Ca2+-overload inhibits the cardiac SR Ca2+-calmodulin protein kinase activity

There is increasing evidence to suggest that Ca2+-calmodulin dependent protein kinase (CaMK) regulates the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) function and thus plays an important role in modulating the cardiac performance. Because intracellular Ca2+-overload is an important factor underlying cardiac dysfunction in a heart disease, its effect on SR CaMK was examined in the isolated rat heart preparations. Ca2+-depletion for 5 min followed by Ca2+-repletion for 30 min, which is known to produce intracellular Ca2+-overload, was observed to attenuate cardiac function as well as SR Ca2+-uptake and Ca2+-release activities. Attenuated SR function in the heart was associated with reduced CaMK phosphorylation of the SR Ca2+-cycling proteins such as Ca2+-release channel, Ca2+-pump ATPase, and phospholamban, decreased CaMK activity, and depressed levels of SR Ca2+-cycling proteins. These results indicate that alterations in cardiac performance and SR function following the occurrence of intracellular Ca2+-overload may partly be due to changes in the SR CaMK activity.     

Role of protein kinase C in the regulation of cytosolic Ca2+ in A431 cells: Separation of growth factor and bradykinin pathways

Summary Calcium signaling systems in nonexcitable cells involve activation of Ca²⁺ entry across the plasma membrane and release from intracellular stores as well as activation of Ca²⁺ pumps and inhibition of passive Ca²⁺ pathways to ensure exact regulation of free cytosolic Ca²⁺ concentration ([Ca²⁺] _i ). A431 cells loaded with fura-2 cells were used as a model system to examine regulation of Ca²⁺ entry and intracellular release. Epidermal growth factor (EGF) and transforming growth factor alpha (TGF-) both stimulated Ca²⁺ entry and release while bradykinin appeared only to release Ca²⁺ from intracellular stores. The possible role of protein kinase C (PKC) in modulating the [Ca²⁺] _i response to these agonists was examined by four methods. Low concentrations of TPA (2×10^–10 m) had no effect on Ca²⁺ release due to EGF, TGR- or bradykinin but resulted in a rapid return of [Ca²⁺] _i to baseline levels for EGF or TGF-. Addition of the PKC inhibitor staurosporine (1 and 10nm)_completely inhibited the action of TPA on EGF-induced [Ca²⁺] _i changes. An inhibitor of diglyceride kinase (R59022) mimicked the action of TPA. Down-regulation of PKC by overnight incubation with 0.1 or 1 m TPA produced the converse effect, namely prolonged Ca²⁺ entry following stimulation with EGF or TGF-. To show that one effect of TPA was on Ca²⁺ entry, fura-2 loaded cells were suspended in Mn²⁺ rather than Ca²⁺ buffers. Addition of EGF or TGF- resulted in Ca²⁺ release and Mn²⁺ entry. TPA but not the inactive phorbol ester, 4--phorbol-12,13-didecanoate, inhibited the Mn²⁺ influx. Thus, PKC is able to regulate Ca²⁺ entry due to EGF or TGF- in this cell type. A431 cells treated with higher concentrations of TPA (5×10^–8 m) inhibited not only Ca²⁺ entry but also Ca²⁺ release due to EGF/TGF- but had no effect on bradykinin-mediated Ca²⁺ release, suggesting differences in the regulation of the intracellular stores responsive to these two classes of agonists. Furthermore, sequential addition of EGF or TGF- gave a single transient of [Ca²⁺] _i , showing a common pool of Ca²⁺ for these agonists. In contrast, sequential addition of EGF (or TGF-) and bradykinin resulted in two [Ca²⁺] _i transients equal in size to those obtained with a single agonist. Ionomycin alone was able to fully deplete intracellular Ca²⁺ stores, whereas ionomycin following either EGF (or TGF-) or bradykinin gave an elevation of the [Ca²⁺] _i signal equal to that of the second agonist. These data indicate that there are separate pools of intracellular Ca²⁺ for EGF-mediated Ca²⁺ release which also respond differently to TPA.     

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.     

Regulation of Ca2+ mobilization by prolactin in mammary gland cells: possible role of secretory pathway Ca2+-ATPase type 2

Regulatory role of prolactin (PRL) on Ca2+ mobilization in human mammary gland cell line MCF-7 was examined. Direct addition of PRL did not affect cytoplasmic Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i); however, treatment with PRL for 24h significantly decreased the peak level and duration time of [Ca2+]i elevation evoked by ATP or thapsigargin (TG). Intracellular Ca2+ release by IP3 or TG in permeablized cells was not decreased after PRL-treatment, indicating that the Ca2+ release was not impaired by PRL treatment. Extracellular Ca2+ entry evoked by ATP or TG was likely to be intact, because entry of extracellular Ba2+ was not affected by PRL treatment. Among Ca2+-ATPases expressed in MCF-7 cells, we found significant increase of secretory pathway Ca2+-ATPase type 2 (SPCA2) mRNA in PRL-treated cells by RT-PCR experiments including quantitative RT-PCR. Knockdown of SPCA2 by siRNA in PRL-treated cells showed similar Ca2+ mobilization to that in PRL-untreated cells. The present results suggest that PRL facilitates Ca2+ transport into Golgi apparatus and may contribute the supply of Ca2+ to milk.     

Spatial microenvironment defines Ca2+ entry and Ca2+ release in salivary gland cells

The difference of Ca(2+) mobilization induced by muscarinic receptor activation between parotid acinar and duct cells was examined. Oxotremorine, a muscarinic-cholinergic agonist, induced intracellular Ca(2+) release and extracellular Ca(2+) entry through store-operated Ca(2+) entry (SOC) and non-SOC channels in acinar cells, but it activated only Ca(2+) entry from non-SOC channels in duct cells. RT-PCR experiments showed that both types of cells expressed the same muscarinic receptor, M3. Given that ATP activated the intracellular Ca(2+) stores, the machinery for intracellular Ca(2+) release was intact in the duct cells. By immunocytochemical experiments, IP(3)R2 colocalized with M3 receptors in the plasma membrane area of acinar cells; in duct cells, IP(3)R2 resided in the region on the opposite side of the M3 receptors. On the other hand, purinergic P2Y2 receptors were found in the apical area of duct cells where they colocalized with IP(3)R2. These results suggest that the expression of the IP(3)Rs near G-protein-coupled receptors is necessary for the activation of intracellular Ca(2+) stores. Therefore, the microenvironment probably affects intracellular Ca(2+) release and Ca(2+) entry.     

Expression of calcium-binding protein regucalcin mRNA in the cloned rat hepatoma cells (Hr-II-E) is stimulated through Ca2+ signaling factors: Involvement of protein kinase C

The expression of hepatic Ca²⁺-binding protein regucalcin in the cloned rat hepatoma cells (H4-II-E) was investigated. The change in regucalcin mRNA levels was analyzed by Northern blotting using rat liver regucalcin complementary DNA (0.9 kb of open reading frame). Regucalcin mRNA was expressed in H4-II-E hepatoma cells. This expression was clearly stimulated in the presence of serum (10% fetal bovine serum). Bay K 8644 (2. 5 × 10^-6 M), a Ca²⁺ channel agonist, significantly stimulated regucalcin mRNA expression in the absence or presence of 10% serum. Dibutyryl cyclic AMP (10^-3 M) did not have a stimulatory effect on the regucalcin mRNA expression. The presence of phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA; 10^-6 M) or estrogen (10^-8 M) caused a significant increase in regucalcin mRNA levels in the hepatoma cells cultured in serum-free medium, while insulin (5 × 10^-9 M) or dexamethasone (10^-6 M) had no effect. Bay K 8644-stimulated regucalcin mRNA expression in the hepatoma cells was completely blocked in the presence of trifluoperazine (10^-5 M), an antagonist of calmodulin, or staurosporine (10^-7 M), an inhibitor of protein kinase C. The stimulatory effect of PMA was clearly inhibited in the presence of stauroporine. The present study demonstrates that regucalcin mRNA is expressed in the transformed H4-II-E hepatoma cells, and that the expression is stimulated through Ca²⁺-dependent signaling factors.     

The phosphorylation site of Ca2+-dependent protein kinase from alfalfa

A 50 kDa, calcium-dependent protein kinase (CDPK) was purified about 1000-fold from cultured cells of alfalfa (Medicago varia) on the basis of its histone H1 phosphorylation activity. The major polypeptide from bovine histone H1 phosphorylated by either animal protein kinase C (PK-C) or by the alfalfa CDPK gave an identical phosphopeptide pattern. The phosphoamino acid determination showed phosphorylation of serine residues in histone H1 by the plant enzyme. Histone-related oligopeptides known to be substrates for animal histone kinases also served as substrates for the alfalfa kinase. Both of the studied peptides (GKKRKRSRKA; AAASFKAKK) inhibited phosphorylation of H1 histones by bovine and alfalfa kinases. The results of competition studies with the nonapeptide (AAASFKAKK), which is a PK-C specific substrate, suggest common features in target recognition between the plant Ca²⁺-dependent kinase and animal protein kinase C. We also propose that synthetic peptides like AAASFKAKK can be used as a tool to study substrates of plant kinases in crude cell extracts.     

Dependence of the resting [Ca2+]cyt of RBL-1 cells on Ca2+ entry

The cytoplasmic Ca²⁺ concentration ([Ca²⁺]_cyt) in resting cells in an equilibrium between several influx and efflux mechanisms. Here we address the question of whether capacitative Ca²⁺ entry to some extent is active at resting conditions and therefore is part of processes that guarantee a constant [Ca²⁺]_cyt. We measured changes of [Ca²⁺]_cyt in RBL-1 cells with fluorometric techniques. An increase of the extracellular [Ca²⁺] from 1.3 mM to 5 mM induced an incrase in [Ca²⁺]_cyt from 105±10 nM to 145±8.5 nM. This increase could be inhibited by 10 μM Gd³⁺, 10 μM La³⁺ or 50 μM 2-aminoethoxydiphenyl borate, blockers of capacitative Ca²⁺ entry. Application of those blockers to a resting cell in a standard extracellular solution (1.3 mM Ca²⁺) resulted in a decrease of [Ca²⁺]_cyt from 105±10 nM to 88.5±10 nM with La³⁺, from 103±12 to 89±12 nM with Gd³⁺ and from 102±12 nM to 89.5±5 nM with 2-aminoethoxydiphenyl borate. From these data, we conclude that capacitative Ca²⁺ entry beside its function in Ca²⁺ signaling contributes to the regulation of resting [Ca²⁺]_cyt.     

Interaction of Sr2+ with Ca2+-induced Ca2+ release in mitochondria

Respiring rat liver mitochondria are known to spontaneously release the Ca²⁺ taken up when they have accumulated Ca²⁺ over a certain threshold, while Sr²⁺ and Mn²⁺ are well tolerated and retained. We have studied the interaction of Sr²⁺ with Ca²⁺ release. When Sr²⁺ was added to respiring mitochondria simultaneously with or soon after the addition of Ca²⁺, the release was potently inhibited or reversed. On the other hand, when Sr²⁺ was added before Ca²⁺, the release was stimulated. Ca²⁺-induced mitochondrial damage and release of accumulated Ca²⁺ is generally believed to be due to activation of mitochondrial phospholipase A (EC 3.1.1.4.) by Ca²⁺. However, isolated mitochondrial phospholipase A activity was little if at all inhibited by Sr²⁺. The Ca²⁺ -release may thus be triggered by some Ca²⁺ -dependent function other than phospholipase.     

Ca2+ Modulation of sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ release in rat skeletal muscle fibers

Ca²⁺ transients and the rate of Ca²⁺ release (dCa_REL/dt) from the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) in voltage-clamped, fast-twitch skeletal muscle fibers from the rat were studied with the double Vaseline gap technique and using mag-fura-2 and fura-2 as Ca²⁺ indicators. Single pulse experiments with different returning potentials showed that Ca²⁺ removal from the myoplasm is voltage independent. Thus, the myoplasmic Ca²⁺ removal (dCa_REM/dt) was studied by fitting the decaying phase of the Ca²⁺ transient (Melzer, Ríos & Schneider, 1986) and dCa_REL/dt was calculated as the difference between dCa/dt and dCa_REM/dt. The fast Ca²⁺ release decayed as a consequence of Ca²⁺ inactivation of Ca²⁺ release. Double pulse experiments showed inactivation of the fast Ca²⁺ release depending on the prepulse duration. At constant interpulse interval, long prepulses (200 msec) induced greater inactivation of the fast Ca²⁺ release than shorter depolarizations (20 msec). The correlation (r) between the myoplasmic [Ca²⁺]_i and the inhibited amount of Ca²⁺ release was 0.98. The [Ca²⁺]_i for 50% inactivation of dCa_REL/dt was 0.25 m, and the minimum number of sites occupied by Ca²⁺ to inactivate the Ca²⁺ release channel was 3.0. These data support Ca²⁺ binding and inactivation of SR Ca²⁺ release.This work was supported by Grant-in-Aid from the American Heart Association (National) and Muscular Dystrophy Association (USA). Part of this work was developed in Dr. Stefani's laboratory at Baylor College of Medicine.     

A Ca2+-induced Ca2+ Release Mechanism Involved in Asynchronous Exocytosis at Frog Motor Nerve Terminals

The extent to which Ca²⁺-induced Ca²⁺ release (CICR) affects transmitter release is unknown. Continuous nerve stimulation (20–50 Hz) caused slow transient increases in miniature end-plate potential (MEPP) frequency (MEPP-hump) and intracellular free Ca²⁺ ([Ca²⁺]_i) in presynaptic terminals (Ca²⁺-hump) in frog skeletal muscles over a period of minutes in a low Ca²⁺, high Mg²⁺ solution. Mn²⁺ quenched Indo-1 and Fura-2 fluorescence, thus indicating that stimulation was accompanied by opening of voltage-dependent Ca²⁺ channels. MEPP-hump depended on extracellular Ca²⁺ (0.05–0.2 mM) and stimulation frequency. Both the Ca²⁺- and MEPP-humps were blocked by 8-(N,N-diethylamino)octyl3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoate hydrochloride (TMB-8), ryanodine, and thapsigargin, but enhanced by CN⁻. Thus, Ca²⁺-hump is generated by the activation of CICR via ryanodine receptors by Ca²⁺ entry, producing MEPP-hump. A short interruption of tetanus (<1 min) during MEPP-hump quickly reduced MEPP frequency to a level attained under the effect of TMB-8 or thapsigargin, while resuming tetanus swiftly raised MEPP frequency to the previous or higher level. Thus, the steady/equilibrium condition balancing CICR and Ca²⁺ clearance occurs in nerve terminals with slow changes toward a greater activation of CICR (priming) during the rising phase of MEPP-hump and toward a smaller activation during the decay phase. A short pause applied after the end of MEPP- or Ca²⁺-hump affected little MEPP frequency or [Ca²⁺]_i, but caused a quick increase (faster than MEPP- or Ca²⁺-hump) after the pause, whose magnitude increased with an increase in pause duration (<1 min), suggesting that Ca²⁺ entry-dependent inactivation, but not depriming process, explains the decay of the humps. The depriming process was seen by giving a much longer pause (>1 min). Thus, ryanodine receptors in frog motor nerve terminals are endowed with Ca²⁺ entry-dependent slow priming and fast inactivation mechanisms, as well as Ca²⁺ entry-dependent activation, and involved in asynchronous exocytosis. Physiological significance of CICR in presynaptic terminals was discussed.     

Modulation of Na+-Ca2+ exchange in cardiac sarcolemmal vesicles by Ca2+ antagonists

Summary The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of three classes of Ca²⁺ antagonists, diltiazem, verapamil and nifedipine on Na⁺-Ca²⁺ exchange mechanism in the sarcolemmal vesicles isolated from canine heart. Na⁺-Ca²⁺ exchange and Ca²⁺ pump (ATP-dependent Ca²⁺ uptake) activities were assessed using the Millipore filtration technique. sarcolemmal vesicles used in this study are estimated to consist of several subpopulations wherein 23% are inside-out and 55% are right side-out sealed vesicles in orientation. The affect of each Ca²⁺ antagonist on the Na⁺-dependent Ca²⁺ uptake was studied in the total population of sarcolemmal vesicles, in which none of the agents depressed the initial rate of Ca²⁺ uptake until concentrations of 10 M were incubated in the incubation medium. However, when sarcolemmal vesicles were preloaded with Ca²⁺ via ATP-dependent Ca²⁺ uptake, cellular Ca²⁺ influx was depressed only by verapamil (28%) at 1 M in the efflux medium with 8 mM Na⁺. Furthermore, inhibition of Ca²⁺ efflux by verapamil was more pronounced in the presence of 16 mM Na⁺ in the efflux medium. The order of inhibition was; verapamil > diltiazem > nifedipine. These results indicate that same forms of Ca²⁺-antagonist drugs may affect the Na⁺-Ca²⁺ exchange mechanism in the cardiac sarcolemmal vesicles and therefore we suggest this site of action may contribute to their effects on the myocardium.     

Stimulation of Ca(2+)/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase phosphatase by polycations

Ca(2+)/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase phosphatase (CaMKPase) dephosphorylates and regulates multifunctional Ca(2+)/calmodulin-dependent protein kinases (CaMKs). One of the prominent features of CaMKPase is stimulation of phosphatase activity by polycations such as poly-L-lysine (poly(Lys)). Using various polycations, basicity and molecular weight of the polymer proved to be important for the stimulation. Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) analysis showed that CaMKIV(T196D), which mimics CaMKPase substrate, and CaMKPase could form tight complexes with poly(Lys). Pull-down binding experiments suggested that the formation of a tightly associated ternary complex consisting of CaMKPase, poly(Lys), and phosphorylated CaMKIV is essential for stimulation. Dilution experiments also supported this contention. Poly(Lys) failed to stimulate a CaMKPase mutant in which a Glu cluster corresponding to residues 101-109 in the N-terminal domain was deleted, and the mutant could not interact with poly(Lys) in the presence of Mn(2+). Thus, the Glu cluster appeared to be the binding site for polycations and to play a pivotal role in the polycation stimulation of CaMKPase activity.     

Modulation of A-type potassium current in smooth-muscle cells of the rat Vas Deferens by Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II

Using a standard patch-clamp technique in the perforated patch configuration, we studied the effect of a highly specific membrane-permeable inhibitor of Ca²⁺/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaM-KII), KN-93, on fast outward A-type potassium current in isolated smooth-muscle cells (SMCs) of an epididymal region of the rat vas deferens. This inhibitor significantly changed the dynamics of the studied current; in particular, it increased the rate of inactivation and considerably slowed down the recovery after inactivation. In the presence of 5 μM KN-93, we observed a moderate (nearly by 20%) decrease in the peak amplitude of fast A-type current. Based on the data obtained, we conclude that voltage-sensitive fast A-type potassium current in SMCs of the epididymal part of the rat vas deferens can be significantly regulated by the activity of CaM-KII. Therefore, by influencing the kinetic characteristics of the above current, this enzyme can be indirectly involved in the control of electrical activity in SMCs. Neirofiziologiya/Neurophysiology, Vol. 39, Nos. 4/5, pp. 419–422, July–October, 2007.     

Tyrosine kinase activity of a Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II catalytic fragment

A 30-kDa fragment of Ca²⁺/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (30K-CaMKII) is a constitutively active protein Ser/Thr kinase devoid of autophosphorylation activity. We have produced a chimeric enzyme of 30K-CaMKII (designated CX₄₀-30K-CaMKII), in which the N-terminal 40 amino acids of Xenopus Ca²⁺/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase I (CX₄₀) were fused to the N-terminal end of 30K-CaMKII. Although CX₄₀-30K-CaMKII exhibited essentially the same substrate specificity as 30K-CaMKII, it underwent significant autophosphorylation. Surprisingly, its autophosphorylation site was found to be Tyr-18 within the N-terminal CX₄₀ region of the fusion protein, although it did not show any Tyr kinase activity toward exogenous substrates. Several lines of evidence suggested that the autophosphorylation occurred via an intramolecular mechanism. These data suggest that even typical Ser/Thr kinases such as 30K-CaMKII can phosphorylate Tyr residues under certain conditions. The possible mechanism of the Tyr residue autophosphorylation is discussed.     

Rice small C2-domain proteins are phosphorylated by calcium-dependent protein kinase

We previously reported that OsERG1 and OsERG3 encode rice small C2-domain proteins with different biochemical properties in Ca²⁺- and phospholipid-binding assays. Os-ERG1 exhibited Ca²⁺-dependent phospholipid binding, which was not observed with OsERG3. In the present study, we show that both OsERG1 and OsERG3 proteins exhibit oligomerization properties as determined by native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) and glutaraldehyde cross-linking experiments. Furthermore, in vitro phosphorylation assays reveal the phosphorylation of OsERG1 and OsERG3 by a rice calcium-dependent protein kinase, OsCDPK5. Our mutation analysis on putative serine phosphorylation sites shows that the first serine (Ser) at position 41 of OsERG1 may be an essential residue for phosphorylation by OsCDPK5. Mutation of Ser41 to alanine (OsERG1S41A) and aspartate (OsERG1S41D) abolishes the ability of OsERG1 to bind phospholipids regardless of the presence or absence of Ca²⁺ ions. In addition, unlike the OsERG1 wild-type form, the mutant OsERG1 (S41A)::smGFP construct lost the ability to translocate from the cytosol to the plasma membrane in response to calcium ions or fungal elicitor. These results indicate that Ser41 may be essential for the function of OsERG1.     

Modulation of T-type Ca2+ channels by corticotropin-releasing factor through protein kinase C pathway in MN9D dopaminergic cells

Corticotrophin-releasing factor (CRF) is the main regulator of the body's stress axis and its signal is translated through G-protein-coupled CRF receptors (CRF-R1, CRF-R2). Even though CRF receptors are present in the midbrain dopamine neurons, the cellular mechanism of CRF action is not clear yet. Since voltage-dependent Ca(2+) channels are highly expressed and important in dopamine neuronal functions, we tested the effect of CRF on voltage-dependent Ca(2+) channels in MN9D cells, a model of dopamine neurons. The application of CRF-related peptide, urocortin 1, reversibly inhibited T-type Ca(2+) currents, which was a major Ca(2+) channel in the cells. The effect of urocortin was abolished by specific CRF-R1 antagonist and was mimicked by protein kinase C (PKC) activator, phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate. PKC inhibitors abolished the effect of urocortin. These results suggest that urocortin modulates T-type Ca(2+) channel by interacting with CRF-R1 via the activation of PKC signal pathway in MN9D cells.     

Ca2+ calmodulin-dependent protein kinase activity in the ascomycetes Neurospora crassa

DEAE-cellulose column chromatography of Neurospora crassa soluble mycelial extracts leads to the resolution of three major protein kinase activity peaks designated PKI, PKII, and PKIII.PKII activity is stimulated by Ca²⁺ and Neurospora or brain calmodulin. Maximal stimulation was observed at 2 µM-free Ca²⁺ and 1 µg/ml of the modulator. The stimulatory effect of the Ca²⁺-calmodulin complex was blocked by EGTA and by some calmodulin antagonists such as phenothiazine drugs or compound 48/80.PKII phosphorylates different proteins, among which histone II-A at a low concentration and CDPKS, the synthetic peptide specific for Ca²⁺-calmodulin dependent protein kinases, are the best substrates. Some phosphorylation can be detected in the absence of any exogenous acceptor. PKII activity assayed in the presence of histone II-A or in the absence of exogenous phosphate acceptor (autophosphorylation) co-elute in a DEAE-cellulose column at 0.28 M NaCl. As result of the autophosphorylation reaction of the purified enzyme a main phosphorylated component of 70 kDa was resolved by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. It is possible that this component is an active part of this enzyme.     

Biochemical characterization of Ca2+/calmodulin dependent protein kinase from Candida albicans

A multifunctional Ca²⁺/calmodulin dependent protein kinase was purified approximately 650 fold from cytosolic extract of Candida albicans. The purified preparation gave a single band of 69 kDa on sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis with its native molecular mass of 71 kDa suggesting that the enzyme is monomeric. Its activity was dependent on calcium, calmodulin and ATP when measured at saturating histone IIs concentration. The purified Ca²⁺/CaMPK was found to be autophosphorylated at serine residue(s) in the presence of Ca²⁺/calmodulin and enzyme stimulation was strongly inhibited by W-7 (CaM antagonist) and KN-62 (Ca²⁺/CaM dependent PK inhibitor). These results confirm that the purified enzyme is Ca²⁺/CaM dependent protein kinase of Candida albicans. The enzyme phosphorylated a number of exogenous and endogenous substrates in a Ca²⁺/calmodulin dependent manner suggesting that the enzyme is a multifunctional Ca²⁺/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase of Candida albicans.