"Calciosome," a cytoplasmic organelle: the inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate-sensitive Ca2+ store of nonmuscle cells?

The role of ions and second messengers in circadian clock function

The fact that single cells can exhibit circadian rhythmicity simultaneously in quite different processes, such as those of photosynthesis, bioluminescence, and cell division, suggests that membrane-bound compartmentalization is important for temporal organization. Since these rhythms, as well as others, are known to be affected by changes in the ionic environment and are probably membrane-bound systems, it is not surprising that transmembrane ion transport or flux has been proposed to be a key feature of the underlying circadian oscillator(s). Likewise, signal transduction along the entrainment pathway leading to the clock, among the elements, or "gears," of the timing loop itself, and within the output pathway between the oscillator and its "hands" likely is mediated by ions and second messengers. In this overview, we examine the theoretical and experimental evidence supporting the possible roles of intracellular free calcium and cyclic AMP in these capacities, particularly in view of the fact that oscillations in the concentrations of both species have been proposed to form the basis of pacemaker activity and other biological rhythms.

Lipid droplets of neuroepithelial cells are a major calcium storage site during neural tube formation in chick and mouse embryos

In situ precipitation of calcium (Ca2+) with fluoride and antimonate shows that Ca(2+)-specific precipitate is localized almost exclusively within lipid droplets of neuroepithelial cells during neural tube formation in chick and mouse embryos. The density of Ca2+ precipitate within lipid droplets is generally greater in the apical ends of cells situated in regions of the neuroepithelium that are actively engaged in bending. These findings suggest that lipid droplets, in addition to providing a source of metabolic fuel for developing neuroepithelial cells, also serve as Ca(2+)-storage and -releasing sites during neurulation.

Calcium binding proteins in the sarcoplasmic/endoplasmic reticulum of muscle and nonmuscle cells

In this paper we review some of the large quantities of information currently available concerning the identification, structure and function of Ca(2+)-binding proteins of endoplasmic and sarcoplasmic reticulum membranes. The review places particular emphasis on identification and discussion of Ca2+ 'storage' proteins in these membranes. We believe that the evidence reviewed here supports the contention that the Ca(2+)-binding capacity of both calsequestrin and calreticulin favor their contribution as the major Ca(2+)-binding proteins of muscle and nonmuscle cells, respectively. Other Ca(2+)-binding proteins discovered in both endoplasmic reticulum and sarcoplasmic reticulum membranes probably contribute to the overall Ca2+ storage capacity of these membrane organelles, and they also play other important functional role such as posttranslational modification of newly synthesized proteins, a cytoskeletal (structural) function, or movement of Ca2+ within the lumen of the sarcoplasmic/endoplasmic reticulum towards the storage sites.

Association of cytoplasmic free Ca2+ gradients with subcellular organelles

Previous investigations have identified gradients of intracellular free (Ca2+)i (Ca2+i) in the cytoplasm of human fibroblasts. In this study we have compared the spatial distribution of these gradients with the subcellular distribution of cytoplasmic organelles. Using the Ca(2+)-sensitive dye fura-2 and organelle-specific fluorescent dyes, we have found that the highest Ca2+ concentrations are found in the perinuclear cytoplasm and that these regions co-localize with the Golgi apparatus. The area occupied by the endoplasmic reticulum, which includes the Golgi region plus an adjacent area, is also significantly elevated above the average cellular (Ca2+)i. Most mitochondria are located in regions different from those with the highest (Ca2+)i. A variety of phenomena which could have given rise to artifactual (Ca2+)i gradients have been ruled out, including compartmentalization of fura-2 in subcellular organelles, incomplete hydrolysis of fura-2AM esters, and the presence of pH gradients which might change the Ca2+ binding characteristics of fura-2. The existence of gradients in (Ca2+)i between ER and Golgi containing regions of the cytoplasm supports the hypothesis (Sambrook: Cell 61:197-199, 1990) that the traffic of membrane bound vesicles from ER to Golgi is directed by local variations in (Ca2+)i.

Localisation of the [32P]IP3 binding site on human platelet intracellular membranes isolated by high-voltage free-flow electrophoresis

This study reports the localisation of the [32P]IP3 binding site on highly purified membrane fractions prepared using high-voltage free-flow electrophoresis. Binding studies on mixed membranes, carried out at 4 degrees C, revealed a binding site with a Kd = 86 nM and beta max = 5.3 pmol/mg protein. The binding was potently inhibited by heparin. High-voltage free-flow electrophoresis was used to further purify surface and intracellular membranes. The intracellular membranes showed a 5-fold enrichment of binding sites with respect to the parent mixed membranes with the same Kd (80 nM), but the surface membranes showed an absence of binding activity. The results indicate the localisation of the IP3 receptor on highly purified intracellular membranes.

Purification of an inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate-binding calreticulin-containing intracellular compartment of HL-60 cells

To investigate the identity of Ins(1,4,5)P3-sensitive intracellular Ca2+ stores in myeloid cells, we have developed a method that yields subcellular fractions highly enriched in Ins(1,4,5)P3 binding. HL-60 cells were disrupted by nitrogen cavitation, and subcellular fractions were obtained by differential centrifugation, followed by Percoll- and sucrose-density-gradient separations. A subcellular fraction enriched 26-fold in Ins(1,4,5)P3-binding sites was obtained. This fraction showed no enrichment in plasma-membrane markers and only a comparatively moderate enrichment (7-fold) in endoplasmic-reticulum markers. The ratio between specific enrichment of Ins(1,4,5)P3 binding and endoplasmic-reticulum markers in the different fractions varied over 50-fold, from less than 0.1 to greater than 5. The purified Ins(1,4,5)P3-binding fraction was enriched to a similar extent (27-fold) in the putative intravesicular Ca(2+)-storage protein calreticulin. Our results favour the concept of a distinct Ins(1,4,5)P3-binding, calreticulin-containing compartment (i.e. the calciosome) in HL-60 cells.

s-cyclophilin is retained intracellularly via a unique COOH-terminal sequence and colocalizes with the calcium storage protein calreticulin

Cyclophilins (cyclosporin A-binding proteins) are conserved, ubiquitous, and abundant proteins that accelerate the isomerization of XaaPro peptide bonds and the refolding of proteins in vitro. s-Cyclophilin is a member of the cyclophilin family with unique NH2- and COOH-terminal extensions, and with a signal sequence. We now report that s-cyclophilin is retained in the cell, and that the conserved s-cyclophilin-specific COOH-terminal extension VEKPFAIAKE is sufficient to direct a secretory protein to s-cyclophilin containing structures. Antibodies to s-cyclophilin-specific peptides were produced and the location of the protein was determined by an immunocytochemical study at the light microscopic level. s-Cyclophilin colocalized with the Ca(2+)-binding protein calreticulin and, to a lesser extent, with the microsomal Ca(2+)-ATPase in the myogenic cell line L6, and with the Ca(2+)-binding protein calsequestrin in skeletal muscle. In activated platelets, s-cyclophilin immunoreactivity was detected in a ring-like structure that might correspond to the Ca(2+)-storing and -releasing dense tubular network. In spreading cells, s-cyclophilin containing vesicular structures accumulated at actin-rich protrusion sites. While s-cyclophilin consistently codistributed with Ca2+ storage site markers, the distribution of s-cyclophilin immunoreactivity was not identical to that of ER markers. To determine whether the COOH-terminal extension of s-cyclophilin was involved in its intracellular transport we added this sequence to the COOH-terminus of the secretory protein glia-derived nexin. Appropriate constructs were expressed transiently in cultured cells and proteins were detected with specific antibodies. We found that glia-derived nexin with the COOH-terminal sequence VEKPFAIAKE (but not with the control sequence GLVVMNIT) colocalized with endogenous s-cyclophilin, indicating that the sequence contained retention information. These results indicate that s-cyclophilin is a retained component of an intracellular organelle and that it may accumulate in specialized portions of the ER, and possibly in calciosomes. Because of its conserved structure, widespread distribution, and abundance s-cyclophilin may be a useful marker to study the biogenesis and distribution of ER subcompartments.

Calcium signals in growth factor signal transduction

There is a substantial amount of information which has been obtained concerning the effects of growth factors on [Ca2+]i in proliferating cells. A number of different mitogens are known to induce elevations in [Ca2+]i and some characterization of the Ca2+ response to different classes of mitogens has been obtained. In addition, much is known about whether the Ca2+ response to a particular growth factor occurs as the result of an influx of external Ca2+ or a mobilization of internal Ca2+ stores. In addition, a considerable amount of information is available on the mechanism by which the Ins(1,4,5)P3-sensitive internal Ca2+ store takes up and releases Ca2+. However, there is still a large deficiency in our information concerning other Ca2+ stores in proliferating cells as well as in our knowledge of the mechanisms for regulating Ca2+ entry pathways. Much more data addressing these issues exists for other types of agonist-stimulated cells, and we have discussed much of it in this review article. While the wealth of data in nonproliferating cells provides some indications of what mechanisms might be involved in the growth factor-induced changes in [Ca2+]i, it is clear that much work must be done in proliferating cells to fully understand how external factors such as growth factors control [Ca2+]i. In addition, much work remains to be done in identifying the mechanisms for the internal control of [Ca2+]i as cells move through the cell cycle and in identifying the role that these changes in [Ca2+]i may play throughout the cell cycle.

Ca-mediated stimulation of Cl secretion by reactive oxygen metabolites in human colonic T84 cells

Monochloramine (NH2Cl), a granulocyte-derived reactive oxygen metabolite (ROM), increases short-circuit current (Isc) in cultured T84 monolayers in a concentration-dependent manner up to nonlethal concentrations of 75 microM. Isc increases slowly after NH2Cl, reaching a peak value of 18 +/- 2 microA/cm2 20 min after addition. The Isc changes are persistent (lasting over 20-30 min), depend on medium Cl, and are inhibitable with bumetanide. 36Cl flux studies demonstrated that NH2Cl increases serosa-to-mucosa flux of Cl without changing mucosa-to-serosa flux, consistent with stimulation of electrogenic Cl secretion. Isc responses to NH2Cl, but not PGE2, are dependent on medium calcium. As demonstrated in fura-2-loaded T84 cells, NH2Cl increases free cytosolic calcium by influx of extracellular Ca2+ and by release of Ca2+ from endogenous stores. However, NH2Cl had no effect on phosphatidylinositol metabolism or cyclic nucleotide levels. We conclude that ROM directly stimulate electrolyte secretion, an effect in part mediated by increases in cytosolic Ca2+, possibly through increasing Ca2+ permeability of cellular membranes.

Increased expression of the inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor in human leukaemic (HL-60) cells differentiated with retinoic acid or dimethyl sulphoxide

The Ins(1,4,5)P3 receptor was examined in human promyelocytic leukaemic cells (HL-60) and in HL-60 cells differentiated towards granulocytes with either retinoic acid (RA) or dimethyl sulphoxide (Me2SO). HL-60 cell membranes enriched in marker enzyme activities of the endoplasmic reticulum and the plasma membrane possess a high-affinity binding site for [3H]Ins(1,4,5)P3 (KD = 22 nM). Electrotransfer studies indicate that Ins(1,4,[32P]5)P3 binds specifically to a 260 kDa protein of HL-60 cell membranes. This Ins(1,4,5)P3-binding protein selectively binds Ca(2+)-mobilizing inositol phosphates and other inositol phosphates which also bind to the purified InsP3 receptor, suggesting that the Ins(1,4,5)P3-binding protein of HL-60 cell membranes is the InsP3 receptor. When HL-60 cells are incubated with 1 microM-RA or with 1.25% Me2SO the cells differentiate within 5-7 days into cells resembling neutrophils in both structure and function. Treated cells cease to proliferate, acquire the ability to reduce Nitro Blue Tetrazolium dye, and undergo morphological changes typical of differentiated granulocytes. Concomitant with HL-60 cell differentiation, the maximal [3H]Ins(1,4,5)P3 binding in membranes increases 3-4-fold, with no change in KD. The results suggest that there is an absolute increase in the level of the InsP3 receptor during HL-60 cell differentiation and that the expression of this signal-transducing protein may be specifically regulated by differentiation factors.

Demonstration of calcium uptake and release by sea urchin egg cortical endoplasmic reticulum

The calcium indicator dye fluo-3/AM was loaded into the ER of isolated cortices of unfertilized eggs of the sea urchin Arbacia punctulata. Development of the fluorescent signal took from 8 to 40 min and usually required 1 mM ATP. The signal decreased to a minimum level within 30 s after perfusion with 1 microM InsP3 and increased within 5 min when InsP3 was replaced with 1 mM ATP. Also, the fluorescence signal was lowered rapidly by perfusion with 10 microM A23187 or 10 microM ionomycin. These findings demonstrate that the cortical ER is a site of ATP-dependent calcium sequestration and InsP3-induced calcium release. A light-induced wave of calcium release, traveling between 0.7 and 2.8 microns/s (average speed 1.4 microns/s, N = 8), was sometimes observed during time lapse recordings; it may therefore be possible to use the isolated cortex preparation to investigate the postfertilization calcium wave.

The superoxide-generating oxidase of phagocytic cells. Physiological, molecular and pathological aspects

Professional phagocytes (neutrophils, eosinophils, monocytes and macrophages) possess an enzymatic complex, the NADPH oxidase, which is able to catalyze the one-electron reduction of molecular oxygen to superoxide, O2-. The NADPH oxidase is dormant in non-activated phagocytes. It is suddenly activated upon exposure of phagocytes to the appropriate stimuli and thereby contributes to the microbicidal activity of these cells. Oxidase activation in phagocytes involves the assembly, in the plasma membrane, of membrane-bound and cytosolic components of the oxidase complex, which were diassembled in the resting state. One of the membrane-bound components in resting phagocytes has been identified as a low-potential b-type cytochrome, a heterodimer composed of two subunits of 22-kDa and 91-kDa. The link between NADPH and cytochrome b is probably a flavoprotein whose subcellular localization in resting phagocytes remains to be determined. Genetic defects in the cytochrome b subunits and in the cytosolic factors have been shown to be the molecular basis of chronic granulomatous disease, a group of inherited disorders in the host defense, characterized by severe, recurrent bacterial and fungal infections in which phagocytic cells fail to generate O2- upon stimulation. The present review is focused on recent data concerning the signaling pathway which leads to oxidase activation, including specific receptors, the production of second messengers, the organization of the oxidase complex and the molecular defects responsible for granulomatous disease.

Effects of inositol trisphosphate on calcium mobilization in bone cells

The effect of inositol 1,4,5 trisphosphate (IP3) on calcium mobilization was studied in human osteosarcoma lines, Saos-2 and G292, as well as isolated rat osteoblastic and osteoclastic cells. Cells were permeabilized with saponin and calcium mobilization was studied with the fluorescent dye, fura-2 in a recording spectrofluorometer. IP3 (10 microM) increased calcium release in all cell types studied. The effect was dependent on ATP and occurred in the presence of mitochondrial inhibitors. The effect was not seen with inositol 1-phosphate (IP) or inositol 1,4-diphosphate (IP2). Inositol 1,3,4,5 tetrakisphosphate (IP4) appeared to elicit a decrease in the calcium released. Depletion of the intracellular pool with the calcium ionophore, ionomycin, as well as incubation with the inhibitor of intracellular calcium mobilization, TMB-8, obliterated the IP3 effect. The results are consistent with the hypothesis that increases in IP3 can cause a rapid elevation of bone cell cytosolic calcium.

Regulation of expression and intracellular distribution of calreticulin, a major calcium binding protein of nonmuscle cells

In the present study we have demonstrated the presence of calreticulin, a major Ca(2+)-sequestering protein of nonmuscle cells, in a variety of cell types in tissue culture. The protein localizes to the endoplasmic reticulum in most cell types and also to the nuclear envelope or nucleoli-like structures in some cell types. Calreticulin is enriched in the rough endoplasmic reticulum, suggesting a possible involvement in protein synthesis. Calreticulin terminates with the KDEL-COOH sequence, which is likely responsible for its endoplasmic reticulum localization. Unlike some other KDEL proteins, calreticulin expression is neither heat-shock nor Ca(2+)-shock dependent. Using a variety of metabolic inhibitors, we have shown that the pool of calreticulin in L6 cells has a relatively slow turnover and a stable intracellular distribution. In proliferating muscle cells in culture (both L6 and human skeletal muscle) calreticulin is present in the endoplasmic reticulum, and additional intranuclear staining is observed. When fusion of the L6 cells is inhibited with either a high serum concentration or TGF-beta or TPA, the nucleolar staining by anticalreticulin antibodies is diminished, although the presence of calreticulin in the endoplasmic reticulum remains unchanged. In contrast, in differentiated (i.e., fused) muscle cells neither intranuclear nor intracellular staining for calreticulin is present. We conclude, therefore, that calreticulin is abundant in the endoplasmic reticulum in proliferating myoblasts, while it is present in only small amounts in sarcoplasmic reticulum membranes in terminally differentiated myotubes. We propose a model for the domain structure of calreticulin that may explain the differential subcellular distribution of this protein. Because of its widespread distribution in nonmuscle tissues, we postulate that calreticulin is a multifunctional protein that plays an important role in Ca(2+) sequestering and thus that it is the nonmuscle analog of calsequestrin.

High-density lipoproteins induce a rapid and transient release of Ca2+ in cultured fibroblasts

Several different cell types showed increased rates of proliferation and cholesterol mobilization in response to treatment with high-density lipoprotein (HDL). This would suggest that one main function of HDL is the activation of signal pathways in cells. In the current study we have used the fluorescent indicator fura-2 to monitor the level of cytosolic Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) in human skin fibroblasts. Exposure of subconfluent as well as confluent fibroblasts to HDL3 (20-60 micrograms/ml) resulted in a rapid and transient increase in [Ca2+]i. Sequential additions of HDL3 resulted in diminished rises in [Ca2+]i. The transient rise in [Ca2+]i was observed with HDL prepared from plasma either by conventional ultracentrifugation or by precipitation with dextran sulphate. Chelation of the extracellular Ca2+ with EGTA prior to the addition of HDL3 did not prevent the HDL3-induced rise in [Ca2+]i, suggesting that the mobilized Ca2+ was derived mainly from intracellular stores. Covalent modification of the apoproteins of HDL3 with dimethyl suberimidate or tetranitromethane did not inhibit the HDL3-induced rise in [Ca2+]i. This indicates that the binding of HDL3 to cell surface receptors may not be necessary for the mobilization of intracellular Ca2+. Moreover, the Ca(2+)-releasing effect of HDL3 was not inhibited by the presence of albumin (1%, w/v) in the extracellular medium, suggesting that non-esterified fatty acids were not the cause of the increased [Ca2+]i. The exposure of fibroblasts to lysophosphatidic acid, a potent mitogen and Ca(2+)-releasing agent, before addition of HDL3 completely inhibited the HDL3-induced rise in [Ca2+]i. Furthermore, phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate blocked the HDL3-induced rise in [Ca2+]i. The results of this study imply that exposure of cells to HDL generates an intracellular signal which is induced by a component of the lipid fraction.

Involvement of second messenger systems in stimulation of angiotensin converting enzyme of bovine endothelial cells

We have demonstrated previously that a variety of agents including corticosteroids, thyroid hormone, cationophores, methylxanthines, and analogues of cAMP--all of which have diversified functions in various tissues--elevate cellular angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) activity of bovine endothelial cells in culture. In addition to these agents, we have now found that direct and receptor-mediated stimulators of adenylate cyclase, i.e., forskolin and cholera toxin, increase cellular ACE activity after 48 h incubation in culture. In an attempt to search out a more unifying concept of these stimulatory effects, we have further investigated the roles of second messengers in the stimulatory actions. Ca2+ ionophore A23187 produced significant increases in both intracellular Ca2+ and ACE of endothelial cells. In contrast to Ca2+ ionophore, agents that transiently mobilize Ca2+ from intracellular reserves such as bradykinin, acetylcholine, and ATP have no effect on the level of cellular ACE. Representative agents that elevate cellular cAMP (e.g., isobutyl methylxanthine [IBMX] and dibutyryl cAMP) elevated cellular ACE, but the slightly increased [Ca2+]i produced by these agents did not reach statistical significance. While IBMX, cholera toxin, and forskolin elevated cellular cAMP, other ACE stimulatory agents (hormones and cationophores) had no effect on cAMP. Ca2+ ionophore and the agents that elevated intracellular cAMP potentiated the effect of dexamethasone, thyroid hormone, and aldosterone in elevating cellular ACE activity. Increases in ACE activity produced by all stimulants were inhibited by the presence of 10-50 nM ouabain in the culture medium. Inhibition of ACE elevation by oubain was reversed by increasing the extracellular [K+], thereby implicating Na+, K(+)-ATPase in the ACE regulatory mechanism. These results support the presence of multiple independent mechanisms for the regulation of cellular ACE. In addition to possible involvement of intracellular Ca(2+)- and cAMP-dependent pathways, ACE is also increased by corticosteroids and thyroid hormone through mechanisms unrelated to Ca2+ and cAMP.

Calcium-dependent control of volume regulation in renal proximal tubule cells: I. Swelling-activated Ca2+ entry and release

The mechanism of Ca(2+)-dependent control of hypotonic cell volume regulation was investigated in the isolated, nonperfused renal proximal straight tubule. When proximal tubules were exposed to hypotonic solution with 1 mM Ca2+, cells swelled rapidly and then underwent regulatory volume decrease (RVD). This treatment resulted in an increase in intracellular free calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) by a mechanism that had two phases: the first was a transient increase from baseline (136 nM) to a peak (413 nM) that occurred in the first 15-20 sec, but was followed by a rapid decay toward the pre-swelling levels. The second phase was characterized by a sustained elevation of [Ca2+]i above the baseline (269 nM), which was maintained over several minutes. The dependence of these two phases on extracellular Ca2+ was determined. Reduction of bath [Ca2+] to 10 or 1 microM partially diminished the transient phase, but abolished the sustained phase completely, such that [Ca2+]i fell below the baseline levels during RVD. It was concluded that the transient increase resulted predominantly from swelling-activated release of intracellular Ca2+ stores and that the sustained phase was due to swelling-activated Ca2+ entry across the plasma membrane. Ca2+ entry probably also contributed to the transient increase in [Ca2+]i. The time dependence of swelling-activated Ca2+ entry was also investigated, since it was previously shown that RVD was characterized by a "calcium window" period (less than 60 sec), during which extracellular Ca2+ was required. Outside of this time period, RVD would inactivate and could not be reactivated by subsequent addition of Ca2+. It was found that the Ca2+ permeability did not inactivate over several minutes, indicating that the temporal dependence of RVD on extracellular Ca2+ is not due to the transient activation of a Ca2+ entry pathway.

Ca(2+)-storage organelles

Intracellular Ca(2+)-storage organelles are found in virtually all eukaryotic cells. They play an important role in the regulation of the cytosolic free Ca2+ concentration and, thereby, in the regulation of cellular activity. Ca(2+)-storage organelles consist, in the simplest model of a Ca2+ pump, of a Ca(2+)-storage protein and a Ca(2+)-release channel. The primary structure of these functionally important proteins of Ca(2+)-storage organelles is similar in different cell types and conserved through evolution. In contrast, their spatial arrangement and, thus, the architecture of Ca(2+)-storage organelles may vary dramatically from one cell type to another.

Ryanodine and inositol trisphosphate receptors coexist in avian cerebellar Purkinje neurons

Two intracellular calcium-release channel proteins, the inositol trisphosphate (InsP3), and ryanodine receptors, have been identified in mammalian and avian cerebellar Purkinje neurons. In the present study, biochemical and immunological techniques were used to demonstrate that these proteins coexist in the same avian Purkinje neurons, where they have different intracellular distributions. Western analyses demonstrate that antibodies produced against the InsP3 and the ryanodine receptors do not cross-react. Based on their relative rates of sedimentation in continuous sucrose gradients and SDS-PAGE, the avian cerebellar InsP3 receptor has apparent native and subunit molecular weights of approximately 1,000 and 260 kD, while those of the ryanodine receptors are approximately 2,000 and 500 kD. Specific [3H]InsP3- and [3H]ryanodine-binding activities were localized in the sucrose gradient fractions enriched in the 260-kD and the approximately 500-kD polypeptides, respectively. Under equilibrium conditions, cerebellar microsomes bound [3H]InsP3 with a Kd of 16.8 nM and Bmax of 3.8 pmol/mg protein; whereas, [3H]ryanodine was bound with a Kd of 1.5 nM and a capacity of 0.08 pmol/mg protein. Immunolocalization techniques, applied at both the light and electron microscopic levels, revealed that the InsP3 and ryanodine receptors have overlapping, yet distinctive intracellular distributions in avian Purkinje neurons. Most notably the InsP3 receptor is localized in endomembranes of the dendritic tree, in both the shafts and spines. In contrast, the ryanodine receptor is observed in dendritic shafts, but not in the spines. Both receptors appear to be more abundant at main branch points of the dendritic arbor. In Purkinje neuron cell bodies, both the InsP3 and ryanodine receptors are present in smooth and rough ER, subsurface membrane cisternae and to a lesser extent in the nuclear envelope. In some cases the receptors coexist in the same membranes. Neither protein is observed at the plasma membrane, Golgi complex or mitochondrial membranes. Both the InsP3 and ryanodine receptors are associated with intracellular membrane systems in axonal processes, although they are less abundant there than in dendrites. These data demonstrate that InsP3 and ryanodine receptors exist as unique proteins in the same Purkinje neuron. These calcium-release channels appear to coexist in ER membranes in most regions of the Purkinje neurons, but importantly they are differentially distributed in dendritic processes, with the dendritic spines containing only InsP3 receptors.

Intracellular Ca2+ stores in chicken Purkinje neurons: differential distribution of the low affinity-high capacity Ca2+ binding protein, calsequestrin, of Ca2+ ATPase and of the ER lumenal protein, Bip

To identify intracellular Ca2+ stores, we have mapped (by cryosection immunofluorescence and immunogold labeling) the distribution in the chicken cerebellar cortex of an essential component, the main low affinity-high capacity Ca2+ binding protein which in this tissue has been recently shown undistinguishable from muscle calsequestrin (Volpe, P., B. H. Alderson-Lang, L. Madeddu, E. Damiani, J. H. Collins, and A. Margreth. 1990. Neuron. 5:713-721). Appreciable levels of the protein were found exclusively within Purkinje neurons, distributed to the cell body, the axon, and the elaborate dendritic tree, with little labeling, however, of dendritic spines. At the EM level the protein displayed a dual localization: within the ER (rough- and smooth-surfaced cisternae, including the cisternal stacks recently shown [in the rat] to be highly enriched in receptors for inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate) and, over 10-fold more concentrated, within a population of moderately dense, membrane-bound small vacuoles and tubules, identified as calciosomes. These latter structures were widely distributed both in the cell body (approximately 1% of the cross-sectional area, particularly concentrated near the Golgi complex) and in the dendrites, up to the entrance of the spines. The distribution of calsequestrin was compared to those of another putative component of the Ca2+ stores, the membrane pump Ca2+ ATPase, and of the ER resident lumenal protein, Bip. Ca2+ ATPase was expressed by both calciosomes and regular ER cisternae, but excluded from cisternal stacks; Bip was abundant within the ER lumena (cisternae and stacks) and very low within calciosomes (average calsequestrin/Bip immunolabeling ratios were approximately 0.5 and 36.5 in the two types of structure, respectively). These results suggest that ER cisternal stacks do not represent independent Ca2+ stores, but operate coordinately with the adjacent, lumenally continuous ER cisternae. The ER and calciosomes could serve as rapidly exchanging Ca2+ stores, characterized however by different properties, in particular, by the greater Ca2+ accumulation potential of calciosomes. Hypotheses of calciosome biogenesis (directly from the ER or via the Golgi complex) are discussed.

Characterisation of distinct inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate-sensitive and caffeine-sensitive calcium stores in digitonin-permeabilised adrenal chromaffin cells

The effect of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate [Ins-(1,4,5)P3] and caffeine on Ca2+ release from digitonin-permeabilised bovine adrenal chromaffin cells was examined by using the Ca2+ indicator fura-2 to monitor [Ca2+]. Permeabilised cells accumulated Ca2+ in the presence of ATP and addition of either Ins(1,4,5)P3 or caffeine released 17% or 40-50%, respectively, of the accumulated Ca2+, indicated by sustained rises in [Ca2+] in the cell suspension. Prior addition of Ins(1,4,5)P3 had no effect on the magnitude of the response to a subsequent addition of caffeine. The response to Ins(1,4,5)P3 was prevented by prior addition of caffeine or CaCl2, indicating that the Ins(1,4,5)P3 response was blocked by elevated [Ca2+]. The responses were essentially identical in the presence of the proton ionophore carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone, indicating that the Ca2+ release was not from mitochondria or secretory granules and that a proton gradient was not required for Ca2+ accumulation into the Ins(1,4,5)P3- or caffeine-sensitive stores. Ca2+ release from the caffeine-sensitive store was selectively blocked by ryanodine. The Ins(1,4,5)P3-sensitive store was emptied by thapsigargin, which had no effect on caffeine responses. These data suggest that permeabilised chromaffin cells possess two distinct nonoverlapping Ca2+ stores sensitive to either Ins(1,4,5)P3 or caffeine and support previous conclusions that these stores possess different Ca2(+)-ATPases.

Identification, kinetic properties and intracellular localization of the (Ca(2+)-Mg2+)-ATPase from the intracellular stores of chicken cerebellum

The microsomal fraction of chicken cerebellum expresses a large amount of Ca(2+)-ATPase (105 kDa), which is phosphorylated by ATP in the presence of Ca2+. The Ca(2+)-ATPase activity is highly sensitive to temperature and to the presence of detergents. This ATPase has kinetic properties similar to those of chicken skeletal-muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum, as (i) it is activated by low (microM) and inhibited by high (mM) Ca2+ concentrations, (ii) it shows biphasic activation with ATP and (iii) it is inhibited by vanadate. However, the vanadate-sensitivity is at least 10 times greater than that observed in chicken skeletal or cardiac sarcoplasmic-reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPases. Thus, despite cross-reacting with antibodies against the cardiac and skeletal isoforms, the cerebellar microsomal Ca(2+)-ATPase appears to be distinct from both muscle enzymes. The Ca(2+)-ATPase is concentrated in, but not exclusive to, Purkinje neurons. In Purkinje neurons the Ca(2+)-ATPase appears to be expressed throughout the cell body, the dendritic tree (and the spines) and the axons. At the electron-microscope level the Ca(2+)-ATPase is found in smooth and rough endoplasmic-reticulum cisternae as well as in other, yet unidentified, smooth-surfaced structures.

The involvement of extracellular calcium in the formation of 5-lipoxygenase metabolites by human polymorphonuclear leukocytes

We have addressed the question why in the presence of a Ca2+ ionophore human polymorphonuclear leukocytes generate leukotrienes in high yields, but in only low amounts after stimulation by receptor agonists like fMLF (fM, formylmethionine), leukotriene B4 or platelet-activating factor (PAF), although a significant release of intracellular calcium can be measured. Using ionomycin we can show that from the two enzymes involved, phospholipase A2 and 5-lipoxygenase, the first requires a threshold level of about 350-400 nM calcium whereas 5-lipoxygenase shows a linear dependence on calcium and saturates at this concentration. Our data indicate that the Ca2+ requirement of phospholipase A2 can only be met by an additional influx of extracellular calcium, whereas 5-lipoxygenase will operate already at levels provided by intracellular stores. Consequently, the complexing of extracellular calcium by EGTA stops phospholipase A2 activity immediately, whereas added arachidonate can be still adequately metabolized by intracellular Ca2+ release triggered by fMLF or PAF. Interestingly, PAF shows a stronger extracellular component in its Ca2+ transient than fMLF, and also generates more 5-lipoxygenase metabolites. However, a clear correlation between the amount of 5-lipoxygenase metabolites and the extracellular Ca2+ signal was lacking, since maximal activity was achieved before the bulk of the extracellular calcium was monitored. Ca2+ influx after PAF stimulation could be blocked after 2 min by EGTA, but a further increase in the formation of 5-lipoxygenase metabolites was observed. In contrast ionomycin-elicited 5-lipoxygenase activity could be stopped at any time shortly after EGTA addition.

Purification of a high-affinity inositol 1,3,4,5-tetrakisphosphate receptor from brain

Ins(1,3,4,5)P4 has been suggested to be involved in cellular Ca2+ signalling. A receptor from pig cerebellar membranes, which binds InsP4 with high affinity and selectivity [Donié & Reiser (1989) FEBS Lett. 254, 155-158], has been solubilized and purified about 20,000-fold by chromatography using CM-cellulose, heparin-agarose and hydroxyapatite. The InsP4 receptor, identified by SDS/PAGE, had an apparent molecular mass of 42 kDa and bound 4.6 nmol of InsP4 per mg of protein, with a dissociation constant of 5.6 nM.

The inositol phosphate/diacylglycerol signalling pathway in Trypanosoma cruzi

Using [32P]Pi and [3H]inositol as precursors, we have detected the presence of phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate and phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate, and their derivatives inositol phosphate, inositol 1,4-bisphosphate and inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate respectively, in Trypanosoma cruzi epimastigotes. Using digitonin-permeabilized cells it was possible to detect a stimulation in the formation of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate and inositol 1,4-bisphosphate as well as an increased generation of diacylglycerol in the presence of 1 mM-CaCl2. These results are consistent with the operation of a functional inositol phosphate/diacylglycerol pathway in T. cruzi, and constitute the first demonstration of the presence and activation of this pathway in a parasitic protozoan. These results also indicate that this pathway is conserved during evolution from lower to higher eukaryotic organisms.

Subcellular distribution of the calcium-storing inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate-sensitive organelle in rat liver. Possible linkage to the plasma membrane through the actin microfilaments

The role of Ins(1,4,5)P3 in the mobilization of Ca2+ from intracellular stores of non-muscle cells has been extensively demonstrated; however, the nature of the organelle releasing the Ca2+ is still poorly understood. The distributions of the Ins(1,4,5)P3-binding sites and of the Ins(1,4,5)P3-sensitive Ca2+ pool were investigated in subcellular fractions obtained from rat liver and compared with those of other markers. The Ins(1,4,5)P3-binding vesicles appeared to be completely distinct from the endoplasmic-reticulum-derived microsomes and were enriched in the same fractions which were enriched in alkaline phosphodiesterase I activity. This co-purification of the plasma-membrane marker with the Ins(1,4,5)P3-binding sites was dramatically altered after freezing or after treatment of the homogenate with the microfilament-disruptive drug cytochalasin B, suggesting that the Ins(1,4,5)P3-sensitive organelle may be linked to the plasma membrane through the actin microfilaments. No correlation was observed between the Ins(1,4,5)P3-binding capacity and the portion of the Ca2+ pool that was released by Ins(1,4,5)P3. This may result from the disruption of the native organelle during homogenization, leading to the formation of vesicles containing the Ins(1,4,5)P3 receptor, but lacking the Ca2+ pump. These results are consistent with the idea of a specialized Ins(1,4,5)P3-regulated organelle distinct from the endoplasmic reticulum, and we propose a model of the structural organization of this organelle, in which the anchorage to the cytoskeleton as well as the spatial separation of the Ca2+ pump from the Ins(1,4,5)P3 receptor have important functional significance.

Patterns of mineralization in vitro

Various patterns of mineralization are found in the organism during fetal and postnatal development. Different findings and theories have been published in the literature with regard to the mechanisms of mineralization, many of which are controversely discussed. In the present study the different patterns of mineralization observed in the organoid culture system of fetal rat calvarial cells were investigated by electron microscopy. In organoid culture, calvarial cells grow and differentiate at high density, and deposition of osteoid and mineralization of the matrix occur to a very high extent. Different types of mineralization could be observed more or less simultaneously. It was found that hydroxyapatite crystals were formed at collagen fibrils as well as in the interfibrillar space. Mineralization was frequently seen in necrotic cells and cellular remnants as well as in extra- and intracellular vesicles. Addition of bone or dentin matrices or the artificial hydroxyapatite Interpore 200 to the cells caused an increased mineralization in the vicinity and on the surface of the matrices with and without participation of collagen. On previously formed mineralized nodules, an apposition of mineralizing material appeared due to matrix secretion by osteoblasts. It is concluded that initiation of mineralization occurs--at least in vitro--at every nucleation point under appropriate conditions. These mineralization foci enlarge by further apposition as well as by cellular secretion of a mineralizing matrix. Furthermore, cell necroses may liberate mineralizable vesicles. All these patterns of mineralization are the result of different activities of one cell type.

Effects of phorbol ester and cholecystokinin on the intracellular distribution of protein kinase C in rabbit pancreatic acini

Treatment of rabbit pancreatic acini with the phorbol ester, 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA), resulted in a time- and dose-dependent decrease of soluble protein kinase C activity coinciding with an increase of protein kinase C activity in the particulate fraction. After 5 min, soluble protein kinase C activity had decreased to almost 10% of the corresponding control. Total extractable protein kinase C activity, however, remained unchanged, indicating that the decrease of soluble protein kinase C activity was not due to TPA-induced inactivation of the enzyme. The biologically inactive phorbol ester, 4 alpha-phorbol 12,13-didecanoate, did not induce such a translocation of protein kinase C. The half-maximal concentration for TPA-induced translocation of protein kinase C was 40 nM, and was equal to that for TPA-induced amylase secretion from isolated acini. This suggests that translocation of protein kinase C to the particulate fraction is an important step in TPA-induced activation of protein kinase C and enzyme secretion. On the other hand, cholecystokinin, a secretagogue of the calcium-mobilizing type, whose secretory action is thought to be mediated, at least in part, by protein kinase C, did not change the subcellular distribution of protein kinase C. In the presence of R59022 6-(2-[(4-fluorophenyl)phenylmethylene]-1-piperidinyl ) ethyl-7-methyl-5H-thiazolo[3,2-a]pyrimidin-5-one, an inhibitor of diacylglycerol kinase activity, cholecystokinin produced a small but significant translocation of protein kinase C, suggesting that the inability of the hormone to induce translocation is not due to a rapid conversion of the diacylglycerol formed into phosphatidic acid.

Second messengers derived from inositol lipids

Many hormones, growth factors, and neurotransmitters stimulate their target cells by promoting the hydrolysis of plasma-membrane phosphoinositides to form the two second messengers, diacylglycerol and inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate [Ins(1,4,5)P3]. In such cells, ligand-receptor interaction stimulates specific phospholipases that are activated by guanyl nucleotide regulatory G proteins or tyrosine phosphorylation. In many cells, the initial rise in cytoplasmic calcium due to Ins(1,4,5)P3-induced mobilization of calcium from agonist-sensitive stores is followed by a sustained phase of cytoplasmic calcium elevation that maintains the target-cell response, and is dependent on influx of extracellular calcium. Numerous inositol phosphates are formed during metabolism of the calcium-mobilizing messenger, inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate [Ins(1,4,5)P3], to lower and higher phosphorylated derivatives. The cloning of several phospholipase-C isozymes, as well as the Ins(1,4,5)P3-5 kinase and the Ins(1,4,5)P3 receptor, have clarified several aspects of the diversity and complexity of the phosphoinositide-calcium signaling system. In addition to their well-established roles in hormonal activation of cellular responses such as secretion and contraction, phospholipids and their hydrolysis products have been increasingly implicated in the actions of growth factors and oncogenes on cellular growth and proliferation.

Electron probe microanalysis of calcium release and magnesium uptake by endoplasmic reticulum in bee photoreceptors

Honey bee photoreceptors contain large sacs of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) that can be located unequivocally in freeze-dried cryosections. The elemental composition of the ER was determined by electron probe x-ray microanalysis and was visualized in high-resolution x-ray maps. In the ER of dark-adapted photoreceptors, the Ca concentration was 47.5 +/- 1.1 mmol/kg (dry weight) (mean +/- SEM). During a 3-sec nonsaturating light stimulus, approximately 50% of the Ca content was released from the ER. Light stimulation also caused a highly significant increase in the Mg content of the ER; the ratio of Mg uptake to Ca released was approximately 0.7. Our results show unambiguously that the ER is the source of Ca2+ release during cell stimulation and suggest that Mg2+ can nearly balance the charge movement of Ca2+.

Sensory transduction in eukaryotes. A comparison between Dictyostelium and vertebrate cells

The organization of multicellular organisms depends on cell-cell communication. The signal molecules are often soluble components in the extracellular fluid, but also include odors and light. A large array of surface receptors is involved in the detection of these signals. Signals are then transduced across the plasma membrane so that enzymes at the inner face of the membrane are activated, producing second messengers, which by a complex network of interactions activate target proteins or genes. Vertebrate cells have been used to study hormone and neurotransmitter action, vision, the regulation of cell growth and differentiation. Sensory transduction in lower eukaryotes is predominantly used for other functions, notably cell attraction for mating and food seeking. By comparing sensory transduction in lower and higher eukaryotes general principles may be recognized that are found in all organisms and deviations that are present in specialised systems. This may also help to understand the differences between cell types within one organism and the importance of a particular pathway that may or may not be general. In a practical sense, microorganisms have the advantage of their easy genetic manipulation, which is especially advantageous for the identification of the function of large families of signal transducing components.

Caffeine-sensitive calcium stores in bovine adrenal chromaffin cells

Caffeine was used to study the intracellular Ca2+ pools of bovine chromaffin cells. Its effects on cytosolic Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) were examined using fura-2. Caffeine caused a transient increase in [Ca2+]i in the presence or absence of extracellular Ca2+. In the former case, the caffeine-induced [Ca2+]i increase was higher and stayed above the basal value for several minutes. In the latter case, the [Ca2+]i rise was lower and fell to the basal level within 1 min. These results suggest that caffeine increases [Ca2+]i by causing both Ca2+ influx and Ca2+ release from intracellular pools. In the absence of extracellular Ca2+, ionomycin but not caffeine caused a further increase in [Ca2+]i in cells that had been treated with caffeine. Apparently there are at least two intracellular Ca2+ pools, only one of which is sensitive to caffeine. The caffeine-induced [Ca2+]i rise became smaller when the cells were pretreated with the inositol trisphosphate-generating agonists, methacholine and bradykinin. In addition, methacholine was unable to initiate a [Ca2+]i transient after the cells had been treated with caffeine. The results indicate that the caffeine-sensitive Ca2+ pools overlap with the inositol trisphosphate-sensitive pool and that the size of the latter pool is smaller than that of the former. The caffeine-sensitive Ca2+ pools were refilled after high K+ treatment, which suggests that the caffeine-sensitive Ca2+ pools may be important in buffering the cytosolic Ca2+. The effect of caffeine on [Ca2+]i is not due to inhibition of phosphodiesterase. Our results support a Ca2+ entry model in which depletion of intracellular Ca2+ pools controls the rate of Ca2+ entry across the plasma membrane.

Association of cellular thiol redox status with mitogen-induced calcium mobilization and cell cycle progression in human fibroblasts

Human gingival fibroblast cultures were used to investigate the role of cellular thiol redox status in the mitogenic response. Increases in intracellular Ca2+ and cell cycle progression beyond G1 were followed as parameters of cellular mitogen-induced responses. Ethionine provided a G1 stage synchronization and altered the cellular redox poise as measured by the ratio NAD(P)H/NAD(P)+. Cultures harvested immediately after the 6 day ethionine low-serum synchronization showed a significant oxidation of their redox poise. Synchronized cultures, which were also glutathione (GSH) depleted, still showed an oxidized redox poise and significantly reduced GSH levels following a 24 hr incubation in drug-free, rich medium. Cellular reduced nicotinamide nucleotide levels correlated strongly (r = 0.995) with capacity to mobilize intracellular Ca2+ in response to basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF). The sustained mitogenic response, as determined by cell cycle progression beyond G1, was also found to be interrelated with the cellular thiol redox status. Following a 24 hr recovery incubation in serum-rich medium, formerly synchronized cultures showed a rebound of their redox poise to a more reduced state and significant cell cycle progression beyond G1. In contrast, synchronized, GSH-depleted cultures did not progress and showed population distributions similar to those of cultures harvested immediately postsynchronization. Upon recovery of cellular GSH and reduced nicotinamide nucleotide levels, formerly GSH-depleted, growth-arrested cultures resumed cell cycle progression. The results suggest that the cellular response to specific mitogens is interrelated with the cellular thiol redox status. Cells that possess a thiol redox status below a threshold response point may have compromised Ca2+ sequestration and/or mobilization and therefore may be incapable of initiating the mitogen induced response cascade that culminates in cell cycle progression.

A Ca2+ transport system associated with the plasma membrane of Dictyostelium discoideum is activated by different chemoattractant receptors

Amebae of Dictyostelium exhibit a transient uptake of extracellular Ca2+ approximately 5 s after activation of surface folate or cAMP receptors (Bumann, J., B. Wurster, and D. Malchow. 1984. J. Cell Biol. 98:173-178). To further characterize these Ca2+ entry systems, we analyzed 45Ca2+ uptake by resting and activated amebae. Like the surface chemoreceptors, folate- and cAMP-induced Ca2+ uptake responses were developmentally regulated; the former response was evident in vegetative but not aggregation-competent cells, whereas the latter response displayed the opposite pattern of expression. In contrast, other characteristics of these Ca2(+)-uptake pathways were remarkably similar. Both systems (a) exhibited comparable kinetic properties, (b) displayed a high specificity for Ca2+, and (c) were inhibited effectively by Ruthenium Red, sodium azide, and carbonylcyanide m-chlorophenyl-hydrazone. These results, together with the finding that vegetative cells transformed with a plasmid expressing the surface cAMP receptor exhibit a cAMP-induced Ca2+ uptake, suggest that different chemoreceptors activate a single Ca2+ entry pathway. Additional pharmacological and ion competition studies indicated that receptor-mediated Ca2+ entry probably does not involve a Na+/Ca2+ exchanger or voltage-activated channels. Chemoattractant binding appears to generate intracellular signals that induce activation and adaption of the Ca2(+)-uptake response. Analysis of putative signaling mutants suggests that Ca2+ entry is not regulated by the guanine nucleotide-binding (G) protein subunits G alpha 1 or G alpha 2, or by G protein-mediated changes in intracellular cAMP or guanosine 3,'5'-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP).

Cytosolic Ca2+ gradients triggering unidirectional fluid secretion from exocrine pancreas

Exocrine gland cells secrete Cl(-)-rich fluid when stimulated by neurotransmitters or hormones. This is generally ascribed to a rise in cytosolic Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i), which leads to activation of Ca2(+)-dependent ion channels. A precise understanding of Cl- secretion from these cells has been hampered by a lack of knowledge about the spatial distribution of the Ca2+ signal and of the Ca2(+)-dependent ion channels in the secreting epithelial cells. We have now used the whole-cell patch-clamp method and digital imaging of [Ca2+]i to examine the response of rat pancreatic acinar cells to acetylcholine. We found a polarization of [Ca2+]i elevation and ion channel activation, and suggest that this comprises a novel 'push-pull' mechanism for unidirectional Cl- secretion. This mechanism would represent a role for cytosolic Ca2+ gradients in cellular function. The cytosolic [Ca2+]i gradients and oscillations of many other cells could have similar roles.

MgATP-dependent accumulation of calcium ions and inorganic phosphate in a liver reticular pool

1. MgATP-dependent Ca2+ uptake by rat liver microsomal preparations and permeabilized hepatocytes was measured in the presence or absence of Pi. 2. Monitoring of free Ca2+ in incubation systems with a Ca2+ electrode in the presence of Pi (2-7 mM) revealed a biphasic Ca2+ uptake, with the onset of a second, Pi-dependent, Ca2+ accumulation. 3. Increasing Pi concentrations (up to 10 mM) caused a progressive enlargement of 45Ca2(+)-loading capacity of microsomal fractions. 4. As a result of Pi stimulation of active Ca2+ uptake, [32P]Pi and 45Ca2+ were co-accumulated. 5. Experiments with permeabilized hepatocytes revealed that the amount of Ca2+ releasable by myo-inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate is unaffected by Pi.

Structural and functional aspects of calcium homeostasis in eukaryotic cells

The maintenance of a low cytosolic free-Ca2+ concentration, ([Ca2+]i) is a common feature of all eukaryotic cells. For this purpose a variety of mechanisms have developed during evolution to ensure the buffering of Ca2+ in the cytoplasm, its extrusion from the cell and/or its accumulation within organelles. Opening of plasma membrane channels or release of Ca2+ from intracellular pools leads to elevation of [Ca2+]i; as a result, Ca2+ binds to cytosolic proteins which translate the changes in [Ca2+]i into activation of a number of key cellular functions. The purpose of this review is to provide a comprehensive description of the structural and functional characteristics of the various components of [Ca2+]i homeostasis in eukaryotes.