Hormone-evoked calcium release from intracellular stores is a quantal process

Ca2+ mobilization by hormones, ionomycin, and inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (Ins-1,4,5-P3) were studied to determine whether Ca2+ release is a continuous or a quantal process. Hormone-mediated Ca2+ release occurs only during the first 2-4 s of stimulation. Stimulation of acini with a maximal hormone concentration following stimulation with a submaximal concentration resulted in free cytosolic Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) increase and 45Ca efflux. The peak [Ca2+]i increase induced by a maximal concentration of agonist was nearly constant when cells were prestimulated with a submaximal dose for 1-15 min. Submaximal hormone concentrations release only a fraction of intracellular 45Ca2+, after which intracellular Ca2+ content remains constant. The partially released stores remain depleted until cell stimulation is terminated, at which time the stores reload with Ca2+. For comparison, increasing concentrations of ionomycin resulted in increasing rates of Ca2+ release. Each ionomycin concentration released all the Ca2+ from intracellular stores. We therefore conclude that hormone-evoked Ca2+ release is a quantal rather than a continuous process. In permeabilized cells, increasing concentrations of Ins-1,4,5-P3 resulted in an increased fraction of Ca2+ release. No submaximal Ins-1,4,5-P3 concentration was capable of releasing all the Ins-1,4,5-P3-mobilizable Ca2+. Therefore, it appears that the quantal properties of hormone-evoked Ca2+ release reflect the quantal properties of Ins-1,4,5-P3-mediated Ca2+ release from intracellular stores.     

Activation of the plasma membrane Ca2+ pump during agonist stimulation of pancreatic acini.

The role of internal stores and plasma membrane Ca2+ pumps in controlling [Ca2+]i during agonist stimulation and their regulation by agonists are not well understood. We report here measurements of intracellular ([Ca2+]i) and extracellular ([Ca2+]o) Ca2+ concentrations in agonist-stimulated pancreatic acini in an effort to directly address these questions. Stimulation of acini suspended in Ca(2+)-free or Ca(2+)-containing medium with Ca2+ mobilizing agonists resulted in a typical transient increase in [Ca2+]i. Thapsigargin, a specific inhibitor of internal Ca2+ pumps, inhibited the rate of [Ca2+]i reduction after agonist stimulation by approximately 40%. Under the same conditions, thapsigargin had no effect on the rate of the unidirectional Ca2+ efflux across the plasma membrane as revealed by measurements of [Ca2+]o. These findings suggest that internal Ca2+ pumps actively remove Ca2+ from the cytosol during continued agonist stimulation. The correlation between the reduction in [Ca2+]i and the increase in [Ca2+]o showed that Ca2+ efflux from cells stimulated with agonist and thapsigargin represent Ca2+ efflux across the plasma membrane. Inhibition of cells exposed to agonist and thapsigargin with a specific antagonist sharply reduced the rates of the [Ca2+]i decrease and the accompanied [Ca2+]o increase. Hence, at comparable [Ca2+]i, Ca2+ efflux from stimulated cells was about 3-fold faster than that from resting cells, indicating that agonists directly activate the plasma membrane Ca2+ pump. To study the role of [Ca2+]i increase in plasma membrane Ca2+ pump activation the acini were loaded with 1,2-bis-(2-aminophenoxyethane-N,N,N',N')-tetraacetic acid (BAPTA), and [Ca2+]o was measured during agonist stimulation. Surprisingly, although BAPTA completely prevented the increase in [Ca2+]i, Ca2+ efflux rate was reduced by only 34%. These findings provide the first evidence for Ca(2+)-independent activation of the plasma membrane Ca2+ pump by Ca2+ mobilizing agonists.     

Octanol blocks fluid secretion by inhibition of capacitative calcium entry in rat mandibular salivary acinar cells

The aliphatic alcohol octanol is thought to modulate enzyme secretion from the exocrine pancreas by the inhibition of gap junction permeability. We have now investigated the effects of octanol on salivary secretion and intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i), measured in isolated perfused rat mandibular glands and in isolated mandibular acinar cells respectively. Stimulation of perfused glands with 10 microM carbachol (CCh) evoked a rapid increase in fluid secretion followed by a decrease to a sustained elevated level. Application of 1 mM octanol during CCh stimulation inhibited fluid secretion reversibly. In isolated acini, the CCh-induced [Ca2+]i increase was reversibly inhibited by the same concentration of octanol. However, octanol also inhibited the increase in [Ca2+]i in single acinar cells where gap junctions were no longer functional, indicating that octanol directly affected the intracellular Ca2+ signalling pathway. The initial increase in [Ca2+]i induced by 0.5-10 microM CCh, which is due to Ca2+ release from IP3-sensitive Ca2+ stores, was not affected by pretreatment with octanol. In contrast, CCh-, phenylephrine- or thapsigargin-induced Ca2+ entry was almost completely and reversibly inhibited by octanol. Octanol also blocked agonist-evoked Ca2+ entry in pancreatic acinar cells, and thapsigargin-evoked Ca2+ entry in fibroblasts. These data strongly suggest that octanol blocks salivary secretion from mandibular gland by the inhibition of capacitative Ca2+ entry, and raise the possibility that octanol may be a useful tool for inhibiting agonist-evoked Ca2+ entry pathways.     

The T-cell antigen receptor regulates sustained increases in cytoplasmic free Ca2+ through extracellular Ca2+ influx and ongoing intracellular Ca2+ mobilization.

Signal transduction by the T-cell antigen receptor involves the turnover of polyphosphoinositides and an increase in the concentration of cytoplasmic free Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i). This increase in [Ca2+]i is due initially to the release of Ca2+ from intracellular stores, but is sustained by the influx of extracellular Ca2+. To examine the regulation of sustained antigen-receptor-mediated increases in [Ca2+]i, we studied the relationships between extracellular Ca2+ influx, the mobilization of Ca2+ from intracellular stores, and the contents of inositol polyphosphates after stimulation of the antigen receptor on a human T-cell line, Jurkat. We demonstrate that sustained antigen-receptor-mediated increases in [Ca2+]i are associated with ongoing depletion of intracellular Ca2+ stores. When antigen-receptor-ligand interactions are disrupted, [Ca2+]i and inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate return to basal values over 3 min. Under these conditions, intracellular Ca2+ stores are repleted if extracellular Ca2+ is present. There is a tight temporal relationship between the fall in [Ca2+]i, the return of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate to basal values, and the repletion of intracellular Ca2+ stores. Reversal of the increase in [Ca2+]i preceeds any fall in inositol tetrakisphosphate by 2 min. These studies suggest that sustained antigen-receptor-induced increases in [Ca2+]i, although dependent on extracellular Ca2+ influx, are also regulated by ongoing inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate-mediated intracellular Ca2+ mobilization. In addition, an elevated concentration of inositol tetrakisphosphate in itself is insufficient to sustain an increase in [Ca2+]i within Jurkat cells.     

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.     

The route of Ca2+ entry during reloading of the intracellular Ca2+ pool in pancreatic acini

To trace the route of Ca2+ entry and the role of the cytosolic Ca2+ pool in reloading of the internal stores of pancreatic acinar cells, Mn2+ influx into Fura 2-loaded cells and the effect of 1,2-bis(2-aminophenoxyethane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid (BAPTA) on Ca2+ storage in intracellular stores and reloading were examined. Treatment of acini suspended in Ca2(+)-free medium with carbachol (cell stimulation) or carbachol and atropine (reloading period) resulted in 2-fold increase in the rate of Mn2+ influx. Increasing Ca2+ permeability of the plasma membrane by elevation of extracellular pH from 7.4 to 8.2 further increased the rate of Mn2+ influx observed during cell stimulation and the reloading period. Loading the acini with BAPTA by incubation with 50 microM of the acetomethoxy form of BAPTA (BAPTA/AM) was followed by a transient reduction in free cytosolic Ca2+ concentration ((Ca2+]i). To compensate for the increased Ca2+ buffering capacity in the cytosol the acini incorporated Ca2+ from the external medium. Although BAPTA prevented changes in free cytosolic Ca2+ concentration during carbachol and atropine treatment, it had no apparent effect on Ca2+ content of the internal stores or the ability of agonists to release Ca2+ from these stores. Loading the cytosol with BAPTA considerably reduced the rate of Ca2+ reloading. These observations are not compatible with direct communication between the medium and the inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate releasable pool and provide direct evidence for Ca2+ entry into the cytosol prior to its uptake into the intracellular pool, both during cell stimulation and the Ca2+ reloading.     

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.     

Two functionally distinct cholecystokinin receptors show different modes of action on Ca2+ mobilization and phospholipid hydrolysis in isolated rat pancreatic acini. Studies using a new cholecystokinin analog, JMV-180.

A new hepatapeptide cholecystokinin (CCK) analog, JMV-180 (Boc-Tyr(SO3-)-Nle-Gly-Trp-Nle-Asp-2-phenylethylester), acts as an agonist at high affinity CCK receptors on rat pancreatic acini to stimulate amylase release but unlike cholecystokinin octapeptide (CCK8) does not act on low affinity CCK receptors to inhibit amylase release (Galas, M. D., Lignon, M. F., Rodriguez, M., Mendre, C., Fulcrand, P., Laur, J., and Martinez, J. (1988) Am. J. Physiol. 254, G176-G188). To investigate the biochemical mechanisms initiated by CCK acting on each class of CCK receptor, the effects of JMV-180 and CCK8 on amylase release, Ca2+ mobilization, and phospholipid hydrolysis were studied in isolated rat pancreatic acini. When acini were loaded with the intracellular Ca2+ chelator BAPTA, amylase release stimulated by both JMV-180 and CCK8 was reduced. Measurement of 45Ca2+ efflux and cytosolic free calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) by the fluorescence of fura-2-loaded acini in a stirred cuvette showed that JMV-180 induced a concentration-dependent increase but with a maximal response only two-thirds that induced by CCK8. When [Ca2+]i of individual fura-2-loaded acinar cells was measured by microspectrofluorometry, all concentrations of JMV-180 (1 nM-10 microM) induced repetitive transient [Ca2+]i spikes (Ca2+ oscillations). By contrast, stimulation with a high concentration of CCK8 (1 nM) caused a large increase in [CA2+]i followed by a small sustained elevation of [Ca2+]i. The measurement of inositol trisphosphate (IP3) production by both [3H]inositol labeling and 1,4,5-IP3 radioreceptor assay showed that JMV-180 had only minimal effects at 10 microM in contrast to the large increase induced by high concentrations of CCK8 (more than 1 nM). JMV-180 blocked the effect of a high concentration of CCK8 on both [Ca2+]i and 1,4,5-IP3 productions but did not affect the response to carbamylcholine. JMV-180 caused a delayed monophasic stimulation of 1,2-diacylglycerol (DAG) sustained to 60 min without the early increase in DAG observed in response to CCK8. Furthermore, JMV-180 stimulated the release of [3H]choline metabolites, primarily phosphorylated choline, from [3H]choline-labeled acini at low concentrations and to the same extent as CCK8. Since JMV-180 interacts not only with high affinity CCK receptors as an agonist but also with low affinity CCK receptors as a functional antagonist, the present results indicate that the occupancy of high affinity state receptors by CCK induces Ca2+ oscillations, DAG formation from phosphatidylcholine hydrolysis, and amylase release with minimal phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate hydrolysis.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Dose-dependency in spatial dynamics of [Ca2+]c in pancreatic acinar cells

Spatial dynamics of cytosolic concentration of Ca2+, [Ca2+]c, in stimulus-secretion coupling of rat pancreatic acinar cell was monitored by a digital image analysing technique using Fura-2. When freshly isolated acini were stimulated with lower concentrations of CCK-8 (5-30 pM), [Ca2+]c increase began at the region beneath the basolateral membrane and the [Ca2+]c increase depended on the presence of extracellular Ca2+ ([Ca2+]o). CCK-8 at higher concentrations (100 pM and 1 nM), however, caused [Ca2+]c increase even in the absence of [Ca2+]o. Low concentrations of G-protein activator, NaF (10 mM or lower), caused [Ca2+]o-dependent increase in [Ca2+]c, whereas higher concentrations of NaF (15 mM or higher) increased [Ca2+]c in the absence of [Ca2+]o. These results are compatible with the view that G-protein activated by a physiological concentration of secretagogue accelerates Ca2+ entry. This process is in contrast to the process of Ca2+ release from intracellular stores, which can be predominant when pharmacological or toxic concentration of the secretagogue was applied.     

Cyclic GMP regulates free cytosolic calcium in the pancreatic acinar cell

The present studies were performed in order to measure the effects of cyclic GMP (cGMP) on the regulation of free cytosolic calcium [( Ca2+]i) in the pancreatic acinar cell. In guinea pig dispersed pancreatic acini the findings demonstrated that the Ca2+ ionophore, Br A23187, caused a sustained increase in [Ca2+]i in the presence of 3 mM CaCl2 in the media and a transient 20 fold rise in cellular cGMP followed by a sustained 3-4 fold rise in cellular cGMP. Increasing cellular cGMP with nitroprusside, hydroxylamine or dibutyryl cGMP had no effect on resting [Ca2+]i. However, these agents attenuated the increase in [Ca2+]i resulting from Br A23187-induced Ca2+ influx. Nitroprusside also attenuated the carbachol-induced sustained rise in [Ca2+]i that resulted from Ca2+ influx. The nitroprusside effect on carbachol-stimulated acini occurred without decreasing Ca2+ influx across the plasma membrane or alteration in the mobilization of Ca2+ from the intracellular agonist-sensitive pool. Inhibition of the increase in cellular cGMP caused by Br A23187 by the guanylate cyclase inhibitor, 6-anilino-5,8-quinolinedione (LY83583), resulted in augmentation of the increase in [Ca2+]i. This augmentation was reversed with dibutyryl cGMP. These results indicated that cGMP regulated [Ca2+]i in the pancreatic acinar cell. The mechanism involves the removal of Ca2+ from the cytoplasm.     

Caerulein and carbamoylcholine stimulate pancreatic amylase release at resting cytosolic free Ca2+.

Cytosolic free calcium concentrations ([Ca2+]i) and amylase secretion were measured in isolated rat pancreatic acini loaded with the intracellularly trapped fluorescent indicator quin2. Both caerulein and carbamoylcholine caused a rapid increase in [Ca2+]i, with a maximal 3-fold increase at 10(-9) M-caerulein and 10(-4) M-carbamoylcholine. However, caerulein (10(-12) M and 10(-11) M) as well as carbamoylcholine (10(-7) M) caused a significant stimulation of amylase release, while not inducing any detectable rise in [Ca2+]i. Changes in [Ca2+]i after addition of either secretagogue were transient and did not last more than 2-3 min. By contrast, when amylase secretion was monitored as a function of time, two distinct secretory phases could be observed upon addition of either carbamoylcholine (10(-5) M) or caerulein (10(-10) M). An initial, rapid phase (0-5 min) which caused a 6-7-fold increase above basal, followed by a sustained (5-30 min), but less marked, secretory rate (2-3-fold above basal). Addition of atropine (10(-4) M) 5 min after carbamoylcholine (10(-5) M) (i.e. after termination of the rise in [Ca2+]i and of the first secretory phase) did not cause any significant change in [Ca2+]i, while significantly inhibiting amylase secretion from 5 to 30 min to the same rate observed in the absence of the secretagogue. These results show that caerulein and carbamoylcholine, two agents thought to activate secretion mainly through mobilization of Ca2+ from intracellular stores, are capable of eliciting amylase secretion independently of a concomitant rise in [Ca2+]i. Furthermore, with both secretagogues the rise in [Ca2+]i, when observed, was only transient, while the stimulation of amylase release was sustained.     

Cytosolic free calcium spiking affected by intracellular pH change

The characteristics underlying cytosolic free calcium oscillation were evaluated by superfused dual wave-length microspectrofluorometry of fura-2-loaded single acinar cells from rat pancreas. Application of a physiological concentration of cholecystokinin octapeptide (CCK) (20 pM) induced a small basal increase in cytosolic free calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) averaging 34 nM above the prestimulation level (69 nM) with superimposed repetitive Ca2+ spike oscillation. The oscillation amplitude averaged 121 nM above the basal increase in [Ca2+]i and occurred at a frequency of one pulse every 49 s. Although extracellular Ca2+ was required for maintenance of high frequency and amplitude of the spikes with increase in basal [Ca2+]i, the primary source utilized for oscillation was intracellular. The threshold of the peak [Ca2+]i amplitude for causing synchronized and same-sized oscillations was less than 300 nM. The [Ca2+]i oscillation was sensitive to intracellular pH (pHi) change. This is shown by the fact that the large pHi shift toward acidification (delta pHi decrease, 0.95) led to a basal increase in [Ca2+]i to the spike peak level with inhibiting Ca2+ oscillation. The pHi shift toward alkalinization (delta pHi increase, 0.33) led to a basal decrease in [Ca2+]i to the prestimulation level, possibly due to reuptake of Ca2+ into the Ca2+ stores, with inhibiting Ca2+ oscillation. Whereas extracellular pH (pHo) change had only minimal effects on Ca2+ oscillation (and/or Ca2+ release from intracellular stores), the extra-Ca2+ entry process, which was induced by higher concentrations of CCK, was totally inhibited by decreasing pHo from 7.4 to 6.5. Thus the major regulatory sites by which H+ affects Ca2+ oscillation are accessible from the intracellular space.     

Single pancreatic beta-cells from normal rats exhibit an initial decrease and subsequent increase in cytosolic free Ca2+ in response to glucose.

Since it was reported that glucose stimulation initially lowers as well as subsequently raises the cytosolic free calcium concentration [( Ca2+]i) in pancreatic islet cells from hyperglycemic ob/ob mice, it has been argued whether the lowering of [Ca2+]i is physiological or artifactual. In the present study, [Ca2+]i in single pancreatic beta-cells from normal rats was measured by Fura-2 microfluorometry. Following elevation of the glucose concentration from 2.8 mM (basal) to 16.7 mM, a bimodal change in [Ca2+]i, an initial decrease and subsequent increase, was demonstrated. When the basal glucose concentration was raised to 5.6 mM, the stimulation with 16.7 mM glucose also induced the decrease in [Ca2+]i in the majority of the cells, though the amplitude of the decrease was reduced. An elevation of the glucose concentration from 2.8 to 5.6 mM induced the decrease in [Ca2+]i but not usually the increase in [Ca2+]i. Removal of extracellular Ca2+ eliminated the increase in [Ca2+]i without affecting the decrease in [Ca2+]i. Thus, the decrease and increase in [Ca2+]i were clearly dissociated under certain conditions. In contrast, mannoheptulose (an inhibitor of glucose metabolism) inhibited both the decrease and increase in [Ca2+]i. These results demonstrate that the glucose-induced bimodal change in [Ca2+]i is a physiological response of islet beta-cells, and that the decrease and increase in [Ca2+]i are generated by mutually-independent mechanisms which are operated through glucose metabolism by islet beta-cells.     

Effects of valinomycin on calcium mobilization in vascular smooth muscle cells induced by angiotensin II

The effect of the specific potassium (K+) ionophore valinomycin on increase in intracellular calcium concentration [( Ca2+]i) was studied in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC). Valinomycin at more than 10(-9) M dose-dependently suppressed phasic increase in [Ca2+]i in VSMC induced by angiotensin II (AII) in both control and Ca2+-free solution, indicating that it suppressed the release of Ca2+ from intracellular Ca2+ stores. Nicorandil and cromakalim, which are both K+ channel openers, also suppressed the increases in [Ca2+]i induced by AII in the Ca2+ free solution. However, valinomycin did not suppress AII-induced production of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3), which is known to mediate the release of Ca2+. These results indicate that decrease of intracellular K+ induced by valinomycin suppressed the release of Ca2+ from intracellular Ca2+ stores induced by IP3.     

Elevation of cytosolic [Ca2+] due to intracellular Ca2+ release retards carbachol stimulation of divalent cation entry in rat parotid gland acinar cells

This study examines the activation of divalent cation entry into rat parotid gland acinar cells by using Mn2+ as a Ca2+ surrogate cation. Following muscarinic-cholinergic stimulation of dispersed parotid acini with carbachol (10 microM), the onset of internal Ca2+ release (cytosolic [Ca2+], [Ca2+]i, increase) and the stimulation of Mn2+ entry (increase in fura2 quenching) are not simultaneously detected. [Ca2+]i elevation, due to intracellular release, is detected almost immediately following carbachol addition and peak [Ca2+]i increase occurs at 6.0 +/- 0.8 sec. However, there is an interval (apparent lag) between carbachol addition and the detection of stimulated Mn2+ entry. This apparent lag is decreased from 26 +/- 3.1 sec to 9.2 +/- 1.5 sec when external Mn2+ ([Mn2+]0) is increased from 12.5 to 500 microM. It is not decreased further with increase in [Mn2+]0 from 500 microM to 1 mM (9.8 +/- 2.1 sec), although both intracellular free Mn2+ and [Mn2+-fura2]/[fura2] increase. Thus, at [Mn2+]0 < 500 microM, the observed lag time is partially due to a limitation in the magnitude of Mn2+ entry. Furthermore, neither peak [Ca2+]i nor the time required to reach peak [Ca2+]i is significantly altered by [Mn2+]0 (12.5 microM to 1 mM). At every [Mn2+]0 tested (i.e., 12.5 microM-1 mM), the apparent lag is significantly greater than the time required to reach peak [Ca2+]i. However, when carbachol stimulation of the [Ca2+]i increase is attenuated by loading the acini with the Ca2+ chelator, 2-bis(O-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetate (BAPTA), there is no detectable lag in carbachol stimulation of Mn2+ entry (with 1 mM [Mn2+]0). Importantly, in BAPTA-loaded acini, carbachol stimulates Mn2+ entry via depletion of the internal Ca2+ pool and not via direct activation of other divalent cation entry mechanisms. Based on these results, we suggest that the apparent lag in the detection of carbachol stimulation of Mn2+ entry into parotid acinar cells is due to a retardation of Mn2+ entry by the initial increase in [Ca2+]i, due to internal release, which most likely occurs proximate to the site of divalent cation entry.     

Lan-1: A Human Neuroblastoma Cell Line With M1 and M3 Muscarinic Receptor Subtypes Coupled to Intracellular Ca2+ Elevation and Lacking Ca2+ Channels Activated by Membrane Depolarization

The LAN-1 clone, a cell line derived from a human neuroblastoma, possesses muscarinic receptors. The stimulation of these receptors with increasing concentrations of carbachol (CCh; 1-1,000 microM) caused a dose-dependent increase of the intracellular free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i). This increase was characterized by an early peak phase (10 s) and a late plateau phase. The removal of extracellular Ca2+ reduced the magnitude of the peak phase to approximately 70% but completely abolished the plateau phase. The muscarinic-activated Ca2+ channel was gadolinium (Gd3+) blockade and nimodipine and omega-conotoxin insensitive. In addition, membrane depolarization did not cause any increase in [Ca2+]i. The CCh-induced [Ca2+]i elevation was concentration-dependently inhibited by pirenzepine and 4-diphenylacetoxy-N-methylpiperidine methiodide, two rather selective antagonists of M1 and M3 muscarinic receptor subtypes, respectively, whereas methoctramine, an M2 antagonist, was ineffective. The coupling of M1 and M3 receptor activation with [Ca2+]i elevation does not seem to be mediated by a pertussis toxin-sensitive guanine nucleotide-binding protein or by the diacylglycerol-protein kinase C system. The mobilization of [Ca2+]i elicited by M1 and M3 muscarinic receptor stimulation seems to be dependent on an inositol trisphosphate-sensitive intracellular store. In addition, ryanodine did not prevent CCh-induced [Ca2+]i mobilization, and, finally, LAN-1 cells appear to lack caffeine-sensitive Ca2+ stores, because the methylxanthine was unable to elicit intracellular Ca2+ mobilization, under basal conditions, after a subthreshold concentration of CCh (0.3 microM), or after thapsigargin.     

Swelling-induced Ca2+ release from intracellular calcium stores in rat submandibular gland acinar cells

The effects of osmotically-induced cell swelling on cytoplasmic free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) were studied in acinar cells from rat submandibular gland using microspectrofluorimetry. Video-imaging techniques were also used to measure cell volume. Hypotonic stress (78% control tonicity) caused rapid cell swelling reaching a maximum relative volume of 1.78 +/- 0.05 (n = 5) compared to control. This swelling was followed by regulatory volume decrease, since relative cell volume decreased significantly to 1.61 +/- 0.08 (n = 5) after 10 min exposure to hypotonic medium. Osmotically induced cell swelling evoked by medium of either 78% or 66% tonicity caused a biphasic increase of [Ca2+]i. The rapid phase of this increase in [Ca2+]i was due to release of Ca2 + from intracellular stores, since it was also observed in cells bathed in Ca2+-free solution. The peak increase of [Ca2+]i induced by cell swelling was 3.40 +/- 0.49 (Fura-2 F340/F380 fluorescence ratio, n = 11) and 3.17 +/- 0.43 (n = 17) in the presence and the absence of extracellular Ca2+, respectively, corresponding to an absolute [Ca2+]i of around 1 microm. We found that around two-thirds of cells tested still showed some swelling-induced Ca2+ release (SICR) even after maximal concentrations (10(-5) M - 10(-4) M) of carbachol had been applied to empty agonist-sensitive intracellular Ca2+ stores. This result was confirmed and extended using thapsigargin to deplete intracellular Ca2+ pools. Hypotonic shock still raised [Ca2+]i in cells pretreated with thapsigargin, confirming that at least some SICR occurred from agonist-insensitive stores. Furthermore, SICR was largely inhibited by pretreatment of cells with carbonyl cyanide m-cholorophenyl hydrazone (CCCP) or ruthenium red, inhibitors of mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake. Our results suggest that the increase in [Ca2+]i, which underlies regulatory volume decrease in submandibular acinar cells, results from release of Ca2+ from both agonist-sensitive and mitochondrial Ca2+ stores.     

Con A刺激致T淋巴细胞胞浆游离Ca~(2+)浓度升高

本文分别应用荧光Ca~(2+)指示剂Quin2和Indo-1研究了Con A刺激的T淋巴细胞[Ca~(2+)]i升高过程及其发生机制.结果表明Con A与T淋巴细胞作用可导致细胞[Ca~(2+)]i的迅速升高.这种增加的胞内游离Ca~(2+)不仅来自胞外Ca~(2+)的内流,也来源于胞内钙库的释放.其中Ca~(2+)内流与T细胞钙通道的开放有关.可被钙通道抑制剂戊脉胺抑制,细胞的去极化及钾通道阻断剂四乙胺均不能阻断Ca~(2+)的内流,提示Ca~(2+)内流不是通过电位操纵的钙通道实现的,也与拥通道的开闭无关.Ca~(2+)内流可能是通过Con A受体活化的受体操纵的钙通道而实现的.     

Calcium channels in PDGF-stimulated A172 cells open after intracellular calcium release and are not voltage-dependent.

Using laser image cytometry and Indo-1 fluorescence, we investigated the intracellular free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) of confluent A172 human glioblastoma cells stimulated by the BB homodimer of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF-BB). The shape of the calcium transients and the delay time between stimulation and the beginning of the transient varied considerably. The percentage of responsive cells, the peak [Ca2+]i and the duration of the response were directly related to PDGF-BB dose, while the delay time was inversely related; the maximal response occurred at a PDGF-BB concentration of 20 ng/ml. Studies with EGTA and inorganic calcium-channel blockers (Ni2+, La3+) showed that the increase of [Ca2+]i resulted from initial release of intracellular stores and subsequent calcium influx across the plasma membrane. Opening of calcium channels in the plasma membrane, monitored directly by studying Mn2+ quenching of Indo-1 fluorescence, was stimulated by PDGF-BB and blocked by La3+; the opening occurred 55 +/- 10 s after the initial increase in [Ca2+]i. Therefore, in these tumor cells, intracellular release always occurs before channel opening in the plasma membrane. Depolarization of cells with high extracellular [K+] did not generally induce calcium transients but did decrease calcium influx. L-type calcium-channel blockers (verapamil, nifedipine, and diltiazem) had little or no effect on the calcium influx induced by PDGF-BB. These results indicate that PDGF-BB induces calcium influx by a mechanism independent of voltage-sensitive calcium channels in A172 human glioblastoma cells.     

Uptake of Ca2+ and refilling of intracellular Ca2+ stores in Ehrlich-ascites-tumour cells and in rat thymocytes.

We have studied the uptake of Ca2+ and its redistribution between the cytoplasm and the intracellular stores in Ehrlich-ascites-tumour cells and rat thymocytes previously depleted of Ca2+ by incubation in Ca2(+)-free medium. Measurements included changes of the cytoplasmic Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i), uptake of 45Ca2+ and uptake of Mn2+, a Ca2+ surrogate for Ca2+ channels. Refilling of the Ca2+ stores in thymocytes was very fast (half-filling time: 4 s at 37 degrees C) and very sensitive to temperature (10 times slower at 20 degrees C). It was always preceded by increase of [Ca2+]i. In the Ehrlich cell, both refilling and increase of [Ca2+]i were about one order of magnitude slower. The increase of [Ca2+]i and the refilling of the intracellular stores were both almost completely blocked by Ni2+ in thymocytes, but only partially in the Ehrlich cell. The rates of 45Ca2+ and Mn2+ uptake varied consistently with temperature and the kind of cell. These results suggest that the intracellular stores are refilled by Ca2+ taken up from the cytoplasm. We also find that filling of the Ca2+ stores decreases by about 90% the rate of Mn2+ uptake in thymocytes. This is direct evidence of modulation of the plasma-membrane Ca2+ entry by the degree of filling of the intracellular stores. This modulation occurs in the absence of agonists, suggesting some kind of signalling between the intracellular stores and the Ca2+ entry pathways of the plasma membrane.