激光扫描共聚焦显微镜观察胰蛋白酶对肺上皮细胞游离钙离子的影响

目的：研究PAR-2激动剂SLIGKV和tc-LIGRLO、胰蛋白酶及其抑制剂对H292肺上皮细胞[Ca^2＋]i的影响.方法：应用Fluo-3/AM 荧光标记技术和激光扫描共聚焦显微镜（LSCM） 检测不同因素处理的H292肺上皮细胞[Ca^2＋]i.结果：胰蛋白酶、SLIGKV、tc-LIGRLO均能引发H292细胞[Ca^2＋]i的增加,平均荧光强度分别比加入药物前增加267%,60%和37%.胰蛋白酶抑制剂大豆胰蛋白酶抑制剂（SBTI）和α1-抗胰蛋白酶（α1-AT）可以抑制胰蛋白酶诱导的细胞[Ca^2＋]i的增加.结论：PAR-2可以介导H292肺上皮细胞[Ca^2＋]i的释放增加,胰蛋白酶抑制剂可以抑制胰蛋白酶诱导的细胞[Ca^2＋]i的增加.     

Spatial non-uniformities in [Ca2+]i during excitation-contraction coupling in cardiac myocytes.

The intracellular calcium ([Ca2+]i) transient in adult rat heart cells was examined using the fluorescent calcium indicator fluo-3 and a laser scanning confocal microscope. We find that the electrically evoked [Ca2+]i transient does not rise at a uniform rate at all points within the cell during the [Ca2+]i transient. These spatial non-uniformities in [Ca2+]i are observed immediately upon depolarization and largely disappear by the time the peak of the [Ca2+]i transient occurs. Importantly, some of the spatial non-uniformity in [Ca2+]i varies randomly in location from beat to beat. Analysis of the spatial character of the non-uniformities suggests that they arise from the stochastic nature of the activation of SR calcium-release channels. The non-uniformities in [Ca2+]i are markedly enhanced by low concentrations of Cd2+, suggesting that activation of L-type calcium channels is the primary source of activator calcium for the calcium transient. In addition, the pattern of calcium release in these conditions was very similar to the spontaneous calcium sparks that are observed under resting conditions and which are due to spontaneous calcium release from the SR. The spatial non-uniformity in the evoked [Ca2+]i transient under normal conditions can be explained by the temporal and spatial summation of a large number of calcium sparks whose activation is a stochastic process. The results are discussed with respect to a stochastic local control model for excitation-contraction (E-C) coupling, and it is proposed that the fundamental unit of E-C coupling consists of one dihydropyridine receptor activating a small group of ryanodine receptors (possibly four) in a square packing model.     

Dynamic changes of [Ca2+]i in cerebellar granule cells exposed to pulsed electric fields

Intracellular free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) in embryonic chick cerebellar granule cells loaded with fluo-3/AM and exposed to a single pulsed electric field was investigated using a confocal laser scanning microscope and fluorescent microscope equipped with CCD video imaging system.The results showed that [Ca2+]i increased immediately and rose to the peak rapidly as the cells exposed to a single pulsed electric field.The amplitude and rate of the increases of [Ca2+]i depend on the intensity of external electric field.In the presence of Ca2+ chelant EGTA or Ca2+ channels blocker La3+ in the pulsation solutions,the increase of [Ca2+]i was still observable.It was also observed that [Ca2+]i of different intracellular areas in the cell elevated simultaneously while the peak of the increase of [Ca2+]i in the poles of the cell preceded to the peak in its somata and recovered to a plateau within a short time.     

Role of calcium in signal transduction during the hypersensitive response caused by basidiospore-derived infection of the cowpea rust fungus

The hypersensitive response (HR) of disease-resistant plant cells to fungal invasion is a rapid cell death that has some features in common with programmed cell death (apoptosis) in animals. We investigated the role of cytosolic free calcium ([Ca2+]i) in the HR of cowpea to the cowpea rust fungus. By using confocal laser scanning microscopy in conjunction with a calcium reporter dye, we found a slow, prolonged elevation of [Ca2+]i in epidermal cells of resistant but not susceptible plants as the fungus grew through the cell wall. [Ca2+]i levels declined to normal levels as the fungus entered and grew within the cell lumen. This elevation was related to the stage of fungal growth and not to the speed of initiation of subsequent cell death. Elevated [Ca2+]i levels also represent the first sign of the HR detectable in this cowpea-cowpea rust fungus system. The increase in [Ca2+]i was prevented by calcium channnel inhibitors. This effect was consistent with pharmacological tests in which these inhibitors delayed the HR. The data suggest that elevation of [Ca2+]i is involved in signal transduction leading to the HR during rust fungal infection.     

Calcium Overload and in vitro Apoptosis of the C6 Glioma Cells Mediated by Sonodynamic Therapy (Hematoporphyrin monomethyl ether and ultrasound)

The objective of this study was to investigate the role of intracellular calcium overload in the in vitro apoptosis of C6 glioma cells mediated by low level ultrasound and hematoporphyrin monomethyl ether (HMME) therapy. The frequency of ultrasound was optimized by the cell viability assay using 3-(4,5-dimethythiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT). The apoptotic rate, reactive oxygen species (ROS) and decreased mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) were determined by flow cytometry. Morphological changes were observed by the transmission electron microscope. Concentrations of intracellular Ca2+, [Ca2+]i were detected by a confocal microscopic laser scanning, and the release of cytochrome-c (cyt-c) was measured by western blotting. Results: The SDT-mediated apoptotic effect involved an overload of [Ca2+]i derived from the intra- and extracellular sources during the early progression of apoptotosis. The process was associated with an increased ROS production, a decreased MMP, and a release of cyt-c. In conclusion,the combined use of low level ultrasound and HMME improved the apoptotic rate of C6 glioma cells mediated by ultrasound alone. The [Ca2+]i overload involving activation of mitochondrial signaling played a pivotal role in the SDT-induced apoptosis.     

Cytosolic and intranuclear calcium signals in rat basophilic leukemia cells as revealed by a confocal fluorescence microscope.

A confocal fluorescence microscope with an argon-ion laser (488 nm) and a He-Cd laser (325 nm) was used to study spatial heterogeneity of the calcium signals in rat basophilic leukemia 2H3 cloned cell line (RBL-2H3). After stimulation with antigen (2,4-dinitrophenol-conjugated bovine serum albumin), fluo-3-fluorescence intensities increased in individual RBL-2H3 cells with different lag times. Time-dependent profiles of the fluo-3-fluorescence intensities resembled closely the patterns of the sequential fluorescence-ratio images of fura-2, which were used to measure the intracellular free-calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) in individual RBL-2H3 cells using a conventional fluorescence microscope. The present results obtained using the confocal fluorescence microscope showed spatial heterogeneities of fluo-3-fluorescence intensities, suggesting the existence of spatial heterogeneity of [Ca2+]i in RBL-2H3 cells. That is, the results showed that calcium signals first occurred transiently at pseudopodia in RBL-2H3 cells, then the signals transferred to the central parts of the cells. In addition, from the fluorescence images of co-loaded Hoechst 33342 (bisbenzimide H 33342, a DNA-specific probe) which were produced by excitation with a He-Cd laser, it was found that the fluorescence images of the nucleus were quite similar to those of the calcium signals mentioned above. This suggested that the receptor-mediated calcium signals were transferred not only to the cytoplasm but also to the nucleus.     

Differential regulation of intracellular Ca2+ signalling induced by high K+ and endothelin-1 in single smooth muscle cells of intact canine basilar artery: detection by means of confocal laser microscopy

Changes in intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) in smooth muscle cells play the key role in regulation of vascular smooth muscle tone and pathogenesis of cerebral vasospasm. In this study, we adopted the confocal laser microscopy to detect the fluorescence signals arising from the individual smooth muscle cells of canine basilar artery. Ring preparations were made, loaded with fluo-3 and changes in fluorescence induced by high K+ and endothelin-1 (ET-1) were measured by confocal laser microscopy. In some unstimulated smooth muscle cells Ca2+ waves arising from discrete region of the cell propagated to the whole cell with a velocity of approximately 10 microm/s. High K+ (80 mmol/L) induced a rapid rise in [Ca2+]i, the peak level being consistently reached approximately 10 s after stimulation. In contrast, the time to peak level of [Ca2+]i induced by ET-1 (0.3 micromol/L) varied widely between 13 and 26 s among individual cells, an indication that the extent of nonuniform coordination of increases in [Ca2+]i in individual cells may be partly responsible for the different time courses of tension development of vascular smooth muscle in response to the vasoactive stimulants. The increase in [Ca2+]i induced by ET-1 was transient but a pronounced and sustained contraction developed further in response to ET-1. Thus ET-1 has a biological property as a potential candidate to elicit cerebral vasospasm. Confocal laser microscopy could be a useful tool to measure the changes in [Ca2+]i in individual smooth muscle cells of cerebral artery.     

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     

Effects of ATP on intracellular calcium dynamics of neurons and satellite cells in rat superior cervical ganglia

Adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) which is released from neuronal and non-neuronal tissues interacts with cell surface receptors to produce a broad range of physiological responses. The present study addressed the issue of whether the cells of the superior cervical ganglia (SCG) respond to ATP. To this end, the dynamics of the intracellular calcium ion concentration ([Ca2+]i) of neurons and satellite cells in intact SCG was analyzed by laser scanning confocal microscopy. ATP produced an increase of [Ca2+]i in both neurons and satellite cells; initially, ATP elicited [Ca2+]i increase in satellite cells and, subsequently, a [Ca2+]i change in neurons was observed. P1 purinoceptor agonists had no effect on this process, but P2 purinoceptor agonists induced [Ca2+]i increase and suramin totally inhibited ATP-induced [Ca2+]i dynamics in both neurons and satellite cells. In satellite cells, Ca2+ channel blockers and the removal of extracellular Ca2+, but not thapsigargin pretreatment, abolished ATP-induced [Ca2+]i dynamics. In contrast, thapsigargin pretreatment abolished ATP-induced [Ca2+]i dynamics in neurons. Reactive blue-2 inhibited the ATP-induced reaction on neurons alone. Uridine 5'-triphosphate caused a [Ca2+]i increase in neurons and alpha,beta-methylene ATP caused a [Ca2+]i increase in satellite cells. We concluded that neurons respond to extracellular ATP mainly via P2Y purinoceptors and that satellite cells respond via P2X purinoceptors.     

Simultaneous multi-parameter observation of Harringtonine-treating HL-60 cells with both two-photon and confocal laser scanning microscopy

Harringtonine (HT), a kind of anticancer drug isolated from Chinese herb-Cephalotaxus hainanensis Li, can induce apoptosis in promyelocytic leukemia HL-60 cells. With both two-photon laser scanning microscopy and confocal laser scanning microscopy in combination with the fluorescent probe Hoechst 33342, tetramethyrhodamine ethyl ester (TMRE) and Fluo 3-AM, we simultaneously observed HT-induced changes in nuclear morphology, mitochondrial membrane potential and intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) in HL-60 cells, and developed a real-time, sensitive and invasive method for simultaneous multi-parameter observation of drug- treating living cells at the level of single cell.     

Effect of fluid force on vascular cell function

Endothelial cells (ECs) that line the inner surface of blood vessels are continuously exposed to fluid frictional force (shear stress) induced by blood flow, and shear stress affects the intracellular calcium ([Ca2+]i), which initiates cellular responses. Here, we studied the effect of long-term exposure of shear stress on [Ca2+]i responses in cultured ECs by using a confocal laser microscope and calcium indicator. At the initiation of shear stress of 20 dyn/cm2 (0 hr), 27% of the cells exhibited [Ca2+]i responses. This percentage gradually decreased with increasing exposure time, reaching about 4% after 24 hr of exposure. These data indicate that long-term shear-stress exposure affects [Ca2+]i responses in cultured ECs. Furthermore, we studied the effect of magnitude of shear stress on macromolecule uptake. For the low shear-stress, the uptake was enhanced, whereas the uptake was inhibited for higher shear-stress.     

Receptor-mediated calcium signal playing a nuclear third messenger in the activation of antigen-specific B cells.

We have studied receptor-mediated calcium signals in antigen-specific B cells (trinitrophenol-specific B cell clone, TP67.21) using a confocal fluorescence microscope with an argon ion laser (488 nm) and a He-Cd laser (325 nm). Confocal fluorescence images of fluo-3 loaded B cells, excited by an argon ion laser, became much brighter and more nonhomogeneous than those before antigen stimulation. Time-dependent fluorescence changes in intensities were abrupt and quite similar to the patterns of the intracellular calcium ion concentration [Ca2+]i observed by a conventional fluorescence microscope using fura-2. From the morphological patterns of the calcium images, the parts of the bright fluorescence seemed to belong to the nucleus in B cells. To confirm the above events we measured the confocal fluorescence images of the nucleus. From the fluorescence images of co-loaded Hoechst 33342 (a DNA-specific fluorescent probe), which excited by a He-Cd laser, the brighter parts of the fluo-3 fluorescence intensities were identified to the nucleus in B cells. This suggested the possibility that the increased intranuclear calcium ions may play a nuclear third messenger in B cells.     

Gradients in cytoplasmic calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) in migrating human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) stimulated by shear-stress

Using a parallel-plate flow-chamber and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM), we studied the distribution and temporal changes in intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) in migrating HUVECs stimulated by shear-stress. In the presence or absence of ATP, shear-stress (10 dyne/cm2) caused morphological change and migration of individual HUVECs in the random direction. After 120 minute exposure to shear-stress, 70% of the cells migrated in the direction of flow, whereas, as many as 30% of the cells migrated to the upstream against flow. A nonspecific plasma membrane Ca2+ channel blocker, Ni2+, abolished such responses markedly, suggesting that Ca2+ influx may be essential for shear-stress dependent morphological change and migration of HUVECs. Analysis of [Ca2+]i distribution revealed the appearance of localized [Ca2+]i elevation inside lamellipodium formed in the direction of cell migration. The localized rise in [Ca2+]i might be closely related with morphological change to regulate the direction of cell migration induced by shear-stress.     

Spatial and temporal aspects of ACh-induced [Ca2+]i oscillations in porcine tracheal smooth muscle

This study evaluated the relationship between regional elevation in intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) induced by acetylcholine (ACh) and the global cellular responses in porcine tracheal smooth muscle (TSM) cells. Regional (approximately 1.5 microm3) and global (whole cell) changes in [Ca2+]i were measured in fluo-3 loaded TSM cells using real-time confocal microscopy. Regional responses appeared as propagating [Ca2+]i oscillations whereas global responses reflected the spatiotemporal integration of these regional responses. Within a region, [Ca2+]i oscillations were 'biphasic' with initial higher frequencies, followed by slower steady-state oscillations. With increasing ACh concentration, the peak (maximum value relative to 0 nM) of regional [Ca2+]i oscillations remained relatively constant, whereas both frequency and propagation velocity increased. In contrast, the global spatiotemporal integration of the regional oscillatory responses appeared as a concentration-dependent increase in peak as well as mean cellular [Ca2+]i. We conclude that the significance of ACh-induced [Ca2+]i oscillations lies in the establishment of mean [Ca2+]i level for slower Ca2+-dependent physiological processes via modulation of oscillation frequency and propagation velocity.     

Aluminium toxicity in rye (Secale cereale): root growth and dynamics of cytoplasmic Ca2+ in intact root tips

Aluminium (Al) toxicity in rye (Secale cereale L.), an Al-resistant crop, was examined by measuring root elongation and cytoplasmic free activity of calcium ([Ca2+]cyt) in intact root apical cells. Measurement of [Ca2+]cyt, was achieved by loading a Ca2+-sensitive fluorescent probe. Fluo-3/AM ester, into root apical cells followed by detection of intracellular fluorescence using a confocal laser scanning microscope. After 20 min of exposure to 50 microM Al (pH 4-2) a slight increase in [Ca2+]cyt of root apical cells was observed, while the response of [Ca2+]cyt to 100 microM Al (pH 4.2) was faster and larger ([Ca2+]cyt increased by 46% in 10 min). Increases in [Ca2+]cyt were correlated with inhibition of root growth, generally measurable after 2 h. Addition of 400 microM malic acid (pH 4.2) largely ameliorated the effect of 100 microM Al on [Ca2+]cyt in root apical cells and protected root growth from Al toxicity. These results suggest that an increase in [Ca2+]cyt in root apical cells in rye is an early effect of Al toxicity and is followed by the secondary effect on root elongation.     

Cytosolic-free calcium in smooth-muscle and endothelial cells in an intact arterial wall from rat mesenteric artery in vitro

The regulation of cytosolic-free calcium concentration of smooth-muscle and endothelial cells was mainly studied on cultured cells where the cross talk between these two coupled cell types is lost. In the present study, the cytosolic-free calcium concentration in the endothelial and the smooth-muscle cells was examined in an intact arterial wall in vitro. Strips of the main branch of rat mesenteric artery were used. Cytosolic-free calcium concentration [Ca2+]i was estimated by determining the fluorescence ratio of the two calcium probes, Fluo-4 and Fura red. The emitted fluorescence of both probes was measured with a confocal microscope. We showed that potassium and phenylephrine, which increase the cytosolic -free calcium concentration of the smooth-muscle cells, also indirectly influence the calcium concentration in the endothelial cells. By simultaneously determining [Ca2+]i in the endothelial and the smooth-muscle cells of an arterial strip, we observed that when calcium increases in the endothelial cells in response to acetylcholine, it slightly decreases in the smooth-muscle cells. We conclude that the regulation of [Ca2+]i in the arterial endothelial cell, depends according to the stimuli either upon the endothelial cells themselves, or upon the coupled smooth-muscle cells.     

Desynchronising effect of the endothelium on intracellular Ca2+ concentration dynamics in vascular smooth muscle cells of rat mesenteric arteries

The kinetics of the intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) in rat small mesenteric arteries was investigated by confocal laser scanning microscopy using the fluorescent Ca2+ indicator fluo-3 AM. One micromole noradrenaline (NA) induced randomly distributed transient elevations of [Ca2+]i in several single VSMCs which were weakly temporally coupled. Higher NA concentrations of 3 or 10 microM, however, induced strongly synchronised [Ca2+]i oscillations in VSMCs. In preparations with intact endothelium, the synchronisation of [Ca2+]i signals was attenuated by acetylcholine (ACh) but augmented by the NO synthase antagonist L-NAME, pointing to a desynchronising effect of the endothelium even under basal conditions. In preparations with or without intact endothelium sodium nitroprusside (SNP) as well as the gap-junction uncoupler heptanol reversibly desynchronised the [Ca2+]i transients. The effect of ACh but not that of SNP was influenced by L-NAME. Propagated intracellular [Ca2+]i waves had a velocity of 25 microm/s. The phase shift of [Ca2+]i oscillations between single VSMCs were maximally 2s and independent of the distance of up to 90 microm between individual cells. Therefore, we consider intercellular [Ca2+]i waves to be too slow to account for the synchronisation of [Ca2+]i oscillations.We conclude that the coupling of [Ca2+]i signals in vascular smooth muscle cells is not constant but highly regulated by NA and by endothelium derived NO. Oscillations of vessel contraction at high sympathetic tone may be induced by synchronisation of [Ca2+]i transients of distinct VSMCs whereas endothelium derived NO inhibits vasomotion by desynchronising [Ca2+]i transients of single VSMCs.     

Role of the Na+/Ca2+ exchanger in calcium homeostasis and human sperm motility regulation

A number of cell functions, such as flagellar beating, swimming velocity, acrosome reaction, etc., are triggered by a Ca2+ influx across the cell membrane. For appropriate physiological functions, the motile human sperm maintains the intracellular free calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) at a submicromolar level. The objective of this study was to determine the role of the Na+/Ca2+ exchanger (NCX) in the maintenance of [Ca2+]i in human spermatozoa. Spermatozoa maintained in extracellular medium containing>or=1 microM Ca2+ exhibited motility similar to that of the control. In addition to several calcium transport mechanisms described earlier, we provide evidence that the NCX plays a crucial role in the maintenance of [Ca2+]i. Three chemically unrelated inhibitors of the NCX (bepridil, DCB (3',4'-dichlorobenzamil hydrochloride), and KB-R7943) all blocked human sperm motility in a dose and incubation time dependent manner. The IC50 values for bepridil, DCB, and KB-R7943 were 16.2, 9.8, and 5.3 microM, respectively. The treatment with the above-mentioned blockers resulted in an elevated [Ca2+]i and a decreased [Na+]i. The store-operated calcium channel (SOCC) inhibitor SKF 96365 also blocked the sperm motility (IC50=2.44 microM). The presence of the NCX antigen in the human spermatozoa was proven by flow cytometry, confocal laser scanning microscopy, and immunoblotting techniques. Calcium homeostasis of human spermatozoa is maintained by several transport proteins among which the SOCC and the NCX may play a major role.     

Purification of gonadotropes and intracellular free calcium oscillation. Effects of gonadotropin-releasing hormone and interleukin 6

The intracellular free calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) in single gonadotropes was measured with a calcium-sensitive fluorescent dye indo-1 or fura-2 and a digital imaging fluorescence microscopic system to determine how interleukin-6 (IL-6) increases release of gonadotropins. IL-6 induced an increase in the basal [Ca2+]i or the amplitude of spontaneous oscillation of [Ca2+]i in gonadotropes in a mixed population. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (Gn-RH) induced a biphasic increase in [Ca2+]i, a transient increase, and then a prolonged increase. These effects were inhibited by the absence of extracellular calcium or pretreatment with calcium channel blockers, cobalt or nifedipine. Next, purified gonadotropes were prepared by fluorescence-activated cell sorting and argon laser treatment of the cells. Gonadotropes labeled with anti-luteinizing hormone antibody were sorted by fluorescence-activated cell sorting and then cultured as monolayers for 24-48 h. In this way, gonadotropes were concentrated from 5-10% to 70-85% from whole pituitary cells. After relabeling with anti-luteinizing hormone antibody, 100% purified gonadotropes were obtained by killing other types of cells with an argon laser. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone induced almost the same responses of [Ca2+]i in the purified cell population as in the mixed cell population, but IL-6 did not affect [Ca2+]i in the purified gonadotropes. These results suggest that IL-6 affects calcium mobilization in gonadotropes indirectly via paracrine pathways.     

Long-lasting and rapid calcium changes during mitosis

A more complete understanding of calcium's role in cell division requires knowledge of the timing, magnitude, and duration of changes in cytoplasmic-free calcium, [Ca2+]i, associated with specific mitotic events. To define the temporal relationship of changes in [Ca2+]i to cellular and chromosomal movements, we have measured [Ca2+]i every 6-7 s in single-dividing Pt K2 cells using fura-2 and microspectrophotometry, coupling each calcium measurement with a bright-field observation. In the 12 min before discernable chromosome some separation, 90% of metaphase cells show at least one transient of increased [Ca2+]i, 72% show their last transient within 5 min, and a peak of activity is seen at 3 min before chromosome separation. The mean [Ca2+]i of the metaphase transients is 148 +/- 31 nM (61 transients in 35 cells) with an average duration of 21 +/- 14 s. The timing of these increases makes it unlikely that these transient increases in [Ca2+]i are acting directly to trigger the start of anaphase. However, it is possible that a transient rise in calcium during late metaphase is part of a more complex progression to anaphase. In addition to these transient changes, a gradual increase in [Ca2+]i was observed starting in late anaphase. Within the 2 min surrounding cytokinesis onset, 82% of cells show a transient increase in [Ca2+]i to 171 +/- 48 nM (53 transients in 32 cells). The close temporal correlation of these changes with cleavage is consistent with a more direct role for calcium in this event, possibly by activating the contractile system. To assess the specificity of these changes to the mitotic cycle, we examined calcium changes in interphase cells. Two-thirds of interphase cells show no transient increases in calcium with a mean [Ca2+]i of 100 +/- 18 nM (n = 12). However, one-third demonstrate dramatic and repeated transient increases in [Ca2+]i. The mean peak [Ca2+]i of these transients is 389 +/- 70 nM with an average duration of 77 s. The necessity of any of these transient changes in calcium for the completion of mitotic or interphase activities remains under investigation.