Abstract
The pancreatic acinar cells are of particular interest for the study of cytosolic Ca 2+ signals, since they are morphologically polarized and generate agonist-specific Ca 2+ oscillation patterns. Recent data obtained by combining digital video imaging of Fura-2 fluorescence with patch-clamp whole-cell current recording have provided new information on the spatiotemporal relationships of the cytosolic Ca 2+ signals and the Ca 2+-activated ionic currents. Low agonist concentrations evoke repetitive short-lasting local Ca 2+ spikes in the secretory pole region that activate shortlasting current spikes. In the case of acetylcholine stimulation the spikes are confined to this region. When cholecystokinin is used the shortlasting local spikes precede longer Ca 2+ transients that spread to the whole of the cell. Infusion of non-metabolizable inositol trisphosphate analogues can mimick these responses. The shortlasting local Ca 2+ spikes are particularly sensitive to blockade by the inositol trisphosphate receptor antagonist heparin. These results show that the secretory pole region has a particularly high sensitivity to inositol trisphosphate probably due to clustering of high affinity receptors.
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