Influence of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate and guanine nucleotides on intracellular calcium release within the N1E-115 neuronal cell line

GTP causes calcium release from a plant microsomal fraction

Studies on a variety of animal cell types have revealed a GTP-specific calcium-releasing mechanism in a non-mitochondrial, microsomal fraction. Here we report that GTP also induces rapid release of calcium from a zucchini (Cucurbita pepo L.) hypocotyl microsomal fraction. Maximal release occurs at 50 microM, and half-maximal release at 8 microM GTP. GTP is highly specific in its effect, and may not be replaced by UTP, ATP, CTP, TTP, GMP, or by non-hydrolysable analogues of GTP. Reuptake of calcium after release does not normally occur; however, this may be induced by non-hydrolysable GTP analogues. Calcium release is also blocked by prior treatment with these analogues.

GTP-activated communication between distinct inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate-sensitive and -insensitive calcium pools

Inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (InsP3) is an established mediator of intracellular Ca2+ signals but little is known of the nature and organization of Ca2+ regulatory organelles responsive to InsP3. Here we derive new information from the study of Ca2+ movements induced both by InsP3 and a specific GTP-activated Ca2+ translocation process. The latter mechanism is clearly distinct from that activated by InsP3 and may involve the translocation of Ca2+ between compartments without its release into the cytosol. This idea is supported by the fact that GTP activates Ca2+ movement into the InsP3-releasable pool. In the light of this evidence we postulated that there are two intracellular Ca2+ pools distinguishable by InsP3-sensitivity and oxalate-permeability, and that movement between them is activated by GTP. We report here direct evidence for the existence and separation of two distinct Ca2+-pumping compartments with properties coinciding with those predicted. Of these, the InsP3-sensitive Ca2+ pool is identified within a purified rough endoplasmic reticulum fraction, an observation consistent with recent InsP3 receptor-localization studies. Ca2+ translocation between pools may reflect function of a class of small GTP-binding proteins known to mediate interorganelle transfer in eukaryotic cells.

Calcium signalling mechanisms in endoplasmic reticulum activated by inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate and GTP

Ca2+ signals are known to mediate an array of cellular functions including secretion, contraction, and conductivity changes. In spite of the obvious role of Ca2+ in signalling, the control of Ca2+ within cells is known to be a complex phenomenon involving a number of distinct active and passive transport systems functioning within different organelles. Inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) is now established as a central mediator of Ca2+ mobilization, and the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) has been considered to be the site of action of IP3. However, this role has been ascribed almost by default to the ER, based on the knowledge that IP3 functions to release Ca2+ from an intracellular, nonmitochondrial, Ca2+-pumping organelle. Our interest has been to ascertain by what mechanism IP3 activates Ca2+ movements, at what intracellular locations it functions, and how the size and replenishment of the IP3-sensitive Ca2+ pool occurs. During the course of such studies, another mechanism inducing profound movements of Ca2+ within cells was identified. This process is activated by a highly sensitive and specific guanine nucleotide regulatory mechanism, which, while inducing fluxes of Ca2+ that resemble the action of IP3 under certain conditions, has now been determined to involve a quite distinct mechanism. The characteristics of this mechanism are described below. Although involving a very different Ca2+ translocation process to that activated by IP3, several important conclusions have been drawn on the relationship between IP3- and GTP-activated Ca2+ movements leading us to believe that the latter may have a regulatory role in controlling the size and/or entry of Ca2+ into the IP3-sensitive Ca2+ pool.

Effects of GTP on Ca2+ movements across endoplasmic reticulum membranes

Our initial observation that GTP could, under some experimental conditions, have profound effects on Ca2+ movements across endoplasmic reticulum membranes arose from attempts to increase the sensitivity of rat liver microsomes to inositol 1,4,5 trisphosphate (IP3). Most preparations of microsomal fractions from rat liver release only a very small percentage of accumulated Ca2+ on addition of IP3. We found, rather empirically, that the addition of microM concentrations of GTP greatly enhanced the amount of Ca2+ releasable by IP3. The initial, very appealing, hypothesis was to postulate a direct effect of GTP on the IP3-sensitive Ca2+ channel. This idea is no longer tenable, as will be described below. The more likely explanation, that GTP has its effect by either fusing small microsomal vesicles together or by allowing some form of communication between adjacent membranes is considerably more complex mechanistically and also possibly has far reaching implications for the mechanisms by which cells organise and maintain their reticular structures.

Modulation of intracellular free Ca2+ concentration by IP3-sensitive and IP3-insensitive nonmitochondrial Ca2+ pools

Intracellular Ca2+ pools play an important role in the adjustment of cytosolic free Ca2+ concentrations. This review summarizes the recent knowledge on receptor-mediated Ca2+ release and Ca2+ uptake mechanisms in Ca2+ stores of exocrine cells taking the exocrine pancreas and the parotid gland as an example. The intracellular mediator for agonist-induced Ca2+ release is inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) which acts by opening Ca2+ channels from the endoplasmic reticulum or a more specialized organelle called 'calciosome'. This Ca2+ release is the major event to increase cytosolic free Ca2+ concentrations of exocrine glands from a resting level of approximately 10(-7) mol/l to approximately 10(-6) mol/l. Subsequently also Ca2+ influx from the extracellular fluid into the cell is increased which involves the action of inositol 1,3,4,5-tetrakisphosphate (IP4). Intracellular nonmitochondrial Ca2+ reuptake occurs into IP3-sensitive (IsCaP) as well as into IP3-insensitive Ca2+ pools Ca2+ pools (IisCaP). While Ca2+ uptake into the IisCaP is mediated by a vanadate-sensitive Ca2+ pump, Ca2+ uptake into the IsCaP is mediated by a Ca2+/H+ exchanger at the expense of an H+ gradient which is established by a vacuolar type H+ pump present in the same Ca2+ pool. During stimulation both Ca2+ pools, IsCaP and IisCaP, are probably connected, the nature of which has not yet been clarified. It is suggested that GTP and/or IP4 control Ca2+ conveyance between intracellular Ca2+ pools by forming Ca2+-carrying junctions between membranes. Other models propose that Ca2+, which is released by IP3, induces Ca2+ release from another Ca2+ pool. Taking into account that H+ transport is present in IP3-sensitive Ca2+ pools the possibility of pH-regulated Ca2+ channels in the IisCaP, located in close neighbourhood to the IsCaP, is also considered.

Receptor-mediated release of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate and inositol 1,4-bisphosphate in rat basophilic leukemia RBL-2H3 cells permeabilized with streptolysin O

Antigen-mediated exocytosis in intact rat basophilic leukemia (RBL-2H3) cells is associated with substantial hydrolysis of membrane inositol phospholipids and an elevation in concentration of cytosol Ca2+ ([ Ca2+i]). Paradoxically, these two responses are largely dependent on external Ca2+. We report here that cells labeled with myo-[3H]inositol and permeabilized with streptolysin O do release [3H]inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate upon stimulation with antigen or guanosine 5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate) (GTP gamma S) at low (less than 100 nM) concentrations of free Ca2+. The response, however, is amplified by increasing free Ca2+ to 1 microM. The subsequent conversion of the trisphosphate to inositol 1,3,4,5-tetrakisphosphate is enhanced also by the increase in free Ca2+. Although [3H]inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate accumulates in greater amounts than is the case in intact cells, [3H]inositol 1,4-bisphosphate is still the major product in permeabilized cells even when the further metabolism of [3H]inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate is suppressed (by 77%) by the addition of excess (1000 microM) unlabeled inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate and the phosphatase inhibitor 2,3-bisphosphoglycerate. It would appear that either the activity of the membrane 5-phosphomonoesterase allows virtually instantaneous dephosphorylation of the inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate under all conditions tested or both phosphatidylinositol 4-monophosphate and the 4,5-bisphosphate are substrates for the activated phospholipase C. The latter alternative is supported by the finding that permeabilized cells, which respond much more vigorously to high (supraoptimal) concentrations of antigen than do intact RBL-2H3 cells, produce substantial amounts of [3H]inositol 1,4-bisphosphate before any detectable increase in levels of [3H]inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate.

Activation of the inositol phospholipid signaling system by receptors for extracellular ATP in human neutrophils, monocytes, and neutrophil/monocyte progenitor cells

We have presented evidence indicating that P2-purinergic receptors may activate the polyphosphoinositide-phospholipase C in HL60 cells via the mediation of a pertussis-toxin-sensitive GTP-binding protein, which also mediates the actions of chemotactic peptide receptors in these and other phagocytic white blood cells. However, our data also suggest that these same receptors can be coupled to the phospholipase via an additional pertussis-toxin-insensitive mechanism. This latter finding raises the possibility that undifferentiated HL60 cells express two distinct GTP-binding proteins coupled to phospholipase C; one of these is very likely to be the GHL/GC protein recently isolated from this cell line. Significantly, the data of Oinuma et al. and Falloon et al. indicate that expression of the 40-kDa alpha-subunit/toxin substrate increases upon differentiation of HL60 cells along the granulocyte pathway. It would be interesting to determine whether expression of the putative pertussis-toxin-insensitive G-protein decreases with differentiation of these and other myelomonocytic progenitor cells. Such studies, which are now in progress, should be facilitated by the fact that the P2-purinergic receptors appear to be expressed in myelopoietic cells from the promyelocytic/promonocytic stages through the terminally differentiated stages represented by circulating neutrophils and monocytes.

Characteristics of GTP-mediated microsomal Ca2+ release

Guanosine triphosphate (GTP) can release Ca2+ and enhance responses to D-myo-inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) in crude liver microsomes in the presence of polyethylene glycol (PEG) (Dawson et al. (1986) Biochem. J. 234, 311-315). The mechanism of these responses has been further investigated. GTP gamma S which antagonizes the actions of GTP on microsomes, does not promote Ca2+ re-uptake when added after the completion of GTP-mediated Ca2+ release. However, the effects of GTP could be reversed by washing or dilution of the microsomes. Addition of PEG to the incubation medium promoted the aggregation of microsomes. Electron microscopy provided no evidence for the fusion of microsomal vesicles in the presence or absence of GTP. In the presence of PEG, GTP produced an alteration of the permeability properties of the microsomal membrane as indicated by increased leakage of an intraluminal esterase, a reduction in the mean buoyant density of the vesicles, and a decrease in the latency of mannose 6-phosphate hydrolysis. All three effects developed relatively slowly, whereas the effects of GTP on Ca2+ fluxes occurred more rapidly (complete within 15 min). A low permeability to mannose 6-phosphate was restored upon washing away the GTP. These results suggest that non-specific permeability changes may underly the effects of GTP on Ca2+ release and that, under certain conditions, GTP can reversibly modulate the permeability of a transmembrane 'pore' in microsomal membranes that can pass ions and macromolecules. The possibility that such a pore serves to link IP3-sensitive vesicles with other Ca2+-containing compartments is discussed.

Mechanism of Ca2+ release in medaka eggs microinjected with inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate and Ca2+

The reaction time of Ca2+ release from cytoplasmic stores induced by microinjection of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3), calcium ionophore A23187, Ca2+, Sr2+, Ba2+, and cyclic guanosine 5'-monophosphate (cGMP) in Oryzias latipes eggs in Ca2+-free medium was measured by the luminescence of aequorin injected into the egg. Microinjection of IP3 or calcium ionophore induced rapid Ca2+ release without a time lag, while microinjection of either Ca2+ or cGMP required a time lag of 5-30 sec for Ca2+ release. Following microinjection of both IP3 and Ca2+, Ca2+ release commenced in a cytoplasmic region close to the egg surface. These results suggest that in the medaka egg, cytoplasmic Ca2+ induces Ca2+ release from cytoplasmic stores indirectly, probably via a membrane factor such as IP3.

Structural and functional relationships of guanosine triphosphate binding proteins

Information available at present documents the existence of three well-defined classes of guanine nucleotide binding proteins functioning as signal transducers: Gs and Gi which stimulate and inhibit adenylate cyclase, respectively, and transducin which transmits and amplifies the signal from light-activated rhodopsin to cGMP-dependent phosphodiesterase in ROS membranes. Go is a fourth member of this family. Its function is the least known among GTP binding signal transducing proteins. The family of G proteins has a number of properties in common. All are heterotrimers consisting of three subunits, alpha, beta, and gamma. Each of the subunits may be heterogeneous depending on species and tissue of origin and may be posttranslationally modified covalently. The alpha subunits vary in size from 39 to 52 kDa. The sequences for Gs alpha and transducin alpha have 42% overall homology and those of Gi alpha and Gs alpha 43%, whereas those of Gi alpha and transducin alpha have a higher degree (68%) of homology. All alpha subunits bind guanine nucleotides and are ADP-ribosylated by either pertussis toxin (Gi, transducin, Go) or cholera toxin (Gs, Gi, transducin). Thus, transducin and Gi, which have the highest degree of sequence homology, are also ADP-ribosylated by both toxins. The beta subunits have molecular weights of 36 and 35 kDa, respectively. While Gs, Gi, and Go contain a mixture of both, transducin contains only the larger (36-kDa) beta-polypeptide. The relationship of the 36- and the 35-kDa beta subunits is not defined. Although the complete sequence of the 36-kDa beta subunit of transducin has been deduced from the cDNA sequence, complete sequences of other beta subunits are not yet available so that detailed comparisons cannot be made at present. However, the proteolytic profiles of each class of the beta subunits of different G proteins are indistinguishable. The gamma subunit of bovine transducin has been completely sequenced. It has a Mr of 8400. Again complete sequences of other gamma subunits are not yet available. While the gamma subunits of Gs, Gi, and Go have identical electrophoretic mobility in SDS gels, they differ significantly in this respect from the gamma subunit of transducin. Moreover, crossover experiments point to functional differences between gamma subunits from G protein and transducin complexes. In addition, a role for beta, gamma in anchoring guanine nucleotide binding proteins to membranes has been postulated.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Chronic ethanol consumption reduces [3H]inositol (1,4,5) trisphosphate specific binding in mouse cerebellar membrane fragments

[3H]In(1,4,5)P3 specific binding was determined in membrane fragments from various brain regions of adult male C57/BL mice. [3H]In(1,4,5)P3 specific binding was at least 10 times higher in cerebellum than in either striatum, cerebral cortex, hippocampus, or midbrain. Ethanol added in vitro up to 500 mM to cerebellar membrane fragments of control mice had no significant effect on [3H]In(1,4,5)P3 specific binding. In contrast, the maximal number of binding sites (Bmax) for [3H]In(1,4,5)P3 was significantly decreased in cerebella from mice which had been rendered tolerant-dependent to ethanol. KD values for these mice were unchanged when compared to control values.

HgCl2-induced changes in cytosolic Ca2+ of cultured rabbit renal tubular cells

Fura 2 was used to measure changes in cytosolic [Ca2+] ([Ca2+]i) in cultured rabbit kidney proximal tubule cells exposed to HgCl2. Treatment with 2.5-10 microM HgCl2 resulted in an extracellular [Ca2+] ([Ca2+]e)-independent 2- to 12-fold increase in [Ca2+]i above resting levels of about 100 nM. Treatment with 25-100 microM HgCl2 caused a rapid [Ca2+]e-independent 10- to 12-fold increase in [Ca2+]i within 1 min followed by a recovery to about 2-fold steady state by 3 min. With 25-100 microM HgCl2, both magnitude and rate of Ca2+ increase were similar, but recovery was greater with increasing doses. A slower, secondary increase in [Ca2+]i followed which varied with HgCl2 concentration and required [Ca2+]e. The first increase in [Ca2+]i represents release from intracellular pools. Calcium channel blockers, calmodulin inhibitors, and mitochondrial inhibitors do not alter the patterns of [Ca2+]i changes due to HgCl2. The recovery response with higher HgCl2 concentrations appears to be triggered by Hg2+ and not by the increased [Ca2+]i. Sulfhydryl modifiers N-ethylmaleimide, PCMB and PCMBS produced [Ca2+]e-independent [Ca2+]i increases similar to those induced by low HgCl2 concentrations. Cell killing with HgCl2 was about 50% greater with normal [Ca2+]e than with low [Ca2+]e, suggesting that [Ca2+]e influx is important in accelerating injury leading to cell death.

The effect of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate and GTP on calcium release from rat liver microsomes

Inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (Ins(1,4,5)P3) and GTP mobilized 8% and 90% of the ionophore-releaseable Ca2+ pool from rat liver microsomes, respectively. In contrast to GTP, which acted after a lag-time, the Ins(1,4,5)P3-induced Ca2+ release was immediate. Poly(ethylene glycol) inhibited the effect of Ins(1,4,5)P3 and enhanced that of GTP. Ins(1,4,5)P3 accelerated and enhanced the GTP-induced Ca2+ release. Guanylyl imidodiphosphate inhibited competitively the GTP stimulated Ca2+ release, but not the GTP-dependent phosphorylation of the Mr 17,000 and 38,000 protein bands.

A new look at uterine muscle contraction

Recent progress in our understanding of uterine smooth muscle contraction is reviewed. We no longer believe that actin-myosin interaction in the myometrium occurs through activation of the thin filament; but it is triggered by calcium-dependent phosphorylation of myosin in the thick filament. Calcium is now thought to originate from both extracellular and intracellular sources. Calcium can enter the cell through either a voltage- or a hormone-controlled calcium channel. The intracellular source of calcium is the sarcoplasmic reticulum. The effect of oxytocin in human labor is no longer considered the result of increased circulating oxytocin but rather of increased oxytocin receptors. In contrast, the contractile action of some prostaglandins is related to increased prostaglandin formation at human parturition. The step between hormone binding and cellular action is mediated by second messengers. The uterine-relaxing action of cyclic adenosine monophosphate is now thought to be limited to the inhibition of myosin phosphorylation. Recently discovered second messengers for contraction of the myometrium are phosphoinositides; their turnover causes calcium release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum. Guanine nucleotides are thought to be modulators of these two second messengers.

Effect of guanosine triphosphate on the release of Ca2+ from intracellular store sites of saponin-treated human peripheral lymphocytes

The effects of guanosine triphosphate (GTP) on the release and uptake of Ca2+ in nonmitochondrial intracellular store sites of human peripheral lymphocytes were examined. GTP in the presence of 3% polyethylene glycol released Ca2+ from the intracellular store sites of lymphocytes in a dose-dependent manner, and the maximal release was obtained at 10 microM GTP. GDP and 5'-GMP also enhanced the release of Ca2+. On the other hand, Ca2+ uptake in the presence of oxalate by saponin-treated lymphocytes was stimulated by GTP and this stimulation was abolished when polyethylene glycol was concomitantly present. The dose dependence of the stimulated Ca2+ uptake by GTP was much the same as that of the Ca2+ released by GTP. These results indicate that GTP has an inherent activity to release Ca2+ as well as to stimulate the uptake of Ca2+ in nonmitochondrial intracellular store sites of saponin-treated lymphocytes. The stimulatory effect of polyethylene glycol on GTP-mediated Ca2+ release may occur by inhibiting functions of the Ca2+ pump.

Inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate and 5'-GTP induce calcium release from different intracellular pools

It has been shown recently by several groups that 5'-GTP can release calcium from intracellular compartments independently from inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (Ins(1,4,5)P3) by a mechanism which seems to be different from that used by Ins(1,4,5)P3. We report here for the first time that the 5'-GTP-sensitive and the Ins(1,4,5)P3-sensitive calcium pools reside in different intracellular compartments.

Putative role of inositol phospholipid metabolism in neurons

Inositol phospholipids play a crucial role in the intracellular signal transduction in most cell types. Activation of an enzyme called phospholipase C or PIP2-phosphodiesterase (PIP2-PDE) leads to the production of two second messenger molecules, diacylglycerol (DG) and inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate (IP3). DG activates a kinase called protein kinase C, whereas IP3 mediates the release of Ca2+ from intracellular storage sites. The measurement of IP3 and its degradation products, inositol diphosphate (IP2) and inositol monophosphate (IP1) provides a way of assessing the extent to which this complex system has been activated. In the central nervous system (CNS) most of the studies on the neurotransmitter stimulated formation of inositol phosphates (IPs) have been performed on brain slices, a mixture of mainly neurons and glial cells. The recent development of pure neuronal cultures provides a means of determining which of these responses were of neuronal origin. The purpose of this review is to summarize the results obtained in neurons in primary culture together with a brief appraisal of the possible function of this second messenger system in neurons.

Inhibitors of protein kinase C block the alpha 1-adrenergic refractoriness induced by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate, vasopressin and angiotensin II

Vasopressin and angiotensin II inhibited in a dose-dependent fashion the stimulation of ureagenesis induced by alpha 1-adrenergic activation in hepatocytes incubated in medium without calcium and containing 25 microM EGTA. Vasopressin was more potent than angiotensin II. The effect of different inhibitors of protein kinase C on the alpha 1-adrenergic blockade induced by the vasopressor peptides was tested. It was observed that N-(6-aminohexyl)-5-chloro-1-naphthalene sulfonamide (W-7), 4-aminoethyl-1-[2,3-bis(n-decloxyl)-n-propyl]-4-phenylpiperadin e dihydrochloride (CP-46,665-1); 8-(N,N-diethylamino)octyl-3,4, 5-trimethoxybenzoate (TMB-8), polymyxin B and 1-(5-isoquinolynsulfonyl)-2-methylpiperazine (H-7) block this effect of the vasopressor peptides in a dose-dependent fashion. The active phorbol ester, phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), also inhibited the alpha 1-adrenergic stimulation of ureagenesis in these cells. The inhibitors of protein kinase also blocked the effect of phorbol esters but a preincubation with the inhibitors before the addition of PMA was required. alpha 1-Adrenergic activation of phosphatidylinositol labeling was also abolished by PMA; the inhibitors of protein kinase partially blocked this effect of PMA. In summary, our data indicate that inhibitors of protein kinase C can block the alpha 1-adrenergic refractoriness induced by active phorbol esters, vasopressin and angiotensin II. The data are consistent with an important role of protein kinase C in modulating the alpha 1-adrenergic responsiveness of hepatocytes.

Polyethylene glycol-stimulated microsomal GTP hydrolysis. Relationship to GTP-mediated Ca2+ release

It has recently been observed that GTP mediates Ca2+ release from internal Ca2+ stores. In contrast to effects on permeabilized cells, GTP-dependent Ca2+ release in isolated microsomes requires the presence of polyethylene glycol (PEG). We have investigated the effects of PEG on microsomal GTPase activity and report that PEG stimulates a high-affinity (Km = 0.9 microM) GTPase. The effects of PEG reflect an increase in the Vmax of this activity; no effects on Km were observed. The concentration dependence for PEG-dependent stimulation of the high-affinity GTPase exactly mimicked that for GTP-dependent Ca2+ release. The stimulation of GTP hydrolysis by PEG was specific for the microsome fraction; only small effects were obtained with plasma membrane or cytosol fractions. As observed for GTP-dependent Ca2+ release, the microsomal PEG-stimulated GTPase was competitively inhibited by the GTP analog GTP gamma S (Ki = 60 nM). It is proposed that the PEG-stimulated GTPase may represent an intrinsic activity of the guanine nucleotide binding protein involved in the regulation of reticular Ca2+ fluxes.

Guanine nucleotide activation of adenylate cyclase in saponin permeabilized glioma cells

We have compared the regulation of adenylate cyclase activity in membrane fractions from C6 glioma cells and in monolayer cultures of C6 cells that had been permeabilized with saponin. Guanine nucleotides (GTP and GTP gamma S) and isoproterenol increase adenylate cyclase activity in C6 membranes and in permeabilized C6 cells. In C6 membranes, guanine nucleotides activate adenylate cyclase in the presence or absence of isoproterenol; in permeabilized cells, however, guanine nucleotides increase adenylate cyclase activity only in the presence of isoproterenol. We suggest that the properties of the permeabilized cells more closely resemble those of intact cells, and that some component which is present in permeabilized cells but is lost following cell disruption may be important for the normal regulation of adenylate cyclase activity.

Guanosine 5'-triphosphate releases calcium from rat liver and guinea pig parotid gland endoplasmic reticulum independently of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate

GTP releases calcium from rat liver microsomes and guinea pig parotid gland microsomal subfractions independently of the presence of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3). Non-hydrolyzable guanine nucleotide analogues have no effect and inhibit the effect of GTP. The mechanism of GTP-mediated calcium release differs from IP3-mediated calcium release as indicated by the following findings: GTP-induced calcium release depends on the presence of compounds which increase the viscosity of the medium (polyethylene glycol, polyvinylpyrrolidone, or bovine serum albumin); GTP-mediated calcium release is much slower; GTP-mediated calcium release is strongly temperature-dependent, whereas IP3-mediated calcium release is not; GTP-mediated calcium release is much more sensitive to a decrease of intravesicular free calcium than IP3-mediated calcium release.

Ca2+ release from endoplasmic reticulum is mediated by a guanine nucleotide regulatory mechanism

Ca2+ accumulation and release from intracellular organelles is important for Ca2+-signalling events within cells. In a variety of cell types, the active Ca2+-pumping properties of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) have been directly studied using chemically permeabilized cells. The same preparations have been extensively used to study Ca2+ release from ER, in particular, release mediated by the intracellular messenger inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (InsP3). So far, these studies and others using microsomal membrane fractions have revealed few mechanistic details of Ca2+ release from ER, although a recent report indicated that InsP3-mediated Ca2+ release from liver microsomes may be dependent on GTP. In contrast to the latter report, we describe here the direct activation of a specific and sensitive guanine nucleotide regulatory mechanism mediating a substantial release of Ca2+ from the ER of cells of the neuronal cell line N1E-115. These data indicate the operation of a major new Ca2+ gating mechanism in ER which is specifically activated by GTP, deactivated by GDP, and which appears to involve a GTP hydrolytic cycle.

A model for receptor-regulated calcium entry

A model is proposed for the mechanism by which activation of surface membrane receptors causes sustained Ca2+ entry into cells from the extracellular space. Reassessment of previously published findings on the behavior of receptor-regulated intracellular Ca2+ pools leads to the conclusion that when such pools are empty, a pathway from the extracellular space to the pool is opened; conversely when the pool is filled, the pathway is closed and it becomes relatively stable to depletion by low Ca2+ media or chelating agents. The biphasic nature of agonist-activated Ca2+-mobilization is thus seen as an initial emptying of the intracellular Ca2+ pool by inositol (1,4,5) trisphosphate, followed by rapid entry of Ca2+ into the pool and, in the continued presence of inositol (1,4,5) trisphosphate, into the cytosol. On withdrawal of agonist, inositol (1,4,5) trisphosphate is then rapidly degraded, the pathway from the pool to the cytosol is closed, and rapid entry from the outside continues until the Ca2+ content of the pool reaches a level that inactivates Ca2+ entry. This capacitative model allows for Ca2+ release and Ca2+ entry to be controlled by a single messenger, inositol (1,4,5) trisphosphate.