Stress-induced Ca2 Research Articles

Ca2+-independent ZmCPK2 is inhibited by Ca2+-dependent ZmCPK17 during drought response in maize.

Calcium oscillations are induced by different stresses. Calcium-dependent protein kinases (CDPKs/CPKs) are one major group of the plant calcium decoders that are involved in various processes including drought response. Some CPKs are calcium-independent. Here, we identified ZmCPK2 as a negative regulator of drought resistance by screening an overexpression transgenic maize pool. We found that ZmCPK2 does not bind calcium, and its activity is mainly inhibited during short term abscisic acid (ABA) treatment, and dynamically changed in prolonged treatment. Interestingly, ZmCPK2 interacts with and is inhibited by calcium-dependent ZmCPK17, a positive regulator of drought resistance, which is activated by ABA. ZmCPK17 could prevent the nuclear localization of ZmCPK2 through phosphorylation of ZmCPK2T60. ZmCPK2 interacts with and phosphorylates and activates ZmYAB15, a negative transcriptional factor for drought resistance. Our results suggest that drought stress-induced Ca2+ can be decoded directly by ZmCPK17 that inhibits ZmCPK2, thereby promoting plant adaptation to water deficit.

Actomyosin-II protects axons from degeneration induced by mild mechanical stress.

Whether, to what extent, and how the axons in the central nervous system (CNS) can withstand sudden mechanical impacts remain unclear. By using a microfluidic device to apply controlled transverse mechanical stress to axons, we determined the stress levels that most axons can withstand and explored their instant responses at nanoscale resolution. We found mild stress triggers a highly reversible, rapid axon beading response, driven by actomyosin-II-dependent dynamic diameter modulations. This mechanism contributes to hindering the long-range spread of stress-induced Ca2+ elevations into non-stressed neuronal regions. Through pharmacological and molecular manipulations in vitro, we found that actomyosin-II inactivation diminishes the reversible beading process, fostering progressive Ca2+ spreading and thereby increasing acute axonal degeneration in stressed axons. Conversely, upregulating actomyosin-II activity prevents the progression of initial injury, protecting stressed axons from acute degeneration both in vitro and in vivo. Our study unveils the periodic actomyosin-II in axon shafts cortex as a novel protective mechanism, shielding neurons from detrimental effects caused by mechanical stress.

ER stress increases expression of intracellular calcium channel RyR1 to modify Ca2+ homeostasis in pancreatic beta cells

Pancreatic beta cells maintain glucose homeostasis by secreting pulses of insulin in response to a rise in plasma glucose. Pulsatile insulin secretion occurs as a result of glucose-induced oscillations in beta-cell cytosolic Ca2+. The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) helps regulate beta-cell cytosolic Ca2+, and ER stress can lead to ER Ca2+ reduction, beta-cell dysfunction, and an increased risk of type 2 diabetes. However, the mechanistic effects of ER stress on individual calcium channels are not well understood. To determine the effects oftunicamycin-induced ER stress on ER inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate receptors (IP3Rs) and ryanodine receptors (RyRs) and their involvement in subsequent Ca2+ dysregulation, we treated INS-1 832/13cells and primary mouse islets with ER stress inducer tunicamycin (TM). We showed TM treatment increased RyR1 mRNA without affecting RyR2 mRNA and decreased both IP3R1 and IP3R3 mRNA. Furthermore, we found stress reduced ER Ca2+ levels, triggered oscillations in cytosolic Ca2+ under subthreshold glucose conditions, and increased apoptosis and that these changes were prevented by cotreatment with the RyR1 inhibitor dantrolene. In addition, we demonstrated silencing RyR1-suppressed TM-induced subthreshold cytosolic Ca2+ oscillations, but silencing RyR2 did not affect these oscillations. In contrast, inhibiting IP3Rs with xestospongin-C failed to suppress the TM-induced cytosolic Ca2+ oscillations and did not protect beta cells from TM-induced apoptosis although xestospongin-C inclusion did prevent ER Ca2+ reduction. Taken together, these resultsshowchanges in RyR1 play a critical role in ER stress-induced Ca2+ dysfunction and beta-cell apoptosis.

Sexual dimorphism in bidirectional SR-mitochondria crosstalk in ventricular cardiomyocytes

Calcium transfer into the mitochondrial matrix during sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+ release is essential to boost energy production in ventricular cardiomyocytes (VCMs) and match increased metabolic demand. Mitochondria from female hearts exhibit lower mito-[Ca2+] and produce less reactive oxygen species (ROS) compared to males, without change in respiration capacity. We hypothesized that in female VCMs, more efficient electron transport chain (ETC) organization into supercomplexes offsets the deficit in mito-Ca2+ accumulation, thereby reducing ROS production and stress-induced intracellular Ca2+ mishandling. Experiments using mitochondria-targeted biosensors confirmed lower mito-ROS and mito-[Ca2+] in female rat VCMs challenged with β-adrenergic agonist isoproterenol compared to males. Biochemical studies revealed decreased mitochondria Ca2+ uniporter expression and increased supercomplex assembly in rat and human female ventricular tissues vs male. Importantly, western blot analysis showed higher expression levels of COX7RP, an estrogen-dependent supercomplex assembly factor in female heart tissues vs males. Furthermore, COX7RP was decreased in hearts from aged and ovariectomized female rats. COX7RP overexpression in male VCMs increased mitochondrial supercomplexes, reduced mito-ROS and spontaneous SR Ca2+ release in response to ISO. Conversely, shRNA-mediated knockdown of COX7RP in female VCMs reduced supercomplexes and increased mito-ROS, promoting intracellular Ca2+ mishandling. Compared to males, mitochondria in female VCMs exhibit higher ETC subunit incorporation into supercomplexes, supporting more efficient electron transport. Such organization coupled to lower levels of mito-[Ca2+] limits mito-ROS under stress conditions and lowers propensity to pro-arrhythmic spontaneous SR Ca2+ release. We conclude that sexual dimorphism in mito-Ca2+ handling and ETC organization may contribute to cardioprotection in healthy premenopausal females.

Targeting ryanodine receptors to treat human diseases.

This Review provides an update on ryanodine receptors (RyRs) and their role in human diseases of heart, muscle, and brain. Calcium (Ca2+) is a requisite second messenger in all living organisms. From C. elegans to mammals, Ca2+ is necessary for locomotion, bodily functions, and neural activity. However, too much of a good thing can be bad. Intracellular Ca2+ overload can result in loss of function and death. Intracellular Ca2+ release channels evolved to safely provide large, rapid Ca2+ signals without exposure to toxic extracellular Ca2+. RyRs are intracellular Ca2+ release channels present throughout the zoosphere. Over the past 35 years, our knowledge of RyRs has advanced to the level of atomic-resolution structures revealing their role in the mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of human disorders of heart, muscle, and brain. Stress-induced RyR-mediated intracellular Ca2+ leak in the heart can promote heart failure and cardiac arrhythmias. In skeletal muscle, RyR1 leak contributes to muscle weakness in inherited myopathies, to age-related loss of muscle function and cancer-associated muscle weakness, and to impaired muscle function in muscular dystrophies, including Duchenne. In the brain, leaky RyR channels contribute to cognitive dysfunction in Alzheimer's disease, posttraumatic stress disorder, and Huntington's disease. Novel therapeutics targeting dysfunctional RyRs are showing promise.

Trifluoperazine (TFP)-mediated fluorescence imaging approach reveals a probable calmodulin (CaM)-independent calcium signaling accompanying differential protein phosphorylation in NaCl-stressed sunflower seedlings (Helianthus annuus L. var. KBSH44)

The impact of calcium (Ca2+) under abiotic stress is manifested by both calmodulin (CaM)-dependent and calmodulin-independent pathways of signaling mechanisms in plants. Present work demonstrates the impact of NaCl (120 mM) stress on Ca2+-calmodulin activity and its spatial distribution in roots of 2d old sunflower seedlings (Helianthus annuus). NaCl stress significantly increases [Ca2+]cyt in roots (69%) which corresponds with 8% increase in activated calmodulin (Ca2+-CaM) levels. Thus, NaCl stress induced Ca2+ signaling in roots is likely to majorly operate through CaM-independent routes. Trifluoperazine-mediated fluorescence imaging reveals differential distribution of Ca2+-CaM complex in the elongation and differentiation zone of seedling roots which indicate spatial regulation of Ca2+-CaM signaling operative in the presence of NaCl stress. NaCl stress-induced CaM-independent Ca2+ signaling is further accompanied by differential protein phoshorylation of cytosolic proteins in seedling roots and cotyledons. Phosphoproteins exhibiting qualitative differences in roots in response to salt-stress were of both low and high molecular weight range (76–17.5 kDa) unlike in cotyledons where only high molecular weight (>76 kDa) phosphoproteins exhibited major differential expressions in response to 120 mM NaCl stress. Among the various polypeptides in the fraction of OB membrane proteins two polypeptides of 48 and >76 kDa exhibited increased protein phosphorylation in the presence of NaCl stress. NaCl stress for 48 h induces differences in the expression of phosphoproteins in roots and cotyledons, suggesting the long distance signaling of Na+ stress from roots to cotyledons. Roots seem to exhibit much stringent regulation of phosphoproteins in comparison with cotyledons which have lesser qualitative differences. Thus, present work provides evidence on the modulation of Ca2+-CaM signaling accompanying differential protein phosphorylation in sunflower seedling roots and cotyledons under NaCl stress.

Structural analyses of human ryanodine receptor type 2 channels reveal the mechanisms for sudden cardiac death and treatment.

Ryanodine receptor type 2 (RyR2) mutations have been linked to an inherited form of exercise-induced sudden cardiac death called catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT). CPVT results from stress-induced sarcoplasmic reticular Ca2+ leak via the mutant RyR2 channels during diastole. We present atomic models of human wild-type (WT) RyR2 and the CPVT mutant RyR2-R2474S determined by cryo–electron microscopy with overall resolutions in the range of 2.6 to 3.6 Å, and reaching local resolutions of 2.25 Å, unprecedented for RyR2 channels. Under nonactivating conditions, the RyR2-R2474S channel is in a “primed” state between the closed and open states of WT RyR2, rendering it more sensitive to activation that results in stress-induced Ca2+ leak. The Rycal drug ARM210 binds to RyR2-R2474S, reverting the primed state toward the closed state. Together, these studies provide a mechanism for CPVT and for the therapeutic actions of ARM210.

Calcium influx through TRPV4 channels involve in hyperosmotic stress-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition in tubular epithelial cells

The epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a biological process that occurs in the pathogenesis of kidney diseases in which injured tubular epithelial cells transform into myofibroblasts. We previously showed that mannitol-mediated hyperosmotic stress induces EMT of tubular epithelial cells. Although Ca2+ signaling is essential for the induction of EMT in tubular epithelial cells, the role of specific calcium channels is unknown. In this study, we assessed the transient receptor potential vanilloid 4 (TRPV4)-mediated Ca2+ influx in the hyperosmolarity-induced EMT. The Fluo-4 assay was used to examine the effect of hyperosmotic stress on the intracellular Ca2+ level of normal rat kidney (NRK)-52E cells. Expression of a mesenchymal marker α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and an epithelial marker E-cadherin was also observed by fluorescence microscopy. The hyperosmotic stress caused a transient increase in intracellular Ca2+ concentration as well as a decrease in E-cadherin and an increase in α-SMA expressions in tubular epithelial cells, indicating the induction of EMT. A TRPV4 channel antagonist inhibited hyperosmotic stress-induced Ca2+ influx and the EMT, whereas, a TRPV4 channel agonist increased Ca2+ influx and EMT induction in tubular epithelial cells without the hyperosmotic stress. These findings suggest that Ca2+ influx through TRPV4 channels contributes to the hyperosmotic stress-induced EMT of tubular epithelial cells.

Sexual dimorphism in bidirectional control of SR-mitochondria crosstalk in ventricular cardiomyocytes

Stress-induced Ca2+-dependent arrhythmias have been attributed to the increased propensity of ventricular myocytes (VMs) to diastolic Ca2+ waves (DCWs), secondary to mitochondria-dependent oxidation of ryanodine receptors (RyRs), sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+-release channels. We have recently shown that RyR-mediated Ca2+ release regulates mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Mito-ROS production is affected by organization degree of Electron Transport Chain (ETC) components into quaternary supercomplexes.

Overexpression of MCU vs. mito-ROS scavenging to attenuate proarrhythmic spontaneous Ca2+ release in diseased ventricular myocytes

Systolic dysfunction in heart failure and diabetic cardiomyopathy is associated with diminished Ca2+ transient amplitude and impaired mitochondrial function due to reduced mito-[Ca2+], in parallel with increased emission of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mito-ROS). Restoration of mito-[Ca2+] in diseased myocytes as a therapeutic approach remains contentious, as facilitation of mito-Ca2+ uptake has been shown to both protect against and exacerbate stress-induced Ca2+ dependent arrhythmia.

Reduction of P62/SQSTM1 on Calcium Handling in Stressed Myocytes

Introduction Cytosolic protein, p62/SQSTM1, regulates the protein turnover rate, and it interacts with various stress signaling proteins in cells. Accumulations of p62/SQSTM1 have been reported in hearts with cardiomyopathy. We recently reported that p62/SQSTM1 protein deletions reduced beta-adrenergic response in myocytes and improved chronic ischemia-induced Calcium (Ca) defect. Here, we studied acute and chronic stress-induced Ca handling in myocytes genetically suppressed p62/SQSTM1 protein. Methods Myocytes (n=3 per group) isolated from Wild-type (WT), and p62/SQSTM1+/- (p62 HET) at Base, 5 days, and 10 days after Isoproterenol (ISO; beta-agonist) injections (150 mg/kg). We measured myocytes contractility (Fraction shortening of sarcomeres), systolic Ca release (CaT), SR Ca contents (CaffT), and Fractional Ca release, (CaT/CaffT) in field-stimulated single myocytes. Myocytes loaded with fluorescent Ca indicators (Fura-2AM; cytosolic Ca loading). Heart tissues in each group were processed for western blot (n=3 per group). Results The baseline myocytes contractility and Ca regulation were not different among the groups. P62 HET myocytes significantly increased contractility and fractional Ca release (the function of SR, F/F0; WT base, 0.58±0.07, WT ISO, 0.84±0.01, p62 HET ISO, 0.79±0.04) after acute ISO stimulation (1 uM, p<0.05), similar to WT myocytes. Interestingly, p62 HET myocytes preserved SR Ca contents, whereas WT myocytes increased SR Ca contents. Chronic ischemia-induced p62 HET myocytes improved fractional Ca release; however, both systolic Ca release (F/F0; WT base, 0.24±0.03, WT ISO 10days, 0.29±0.06, p62 HET ISO 10 days, 0.17±0.02) and SR Ca contents (F/F0; WT base, 0.43±0.05, WT ISO, 0.49±0.10, p62 HET ISO, 0.33±0.04) were proportionally reduced (p<0.05). Conclusion Taken together, suppression of p62/SQSTM1 protein restores stress-induced Ca dysregulation in myocytes. p62/SQSTM1 protein may directly contribute to systolic Ca release via beta-adrenergic signaling.

MCU Overexpression Rescues Inotropy and Reverses Heart Failure by Reducing SR Ca2+ Leak.

[Figure: see text].

Anthocyanins from Hibiscus syriacus L. Inhibit NLRP3 Inflammasome in BV2 Microglia Cells by Alleviating NF-κB- and ER Stress-Induced Ca2+ Accumulation and Mitochondrial ROS Production.

Anthocyanins from the petals of Hibiscus syriacus L. (PS) possess anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimelanogenic activities. However, it remains unclear whether PS inhibit the NLR family pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome activation and assembly. This study is aimed at investigating whether PS downregulate NLRP3-mediated inflammasome by inhibiting nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. BV2 microglia cells were treated with PS in the presence of lipopolysaccharide and adenosine triphosphate (LPS/ATP), and the NLRP3-related signaling pathway was investigated. In this study, we found that LPS/ATP treatment activated the NLRP3 inflammasome, which resulted in the release of interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and IL-18. Meanwhile, PS reduced LPS/ATP-mediated NLRP3 inflammasome at 12 h by inhibiting ER stress-mediated Ca2+ accumulation and subsequent mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mtROS) production, which, in turn, decreased IL-1β and IL-18 release. Furthermore, PS inhibited the NLRP3 inflammasome 1 h after LPS/ATP treatment by suppressing the NF-κB pathway, which downregulated Ca2+ accumulation and mtROS production. These data showed that PS negatively regulated activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome in a time-different manner by inhibiting the NF-κB signaling pathway in the early stage and the ER stress response in the late stage. The pathways shared Ca2+ accumulation-mediated mtROS production, which was significantly inhibited in the presence of PS. In conclusion, our results suggested that PS has potential as a supplement against NLRP3 inflammasome-related inflammatory disorders; nevertheless, further studies are needed to determine the effect of PS in the noncanonical NLRP3 inflammasome pathways and pathological conditions in vivo.

Salt stress-induced H2O2 and Ca2+ mediate K+/Na+ homeostasis in Pyropia haitanensis

Maintaining K+/Na+ homeostasis and redox homeostasis is crucial for the tolerance of P. haitanensis to hypersalinity. However, the precise link between the signaling role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and K+/Na+ homeostasis remains poorly characterized. In this study, we analyze hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) production and flux as well as H2O2 effects on K+, Na+, and Ca2+ transport in P. haitanensis under hypersaline condition. An exposure to hypersaline stress (110‰, 15 min) rapidly increased the H2O2 content and efflux in P. haitanensis cells, which was counteracted by the rapid increase in superoxide dismutase activity and activation of defense responses. The enhanced Na+ efflux and Ca2+ influx induced by salt stress were substantially suppressed by an NADPH oxidase inhibitor (DPI) or an ROS scavenger (DMTU). Additionally, Na+ efflux decreased in response to a plasma membrane Ca2+-permeable channel inhibitor (verapamil). This suggested that NADPH oxidase-mediated H2O2 production may promote Na+ efflux via the Ca2+-dependent Na+/H+ antiporter system in salt-stressed P. haitanensis thalli. Moreover, salt-induced H2O2 accumulation also enhanced K+ efflux, which was alleviated by exogenous Ca2+. H2O2 and Ca2+ may independently mediate K+ homeostasis in P. haitanensis. H2O2-induced K+ leakage may induce cells to switch from normal metabolic activities to those associated with adaptation and repair. The present results provide new insight for clarifying the relationship between salt-induced ROS signaling and ion homeostasis in intertidal seaweed species.

Modulation of the excitability of stellate neurons in the ventral cochlear nucleus of mice by TRPM2 channels

Oxidative stress-induced Ca2+ permeable transient receptor potential melastatin 2 (TRPM2) channels are expressed at high levels in the brain, appear to link neuronal excitability to cellular metabolism, and are involved in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disorders. We aimed to study the electrophysiological properties of TRPM2 channels in stellate cells of the mouse ventral cochlear nucleus (VCN) using molecular, immunohistochemical and electrophysiological approaches.In the present study, the real time PCR analysis revealed the presence of the TRPM2 mRNA in the mouse VCN tissue. Cell bodies of stellate cells were moderately labeled with TRPM2 antibodies using immunohistochemical staining.Stellate cells were sensitive to intracellular ADP-ribose (ADPR), a TRPM2 agonist. Upon the application of ADPR, the resting membrane potential of the stellate cells was significantly depolarized, shifting from −61.2 ± 0.9 mV to −57.0 ± 0.8 mV (P < 0.001; n = 21), and the firing rate significantly increased (P < 0.001, n = 6). When the pipette solution contained ADPR (300 μM) and the TRPM2 antagonists flufenamic acid (FFA) (100 μM), N-(p-amylcinnamoyl) anthranilic acid (ACA) (50 μM) and 8-bromo-cADP-Ribose (8-Br-cADPR) (50 μM), the membrane potential shifted in a hyperpolarizing direction. ADPR did not significantly change the resting membrane potential and action potential firing rate of stellate cells from TRPM2−/− mice.In conclusion, the results obtained using these molecular, immunohistochemical and electrophysiological approaches reveal the expression of functional TRPM2 channels in stellate neurons of the mouse VCN. TRPM2 might exert a significant modulatory effect on setting the level of resting excitability.

A Ca2+/CaM-regulated transcriptional switch modulates stomatal development in response to water deficit

Calcium (Ca2+) signals are decoded by the Ca2+-sensor protein calmodulin (CaM) and are transduced to Ca2+/CaM-binding transcription factors to directly regulate gene expression necessary for acclimation responses in plants. The molecular mechanisms of Ca2+/CaM signal transduction processes and their functional significance remains enigmatic. Here we report a novel Ca2+/CaM signal transduction mechanism that allosterically regulates DNA-binding activity of GT2-LIKE 1 (GTL1), a transrepressor of STOMATAL DENSITY AND DISTRIBUTION 1 (SDD1), to repress stomatal development in response to water stress. We demonstrated that Ca2+/CaM interaction with the 2nd helix of the GTL1 N-terminal trihelix DNA-binding domain (GTL1N) destabilizes a hydrophobic core of GTL1N and allosterically inhibits 3rd helix docking to the SDD1 promoter, leading to osmotic stress-induced Ca2+/CaM-dependent activation (de-repression) of SDD1 expression. This resulted in GTL1-dependent repression of stomatal development in response to water-deficit stress. Together, our results demonstrate that a Ca2+/CaM-regulated transcriptional switch on a trihelix transrepressor directly transduces osmotic stress to repress stomatal development to improve plant water-use efficiency as an acclimation response.

Psychological and oxidative stress induce apoptosis through TRPV1 channel activation in granulosa cells of oocyte during in vitro fertilization

Several physiological and pathophysiological functions such as mitochondria and phagocytosis induce oxidative stress. Oxidative stress results in excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). There is a high amount of psychologically and chemically stress in in vitro fertilization (IVF), because of presence stressful permanent infertility and treatment procedures (An et al. 2013). Oocytes are surrounded by granulosa cells. It is well-known that there is a direct relationship between oxidative stress contents of granulosa cells and oocyte quality (Tola et al 2013). Excessive Ca2+ influx induces excessive mitochondrial ROS production and apoptosis through activation of caspase activations. Involvement of voltage gated Ca2+ channels on oocyte quality and apoptosis in the granulosa cells has been clarified by results of several studies (Platano et al. 2013; Tola et al 2013). Transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) channel is a calcium permeable and non-selective cation channel. The similar effects of voltage gated calcium channels may present between oxidative stress and TRPV1 channel activation in the oocyte, because the TRPV1 channel is activated by excessive production of ROS. The importance of TRPV1 channel on the oocyte maturation was recently reported (Cecconi et al. 2019).&amp;nbsp; In the oral presentation, I will review recent studies on apoptosis through TRPV1 channel activation in granulosa cells of oocyte during IVF.&amp;nbsp; In conclusion, current literature data indicated that&amp;nbsp;psychological and oxidative stress-induced ROS, apoptosis and Ca2+ contents of oocyte and granulosa cells have very important roles on the oocyte maturation in patients with infertility during the IVF. There are some involvement clues of TRPV1 channels on the oocyte maturation and apoptosis, but the subject needs future studies.&amp;nbsp;

Identification of Novel Inhibitors of Auxin-Induced Ca2+ Signaling via a Plant-Based Chemical Screen.

Many signal perception mechanisms are connected to Ca2+-based second messenger signaling to modulate specific cellular responses. The well-characterized plant hormone auxin elicits a very rapid Ca2+ signal. However, the cellular targets of auxin-induced Ca2+ are largely unknown. Here, we screened a biologically annotated chemical library for inhibitors of auxin-induced Ca2+ entry in plant cell suspensions to better understand the molecular mechanism of auxin-induced Ca2+ and to explore the physiological relevance of Ca2+ in auxin signal transduction. Using this approach, we defined a set of diverse, small molecules that interfere with auxin-induced Ca2+ entry. Based on annotated biological activities of the hit molecules, we found that auxin-induced Ca2+ signaling is, among others, highly sensitive to disruption of membrane proton gradients and the mammalian Ca2+ channel inhibitor bepridil. Whereas protonophores nonselectively inhibited auxin-induced and osmotic stress-induced Ca2+ signals, bepridil specifically inhibited auxin-induced Ca2+ We found evidence that bepridil severely alters vacuolar morphology and antagonized auxin-induced vacuolar remodeling. Further exploration of this plant-tailored collection of inhibitors will lead to a better understanding of auxin-induced Ca2+ entry and its relevance for auxin responses.

Polycystin-2-dependent control of cardiomyocyte autophagy

AimsConsiderable evidence points to critical roles of intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis in the modulation and control of autophagic activity. Yet, underlying molecular mechanisms remain unknown. Mutations in the gene (pkd2) encoding polycystin-2 (PC2) are associated with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD), the most common inherited nephropathy. PC2 has been associated with impaired Ca2+ handling in cardiomyocytes and indirect evidence suggests that this protein may be involved in autophagic control. Here, we investigated the role for PC2 as an essential regulator of Ca2+ homeostasis and autophagy. Methods and resultsActivation of autophagic flux triggered by mTOR inhibition either pharmacologically (rapamycin) or by means of nutrient depletion was suppressed in cells depleted of PC2. Moreover, cardiomyocyte-specific PC2 knockout mice (αMhc-cre;Pkd2F/F mice) manifested impaired autophagic flux in the setting of nutrient deprivation. Stress-induced autophagy was blunted by intracellular Ca2+ chelation using BAPTA-AM, whereas removal of extracellular Ca2+ had no effect, pointing to a role of intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis in stress-induced cardiomyocyte autophagy. To determine the link between stress-induced autophagy and PC2-induced Ca2+ mobilization, we over-expressed either wild-type PC2 (WT) or a Ca2+-channel deficient PC2 mutant (PC2-D509V). PC2 over-expression increased autophagic flux, whereas PC2-D509V expression did not. Importantly, autophagy induction triggered by PC2 over-expression was attenuated by BAPTA-AM, supporting a model of PC2-dependent control of autophagy through intracellular Ca2+. Furthermore, PC2 ablation was associated with impaired Ca2+ handling in cardiomyocytes marked by partial depletion of sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ stores. Finally, we provide evidence that Ca2+-mediated autophagy elicited by PC2 is a mechanism conserved across multiple cell types. ConclusionTogether, this study unveils PC2 as a novel regulator of autophagy acting through control of intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis.

Integrated regulation triggered by a cryophyte ω-3 desaturase gene confers multiple-stress tolerance in tobacco.

ω-3 fatty acid desaturases (FADs) are thought to contribute to plant stress tolerance mainly through linolenic acid (C18:3)-induced membrane stabilization, but a comprehensive analysis of their roles in stress adaptation is lacking. Here, we isolated a microsomal ω-3 FAD gene (CbFAD3) from a cryophyte (Chorispora bungeana) and elucidated its functions in stress tolerance. CbFAD3, exhibiting a high identity to Arabidopsis AtFAD3, was up-regulated by abiotic stresses. Its functionality was verified by heterogonous expression in yeast. Overexpression of CbFAD3 in tobacco constitutively increased C18:3 in both leaves and roots, which maintained the membrane fluidity, and enhanced plant tolerance to cold, drought, and salt stresses. Notably, the constitutively increased C18:3 induced a sustained activation of plasma membrane Ca2+-ATPase, thereby, changing the stress-induced Ca2+ signaling. The reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging system, which was positively correlated with the level of C18:3, was also activated in the transgenic lines. Microarray analysis showed that CbFAD3-overexpressing plants increased the expression of stress-responsive genes, most of which are affected by C18:3, Ca2+, or ROS. Together, CbFAD3 confers tolerance to multiple stresses in tobacco through the C18:3-induced integrated regulation of membrane, Ca2+, ROS, and stress-responsive genes. This is in contrast with previous observations that simply attribute stress tolerance to membrane stabilization.