Characterization of the Ryanodine Receptor-Ca2+ Release Channel from the Thoracic Tissues of the Lepidopteran Insect Heliothis virescens

The existence of invertebrate forms of the RyR has recently been confirmed (Takeshima et al., 1994, Puente et al., 2000). However, information on the functional properties of this insect RyR is still limited. We report the functional characterization of a RyR from the thoracic muscle of H. virescens (Scott-Ward et al., 1997). A simple purification protocol produced membranes from homogenized prefrozen H. virescens thoracic muscle with a [³H]-ryanodine binding activity of 1.19 ± 0.21 pmol/mg protein (mean ±se; n= 4). [³H]-Ryanodine binding to the H. virescens receptor was dependent on the ryanodine concentration in a hyperbolic fashion with a K _D of 3.82 nm (n= 4). [³H]-ryanodine binding was dependent on [Ca²⁺] in a biphasic manner and was stimulated by 1 mm ATP. Millimolar caffeine did not stimulate [³H]-ryanodine binding to H. virescens membranes in the presence of either nanomolar or micromolar Ca²⁺. A protein of at least 400 KDa was recognized in H. virescens membrane proteins by a specific anti-H. virescens RyR antibody. Discontinuous density sucrose gradient fractionation of microsomal membranes produced vesicles suitable for single-channel studies. Ca²⁺-sensitive, Ca²⁺-permeable channels were successfully inserted into artificial lipid bilayers from H. virescens membrane vesicles. The H. virescens RyR-channel displayed a Ca²⁺ conductance of ∼110 pS and underwent a persistent and characteristic modification of ion handling and gating following addition of 100 nm ryanodine. The gating of H. virescens channels was sensitive to ATP and ruthenium red in a manner similar to mammalian RyR. This is the first report to describe the single channel and [³H]-ryanodine binding properties of a native insect RyR. Received: 3 July 2000/Revised: 17 October 2000     

Modulation of the Calmodulin-induced Inhibition of Sarcoplasmic Reticulum Calcium Release Channel (Ryanodine Receptor) by Sulfhydryl Oxidation in Single Channel Current Recordings and [3H]Ryanodine Binding

The modulation of the calmodulin-induced inhibition of the calcium release channel (ryanodine receptor) by two sulfhydryl oxidizing compounds, 4-(chloromercuri)phenyl–sulfonic acid (4-CMPS) and 4,4′-dithiodipyridine (4,4′-DTDP) was determined by single channel current recordings with the purified and reconstituted calcium release channel from rabbit skeletal muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum (HSR) and [³H]ryanodine binding to HSR vesicles. 0.1 μm CaM reduced the open probability (P _o ) of the calcium release channel at maximally activating calcium concentrations (50–100 μm) from 0.502 ± 0.02 to 0.137 ± 0.022 (n= 28), with no effect on unitary conductance. 4-CMPS (10–40 μm) and 4,4′-DTDP (0.1–0.3 mm) induced a concentration dependent increase in P _o (> 0.9) and caused the appearance of longer open states. CaM shifted the activation of the calcium release channel by 4-CMPS or 4,4′-DTDP to higher concentrations in single channel recordings and [³H]ryanodine binding. 40 μm 4-CMPS induced a near maximal (P _o > 0.9) and 0.3 mm 4,4′-DTDP a submaximal (P _o = 0.74) channel opening in the presence of CaM, which was reversed by the specific sulfhydryl reducing agent DTT. Neither 4-CMPS nor 4,4′-DTDP affected Ca-[¹²⁵I]calmodulin binding to HSR. 1 mm MgCl₂ reduced P _o from 0.53 to 0.075 and 20–40 μm 4-CMPS induced a near maximal channel activation (P _o > 0.9). These results demonstrate that the inhibitory effect of CaM or magnesium in a physiological concentration is diminished or abolished at high concentrations of 4-CMPS or 4,4′-DTDP through oxidation of activating sulfhydryls on cysteine residues of the calcium release channel. Received: 22 July 1999/Revised: 15 November 1999     

Cardiac Ryanodine Receptor Activity is Altered by Oxidizing Reagents in Either the Luminal or Cytoplasmic Solution

The location of reactive cysteine residues on the ryanodine receptor (RyR) calcium release channel was assessed from the changes in channel activity when oxidizing or reducing reagents were added to the luminal or cytoplasmic solution. Single sheep cardiac RyRs were incorporated into lipid bilayers with 10⁻⁷ m cytoplasmic Ca²⁺. The thiol specific-lipophilic-4,4′-dithiodipyridine (4,4′-DTDP, 1 mm), as well as the hydrophilic thimerosal (1 mm), activated and then inhibited RyRs from either the cis (cytoplasmic) or trans (luminal) solutions. Activation was associated with an increase in the (a) mean channel open time and (b) number of exponential components in the open time distribution from one (∼2 msec) to three (∼1 msec; ∼7 msec; ∼15 msec) in channels activated by trans 4,4′-DTDP or cis or trans thimerosal. A longer component (∼75 msec) appeared with cis 4,4′-DTDP. Activation by either oxidant was reversed by the thiol reducing agent, dithiothreitol. The results suggest that three classes of cysteines are available to 4,4′-DTDP or thimerosal, SHa or SHa* activating the channel and SHi closing the channel. SHa is either distributed over luminal and cytoplasmic RyR domains, or is located within the channel pore. SHi is also located within the transmembrane domain. SHa* is located on the cytoplasmic domain of the protein. Received: 17 March 1998/Revised: 26 October 1998     

Activation of the Cardiac Ryanodine Receptor by Sulfhydryl Oxidation is Modified by Mg2+ and ATP

The reactive disulfide 4,4′-dithiodipyridine (4,4′DTDP) was added to single cardiac ryanodine receptors (RyRs) in lipid bilayers. The activity of native RyRs, with cytoplasmic (cis) [Ca²⁺] of 10⁻⁷ m (in the absence of Mg²⁺ and ATP), increased within ∼1 min of addition of 1 mm 4,4′-DTDP, and then irreversibly ceased 5 to 6 min after the addition. Channels, inhibited by either 1 mm cis Mg²⁺ (10⁻⁷ m cis Ca²⁺) or by 10 mm cis Mg²⁺ (10⁻³ m cis Ca²⁺), or activated by 4 mm ATP (10⁻⁷ m cis Ca²⁺), also responded to 1 mm cis 4,4′-DTDP with activation and then loss of activity. P _o and mean open time (T _o ) of the maximally activated channels were lower in the presence of Mg²⁺ than in its absence, and the number of openings within the long time constant components of the open time distribution was reduced. In contrast to the reduced activation by 1 mm 4,4′-DTDP in channels inhibited by Mg²⁺, and the previously reported enhanced activation by 4,4′-DTDP in channels activated by Ca²⁺ or caffeine (Eager et al., 1997), the activation produced by 1 mm cis 4,4′-DTDP was the same in the presence and absence of ATP. These results suggest that there is a physical interaction between the ATP binding domain of the cardiac RyR and the SH groups whose oxidation leads to channel activation. Received: 8 September 1997/Revised: 20 January 1998     

Enhanced Closed-state Inactivation in a Mutant Shaker K+ Channel

Many mutations that shift the voltage dependence of activation in Shaker channels cause a parallel shift of inactivation. The I2 mutation (L382I in the Shaker B sequence) is an exception, causing a 45 mV activation shift with only a 9 mV shift of inactivation midpoint relative to the wildtype (WT) channel. We compare the behavior of WT and I2 Shaker 29-4 channels in macropatch recordings from Xenopus oocytes. The behavior of WT channels can be described by both simple and detailed kinetic models which assume that inactivation proceeds only from the open state. The behavior of I2 channels requires that they inactivate from closed states as well, a property characteristic of voltage-gated sodium channels. A detailed ``multiple-state inactivation' model is presented that describes both activation and inactivation of I2 channels. The results are consistent with the view that residue L382 is associated with the receptor for the inactivation particles in Shaker channels. Received: 16 December 1996/Revised: 5 February 1997     

N-type Inactivation in the Mammalian Shaker K+ Channel Kv1.4

Mammalian voltage-gated K⁺ channels are oligomeric proteins, some of which may be composed in vivo of subunits derived from several similar genes. We have studied N-type inactivation in the rapidly inactivating Kv1.4 channel and, in specific, heteromultimers of this gene product with Kv1.5 noninactivating subunits. Heteromultimeric channels were analyzed for the stoichiometry of Kv1.4:Kv1.5 subunits by observing shifts in the midpoints of steady-state availability from that of homomultimeric channels. This analysis was employed to examine inactivation of heteromultimeric channels expressed in Xenopus oocytes using two model systems: by expression of a Kv1.4–Kv1.5 tandem fusion construct and by coexpression of native Kv1.4 and Kv1.5 channels across a wide relative concentration range of microinjected mRNA. Additionally, inactivation was examined in coexpression experiments of N-terminal deletion mutants of Kv1.4. We found that (i) a single inactivating subunit conferred inactivation in all hetero-multimers studied; (ii) the rate of inactivation could not be distinguished in channels containing two inactivating subunits from those containing one inactivating subunit; and (iii) large deletions in the linker region between the N-terminal inactivation region and the first membrane-spanning domain had no effect on the rate of inactivation. These data confirm the importance of the proximal N-terminal region in the inactivation of mammalian Kv1.4 channels, and suggest that the inactivation particle remains in close proximity to the permeation pathway even when the channel is in the open state. Received: 24 August 1995/Revised: 7 February 1996     

Characterization of the Calcium-release Channel/Ryanodine Receptor from Zebrafish Skeletal Muscle

Calcium (Ca²⁺)-mediated signaling is fueled by two sources for Ca²⁺: Ca²⁺ can enter through Ca²⁺ channels located in the plasma membrane and can also be released from intracellular stores. In the present study the intracellular Ca²⁺ release channel/ryanodine receptor (RyR) from zebrafish skeletal muscle was characterized. Two RyR isoforms could be identified using immunoblotting and single-channel recordings. Biophysical properties as well as the regulation by modulators of RyR, ryanodine, ruthenium red and caffeine, were measured. Comparison with other RyRs showed that the zebrafish RyRs have features observed with all RyRs described to date and thus, can serve as a model system in future genetic and physiological studies. However, some differences in the biophysical properties were observed. The slope conductance for both isoforms was higher than that of the mammalian RyR type 1 (RyR1) measured with divalent ions. Also, inhibition by millimolar Ca²⁺ concentrations of the RyR isoform that is inhibited by high Ca²⁺ concentrations (teleost α RyR isoform) was attenuated when compared to mammalian RyRs. Due to the widespread expression of RyR these findings have important implications for the interpretation of the role of the RyR in Ca²⁺ signaling when comparing zebrafish with mammalian physiology, especially when analyzing mutations underlying physiological changes in zebrafish. Received: 15 February 2001/Revised: 1 June 2001     

Effects of 2,3-Butanedione 2-Monoxime on Ca2+ Release Channels (Ryanodine Receptors) of Cardiac and Skeletal Muscle

Single channel and [³H]ryanodine binding measurements were performed to test for a direct functional interaction between 2,3-butanedione 2-monoxime (BDM) and the skeletal and cardiac muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca²⁺ release channels (ryanodine receptors). Single channel measurements were carried out in symmetric 0.25 m KCl media using the planar lipid bilayer method. BDM (1–10 mm) activated suboptimally Ca²⁺-activated (0.5–1 μm free Ca²⁺) single, purified and native cardiac and skeletal release channels in a concentration-dependent manner by increasing the number of channel events without a change of single channel conductances. BDM activated the two channel isoforms when added to either side of the bilayer. At a maximally activating cytosolic Ca²⁺ concentration of 20 μm, BDM was without effect on the cardiac channel, whereas it inhibited skeletal channel activities with IC₅₀≈ 2.5 mm. In agreement with single channel measurements, high-affinity [³H]ryanodine binding to the two channel isoforms was increased in a concentration-dependent manner at ≤1 μm Ca²⁺. BDM was without a noticeable effect at low (≤0.01 μm) Ca²⁺ concentrations. At 20 μm Ca²⁺, BDM inhibited the skeletal but not cardiac channel. These results suggest that BDM regulates the Ca²⁺ release channels from the sarcoplasmic reticulum of skeletal and cardiac muscle in a concentration, Ca²⁺ and tissue-dependent manner. Received: 31 December 1998/Revised: 9 March 1999     

Modification of the Conductance and Gating Properties of Ryanodine Receptors by Suramin

Suramin, a polysulfonated napthylurea, increases the open probability and the single-channel conductance of rabbit skeletal and sheep cardiac ryanodine receptor channels. The main mechanism for the increase in P _o is an increase in the duration of open lifetimes. The effects on conduction and gating are completely reversible and involve an interaction with the cytosolic side of the channel. 10 mm dithiothreitol had no effect on the suramin-induced increase in conductance or P _o . Therefore oxidation of sulfhydryl groups on the channels does not appear to be involved. Suramin has been used as an antagonist of ATP at P₂ purinoceptors, however, we find that suramin does not antagonize the effect of ATP at skeletal or cardiac ryanodine receptor channels. The unusual gating kinetics induced by suramin suggest that it does not interact with the adenine nucleotide binding site on the ryanodine receptor but rather binds at a novel site(s). The suramin-induced changes to channel gating and conduction do not prevent the characteristic modification of single-channel properties by micromolar ryanodine. Received: 19 March 1996/Revised: 5 June 1996     

Skeletal Muscle Ryanodine Receptor Channels Are Activated by the Fungal Metabolite, Gliotoxin

Interactions between the reactive disulfide fungal metabolite, gliotoxin (GTX), and rabbit skeletal ryanodine receptor (RyR) calcium release channels have been examined. RyRs in terminal cisternae vesicles formed a covalent complex with 100 μm ³⁵S-GTX, which was reversed by 1 mm dithiothreitol (DTT) or 1 mm glutathione. GTX (80–240 μm), added to either cytoplasmic (cis) or luminal (trans) solutions, increased the rate of Ca²⁺ release from SR vesicles and the frequency of opening of single RyR channels in lipid bilayers. Channel activation was reversed upon addition of 2 mm DTT to the cis solution, showing that the activation was due to an oxidation reaction (2 mm DTT added to the cis solution in the absence of GTX did not affect RyR activity). Furthermore, RyRs were not activated by trans GTX if the cis chamber contained DTT, suggesting that GTX oxidized a site in or near the membrane. In contrast to cis DTT, 2 mm DTT in the trans solution increased RyR activity when added either alone or with 200 μm trans GTX. The results suggest that (i) GTX increases RyR channel activity by oxidizing cysteine residues that are close to the membrane and located on RyR, or associated proteins, and (ii) a disulfide bridge or nitrosothiol, accessible only from the luminal solution, normally suppresses RyR channel activity. Some of the actions of GTX in altering Ca²⁺ homeostatsis might depend on its modification of RyR calcium channels. Received: 12 November 1999/Revised: 14 March 2000     

Identification, Characterization and Partial Purification of a Thiol-protease Which Cleaves Specifically the Skeletal Muscle Ryanodine Receptor/Ca2+ Release Channel

A 94 kDa large subunit thiol-protease, as identified by anti-calpain antibodies, has been isolated from skeletal muscle junctional sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR). This protease cleaves specifically the skeletal muscle ryanodine receptor (RyR)/Ca²⁺ release channel at one site resulting in the 375 kDa and 150 kDa fragments. The 94 kDa thiol-protease degrades neither other SR proteins nor the ryanodine receptor of cardiac nor brain membranes. The partially purified 94 kDa protease, like the SR associated protease, had an optimal pH of about 7.0, was absolutely dependent on the presence of thiol reducing reagents, and was completely inhibited by HgCl₂, leupeptin and the specific calpain I inhibitor. However, while the SR membrane-associated protease requires Ca²⁺ at a submicromolar concentration, the isolated thiol-protease has lost the Ca²⁺ requirement. The 94 kDa thiol-protease had no effect on ryanodine binding but modified the channel activity of RyR reconstituted into planar lipid bilayer: in a time-dependent manner, the channel activity decreases and within several minutes the channel is converted into a subconducting state. The protease-modified channel activity is still Ca²⁺-dependent and ryanodine sensitive. This 94 kDa thiol-protease cross react with anti-calpain antibodies thus, may represent the novel large subunit of the skeletal muscle specific calpain p94. Received: 10 December 1996/Revised: 11 August 1997     

Cations and Anions as Modifiers of Ryanodine Binding to the Skeletal Muscle Calcium Release Channel

Rate and equilibrium measurements of ryanodine binding to terminal cysternae fractions of heavy sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles demonstrate that its activation by high concentrations of monovalent salts is based on neither elevated osmolarity nor ionic strength. The effect of the ions specifically depends on their chemical nature following the Hofmeister ion series for cations (Li⁺ < NH⁺ ₄ < K⁻∼ Cs⁺≤ Na⁺) and anions (gluconate⁻ < Cl⁻ < NO₃ ⁻∼ ClO₄ ⁻∼ SCN⁻) respectively, indicating that both are involved in the formation of the salt-protein complex that can react with ryanodine. Activation by rising salt concentrations exhibits saturation kinetics with different dissociation constants (25–11 m) and different degrees of cooperativity (n= 1.5–4.0) for the respective salts. Maximal second order binding rates between 40,000 and 80,000 (m ⁻¹· sec⁻¹) were obtained for chlorides and nitrates of 1a group alkali ions with the exception of lithium supporting only rates of maximally 10,000 (M⁻¹· sec⁻¹). The nitrogen bases, NH⁺ ₄ and Tris⁺, in combination with chloride or nitrate, behave divergently. High maximal binding rates were achieved only with NH₄NO₃. The dissociation constants for the ryanodine–protein complexes obtained by measurements at equilibrium proved to depend differently on salt concentration, yet, converging to 1–3 nm for the applied salts at saturating concentrations. The salts do not affect dissociation of the ryanodine protein complex proving that the effect of salts on the protein's affinity for ryanodine is determined by their effect on the on-rate of ryanodine binding. ATP and its analogues modify salt action resulting in elevated maximal binding rates and reduction or abolition of binding cooperativity. Linear relations have been obtained by comparing the rates of ryanodine binding at different salt concentrations with the rates or the initial amplitudes (15 sec) of salt induced calcium release from actively loaded heavy vesicles indicating that the various salts promote specifically and concentration dependently channel opening and its reaction with ryanodine. Received: 9 February 1998/Revised: 24 April 1998     

Cardiac Sarcalumenin: Phosphorylation, Comparison with the Skeletal Muscle Sarcalumenin and Modulation of Ryanodine Receptor

Cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) contains an endogenous phosphorylation system that under specific conditions phosphorylates two proteins with apparent molecular masses of 150 and 130 kDa. The conditions for their phosphorylation are as for the skeletal muscle sarcalumenin and the histidine-rich Ca²⁺ binding protein (HCP) with respect to: (i) Ca²⁺ and high concentrations of NaF are required; (ii) phosphorylation is obtained with no added Mg²⁺ and shows a similar time course and ATP concentration dependence; (iii) inhibition by similar concentrations of La³⁺; (iv) phosphorylation is obtained with [γ-³²P]GTP; (v) ryanodine binding is inhibited parallel to the phosphorylation of the two proteins. The endogenous kinase is identified as casein kinase II (CK II) based on its ability to use GTP as effectively as ATP, and its inhibition by La³⁺. The association of CK II with the cardiac SR, even after EGTA extraction at alkaline pH, is demonstrated using antibodies against CK II. The cardiac 130 kDa protein is identified as sarcalumenin based on its partial amino acid sequence and its blue staining with Stains-All. Cardiac sarcalumenin is different from the skeletal muscle protein based on electrophoretic mobilities, immunological analysis, peptide and phosphopeptide maps, as well as amino acid sequencing. Preincubation of SR with NaF and ATP, but not with NaF and AMP-PNP caused strong inhibition of ryanodine binding. This is due to decrease in Ca²⁺- and ryanodine-binding affinities of the ryanodine receptor (RyR) by about 6.6 and 18-fold, respectively. These results suggest that cardiac sarcalumenin is an isoform of the skeletal muscle protein. An endogenous CK II can phosphorylate sarcalumenin, and in parallel to its phosphorylation the properties of the ryanodine receptor are modified. Received: 15 December 1998/Revised: 25 March 1999     

Choline Modulates Cardiac Membrane Repolarization by Activating an M3 Muscarinic Receptor and its Coupled K+ Channel

Choline is a necessary substrate of the lipid membrane and for acetylcholine synthesis. Accumulating evidence indicates that besides being a structural component, choline is also a functional modulator of the membrane. It has been shown to be a muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (mAChR) agonist and can induce a novel K⁺ current in cardiac cells. However, the potential role of choline in modulating cardiac functions remained unstudied despite that mAChRs are known to be important in regulating heart functions. With microelectrode techniques, we found that choline produced concentration-dependent (0.1∼10 mm) decreases in sinus rhythm and action potential duration in isolated guinea pig atria. The effects were reversed by 2 nm 4DAMP (an M₃-selective antagonist). Whole-cell patch-clamp recordings in dispersed myocytes from guinea pig and canine atria revealed that choline is able to induce a K⁺ current with delayed rectifying properties. The choline-induced current was suppressed by low concentrations of 4DAMP (2∼10 nm). Antagonists toward other subtypes (M₁, M₂ or M₄) all failed to alter the current. The affinity of choline (K _d ) at mAChRs derived from displacement binding of [³H]-NMS in the homogenates from dog atria was 0.9 mm, consistent with the concentration needed for the current induction and for the HR and APD modulation. Our data indicate that choline modulates the cellular electrical properties of the hearts, likely by activating a K⁺ current via stimulation of M₃ receptors. Received: 1 December 1998/Revised: 12 February 1999     

The Impermeant Ion Methylammonium Blocks K+ and NH+ 4 Currents through KAT1 Channel Differently: Evidence for Ion Interaction in Channel Permeation

The permeation properties of KAT1, an inward rectifying potassium channel from plant cells, were investigated with different ions in the external medium. With either K⁺, NH⁺ ₄ or methylammonium (MA) in the external solution, the channel, expressed in Xenopus oocytes, appeared permeable to K⁺ and, to a lesser extent, to NH⁺ ₄ but not to the slightly bigger, methylated analogue of NH⁺ ₄, MA. Substituting NH⁺ ₄ for K⁺ shifted the voltage dependency of channel activation further negative and hastened activation kinetics. This suggests that channel operation depends on the transported substrate. In mixed solution (50 mm K⁺, 50 mm MA) MA inhibited K⁺ current in a voltage-independent manner. The maximum block did not exceed 50% of the K⁺ current. In contrast, when NH⁺ ₄ was the permeant ion (50 mm NH⁺ ₄, 50 mm MA) MA caused a voltage-dependent, slowly developing open channel block, achieving complete inhibition at very negative voltages. The latter block could be partially overcome by the addition of K⁺ in the external solution. The data support a model in which ions, after entering the channel pore, compete with different affinities for binding sites on their permeation pathway. Received: 6 October 1997/Revised: 28 January 1998     

Magnesium Inhibition of Ryanodine-Receptor Calcium Channels: Evidence for Two Independent Mechanisms

The gating of ryanodine receptor calcium release channels (RyRs) depends on myoplasmic Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ concentrations. RyRs from skeletal and cardiac muscle are activated by μm Ca²⁺ and inhibited by mm Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺. ⁴⁵Ca²⁺ release from skeletal SR vesicles suggests two mechanisms for Mg²⁺-inhibition (Meissner, Darling & Eveleth, 1986, Biochemistry 25:236–244). The present study investigates the nature of these mechanisms using measurements of single-channel activity from cardiac- and skeletal RyRs incorporated into planar lipid bilayers. Our measurements of Mg²⁺- and Ca²⁺-dependent gating kinetics confirm that there are two mechanisms for Mg²⁺ inhibition (Type I and II inhibition) in skeletal and cardiac RyRs. The mechanisms operate concurrently, are independent and are associated with different parts of the channel protein. Mg²⁺ reduces P _o by competing with Ca²⁺ for the activation site (Type-I) or binding to more than one, and probably two low affinity inhibition sites which do not discriminate between Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ (Type-II). The relative contributions of the two inhibition mechanisms to the total Mg²⁺ effect depend on cytoplasmic [Ca²⁺] in such a way that Mg²⁺ inhibition has the properties of Types-I and II inhibition at low and high [Ca²⁺] respectively. Both mechanisms are equally important when [Ca²⁺] = 10 μm in cardiac RyRs or 1 μm in skeletal RyRs. We show that Type-I inhibition is not the sole mechanism responsible for Mg²⁺ inhibition, as is often assumed, and we discuss the physiological implications of this finding. Received: 1 January 1996/Revised: 14 November 1996     

Sarcoplasmic Reticulum Ca2+ Release in Rat Slow- and Fast-Twitch Muscles

The same isoform of ryanodine receptor (RYR1) is expressed in both fast and slow mammalian skeletal muscles. However, differences in contractile activation and calcium release kinetics in intact and skinned fibers have been reported. In this work, intracellular Ca²⁺ transients were measured in soleus and extensor digitorum longus (EDL) single muscle fibers using mag-fura-2 (K _D for Ca²⁺= 49 μm) as Ca²⁺ fluorescent indicator. Fibers were voltage-clamped at V _h =−90 mV and sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium release was measured at the peak (a) and at the end (b) of 200 msec pulses at +10 mV. Values of a-b and b were assumed to correspond to Ca²⁺-gated and voltage-gated Ca²⁺ release, respectively. Ratios (b/a-b) in soleus and EDL fibers were 0.41 ± 0.05 and 1.01 ± 0.13 (n= 12), respectively. This result suggested that the proportion of dihydropyridine receptor (DHPR)-linked and unlinked RYRs is different in soleus and EDL muscle. The number of DHPR and RYR were determined by measuring high-affinity [³H]PN200-110 and [³H]ryanodine binding in soleus and EDL rat muscle homogenates. The B _max values corresponded to a PN200-110/ryanodine binding ratio of 0.34 ± 0.05 and 0.92 ± 0.11 for soleus and EDL muscles (n= 4–8), respectively. These data suggest that soleus muscle has a larger calcium-gated calcium release component and a larger proportion of DHPR-unlinked RYRs. Received: 31 August 1995/Revised: 25 January 1996     

Inactivation of the Peptide-Sensitive Channel from the Yeast Mitochondrial Outer Membrane: Properties,Sensitivity to Trypsin and Modulation by a Basic Peptide

The yeast Peptide Sensitive Channel (PSC), a cationic channel of the mitochondrial outer membrane closes with slow kinetics at potentials of either polarity. The properties of this inactivation closely resemble those of the Voltage-Dependent Anion Channel (VDAC) slow kinetics closures. Addition of trypsin to one compartment suppresses the inactivation observed when this compartment is made positive, but does not affect the inactivation observed at potentials of reverse polarity. Both sides of the channel are sensitive. The reduced form of the Mast Cell Degranulating peptide (rMCD) increases the rate of inactivation, but only when the polarity of the compartment to which it is added is positive. The effect is not reversed by washing the peptide out, but is suppressed by trypsin. The peptide can bind to both sides of the membrane. The effect of rMCD on PSC closely resembles that of the ``modulator' on VDAC. The similarities between PSC and VDAC suggest that the former might be a cationic porin of the mitochondrial outer membrane possessing a structure closely related to that of VDAC. Received: 2 February 1996/Revised: 18 October 1996     

Mechanism of Ca2+-dependent Inactivation of L-type Ca2+ Channels in GH3 Cells: Direct Evidence Against Dephosphorylation by Calcineurin

Dephosphorylation of Ca²⁺ channels by the Ca²⁺-activated phosphatase 2B (calcineurin) has been previously suggested as a mechanism of Ca²⁺-dependent inactivation of Ca²⁺ current in rat pituitary tumor (GH₃) cells. Although recent evidence favors an inactivation mechanism involving direct binding of Ca²⁺ to the channel protein, the alternative ``calcineurin hypothesis' has not been critically tested using the specific calcineurin inhibitors cyclosporine A (CsA) or FK506 in GH₃ cells. To determine if calcineurin plays a part in the voltage- and/or Ca²⁺-dependent components of dihydropyridine-sensitive Ca²⁺ current decay, we rapidly altered the intracellular Ca²⁺ buffering capacity of GH₃ cells by flash photolysis of DM-nitrophen, a high affinity Ca²⁺ chelator. Flash photolysis induced a highly reproducible increase in the extent of Ca²⁺ current inactivation in a two-pulse voltage protocol with Ca²⁺ as the charge carrier, but had no effect when Ba²⁺ was substituted for Ca²⁺. Despite confirmation of the abundance of calcineurin in the GH₃ cells by biochemical assays, acute application of CsA or FK506 after photolysis had no effect on Ca²⁺-dependent inactivation of Ca²⁺ current, even when excess cyclophilin or FK binding protein were included in the internal solution. Prolonged preincubation of the cells with FK506 or CsA did not inhibit Ca²⁺-dependent inactivation. Similarly, blocking calmodulin activation with calmidazolium or blocking calcineurin with fenvalerate did not influence the extent of Ca²⁺-dependent inactivation after photolysis. The results provide strong evidence against Ca²⁺-dependent dephosphorylation as the mechanism of Ca²⁺ current inactivation in GH₃ cells, but support the alternative idea that Ca²⁺-dependent inactivation reflects a direct effect of intracellular Ca²⁺ on channel gating. Received: 12 August 1996/Revised: 21 October 1996