Electric stimulation of human fibroblasts causes an increase in Ca2+ influx and the exposure of additional insulin receptors

Previously we reported that treating human fibroblasts in cell culture with high-voltage, pulsed galvanic stimulation (HVPGS) can significantly increase cellular protein and DNA synthesis (Bourguignon and Bourguignon: FASEB J., 1:398-402, 1987). In this study we have identified two of the early cellular events which occur following exposure to HVPGS: 1) an increase in Ca2+ uptake from the external medium and 2) an increase in the number of insulin receptors on the fibroblast cell surface. The increase in Ca2+ uptake begins within the first minute of electric stimulation while increased insulin binding is not detected until the second minute of stimulation. The HVPGS-induced increase in insulin binding can be inhibited by bepridil, a specific Ca2+ channel blocker, suggesting that the Ca2+ influx is required for the exposure of additional insulin receptors on the cell surface. Furthermore, we have determined that the addition of insulin to electrically stimulated cultures results in 1) an immediate, second increase in Ca2+ uptake and 2) significant increases in both protein and DNA synthesis compared to cells which were not stimulated. All three of these insulin-dependent effects are also inhibited by bepridil. Based on these results, we propose that HVPGS initially triggers the opening of voltage-sensitive calcium channels in the fibroblast plasma membrane. The increased level of intracellular Ca2+ then induces the exposure of additional insulin receptors, the fibroblasts will significantly increase both protein and DNA synthesis.     

Effects of endogenous calcium transport inhibitor from heart muscle on the active calcium uptake and passive calcium release properties of sarcoplasmic reticulum

In the present study, the effects of the cytosolic Ca2+ transport inhibitor on ATP-dependent Ca2+ uptake by, and unidirectional passive Ca2+ release from, sarcoplasmic reticulum enriched membrane vesicles were examined in parallel experiments to determine whether inhibitor-mediated enhancement in Ca2+ efflux contributes to inhibition of net Ca2+ uptake. When assays were performed at pH 6.8 in the presence of oxalate, low concentrations (less than 100 micrograms/mL) of the inhibitor caused substantial inhibition of Ca2+ uptake by SR (28-50%). At this pH, low concentrations of the inhibitor did not cause enhancement of passive Ca2+ release from actively Ca2+-loaded sarcoplasmic reticulum. Under these conditions, high concentrations (greater than 100 micrograms/mL) of the inhibitor caused stimulation of passive Ca2+ release but to a much lesser extent when compared with the extent of inhibition of active Ca2+ uptake (i.e., twofold greater inhibition of Ca2+ uptake than stimulation of Ca2+ release). When Ca2+ uptake and release assays were carried out at pH 7.4, the Ca2+ release promoting action of the inhibitor became more pronounced, such that the magnitude of enhancement in Ca2+ release at varying concentrations of the inhibitor (20-200 micrograms/mL) was not markedly different from the magnitude of inhibition of Ca2+ uptake. In the absence of oxalate in the assay medium, inhibition of Ca2+ uptake was observed at alkaline but not acidic pH.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

The mitogenic signaling pathway of fibroblast growth factor is not mediated through polyphosphoinositide hydrolysis and protein kinase C activation in hamster fibroblasts

Basic or acidic fibroblast growth factor (FGF), alone, was found to be as potent as alpha-thrombin to reinitiate DNA synthesis in G0-arrested Chinese hamster lung fibroblasts (CCL39). Basic FGF at 50 ng/ml or thrombin at 1 unit/ml rapidly initiated early events such as cytoplasmic alkalinization (0.2-0.3 pH units), rise in cytoplasmic Ca2+, phosphorylation of ribosomal protein S6 and increased c-myc expression, followed by a 30-40-fold increase in labeled nuclei. Whereas thrombin is a potent activator of phospholipase C as judged by the rapid release of inositol trisphosphate, inositol bisphosphate and by the massive accumulation of total inositol phosphate (IP) in the presence of 20 mM Li+, FGF failed to induce the breakdown of polyphosphoinositides in quiescent CCL39 cells. Indeed, no inositol trisphosphate nor inositol bisphosphate could be detected in response to FGF; in presence of Li+ the total IP release never exceeded 8% of the IP released by the action of thrombin. Two additional findings indicated that FGF and thrombin activate different signaling pathways. First, we found that, in contrast to thrombin, the FGF-induced rise in the cytoplasmic free Ca2+ concentration measured by quin-2 fluorescence, is strictly dependent upon the presence of Ca2+ in the external medium. Second, we found that FGF failed to activate protein kinase C as judged by the epidermal growth factor-receptor binding assay. Treatment of the cells with either thrombin or phorbol esters, rapidly inhibited 125I-labeled epidermal growth factor binding (50-60%). Basic or acidic FGF had no effect. We conclude that: the FGF-receptor signaling pathway is not coupled to phospholipase C activation, and early mitogenic events and reinitiation of DNA synthesis can be initiated independently of inositol lipid breakdown and protein kinase C activation.     

Changes in 45Ca and 109Cd uptake, membrane potential and cell pH in Saccharomyces cerevisiae provoked by Cd2+

The effect of Cd2+ poisoning of Saccharomyces cerevisiae on 45Ca, 109Cd and [14C]tetraphenylphosphonium (TPP) uptake and cell pH was examined. At Cd2+ concentrations that produced substantial K+ efflux the rates of uptake of 45Ca, 109Cd and [14C]TPP increased progressively during incubation of the cells with Cd2+, and the cell pH was lowered concomitantly. The initial rates of uptake of the divalent cations and of TPP were increased in cells pre-loaded with Cd2+, which shows that stimulation of the ion fluxes was exerted by the Cd2+ that accumulated in the cells. The distribution ratio of TPP between cells and medium, however, was decreased by Cd2+. Although hyperpolarization of the cell membrane by Cd2+ cannot be excluded, it is argued that Cd2+ primarily stimulated divalent cation uptake by increasing the cation permeability of the cell membrane allowing the cations to enter the cells more easily.     

Ca2+ transport through the brush border membrane of human placenta syncytiotrophoblasts.

The calcium (Ca2+) uptake by brush border membrane vesicles isolated from fresh human placentas has been characterized. This process was saturable and time- and concentration-dependent. It exhibited a double Michaelis-Menten kinetics, with apparent Km values of 0.17 +/- 0.03 and 2.98 +/- 0.17 mM Ca2+, and Vmax values of 0.9 +/- 0.13 and 2.51 +/- 0.45 pmol.micrograms-1.5 s-1. It was not influenced by the presence of Na+ or Mg2+ in the incubation medium. It was not increased by K+ or anion diffusion potentials, inside negative. At a steady state of 1 mM Ca2+ uptake, a large proportion (approximately 94%) of the Ca2+ was bound to the internal surface of the membranes. Preincubation of these membrane vesicles with voltage-dependent Ca2+ channel blockers (nifedipine and verapamil) had no influence on Ca2+ uptake. However, this uptake was very sensitive to pH. In the absence of a pH gradient, the Ca2+ uptake increased with alkalinity. When the intravesicular pH was kept constant while the pH of the incubation medium was increased, Ca2+ uptake was also stimulated by alkaline pH. In contrast, when the pH of the incubation medium was kept constant and the intravesicular pH was progressively increased, Ca2+ uptake was diminished with alkaline pH. Therefore, H+ gradient (H+ in trans-position greater than H+ in cis-position) favored Ca2+ transport, suggesting a H+/Ca2+ exchange mechanism. Finally, in contrast to the basal plasma membrane, the brush border membrane did not show any ATP-dependent Ca2+ transport activity.     

Cytoplasmic Ca2+ during differentiation of 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Effect of insulin and relation to glucose transport

The cytoplasmic concentration of ionized Ca2+ [( Ca2+]i) was determined in 3T3-L1 cells during their differentiation from fibroblasts to adipocytes, suspended and loaded with the fluorescent Ca2+ indicators quin2 or indo-1. In undifferentiated fibroblasts, as well as in differentiated adipocytes up to day 9, [Ca2+]i was steady around 170 nM, and it increased significantly only in old adipocytes (day 12). During differentiation, stimulation of glucose uptake by insulin increased from a few percent to severalfold. Stimulation of uptake was already apparent after 10 min of addition of the hormone, and 10 nM insulin produced maximal stimulation in 30 min. Insulin (10(-6) M) added to quin2- or indo-1-loaded, suspended adipocytes had no detectable effect on [Ca2+]i for at least 10 min. In contrast, addition of the general anesthetic halothane increased [Ca2+]i from 172 to 251 nM in 3 min. In EGTA solution, the Ca2+ ionophore ionomycin elicited release of Ca2+ from intracellular stores that resulted in a transient increase in [Ca2+]i. A smaller but measurable Ca2+ release from intracellular stores (increasing [Ca2+]i by 20 nM) resulted upon addition of 20 micrograms/ml phosphatidic acid. In contrast, insulin did not produce any detectable release of Ca2+ from intracellular stores. Incubation of 3T3-L1 adipocytes with insulin in the presence of EGTA (the latter in excess over the Ca2+ concentration of the medium) did not prevent the stimulation of hexose uptake by the hormone, indicating that extracellular Ca2+ does not play a role in the insulin response. Furthermore, incubation of cells with quin2/AM in EGTA medium during exposure to insulin did not prevent stimulation of hexose uptake. Under these conditions it is demonstrated that intracellular quin2 suffices to chelate cytoplasmic Ca2+ even if releasable Ca2+ from intracellular stores were to pour into the cytoplasm. Thus, quin2 effectively lowers [Ca2+]i without impairing insulin action. It is concluded that insulin does not produce changes in [Ca2+]i and that chelating intracellular Ca2+ does not prevent stimulation of hexose uptake by insulin. These results suggest that it is unlikely that changes in [Ca2+]i may play a role in the transduction of information in insulin stimulation of glucose uptake in 3T3-L1 adipocytes.     

Inhibition of proliferation of contaminating fibroblasts by D-valine in cultures of smooth muscle cells from human myometrium

Replacement of L-valine with D-valine in a standard culture medium can selectively inhibit fibroblast proliferation. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether human myometrial cells cultured with D-valine instead of L-valine can survive and express their characteristics. Cultured cells (95-98%) maintain expression of the intermediate filament desmin, which is the specific marker for mature muscle cells. By transmission electron microscopy, the cells showed the general morphology of smooth muscle cells in culture. Oxytocin in serum-free culture medium at 37 degrees C (5 min) caused a concentration-dependent increase in cellular Na and total Ca, and a decrease in K content as determined by X-ray microanalysis. The percentage of cells cultured with D-valine responding to oxytocin stimulation was larger than that of cells cultured with L-valine, suggesting less contamination of smooth muscle cells by fibroblasts in the presence of D-valine. As shown by measurements with fura-2, D-valine-cultured cells retained the characteristic increase in intracellular free Ca2+ ions after oxytocin stimulation.     

Sodium-dependent calcium efflux from adrenal chromaffin cells following exocytosis. Possible role of secretory vesicle membranes.

Although cytosolic Ca2+ transients are known to influence the magnitude and duration of hormone and neurotransmitter release, the processes regulating the decay of such transients after cell stimulation are not well understood. Na(+)-dependent Ca2+ efflux across the secretory vesicle membrane, following its incorporation into the plasma membrane, may play a significant role in Ca2+ efflux after stimulation of secretion. We have measured an enhanced 45Ca2+ efflux from cultured bovine adrenal chromaffin cells following cell stimulation with depolarizing medium (75 mM K+) or nicotine (10 microM). Such stimulation also causes Ca2+ uptake via voltage-gated Ca2+ channels and secretion of catecholamines. Na+ replacement with any of several substitutes (N-methyl-glucamine, Li+, choline, or sucrose) during cell stimulation inhibited the enhanced 45Ca2+ efflux, indicating and Na(+)-dependent Ca2+ efflux process. Na+ deprivation did not inhibit 45Ca2+ uptake or catecholamine secretion evoked by elevated K+. Suppression of exocytotic incorporation of secretory vesicle membranes into the plasma membrane with hypertonic medium (620 mOsm) or by lowering temperature to 12 degrees C inhibited K(+)-stimulated 45Ca2+ efflux in Na(+)-containing medium but did not inhibit the stimulated 45Ca2+ uptake. Enhancement of exocytotic secretion with pertussis toxin resulted in an enhanced 45Ca2+ efflux without affecting calcium uptake. The combined results suggest that Na(+)-dependent Ca2+ efflux across secretory vesicle membranes, following their incorporation into the plasma membrane during exocytosis, plays a significant role in regulating calcium efflux and the decay of cytosolic Ca2+ in adrenal chromaffin cells and possibly in related secretory cells.     

Stimulation of Ca2+ uptake into epididymal bull spermatozoa by analogues of amiloride

Certain amiloride analogues 3',4'-dichlorobenzamil 2',4'-dimethylbenzamil and alpha',2'-benzobenzamil hydrochloride (ATBB) stimulate calcium accumulation and motility by epididymal bovine spermatozoa. This stimulation can be seen at a range of 0.1-0.4 mM, while at higher concentration there is inhibition of calcium uptake by these amiloride analogues. The amiloride derivative 5-(4-chlorobenzyl)-2',4'-dimethylbenzamil (CBDMB), which bears a 4-chlorobenzyl substituent on the 5-amino nitrogen atom, did not stimulate calcium uptake. The amiloride analogue 3',4'-dichlorobenzamil inhibits the Na+/Ca2(+)-exchange activity in isolated plasma membrane vesicles, and the stimulatory effect of 3',4'-dichlorobenzamil on calcium uptake into epididymal sperm could be seen in Na(+)-free medium. Thus, the stimulation of Ca2+ accumulation in the cells caused by 3',4'-dichlorobenzamil is not a result of inhibiting the Na(+)-dependent Ca2+ clearance. There is no stimulation of Ca2+ uptake into ejaculated cells by adding 3',4'-dichlorobenzamil, which is not due to the presence of the calcium-transport inhibitor (caltrin) in these cells [Rufo, G.A., Schoff, P.K. & Lardy, H.A. (1984) J. Biol. Chem. 259, 2547-2552]. The stimulatory effect of 3',4'-dichlorobenzamil on Ca2+ uptake is inhibited by the voltage-dependent Ca2(+)-channel blockers nifedipin and diltiazem. This indicates that the stimulation of Ca2+ uptake by the amiloride analogues is due to the activation of a voltage-dependent Ca2+ channel of the plasma membrane.     

C1q induces chemotaxis and K+ conductance activation coupled to increased cytosolic Ca2+ in mouse fibroblasts

Cultured mouse fibroblasts (L cells) respond to whole C with a slow hyperpolarization. Among the C components tested, C1q was found to be most effective. In contrast, the cell did not respond to C1, in which the collagen-like region of the C1q molecule is masked. The C1q-induced hyperpolarizing response was inhibited by collagen or C1q-specific antisera. Human diploid skin fibroblasts (Flow 1,000 cells) also exhibited similar membrane potential changes in response to whole C or C1q. After repeated applications of C1q, the cell membrane became unresponsive (desensitized). The treatment of L cells with pronase E inhibited the C1q-induced response, whereas the response to ATP, which is known to interact to its own receptor, was still preserved. The reversal potential of C responses was close to the K+ equilibrium potential. The hyperpolarizing response was inhibited by a blocker of Ca2+-activated K+ channels in fibroblasts (quinine), by deprivation of extracellular Ca2+ or by a Ca2+ channel blocker (nifedipine). By means of Ca2+-selective microelectrodes, the cytosolic free Ca2+ concentration was found to increase from 126 to 206 nM upon stimulation of L cells with C1q. Using an agarose-well method, L cells were observed to migrate predominantly toward C1q or whole C. It is concluded that the fibroblasts have the C1q receptor sensitive to pronase E and that activation of C1q receptors gives rise to Ca2+ influx, triggering an increase in the cytosolic free Ca2+ ions, which in turn induces a hyperpolarizing response as a result of the stimulation of Ca2+-activated K+ channels and initiates chemotaxis to C1q.     

Characterization of a Ca2+ uniporter from Bacillus subtilis by partial purification and reconstitution into phospholipid vesicles

Ca2+ was accumulated by right-side-out membrane vesicles of Bacillus subtilis following imposition of a diffusion potential, inside-negative, owing to K+-efflux via valinomycin. Uptake was dependent on the magnitude of the membrane potential. This voltage-dependent Ca2+ uptake was inhibited by Ca2+ channel blockers such as nitrendipine, verapamil and LaCl3, and was competitively inhibited by Ba2+ and Sr2+. The system showed saturation kinetics with an apparent Km for Ca2+ of about 250 microM. Proteins responsible for the voltage-dependent Ca2+ uptake were partially purified by preparative isoelectric focusing in a Sepharose bed. A fraction at pH 5.28-5.33 contained the activity. The characteristics of Ca2+ uptake in reconstituted proteoliposomes were the same as those in membrane vesicles (sensitive to Ca2+ channel blockers; inhibited by Ba2+ and Sr2+). In addition, uptake was not influenced by a pH gradient imposed on the vesicles. The apparent Km for Ca2+ in the reconstituted system was about 260 microM. The specific activity was increased about 50-fold by purification with isoelectric focusing.     

Fibroblasts contracting collagen matrices form transient plasma membrane passages through which the cells take up fluorescein isothiocyanate-dextran and Ca2+.

When fibroblasts contract collagen matrices, the cells activate a Ca(2+)-dependent cyclic AMP signaling pathway. We have found that contraction also stimulates uptake of fluorescein isothiocyanate-dextran molecules from the medium. Our results indicate that fluorescein isothiocyanate-dextran enters directly into the cell cytoplasm through 3- to 5-nm plasma membrane passages. These passages, which reseal in less than 5 s in the presence of divalent cations, also are likely sites of Ca2+ uptake during contraction and the first step in contraction-activated cyclic AMP signaling. The formation of plasma membrane passages during fibroblast contraction may reflect a general cellular response to rapid mechanical changes.     

Stimulation of leucine transport by a mitogen through intracellular Ca2+ increase in human peripheral lymphocytes

The effect of concanavalin A and ionophore A23187 on leucine uptake by human peripheral lymphocytes has been examined. Preincubation of the cells with 32 micrograms/ml concanavalin A or 0.1 microM A23187 increased leucine uptake by 67% and 100%, respectively. Both concanavalin A and A23187 could, within 2 min, induce a more than 2-fold increase in the cytoplasmic free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i). This increase by concanavalin A was completely blocked by the addition of 0.1 mM 8-(N,N-diethylamino)-octyl-3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoate (TMB-8) to incubation medium; TMB-8 partially blocked the action of A23187. The stimulation of leucine uptake by concanavalin A and A23187 was strongly inhibited by the presence of TMB-8 in the medium, whereas the basal uptake was not affected by this intracellular Ca2+ antagonist. Amiloride did not inhibit the stimulation of leucine uptake by concanavalin A. The concanavalin A- and A23187-induced elevation of [Ca2+]i was accompanied by membrane hyperpolarization. Concanavalin A-stimulated leucine uptake was greatly inhibited by the presence of an excess of 2-aminobicyclo[2.2.1]heptane-2-carboxylic acid. These results indicate that the increase in [Ca2+]i may function as a signal of the stimulation by mitogen of leucine uptake mediated by system L, finally inducing membrane hyperpolarization in human lymphocyte.     

Acidic extracellular pH increases calcium influx-triggered phospholipase D activity along with acidic sphingomyelinase activation to induce matrix metalloproteinase-9 expression in mouse metastatic melanoma

Acidic extracellular pH is a common feature of tumor tissues. We have reported that culturing cells at acidic pH (5.4-6.5) induced matrix metalloproteinase-9 expression through phospholipase D, extracellular signal regulated kinase 1/2 and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases and nuclear factor-kappaB. Here, we show that acidic extracellular pH signaling involves both pathways of phospholipase D triggered by Ca2+ influx and acidic sphingomyelinase in mouse B16 melanoma cells. We found that BAPTA-AM [1,2-bis(2-aminophenoxy)-ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid tetrakis (acetoxymethyl) ester], a chelator of intracellular free calcium, and the voltage dependent Ca2+ channel blockers, mibefradil (for T-type) and nimodipine (for L-type), dose-dependently inhibited acidic extracellular pH-induced matrix metalloproteinase-9 expression. Intracellular free calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) was transiently elevated by acidic extracellular pH, and this [Ca2+]i elevation was repressed by EGTA and the voltage dependent Ca2+ channel blockers but not by phospholipase C inhibitor, suggesting that acidic extracellular pH increased [Ca2+]i through voltage dependent Ca2+ channel. In contrast, SR33557, an L-type voltage dependent Ca2+ channel blocker and acidic sphingomyelinase inhibitor, attenuated matrix metalloproteinase-9 induction but did not affect calcium influx. We found that acidic sphingomyelinase activity was induced by acidic extracellular pH and that the specific acidic sphingomyelinase inhibitors (perhexiline and desipramine) and siRNA targeting aSMase/smpd1 could inhibit acidic extracellular pH-induced matrix metalloproteinase-9 expression. BAPTA-AM reduced acidic extracellular pH-induced phospholipase D but not acidic sphingomyelinase acitivity. The acidic sphingomyelinase inhibitors did not affect the phosphorylation of extracellular signal regulated kinase 1/2 and p38, but they suppressed nuclear factor-kappaB activity. These data suggest that the calcium influx-triggered phospholipase D and acidic sphingomyelinase pathways of acidic extracellular pH induced matrix metalloproteinase-9 expression, at least in part, through nuclear factor-kappaB activation.     

Spatio-temporal propagation of Ca2+ signals by cyclic ADP-ribose in 3T3 cells stimulated via purinergic P2Y receptors

The role of cyclic ADP-ribose in the amplification of subcellular and global Ca2+ signaling upon stimulation of P2Y purinergic receptors was studied in 3T3 fibroblasts. Either (1) 3T3 fibroblasts (CD38- cells), (2) 3T3 fibroblasts preloaded by incubation with extracellular cyclic ADP-ribose (cADPR), (3) 3T3 fibroblasts microinjected with ryanodine, or (4) 3T3 fibroblasts transfected to express the ADP-ribosyl cyclase CD38 (CD38+ cells) were used. Both preincubation with cADPR and CD38 expression resulted in comparable intracellular amounts of cyclic ADP-ribose (42.3 +/- 5.2 and 50.5 +/- 8.0 pmol/mg protein). P2Y receptor stimulation of CD38- cells yielded a small increase of intracellular Ca2+ concentration and a much higher Ca2+ signal in CD38-transfected cells, in cADPR-preloaded cells, or in cells microinjected with ryanodine. Confocal Ca2+ imaging revealed that stimulation of ryanodine receptors by cADPR or ryanodine amplified localized pacemaker Ca2+ signals with properties resembling Ca2+ quarks and triggered the propagation of such localized signals from the plasma membrane toward the internal environment, thereby initiating a global Ca2+ wave.     

Calcium transport into the vacuole of oat roots. Characterization of H+/Ca2+ exchange activity

Calcium (Ca2+) is sequestered into vacuoles of oat root cells through a H+/Ca2+ antiport system that is driven by the proton-motive force of the tonoplast H+-translocating ATPase. The antiport has been characterized directly by imposing a pH gradient in tonoplast-enriched vesicles. The pH gradient was imposed by diluting K+-loaded vesicles into a K+-free medium. Nigericin induced a K+/H+ exchange resulting in a pH gradient of 2 (acid inside). The pH gradient was capable of driving 45Ca2+ accumulation. Ca2+ uptake was tightly coupled to H+ loss as increasing Ca2+ levels progressively dissipated the steady state pH gradient. Ca2+ uptake displayed saturation kinetics with a Km(app) for Ca2+ of 10 microM. The relative affinity of the antiporter for transport of divalent cations was Ca2+ greater than Sr2+ greater than Ba2+ greater than Mg2+. La3+ or Mn2+ blocked Ca2+ uptake possibly by occupying the Ca2+-binding site. Ruthenium red (I50 = 40 microM) and N,N'-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (I50 = 3 microM) specifically inhibited the H+/Ca2+ antiporter. When driven by pH jumps, the H+/Ca2+ exchange generated a membrane potential, interior positive, as shown by [14C]SCN accumulation. Furthermore, Ca2+ uptake was stimulated by an imposed negative membrane potential. The results support a simple model of one Ca2+ taken up per H+ lost. The exchange transport can be reversed, as a Ca2+ gradient (Ca2+in greater than Ca2+out) was effective in forming a pH gradient (acid inside). We suggest that the H+/Ca2+ exchange normally transports Ca2+ into the vacuole; however, under certain conditions, Ca2+ may be released into the cytoplasm via this antiporter.     

Biochemical characterization of the amiloride-sensitive Na+/H+ antiport in Chinese hamster lung fibroblasts

Net H+ fluxes across the plasma membrane of Chinese hamster lung fibroblasts (CC139) were monitored by pH-stat titration. Na+-depleted cells release H+ upon addition of Na+. Conversely Na+- or Li+-loaded cells take up H+ from the medium when shifted to a Na+,Li+-free medium. This reversible Na+ (or Li+)-dependent H+ flux is inhibited by amiloride and does not occur in digitonin-permeabilized cells. A similar Na+/H+ exchanger was identified in vascular smooth muscle cells, corneal and aortic endothelial cells, lens epithelial cells of bovine origin, and human platelets. Kinetic studies carried out with CC139 cells indicate the following properties: 1) half-saturation of the system is observed at pH = 7.8, in the absence of Na+; 2) external Na+ stimulates H+ release and inhibits H+ uptake in a competitive manner (Ki = 2-3 mM); 3) amiloride is a competitive inhibitor for Na+ (Ki congruent to 1 microM) and a noncompetitive inhibitor for H+; 4) a coupling ratio of 1.3 +/- 0.3 for the H+/Li+ exchange suggests a stoichiometry of 1:1. We conclude that CC139 cells possess in their plasma membrane a reversible, electroneutral, and amiloride-sensitive Na+/H+ antiporter, with two distinct and mutually exclusive binding sites for Na+ and H+. The rapid stimulation of the Na+/H+ antiporter in G0/G1-arrested CC139 cells upon addition of growth factors, together with the fact that intracellular H+ concentration is, under physiological conditions, around the apparent K0.5 of the system, strongly suggests a key role of this antiport in pHi regulation and mitogen action.     

The mechanism of the interaction of the pH-dependent cytostatic cauloside C with the membranes of tumor cells and liposomes

The effect of the medium pH on accumulation of [3H]-cauloside C by tumor cells, its intracellular localization, and interaction of the glicoside with membranes of tumor cells and liposomes has been studied. The shift towards weakly acids pH leads to the increase in the amount of cauloside C accumulated by tumor cells and changes the pattern of interaction of cauloside C with the membranes.     

Lectin-Induced Enhancement of Voltage-Dependent Calcium Flux and Calcium Channel Antagonist Binding

Concanavalin A (Con A), a tetravalent lectin with preferential affinity for mannosyl and glucosyl residues of membrane glycoconjugates, increased K+ depolarization-evoked uptake of 45Ca2+ in the PC12 neural cell line. Enhancement of uptake by Con A was concentration dependent, with maximal (24%) stimulation at 100 micrograms/ml of Con A, and was preferentially inhibited by mannoside and glucoside. Succinyl-Con A, a divalent analog with reduced biological potency, increased uptake by only 7%. The effect of Con A on 45Ca2+ uptake was dependent on membrane depolarization, was abolished by ionic Ca2+ channel blockers and organic Ca2+ channel antagonists, and was accompanied by an equivalent increase in Ca2+ channel 3H-labeled antagonist binding, observations suggesting that the voltage-dependent Ca2+ channel was the site of Ca2+ entry. The mechanism for enhancement of 45Ca2+ uptake by Con A appeared to be separate from that used by the Ca2+ channel agonist BAY K 8644 and independent of that involved in Ca2+ channel regulation by phorbol esters. These findings suggest that voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels may link cell surface carbohydrate interactions with intracellular effector processes.     

Calcium-induced conidiation in Penicillium cyclopium: calcium triggers cytosolic alkalinization at the hyphal tip.

Addition of Ca2+ (1 to 10 mM) to submerged cultures of Penicillium cyclopium induces conidiation. Ca2+ induced an increase in cytosolic pH from approximately 7.00 to > 7.60 in less than 10 min, as determined with the fluorescent pH probe fluorescein. Measurement of the H(+)-ATPase activity in total membrane fractions did not show any stable activation in vivo as a result of Ca2+ treatment. By fluorescence ratio imaging microscopy, it was observed that vegetative hyphae exhibit a tip-to-base pH gradient, with the tip being more acidic. Ca2+ caused this gradient to dissipate within 10 min. The effect of several agents that are supposed to cause internal acidification, by different means, on conidiation was tested. Concentrations of these agents that did not significantly affect growth but inhibited Ca(2+)-induced conidiation also prevented the intracellular alkalinization observed after exposure to the cation. Calcium channel blockers (lanthanum, cobalt, verapamil, and nifedipine) were not able to inhibit Ca(2+)-induced conidiation, although their effect on calcium uptake was not evaluated. However, the combined results point towards externally bound Ca2+ as the primary agent of conidiation induction, causing changes in plasma membrane function which disrupt the pH gradient observed during apical growth.