ACh对人垂体腺瘤细胞内蛋白激酶C、胞内游离钙及cAMP/cGMP的影响

我们曾发现ACh可明显地抑制垂体腺瘤细胞的增殖代谢,为深入探讨ACh抑制垂体腺瘤细胞增殖作用的机制,观察了ACh作用后垂体腺瘤细胞内蛋白激酶C(PKC)、[Ca^2 ]i及cAMP／cGMP的变化。结果发现：(1)与空白处理组相比,使用PKC的激动剂PMA处理培养的人垂体腺瘤细胞时可使胞浆、胞膜和细胞总PKC活性浓度均升高,但ACh(10μmol/L)作用15min后,胞浆、胞膜和细胞总PKC活性均下降,且此作用可被阿托品阻断;(2)ACh(10μmol/L)作用于单个人垂体腺瘤细胞后,立即使垂体腺瘤细胞[Ca^2 ]i相对水平降低,但此作用可被阿托品阻断;(3)ACh作用于人垂体腺瘤细胞15min后,胞内cAMP水平均明显升高,而cGMP没有改变。该结果为探讨ACh抑制垂体腺瘤细胞增殖的分子机制提供了重要线索,同时提示,ACh对垂体瘤细胞增殖分化的调控作用是细胞内多信息系统相互整合的结果。     

青藤碱对家兔主动脉血管平滑肌细胞内游离钙浓度及蛋白激酶C的影响

观测青藤碱对培养家兔血管平滑肌细胞内游离钙浓度及正常和缺血缺氧刺激下蛋白激酶C（PKC）活性的影响。方法：Fura-2／AM作Ca^2＋指示剂,检测青藤碱对培养家兔主动脉血管平滑肌细胞静息Ca^2＋浓度及去甲肾上腺素,高K^＋,咖啡因刺激作用下的改变,并与钙拮抗剂维拉帕米进行对照研究;复制血管平滑肌细胞缺血缺氧模型,液闪仪测定PKC活性。结果：青藤碱剂量依赖性抑制高K^＋去极化引起[Ca^2＋]i升高,青藤碱10×10^-6mol.L^-1、3×10^-5mol.L^-1、10^-4mol.L^-1,对NE通过受体介导引起的[Ca^2＋]i增高也有明显抑制。但对静息状态下及咖啡因刺激的血管平滑肌细胞[Ca^2＋]i无明显影响。正常时,青藤碱处理后血管平滑肌细胞胞浆、胞膜PKC活性均升高;缺血缺氧状态下,胞浆PKC活性升高,但胞膜PKC活性降低,青藤碱处理后胞浆PKC活性下降,胞膜PKC活性上升。结论：青藤碱可能抑制血管平滑肌细胞电压依赖性钙通道和受体操纵性钙通道,降低细胞内游离钙水平。调节缺血缺氧条件下血管平滑肌细胞PKC活性。     

甲硫氨酸脑啡肽和抗δ阿片受体抗体对小鼠骨髓瘤细胞信号传递系统的作用

为了探讨阿片肽与细胞表面受体结合后所产生的生物效应及其机制 ,用不同浓度甲硫氨酸脑啡肽 ( MENK)及抗 δ阿片受体单克隆抗体处理小鼠的骨髓瘤细胞 ( NS- 1 ) ,然后测定蛋白激酶A( PKA) ,蛋白激酶 C( PKC)活性及三磷酸肌醇 ( IP3 )含量 .研究结果表明 ,NENK可升高细胞胞浆及胞膜 PKA的活性 ,且这一作用可被抗δ阿片受体抗体所拮抗 .MENK对 PKC影响呈双向反应 ,0 .1 μmol/L MENK可以升高胞浆 PKC活性 ,但却明显降低胞膜 PKC活性 ;在 MENK浓度为 1 0μmol/L时则情况刚好相反 .1 μmol/L的 MENK可明显降低胞浆及胞膜 PKC活性 ,抗体可拮抗这种下调作用 .MENK可降低细胞内 IP3 的含量 ,且这一作用可被抗δ阿片受体抗体所拮抗 .由此可以推论 :MENK在与 δ阿片受体结合后 ,可以经过多种信号传导系统来调节细胞功能 ,从而产生不同的生物效应 .     

亚油酸刺激胰岛β细胞胞浆游离钙水平升高的机制

为明确亚油酸影响胰岛β细胞的胞浆游离钙水平([Ca2+]i)的作用和机制,本研究运用胶原酶灌注消化法原代培养大鼠胰岛细胞,使用钙离子荧光指示剂Fluo-3负载细胞后在共聚焦显微镜下观察Fluo-3荧光强度以反映[Ca2+]i变化,灌流给药观察亚油酸等药物的作用,记录结束后采用免疫细胞化学染色方法鉴定β细胞。结果显示,亚油酸(20μmol/L)刺激β细胞[Ca2+]i升高,表现为最初的峰型升高和随后的较为持久的平台期升高。平台期升高可被去除细胞外液中Ca2+所阻断,也可被瞬时受体电位(transient receptor potential,TRP)通道的阻断剂La3+所抑制,峰型升高和平台期升高均被耗竭细胞内钙库的Ca2+或者抑制磷脂酶C活性所阻断。结果表明,亚油酸通过刺激β细胞内钙库的Ca2+释放和激活TRP通道,导致[Ca2+]i升高。     

aFGF对人脐静脉内皮细胞TPK、PKC活性及Ca2+浓度的影响

为了观察酸性成纤维细胞生长因子 ( acidic fibroblast growth factor,a FGF)与人脐静脉内皮细胞 ( human umbilical vein endothelial cell,HUVEC)膜上特异受体结合后引起的细胞内信号转导途径 ,探讨 a FGF导致细胞增殖的机理 ,经 Scatchard曲线分析人脐静脉内皮细胞膜受体性质 .以不同浓度的 a FGF处理人脐静脉内皮细胞 ,利用 [γ- 3 2 P]ATP参入外源性底物的方法测定受体的酪氨酸蛋白激酶 ( tyrosine protein kinase,TPK)及蛋白激酶 C( protein kinase C,PKC)的活性 ;用 Fura-2 /AM为荧光指示剂测定 [Ca2 ]i.结果显示 :Scatchard曲线证明 a FGF与 HUVEC膜受体特异结合呈一条曲线 ,即受体为一种结合位点 ,Kd 为 3.6× 1 0 -10～ 9.6× 1 0 -10 mol/L,每个细胞受体数为2 70 90 .随着 a FGF浓度增加 ,TPK及 PKC活性随之升高 .当 a FGF浓度为 1 .1 2 mg/L时 ,a FGF处理组的 TPK活性是对照组的 3倍 ;膜 PKC活性是对照组 3.4倍 ,胞浆 PKC活性是对照组的 1 .87倍 .胞浆 [Ca2 ]是对照组的 3倍 .结果指出 :该细胞中 a FGF受体具有 TPK活性 .TPK激活后进一步促进蛋白质和酶磷酸化级联反应 ,而使 PKC活性及 [Ca2 ]i 升高 ,即 PKC和 Ca2 为 TPK的下游信号分子 ,进一步促进基因表达增加 ,导致细胞增殖 .     

aFGF对人脐静脉内皮细胞TPK、PKC活性及Ca~(2+)浓度的影响

为了观察酸性成纤维细胞生长因子 ( acidic fibroblast growth factor,a FGF)与人脐静脉内皮细胞 ( human umbilical vein endothelial cell,HUVEC)膜上特异受体结合后引起的细胞内信号转导途径 ,探讨 a FGF导致细胞增殖的机理 ,经 Scatchard曲线分析人脐静脉内皮细胞膜受体性质 .以不同浓度的 a FGF处理人脐静脉内皮细胞 ,利用 [γ- 3 2 P]ATP参入外源性底物的方法测定受体的酪氨酸蛋白激酶 ( tyrosine protein kinase,TPK)及蛋白激酶 C( protein kinase C,PKC)的活性 ;用 Fura-2 /AM为荧光指示剂测定 [Ca2 + ]i.结果显示 :Scatchard曲线证明 a FGF与 HUVEC膜受体特异结合呈一条曲线 ,即受体为一种结合位点 ,Kd 为 3.6× 1 0 -10～ 9.6× 1 0 -10 mol/L,每个细胞受体数为2 70 90 .随着 a FGF浓度增加 ,TPK及 PKC活性随之升高 .当 a FGF浓度为 1 .1 2 mg/L时 ,a FGF处理组的 TPK活性是对照组的 3倍 ;膜 PKC活性是对照组 3.4倍 ,胞浆 PKC活性是对照组的 1 .87倍 .胞浆 [Ca2 + ]是对照组的 3倍 .结果指出 :该细胞中 a FGF受体具有 TPK活性 .TPK激活后进一步促进蛋白质和酶磷酸化级联反应 ,而使 PKC活性及 [Ca2 + ]i 升高 ,即 PKC和 Ca2 + 为 TPK的下游信号分子 ,进一步促进基因表达增加 ,导致细胞增殖 .     

胍丁胺对大鼠心室肌细胞内游离钙浓度的影响

本研究旨在观察胍丁胺 (agmatine ,Agm)对分离大鼠心室肌细胞内游离钙浓度 ( [Ca2 +]i)的影响。用酶解方法分离大鼠心室肌细胞 ,用Fluo 3 AM负载 ,然后用激光共聚焦法测定单个心室肌细胞 [Ca2 +]i 的荧光强度 (fluorescenceintensity ,FI) ,结果以FI或相对荧光强度 (F/F0 % )表示。实验结果表明 ,在正常台氏液 (含钙 1 0mmol/L)和无钙台氏液中 ,单个大鼠心室肌细胞的荧光密度分别为 12 8 8± 13 8和 119 6± 13 6,两者无差异。Agm 0 1、1和 10mmol/L浓度依赖性地显著降低细胞的钙浓度 ;在正常台氏液中加入EGTA 3mmol/L ,Agm同样降低细胞的钙浓度。KCl 60mmol/L ,PE 3 0 μmol/L ,和Bay K 864 410 μmol/L均升高心室肌细胞的[Ca2 +]i。Agm同样降低高浓度KCl、Bay K 864 4和PE诱发的心室肌细胞 [Ca2 +]i 升高。当细胞外液钙浓度由 1mmol/L增加到 10mmol/L时 ,诱发心室肌细胞钙超载 ,同时部分心室肌细胞产生可传播的钙波 (Ca2 +wave) ,Agm 1mmol/L降低钙波的传播速度和持续时间 ,最终阻断钙波。以上结果提示 ,Agm对心室肌细胞的胞浆[Ca2 +]i具有抑制作用 ,此作用通过阻断电压依赖性钙通道而实现 ;并可能与抑制大鼠心室肌细胞内钙释放有关     

大黄素影响巨噬细胞升高[Ca~(2+)]_i和释放TNF-a的作用特征

为了研究大黄素(emodin)对正常的和细菌脂多糖(LPS)刺激的大鼠腹腔巨噬细胞(PM准)释放肿瘤坏死因子琢(TNF-琢)和升高[Ca2+]i的影响,应用L929细胞系和MTT法检测TNF-琢量,同时用激光共焦扫描显微术检测单细胞[Ca2+]i变化动力学。结果显示大黄素能轻度促进正常PM准释放TNF-琢,并发现大黄素诱发PM准[Ca2+]i变化呈振荡波模式。大黄素显著抑制LPS刺激PM准过度释放TNF-琢和升高[Ca2+]i,10-5mol/L大黄素抑制了10mg/LLPS刺激的TNF-琢峰值的50%和[Ca2+]i峰值的68%。LPS诱发PM准[Ca2+]i变化呈现高幅值的“平台期”,大黄素使之转变为低幅值的波动变化。以上结果说明,大黄素对PM准释放TNF-琢和升高[Ca2+]i表现出的双向调节作用之间有一定的相关性,大黄素对LPS诱发的[Ca2+]i升高的调制,可能是抑制LPS刺激PM准释放TNF-琢的信号传导通路中的重要环节。     

内皮素-1通过L-型钙通道的Ca~(2+)内流和钙致钙释放诱导心肌细胞内[Ca~(2+)]的增加

本研究利用fura-2-AM荧光成像和膜片钳技术,发现内皮素-1(Endothelin-1,ET-1)可显著提高大鼠分离心肌细胞内钙离子水平([Ca2+]i),激活心肌细胞钙通道.ETA受体阻滞剂BQ123能够消除ET-1提高[Ca2+]i的效应,而ETB受体阻滞剂BQ788对该效应无影响.用ryanodine受体阻断剂ryanodine(10 μmol/L)预处理,可以使ET-1诱导的[Ca2+]i的增加抑制46.7%.蛋白激酶A(PKA)的抑制剂、蛋白激酶C(PKC)的抑制剂和血管紧张素Ⅱ一型受体(AT1 receptor)的抑制剂都能够抑制ET-1诱导的[Ca2+]i的增加.本研究发现ET-1能够提高全细胞L-型钙通道电流的幅度,增加L-型钙通道单通道的开放概率.并且BQ123完全阻止了ET-1诱导的L-型钙通道开放概率增加的效应.本研究证明了ET-1通过一系列机制调节钙超载,包括L-型钙通道的激活,钙致钙释放(CICR),ETA受体,PKC,PKA和血管紧张素Ⅱ一型受体也参与到了这个途径中.     

糖皮质激素快速抑制高钾离子诱导嗜铬细胞瘤细胞内游离钙浓度升高的作用及其特征

本研究应用钙离子特异荧光指示剂Fura-2/AM,使用Miracal影像系统(Miracal Image System)检测了糖皮质激素对高钾离子升高嗜铬细胞瘤细胞(PC12细胞)内游离钙浓度([Ca2+]i)作用的影响.结果表明:(1)皮质酮抑制高钾离子诱导PC12细胞[Ca2+]i升高与其预处理细胞时间的长短有关,预处理3 min时,皮质酮开始产生抑制作用;预处理5 min时,其呈现的抑制作用最强;预处理25 min时,抑制作用基本消失.(2)皮质酮在10-8～10-5 mol/L范围内时可呈剂量-效应关系,抑制高钾离子诱导的PC12细胞[Ca2+]i升高,皮质酮浓度为10-5 mol/L时,其产生的抑制作用最大;在10-9mol/L时抑制作用不明显.(3)其它甾体激素如皮质醇、地塞米松、孕酮、雌二醇、睾酮、醛固酮在浓度为10-5 mol/L时,也能抑制高钾离子引起的PC12细胞[Ca2+]i升高,但在同一浓度时作用强度有所不同.胆固醇浓度为10-5 mol/L时,对高钾离子诱导PC12细胞钙浓度升高没有抑制作用.在同一浓度时它们的作用强度顺序大致为:孕酮=皮质醇＞地塞米松＞睾酮＞醛固酮=雌二醇＞＞胆固醇.(4)在皮质酮浓度为10-5mol/L时不能抑制由细胞外无钙到有钙过程引起的PC12细胞[Ca2+]i升高.     

8-Bromoguanosine 3':5'-cyclic monophosphate decreases intracellular free calcium concentrations in cultured vascular smooth muscle cells from rat aorta

The effects of 8-bromoguanosine 3':5'-cyclic monophosphate (8-Br cGMP) on intracellular free calcium concentrations ([Ca2+]i) in cultured rat aortic vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) loaded with fura-2 were recorded microfluorometrically. Irrespective of whether VSMCs were at rest (in 5 mM K+ PSS), under Ca2+ depletion (in Ca2+-free medium for 10 min) and K+ depolarization (in high K+ PSS), [Ca2+]i was actively reduced and reached a new and lower steady-state level with the application of 8-Br cGMP. This may be the first and direct evidence that cGMP, a putative mediator of various vasodilators, actively reduces [Ca2+]i in VSMCs.     

cGMP stimulates endoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase in vascular endothelial cells

Calcium is a crucial regulator of many physiological processes such as cell growth, division, differentiation, cell death and apoptosis. In this study, we examined the effect of cGMP on agonist-induced [Ca(2+)](i) transient in isolated rat aortic endothelial cells. 100 microM ATP was applied to the cells bathed in a Ca(2+)-free physiological solution to induce a [Ca(2+)](i) transient that was caused by Ca(2+) release from intracellular stores. cGMP, which was applied after [Ca(2+)](i) reached its peak level, accelerated the falling phase of [Ca(2+)](i) transient. Pre-treatment of the cells with CPA abolished the accelerating effect of cGMP on the falling phase of [Ca(2+)](i) transient. The effect of cGMP was reversed by KT5823, a highly specific inhibitor of protein kinase G. Taken together, these data suggest that cGMP may reduce [Ca(2+)](i) level by promoting Ca(2+) uptake through sarcoplasmic/endoplasmic reticulum ATPase and that the effect of cGMP may be mediated by protein kinase G.     

Mechanism of cGMP contribution to the vasodilator response to NO in rat middle cerebral arteries

This study examined the mechanism by which cGMP contributes to the vasodilator response to nitric oxide (NO) in rat middle cerebral arteries (MCA). Administration of a NO donor, diethylaminodiazen-1-ium-1,2-dioate (DEA-NONOate), or 8-bromo-cGMP (8-BrcGMP) increased the diameter of serotonin-preconstricted MCA by 79 +/- 3%. The response to DEA-NONOate, but not 8-BrcGMP, was attenuated by iberiotoxin (10(-7) M) or a 80 mM high-K(+) media, suggesting that activation of K(+) channels contributes to the vasodilator response to NO but not 8-BrcGMP. The effects of NO and cGMP on the vasoconstrictor response to Ca(2+) were also studied in MCA that were permeabilized with alpha-toxin and ionomycin. Elevations in bath Ca(2+) from 10(-8) to 10(-5) M decreased the diameter of permeabilized MCA by 76 +/- 5%. DEA-NONOate (10(-6) M) and 8-BrcGMP (10(-4) M) blunted this response by 60%. Inhibition of guanylyl cyclase with 1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazole[4,3-a] quinoxalin-1-one (10(-5) M) blocked the inhibitory effect of the NO donor, but not 8-BrcGMP, on Ca(2+)-induced vasoconstriction. 8-BrcGMP (10(-4) M) had no effect on intracellular Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+)](i)) in control, serotonin-stimulated, or alpha-toxin- and ionomycin-permeabilized vascular smooth muscle cells isolated from the MCA. These results indicate that the vasodilator response to NO in rat MCA is mediated by activation of Ca(2+)-activated K(+) channels via a cGMP-independent pathway and that cGMP also contributes to the vasodilator response to NO by decreasing the contractile response to elevations in [Ca(2+)](i).     

TRPC1 proteins confer PKC and phosphoinositol activation on native heteromeric TRPC1/C5 channels in vascular smooth muscle: comparative study of wild-type and TRPC1-/- mice

Ca(2+)-permeable cation channels consisting of canonical transient receptor potential 1 (TRPC1) proteins mediate Ca(2+) influx pathways in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), which regulate physiological and pathological functions. We investigated properties conferred by TRPC1 proteins to native single TRPC channels in acutely isolated mesenteric artery VSMCs from wild-type (WT) and TRPC1-deficient (TRPC1(-/-)) mice using patch-clamp techniques. In WT VSMCs, the intracellular Ca(2+) store-depleting agents cyclopiazonic acid (CPA) and 1,2-bis-(2-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid (BAPTA-AM) both evoked channel currents, which had unitary conductances of ～2 pS. In TRPC1(-/-) VSMCs, CPA-induced channel currents had 3 subconductance states of 14, 32, and 53 pS. Passive depletion of intracellular Ca(2+) stores activated whole-cell cation currents in WT but not TRPC1(-/-) VSMCs. Differential blocking actions of anti-TRPC antibodies and coimmunoprecipitation studies revealed that CPA induced heteromeric TRPC1/C5 channels in WT VSMCs and TRPC5 channels in TRPC1(-/-) VSMCs. CPA-evoked TRPC1/C5 channel activity was prevented by the protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor chelerythrine. In addition, the PKC activator phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate (PDBu), a PKC catalytic subunit, and phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate (PIP(2)) and phosphatidylinositol-3,4,5-trisphosphate (PIP(3)) activated TRPC1/C5 channel activity, which was prevented by chelerythrine. In contrast, CPA-evoked TRPC5 channel activity was potentiated by chelerythrine, and inhibited by PDBu, PIP(2), and PIP(3). TRPC5 channels in TRPC1(-/-) VSMCs were activated by increasing intracellular Ca(2+) concentrations ([Ca(2+)](i)), whereas increasing [Ca(2+)](i) had no effect in WT VSMCs. We conclude that agents that deplete intracellular Ca(2+) stores activate native heteromeric TRPC1/C5 channels in VSMCs, and that TRPC1 subunits are important in determining unitary conductance and conferring channel activation by PKC, PIP(2), and PIP(3).     

白藜芦醇降低大鼠心室肌细胞内游离钙浓度

实验旨在研究白藜芦醇(resveratrol)对大鼠心室肌细胞内钙浓度(intracellular calcium concentratoin,[Ca2+]i)的影响.应用激光共聚焦显微镜技术记录心室肌细胞内的钙荧光强度.结果表明在正常台氏液和无钙台氏液中,白藜芦醇(15～60μmol/L)呈浓度依赖性地降低[Ca2+]i.蛋白酪氨酸磷酸酶抑制剂正钒酸钠(sodium orthovanadate,1.0 mmol/L)和L型Ca2+通道激动剂Bay K8644(10 μmol/L)可部分抑制正常台氏液中白藜芦醇的效应.但NO合酶阻断剂L-NAME(1.0 mmol/L)对白藜芦醇的作用无影响.白藜芦醇也能明显抑制无钙台氏液中由低浓度ryanodine(1.0 nmol/L)引起的[Ca2+]i增加.当细胞外液钙浓度由1 mmol/L增加到10 mmol/L而诱发心室肌细胞钙超载时,部分心室肌细胞产生可传播的钙波,白藜芦醇(60 μmol/L)可降低钙波的传播速度和持续时间,最终阻断钙波.结果提示,白藜芦醇能够降低心室肌细胞内游离钙浓度,此作用可能与其抑制电压依赖性Ca2+通道、酩氨酸激酶和肌浆网内钙释放有关.     

Bacterial lipopolysaccharide activates protein kinase C, but not intracellular calcium elevation, in human peripheral T cells

The increase of intracellular free calcium concentration ([Ca(2+)](i)) and protein kinase C (PKC) activity are two major early mitogenic signals to initiate proliferation of human peripheral T cells. Bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is nonmitogenic in human T cells. However, in the presence of monocytes, LPS becomes mitogenic to proliferate T cells. The aim of this study was to define the incompetency of LPS on two mitogenic signals in human peripheral T cells. T cells were isolated from human peripheral blood. [Ca(2+)](i) and pH(i) were determined by loading the cells with the fluorescent dyes, Fura-2 acetoxymethyl ester (Fura-2/AM) and 2',7'-bis(2-carboxyethyl)-5-(and 6)carboxyfluorescein acetoxymethyl ester (BCECF/AM). PKC activity was determined by protein kinase assay and cell proliferation was estimated from the incorporation of [(3)H]-thymidine. The results indicated that (1) LPS (10 microg/ml) stimulated PKC activity significantly within 5 min, reached a plateau at 30 min, and maintained that level for at least 2 h; and (2) LPS stimulated cytoplasmic alkalinization but did not affect the levels of [Ca(2+)](i) and [(3)H]-thymidine incorporation into T cells. Moreover, the combination of calcium ionophore A23187 with LPS significantly stimulated [(3)H]-thymidine incorporation into T cells. Thus, the results demonstrate that LPS failed to proliferate T cells, probably because of a lack of the machinery necessary to stimulate the mitogenic signal on [Ca(2+)](i) elevation.     

A nicardipine-sensitive Ca2+ entry contributes to the hypotonicity-induced increase in [Ca2+]i of principal cells in rat cortical collecting duct

We examined the mechanisms involved in the [Ca(2+)](i) response to the extracellular hypotonicity in the principal cells of freshly isolated rat cortical collecting duct (CCD), using Fura-2/AM fluorescence imaging. Reduction of extracellular osmolality from 305 (control) to 195 mosmol/kgH(2)O (hypotonic) evoked transient increase in [Ca(2+)](i) of principal cells of rat CCDs. The [Ca(2+)](i) increase was markedly attenuated by the removal of extracellular Ca(2+)(.) The application of a P(2) purinoceptor antagonist, suramin failed to inhibit the hypotonicity-induced [Ca(2+)](i) increase. The [Ca(2+)](i) increase in response to extracellular hypotonicity was not influenced by application of Gd(3+) and ruthenium red. On the other hand, a voltage-gated Ca(2+) channel inhibitor, nicardipine, significantly reduced the peak amplitude of [Ca(2+)](i) increase in the principal cells. In order to assess Ca(2+) entry during the hypotonic stimulation, we measured the quenching of Fura-2 fluorescence intensity by Mn(2+). The hypotonic stimulation enhanced quenching of Fura-2 fluorescence by Mn(2+), indicating that a Ca(2+)-permeable pathway was activated by the hypotonicity. The hypotonicity-mediated enhancement of Mn(2+) quenching was significantly inhibited by nicardipine. These results strongly suggested that a nicardipine-sensitive Ca(2+) entry pathway would contribute to the mechanisms underlying the hypotonicity-induced [Ca(2+)](i) elevation of principal cells in rat CCD.     

Membrane potential dependent modulations of calcium oscillations in insulin-secreting INS-1 cells

This study was undertaken to examine the role of K(+) channels on cytosolic Ca(2+) ([Ca(2+)](i)) in insulin secreting cells. [Ca(2+)](i) was measured in single glucose-responsive INS-1 cells using the fluorescent Ca(2+) indicator Fura-2. Glucose, tolbutamide and forskolin elevated [Ca(2+)](i) and induced [Ca(2+)] oscillations. Whereas the glucose effect was delayed and observed in 60% and 93% of the cells, in a poorly and a highly glucose-responsive INS-1 cell clone, respectively, tolbutamide and forskolin increased [Ca(2+)](i) in all cells tested. In the latter clone, glucose induced [Ca(2+)](i) oscillations in 77% of the cells. In 16% of the cells a sustained rise of [Ca(2+)](i) was observed. The increase in [Ca(2+)](i) was reversed by verapamil, an L-type Ca(2+) channel inhibitor. Adrenaline decreased [Ca(2+)](i) in oscillating cells in the presence of low glucose and in cells stimulated by glucose alone or in combination with tolbutamide and forskolin. Adrenaline did not lower [Ca(2+)](i) in the presence of 30mM extracellular K(+), indicating that adrenaline does not exert a direct effect on Ca(2+) channels but increases K(+) channel activity. As for primary b-cells, [Ca(2+)](i) oscillations persisted in the presence of closed K(ATP) channels; these also persisted in the presence of thapsigargin, which blocks Ca(2+) uptake into Ca(2+) stores. In contrast, in voltage-clamped cells and in the presence of diazoxide (50mM), which hyperpolarizes the cells by opening K(ATP) channels, [Ca(2+)](i) oscillations were abolished. These results support the hypothesis that [Ca(2+)](i) oscillations depend on functional voltage-dependent Ca(2+) and K(+) channels and are interrupted by a hyperpolarization in insulin-secreting cells.     

Cyclic GMP stimulates Na+/Ca2+ exchange in vascular smooth muscle cells in primary culture.

We examined the effect of cGMP on Na+/Ca2+ exchange in rat aortic smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) in primary culture. The intracellular Ca2+ concentration [( Ca2+]i) was raised by adding ionomycin to VSMCs incubated at high extracellular pH (pH0) (pH0 = 8.8) and high extracellular Mg2+ (Mg2+0) (Mg2+0 = 20 mM), conditions that inhibit activity of the sarcolemmal Ca2+ pump. 45Ca2+ efflux observed under these conditions was mostly extracellular Na+ (Na+0)-dependent and thus presumably catalyzed by the Na+/Ca2+ exchanger. Brief treatment of VSMCs with 8-bromo-cGMP or atrial natriuretic peptide increased this Na+0-dependent 45Ca2+ efflux by about 50%. The 8-bromo-cGMP treatment did not significantly influence total cell Na+, membrane potential, and cell pH. Conversely, when VSMCs were loaded with Na+ and then exposed to a Na+0-free medium, the rate of 45Ca2+ uptake into VSMCs increased as cell Na+ increased. Prior treatment of VSMCs with 8-bromo-cGMP accelerated 45Ca2+ uptake by up to 60% without influencing Na+ loading itself. Treatment of VSMCs with 25 microM 2,5-di-(tert-butyl)-1,4-benzohydroquinone, an inhibitor of the sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase, induced a transient elevation of [Ca2+]i. 8-Bromo-cGMP stimulated the rate of recovery phase of this Ca2+ transient measured in the high pHo/high Mg2+o medium. All these results indicate that cGMP stimulates Na+/Ca2+ exchange in VSMCs.     

Calcium homeostasis in vascular smooth muscle cells is altered in type 2 diabetes by Bcl-2 protein modulation of InsP3R calcium release channels

This study examines the extent to which the antiapoptotic Bcl-2 proteins Bcl-2 and Bcl-x(L) contribute to diabetic Ca(2+) dysregulation and vessel contractility in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) through their interaction with inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor (InsP(3)R) intracellular Ca(2+) release channels. Measurements of intracellular ([Ca(2+)](i)) and sarcoplasmic reticulum ([Ca(2+)](SR)) calcium concentrations were made in primary cells isolated from diabetic (db/db) and nondiabetic (db/m) mice. In addition, [Ca(2+)](i) and constriction were recorded simultaneously in isolated intact arteries. Protein expression levels of Bcl-x(L) but not Bcl-2 were elevated in VSMCs isolated from db/db compared with db/m age-matched controls. In single cells, InsP(3)-evoked [Ca(2+)](i) signaling was enhanced in VSMCs from db/db mice compared with db/m. This was attributed to alterations in the intrinsic properties of the InsP(3)R itself because there were no differences between db/db and db/m in the steady-state [Ca(2+)](SR) or InsP(3)R expression levels. Moreover, in permeabilized cells the rate of InsP(3)R-dependent SR Ca(2+) release was increased in db/db compared with db/m VSMCs. The enhanced InsP(3)-dependent SR Ca(2+) release was attenuated by the Bcl-2 protein inhibitor ABT-737 only in diabetic cells. Application of ABT-737 similarly attenuated enhanced agonist-induced [Ca(2+)](i) signaling only in intact aortic and mesenteric db/db vessels. In contrast, ABT-737 had no effect on agonist-evoked contractility in either db/db or db/m vessels. Taken together, the data suggest that in type 2 diabetes the mechanism for [Ca(2+)](i) dysregulation in VSMCs involves Bcl-2 protein-dependent increases in InsP(3)R excitability and that dysregulated [Ca(2+)](i) signaling does not appear to contribute to increased vessel reactivity.