Identification of signal transduction pathway in fresh and vitrified porcine oocytes

Signal transduction pathway under the influence of somatotropin have been identified basis on the analysis of Ca2+ release from intracellular stores of fresh and vitrified porcine oocytes using inhibitory analysis. Somatotropin and GTP individually stimulated Ca2+ release from intracellular stores. The joint action of somatotropin and GTP activated additional Ca2+ release from intracellular stores both in fresh and vitrified porcine oocytes. Treatment of the oocytes with inhibitor of protein kinase C caused no additional Ca2+ release from intracellular stores. Ca2+ release from intracellular stores stimulated by GTP was connected with phosphate hydrolysis. Moving between intracellular Ca2+ depots stimulated by GTP was not determined by phosphate hydrolysis. Inhibitor of protein kinase C and microtubules were involved in the interaction of various intracellular depots. The data obtained suggest that signal transduction pathway in porcine oocytes do not change after vitrification.     

Ca<Superscript>2+</Superscript> release from intracellular stores of pig oocytes at different stages of growth

Ca²⁺ release from intracellular stores of pig oocytes was investigated using the Ca²⁺-sensitive fluorescent dye chlorotetracycline. Oocytes were divided into growing ones and those that completed their growth using brilliant cresyl blue (BCB) staining. The stained oocytes (BCB “+”) were determined as the ones that completed their growth, while the stainless ones (BCB “−”) were determined as those in the final stages of growth. In the BCB “+” and BCB “−” oocytes, prolactin, theophylline, GTP, and GDP cause Ca²⁺ to exit intracellular stores. In the oocytes that completed their growth, joint action of prolactin and GTP activates additional release of Ca²⁺, in which protein kinase C takes part. In growing oocytes, joint action of prolactin and GTP does not lead to additional release of Ca2⁺. Joint action of theophylline and GDP in growing oocytes and oocytes that completed the growth stage promotes additional Ca²⁺ exit from intracellular stores. This exit is regulated by protein kinase A. The obtained data show that there various routes of Ca²⁺ release from intracellular stores in growing and grown pig oocytes.     

Effects of Guanine Nucleotides and Protein Kinase C on Prolactin-Stimulated Release of Ca<Superscript>2+</Superscript> from Intracellular Stores of Pig Oocytes

The effects of guanine nucleotides and protein kinase C on prolactin-stimulated Ca²⁺ release from intracellular stores of pig oocytes were studied using the fluorescent dye chlorotetracycline. The effect of prolactin was related to the protein kinase C activation. Inhibition of protein kinase C stimulated Ca²⁺ release from intracellular stores of the pig oocytes treated with 5 ng/ml prolactin in the presence of extracellular Ca²⁺ and inhibited Ca²⁺ release from intracellular stores of the pig oocytes treated with 50 ng/ml prolactin. In a Ca²⁺-free medium, prolactin did not stimulate Ca²⁺ release from intracellular stores of the oocytes treated with GDP in the presence of GDP. GTP inhibition of protein kinase C activated Ca²⁺ release from intracellular stores of the pig oocytes treated with 5 ng/ml prolactin and inhibited Ca²⁺ release from intracellular stores of the pig oocytes treated with 50 ng/ml prolactin. These data suggest the influence of guanine nucleotides and protein kinase C on calcium metabolism, stimulated by prolactin.__________Translated from Ontogenez, Vol. 36, No. 3, 2005, pp. 199–204.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2005 by Denisenko, Kuzmina.     

Effect of estradiol on Ca<Superscript>2+</Superscript> release from intracellular stores in porcine oocytes stimulated by prolactin,theophylline, or guanosine triphosphate

The interaction between prolactin and theophylline as well as between prolactin and guanosine triphosphate during Ca²⁺ release from intracellular stores of estradiol-treated porcine oocytes isolated from the ovary at the stage of follicular growth were studied using fluorescent Ca²⁺-sensitive probe chlortetracycline. In the absence of estradiol, prolactin or theophylline induced Ca²⁺ release from intracellular stores; however, no increase in Ca²⁺ release was observed after their combined action. Conversely, Ca²⁺ release from intracellular stores increased only after the combined exposure to prolactin and theophylline in the presence of estradiol. In the absence of estradiol, guanosine triphosphate induced calcium release alone and together with prolactin. Protein kinase C regulated Ca²⁺ release from intracellular stores after the combined exposure to prolactin and theophylline only in the presence of estradiol; while the activation of protein kinase C required no estradiol during the combined exposure to prolactin and guanosine triphosphate. The data obtained indicate the effect of estradiol on Ca²⁺ release from intracellular stores after the combined exposure to prolactin and theophylline, while no such effect was observed after the combined exposure to prolactin and guanosine triphosphate.     

Positive and negative controls by protein kinases of sodium-dependent Ca2+ efflux from cultured bovine adrenal chromaffin cells stimulated by lysophosphatidic acid

We previously found that lysophosphatidic acid (LPA), a bioactive phospholipid, induced Na⁺-dependent Ca²⁺ efflux from cultured bovine adrenal chromaffin cells, possibly by activating a Na⁺/Ca²⁺ exchanger. The present study on the structure-activity relationship of its action revealed that 1-acyl type LPAs were stronger stimulants than the corresponding 1-O-alkyl type LPAs having a long alkyl moiety with the same chain length. Lysophosphatidylglycerol, suramin and N-palmitoyl-tyrosine phosphoric acid have all been reported to inhibit the action of LPA in some animal cells and platelets, but only lysophosphatidylglycerol was found to inhibit selectively LPA-induced Ca²⁺ efflux from chromaffin cells. LPA-induced Ca²⁺ extrusion was suggested to be involved in both acceleration of return of intracellular Ca²⁺ in Fura 2-loaded bovine chromaffin cells after addition of carbachol, and inhibition of carbachol-induced catecholamine release when the cells were co-incubated with LPA. The Ca²⁺ efflux from chromaffin cells stimulated by LPA was augmented by their pretreatment with staurosporine or calphostin C, inhibitors of protein kinase C, but reduced by their preincubation with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate. Furthermore, the response to LPA was potentiated by sodium vanadate, a protein tyrosine phosphatase inhibitor, but inhibited by genistein, an inhibitor of protein tyrosine kinase. These results suggest that protein kinase C and protein tyrosine kinase are involved negatively and positively, respectively, in the signal transduction triggered by LPA, leading to activation of the Na⁺/Ca²⁺ exchanger.     

Calcium Modulates Osmosensitive Taurine Efflux in HeLa Cells

The role of Ca²⁺ in the signaling transduction pathway involved in osmosensitive taurine efflux in HeLa cells was studied using radiotracer efflux techniques. Taurine efflux induced by extracellular hypotonicity was decreased by 85% by removal of extracellular Ca²⁺ and simultaneous depletion of intracellular Ca²⁺ stores with thapsigargin. Extracellular Ca²⁺ removal, thapsigargin treatment, or addition of Gd³⁺ all decreased taurine efflux by ～50%. To explore the putative signal transduction pathways involved in swelling-induced taurine efflux, HeLa cells were exposed to PP1, an inhibitor of the Src family of tyrosine kinases, the phospholipase C inhibitor U73122, the IP₃ receptor antagonist 2-APB, and the generic protein kinase C inhibitor chelerythrine. All of these treatments caused ～50% inhibition of taurine release in Ca²⁺-rich extracellular medium and ～85%–90% in Ca²⁺-free conditions. The inhibitors of the conventional protein kinase C isoforms BIM-1 and Gö6976 reduced taurine efflux to a lesser extent. Acute (10-min) exposure to the phorbol ester tetradecanoyl phorbol acetate (TPA) increased taurine efflux in 25%, whilst overnight exposure had an inhibitory effect decreasing efflux by 22%. A working model for activation of osmosensitive taurine efflux in HeLa cells involving different Ca²⁺ signaling pathways is presented.     

cADPR stimulates SERCA activity in Xenopus oocytes

The intracellular second messenger cyclic ADP-ribose (cADPR) induces Ca²⁺ release through the activation of ryanodine receptors (RyRs). Moreover, it has been suggested that cADPR may serve an additional role to modulate sarco/endoplasmic reticulum Ca²⁺-ATPase (SERCA) pump activity, but studies have been complicated by concurrent actions on RyR. Here, we explore the actions of cADPR in Xenopus oocytes, which lack RyRs. We examined the effects of cADPR on the sequestration of cytosolic Ca²⁺ following Ca²⁺ transients evoked by photoreleased inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (InsP₃), and by Ca²⁺ influx through expressed nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChR) in the oocytes membrane. In both cases the decay of the Ca²⁺ transients was accelerated by intracellular injection of a non-metabolizable analogue of cADPR, 3-Deaza-cADPR, and photorelease of cADPR from a caged precursor demonstrated that this action is rapid (a few s). The acceleration was abolished by pre-treatment with thapsigargin to block SERCA activity, and was inhibited by two specific antagonists of cADPR, 8-NH₂-cADPR and 8-br-cADPR. We conclude that cADPR serves to modulate Ca²⁺ sequestration by enhancing SERCA pump activity, in addition to its well-established action on RyRs to liberate Ca²⁺.     

Conversion of phosphatidylinositol (PI) to PI4‐phosphate (PI4P) and then to PI(4,5)P2 is essential for the cytosolic Ca2+ concentration under heat stress in Ganoderma lucidum

How cells drive the phospholipid signal response to heat stress (HS) to maintain cellular homeostasis is a fundamental issue in biology, but the regulatory mechanism of this fundamental process is unclear. Previous quantitative analyses of lipids showed that phosphatidylinositol (PI) accumulates after HS in Ganoderma lucidum, implying the inositol phospholipid signal may be associated with HS signal transduction. Here, we found that the PI‐4‐kinase and PI‐4‐phosphate‐5‐kinase activities are activated and that their lipid products PI‐4‐phosphate and PI‐4,5‐bisphosphate are increased under HS. Further experimental results showed that the cytosolic Ca²⁺ ([Ca²⁺]_c) and ganoderic acid (GA) contents induced by HS were decreased when cells were pretreated with Li⁺, an inhibitor of inositol monophosphatase, and this decrease could be rescued by PI and PI‐4‐phosphate. Furthermore, inhibition of PI‐4‐kinases resulted in a decrease in the Ca²⁺ and GA contents under HS that could be rescued by PI‐4‐phosphate but not PI. However, the decrease in the Ca²⁺ and GA contents by silencing of PI‐4‐phosphate‐5‐kinase could not be rescued by PI‐4‐phosphate. Taken together, our study reveals the essential role of the step converting PI to PI‐4‐phosphate and then to PI‐4,5‐bisphosphate in [Ca²⁺]_c signalling and GA biosynthesis under HS.     

Calcium-mediated transduction of the hormonal message in meiosis reinitiation of starfish oocytes: modulation following injection of cholera toxin and cAMP-dependent protein kinase

Injections of the regulatory subunit of type I cAMP-dependent protein kinase, of the heat-stable inhibitor protein of cAMP-dependent protein kinase and of calmodulin have no effect on meiosis reinitiation. Drugs, including theophylline, caffeine and procaine, which have been shown previously to inhibit 1-methyladenine (1-MeAde)-induced Ca²⁺ release, both in living starfish oocytes and from plasma membrane-rich fractions obtained from isolated cortices, inhibit meiosis reinitiation when added before—but not after—the end of the hormone-dependent period (period when presence of the hormone in the medium is required for meiosis to occur). In the same conditions, theophylline suppresses 1-MeAde-induced stimulation of protein phosphorylation. Injection of cholera toxin subunit A increases oocyte sensitivity to 1-MeAde. Catalytic subunit of cAMP-dependent protein kinase (C) inhibits meiosis reinitiation when injected before the end of the hormone-dependent period. Oocytes can be released from inhibition due to C injection by raising 1-Me-Ade concentration. These findings support the view that Ca²⁺ release occurs until transduction of the hormonal message (i.e., its intramembrane transfer) has been completed and show that protein phosphorylation remains under plasma membrane control until that time. They also suggest that transduction of the hormonal message might be modulated by intracellular cAMP and membrane phosphorylation, although cAMP content does not change following 1-MeAde addition.     

Guinea Pig Histamine H1 Receptor. II. Stable Expression in Chinese Hamster Ovary Cells Reveals the Interaction with Three Major Signal Transduction Pathways

Abstract: A cDNA encoding a guinea pig histamine H₁ receptor was stably expressed in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells. In one resulting clone, named CHO(H₁), the H₁ receptor was found to be coupled to several major signal transduction pathways. In each case the involvement of a G_i/G_o protein with pertussis toxin (PTX) was assessed, as well as the influence of extracellular Ca²⁺ and of protein kinase C activation by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA). Histamine induced, in a PTX- and PMA-insensitive manner, a biphasic increase in the intracellular Ca²⁺ level of which only the second sustained phase was dependent on the extracellular Ca²⁺ level. Histamine also caused a threefold elevation of inositol phosphate production, which was PTX-insensitive, but slightly inhibited by PMA and reduced by 75% in the absence of extracellular Ca²⁺. Histamine also caused a massive release of arachidonic acid, which occurred in a Ca²⁺- and PMA-sensitive manner, probably through the activation of a cytosolic phospholipase A₂, which partly involves coupling to a PTX-sensitive G protein. In comparison, in HeLa cells endowed with a native H₁ receptor, the histamine-induced arachidonic acid release was also Ca²⁺- and PMA-sensitive, but totally PTX-insensitive. Finally, in CHO(H₁) cells, histamine in very low concentrations potentiated the cyclic AMP accumulation induced by forskolin. This response appeared to be insensitive to PTX, extracellular Ca²⁺, and PMA. These various observations show that stimulation of a single receptor subtype, the guinea pig H₁ receptor, can trigger four major intracellular signals through coupling to several G proteins that are variously modulated by extracellular Ca²⁺ and protein kinase C activation.     

Calcium-mediated transduction of the hormonal message in meiosis reinitiation of starfish oocytes : Modulation following injection of cholera to toxin and cAMP-dependent protein kinase

Injections of the regulatory subunit of type I cAMP-dependent protein kinase, of the heat-stable inhibitor protein of cAMP-dependent protein kinase and of calmodulin have no effect on meiosis reinitiation. Drugs, including theophylline, caffeine and procaine, which have been shown previously to inhibit 1-methyladenine (1-MeAde)-induced Ca²⁺ release, both in living starfish oocytes and from plasma membrane-rich fractions obtained from isolated cortices, inhibit meiosis reinitiation when added before—but not after—the end of the hormone-dependent period (period when presence of the hormone in the medium is required for meiosis to occur). In the same conditions, theophylline suppresses 1-MeAde-induced stimulation of protein phosphorylation. Injection of cholera toxin subunit A increases oocyte sensitivity to 1-MeAde. Catalytic subunit of cAMP-dependent protein kinase (C) inhibits meiosis reinitiation when injected before the end of the hormone-dependent period. Oocytes can be released from inhibition due to C injection by raising 1-Me-Ade concentration. These findings support the view that Ca²⁺ release occurs until transduction of the hormonal message (i.e., its intramembrane transfer) has been completed and show that protein phosphorylation remains under plasma membrane control until that time. They also suggest that transduction of the hormonal message might be modulated by intracellular cAMP and membrane phosphorylation, although cAMP content does not change following 1-MeAde addition.     

Mechanisms of intracellular trigger signal transmission in muscles: Strategy of rearrangements in evolution of the contractile function

The paper describes our concept about the existence of a certain strategy of rearrangements of ionic mechanisms of he intracellular trigger signal transmission in muscles during their contractile function evolution. It is shown that the rearrangements of muscles to accelerate the single (discrete) contraction cycle is accompanied by a change of mechanisms of external stimulus transduction into an intracellular trigger signal: direct activation of intracellular effectors by extracellular Ca²⁺ is replaced by indirect mechanisms of Ca²⁺-, then Ca²⁺- and Na⁺-induced, and in skeletal muscle fibers of vertebrates (SMFV) of Na⁺-induced Ca²⁺ release from the intracellular depot, sarcoplasmic reticulum. These rearrangements promoted an intensification of the Ca²⁺ intracellular mobilization to provide for the most complete pulse control of SMFV phasic contractions by the CNS and their protection from undesirable peripheral influences.     

Effects of sphingosine-1-phosphate on pacemaker activity of interstitial cells of Cajal from mouse small intestine

Interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) are the pacemaker cells that generate the rhythmic oscillation responsible for the production of slow waves in gastrointestinal smooth muscle. Spingolipids are known to present in digestive system and are responsible for multiple important physiological and pathological processes. In this study, we are interested in the action of sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) on ICC. S1P depolarized the membrane and increased tonic inward pacemaker currents. FTY720 phosphate (FTY720P, an S1P_1,3,4,5 agonist) and SEW 2871 (an S1P₁ agonist) had no effects on pacemaker activity. Suramin (an S1P₃ antagonist) did not block the S1P-induced action on pacemaker currents. However, JTE-013 (an S1P₂ antagonist) blocked the S1P-induced action. RT-PCR revealed the presence of the S1P₂ in ICC. Calphostin C (a protein kinase C inhibitor), NS-398 (a cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor), PD 98059 (a p42/44 inhibitor), or SB 203580 (a p38 inhibitor) had no effects on S1P-induced action. However, c-jun NH₂-terminal kinase (JNK) inhibitor II suppressed S1P-induced action. External Ca²⁺-free solution or thapsigargin (a Ca²⁺-ATPase inhibitor of endoplasmic reticulum) suppressed action of S1P on ICC. In recording of intracellular Ca²⁺ ([Ca²⁺]_i) concentration using fluo-4/AM S1P increased intensity of spontaneous [Ca²⁺]_i oscillations in ICC. These results suggest that S1P can modulate pacemaker activity of ICC through S1P₂ via regulation of external and internal Ca²⁺ and mitogenactivated protein kinase activation.     

Effects of ceramide,ceramidase inhibition and expression of ceramide kinase on cytosolic phospholipase A2α; additional role of ceramide-1-phosphate in phosphorylation and Ca2+ signaling

Ceramide and the metabolites including ceramide-1-phosphate (C1P) and sphingosine are reported to regulate the release of arachidonic acid (AA) and/or phospholipase A₂ (PLA₂) activity in many cell types including lymphocytes. Recent studies established that C1P, a product of ceramide kinase, interacts directly with Ca²⁺ binding regions in the C2 domain of α type cytosolic PLA₂ (cPLA₂α), leading to translocation of the enzyme from the cytosol to the perinuclear region in cells. However, a precise mechanism for C1P-induced activation of cPLA₂α has not been well elucidated; such as the phosphorylation signal caused by the extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK1/2) pathway, a downstream of the protein kinase C activation with 4β-phorbol myristate acetate (PMA), is required or not. In the present study, we showed that the increase in intracellular ceramide levels (exogenously added cell permeable ceramides and an inhibition of ceramidase by (1S,2R)-D-erythro-2-(N-myristoylamino)-1-phenyl-1-propanol and the increase in C1P formation by transfection with the vector for human ceramide kinase significantly enhanced the Ca²⁺ ionophore (A23187) -induced release of AA via cPLA₂α's activation in CHO cells. Ceramides did not show additional effects on the release from the cells treated with the inhibitor of ceramidase. Ceramides and C2-C1P neither had effect on the intracellular mobilization of Ca²⁺ nor the phosphorylation of cPLA₂α in cells. A23187/PMA-induced release of AA was enhanced by ceramides and C2-C1P and by expression of ceramide kinase. Our findings suggest that C1P is a stimulatory factor on cPLA₂α that is independent of the Ca²⁺ signal and the PKC-ERK-mediated phosphorylation signal.     

Different signaling pathway between sphingosine-1-phosphate and lysophosphatidic acid in Xenopus oocytes: Functional coupling of the sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor to PLC-xβ in Xenopus oocytes

In Xenopus oocytes, both sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) and lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) activate Ca²⁺-dependent oscillatory Cl⁻ currents by acting through membrane-bound receptors. External application of 50 μM S1P elicited a long-lasting oscillatory current that continued over 30 min from the beginning of oscillation, with 300 nA (n = 11) as a usual maximum peak of current, whereas 1-μM LPA treatment showed only transiently oscillating but more vigorous current responses, with 2,800 nA (n = 18) as a maximum peak amplitude. Both phospholipid-induced Ca²⁺-dependent Cl⁻ currents were observed in the absence of extracellular Ca²⁺, were blocked by intracellular injection of the Ca²⁺ chelator, EGTA, and could not be elicited by treatment with thapsigargin, an inhibitor of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) Ca²⁺ ATPase. Intracellular Ca²⁺ release appeared to be from inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP₃)-sensitive Ca²⁺ store, because Cl⁻ currents were blocked by heparin injection. Pretreatment with the aminosteroid, U-73122, an inhibitor of G protein-mediated phospholipase C (PLC) activation, to oocytes inhibited the current responses evoked both by S1P and LPA. However, when they were injected with 10 ng of antisense oligonucleotide (AS-ODN) against Xenopus phospholipase C (PLC-xβ), oocytes could not respond to S1P application, whereas they responded normally to LPA, indicating that the S1P signaling pathway goes through PLC-xβ, whereas LPA signaling goes through another unknown PLC. To determine the types of G proteins involved, we introduced AS-ODNs against four types of G-protein α subunits that were identified in Xenopus laevis; G_qα, G₁₁α, G₀α, and G_i1α. Among AS-ODNs against the Gαs tested, AS-G_qα and AS-G_i1α to S1P and AS-G_qα and AS-G₁₁α to LPA specifically reduced current responses, respectively, to about 20–30% of controls. These results demonstrate that LPA and S1P, although they have similar structural features, release intracellular Ca²⁺ from the IP₃-sensitive pool, use different components in their signal transduction pathways in Xenopus oocytes. J. Cell. Physiol. 176:412–423, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Calcium signaling phenomena in heart diseases: a perspective

Ca²⁺ is a major intracellular messenger and nature has evolved multiple mechanisms to regulate free intracellular (Ca²⁺)_i level in situ. The Ca²⁺ signal inducing contraction in cardiac muscle originates from two sources. Ca²⁺ enters the cell through voltage dependent Ca²⁺ channels. This Ca²⁺ binds to and activates Ca²⁺ release channels (ryanodine receptors) of the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) through a Ca²⁺ induced Ca²⁺ release (CICR) process. Entry of Ca²⁺ with each contraction requires an equal amount of Ca²⁺ extrusion within a single heartbeat to maintain Ca²⁺ homeostasis and to ensure relaxation. Cardiac Ca²⁺ extrusion mechanisms are mainly contributed by Na⁺/Ca²⁺ exchanger and ATP dependent Ca²⁺ pump (Ca²⁺-ATPase). These transport systems are important determinants of (Ca²⁺)_i level and cardiac contractility. Altered intracellular Ca²⁺ handling importantly contributes to impaired contractility in heart failure. Chronic hyperactivity of the β-adrenergic signaling pathway results in PKA-hyperphosphorylation of the cardiac RyR/intracellular Ca²⁺ release channels. Numerous signaling molecules have been implicated in the development of hypertrophy and failure, including the β-adrenergic receptor, protein kinase C, Gq, and the down stream effectors such as mitogen activated protein kinases pathways, and the Ca²⁺ regulated phosphatase calcineurin. A number of signaling pathways have now been identified that may be key regulators of changes in myocardial structure and function in response to mutations in structural components of the cardiomyocytes. Myocardial structure and signal transduction are now merging into a common field of research that will lead to a more complete understanding of the molecular mechanisms that underlie heart diseases. Recent progress in molecular cardiology makes it possible to envision a new therapeutic approach to heart failure (HF), targeting key molecules involved in intracellular Ca²⁺ handling such as RyR, SERCA2a, and PLN. Controlling these molecular functions by different agents have been found to be beneficial in some experimental conditions.     

T cell receptor-mediated Ca2+ signaling: Release and influx are independent events linked to different Ca2+ entry pathways in the plasma membrane

In this study, we showed that cross-linking CD3 molecules on the T cell surface resulted in Ca²⁺ release from the intracellular stores followed by a sustained Ca²⁺ influx. Inhibition of release with TMB-8 did not block the influx. However, inhibition of phospholipase C activity suppressed both Ca²⁺ release and influx. Once activated, the influx pathway remained open in the absence of further hydrolysis of PIP2. Thapsigargin, a microsomal Ca²⁺ -ATPase inhibitor, stimulated Ca²⁺ entry into the cells by a mechanism other than emptying Ca²⁺ stores. In addition, Ca²⁺ entry into the Ca²⁺ -depleted cells was stimulated by low basal level of cytosolic Ca²⁺, not by the emptying of intracellular Ca²⁺ stores. Both the Ca²⁺ release and influx were dependent on high and low concentrations of extracellular Ca²⁺. At low concentrations, Mn²⁺ entered the cell through the Ca²⁺ influx pathway and quenched the sustained phase of fluorescence; whereas, at higher Mn²⁺ concentration both the transient and the sustained phases of fluorescence were quenched. Moreover, Ca²⁺ release was inhibited by low concentrations of Ni²⁺, La³⁺, and EGTA, while Ca²⁺ influx was inhibited by high concentrations. Thus, in T cells Ca²⁺ influx occurs independently of IP3-dependent Ca²⁺ release. However, some other PIP2 hydrolysis-dependent event was involved in prolonged activation of Ca²⁺ influx. Extracellular Ca²⁺ influenced Ca²⁺ release and influx through the action of two plasma membrane Ca²⁺ entry pathways with different pharmacological and biochemical properties.     

Potentiation of Carbachol-Induced Ca2+ Release by Peroxynitrite in Human Neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y Cells

We have investigated the effect of 3-morpholinosydnonimine (SIN-1), a peroxynitrite donor, on carbachol-induced increase in intracellular Ca²⁺ concentration ([Ca²⁺]_i) in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells by means of single cell imaging of [Ca²⁺]_i. SIN-1 potentiated carbachol-induced [Ca²⁺]_i rise regardless of external Ca²⁺, and the potentiation was completely inhibited by superoxide dismutase, indicating that peroxynitrite may enhance Ca²⁺ release from intracellular stores. On the other hand, SIN-1 reduced carbachol-induced inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP₃) formation. Genistein, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, potentiated carbachol-induced rise of [Ca²⁺]_i regardless of external Ca²⁺. These results suggest that peroxynitrite may potentiate the release of Ca²⁺ from intracellular stores through the perturbation of regulation in tyrosine phosphorylation-dephosphorylation system.     

Identification of possible signal transduction components mediating light induction of the Gsa gene for an early chlorophyll biosynthetic step in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii

 Light-induced expression of the Gsa gene encoding the heme and chlorophyll biosynthetic enzyme glutamate 1-semialdehyde aminotransferase in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii was previously shown to involve Ca²⁺ and calmodulin (CaM) (C. lm et al. 1996, Plant Cell 8: 2245–2253). To further analyze the signal transduction pathway for light-induced Gsa expression, the effects of several pharmacological agents were examined. Treatment of light-dark synchronized cells with the heterotrimeric G-protein agonist Mas-7 caused partial induction of Gsa in the dark. The phospholipase C inhibitor U73122 inhibited light induction of Gsa. Exposure of cells to light caused a sustained 3-fold increase in cellular d-inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (InsP₃) concentration. KN-93, a specific inhibitor of Ca²⁺/CaM-dependent protein kinase II, inhibited light induction of Gsa. In contrast, cyclosporin A, a specific inhibitor of the Ca²⁺/CaM-dependent phosphoprotein phosphatase calcineurin, did not affect light induction of Gsa. These results, together with the earlier results, suggest the involvement of a canonical signal transduction pathway for light-regulated Gsa expression that involves a heterotrimeric G-protein activation, phospholipase C-catalyzed InsP₃ formation, InsP₃-dependent Ca²⁺ release, and activation of a downstream signaling pathway through a Ca²⁺/CaM-dependent protein kinase. Received: 21 October 1999 / Accepted: 3 December 1999