Type I, II, and III inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptors are unequally susceptible to down-regulation and are expressed in markedly different proportions in different cell types

Rat serum induces a differentiated phenotype in a rat parotid acinar cell line

To establish a continuous cell line, freshly prepared rat parotid acinar cells were stably transfected with a plasmid vector containing the SV40 large T antigen. The acinar origin of these cells was confirmed by Western blotting, enzyme analysis, and morphological analysis. Transformed cells grown in 10% rat serum showed a modest reduction in cell number after 7 days and a concentration- and time-dependent increase in amylase levels approximately 16 times greater than those observed in fetal bovine serum-treated cells. Ultrastructural analysis revealed that cells grown in rat serum harbored protein-filled secretory granules localized adjacent to the endoplasmic reticulum, and punctate amylase-specific immunofluorescence distributed throughout the cytoplasm was consistent with the presence of amylase in secretory organelles. Clonal cells express tissue-specific proline-rich proteins and the four protein kinase C isozymes present in primary culture. Carbachol and isoproterenol stimulated [3H]protein secretion and isoproterenol enhanced amylase secretion from cells grown in rat serum. Moreover, norepinephrine, carbachol, and substance P produced a time- and concentration-dependent rise in cytoplasmic Ca2+. This continuous cell line of parotid acinar cells, which after treatment with rat serum retains the basic structural and functional properties of primary culture cells, will be utilized as a model system for studying long-term biological processes that regulate parotid cell function.

IP3 receptor blockade fails to prevent intracellular Ca2+ release by ET-1 and alpha-thrombin

The effect of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) receptor blockade on platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), fibroblast growth factor (FGF), endothelin-1 (ET-1), or alpha-thrombin receptor-mediated intracellular Ca2+ (Ca2+i) release was examined using fura 2 microspectrofluorometry in single Chinese hamster ovary cells and myoblasts. Blockade of the IP3 receptor was achieved by microinjection of heparin or monoclonal antibody (MAb) 18A10 into the IP3 type 1 receptor. Heparin completely inhibited Ca2+i release after flash photolysis with caged IP3 and after exposure to PDGF and FGF. In contrast, heparin failed to block Ca2+i release after alpha-thrombin and ET-1. After application of ligand, IP3 levels were five- to sevenfold higher for alpha-thrombin than for ET-1 or PDGF. IP3 levels after PDGF and ET-1 were comparable. Similar to heparin, MAb 18A10 blocked Ca2+i release after PDGF but failed to block Ca2+i release after ET-1 or alpha-thrombin. These data suggest that the mechanisms of Ca2+i release by tyrosine kinase and certain 7-transmembrane receptors may differ. Although both receptor types use the IP3-signaling system, the ET-1 and alpha-thrombin receptors may have a second, alternative mechanism for activating CA2+i release.

Calcium-dependent clustering of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptors

Rat basophilic leukemia (RBL-2H3) cells predominantly express the type II receptor for inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (InsP3), which operates as an InsP3-gated calcium channel. In these cells, cross-linking the high-affinity immunoglobulin E receptor (FcepsilonR1) leads to activation of phospholipase C gamma isoforms via tyrosine kinase- and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-dependent pathways, release of InsP3-sensitive intracellular Ca2+ stores, and a sustained phase of Ca2+ influx. These events are accompanied by a redistribution of type II InsP3 receptors within the endoplasmic reticulum and nuclear envelope, from a diffuse pattern with a few small aggregates in resting cells to large isolated clusters after antigen stimulation. Redistribution of type II InsP3 receptors is also seen after treatment of RBL-2H3 cells with ionomycin or thapsigargin. InsP3 receptor clustering occurs within 5-10 min of stimulus and persists for up to 1 h in the presence of antigen. Receptor clustering is independent of endoplasmic reticulum vesiculation, which occurs only at ionomycin concentrations >1 microM, and maximal clustering responses are dependent on the presence of extracellular calcium. InsP3 receptor aggregation may be a characteristic cellular response to Ca2+-mobilizing ligands, because similar results are seen after activation of phospholipase C-linked G-protein-coupled receptors; cholecystokinin causes type II receptor redistribution in rat pancreatoma AR4-2J cells, and carbachol causes type III receptor redistribution in muscarinic receptor-expressing hamster lung fibroblast E36(M3R) cells. Stimulation of these three cell types leads to a reduction in InsP3 receptor levels only in AR4-2J cells, indicating that receptor clustering does not correlate with receptor down-regulation. The calcium-dependent aggregation of InsP3 receptors may contribute to the previously observed changes in affinity for InsP3 in the presence of elevated Ca2+ and/or may establish discrete regions within refilled stores with varying capacity to release Ca2+ when a subsequent stimulus results in production of InsP3.

cGMP-mediated Ca2+ release from IP3-insensitive Ca2+ stores in smooth muscle

Recent studies on the role of nitric oxide (NO) in gastrointestinal smooth muscle have raised the possibility that NO-stimulated cGMP could, in the absence of cGMP-dependent protein kinase (PKG) activity, act as a Ca(2+)-mobilizing messenger [K. S. Murthy, K.-M. Zhang, J.-G. f1p4 J. T. Grider, and G. M. Makhlouf. Am. J. Physiol. 265 (Gastrointest. Liver Physiol. 28): G660-G671, 1993]. This notion was examined in dispersed gastric smooth muscle cells with 8-bromo-cGMP (8-BrcGMP) and with NO and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), which stimulate endogenous cGMP. In muscle cells treated with cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) and PKG inhibitors (H-89 and KT-5823), 8-BrcGMP (10 microM), NO (1 microM), and VIP (1 microM) stimulated 45Ca2+ release (21 +/- 3 to 30 +/- 1% decrease in 45Ca2+ cell content); Ca2+ release stimulated by 8-BrcGMP was concentration dependent with an EC50 of 0.4 +/- 0.1 microM and a threshold of 10 nM. 8-BrcGMP and NO increased cytosolic free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) and induced contraction; both responses were abolished after Ca2+ stores were depleted with thapsigargin. With VIP, which normally increases [Ca2+]i by stimulating Ca2+ influx, treatment with PKA and PKG inhibitors caused a further increase in [Ca2+]i that reverted to control levels in cells pretreated with thapsigargin. Neither Ca2+ release nor contraction induced by cGMP and NO in permeabilized muscle cells was affected by heparin or ruthenium red. Ca2+ release induced by maximally effective concentrations of cGMP and inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) was additive, independent of which agent was applied first. We conclude that, in the absence of PKA and PKG activity, cGMP stimulates Ca2+ release from an IP3-insensitive store and that its effect is additive to that of IP3.

Multiple mechanisms of regulation of the inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor by calcium

Ca2+ mobilisation by inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (InsP3) is a complex phenomenon which involves positive and negative feedback regulation by cytosolic Ca2+. It has been shown that Ca2+ increased the affinity of [3H]-InsP3 binding to liver membranes and inhibited [3H]-InsP3 binding to cerebellar membranes. We investigated the effects of Ca2+ on the [3H]-InsP3 binding to receptor solubilised and rapidly purified by immunoprecipitation. The InsP3 binding to the purified liver receptor was insensitive to the addition of Ca2+, indicating that Ca2+ did not interact directly with the receptor. The loss of the Ca2+ effect on liver receptor affinity was reproduced by alkaline treatment of liver membranes, which is known to extract the peripheral membrane proteins. This suggests that Ca2+ regulates the liver InsP3 receptor by interacting with a membrane-associated protein. Ca2+ inhibited the binding of [3H]-InsP3 to purified cerebellar receptors as was found with the membrane fraction. The treatment of the purified cerebellar receptor with media of high ionic strength or at alkaline pH did not abolish the effect of Ca2+ on the receptor. This indicates that the inhibitory effect of Ca2+ on [3H]-InsP3 binding to cerebellar membranes occurs either via direct interaction with the receptor or via an integral protein strongly associated with the receptor. In conclusion, the mechanisms of regulation of InsP3-induced Ca2+ release by Ca2+ involve different molecular support in cerebellum and in liver. This may reflect different regulation dependent on the receptor type.

Differences among type I, II, and III inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate receptors in ligand-binding affinity influence the sensitivity of calcium stores to inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate

Type I, II, and III inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate (InsP3) receptors are expressed selectively in different cell lines and tissues. We examined whether type I, II, and III InsP3 receptors differ in ligand-binding affinity and whether such differences influence the sensitivity of Ca2+ stores to InsP3. Initially, SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells, AR4-2J rat pancreatoma cells, and RINm5F rat insulinoma cells were studied because these cells express predominantly (>85%) type I, II, and III receptors, respectively. Immunopurification of receptors from these cell lines and measurement of InsP3 binding revealed that the rank order of affinity for InsP3 was type I > type II > type III (binding sites were half-maximally saturated at 1.5, 2.5, and 22.4 nM InsP3, respectively). Examination of Ca2+ store mobilization in permeabilized cells showed that InsP3 was equipotent in SH-SY5Y and AR4-2J cells but was approximately 5-fold less potent in RINm5F cells. In contrast, Ca2+ uptake and InsP3-independent Ca2+ release were very similar in the three cell types. The binding affinity of InsP3 in permeabilized SH-SY5Y, AR4-2J, and RINm5F cells correlated well with its potency as a Ca2+-mobilizing agent and with binding affinity to immunopurified type I, II, and III receptors. Thus, InsP3 receptor binding affinity seems to influence the potency of InsP3 as a Ca2+-mobilizing agent. Finally, immunopurification of type I, II, and III receptors from rat tissues revealed that the affinity differences seen in receptors purified from cultured cells are paralleled in vivo. In combination, the data from cell lines and rat tissues reveal that type I, II, and III receptors bind InsP3 with Kd values of approximately 1, approximately 2, and approximately 40 nM, respectively, and that the selective expression of a particular receptor type will influence the sensitivity of cellular Ca2+ stores to InsP3.

Permissive role of cAMP in the oscillatory Ca2+ response to inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate in rat hepatocytes

Rat hepatocytes respond to alpha-adrenergic stimulation by intracellular production of myo-inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) which stimulates the periodic release and reuptake of intracellular store (IS) Ca2+. The generation of these Ca2+ oscillations was investigated by simultaneously monitoring Ca2+ changes in the cytosol and IS by combined fluorescence microscopy and whole-cell patch clamp. Intracellular IP3 perfusion (1-50 microM in the pipette) produced three types of Ca2+ response: understimulation, oscillations and overstimulation, i.e. with Ca2+ levels not returning to baseline. In a total of 57 experiments, only three displayed oscillations during continuous IP3 infusion, in a narrow range of IP3 concentration centred around 5-8 microM in the pipette. In oscillating cells, cytosolic Ca2+ spikes were synchronized with transient Ca2+ depletions of the IS, consistent with a direct exchange of Ca2+ between the two compartments. Application of 8-Br-cAMP to cells infused with IP3 increased the probability of eliciting Ca2+ oscillations by a factor of 4-5 for IP3 concentrations in the range 1-10 microM, whereas IP3 concentrations above 10 microM always resulted in overstimulation. IP3 photorelease experiments and measurements of IS Ca2+ content indicated that 8-Br-cAMP enhanced the affinity of the IP3 receptor and increased the pool of releasable Ca2+. We propose that cAMP has a permissive role in the generation of IP3-induced Ca2+ oscillations by extending the window of IP3 concentrations able to elicit oscillations.

Phosphorylation of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptors by cAMP-dependent protein kinase. Type I, II, and III receptors are differentially susceptible to phosphorylation and are phosphorylated in intact cells

The ability of cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) to phosphorylate type I, II, and III inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (InsP3) receptors was examined. The receptors either were immunopurified from cell lines and then phosphorylated with purified PKA or were phosphorylated in intact cells after activating intracellular cAMP formation. The former studies showed that the type I receptor was a good substrate for PKA (0.65 mol Pi incorporated/mol receptor), whereas type II and III receptors were phosphorylated relatively weakly. The latter studies showed that despite these differences, each of the receptors was phosphorylated in intact cells in response to forskolin or activation of neurohormone receptors. Detailed examination of SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells, which express >/=99% type I receptor, revealed that minor increases in cAMP concentration were sufficient to cause maximal phosphorylation. Thus, VIP and pituitary adenylyl cyclase activating peptide (acting through Gs-coupled pituitary adenylyl cyclase activating peptide-I receptors) were potent stimuli of type I receptor phosphorylation, and remarkably, even slight increases in cAMP concentration induced by carbachol (acting through Gq-coupled muscarinic receptors) or other Ca2+ mobilizing agents were sufficient to cause phosphorylation. Finally, PKA enhanced InsP3-induced Ca2+ mobilization in a range of permeabilized cell types, irrespective of whether the type I, II, or III receptor was predominant. In summary, these data show that all InsP3 receptors are phosphorylated by PKA, albeit with marked differences in stoichiometry. The ability of both Gs- and Gq-coupled cell surface receptors to effect InsP3 receptor phosphorylation by PKA suggests that this process is widespread in mammalian cells and provides multiple routes by which the cAMP signaling pathway can influence Ca2+ mobilization.

The isolation and characterization of the promoter of the human type 1 inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor

In humans, at least three types of inositol (1,4,5)-trisphosphate receptor (IP3R) are present. The gene encoding type 1 IP3R (IP3R-I) is expressed in all cell types, although expression predominates in Purkinje cells. To study the regulation of the human IP3R-I gene, we isolated and characterized a 2.1-kb 5' flanking region. In transient expression assays using a rat cell line, analysis of various deletion mutants demonstrated that a fragment of only 86 bp 5' of the putative tsp displayed a promoter activity similar to that of the 2.1-kb fragment. Also, we compared the sequence of the human IP3R-I promoter with the sequence of the mouse IP3R-I promoter. Considerable sequence homology is present in four distinct domains, which include several conserved putative binding sites for transcription factors. Further, we demonstrate a decrease in the activity of the isolated human IP3R-I promoter and of the endogenous IP3R-I promoter after 48 h of treatment with retinoic acid. Analysis of deletion constructs of the human promoter indicates that the decreased promoter activity in response to retinoic acid is likely to be mediated by a conserved AP-2 binding site.

Agonist-induced down-regulation of type 1 and type 3 inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptors in A7r5 and DDT1 MF-2 smooth muscle cells

Prolonged stimulation of rat A7r5 aortic smooth muscle cells with 3 microM vasopressin, or of hamster DDT1 MF-2 smooth muscle cells with 10 microM bradykinin or 100 microM histamine led within 4 h to a 40-50% down-regulation of the type 1 InsP3 receptor (InsP3R-1) and of the type 3 InsP3 receptor (InsP3R-3). InsP3R down-regulation was a cell- and agonist-specific process, since several other agonists acting on PLC-coupled receptors did not change the expression level of the InsP3R isoforms in these cell types and since no agonist-induced down-regulation of InsP3Rs was observed in HeLa cells. Down-regulation of InsP3Rs was prevented by an inhibitor of proteasomal protease activity, N-acetyl-Leu-Leu-norleucinal (ALLN). The Ca2+ channel blocker verapamil (2 microM) also induced InsP3R-1 down-regulation (43%) in A7r5 cells, which was inhibited by ALLN. In A7r5 cells transiently transfected with a cDNA construct, bearing a luciferase coding sequence under control of the rat InsP3R-1 promoter, reduced luciferase activity could be demonstrated upon stimulation of cells with vasopressin or verapamil. Thus, besides enhanced protein degradation, a reduction of InsP3R promoter activity might contribute to the down-regulation of InsP3Rs in A7r5 cells. We next investigated the effect of InsP3R down-regulation on Ca2+ responses in A7r5 cells. A rightward shift in the dose-response curve for InsP3-induced Ca2+ release was observed in permeabilized monolayers of vasopressin-pretreated A7r5 cells (EC50 630 nM and 400 nM for pretreated and non-pretreated cells, respectively). The Ca2+ responses to threshold doses of vasopressin were markedly reduced in intact vasopressin-pretreated cells. We conclude that prolonged agonist-exposure leads to down-regulation of InsP3Rs in A7r5 and DDT, MF-2 smooth muscle cells. The mechanism of down-regulation likely involves proteasomal degradation and reduction of InsP3R promoter activity. Moreover, down-regulation of InsP3Rs resulted in desensitization of Ca2+ release from InsP3 sensitive stores.

Differential regulation of types-1 and -3 inositol trisphosphate receptors by cytosolic Ca2+

Biphasic regulation of inositol trisphosphate (IP3)-stimulated Ca2+ mobilization by cytosolic Ca2+ is believed to contribute to regenerative intracellular Ca2+ signals. Since cells typically express several IP3 receptor isoforms and the effects of cytosolic Ca2+ are not mediated by a single mechanism, it is important to resolve the properties of each receptor subtype. Full-length rat types-1 and -3 IP3 receptors were expressed in insect Sf9 cells at levels 10-40-fold higher than the endogenous receptors. The expressed receptors were glycosylated and assembled into tetramers, and binding of [3H]IP3 to each subtype was regulated by cytosolic Ca2+. The effects of increased [Ca2+] on native cerebellar and type-1 receptors expressed in Sf9 cells were indistinguishable. A maximally effective increase in [Ca2+] reversibly inhibited [3H]IP3 binding by approx. 50% by decreasing the number of IP3-binding sites (Bmax) without affecting their affinity for IP3. The effects of Ca2+ on type-3 receptors were more complex: increasing [Ca2+] first stimulated [3H]IP3 binding by increasing Bmax, and then inhibited it by causing a substantial decrease in the affinity of the receptor for IP3. The different effects of Ca2+ on the receptor subtypes were not a consequence of limitations in the availability of accessory proteins or of artifactual effects of Ca2+ on membrane structure. We conclude that Ca2+ can inhibit IP3 binding to types-1 and -3 IP3 receptors although by different mechanisms, and that IP3 binding to type-3 receptors is stimulated at intermediate [Ca2+]. A consequence of these differences is that, at resting cytosolic [Ca2+], type-3 receptors are more sensitive than type-1 receptors to IP3, but the situation reverses at higher cytosolic [Ca2+]. Such differences may be important in generating the spatially and temporally complex changes in cytosolic [Ca2+] evoked by receptors linked to IP3 formation.

Distribution of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor isoforms, SERCA isoforms and Ca2+ binding proteins in RBL-2H3 rat basophilic leukemia cells

RBL-2H3 rat basophilic leukemia cells were homogenized and fractionated. A fraction F3 obtained by differential centrifugation was 6-fold enriched in [3H]-inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (InsP3) binding activity, while the NADH-cytochrome c oxidoreductase and sulphatase-C activities were only 3.8- and 2.9-fold enriched, respectively. Furthermore, the three InsP3 receptor (InsP3R) isoforms, two sarco/endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ ATPase (SERCA) isoforms (2b and 3) as well as four Ca2+ binding proteins (calreticulin, calnexin, protein disulfide isomerase (PDI) and BiP), were present in this fraction. Fraction F3 was, therefore, further purified on a discontinuous sucrose density gradient, and the 3 resulting fractions were analyzed. The InsP3 binding sites were distributed over the gradient and did not co-migrate with the RNA. We examined the relative content of the three InsP3R isoforms, of both SERCA2b and 3, as well as that of the four Ca2+ binding proteins in fraction F3 and the sucrose density gradient fractions. InsP3R-1 and InsP3R-2 showed a similar distribution, with the highest level in the light and intermediate density fractions. InsP3R-3 distributed differently, with the highest level in the intermediate density fraction. Both SERCA isoforms distributed similarly to InsP3R-1 and InsP3R-2. SERCA3 was present at a very low level in the high density fraction. Calreticulin and BiP showed a pattern similar to that of InsP3R-1 and InsP3R-2 and the SERCAs. PDI was clearly enriched in the light density fraction while calnexin was broadly distributed. These results indicate a heterogeneous distribution of the three InsP3R isoforms, the two SERCA isoforms and the four Ca2+ binding proteins investigated. This heterogeneity may underlie specialization of the Ca2+ stores and the subsequent initiation of intracellular Ca2+ signals.

Inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor subtypes differentially recognize regioisomers of D-myo-inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate

The Ins(1,4,5)P3 regioisomers, Ins(1,4,6)P3 and Ins(1,3,6)P3, which can mimic the 1,4,5-arrangement on the inositol ring of Ins(1,4,5)P3, were examined for Ca2+ release by using four types of saponin-permeabilized cell possessing various abundances of receptor subtypes, with special reference to the relation of potency to receptor subtype. Ins(1,4,6)P3 and Ins(1,3,6)P3 were weak agonists in rat basophilic leukaemic cells (RBL cells), which possess predominantly subtype II receptors, with respective potencies of 1/200 and less than 1/500 that of Ins(1,4,5)P3 [the EC50 values were 0.2, 45 and more than 100 microM for Ins(1,4,5)P3, Ins(1,4,6)P3 and Ins(1,3,6)P3 respectively]. Similar rank order potencies were also evaluated for the displacement of [3H]Ins(1,4,5)P3 bound to RBL cell membranes by these regioisomers. However, they caused Ca2+ release from GH3 rat pituitary cells possessing predominantly subtype I receptors more potently; Ins(1,4,6)P3 and Ins(1,3,6)P3 evoked release at respective concentrations of only one-third and one-twentieth that of Ins(1,4,5)P3 (the EC50 values were 0.4, 1.2 and 8 microM for Ins(1,4,5)P3, Ins(1,4,6)P3 and Ins(1,3,6)P3 respectively). In COS-1 African green-monkey kidney cells, with the relative abundances of 37% of the subtype II and of 62% of the subtype III receptor, potencies of 1/40 and approx. 1/200 for Ins(1, 4,6)P3 and Ins(1,3,6)P3 respectively were exhibited relative to Ins(1,4,5)P3 (the EC50 values were 0.4, 15 and approx. 80 microM for Ins(1,4,5)P3, Ins(1,4,6)P3 and Ins(1,3,6)P3 respectively). In HL-60 human leukaemic cells, in spite of the dominant presence of subtype I receptors (71%), similar respective potencies to those seen with COS-1 cells were exhibited (the EC50 values were 0.3, 15 and approx. 100 microM for Ins(1,4,5)P3, Ins(1,4,6)P3 and Ins(1,3,6)P3 respectively). These results indicate that these regioisomers are the first ligands that distinguish between receptor subtypes; the present observations are of significance for the future design of molecules with enhanced selectivity.

Inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (InsP3) and calcium interact to increase the dynamic range of InsP3 receptor-dependent calcium signaling

The inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (InsP3)-gated Ca channel in cerebellum is tightly regulated by Ca (Bezprozvanny, I., J. Watras, and B.E. Ehrlich. 1991. Nature (Lond.). 351:751-754; Finch, E.A., T. J. Turner, and S.M. Goldin. 1991. Science (Wash. DC). 252:443-446; Hannaert-Merah, Z., J.F. Coquil, L. Combettes, M. Claret, J.P. Mauger, and P. Champeil. 1994. J. Biol. Chem. 269:29642-29649; Iino, M. 1990. J. Gen. Physiol. 95:1103-1122; Marshall, I., and C. Taylor. 1994. Biochem. J. 301:591-598). In previous single channel studies, the Ca dependence of channel activity, monitored at 2 microM InsP3, was described by a bell-shaped curve (Bezprozvanny, I., J. Watras, and B.E. Ehrlich. 1991. Nature (Lond.). 351:751-754). We report here that, when we used lower InsP3 concentrations, the peak of the Ca-dependence curve shifted to lower Ca concentrations. Unexpectedly, when we used high InsP3 concentrations, channel activity persisted at Ca concentrations as high as 30 microM. To explore this unexpected response of the channel, we measured InsP3 binding over a broad range of InsP3 concentrations. We found the well-characterized high affinity InsP3 binding sites (with Kd < 1 and 50 nM) (Maeda, N., M. Niinobe, and K. Mikoshiba. 1990. EMBO (Eur. Mol. Biol. Organ.) J. 9:61-67; Mignery, G., T.C. Sudhof, K. Takei, and P. De Camilli. 1989. Nature (Lond.). 342:192-195; Ross, C.A., J. Meldolesi, T.A. Milner, T. Satoh, S. Supattapone, and S.H. Snyder. 1989. Nature (Lond.). 339:468-470) and a low affinity InsP3 binding site (Kd = 10 microM). Using these InsP3 binding sites, we developed a new model that accounts for the shift in the Ca-dependence curve at low InsP3 levels and the maintained channel activity at high Ca and InsP3 levels. The observed Ca dependence of the InsP3-gated Ca channel allows the cell to abbreviate the rise of intracellular Ca in the presence of low levels of InsP3, but also provides a means of maintaining high intracellular Ca during periods of prolonged stimulation.

Inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor expression in odontoblast cells

The cellular distribution of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptors was examined in rodent maxillary incisor teeth. In situ hybridization studies with a transmembrane probe of type I inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor indicated that this receptor/channel was highly expressed in odontoblast cells of incisor teeth. In contrast, very low labeling was observed in dental pulp. Northern analysis showed a message size of approximately 9.5 kilobases for this receptor, and demonstrated that type III inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor was expressed in incisor teeth. Immunocytochemical studies confirmed that types I and III inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptors were both highly expressed in odontoblasts while very low expression was detected in dental pulp. Finally, antibodies that recognized alpha subunits of the Gq class of GTP binding proteins also stained odontoblasts. These results indicate that receptor-mediated regulation of calcium release through inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptors may occur in odontoblasts of rat incisor teeth. These findings also suggest that inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor/channels regulate calcium flux in odontoblasts during mineralization of dentin, or in growth and differentiation of incisor tissue.

Differential expression and regulation of ryanodine receptor and myo-inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor Ca2+ release channels in mammalian tissues and cell lines

Ryanodine receptors (RyRs) and Ins(1,4,5)P3 receptors (Ins(1,4, 5)P3Rs) represent two multigene families of channel proteins that mediate the release of Ca2+ ions from intracellular stores. In the present study, the expression patterns of these channel proteins in mammalian cell lines and tissues were investigated by using isoform-specific antibodies. All cell lines examined expressed two or more Ins(1,4,5)P3R isoforms, with the type 1 Ins(1,4,5)P3R being ubiquitous. RyR isoforms were detected in only six out of eight cell lines studied. Similarly, of the nine rabbit tissues examined, RyR protein expression was detected only in brain, heart, skeletal muscle and uterus. Specific [3H]ryanodine binding was found in a number of rabbit tissues, although it was not detected in mammalian cell lines. Subcellular fractionation of SH-SY5Y human neuroblastomas revealed that the type 2 RyR and type 1 Ins(1,4,5)P3R co-localize among the fractions of a sucrose-cushion separation of crude microsomal membrane fractions. Manipulation of SH-SY5Y cells by chronic stimulation of muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (mAChR) results in a decrease in their type 1 Ins(1,4,5)P3R levels but not in the abundance of the type 2 RyR. Differentiation of these neuroblastomas by using retinoic acid did not detectably alter their expression of Ca2+-release channel proteins. Finally, differentiation of BC3H1 cells affects the expression of their Ca2+-release channel proteins in an isoform-specific manner. In summary, this study demonstrates that mammalian cell lines display distinct patterns of Ca2+-release channel protein expression. The abundance of these proteins is differentially regulated during phenotypic modifications of a cell, such as differentiation or chronic stimulation of mAChR.

Distribution and activation of intracellular Ca2+ stores in cultured olfactory bulb neurons

The presence and distribution of intracellular Ca2+ release pathways in olfactory bulb neurons were studied in dissociated cell cultures. Histochemical techniques and imaging of Ca2+ fluxes were used to identify two major intracellular Ca2+ release mechanisms: inositol 1, 4,5-triphosphate receptor (IP3R)-mediated release, and ryanodine receptor-mediated release. Cultured neurons were identified by immunocytochemistry for the neuron-specificmarker beta-tubulin III. Morphometric analyses and immunocytochemistry for glutamic acid-decarboxylase revealed a heterogeneous population of cultured neurons with phenotypes corresponding to both projection (mitral/tufted) and intrinsic (periglomerular/granule) neurons of the in vivo olfactory bulb. Immunocytochemistry for the IP3R, and labeling with fluorescent-tagged ryanodine, revealed that, irrespective of cell type, almost all cultured neurons express IP3R and ryanodine binding sites in both somata and dendrites. Functional imaging revealed that intracellular Ca2+ fluxes can be generated in the absence of external Ca2+, using agonists specific to each of the intracellular release pathways. Local pressure application of glutamate or quisqualate evoked Ca2+ fluxes in both somata and dendrites in nominally Ca2+ free extracellular solutions, suggesting the presence of IP3-dependent Ca2+ release. These fluxes were blocked by preincubation with thapsigargin and persisted in the presence of the glutamate receptor antagonist 6-cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione. Local application of caffeine, a ryanodine receptor agonist, also evoked intracellular Ca2+ fluxes in the absence of extracellular Ca2+. These Ca2+ fluxes were suppressed by preincubation with ryanodine. In all neurons, both IP3- and ryanodine-dependent release pathways coexisted, suggesting that they interact to modulate intracellular Ca2+ concentrations.

High density distribution of endoplasmic reticulum proteins and mitochondria at specialized Ca2+ release sites in oligodendrocyte processes

In oligodendrocyte processes, methacholine-evoked Ca2+ waves propagate via regions of specialized Ca2+ release kinetics (wave amplification sites) at which the amplitude and rate of rise of local Ca2+ signals are markedly higher than in surrounding areas (Simpson, P. B., and Russell, J. T. (1996) J. Biol. Chem. 271, 33493-33501). In the present study we have examined the effects of other phosphoinositide-coupled agonists on Ca2+ in these cells, and the structural specializations underlying regenerative wave amplification sites. Both bradykinin and norepinephrine evoke Ca2+ waves, which initiate at the same loci and propagate through the cell body and multiple processes via identical wave amplification sites. Antibodies against type 2 inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptors (InsP3R2) and calreticulin identify expression of these proteins in oligodendrocyte membranes in Western blots. Immunocytochemistry followed by high resolution fluorescence microscopy revealed that both InsP3R2 and calreticulin are expressed in high intensity patches along processes. Cross-correlation analysis of the profiles of local Ca2+ release kinetics during a Ca2+ wave and immunofluorescence for these proteins along cellular processes showed that the domains of high endoplasmic reticulum protein expression correspond closely to wave amplification sites. Staining cells with the mitochondrial dye, MitoTracker(R), showed that mitochondria are only found in intimate association with these sites possessing high density endoplasmic reticulum proteins, and they remain in the same locations over relatively long periods of time. It appears, therefore, that multiple specializations are found at domains of elevated Ca2+ release in oligodendrocyte processes, including high levels of calreticulin, InsP3R2 Ca2+ release channels, and mitochondria.

Cloning and characterization of the type I inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor gene promoter. Regulation by 17beta-estradiol in osteoblasts

The inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (InsP3) receptor is essential for signal Ca2+ release from intracellular stores and for capacitative Ca2+ entry. We have isolated the promoter and proximal DNA segments of the human type I InsP3 receptor gene. Transcription initiation in human G-292 osteosarcoma and HL-60 promyelocytic leukemia cells was shown to occur predominantly from an adenine residue located 39 base pairs downstream of a consensus TATA box element. Upstream DNA including the TATA box promoted directional transcription of a chloramphenicol acetyltransferase reporter gene when transfected into G-292 cells. A negative regulatory element in the distal promoter and a positive element in the proximal region were identified by deletion mapping and transcription assays. The proximal region enhanced transcription in response to 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate or serum, but conferred transcriptional repression in response to 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 or 17beta-estradiol. The repressive effect of 17beta-estradiol was mediated by the nuclear estrogen receptor, as estrogen-dependent transcriptional repression was inhibited by the antiestrogen tamoxifen and the estrogen receptor antagonist ICI 182,780. This is the first study of the type I InsP3 receptor gene promoter, and the results suggest a mechanism by which chronic estrogen treatment of osteoblasts affects type I InsP3 receptor gene expression, signal transduction, and secretion.

Isoprenylated human brain type I inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate 5-phosphatase controls Ca2+ oscillations induced by ATP in Chinese hamster ovary cells

D-myo-Inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (InsP3) 5-phosphatase and 3-kinase are thought to be critical regulatory enzymes in the control of InsP3 and Ca2+ signaling. In brain and many other cells, type I InsP3 5-phosphatase is the major phosphatase that dephosphorylates InsP3 and D-myo-inositol 1,3,4,5-tetrakisphosphate. The type I 5-phosphatase appears to be associated with the particulate fraction of cell homogenates. Molecular cloning of the human brain enzyme identifies a C-terminal farnesylation site CVVQ. Post-translational modification of this enzyme promotes membrane interactions and changes in specific activity. We have now compared the cytosolic Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) responses induced by ATP, thapsigargin, and ionomycin in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO-K1) cells transfected with the intact InsP3 5-phosphatase and with a mutant in which the C-terminal cysteine cannot be farnesylated. [Ca2+]i was also measured in cells transfected with an InsP3 3-kinase construct encoding the A isoform. The Ca2+ oscillations detected in the presence of 1 microM ATP in control cells were totally lost in 87.5% of intact (farnesylated) InsP3 5-phosphatase-transfected cells, while such a loss occurred in only 1.1% of the mutant InsP3 5-phosphatase-transfected cells. All cells overexpressing the InsP3 3-kinase also responded with an oscillatory pattern. However, in contrast to control cells, the [Ca2+]i returned to base-line levels in between a couple of oscillations. The [Ca2+]i responses to thapsigargin and ionomycin were identical for all cells. The four cell clones compared in this study also behaved similarly with respect to capacitative Ca2+ entry. In permeabilized cells, no differences in extent of InsP3-induced Ca2+ release nor in the threshold for InsP3 action were observed among the four clones and no differences in the expression levels of the various InsP3 receptor isoforms could be shown between the clones. Our data support the contention that the ATP-induced increase in InsP3 concentration in transfected CHO-K1 cells is essentially restricted to the site of its production near the plasma membrane, where it can be metabolized by the type I InsP3 5-phosphatase. This enzyme directly controls the [Ca2+]i response and the Ca2+ oscillations in intact cells.

Effects of thimerosal on the transient kinetics of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate-induced Ca2+ release from cerebellar microsomes

Thimerosal, a thiol-reactive reagent, has been shown to increase the cytosolic Ca2+ concentration in a variety of cells by sensitizing inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (InsP3) receptors. Thimerosal can have both sensitizing (at concentrations of <2 microM) and inhibitory (at concentrations of >2 microM) effects on InsP3-induced Ca2+ release (IICR) from cerebellar microsomes. Transient kinetic studies were performed by employing a fluorimetric stopped-flow approach using fluo-3. IICR was found to be a bi-exponential process with a fast and a slow component. At a maximal InsP3 concentration (20 microM), the fast phase had a rate constant of 0.9 s-1 and the slow phase had a rate constant of 0.4 s-1. The amplitudes of the two phases were 60% and 40% respectively. When the rate constants for the two phases were plotted as Hill plots, the processes were found to be non-co-operative in both cases (Hill coefficient of 1.0), thus arguing for a simple mechanism linking InsP3 binding to channel opening. At a submaximal InsP3 concentration (0.2 microM), where the sensitizing effects of thimerosal are most pronounced, thimerosal increased the rate constants of both phases in a sigmoidal fashion, with a Hill coefficient of 4.0, suggesting that several cysteine residues (up to four) need to be modified in order for maximum sensitization to occur. The rate constants remained elevated even at thimerosal concentrations that inhibited IICR. The amplitude or extent of Ca2+ release was, however, elevated to a much greater extent in the slow phase, suggesting that the two phases respond differently. At maximal InsP3 concentrations, thimerosal has no effect upon the rate constants but inhibits the amplitude of Ca2+ release.

Cooperative activation of IP3 receptors by sequential binding of IP3 and Ca2+ safeguards against spontaneous activity

BACKGROUND

Ca2+ waves allow effective delivery of intracellular Ca2+ signals to cytosolic targets. Propagation of these regenerative Ca2+ signals probably results from the activation of intracellular Ca2+ channels by the increase in cytosolic [Ca2+] that follows the opening of these channels. Such positive feedback is potentially explosive. Mechanisms that limit the spontaneous opening of intracellular Ca2+ channels are therefore likely to have evolved in parallel with the mechanism of Ca2+-induced Ca2+ release.

RESULTS

Maximal rates of 45Ca2+ efflux from permeabilised hepatocytes superfused with medium in which the [Ca2+] was clamped were cooperatively stimulated by inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3). A minimal interval of approximately 400 msec between IP3 addition and the peak rate of Ca2+ mobilisation indicate that channel opening does not immediately follow binding of IP3. Although the absolute latency of Ca2+ release was unaffected by further increasing the IP3 concentration, it was reduced by increased [Ca2+].

CONCLUSIONS

We propose that the closed conformation of the IP3 receptor is very stable and therefore minimally susceptible to spontaneous activation; at least three (probably four) IP3 molecules may be required to provide enough binding energy to drive the receptor into a stable open conformation. We suggest that a further defence from noise is provided by an extreme form of coincidence detection. Binding of IP3 to each of its four receptor subunits unmasks a site to which Ca2+ must bind before the channel can open. As IP3 binding may also initiate receptor inactivation, there may be only a narrow temporal window during which each receptor subunit must bind both of its agonists if the channel is to open rather than inactivate.

Polarized expression of Ca2+ channels in pancreatic and salivary gland cells. Correlation with initiation and propagation of [Ca2+]i waves

In polarized epithelial cells [Ca2+]i waves are initiated in discrete regions and propagate through the cytosol. The structural basis for these compartmentalized and coordinated events are not well understood. In the present study we used a combination of [Ca2+]i imaging at high temporal resolution, recording of Ca2+-activated Cl- current, and immunolocalization by confocal microscopy to study the correlation between initiation and propagation of [Ca2+]i waves and localization of Ca2+ release channels in pancreatic acini and submandibular acinar and duct cells. In all cells Ca2+ waves are initiated in the luminal pole and propagate through the cell periphery to the basal pole. All three cell types express the three known inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptors (IP3Rs). Expression of IP3Rs was confined to the area just underneath the luminal and lateral membranes, with no detectable receptors in the basal pole or other regions of the cells. In pancreatic acini and SMG ducts IP3R3 was also found in the nuclear envelope. Expression of ryanodine receptor was detected in submandibular salivary gland cells but not pancreatic acini. Accordingly, cyclic ADP ribose was very effective in mobilizing Ca2+ from internal stores of submandibular salivary gland but not pancreatic acinar cells. Measurement of [Ca2+]i and localization of IP3Rs in the same cells suggests that only a small part of IP3Rs participate in the initiation of the Ca2+ wave, whereas most receptors in the cell periphery probably facilitate the propagation of the Ca2+ wave. The combined results together with our previous studies on this subject lead us to conclude that the internal Ca2+ pool is highly compartmentalized and that compartmentalization is achieved in part by polarized expression of Ca2+ channels.

T cells deficient in inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor are resistant to apoptosis

The type 1 inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor (IP3R1) calcium release channel is present on the endoplasmic reticulum of most cell types. T lymphocytes which have been made deficient in IP3R1 lack detectable IP3-induced intracellular calcium release and exhibit defective signaling via the T-cell receptor (TCR) (T. Jayaraman, E. Ondriasova, K. Ondrias, D. Harnick, and A. R. Marks, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 92:6007-6011, 1995). We now show that IP3R1-deficient T cells are resistant to apoptosis induced by dexamethasone, TCR stimulation, ionizing radiation, and Fas. Resistance to TCR-mediated apoptosis in IP3R1-deficient cells is reversed by pharmacologically raising cytoplasmic calcium levels. TCR-mediated apoptosis can be induced in calcium-free media, indicating that extracellular calcium influx is not required. These findings suggest that intracellular calcium release via the IP3R1 is a critical mediator of apoptosis.

Angiotensin II-induced down-regulation of inositol trisphosphate receptors in WB rat liver epithelial cells. Evidence for involvement of the proteasome pathway

Chronic stimulation of WB rat liver epithelial cells by angiotensin II (Ang II) resulted in the down-regulation of both type I and type III myo-inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptors (IP3Rs). Stimulation with vasopressin, bradykinin, epidermal growth factor, or 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate was without effect. Ang II-induced down-regulation of IP3Rs could be detected within 2 h and resulted in an inhibition of IP3-induced Ca2+ release from permeabilized cells. IP3R down-regulation was reversible, and both homo- and heterooligomers of IP3Rs were equally susceptible to Ang II-induced degradation. Chloroquine and NH4Cl increased the basal levels of IP3Rs by 2-fold, suggesting that the basal turnover of IP3Rs occurs via a lysosomal pathway. However, Ang II-induced degradation of IP3R was not affected by these inhibitors, suggesting that stimulated degradation of IP3Rs occurs via a non-lysosomal pathway. The cysteine protease and proteasomal inhibitor N-acetyl-Leu-Leu-norleucinal completely prevented Ang II-mediated down-regulation of IP3Rs, whereas the structural analog N-acetyl-Leu-Leu-methioninal was without effect. Lactacystin, a highly specific proteasome inhibitor, also blocked Ang II-mediated IP3R degradation. Stimulation with Ang II increased the amount of IP3R immunoprecipitated by anti-ubiquitin antibodies. We conclude that Ang II-stimulated IP3R degradation involves enhanced ubiquitination of the protein and degradation by the proteasome pathway.

Evidence that zymogen granules are not a physiologically relevant calcium pool. Defining the distribution of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptors in pancreatic acinar cells

A key event leading to exocytosis of pancreatic acinar cell zymogen granules is the inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (InsP3)-mediated release of Ca2+ from intracellular stores. Studies using digital imaging microscopy and laser-scanning confocal microscopy have indicated that the initial release of Ca2+ is localized to the apical region of the acinar cell, an area of the cell dominated by secretory granules. Moreover, a recent study has shown that InsP3 is capable of releasing Ca2+ from a preparation enriched in secretory granules (Gerasimenko, O., Gerasimenko, J., Belan, P., and Petersen, O. H., (1996) Cell 84, 473-480). In the present study, we have investigated the possibility that zymogen granules express InsP3 receptors and are thus Ca2+ release sites. Immunofluorescence staining, obtained with antisera specific to types I, II, or III InsP3 receptors and analyzed by confocal fluorescence microscopy revealed that all InsP3 receptor types were present in acinar cells. The type II receptor localized exclusively to an area close to or at the luminal plasma membrane. While types I and III InsP3 receptors displayed a similar luminal distribution, these receptors were also present at low levels in nuclei. The localization of InsP3 receptor was in marked contrast to the distribution of amylase, a zymogen granule content protein. In a zymogen granule fraction prepared in an identical manner to the aforementioned report demonstrating InsP3-induced Ca2+ release, immunoblotting demonstrated the presence of types I, II, and III InsP3 receptors. Ca2+ release from this preparation in response to InsP3, but not thapsigargin, could also be demonstrated. In contrast, when the zymogen granules were further purified on a Percoll gradient, InsP3 receptors were undetectable, and InsP3 failed to release Ca2+. Transmission electron microscopy performed on both preparations showed that the Percoll-purified granule preparation consisted of essentially pure zymogen granules, whereas the granules prepared without this step were enriched in granules but also contained significant contamination by mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, and nuclei. It is concluded that zymogen granules do not express InsP3 receptors and thus are not a site of Ca2+ release relevant to the secretory process in the pancreatic acinar cell.

Inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor expression in mammalian olfactory tissue

Two cDNAs encoding inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) receptors were amplified from rat olfactory tissue, and both exhibited 100% sequence identity to the short (Segment II - ) variant of type I IP3 receptor. Type III IP3 receptor was also expressed in olfactory tissue. The distribution of IP3 receptors included the olfactory epithelium, lamina propria, and glandular tissue. These results demonstrate the co-expression of multiple IP3 receptor subtypes in olfactory cells, and suggest multiple functions for IP3 receptors in this tissue.

Isoform diversity of the inositol trisphosphate receptor in cell types of mouse origin

Previous reports suggested the expression of four or five different Ins(1,4,5)P3 receptor [Ins(1,4,5)P3R] isoforms in mouse cells [Ross, Danoff, Schell, Snyder and Ullrich (1992) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 89, 4265-4269; De Smedt, Missiaen, Parys, Bootman, Mertens, Van Den Bosch and Casteels (1994) J. Biol. Chem. 269, 21691-21698]. To explore this diversity further, we have isolated and sequenced partial clones of two Ins(1,4,5)P3R mRNAs from the mouse embryonic C3H10T1/2 cell line. These clones showed between 94.2 and 94.9% sequence identity with the corresponding rat Ins(1,4,5)P3R-II and Ins(1,4,5)P3R-III isoforms. Based on these newly obtained sequences we have determined the relative expression of the different Ins(1,4,5)P3R mRNAs in cultured cells and in animal tissues of mouse origin by a ratio reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Ins(1,4,5)P3R-I was very prominent in brain and cerebellum and Ins(1,4,5)P3R-II in epithelia such as kidney as well as in both cardiac and skeletal muscle. Ins(1,4,5)P3R-III was highly expressed in all cultured cell types and in tissues with high cell turnover, e.g. testis. The prominent expression of Ins(1,4,5)P3R-I and Ins(1,4,5)P3R-III in A7r5 and C3H10T1/2 cells respectively was confirmed by immunoblot analysis and was compatible with a lower threshold for Ins(1,4,5)P3-induced Ca2+ release in the former cell type. Screening of a large number of mouse cell lines and tissues revealed the presence of Ins(1,4,5)P3R-I as well as of the Ins(1,4,5)P3R-II and Ins(1,4,5)P3R-III isoforms which were identified in the present study, but in contrast with previous reports there was no evidence for more isoform diversity.

Rapid kinetic measurements of 45Ca2+ mobilization reveal that Ins(2,4,5)P3 is a partial agonist at hepatic InsP3 receptors

Ins(2,4,5)P3, a metabolically stable analogue of Ins(1,4,5)P3, is widely used in analyses of Ca2+ signalling pathways, but its utility depends upon it faithfully mimicking the effects of the natural messenger, Ins(1,4,5)P3, at InsP3 receptors. To compare the kinetics of InsP3-evoked 45Ca2+ mobilization, Ins(1,4,5)P3- and Ins(2,4,5)P3-stimulated 45Ca2+ release from the intracellular stores of permeabilized rat hepatocytes was measured using rapid superfusion. Both Ins(1,4,5)P3 and Ins(2,4,5)P3 caused concentration-dependent increases in the rate of 45Ca2+ efflux, which accelerated towards a peak and then abruptly switched to a bi-exponentially decaying release rate. However, the peak rate of 45Ca2+ mobilization evoked by maximal concentrations of Ins(2,4,5)P3 was only 65+/-3% (n = 3) of that evoked by Ins(1,4,5)P3. Furthermore, Ins(2,4,5)P3 inhibited the peak rate of 45Ca2+ efflux evoked by Ins(1,4,5)P3. These results indicate that Ins(2,4,5)P3 is a partial agonist at hepatic Ins(1,4,5)P3 receptors. Additionally, responses to Ins(2,4,5)P3 were less positively cooperative [Hill coefficient (h) = 1.9+/-0.3] than were those to Ins(1,4,5)P3 (h = 3.0+/-0.2) and the kinetics of termination of 45Ca2+ mobilization were slower. The lesser efficacy of Ins(2,4,5)P3 may account for the lower cooperativity in the responses it evokes, the slower inactivation of InsP3 receptors and the characteristic patterns of Ca2+ spiking it evokes in intact cells.

Membrane insertion, glycosylation, and oligomerization of inositol trisphosphate receptors in a cell-free translation system

In order to study the membrane topology, processing, and oligomerization of inositol trisphosphate receptor (IP3R) isoforms, we have utilized RNA templates encoding putative transmembrane domains to program a cell-free translation system of rabbit reticulocyte lysates supplemented with canine pancreas microsomes. In the absence of microsomes, translation of the RNA templates encoding all the putative transmembrane domains present in the C-terminal segment of the type I (1TM) and type III (3TM) IP3R isoforms resulted in a 62- and 59-kDa polypeptide, respectively. In both cases, an additional band approximately 3 kDa larger was observed upon the addition of microsomes. Both bands in the translation doublet were integrated into microsomal membranes and were full-length translation products, as shown by sedimentation through a sucrose cushion and immunoprecipitation with C-terminal isoform-specific antibodies. With both isoforms, N-glycopeptidase F digestion indicates that the upper band in the doublet corresponds to a glycosylated translation product. A 17-kDa protected fragment was observed after proteinase-K digestion of 1TM translated in the presence of microsomes. The pattern and size of protected fragments was consistent with the current six-transmembrane domain model of IP3R topology. Cotranslation of both 1TM and 3TM RNA templates in the presence of microsomes followed by immunoprecipitation with isoform specific antibodies revealed coimmunoprecipitation of translation products. This was not observed when the isoforms were translated separately and then mixed, suggesting that heteroligomerization occurs cotranslationally. A construct encoding only the first putative transmembrane domain of the type I isoform was found to be sufficient for integration into membranes but was unable to oligomerize with either 1TM or 3TM. Cotranslation experiments using additional constructs indicate that the major structural determinant for homoligomerization lies between putative transmembrane domain 5 and the C terminus. A second oligomerization domain involved in stabilization of heteroligomers is present within the first four transmembrane domains.

Characterization of a cytosolic and a luminal Ca2+ binding site in the type I inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor

To study the Ca2+ regulation of the inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor (InsP3R) at the molecular level, we expressed various cytosolic and luminal regions of the mouse type I InsP3R as glutathione S-transferase fusion proteins. 45Ca2+ and ruthenium red overlay studies and Stains-all spectra and staining revealed both a cytosolic and a luminal Ca2+ binding site. The luminal Ca2+ binding site was mapped to the nonconserved acidic subregion of the luminal loop between amino acids 2463 and 2528. A K0.5 of 0.3 microM and a Hill coefficient of 1.1 were determined by 45Ca2+ overlay by quantification of 45Ca2+ binding on blots. The cytosolic Ca2+ binding site was localized in a region just preceding the transmembrane domain M1. The Ca2+ binding was mapped to a 23-amino acid stretch between amino acids 2124 and 2146. This cytosolic region showed a single high affinity site for Ca2+, with a K0.5 of 0. 8 microM and a Hill coefficient of 1.0. Neither of the identified Ca2+ binding regions contained an EF-hand motif. We conclude that the type I InsP3R has at least two quite distinct types of Ca2+ binding sites, which are localized in different structural regions of the protein.

Phosphorylation of the inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor. Cyclic GMP-dependent protein kinase mediates cAMP and cGMP dependent phosphorylation in the intact rat aorta

The effects of cyclic GMP (cGMP) and activation of cGMP-dependent protein kinase (PKG) on the phosphorylation of the inositol 1,4, 5-trisphosphate (IP3) receptor were examined in intact rat aorta using the technique of back phosphorylation. Aorta treated with the nitric oxide donors, S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine and sodium nitroprusside, or the selective PKG activator, 8-(4-para-chlorophenylthio)-cGMP (8-CPT-cGMP), demonstrated increased IP3 receptor phosphorylation in situ, which was both time- and concentration-dependent with a stoichiometry of 0.5 mol of phosphate/mol of receptor above control. Treatment of aorta with the adenyl cyclase activator, forskolin, also demonstrated increased phosphorylation of the IP3 receptor on the PKG site, although the selective cAMP-dependent protein kinase activator, 8-(4-para-chlorophenylthio)-cAMP (8-CPT-cAMP), did not increase the phosphorylation of the IP3 receptor. Moreover, the PKG selective inhibitor, KT 5823, inhibited both sodium nitroprusside and forskolin-induced IP3 receptor phosphorylation more potently than the selective cAMP-dependent protein kinase inhibitor, KT 5720, suggesting that PKG mediates the increase in IP3 receptor phosphorylation by both cyclic nucleotides in intact aorta. These results provide further support for the notion that PKG is activated by both cAMP and cGMP in intact vascular smooth muscle and that PKG performs a critical role in cyclic nucleotide-dependent relaxation of blood vessels.

Quantal calcium release in electropermeabilized SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells perfused with myo-inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate

Continuous perfusion of immobilized electropermeabilized SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells was utilised as a novel approach to the assessment of incremental activation and inactivation of myo-inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3)-induced calcium (Ca2+) mobilisation (IICM). SH-SY5Y cells when stimulated with sub-optimal IP3 exhibited a rapid concentration dependent activation of Ca2+ mobilization followed by a partial inactivation. Although this partial inactivation allowed net Ca2+ mobilized to be stringently returned to basal levels, a concentration-dependent depletion of the store was maintained while ever perfusion with the stimulating IP3 concentration was sustained. This partial inactivation of IP3-induced quantal Ca2+ release (QCR) was only compromised if cells, with replete Ca2+ stores, were perfused with supra-maximally effective concentrations of IP3 (5-10 microM). Thus, at supra-optimal IP3 concentrations, a reproducible plateau of Ca2+ release lying 50-150 nM above the basal Ca2+ concentration was observed. Feedback on IP3R sensitivity by gross cytosolic Ca2+ levels could be eliminated as the sustained and exclusive mediator of incremental activation/inactivation cycle of IICM in SH-SY5Y cells, since released Ca2+ was perfused away from the immobilized cells. Thus, while ever the cells were continuously perfused with IP3, impressive incremental inactivation was apparent. Additionally, IP3R partial agonists were found to exhibit lower intrinsic activity for both activation and inactivation of QCR, suggesting that ligand-induced inactivation of the IP3R was more important than inactivation mechanisms reliant on either Ca2+ flux through the channel and/or calcium store depletion. Therefore, we suggest that, in perfused SH-SY5Y cells, the most parsimonious explanation of our data is that IP3 binding probably activates and then partially inactivates its receptor in a concentration-dependent fashion to produce the QCR phenomenon.

Spatial domains of Ca2+ signaling in secretory epithelial cells

Secretory epithelial cells are found in exocrine organs such as the pancreas and are also found in the lining of the lungs and gut. One important regulator of cell function in epithelial cells is the concentration of cytosolic Ca2+. The study of Ca2+ signaling in these cells has a long history and recent work has now identified, at the molecular level, key components in the Ca2+ signaling cascade. Furthermore, advances in fluorescent imaging techniques has enabled a detailed insight into the subcellular distribution of the agonist-evoked [Ca2+]i signal. A number of spatially different [Ca2+]i responses have been identified. Firstly, global [Ca2+]i signals are observed in response to high agonist concentrations. Secondly, at lower agonist concentrations trains of local [Ca2+]i spikes, restricted to the secretory pole region of pancreatic acinar cells, have been identified. Finally, these local [Ca2+]i spikes have now been further devolved into microdomains of [Ca2+]i elevation. The [Ca2+]i signal within a single microdomain has been shown to be the crucial trigger in the regulation of the ion channels important in fluid secretion.

Degradation of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptors during cell stimulation is a specific process mediated by cysteine protease activity

Inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (InsP3) receptors are down-regulated in response to chronic activation of certain cell surface receptors because their degradation is accelerated. Studies on the nature of the down-regulatory process and the protease(s) responsible for receptor degradation are described here. InsP3 receptor down-regulation was not accompanied by parallel changes in the concentrations of several other relevant proteins (endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase, 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase, and protein kinases alpha and epsilon). Thus, the down-regulatory process selectively targets InsP3 receptors for degradation. Furthermore, down-regulation was unaffected by brefeldin A and NH4Cl, indicating that InsP3 receptor degradation occurs without removal of receptors from the endoplasmic reticulum and independently of functional lysosomes. Analysis of InsP3 receptor immunofluorescence confirmed that the receptors are not redistributed prior to or during down-regulation. Finally, of a range of protease inhibitors tested, only N-acetyl-Leu-Leu-norleucinal blocked down-regulation. Thus, cysteine protease activity accounts for InsP3 receptor degradation and analysis of proteolysis in permeabilized cells indicates that this activity is calpain. Thus, InsP3 receptor down-regulation appears to result from the highly selective calpain-mediated degradation of InsP3 receptors. Calpain activity may be stimulated by the high concentrations of Ca2+ that are thought to be found in the vicinity of activated InsP3 receptors.

Mechanisms responsible for quantal Ca2+ release from inositol trisphosphate-sensitive calcium stores

Activation of cells by hormones, growth factors or neurotransmitters leads to an increased production of inositol trisphosphate (InsP3) and, after activation of the InsP3 receptor (InsP3R), to Ca2+ release from intracellular Ca2+ stores. The release of intracellular Ca2+ is characterised by a graded response when submaximal doses of agonists are used. The basic phenomenon, called "quantal Ca2+ release", is that even the maintained presence of a submaximal dose of agonist or of InsP3 for long time periods (up to 20 min) provokes only a partial release of Ca2+. This partial, or quantal, release phenomenon is due to the fact that the initially very rapid InsP3-induced Ca2+ release eventually develops into a much slower release phase. Physiologically, quantal release allows the Ca2+ stores to function as increment detectors and to induce local Ca2+ responses. The basic mechanism for quantal release of Ca2+ is presently not known. Possible mechanisms to explain the quantal behaviour of InsP3- induced Ca2+ release include the presence of InsP3Rs with varying sensitivities for InsP3, heterogeneous InsP3R distribution, intrinsic inactivation of the InsP3Rs, and regulation of the InsP3Rs by Ca2+ store content. This article reviews critically the evidence for the various mechanisms and evaluates their functional importance. A Ca2+-mediated conformational change of the InsP3R is most likely the key feature of the mechanism for quantal Ca2+ release, but the exact mode of operation remains unclear. It should also be pointed out that in intact cells more than one mechanism can be involved.

Inhibition of the cerebellar inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate-sensitive Ca2+ channel by ethanol and other aliphatic alcohols

The effects of ethanol and other aliphatic alcohols on the endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ pump and the inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (InsP3)-sensitive Ca2+ channel were studied in pig cerebellar microsomes. Methanol, ethanol and propanol all stimulated ATP-dependent Ca2+ uptake, whereas butanol inhibited this process. Ethanol inhibited InsP3-induced Ca2+ release [half-maximal inhibition at 3.5%, v/v (600 mM)]. However, ethanol affected only the amount of InsP3-releasable Ca2+, without affecting the concentration of InsP3 required to induce half-maximal release. Other alcohols of longer chain length were more potent than ethanol at inhibiting InsP3-induced Ca2+ release, but none of the alcohols tested affected [3H]InsP3 binding to its receptor. Using stopped-flow techniques, measurements of the rate of InsP3-induced Ca2+ release in the preparation of pig cerebellar microsomes used in this study showed the kinetics to be monophasic, with a rate constant of 0.93s-1 at 20 microM InsP3. This rate constant was dependent upon InsP3 concentration, decreasing to 0.38s-1 at 0.25 microM InsP3. Ethanol was shown to reduce the fractional amount of InsP3-induced Ca2+ release without significantly affecting the rate constant for this process.

The inositol triphosphate receptor family

Specific receptors on intracellular membranes mediate the Ca2+ mobilization induced by the second messenger molecule D-myo-inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate (IP3). Most cell types appear to contain multiple receptor isoforms. The review summarizes recent progress on IP3 receptor biology with a particular emphasis on distinctive structural and regulatory features of the individual isoforms.

Alkali metal ion dependence of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate-induced calcium release from rat cerebellar microsomes

The effects of the alkali metal ions Na+, K+, Rb+, and Cs+ on ATP-dependent Ca2+ uptake, [3H]Inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (InsP3) binding, and quantal InsP3-induced Ca2+ release were investigated using rat cerebellar microsomes. Both the ion species and concentration affected the ability of the microsomes to support Ca2+ uptake with K+ being mot effective (3.8 nmol of Ca2+/min/mg at 100 mM K+). The order of efficacy of the other ions was as follows: K+ > Na+ > Rb+ = Cs+ >> Li+. The binding of [3H]InsP3 to cerebellar microsomes was, however, affected little by the presence of these ions. All these alkali metal ions (except Li+) supported InsP3-induced Ca2+ release at concentrations above 25 mM; however, the extent of Ca2+ release (expressed as a percent Ca2+ release compared with that released by the ionophore A23187) was dependent upon the ion species present. Again K+ was more potent than the other ions at facilitating InsP3-induced Ca2+ release (order of efficacy: K+ > Rb+ > Na+ > Cs+), although the concentration of InsP3 required to induce half-maximal Ca2+ release (IC50) was not significantly altered. Over the ion concentration range tested (25-100 mM), the extent of InsP3-induced Ca2+ release with both K+ and Rb+ increased in a linear fashion, while Na+ showed only a slight increase and Cs+ showed no increase over this range. The effect of K+ concentration on quantal Ca2+ release was to alter the extent of release rather than the IC50 InsP3 concentration. Using stopped-flow techniques, the effects of InsP3 and K+ concentrations on the kinetics of InsP3-induced Ca2+ release were shown to exhibit a monoexponential process in this microsomal preparation. The rate constants for Ca2+ release increased with InsP3 concentration (0.11 s-1 at 0.02 microM InsP3 to 0.5 s-1 at 40 microM InsP3); however, the relationship between the fractional extent of release and rate constants for release did not change in a similar way with InsP3 concentration. Although the fractional extent of Ca2+ release increased with K+ concentration, the rate constants for release over this K+ concentration range were unaffected. This observation leads us to question the role of K+ as a counter ion required for Ca2+ release, and we therefore postulate a role for K+ (and the other alkali metal ions) as a "co-factor" required for channel opening.

Heteroligomers of type-I and type-III inositol trisphosphate receptors in WB rat liver epithelial cells

We have previously shown that a 222-kDa polypeptide co-immunoprecipitates together with the type-I myoinositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor (IP3R) in WB rat liver epithelial cell extracts, when the immunoprecipitation is carried out with a type-I isoform specific antibody (Joseph, S. K. (1994) J. Biol. Chem. 269, 5673-5679). Utilizing isoform-specific antibodies raised to unique sequences within the COOH-terminal region of IP3 receptors, we now report that the co-immunoprecipitating 222-kDa polypeptide is the type-III IP3R isoform and that type-III IP3R antibodies (Abs) can co-immunoprecipitate the type-I IP3R isoform. Co-immunoprecipitation of IP3R isoforms was not due to cross-reactivity of the antibodies for the following reasons: (a) on immunoblots the type-III antibodies did not cross-react with type-I IP3R and vice versa; (b) inclusion of the COOH-terminal type-III peptide had no effect on the ability of type-I IP3R Ab to co-immunoprecipitate the type-III IP3R but blocked the ability of type-III IP3R Ab to coimmunoprecipitate the type-I isoform; and (c) crude hepatocyte lysates contain undetectable amounts of type-III IP3R, and immunoprecipitation with type-III IP3R Ab does not co-immunoprecipitate any other isoforms. However, type-I and type-II IP3R isoforms were co-immunoprecipitated by their respective antibodies in hepatocyte lysates. Sucrose density gradient analysis of WB cell lysates indicated that the co-immunoprecipitating fraction is exclusively located at the density expected for tetrameric receptors, suggesting that co-immunoprecipitation was not a reflection of the nonspecific aggregation of IP3R isoforms. Phosphorylation of either type-I or type-III immunoprecipitates by protein kinase A indicated that only the type-I IP3R could be phosphorylated in vitro. Fractionation of WB cell membranes and immunofluorescence studies showed that the type-I and type-III isoforms have very similar sub-cellular localizations. We conclude that the WB cell contains both type-I and type-III IP3R isoforms and that a proportion of these receptors exist as heterotetramers.