Stimulated 45Ca Efflux Research Articles

SECRETORY, BIOSYNTHETIC AND CATIONIC RESPONSES TO 2-(N-PHENYL-INDOYL)IMIDAZOLE IN RAT PANCREATIC ISLETS

The secretory, biosynthetic and cationic effects of a novel insulinotropic agent with an imidazoline structure, 2-(N-phenyl-indoyl)imidazole hydrochloride (RX 871024) was investigated in rat pancreatic islets. In the 1.0–10-μmrange, this agent augmented, in a concentration-related manner, the release of insulin from islets incubated at intermediate concentrations ofd-glucose (4.0–7.0 mm), this enhancing action fading out at both lower a nd higherd-glucose levels. When the concentration of RX 871024 was raised to 1.0 mm, severe inhibition of glucose-stimulated insulin output was observed. The imidazole derivative (10 μm) failed to enhance glucose-stimulated biosynthetic activity in islets exposed tol-[4-3H]phenylalanine; a modest inhibition of the islet peptide tritiation was even recorded at 4.0 mmd-glucose. The positive insulinotropic action of RX 871024 (10 μm) coincided with a decrease in45Ca net uptake, unchanged outflow of86Rb and stimulation of45Ca efflux from prelabelled islets, the latter effect being only partially suppressed in the absence of extracellular Ca2+. These findings suggest a multifactorial mode of action of RX 871024 in islet cells, with emphasis on both an apparent stimulation of Ca2+influx and, independently of this effect, an intracellular redistribution of the divalent cation. The imidazole compound is proposed, therefore, to display suitable attributes to bypass site-specific defects ofd-glucose metabolism in the B-cell of non-insulin-dependent diabetic patients.

DISSOCIATION BETWEEN THE POTENCY AND REVERSIBILITY OF THE INSULINOTROPIC ACTION OF TWO MEGLITINIDE ANALOGUES

The non-sulphonylurea hypoglycaemic agent repaglinide is about one order of magnitude less potent, in terms of insulinotropic efficiency, than S3075, another meglitinide analogue. In the present study, the effects of these two drugs upon86Rb outflow,45Ca efflux and insulin release from prelabelled rat pancreatic islets were investigated in a perifusion system. At a concentration of 10μM, which is sufficient to evoke a maximal secretory response in incubated islets, both agents inhibited86Rb efflux from islets perifused in the absence ofD-glucose, and stimulated both45Ca efflux and insulin release from islets perifused in the presence of 6mMD-glucose. The stimulation of45Ca efflux from prelabelled islets was suppressed in the absence of extracellular Ca2+. The cationic and secretory response to repaglinide differed, however, from that evoked by S3075, in persisting for at least 20min after removal of the drug from the perifusion medium, whilst the changes in86Rb outflow,45Ca efflux and insulin release caused by S3075 were rapidly reversible. These findings indicate that there is no parallel between the insulinotropic efficiency of distinct meglitinide analogues, and the reversibility of their functional effects. Since a comparable dissociation was recently documented in the case of hypoglycaemic sulphonylureas, the present observations reinforce the view that distinct molecular determinants may rule the relative insulinotropic potency of sulphonylureas and structurally related meglitinide analogues, on one hand, and the reversibility of their biological action, on the other hand.

Ganglioside GM1 preventsN-methyl-d-aspartate neurotoxicity in rabbit hippocampus in vivo

Microdialysis was used to apply 1 mM N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) for 20 min to the hippocampus of rabbits, control and pre-treated with GM1 ganglioside (im injections of 30 mg/kg for 3 d, twice a day). Concentrations of ionized Ca2+ and 6-keto prostaglandin F1 alpha (6-keto PGF1 alpha)-immunoreactive material in the dialyzates and 45Ca and [14C]sucrose efflux from the prelabeled hippocampus were determined. After 24 h, the morphology of the hippocampal neurons was examined. In control animals, the application of NMDA resulted in 25% decrease in Ca2+ concentration and in 1000% increase in 6-keto PGF 1 alpha concentration in the dialyzates. A 30% decrease in 45Ca efflux was accompanied by 20% increase in [14C]sucrose efflux, reflecting a corresponding reduction of the extracellular space volume. A degeneration of CA1 pyramidal neurons in the vicinity of a microdialysis probe was observed. In GM1-treated rabbits the NMDA-induced decrease in Ca2+ concentrations in the dialyzates was not reduced significantly, whereas a 70% stimulation of 45Ca efflux was noted, with a concomitant 40% reduction of 6-keto-PG F1 alpha release. NMDA-evoked increase in [14C]sucrose efflux did not differ from the control. In these animals CA1 neurons were well preserved. These results indicate that the pretreatment with GM1 results in activation of calcium extrusion from the NMDA-stimulated rabbit hippocampal neurons that alleviates destabilization of calcium homeostasis and reduces NMDA-evoked neuronal injury.

Injection of bovine parathyroid poly(A)+ RNA into Xenopus oocytes confers sensitivity to high extracellular calcium.

Parathyroid cells detect increments in the extracellular [Ca2+], which lead to substantial increases in intracellular free Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) and, ultimately, to suppression of parathyroid hormone (PTH) secretion. To determine whether mRNA from parathyroid tissue could confer sensitivity to high extracellular Ca2+, we isolated and injected total bovine parathyroid poly(A)+ RNA into Xenopus laevis oocytes. To assess translational activity of the RNA, PTH released into the media was measured. Intact PTH was detected in the medium for < or = 48 h, and injection of increasing amounts of RNA (approximately 0.5-50 ng/oocyte) led to the release of greater quantities of PTH. We screened for the expression of a putative Ca2+ sensor molecule by measuring 45Ca efflux from preloaded oocytes, in response to raising extracellular [Ca2+] from 0.7 to 5.7 mM. This increment in [Ca2+] stimulated 45Ca efflux by 249 +/- 52 cpm over 20 min from eggs injected with parathyroid poly(A)+ RNA (n = 22). This response was significantly greater than 45Ca efflux from any group of controls exposed to the same change in extracellular Ca2+ (p < 0.02), including oocytes injected with either water, cRNA for the platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) BB receptor, or T cell poly(A)+ RNA. Size-fractionation of poly(A)+ RNA over sucrose gradients demonstrated that mRNA, which induced responsiveness to high extracellular Ca2+, was present in fractions with transcripts of approximately 5-9 kB. Injection of these fractions also conferred sensitivity to the presence of Ba2+ or Sr2+ (both at 5 mM) in the media.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Effects of galanin on growth hormone release in isolated cultured rat somatotrophs

Several studies suggest that galanin stimulates growth hormone release through effects on the hypothalamus. It is not known if galanin has acute effects directly on the somatotrophs. We now find that 0.5 mumol/l galanin stimulates growth hormone release within the first minute of exposure in isolated, purified, cultured male rat somatotrophs. The effect persisted for 15 min and was reversible when galanin was omitted. Galanin reduced the effect of 1 nmol/l growth hormone-releasing hormone (hGHRH(1-29)) on growth hormone release. Galanin stimulated 45Ca efflux from prelabelled cells but had no effect on 86Rb efflux (tracer for potassium). The findings support the fact that galanin can stimulate growth hormone release directly at the level of the somatotrophs. The cellular mechanisms for the effect of galanin probably differ from those of growth hormone-releasing hormone.

Potassium Channels Regulate Cholecystokinin Secretion in STC-1 Cells

Following blockade of plasma membrane potassium channels with barium or tetraethylammonium chloride, release of cholecystokinin was increased in an intestinal cell line (STC-1). Treatment with calcium channel blockers inhibited barium- or TEA-induced secretion. Barium chloride also stimulated 45Ca efflux fron STC-1 cells. Whole cell patch clasp recordings revealed a voltage-activated, Li-type calcium current. We conclude that, inhibition of basally active potassium channels may depolarize STC-1cells, producing activation of voltage-gated calcium influx pathways. Influx of calcium may lead to a release of intracellular calcium which stimulates cholecystokinin secretion.

Vascular smooth muscle cell calcium fluxes. Regulation by angiotensin II and lipoproteins.

This study examined 45Ca uptake, 45Ca efflux, and the distribution of exchangeable 45Ca in confluent, quiescent cultures of aortic smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) from normotensive Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs). These parameters were investigated under basal conditions and after addition of angiotensin II (Ang II) and low (LDL) and high (HDL) density lipoproteins. Basal 45Ca uptake was approximately 50% greater in VSMCs from SHRs (p < 0.005 versus WKY). Calcium antagonists (diltiazem or nifedipine) abolished this difference. The 45Ca uptake response to Ang II was approximately twofold greater in SHR than in WKY VSMCs (p < 0.05), and Ang II-induced increments of 45Ca uptake were weakly inhibited (by approximately 15-25%) by calcium antagonists. Lipoproteins also stimulated 45Ca uptake in VSMCs, and the apparent affinity of this process was approximately fivefold greater for LDL than for HDL. Calcium antagonists did not inhibit either LDL- or HDL-induced 45Ca uptake. SHR and WKY VSMCs did not differ with respect to 45Ca uptake induced by either LDL or HDL. The initial size of the slowly exchangeable pool of intracellular Ca2+ was approximately 35% greater in SHR VSMCs (p < 0.05 versus WKY). Ang II-induced mobilization of intracellular calcium (measured as the decrease in 45Ca content of the slowly exchangeable pool) was threefold greater in SHR VSMCs (p < 0.005 versus WKY). LDL and HDL marginally stimulated 45Ca efflux from this pool (< or = 20% above control) and to comparable extents in both SHR and WKY VSMCs.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Feedback inhibition of Ca2+ release by Ca2+ is the underlying mechanism of agonist-evoked intracellular Ca2+ oscillations in pancreatic acinar cells.

Oscillations of free intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) are known to occur in many cell types during physiological cell signaling. To identify the basis for the oscillations, we measured both [Ca2+]i and extracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]o) to follow the fate of Ca2+ during stimulation of [Ca2+]i oscillations in pancreatic acinar cells. [Ca2+]i oscillations were initiated by either t-butyloxycarbonyl-Tyr(SO3)-Nle-Gly-Tyr-Nle-Asp-2-phenylethyl ester (CCK-J), which mobilized Ca2+ from the inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3)-insensitive pool, or low concentration of cholecystokinin octapeptide (CCK-OP), which mobilized Ca2+ from the IP3-sensitive internal pool. Little Ca2+ efflux occurred during the oscillations triggered by CCK-J or CCK-OP in spite of a large average increase in [Ca2+]i. When internal store Ca2+ pumps were inhibited with thapsigargin (Tg) during [Ca2+]i oscillations, a rapid Ca2+ efflux occurred similar to that measured in intensely stimulated, nonoscillatory cells. Tg also stimulated 45Ca efflux from internal pools of cells stimulated with CCK-J or a low concentration of CCK-OP. Hence, a large fraction of the Ca2+ released during each spike is reincorporated by the internal store Ca2+ pumps. Surprisingly, when the increase in [Ca2+]i during stimulation of oscillations was prevented by loading the cells with 1,2-bis(2-aminophenoxy) ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid, a persistent activation of Ca2+ release and Ca2+ efflux occurred. This was reflected as a persistent increase in [Ca2+]o in cells suspended at low [Ca2+]o or persistent efflux of 45Ca from internal stores of cells maintained at high [Ca2+]o. Since agonist-stimulated Ca2+ release evidently remains activated when [Ca2+]i is highly buffered, the primary mechanism determining Ca2+ oscillations must include an inhibition of Ca2+ release by [Ca2+]i. Loading the cells with 1,2-bis(2-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid had no apparent effect on the levels or kinetics of IP3 formation in agonist-stimulated cells. This suggests that [Ca2+]i regulated the oscillation by inhibition of Ca2+ release independent of its possible effects on cellular levels of IP3.

Dual action of arachidonic acid on calcium mobilization in avian granulosa cells

The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of arachidonic acid (AA) on calcium mobilization from intracellular compartments in digitonin-permeabilized granulosa cells isolated from the largest preovulatory follicles of laying hens. At low concentrations (ED 50 0.2 μM) AA released 35% 45Ca from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), whereas at higher concentrations (ED 50 16 μM) it stimulated 45Ca efflux from mitochondria. These effects of AA were mimicked at 10–20 times lower concentration by the calcium ionophore A23187. Inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP 3) also stimulated 45Ca efflux from the ER, with a markedly lower potency than AA (ED 50 6.2 μM), as well as exhibiting a biphasic response. Heparin abolished the effect of IP 3 and luteinizing hormone (LH), but it had no influence on AA-promoted 45Ca efflux. Moreover, the actions of IP 3 and AA were additive, indicating that AA and IP 3 access different Ca pools in the ER by different mechanisms. Several other unsaturated fatty acids also stimulated 45Ca mobilization from both ER and mitochondria but, with the exception of eicosapentaenoic acid, were significantly less effective than AA. It is concluded that free AA, at submicromolar concentrations that might be viewed as physiological, is a potent calcium mobilizing agent and thus may play an important role in signal transduction in avian granulosa cells, akin to that of IP 3. At high (> 10 μM) concentrations AA removes Ca 2+ from the mitochondria, an action that may be responsible for its reported inhibitory effects on steroidogenesis and other cellular functions.

Mas Oncogene Receptor Coupling and Peptide Specificity in Balb 3T3 and Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells

The mas oncogene receptor has been reported to confer angiotensin (Ang) responsiveness in NG115-401L neuronal cell line. To test if mas oncogene encodes an Ang receptor in peripheral tissue, Balb 3T3 and rat aortic vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) were cotransfected with a plasmid containing the mas oncogene (pSM422) and a plasmid expressing a selectable marker (pRSV-Neo). Transfected cells (Balb/mas and VSMC/mas) expressed the appropriate 2.4 Kb mas transcript, which was not present in parental cells. Both Balb/mas and VSMC/mas cells acquired Ang II and Ang III responsiveness as documented by Ang-stimulated increased [Ca2+]i. The ED50 for these peptides were relatively high (4 - 6 x 10(-5) M). Ang III was approximately two times more potent than Ang II in stimulating 45Ca efflux from Balb/mas cells, and its effect was not blocked by Sar1, Ile8-Ang II. In contrast, substance P and a substance P analogue ([D-Arg1, D-Pro2, D-Trp7,9, Leu11] substance P) behaved as agonists, resulting in the stimulation of 45Ca efflux and [Ca2+]i in Balb/mas cells without affecting control cells. The rank order potency for stimulating 45Ca efflux in Balb/mas cells was substance P analogue much greater than Ang III, substance P greater than Ang II. In summary, the authors show that although Ang III can stimulate biochemical events in mas transfected cells, which are known to be essential for Ang receptor signal transduction in other cell types, ie, [Ca2+]i and pHi transients, as well as inositol triphosphate formation, it did that at supraphysiological concentrations of the peptide.

Excitation of skinned muscle fibers by imposed ion gradients. IV. Effects of stretch and perchlorate ion.

Depolarizing ion gradients stimulate 45Ca release in skeletal muscle fibers skinned by microdissection. Several lines of indirect evidence suggest that sealed transverse (T) tubules rather than sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) are the locus of such stimulatory depolarization. Two implications of this hypothesis were tested. (a) A requirement for signal transmission was evaluated from the stimulation of 45Ca efflux in fibers that had been highly stretched, an intervention that can impair the electrical stimulation of intact fibers. Length was increased over approximately 95-115 s, after loading with 45Ca and rinsing at normal length; prestimulus 45Ca loss due to stretch itself was very small. In the first study, stimulation of 45Ca release by KCl replacement of K propionate was inhibited completely in fibers stretched to twice slack length, compared with fibers at 1.05-1.1 times slack length. Identical protocols did not alter 45Ca release stimulated by caffeine or Mg2+ reduction, implying that SR Ca release per se was fully functional and inhibition was selective for a preceding step in ionic stimulation. In a second study, stimulation by choline Cl replacement of K methanesulfonate, at constant [K+] [Cl-] product, was inhibited strongly; total 45Ca release decreased 69%, and stimulation above control loss decreased 78%, in segments stretched to twice the length at which sarcomere spacing had been 2.2 micron, compared with paired controls from the same fibers kept at 2.3 micron. (b) Perchlorate potentiation of T tubule activation was evaluated in fibers stimulated at constant [K+] [Cl-] at normal length (2.3 micron); this anion shifts the voltage dependence of intramembrane charge movement and contractile activation in intact fibers. Perchlorate (8 mM) potentiated both submaximal stimulation of Ca2+-dependent 45Ca release by partial choline Cl replacement of K methanesulfonate and the small Ca2+-insensitive 45Ca efflux component stimulated by nearly full replacement in the presence of 5 mM EGTA. These results provide independent support for the hypothesis that the T tubules are the locus of stimulation by depolarizing ion gradients, with junctional transmission of this signal causing SR 45Ca release.

The Mechanism of Action of Endothelin-1 as Compared with Other Agonists in Vascular Smooth Muscle

The effects of endothelin-1 (ET-1) on tension and membrane potential in rat isolated mesenteric resistance vessels (MRVs) and on 45Ca influx, 45Ca efflux, inositol-1,4,5-triphosphate (IP3) production, and cytoplasmic Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]1) in cultured aortic smooth muscle cells were compared with those of other agonists. ET-1 induced contractions of the MRVs, which were slow in onset, but reached a similar maximum amplitude (at 10 nM ET-1) as that seen with norepinephrine (NE, 10 microM) or [arg8]vasopressin (AVP, 0.1 microM). The EC50 for ET-1 was 1.3 +/- 0.1 nM. Removal of extracellular Ca2+ reduced ET-1-induced contractions to 11 +/- 3% of those in Ca2+-containing medium. With NE, the same procedure reduced contractions to 47 +/- 7% of those in Ca2+-containing medium, while with AVP, the reduction was similar in magnitude to that induced by ET-1 (11 +/- 5% of those in Ca2+-containing medium). Relaxation of ET-1-induced and NE-induced contractions by diltiazem was not complete (maximal at 58 +/- 6% with 10 microM diltiazem after 6 nM ET-1, and at 70 +/- 3% after 0.1 microM NE), in contrast to that of 80 mM K+-induced contractions, which were potently (IC50 = 0.2 microM) and completely reversed (100% relaxation at 10 microM diltiazem). ET-1 (6 nM) caused a small but significant depolarization of the MRVs (approximately 7 mV), the magnitude of which was only about one-third of that induced by equieffective contractile concentrations of NE and AVP. The voltage-sensitive Ca2+ channel agonist Bay K 8644 (1 microM), in contrast to ET-1, NE, and AVP, produced a small contraction (30 +/- 2% of the maximum response to NE), but no further depolarization when added in the presence of 15 mM K+ (which elicited approximately 12 mV depolarization but no contraction).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Highly potent and stereoselective effects of the benzoic acid derivative AZ‐DF 265 on pancreatic β‐cells

1. Mouse islets were used to define the characteristics and study the mechanisms of the stimulation of insulin release by compound AZ-DF 265, 4-[[N-(alpha-phenyl-2-piperidino-benzyl) carbamoyl]methyl] benzoic acid, a substituted benzoic acid with an asymmetric carbon atom. 2. At a non-stimulatory concentration of glucose (3 mM), (-)-AZ-DF 265 reversibly inhibited 86Rb efflux from islet cells, depolarized the beta-cell membrane, induced electrical activity, stimulated 45Ca efflux, and triggered insulin release. Maximum inhibition of 86Rb efflux occurred at 0.03 microM (-)-AZ-DF 265, whereas the threshold concentration for stimulation of release was 0.1 microM. Omission of extracellular Ca2+ abolished all effects of the drug but the inhibition of 86Rb efflux. 3. At a stimulatory concentration of glucose (10 mM), (-)-AZ-DF 265 reversibly increased 86Rb efflux, potentiated electrical activity, augmented 45Ca efflux, and increased insulin release. Maximum stimulation of 86Rb efflux and insulin release was obtained with 0.03 microM (-)-AZ-DF 265. Omission of extracellular Ca2+ abolished all effects of the drug. 4. The potency of (-)-AZ-DF 265 was similar to that of glibenclamide, whereas the (+)-enantiomer was about 10 times less potent on 86Rb efflux and insulin release. 5. It is concluded that, like sulphonylureas, compound AZ-DF 265 decreases K+ permeability of the beta-cell membrane and thereby causes depolarization. This activates voltage-dependent Ca channels, permits Ca2+ influx and eventually stimulates insulin release. Its stereoselectivity may help to elucidate the mechanisms of K channel blockade and, hence, lead to the design of more potent and specific insulinotropic drugs.

External ATP mimics carbachol in initiating calcium mobilization from pancreatic β‐cells conditioned by previous exposure to glucose

1 Exposure to ATP (2-200 microM) resulted in a prominent peak of 45Ca efflux, when beta-cell-rich pancreatic islets from ob/ob-mice were perifused with a Ca2+-deficient medium. ADP and the stable alpha/beta-methylene analogues of ATP and ADP also had stimulatory effects. 2 The nucleotide initiation of 45Ca efflux mimicked that obtained with carbachol both in requiring previous exposure to glucose and in being more pronounced after replacing extracellular Na+ by K+. 3 It was possible to induce repeated peaks of stimulated 45Ca efflux, when the exposure to ATP was interrupted with intervals of perifusion with glucose-containing media. 4 The observations are consistent with the existence of P2-purinoceptors in islets, suggesting that these receptors mediate a similar mobilization of calcium as noted when activating polyphosphoinositide breakdown with carbachol. In view of the high contents of ATP and ADP in the beta-cell secretory granules, activation of P2-purinoceptors should be considered as a possible mechanism for amplification of the initial insulin secretory response.

Stimulation-evoked Ca2+ fluxes in cultured bovine adrenal chromaffin cells are enhanced by forskolin.

Forskolin, 1 microM, increased acetylcholine (ACh)-stimulated 45Ca uptake by chromaffin cells. The stimulatory effects of forskolin decreased with increasing concentration of ACh. The attenuation of the effect of forskolin on 45Ca uptake as a function of ACh concentration correlated well with changes in the forskolin effect on ACh-evoked catecholamine (CA) release. Forskolin increased excess KCl- and veratrine-evoked CA release and 45Ca uptake. Forskolin by itself stimulated 45Ca efflux and enhanced ACh-, excess KCl-, and veratrine-stimulated 45Ca efflux. High doses of forskolin inhibited both ACh-evoked 45Ca uptake and CA release. The inhibitory action of forskolin was specific to receptor-mediated response because excess KCl- and veratrine-stimulated 45Ca uptake and CA release were not inhibited. Forskolin, 0.3-30 microM, dose-dependently increased caffeine-stimulated CA release and 45Ca efflux in the absence of Ca2+ in the medium, and the effects were mimicked by dibutyryl cyclic AMP. These results suggest that cyclic AMP increases stimulation-induced CA release by enhancing calcium uptake across the plasma membrane and/or altering calcium flux in an intracellular calcium store.

The relationship between noradrenaline-induced contraction and 45Ca efflux stimulation in rabbit mesenteric artery.

Cellular Ca2+ recycling in a branch of the rabbit mesenteric artery was investigated by measuring the time- and concentration-dependent effects of noradrenaline (NA) on contraction and 45Ca efflux in Ca2+-free solution. When NA was present continuously (15 min), both force development and 45Ca efflux stimulation consisted of a fast and a slow (often oscillatory) component. These components were sensitive to caffeine and are probably both related to Ca2+ release from the intracellular Ca2+ store, presumably sarcoplasmic reticulum (s.r.). When NA was applied for shorter time periods, both tension and stimulated 45Ca efflux decreased similarly. Repetitive short (30 s) NA applications resulted in repeated contractions and stimulations of 45Ca efflux. The NA-stimulated 45Ca efflux was not inhibited when external Ca2+ was present or in Na+-free medium. Loading the cell with Ca2+ (with physiological salt solution for 3 h or with a high K+ depolarizing solution) increases the number of subsequent NA-induced repeated contractions in Ca2+-free solution. The Ca2+ content of the sarcoplasmic reticulum (s.r.) in the smooth muscle cells of this small artery was estimated to be at least 50 mumol kg-1 wet weight, corresponding to an s.r. Ca2+ concentration of about 3.1 mM. These results indicate that the NA-induced increase in cytosolic free Ca2+ (as measured by force development) is accompanied by an increase in Ca2+ extrusion (as measured by stimulation of 45Ca efflux). This suggests that at least part of the activator Ca2+ cycles through the extracellular space during hormone-induced activation of vascular smooth muscle.

Reconstitution of the purified alpha-latrotoxin receptor in liposomes and planar lipid membranes. Clues to the mechanism of toxin action.

The receptor of alpha-latrotoxin (the major toxin of the black widow spider venom), purified from bovine synaptosomal membranes, was reconstituted into small unilamellar liposomes. These (but not control) liposomes exhibited high-affinity, specific binding of [125I]alpha-latrotoxin. In the receptor-bearing liposomes alpha-latrotoxin induced depolarization and stimulated 45Ca efflux. These responses to alpha-latrotoxin, that were observed only in the presence of external divalent cations, resembled those previously demonstrated in mammalian brain synaptosomes. The alpha-latrotoxin-activated ion fluxes are therefore, at least in part, the result of the direct interaction of the toxin with its receptor. When control and receptor-bearing liposomes were pre-incubated with alpha-latrotoxin and then added to a solution bathing a planar lipid bilayer membrane, single channel cationic conductances were observed. In the presence of the receptor, the conductances induced by alpha-latrotoxin were markedly different from those observed without the receptor, but not identical to those observed without the receptor, but not identical to those recently characterized by patch clamping in the cells of a line (PC12) sensitive to alpha-latrotoxin. These results demonstrate that the reconstituted receptor is functional, and suggest that the cationic channel activated by the toxin-receptor interaction is modulated by additional component(s) in the membrane of synapses and cells.

Alterations in cellular Ca2+ regulation in the liver in endotoxic shock.

Effects of Salmonella enteritidis endotoxin on cellular Ca2+ regulation were studied in the liver. Rats were given intravenous injections of saline (control) or endotoxin (15 mg/kg). They were killed 5 h later, at which time endotoxin-injected rats showed signs of shock. Liver slices were used to measure Ca2+ efflux from the intracellular Ca2+ pool and the size of that pool. 45Ca uptake was measured in isolated endoplasmic reticulum (ER) from livers. 45Ca efflux and uptake were also measured in control liver slices and ER in the presence of endotoxin (250 micrograms/ml) in vitro. In control livers, 45Ca efflux from the intracellular pool was sensitive to iodoacetate and 45Ca uptake by ER was ATP dependent. These active Ca2+ movements were significantly attenuated by endotoxin in vitro but were unaltered in livers of endotoxic rats. However, the intracellular Ca2+ pool size and norepinephrine (NE) regulation of cellular Ca2+ were adversely affected in endotoxic shock. Though the application of 1 microM NE to control liver slices significantly stimulated 45Ca efflux, it failed to stimulate efflux in liver slices of endotoxic rats. The intracellular Ca2+ pool in endotoxic livers (mean +/- SE = 553 +/- 23 mumol/kg tissue) was significantly larger than in controls (413 +/- 17). These results suggest that during endotoxic shock there is a depletion of the NE-mobilized activator Ca2+ in liver that could lead to a failure of alpha-adrenergic stimulation of hepatic glucose production. The increased sequestration of Ca2+ in the intracellular pool in endotoxic rat liver cells could be due to an influx of extracellular Ca2+ and may predispose these cells to Ca2+ overload.

Ca2+ dependence of transverse tubule-mediated calcium release in skinned skeletal muscle fibers.

Isometric force and 45Ca efflux from the sarcoplasmic reticulum were measured at 19 degrees C in frog skeletal muscle fibers skinned by microdissection. After Ca2+ loading, application of the ionophores monensin, an Na+(K+)/H+ exchanger, or gramicidin D, an H+ greater than K+ greater than Na+ channel-former, evoked rapid force development and stimulated release of approximately 30% of the accumulated 45Ca within 1 min, whereas CCCP (carbonyl cyanide pyruvate p-trichloromethoxyphenylhydrazone), a protonophore, and valinomycin, a neutral, K+-specific ionophore, did not. When monensin was present in all bathing solutions, i.e., before and during Ca2+ loading, subsequent application failed to elicit force development and to stimulate 45Ca efflux. 5 min pretreatment of the skinned fibers with 50 microM digitoxin, a permeant glycoside that specifically inhibits the Na+,K+ pump, inhibited monensin and gramicidin D stimulation of 45Ca efflux; similar pretreatment with 100 microM ouabain, an impermeant glycoside, was ineffective. Monensin stimulation of 45Ca efflux was abolished by brief pretreatment with 5 mM EGTA, which chelates myofilament-space calcium. These results suggest that: monensin and gramicidin D stimulate Ca2+ release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum that is mediated by depolarization of the transverse tubules, which seal off after sarcolemma removal and form closed compartments; a transverse tubule membrane potential (myofilament space-negative) is maintained and/or established by the operation of the Na+,K+ pump in the transverse tubule membranes and is sensitive to the permeant inhibitor digitoxin; the transverse tubule-mediated stimulation of 45Ca efflux appears to be entirely Ca2+ dependent.

Effect of oxytocin on calcium influx and efflux in the rat myometrium

45Ca was used to investigate the effect of oxytocin on calcium movements in uterine smooth muscle from estrogenized rats. Upon exposure to oxytocin the influx of 45Ca in myometrial strips increased rapidly. After 2 min of incubation with oxytocin (1 μM) there was a 30% increase over the control. Prolonged stimulation with oxytocin caused no further accumulation of 45Ca. The amount of Ca gained following oxytocin stimulation could be removed by washing with a lanthanum solution. The rate of 45Ca efflux from preloaded tissues was substantially increased by oxytocin. In the absence of external Ca, the stimulation of 45Ca efflux by oxytocin was much reduced. The data indicate that oxytocin-induced contraction of the myometrium is largely dependent on the influx of extracellular calcium. Oxytocin appears to be capable of releasing small amounts of calcium from intracellular storage sites. The data also provide evidence against the inhibition by oxytocin of the calcium extrusion pump.