Ca2+ and activation mechanisms in skeletal muscle

Evidence for novel caffeine and Ca2+ binding sites on the lobster skeletal ryanodine receptor

1. The effects of Ca2+, ATP and caffeine on the gating of lobster skeletal muscle ryanodine receptors (RyR) was investigated after reconstitution of the channels into planar phospholipid bilayers and by using [3H]-ryanodine binding studies. 2. The single channel studies reveal that the EC50 (60 microM) for activation of the lobster skeletal RyR by Ca2+ as the sole ligand is higher than for any other isoform of RyR studied. 3. Inactivation of the channel by Ca2+ (EC50 = 1 mM) occurs at concentrations slightly higher than those required to inactivate mammalian skeletal RyR (RyR1) but lower than those required to inactivate mammalian cardiac RyR (RyR2). 4. Lifetime analysis demonstrates that cytosolic Ca2+, as the sole activating ligand, cannot fully open the lobster skeletal RyR (maximum Po approximately 0.2). The mechanism for the increase in open probability (Po) is an increase in both the frequency and the duration of the open events. 5. ATP is a very effective activator of the lobster RyR and can almost fully open the channel in the presence of activating cytosolic [Ca2+]. In the presence of 700 microM Ca2+, 1 mM ATP increased Po to approximately 0.8. 6. Caffeine, often used as a tool to identify the presence of RyR channels, is relatively ineffective and cannot increase Po above the level that can be attained with Ca2+ alone. 7. The results reveal that caffeine increases Po by a different mechanism to that of cytosolic Ca2+ demonstrating that the mechanism for channel activation by caffeine is not 'sensitization' to cytosolic Ca2+. 8. By studying the mechanisms involved in the activation of the lobster RyR we have demonstrated that the channel responds in a unique manner to Ca2+ and to caffeine. The results strongly indicate that these ligand binding sites on the channel are different to those on mammalian isoforms of RyR.

Calcium dependence of the apparent rate of force generation in single striated muscle myofibrils activated by rapid solution changes

Single myofibrils or small groups of myofibrils were isolated from different types of striated muscle: rabbit psoas, frog tibialis anterior, frog atrial and ventricular muscle. The Ca2+ concentration of the solution perfusing the myofibrils was changed within few milliseconds by translating the interface between two flowing streams of solution across the preparations. In all types of myofibrils tested, the time course of force rise in response to maximal activation (pCa 4.75) was approximately monoexponential and nearly superimposable on that observed after a release-restretch protocol applied to the myofibril at the plateau of maximal contractions. This suggests that the kinetics of force development following rapid myofibril activation essentially reflects the kinetics of interaction between contractile proteins. The half time of force rise in response to maximal activation varied among different myofibril types; it was shortest in frog tibialis anterior myofibrils and longest in frog ventricular myofibrils. In all types of myofibril preparations tested the half time of force rise increased with decreasing Ca2+ levels in the activating solution. The finding provides support for a kinetic mechanism of force regulation by Ca2+ in all types of striated muscle. The extent of this Ca2+ effect, however, varied among the different myofibril preparations tested; at 15 degrees C for instance, it was smaller in frog tibialis anterior myofibrils than in the other preparations.

Role of myosin heavy chain composition in kinetics of force development and relaxation in rat myocardium

1. The effects of ventricular myosin heavy chain (MHC) composition on the kinetics of activation and relaxation were examined in both chemically skinned and intact myocardial preparations from adult rats. Thyroid deficiency was induced to alter ventricular MHC isoform expression from approximately 80% alpha-MHC/20% beta-MHC in euthyroid rats to 100% beta-MHC, without altering the expression of thin-filament-associated regulatory proteins. 2. In single skinned myocytes, increased expression of beta-MHC did not significantly affect either maximal Ca2+-activated tension (P0) or the Ca2+ sensitivity of tension (pCa50). However, unloaded shortening velocity (V0) decreased by 80% due to increased beta-MHC expression. 3. The kinetics of activation and relaxation were examined in skinned multicellular preparations using the caged Ca2+ compound DM-nitrophen and caged Ca2+ chelator diazo-2, respectively. Myocardium expressing 100% beta-MHC exhibited apparent rates of submaximal and maximal tension development (kCa) that were 60% lower than in control myocardium, and a 2-fold increase in the half-time for relaxation from steady-state submaximal force. 4. The time courses of cell shortening and intracellular Ca2+ transients were assessed in living, electrically paced myocytes, both with and without beta-adrenergic stimulation (70 nM isoproterenol (isoprenaline)). Thyroid deficiency had no affect on either the extent of myocyte shortening or the resting or peak fura-2 fluorescence ratios. However, induction of beta-MHC expression by thyroid deficiency was associated with increased half-times for myocyte shortening and relengthening and increased half-time for the decay of the fura-2 fluorescence ratio. Qualitatively similar results were obtained in both the absence and the presence of beta-adrenergic stimulation although the beta-agonist accelerated the kinetics of the twitch and the Ca2+ transient. 5. Collectively, these data provide evidence that increased beta-MHC expression contributes significantly to the observed depression of contractile function in thyroid deficient myocardium by slowing the rates of both force development and force relaxation.

Regulatory roles of MgADP and calcium in tension development of skinned cardiac muscle

We investigated the regulatory roles of MgADP and free Ca2+ in isometric tension development in skinned bovine cardiac muscle. We found that, in the relaxed state without free Ca2+, MgADP elicited a sigmoidal increase in active tension, as is the case in skeletal muscle (ADP-contraction). The critical MgADP concentration, at which the tension increment became half-maximal, increased in proportion to MgATP concentration, with a slope of approximately 1 for cardiac and 4 for skeletal muscle. Raising the free Ca2+ concentration decreased the critical MgADP concentration in proportion to the free Ca2+ concentration. In addition, the apparent Ca2+ sensitivity of tension development increased with MgADP, while decreasing with inorganic phosphate (Pi); MgADP suppressed the Ca(2+)-desensitizing effect of Pi in a concentration-dependent manner. These activating effects of MgADP were quantitatively assessed by means of a model based upon the kinetic scheme of actomyosin ATPase. These experimental results and model simulation suggest that the state of thin filaments is synergistically regulated by both the binding of Ca2+ to troponin and the formation of the actomyosin-ADP complex.

Overexpression of IGF-1 exclusively in skeletal muscle prevents age-related decline in the number of dihydropyridine receptors

Excitation-contraction uncoupling has been identified as a mechanism underlying skeletal muscle weakness in aging mammals (sarcopenia). The basic mechanism for excitation-contraction uncoupling is a larger number of ryanodine receptors (RyR1) uncoupled to dihydropyridine receptors (DHPRs) (Delbono, O., O'Rourke, K. S., and Ettinger, W. H. (1995) J. Membr. Biol. 148, 211-222). In the present study, we used transgenic mice overexpressing human insulin-like growth factor-1 exclusively in skeletal muscle to test the hypothesis that a high concentration of IGF-1 prevents age-related decreases in DHPR number and in muscle force. Transgenic mice express 10-20-fold higher IGF-1 concentrations than nontransgenic mice at all ages (1-24 months). The number of DHPRs is 50-100% higher, and the DHPR/RyR1 ratio is 40% higher in transgenic soleus (predominantly type I fiber muscles), extensor digitorum longus (predominantly type II fiber muscles), and the pool of type I and type II fiber muscles than in nontransgenic young (6 months), adult (12 months), and old (24 months) mice. Furthermore, no age-related changes in DHPRs and the DHPR/RyR1 ratio were observed in transgenic muscles. The specific single twitch and tetanic muscle force in old transgenic soleus and extensor digitorum longus muscles are 50% higher than in old nontransgenic muscles. Taken together, these results support the concept that IGF-1- dependent prevention of age-related decline in DHPR expression is associated with stronger muscle contraction in older transgenic mice.

Modelling the mechanical properties of cardiac muscle

A model of passive and active cardiac muscle mechanics is presented, suitable for use in continuum mechanics models of the whole heart. The model is based on an extensive review of experimental data from a variety of preparations (intact trabeculae, skinned fibres and myofibrils) and species (mainly rat and ferret) at temperatures from 20 to 27 degrees C. Experimental tests include isometric tension development, isotonic loading, quick-release/restretch, length step and sinusoidal perturbations. We show that all of these experiments can be interpreted with a four state variable model which includes (i) the passive elasticity of myocardial tissue, (ii) the rapid binding of Ca2+ to troponin C and its slower tension-dependent release, (iii) the kinetics of tropomyosin movement and availability of crossbridge binding sites and the length dependence of this process and (iv) the kinetics of crossbridge tension development under perturbations of myofilament length.

Effects of rapid shortening on rate of force regeneration and myoplasmic [Ca2+] in intact frog skeletal muscle fibres

1. The effect of rapid shortening on rate of force regeneration (dF/dtR) was examined in single, intact frog (Rana temporaria) skeletal muscle fibres (3.0 C). Step releases leading to unloaded shortening were applied after 500 ms of stimulation, during the plateau of an isometric tetanus. Initial mean sarcomere length ranged from 2.05 to 2.35 micrometer; force regeneration after shortening was at 2.00 micrometer. 2. Values for dF/dtR following a 25 nm half-sarcomere-1 release were 3.17 +/- 0.17 (mean +/- s.e.m., n = 8) times greater than the initial rate of rise of force before release (dF/dtI). As release size was increased from 25 to 175 nm half-sarcomere-1, the relationship between release size and dF/dtR decreased sharply before attaining a plateau value that was 1.34 +/- 0.09 times greater than dF/dtI. Despite wide variations in dF/dtR, the velocity of unloaded shortening remained constant (2.92 +/- 0.08 micrometer half-sarcomere-1 s-1; n = 8) for the different release amplitudes used in this study. 3. To investigate its role in the attenuation of dF/dtR with increased shortening, the effects of rapid ramp (constant velocity) shortening on intracellular free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) were monitored using the Ca2+-sensitive fluorescent dye furaptra. Compared with an isometric contraction, rapid fibre shortening was associated with a transient increase in [Ca2+]i while force regeneration after shortening was associated with a transient reduction in [Ca2+]i. The greatest reductions in [Ca2+]i were associated with the largest amplitude ramps. 4. Cross-bridge-mediated modifications of the Ca2+ affinity of troponin C (TnC) may explain the fluctuations in [Ca2+]i observed during and after ramps. Associated fluctuations in TnC Ca2+ occupancy could play a role in the reduction of dF/dtR with increasing release size.

Effects of BAPTA on force and Ca2+ transient during isometric contraction of frog muscle fibers

The effects of 1,2-bis(2-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid (BAPTA) on force and intracellular Ca2+ transient were studied during isometric twitches and tetanuses in single frog muscle fibers. BAPTA was added to the bathing solution in its permeant AM form (50 and 100 microM). There was no clear correlation between the changes in force and the changes in Ca2+ transient. Thus during twitch stimulation BAPTA did not suppress the Ca2+ transient until the force had been reduced to <50% of its control value. At the same time, the peak myoplasmic free Ca2+ concentration reached during tetanic stimulation was markedly increased, whereas the force was slightly reduced by BAPTA. The effects of BAPTA were not duplicated by using another Ca2+ chelator, EGTA, indicating that BAPTA may act differently as a Ca2+ chelator. Stiffness measurements suggest that the decrease in mechanical performance in the presence of BAPTA is attributable to a reduced number of active cross bridges. The results could mean that BAPTA, under the conditions used, inhibits the binding of Ca2+ to troponin C resulting in a reduced state of activation of the contractile system.

Identification of the minimum essential region in the II-III loop of the dihydropyridine receptor alpha 1 subunit required for activation of skeletal muscle-type excitation-contraction coupling

We have previously shown that among several peptides encompassing various regions of the II-III loop of the dihydropyridine receptor alpha 1 subunit, only one peptide corresponding to the Thr671-Leu690 region (designated as peptide A) activated ryanodine binding to and induced calcium release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum [El-Hayek et al. (1995) J. Biol. Chem. 270, 22116-22118]. To further localize within peptide A the minimum unit essential for activating the sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium release channel, we synthesized variously truncated forms of peptide A and examined their ability to activate ryanodine binding. We found that the carboxy-terminal 10-residue region of peptide A encompassing Arg681-Leu690 (peptide As-10; s, skeletal muscle-type sequence) activated ryanodine binding in a RyR1-specific manner and induced calcium release even more efficiently than the 20-residue peptide A. Further truncation of one or more residue(s) of peptide As-10 virtually abolished both functions of activating ryanodine binding and inducing Ca2+ release. The activating ability of As-10 seems to be determined by at least two factors: (1) the distribution of the positively charged residues, and (2) the skeletal muscle-type amino acid sequence, as deduced from the comparison of various peptides with modified structures. These results provide evidence that the minimum essential unit for the in situ trigger of skeletal muscle excitation-contraction coupling is localized in the Arg681-Leu690 region of the II-III loop of the alpha 1 subunit of the dihydropyridine receptor.

Events of the excitation-contraction-relaxation (E-C-R) cycle in fast- and slow-twitch mammalian muscle fibres relevant to muscle fatigue

The excitation-contraction-relaxation cycle (E-C-R) in the mammalian twitch muscle comprises the following major events: (1) initiation and propagation of an action potential along the sarcolemma and transverse (T)-tubular system; (2) detection of the T-system depolarization signal and signal transmission from the T-tubule to the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) membrane; (3) Ca2+ release from the SR; (4) transient rise of myoplasmic [Ca2+]; (5) transient activation of the Ca2+-regulatory system and of the contractile apparatus; (6) Ca2+ reuptake by the SR Ca2+ pump and Ca2+ binding to myoplasmic sites. There are many steps in the E-C-R cycle which can be seen as potential sites for muscle fatigue and this review explores how structural and functional differences between the fast- and slow-twitch fibres with respect to the E-C-R cycle events can explain to a great extent differences in their fatiguability profiles.

Thin filament cooperativity as a major determinant of shortening velocity in skeletal muscle fibers

The mechanism underlying the calcium sensitivity of the velocity of shortening of skeletal muscle fibers was investigated using a multiple shortening protocol: within a single contraction, skinned rabbit psoas fibers were made to shorten repetitively under a light load by briefly stretching back to their initial length at regular intervals. At saturating [Ca2+], the initial fast shortening pattern was repeated reproducibly. At submaximal [Ca2+], the first shortening consisted of fast and slow phases, but only the slow phase was observed in later shortenings. When the fibers were held isometric after the first shortening, the velocity of the second shortening recovered with time. The recovery paralleled tension redevelopment, implying a close relationship between the velocity and the number of the preexisting force-producing cross-bridges. However, this parallelism was lost as [Ca2+] was increased. Thus, the velocity was modified in a manner consistent with the cooperative thin filament activation by strong binding cross-bridges and its modulation by calcium. The present results therefore provide evidence that the thin filament cooperativity is primarily responsible for the calcium sensitivity of velocity. The effect of inorganic phosphate to accelerate the slow phase of shortening is also explained in terms of the cooperative activation.

Role of ryanodine receptors in the assembly of calcium release units in skeletal muscle

In muscle cells, excitation-contraction (e-c) coupling is mediated by "calcium release units," junctions between the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) and exterior membranes. Two proteins, which face each other, are known to functionally interact in those structures: the ryanodine receptors (RyRs), or SR calcium release channels, and the dihydropyridine receptors (DHPRs), or L-type calcium channels of exterior membranes. In skeletal muscle, DHPRs form tetrads, groups of four receptors, and tetrads are organized in arrays that face arrays of feet (or RyRs). Triadin is a protein of the SR located at the SR-exterior membrane junctions, whose role is not known. We have structurally characterized calcium release units in a skeletal muscle cell line (1B5) lacking Ry1R. Using immunohistochemistry and freeze-fracture electron microscopy, we find that DHPR and triadin are clustered in foci in differentiating 1B5 cells. Thin section electron microscopy reveals numerous SR-exterior membrane junctions lacking foot structures (dyspedic). These results suggest that components other than Ry1Rs are responsible for targeting DHPRs and triadin to junctional regions. However, DHPRs in 1B5 cells are not grouped into tetrads as in normal skeletal muscle cells suggesting that anchoring to Ry1Rs is necessary for positioning DHPRs into ordered arrays of tetrads. This hypothesis is confirmed by finding a "restoration of tetrads" in junctional domains of surface membranes after transfection of 1B5 cells with cDNA encoding for Ry1R.

Nitric oxide modulates excitation-contraction coupling in the diaphragm

We investigated the enzymatic source, cellular production, and functional importance of nitric oxide (NO) in rat diaphragm. Neuronal and endothelial isoforms of constituitive nitric oxide synthase (nc-NOS, ec-NOS) were identified by immunostaining. NOS activity measured in diaphragm homogenates averaged 5.1 pmol/min/mg. Passive diaphragm fiber bundles produced NO derivatives (NOx) at the rate of 0.9 pmol/min/mg as measured by the cytochrome c reduction assay; NO production was confirmed by photolysis/ chemiluminescence measurements. Endogenous NO depressed diaphragm contractile function. The force of submaximal contraction was increased by NOS inhibitors, an effect that was stable for up to 60 min and was reversed by NO donors. We conclude that diaphragm muscle fibers express nc-NOS, ec-NOS, or both; passive myocytes produce NOx; and NO or NO-derivatives inhibit force production by modulating excitation-contraction coupling.

Fura-2 calcium signals in skeletal muscle fibres loaded with high concentrations of EGTA

Fura-2 is one of the most frequently used fluorescent Ca indicator dyes; yet it has limitations in tracking large intracellular Ca transients due to its high affinity for Ca. Since high affinity is of advantage when small Ca changes are to be detected, we tried the application of Fura-2 in skeletal muscle fibres which had been loaded with 15 mM internal EGTA to eliminate contractile artifacts. Under these conditions, the free Ca transients are considerably reduced in amplitude and strong saturation of Fura-2 is avoided. Cut segments of isolated muscle fibres were voltage-clamped in a double vaseline gap set-up. In the presence of high internal EGTA, free Ca (as measured with the rapid metallochromic indicator antipyrylazo III) drops rapidly from one value to a lower quasi steady-state value at the end of a depolarizing voltage pulse. This property allowed inspection of the dissociation kinetics of Ca from Fura-2 in the myoplasmic environment. The dissociation rate constant koff in the fibre was determined from the time constant of the exponential decay of the Fura-2 signal as a function of the final level of free Ca. We obtained a value of 26 s-1 at the experimental temperature of 12 degrees C. Knowledge of koff in the cell is essential for reconstructing the time course of free Ca from indicator bound Ca and for estimating the time course of the rate of release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum. The described combination of high EGTA buffering with Fura-2 fluorescence recording may be particularly useful for the determination of Ca release in small muscle cells.

The relationship between tension and slowly varying intracellular calcium concentration in intact frog skeletal muscle

1. The relationship between intracellular calcium concentration, [Ca2+]i, and fixed-end tension was investigated in intact single muscle fibres from frogs. A slow decline of tension was produced by cyclopiazonic acid (CPA), a sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ uptake pump inhibitor. The fluorescent dyes fura-2 and furaptra (mag-fura-2) were used to estimate [Ca2+]i. 2. Neither the steepness nor the position of the curve changed consistently over a wide range of tension decay times from a few seconds to over 100 s. For these near-steady-state curves, the 10-90% tension change occurred, on average, in 0.07 pCa units, corresponding to a Hill coefficient > 25, much steeper than previously reported. Possible artifacts could reduce that to 15. 3. Methoxyverapamil (D600) reduces the calcium released in response to an action potential. Contractions with D600 and CPA had a slow rise composed of many small steps, and a slow fall. Comparing rise and fall showed little or no hysteresis in the tension-[Ca2+]i relationship. 4. A model involving co-operativity between the binding of Ca2+ and myosin to thin filaments is shown to produce a tension-pCa relationship that is substantially altered by the mean rate constant for detachment of myosin cross-bridges, which in turn is likely to be affected by sarcomere movements. 5. Such a model is shown to be capable of reproducing the small rise in [Ca2+]i previously reported during the late phase of fixed-end relaxation of intact fibres.

Relationship between depolarization-induced force responses and Ca2+ content in skeletal muscle fibres of rat and toad

1. The relationship between the total Ca2+ content of a muscle fibre and the magnitude of the force response to depolarization was examined in mechanically skinned fibres from the iliofibularis muscle of the toad and the extensor digitorum longus muscle of the rat. The response to depolarization in each skinned fibre was assessed either at the endogenous level of Ca2+ content or after depleting the fibre of Ca2+ to some degree. Ca2+ content was determined by a fibre lysing technique. 2. In both muscle types, the total Ca2+ content could be reduced from the endogenous level of approximately 1.3 mmol l-1 (expressed relative to intact fibre volume) to approximately 0.25 mmol l-1 by either depolarization or caffeine application in the presence of Ca2+ chelators, showing that the great majority of the Ca2+ was stored in the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR). Chelation of Ca2+ in the transverse tubular (T-) system, either by exposure of fibres to EGTA before skinning or by permeabilizing the T-system with saponin after skinning, reduced the lower limit of Ca2+ content to < or = 0.12 mmol l-1, indicating that 10-20% of the total fibre Ca2+ resided in the T-system. 3. In toad fibres, both the peak and the area (i.e. time integral) of the force response to depolarization were reduced by any reduction in SR Ca2+ content, with both decreasing to zero in an approximately linear manner as the SR Ca2+ content was reduced to < 15% of the endogenous level. In rat fibres, the peak size of the force response was less affected by small decreases in SR content, but both the peak and area of the response decreased to zero with greater depletion. In partially depleted toad fibres, inhibition of SR Ca2+ uptake potentiated the force response to depolarization almost 2-fold. 4. The results show that in this skinned fibre preparation: (a) T-system depolarization and caffeine application can each virtually fully deplete the SR of Ca2+, irrespective of any putative inhibitory effect of SR depletion on channel activation; (b) all of the endogenous level of SR Ca2+ must be released in order to produce a maximal response to depolarization; and (c) a substantial part (approximately 40%) of the Ca2+ released by a depolarization is normally taken back into the SR before it can contribute to force production.

Subcellular analysis of Ca2+ homeostasis in primary cultures of skeletal muscle myotubes

Specifically targeted aequorin chimeras were used for studying the dynamic changes of Ca2+ concentration in different subcellular compartments of differentiated skeletal muscle myotubes. For the cytosol, mitochondria, and nucleus, the previously described chimeric aequorins were utilized; for the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR), a new chimera (srAEQ) was developed by fusing an aequorin mutant with low Ca2+ affinity to the resident protein calsequestrin. By using an appropriate transfection procedure, the expression of the recombinant proteins was restricted, within the culture, to the differentiated myotubes, and the correct sorting of the various chimeras was verified with immunocytochemical techniques. Single-cell analysis of cytosolic Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]c) with fura-2 showed that the myotubes responded, as predicted, to stimuli known to be characteristic of skeletal muscle fibers, i.e., KCl-induced depolarization, caffeine, and carbamylcholine. Using these stimuli in cultures transfected with the various aequorin chimeras, we show that: 1) the nucleoplasmic Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]n) closely mimics the [Ca2+]c, at rest and after stimulation, indicating a rapid equilibration of the two compartments also in this cell type; 2) on the contrary, mitochondria amplify 4-6-fold the [Ca2+]c increases; and 3) the lumenal concentration of Ca2+ within the SR ([Ca2+]sr) is much higher than in the other compartments (> 100 microM), too high to be accurately measured also with the aequorin mutant with low Ca2+ affinity. An indirect estimate of the resting value (approximately 1-2 mM) was obtained using Sr2+, a surrogate of Ca2+ which, because of the lower affinity of the photoprotein for this cation, elicits a lower rate of aequorin consumption. With Sr2+, the kinetics and amplitudes of the changes in [cation2+]sr evoked by the various stimuli could also be directly analyzed.

Molecular cogs in machina carnis

1. This review explores the complexity of skeletal muscle function mainly from the perspective of work performed by the author over the past two decades.

Response of ryanodine receptor channels to Ca2+ steps produced by rapid solution exchange

We used a flow method for Ca2+ activation of sheep cardiac and rabbit skeletal ryanodine receptor (RyR) channels in lipid bilayers, which activated RyRs in < 20 ms and maintained a steady [Ca2+] for 5 s. [Ca2+] was rapidly altered by flowing Ca(2+)-buffered solutions containing 100 or 200 microM Ca2+ from a perfusion tube inserted in the cis, myoplasmic chamber above the bilayer. During steps from 0.1 to 100 microM, [Ca2+] reached 0.3 microM (activation threshold) and 10 microM (maximum Po) in times consistent with predictions of a solution exchange model. Immediately following rapid RyR activation, Po was 0.67 (cardiac) and 0.45 (skeletal) at a holding voltage of +40 mV (cis/trans). Po then declined (at constant [Ca2+]) in 70% of channels (n = 25) with time constants ranging from .5 to 15 s. The mechanism for Po decline, whether it be adaptation or inactivation, was not determined in this study. cis, 2 mM Mg2+ reduced the initial Po for skeletal RyRs to 0.21 and marginally slowed the declining phase. During very rapid falls in [Ca2+] from mM (inhibited) to sub-microM (sub-activating) levels, skeletal RyR did not open. We conclude the RyR gates responsible for Ca(2+)-dependent activation and inhibition of skeletal RyRs can gate independently.

Altered cardiac troponin T in vitro function in the presence of a mutation implicated in familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

Familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) can be caused by dominant missense mutations in cardiac troponin T (TnT), alpha-tropomyosin, C-protein, or cardiac myosin heavy chain genes. The myosin mutations are known to impair function, but any functional consequences of the TnT mutations are unknown. This report describes the in vitro function of troponin containing an IIe91Asn mutation in rat cardiac TnT, corresponding to the HCM-causing Ile79Asn mutation in man. Mutant and wild-type TnT cDNAs were expressed in bacteria and the proteins purified and reconstituted with the other troponin subunits, the mutation had no effect on troponin's affinity for tropomyosin, troponin-induced binding of tropomyosin to actin, cooperative binding of myosin subfragment 1 to the thin filament, CA(2+)-sensitive regulation of thin filament-myosin subfragment 1 ATPase activity, or the CA2+ concentration dependence of this regulation. However, the mutation resulted in 50% faster thin filament movement over a surface coated with heavy meromyosin in in vitro motility assays. The increased sliding speed suggests an unexpected role for the amino terminal region of TnT in which this mutation occurs. The relationship between this faster motility and altered cardiac contraction in patients with HCM is discussed.

Intrasarcomere [Ca2+] gradients in ventricular myocytes revealed by high speed digital imaging microscopy

Cardiac muscle contraction is triggered by a small and brief Ca2+ entry across the t-tubular membranes, which is believed to be locally amplified by release of Ca2+ from the adjacent junctional sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR). As Ca2+ diffusion is thought to be markedly attenuated in cells, it has been predicted that significant intrasarcomeric [Ca2+] gradients should exist during activation. To directly test for this, we measured [Ca2+] distribution in single cardiac myocytes using fluorescent [Ca2+] indicators and high speed, three-dimensional digital imaging microscopy and image deconvolution techniques. Steep cytosolic [Ca2+] gradients from the t-tubule region to the center of the sarcomere developed during the first 15 ms of systole. The steepness of these [Ca2+] gradients varied with treatments that altered Ca2+ release from internal stores. Electron probe microanalysis revealed a loss of Ca2+ from the junctional SR and an accumulation, principally in the A-band during activation. We propose that the prolonged existence of [Ca2+] gradients within the sarcomere reflects the relatively long period of Ca2+ release from the SR, the localization of Ca2+ binding sites and Ca2+ sinks remote from sites of release, and diffusion limitations within the sarcomere. The large [Ca2+] transient near the t-tubular/ junctional SR membranes is postulated to explain numerous features of excitation-contraction coupling in cardiac muscle.

Myosin regulatory light chain modulates the Ca2+ dependence of the kinetics of tension development in skeletal muscle fibers

To determine the role of myosin regulatory light chain (RLC) in modulating contraction in skeletal muscle, we examined the rate of tension development in bundles of skinned skeletal muscle fibers as a function of the level of Ca(2+) activation after UV flash-induced release of Ca(2+) from the photosensitive Ca(2+) chelator DM-nitrophen. In control fiber bundles, the rate of tension development was highly dependent on the concentration of activator Ca(2+) after the flash. There was a greater than twofold increase in the rate of tension development when the post-flash [Ca(2+)] was increased from the lowest level tested (which produced a steady tension that was 42% of maximum tension) to the highest level (producing 97% of maximum tension). However, when 40-70% of endogenous myosin RLC was extracted from the fiber bundles, tension developed at the maximum rate, regardless of the post-flash concentration of Ca(2+). Thus, the Ca(2+) dependence of the rate of tension development was eliminated by partial extraction of myosin RLC, an effect that was partially reversed by recombination of RLC back into the fiber bundles. The elimination of the Ca(2+) dependence of the kinetics of tension development was specific to the extraction of RLC rather than an artifact of the co-extraction of both RLC and Troponin C, because the rate of tension development was still Ca(2+) dependent, even when nearly 50% of endogenous Troponin C was extracted from fiber bundles fully replete with RLC. Thus, myosin RLC appears to be a key component in modulating Ca(2+) sensitive cross-bridge transitions that limit the rate of force development after photorelease of Ca(2+) in skeletal muscle fibers.

Colocalization of the dihydropyridine receptor, the plasma-membrane calcium ATPase isoform 1 and the sodium/calcium exchanger to the junctional-membrane domain of transverse tubules of rabbit skeletal muscle

The subcellular distribution of the calmodulin-stimulated plasma-membrane Ca(2+)-ATPase (PMCA) has been studied in rat and rabbit skeletal muscle cells by indirect (calmodulin gel overlays) and direct (Western blotting with specific antibodies) methods. It has also been studied in situ in immunocytochemistry experiments. The distribution of PMCA has been compared with that of the NA+/Ca2+ exchanger and of the dihydropyridine receptor, which has been studied by Western blotting with specific antibodies. Both PMCA and the Na+/Ca2+ exchanger had a dual localization, i.e., they were found in the plasma membrane and in the transverse-tubule fractions of the two main types of skeletal muscles studied. The pump and the exchanger were not diffusely distributed in the transverse-tubule-membrane system, but specifically confined to the membrane domain where the dihydropyridine receptor was also localized, i.e., the junctional membrane. Experiments with isoform-specific antibodies have shown that the pump isoform expressed in skeletal muscle is PMCA 1.

Kinetic tuning of the EF-hand calcium binding motif: the gateway residue independently adjusts (i) barrier height and (ii) equilibrium

In EF-hand calcium binding sites of known structure, the side chain provided by the ninth EF-loop position lies at the entrance of the shortest pathway connecting the metal binding cavity to solvent. The location of this residue suggests that it could serve as a "gateway", providing steric and electrostatic control over the kinetics of Ca2+ binding and dissociation. To test this hypothesis, the present study has engineered the putative gateway side chain of a model EF-hand site and determined the resulting effects on metal ion affinity and dissociation kinetics. The model site chosen was that of the Escherichia coli galactose binding protein (GBP), in which the putative gateway is a Gln side chain. Nine engineered GBP molecules were generated and isolated, each exhibiting native-like activity and global conformation. Two control substitutions at the fourth EF-loop position, a noncoordinating surface residue, had no significant effect on either the equilibrium or the kinetics of the model site. The remaining seven proteins, which possessed unique substitutions at the ninth EF-loop position (Glu, Asn, Asp, Thr, Ser, Gly, Ala), in each case significantly altered the affinity or dissociation kinetics of the site for Tb3+, used as a probe metal ion. Neutral side chains at the gateway position yielded a 590-fold range of Tb3+ dissociation kinetics but only a 3-fold range of Tb3+ affinities, indicating that the size or polarity of these substitutions alters the transition state barrier for metal binding and release without substantially shifting the equilibrium. In contrast, acidic side chains yielded as much as a 34-fold decrease in the Tb3+ off-rate and a 33-fold increase in Tb3+ affinity, suggesting that a negative charge at the gateway position increases the equilibrium stability of the bound metal ion and thereby slows metal release. Thus, kinetic tuning by the gateway side chain exhibits both transition state and ground state tuning mechanisms. In natural EF-hand sequences, different gateway side chains are used by slow buffering sites and rapid signaling sites, providing evidence that the gateway position is an important physiological determinant of metal binding kinetics.

Regulation of calcium release channel in sarcoplasmic reticulum

In this review, we summarized the results obtained mainly by flux measurements through Ca2+ channel in HSR vesicles. The Ca2+ channel has a large pore which passes not only divalent cations such as Ca2+, Mg2+, and Ba2+ and monovalent cations such as Na+, K+, and Cs+, but also large ions such as choline and tris. The permeation rates of choline and glucose through the Ca2+ channel were measured quantitatively by the light scattering method. The slow permeation of such molecules may reflect the structure of pores since the permeation process is the rate-limiting step for such large molecules. Neutral molecules such as glucose became permeable in the presence of submolar KCl, which suggests that pore size of the channel becomes larger in KCl. The apparent permeation rates of Ca2+ and Mg2+ obtained from the flux measurement were the same, although their single-channel conductances were different. This discrepancy was explained by the fact that flux measurements reflects the open rate of the channel. Thus, complementarity between the flux measurement and single-channel recording was demonstrated. From the effects of K+ on the action of regulators on Ca2+ channel, it was suggested that the Ca2+ channel has many binding sites for activators and inhibitors. There are two kinds of Ca2+ binding sites for activation and inhibition. Activation sites for Ca2+, caffeine, and ATP are different and inhibition sites for Ca2+ and procaine are different. The binding sites for ruthenium red and Mg2+ are the same as the activation and/or inhibition sites for Ca2+. Ryanodine-treated Ca2+ channel became permeable to glucose even in the absence of KCl. The conformational state of the channel opened by ryanodine is different from that opened by Ca2+, caffeine, and ATP. The maximal flux rates of choline and glucose induced by ryanodine were smaller than those attained by caffeine and ATP. This result is consistent with the observation obtained by single-channel recording; the maximal value of single-channel conductance after ryanodine treatment becomes 40-50% of the value before the treatment. It is likely that the radius of the pore opened by ryanodine is smaller than that opened by Ca2+, caffeine, or ATP. The flexibility of the channel may be decreased in the open locked state induced by ryanodine. The Ca2+ response to open the channel by micromolar Ca2+ was lost when calsequestrin was released from the vesicles. It is possible that calsequestrin acts as an endogenous regulator of Ca2+ channel through triadin in excitation-contraction coupling.

BDM compared with P(i) and low Ca2+ in the cross-bridge reaction initiated by flash photolysis of caged ATP

Using flash photolysis of caged ATP in skinned muscle fibers from rat psoas, we examined the inhibitory effects of 2,3-butanedione monoxime (BDM) on the contraction kinetics and the rate of ATP hydrolysis of the cross-bridges at approximately 10 degrees C. The hydrolysis rate was estimated from the stiffness records. The effects of BDM were compared with those of orthophosphate (P(i)) and of reduction in [Ca2+] (low Ca2+), and it was found that i) BDM and low Ca2+ inhibited ATPase activity to the same extent as they inhibited the steady tension, whereas P(i) inhibited ATPase activity much less than tension; ii) BDM and P(i) decreased tension per stiffness during the steady contraction more than did low Ca2+; iii) neither BDM nor low Ca2+ affected the initial relaxation of the fiber on release of ATP, but P(i) slightly slowed it; and iv) BDM hardly influenced the rate of contraction development after relaxation, although P(i) and low Ca2+ accelerated it. We concluded that BDM inhibits the Ca(2+)-regulated attachment of the cross-bridges and force-generation of the attached cross-bridges.

The role of MgADP in force maintenance by dephosphorylated cross-bridges in smooth muscle: a flash photolysis study

The effect of [MgADP] on relaxation from isometric tension, initiated by reducing free [Ca2+] through photolysis of the caged photolabile Ca2+ chelator diazo-2, was determined at 20 degrees C in alpha-toxin permeabilized tonic (rabbit femoral artery, Rf) and phasic (rabbit bladder, Rb) smooth muscle. In Rf, the shape of the relaxation curve was clearly biphasic, consisting of a slow "plateau" phase followed by a monotonic exponential decline with rate constant k. The duration of the plateau (d = 44 +/- 4 s, mean +/- SEM, n = 28) was well correlated (R = 0.92) with the total t1/2 of relaxation that was 66 +/- 3 s (n = 28) in the presence of 20 mM creatine phosphate (CP), and was prolonged in the absence of CP (t1/2 = 83 +/- 3 s, n = 7); addition of 100 microM MgADP further slowed relaxation (t1/2 = 132 +/- 7 s, n = 14). In Rb, a plateau was not detectable and t1/2 (= 15 +/- 2 s, n = 6) was not affected by 100 microM MgADP. In Rf the Q10 between 20 degrees C and 30 degrees C was 4.3 +/- 0.4 for d-1 and 2.8 +/- 0.3 for k (n = 8; p = 0.006). The regulatory myosin light chain (MLC20) in Rf was dephosphorylated at 0.07 +/- 0.02 s-1, from 42 +/- 3% before to 20 +/- 2% after photolysis of diazo-2, reaching basal values at a time when force had fallen by only 40%. We conclude that, in the presence of ATP, as during rigor, the affinity of dephosphorylated cross-bridges for MgADP is significantly higher in tonic than in phasic smooth muscle and contributes to the maintenance of force at low levels of phosphorylation. The MgADP dependence of the post-dephosphorylation phase of relaxation is consistent with its being rate-limited by the slow off-rate of ADP from cross-bridges that were dephosphorylated while in force-generating ADP-bound (AM*D) cross-bridge states. The fourfold faster off-rate of ADP from AM*D in the phasic, Rb, compared to tonic, Rf, smooth muscle is a major determinant of the different kinetics of relaxation in the two types of smooth muscle.

Raised intracellular [Ca2+] abolishes excitation-contraction coupling in skeletal muscle fibres of rat and toad

1. Raising the intracellular [Ca2+] for 10 s at 23 degrees C abolished depolarization-induced force responses in mechanically skinned muscle fibres of toad and rat (half-maximal effect at 10 and 23 microM, respectively), without affecting the ability of caffeine or low [Mg2+] to open the ryanodine receptor (RyR)/Ca2+ release channels. Thus, excitation-contraction coupling was lost, even though the Ca2+ release channels were still functional. Coupling could not be restored in the duration of an experiment (up to 1 h). 2. The Ca(2+)-dependent uncoupling had a Q10 > 3.5, and was three times slower at pH 5.8 than at pH 7.1. Sr2+ caused similar uncoupling at twenty times higher concentration, but Mg2+, even at 10 mM, was ineffective. Uncoupling was not noticeably affected by removal of ATP or application of protein kinase or phosphatase inhibitors. 3. Confocal laser scanning microscopy showed that the transverse tubular system was sealed in its entirety in mechanically skinned fibres and that its integrity was maintained in uncoupled fibres. Electron microscopy revealed distorted or severed triad junctions and Z-line aberrations in uncoupled fibres. 4. Only when uncoupling was induced at a relatively slow rate (e.g. over 60 s with 2.5 microM Ca2+) could it be prevented by the protease inhibitor leupeptin (1 mM). Immunostaining of Western blots showed no evidence of proteolysis of the RyR, the alpha 1-subunit of dihydropyridine receptor (DHPR) or triadin in uncoupled fibres. 5. Fibres which, whilst intact, were stimulated repeatedly by potassium depolarization with simultaneous application of 30 mM caffeine showed reduced responsiveness after skinning to depolarization but not to caffeine. Rapid release of endogenous Ca2+, or raised [Ca2+] under conditions which minimized the loss of endogenous diffusible myoplasmic molecules from the skinned fibre, caused complete uncoupling. Taken together, these results suggest that Ca(2+)-dependent uncoupling can also occur in intact fibres. 6. This Ca(2+)-dependent loss of depolarization-induced Ca2+ release may play an important feedback role in muscle by stopping Ca2+ release in localized areas where it is excessive and may be responsible for long-lasting muscle fatigue after severe exercise, as well as contributing to muscle weakness in various dystrophies.

Kinetics of prephosphorylation reactions and myosin light chain phosphorylation in smooth muscle. Flash photolysis studies with caged calcium and caged ATP

The pre-myosin light chain (MLC20) phosphorylation components of the lag phase (td) of contractile activation were determined in permeabilized smooth muscles activated by photolytic release of ATP from caged ATP and/or Ca2+ from 4-(2-nitrophenyl)-EGTA (NP-EGTA). Calmodulin (CaM) shortened the td (470 ms at 0 added CaM) that followed Ca2+ release, but its effect (td = approximately 200 ms) saturated at 40 microM. Photolysis of caged ATP following preequilibration with identical [Ca4CaM] shortened td to 41 ms. The rate of phosphorylation was very fast (3.5 s-1 at 22 degrees C in the presence of 5 microM exogenous CaM) following photolysis of caged ATP, and, following Ca2+ release, phosphorylation was accelerated by CaM. Simultaneous photolysis of caged ATP and NP-EGTA was followed by a td of 194 ms at 5 microM CaM and a rate of MLC20 phosphorylation intermediate between these parameters following photolysis of, respectively, NP-EGTA and caged ATP. In the presence of the normal, total endogenous CaM content (37 +/- 4 microM) of protal vein smooth muscles td was 565 ms. Steady state maximum force at pCa 5.5 was increased by much lower (100 nM) exogenous [CaM] than was required (> 2.5 microM) to shorten the td. We estimate the endogenous CaM available under steady state conditions in vivo to be approximately 0.25 microM and probably less during a rapid Ca2+ transient. We conclude that the [CaM] dependence of the kinetics of MLC20 phosphorylation and force development (t1/2 and td) initiated by Ca2+ reflects the recruitment of a slowly diffusible component of total CaM. The relatively long duration of td (197 ms) at saturating [CaM] suggests the contribution to td of an additional component, possibly a prephosphorylation activation/isomerization of the Ca4CaM myosin light chain kinase complex (Török, K., and Trentham, D. R. (1994) Biochemistry 33, 12807-12820). The relatively short delay (108 ms in the presence of 40 microM CaM) following simultaneous photolysis of NP-EGTA and caged ATP suggests that preincubation with ATP (prior to photolysis of NP-EGTA) may inhibit the formation of a preactive Ca2CaM myosin light chain kinase complex.

Co-expression in CHO cells of two muscle proteins involved in excitation-contraction coupling

Ryanodine receptors and dihydropyridine receptors are located opposite each other at the junctions between sarcoplasmic reticulum and either the surface membrane or the transverse tubules in skeletal muscle. Ryanodine receptors are the calcium release channels of the sarcoplasmic reticulum and their cytoplasmic domains form the feet, connecting sarcoplasmic reticulum to transverse tubules. Dihydropyridine receptors are L-type calcium channels that act as the voltage sensors of excitation-contraction coupling: they sense surface membrane and transverse tubule depolarization and induce opening of the sarcoplasmic reticulum release channels. In skeletal muscle, ryanodine receptors are arranged in extensive arrays and dihydropyridine receptors are grouped into tetrads, which in turn are associated with the four subunits of ryanodine receptors. The disposition allows for a direct interaction between the two sets of molecules. CHO cells were stably transformed with plasmids for skeletal muscle ryanodine receptors and either the skeletal dihydropyridine receptor, or a skeletal-cardiac dihydropyridine receptor chimera (CSk3) which can functionally substitute for the skeletal dihydropyridine receptor, in addition to plasmids for the alpha 2, beta and gamma subunits. RNA blot hybridization gave positive results for all components. Immunoblots, ryanodine binding, electron microscopy and exposure to caffeine show that the expressed ryanodine receptors forms functional tetrameric channels, which are correctly inserted into the endoplasmic reticulum membrane, and form extensive arrays with the same spacings as in skeletal muscle. Since formation of arrays does not require coexpression of dihydropyridine receptors, we conclude that self-aggregation is an independent property of ryanodine receptors. All dihydropyridine receptor-expressing clones show high affinity binding for dihydropyridine and immunolabelling with antibodies against dihydropyridine receptor. The presence of calcium currents with fast kinetics and immunolabelling for dihydropyridine receptors in the surface membrane of CSk3 clones indicate that CSk3-dihydropyridine receptors are appropriately targeted to the cell's plasmalemma. The expressed skeletal-type dihydropyridine receptors, however, remain mostly located within perinuclear membranes. In cells coexpressing functional dihydropyridine receptors and ryanodine receptors, no junctions between feet-bearing endoplasmic reticulum elements and surface membrane are formed, and dihydropyridine receptors do not assemble into tetrads. A separation between dihydropyridine receptors and ryanodine receptors is not unique to CHO cells, but is found also in cardiac muscle, in muscles of invertebrates and, under certain conditions, in skeletal muscle. We suggest that failure to form junctions in co-transfected CHO cell may be due to lack of an essential protein necessary either for the initial docking of the endoplasmic reticulum to the surface membrane or for maintaining the interaction between dihydropyridine receptors and ryanodine receptors. We also conclude that formation of tetrads requires a close interaction between dihydropyridine receptors and ryanodine receptors.

Determination of resting free calcium in barnacle muscle using modified aequorins, buffered calcium injections, and simultaneous image-intensified video microscopy

Knowing the resting free calcium is important in understanding the role of calcium as an intracellular second messenger. We used a bracketing (null) technique with a luminescent calcium indicator, aequorin, microinjection and image-intensification to measure free calcium in single muscle fibres from the barnacle, Balanus nubilus. We injected modified aequorins (recombinant, and hch-) which after a 30 min diffusion gave reasonable resting glows. Subsequent injection of calcium (strongly buffered with either EGTA or BAPTA, 10 mM) increased or decreased the resting glow depending on the free calcium level in the injected buffer solution. This bracketing (null) method is inherently accurate, but mechanical artifacts on calcium injection reduce the accuracy when total light emission is measured. We therefore used image-intensified video-microscopy of the injected region and video processing (Image-1) of artifact-free regions, to greatly improve the consistency. The luminescence in a pre-selected region of the muscle fibre was measured as a function of time during the injection. Solution calciums were chosen so that if the first injection decreased the resting glow, the second increased it, or vice versa, thus bracketing the true resting value. We used two methods to determine the true value bracketed by our injections: (1) a linear interpolation using the fractional changes in luminescence or (2) a power law interpolation assuming a 2.2 or 2.5 power relationship between luminescence and free calcium. Using these methods, we estimated the free calcium level in the lateral depressor fibres of freshly dredged barnacles to be 279 +/- 36 nM (+/- SD), 339 +/- 42 nM, or 352 +/- 45 nM for the linear, 2.2 and 2.5 powers respectively under the conditions of hch-aequorin and BAPTA buffers (using a K'Ca for BAPTA of 3.0 x 10(6) M-1 for our conditions). Recombinant-aequorin gave essentially the same result while EGTA buffers yielded a somewhat higher value but because of influences of pH on the K'Ca for EGTA (taken as 6.7 x 10(6) M-1 for our conditions) was considered less reliable. Minor changes in [Mg2+] upon buffer injection can lead to underestimates of the true resting [Ca2+] by at most 10%. Thus, we estimate the resting free calcium in barnacle muscle fibres to be 300-380 nM.

Towards the molecular basis for the regulation of mitochondrial dehydrogenases by calcium ions

In mammalian cells, increases in calcium concentration cause increases in oxidative phosphorylation. This effect is mediated by the activation of four mitochondrial dehydrogenases by calcium ions; FAD-glycerol 3-phosphate dehydrogenase, pyruvate dehydrogenase, NAD-isocitrate dehydrogenase and oxoglutarate dehydrogenase. FAD-glycerol 3-phosphate dehydrogenase, being located on the outer surface of the inner mitochondrial membrane, is exposed to fluctuations in cytoplasmic calcium concentration. The other three enzymes are located within the mitochondrial matrix. While the kinetic properties of all of these enzymes are well characterised, the molecular basis for their regulation by calcium is not. This review uses information derived from calcium binding studies, analysis of conserved calcium binding motifs and comparison of amino acid sequences from calcium sensitive and non-sensitive enzymes to discuss how the recent cloning of several subunits from the four dehydrogenases enhances our understanding of the ways in which these enzymes bind calcium. FAD-glycerol 3-phosphate dehydrogenase binds calcium ions through a domain which is part of the polypeptide chain of the enzyme. In contrast, it is possible that the calcium sensitivity of the other three dehydrogenases may involve separate calcium binding subunits.

The relationship between contractile force and intracellular [Ca2+] in intact rat cardiac trabeculae

The control of force by [Ca2+] was investigated in rat cardiac trabeculae loaded with fura-2 salt. At sarcomere lengths of 2.1-2.3 microns, the steady state force-[Ca2+]i relationship during tetanization in the presence of ryanodine was half maximally activated at a [Ca2+]i of 0.65 +/- 0.19 microM with a Hill coefficient of 5.2 +/- 1.2 (mean +/- SD, n = 9), and the maximal stress produced at saturating [Ca2+]i equalled 121 +/- 35 mN/mm2 (n = 9). The dependence of steady state force on [Ca2+]i was identical in muscles tetanized in the presence of the Ca(2+)-ATPase inhibitor cyclopiazonic acid (CPA). The force-[Ca2+]i relationship during the relaxation of twitches in the presence of CPA coincided exactly to that measured at steady state during tetani, suggesting that CPA slows the decay rate of [Ca2+]i sufficiently to allow the force to come into a steady state with the [Ca2+]i. In contrast, the relationship of force to [Ca2+]i during the relaxation phase of control twitches was shifted leftward relative to the steady state relationship, establishing that relaxation is limited by the contractile system itself, not by Ca2+ removal from the cytosol. Under control conditions the force-[Ca2+]i relationship, quantified at the time of peak twitch force (i.e., dF/dt = 0), coincided fairly well with steady state measurements in some trabeculae (i.e., three of seven). However, the force-[Ca2+]i relationship at peak force did not correspond to the steady state measurements after the application of 5 mM 2,3-butanedione monoxime (BDM) (to accelerate cross-bridge kinetics) or 100 microM CPA (to slow the relaxation of the [Ca2+]i transient). Therefore, we conclude that the relationship of force to [Ca2+]i during physiological twitch contractions cannot be used to predict the steady state relationship.

Voltage-dependent potentiation of L-type Ca2+ channels in skeletal muscle cells requires anchored cAMP-dependent protein kinase

Skeletal muscle L-type Ca2+ channels respond to trains of brief depolarizations with a strong shift of the voltage dependence of channel activation toward more negative membrane potentials and slowing of channel deactivation. Increased Ca2+ entry resulting from this potentiation of channel activity may increase contractile force in response to tetanic stimuli. This voltage-dependent Ca2+ channel potentiation requires phosphorylation by cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) at a rate that suggests that kinase and channel may be maintained in close proximity through kinase anchoring. A peptide derived from the conserved kinase-binding domain of a PKA-anchoring protein (AKAP) prevents potentiation by endogenous PKA as effectively as inhibition of PKA by a specific peptide inhibitor or by omission of ATP from the intracellular solution. In contrast, a proline-substituted mutant of AKAP peptide has no effect. Potentiation in the presence of 2 microM exogenous catalytic subunit of PKA is unaffected, indicating that kinase anchoring is specifically blocked by the AKAP peptide. No effects of these agents were observed on the level or voltage dependence of basal Ca2+ channel activity before potentiation, suggesting that close physical proximity between the skeletal muscle Ca2+ channel and PKA is critical for voltage-dependent potentiation of Ca2+ channel activity but not for basal activity.

Transient contraction of muscle fibers on photorelease of ATP at intermediate concentrations of Ca2+

We isometrically activated skinned fibers in rigor by flash photolysis of caged ATP at various [Ca2+] at 8 degrees C. On release of ATP, tension initially decreased with the same time course at all [Ca2+]. At high [Ca2+] (pCa < or = 5.8), tension rose to the steady-state plateau after the brief relaxation. When the [Ca2+] was intermediate (7.0 < or = pCa < or = 6.0), tension temporarily overshot the final steady-state level. The half-time during this tension transient was longer at higher [Ca2+]. The transient contractions could be simulated by a simple kinetic model: R + ATP-->Q, and X<-->Q<-->A, where R, X, and A are the rigor, relaxed, and active-tension states, respectively; Q is a "pre-active" state where tension is very low; and Ca2+ affects only the X-Q transition. This scheme was also useful for predicting the tension transients in Ca(2+)- and P(i)-jump experiments at various [Ca2+]. ADP enhanced the Ca2+ sensitivity of the ATP-induced transient contraction, which was not in the scope of the model.

Effect of activation of protein kinase C on excitation-contraction coupling in frog twitch muscle fibres

Intracellular Ca2+ transients were recorded from frog twitch muscle fibres in response to voltage-clamp depolarizing pulses, using arsenazo III as an intracellular Ca2+ indicator. The effect of the activation of protein kinase C (PKC) on the Ca2+ transients was studied. With 1 microM phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate (PDBu), a PKC activator, the peak of the Ca2+ transients increased to about 120% of control during the first 0.5 h, and then decreased gradually to a plateau of 44% of control within the following 2 h. This effect of PDBu could be alleviated significantly by PKC inhibitors, 10 microM polymyxin B (PMB) or 30 microM 1-(5-isoquinolinylsulphonyl)-2-methyl-piperazine (H-7). Moreover, PDBu caused an upward shift of the strength/duration curve. In Li(+)-loaded muscle fibres the Ca2+ transients could not fully recover after 80 mM K+ exposure for 15 min, while the post-K+ Ca2- transients could be completely restored in the fibres not loaded with Li+. In the presence of 10 microM PMB or 30 microM H-7, a full restoration of the post-K+ Ca2+ transients was seen in Li(+)-loaded fibres. PMB supplemented after high-K+ exposure also could result in a complete recovery of the post-K+ Ca2+ transients in Li(+)-loaded fibres. The role of PKC in modulating excitation-contraction coupling in frog twitch muscle fibres is clearly indicated, but the mechanism(s) and physiological significance remain to be established.

Molecular tuning of ion binding to calcium signaling proteins

Intracellular calcium plays an essential role in the transduction of most hormonal, neuronal, visual, and muscle stimuli. (Recent reviews include Putney, 1993; Berridge, 1993a,b; Tsunoda, 1993; Gnegy, 1993; Bachset al.1992; Hanson & Schulman, 1992; Villereal & Byron, 1992; Premack & Gardner, 1992; Meanset al.1991).

Phosphoinositides in membranes that build up the triads of rabbit skeletal muscle

The total membrane concentrations of PtdIns, PtdIns4P, and PtdIns(4,5)P2 contribute to the functional capacity of the Ins(1,4,5)P3 signalling system which is operating in skeletal muscle but the function of which is still unknown. Total amounts of these phosphoinositides have been determined in purified membranes of transverse tubules (TT) and terminal cisternae (TC) of the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) of rabbit skeletal muscle. PtdIns and PtdIns4P have been detected in both membrane systems whereas PtdIns(4,5)P2 (290 mumol/mol phospholipid) is confined only to TT. A much greater pool of PtdIns(4,5)P2 seems, however, to be located in the sarcolemma away from the triadic junction.

Mechanism of force inhibition by 2,3-butanedione monoxime in rat cardiac muscle: roles of [Ca2+]i and cross-bridge kinetics

1. We investigated the mechanism of force inhibition by 2,3-butanedione monoxime (BDM) on rat cardiac trabeculae. [Ca2+]i was measured by iontophoretic injection of fura-2 salt. Isometric force was recorded at an end-systolic sarcomere length of 2.1-2.2 microns. 2. With an external [Ca2+] of 1 mM, peak twitch force was monotonically reduced with increasing [BMD]; at 5 and 20 mM [BDM], force was 35 and 1% of the control force. In contrast, the mean peak [Ca2+]i during transients was only reduced at [BDM] > or = 10 mM. 3. The duration of the twitch was dramatically reduced by BDM in a dose-dependent fashion with no significant change in the time course of the underlying Ca2+ transients. The abbreviation of twitch force duration was much greater than expected for the observed reduction in peak force by this agent. 4. The mechanism of the inhibition of force by BDM was explored by examining the relationship between twitch force and Ca2+ transients at various values of external [Ca2+]. In the presence of BDM, the steepness of the relationship between peak force and peak [Ca2+]i was reduced compared to control conditions. As a result, significant elevation in the [Ca2+]i transient was unable to reverse the reduction in force observed in the presence of BDM. 5. The direct inhibitory effects of BDM on the contractile system were examined using ryanodine tetani in intact trabeculae to measure the steady-state force-[Ca2+]i relationship. In contrast to the effects on twitch force at 5 mM BDM, maximal force was only reduced to 71% of control. Furthermore, the [Ca2+]i required for half-maximal activation (Ca50) was increased while the Hill coefficient was reduced slightly by BDM. 6. BDM dramatically slowed the rate of rise of tetanic force. At maximal activation, the time required to reach 90% maximal force was prolonged by a factor of 3-8 in the presence of 5 mM BDM. This suggests that the observed reduction in twitch force and steady-state force may result from slowed kinetics of cross-bridge attachment, consistent with recent biochemical studies. 7. The contribution of altered cross-bridge kinetics to the effects of BDM was investigated using a co-operative cross-bridge model of the contractile system. Changing the rate constants for cross-bridge attachment in the model to mimic the reported biochemical effects of BDM reproduced the observed effects of BDM.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Ryanodine and theophylline-induced depletion of energy stores in amphibian muscle

The effects of high and low levels of ryanodine on theophylline-induced energy depletion were studied in isolated frog sartorius muscle. Whereas low concentrations of ryanodine (1-10 microM) did not change high energy phosphate contents (PE) after 60 min, high levels (100 microM) reduced resting energy contents by 60% after 60 min. Subcontracture levels of theophylline (2 mM), in the presence of high ryanodine, produced an 80% PE depletion, suggesting possible additive or synergistic effects of these two agents. In contrast to theophylline-induced depletion, neither the ryanodine-induced depletion nor the theophylline-plus-ryanodine-induced depletion of PE seemed sensitive to inhibition by 1 mM procaine. This suggests that there may be differences in the mechanisms whereby methylxanthines and ryanodine deplete energy stores and evoke contractures in amphibian skeletal muscle.

The role of phosphoinositide metabolism in Ca2+ signalling of skeletal muscle cells

1. The mobilization of Ca2+ from intracellular stores by D-myo-inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate[Ins(1,4,5)P3] is now widely accepted as the primary link between plasma membrane receptors that stimulate phospholipase C and the subsequent increase in intracellular free Ca2+ that occurs when such receptors are activated (Berridge, 1993). Since the observations of Volpe et al. (1985) which showed that Ins(1,4,5)P3 could induce Ca2+ release from isolated terminal cisternae membranes and elicit contracture of chemically skinned muscle fibres, research has focused on the role of Ins(1,4,5)P3 in the generation of SR Ca2+ transients and in the mechanism of excitation-contraction coupling (EC-coupling). 2. The mechanism of signal transduction at the triadic junction during EC-coupling is unknown. Asymmetric charge movement and mechanical coupling between highly specialized triadic proteins has been proposed as the primary mechanism for voltage-activated generation of SR Ca2+ signals and subsequent contraction. Ins(1,4,5)P3 has also been proposed as the major signal transduction molecule for the generation of the primary Ca2+ transient produced during EC-coupling. 3. Investigations on the generation of Ca2+ transients by Ins(1,4,5)P3 have been conducted on ion channels incorporated into lipid bilayers, skinned and intact fibres and isolated membrane vesicles. Ins(1,4,5)P3 induces SR Ca2+ release and the enzymes responsible for its synthesis and degradation are present in muscle tissue. However, the sensitivity of the Ca2+ release mechanism to Ins(1,4,5)P3 is highly dependent on experimental conditions and on membrane potential. 4. While Ins(1,4,5)P3 may not be the major signal transduction molecule for the generation of the primary Ca2+ signal produced during voltage-activated contraction, this inositol polyphosphate may play a functional role as a modulator of EC-coupling and/or of the processes of myoplasmic Ca2+ regulation occurring on a time scale of seconds, during the events of contraction.

Characterization study of the ryanodine receptor and of calsequestrin isoforms of mammalian skeletal muscles in relation to fibre types

We have investigated high-affinity ryanodine-binding sites in membrane preparations from representative fast-twitch and slow-twitch muscles of the rabbit and rat, as well as from human mixed muscle. Our results, obtained in high-ionic strength binding buffer, demonstrate extensive similarities in binding affinity for [3H]ryanodine (Kd: about 10 nM) and a two-fold to four-fold difference in membrane density of the ryanodine receptor between fast-twitch and slow-twitch muscle of the rat and rabbit, respectively. The [3H]ryanodine-pCa relationship for the Ca(2+)-activation curve of ryanodine binding was found to be similar for all mammalian muscles, as tested at 20 nM ryanodine. With 10 mM caffeine or 50 microM doxorubicin the pCa for half-maximal activation of [3H]ryanodine binding invariably shifted from an average pCa value of 6.5 to pCa 7.1-7.3. IC50 values for the inhibition of [3H]ryanodine binding by Ruthenium Red, a Ca(2+)-release channel blocker, did not differ significantly (range 0.3-1.0 microM). The Ca(2+)-dependence curve (range 1 nM-10 mM free Ca2+) that we have observed at 5 nM ryanodine, for [3H]ryanodine binding to terminal cisternae from rabbit fast-twitch, as well as slow-twitch muscle, is bell-shaped and differs from that obtained with cardiac terminal cisternae from the same species. Cardiac ryanodine receptor is also clearly distinguishable for electrophoretic mobility, Cleveland's peptide maps, and, most strikingly, for total lack of cross-reactivity with polyclonal antibody to fast skeletal RyR. By the same properties, the ryanodine receptor of fast- and slow-twitch muscle appear to be the same or a similar protein. On investigating the composition of calsequestrin in rat and human skeletal muscles, both in membrane-bound form and after purification by phenyl-Sepharose chromatography, we have been able to show that, independent of the animal species, the cardiac isoform, as characterized by the identical amino-terminal amino-acid sequence, pattern of immunoreactivity, and lack of Ca(2+)-dependent shift in mobility on SDS-PAGE, is exclusively expressed in slow-twitch fibres, together with the main fast-skeletal calsequestrin isoform. While our experimental findings strongly argue for the presence of only one population of skeletal-specific Ca(2+)-release channels in junctional terminal cisternae of mammalian fast-twitch and slow-twitch muscle, they at the same time suggest the existence of differences in calsequestrin modulation of Ca(2+)-release, depending on its isoform composition.

Development of the excitation-contraction coupling apparatus in skeletal muscle: peripheral and internal calcium release units are formed sequentially

The development of calcium release units and of transverse tubules has been studied in skeletal muscle fibres from embryonal and newborn chicken. Three constituents of calcium release units: the tetrads, the feet and an internal protein directly associated with junctional surface of the sarcoplasmic reticulum are visualized by various electron microscope techniques. Evidence in the literature indicates that the three components correspond to the voltage sensors, the sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium release channels and the calcium binding protein calsequestrin respectively. We recognize two stages at which important events in membrane morphogenesis occur. The first stage coincides with early myofibrillogenesis (starting at approximately embryonal day E5.5), and it involves the assembly of calcium release units at the periphery of the muscle fibre in which feet and the internal protein are identified. Groups of tetrads also are present at very early stages and their disposition indicates a relation to the feet of peripheral couplings. Thus three major components of the excitation-contraction coupling pathway are in place as soon as myofibrils develop. The density of groups of tetrads in the surface membrane of primary and secondary fibres is similar, despite differences in developmental stages. The second stage involves the formation of a complex transverse tubule network and of internal sarcoplasmic reticulum-transverse tubule junctions, while peripheral couplings disappear. This stage starts abruptly (between E15 and E16) and simultaneously in primary and secondary fibres. It coincides with the myotube-to-myofibre transition. The two stages are separated by a relatively long intervening period (between E9 and E16). During the latter part of this period some primitive transverse tubules appear, and form junctions with the sarcoplasmic reticulum, but they remain strictly located at the periphery of the fibre and are not numerous. Finally, after the second stage there is a prolonged (up to 4 weeks) period of maturation, during which density of free sarcoplasmic reticulum increases, triads acquire a location at the A-I junction and fibre type differences appear. We conclude that a system for calcium uptake, storage and release exists at the periphery of the myotube during early myogenesis. The complexity of the system and its ability to deliver calcium through the entire fibre develop in parallel to the formation of myofibrils.

Biochemical evidence for a complex involving dihydropyridine receptor and ryanodine receptor in triad junctions of skeletal muscle

Membrane vesicles enriched in both ryanodine receptor and dihydropyridine receptor were obtained from rabbit skeletal muscle and solubilized with 3-[(3-cholamidopropyl)dimethylammonio]-1-propanesulfonate. Analysis of the sedimentation behavior of the solubilized proteins showed the existence of a population of alpha 1 subunits of the dihydropyridine receptor which cosedimented with the ryanodine receptor. Solubilized proteins were immunoprecipitated with antibodies directed against either the ryanodine receptor or the alpha 1, alpha 2, or beta subunits of the dihydropyridine receptor. Immunoprecipitated proteins were identified by Western blot analysis and by specific labeling with [3H]ryanodine or [3H]PN200-110. Immunoprecipitation of the solubilized proteins with antibodies directed against the dihydropyridine receptor led to the coimmunoprecipitation of the ryanodine receptor. Conversely, immunoprecipitation with antibodies directed against the ryanodine receptor led to an immune complex containing both receptors, but these antibodies were unable to precipitate purified dihydropyridine receptor. These results demonstrate that ryanodine receptor and dihydropyridine receptor are present in the triad membrane preparation in a complex which may play an important role in excitation-contraction coupling.