Recovery of neuronal protein synthesis after irreversible inhibition of the endoplasmic reticulum calcium pump

Abstract

In the physiological state, protein synthesis is controlled by calcium homeostasis in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Recently, evidence has been presented that dividing cells can adapt to an irreversible inhibition of the ER calcium pump (SERCA), although the mechanisms underlying this adaption have not yet been elucidated. Exposing primary neuronal cells to thapsigargin (Tg, a specific irreversible inhibition of SERCA) resulted in a complete suppression of protein synthesis and disaggregation of polyribosomes indicating inhibition of the initiation step of protein synthesis. Protein synthesis and ribosomal aggregation recovered to 50–70% of control when cells were cultured in medium supplemented with serum for 24 h, but recovery was significantly suppressed in a serum-free medium. Culturing cells in serum-free medium for 24 h already caused an almost 50% suppression of SERCA activity and protein synthesis. SERCA activity did not recover after Tg treatment, and a second exposure of cells to Tg, 24 h after the first, had no effect on protein synthesis. Acute exposure of neurons to Tg induced a depletion of ER calcium stores as indicated by an increase in cytoplasmic calcium activity, but this response was not elicited by the same treatment 24 h later. However, treatments known to deplete ER calcium stores (exposure to the ryanodine receptor agonists caffeine or 2-hydroxycarbazole, or incubating cells in calcium-free medium supplemented with EGTA) caused a second suppression of protein synthesis when applied 24 h after Tg treatment. The results suggest that after Tg exposure, restoration of protein synthesis was induced by recovery of the regulatory link between ER calcium homeostasis and protein synthesis, and not by renewed synthesis of SERCA protein or development of a new regulatory system for the control of protein synthesis. The effect of serum withdrawal on SERCA activity and protein synthesis points to a role of growth factors in maintaining ER calcium homeostasis, and suggests that the ER acts as a mediator of cell damage after interruption of growth factor supplies.