microM Ca2 Research Articles

Short- and long-term functional alterations of the skeletal muscle calcium release channel (Ryanodine receptor) by Suramin: apparent dissociation of single channel current recording and [3H]ryanodine binding.

The present study demonstrates the following characteristic suramin actions on the purified skeletal muscle calcium release channel in single-channel current recordings and [(3)H]ryanodine binding to HSR: 1) Suramin (0.3-0.9 mM) induced a concentration-dependent increase in the open probability (P(o) congruent with 0.9) at 20 to 100 microM Ca(2+) and an almost fully open channel at 1 mM Ca(2+) (P(o) = 0.95) with a marked shift to longer open states (tau(o)3/tau(o)4). Suramin increased the apparent calcium affinity to the activating high-affinity calcium binding sites and reduced the apparent magnesium affinity to the inhibitory low affinity Ca(2+)/Mg(2+) binding sites. 2) Channel activation by suramin and sulfhydryl oxidation was additive. 3) Suramin (0.9 mM) reversed the Ca-calmodulin-induced channel inhibition at 0.1 or 1 to 5 microM Ca-calmodulin. 4) The open probability of the suramin activated channel was almost completely inhibited by 10 mM Mg(2+) or Ca(2+) on short suramin exposure. Prolonged suramin exposure (30-60 min) resulted in a time-dependent, slow increase in P(o), with long open states of low frequency in the presence of 10 to 20 mM Mg(2+) or Ca(2+). 5) Magnesium induced inhibition of P(o) (IC(50) = 0.38 mM) and equilibrium [(3)H]ryanodine binding (IC(50) = 0.30 mM) agreed well in control channels, but were dissociated in the presence of 0.9 to 1.0 mM suramin (IC(50) = 0.82 mM versus 83 mM). [(3)H]ryanodine binding seemed to monitor predominantly the long-term alteration in channel function. 6) The multiple effects of suramin on channel function suggest an allosteric mechanism and no direct effects on binding of endogenous ligands involved in channel gating.

Adding magnesium to the silver‐gill binding model for rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss; 2-17 g) were exposed to approximately 0.1 microM silver as AgNO3 for 3 to 4 h in synthetic, ion-poor water (20 microM Ca, 100 microM Na, 150 microM Cl, pH 7) to which was added Mg, Ca, or thiosulfate (S2O3). Gills were extracted and assayed for Ag using graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Up to 210 mM Mg (fourfold the concentration of Mg in seawater) did not reduce accumulation of Ag by trout gills. The conditional equilibrium stability constant (K) for Mg at silver-binding sites on the gills was calculated to be log K(Mg-gillAg) = 3.0, or approximately half-as-strong binding as for Ca at these sites. The inclusion of the Mg-gill stability constant into the original Ag-gill binding model increases the flexibility of the model, although the competitive effects of Mg are only important in sodium-poor systems.

A high signal-to-noise Ca(2+) probe composed of a single green fluorescent protein.

Recently, several groups have developed green fluorescent protein (GFP)-based Ca(2+) probes. When applied in cells, however, these probes are difficult to use because of a low signal-to-noise ratio. Here we report the development of a high-affinity Ca(2+) probe composed of a single GFP (named G-CaMP). G-CaMP showed an apparent K(d) for Ca(2+) of 235 nM. Association kinetics of Ca(2+) binding were faster at higher Ca(2+) concentrations, with time constants decreasing from 230 ms at 0.2 microM Ca(2+) to 2.5 ms at 1 microM Ca(2+). Dissociation kinetics (tau approximately 200 ms) are independent of Ca(2+) concentrations. In HEK-293 cells and mouse myotubes expressing G-CaMP, large fluorescent changes were observed in response to application of drugs or electrical stimulations. G-CaMP will be a useful tool for visualizing intracellular Ca2+ in living cells. Mutational analysis, together with previous structural information, suggests the residues that may alter the fluorescence of GFP.

Phosphatidyl inositol-4,5-bisphosphate bound to bovine cardiac Na+/Ca2+ exchanger displays a MgATP regulation similar to that of the exchange fluxes.

This work shows the existence of a phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PtdIns-4,5-P2) bound form of the cardiac sarcolemmal Na+/Ca2+ exchanger. That was demonstrated in Western blots and cross-immunoprecipitation by using specific antibodies against the NCX1 exchanger (NCX1) and against PtdIns-4,5-P2. In addition, PtdIns-4,5-P2 bound to the Na+/Ca2+ exchanger and the Na+/Ca2+ exchange fluxes displayed a similar MgATP regulation: (a) both increase by 100-130% when membrane vesicles are incubated (15-20 s at 37 degrees C) with 1 mM MgATP and 1 microM Ca2+ (b) in the presence of 100 microM Ca2+, MgATP fails to stimulate the exchange fluxes and does not modify the levels of PtdIns-4,5-P2 bound to the exchanger. In addition, in the absence of Ca2+, the net synthesis of total membrane PtdIns-4,5-P2 is greatly reduced compared with that in the presence of 1 microM Ca2+. Furthermore, in the absence of Ca2+ there is no effect of MgATP on the levels of PtdIns-4,5-P2 bound to the exchanger. These results indicate that, in bovine heart, MgATP-stimulation of Na+/Ca2+ exchange is associated with intracellular Ca2+-dependent levels of PtdIns-4,5-P2 bound to the exchanger molecule.

Free radical-mediated tolbutamide desensitization of K+ATP channels in rat pancreatic beta-cells.

To study the effects of hydroxyl radicals on the sensitivity of the ATP-sensitive K+ (K+ ATP) channel to tolbutamide, we used patch clamp and microfluorometric techniques in pancreatic beta-cells isolated from rats. cell-attached membrane patches, exposure of the cells to 0.3 mM H2O2 increased the probability of opening of K+ATP channels in the presence of 2.8 mM glucose. Tolbutamide dose-dependently inhibited the K+ATP channel with half-maximal inhibition (IC50) at 0.8 microM before and immediately after exposure to H2O2. After prolonged exposure (>20 min) to H2O2, the IC50 was increased to 15 microM. The presence of both ATP and ADP at concentrations ranging from 0.01 to 0.1 mM in the inside-out bath solution significantly enhanced the inhibition of the channels by 10 microM tolbutamide. Addition of 0.3 mM H2O2 induced a transient minute increase in the cytoplasmic Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) within 10 min, followed by a sustained pronounced increase in [Ca2]i. After more than 20 min of exposure of cells to 0.3mM H2O2, [Ca2]i was increased to above 2 microM. Treatment of the cytoplasmic face of inside-out membrane patches with 1 microM Ca2+ attenuated the tolbutamide-sensitivity of the K+ATP channel, but not the ATP-sensitivity of the channel. These findings indicate that H2O2 reduces tolbutamide sensitivity by inducing a sustained increase in [Ca2+]i.

Halothane increases smooth muscle protein phosphatase in airway smooth muscle.

Halothane relaxes airway smooth muscle, in part, by decreasing the force produced for a given intracellular [Ca(2+)] (i.e., Ca(2+) sensitivity) during muscarinic stimulation, an effect produced by a decrease in regulatory myosin light-chain (rMLC) phosphorylation. The authors tested the hypothesis that halothane reduces rMLC phosphorylation during muscarinic stimulation at constant intracellular [Ca(2+)] by increasing smooth muscle protein phosphatase (SMPP) activity, without changing myosin light-chain kinase (MLCK) activity. Enzyme activities were assayed in beta-escin permeabilized strips of canine tracheal smooth muscle. Under conditions of constant intracellular [Ca(2+)], the rate of rMLC phosphorylation was measured by Western blotting during inhibition of SMPP with microcystin-LR (to assay MLCK activity) or during inhibition of MLCK by wortmannin and adenosine triphosphate depletion (to assay SMPP activity). The effect of halothane (0.8 mm) on enzyme activities and isometric force during stimulation with 0.6 microm Ca(2+) and 10 microm acetylcholine was determined. Halothane produced a 14 +/- 8% (mean +/- SD) decrease in isometric force by significantly reducing rMLC phosphorylation (from 32 +/- 9% to 28 +/- 9%). Halothane had no significant effect on any parameter of a monoexponential relation fit to the data for the MLCK activity assay. In contrast, halothane significantly decreased the half-time for rMLC dephosphorylation in the SMPP activity assay (from 0.74 +/- 0.28 min to 0.44 +/- 0.10 min), indicating that it increased SMPP activity. Halothane decreases Ca(2+) sensitivity and rMLC phosphorylation in airway smooth muscle during muscarinic receptor stimulation by increasing SMPP activity, without affecting MLCK, probably by disrupting receptor G-protein signaling pathways that inhibit SMPP.

Bivalent metal ions modulate Cd2+ effects on isolated rat liver mitochondria.

We have studied Cd2+-induced effects on mitochondrial respiration and swelling in various media as a function of the [Cd2+] in the presence or absence of different bivalent metal ions or ruthenium red (RR). It was confirmed by monitoring oxygen consumption by isolated rat liver mitochondria that, beginning from 5 microM, Cd2+ decreased both ADP and uncoupler-stimulated respiration and increased their basal respiration when succinate was used as respiratory substrate. At concentrations higher than 5 microM, Cd2+ stimulated ion permeability of the inner mitochondrial membrane, which was monitored in this study by swelling of both nonenergized mitochondria in 125 mM KNO3 or NH4NO3 medium and succinate-energized mitochondria incubated in a medium containing 25 mM K-acetate and 100 mM sucrose. We have found substantial changes in the above-mentioned Cd2+ effects on mitochondria treated in sequence with 100 microM of Ca2+, Sr2+, Mn2+ or Ba2+(Me2+) and 7.5 microM RR, as well as the alterations in Cd2+ action on the uptake of 137Cs+ by succinate-energized mitochondria in the presence or absence of valinomycin in acetate medium (50 mM Tris-acetate and 140 mM sucrose) with or without Ca2+ or RR. The evidence obtained indicate that Ca2+ exhibits a synergestic action on all Cd2+ effects examined, whereas Sr2+ and Mn2+, conversely, are antagonistic. In the presence of RR, the Cd2+ effects on respiration [stimulation of State 4 respiration and inhibition of 2,4-dinitrophenol (DNP)-uncoupled respiration] still exist, but are observed at concentrations of cadmium more than one order higher; the inhibition of State 3 respiration by Cd2+ conversely, takes place under even lower cadmium concentrations than those determined without RR in the medium. In addition, RR added simultaneously with cadmium in the incubation medium prevents any swelling in the nitrate media, but induces an increment both in Cd2+-stimulated swelling and 137Cs+ (analog of K+) uptake in the acetate media. For the first time, we have shown that Cd2+-induced swelling in all media under study is susceptible to cyclosporin A (CSA), a high-potency inhibitor of the mitochondrial permeability transition (PT) pore. The observations are interpreted in terms of a dual effect of cadmium on respiratory chain activity and permeability transition.

Pore properties and ionic block of the rabbit epithelial calcium channel expressed in HEK 293 cells.

We have used the whole-cell patch-clamp technique to analyse the permeation properties and ionic block of the epithelial Ca2+ channel ECaC heterologously expressed in human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293 cells. Cells dialysed with 10 mM BAPTA and exposed to Ca2+-containing, monovalent cation-free solutions displayed large inwardly rectifying currents. Their reversal potential depended on the extracellular Ca2+ concentration, [Ca2+]o. The slope of the relationship between reversal potential and [Ca2+]o on a logarithmic scale was 21 +/- 4 mV, compared with 29 mV as predicted by the Nernst equation (n = 3-5 cells). Currents in mixtures of Ca2+ and Na+ or Ca2+ and Ba2+ showed anomalous mole fraction behaviour. We have described the current-concentration plot for Ca2+ and Na+ by a kinetic permeation model, i.e. the "step" model. Extracellular Mg2+ blocked both divalent and monovalent currents with an IC50 of 62 +/- 9 microM(n = 4) in Ca2+-free conditions and 328 +/- 50 microM (n = 4-9) in 100 microM Ca2+ solutions. Mono- and divalent currents through ECaCs were blocked by gadolinium, lanthanum and cadmium, with a blocking order of Cd2+ >> Gd3+ > La3+. We conclude that the permeation of monovalent and divalent cations through ECaCs shows similarities with L-type voltage-gated Ca2+ channels, the main differences being a higher Ca2+ affinity and a significantly higher current density in micromolar Ca2+ concentrations in the case of ECaCs.

Calmodulin Binding and Inhibition of Cardiac Muscle Calcium Release Channel (Ryanodine Receptor)

Metabolically (35)S-labeled calmodulin (CaM) was used to determine the CaM binding properties of the cardiac ryanodine receptor (RyR2) and to identify potential channel domains for CaM binding. In addition, regulation of RyR2 by CaM was assessed in [(3)H]ryanodine binding and single-channel measurements. Cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles bound approximately four CaM molecules per RyR2 tetramer in the absence of Ca(2+); in the presence of 100 microm Ca(2+), the vesicles bound 7.5 CaM molecules per tetramer. Purified RyR2 bound approximately four [(35)S]CaM molecules per RyR tetramer, both in the presence and absence of Ca(2+). At least four CaM binding domains were identified in [(35)S]CaM overlays of fusion proteins spanning the full-length RyR2. The affinity (but not the stoichiometry) of CaM binding was altered by redox state as controlled by the presence of either GSH or GSSG. Inhibition of RyR2 activity by CaM was influenced by Ca(2+) concentration, redox state, and other channel modulators. Parallel experiments with the skeletal muscle isoform showed major differences in the CaM binding properties and regulation by CaM of the skeletal and cardiac ryanodine receptors.

Regulation kinetics of Na+‐Ca2+ exchange current in guinea‐pig ventricular myocytes

To investigate the regulation of native cardiac Na+-Ca2+ exchange by cytoplasmic Na+ (Na+i) and Ca2+ (Ca2+i), we recorded the Na+-Ca2+ exchange current (INa-Ca) from inside-out 'macro patches' excised from intact guinea-pig ventricular cells. The half-maximal concentration (Kh) of Ca2+i required to induce an inward INa-Ca was 7 microM. The Kh of Na+i required to induce an outward INa-Ca was 21 mM, and tended to decrease at the steady state of Na+-dependent inactivation. The time constant (tau) of Na+-dependent inactivation was approximately 1.5 s at 100 mM Na+i and 1 microM Ca2+i. The Kh for Na+i was 14 mM. Ca2+i augmented the peak outward INa-Ca (Kh = 0. 2 microM) and attenuated Na+-dependent inactivation (Kh = 2.2 microM). The outward INa-Ca was activated by 5 microM Ca2+i with a half-time to reach steady state (t1/2) of approximately 0.4 s. This activation was composed of two exponential processes. Deactivation of the current upon Ca2+i removal also consisted of two exponential processes and had a t1/2 of approximately 0.5 s. A Na+-Ca2+ exchange model, consisting of one consecutive 4Na+:1Ca2+ exchange cycle and two inactive states, well mimicked the experimental data with regard to ion dependencies and regulation kinetics. These data provide detailed information on the kinetics of the Na+i- and Ca2+i-dependent regulation of native Na+-Ca2+ exchange. They also indicate that the regulation kinetics operate faster in macro patches than in the giant membrane patch from cardiac 'blebs', or in Xenopus oocytes expressing a cloned exchanger (NCX1.1).

Rapid activation of basolateral potassium transport in human colon by oestradiol.

1. We investigated the effect of oestradiol on basolateral potassium channels in human colonic epithelium. 2. Ion transport was quantified using short circuit current (I:(sc)) measurements of samples mounted in Ussing chambers. Serosal K transport was studied using nystatin permeabilization of the apical membrane. Intracellular pH changes were quantified using spectroflouresence techniques. 3. Experiments were performed with either 10 nM or 1 microM Ca(2+) in the apical bathing solution. With 10 nM Ca(2+) in the apical bathing solution addition of oestradiol (1 nM) to the basolateral bath produced a rapid increase in current (delta I(K)=11.2+/-1.2 microA.cm(-2), n=6). This response was prevented by treatment of the serosal membrane with tolbutamide (1 microM). With 1 microM Ca(2+) in the apical bathing solution addition of oestradiol produced a rapid fall in current (delta I(K)=-12.8+/-1.4 microA.cm(-2)), this response was prevented by treatment of the basolateral membrane with tetra-pentyl-ammonium (TPeA). These responses were rapid and occurred independently of protein synthesis. 4. Inhibition of basolateral Na(+)/H(+) exchange with either amiloride or a low sodium bathing solution prevented this response. These responses were prevented by inhibition of protein kinase C (PKC) with bis-indolyl-maleimide. 5. Oestradiol (1 nM) produced a rapid intracellular alkanization (mean increase=0.11 pH units; n=6; P<0.01). 6. These results suggest that oestradiol rapidly modulates serosal K transport in human colon. These effects depend upon intact Na(+)/H(+) exchange and protein kinase C. We propose a non-classical, possibly membrane linked, mechanism for oestradiol action in human colonic epithelium.

Dynamics of ionic activities in the apoplast of the sub-stomatal cavity of intact Vicia faba leaves during stomatal closure evoked by ABA and darkness.

Stomatal movement is accomplished by changes in the ionic content within guard cells as well as in the cell wall of the surrounding stomatal pore. In this study, the sub-stomatal apoplastic activities of K+, Cl-, Ca2+ and H+ were continuously monitored by inserting ion-selective micro-electrodes through the open stomata of intact Vicia faba leaves. In light-adapted leaves, the mean activities were 2.59 mM (K+), 1.26 mM (Cl-), 64 microM (Ca2+) and 89 microM (H+). Stomatal closure was investigated through exposure to abscisic acid (ABA), sudden darkness or both. Feeding the leaves with ABA through the cut petiole initially resulted in peaks after 9-10 min, in which Ca2+ and H+ activities transiently decreased, and Cl- and K+ activities transiently increased. Thereafter, Ca2+, H+ and Cl- activities completely recovered, while K+ activity approached an elevated level of around 10 mM within 20 min. Similar responses were observed following sudden darkness, with the difference that Cl- and Ca2+ activities recovered more slowly. Addition of ABA to dark-adapted leaves evoked responses of Cl- and Ca2+ similar to those observed in the light. K+ activity, starting from its elevated level, responded to ABA with a transient increase peaking around 16 mM, but then returned to its dark level. During stomatal closure, membrane potential changes in mesophyll cells showed no correlation with the K+ kinetics in the sub-stomatal cavity. We thus conclude that the increase in K+ activity mainly resulted from K+ release by the guard cells, indicating apoplastic compartmentation. Based on the close correlation between Cl- and Ca2+ changes, we suggest that anion channels are activated by a rise in cytosolic free Ca2+, a process which activates depolarization-activated K+ release channels.

Activation of Ca2+--calmodulin kinase II induces desensitization by background light in dogfish retinal 'on' bipolar cells.

Retinal 'on' bipolar cells possess a metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR6) linked to the control of a G-protein and cGMP-activated channels which functions to generate high synaptic amplification of rod signals under dark-adapted conditions. Desensitization of 'on' bipolar cells is initiated by a rise in Ca2+ during background light too weak to adapt rod photoreceptors. Desensitization could also be elicited by raising intracellular Ca2+ above 1 microM. In order to investigate the mechanism of desensitization, whole-cell current responses to brief flashes and to steps of light were obtained from voltage-clamped 'on' bipolar cells in dark-adapted dogfish retinal slices. The inclusion of Ca2+-calmodulin kinase II (CaMKII) inhibitor peptides in the patch pipette solutions not only blocked desensitization of 'on' bipolar cells by dim background light and by 50 microM Ca2+, but also increased their flash sensitivity. The substrate of phosphorylation by CaMKII is the 'on' bipolar cell cGMP-activated channels. Desensitization probably results from a reduction in their sensitivity to cGMP and a voltage-dependent decrease in their conductance. A role for protein kinase C (PKC) in this process was excluded since activating PKC independently of Ca2+ with the phorbol ester PMA failed to induce desensitization of 'on' bipolar cells.

Calcium-dependent and -independent hetero-oligomerization in the synaptotagmin family.

Synaptotagmins constitute a family of membrane proteins that are characterized by one transmembrane region and two C2 domains. Recent genetic and biochemical studies have indicated that oligomerization of synaptotagmin (Syt) I is important for expression of function during exocytosis of synaptic vesicles. However, little is known about hetero-oligomerization in the synaptotagmin family. In this study, we showed that the synaptotagmin family is a type I membrane protein (N(lumen)/C(cytoplasm)) by introducing an artificial N-glycosylation site at the N-terminal domain, and systematically examined all the possible combinations of hetero-oligomerization among synaptotagmin family proteins (Syts I-XI). We classified the synaptotagmin family into four distinct groups based on differences in Ca(2+)-dependent and -independent oligomerization activity. Group A Syts (III, V, VI, and X) form strong homo- and hetero-oligomers by disulfide bonds at an N-terminal cysteine motif irrespective of the presence of Ca(2+) [Fukuda, M., Kanno, E., and Mikoshiba, K. (1999) J. Biol. Chem. 274, 31421-31427]. Group B Syts (I, II, VIII, and XI) show moderate homo-oligomerization irrespective of the presence of Ca(2+). Group C synaptotagmins are characterized by weak Ca(2+)-dependent (Syts IX) or no homo-oligomerization activity (Syt IV). Syt VII (Group D) has unique Ca(2+)-dependent homo-oligomerization properties with EC(50) values of about 150 microM Ca(2+) [Fukuda, M., and Mikoshiba, K. (2000) J. Biol. Chem. 275, 28180-28185]. Syts IV, VIII, and XI did not show any apparent hetero-oligomerization activity, but some sets of synaptotagmin isoforms can hetero-oligomerize in a Ca(2+)-dependent and/or -independent manner. Our data suggest that Ca(2+)-dependent and -independent hetero-oligomerization of synaptotagmins may create a variety of Ca(2+)-sensors.

Effect of MEN 10755, a new disaccharide analogue of doxorubicin, on sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+) handling and contractile function in rat heart.

1. The use of anthraquinone antineoplastic agents is limited by their cardiac toxicity, which is largely due to activation of the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca(2+) release channel (ryanodine receptor). MEN 10755 is a new disaccharide analogue of doxorubicin. We have evaluated its effects on SR function and its toxicity in isolated working rat hearts. 2. In rat SR vesicles, doxorubicin stimulated [(3)H]-ryanodine binding by increasing its Ca(2+)-sensitivity. At 1 microM Ca(2+), ryanodine binding increased by 15.3+/-2.5 fold, with EC(50)=20.6 microM. Epirubicin produced a similar effect, i.e. 9.7+/-0.6 fold stimulation with EC(50)=11.1 microM. MEN 10755 increased ryanodine binding by 1.9+/-0.3 fold (P:<0.01 vs doxorubicin and epirubicin), with EC(50)=38.9 microM. 3. Ca(2+)-induced Ca(2+) release experiments were performed by quick filtration technique, after SR loading with (45)Ca(2+). At 2 microM Ca(2+), doxorubicin (50 microM) increased the rate constant of Ca(2+) release to 82+/-5 s(-1) vs a control value of 22+/-2 s(-1) (P:<0.01), whereas 50 microM MEN 10755 did not produce any significant effect (24+/-3 s(-1)). 4. Ca(2+)-ATPase activity and (45)Ca(2+)-uptake were not significantly affected by doxorubicin, its 13-dihydro-derivative, epirubicin, MEN 10755 and the 13-dihydro-derivative of MEN 10755, at concentrations < or =100 microM. 5. In isolated heart experiments, administration of 30 microM doxorubicin or epirubicin caused serious contractile impairment, whereas 30 microM MEN 10755 produced only minor effects. 6. In conclusion, in acute experiments MEN 10755 was much less cardiotoxic than equimolar doxorubicin or epirubicin. This result might be accounted for by reduced activation of SR Ca(2+) release.

Mechanisms underlying the reduced endothelium‐dependent relaxation in human omental resistance artery in pre‐eclampsia

1. In pre-eclampsia, a functional change occurs in the role played by endothelium-derived nitric oxide (NO) in the regulation of smooth muscle contraction in resistance arteries. We investigated the underlying mechanism in human omental resistance arteries from normotensive pregnant and pre-eclamptic women in the presence of diclofenac (an inhibitor of cyclo-oxygenase). 2. In endothelium-intact strips, the sensitivity to 9,11-epithio-11,12-methano-thromboxane A2 (STA2) was significantly higher in pre-eclampsia, and this was not modified by either NG-nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA, an inhibitor of NO synthase) or removal of the endothelium. 3. Bradykinin and substance P each produced an endothelium-dependent relaxation of the STA2-induced contraction in both groups, although the relaxation was significantly smaller for pre-eclampsia. L-NNA markedly attenuated the endothelium-dependent relaxation in the normotensive pregnant group but not in the pre-eclamptic group. 4. In the presence of L-NNA, the relaxation induced by sodium nitroprusside (SNP) on the STA2 contraction was significantly smaller for pre-eclamptic than for normotensive pregnant women. 5. In endothelium-denuded strips, the relaxation induced by 8-para-chlorophenyl thio-guanosine-3', 5'-cyclic monophosphate (8-pCPT-cGMP) on the STA2 contraction was significantly less for pre-eclampsia. 6. In beta-escin-skinned strips from both groups of women, 8-pCPT-cGMP (1-10 microM) concentration-dependently attenuated the contraction induced by 0.5 microM Ca2+. However, its relaxing action was significantly weaker in pre-eclampsia. 7. It is suggested that the weaker responsivene to NO seen in strips from pre-eclamptic women may be partly due to a reduced smooth muscle responsiveness to cyclic GMP.

Micromolar Ca2+ Concentrations Are Essential for Mg2+-dependent Binding of Collagen by the Integrin α2β1 in Human Platelets

Integrin receptor alpha(2)beta(1) requires micromolar Ca(2+) to bind to collagen and to the peptide GPC(GPP)(5)GFOGER(GPP)(5)GPC (denoted GFOGER-GPP, where O represents hydroxyproline), which contains the minimum recognition sequence for the collagen-binding alpha(2) I-domain (Knight, C. G., Morton, L. F., Peachey, A. R., Tuckwell, D. S., Farndale, R. W., and Barnes, M. J. (2000) J. Biol. Chem. 275, 35-40). Platelet adhesion to these ligands is completely dependent on alpha(2)beta(1) in the presence of 2 mm Mg(2+). However, we show here that this interaction was abolished in the presence of 25 microm EGTA. Adhesion of Glanzmann's thrombasthenic platelets, which lack the fibrinogen receptor alpha(IIb)beta(3), was also inhibited by micromolar EGTA. Mg(2+)-dependent adhesion of platelets was restored by the addition of 10 microm Ca(2+), but millimolar Ca(2+) was inhibitory. Binding of isolated alpha(2)beta(1) to GFOGER-GPP was 70% inhibited by 50 microm EGTA but, as with intact platelets, was fully restored by the addition of micromolar Ca(2+). 2 mm Ca(2+) did not inhibit binding of isolated alpha(2)beta(1) to collagen or to GFOGER-GPP. Binding of recombinant alpha(2) I-domain was not inhibited by EGTA, nor did millimolar Ca(2+) inhibit binding. Our data suggest that high affinity Ca(2+) binding to alpha(2)beta(1), outside the I-domain, is essential for adhesion to collagen. This is the first demonstration of a Ca(2+) requirement in alpha(2)beta(1) function.

Modulation of fetal and adult acetylcholine receptors by Ca2+ and Mg2+ at developing mouse end-plates.

It has long been known that extracellular Ca2+ and Mg2+ modulate synaptic transmission at the neuromuscular junction, acting both pre- and post-synaptically. Relevant questions concerning the modulation of acetylcholine (ACh) receptors (AChRs) are however still open: are the fetal (gamma-AChR) and adult (epsilon-AChR) receptors modulated differently? Does the ACh concentration influence the effect of divalent cations? Is the effect on channel open duration dependent on type and concentration of divalent cation? These questions were addressed by studying the modulation of the single-channel behaviour of gamma- and epsilon-AChRs by Ca2+ and Mg2+ at the endplate of muscle fibres acutely dissociated from 12- to 14-day-old mice. Ca2+ reduced the conductances of the two receptor channels comparably. Mg2+ had a stronger effect than Ca2+ and reduced the conductance of epsilon-AChR significantly more than that of gamma-AChR. With 0.1 microM ACh, Ca2+ and Mg2+ increased the mean open duration of gamma- and epsilon-AChR channels comparably. At 100 microM ACh, gamma- and epsilon-AChR channels opened in bursts of strikingly similar duration, which was unaffected by divalent cations. These findings indicate that Ca2+, and even more so Mg2+, may regulate synaptic transmission by modulating the function of AChRs in addition to the well-established effects on transmitter release.

Evidence for myosin light chain kinase mediating noradrenaline-evoked cation current in rabbit portal vein myocytes.

The role of myosin light chain kinase (MLCK) in the activation of the noradrenaline-evoked non-selective cation current (Icat) was examined with the whole-cell recording technique in single rabbit portal vein smooth muscle cells. Intracellular dialysis with 5 microM MLCK(11-19)amide, a substrate-specific peptide inhibitor of MLCK, markedly reduced the amplitude and rate of activation of noradrenaline-evoked Icat. A similar result was obtained when the cells were dialysed with 10 microM AV25, which also inhibits MLCK by an action at the auto-inhibitory domain of MLCK. Inhibitors of binding of ATP to MLCK, wortmannin and synthetic naphthalenesulphonyl derivatives (ML-7 and ML-9), at micromolar concentrations, also reduced the amplitude of noradrenaline-evoked Icat. ML-7 and ML-9 (both at 5 microM) reduced the amplitude of Icat induced by both guanosine 5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate) (GTPgammaS) and 1-oleoyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycerol (OAG). MLCK(11-19)amide, AV25 and ML-9 did not inhibit the noradrenaline-evoked Ca2+-activated potassium current at a holding potential of 0 mV. In addition, MLCK(11-19)amide and AV25 did not reduce the non-selective cation current induced by ATP in rabbit ear artery cells. Intracellular dialysis with 2 microM Ca2+ and 9 microM calmodulin activated Icat, which developed over a period of about 5 min. Intracellular dialysis with the non-hydrolysable analogue of ATP, 5'-adenylylimidodiphosphate (AMP-PNP), reduced the amplitude and rate of activation of noradrenaline-evoked Icat. The results indicate that MLCK mediates noradrenaline-activated Icat in rabbit portal vein smooth muscle cells.

Large conductance Ca(2+)-activated K(+) channels in human meningioma cells.

Cells from ten human meningiomas were electrophysiologically characterized in both living tissue slices and primary cultures. In whole cells, depolarization to voltages higher than +80 mV evoked a large K(+) outward current, which could be blocked by iberiotoxin (100 nm) and TEA (half blocking concentration IC(50) = 5.3 mm). Raising the internal Ca(2+) from 10 nm to 2 mm shifted the voltage of half-maximum activation (V(1/2)) of the K(+) current from +106 to +4 mV. Respective inside-out patch recordings showed a voltage- and Ca(2+)-activated (BK(Ca)) K(+) channel with a conductance of 296 pS (130 mm K(+) at both sides of the patch). V(1/2) of single-channel currents was +6, -12, -46, and -68 mV in the presence of 1, 10, 100, and 1000 microm Ca(2+), respectively, at the internal face of the patch. In cell-attached patches the open probability (P(o)) of BK(Ca) channels was nearly zero at potentials below +80 mV, matching the activation threshold for whole-cell K(+) currents with 10 nm Ca(2+) in the pipette. Application of 20 microm cytochalasin D increased P(o) of BK(Ca) channels in cell-attached patches within minutes. These data suggest that the activation of BK(Ca) channels in meningioma cells does not only depend on voltage and internal Ca(2+) but is also controlled by the cytoskeleton.