Changes in Ca2+ level in cytoplasm of rat thymocytes after treatment with mitogens

Mitogen-induced changes in free Ca2+ concentration in the cytoplasm [Cai2+] of rat thymocytes were studied with the use of quin-2, a Ca2+-sensitive fluorescent indicator. Concanavalin A (Con A) and phytohemagglutinin were shown to increase [Cai2+] from 150 +/- 10 nM for the resting cells up to the value of 380 +/- 10 nM. This increase in [Cai2+] depended on the mitogen concentration. It was observed both in the presence of 1 mM external Ca2+ and in the Ca2+ free medium. The Con A-induced increase of [Cai2+] was not abolished by Na+ removal from the medium or by verapamil, an inhibitor of potential-dependent Ca2+ channels. Hence, the increase in Cai2+ was not due to an activation of potential operated Ca2+-channels. Agents which raise intracellular cAMP blocked Con A-induced increase of [Cai2+].     

Bimodal regulation of secretion by cytoplasmic Ca2+ as demonstrated by the parathyroid

Bovine parathyroid cells were used to study parathyroid hormone (PTH) release and the cytoplasmic Ca2+ concentration (Cai2+). When the extracellular Ca2+ concentration was decreased from 3.0 to 0.5 mM, perifused cells reacted with rapid stimulation of PTH release. However, a further reduction of extracellular Ca2+ to less than 10 nM resulted in prompt inhibition. Both effects were readily reversible. Using the intracellular Ca2+ indicator quin-2 also as a buffer for calcium it was possible to control Cai2+ within the 20-600 nM range. PTH release was found to increase with Cai2+ up to 200 nM but was gradually suppressed above this concentration.     

Effects of acidosis on resting cytosolic and mitochondrial Ca2+ in mammalian myocardium

Acidosis increases resting cytosolic [Ca2+], (Cai) of myocardial preparations; however, neither the Ca2+ sources for the increase in Cai nor the effect of acidosis on mitochondrial free [Ca2+], (Cam) have been characterized. In this study cytosolic pH (pHi) was monitored in adult rat left ventricular myocytes loaded with the acetoxymethyl ester (AM form) of SNARF-1. A stable decrease in the pHi of 0.52 +/- 0.05 U (n = 16) was obtained by switching from a bicarbonate buffer equilibrated with 5% CO2 to a buffer equilibrated with 20% CO2. Electrical stimulation at either 0.5 or 1.5 Hz had no effect on pHi in 5% CO2, nor did it affect the magnitude of pHi decrease in response to hypercarbic acidosis. Cai was measured in myocytes loaded with indo- 1/free acid and Cam was monitored in cells loaded with indo-1/AM after quenching cytosolic indo-1 fluorescence with MnCl2. In quiescent intact myocytes bathed in 1.5 mM [Ca2+], hypercarbia increased Cai from 130 +/- 5 to 221 +/- 13 nM. However, when acidosis was effected in electrically stimulated myocytes, diastolic Cai increased more than resting Cai in quiescent myocytes, and during pacing at 1.5 Hz diastolic Cai was higher (285 +/- 17 nM) than at 0.5 Hz (245 +/- 18 nM; P < 0.05). The magnitude of Cai increase in quiescent myocytes was not affected either by sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+ depletion with ryanodine or by SR Ca2+ depletion and concomitant superfusion with a Ca(2+)-free buffer. In unstimulated intact myocytes hypercarbia increased Cam from 95 +/- 12 to 147 +/- 19 nM and this response was not modified either by ryanodine and a Ca(2+)-free buffer or by 50 microM ruthenium red in order to block the mitochondrial uniporter. In mitochondrial suspensions loaded either with BCECF/AM or indo-1/AM, acidosis produced by lactic acid addition decreased both intra- and extramitochondrial pH and increased Cam. Studies of mitochondrial suspensions bathed in indo- 1/free acid-containing solution showed an increase in extramitochondrial Ca2+ after the addition of lactic acid. Thus, in quiescent myocytes, cytoplasmic and intramitochondrial buffers, rather than transsarcolemmal Ca2+ influx or SR Ca2+ release, are the likely Ca2+ sources for the increase in Cai and Cam, respectively; additionally, Ca2+ efflux from the mitochondria may contribute to the raise in Cai. In contrast, in response to acidosis, diastolic Cai in electrically stimulated myocytes increases more than resting Cai in quiescent cells; this suggests that during pacing, net cell Ca2+ gain contributes to enhance diastolic Cai.     

The role of Ca2+ in steroidogenesis in Leydig cells. Stimulation of intracellular free Ca2+ by lutropin (LH), luliberin (LHRH) agonist and cyclic AMP.

The requirements of purified rat Leydig cells for intra- and extra-cellular Ca2+ during steroidogenesis stimulated by LH (lutropin), cyclic AMP analogues and LHRH (luliberin) agonist were investigated. The intracellular Ca2+ concentrations ([Ca2+]i) were measured by using the fluorescent Ca2+ chelator quin-2. The basal [Ca2+]i was found to be 89.4 +/- 16.6 nM (mean +/- S.D., n = 25). LH, 8-bromo cyclic AMP and dibutyryl cyclic AMP increased [Ca2+]i, by 300-500 nM at the highest concentrations of each stimulator, whereas LHRH agonist only increased [Ca2+]i by a maximum of approx. 60 nM. Low concentrations of LH (less than 1 pg/ml) and all concentrations of LHRH agonist increased testosterone without detectable changes in cyclic AMP. With amounts of LH greater than 1 pg/ml, parallel increases in cyclic AMP and [Ca2+]i occurred. The steroidogenic effect of the LHRH agonist was highly dependent on extracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]e), whereas LH effects were only decreased by 35% when [Ca2+]e was lowered from 2.5 nM to 1.1 microM. No increase in [Ca2+]i occurred with the LHRH agonist in the low-[Ca2+]e medium, whereas LH (100 ng/ml) gave an increase of 52 nM. It is concluded that [Ca2+]i can be modulated in rat Leydig cells by LH via mechanisms that are both independent of and dependent on cyclic AMP, whereas LHRH-agonist action on [Ca2+]i is independent of cyclic AMP. The evidence obtained suggests that, at sub-maximal rates of testosterone production, Ca2+, rather than cyclic AMP, is the second messenger, whereas for maximum steroidogenesis both Ca2+- and cyclic-AMP-dependent pathways may be involved.     

The effects of extracellular K+ and angiotensin II on cytosolic Ca++ and steroidogenesis in adrenal glomerulosa cells

We evaluated changes in cytosolic calcium concentration (Ca++) and steroidogenesis in rat adrenal glomerulosa cells (GC) stimulated with potassium (K+) or angiotensin II (AII). Cytosolic Ca++ concentration was determined using the Ca++-sensitive, fluorescent dye QUIN 2. Raising extracellular K+ increased cytosolic Ca++ from 267 +/- 23 nM at 3.7 mM K+ to a maximum of 377 +/- 40 nM at 8.7 mM K+ (p less than 0.01, N = 23). AII also increased cytosolic Ca++ from 238 +/- 20 nM to a maximum of 427 +/- 42 nM at 10(-7) M (p less than 0.01, N = 16). In parallel studies, K+ and AII stimulated aldosterone secretion from QUIN 2-loaded GC at concentrations similar to those which raised cytosolic Ca++. QUIN 2-loaded cells were as responsive steroidogenically as unloaded cells and showed trypan blue exclusion of 98% suggesting that QUIN 2 did not compromise cellular viability. These results provide direct support for a role of cytosolic Ca++ as a second messenger during stimulation of aldosterone secretion by both K+ and AII.     

Intracellular calcium changes in Balanus photoreceptor. A study with calcium ion-selective electrodes and Arsenazo III

Intracellular Ca2+ concentration (Cai) in the dark and during light stimulation, was measured in Balanus photoreceptors with Ca2+ ion-selective electrodes (Ca-ISE) and Arsenazo III absorbance changes (AIII). The average basal Cai of 17 photoreceptors in darkness was 300 +/- 160 nM determined with liquid ion-exchanger (t-HDOPP) Ca-ISE. Ca-ISE measurements indicated that light increased Cai by 700 nM (average), whereas AIII indicated an average change of 450 nM. The time course of AIII absorbance changes matched the time course of changes in the receptor potential more closely than did the Ca-ISE. Changes in Cai were graded with light intensity but the change in Cai was much greater for a decade change in intensity at high light intensity than at low intensity. The peak light induced conductance change of voltage clamped cells had a relationship to light intensity similar to that of the change in Cai. The peak Cai level measured with Ca-ISE was in good agreement with the free Ca2+ concentration of injected buffer solutions. Control Cai levels were usually restored within 5 min following injection of Ca2+ buffers. Injection of Ca2+ buffers with free Ca2+ of 0.6 microM produced a membrane depolarization. Larger increases in Cai (greater than microM) produced by injection of CaCl2 or release of Ca2+ from injected buffers by acidifying the cell, produced a pronounced membrane hyperpolarization. Increasing Cai with all of these techniques reduced the amplitude of the receptor potential. The time course of the receptor potential recovery was usually similar to that of Cai recovery.     

Stimulation of hexose uptake in rat thymic lymphocytes by phorbol ester. A role for Ca2+ and Na+H+ exchange?

The tumor promoter 12-0-tetradecanoyl phorbol-13-acetate (TPA) stimulates hexose uptake into rat thymocytes. This study explores two possible messengers of this stimulation: changes in cytosolic [Ca2+], and activation of the Na+/H+ antiport. The cytosolic level of Ca2+, determined by the fluorescence of quin-2, was elevated by TPA, and this rise required extracellular Ca2+. In contrast, stimulation of hexose uptake was still observed in Ca2+ -free media even when cytoplasmic [Ca2+] was buffered with quin-2. TPA also raised the cytoplasmic pH, presumably through activation of the Na+/H+ exchange. However, replacement of extracellular Na+ by N-methylglucamine+ or choline+ which prevents the cytoplasmic alkanization did not prevent stimulation of hexose uptake by TPA. Moreover, amiloride, at concentrations that inhibit Na+/H+ exchange in these cells, did not interfere with stimulation of hexose uptake by TPA. In conclusion, stimulation of hexose uptake by phorbol ester in rat thymocytes does not appear to be mediated by changes in cytosolic free Ca2+ or in the activity of the Na+/H+ antiport.     

Evaluation of the Ca2+ Concentration in Purified Nerve Terminals: Relationship Between Ca2+ Homeostasis and Synaptosomal Preparation

The presynaptic Ca2+ concentration ([Ca]i) was evaluated by studying intracellular free Ca2+ with quin-2 and fura-2 in synaptosomal preparations. The synaptosomal preparations were purified with hyperosmotic (sucrose) and isoosmotic (Percoll) density gradient centrifugation. Synaptosomes are most viable in the heavier fractions of the density gradients. These synaptosomal fractions exhibit the lowest [Ca]i, [204 +/- 2 nM for Percoll (C-band) synaptosomes, loaded at 30 degrees C with the acetoxymethyl ester of fura-2 (fura-2-AM)], a high stability during prolonged incubations at 37 degrees C, and a more potent response to membrane depolarization by elevated extracellular [K+]. [Ca]i measurement was critically dependent on dye loading, calibration, type of dye used, synaptosomal preparation, and incubation temperature (30 degrees or 37 degrees C). Loading quin-2 in synaptosomes inserts a considerable buffer component in the synaptosomal [Ca]i regulation, and consequently there is a quin-2 dependency of [Ca]i, independent of endogenous heavy metal ions. Use of fura-2 is preferable in synaptosomes, although above a critical fura-2-AM/protein ratio during loading ester hydrolysis is not complete, giving rise to errors in [Ca]i determination. Ionomycin is a selective tool to detect the presence of partially hydrolyzed esters and saturate indicators in the cytosol with Ca2+ for calibration. Parallel studies on lactate dehydrogenase and fura-2 fluorescence indicate that synaptosomal viability is very sensitive to prolonged incubations at 37 degrees C. This study shows the applicability of measuring steady-state [Ca]i and dynamic [Ca]i changes quantitatively in fura-2-loaded synaptosomes.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Intracellular free calcium concentrations in isolated pancreatic acini; effects of secretagogues

Isolated pancreatic acini were loaded with the calcium selective fluorescent indicator, quin-2. Measurements of cellular K+ content and lactic dehydrogenase release indicated that cell viability was not affected by quin-2 loading. The concentration of intracellular free calcium of unstimulated acinar cells was calculated to be 180 +/- 4 nM. When cells suspended in media containing millimolar calcium were exposed to the secretagogues carbachol and cholecystokinin a rapid increase in [Ca2+]i occurred. Both the amplitude and rate of rise of the concentration increase were dose dependent with [Ca2+]i reaching a maximum of 860 +/- 41 nM. The dose-response relationship coincides with the known concentration dependence of the stimulation of amylase release by these agents. In the absence of extracellular calcium, carbachol was still able to elicit a rise in [Ca2+]i. These studies indicate that pancreatic secretagogues induce an increase in [Ca2+]i of acinar cells, both in the presence or absence of extracellular calcium.     

Alpha 1-adrenergic stimulation and cytoplasmic free calcium concentration in cultured renal proximal tubular cells: evidence for compartmentalization of quin-2 and fura-2

This study was designed to examine the role of changes in cytoplasmic free calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) during the response to alpha 1-adrenergic agonists in cultured renal proximal tubular cells. Experiments were carried out on primary cultures of canine proximal tubular cells grown in defined culture medium on a solid support, on collagen-coated polycarbonate membranes, or on collagen-coated glass coverslips. Quin-2 and fura-2 were used to monitor [Ca2+]i. The basal level of [Ca2+]i was 101 nM, as measured with quin-2, and 122 nM, as determined using fura-2. Fluorescence flow cytometry revealed that about 85% of the population of proximal tubular cells responded to phenylephrine with an increase in [Ca2+]i. Phenylephrine (10(-5) M) caused an immediate actual increase in [Ca2+]i by 18 and 24%, as determined with quin-2 and fura-2, respectively, with the peak increase in [Ca2+]i averaging 22% and 44% over the basal level (180-300 sec). This effect did not require extracellular calcium. The effect of phenylephrine was abolished by prazosin and verapamil. Fluorescence microscopy of quin-2 or fura-2 loaded cells revealed punctate areas of fluorescence within the cytoplasm suggesting vesicular uptake of the dyes. Pinocytotic entrapment of the dyes was demonstrated by the transfer of cell-impermeant fura-2 across tubular cell monolayers mounted in Ussing chambers. The transfer of the dye was similar to that of a marker of fluid-phase pinocytosis, Lucifer Yellow (LY). This pinocytotic entrapment of Ca2+-indicators would lead to underestimation of the actual calcium transients. Microfluorometric study of single proximal tubular cells "scrape-loaded" with fura-2 revealed a four-fold increase in [Ca2+]i concentration following stimulation with phenylephrine.     

Alamethicin channel permeation by Ca2+, Mn2+ and Ni2+ in bovine chromaffin cells.

Alamethicin causes a concentration-dependent increase of [Ca2+]i in suspensions of bovine adrenal chromaffin cells loaded with fura-2. The basal levels of Cai2+ (234 +/- 37 nM; n = 4) increased to a maximum of 2347 +/- 791 nM (n = 3) with 100 micrograms/ml alamethicin. In the presence of 1 mM Cae2+ the increase reached a plateau within about 2-5 s. This increase was due to Ca2+ entry into chromaffin cells, since in the absence of Cae2+ alamethicin did not modify [Ca2+]i. This contrasts with ionomycin (1 microM) which produced a Cai2+ transient even in the absence of Cae2+. Mn2+ ions also entered chromaffin cells in the presence of alamethicin, as measured by the quenching of fura-2 fluorescence following excitation at 360 nm. Resting chromaffin cells had a measurable permeability to Mn2+ which was drastically increased by cell depolarization by K+ (50 mM) addition. This suggests that Mn2+ is able to permeate voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels. Ni2+ uptake into either resting or K(+)-stimulated chromaffin cells was undetectable, but addition of alamethicin induced rapid uptake of this cation. The alamethicin-induced entry of Ni2+ was decreased by 50 mM K+. Overall, the results are compatible with the formation by alamethicin of ion channels in chromaffin cell plasma membranes.     

Abscisic acid induces a cytosolic calcium decrease in barley aleurone protoplasts.

Cytosolic calcium concentrations (Cai) of barley aleurone protoplasts after stimulation with the plant hormone abscisic acid (ABA) were measured by using the calcium-sensitive fluorescent dye Indo-1. The measured basal Cai is about 200 nM. Stimulation with ABA induces a strong dose-dependent decrease in Cai to a minimal value of about 50 nM. This decrease occurs within 5 s. The Ca2+ antagonists La3+ and Cd2+ inhibit the ABA-induced Cai decrease in a dose-dependent manner, while the Ca2+ channel blockers verapamil and nifedipine give no inhibition. The induction of Cai decrease by ABA is consistent with activation of the plasma membrane Ca2(+)-ATPase by ABA. The possible role of this ABA-induced Cai decrease in ABA signal transduction and in counteracting the effects of gibberellic acid are discussed.     

Reduction of the cytosolic calcium activity in clonal insulin-releasing cells exposed to glucose

The cytosolic Ca2+ activity of insulin-releasing clonal cells (RINm5F) was studied with the intracellular fluorescent indicator quin-2. When the extracellular Ca2+ concentration was 1 mM, the basal cytosolic Ca2+ activity was 101 +/- 5 nM. Depolarization with 25 mM K+ increased this Ca2+ activity to at least 318 nM, an effect completely reversed by the voltage-dependent channel blocker D-600. In the presence of K+ alone these channels appeared to have a half-life of 6.7 +/- 0.8 min. In contrast to the action of K+, exposure of the RINm5F cells to 4 mM glucose resulted in a reduction of the cytosolic Ca2+ activity. This effect was observed during K+ depolarization but was more pronounced under basal conditions when it amounted to 20%. The data provide the first direct evidence that glucose can decrease the cytosolic Ca2+ activity in beta-cells. Unlike the case in normal beta-cells the glucose effect on the voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels in the RINm5F cells is apparently not sufficient to overcome the intracellular buffering of Ca2+. A defective depolarization is therefore a probable cause of the failing insulin secretion of RINm5F cells exposed to glucose.     

Thapsigargin increases cytoplasmic free Ca2+ without influencing steroidogenesis in chicken granulosa cells.

The effects of thapsigargin on intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) and progesterone production were determined in granulosa cells from the two largest preovulatory follicles of laying hens. [Ca2+]i was measured in cells loaded with the Ca(2+)-responsive fluorescent dye Fura-2. Thapsigargin stimulated a 4.6 +/- 0.2-fold increase in [Ca2+]i from a resting level of 55 +/- 6 nM up to 233 +/- 23 nM (n = 8) in 100% of the cells tested (n = 86). However, two different response patterns were observed. Dependent on the cell populations, a maximally effective concentration of thapsigargin (100 nM) stimulated either a rapid (within 16 +/- 2 s) transient increase in [Ca2+]i or a slowly (99 +/- 20 s) developing and sustained increase in [Ca2+]i. Both [Ca2+]i responses were concentration (0.001-1 microM)-dependent with an EC50 around 40 nM. The transient [Ca2+]i response occurred in the absence of extracellular Ca2+ and was unaffected by pretreating the cells with the Ca2+ channel blockers methoxyverapamil (50 microM) or lanthanum (1 mM). The plateau phase of the sustained [Ca2+]i response returned to resting level in the absence of extracellular Ca2+, but remained elevated in the presence of methoxyverapamil (50 microM) or lanthanum (1 mM). Despite its ability to cause transient or prolonged increases in [Ca2+]i, thapsigargin (0.001-1 microM) did not affect basal or luteinizing hormone-stimulated progesterone production by chicken granulosa cells.     

Control of cytosolic free calcium in rat and chicken osteoclasts. The role of extracellular calcium and calcitonin

Single cell [Ca2+], studies were performed in chicken and rat osteoclasts loaded with fura-2 and exposed to a variety of treatments. Under resting conditions, basal [Ca2+]i, was 79.2 +/- 47.3 and 84.3 +/- 65.7 nM (averages +/- S.D.; n = 141 and 126) in the osteoclasts of the two species, respectively. Basal [Ca2+]i was stable in all rat and in approximately 80% of chicken osteoclasts. In the remaining 20%, spontaneous, irregular [Ca2+], fluctuations were observed (amplitude range: 50-200 nm over basal values). Increase of [Ca2+]o over the concentration of the Krebs-Ringer incubation medium (2 mM) induced rises of [Ca2+] in almost all cells investigated. [Ca2+] rises were already appreciable with 0.5 mM [Ca2+]o additions and reached high values with 4 mM additions: 390 +/- 113 and 364 +/- 214 nM [Ca2+], in rat and chicken osteoclasts, respectively (n = 122 and 101). Qualitatively, the responses to [Ca2+]o additions consisted of discrete [Ca2+]i transients, biphasic (an initial spike followed by a plateau), or monophasic (either the spike or the plateau). In a few chicken osteoclasts, the [Ca2+]i increase occurring after [Ca2+]o addition consisted of multiple, irregular fluctuations, similar to those observed in 20% of these cells under resting conditions. In individual osteoclasts subsequently exposed to multiple [Ca2+]o increase pulses, the type of the [Ca2+]i transient (mono- or biphasic) was maintained, and the size was dependent on the magnitude of the [Ca2+]o additions. Effects similar to those of [Ca2+]o were induced by the addition of Cd2+ or Ba2+ (but not La3+ or Mg2+) into the medium. The Cd2+ effect was maintained in part even in a Ca2+-free medium. Of various hormones and factors, parathormone, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, and prostaglandin E2 were inactive. In contrast, calcitonin was active in rat osteoclasts (which express numerous receptors). [Ca2+]i increases were small (19 +/- 17.9 nM; n = 21) when the hormone was administered alone; they were synergistic (severalfold potentiation) when the hormone was administered before or after [Ca2+]o. The [Ca2+]i effects of calcitonin were mimicked by 8Br-cAMP (31 +/- 26 nM; n = 12) when the nucleotide was administered alone; marked synergism when it was administered in combination with [Ca2+]o. This paper demonstrates for the first time that changes of [Ca2+]i are induced in osteoclasts by treatments with [Ca2+]o and calcitonin and can therefore be involved in intracellular mediation of the physiological effects of these two extracellular signals.     

Increased free calcium in endothelial cells under stimulation with adenine nucleotides

The release of vasodilating substances from the vascular endothelium has been postulated to depend on a rise in the level of intracellular free calcium (Cai++). We measured Cai++ in intact monolayers of calf endothelial cells, grown in culture, that were loaded with the fluorescent calcium indicator quin 2. Fluorescence (excitation wavelength 340 nm, emission wavelength 492 nm) was calibrated by raising Cai++ to a maximum with the calcium ionophore ionomycin (0.1 microM) and by lowering it to a minimum with ionomycin plus manganese (0.4 mM), which quenches quin 2 fluorescence completely. Loss of fluorescent dye from the cells was calculated from fluorescence at the isosbestic excitation wavelength (365 nm). Resting Cai++ was 71 +/- 3 (SEM) nM. ATP (adenosine-5'-triphosphate) raised Cai++ dose-dependently and reversibly to 458 +/- 60 nM at a concentration of 10 microM, and at 0.1 mM to values close to those that occurred under ionomycin. ADP (A-5'-PP) and AMP (A-5'-P) had smaller effects with a maximal Cai++ of 287 +/- 72 nM at 30 microM ADP and 176 +/- 17 nM at 0.1 mM AMP. At these concentrations, ADP and AMP attenuated significantly the increase of Cai++ under ATP (10 microM). Adenosine (0.1 or 0.3 mM) and acetylcholine (0.1 to 30 microM) enhanced Cai++ inconsistently, by a maximum of 50 nM. These effects were abolished by theophylline and atropine, respectively. In the absence of extracellular calcium, ATP still raised Cai++, although endothelial responsiveness declined after repetitive stimulations. We conclude that activation of purinergic receptors increases intracellular free calcium in endothelial cells, and that this increase is probably an essential trigger for synthesis of prostacyclin and the labile endothelium-derived relaxant factor.     

Gap junctional conductance between pairs of ventricular myocytes is modulated synergistically by H+ and Ca++

Gap junctional conductance (gj) between cardiac ventricular myocyte pairs is rapidly, substantially, and reversibly reduced by sarcoplasmic acidification with CO2 when extracellular calcium activity is near physiological levels (1.0 mM CaCl2 added; 470 microM Ca++). Intracellular calcium concentration (Cai), measured by fura-2 fluorescence in cell suspensions, was 148 +/- 39 nM (+/- SEM, n = 6) and intracellular pH (pHi), measured with intracellular ion-selective microelectrodes, was 7.05 +/- 0.02 (n = 5) in cell pair preparations bathed in medium equilibrated with air. Cai increased to 515 +/- 12 nM (n = 6) and pHi decreased to 5.9-6.0 in medium equilibrated with 100% CO2. In air-equilibrated low-calcium medium (no added CaCl2; 2-5 microM Ca++), Cai was 61 +/- 9 nM (n = 13) at pHi 7.1. Cai increased to only 243 +/- 42 nM (n = 9) at pHi 6.0 in CO2-equilibrated low-calcium medium. Junctional conductance, in most cell pairs, was not substantially reduced by acidification to pHi 5.9-6.0 in low-calcium medium. Cell pairs could still be electrically uncoupled reversibly by the addition of 100 microM octanol, an agent which does not significantly affect Cai. In low-calcium low-sodium medium (choline substitution for all but 13 mM sodium), acidification with CO2 increased Cai to 425 +/- 35 nM (n = 11) at pHi 5.9-6.0 and gj was reduced to near zero. Junctional conductance could also be reduced to near zero at pHi 6.0 in low-calcium medium containing the calcium ionophore, A23187. The addition of the calcium ionophore did not uncouple cell pairs in the absence of acidification. In contrast, acidification did not substantially reduce gj when intracellular calcium was low. Increasing intracellular calcium did not appreciably reduce gj at pHi 7.0. These results suggest that, although other factors may play a role, H+ and Ca++ act synergistically to decrease gj.     

Calcium transport by ionophorous peptides in dog and human lymphocytes detected by quin-2 fluorescence

Synthetic peptides of structure cyclo(Glu(OBz)-Sar-Gly-(N-R)Gly)2 (I), electrogenic Ca2+-selective carriers in phospholipid vesicle membranes, are shown to mediate the uptake of Ca2+ ions into the cytoplasm of dog and human lymphocytes. Ca2+ transport by DECYL-2E (I, R = n-decyl) - monitored by measurements of the fluorescence of an intracellular dye, quin-2 - occurred at a rate comparable to that produced by electroneutral Ca2+ ionophores ionomycin and Br-A23187. Fluorescence quenching experiments using Mn2+ suggested a greater selectivity by DECYL-2E for Ca2+/Mn2+ vs. the other two ionophores. The result that Ca2+ ions can traverse biological membranes bound in a neutral cavity consisting exclusively of peptide carbonyl ligands may imply the functional significance of binding sites of similar structures in membrane transport proteins.     

Differences of Ca2+ regulation in skin fibroblasts from blacks and whites

Black people have a higher propensity than caucasians toward essential hypertension. To explore the possibility that this racial difference relates to cellular Ca2+ metabolism, we measured 45Ca2+ washout and uptake and cytosolic free concentration of Ca2+ [Ca2+]i in serially passed skin fibroblasts from normotensive black and white males. Depending on the experimental conditions, 45Ca2+ washout in these cells was described by either two or three exponential functions, whereas 45Ca2+ uptake was described only by a two-exponent function. There were no racial differences in 45Ca2+ uptake and washout of unstimulated fibroblasts. However, stimulation by human serum resulted in an increase in the 45Ca2+ washout that was higher in fibroblasts from blacks than from whites. The racial differences were expressed primarily by higher values of the apparent washout rate constant (k1) of 45Ca2+ from the largest and most rapidly exchangeable cellular pool. The effect of human serum was not related to its origin (blacks vs. whites). In 2 mM Ca2+ medium and 10% serum from blacks, the respective k1 (mean +/- SEM; x 10(-2)/min) values for fibroblasts from blacks and whites were 89.68 +/- 5.23 and 73.29 +/- 4.0; in the presence of 10% serum from whites, the k1 values for cells from blacks and whites were 84.14 +/- 2.80 and 76.36 +/- 3.23 (overall significance of P less than .01). In Ca2+-deficient medium in the presence of 10% human serum, the k1 for fibroblasts from blacks and whites were 115.57 +/- 3.76 and 102.15 +/- 3.30 (P less than .05). Serum substantially increased the 45Ca2+ uptake in fibroblasts from both blacks and whites; however, racial differences were not observed. Basal levels of [Ca2+]i were not different in fibroblasts of blacks vs. whites (46.8 +/- 6.8 and 43.2 +/- 7.1 nM for blacks and whites, respectively). However, the peak response of Cai2+ transients for cell stimulated by 5% human serum was significantly higher in blacks than whites (blacks = 963 +/- 213, whites = 481 +/- 162 nM; P = .0286). We conclude that Ca2+ regulation is different in serum-stimulated fibroblasts from blacks and whites and that, at least in part, this difference may relate to a greater agonist-induced mobilization of Ca2+ in fibroblasts from blacks.     

Dissociation of Ca2+ entry and Ca2+ mobilization responses to angiotensin II in bovine adrenal chromaffin cells

In fura-2-loaded bovine adrenal chromaffin cells, 0.5 microM angiotensin II (AII) stimulated a 185 +/- 19 nM increase of intracellular-free calcium [( Ca2+]i) approximately 3 s after addition. The time from the onset of the response until achieving 50% recovery (t 1/2) was 67 +/- 10 s. Concomitantly, AII stimulated both the release of 45Ca2+ from prelabeled cells, and a 4-5-fold increase of [3H]inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate [( 3H]Ins(1,4,5)P3) levels. In the presence of 50 microM LaCl3, or when extracellular-free Ca2+ [( Ca2+]o) was less than 100 nM, AII still rapidly increased [Ca2+]i by 95-135 nM, but the t 1/2 for recovery was then only 23-27 s. In medium with 1 mM MnCl2 present, AII also stimulated a small amount of Mn2+ influx, as judged by quenching of the fura-2 signal. When [Ca2+]o was normal (1.1 mM) or low (less than 60 nM), 1-2 microM ionomycin caused [Ca2+]i to increase 204 +/- 26 nM, while also releasing 45-55% of bound 45Ca2+. With low [Ca2+]o, ionomycin pretreatment abolished both the [Ca2+]i increase and 45Ca2+ release stimulated by AII. However, after ionomycin pretreatment in normal medium, AII produced a La3+-inhibitable increase of [Ca2+]i (103 +/- 13 nM) with a t 1/2 of 89 +/- 8 s, but no 45Ca2+ release. No pretreatment condition altered AII-induced formation of [3H]Ins(1,4,5)P3. We conclude that AII increased [Ca2+]i via rapid and transient Ca2+ mobilization from Ins(1,4,5)P3- and ionomycin-sensitive stores, accompanied (and/or followed) by Ca2+ entry through a La3+-inhibitable divalent cation pathway. Furthermore, the ability of AII to activate Ca2+ entry in the absence of Ca2+ mobilization (i.e. after ionomycin pretreatment) suggests a receptor-linked stimulus other than Ca2+ mobilization initiates Ca2+ entry.