Barnacle muscle: Ca2+, activation and mechanics

G protein-coupled receptor signal transduction and Ca2+ signaling pathways of the allatotropin/orexin system in Hydra

Allatotropin is a pleiotropic peptide originally characterized in insects. The existence of AT neuropeptide signaling was proposed in other invertebrates. In fact, we previously proposed the presence of an AT-like system regulating feeding behavior in Hydra sp. Even in insects, the information about the AT signaling pathway is incomplete. The aim of this study is to analyze the signaling cascade activated by AT in Hydra plagiodesmica using a pharmacological approach. The results show the involvement of Ca²⁺ and IP₃ signaling in the transduction pathway of the peptide. Furthermore, we confirm the existence of a GPCR system involved in this pathway, that would be coupled to a G_q subfamily of Gα protein, which activates a PLC, inducing an increase in IP₃ and cytosolic Ca²⁺. To the best of our knowledge, this work represents the first in vivo approach to study the overall signaling pathway and intracellular events involved in the myoregulatory effect of AT in Hydra sp.

Multi-species transcriptomics reveals evolutionary diversity in the mechanisms regulating shrimp tail muscle excitation-contraction coupling

The natural flight response in shrimp is powered by rapid contractions of the abdominal muscle fibres to propel themselves backwards away from perceived danger. This muscle contraction is dependent on repetitive depolarization of muscle plasma membrane, triggering tightly spaced cytoplasmic [Ca²⁺] transients and rapidly rising tetanic force responses. To achieve such high amplitude and high frequency of Ca²⁺ transients requires a high abundance of sarcoplasmic/endoplasmic reticulum Ca²⁺ ATPase (SERCA) to rapidly clear cytoplasmic Ca²⁺ between each transient and an efficient Ca²⁺ release system consisting of the Ryanodine Receptor (RyR), and voltage gated Ca²⁺ channels (Ca_Vs). With the aim to expand our knowledge of muscle gene function and identify orthologous genes regulating muscle excitation-contraction (EC) coupling, this study assembled nine Penaeid shrimp muscle transcriptomes. On average, the nine transcriptomes contained 27,000 contigs, with an annotation rate of 36% and a BUSCO completeness of 70%. Despite maintaining their function, the crustacean RyR and Ca_V proteins showed evidence of significant diversification from mammalian orthologs, while SERCA remained more conserved. Several key components of protein interaction were conserved, while others showed distinct crustacean specific evolutionary adaptations. Lastly, this study revealed approximately 1,000 orthologous genes involved in muscle specific processes present across all nine species.

Calcium signalling in early divergence of Metazoa: mechanisms involved in the control of muscle-like cell contraction in Hydra plagiodesmica

Our laboratory has previously examined the effect of neuropeptides on the activity of the hypostome of the hydra Hydra plagiodesmica Dioni, 1968 (Cnidaria: Hydrozoa). These results showed that the hypostome, a structure extruded during feeding, responds to myoregulatory peptides and that this mechanism might be regulated by changes in the cytosolic levels of calcium (Ca2+). We analyse now the ways in which Ca2+ modulates hypostome activity during feeding. The use of calcium chelators confirms that Ca2+ is relevant in inducing hypostome extrusion. The assay of compounds that modulate the activity of Ca2+ channels in the endoplasmic reticulum suggests that, beyond the extracellular influx of calcium, intracellular sources of the ion are involved and might include both ryanodine receptors (RyR) and the inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor (IP3R). Bioinformatic searches based on sequences of RyR and IP3R of humans (Homo sapiens Linnaeus, 1758) show that IP3Rs are present in all groups analysed, including Fungi and Choanoflagellata. Although H. plagiodesmica responds to caffeine and ryanodine, which are known to modulate RyRs, this family of receptors seems not to be predicted in Cnidaria, suggesting that this phylum either lacks these kinds of channels or that they possess a different structure compared with those possessed by other Metazoa.

Sites and modes of action of proctolin and the FLP F2 on lobster cardiac muscle

At the threshold concentration (1-10 pmol l-1), the neuropeptide hormones proctolin (PR) and the FLRFamide-like peptide (FLP) F2cause an increase in amplitude of electrically evoked contractions (each contraction is a brief tetanus) of lobster heart ostial muscle. At higher concentrations each peptide also induces an increase in tonus (contracture). The PR-induced contracture and augmentation of tetani are proportional to increases in [Ca2+]i. The rate of onset and recovery of peptide-induced effects on both tetani and contracture appeared to reduced by Ca2+ storage by the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR). Enhanced tetani following a contracture may be due to enhanced voltage-gated Ca2+current and sarcoplasmic reticular (SR) Ca2+ loading. The SR Ca2+ loading appears to be specific for PR and F2, since glutamic-acid-induced contractures are not followed by increased tetani. The prolonged elevation of [Ca2+]i during contracture causes a right-ward shift in the force-pCa curve indicating a decrease in myofibrillar sensitivity to Ca2+. Blocking voltage-gated Ca2+ channels with Cd2+, nifedipine or verapamil, while reducing tetani, does not prevent peptide-induced contracture and enhanced tetani. Opening SR Ca2+ channels and depleting SR Ca2+with either caffeine or ryanodine blocked tetani but permitted accelerated peptide-induced contractures. We conclude that PR and F2 at low concentration enhance voltage-dependent Ca2+ induced Ca2+ release from the SR, while higher hormone levels directly gate Ca2+ entry across the sarcolemma.

Voltage-clamp analysis of membrane currents and excitation-contraction coupling in a crustacean muscle

A single fibre preparation from the extensor muscle of a marine isopod crustacean is described which allows the analysis of membrane currents and simultaneously recorded contractions under two-electrode voltage-clamp conditions. We show that there are three main depolarisation-gated currents, two are outward and carried by K+, the third is an inward Ca2+ current, I(Ca). Normally, the K+ currents which can be isolated by using K+ channel blockers, mask I(Ca). I(Ca) activates at potentials more positive than -40 mV, is maximal around 0 mV, and shows strong inactivation at higher depolarisation. Inactivation depends on current rather than voltage. Ba2+, Sr2+ and Mg2+ can substitute for Ca2+. Ba2+ currents are about 80% larger than Ca2+ currents and inactivate little. The properties of I(Ca) characterise it as a high threshold L-type current. The outward current consists primarily of a fast, transient A current, I(K(A)) and a maintained, delayed rectifier current, I(K(V)). In some fibres, a small Ca2+-dependent K+ current is also present. I(K(A)) activates fast at depolarisation above -45 mV, shows pronounced inactivation and is almost completely inactivated at holding potentials more positive than -40 mV. I(K(A)) is half-maximally blocked by 70 microM 4-aminopyridine (4-AP), and 70 mM tetraethylammonium (TEA). I(K(V)) activates more slowly, at about -30 mV, and shows no inactivation. It is half-maximally blocked by 2 mM TEA but rather insensitive to 4-AP. Physiologically, the two K+ currents prevent all-or-nothing action potentials and determine the graded amplitude of active electrical responses and associated contractions. Tension development depends on and is correlated with depolarisation-induced Ca2+ influx mediated by I(Ca). The voltage dependence of peak tension corresponds directly to the voltage dependence of the integrated I(Ca). The threshold potential for contraction is at about -38 mV. Peak tension increases with increasing voltage steps, reaches maximum at around 0 mV, and declines with further depolarisation.

Calcium homeostasis in crustaceans: subcellular Ca dynamics

The molting cycle of crustaceans, associated with renewal and remineralization of the cuticle, has emerged as a model system to study regulation of genes that code for Ca(2+)-transporting proteins, common to all eukaryotic cells. This article reviews state-of-the-art knowledge about how crustacean transporting epithelia (gills, hepatopancreas and antennal gland) effect mass transcellular movement of Ca(2+) while preventing cytotoxicity. The current model proposed is based on in vitro research on the intermolt stage with extrapolation to other molting stages. Plasma membrane proteins involved in apical and basolateral Ca(2+) movement (NCX, PMCA) are contrasted between aquatic species of different osmotic origin and among transporting epithelia of an individual species. Their roles are assessed in the context of epithelial Ca(2+) flux derived from organismic approaches. Exchange with extracellular environments is integrated with Ca(2+) sequestration mechanisms across endomembranes of the ER/SR and mitochondria. Finally, the review postulates how new Ca(2+) imaging techniques will allow spatial and temporal resolution of Ca(2+) concentration in subcellular domains.

Localisation of intracellular calcium stores in the striated muscles of the jellyfishPolyorchis penicillatus: possible involvement in excitation–contraction coupling

When jellyfish striated muscles were stimulated directly, the amplitude of contractile tension increased as the stimulation frequency increased. Application of 10 mmol l–1 caffeine reduced the amplitude of contractile tension and abolished this facilitatory relationship, indicating that calcium stores participate in excitation–contraction coupling. Calcium stores were identified ultrastructurally using enzymatic histochemistry to localize CaATPases, and potassium dichromate to precipitate calcium. Electron energy-loss spectroscopy was used to verify the presence of calcium in precipitates. Both CaATPase and calcium were localised in membrane-bound vesicles beneath the sarcolemma. We concluded that sub-sarcolemmal vesicles could act as calcium stores and participate in excitation–contraction coupling.