Ca2+ signaling in hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction: effects of myosin light chain and Rho kinase antagonists

Antagonists of myosin light chain (MLC) kinase (MLCK) and Rho kinase (ROK) are thought to inhibit hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction (HPV) by decreasing the concentration of phosphorylated MLC at any intracellular Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+)](i)) in pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells (PASMC); however, these antagonists can also decrease [Ca(2+)](i). To determine whether MLCK and ROK antagonists alter Ca(2+) signaling in HPV, we measured the effects of ML-9, ML-7, Y-27632, and HA-1077 on [Ca(2+)](i), Ca(2+) entry, and Ca(2+) release in rat distal PASMC exposed to hypoxia or depolarizing concentrations of KCl. We performed parallel experiments in isolated rat lungs to confirm the inhibitory effects of these agents on pulmonary vasoconstriction. Our results demonstrate that MLCK and ROK antagonists caused concentration-dependent inhibition of hypoxia-induced increases in [Ca(2+)](i) in PASMC and HPV in isolated lungs and suggest that this inhibition was due to blockade of Ca(2+) release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum and Ca(2+) entry through store- and voltage-operated Ca(2+) channels in PASMC. Thus MLCK and ROK antagonists might block HPV by inhibiting Ca(2+) signaling, as well as the actin-myosin interaction, in PASMC. If effects on Ca(2+) signaling were due to decreased phosphorylated myosin light chain concentration, their diversity suggests that MLCK and ROK antagonists may have acted by inhibiting myosin motors and/or altering the cytoskeleton in a manner that prevented achievement of required spatial relationships among the cellular components of the response.     

Protein kinase C activity in pancreatic islets: effects of Ca2+, calmodulin and retinoic acid

Pancreatic islet homogenates display protein kinase C activity. Although the rate of histone phosphorylation by islet homogenates is not enhanced by Ca2+ alone, the Ca2+ ion markedly augments reaction velocity in the presence of phosphatidylserine and at low concentrations (20 nM--0.2 microM) of the tumor-promoting agent 12-0-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA). At a higher concentration (2.0 microM), TPA stimulates histone phosphorylation even in the absence of Ca2+. Ca-calmodulin also stimulates protein phosphorylation but the latter effect is apparently mediated by a Ca-calmodulin-responsive protein kinase distinct from the protein kinase C. In the presence of phosphatidylserine, retinoic acid (0.1 microM) fails to cause any obvious change in protein kinase C activity. However, in the 0.1-100.0 microM range, retinoic acid confers a limited responsiveness to TPA in the absence of phosphatidylserine. These findings support the view that Ca2+ may regulate protein phosphorylation in the pancreatic B-cell through several distinct pathways.     

The role of protein kinase C in thromboxane A2-induced pulmonary artery vasoconstriction

In order to determine if protein kinase C (PKC) plays a significant role in the stimulant action of thromboxane A₂ (TxA₂) on pulmonary vascular smooth muscle, TxA₂-induced contractile responses were measured following inhibition of PKC. Rabbits were sacrificed and segments of the main trunk of the pulmonary artery were removed and placed within a temperature-controlled (37 °C) organ bath. Contractile responses that were evoked by a TxA₂ mimetic (U46,619, 0.5 µM) decreased by 27 and 35% following treatment with the PKC inhibitors, calphostin C (2 µM) and staurosporine (200 nM), respectively. These results account for the effect of the vehicle, DMSO, which was also found to have a concentration-dependent inhibitory effect on the U46,619-induced contractions. The effects of DMSO alone was subsequently subtracted from the previously measured responses to PKC inhibitors that were dissolved in DMSO to obtain effects attributable to the PKC inhibitor alone. It can therefore be concluded that inhibition of PKC results in partial attenuation of U46,619-induced responses supporting the hypothesis that activation of PKC plays a partial role in TxA₂-induced contraction of pulmonary arterial smooth muscle.     

ANG II and LPA induce Pyk2 tyrosine phosphorylation in intestinal epithelial cells: role of Ca2+, PKC, and Rho kinase

The G protein-coupled receptor agonistsangiotensin II (ANG II) and lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) rapidly inducetyrosine phosphorylation of the cytosolic proline-rich tyrosine kinase2 (Pyk2) in IEC-18 intestinal epithelial cells. The combined Pyk2tyrosine phosphorylation induced by phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate, a directagonist of protein kinase C (PKC), and ionomycin, a Ca²⁺ionophore, was equal to that induced by ANG II. Inhibition of eitherPKC or Ca²⁺ signaling attenuated the effect of ANG II andLPA, although simultaneous inhibition of both pathways failed tocompletely abolish Pyk2 tyrosine phosphorylation. Cytochalasin D, whichdisrupts stress fibers, strongly inhibited the response of Pyk2 to ANGII or LPA. The distinct Rho-associated kinase (ROK) inhibitors HA-1077and Y-27632, as well as the Rho inhibitor Clostridiumbotulinum C3 exoenzyme, also significantly attenuated ANG II- andLPA-stimulated Pyk2 tyrosine phosphorylation. Simultaneous inhibitionof PKC, Ca²⁺, and either actin assembly or ROK completelyabolished the Pyk2 response. Together, these results show that ANG IIand LPA rapidly induce Pyk2 tyrosine phosphorylation in intestinalepithelial cells via separate Ca²⁺-, PKC-, and Rho-mediated pathways.

     

Evidence for the role of p38 MAP kinase in hypoxia-induced pulmonary vasoconstriction

Mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases regulate smooth muscle cell contraction. Hypoxia contracts pulmonary arteries by mechanisms that are incompletely understood. We hypothesized that hypoxic contraction of pulmonary arteries involves activation of the MAP kinases. To test this hypothesis, we studied the effects of SB-202190, a p38 MAP kinase inhibitor, PD-98059 and UO-126, two structurally different MEKK inhibitors, and anisomycin, a stimulator of p38 MAP kinase on acute hypoxia-induced contraction in rat conduit pulmonary artery rings precontracted with phenylephrine or KCl. Hypoxia induced a transient contraction, followed by a relaxation, and then a slowly developing sustained contraction. Hypoxia also significantly increased phosphorylation of p38 MAP kinase. SB-202190 did not affect the transient phase but abrogated the sustained phase of hypoxic contraction, whereas anisomycin enhanced both phases of contraction. SB-202190 also attenuated and anisomycin enhanced the phenylephrine-induced contraction. In contrast, PD-98059 and UO-126 had minimal effects on either hypoxic or phenylephrine-induced contraction. None of the treatments modified KCl-induced contraction. We conclude that p38, but not the ERK1/ERK2 MAP kinase pathway, mediates the sustained phase of hypoxic contraction in isolated rat pulmonary arteries.     

O2 and rat pulmonary artery tone: effects of endothelium, Ca2+, cyanide, and monocrotaline

The present study examines the influence of the endothelium (E), Ca2+ concentration, cyanide and monocrotaline (MCT) pretreatment on the responses of isolated rat hilar pulmonary arterial rings (PA) to hypoxia. In PA precontracted with phenylephrine, hypoxia induced an initial E-dependent relaxation phase followed by an E-independent transient contraction and a final relaxation. An increase in Ca2+ concentration from 1.5 to 2.5 mM produced an E-dependent reduction in tone generation under O2 and a significant enhancement of the hypoxia-elicited initial relaxation and the transient contractile responses. Addition of cyanide (0.1 mM) to precontracted PA produced a transient contraction similar to that caused by hypoxia. Preincubation with cyanide led to inhibition of tone generation and abolition of the contraction to hypoxia. However, the final relaxation response to hypoxia was not inhibited by cyanide. Thus, hypoxia produces an E-independent contraction via a mechanism that appears also to be activated by cyanide, and this response is not altered by MCT. The endothelium alters the response to hypoxia in a Ca(2+)-dependent manner.     

Evaluation of a role for intracellular Na+, K+, Ca2+, and Mg2+ in hyperthermic cell killing

A dose of heat which renders 98% of a population of Chinese hamster ovary cells reproductively dead has no significant effect on their Na+, K+, or Mg2+ content by 28 h postheat. In contrast, the cellular Ca2+ content increases in a dose-dependent manner as observed at 22 h after heating for 15-35 min at 45 degrees C. However, the rates of both influx and efflux of Ca2+ were reduced by heating. Increasing the cellular Ca2+ content by incubating the cells in high extracellular Ca2+, either at the time of heating or for a period of 22 h following heat, does not potentiate the lethal effect of heat. Completely blocking the heat-induced increase in Ca2+ content by incubating the cells in medium containing a low Ca2+ concentration does not protect the cells. Therefore, we conclude that heat does not produce any significant changes in the Na+, K+, or Mg2+ content of cells and that the heat-induced increase in Ca2+ does not play an important role in hyperthermic cell killing.     

Protein kinase C-mediated formation of phosphatidylinositol 3,4-bisphosphate in human platelets

The effect of phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate on the formation of phosphatidylinositol 3,4-bisphosphate in washed human platelets was studied. Platelets labelled with [32P]Pi were stimulated with phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate or thrombin in the presence or absence of staurosporine. Lipids were extracted, and deacylated, and the glycerophosphoinositol derivatives were analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography. Phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate increased formation of phosphatidylinositol 4-monophosphate and phosphatidylinositol 3,4-bisphosphate in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Thrombin also increased formation of phosphatidylinositol 3,4-bisphosphate. Staurosporine completely inhibited phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate or thrombin-stimulated production of phosphatidylinositol 3,4-bisphosphate. These data indicate that production of phosphatidylinositol 3,4-bisphosphate and phosphatidylinositol 4-monophosphate is mediated by protein kinase C. It is widely recognized that production of phosphatidylinositol 3,4-bisphosphate is caused by the tyrosine kinase-mediated activation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase. However, in platelets, production of phosphatidylinositol 3,4-bisphosphate might be related to stimulation of phosphatidylinositol 4-kinase, which is activated by protein kinase C.     

Vasoactive intestinal peptide synergistically stimulates DNA synthesis in mouse 3T3 cells: role of cAMP, Ca2+, and protein kinase C

Vasoactive intestinal peptide synergistically stimulated initiation of DNA synthesis in Swiss 3T3 cells. The peptide stimulated [3H]thymidine incorporation in the presence of insulin and either forskolin or an inhibitor of cAMP phosphodiesterase in a concentration-dependent manner. Half-maximal effect was obtained at 1 nM. At mitogenic concentrations, VIP stimulated a marked accumulation (eightfold) of cAMP. In contrast to other growth-promoting neuropeptides, VIP did not induce an increase in cytosolic free Ca2+ or an activation of protein kinase C. We conclude that neuropeptides can modulate long-term cell proliferation through multiple signaling pathways.     

Hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction: role of ion channels.

Acute hypoxia induces pulmonary vasoconstriction and chronic hypoxia causes structural changes of the pulmonary vasculature including arterial medial hypertrophy. Electro- and pharmacomechanical mechanisms are involved in regulating pulmonary vasomotor tone, whereas intracellular Ca(2+) serves as an important signal in regulating contraction and proliferation of pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells. Herein, we provide a basic overview of the cellular mechanisms involved in the development of hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction. Our discussion focuses on the roles of ion channels permeable to K(+) and Ca(2+), membrane potential, and cytoplasmic Ca(2+) in the development of acute hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction and chronic hypoxia-mediated pulmonary vascular remodeling.     

Hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction: role of voltage-gated potassium channels

Activity of voltage-gated potassium (Kv) channels controls membrane potential, which subsequently regulates cytoplasmic free calcium concentration ([Ca²⁺]_cyt) in pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs). Acute hypoxia inhibits Kv channel function in PASMCs, inducing membrane depolarization and a rise in [Ca²⁺ ]_cyt that triggers vasoconstriction. Prolonged hypoxia inhibits expression of Kv channels and reduces Kv channel currents in PASMCs. The consequent membrane depolarization raises [Ca²⁺]_cyt, thus stimulating PASMC proliferation. The present review discusses recent evidence for the involvement of Kv channels in initiation of hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction and in chronic hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension.     

Ca2+, calmodulin-dependent phosphorylation, and inactivation of glycogen synthase by a brain protein kinase

Glycogen synthase from skeletal muscle was phosphorylated by a Ca2+, calmodulin-dependent protein kinase from brain, with concomitant inactivation. About 0.7 mol phosphate/mol subunit was sufficient for a maximal inactivation of glycogen synthase. Further phosphorylation of the enzyme had no effect on the activity. The concentrations required to give half-maximal phosphorylation and inactivation of glycogen synthase were 1.1 and 0.5 microM for Ca2+, and 22 and 11 nM for calmodulin, respectively. The molar ratio of the subunit of the protein kinase to calmodulin was 2-3:1 for half-maximal phosphorylation and inactivation of glycogen synthase. The Km values for glycogen synthase and ATP were 3.6 and 114 microM, respectively, for phosphorylation. Phosphate was incorporated into sites Ia, Ib, and 2 on glycogen synthase, and site 2 was the most rapidly phosphorylated. These results indicate that the brain Ca2+, calmodulin-dependent protein kinase is probably involved in glycogen metabolism in the brain as a glycogen synthase kinase.     

Conducted vasoconstriction in rat mesenteric arterioles: role for dihydropyridine-insensitive Ca(2+) channels

The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of voltage-operated Ca(2+) channels in the initiation and conduction of vasoconstrictor responses to local micropipette electrical stimulation of rat mesenteric arterioles (28 +/- 1 microm, n = 79) in vivo. Local and conducted (600 microm upstream from the pipette) vasoconstriction was not blocked by TTX (1 micromol/l, n = 5), nifedipine, or nimodipine (10 micromol/l, n = 9). Increasing the K(+) concentration of the superfusate to 75 mmol/l did not evoke vasoconstriction, but this depolarizing stimulus reversibly abolished vasoconstrictor responses to current stimulation (n = 7). Addition of the T-type Ca(2+) antagonist mibefradil (10 micromol/l, n = 6) to the superfusate reversibly blocked local and conducted vasoconstriction to current stimulation. With the use of RT-PCR techniques, it was demonstrated that rat mesenteric arterioles <40 microm do not express mRNA for L-type Ca(2+) channels (alpha(1C)-subunit), whereas mRNA coding for T-type subunits was found (alpha(1G)- and alpha(1H)-subunits). The data indicate that L-type Ca(2+) channels are absent from rat mesenteric arterioles (<40 microm). Rather, the vasoconstrictor responses appear to rely on other types of voltage-gated, dihydropyridine-insensitive Ca(2+) channels, possibly of the T-type.     

A Dynamic Model of Interactions of Ca2+, Calmodulin,and Catalytic Subunits of Ca2+/Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinase II

During the acquisition of memories, influx of Ca²⁺ into the postsynaptic spine through the pores of activated N-methyl-d-aspartate-type glutamate receptors triggers processes that change the strength of excitatory synapses. The pattern of Ca²⁺ influx during the first few seconds of activity is interpreted within the Ca²⁺-dependent signaling network such that synaptic strength is eventually either potentiated or depressed. Many of the critical signaling enzymes that control synaptic plasticity, including Ca²⁺/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII), are regulated by calmodulin, a small protein that can bind up to 4 Ca²⁺ ions. As a first step toward clarifying how the Ca²⁺-signaling network decides between potentiation or depression, we have created a kinetic model of the interactions of Ca²⁺, calmodulin, and CaMKII that represents our best understanding of the dynamics of these interactions under conditions that resemble those in a postsynaptic spine. We constrained parameters of the model from data in the literature, or from our own measurements, and then predicted time courses of activation and autophosphorylation of CaMKII under a variety of conditions. Simulations showed that species of calmodulin with fewer than four bound Ca²⁺ play a significant role in activation of CaMKII in the physiological regime, supporting the notion that processing of Ca²⁺ signals in a spine involves competition among target enzymes for binding to unsaturated species of CaM in an environment in which the concentration of Ca²⁺ is fluctuating rapidly. Indeed, we showed that dependence of activation on the frequency of Ca²⁺ transients arises from the kinetics of interaction of fluctuating Ca²⁺ with calmodulin/CaMKII complexes. We used parameter sensitivity analysis to identify which parameters will be most beneficial to measure more carefully to improve the accuracy of predictions. This model provides a quantitative base from which to build more complex dynamic models of postsynaptic signal transduction during learning.