心肌胞钙波随机性研究

钙波作为一种胞内的钙释放通道相互触发而产生的连锁反应广泛存在于多种细胞．在心肌中,由于与心律失常的发生有关,心肌细胞中的钙波近年来引起广泛关注．为了在微观上研究钙波的产生和传播过程,利用激光共聚焦钙成像技术对心肌细胞中的钙波进行了成像．实验和分析发现,钙波的起始是钙火花连续随机募集的过程,因此正常细胞中钙波发生概率很低．钙波传播过程中相邻位点开放的时间间隔接近正态分布,显示传播过程具有较大的随机性．且钙波速度越慢,位点间时间间隔的离散度越高．为了进一步研究这种随机性产生的内在机制,构建了一个数值模型对心肌细胞中的钙波进行模拟．研究证明,钙释放位点开放的随机性能够完整地解释实验中观察到的钙波传播的随机行为．实验分析和数值模拟相互印证,首次明确证明,钙波起始和传播过程的随机性,并揭示了该随机性与钙释放位点开放概率的关系．     

血管紧张素Ⅱ对大鼠心肌细胞Ca2+信号的影响

目的:在培养的新生大鼠心肌细胞上,观察AngⅡ对Ca2 信号的影响,探讨其时间和空间形式.方法:以Fluo-4/AM荧光指示剂负载培养的心肌细胞,应用激光共聚焦扫描显微镜观察其变化.结果:在激光共聚焦显微镜下,观察到不论静息或受AngⅡ刺激的心肌细胞,均可见钙波在细胞内及相连的另一细胞间彼此传播的现象.正常心肌细胞内核的荧光强度高于核周与细胞浆,且存在小幅度的钙震荡,AngⅡ(10-6 mol/L)引起心肌细胞的核Ca2 和胞浆Ca2 荧光强度升高的同时,其钙震荡幅度明显升高,外源性一氧化氮(NO)供体硝普钠(10-5mol/L)使钙的周期性震荡消失,荧光强度降低.同时还观察到加入AngⅡ(10-6 mol/L)后在部分心肌细胞膜上的不同部位,出现不能传播的钙闪烁团,在此基础上再加入硝普钠(10-5mol/L),不能取消AngⅡ所致的钙闪烁现象.结论:心肌细胞受AngⅡ刺激,可产生多种钙信号形式如钙闪烁、钙波、钙震荡以及瞬时性钙增高,可能在介导细胞功能的调节中起重要作用.     

共聚焦显微术测定大鼠和黄鼠心肌细胞游离Ca2+浓度与温度的关系

运用共聚焦激光扫描显微成像术对比研究非冬眠动物大鼠和冬眠动物黄鼠心肌细胞胞内Ca2+浓度 ([Ca2+]i) 随温度的变化.首先标定了不同温度下Ca2+探针indo-1的解离常数,提出并证明按α定态设定标定溶液pH值的必要性.细胞荧光分析显示,大鼠心肌细胞[Ca2+]i随温度降低显著上升,低温下频繁出现自发钙波,胞内发生钙超载;相比较冬眠动物黄鼠心肌细胞[Ca2+]i在相同条件下保持稳定,避免发生钙超载.认识其中的钙稳态机制可能对有关医学问题有潜在的指导意义.     

心肌细胞兴奋-收缩偶联的微观机制

心肌细胞的兴奋 收缩偶联 (ECC)本质上是胞膜上的电压门控L 型钙通道 (LCCs)和胞内ryanodine受体 (RyRs)之间通过钙诱导钙释放 (CICR)机制进行沟通进而引发肌细胞收缩的过程。最近的研究进一步揭示了微观水平上LCCs和RyRs之间的信息联系。在钙偶联位点 (couplons)上 ,LCCs因膜去极化而随机开放 ,在局部产生高强度的钙脉冲 (即钙小星 ,Ca2 sparklet) ,作用于邻近肌质网终末池上的RyRs。钙偶联位点通过由钙小星随机激活的RyRs(即钙释放通道 )以钙火花 (Ca2 spark)的形式释放钙。这些钙在全细胞水平上总和即形成钙瞬变 (Ca2 transient)。因此 ,钙小星触发钙火花就构成了ECC中的基本事件。本文重点阐述LCCs和RyRs分子间的信号转导机制 ,也即从微观水平上探讨CICR及ECC的形成机制。     

多途径介导的小胶质细胞间钙波传递

利用微局域机械力刺激,快速实时观察机械力引起的细胞间钙波传递,系统地研究了BV-2小胶质细胞间钙通讯机制.结果表明,在细胞种植密度较小且彼此未接触的情况下,旁分泌途径可介导BV-2小胶质细胞间钙波传递.在细胞密度较大且相互接触的情况下,旁分泌和间隙连接两种途径可共同介导胞间钙波传递.更为有趣的是,在体外发现BV-2小胶质细胞间存在通道纳米管类似物连接,也可介导小胶质细胞间钙波传递.综上所述,小胶质细胞间钙波传递可通过旁分泌、间隙连接和通道纳米管类似物连接三种途径介导.     

心肌细胞横管-肌质网耦联与钙信号调控

心肌细胞的兴奋沿横管传入细胞深处并激活L型钙通道,进而通过钙致钙释放机制激活肌质网ryanodine受体钙释放通道,由此产生的钙火花叠加成为细胞钙瞬变,引发心肌细胞同步化收缩.β1型肾上腺素受体介导的广域cAMP信号通过磷酸化L型钙通道、ryanodine受体、肌质网受磷蛋白,分别上调钙内流、钙释放和肌质网钙泵的钙回收...     

白藜芦醇降低大鼠心室肌细胞内游离钙浓度

实验旨在研究白藜芦醇(resveratrol)对大鼠心室肌细胞内钙浓度(intracellular calcium concentratoin,[Ca2+]i)的影响.应用激光共聚焦显微镜技术记录心室肌细胞内的钙荧光强度.结果表明在正常台氏液和无钙台氏液中,白藜芦醇(15～60μmol/L)呈浓度依赖性地降低[Ca2+]i.蛋白酪氨酸磷酸酶抑制剂正钒酸钠(sodium orthovanadate,1.0 mmol/L)和L型Ca2+通道激动剂Bay K8644(10 μmol/L)可部分抑制正常台氏液中白藜芦醇的效应.但NO合酶阻断剂L-NAME(1.0 mmol/L)对白藜芦醇的作用无影响.白藜芦醇也能明显抑制无钙台氏液中由低浓度ryanodine(1.0 nmol/L)引起的[Ca2+]i增加.当细胞外液钙浓度由1 mmol/L增加到10 mmol/L而诱发心室肌细胞钙超载时,部分心室肌细胞产生可传播的钙波,白藜芦醇(60 μmol/L)可降低钙波的传播速度和持续时间,最终阻断钙波.结果提示,白藜芦醇能够降低心室肌细胞内游离钙浓度,此作用可能与其抑制电压依赖性Ca2+通道、酩氨酸激酶和肌浆网内钙释放有关.     

三羟异黄酮对豚鼠心室肌细胞内游离钙浓度的影响

用激光共聚焦显微镜观察研究三羟异黄酮(genistein,GST)对豚鼠心室肌细胞内游离钙浓度([Ca^2 ]i)的影响。结果用相对荧光强度(FI-F0／FX0,％)表示。实验结果显示,在正常台氏液、无钙台氏液和正常台氏液中加入3mmol／L EGTA后,GST(10～40μmol／L)浓度依赖性地降低细胞内钙浓度。蛋白酪氨酸磷酸酶抑制剂正钒酸钠(sodium orthovanadate)和L-型Ca^2 通道激动剂Bay K8644可部分抑制正常台氏液时GST的效应。当细胞外液钙浓度由1mmol／L增加到10mmol／L而诱发心室肌细胞钙超载时,部分心室肌细胞产生可传播的钙波,GST(40μmol／L)可降低钙波的传播速度和持续时间,最终阻断钙波。以上结果提示,GST降低心室肌细胞内游离钙浓度,此作用与其抑制电压依赖性Ca^2 通道、减弱酪氨酸激酶抑制和豚鼠心室肌细胞肌浆网内钙释放有关。     

L型Ca2+通道自发激活对静息心肌细胞钙火花的影响

钙火花是心肌细胞肌浆网Ca²⁺释放的基本单位. 为了研究L型Ca²⁺通道自发开放对心肌细胞钙火花的影响, 实验使用激光共聚焦扫描显微镜和Ca²⁺荧光探针Fluo-4, 在大鼠心肌细胞上观察局部钙火花的发放. 结果表明, 0.2 mmol/L CdCl₂通过阻断L型Ca²⁺通道, 使自发性钙火花的发放频率从给药前的4.20下降到给药后的2.04个/(100 μm∙s), 但不影响火花的时空特性. 对Cd²⁺敏感的钙火花进行分析, 推测在静息膜电位下(−80 mV), L型Ca²⁺通道的开放概率约为10^−5. 因此, 在静息心肌细胞中, L型Ca²⁺通道低频随机开放对自发性钙火花的产生及细胞钙稳态调节有重要影响.     

肌浆网钙漏流与心力衰竭

钙离子在心脏兴奋-收缩偶联中发挥关键作用,全细胞钙浓度升高通过激活相关信号通路参与基因表达的调控已受到广泛的关注.肌浆网是心肌细胞重要的钙库,在维持细胞内钙稳态起非常重要的作用,是心肌兴奋-收缩偶联的关键因素.舒张期心肌细胞肌浆网RyR2通道活性增强,异常开放增加或关闭不全,钙离子异常释放,引起肌浆网钙漏流.心力衰竭时肌浆网功能障碍,越来越多的研究表明,心力衰竭尤其是在终末期,肌浆网钙漏流所介导的心肌细胞局部钙信号增强,从而引起心脏发生结构、功能的重构.本文就肌浆网钙漏流的发生机制及其在心力衰竭发生发展中的作用和研究进展进行简要综述,并提出展望,以期为临床心力衰竭的预防和治疗及有效药物的开发应用提供理论依据.     

Na+/K+-ATPase resistance and cardenolide sequestration: basal adaptations to host plant toxins in the milkweed bugs (Hemiptera: Lygaeidae: Lygaeinae)

Despite sequestration of toxins being a common coevolutionary response to plant defence in phytophagous insects, the macroevolution of the traits involved is largely unaddressed. Using a phylogenetic approach comprising species from four continents, we analysed the ability to sequester toxic cardenolides in the hemipteran subfamily Lygaeinae, which is widely associated with cardenolide-producing Apocynaceae. In addition, we analysed cardenolide resistance of their Na⁺/K⁺-ATPases, the molecular target of cardenolides. Our data indicate that cardenolide sequestration and cardenolide-resistant Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase are basal adaptations in the Lygaeinae. In two species that shifted to non-apocynaceous hosts, the ability to sequester was secondarily reduced, yet Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase resistance was maintained. We suggest that both traits evolved together and represent major coevolutionary adaptations responsible for the evolutionary success of lygaeine bugs. Moreover, specialization on cardenolides was not an evolutionary dead end, but enabled this insect lineage to host shift to cardenolide-producing plants from distantly related families.     

Na(+) interaction with the pore of Shaker B K(+) channels: zero and low K(+) conditions.

The Shaker B K(+) conductance (G(K)) collapses (in a reversible manner) if the membrane is depolarized and then repolarized in, 0 K(+), Na(+)-containing solutions (Gómez-Lagunas, F. 1997. J. Physiol. 499:3-15; Gómez-Lagunas, F. 1999. Biophys. J. 77:2988-2998). In this work, the role of Na(+) ions in the collapse of G(K) in 0-K(+) solutions, and in the behavior of the channels in low K(+) was studied. The main findings are as follows. First, in 0-K(+) solutions, the presence of Na(+) ions is an important factor that speeds the collapse of G(K). Second, external Na(+) fosters the drop of G(K) by binding to a site with a K(d) = 3.3 mM. External K(+) competes, in a mutually exclusive manner, with Na(o)(+) for binding to this site, with an estimated K(d) = 80 microM. Third, NMG and choline are relatively inert regarding the stability of G(K); fourth, with [K(o)(+)] = 0, the energy required to relieve Na(i)(+) block of Shaker (French, R.J., and J.B. Wells. 1977. J. Gen. Physiol. 70:707-724; Starkus, J.G., L. Kuschel, M. Rayner, and S. Heinemann. 2000. J. Gen. Physiol. 110:539-550) decreases with the molar fraction of Na(i)(+) (X(Na,i)), in an extent not accounted for by the change in Delta(mu)(Na). Finally, when X(Na,i) = 1, G(K) collapses by the binding of Na(i)(+) to two sites, with apparent K(d)s of 2 and 14.3 mM.     

Influence of exogenous application of glycinebetaine on antioxidative system and growth of salt-stressed soybean seedlings (Glycine max L.)

Glycinebetaine is one of the most competitive compounds which play an important role in salt stress in plants. In this study, the enhanced salt tolerance in soybean (Glycine max L.) by exogenous application of glycinebetaine was evaluated. To improve salt tolerance at the seedling stage, GB was applied in four different concentrations (0, 5, 25 and 50 mM) as a pre-sowing seed treatment. Salinity stress in the form of a final concentration of 150 mM sodium chloride (NaCl) over a 15 day period drastically affected the plants as indicated by increased proline, MDA and Na⁺ content of soybean plants. In contrast, supplementation with 50 mM GB improved growth of soybean plants under NaCl as evidenced by a decrease in proline, MDA and Na⁺ content of soybean plants. Further analysis showed that treatments with GB, resulted in increasing of CAT and SOD activity of soybean seedlings in salt stress. We propose that the role of GB in increasing tolerance to salinity stress in soybean may result from either its antioxidant capacity by direct scavenging of H₂O₂ or its role in activating CAT activity which is mandatory in scavenging H₂O₂.     

Chloroplast-generated ROS dominate NaCl- induced K+ efflux in wheat leaf mesophyll

Mesophyll K⁺ retention ability has been recently reported as an important component of salinity stress tolerance in wheat. In order to investigate the role of ROS in regulating NaCl^-induced K⁺ efflux in wheat leaf mesophyll, a series of pharmacological experiments was conducted using MV (methyl viologen, superoxide radical inducer), DPI (an inhibitor of NADPH oxidase), H₂O₂ (to mimic apoplastic ROS), and EGCG ((−)-Epigallocatechin gallate, ROS scavenger). Mesophyll pre-treatment with 10 μM MV resulted in a significantly higher NaCl^-induced K⁺ efflux in leaf mesophyll, while 50 μM EGCG pre-treatment alleviated K⁺ leakage under salt stress. No significant change in NaCl^-induced K⁺ efflux in leaf mesophyll was found in specimens pre-treated by H₂O₂ and DPI, compared with the control. The highest NaCl^-induced H⁺ efflux in leaf mesophyll was also found in samples pre-treated with MV, suggesting a futile cycle between increased H⁺-ATPase activity and ROS-induced K⁺ leak. Overall, it is suggested that, under saline stress, K⁺ efflux from wheat mesophyll is mediated predominantly by non-selective cation channels (NSCC) regulated by ROS produced in chloroplasts, at least in bread wheat.     

Interaction of the BKCa channel gating ring with dendrotoxins

Two classes of small homologous basic proteins, mamba snake dendrotoxins (DTX) and bovine pancreatic trypsin inhibitor (BPTI), block the large conductance Ca²⁺-activated K⁺ channel (BK_Ca, KCa1.1) by production of discrete subconductance events when added to the intracellular side of the membrane. This toxin-channel interaction is unlikely to be pharmacologically relevant to the action of mamba venom, but as a fortuitous ligand-protein interaction, it has certain biophysical implications for the mechanism of BK_Ca channel gating. In this work we examined the subconductance behavior of 9 natural dendrotoxin homologs and 6 charge neutralization mutants of δ-dendrotoxin in the context of current structural information on the intracellular gating ring domain of the BK_Ca channel. Calculation of an electrostatic surface map of the BK_Ca gating ring based on the Poisson-Boltzmann equation reveals a predominantly electronegative surface due to an abundance of solvent-accessible side chains of negatively charged amino acids. Available structure-activity information suggests that cationic DTX/BPTI molecules bind by electrostatic attraction to site(s) on the gating ring located in or near the cytoplasmic side portals where the inactivation ball peptide of the β2 subunit enters to block the channel. Such an interaction may decrease the apparent unitary conductance by altering the dynamic balance of open versus closed states of BK_Ca channel activation gating.     

Spatial,Cellular, and Intracellular Localization of Na+/K+-ATPase in the Sterically Disposed Renal Tubules of Japanese Eel

The kidney plays a crucial role in the regulation of water and ion balances in both freshwater and seawater fishes. However, the complicated structures of the kidney hamper comprehensive understanding of renal functions. In this study, to investigate the structure of sterically disposed renal tubules, we examined spatial, cellular, and intracellular localization of Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase in the kidney of the Japanese eel. The renal tubule was composed of the first (PT-I) and second (PT-II) segments of the proximal tubule and the distal tubule (DT), followed by the collecting ducts (CDs). Light microscopic immunocytochemistry detected Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase along the renal tubules and CD; however, the subcellular distribution of the Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase immunoreaction varied among different segments. Electron microscopic immunocytochemistry further revealed that Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase was distributed on the basal infoldings of PT-I, PT-II, and DT cells. Three-dimensional analyses showed that the renal tubules meandered in a random pattern through lymphoid tissues, and then merged into the CD, which was aligned linearly. Among the different segments, the DT and CD cells showed more-intense Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase immunoreaction in freshwater eel than in seawater-acclimated eel, confirming that the DT and CD segments are important in freshwater adaptation, or hyperosmoregulation. (J Histochem Cytochem 58:707–719, 2010)     

Loss of caveolin-1 impairs retinal function due to disturbance of subretinal microenvironment

Caveolin-1 (Cav-1), an integral component of caveolar membrane domains, is expressed in several retinal cell types, including photoreceptors, retinal vascular endothelial cells, Müller glia, and retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells. Recent evidence links Cav-1 to ocular diseases, including autoimmune uveitis, diabetic retinopathy, and primary open angle glaucoma, but its role in normal vision is largely undetermined. In this report, we show that ablation of Cav-1 results in reduced inner and outer retinal function as measured, in vivo, by electroretinography and manganese-enhanced MRI. Somewhat surprisingly, dark current and light sensitivity were normal in individual rods (recorded with suction electrode methods) from Cav-1 knock-out (KO) mice. Although photoreceptor function was largely normal, in vitro, the apparent K(+) affinity of the RPE-expressed α1-Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase was decreased in Cav-1 KO mice. Cav-1 KO retinas also displayed unusually tight adhesion with the RPE, which could be resolved by brief treatment with hyperosmotic medium, suggesting alterations in outer retinal fluid homeostasis. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that reduced retinal function resulting from Cav-1 ablation is not photoreceptor-intrinsic but rather involves impaired subretinal and/or RPE ion/fluid homeostasis.     

Overexpression of SeNHX1 improves both salt tolerance and disease resistance in tobacco

Recently, we found NHX1, the gene encoding a Na⁺/H⁺ exchanger, participated in plant disease defense. Although NHX1 has been confirmed to be involved in plant salt tolerance, whether the NHX1 transgenic plants exhibit both salt tolerance and disease resistance has not been investigated. The T1 progenies of Nicotiana tabacum L. lines expressing SeNHX1 (from Salicornia europaea) were generated for the present study. Compared with PBI-type control plants, SeNHX1 transgenic tobaccos exhibited more biomass, longer root length, and higher K⁺/Na⁺ ratio at post germination or seedling stage under NaCl treatment, indicating enhanced salt tolerance. The vacuolar H⁺ efflux in SeNHX1 transgenic tobacco was increased after treatment of NaCl with different concentration. Meanwhile, the SeNHX1 transgenic tobaccos showed smaller wilted spot area, less H₂O₂ accumulation in leaves after infection of Phytophthora parasitica var. nicotianae. Further investigation demonstrated a larger NAD(P)(H) pool in SeNHX1 transgenic tobacco. These evidences revealed that overexpression of SeNHX1 intensified the compartmentation of Na⁺ into vacuole under salt stress and improved the ability of eliminating ROS after pathogen attack, which then enhanced salt tolerance and disease resistance simultaneously in tobacco. Our findings indicate NHX1 has potential value in creating crops with both improved salt tolerance and disease resistance.     

The Detailed Localization Pattern of Na+/K+/2Cl? Cotransporter Type 2 and Its Related Ion Transport System in the Rat Endolymphatic Sac

The endolymphatic sac (ES) is a part of the membranous labyrinth. ES is believed to perform endolymph absorption, which is dependent on several ion transporters, including Na⁺/K⁺/2Cl⁻ cotransporter type 2 (NKCC-2) and Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase. NKCC-2 is typically recognized as a kidney-specific ion transporter expressed in the apical membrane of the absorptive epithelium. NKCC-2 expression has been confirmed only in the rat and human ES other than the kidney, but the detailed localization features of NKCC-2 have not been investigated in the ES. Thus, we evaluated the specific site expressing NKCC-2 by immunohistochemical assessment. NKCC-2 expression was most frequently seen in the intermediate portion of the ES, where NKCC-2 is believed to play an important role in endolymph absorption. In addition, NKCC-2 expression was also observed on the apical membranes of ES epithelial cells, and Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase coexpression was observed on the basolateral membranes of ES epithelial cells. These results suggest that NKCC-2 performs an important role in endolymph absorption and that NKCC-2 in apical membranes and Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase in basolateral membranes work coordinately in the ES in a manner similar to that in renal tubules. (J Histochem Cytochem 58:759–763, 2010)