Receptor Intracellular Calcium Research Articles

Enhancement of DPP-IV Inhibitory Activity and GLP-1 Release Through RADA16-assisted Molecular Designed Rapeseed Peptide Nanogels

Abstract Objectives To produce and evaluate the microstructure and rheological behavior of a nanogel of pentapeptide IPQVS (RAP1) and octopeptide ELHQEEPL (RAP2), derived from rapeseed napin, through RADA16-assisted molecular design. In addition, to determine in vitro the dipeptidyl-peptidase IV (DPP-IV) inhibitory properties, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) secretion through activation of calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR) and the intracellular calcium ion mobilization and receptor protein cAMP concentration. Methods An innovative nanogel, which loaded the RAP1 and RAP2 into RADA16 scaffold, respectively, was synthesized. The linker of double Gly was used in the connection of RADA16 and the functional oligopeptide region. DPP-IV inhibitory activity was evaluated in the Caco-2 cell monolayer. The microstructure and rheological behavior of RADA16-RAP1 and RADA16-RAP2 were characterized. The GLP-1 secretion through activation of CaSR receptor and the intracellular calcium ion mobilization and cAMP concentration were determined in STC-1 cells. Results DPP-IV inhibitory activity was reduced (more potent) by over 65% in the presence of 250 μM of the two formed nanogels RADA16–GG-IPQVS and RADA16- GG-ELHQEEPL (p < 0.05). The two nanogel peptides had high stability at low temperature or body temperature and high dispersibility in water. Stable β-sheet structures increased by 5.6-fold and 5.2-fold, respectively, than the original oligopeptides, with a self-assembled fibrous morphology. The nanogels RADA16-RAP1 and RADA16-RAP2 might exhibit good rheological properties for potential injectable applications; storage modulus (G’) was 10 times higher than low modulus (G’’). Furthermore, the RAP2 and its RADA16-assisted nanogel peptide at the concentration of 250 μM significantly (p < 0.05) increased the release of GLP-1 by 35.46% through calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR) pathway in the enteroendocrine STC-1 cells. Conclusions The innovated nanogel with the sequence of RADA16-GG-Xn has the possibility of oral and injection to management type 2 diabetes. DPP-IV inhibitory peptides IPQVS and ELHQEEPL can form a nanogel with high water content through the self-assembly gelation of RADA16. They may attach to the brush border of human intestinal epithelial cells to inhibit DPP-IV in the intestinal lumen. Funding Sources USDA-HATCH [grant number 1017440].

Gintonin, a Ginseng-Derived Exogenous Lysophosphatidic Acid Receptor Ligand, Protects Astrocytes from Hypoxic and Re-oxygenation Stresses Through Stimulation of Astrocytic Glycogenolysis.

Astrocytes are a unique brain cell-storing glycogen and express lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) receptors. Gintonin is a ginseng-derived exogenous G protein-coupled LPA receptor ligand. Accumulating evidence shows that astrocytes serve as an energy supplier to neurons through astrocytic glycogenolysis under physiological and pathophysiological conditions. However, little is known about the relationships between LPA receptors and astrocytic glycogenolysis or about the roles of LPA receptors in hypoxia and re-oxygenation stresses. In the present study, we examined the functions of gintonin-mediated astrocytic glycogenolysis in adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production, glutamate uptake, and cell viability under normoxic, hypoxic, and re-oxygenation conditions. The application of gintonin or LPA to astrocytes induced glycogenolysis in concentration- and time-dependent manners. The stimulation of gintonin-mediated astrocytic glycogenolysis was achieved through the LPA receptor-Gαq/11 protein-phospholipase C-inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor-intracellular calcium ([Ca2+]i) transient pathway. Gintonin treatment to astrocytes increased the phosphorylation of brain phosphorylase kinase, with sensitive manner to K252a, an inhibitor of phosphorylase kinase. Gintonin-mediated astrocytic glycogenolysis was blocked by isofagomine, a glycogen phosphorylase inhibitor. Gintonin additionally increased astrocytic glycogenolysis under hypoxic and re-oxygenation conditions. Moreover, gintonin increased ATP production, glutamate uptake, and cell viability under the hypoxic and re-oxygenation conditions. Collectively, we found that the gintonin-mediated [Ca2+]i transients regulated by LPA receptors were coupled to astrocytic glycogenolysis and that stimulation of gintonin-mediated astrocytic glycogenolysis was coupled to ATP production and glutamate uptake under hypoxic and re-oxygenation conditions, ultimately protecting astrocytes. Hence, the gintonin-mediated astrocytic energy that is modulated via LPA receptors helps to protect astrocytes under hypoxia and re-oxygenation stresses.

Functional Role of Intracellular Calcium Receptor Inositol 1,4,5-Trisphosphate Type 1 in Rat Hippocampus after Neonatal Anoxia.

Anoxia is one of the most prevalent causes of neonatal morbidity and mortality, especially in preterm neonates, constituting an important public health problem due to permanent neurological sequelae observed in patients. Oxygen deprivation triggers a series of simultaneous cascades, culminating in cell death mainly located in more vulnerable metabolic brain regions, such as the hippocampus. In the process of cell death by oxygen deprivation, cytosolic calcium plays crucial roles. Intracellular inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptors (IP3Rs) are important regulators of cytosolic calcium levels, although the role of these receptors in neonatal anoxia is completely unknown. This study focused on the functional role of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor type 1 (IP3R1) in rat hippocampus after neonatal anoxia. Quantitative real-time PCR revealed a decrease of IP3R1 gene expression 24 hours after neonatal anoxia. We detected that IP3R1 accumulates specially in CA1, and this spatial pattern did not change after neonatal anoxia. Interestingly, we observed that anoxia triggers translocation of IP3R1 to nucleus in hippocampal cells. We were able to observe that anoxia changes distribution of IP3R1 immunofluorescence signals, as revealed by cluster size analysis. We next examined the role of IP3R1 in the neuronal cell loss triggered by neonatal anoxia. Intrahippocampal injection of non-specific IP3R1 blocker 2-APB clearly reduced the number of Fluoro-Jade C and Tunel positive cells, revealing that activation of IP3R1 increases cell death after neonatal anoxia. Finally, we aimed to disclose mechanistics of IP3R1 in cell death. We were able to determine that blockade of IP3R1 did not reduced the distribution and pixel density of activated caspase 3-positive cells, indicating that the participation of IP3R1 in neuronal cell loss is not related to classical caspase-mediated apoptosis. In summary, this study may contribute to new perspectives in the investigation of neurodegenerative mechanisms triggered by oxygen deprivation.

Molecular evolution of the multiple calmodulin-like cal genes in C. elegans and in nematodes.

Calmodulin (CaM) is a major EF hand containing intracellular calcium receptor in animals and plants; however, eukaryotes also express a number of related CaM-like proteins. We have previously characterized an embryonic phenotype of the single Caenorhabditis elegans CaM gene cmd-1, reported no visible RNAi phenotype for the four related cal-1 to cal-4 genes and started tissue-specific expression analyses of these proteins. In the present study, we analyzed evolutionary aspects of the previously reported CAL-1 to CAL-4 proteins, along with the four new CAL-5 to CAL-8 sequences retrieved from the worm database. Phylogenetic analyses suggest that all C. elegans CAL proteins arose from a CaM ancestor through repeated gene duplications, fusions and sequence divergence. The same holds, also, for the variable N-terminal extensions of the CAL-1 to CAL-4 proteins, which have evolved from the CaM-like core domain. We found 97 CAL homologs in different nematode clades and also detected two CAL-7-related sequences outside the nematodes. Moreover, the C. elegans-specific cal-6 gene, representing the most CaM-related sequence found in nematodes so far, harbours many deletions, insertions and sequence substitutions and is predicted, therefore, to be non-functional. These analyses provide an insight into a complex and dynamic origin of the multiple CAL genes in C. elegans and in nematodes and represent also a basis for further functional studies of these CaM-related sequences in nematodes.

Calmodulin inhibition regulates morphological and functional changes related to the actin cytoskeleton in pure microglial cells.

The roles of calmodulin (CaM), a multifunctional intracellular calcium receptor protein, as concerns selected morphological and functional characteristics of pure microglial cells derived from mixed primary cultures from embryonal forebrains of rats, were investigated through use of the CaM antagonists calmidazolium (CALMID) and trifluoperazine (TFP). The intracellular localization of the CaM protein relative to phalloidin, a bicyclic heptapeptide that binds only to filamentous actin, and the ionized calcium-binding adaptor molecule 1 (Iba1), a microglia-specific actin-binding protein, was determined by immunocytochemistry, with quantitative analysis by immunoblotting. In unchallenged and untreated (control) microglia, high concentrations of CaM protein were found mainly perinuclearly in ameboid microglia, while the cell cortex had a smaller CaM content that diminished progressively deeper into the branches in the ramified microglia. The amounts and intracellular distributions of both Iba1 and CaM proteins were altered after lipopolysaccharide (LPS) challenge in activated microglia. CALMID and TFP exerted different, sometimes opposing, effects on many morphological, cytoskeletal and functional characteristics of the microglial cells. They affected the CaM and Iba1 protein expressions and their intracellular localizations differently, inhibited cell proliferation, viability and fluid-phase phagocytosis to different degrees both in unchallenged and in LPS-treated (immunologically challenged) cells, and differentially affected the reorganization of the actin cytoskeleton in the microglial cell cortex, influencing lamellipodia, filopodia and podosome formation. In summary, these CaM antagonists altered different aspects of filamentous actin-based cell morphology and related functions with variable efficacy, which could be important in deciphering the roles of CaM in regulating microglial functions in health and disease.

RNA interference and protein expression of the four calmodulin-like genes in Caenorhabditis elegans

AbstractCalmodulin (CaM) is a major intracellular calcium receptor and probably the best studied member of the EF hand family of eukaryotic calcium-binding proteins. In contrast, much less is known about the related CaM-like proteins in animals and plants. We have previously characterized an embryonic phenotype of the single CaM gene cmd-1 from the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. A previous functional high throughput study in C. elegans reported an embryonic lethal RNAi phenotype also for the related CaM-like gene cal-2. Based on these results we aimed to analyse the reported embryonic lethal cal-2 RNAi phenotype and compare it to that of the CaM cmd-1 embryo. Unfortunately, we were not able to find any visible RNAi phenotype for cal-2 as well as for the three remaining nematode cal genes cal-1, cal-3 and cal-4. However, because CaMs often have long cellular half-lives, we think that a definitive picture about the functionality of these genes will be established once corresponding mutant strains will be available. Immunofluorescence analyses revealed a significant expression of the CAL-2 and CAL-4 proteins in the body wall muscle indicating a possible functional redundancy of both these proteins in the C. elegans muscle.

Two domains of the smoothelin‐like 1 protein bind apo‐and calcium‐calmodulin independently

The smoothelin‐like 1 protein (SMTNL1; also known as calponin homology (CH) domain‐associated smooth muscle, CHASM) is a modulator of vascular smooth muscle contractility and can bind to calmodulin (CaM) and tropomyosin. The intracellular calcium receptor CaM switches between calcium‐free (apo‐CaM) and calcium‐bound (Ca‐CaM) forms. Bioinformatic analysis of the SMTNL1 sequence predicted two CaM‐binding regions: CBD1, N‐terminal to the CH domain and CBD2, a previously described IQ motif within the CH domain. We sought to describe the contribution of SMTNL1's two CBDs to CaM binding in the presence or absence of calcium. Using a variety of assays (biochemical pull‐downs, surface plasmon resonance, NMR and intracellular co‐localization by microscopy), we determined that CBD1 binds preferentially to Ca‐CaM while CBD2 binds preferentially to apo‐CaM. Mutation of key acidic residues abolished apo‐CaM binding to CBD2, while hydrophobic residues in CBD1 were required for Ca‐CaM binding. The binding affinities (~4 ×10−6 M) were similar for both. The association of SMTNL1 with apo‐CaM and Ca‐CaM suggest that endogenous SMTNL1 is always associated with CaM. This lead us to the conclusion that changes in the CaM binding to CBD1 or CBD2 may allow for downsteam effects, such as disruption of SMTNL1 binding to tropomyosin.

Pulmonary Hypertension Is a Probable NO/ONOO−Cycle Disease: A Review

The NO/ONOO−cycle is a primarily local biochemical/physiological vicious cycle that appears to cause a series of chronic inflammatory diseases. This paper focuses on whether the cycle causes pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) when located in the pulmonary arteries. The cycle involves 12 elements, including superoxide, peroxynitrite (ONOO−), nitric oxide (NO), oxidative stress, NF-κB, inflammatory cytokines, iNOS, mitochondrial dysfunction, intracellular calcium, tetrahydrobiopterin depletion, NMDA activity, and TRP receptor activity. 10 of the 12 are elevated in PAH (NMDA?, NO?) and 11 have documented causal roles in PAH. Each stressor that initiates cases of PAH acts to raise cycle elements, and may, therefore, initiate the cycle in this way. PAH involves a primarily local mechanism as required by the cycle and the symptoms and signs of PAH are generated by elements of the cycle. Endothelin-1, which acts as a causal factor in PAH, acts as part of the cycle; its synthesis is stimulated by cycle elements, and it, in turn, increases each element of the cycle. This extraordinary fit to the principles of the NO/ONOO−cycle allows one to conclude that PAH is a NO/ONOO−cycle disease, and this fit supports the cycle as a major paradigm of chronic inflammatory disease.

Leukotriene C4 induces migration of human monocyte–derived dendritic cells without loss of immunostimulatory function

AbstractGeneration of human monocyte–derived dendritic cells (DCs) for cancer vaccination involves ex vivo maturation in the presence of proinflammatory cytokines and prostaglandin E(2) (PGE2). Although the inclusion of PGE2 during maturation is imperative for the induction of DC migration, PGE2 has unfavorable effects on the immunostimulatory capacity of these cells. Like PGE2, leukotrienes (LTs) are potent mediators of DC migration. We therefore sought to characterize the migratory and immunologic properties of DCs that matured in the presence of LTB4, LTC4, LTD4, and PGE2. Here, we demonstrate that DCs matured in the presence of LTC4, but not LTB4 or LTD4, are superior to PGE2-matured DCs in stimulating CD4+ T-cell responses and in inducing antigen-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) in vitro without concomitant induction or recruitment of regulatory T cells (Tregs). LTC4-matured DCs migrate efficiently through layers of extracellular matrix and secrete higher levels of immunostimulatory IL-12p70 while producing reduced levels of immune-inhibitory IL-10, IL12p40, indoleamine-2,3-dioxidase, and TIMP-1 (tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinases). Intracellular calcium mobilization and receptor antagonist studies reveal that, in contrast to LTD4, LTC4 did not signal through CysLTR1 in DCs. Collectively, our data suggest that LTC4 represents a promising candidate to replace PGE2 in DC maturation protocols for cancer vaccination.

Calmodulin—an often‐ignored signal in osteoclasts

Calcium signaling plays a key role in bone turnover, regulating both osteoblasts and osteoclasts. Despite this the role of calmodulin, the primary intracellular calcium receptor regulatory protein, has received little attention. In this brief review, the function of Ca(2+)/calmodulin signaling in osteoclast development, function, and apoptosis is reviewed. Considerable evidence supports an important regulatory role for Ca(2+)/calmodulin signaling in each of these processes. The overall role of Ca(2+)/calmodulin in regulating bone turnover is also supported by animal and human studies showing that calmodulin antagonists preserve bone mass.

CAMP-responsive element-binding protein expression and regulation in the mouse preimplantation embryo

Gene expression from the new embryonic genome is required for normal preimplantation embryo development. Two members of the cAMP-responsive element-binding protein (Creb) family of transcription factors, Creb1 and activating transcription factor 1 (Atf1), are essential for normal preimplantation development. These transcription factors are activated by phosphorylation. Creb1 mRNA was expressed throughout the preimplantation phase. Cytoplasmic immunolocalization of Creb1 was detected in all preimplantation embryo stages. The antigen was largely excluded from the pronuclei/nuclei at embryonic stages except in the mid-cycle two-cell and compacted eight-cell embryo. Activation-state-specific antibodies showed serine 133 phosphorylated Creb1 localization was similar to Creb1 staining, except that there was no increase in staining at the eight-cell stage. Increased staining of phosphorylated Creb1 was observed in the nucleus of mid-cycle two-cell embryos. Increased expression of phosphorylated Creb1 in the two-cell embryo was induced by brief exposure of embryos to ionomycin, but not by a dibutyryl cAMP. This was blocked by buffering intracellular calcium with 1,2-bis(2-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid tetrakis (acetoxymethyl ester), but not by a cAMP antagonist, Rp-cyclic 3',5'-hydrogen phosphorothioate adenosine. Calmodulin is an intracellular receptor for calcium. Calmodulin mRNA was expressed throughout the preimplantation phase of development. The calmodulin antagonist, W-7, inhibited the ionomycin-induced localization of phosphorylated Creb1 in the nucleus. Treatment of embryos with W-7 caused a dose-dependent inhibition of normal development of zygotes to the blastocysts stage. The study shows Creb1 expression and nuclear localization was dynamically regulated in the early embryo. The marked nuclear accumulation and phosphorylation of Creb1 at the two-cell stage occurred at the time of transcription from the embryonic genome and was regulated in a calcium- and calmodulin-dependent manner.

Structure/Function Relationships of CCR8 Agonists and Antagonists: AMINO-TERMINAL EXTENSION OF CCL1 BY A SINGLE AMINO ACID GENERATES A PARTIAL AGONIST

We describe here the interactions of CCR8 with its ligands using both CCR8 transfectants and a T-cell line expressing the receptor endogenously. Of the CCR8 agonists reported previously, only CCL1 and vMIP-I exhibited potency in assays of intracellular calcium flux, chemotaxis, and receptor internalization, this latter mechanism being dependent upon the expression of beta-arrestins 1 and 2 but independent of Galpha(i) signaling. NH(2)-terminal extension of the mature CCL1 sequence by a serine residue (Ser-CCL1) resulted in a partial agonist with a reduced affinity for CCR8, suggesting that the NH(2) terminus of the ligand plays a role in ligand binding to an intrahelical site. Attempts to identify key residues within this site revealed that the conserved glutamic acid residue in transmembrane helix 7, Glu-286, is crucial for trafficking of the receptor to the cell surface, while Asp-97 of transmembrane helix 2 is dispensable. CCL7 was found to inhibit both Ser-CCL1 and vMIP-I responses but not those of CCL1 itself. Similarly, vMIP-I responses were more than 2 orders of magnitude more sensitive to the specific CCR8 antagonist MC148 than those induced by CCL1, which is difficult to reconcile with the reported affinities for the receptor. Collectively, these data suggest that the CCR8 ligands are allotropic, binding to distinct sites within CCR8 and that the human immune system may have evolved to use CCL7 as a selective antagonist of viral chemokine activity at CCR8 but not those of the host ligand.

Calcium/Calmodulin-Dependent Kinase I and Calcium/Calmodulin-Dependent Kinase Kinase Participate in the Control of Cell Cycle Progression in MCF-7 Human Breast Cancer Cells

Calcium is universally required for cell growth and proliferation. Calmodulin is the main intracellular receptor for calcium. Although calcium and calmodulin are well known to be required for cell cycle regulation, the target pathways for their action remain poorly defined. Potential targets include the calcium/calmodulin-dependent kinases (CaM-K). The aim of this study was to determine the role of the CaM-Ks on cell proliferation and progress through the cell cycle in breast cancer cells. CaM-KI inhibition with either KN-93 or specific interfering RNA (siRNA) caused an arrest in the cell cycle in the human breast cancer cell line, MCF-7. This arrest occurred in the G(1) phase of the cell cycle. Supporting this finding, CaM-K inhibition using KN-93 also resulted in a reduction of cyclin D1 protein and pRb phosphorylation when cells were compared with control cultures. Furthermore, inhibition of the upstream activator of CaM-KI, CaM-KK, using siRNA also resulted in cell cycle arrest. In summary, CaM-KK and CaM-KI participate in the control of the G(0)-G(1) restriction check point of the cell cycle in human breast cancer cells. This arrest seems due to an inhibition in cyclin D1 synthesis and a reduction in pRb phosphorylation. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time that CaM-KK has been reported to be involved in mammalian cell cycle regulation and that CaM-Ks are regulating breast cancer cell cycle.

Myristoyl moiety of HIV Nef is involved in regulation of the interaction with calmodulin in vivo

Human immunodeficiency virus Nef is a myristoylated protein expressed early in infection by HIV. In addition to the well known down-regulation of the cell surface receptors CD4 and MHCI, Nef is able to alter T-cell signaling pathways. The ability to alter the cellular signaling pathways suggests that Nef can associate with signaling proteins. In the present report, we show that Nef can interact with calmodulin, the major intracellular receptor for calcium. Coimmunoprecipitation analyses with lysates from the NIH3T3 cell line constitutively expressing the native HIV-1 Nef protein revealed the presence of a stable Nef-calmodulin complex. When lysates from NIH3T3 cells were incubated with calmodulin-agarose beads in the presence of CaCl(2) or EGTA, calcium ion drastically enhanced the interaction between Nef and calmodulin, suggesting that the binding is under the influence of Ca(2+) signaling. Glutathione S-transferase-Nef fusion protein bound directly to calmodulin with high affinity. Using synthetic peptides based on the N-terminal sequence of Nef, we determined that within a 20-amino-acid N-terminal basic domain was sufficient for calmodulin binding. Furthermore, the myristoylated peptide bound to calmodulin with higher affinity than nonmyris-toylated form. Thus, the N-terminal myristoylation domain of Nef plays an important role in interacting with calmodulin. This domain is highly conserved in several HIV-1 Nef variants and resembles the N-terminal domain of NAP-22/CAP23, a myristoylated calmodulin-binder. These results for the interaction between HIV Nef and calmodulin in the cells suggested that the Nef might interfere with intracellular Ca(2+) signaling through calmodulin-mediated interactions in infected cells.

Ontogeny of calmodulin gene expression in rat brain

Calmodulin (CaM), a multifunctional intracellular calcium receptor, is a key element in signaling mechanisms. It is encoded in vertebrates by multiple apparently redundant genes (CaM I, II, III). To investigate whether differential expression takes place in the developing rat brain, a quantitative in situ hybridization analysis was carried out involving 15 brain areas at six ages between embryonic day 19 and postnatal day 20 (PD20) with gene-specific [ 35S]cRNA probes. A widespread, developmental stage-specific and differential expression of the three CaM genes was observed. The characteristic changes in the CaM mRNA levels in the examined time frame allowed the brain regions to be classified into three categories. For the majority of the areas (e.g. the piriform cortex for CaM III), the signal intensities peaked at around PD10 and the expression profile was symmetric (type 1). Other regions (e.g. the cerebral cortex, layer 1 for CaM II) displayed their highest signal intensities at the earliest age measured, followed by a gradual decrease (type 2). The signal intensities in the regions in the third group (e.g. the hypothalamus for CaM III) fluctuated from age to age (type 3). Marked CaM mRNA levels were measured for each transcript corresponding to the three CaM genes in the molecular layers of the cerebral and cerebellar cortici and hippocampus, suggesting their dendritic translocation. The highest signal intensity was measured for CaM II mRNA, followed by those for CaM III and CaM I mRNAs on PD1. However, the CaM II and CaM III mRNAs subsequently decreased steeply, while the CaM I mRNAs were readily detected even on PD20. Our results suggest that during development (1) the transcription of the CaM genes is under differential, area-specific control, and (2) a large population of CaM mRNAs is targeted to the dendritic compartment in a gene-specific manner.

Critical role of Rho-kinase and MEK/ERK pathways for angiotensin II-induced plasminogen activator inhibitor type-1 gene expression.

Plasminogen activator inhibitor type-1 (PAI-1) plays an integral role not only in the regulation of fibrinolytic activity but also in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and hypertension. We investigated the signaling pathways of angiotensin II (Ang II) leading to PAI-1 gene expression. Ang II increased the PAI-1 mRNA and protein levels in a time- and dose-dependent manner through the Ang II type 1 receptor in vascular smooth muscle cells. PAI-1 gene promoter activity measured by luciferase assay was significantly increased by Ang II. PAI-1 mRNA stability was also increased by Ang II. Ang II-induced PAI-1 mRNA upregulation was inhibited by BAPTA-AM, genistein, and AG1478, suggesting that intracellular calcium, tyrosine kinase, and epidermal growth factor receptor transactivation are involved. Furthermore, PD98059, an inhibitor of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) kinase (MEK), almost completely suppressed Ang II-induced PAI-1 upregulation. Adenovirus-mediated overexpression of the dominant-negative form of Rho-kinase or Y27632, a Rho-kinase inhibitor, also completely prevented PAI-1 induction by Ang II without affecting Ang II-induced ERK activation. These data suggest that activation of MEK/ERK and Rho-kinase pathways plays a pivotal role in PAI-1 gene upregulation by Ang II. The Rho-kinase pathway may be a novel target to inhibit Ang II signaling, and its inhibition may be useful in the treatment of hypertension as well as atherosclerosis.

Activation of Myosin Light Chain Kinase Requires Translocation of Bound Calmodulin

A novel translocation step is inferred from structural studies of the interactions between the intracellular calcium receptor protein calmodulin (CaM) and one of its regulatory targets. A mutant of CaM missing residues 2-8 (DeltaNCaM) binds skeletal muscle myosin light chain kinase with high affinity but fails to activate catalysis. Small angle x-ray scattering data reveal that DeltaNCaM occupies a position near the catalytic cleft in its complex with the kinase, whereas the native protein translocates to a position near the C-terminal end of the catalytic core. Thus, CaM residues 2-8 appear to facilitate movement of bound CaM away from the vicinity of the catalytic cleft.

Critical Roles of Rho Kinase and Mek/Erk Pathways for Angiotensin Ii-Induced Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor-1 Gene Expression

P157 Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) plays an integral role not only in the regulation of plasminogen activity and fibrinolytic system but also in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and hypertension. Because angiotensin II (Ang II) is also involved in these processes, we investigated its role in the intracellular signaling cascade leading to PAI-1 gene expression in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC). Ang II increased the PAI-1 mRNA and protein levels through Ang II type 1 receptor. Although PAI-1 mRNA stability was not increased by Ang II, PAI-1 gene promoter activity, which was measured by luciferase assay, was significantly increased by Ang II. This process did not require de novo protein synthesis. BAPTA-AM, genistein and AG1478 completely inhibited the Ang II-induced PAI-1 mRNA upregulation, suggesting that intracellular calcium, tyrosine kinase and epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor transactivation were involved in this process. However, inhibition of protein kinase C (PKC) by calphostin C, GF109203, or prolonged exposure to PMA failed to abolish the Ang II-induced PAI-1 upregulation, suggesting PKC pathway was not involved. PD98059 suppressed Ang II-induced PAI-1 upregulation, whereas SB203580 did not, suggesting that MEK/ERK1/2 pathway rather than p38 MAP kinase pathway was crucial in this process. Furthermore, adenovirus-mediated expression of dominant negative form of Rho kinase or Rho kinase inhibitor Y27632 also completely suppressed PAI-1 induction by Ang II without affecting Ang II-induced ERK1/2 activation. These data suggest that activation of both MEK/ERK1/2 and Rho kinase pathways will be necessary for the upregulation of PAI-1 gene expression and these two pathways may act synergically to promote PAI-1 gene transcription at least at the downstream of ERK1/2 in VSMC. These findings are important biological and therapeutical implications for the evolution of arterial wall thrombus and the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis by Ang II.

Critical Roles of Rho Kinase and Mek/Erk Pathways for Angiotensin Ii-Induced Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor-1 Gene Expression

P157 Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) plays an integral role not only in the regulation of plasminogen activity and fibrinolytic system but also in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and hypertension. Because angiotensin II (Ang II) is also involved in these processes, we investigated its role in the intracellular signaling cascade leading to PAI-1 gene expression in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC). Ang II increased the PAI-1 mRNA and protein levels through Ang II type 1 receptor. Although PAI-1 mRNA stability was not increased by Ang II, PAI-1 gene promoter activity, which was measured by luciferase assay, was significantly increased by Ang II. This process did not require de novo protein synthesis. BAPTA-AM, genistein and AG1478 completely inhibited the Ang II-induced PAI-1 mRNA upregulation, suggesting that intracellular calcium, tyrosine kinase and epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor transactivation were involved in this process. However, inhibition of protein kinase C (PKC) by calphostin C, GF109203, or prolonged exposure to PMA failed to abolish the Ang II-induced PAI-1 upregulation, suggesting PKC pathway was not involved. PD98059 suppressed Ang II-induced PAI-1 upregulation, whereas SB203580 did not, suggesting that MEK/ERK1/2 pathway rather than p38 MAP kinase pathway was crucial in this process. Furthermore, adenovirus-mediated expression of dominant negative form of Rho kinase or Rho kinase inhibitor Y27632 also completely suppressed PAI-1 induction by Ang II without affecting Ang II-induced ERK1/2 activation. These data suggest that activation of both MEK/ERK1/2 and Rho kinase pathways will be necessary for the upregulation of PAI-1 gene expression and these two pathways may act synergically to promote PAI-1 gene transcription at least at the downstream of ERK1/2 in VSMC. These findings are important biological and therapeutical implications for the evolution of arterial wall thrombus and the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis by Ang II.

Presenilin and Calcium Channel Regulation

Disruption of intracellular calcium homeostasis is a consequence of some mutations that arise in the integral membrane protein presenilin 2 (PS2) in familial Alzheimer's disease (FAD). Pack-Chung et al . report that a hydrophilic loop region of PS2 interacts with sorcin, a cytoplasmic calcium-binding protein that modulates the ryanodine receptor intracellular calcium channel. Sorcin-PS2 complexes were isolated from human brain tissue, and an increase in intracellular calcium stimulated sorcin translocation to membranes and sorcin-PS2 interaction in cultured cells. The authors suggest that sorcin, PS2, and the ryanodine receptor may comprise a molecular complex that modulates intracellular calcium and may thus play a role in FAD pathology. Pack-Chung, E., Meyers, M.B., Pettingell, W.P., Moir, R.D., Brownawell, A.M., Cheng, I., Tanzi, R.E., and Kim, T.-W. (2000) Presenilin 2 interacts with sorcin, a modulator of the ryanodine receptor. J. Biol. Chem. 275 : 14440-14445. [Abstract] [Full Text]