Regulation of intracellular calcium in chick embryo fibroblast: calcium uptake by the microsomal fraction

Gluconeogenesis stimulated by extracellular ATP is triggered by the initial increase in the intracellular Ca2+ concentration of the periphery of hepatocytes

Extracellular ATP, ADP and GTP increased the intracellular free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) in a suspension of isolated rat hepatocytes. The [Ca2+]i was determined by measuring fura-2 fluorescence, and its increase was biphasic. The initial transient rise was followed by a longer-lasting plateau. The peak of the early component preceded the plateau level of the second component. A time course of change in [Ca2+]i in single cells at 100 microM-ATP was very similar to that observed in the suspension system. Preincubation of hepatocytes with 40 mM-caffeine, 2 mM-oxalate or 60 microM-dantrolene sodium inhibited the P2 purinergic response. The plateau phase was not observed when measured in the presence of extracellular 100 microM-LaCl3 or in the absence of extracellular Ca2+. The distribution of [Ca2+]i in single hepatocytes was also determined by fluorescence image analysis. In the initial phase, the increase in [Ca2+]i is greater in the peripheral region than the central region of the cell. Degradation of extracellular ATP by ecto-ATPase in the hepatocyte suspension was measured; the amount of ATP degradation was less than 10-15% of the initial amount (100 microM) during the measurement of the intracellular [Ca2+]i in the cell suspension. Extracellular ATP stimulated glucose synthesis. The rate of glucose production also showed two components, the initial fast component within 1 min and the subsequent slower component. The rate of the initial fast component did not depend on the presence or absence of extracellular Ca2+, whereas the rate of the subsequent component depended on it. The present study shows that the initial transient rise in [Ca2+]i plays an important role in triggering the gluconeogenesis.

Acid secretagogues induce Ca2+ mobilization coupled to K+ conductance activation in rat parietal cells in tissue culture

Intracellular recordings from cultured parietal cells of the rat gastric fundus showed that carbachol, pentagastrin, histamine (in the presence of isobutylmethylxanthine; IBMX) and dibutyryl cyclic AMP induced hyperpolarizing responses which were sensitive to a K+ channel blocker, quinine. The Ca2+ ionophore, ionomycin, also induced a quinine-sensitive hyperpolarization. Deprivation of extracellular Ca2+ preferentially inhibited the hyperpolarizing responses to histamine (plus IBMX) and to dibutyryl cyclic AMP. Caffeine, oxalate and dantrolene sodium, which are known to affect Ca2+ transport in the endoplasmic reticulum, selectively inhibited the carbachol response. Mitochondrial inhibitors (KCN and carbonylcyanide p-trifluoromethoxyphenylhydrazone) preferentially suppressed the gastrin response. Cytosolic Ca2+ measurements with fura-2 indicated that significant increases in the intracellular concentration of free Ca2+ were induced not only by Ca2+-mediated acid secretagogues (carbachol and gastrin), but also by a cyclic AMP-mediated secretagogue (histamine plus IBMX). Dibutyryl cyclic AMP also increased cytosolic Ca2+ ions. It is concluded that stimulation of receptors to histamine, carbachol and gastrin gives rise to mobilization of Ca2+ ions into the cytoplasm from the different sources, thereby stimulating Ca2+-activated K+ channels in cultured rat parietal cells.

Synchronous oscillation of the cytoplasmic Ca2+ concentration and membrane potential in cultured epithelial cells (Intestine 407)

Cultured epithelial Intestine 407 cells exhibit regular oscillations of the membrane potential with repeated hyperpolarizations. These hyperpolarizations were inhibited not only by K+ channel blockers (tetraethylammonium and nonyltriethylammonium) but also by inhibitors of the Ca2+-activated K+ channel (quinine and quinidine). Using Ca2+-selective microelectrodes, cyclic increases in the cytosolic free Ca2+ concentration of more than 1 X 10(-6) M were found to coincide with the cyclic membrane hyperpolarizations. Thus, it appears that the potential oscillation is brought about by the oscillation of the intracellular free Ca2+ level which induces periodic activation of the Ca2+-dependent K+ channels. Neither the deprivation of extracellular Ca2+ nor the application of Ca2+ channel blockers (Co2+ and Ni2+) abolished the potential oscillation. Mitochondrial inhibitors (KCN, NaN3, antimycin A, FCCP and dinitrophenol) inhibited the potential oscillation, whereas glycolytic inhibitors (iodoacetic acid and NaF) had no effects. Caffeine and oxalate, which affect the microsomal Ca2+ transport, failed to exert any effect upon the potential oscillation. It is concluded that the cytosolic Ca2+ oscillation results from cyclic releases of Ca2+ from the intracellular storage site, which depends upon mitochondrial activities.

Uptake of calcium by the endoplasmic reticulum of the frog photoreceptor

We studied retinal photoreceptors of Rana pipiens by using techniques designed to investigate calcium localization. Particularly useful were methods in which intracellular sites of calcium uptake were detected by incubation of saponin-treated isolated retinas in calcium-containing media, with oxalate present as a trapping agent. With these procedures, cell compartments accumulate deposits, which can be shown to contain calcium by x-ray microanalysis. Calcium accumulation was prominent in the rough endoplasmic reticulum in the myoid region. In addition, deposits were observed in agranular reticulum and in certain Golgi-associated compartments of the myoid region, in mitochondria, in axonal reticulum, and in agranular reticulum of presynaptic terminals. Calcium was also detected in the endoplasmic reticulum of retinas fixed directly upon isolation, by a freeze-substitution method. The factors influencing accumulation of calcium in the endoplasmic reticulum were evaluated by a semiquantitative approach based on determining the relative frequency of calcium oxalate crystals under varying conditions. Calcium accumulation was markedly enhanced by ATP. Studies with a nonhydrolyzable ATP analogue (adenylyl- imidodiphosphate ) and with inhibitors of the sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-Mg2+ ATPase (mersalyl and tetracaine) indicated that this ATP-dependent calcium uptake reflects an energy-dependent process roughly comparable to that in the sarcoplasmic reticulum.

Compartmentation of calcium in digitonin-disrupted guinea pig pancreatic acinar cells

The treatment of guinea pig pancreatic acinar cells with digitonin leads to disruption of the plasma membrane, as judged by the liberation of cytosolic enzymes, without significant alteration of the mitochondrial membrane. The transport of calcium by the particulate residue was studied, and two different pools could be distinguished. One was supported by ATP or ADP, succinate providing the respiratory substrate, and was sensitive to the inhibitors, Ruthenium red and azide. The other pool needed the presence of ATP, ADP being ineffective, and also was unaffected by Ruthenium red or by azide, but was stimulated several-fold by oxalate. The Ruthenium red-sensitive calcium pool has characteristics resembling those of the transport of calcium by a mitochondrial fraction prepared from digitonin-treated acinar cells. In contrast, the Ruthenium red-insensitive calcium transport has characteristics resembling those of a microsomal fraction obtained from guinea pig pancreas. When the transport of calcium in digitonized cells was assayed at a calcium concentration range of 10(-8)-10(-4) M, preferential Ruthenium red-insensitive calcium transport could be observed at submicromolar calcium concentrations.

A survey of differences between membrane polypeptides of transformed and nontransformed chick embryo fibroblasts

Plasma membrane-associated polypeptides of chick embryo fibroblasts and cells transformed by the Schmidt-Ruppin wild-type strain of Rous sarcoma virus and its temperature-sensitive tsNY68 mutant were compared by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. Polypeptide and glycoprotein alterations were identified after incubation of cells with [35S]methionine and [3H]mannose and by staining of the gels with 125I-labeled concanavalin A and Coomassie brilliant blue. Polypeptides found to be consistently transformation-sensitive included a group of five polypeptides that were detected only by short-term labeling with methionine, fibronectin, a 180 kDa polypeptide with a pI of 5.6, a mannose-containing glycoprotein of 48 kDA and an unusually high pI of 8.4, and a 19 kDa polypeptide with a pI of approx. 4.5. Several of these polypeptides appear to be particularly interesting for further characterization.

Subcellular localization of calcium in the coronet cells and tanycytes of the saccus vasculosus of the rainbow trout, Salmo gairdneri Richardson

The intracellular localization of calcium in the saccus vasculosus of the rainbow trout, Salmo gairdneri Richardson, was studied by means of ultracytochemical and X-ray microanalytical techniques. Using a variant of the glutaraldehyde/potassium pyroantimonate-osmium tetroxide method, Ca was detected in mitochondria, smooth endoplasmic reticulum and primary vesicles of coronet cells, and in mitochondria and smooth endoplasmic reticulum of tanycytes. Mitochondria and smooth endoplasmic reticulum in both cell types are considered as general Ca-stores. The primary vesicles in the ciliary globules of coronet cells are viewed as additional Ca-reservoirs. Possible roles of these Ca-stores in the regulation of transport activities of coronet cells in the homeostasis of the CSF are discussed.

Calcium channel and calcium pump involved in oscillatory hyperpolarizing responses of L-strain mouse fibroblasts

1. In fibroblastic L cells, spontaneously repeated hyperpolarizing responses (oscillation of membrane potential) and hyperpolarizing responses evoked by electrical stimuli were suppressed by the external application of a K(+) channel blocker, nonyltriethylammonium (C(9)). This hydrophobic TEA-analogue also inhibited the hyperpolarization induced by intracellular Ca(2+) injection.2. Quinine or quinidine, known inhibitors of the Ca(2+)-activated K(+) channel of red cells, instantaneously inhibited these hyperpolarizations. Thus, these hyperpolarizations are likely to be caused by the operation of Ca(2+)-sensitive K(+) channels.3. Azide, which is known to inhibit the mitochondrial Ca(2+) uptake in fibroblasts, and caffeine, dantrolene Na and oxalate, which affect the microsomal Ca(2+) transport, did not exert any effects upon the electrical potential profiles.4. On the other hand, Ca(2+) channel blockers (nifedipine, D 600 and Co(2+)) suppressed the hyperpolarizing responses, but not the hyperpolarizations produced by intracellular Ca(2+) injection, suggesting that the calcium ions responsible for the hyperpolarizing responses are mainly derived from outside the cell through Ca(2+) channels.5. Flavones of plant origin, which are known to inhibit Ca(2+)-ATPase, prolonged the duration of the hyperpolarizing phase of the oscillation or produced a sustained hyperpolarization.6. It is concluded that the Ca(2+) channel and the Ca(2+) pump play essential roles in the generation of the hyperpolarizing response and of the membrane potential oscillation in L cells, and that these hyperpolarizations are brought about by a transient elevation of cytosolic Ca(2+) level which, in turn, activates Ca(2+)-dependent K(+) channels.

Effects of ionophore A23187 on calcium fluxes from cultured adrenal cells

The effect of the calcium ionophore A23128 on calcium fluxes from Y-1 adrenal cortical cells was investigated. Conditions were chosen which are known to result in an inhibition of steroidogenesis (6 . 10(-6) M ionophore and 3 . 10(-4) M extracellular calcium). Calcium efflux from Y-1 cells exhibited two distinct phases. A fast phase which was insensitive to the mitochondrial poison sodium azide and a slow, azide-sensitive phase. The ionophore brought about a rapid increase in the rate of calcium efflux and an 84% reduction in the size of the calcium pool which was associated with the slow efflux phase as well as a reduction in its rate constant. A decrease in the size of the rapidly exchanging calcium pool was also detected. Ethanol, the solvent which was used for the ionophore, slightly increased the rate constant of the rapidly exchanging pool. Conditions which resulted in diminished steroidogenic capacity also brought about a reduction in the size of an energy dependent, intracellular pool. The data is interpreted as being consistent with a hypothesis that the ionophore-induced inhibition of steroidogenesis may be causatively related to the loss of intracellular calcium or to the mechanism which brings about the loss.

Changes in motochondrial calcium metabolism after treating mastocytoma cells with N6,O2'-dibutyryladenosine 3',5' cyclic monophosphate

Comparison of Ca2+ uptake by isolated mouse liver mitochondria, and mitochondria prepared from mastocytoma cells grown with and without N6,O2'-dibutyryladenosine 3',5' cyclic monophosphate (DB cyclic AMP) and theophylline showed several differences in their capacity to take up and retain calcium. In particular mitochondria from DB cyclic AMP-treated mastocytoma cells took up more Ca2+ than mitochondria from untreated mastocytoma cells. Ca2+ uptake by mitochondria from DB cyclic AMP-treated cells was also increased in the presence of oxalate whereas oxalate did not affect Ca2+ uptake by mitochondria from untreated mastocytoma cells and it reduced Ca2+ uptake by mouse liver mitochrondria. The results suggest that inhibiting the growth of mastocytoma cells with DB cyclic AMP alters their mitochondrial Ca2+ metabolism.

Relationship between calcium ion transport and (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-atpase activity in adipocyte endoplasmic reticulum

Calcium uptake by adipocyte endoplasmic reticulum was studied in a rapidly obtained microsomal fraction. The kinetics and ionic requirements of Ca2+ transport in this preparation were characterized and compared to those of (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase activity. The time course of Ca2+ uptake in the presence of 5 mM oxalate was nonlinear, approaching a steady-state level of 10.8--11.5 nmol Ca2+/mg protein after 3--4 min of incubation. The rate of Ca2+ transport was iM oxalate. The calculated initial rate of calcium uptake was 18.5 nmol Ca2+/mg protein per min. The double reciprocal plot of ATP concentration against transport rate was nonlinear, with apparent Km values of 100 muM and 7 muM for ATP concentration ranges above and below 50 muM, respectively. The apparent Km values for Mg2+ and Ca2+ were 132 muM and 0.36--0.67 muM, respectively. The energy of activation was 23.4 kcal/mol. These kinetic properties were strikingly similar to those of the microsomal (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase. The presence of potassium was required for maximum Ca2+ transport activity. The order of effectiveness of monovalent cations in stimulating both Ca2+ transport and (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase activity was K+ greater than Na+ = NH4+ greater than Li+. Ca2+ transport and (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase activity were both inhibited 10--20% by 6 mM procaine and less than 10% by 10 mM sodium azide. Both processes were completely inhibited by 3 mM dibucaine or 50 muM p-chloromercuribenzene sulfonate. The results indicate that Ca2+ transport in adipocyte endoplasmic reticulum is mediated by a (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase and suggest an important role for endoplasmic reticulum in control of intracellular Ca2+ distribution.

Effect of cell density on energy-dependent calcium uptake by Balb/c 3T3 membranes is independent of protein synthesis and attachment to substratum

Membranes isolated from subconfluent cultures of Balb/c 3T3 cells have low energy-dependent calcium uptake activity. Replating confluent cells at low density results in a prompt fall of energy-dependent calcium uptake by membrane fractions. The level to which uptake activity falls is a function of the density at which the cells are plated (Moore and Pastan, '77b). To determine if regulation of energy-dependent uptake of calcium by membrane fractions is dependent upon attachment to a substrate and to further characterize conditions that regulate the process, we examined calcium uptake activity of membranes isolated from cells in suspension. With cells in suspension energy-dependent calcium uptake activity of isolated membranes falls promptly if cells are diluted to a low density (less than 10(5) cells/ml) and is a function of cell density. When cells in suspension at low cell densities are concentrated to high cell densities (greater than 2 x 10(6) cells/ml), calcium uptake activity of the isolated membrane fraction is increased as a function of cell density. These changes of membrane calcium uptake activity occur promptly and do not require protein synthesis.

A calcium requirement for movement of cultured cells

When calcium is removed from culture medium, motility of cultured cells is decreased. The effect is rapid, reversible and pronounced. Decreased motility is observed with normal mouse Balb/c 3T3 cells, mouse L929 cells, rat kidney fibroblasts and chick embryo fibroblasts. The calcium dependence of movement can be observed both with individual cells and with the movement of the margin of a monolayer into a wound. Magnesium will not substitute for calcium to maintain motility. Strontium will substitute, but is not as effective as calcium for maintaining cell movement. Low concentrations of the divalent cation ionophore A23187 (0.5-1 micron) partially reverse the reduced migration observed at low calcium concentrations. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that movement of non-muscle cells occurs through mechanisms similar to those important in the contraction of muscle.

Endoplasmic reticulum sequesters calcium in the squid giant axon

Axons were loaded with calcium, rapidly frozen, and freeze-substituted. The endoplasmic reticulum, in addition to mitochondria, contained calcium deposits, as indicated by electron probe x-ray microanalysis. Oxalate injected into living axons helped to preserve calcium-containing deposits during preparation for microscopy. It is concluded that the endoplasmic reticulum is a calcium-sequestering compartment in the squid giant axon.

Serum-stimulated changes in calcium transport and distribution in mouse 3T3 cells and their modification by dibutyryl cyclic AMP

Serum stimulation of quiescent 3T3 cells returns the cells to a proliferative state. Changes in Ca content, transport and distribution during the transition through G1 and S phase have been investigated following serum stimulation of these cells. 45 Ca exchange data indicate at least two kinetically defined cellular compartments for Ca; a rapidly exchanging component presumably representing surface Ca which is removable by EGTA and a slowly exchanging component presumably representing cytoplasmically located Ca. Previous studies (Tupper and Zorgniotti, '77) indicate that the approach to quiescence in the 3T3 cells is characterized by a large increase in the surface Ca component. The present data demonstrate that this component is rapidly lost following serum stimulation. Furthermore, the serum induces an 8-fold increase in Ca influx into the cytoplasmic compartment and a reduction in the unidirectional efflux rate coefficient for Ca. The increased Ca uptake peaks at approximately six hours (mid G1) and is accompanied by a parallel increase in cellular Ca. Prior to entrance of the cells into S phase (10-12 hours), Ca uptake declines. This is followed by a slower decline in cytoplasmic Ca levels. Simultaneous addition to fresh serum plus 0.5 mM dibutryl cAMP inhibits the entrance of the cells into S phase. Under these conditions the loss of surface Ca is not blocked. However, the presence of 0.5 mM dibutyryl cAMP inhibits the increase in Ca uptake and, in turn, diminishes the increase in cellular Ca following serum stimulation. In contrast, a low level of dibutyryl cAMP (0.1 mM) enhances progression through G1 phase but also reduces both Ca uptake and Ca content of the cells. The data suggest that the serum induced changes in Ca content and transport are linked to intracellular cyclic nucleotide levels and progression through G1 phase and that extracellular cAMP elevating agents may enhance of inhibit these interactions in a concentration dependent manner.