Reconstitution of the basal calcium transport in resealed human red blood cell ghosts

The (45)Ca(2+) influx into right-side-out resealed ghosts (RG) prepared from human red blood cells (RBC) was measured. The (45)Ca(2+) equilibration occurred with t(1/2)=2.5 min and the steady-state was reached after 17 min with the level of 22+/-2 micromol/L(packed cells) at 37 degrees C. The rate of the influx was 97+/-17 micromol/L(packed cells)h. The (45)Ca(2+) influx was saturated with [Ca(2+)](0) at 4 mmol/L and was optimal at pH 6.5 and 30 degrees C. Divalent cations (10(-4)-10(-6)mol/L), nifedipine (10(-5)-10(-4)mol/L), DIDS (up to 10(-4)mol/L), and quinidine (10(-4)-10(-3)mol/L), inhibited the (45)Ca(2+) influx while uncoupler (10(-6)-10(-5)mol/L) stimulated it. In contrast to intact RBC, vanadate inhibited the (45)Ca(2+) influx when added to the external medium, however, the stimulation was observed when vanadate was present in media during both lysis and resealing. PMA had no effect under conditions found to stimulate the Ca(2+) influx in intact RBC. The results show that the Ca(2+) influx into RG is a carrier-mediated process but without control by protein kinase C and that the influx and efflux of Ca(2+) are coupled via the H(+) homeostasis similarly as in intact RBC but with modified mechanism.     

Properties of the basal calcium influx in human red blood cells

The basal ⁴⁵Ca²⁺ influx in human red blood cells (RBC) into intact RBC was measured. ⁴⁵Ca²⁺ was equilibrated with cells with t_1/2=15-20 s and the influx reached the steady state value in about 90-100 s and the steady state level was 1.5±0.2 μmol/l_{packed cells} (n=6) at 37 °C. The average value of the Ca²⁺ influx rate was 43.2±8.9 μmol/l_{packed cells} hour. The rate of the basal influx was pH-dependent with a pH optimum at pH 7.0 and on the temperature with the temperature optimum at 25 °C. The basal Ca²⁺ influx was saturable with Ca²⁺ up to 5 mmol/l but at higher extracellular Ca²⁺ concentrations caused further increase of basal Ca²⁺ influx. The ⁴⁵Ca²⁺ influx was stimulated by addition of submicromolar concentrations of phorbol esters (phorbol 12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA) and phorbol-12,13-dibutyrate (PDBu)) and forskolin. Uncoupler (3,3′,4′,5-tetrachloro-salicylanilide (TCS) 10⁻⁶-10⁻⁵ mol/l) inhibited in part the Ca²⁺ influx. The results show that the basal Ca²⁺ influx is mediated by a carrier and is under control of intracellular regulatory circuits. The effect of uncoupler shows that the Ca²⁺ influx is in part driven by the proton-motive force and indicates that the influx and efflux of Ca²⁺ are coupled via the RBC H⁺ homeostasis.     

Investigation of properties of the Ca2+ influx and of the Ca2+-activated K+ efflux (Gárdos effect) in vanadate-treated and ATP-depleted human red blood cells

In this study the properties of the 45Ca2+ influx in human red blood cells (RBC) induced by NaVO3 or ATP-depletion were compared. Both NaVO3-induced and ATP-depletion-induced 45Ca2+ influxes were in the range 10(-6)-10(-5) mol Ca2+ x l(-1)cells x h(-1). The saturatability of ATP-depletion-induced 45Ca2+ influx with Ca2+ was much less pronounced than that of NaVO3-induced 45Ca2+ influx. The NaVO3-induced Ca2+ influx was sensitive to nifedipine (IC50 = 50 micromol/l) and Cu2+ (IC50 = 9 micromol/l) but these inhibitors had only a marginal effect when ATP-depletion was used as the Ca2+ influx inducer. On the other hand, polymyxin B (PXB) (1-5 mg/ml) strongly stimulated the ATP-depletion-induced 45Ca2+ influx whereas its effect on the NaVO3-induced Ca2+ influx was biphasic, with about 10% stimulation at lower PXB concentrations and an inhibition of 40% at higher concentrations. SDS-PAGE revealed that both NaVO3 and PXB induced changes in the protein phosphorylation pattern in the presence of Ca2+. NaVO3 stimulated the phosphorylation of several proteins and this effect was counteracted by PXB. The comparison of the kinetics and temperature dependencies of the Gárdos effect induced by NaVO3 and the ATP-depletion showed marked differences. The ability of NaVO3 to induce the Gárdos effect dramatically increased in ATP-depleted cells. These findings indicate that the 45Ca2+ influxes preceding the activation of the Ca2+-activated K+ efflux (Gárdos effect) stimulated by NaVO3 and by ATP-depletion, are mediated by different transport pathways. In addition, obtained results demonstrate that ATP-depletion and NaVO3-treatment exert additive action in triggering the Gárdos effect.     

Calcium flux in turtle ventricular myocytes

The relative contribution of the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR), the L-type Ca(2+) channel and the Na(+)/Ca(2+) exchanger (NCX) were assessed in turtle ventricular myocytes using epifluorescent microscopy and electrophysiology. Confocal microscopy images of turtle myocytes revealed spindle-shaped cells, which lacked T-tubules and had a large surface area-to-volume ratio. Myocytes loaded with the fluorescent Ca(2+)-sensitive dye Fura-2 elicited Ca(2+) transients, which were insensitive to ryanodine and thapsigargin, indicating the SR plays a small role in the regulation of contraction and relaxation in the turtle ventricle. Sarcolemmal Ca(2+) currents were measured using the perforated-patch voltage-clamp technique. Depolarizing voltage steps to 0 mV elicited an inward current that could be blocked by nifedipine, indicating the presence of Ca(2+) currents originating from L-type Ca(2+) channels (I(Ca)). The density of I(Ca) was 3.2 +/- 0.5 pA/pF, which led to an overall total Ca(2+) influx of 64.1 +/- 9.3 microM/l. NCX activity was measured as the Ni(+)-sensitive current at two concentrations of intracellular Na(+) (7 and 14 mM). Total Ca(2+) influx through the NCX during depolarizing voltage steps to 0 mV was 58.5 +/- 7.7 micromol/l and 26.7 +/- 3.2 micromol/l at 14 and 7 mM intracellular Na(+), respectively. In the absence of the SR and L-type Ca(2+) channels, the NCX is able to support myocyte contraction independently. Our results indicate turtle ventricular myocytes are primed for sarcolemmal Ca(2+) transport, and most of the Ca(2+) used for contraction originates from the L-type Ca(2+) channel.     

Capacitative Ca(2+) entry and tyrosine kinase activation in canine pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells

We investigated the role of capacitative Ca(2+) entry and tyrosine kinase activation in mediating phenylephrine (PE)-induced oscillations in intracellular free Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+)](i)) in canine pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells (PASMCs). [Ca(2+)](i) was measured as the 340- to 380-nm ratio in individual fura 2-loaded PASMCs. Resting [Ca(2+)](i) was 96 +/- 4 nmol/l. PE (10 micromol/l) stimulated oscillations in [Ca(2+)](i), with a peak amplitude of 437 +/- 22 nmol/l and a frequency of 1.01 +/- 0.12/min. Thapsigargin (1 micromol/l) was used to deplete sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca(2+) after extracellular Ca(2+) was removed. Under these conditions, a nifedipine-insensitive, sustained increase in [Ca(2+)](i) (140 +/- 7% of control value) was observed when the extracellular Ca(2+) concentration was restored; i.e., capacitative Ca(2+) entry was demonstrated. Capacitative Ca(2+) entry also refilled SR Ca(2+) stores. Capacitative Ca(2+) entry was attenuated (32 +/- 3% of control value) by 50 micromol/l of SKF-96365 (a nonselective Ca(2+)-channel inhibitor). Tyrosine kinase inhibition with tyrphostin 23 (100 micromol/l) and genistein (100 micromol/l) also inhibited capacitative Ca(2+) entry to 63 +/- 12 and 85 +/- 4% of control values, respectively. SKF-96365 (30 micromol/l) attenuated both the amplitude (15 +/- 7% of control value) and frequency (50 +/- 21% of control value) of PE-induced Ca(2+) oscillations. SKF-96365 (50 micromol/l) abolished the oscillations. Tyrphostin 23 (100 micromol/l) also inhibited the amplitude (17 +/- 7% of control value) and frequency (45 +/- 9% of control value) of the oscillations. Genistein (30 micromol/l) had similar effects. Both SKF-96365 and tyrphostin 23 attenuated PE-induced contraction in isolated pulmonary arterial rings. These results demonstrate that capacitative Ca(2+) entry is present and capable of refilling SR Ca(2+) stores in canine PASMCs and may be involved in regulating PE-induced Ca(2+) oscillations. A tyrosine kinase is involved in the signal transduction pathway for alpha(1)-adrenoreceptor activation in PASMCs.     

Calcium influx through 'L'-type channels into rat anterior pituitary cells can be modulated in two ways by protein kinase C (PKC-isoform selectivity of 1,2-dioctanoyl sn-glycerol?).

The depolarisation-induced influx of 45Ca2+ into anterior pituitary tissue and GH3 cells through 'L'-type, nimodipine-sensitive channels was investigated. In anterior pituitary prisms, phorbol esters, activators of protein kinase C, caused an enhancement of K(+)-induced 45Ca2+ influx. However, in the GH3 anterior pituitary cell line, phorbol esters inhibited K(+)-induced 45Ca2+ influx. The modulation by phorbol esters in both tissues was stereo-specific and time- and concentration-dependent. The diacylglycerol analogue, 1,2-dioctanoyl sn-glycerol was able to mimic the phorbol ester-induced enhancement of calcium influx into anterior pituitary pieces, but was ineffective in GH3 cells. 1,2-Dioctanoyl sn-glycerol may selectively activate an isoform of protein kinase C which is responsible for enhanced 'L'-type Ca(2+)-channel activity.     

Cell type-dependent regulation of human DNA topoisomerase III alpha gene expression by upstream stimulatory factor 2

Cyclosporin A (CsA) is a widely used immunosuppressive agent with severe side effects including hypertension. Here, we investigated the effects of CsA on intracellular free calcium ([Ca(2+)](i)) and the mechanisms involved in vasoconstriction in cultured human coronary myocytes. We used the Fura-2 technique for Ca(2+) imaging. Acute application of CsA at therapeutic concentrations (0.1-10 micromol/l) had no effect. Chronic exposure to CsA (1 micromol/l) for 24 h induced a small (20 nmol/l) but highly significant increase of basal [Ca(2+)](i) and enhanced the occurrence of spontaneous Ca(2+) oscillations. Endothelin- and vasopressin-induced rises of [Ca(2+)](i) were also enhanced. The demonstration that CsA increases basal [Ca(2+)](i) in addition to its impact on agonist receptor stimulation is of major importance for new therapeutic approaches.     

H+ -mediated coupling of transmembrane Ca2+ fluxes in vegetative Trichoderma viride mycelia suggested by the study of ageing and adaptation to extreme Ca2+ concentrations

The adaptation to extreme concentrations of Ca(2+) and its consequence on the properties of the (45)Ca(2+) transport were studied in submerged mycelia of Trichoderma viride. The adaptation to low [Ca(2+)](o) did not cause changes in kinetic parameters of the (45)Ca(2+) influx but the adaptation to high [Ca(2+)](o) increased the K(M(Ca2+)). The V(max) of the (45)Ca(2+) influx decreased with the age of (non-adapted) mycelia with concomitant decrease of the K(M(Ca2+)) these changes were prevented in mycelia adapted to high Ca(2+). High [Ca(2+)](o) decreased the stimulation by the uncoupler, 3, 3', 4', 5-tetrachloro salicylanilide (TCS) (30 muM), as compared to the control, whereas the Ca(2+) chelator, EGTA, stimulated it. In the aged mycelia, the stimulation by TCS of the (45)Ca(2+) influx faded away, in parallel with the activity of the H(+)-ATPase. The (45)Ca(2+) efflux from mycelia was affected by TCS in a similar way as the (45)Ca(2+) influx. The results demonstrate the adaptive responses of transport processes participating in the mycelial Ca(2+) homeostasis and ageing are in agreement with a notion that both Ca(2+)-influx and-efflux are coupled by the H(+)-homeostasis at the plasma membrane.     

Effect of aging on the mechanisms of PTH-induced calcium influx in rat intestinal cells

We have investigated the effects of aging on parathyroid hormone (PTH) modulation of intracellular calcium homeostasis and their relationship to signal transduction pathways in isolated rat duodenal cells (enterocytes). PTH (10(-8)-10(-9) M) increased enterocyte (45)Ca(2+) influx and intracellular Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+)](i)) to a greater extent (twofold and 50%, respectively) in aged (24 months) than in young (3 months) animals. The [Ca(2+)](i) response of old cells to the hormone was slower, lacking the early phase of changes in cytosolic Ca(2+). Ca(2+) influx induced by PTH was prevented by the protein kinase A antagonist Rp-cAMPS in both young and aged enterocytes, whereas neomycin and compound U73122, inhibitors of PLC-catalyzed phosphoinositide hydrolysis, abolished hormone-dependent Ca(2+) influx in young but had no effect on aged cells. Higher basal adenylyl cyclase (AC) activity and cAMP content were detected in old enterocytes. PTH increased the absolute levels of cAMP in aged cells and AC activity of microsomes isolated therefrom to a greater extent (>/= twofold) than in young enterocytes/membranes. In young cells, the hormone also induced a rapid and transient release of inositoltrisphosphate (IP(3)) and diacylglycerol (neomycin-sensitive) at 45 sec, and a delayed phase of DAG at 5 min (neomycin-insensitive). The early formation of IP(3) and DAG was blunted in aged animals. These results suggest that both the PLC and adenylyl cyclase cascades are involved in PTH stimulation of Ca(2+) influx in duodenal cells. During aging, however, only the cAMP pathway is operative, mediating a potentiation of the effects of the hormone. Additional studies are required to establish the relative role of PTH-dependent messenger systems in the regulation of intestinal calcium absorption and age-related abnormalities.     

Inhibition of store-operated calcium entry in human lymphocytes by radiation: protection by glutathione

The influence of gamma radiation on basal compared to activation-dependent Ca(2+) influx in human lymphocytes was investigated. A new quantitative fluorescence technique termed differential ratiometric fluorescence spectroscopy (DRFS) was employed. DRFS facilitated the real-time detection of changes in fluorescence in experimental and control cell samples simultaneously, enabling the resolution of acute moderate changes ( congruent with10-30%) in Ca(2+) (manganese) influx after exposure to ionizing radiation and other oxidant interventions. Exposure to radiation inhibited thapsigargin-stimulated store-operated Ca(2+) influx but not basal Ca(2+) influx in Jurkat T cells and human peripheral blood lymphocytes. The response of store-operated Ca(2+) influx to gamma radiation was dependent on dose between 5 and 40 Gy and was inhibited by preincubation with the Ca(2+) channel blocker Ni(2+), as determined with Jurkat T cells. Elevation of the intracellular concentration of glutathione significantly reduced the inhibition of Ca(2+) influx by gamma radiation. Similar to radiation, both the superoxide anion-generating xanthine/xanthine oxidase system and hydrogen peroxide inhibited thapsigargin-stimulated Ca(2+) influx in Jurkat T cells, and this inhibition was reversed in the presence of the antioxidant N-acetyl-l-cysteine. In conclusion, (1) ionizing radiation inhibited store-operated Ca(2+) entry in human lymphocytes, (2) the sensitivity of Ca(2+) influx to radiation was strictly dependent on depletion of Ca(2+) stores, and (3) glutathione protected against the inhibition of store-operated Ca(2+) entry by gamma radiation.     

Organic osmolytes betaine,sorbitol and inositol are potent inhibitors of erythrocyte membrane ATPases

Organic osmolytes are used in animal and plant cells to adapt to hyper- and hypoosmolar stress. We used our RBC-membrane model to investigate the effects of the osmolytes betaine, sorbitol and myo-inositol on Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase, Ca(2+)-ATPase and calmodulin-stimulated Ca(2+)-ATPase (CaM). Our results show that betaine inhibited ATPases by more than 61%: Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase (75 +/- 5.9 vs 27 +/- 2.2), Ca(2+)-ATPase (236 +/- 18.9 vs 62 +/- 4.9), and CaM (450 +/- 18 vs 174 +/- 6.9) (microM pi/min/mg protein, control (0 microM betaine) vs 100 micromol/L betaine). Sorbitol (100 micromol/L) inhibited the Ca(2+)-ATPases by 41% (126 +/- 7.6 vs 74 +/- 4.4) and CaM by 42% (253 +/- 17.7 vs 147 +/- 10.3). Inositol (100 micromol/L) inhibited Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase strongest (37 +/- 1.9 vs 20 +/- 1.0; 47% inhibition) while it showed a lesser effect on the Ca(2+)-ATPases (136 +/- 6.8 vs 102 +/- 5.1; 25% inhibition). All osmolytes inhibited RBC membrane ATPases at concentrations above 50 micromol/L, which corresponds to high normal physiologic range for organic osmolytes in serum. Furthermore, the presence of osmolytes (250 micromol/L) decreased hypoosmotic stress induced hemolysis by 42%. Together these data indicate an important regulatory role of organic osmolytes on human RBC membrane ATPases and a protective function of osmolytes in RBCs against hypoosmotic stress.     

Nongenomic mechanism of glucocorticoid inhibition of bradykinin-induced calcium influx in PC12 cells: possible involvement of protein kinase C

Many stimulants, including bradykinin (BK), can induce increase in [Ca(2+)](i) in PC12 cells. Bradykinin induces an increase in [Ca(2+)](i) via intracellular Ca(2+) release and extracellular Ca(2+) influx through the transduction of G protein, but not through voltage-sensitive calcium channels. In this experiment, We analyzed how corticosterone (Cort) influences BK-induced intracellular Ca(2+) release and extracellular Ca(2+) influx, and further studied the mechanism of glucocorticoid's action. To dissociate the intracellular Ca(2+) release and extracellular Ca(2+) influx induced by BK, the Ca(2+)-free/Ca(2+)- reintroduction protocol was used. The results were as follows: (1) The Ca(2+) influx induced by BK could be rapidly inhibited by Cort, but intracellular Ca(2+) release could not be affected significantly. (2) The inhibitory effect of Cort-BSA (BSA -conjugated Cort) on Ca(2+) influx induced by BK was the same as the effect of free Cort. (3) Protein kinase C (PKC) activator (phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate) could mimic and PKC inhibitor G?6976 could reverse the inhibitory effect of Cort. (4) There was no inhibitory effect of Cort on Ca(2+) influx induced by BK when pretreated with pertussis toxin. The results suggested, for the first time, that Cort might act via a putative membrane receptor and inhibit the Ca(2+) influx induced by BK through the pertussis toxin -sensitive G protein-PKC pathway.     

Muscarinic receptors modulate intracellular Ca2+ concentration in hyaline cells of the chicken basilar papilla

Nonsensory hyaline cells border the sensory epithelium of the auditory end-organ (basilar papilla) in birds and reptiles. Their innervation by cochlear cholinergic efferent fibers and the presence of contractile proteins suggest that hyaline cells may actively regulate basilar membrane mechanics. The cholinergic pharmacology of hyaline cells was studied by measuring the intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca(2+)](i)) of fura-2-loaded cells in the chicken cochlea in vitro. Superfusion of the cholinergic agonist carbachol produced a dose-dependent increase in hyaline cell [Ca(2+)](i) (EC(50)=1.05 micromol l(-1)) and small responses in short hair cells. Calcium increases in hyaline cells were evoked by the muscarinic agonists oxotremorine (10 micromol l(-1)) and muscarine (100 micromol l(-1)) whereas nicotine (100 micromol l(-1), 200 micromol l(-1)) was without effect. Carbachol-evoked responses were blocked by the muscarinic antagonist atropine (>or=10(-13) mol l(-1)) and were unaffected by the nicotinic antagonists d-tubocurare (100 micromol l(-1), 1 mmol l(-1)) and hexamethonium (100 micromol l(-1)). Responses persisted in the absence of extracellular Ca(2+) and were abolished by thapsigargin (1 micromol l(-1)). These results indicate that the cholinergic-stimulated increase in hyaline cell [Ca(2+)](i) is due to a muscarinic-mediated release of Ca(2+) from intracellular stores. This is the first evidence that hyaline cells possess a muscarinic receptor whose activation causes mobilization of intracellular Ca(2+).     

Calcium influx in a rat mast cell (RBL-2H3) line. Use of multivalent metal ions to define its characteristics and role in exocytosis

An increase in concentration of cytosolic Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) is associated with an accelerated influx of 45Ca2+ when cultured RBL-2H3 cells are stimulated with either antigen or analogs of adenosine although these agents act via different receptors and coupling proteins (Ali, H., Cunha-Melo, J.R., Saul, W.F., and Beaven, M.A. (1990) J. Biol. Chem. 265, 745-753). The same mechanism probably operates for basal Ca2+ influx in unstimulated cells and for the accelerated influx in stimulated cells. This influx had the following characteristics. 1) It was decreased when cells were depolarized with high external K+; 2) it was blocked by other cations (La3+ greater than Zn2+ greater than Cd2+ greater than Mn2 = Co2+ greater than Ba2+ greater than Ni2+ greater than Sr2+) either by competing with Ca2+ at external sites (e.g. La3+ or Zn2+) or by co-passage into the cell (e.g. Mn2+ or Sr2+); and 3) the inhibition of influx by K+ and the metal ions had exactly the same characteristics whether cells were stimulated or unstimulated even though influx rates were different. The dependence of various cellular responses on influx of Ca2+ was demonstrated as follows. The stimulated influx of Ca2+, rise in [Ca2+]i, and secretion, could be blocked in a concentration-dependent manner by increasing the concentration of La3+, but concentrations of La3+ (greater than 20 microM) that suppressed influx to below basal rates of influx markedly suppressed the hydrolysis of inositol phospholipids (levels of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate were unaffected). Some metal ions, e.g. Mn2+ and Sr2+, however, supported the stimulated hydrolysis of inositol phospholipid and some secretion in the absence of Ca2+. Thus a basal rate of influx of Ca2+ was required for the full activation of inositol phospholipid hydrolysis, but in addition an accelerated influx was necessary for exocytosis.     

Inter- and intra-individual variation in plasma and red blood cell vitamin E after supplementation

To establish the range of individual blood responses to supplemental vitamin E, 30 healthy subjects ingested 75 mg of deuterium-labelled alpha-tocopherol with a standard breakfast. Blood was collected at 6, 9, 12, 27 and 51 h post ingestion and deuterated (d6) and non-deuterated (do) alpha-tocopherol concentrations were determined in plasma and red blood cells (RBC) by GC-MS. To examine intra-individual responses, 6 of these subjects were re-examined at 6-month intervals over a 30-month period. Post ingestion, the amount of d6-alpha-tocopherol in blood increased rapidly with time with maximal concentrations seen at 12 h (plasma) and 27 h (RBC) in most subjects. At these times, d6-alpha-tocopherol concentration ranged from 0.3-12.4 micromol/l in plasma and 0.6-4.09 micromol/l packed cell in RBC. Area under the curve calculations indicated inter-individual differences of alpha-tocopherol uptake to be 40-fold for plasma (12.9-493.3 micromol h/l) and 6-fold for RBC (24.4-146.1 micromol h/l packed RBC). Intra-individual variation in alpha-tocopherol uptake was small in comparison and remained relatively constant over the 30-month period. We conclude that vitamin E uptake varies widely in the normal population, although it is comparatively stable for an individual over time. These differences likely arise from variations in the regulation of vitamin E uptake and metabolism between subjects. Factors regulating this process must be better understood before the optimal intake of vitamin E can be ascertained.     

Mechanism of internal anal sphincter smooth muscle relaxation by phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate

We investigated the mechanism of the inhibitory action of phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate (PDBu), one of the typical protein kinase C (PKC) activators, in in vitro smooth muscle strips and in isolated smooth muscle cells of the opossum internal anal sphincter (IAS). The inhibitory action of PDBu on IAS smooth muscle (observed in the presence of guanethidine + atropine) was partly attenuated by tetrodotoxin, suggesting that a part of the inhibitory action of PDBu is via the nonadrenergic, noncholinergic neurons. A major part of the action of PDBu in IAS smooth muscle was, however, via its direct action at the smooth muscle cells, accompanied by a decrease in free intracellular Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+)](i)) and inhibition of PKC translocation. PDBu-induced IAS smooth muscle relaxation was unaffected by agents that block Ca(2+) mobilization and Na+-K+-ATPase. The PDBu-induced fall in basal IAS smooth muscle tone and [Ca(2+)](i) resembled that induced by the Ca(2+) channel blocker nifedipine and were reversed specifically by the Ca(2+) channel activator BAY K 8644. We speculate that a major component of the relaxant action of PDBu in IAS smooth muscle is caused by the inhibition of Ca(2+) influx and of PKC translocation to the membrane. The specific role of PKC downregulation and other factors in the phorbol ester-mediated fall in basal IAS smooth muscle tone remain to be determined.     

Transport and control of Ca2+ by pigeon erythrocytes. I. Survey of some cell responses to a range of A23187 doses in the presence of Ca2+

Cells were subjected to a range of 45Ca2+ influx loads with A23187. We measured cell 45Ca2+ with time and A23187 dose, and the apparent 45Ca2+ influxes (identical to "J(in,app)") at Ca2+ steady state. We also measured endogeneous exchangeable and total cell Ca2+, which were 50 and 17-220 microM respectively. The effects of A23187 and Ca2+ on cell ATP, swelling, net Cl- permeability, and cell morphology were measured. These were modest and do not affect our conclusions. J(in,app) congruent to 3 X 10(-4) [A23187]2.9 X [Ca2+(o)]mumoles/l X min with 92-552 microM [Ca2+(o)] (identical to external Ca2+ concentration) and 0-7 microM A23187. J(in,app) was increased an order of magnitude by vanadate and is probably much less than the true influx. The least unlikely explanation found for the high [A23187] exponent, 2.9, was that most of the Ca2+ crossing the membrane is expelled by the pump before it can move deeper into the cell. Calcium pumping increased rapidly in response to increased influx, but the steady state cell 45Ca2+ was approximately proportional to J(in,app) rather than approximately constant between 10 and 120 mumoles/l X min with 184 microM [Ca2+(o)]. This is not the result expected from a simple feedback mechanism. At high A23187 doses the pump appears fully activated resulting in a linear relation between cell/medium 45Ca2+ and [A23187]-2. From the plot we calculated alpha identical to free/total exchangeable Ca2+ = 0.38 +/- 0.08 (n = 3) and a maximum pump rate, "Pmax" = 78 mumole/l X min. Pmax is underestimated insofar as J(in,app) is less than the true influx.     

小檗碱对豚鼠结肠平滑肌细胞内游离钙浓度的影响

采用Ca2 荧光示踪剂Fura 2 AM和双波长荧光分光光度法 ,观察小檗碱 (berberine ,Ber)对酶法分离的豚鼠结肠平滑肌细胞内游离钙 ([Ca2 ]i)的影响并探讨其机制。在含 1 5mmol/LCaCl2 的HEPES Ringer缓冲液中 ,豚鼠结肠平滑肌细胞 [Ca2 ]i为 10 8± 9 4nmol/L (n =7) ,Ber对静息 [Ca2 ]i 无明显影响 ,Ber呈浓度依赖性抑制 ,6 0mmol/LKCl引起的 [Ca2 ]i 增高 ,IC50 值为 34 0 9μmol/L。在含 1 5mmol/LCa2 和无Ca2 的缓冲液中 ,30、10 0μmol/LBer均显著抑制 10 μmol/LACh所诱发的 [Ca2 ]i 的增高 ,且有浓度依赖性 ;同样Ber对环匹阿尼酸 (CPA)所致的 [Ca2 ]i 增高也有浓度依赖性抑制作用 ,有钙和无钙条件下IC50 分别为 37 97μmol/L和 49 70 μmol/L。结果提示 ,Ber对结肠平滑肌细胞外Ca2 内流和细胞内钙释放均有抑制作用。     

Characterization of the bradykinin-stimulated calcium influx pathway of cultured vascular endothelial cells. Saturability, selectivity, and kinetics

Measurement of fura-2 fluorescence and 45Ca2+ uptake was used to evaluate Ca2+ influx in cultured bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAECs) stimulated by bradykinin (BK). The BK-stimulated influx pathway was characterized with respect to its 1) sensitivity to extracellular Ca2+, 2) inhibition by membrane depolarization, and 3) permeability to Ba2+ and Sr2+. The results indicate that the activity of the influx pathway is a saturable function of extracellular Ca2+ and that membrane depolarization inhibits Ca2+ influx by changing the apparent affinity and maximal capacity of the pathway for Ca2+. Fura-2 fluorescence was used to compare the profiles for BK-stimulated changes in cytosolic Ca2+, Sr2+, and Ba2+ (Ca2+i, Ba2+i, and Sr2+i). Addition of Ca2+ and Sr2+ to Ca2+-depleted cells in the presence of BK produced a transient increase in Ca2+i and Sr2+i. Following the peak of the response, Ca2+i and Sr2+i declined within 2 min to a steady elevated level. Blockade of influx by the addition of La3+ at the peak of the response to Ca2+ and Sr2+ immediately reduced Ca2+i and Sr2+i to basal levels. Addition of Ba2+ to Ca2+-depleted cells in the presence of BK produced an increase in Ba2+i which continued to rise with time to a steady level. Addition of La3+ after Ba2+, however, did not reduce Ba2+i. These results suggest that 1) Ca2+ and Sr2+ (but not Ba2+) are sequestered by intracellular mechanisms and that the declining phase of the Ca2+ and Sr2+ response reflects a time and divalent cation-dependent inactivation of the influx pathway. The inactivation of the influx pathway was further demonstrated by measuring the kinetics of BK-stimulated 45Ca2+ uptake into BAECs. The results of these experiments demonstrate that BK stimulates a 100- to 150-fold increase in Ca2+ permeability of the BAEC but that the influx pathway turns off or inactivates within 2 min. The magnitude of the flux, the voltage sensitivity, and the ability to conduct Ca2+, Sr2+, and Ba2+ are suggestive of a channel mechanism.