ROS-Ca is associated with mitochondria permeability transition pore involved in surfactin-induced MCF-7 cells apoptosis

The surfactin can inhibit proliferation and induce apoptosis in cancer cells. Moreover, surfactin can induce cell death in human breast cancer MCF-7 cells through mitochondrial pathway. However, the molecular mechanism involved in this pathway remains to be elucidated. Here, the reactive oxygen species (ROS) and Ca²⁺ on mitochondria permeability transition pore (MPTP) activity, and MCF-7 cell apoptosis which induced by surfactin were investigated. It is found that surfactin evoked mitochondrial ROS generation, and the surfactin-induced cell death was prevented by N-acetylcysteine (NAC, an inhibitor of ROS). An increasing cytoplasmic Ca²⁺ concentration was detected in surfactin-induced MCF-7 apoptosis, which was inhibited by 1,2-bis (2-aminophenoxy) ethane-N,N,N′,N′-tetraacetic acid (BAPTA-AM, a chelator of calcium). In addition, the relationship between ROS generation and the increase of cytoplasm Ca²⁺ was determined. The results showed that surfactin initially induced the ROS formation, leading to the MPTP opening accompanied with the collapse of mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨ_m). Then the cytoplasmic Ca²⁺ concentration increased in virtue of the changes of mitochondrial permeability, which was prevented by BAPTA-AM. Besides, cytochrome c (cyt c) was released from mitochondria to cytoplasm through the MPTP and activated caspase-9, eventually induced apoptosis. In summary, surfactin has notable anti-tumor effect on MCF-7 cells, however, there was no obvious cytotoxicity on normal cells.     

Effects of Intracellular Calcium Chelation and Pifithrin-α on Deoxynucleotide Metabolism in Human Lymphocytes

Previously, we have found that activation of deoxycytidine kinase elicited by various DNA-damaging chemical agents could be prevented by BAPTA-AM, a cell-permeable calcium chelator or by pifithrin-α, a pharmacological inhibitor of p53. Here, we show that stimulation of deoxycytidine kinase by UV-light also is calcium-dependent and pifithrin-α-sensitive in tonsillar lymphocytes, while thymidine kinase 1 activity is stabilised in the presence of BAPTA-AM. Importantly, both UV-irradiation and calcium chelation decreased the incorporation of labelled deoxycytidine and thymidine into DNA. Pifithrin-alpha dramatically reduced the labelling of both the nucleotide and DNA fractions, possibly due to inhibition of transmembrane nucleoside transport.     

槲皮素诱导Hep G2自噬与胞内游离Ca2+浓度的变化相关

槲皮素具有诱导细胞自噬、抑制肿瘤细胞增殖等抗癌功能,但其诱导细胞自噬的分子机制还不太清楚. 本文通过激光共聚焦显微镜观察槲皮素对Hep G2细胞自噬的影响; Fluo-3 AM和Cyto-IDTM Green Detection Reagent染色标记, 流式细胞术测定了槲皮素对Hep G2细胞内游离钙离子浓度［Ca2+］_i 及Ca2＋螯合剂BAPTA-AM对自噬水平的影响. 探讨了槲皮素诱导人肝癌细胞 Hep G2自噬过程中［Ca2+］i的变化. 结果表明, 在槲皮素较低浓度范围内(0 ～ 50 μg/mL), 可明显抑制Hep G2细胞增殖, 并以剂量依赖方式诱导细胞自噬. 同时发现,槲皮素刺激Hep G2细胞可使［Ca2+］i明显增加, 进而促进自噬. 而当胞内Ca2＋螯合剂 BAPTA-AM存在时, 细胞的自噬水平受到一定的抑制. 这些结果表明,细胞内［Ca2+］i的升高可促进自噬, ［Ca2+］_i 的降低可能会抑制自噬. Hep G2细胞自噬与细胞内游离钙离子浓度的变化有关系.     

Amphiphilic beta-sheet cobra cardiotoxin targets mitochondria and disrupts its network

Recent advance in understanding the role of toxin proteins in controlling cell death has revealed that pro-apoptotic viral proteins targeting mitochondria contain amphiphilic alpha-helices with pore-forming properties. Herein, we describe that the pore-forming amphiphilic beta-sheet cardiotoxins (or cytotoxins, CTXs) from Taiwan cobra (Naja atra) also target mitochondrial membrane after internalization and act synergistically with CTX-induced cytosolic calcium increase to disrupt mitochondria network. It is suggested that CTX-induced fragmentation of mitochondria play a role in controlling CTX-induced necrosis of myocytes and cause severe tissue necrosis in the victims.     

Oleic acid induces intracellular calcium mobilization, MAPK phosphorylation, superoxide production and granule release in bovine neutrophils

Oleic acid (OA) is a nonesterified fatty acid that is released into the blood during lipomobilization at the time of calving in cows, a period where increased risk of infection and acute inflammation is observed. These data suggest potential OA-mediated regulation of innate immune responses. In the present study, we assessed the effects of OA on intracellular calcium release, ERK1/2 phosphorylation, superoxide production, CD11b expression and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) release in bovine neutrophils. Furthermore, the presence of GPR40, an OA receptor, was assessed by RT-PCR, immunoblotting and confocal microscopy. OA induced, in a dose-dependent manner, intracellular calcium mobilization, superoxide production and CD11b expression in bovine neutrophils; these effects were reduced by the intracellular chelating agent BAPTA-AM. OA also induced ERK2 phosphorylation and MMP-9 release. RT-PCR analysis detected mRNA expression of a bovine ortholog of the GPR40 receptor. Using a polyclonal antibody against human GPR40, we detected a protein of 31 kDa by immunoblotting that was localized predominately in the plasma membrane. The selective agonist of GPR40, GW9508, induced intracellular calcium mobilization and ERK2 phosphorylation. In conclusion, OA can modulate bovine neutrophil responses in an intracellular calcium-dependent manner; furthermore, these responses could be induced by GPR40 activation.     

Studies of the effect of ionomycin on the KCNQ4 channel expressed in Xenopus oocytes

The effect of ionomycin on the human KCNQ4 channels expressed in Xenopus leavis oocytes was investigated. KCNQ4 channels expressed in Xenopus oocytes were measured using two-electrode voltage clamp. The activation of KCNQ4 current had slow activation kinetics and low threshold (approximately -50 mV). The expressed current of KCNQ4 showed the half-maximal activation (V(1/2)) was -17.8 mV and blocked almost completely by KCNQ4 channel blockers, linopirdine (300 microM) or bepridil (200 microM). The significant increase of KCNQ4 outward current induced by ionomycin (calcium salt) is about 1.7-fold of control current amplitude at +60 mV and shifted V(1/2) by approximately -8 mV (from -17.8 to -26.0 mV). This effect of ionomycin could be reversed by the further addition of BAPTA-AM (0.3 mM), a membrane-permeable calcium chelator. Furthermore, the increased effect of ionomycin on KCNQ4 current is abolished by pretreatment of linopirdine or bepridil. In contrast, direct cytoplasmic injection of calcium medium (up to 1 mM calcium, 50 nl) did not mimic the effect of ionomycin. In conclusion, the effect of ionomycin on enhancement of KCNQ4 current is independent of intracellular calcium mobilization and possibly acts on intramembrane hydrophobic site of KCNQ4 protein expressed in Xenopus oocytes.     

Wnt-5a increases NO and modulates NMDA receptor in rat hippocampal neurons

Wnt signaling has a crucial role in synaptic function at the central nervous system. Here we evaluate whether Wnts affect nitric oxide (NO) generation in hippocampal neurons. We found that non-canonical Wnt-5a triggers NO production; however, Wnt-3a a canonical ligand did not exert the same effect. Co-administration of Wnt-5a with the soluble Frizzled related protein-2 (sFRP-2) a Wnt antagonist blocked the NO production. Wnt-5a activates the non-canonical Wnt/Ca²⁺ signaling through a mechanism that depends on Ca²⁺ release from Ryanodine-sensitive internal stores. The increase in NO levels evoked by Wnt-5a promotes the insertion of the GluN2B subunit of the NMDA receptor (NMDAR) into the neuronal cell surface. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time that Wnt-5a signaling is related to NO production, which in turn increases NMDARs trafficking to the cell surface.     

The role of RGS protein in agonist-dependent relaxation of GIRK currents in Xenopus oocytes

G protein coupled inward rectifier K⁺ channels (GIRK) are activated by the G_βγ subunits of G proteins upon activation of G protein coupled receptors (GPCRs). Receptor-stimulated GIRK currents are known to possess a curious property, termed “agonist-dependent relaxation,” denoting a slow current increase upon stepping the membrane voltage from positive to negative potentials. Regulators of G protein signaling (RGS) proteins have earlier been implicated in this phenomenon since RGS coexpression was required for relaxation to be observed in heterologous expression systems. However, a recent study presented contrasting evidence that GIRK current relaxation reflects voltage sensitive agonist binding to the GPCR. The present study re-examined the role of RGS protein in agonist-dependent relaxation and found that RGS coexpression is not necessary for the relaxation phenomenon. However, RGS4 speeds up relaxation kinetics, allowing the phenomenon to be observed using shorter voltage steps. These findings resolve the controversy regarding the role of RGS protein vs. GPCR voltage sensitivity in mediating agonist-dependent relaxation of GIRK currents.     

Aldosterone increases kidney tubule cell oxidants through calcium-mediated activation of NADPH oxidase and nitric oxide synthase

Chronic hyperaldosteronism has been associated with an increased cancer risk. We recently showed that aldosterone causes an increase in cell oxidants, DNA damage, and NF-κB activation. This study investigated the mechanisms underlying aldosterone-induced increase in cell oxidants in kidney tubule cells. Aldosterone caused an increase in both reactive oxygen and reactive nitrogen (RNS) species. The involvement of the activation of NADPH oxidase in the increase in cellular oxidants was demonstrated by the inhibitory action of the NADPH oxidase inhibitors DPI, apocynin, and VAS2870 and by the migration of the p47 subunit to the membrane. NADPH oxidase activation occurred as a consequence of an increase in cellular calcium levels and was mediated by protein kinase C. The prevention of RNS increase by BAPTA-AM, W-7, and L-NAME indicates a calcium-calmodulin activation of NOS. A similar pattern of effects of the NADPH oxidase and NOS inhibitors was observed for aldosterone-induced DNA damage and NF-κB activation, both central to the pathogenesis of chronic aldosteronism. In summary, this paper demonstrates that aldosterone, via the mineralocorticoid receptor, causes an increase in kidney cell oxidants, DNA damage, and NF-κB activation through a calcium-mediated activation of NADPH oxidase and NOS. Therapies targeting calcium, NOS, and NADPH oxidase could prevent the adverse effects of hyperaldosteronism on kidney function as well as its potential oncogenic action.