用荧光指示剂Fura－2测定正常和电刺激后蛙肌胞浆自由Ca~（2＋）浓度

蛙半腱肌肌束负载Ｆｕｒａ－２／ＡＭ后,可用荧光信号Ｆ３４０、３８０ｎｍ波长比值（Ｒ３４０／３８０）反映胞浆内游离Ｃａ２＋浓度（〔Ｃａ２＋〕）。利用这一技术,我们发现长时间电刺激后的骨骼肌〔Ｃａ２＋〕,高于未刺激肌,Ｒ３４０／３８０分别为１．４９±０．５４（ｎ＝１０）和１．０２±０．２６（ｎ＝１０）。加入Ｃａ２＋载体伊屋诺霉素（ｉｏｎｏｍｙｃｉｎ,１μｍｏｌ／Ｌ）后,正常肌与电刺激肌〔Ｃａ２＋〕,均上升,但刺激肌上升幅度低,持续时间短。说明电刺激至力竭后,细胞内有较多的Ｃａ２＋负载。增加细胞外Ｃａ２＋浓度至１５ｍｍｏｌ／Ｌ,〔Ｃａ２＋〕ｉ下降。而给予Ｎａ＋－Ｃａ２＋交换阻断剂奎尼丁（１０４ｍｏｌ／Ｌ）后,正常肌〔Ｃａ２＋〕ｉ上升,刺激肌〔Ｃａ２＋〕ｉ下降。结果提示：Ｎａ＋－Ｃａ２＋交换是正常骨胳肌外排Ｃａ２＋的途径之一;而长时间肌肉活动则可能使细胞膜Ｎａ＋－Ｃａ２＋交换方式改变,从而导致力竭肌〔Ｃａ２＋〕ｉ上升。     

培养大鼠心肌细胞缺氧与复氧时H~＋－Ca~（2＋）交换的研究

大量研究表明：心肌细胞缺氧后再复氧，可因氧反常和ｐＨ反常造成细胞内Ｃａ２＋超载。通常认为，在心肌细胞发生ｐＨ反常后，Ｈ＋－Ｎａ＋和Ｎａ＋－Ｃａ２＋交换加强是细胞内Ｃａ２＋超载的重要机制。本实验结果表明：阻断了Ｈ＋－Ｎａ＋和Ｎａ＋－Ｃａ２＋交换后，仍有部分Ｃａ２＋进入细胞，Ｃａ２＋内流量与缺氧时间成正比关系。在无Ｎａ＋溶液中也得到了同样结果，表明此时Ｃａ２＋内流是通过与Ｎａ＋无关的通路进入细胞的。进一步实验表明这种Ｃａ２＋内流与细胞膜内外ｐＨ梯度差密切相关。当胞外ｐＨ升高即胞内相对Ｈ＋浓度增加时，Ｃａ２＋内流量也增加。故推测：ｐＨ反常所致细胞内Ｃａ２＋超载的原因，除Ｈ＋－Ｎａ＋和Ｎａ＋－Ｃａ２＋交换外，尚有Ｈ＋－Ｃａ２＋交换机制。     

心肌细胞内pH调节

心肌细胞具有自身的酸碱缓冲能力,并且通过Ｎａ＾＋／Ｈ＾＋交换蛋白、Ｎａ＾＋／ＨＣＯ＾－３同向转运和乳酸的跨膜运转使Ｈ＾＋外向转运,通过Ｃｌ＾－／ＨＣＯ＾－３交换使Ｈ＾＋内向转运等途径以维持细胞内生理ＰＨ,心肌细胞内Ｃａ＾２＋浓度受ＰＨ变化的影响。     

大鼠海马神经元Na~ Ca~(2 )交换电流在低氧时的变化

目的：探讨在低氧性脑损伤发生过程中,Ｎａ＋Ｃａ２＋ 交换体在细胞内钙超载中的作用。方法：采用全细胞膜片钳方法,在急性分离海马神经元上观察低氧对Ｎａ＋Ｃａ２＋ 交换电流的电流电压（ＩＶ） 曲线的影响。结果：在整个膜电位水平,Ｎａ＋Ｃａ２＋ 交换电流幅值均不同程度的增加,在正膜电位水平呈现一显著的外向电流。１０ ｍＶ 时,电流幅值从（９２ ．８３ ±２０．８）ｐＡ上升到（１３０ ．６７ ±２６．８８）ｐＡ（ Ｐ＜０ ．０５） ,而在５０ ｍ Ｖ,其电流幅值从（－ ７４ ．６７ ±１１ ．８４）ｐＡ上升到（－ ５８ ．５±１０ ．７１）ｐＡ（Ｐ＜ ０ ．０５）。结论：低氧时Ｎａ＋Ｃａ２＋ 交换电流呈外向性,这种改变有利于低氧后通过Ｎａ＋Ｃａ２＋ 交换的外向转运方式排出细胞内钠,并交换钙进入细胞     

外源性神经节苷脂对人－肝癌培养细胞内钙的作用及其方式

本工作采用荧光探针Ｆｕｒａ－２ＡＭ观察了外源性神经节苷脂ＧＭ３和ＧＤ３对ＳＭＭＣ－７７２１人肝癌培养细胞钙的影响,证明ＧＭ３和ＧＤ３均能升高细胞内钙浓度（［Ｃａ２＋］ｉ）,但程度上有极大差异。１０ｎｍｏｌ／ｍＬＧＭ３或１．０ｎｍｏｌ／ｍＬＧＤ３可使［Ｃａ２＋］ｉ上升高是明显,与对照相比［Ｃａ２＋］ｉ分别增加２１５～２５０％和４２％。进一步用Ｖｅｒａｐａｍｉｌ阻断钙通道和内质网钙释放、去除细胞外Ｎａ＋以抑制Ｎａ＋－Ｃａ２＋交换以及去除细胞外Ｃａ２＋在无外钙内流等系统观察了ＧＭ３和ＧＤ３的作用方式,结果提示ＧＭ３升高［Ｃａ２＋］ｉ的机制是一个同时增加内质网钙释放、激活钙通道并伴有质膜Ｃａ２＋－ＡＴＰ酶激活的综合结果;而ＧＤ３则主要抑制Ｎａ＋－Ｃａ２＋交换系统。     

跨膜Ca^2＋梯度对肌质网Ca^2＋—ATP酶调节的特异性

我们曾报道跨膜Ｃａ＾２＋梯度可通过膜脂影响肌质网Ｃａ＾２＋－ＡＴＰ酶的构象和活性。本文就跨膜Ｃａ＾２＋－ＡＴＰ酶的构象和活性。本文就跨膜Ｃａ＾２＋梯度对肌质网Ｃａ＾２＋－ＡＴＰ酶的调节是否具有特异性作进一步研究。结果表明这种特异性表现在两方面：一是跨膜Ｃａ＾２＋梯度对肌质网Ｃａ＾２＋－ＡＴＰ酶功能的调节不能归结于跨膜Ｃａ＾２＋深度梯度所导致的膜电位的作用,离子载体ＦＣＣＰ可消除跨膜电位但并不影响肌     

心肌细胞Na^＋—Ca^2＋交换电流

心肌细胞上存在Ｎａ＋Ｃａ２＋交换系统,以３Ｎａ＋：１Ｃａ２＋方式交换,产生Ｎａ＋Ｃａ２＋交换电流（ＩＮａＣａ）。分子生物学实验证明：Ｎａ＋Ｃａ２＋交换体有１１个跨膜片段,其功能受多种因素的调节。膜片钳制技术研究表明Ｎａ＋Ｃａ２＋交换电流与心肌细胞动作电位形成和心律失常的产生有关。通过对Ｎａ＋Ｃａ２＋交换系统的深入研究,将有助于我们研制和开发作用于Ｎａ＋Ｃａ２＋交换电流的特异性较强的药物,对治疗心律失常和保护心肌细胞,减少心肌细胞的损伤有重要意义。     

Na^＋／Ca^2＋交换抑制剂在大鼠海马缺氧损伤中的作用

本文以大鼠离体海马脑片和分散培养的海马神经元为标本,分别采用微电极记录技术和激光扫描共聚焦显微镜动态监测单个神经元［Ｃａ２＋］ｉ的方法,研究Ｎａ＋／Ｃａ２＋交换抑制剂Ｂｅｎｚａｍｉｌ对缺氧后海马脑片损伤以及海马神经元［Ｃａ２＋］ｉ变化的影响。结果显示,预先用Ｂｅｎｚａｍｉｌ（５０μｍｏｌ）灌流的海马脑片缺氧后ＰＶ持续时间较对照组显著延长,提示其可延缓海马不可逆缺氧损伤的发生;共聚焦测［Ｃａ２＋］ｉ实验进一步发现,急性缺氧可诱导海马神经元［Ｃａ２＋］ｉ迅速升高,而Ｂｅｎｚａｍｉｌ（２０μｍｏｌ）能显著抑制缺氧引起的［Ｃａ２＋］ｉ升高。上述结果表明,抑制神经元Ｎａ＋／Ｃａ２＋交换活动可提高海马脑片抗缺氧能力,其作用机制可能与抑制缺氧所致神经元［Ｃａ２＋］ｉ升高有关,由此推测Ｎａ＋／Ｃａ２＋交换体参于大鼠海马脑区缺氧损伤,它可能是导致缺氧后神经元［Ｃａ２＋］ｉ升高的重要途径之一     

大鼠海马神经元Na^2＋—Ca^2＋交流电流在低氧时的变化

目的 探讨在低氧性脑损伤发生过程中,Ｎａ＾２＋－Ｃａ＾２＋交换体在内钙超载中的作用。方法 采用全细胞膜片钳方法,在急性分离海马神经元上观察低氧对Ｎａ＾２＋－Ｃａ＾２＋交换电流的电流－电压（Ｉ－Ｖ）曲线的影响。结果 在整个膜电位水平,Ｂａ＾＋－Ｃａ＾２＋交流电流幅值均不同程度的增加,在正膜电位水平呈现一显著的外向电流。１０ｍｖ时,电流幅值从（９２．８３±２０．８）ｐＡ上升到（１３０．６７±２６．８８     

抗真菌蛋白Rs—AFPs基因在大肠杆菌中的表达

将抗真菌蛋白Ｒｓ－ＡＦＰ１和Ｒｓ－ＡＦＰ２全长ｃＤＮＡ插入表达质粒ｐＥＴ－２２ｂ／ＮｃｏＩ＋ＳａｃＩ位点,构建成融合蛋白表达载体ｐＲＡＦ１和ｐＲＡＦ２．将不含信号肽编码序列的Ｒｓ－ＡＦＰ１和Ｒｓ－ＡＦＰ２ｃＤＮＡ分别插入ｐＥＴ－２２ｂ／Ｎｃｏｌ＋Ｓａｃｌ和ｐＥＴ－２２ｂ／Ｎｄｅｌ＋ＳａｃＩ位点,构建成不含信号肽序列的融合蛋白表达载体ｐＲＡＦ３、ｐＲＡＦ４和非融合蛋白表达载体ｐＲＡＦ５和ｐＲＡＦ６．将构建的上述各种表达载体转化Ｅ．ｃｏｌｉＢＬ２１,挑菌落培养,ＩＰＴＧ诱导,使Ｒｓ－ＡＦＰｓ基因得到表达,并用体外抑菌试验检测表达产物的活性,结果表明,各种表达载体的表达产物均具有不同程度的抑菌活性,其中,ｐＲＡＦ３和ｐＲＡＦ４表达产物的抑菌活性较明显．     

Occurrence of Na(+)-Ca2+ exchange in the ciliate Euplotes crassus and its role in Ca2+ homeostasis.

Ciliates possess diverse Ca2+ homeostasis systems, but little is known about the occurrence of a Na(+)-Ca2+ exchanger. We studied Na(+)-Ca2+ exchange in the ciliate Euplotes crassus by digital imaging. Cells were loaded with fura-2/AM or SBF1/AM for fluorescence measurements of cytosolic Ca2+ and Na+ respectively. Ouabain pre-treatment and Na+o substitution in fura-2/AM-loaded cells elicited a bepridil-sensitive [Ca2+]i rise followed by partial recovery, indicating the occurrence of Na(+)-Ca2+ exchanger working in reverse mode. In experiments on prolonged effects, ouabain, Na+o substitution, and bepridil all caused Ca2+o-dependent [Ca2+]i increase, showing a role for Na(+)-Ca2+ exchange in Ca2+ homeostasis. In addition, by comparing the effect of orthovanadate (affecting not only Ca2+ ATPase, but also Na(+)-K+ ATPase and, hence, Na(+)-Ca2+ exchange) to that of bepridil on [Ca2+]i, it was shown that Na(+)-Ca2+ exchange contributes to Ca2+ homeostasis. In electrophysiological experiments, no membrane potential variation was observed after bepridil treatment suggesting compensatory mechanisms for ion effects on cell membrane voltage, which also agrees with membrane potential stability after ouabain treatment. In conclusion, data indicate the presence of a Na(+)-Ca2+ exchanger in the plasma membrane of E. crassus, which is essential for Ca2+ homeostasis, but could also promote Ca2+ entry under specific conditions.     

Roles of Na(+)-Ca2+ exchange and of mitochondria in the regulation of presynaptic Ca2+ and spontaneous glutamate release

The release of neurotransmitter from presynaptic terminals depends on an increase in the intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i). In addition to the opening of presynaptic Ca2+ channels during excitation, other Ca2+ transport systems may be involved in changes in [Ca2+]i. We have studied the regulation of [Ca2+]i in nerve terminals of hippocampal cells in culture by the Na(+)-Ca2+ exchanger and by mitochondria. In addition, we have measured changes in the frequency of spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic currents (sEPSC) before and after the inhibition of the exchanger and of mitochondrial metabolism. We found rather heterogeneous [Ca2+]i responses of individual presynaptic terminals after inhibition of Na(+)-Ca2+ exchange. The increase in [Ca2+]i became more uniform and much larger after additional treatment of the cells with mitochondrial inhibitors. Correspondingly, sEPSC frequencies changed very little when only Na(+)-Ca2+ exchange was inhibited, but increased dramatically after additional inhibition of mitochondria. Our results provide evidence for prominent roles of Na(+)-Ca2+ exchange and mitochondria in presynaptic Ca2+ regulation and spontaneous glutamate release.     

Novel role for K+-dependent Na+/Ca2+ exchangers in regulation of cytoplasmic free Ca2+ and contractility in arterial smooth muscle

Cytoplasmic free Ca2+ ([Ca2+]cyt) is essential for the contraction and relaxation of blood vessels. The role of plasma membrane Na+/Ca2+ exchange (NCX) activity in the regulation of vascular Ca2+ homeostasis was previously ascribed to the NCX1 protein. However, recent studies suggest that a relatively newly discovered K+-dependent Na+/Ca2+ exchanger, NCKX (gene family SLC24), is also present in vascular smooth muscle. The purpose of the present study was to identify the expression and function of NCKX in arteries. mRNA encoding NCKX3 and NCKX4 was demonstrated by RT-PCR and Northern blot in both rat mesenteric and aortic smooth muscle. NCXK3 and NCKX4 proteins were also demonstrated by immunoblot and immunofluorescence. After voltage-gated Ca2+ channels, store-operated Ca2+ channels, and Na+ pump were pharmacologically blocked, when the extracellular Na+ was replaced with Li+ (0 Na+) to induce reverse mode (Ca2+ entry) activity of Na+/Ca2+ exchangers, a large increase in [Ca2+]cyt signal was observed in primary cultured aortic smooth muscle cells. About one-half of this [Ca2+]cyt signal depended on the extracellular K+. In addition, after the activity of NCX was inhibited by KB-R7943, Na+ replacement-induced Ca2+ entry was absolutely dependent on extracellular K+. In arterial rings denuded of endothelium, a significant fraction of the phenylephrine-induced and nifedipine-resistant aortic or mesenteric contraction could be prevented by removal of extracellular K+. Taken together, these data provide strong evidence for the expression of NCKX proteins in the vascular smooth muscle and their novel role in mediating agonist-stimulated [Ca2+]cyt and thereby vascular tone.     

Voltage-dependent modulation of ion binding and translocation in the cardiac Na(+)-Ca2+ exchange system

The transport of Na+ and Ca2+ ions in the cardiac Na(+)-Ca2+ exchanger can be described as separate events (Khananshvili, D. (1990) Biochemistry 29, 2437-2442). Thus, the Na(+)-Na+ and Ca(2+)-Ca2+ exchange reactions reflect reversible partial reactions of the transport cycle. The effect of diffusion potentials (K(+)-valinomycin) on different modes of the Na(+)-Ca2+ exchanger (Na(+)-Ca2+, Ca(2+)-Ca2+, and Na(+)-Na+ exchanges) were tested in reconstituted proteoliposomes, obtained from the Triton X-100 extracts of the cardiac sarcolemmal membranes. The initial rates of the Nai-dependent 45Ca-uptake (t = 1 s) were measured in EGTA-entrapped proteoliposomes at different voltages. At the fixed values of voltage [45 Ca]o was varied from 4 to 122 microM, and [Na]i was saturating (150 mM). Upon varying delta psi from -94 to +91 mV, the Vmax values were increased from 9.5 +/- 0.5 to 26.5 +/- 1.5 nmol.mg-1.s-1 and the Km from 17.8 +/- 2.5 to 39.1 +/- 5.2 microM, while the Vmax/Km values ranged from only 0.53 +/- 0.08 to 0.73 +/- 0.17 nmol.mg-1.s-1.microM-1. The equilibrium Ca(2+)-Ca2+ exchange was voltage sensitive at very low [Ca]o = [Ca]i = 2 microM, while at saturating [Ca]o = [Ca]i = 200 microM the Ca(2+)-Ca2+ exchange became voltage-insensitive. The rates of the equilibrium Na(+)-Na+ exchange appears to be voltage insensitive at saturating [Na]o = [Na]i = 160 mM. Under the saturating ionic conditions, the rates of the Na(+)-Na+ exchange were at least 2-3-fold slower than the Ca(2+)-Ca2+ exchange. The following conclusions can be drawn. (a) The near constancy of the Vmax/Km for Na(+)-Ca2+ exchange at different voltages is compatible with the ping-pong model proposed previously. (b) The effects of voltage on Vmax of Na(+)-Ca2+ exchange are consistent with the existence of a single charge carrying transport step. (c) It is not yet possible to clearly assign this step to the Na+ or Ca2+ transport half of the cycle although it is more likely that 3Na(+)-transport is a charge carrying step. Thus, the unloaded ion-binding domain contains either -2 or -3 charges (presumably carboxyl groups). (d) The binding of Na+ and Ca2+ appears to be weakly voltage-sensitive. The Ca(2+)-binding site may form a small ion-well (less than 2-3 A).     

Allosteric activation of Na+-Ca2+ exchange by L-type Ca2+ current augments the trigger flux for SR Ca2+ release in ventricular myocytes

The possible contribution of Na(+)-Ca(2+) exchange to the triggering of Ca(2+) release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum in ventricular cells remains unresolved. To gain insight into this issue, we measured the "trigger flux" of Ca(2+) crossing the cell membrane in rabbit ventricular myocytes with Ca(2+) release disabled pharmacologically. Under conditions that promote Ca(2+) entry via Na(+)-Ca(2+) exchange, internal [Na(+)] (10 mM), and positive membrane potential, the Ca(2+) trigger flux (measured using a fluorescent Ca(2+) indicator) was much greater than the Ca(2+) flux through the L-type Ca(2+) channel, indicating a significant contribution from Na(+)-Ca(2+) exchange to the trigger flux. The difference between total trigger flux and flux through L-type Ca(2+) channels was assessed by whole-cell patch-clamp recordings of Ca(2+) current and complementary experiments in which internal [Na(+)] was reduced. However, Ca(2+) entry via Na(+)-Ca(2+) exchange measured in the absence of L-type Ca(2+) current was considerably smaller than the amount inferred from the trigger flux measurements. From these results, we surmise that openings of L-type Ca(2+) channels increase [Ca(2+)] near Na(+)-Ca(2+) exchanger molecules and activate this protein. These results help to resolve seemingly contradictory results obtained previously and have implications for our understanding of the triggering of Ca(2+) release in heart cells under various conditions.     

Rapid charge translocation by the cardiac Na(+)-Ca2+ exchanger after a Ca2+ concentration jump.

The kinetics of Na(+)-Ca2+ exchange current after a cytoplasmic Ca2+ concentration jump (achieved by photolysis of DM-nitrophen) was measured in excised giant membrane patches from guinea pig or rat heart. Increasing the cytoplasmic Ca2+ concentration from 0.5 microM in the presence of 100 mM extracellular Na+ elicits an inward current that rises with a time constant tau 1 < 50 microseconds and decays to a plateau with a time constant tau 2 = 0.65 +/- 0.18 ms (n = 101) at 21 degrees C. These current signals are suppressed by Ni2+ and dichlorobenzamil. No stationary current, but a transient inward current that rises with tau 1 < 50 microseconds and decays with tau 2 = 0.28 +/- 0.06 ms (n = 53, T = 21 degrees C) is observed if the Ca2+ concentration jump is performed under conditions that promote Ca(2+)-Ca2+ exchange (i.e., no extracellular Na+, 5 mM extracellular Ca2+). The transient and stationary inward current is not observed in the absence of extracellular Ca2+ and Na+. The application of alpha-chymotrypsin reveals the influence of the cytoplasmic regulatory Ca2+ binding site on Ca(2+)-Ca2+ and forward Na(+)-Ca2+ exchange and shows that this site regulates both the transient and stationary current. The temperature dependence of the stationary current exhibits an activation energy of 70 kj/mol for temperatures between 21 degrees C and 38 degrees C, and 138 kj/mol between 10 degrees C and 21 degrees C. For the decay time constant an activation energy of 70 kj/mol is observed in the Na(+)-Ca2+ and the Ca(2+)-Ca2+ exchange mode between 13 degrees C and 35 degrees C. The data indicate that partial reactions of the Na(+)-Ca2+ exchanger associated with Ca2+ binding and translocation are very fast at 35 degrees C, with relaxation time constants of about 6700 s-1 in the forward Na(+)-Ca2+ exchange and about 12,500 s-1 in the Ca(2+)-Ca2+ exchange mode and that net negative charge is moved during Ca2+ translocation. According to model calculations, the turnover number, however, has to be at least 2-4 times smaller than the decay rate of the transient current, and Na+ inward translocation appears to be slower than Ca2+ outward movement.     

Ca2+ influx-independent synaptic potentiation mediated by mitochondrial Na(+)-Ca2+ exchanger and protein kinase C

Activity-dependent modulation of synaptic transmission is an essential mechanism underlying many brain functions. Here we report an unusual form of synaptic modulation that depends on Na+ influx and mitochondrial Na(+)-Ca2+ exchanger, but not on Ca2+ influx. In Ca(2+)-free medium, tetanic stimulation of Xenopus motoneurons induced a striking potentiation of transmitter release at neuromuscular synapses. Inhibition of either Na+ influx or the rise of Ca2+ concentrations ([Ca2+]i) at nerve terminals prevented the tetanus-induced synaptic potentiation (TISP). Blockade of Ca2+ release from mitochondrial Na(+)-Ca2+ exchanger, but not from ER Ca2+ stores, also inhibited TISP. Tetanic stimulation in Ca(2+)-free medium elicited an increase in [Ca2+]i, which was prevented by inhibition of Na+ influx or mitochondrial Ca2+ release. Inhibition of PKC blocked the TISP as well as mitochondrial Ca2+ release. These results reveal a novel form of synaptic plasticity and suggest a role of PKC in mitochondrial Ca2+ release during synaptic transmission.     

Na+-Ca2+ exchange in mouse oocytes: modifications in the regulation of intracellular free Ca2+ during oocyte maturation

Increases in intracellular free Ca(2+)+ concentration (Ca(2+)+ oscillations) occur during meiotic maturation and fertilization of mammalian oocytes but little is known about the mechanisms of Ca(2+) homeostasis in these cells. Cells extrude Ca(2+) from the cytosol using two main transport processes, the Ca(2+)-ATPase and the Na(+)-Ca(2+) exchanger. The aim of this study was to determine whether Na(+)-Ca(2+) exchange activity is present in immature and mature mouse oocytes. Na(+)-Ca(2+) exchange can be revealed by altering the Na(+) concentration gradient across the plasma membrane and recording intracellular free Ca(2+) concentrations using Ca(2+)-sensitive fluorescent dyes. Depletion of extracellular Na(+) caused an immediate increase in Ca(2+) concentration in immature oocytes and a delayed increase in mature oocytes. The Na(+) ionophore, monensin, caused an increase in intracellular Ca(2+) in immature oocytes similar to that induced by Na(+)-depleted medium. In mature oocytes, monensin had no effect on intracellular Ca(2+) but the time taken for Ca(2+) to reach a peak value on removal of extracellular Na(+) was significantly decreased. Finally, addition of Ca(2+) to immature oocytes incubated in Ca(2+)-free medium caused an increase in the concentration of intracellular Ca(2+) that was dependent upon the presence of extracellular Na(+). This effect was not seen in mature oocytes. The data show that Na(+)-Ca(2+) exchange occurs in immature and mature mouse oocytes and that Ca(2+) homeostasis in immature oocytes is more sensitive to manipulations that activate Na(+)-Ca(2+) exchange.     

Mechanisms of lysophosphatidic acid-induced increase in intracellular calcium in vascular smooth muscle cells

Although lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) is known to cause an increase in intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), the mechanisms of [Ca2+]i mobilization by LPA are not fully understood. In the present study, the effect of LPA on [Ca2+]i mobilization in cultured A10 VSMCs was examined by Fura-2 fluorescence technique. The expression of LPA receptors was studied by immunostaining. LPA was observed to increase [Ca2+]i in a concentration-dependent manner; this increase was dependent on the concentration of extracellular Ca2+. Both sarcolemmal (SL) Na(+)-Ca2+ exchange inhibitors (amiloride, Ni2+ and KB-R7943) and Na(+)-H+ exchange inhibitor (MIA) as well as SL store-operated Ca2+ channel (SOC) antagonists (SK&F 96365, tyrphostin A9 and gadolinium), unlike SL Ca2+ channel antagonists (verapamil and diltiazem), inhibited the LPA-induced increase in [Ca2+]i. In addition, sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+ channel blocker (ryanodine), SR Ca2+ channel opener (caffeine), SR Ca2+ pump ATPase inhibitor (thapsigargin) and inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (InsP3) receptor antagonists (xestospongin and 2-aminoethoxydiphenyl borate) were found to inhibit the LPA-induced Ca2+ mobilization. Furthermore, phospholipase C (PLC) inhibitor (U 73122) and protein kinase C (PKC) activator (phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate) attenuated the LPA-induced increase in [Ca2+]i. These results indicate that Ca2+ mobilization by LPA involves extracellular Ca2+ entry through SL Na(+)-Ca2+ exchanger, Na(+)-H+ exchanger and SL SOCs. In addition, ryanodine-sensitive and InsP(3)-sensitive intracellular Ca2+ pools may be associated with the LPA-induced increase in [Ca2+]i. Furthermore, the LPA-induced [Ca2+]i mobilization in VSMCs seems to be due to the activation of both PLC and PKC.