+)-Ca2+ exchanger and protein kinase C

Activity-dependent modulation of synaptic transmission is an essential mechanism underlying many brain functions. Here we report an unusual form of synaptic modulation that depends on Na+ influx and mitochondrial Na(+)-Ca2+ exchanger, but not on Ca2+ influx. In Ca(2+)-free medium, tetanic stimulation of Xenopus motoneurons induced a striking potentiation of transmitter release at neuromuscular synapses. Inhibition of either Na+ influx or the rise of Ca2+ concentrations ([Ca2+]i) at nerve terminals prevented the tetanus-induced synaptic potentiation (TISP). Blockade of Ca2+ release from mitochondrial Na(+)-Ca2+ exchanger, but not from ER Ca2+ stores, also inhibited TISP. Tetanic stimulation in Ca(2+)-free medium elicited an increase in [Ca2+]i, which was prevented by inhibition of Na+ influx or mitochondrial Ca2+ release. Inhibition of PKC blocked the TISP as well as mitochondrial Ca2+ release. These results reveal a novel form of synaptic plasticity and suggest a role of PKC in mitochondrial Ca2+ release during synaptic transmission.     

Depression by Sodium Ions of Calcium Uptake Mediated by Non-N-Methyl-d-Aspartate Receptors in Cultured Cerebellar Neurons and Correlation with Evoked d-[3H]Aspartate Release

In a previous study we noted that the release of D-[3H]aspartate evoked by non-N-methyl-D-aspartate (non-NMDA) receptor agonists in cultured rat cerebellar granule cells was enhanced in the absence of extracellular Na+. To explain this apparent paradox, we tried in the present investigation to correlate the effect of Na+ removal on the kainate (KA)- and quisqualate (QA)-induced D-[3H]aspartate release with that on KA- and QA-induced 45Ca2+ accumulation. The releasing activity of KA, which was only partially Ca2+ dependent in the presence of Na+, became totally Ca2+ dependent in its absence. Moreover, the releasing activity of QA, which was Ca2+ independent in the presence of Na+, became 50% Ca2+ dependent in the absence of the monovalent cation. The releasing action of both agonists was in all cases antagonized by 6-cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione (CNQX), and that induced by KA was also sensitive to kynurenic acid. When glutamate was tested as an agonist in the presence of Na+, it was found that its D-[3H]aspartate releasing action was Ca2+ independent and was largely due to heteroexchange. The evoked release was Ca2+ independent, scarcely sensitive to CNQX, and insensitive to NMDA antagonists. In Na(+)-free medium, the glutamate-evoked D-[3H]aspartate release was lower (due to the abolishment of heteroexchange), but was totally Ca2+ dependent and antagonized by CNQX and kynurenate. KA (30 microM-1 mM) stimulated the accumulation of 45Ca2+ in a dose-dependent and CNQX-sensitive way, the effect being progressively higher as the Na+ concentration in the medium was decreased. Li+ affected KA-induced 45Ca2+ accumulation in a way similar to Na+, although 45Ca2+ uptake was somewhat lower in Li(+)-containing medium. The voltage-activated calcium channel antagonists La3+ and (-)-202-791 caused only a limited inhibition of the KA-induced 45Ca2+ influx both in the presence and in the absence of Na+. Under all the conditions tested [presence and absence of Na+ and of (-)-202-791], the kainate-induced 45Ca2+ uptake was scarcely sensitive to the NMDA antagonist 2-amino-5-phosphonovalerate. QA and alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole propionic acid also stimulated 45Ca2+ influx in a CNQX-sensitive way, the effect being enhanced in Na(+)-free media. These agonists were, however, less effective than KA.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Functional characterization of thapsigargin and agonist-insensitive acidic Ca2+ stores in Drosophila melanogaster S2 cell lines

The role of acidic intracellular calcium stores in calcium homeostasis was investigated in the Drosophila Schneider cell line 2 (S2) by means of free cytosolic calcium ([Ca2+]i) and intracellular pH (pHi) imaging together with measurements of total calcium concentrations within intracellular compartments. Both a weak base (NH4Cl, 15 mM) and a Na+/H+ ionophore (monensin, 10 microM) evoked cytosolic alkalinization followed by Ca2+ release from acidic intracellular Ca2+ stores. Pretreatment of S2 cells with either thapsigargin (1 microM), an inhibitor of endoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPases, or with the Ca2+ ionophore ionomycin (10 microM) was without effect on the amplitude of Ca2+ release evoked by alkalinization. Application of the cholinergic agonist carbamylcholine (100 microM) to transfected S2-DM1 cells expressing a Drosophila muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (DM1) emptied the InsP3-sensitive Ca2+ store but failed to affect the amplitude of alkalinization-evoked Ca2+ release. Glycyl-L-phenylalanine-beta-naphthylamide (200 microM), a weak hydrophobic base known to permeabilize lysosomes by osmotic swelling, triggered Ca2+ release from internal stores, while application of brefeldin A (10 microM), an antibiotic which disperses the Golgi complex, resulted in a smaller increase in [Ca2+]i. These results suggest that the alkali-evoked calcium release is largely attributable to lysosomes, a conclusion that was confirmed by direct measurements of total calcium content of S2 organelles. Lysosomes and endoplasmic reticulum were the only organelles found to have concentrations of total calcium significantly higher than the cytosol. However, NH4Cl (15 mM) reduced the level of total calcium only in lysosomes. Depletion of acidic Ca2+ stores did not elicit depletion-operated Ca2+ entry. They were refilled upon re-exposure of cells to normal saline ([Ca2+]o = 2 mM), but not by thapsigargin-induced [Ca2+]i elevation in Ca(2+)-free saline.     

Release of calcitonin gene-related peptide from rat enteric nerves is Ca2+-dependent but is not induced by K+ depolarization

The effect of extracellular calcium on the release of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) induced by electrical field stimulation from enteric nerves of isolated rat ileum was studied; the effect of high potassium, veratridine and caffeine was also examined. Release of endogenous substance P from enteric nerves was also measured for comparison. Electrical field stimulation (10 Hz, 0.3 ms for 2 min) of the ileum preparation caused a significant (P less than 0.001) increase in the release of CGRP and substance P from enteric nerves. The evoked, but not the basal, release of both CGRP and substance P was inhibited in the presence of tetrodotoxin (TTX). The release of CGRP and substance P induced by electrical stimulation was abolished in Ca2+-free medium containing CDTA and also in normal medium containing the calcium channel blocker cadmium chloride (CdCl2), with no change in the level of the basal release of both peptides. However, potassium depolarization (76 and 110 mM) failed to evoke an increase in the release of endogenous CGRP, although it did cause an increase in the release can be induced by mobilization of calcium from intracellular Ca2+ stores. Veratridine, on the other hand, did not cause an increase in CGRP release, although substance P and VIP release was induced by veratridine from the same preparations. The results of the present study have demonstrated that CGRP release from enteric nerves requires the presence of extracellular calcium but, unlike substance P and most other transmitters reported to show calcium-dependent release, potassium depolarization does not induce CGRP release from enteric nerves of rat ileum.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Pharmacological characterization of the effects of methylmercury and mercuric chloride on spontaneous noradrenaline release from rat hippocampal slices

The environmental contaminants methylmercury (MeHg) and mercuric chloride (HgCl2) stimulated the spontaneous release of [3H]noradrenaline ([3H]NA) from hippocampal slices in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. Both MeHg and HgCl2 were similarly potent, with an EC50 of 88.4 microM and 75.9 microM, respectively. The releasing effects of MeHg and HgCl2 increased in the presence of desipramine, showing that the mechanism does not involve reversal of the transmitter transporter, and were completely blocked by reserpine preincubation, indicating a vesicular origin of [3H]NA release. The voltage-gated Na+ channel blocker tetrodotoxin (TTX) did not affect the response to mercury compounds. [3H]NA release elicited by MeHg was partially dependent on extracellular Ca2+, since it decreased significantly in a Ca2+-free EGTA-containing medium whereas HgCl2 induced a release of [3H]NA independent of extracellular Ca2+. Neither Ca2+-channels blockers, cobalt chloride (CoCl2) and (omega-conotoxin-GVIA, nor the Na+/Ca2+-exchanger inhibitor benzamil reduced MeHg-evoked [3H]NA release. Moreover, thapsigargin or caffeine, endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-depletors, did not modify metal-evoked [3H]NA release, whereas ruthenium red, which inhibits the mitochondrial Ca2+ transport, decreased the effect of both MeHg and HgCl2. All these data indicate that, in hippocampal slices, mercury compounds release [3H]NA from the vesicular pool by a mechanism involving Ca2+ mobilization from mitochondrial stores.     

Dependence of myocardium injury on extracellular K+ concentration during calcium paradox

It is well-known that the first stage of the calcium paradox involves decreasing of Na+ gradient. The decreased sodium gradient is a cause of activation of the Na(+)-Ca+ exchange and formation of cardiac injury during the calcium repletion. Potassium ions are natural extracellular activators of Na(+)-pump. It has been shown that heart perfusion by Ca(2+)-free medium evoked extrusion from cells of hydrophilic amino acids whose transport-depends on sodium gradient. The heart reperdusion with Ca(2+)-containing agent leads to myofibrillar contracture and extensive myoglobin release. The simultaneous events are: elevation in tissue water contents, decreasing of intracellular concentration of adeninnucleotides, uncoupling of oxidation and phosphorylation in mitochondria. The decreasing of K+ level to 0.5 mM exacerbates myocardial damage during the calcium paradox, despite absence of myocardial contracture. The elevation of K+ (to 10 mM or 20 mM) attenuated the calcium paradox development in the heart. The elevated K+ concentration protected isolated heart from extensive myoglobin release, development of myocardial contracture. The high K+ concentrations alleviate mitochondrial damage and elevate contents of adeninnucleotide in the tissue. The positive effect of the elevated K+ concentration can be completely blocked by strophanthine, the selective Na+, K(+)-pumb blocker.     

VIP release from enteric nerves is independent of extracellular calcium

The release of endogenous vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) from enteric nerves of isolated rat ileum and the role of extracellular calcium on the release mechanism have been investigated. Evaluation of simultaneous release of endogenous acetylcholine (ACh) and adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) from enteric nerves was used to establish the reliability of the technique. Electrical field stimulation of the ileal preparation induced an increase in the release of endogenous ACh, ATP and VIP. The evoked, but not the basal, release of these substances was blocked by tetrodotoxin (TTX), indicating that the release was a result of nerve stimulation. However, while increase in release of ACh and ATP during nerve stimulation was suppressed in Ca2+-free medium and by the addition of the Ca2+ channel blocker cadmium, nerve-mediated VIP release was unaffected. Further, while K+-depolarization induced release of ACh and ATP from the ileal preparations, it did not lead to an increase in the release of VIP. These results demonstrate that, unlike ACh and ATP release, release of endogenous VIP from enteric nerves is independent of extracellular calcium. The implications of these results in terms of the mechanism of transmitter release in the gastrointestinal tract are discussed.     

Calcium release from intracellular stores in rodent astrocytes and neurons in situ

Endoplasmic reticular Ca(2+) stores, instrumental for intra- and intercellular calcium signalling, can be depleted by different receptor agonists. In the present study, the functional status of ER Ca(2+) stores was probed by cyclopiazonic acid (CPA, 10-30 microM, inhibitor of SERCA-dependent ER Ca(2+) uptake) and/or caffeine (20 mM, ryanodine receptor activator) in astrocytes and neurons of rat and mouse acute hippocampal brain slices (Stratum radiatum, Stratum moleculare), and in cultured astrocytes, using confocal microscopy and conventional Ca(2+) imaging. Astrocytes and neurons in situ, identified by their Ca(2+) response in K(+)-free saline (Dallwig and Deitmer [J. Neurosci. Methods 116 (2002) 77]), had a resting cytosolic Ca(2+) level of 105 and 157 nM, respectively (P<0.05). CPA evoked a Ca(2+) transient, which was faster and larger in neurons than in astrocytes, indicating larger Ca(2+) leak of neuronal Ca(2+) stores. Caffeine evoked a Ca(2+) rise in most neurons (>80%), but only in less than 40% of astrocytes. The glial Ca(2+) transients in the presence of caffeine had a large and variable delay (>50 s), as compared to those in neurons (< or =10 s), and appeared to be spontaneous and/or secondary to the neuronal Ca(2+) response, leading to release of neuronal transmitters. Astrocytes in culture responded to CPA, but never to caffeine with a Ca(2+) rise. Our results indicate that astrocytes, in contrast to neurons, lack caffeine-sensitive Ca(2+) stores, and have a relatively smaller leak from CPA-sensitive Ca(2+) stores than neurons.     

Store-Operated Ca2+ Influx and Voltage-Gated Ca2+ Channels Coupled to Exocytosis in Pheochromocytoma (PC12) Cells

Microamperometry was used to monitor quantal catecholamine release from individual PC12 cells in response to raised extracellular K+ and caffeine. K+-evoked exocytosis was entirely dependent on Ca2+ influx through voltage-gated Ca2+ channels, and of the subtypes of such channels present in these cells, influx through N-type was primarily responsible for triggering exocytosis. L-type channels played a minor role in mediating K+-evoked secretion, whereas P/Q-type channels did not appear to be involved in secretion at all. Caffeine also evoked catecholamine release from PC12 cells, but only in the presence of extracellular Ca2+. Application of caffeine in Ca2+-free solutions evoked large, transient rises of [Ca2+]i, but did not trigger exocytosis. When Ca2+ was restored to the extracellular solution (in the absence of caffeine), store-operated Ca2+ influx was observed, which evoked exocytosis. The amount of secretion evoked by this influx pathway was far greater than release triggered by influx through L-type Ca2+ channels, but less than that caused by Ca2+ influx through N-type channels. Our results indicate that exocytosis may be regulated even in excitable cells by Ca2+ influx through pathways other than voltage-gated Ca2+ channels.     

Mechanisms of enhanced taurine release under Ca2+ depletion

The sulfur-containing amino acid taurine is an inhibitory neuromodulator in the brain of mammals, as well as a key substance in the regulation of cell volumes. The effect of Ca(2+) on extracellular taurine concentrations is of special interest in the context of the regulatory mechanisms of taurine release. The aim of this study was to characterize the basal release of taurine in Ca(2+)-free medium using in vivo microdialysis of the striatum of anesthetized rats. Perfusion of Ca(2+)-free medium via a microdialysis probe evoked a sustained release of taurine (up to 180 % compared to the basal levels). The Ca(2+) chelator EGTA (1mM) potentiated Ca(2+) depletion-evoked taurine release. The substitution of CaCl(2) by choline chloride did not alter the observed effect. Ca(2+)-free solution did not significantly evoke release of taurine from tissue loaded with the competitive inhibitor of taurine transporter guanidinoethanesulfonate (1mM), suggesting that in Ca(2+) depletion taurine is released by the transporter operating in the outward direction. The volume-sensitive chloride channel blocker diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-disulfonate (1mM) did not attenuate the taurine release evoked by Ca(2+) depletion. The non-specific blocker of voltage-sensitive Ca(2+) channels NiCl(2) (0.65 mM) enhanced taurine release in the presence of Ca(2+). CdCl(2) (0.25 mM) had no effect under these conditions. However, both CdCl(2) and NiCl(2) attenuated the effect of Ca(2+)-free medium on the release of taurine. The data obtained imply the involvement of both decreased influx of Ca(2+) and increased non-specific influx of Na(+) through voltage-sensitive calcium channels in the regulation of transporter-mediated taurine release in Ca(2+) depletion.     

TMB-8 can block twitches without blocking high K+ or caffeine induced contractures in frog's skeletal muscle

TMB-8 [8-(diethylamino)-octyl-3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoate] is known to inhibit calcium ion dependent processes in several tissues by stabilizing some intracellular stores of membrane-bound calcium. TMB-8 was used to study the excitation-contraction (E-C) coupling process in frog's skeletal muscle. TMB-8 (5 X 10(-5) - 10(-4) M) blocked electrically evoked twitches but not high K+ (123 mM)- or caffeine (2.36 mM)-induced contractures in isolated, curarized toe muscles. TMB-8 (10(-4) M) produced a small decrease (16%) in the action potential of frog's sartorius muscle fibres. However, reducing extracellular Na+ to 44.7 mM produced a similar reduction (17%) in action potential amplitude but did not suppress the twitch; i.e. it produced only a small increase (about 10%) in twitch amplitude. It is known that potassium contractures are produced by extracellular Ca++ ions which enter through calcium channels in the t-tubules and that caffeine produces contractures by sensitizing the sarcoplasmic reticulum to Ca++-induced Ca++ release. The present results suggest that TMB-8 blocks twitches by preventing the release of Ca++ ions bound to the intracellular surface of the t-tubular membrane which is often called the store of 'trigger-calcium' ions.     

Presynaptic effects of arachidonic acid and prostaglandin E2 in the frog neuromuscular synapse

Arachidonic acid and prostaglandin E2 decreased the frequency of miniature endplate currents without changing their amplitude-temporary parameters. They also reduced the evoked transmitter release and the amplitude of the 3rd phase of nerve ending response corresponding to the voltage-dependent K(+)-current. Using perineural recording, It was shown that arachidonic acid and prostaglandin E2 decreased the Ca2+ currents of nerve endings. Indometacin: inhibitor of cyclooxygenase, enhanced the evoked transmitter release and decreased the 3rd phase of nerve ending response. Indometacin prevented the effects of arachidonic acid on evoked transmitter release, whereas the effects of arachidonic acid on the 3rd phase was preserved. Prostaglandin E2 seems to mediate the effects of arachidonic acid on spontaneous and evoked transmitter release, Ca(2+)- and Ca(2+)-activated K(+)-currents. Moreover, the arachidonic acid and prostaglandin E2 exerted their own effects upon voltage-dependent potassium current of motor nerve ending.     

Differential Calcium Dependence Between the Release of Endogenous Dopamine and Noradrenaline from Rat Brain Synaptosomes

The characteristics of the release of endogenous dopamine and noradrenaline from rat brain synaptosomes were studied using HPLC with an electrochemical detector. The spontaneous release of dopamine and noradrenaline was inhibited by approximately 50-60% in a Ca2(+)-free medium or a 100 microM La3(+)-containing medium. Also, the high-K+ (30 mM)-evoked release of dopamine and noradrenaline was inhibited by approximately 50-60% in a Ca2(+)-free medium or a 100 microM La3(+)-containing medium. From these results, the ratio of the Ca2(+)-dependent component to the total release of noradrenaline seemed to be similar to that of dopamine. On the other hand, 20 microM La3+ or 1 microM diltiazem inhibited both the spontaneous and 30 mM K(+)-evoked release of dopamine by approximately 50-60% but inhibited neither the spontaneous nor the 30 mM K(+)-evoked release of noradrenaline. The K(+)-evoked rise in intrasynaptosomal Ca2+ concentration was mostly blocked in Ca2(+)-free medium or 100 microM La3(+)-containing medium but was only partially blocked by 20 microM La3+ or 1 microM diltiazem. These data indicate alternative possibilities in that the Ca2(+)-dependent release of noradrenaline might be less sensitive to a change of intracellular Ca2+ concentration than that of dopamine and that the calcium channels directly involved in the noradrenaline release may be more resistant to diltiazem and La3+ than those involved in the dopamine release.     

Role of extracellular Ca2+ in diaphragmatic contraction: effects of ouabain, monensin, and ryanodine.

The effects of zero extracellular Ca2+ on the contractility of rat diaphragmatic strips in vitro were studied in conjunction with various pharmacological agents known to influence the intracellular Ca2+ concentration: the Na+ ionophore, monensin, and the Na(+)-K+ pump inhibitor, ouabain, which enhance [Ca2+]i, caffeine, which induces Ca2+ release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR), and ryanodine, which prevents Ca2+ retention by the SR. The effect of increasing [Ca2+]i on diaphragmatic contraction was assessed by comparing contractions induced by 120 mM K+ in the small muscle strips before and after the addition of ouabain or monensin. Monensin (20 microM) and ouabain (1-100 microM) augmented contractions up to threefold. Treatment of diaphragm strips with 3 nM ryanodine increased baseline tension 360% above the original resting tension but only if the diaphragm was electrically stimulated concurrently; 100 microM ryanodine induced contracture in quiescent tissue. High K+ contractures were of greater magnitude in the presence of ryanodine compared with control, and relaxation time was prolonged by greater than 200%. Ca(2+)-free conditions ameliorated these actions of ryanodine. Ryanodine reduced contractions induced by 10 mM caffeine and nearly abolished them in Ca(2+)-free solution. The data demonstrate that extracellular Ca2+ is important in certain types of contractile responses of the diaphragm and suggest that the processes necessary to utilize extracellular Ca2+ are present in the diaphragm.     

K+-depolarization induces a direct release of Ca2+ from intracellular storage sites in cultured vascular smooth muscle cells from rat aorta

Using an intracellularly trapped dye, quin 2, effects of K+-depolarization on cytosolic free calcium concentrations were recorded microfluorometrically in rat aorta vascular smooth muscle cells in primary culture. When the cells were exposed to high extracellular K+ in Ca+-free media containing 2mM EGTA, there was a transient and dose-dependent elevation of cytosolic Ca2+ concentrations. However, the concentration of the cytosolic Ca2+ was not elevated when the intracellularly stored Ca2+ was depleted by the repetitive treatment with caffeine prior to the application of high K+. Thus depolarization of plasma membrane, per se, directly induces a release of Ca2+ from intracellular storage sites in vascular smooth muscle cells, and the main fraction of this released Ca2+ is derived from the caffeine sensitive storage sites; perhaps from the sarcoplasmic reticulum.     

Mechanisms of the Ba2+-induced contraction in smooth muscle cells of the rabbit mesenteric artery

The mechanism of the Ba2+-induced contraction was investigated using intact and saponin-treated skinned smooth muscle (skinned muscle) strips of the rabbit mesenteric artery. After depletion of Ca2+ stored in the caffeine-sensitive site, greater than 0.65 mM Ba2+ evoked contraction in muscle strips depolarized with 128 mM K+ in Ca2+-free solution in a dose-dependent fashion, and the ED50 values for Ca2+ and Ba2+ were 0.5 mM and 1.2 mM in intact muscle strips, respectively. Nisoldipine (10 nM) blocked the contraction evoked by high K+ or 10 microM norepinephrine (NE) in the presence of 2.6 mM Ba2+, but did not block the contraction evoked in the presence of 2.6 mM Ca2+. These results may indicate that Ba2+ permeates the voltage-dependent Ca2+ channel. In skinned muscle strips, the ED50 values for Ca2+ and Ba2+ were 0.34 and 90 microM, respectively, as estimated from the pCa- and pBa-tension relationships. Calmodulin enhanced and trifluoperazine inhibited the Ba2+- and Ca2+-induced contractions. After the application of Ba2+ or Ca2+ with ATP gamma S in rigor solution, myosin light chain (MLC) was irreversibly thiophosphorylated, as estimated from the Ba2+- or Ca2+-independent contraction. Furthermore, both divalent cations phosphorylated MLC, as measured using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, to the extent expected from the amplitudes of the contraction evoked by these cations. Thus, Ba2+ is capable of activating the contractile proteins as Ca2+ does. The amount of Ca2+ or Ba2+ stored in cells was estimated from the caffeine response evoked in Ca2+-free solution in intact and skinned muscle strips. After the application of 0.3 microM Ca2+ or 0.1 mM Ba2+ for 60 s to skinned muscle strips after the depletion of Ca2+ stored in cells, caffeine produced a contraction only upon pretreatment with Ca2+ but not with Ba2+. When Ba2+ was applied successively just after the application of Ca2+, the subsequently evoked caffeine-induced contraction was much smaller than that evoked by pretreatment with Ca2+ alone. The above results indicate that Ba2+ permeates the voltage-dependent Ca2+ channel but may not permeate the receptor-operated Ca2+ channel, it releases Ca2+ from store sites but is not accumulated into the store site, and it directly activates the contractile proteins via formation of a Ba2+-calmodulin complex.