Changes in free cytosolic Ca2+ in hepatocytes following alpha 1-adrenergic stimulation. Studies on Quin-2-loaded hepatocytes

The Ca2+ selective fluorescent indicator, Quin-2, was employed to monitor continuously the concentration of free cytosolic Ca2+ [ Ca2+ ]i in isolated rat hepatocytes. Epinephrine (10(-6) M) and phenylephrine (10(-5) M), acting via alpha 1-adrenergic receptors, increases [ Ca2+ ]i from a basal concentration of approximately 0.2 microM to approximately 0.6 microM. This increase in [ Ca2+ ]i is evident as early as 1 to 1.5 s, the earliest time so far reported for any hepatic alpha 1-adrenergic event. Vasopressin (10(-8) M), after a lag which is 2 to 3 s longer, increases [ Ca2+ ]i to the same extent and at the same rate as the alpha 1-adrenergic agonists. Glucagon (10(-8) M) also increases [ Ca2+ ]i but at a significantly slower rate and only after a lag of about 10 s. All of these agents also induce an increase in the fluorescence of control cells. This Quin-2 independent fluorescence, which is due to an increased reduction of pyridine nucleotides, must be corrected for before the maximum change in [ Ca2+ ]i can be calculated but is sufficiently slow so as not to contribute to the initial rate of increase in the Quin-2-dependent fluorescence.     

Attenuation of inositol trisphosphate generation and cytosolic Ca2+ elevation in dispersed rat parotid acini stimulated simultaneously at muscarinic and alpha 1-adrenergic receptors

We have examined intracellular signalling events, peak cytosolic [Ca2+] and inositol trisphosphate levels, in rat parotid acini simultaneously stimulated with two Ca2+ mobilizing agonists, carbachol (muscarinic-cholinergic) and epinephrine (alpha 1-adrenergic). When the agonists were added together, either at sub-maximal (200 nM each, i.e. 400 nM total agonist concentration) or maximal (10 uM each, i.e. 20 uM total) stimulatory concentrations, the resulting elevations in both cytosolic [Ca2+] and inositol trisphosphate levels were not greater than those achieved when each agonist was added individually. However, with 400 nM carbachol these responses were significantly greater than those seen with either 200 nM carbachol or 200 nM carbachol + 200 nM epinephrine. The data indicate that when muscarinic and alpha 1-adrenergic receptors of rat parotid acini are simultaneously stimulated a novel regulatory mechanism is induced, which attenuates inositol trisphosphate generation and, consequently, intracellular Ca2+ release.     

Synergistic regulation of cytosolic Ca2+ concentration by somatostatin and alpha 1-adrenergic agonists in mouse astrocytes.

The effects of somatostatin and alpha 1-adrenergic receptor agonists on cytosolic Ca2+ in striatal astrocytes from the embryonic mouse in primary culture have been investigated by microfluorimetry. Methoxamine or somatostatin induced a transitory increase in cytosolic Ca2+, but their combined addition led to a sustained increase in cytosolic Ca2+ which seems to be due to a Ca2+ influx since it was not observed in the absence of external Ca2+. Voltage-independent Ca2+ channels contribute to this process. Indeed, voltage-operated calcium channels are not involved since neither dihydropyridines nor La3+ were effective in suppressing the sustained cytosolic Ca2+ elevation. Moreover, depolarization by 50 mM KCl, which was ineffective alone, suppressed the effect of somatostatin observed in the presence of the alpha 1 agonist, methoxamine. The implication of arachidonic acid in the observed potentiation is suggested by the following observations: 1) arachidonic acid induced a sustained elevation of cytosolic Ca2+ similar to that evoked by the co-application of methoxamine and somatostatin; 2) the addition of ETYA, an inactive and non-metabolizable analogue of arachidonic acid suppressed the calcium plateau produced by the agonists. In addition, direct activation of PKC by an exogeneous diacylglycerol analogue allowed somatostatin alone to evoke a sustained elevation of cytosolic Ca2+. Therefore, methoxamine through the successive activation of PLC and PKC could allow a lipase, probably PLA2, to be stimulated by somatostatin. Since arachidonic acid has already been shown to trigger the opening of K+ channels and the formation of inositol phosphates, somatostatin, through the arachidonic acid-mediated hyperpolarization could increase the Ca2+ driving force and thus improve Ca2+ influx through the inositol phosphate gated channels.     

HgCl2-induced changes in cytosolic Ca2+ of cultured rabbit renal tubular cells

Fura 2 was used to measure changes in cytosolic [Ca2+] ([Ca2+]i) in cultured rabbit kidney proximal tubule cells exposed to HgCl2. Treatment with 2.5-10 microM HgCl2 resulted in an extracellular [Ca2+] ([Ca2+]e)-independent 2- to 12-fold increase in [Ca2+]i above resting levels of about 100 nM. Treatment with 25-100 microM HgCl2 caused a rapid [Ca2+]e-independent 10- to 12-fold increase in [Ca2+]i within 1 min followed by a recovery to about 2-fold steady state by 3 min. With 25-100 microM HgCl2, both magnitude and rate of Ca2+ increase were similar, but recovery was greater with increasing doses. A slower, secondary increase in [Ca2+]i followed which varied with HgCl2 concentration and required [Ca2+]e. The first increase in [Ca2+]i represents release from intracellular pools. Calcium channel blockers, calmodulin inhibitors, and mitochondrial inhibitors do not alter the patterns of [Ca2+]i changes due to HgCl2. The recovery response with higher HgCl2 concentrations appears to be triggered by Hg2+ and not by the increased [Ca2+]i. Sulfhydryl modifiers N-ethylmaleimide, PCMB and PCMBS produced [Ca2+]e-independent [Ca2+]i increases similar to those induced by low HgCl2 concentrations. Cell killing with HgCl2 was about 50% greater with normal [Ca2+]e than with low [Ca2+]e, suggesting that [Ca2+]e influx is important in accelerating injury leading to cell death.     

Isoproterenol potentiates alpha -adrenergic and muscarinic receptor-mediated Ca2+ response in rat parotid cells

The effects of the cAMP pathway on theCa²⁺ response elicited byphospholipase C-coupled receptor stimulations were studied in ratparotid cells. Although 1 µM isoproterenol (Iso) itself had no effect on the cytosolicCa²⁺ concentration, thepretreatment with Iso potentiatedCa²⁺ responses evoked byphenylephrine. The potentiating effect of Iso was attributed to ashifting of the concentration-response curves of phenylephrine to theleft and an increase in the maximal response. Half-maximal potentiationoccurred at 3 nM Iso. Iso also potentiated theCa²⁺ response elicited bycarbachol. The potentiating effect of Iso was mimicked by forskolin (10 µM) and dibutyryl adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (2 mM) and was blocked by 10 µM H-89. Iso potentiated thephenylephrine-induced Ca²⁺response in the absence of extracellularCa²⁺, but Iso did not increase theinositol trisphosphate (IP₃)production induced by phenylephrine. These results suggest that thepotentiation of the Ca²⁺ responsecan be attributed to a sensitization ofIP₃ receptors by cAMP-dependentprotein kinase.

     

Age-dependent changes in expression of alpha 1-adrenergic receptors in rat myocardium

The expression of alpha 1-adrenergic receptors within ventricular myocardium of rats ranging in age from 21 days of fetal life to 24 months after birth was measured from [125I] 2-(beta hydroxy phenyl) ethylaminomethyl tetralone binding isotherms. No difference was observed in binding affinity between any of the age groups studied. The number of alpha 1-adrenergic receptors was found to be 60-120% higher in membranes from fetal or immature rats up to 25 days of age when compared with adult animals. The increased expression of alpha 1-adrenergic receptors in the developing heart relative to that observed in adult heart is consistent with the hypothesis that alpha 1-adrenergic receptor stimulation may modulate protein synthesis and growth in mammalian myocardium.     

Increase in cytosolic Ca2+ induced by elevation of extracellular Ca2+ in skeletal myogenic cells

Cytoplasmic Ca²⁺concentration ([Ca²⁺]_i) variation is akey event in myoblast differentiation, but the mechanism by which itoccurs is still debated. Here we show that increases of extracellular Ca²⁺ concentration ([Ca²⁺]_o)produced membrane hyperpolarization and a concentration-dependent increase of [Ca²⁺]_i due to Ca²⁺influx across the plasma membrane. Responses were not related toinositol phosphate turnover and Ca²⁺-sensing receptor.[Ca²⁺]_o-induced[Ca²⁺]_i increase was inhibited byCa²⁺ channel inhibitors and appeared to be modulated byseveral kinase activities. [Ca²⁺]_i increasewas potentiated by depletion of intracellular Ca²⁺ storesand depressed by inactivation of the Na⁺/Ca²⁺exchanger. The response to arginine vasopressin (AVP), which inducesinositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate-dependent[Ca²⁺]_i increase in L6-C5 cells, was notmodified by high [Ca²⁺]_o. On the contrary,AVP potentiated the [Ca²⁺]_i increase in thepresence of elevated [Ca²⁺]_o. Other clones ofthe L6 line as well as the rhabdomyosarcoma RD cell line and thesatellite cell-derived C2-C12 line expressed similar responses to high[Ca²⁺]_o, and the amplitude of the responseswas correlated with the myogenic potential of the cells.

     

Characterisation of the serotonin efflux induced by cytosolic Ca2+ and Na+ concentration increase in human platelets.

BACKGROUND/AIM: The present study aimed at elucidating the mechanism(s) of serotonin (5-HT) efflux induced by thapsigargin from human platelets in the absence of extra-cellular Ca2+. METHODS: Efflux of pre-loaded radiolabeled serotonin was generally determined by filtration techniques. Cytosolic concentrations of Ca2+, Na+ and H+ were measured with appropriate fluorescent probes. RESULTS: 5-HT efflux from control or reserpine-treated platelets--where reserpine prevents 5-HT transport into the dense granules--was proportional to thapsigargin evoked cytosolic [Ca2+]c increase. Accordingly factors as prostacyclin, aspirin and calyculin which reduced [Ca2+]c-increase also inhibited the 5-HT efflux. Thapsigargin, which also caused a remarkable increase in cytosolic [Na+]c, promoted less 5-HT release, in parallel to lower [Na+]c and [Ca2+]c increase, when added to platelet suspensions containing low [Na+]. The Na+/H+ exchanger monensin increased the [Na+]c and induced 5-HT efflux without affecting the Ca2+ level. The 5-HT efflux induced by both [Ca2+] or [Na+]c increase did not depend on pH or membrane potential changes, whereas it decreased in the absence of extra-cellular K+, and increased in the absence of Cl- or Na+. CONCLUSION: Increases in [Ca2+]c and [Na+]c independently induce serotonin efflux through the outward directed plasma membrane serotonin transporter SERT. This event might be physiologically important at the level of capillaries or narrowed arteries where platelets are subjected to high shear stress which causes [Ca2+]c increase followed by 5-HT release which might exert vasodilatation.     

Effects of a time-varying strong magnetic field on transient increase in Ca2+ release induced by cytosolic Ca2+ in cultured pheochromocytoma cells

Exposure of pheochromocytoma (PC 12) cells to a time-varying 1.51 T magnetic field inhibited an increase in the intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) induced by addition of caffeine to Ca(2+)-free medium. This inhibition occurred after a 15-min exposure and was maintained for at least 2 h. [Ca2+]i sharply increased in cells loaded with cyclic ADP-ribose, and 2-h exposure significantly suppressed the increase. Addition of ATP induced a transient increase in intracellular Ca2+ release mediated by IP3 receptor, and this increase was strongly inhibited by the exposure. Results indicated that the magnetic field exposure strongly inhibited Ca2+ release mediated by both IP3 and ryanodine receptors in PC 12 cells. However, thapsigargin-induced Ca2+ influx (capacitative Ca2+ entry) across the cell membrane was unaffected. The ATP content was maintained at the normal level during the 2-h exposure, suggesting that ATP hydrolysis was unchanged. Therefore, Mg2+ which is known to be released by ATP hydrolysis and inhibit intracellular Ca2+ release may not relate the exposure-caused inhibition. Eddy currents induced in culture medium appear to change cell membrane properties and indirectly inhibit Ca2+ release from endoplasmic reticulum and other Ca2+ stores in PC 12 cells.     

Contribution of both Ca2+ entry and Ca2+ sensitization to the alpha1-adrenergic vasoconstriction of rat penile small arteries

Sympathetic adrenergic nerves maintain the flaccid state of the penis through the tonic release of norepinephrine that contracts trabecular and arterial smooth muscle. Simultaneous measurements of intracellular Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+)](i)) and tension and experiments with alpha-toxin-permeabilized arteries were performed in branches of the rat dorsal penile artery to investigate the intracellular Ca(2+) signaling pathways underlying alpha(1)-adrenergic vasoconstriction. Phenylephrine increased both [Ca(2+)](i) and tension, these increases being abolished by extracellular Ca(2+) removal and reduced by about 50% by the L-type Ca(2+) channel blocker nifedipine (0.3 microM). Non-L-type Ca(2+) entry through store-operated channels was studied by inhibiting the sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase with cyclopiazonic acid (CPA). CPA (30 microM) induced variable phasic contractions that were abolished by extracellular Ca(2+) removal and by the store-operated channels antagonist 2-aminoethoxydiphenyl borate (2-APB, 50 microM) and largely inhibited by nifedipine (0.3 microM). CPA induced a sustained increase in [Ca(2+)](i) that was reduced in a Ca(2+)-free medium. Under conditions of L-type channels blockade, Ca(2+) readmission after store depletion with CPA evoked a sustained and marked elevation in [Ca(2+)](i) not coupled to contraction. 2-APB (50 microM) inhibited the rise in [Ca(2+)](i) evoked by CPA and the nifedipine-insensitive increases in both [Ca(2+)](i) and contraction elicited by phenylephrine. In alpha-toxin-permeabilized penile arteries, activation of G proteins with guanosine 5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate) and of the alpha(1)-adrenoceptor with phenylephrine both enhanced the myofilament sensitivity to Ca(2+). This Ca(2+) sensitization was reduced by selective inhibitors of PKC, tyrosine kinase (TK), and Rho kinase (RhoK) by 43%, 67%, and 82%, respectively. As a whole, the present data suggest the alpha(1)-adrenergic vasoconstriction in penile small arteries involves Ca(2+) entry through both L-type and 2-APB-sensitive receptor-operated channels, as well as Ca(2+) sensitization mechanisms mediated by PKC, TK, and RhoK. A capacitative Ca(2+) entry coupled to noncontractile functions of the smooth muscle cell is also demonstrated.     

Effects of sarpogrelate on serotonin-induced increases in cytosolic Ca2+ in cultured rat mesangial cells

The effects of the new 5-HT_2A receptor antagonist sarpogrelate on the cellular action of serotonin were examined in cultured rat mesangial cells by measuring cytosolic free calcium concentration ([Ca²⁺]i). Sarpogrelate inhibited serotonin-induced increases in [Ca²⁺]i in a concentration-dependent manner. M1, a major metabolite of sarpogrelate, also exhibited an inhibitory effect exceeding that of sarpogrelate. The inhibitory effects of sarpogrelate and M1 were abolished by washing out these compounds. In contrast, the increase in [Ca²⁺]i induced by angiotensin II or arginine vasopressin was not affected by pretreatment of the cells with sarpogrelate or M1. These results suggest that sarpogrelate and its major metabolite (M1) act as reversible and specific 5-HT_2A receptor antagonists against the contractile action of platelet-derived serotonin in mesangial cells.     

Effects of thyroid hormone on Ca2+ efflux and Ca2+ transport capacity in rat skeletal muscle

The present study was undertaken to investigate the effects of 3,5,3'-triiodothyronine (T3) treatment on passive Ca2+ efflux, Ca2(+)-dependent Mg2(+)-ATPase (Ca2(+)-ATPase) concentration and active Ca2+ transport in isolated rat skeletal muscle. In addition, the question was examined whether changes in Ca2+ efflux at rest and during electrical stimulation in the hyperthyroid state were accompanied by parallel changes in 3-O-methylglucose efflux. The resting Ca2+ efflux from rat soleus muscle was increased by 25% after 8 days of treatment with T3 (20 micrograms/100 g body weight). This was associated with a 78% increase in the basal efflux of 3-O-methylglucose. Electrical stimulation resulted in a rapid stimulation of Ca2+ efflux and 3-O-methylglucose efflux in the two groups of rats, and the levels obtained were significantly higher in the T3-treated group. The stimulating effect of the alkaloid veratridine on Ca2+ efflux was 60% larger in 8-day hyperthyroid rats. Within 24 h after the start of T3 treatment, a significant (21%) increase in Ca2(+)-ATPase concentration was detected. Significant increases in active Ca2+ uptake and passive Ca2+ efflux were not observed until after 2 and 3 days of T3 treatment, respectively. It is concluded that T3 stimulates the synthesis of Ca2+ ATPase and augments the intracellular Ca2+ pools (sarcoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria). The latter results in enhancement of the passive Ca2+ leak, which in turn, may lead to activation of substrate transport systems. The suggested increase in intracellular Ca2+ cycling after T3 treatment may, at least partly, explain the T3-induced stimulation of energy metabolism.     

Prevention by nicotinamide of desensitization to thyrotropin stimulation in cultured human thyroid cells

The presence of 50 mM nicotinamide together with 100 milliunits/ml of TSH in the incubation medium prevented the decline in human thyroid cell cAMP from maximum, stimulated levels (15-30 min) that occurs when the cells are exposed to TSH alone. Nicotinamide in the absence of TSH did not increase thyroid cell cAMP content. TSH desensitization, and its prevention by nicotinamide, occurred in the presence or absence of 3-isobutyl-methylxanthine. 1-Methyl nicotinamide and N'-methyl nicotinamide similarly prevented TSH desensitization. Recovery from TSH desensitization was prolonged and incomplete after 72 h. The presence of 50 mM nicotinamide hastened recovery from desensitization. Desensitization of the cAMP response to 10(6) M prostaglandin E1 and 1 mM adenosine was unaffected by nicotinamide. Other inhibitors of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase activity, 5-bromouridine, 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine, and thymidine (all at 50 mM) completely or partially prevented TSH desensitization. Pyridoxine (50 mM) similarly prevented this phenomenon. As with dog thyroid cells, 10(-4) M cycloheximide blocked TSH desensitization. The combination of 10(-4) M cycloheximide and 50 mM nicotinamide had a synergistic effect in augmenting the thyroid cell cAMP response to TSH stimulation.     

The role of P2Y1 purinergic receptors and cytosolic Ca2+ in hypotonically activated osmolyte efflux from a rat hepatoma cell line

Exposure of HTC rat hepatoma cells to a 33% decrease in extracellular osmolality caused the cytosolic Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+)](i)) to increase transiently by approximately 90 nm. This rise in [Ca(2+)](i) was inhibited strongly by apyrase, grade VII (which has a low ATP/ADPase ratio) but not by apyrase grade VI (which has a high ATP/ADPase ratio) or hexokinase, indicating that extracellular ADP and/or ATP play a role in the [Ca(2+)](i) increase. The hypotonically induced rise in [Ca(2+)](i) was prevented by the prior discharge of the intracellular Ca(2+) store of the cells by thapsigargin. Removal of extracellular Ca(2+) or inhibition of Ca(2+) influx by 1-10 microm Gd(3+) depleted the thapsigargin-sensitive Ca(2+) stores and thereby diminished the rise in [Ca(2+)](i). The hypotonically induced rise in [Ca(2+)](i) was prevented by adenosine 2'-phosphate-5'-phosphate (A2P5P) and pyridoxyl-5'-phosphate-6-azophenyl-2',4'-disulfonate, inhibitors of purinergic P2Y(1) receptors for which ADP is a major agonist. Both inhibitors also blocked the rise in [Ca(2+)](i) elicited by addition of ADP to cells in isotonic medium, whereas A2P5P had no effect on the rise in [Ca(2+)](i) elicited by the addition of the P2Y(2) and P2Y(4) receptor agonist, UTP. HTC cells were shown to express mRNA encoding for rat P2Y(1), P2Y(2), and P2Y(6) receptors. Inhibition of the hypotonically induced rise in [Ca(2+)](i) blocked hypotonically induced K(+) ((86)Rb(+)) efflux, modulated the hypotonically induced efflux of taurine, but had no significant effect on Cl(-) ((125)I-) efflux. The interaction of extracellular ATP and/or ADP with P2Y(1) purinergic receptors therefore plays a role in the response of HTC cells to osmotic swelling but does not account for activation of all the efflux pathways involved in the volume-regulatory response.     

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

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

Regulation of DNA polymerase alpha activity by the alpha 1-adrenergic receptors in proliferatively activated rat liver cells.

The administration of the alpha 1-adrenergic antagonist prazosin to hepatectomized rats inhibited DNA synthesis induced in the remaining hepatocytes. This inhibitory effect could be reversed by the simultaneous injection of the agonist phenylephrine. In order to establish how the alpha 1-adrenergic receptors can regulate DNA replication, the effect of prazosin administration on DNA polymerase alpha was examined. At 24 h after partial hepatectomy, the activity of DNA polymerase alpha increased 5, 7 and 9 fold in the homogenates, nuclei and nuclear matrix, respectively. This increase was inhibited by 70%-80% when prazosin was injected at 1, 8 or 11 h after surgery. Kinetic studies revealed that the Km for DNA was 2 fold lower in hepatectomized than in control animals. The administration of prazosin to hepatectomized rats increased the Km to the control values. These results indicate that the alpha 1-adrenergic receptors are involved in the regulation of DNA synthesis through the activation of DNA polymerase alpha and that this activation could be produced by increasing its affinity for DNA.     

Alpha 2-adrenergic receptor stimulation mobilizes intracellular Ca2+ in human erythroleukemia cells

Human erythroleukemia cells are a model system for studies of alpha 2-adrenergic receptors and their coupling to inhibition of adenylate cyclase (McKernan, R. M., Howard, M. J., Motulsky, H. J., and Insel, P. A. (1987) Mol. Pharmacol. 32, 258-265). Using Fura-2, we show that alpha 2-adrenergic receptor stimulation also increases intracellular Ca2+ in these cells by 80-250 nM. Although epinephrine only inhibited forskolin-stimulated cAMP generation when beta-adrenergic receptors were blocked, the Ca2+ increase was not affected by beta-adrenergic receptor blockade. The Ca2+ increase was not affected by forskolin or 8-bromo-cAMP. Thus, alpha 2-adrenergic receptors independently couple to elevation of intracellular Ca2+ and adenylate cyclase inhibition. Chelating all extracellular Ca2+ did not reduce the response, demonstrating mobilization of intracellular, rather than influx of extracellular Ca2+. The epinephrine-stimulated Ca2+ mobilization occurred prior to any detectable increase in inositol-(1,4,5)-trisphosphate. It was abolished by pretreatment with pertussis toxin (which blocks some G protein-mediated processes), but not by aspirin and indomethacin (which inhibit cyclooxygenase), nordihydroguaiaretic acid (which inhibits lipoxygenase), or Na+-free buffer (to block any Na+H+ exchange). We conclude, therefore, that alpha 2-adrenergic receptors on human erythroleukemia cells couple to mobilization of intracellular Ca2+ via a (pertussis toxin-sensitive) G protein-mediated mechanism that is independent of inhibition of adenylate cyclase.     

Modulation of ICa-L by alpha1-adrenergic stimulation in rat ventricular myocytes

We found when L-type calcium current (ICa-L) was recorded with the perforated patch-clamp method in rat ventricular myocytes that bath application of phenylephrine (with propranolol) evoked a biphasic response characterized by an initial transient suppression followed by a sustained potentiation. The transient suppression occurred 30-60 s after phenylephrine perfusion and reached peak inhibition at approximately 2 min. The biphasic modulation of ICa-L was also elicited by methoxamine, and the effects of phenylephrine were blocked by prazosin, indicating that the responses were mediated through alpha1-adrenoceptors. Pretreatment of cells with H7 (100 micromol/L), a broad-spectrum protein kinase inhibitor that inhibits both protein kinase C and A, eliminated potentiation but did not affect transient suppression. The transient suppression occurred concurrently with the acceleration of the fast component of ICa-L inactivation. Depletion of intracellular Ca2+ stores by ryanodine plus caffeine or thapsigargin eliminated the transient suppression. When ICa-L was recorded with whole-cell patch-clamp and with 0.05 mmol/L EGTA in the pipette solution to allow intracellular Ca2+ to fluctuate, phenylephrine evoked a transient suppression as in the perforated patch recordings. Heparin, a specific blocker of IP3 (inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate) receptors, eliminated the phenylephrine-induced transient suppression of ICa-L when added to the pipette solution. Intensive chelation of intracellular Ca2+ by 5 mmol/L BAPTA (1,2-bis(2-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid) in the pipette solution also eliminated the phenylephrine-induced transient suppression of ICa-L. We conclude that transient increase in the concentration of intracellular calcium ([Ca2+]i) caused by Ca2+ release from intracellular stores underlies the transient suppression of ICa-L, whereas the potentiation of ICa-L is a result of activation of protein kinases.