Convergence of Ca2+ signaling pathways in adipocytes. The role of L-arginine and protein kinase G in generation of transient and periodic Ca2+ signals

Abstract

Experiments on cultured mouse adipocytes (9 days in vitro) using fluorescent microscopy have shown that activation of α1- and α2-adrenoceptors by norepinephrine (NE) or α2-adrenoreceptors by L-arginine evokes transient Ca2+ signals, while activation of m3-cholinoreceptors by acetylcholine (ACh) or betaine causes sustained or damped Ca2+ oscillations. The presence in the incubation medium of L-arginine at a low concentration (100–200 μM) is necessary for a vigorous manifestation of these effects, apparently due to transition of protein kinase G (PKG) and phosphodiesterase V into an active state. In the presence of 1–10 mM L-arginine, the amplitude of the Ca2+ transient response to NE increases and signal duration decreases. ACh and NE upon a sequential addition mutually potentiate their effects. Using an inhibitory analysis we show that the observed modes are related to the operation of a signaling pathway with the participation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), protein kinase B (PKB), endothelial NO synthase (eNOS), cytoplasmic guanylate cyclase (sGC), protein kinase G (PKG), ADP-ribosyl cyclase (CD38), and the ryanodine receptor (RyR). The formation of several loops of positive feedbacks (PF) and negative feedbacks (NF) in the signaling system is possible: (i) short PF loops due to Ca2+-induced Ca2+ release (CICR) from internal stores through the inositol trisphosphate receptor (IP3R) and RyR participating in the transient signal formation; (ii) long PF loop Ca2+ → eNOS → sGC → PKG → CD38 → RyR → Ca2+, which can provide necessary conditions for calcium oscillations arising from short PF loops (CICR); (iii) several NF loops based on PKG-mediated inhibition of IP3R and activation of Ca2+-ATPases of sarco(endo)plasmic reticulum and of the plasma membrane providing a shutdown of signaling by the pathway phospholipase C → IP3R → Ca2+ and limiting Ca2+ rise caused by the pathway PI3K → PKB → eNOS → sGC → PKG → CD38 → RyR → Ca2+. Convergence of signaling pathways that involve α1-, α2-, and m3-receptors and then Gβγ-subunits of Gq and Gq proteins acting on PI3Kγ can provide activation of cytoplasmic PKG, which plays a key role in producing transient responses, in activation of Ca2+ removal and generation of [Ca2+]i oscillations. PKG inhibition (implemented here by KT5823 application) in the presence of any agonist results in rupture of NF loops controlling Ca2+ transporting systems activity that leads to uncontrolled [Ca2+]i rise and cell death.