Role of Ca2+ feedback on single cell inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate oscillations mediated by G-protein-coupled receptors

The dynamics of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (Ins (1,4,5)P3) production during periods of G-protein-coupled receptor-mediated Ca2+ oscillations have been investigated using the pleckstrin homology (PH) domain of phospholipase C (PLC) delta1 tagged with enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP-PHPLCdelta1). Activation of noradrenergic alpha1B and muscarinic M3 receptors recombinantly expressed in the same Chinese hamster ovary cell indicates that Ca2+ responses to these G-protein-coupled receptors are stimulus strength-dependent. Thus, activation of alpha1B receptors produced transient base-line Ca2+ oscillations, sinusoidal Ca2+ oscillations, and then a steady-state plateau level of Ca2+ as the level of agonist stimulation increased. Activation of M3 receptors, which have a higher coupling efficiency than alpha1B receptors, produced a sustained increase in intracellular Ca2+ even at low levels of agonist stimulation. Confocal imaging of eGFP-PHPLCdelta1 visualized periodic increases in Ins(1,4,5)P3 production underlying the base-line Ca2+ oscillations. Ins(1,4,5)P3 oscillations were blocked by thapsigargin but not by protein kinase C down-regulation. The net effect of increasing intracellular Ca2+ was stimulatory to Ins(1,4,5)P3 production, and dual imaging experiments indicated that receptor-mediated Ins(1,4,5)P3 production was sensitive to changes in intracellular Ca2+ between basal and approximately 200 nM. Together, these data suggest that alpha1B receptor-mediated Ins(1,4,5)P3 oscillations result from a positive feedback effect of Ca2+ onto phospholipase C. The mechanisms underlying alpha1B receptor-mediated Ca2+ responses are therefore different from those for the metabotropic glutamate receptor 5a, where Ins(1,4,5)P3 oscillations are the primary driving force for oscillatory Ca2+ responses (Nash, M. S., Young, K. W., Challiss, R. A. J., and Nahorski, S. R. (2001) Nature 413, 381-382). For alpha1B receptors the Ca2+-dependent Ins(1,4,5)P3 production may serve to augment the existing regenerative Ca2+-induced Ca2+-release process; however, the sensitivity to Ca2+ feedback is such that only transient base-line Ca2+ spikes may be capable of causing Ins(1,4,5)P3 oscillations.     

Receptor-activated cytoplasmic Ca2+ spiking mediated by inositol trisphosphate is due to Ca2(+)-induced Ca2+ release.

Receptor-mediated inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (Ins-(1,4,5)P3) generation evokes fluctuations in the cytoplasmic Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i). Intracellular Ca2+ infusion into single mouse pancreatic acinar cells mimicks the effect of external acetylcholine (ACh) or internal Ins(1,4,5)P3 application by evoking repetitive Ca2+ release monitored by Ca2(+)-activated Cl- current. Intracellular infusion of the Ins(1,4,5)P3 receptor antagonist heparin fails to inhibit Ca2+ spiking caused by Ca2+ infusion, but blocks ACh- and Ins(1,4,5)P3-evoked Ca2+ oscillations. Caffeine (1 mM), a potentiator of Ca2(+)-induced Ca2+ release, evokes Ca2+ spiking during subthreshold intracellular Ca2+ infusion. These results indicate that ACh-evoked Ca2+ oscillations are due to pulses of Ca2+ release through a caffeine-sensitive channel triggered by a small steady Ins(1,4,5)P3-evoked Ca2+ flow.     

Prostaglandins E2 and F2 alpha affect glycogen synthase and phosphorylase in isolated hepatocytes.

Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2 alpha) inactivated glycogen synthase and activated glycogen phosphorylase in rat hepatocytes in a dose- and time-dependent manner. These effects were dependent on the presence of Ca2+ in the incubation medium. When glycogen synthase was immunoprecipitated from cells incubated with [32P]Pi and then treated with PGE2 or PGF2 alpha, there was increased phosphorylation of the 88 kDa subunit of the enzyme. This phosphorylation affected two CNBr fragments of the glycogen synthase, CB-1 and CB-2, the same fragments that are phosphorylated by different glycogenolytic hormones. No phosphorylation of glycogen synthase by prostaglandins was observed in the absence of Ca2+. Thus the effect of PGE2 and PGF2 alpha on these glycogen-metabolizing enzymes supports a role for regulation by prostaglandins of glucose metabolism in parenchymal liver cells.     

Effect of inositol trisphosphate and calcium on oscillating elevations of intracellular calcium in Xenopus oocytes

Stimulation of many nonexcitable cells by Ca2(+)-mobilizing receptor agonists causes oscillating elevations of the intracellular free Ca2+ concentration ((Ca2+]i), rather than a continuous increase. It has been proposed that the frequency at which [Ca2+]i oscillates determines the biological response. Because the occurrence of [Ca2+] oscillations is observed together with endogenous inositol polyphosphate (InsPs) production or following InsPs application, we injected Xenopus laevis oocytes with InsPs and monitored Ca2(+)-activated Cl- currents as an assay of [Ca2+]i. Microinjection of the poorly metabolizable inositol trisphosphate (InsP3) derivatives inositol 2,4,5-trisphosphate (Ins(2,4,5)P3) and inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphorothioate (Ins(1,4,5) P3S3) induced [Ca2+]i oscillations. The frequency at which [Ca2+]i oscillated increased with the injected dose, indicating that the frequency-generating mechanism lies distal to InsP3 production and that generation of oscillations does not require either oscillation of InsP3 levels or InsP3 metabolism. Injections of high doses of Ins(1,4,5)P3 or Ins(2,4,5)P3 inhibited ongoing oscillations, whereas Ca2+ injections decreased the amplitude of Ins(2,4,5)P3-induced oscillations without altering their frequency. Injections of the Ins(1,4,5)P3 metabolite inositol 1,3,4,5-tetrakisphosphate also caused oscillations whose frequency was related to the injected dose, although inositol tetrakisphosphate injection induced an increase in the cellular level of Ins(1,4,5)P3. The results suggest a multicomponent oscillatory system that includes the InsP3 target as well as a Ca2(+)-sensitive step that modulates amplitude.     

Structural specificity for prostaglandin effects on hepatocyte glycogenolysis.

Prostaglandins (PGs) are known to have effects on hepatic glucose metabolism. Some actions of PGs in intact liver systems may not involve PG effects directly at the level of the hepatocyte. To define the ability of structurally distinct prostaglandins to affect hepatocyte metabolism directly, the regulation of glycogenolysis was studied in hepatocytes isolated from male Sprague-Dawley rats. PGF and PGB2 inhibited glucagon-stimulated glycogenolysis in the hepatocyte system. Pinane thromboxane A2 (PTA2) and PGD2 had no effect on glucagon-stimulated glycogenolysis. Consistent with their inhibition of glucagon-stimulated glycogenolysis, PGF2 and PGF2 alpha inhibited glucagon-stimulated hepatocyte cyclic AMP accumulation. These actions of PGB2 and PGF2 alpha are identical with those previously reported for PGE2. Additionally, PGE2, PGF2 alpha and PGB2 inhibited glucagon-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity in purified hepatic plasma membranes. In contrast, PGF2 alpha, PGD2 and PTA2 were all without affect on basal rates of hepatocyte glycogenolysis or hepatocyte cyclic AMP content. PGE2 also inhibited glycogenolysis stimulated by the alpha-adrenergic agonist phenylephrine. Exogenous arachidonic acid was not able to reproduce the affects of PGE2 or PGF2 alpha on hepatocyte glycogenolysis, consistent with an extra-hepatocyte source of the prostaglandins in the intact liver. Thus PGE2 and PGF2 alpha act specifically to inhibit glucagon-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity. No prostaglandin tested was found to stimulate glycogenolysis. PGE2 and PGF2 alpha may represent intra-hepatic modulators of hepatocyte glucose metabolism.     

Inositol tetrakisphosphate-induced sequestration of Ca2+ replenishes an intracellular pool sensitive to inositol trisphosphate

In a permeable neoplastic rat liver epithelial (261B) cell system, inositol 1,3,4,5-tetrakisphosphate--Ins(1,3,4,5)P4--induces sequestration of Ca2+ released by inositol 2,4,5-trisphosphate--Ins(2,4,5)P3; a non-metabolized inositol trisphosphate (InsP3) isomer--and Ca2+ added exogenously in the form of CaCl2. Studies were performed to identify the Ca2+ pool filled after Ins(1,3,4,5)P4 treatment. Both Ins(2,4,5)P3 and inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate--Ins(1,4,5)P3--dose-dependently release Ca2+ from permeable 261B cells--Ins(1,4,5)P3 having a threefold greater potency--but differ in that Ca2+ released by Ins(1,4,5)P3 is readily sequestered, while the Ca2+ released by Ins(2,4,5)P3 is not. Maximal release of Ca2+ by 6 microM Ins(2,4,5)P3 blocked the action of Ins(1,4,5)P3, demonstrating that these two isomers influence the same intracellular Ca2+ pool through a shared membrane receptor. Addition of 2 microM Ins(2,4,5)P3 to discharge partially the Ca2+ pool reduced the amount of Ca2+ released by a maximal dose of Ins(1,4,5)P3 (2 microM). Ins(1,3,4,5)P4 combined with Ins(2,4,5)P3 produced a Ca2+ release and sequestration response, which replenished the InsP3-sensitive pool as indicated by a recovery of full Ca2+ release by 2 microM Ins(1,4,5)P3. Induction of Ca2+ sequestration by Ins(1,3,4,5)P4 occurred dose-dependently, with a half-maximal response elicited at a dose of 0.9 microM. Further studies of the effect of Ins(1,3,4,5)P4 apart from the influence of Ins(2,4,5)P3 using a model in which the Ca2+ levels are raised by an exogenous addition of CaCl2 showed that Ins(1,4,5)P3 released twice the amount of Ca2+ from the storage pool following Ins(1,3,4,5)P4-induced Ca2+ sequestration. These results demonstrate that the Ca2+ uptake induced by Ins(1,3,4,5)P4 preferentially replenishes the intracellular Ca2+ storage sites regulated by Ins(1,4,5)P3 and Ins(2,4,5)P3.     

The effect of progesterone on oxytocin-stimulated intracellular mobilization of Ca2+ and prostaglandin E2 and F2alpha secretion from porcine myometrial cells

Our past studies have shown that porcine myometrium produce prostaglandins (PG) during luteolysis and early pregnancy and that oxytocin (OT) and its receptor (OTr) support myometrial secretion of prostaglandins E2 and F2alpha (PGE2 and PGF2alpha) during luteolysis. This study investigates the role of intracellular Ca2+ [Ca2+]i as a mediator of OT effects on PG secretion from isolated myometrial cells in the presence or absence of progesterone (P4). Basal [Ca2+]i was similar in myometrial cells from cyclic and pregnant pigs (days 14-16). OT (10(-7)M) increased [Ca2+]i in myometrial cells of cyclic and pregnant pigs, although this effect was delayed in myometrium from pregnant females. After pre-incubation of the myocytes with P4 (10(-5)M) the influence of OT on [Ca2+]i)was delayed during luteolysis and inhibited during pregnancy. Myometrial cells in culture produce more PGE2 than PGF2alpha regardless of reproductive state of the female. OT (10(-7)M) increased PGE2 secretion after 6 and 12 h incubation for the tissue harvested during luteolysis and after 12 h incubation when myometrium from gravid females was used. In the presence of P4 (10(-5)M), the stimulatory effect of OT on PG secretion was diminished. In conclusion: (1) porcine myometrial cells in culture secrete PG preferentially during early pregnancy and produce more PGE2 than PGF2alpha, (2) OT controls myometrial PGF2alpha secretion during luteolysis, (3) release of [Ca2+]i is associated with the influence of OT on PG secretion, and (4) the effects of OT on PG secretion and Ca2+ accumulation are delayed by P4 during luteolysis and completely inhibited by P4 during pregnancy.     

Different pathways of [3H]inositol phosphate formation mediated by alpha 1a- and alpha 1b-adrenergic receptors

The types of inositol phosphates (InsPs) formed in response to activation of alpha 1-adrenergic receptor subtypes were determined in collagenase-dispersed renal cells and hepatocytes by high pressure liquid chromatography separation. In hepatocytes, which contain only the alpha 1b subtype, norepinephrine stimulated rapid (10-s) formation of [3H]Ins(1,4,5)P3 and [3H]Ins(1,3,4)P3 and slower (5-min) formation of Ins(1,4)P2 and Ins(1)P. Selective inactivation of alpha 1b receptors by chloroethylclonidine almost completely blocked the effects of norepinephrine in hepatocytes. In renal cells, which contain both alpha 1a and alpha 1b receptors in a 60:40 ratio, norepinephrine did not significantly increase the size of any peaks until 5 min after agonist activation. At this time, only a peak eluting with Ins(1)P and one eluting shortly after Ins(1,4)P2 were significantly elevated. Incubation with norepinephrine for 2 h caused small but significant increases in peaks co-eluting with Ins(1)P and Ins(1,4,5)P3 in renal cells; however, only the increase in Ins(1)P was inhibited by chloroethylclonidine pretreatment. Extraction under neutral conditions suggested that cyclic InsPs may be the primary compounds formed in response to norepinephrine in renal cells. Removal of extracellular Ca2+ caused a 60% reduction in the InsP response to norepinephrine in renal cells but had no effect in hepatocytes. These results suggest that activation of alpha 1a and alpha 1b receptor subtypes results in formation of different InsPs and that the response to alpha 1a activation may require influx of extracellular Ca2+.     

Enhancement of the inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate-releasable Ca2+ pool by GTP in permeabilized hepatocytes

Permeabilized rat hepatocytes were used to study the effects of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (Ins(1,4,5)P3) and GTP on Ca2+ uptake and release by ATP-dependent intracellular Ca2+ storage pools. Under conditions where these Ca2+ pools were completely filled, maximal doses of Ins(1,4,5)P3 released only 25-30% of the sequestered Ca2+. The residual Ca2+ was freely releasable with the Ca2+ ionophore ionomycin. Addition of GTP in the absence of Ins(1,4,5)P3 did not cause Ca2+ release and had no effect on the steady-state level of Ca2+ accumulation by intracellular storage pools. However, after a 3-4-min treatment with GTP the size of the Ins(1,4,5)P3-releasable Ca2+ pool was increased by about 2-fold, with a proportional decrease in the residual Ca2+ available for release by ionomycin. In contrast to the situation with freshly permeabilized cells, permeabilized hepatocytes from which cytosolic components had been washed out exhibited direct Ca2+ release in response to GTP addition. The potentiation of Ins(1,4,5)P3-induced Ca2+ release by GTP in permeabilized hepatocytes was concentration-dependent with half-maximal effects at about 5 microM GTP. The dose response to Ins(1,4,5)P3 was not shifted by GTP; instead GTP increased the amount of Ca2+ released at all Ins(1,4,5)P3 concentrations. The effects of GTP were not mimicked by other nucleotides or nonhydrolyzable GTP analogues. In fact, guanosine 5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate) (GTP gamma S) inhibited the actions of GTP. However, this inhibition only occurred when GTP gamma S was added prior to GTP, suggesting that the GTP effect is not readily reversible once the cells have been permeabilized. Experiments using vanadate to inhibit the ATP-dependent Ca2+ uptake pump showed that Ins(1,4,5)P3 releases all of the Ca2+ within the Ins(1,4,5)P3-sensitive Ca2+ pool even in the absence of GTP. The increase of Ins(1,4,5)P3-induced Ca2+ release brought about by GTP was also unaffected by vanadate. It is concluded that GTP increases the proportion of the sequestered Ca2+ which is available for release by Ins(1,4,5)P3, either by unmasking latent Ins(1,4,5)P3-sensitive Ca2+ release sites or by allowing direct Ca2+ movement between Ins(1,4,5)P3-sensitive and Ins(1,4,5)P3-insensitive Ca2+ storage pools.     

Luminal Ca2+ controls the activation of the inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor by cytosolic Ca2+.

Luminal Ca2+ controls the sensitivity of the intracellular Ca2+ stores to inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (Ins(1,4,5)P3). Ins(1,4,5)P3-induced Ca2+ release is also controlled by cytosolic Ca2+; low concentrations of Ca2+ stimulate the release. The aim of this work was to investigate whether luminal Ca2+ would affect the stimulation of the Ins(1,4,5)P3 receptor by cytosolic Ca2+ in permeabilized A7r5 smooth muscle cells. We also report that the Ins(1,4,5)P3 receptor in A7r5 cells is activated by low concentrations of cytosolic Ca2+. Cytoplasmic Ca2+ increases the Ins(1,4,5)P3 sensitivity without affecting the cooperativity. The increase in Ins(1,4,5)P3 sensitivity becomes relatively more pronounced when the Ca2+ content of the stores decreases. This modulatory effect of luminal Ca2+ on the responsiveness to cytosolic Ca2+ is an intrinsic property of the Ins(1,4,5)P3 receptor.     

Histamine-H1-receptor-mediated phosphoinositide hydrolysis, Ca2+ signalling and membrane-potential oscillations in human HeLa carcinoma cells.

In human HeLa carcinoma cells, histamine causes a dose-dependent formation of inositol phosphates, production of diacylglycerol and a transient rise in intracellular [Ca2+]. These responses are completely blocked by the H1-receptor antagonist pyrilamine. In streptolysin-O-permeabilized cells, formation of inositol phosphates by histamine is strongly potentiated by guanosine 5'-[gamma-thio]triphosphate and inhibited by guanosine 5'-[beta-thio]diphosphate, suggesting the involvement of a GTP-binding protein. Histamine stimulates the rapid but transient formation of Ins(1,4,5)P3, Ins(1,3,4)P3 and InsP4. InsP accumulates in a much more persistent manner, lasting for at least 30 min. Studies with streptolysin-O-permeabilized cells indicate that InsP accumulation results from dephosphorylation of Ins(1,4,5)P3, rather than direct hydrolysis of PtdIns. The rise in intracellular [Ca2+] is biphasic, with a very fast release of Ca2+ from intracellular stores, that parallels the Ins(1,4,5)P3 time course, followed by a more prolonged phase of Ca2+ influx. In individual cells, histamine causes a rapid initial hyperpolarization of the plasma membrane, which can be mimicked by microinjected Ins(1,4,5)P3. Histamine-induced hyperpolarization is followed by long-lasting oscillations in membrane potential, apparently owing to periodic activation of Ca2+-dependent K+ channels. These membrane-potential oscillations can be mimicked by microinjection of guanosine 5'-[gamma-thio]triphosphate, but are not observed after microinjection of Ins(1,4,5)P3. We conclude that H1-receptors in HeLa cells activate a PtdInsP2-specific phospholipase C through participation of a specific G-protein, resulting in long-lasting oscillations of cytoplasmic free Ca2+.     

Inositol 1,3,4,5-tetrakisphosphate and inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate act by different mechanisms when controlling Ca2+ in mouse lacrimal acinar cells

In internally perfused single lacrimal acinar cells the competitive inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (Ins 1,4,5-P3)-antagonist heparin inhibits the ACh-evoked K+ current response mediated by internal Ca2+ and also blocks both the Ins 1,4,5-P3-evoked transient as well as the sustained K+ current increase evoked by combined stimulation with internal Ins 1,4,5-P3 and inositol 1,3,4,5-tetrakisphosphate (Ins 1,3,4,5-P4). When, during sustained stimulation with both Ins 1,4,5-P3 and Ins 1,3,4,5-P4, one of the inositol polyphosphates is removed, the K+ current declines; whereas removal of Ins 1,4,5-P3 results in an immediate termination of the response, removal of Ins 1,3,4,5-P4 only causes a very gradual and slow reduction in the current. Ins 1,3,4,5-P4 is therefore not an acute controller of Ca2+ release from stores into the cytosol, but modulates the release of Ca2+ induced by Ins 1,4,5,P3 by an unknown mechanism, perhaps by linking Ins 1,4,5 P3-sensitive and insensitive Ca2+ stores.     

Pertussis toxin abolishes the inhibitory effects of prostaglandins E1, E2, I2 and F2 alpha on hormone-induced cAMP accumulation in cultured hepatocytes

Several prostaglandins inhibit the cAMP response to glucagon and beta-adrenergic stimulation in hepatocytes. To probe the mechanism of this inhibition, we have examined in primary hepatocyte cultures how pretreatment with pertussis toxin (islet-activating protein) influences the ability of the cells to respond to hormones and prostaglandins. Pertussis toxin augmented the effects of glucagon, epinephrine and isoproterenol, and also markedly enhanced the cAMP response to prostaglandin E1 (PGE1). Furthermore, whereas PGE1, PGE2, PGI2 and PGF2 alpha attenuated the cAMP responses to glucagon in control cultures, this inhibition was abolished in cells pretreated with pertussis toxin. A more detailed comparison was made of the effects of PGE1 and PGF2 alpha. In cells not treated with pertussis toxin, both these prostaglandins at high concentrations reduced the cAMP response to glucagon and isoproterenol by approximately 50%, but dose-effect curves showed that PGE1 was about 100-fold more potent as an inhibitor than PGF2 alpha. Pertussis toxin abolished the inhibitory effects of PGE1 and PGF2 alpha with almost identical time and dose requirements. The results obtained with PGE1, PGE2, PGI2 and PGF2 alpha suggest that prostaglandins of different series attenuate hormone-activable adenylate cyclase in hepatocytes through a common mechanism, dependent on the inhibitory GTP-binding protein.     

Prostaglandins inhibit proliferation of the murine P815 mastocytoma by decreasing cytoplasmic free calcium levels [( Ca+2]i)

Prostaglandins inhibit the proliferation of the murine P815 mastocytoma. The mechanism of this antitumour activity remains undefined. In several cell systems, the action of PGs is inhibited at the cell surface receptor by pertussis toxin likely through regulatory G proteins involved in the inhibition of adenyl cyclase or activation of phospholipase C. We therefore determined the effect of prostaglandins on the biochemical consequences of activation of these pathways; i.e. concentrations of cyclic AMP (cAMP) and cytosolic free Ca+2 concentrations [( Ca/2]i) respectively. PGD2 (6 ug/mL), PGE1 (10 ug/mL) and PGB1 (50 ug/mL) maximally inhibited (3H)-thymidine incorporation to DNA. PGF2 alpha did not affect DNA synthesis. PGE1 (10 ug/mL) induced a three fold increase in cAMP concentrations. In contrast, the other prostaglandins did not alter cAMP concentrations. Maximal growth inhibitory doses of PGD2, PGE1 and PGB1 decrease [Ca+2]i, as measured by the fluorescence of Indo-1, from 320 +/- 5 nM to 172 +/- 20 nM, 161 +/- 12 nM, and 151 +/- 18 nM respectively. PGF2 alpha did not alter [Ca+2]i. Therefore, in contrast to the effects on cAMP, the decrease in [Ca+2]i was concordant with the inhibition of DNA synthesis. This suggests that PGs may inhibit proliferation through decreasing [Ca+2]i in the P815 mastocytoma.     

Cytoplasmic calcium oscillations: a two pool model

Cytosolic calcium oscillations induced by a wide range of agonists, particularly those which stimulate phosphoinositide metabolism, are the result of a periodic release of stored calcium. The formation of inositol 1,4,5 trisphosphate (Ins(1,4,5)P3) seems to play an important role because it can initiate this periodic behaviour when injected or perfused into a variety of cells. A two pool model has been developed to explain how Ins(1,4, 5)P3 sets up these calcium oscillations. It is proposed that Ins(1,4,5)P3 acts through its specific receptor to create a constant influx of primer calcium (Ca2+p) made up of calcium released from the Ins(1,4,5)P3-sensitive pool (ISCS) together with an influx of external calcium. This Ca2+p fails to significantly elevate cytosolic calcium because it is rapidly sequestered by the Ins(1,4,5)P3-insensitive (IICS) stores of calcium distributed throughout the cytosol. Once the latter have filled, they are triggered to release their stored calcium through a process of calcium-induced calcium release to give a typical calcium spike (Ca2+s). In many cells, each Ca2+s begins at a discrete initiation site from which it then spreads through the cell as a wave. The two pool model can account for such waves if it is assumed that calcium released from one IICS diffused across to excite its neighbours thereby setting up a self-propagating wave based on calcium-induced calcium release.     

The size of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate-sensitive Ca2+ stores depends on inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate concentration.

An explanation of the complex effects of hormones on intracellular Ca2+ requires that the intracellular actions of Ins(1,4,5)P3 and the relationships between intracellular Ca2+ stores are fully understood. We have examined the kinetics of 45Ca2+ efflux from pre-loaded intracellular stores after stimulation with Ins(1,4,5)P3 or the stable phosphorothioate analogue, Ins(1,4,5)P3[S]3, by simultaneous addition of one of them with glucose/hexokinase to rapidly deplete the medium of ATP. Under these conditions, a maximal concentration of either Ins(1,4,5)P3 or Ins(1,4,5)P3[S]3 evoked rapid efflux of about half of the accumulated 45Ca2+, and thereafter the efflux was the same as occurred under control conditions. Submaximal concentrations of Ins(1,4,5)P3 or Ins(1,4,5)P3[S]3 caused a smaller rapid initial efflux of 45Ca2+, after which the efflux was similar whatever the concentration of Ins(1,4,5)P3 or Ins(1,4,5)P3[S]3 present. The failure of submaximal concentrations of Ins(1,4,5)P3 and Ins(1,4,5)P3[S]3 to mobilize fully the Ins(1,4,5)P3-sensitive Ca2+ stores despite prolonged incubation was not due either to inactivation of Ins(1,4,5)P3 or to desensitization of the Ins(1,4,5)P3 receptor. The results suggest that the size of the Ins(1,4,5)P3 sensitive Ca2+ stores depends upon the concentration of Ins(1,4,5)P3.     

Antiabortifacient action of dibenzyloxyindanpropionic acid in mice

To evaluate the details of the adrenergic stimulation of urinary prostaglandins in man, ten normal volunteers were given various agonists and antagonists. The effect of 4 hour IV infusions of norepinephrine (NE), NE + phentolamine (PHT), NE + phenoxybenzamine (PHB), NE + prazosin (PZ), isoproterenol (ISO), and PHT alone on urinary PGE2 and PGI2 (6 keto PGF1 alpha) were determined. PGE2 and 6 keto PGF1 alpha were measured by radioimmunoassay from 4 hour urine samples. NE stimulated both PGE2 (196 +/- 40 to 370 +/- 84 ng/4 hrs/g creatinine and 6 keto PGF1 alpha (184 +/- 30 to 326 +/- 36), both p less than 0.01. In contrast, ISO had no effect on either PGE2 or 6 keto PGF1 alpha excretion. Alpha blockade with PHT. PHB, or PZ inhibited the NE induced systemic pressor effect. However, the effect of the alpha blockers on the NE induced stimulation of PGE2 and 6 keto PGF1 alpha varied. PHT did not alter the NE stimulated PGE2 or 6 keto PGF1 alpha release (370 +/- 84 vs. 381 +/- 80) PGE2 and (326 +/- 50 vs. 315 +/- 40) 6 keto PGF1 alpha both p greater than 0.2). PHT alone stimulated only 6 keto PGF1 alpha. PHB and the specific alpha 1 antagonist PZ similarly eliminated the NE induced prostaglandin release. These results suggest that adrenergically mediated urinary prostaglandin release in man is via an alpha receptor with alpha 1 characteristics.     

Characteristics of bile acid-mediated Ca2+ release from permeabilized liver cells and liver microsomes

Saponin-treated liver cells and a microsomal fraction were used to characterize the mechanism of the Ca2+ release induced by different bile acids. The saponin-treated cells accumulated 0.8-1 nmol/mg of protein of the medium Ca2+ in a nonmitochondrial, high affinity, and inositol (1,4,5)-trisphosphate (Ins(1,4,5)P3)-sensitive Ca2+ pool. Three of five bile acids tested, lithocholate and the conjugates taurolithocholate and taurolithocholate sulfate, released 85% of the Ca2+ pool within 45-60 s and with ED50 from 16 to 28 microM. Ins(1,4,5)P3 released 80% from the same Ca2+ pool with an ED50 of 0.3 microM. The Ca2+-Mg2+-ATPase inhibitor vanadate (1 mM) had no effect on the Ca2+ released by the bile acids and Ins(1,4,5)P3. The Ins(1,4,5)P3-binding antibiotic neomycin (1 mM) and the receptor competitor heparin (16 micrograms/ml) abolished the releasing effect of Ins(1,4,5)P3 but had no effect on the bile acid-mediated Ca2+ release. The 45Ca2+ accumulated by the microsomal fraction (8 nmol of 45Ca2+/mg of protein) was released by the bile acids within 45-90 s and with an ED50 of 17 microM. In contrast, the bile acids had no effect on the Ca2+ permeability of other natural and artificial membranes. The resting 45Ca2+ influx of intact cells (0.45 nmol/mg of protein/min), the 45Ca2+ accumulated by mitochondria (2-13 nmol of 45Ca2+/mg of protein), and the 45Ca2+ trapped in sonicated phosphatidylcholine vesicles (5 mM 45Ca2+) were not altered by the different bile acids. These results suggest that the Ca2+ release initiated by lithocholate and its conjugates results from a direct action on the Ca2+ permeability of the Ins(1,4,5)P3-sensitive pool. It is not mediated by Ins(1,4,5)P3 or via activation of the Ins(1,4,5)P3 receptor, and it is specific for the membrane of the internal pool.     

Inositol trisphosphate isomers, but not inositol 1,3,4,5-tetrakisphosphate, induce calcium influx in Xenopus laevis oocytes

To investigate the mechanisms by which inositol phosphates regulate cytosolic free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]c), we injected Xenopus oocytes with inositol phosphates and measured Ca2+-activated Cl- currents as an assay of [Ca2+]c. Inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (Ins(1,4,5)P3) injection (0.1-10.0 pmol) induced an initial transient Cl- current (I1) followed by a second more prolonged Cl- current (I2). Both currents were Ca2+-dependent, but the source of Ca2+ was different. Release of intracellular Ca2+ stores produced I1, whereas influx of extracellular Ca2+ produced I2; Ca2+-free bathing media and inorganic calcium channel blockers (Mn2+, Co2+) did not alter I1 but completely and reversibly inhibited I2. Injection of the Ins(1,4,5)P3 metabolite, inositol 1,3,4,5-tetrakisphosphate (Ins(1,3,4,5)P4) (0.2-10.0 pmol) generated a Ca2+-dependent Cl- current with superimposed current oscillations that resulted from release of intracellular Ca2+, not Ca2+ influx. Injection of the Ins(1,3,4,5)P4 metabolite, inositol 1,3,4-trisphosphate (10.0 pmol), or the synthetic inositol trisphosphate isomer, inositol 2,4,5-trisphosphate (1.0-10.0 pmol), mimicked the effect of Ins(1,4,5)P3, stimulating an I1 resulting from release of intracellular Ca2+ and an I2 resulting from influx of extracellular Ca2+. The results indicate that several inositol trisphosphate isomers stimulate both release of intracellular Ca2+ and influx of extracellular Ca2+. Ins(1,3,4,5)P4 also stimulated release of intracellular Ca2+, but it was neither sufficient nor required for Ca2+ influx.     

Ca2+ Mobilized by Caffeine from the Inositol 1,4,5-Trisphosphate-Insensitive Pool of Ca2+ in Somatic Regions of Sympathetic Neurons Does Not Evoke [3H]Norepinephrine Release

The effects of electrical stimulation, muscarinic and serotonergic agonists, and caffeine on [3H]inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate ([3H]Ins(1,4,5)P3) content, intracellular free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i), and release of [3H]norepinephrine ([3H]NE) were studied in cultured sympathetic neurons. Neuronal cell body [Ca2+]i was unaffected by muscarinic or serotonergic receptor stimulation, which significantly increased [3H]Ins(1,4,5)P3 content. Stimulation at 2 Hz and caffeine had no effect on [3H]Ins(1,4,5)P3, but caused greater than two-fold increase in [Ca2+]i. Only 2-Hz stimulation released [3H]NE. Caffeine had no effect on the release. When [Ca2+]i was measured in growth cones, only electrical stimulation produced an increase in [Ca2+]i. The other agents had no effect on Ca2+ at the terminal regions of the neurons. We conclude that Ins(1,4,5)P3-insensitive, but caffeine-sensitive Ca2+ stores in sympathetic neurons are located only in the cell body and are not coupled to [3H]NE release.