Calcium and chlorpromazine interactions in rat synaptic plasma membranes. A spin-label and fluorescence probe study

Effects of Chlorpromazine·HCl on the Structural Parameters of Bovine Brain Membranes

Fluorescence probes located in different membrane regions were used to evaluate the effects of chlorpromazine .HCl on structural parameters (transbilayer lateral mobility, annular lipid fluidity, protein distribution, and lipid bilayer thickness) of synaptosomal plasma membrane vesicles (SPMVs) isolated from bovine cerebral cortex. The experimental procedure was based on the selective quenching of 1,3-di(1-pyrenyl)propane (Py-3-Py) by trinitrophenyl groups, radiationless energy transfer from the tryptophan of membrane proteins to Py-3-Py, and energy transfer from Py-3-Py monomers to 1-anilinonaphthalene-8-sulfonic acid (ANS). In this study, chlorpromazine .HCl decreased the lateral mobility of Py-3-Py in a concentration dependent-manner, showed a greater ordering effect on the inner monolayer than on the outer monolayer, decreased annular lipid fluidity in a dose dependent-manner, and contracted the membrane lipid bilayer. Furthermore, the drug was found to have a clustering effect on membrane proteins.

A spin label study of the membrane effect of various psychoactive drugs in human erythrocytes

The effect of psychoactive agents with different clinical actions: three sedative neuroleptics (trifluoperazine, alimemazine tartrate, chlorpromazine), an anticholinergic agent (trihexyphenidyl hydrochloride), two tricyclic antidepressants (imipramine, desipramine) and lithium carbonate on the rotational correlation frequency (V+) of the spin label 16NS has been comparatively investigated in whole human erythrocytes. V+ was about 40% increased by the three neuroleptics, the anticholinergic agent and the antidepressant molecules at 0.2 mM. By contrast, lithium did not induce any significant change in V+ at the same concentrations. It can be suggested that the increase in "membrane fluidity", observed with a wide variety of drugs, is a non specific effect, unrelated to the psychotropic action, that can be ascribed to the amphiphilic properties of the tested drugs.

Biophysical interpretation of membrane fluidity by catastrophe theory

We have regrouped the data of two examples where membrane fluidity was progressively modified by pharmacological and physiological agents. In our approach, each initial condition is determined by control parameters (depth of the membrane bilayer explored, concentration of agents). The fluidity is expressed as a state parameters followed on the control space. Then, according to Catastrophe Theory, the results are depicted as tridimensional patterns which can be recognized as bifurcation sets. Consequently, the fluidity is considered as resulting in a compromise phenomenon (normal factor) between two structurally attracting configurations (of hydrophilic and hydrophobic nature). The concepts of membrane activity and membrane function are then discussed on the basis of physiological functionality of biomembranes. The main application of this research interests the pharmacological domain. Indeed, a new classification of drugs could be proposed. According to the loss of membrane functionality, some drugs could imply a too high differentiation of attractors (splitting factor) and others could imply the destruction of the compromise. The first type is characterized by the physical destruction of the membrane. In the second type, the entity of the bilayer is preserved but the membrane is destructurated.

Interaction of amphiphiles with integral membrane proteins. I. Structural destabilization of the anion transport protein of the erythrocyte membrane by fatty acids, fatty alcohols, and fatty amines

The effect of model amphiphiles on the structural stability of the anion exchange protein (band 3) of the human erythrocyte membrane was studied by differential scanning calorimetry. The concentration of membranes, as well as the concentration, head group, alkyl chain length, degree of unsaturation, and double bond configuration of a variety of alkane derivatives were all varied in a systematic way. The depression of the denaturation temperature of band 3 per unit membrane concentration of the amphiphile was then determined in order to quantitate the potency of each drug. Saturated fatty acids of chain length C8 to C24 displayed a monotonic decrease in potency up to C20, followed by a dramatic diminution in potency at C22 and C24. Unsaturation caused only minor increases in the abilities of fatty acids to perturb the anion exchanger, and surprisingly, there was neither a trend for the number of double bonds nor a significant cis-trans distinction. Arachidonic acid, as an exception, was much more effective than any other amphiphile in destabilizing band 3. Fatty acids were about three times more potent than fatty amines and fatty alcohols; however, the enhanced partitioning of the latter into the membrane compensated at certain membrane/buffer ratios for its reduced intrinsic potency. A quantitative model interpretation of the data is presented in an accompanying paper.

Effects of calmodulin antagonists on hormone release and cyclic AMP levels in GH3 pituitary cells

In GH3 cells the calmodulin antagonists trifluoperazine and N-(6-aminohexyl)-5-chloro-1-napthalene sulphonamide hydrochloride (W-7) showed a dose-dependent, biphasic effect on the release of growth hormone (GH) and prolactin (PRL). Hormone release was inhibited with 15-30 microM trifluoperazine and with 30-80 microM W-7, while stimulation was observed with 50-100 microM trifluoperazine and with 150 microM W-7. Trifluoperazine (greater than or equal to 30 microM) and W-7 (greater than or equal to 80 microM) increased the concentration of cellular cyclic AMP. Sulphoxides of trifluoperazine and chlorpromazine (less than or equal to 150 microM were without effect on hormone release and cellular cyclic AMP. Hydrolysis of cyclic AMP by GH3 cytosol was reduced after incubation of intact GH3 cells with trifluoperazine (15-60 microM). When trifluoperazine was incubated with cytosol, both the high and low affinity forms of cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase were inhibited competitively with calculated Ki of 4.5 and 56 microM, respectively. Stimulation of cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase caused by endogenous calmodulin was blocked by trifluoperazine. Particulate bound adenylyl cyclase activity was inhibited by trifluoperazine, and this effect was counteracted by endogenous calmodulin.

Possible role of calmodulin in the control of histamine release from human basophil leukocytes

We investigated the possible role of calmodulin (CaM) in the control of histamine release from human basophil leukocytes using several CaM antagonists. Trifluoperazine (TFP) (10(-6)-2 X 10(-5) M), pimozide (10(-6)-1.5 X 10(-5) M), chlorpromazine (CPZ) (10(-5)-10(-4) M) and promethazine (PMZ) (2 X 10(-5)-10(-4) M) inhibited in vitro histamine secretion from human basophils induced by several immunological (antigen, anti-IgE, and formyl-L-methionyl-L-leucyl-L-phenylalanine: f-met peptide) and nonimmunological (Ca2+ ionophore A23187 and the tumor promoter 12-0-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate: TPA) stimuli. Trifluoperazine sulfoxide (TFP-S) and chlorpromazine sulfoxide (CPZ-S), which have very low affinity to CaM, had practically no inhibitory effect on histamine release from human basophils. The inhibitory effect of TFP could be made irreversible by irradiating the cells with UV light. A sulfonamide derivative, the compound N-(6-aminohexyl)-5-chloro-1-naphthalenesulfonamide hydrochloride (W-7) (2.5 X 10(-5)-2 X 10(-4) M), which selectively binds to CaM, inhibited the release of histamine from basophils. In contrast, the chloride deficient analogue, W-5, which interacts only weakly with CaM, had practically no inhibiting effect. The IC50 for enzyme release by a series of eight CaM antagonists was closely correlated (r = 0.91; p less than 0.001) with the CaM specific binding, supporting the concept that these agents act by binding to CaM and thereby inhibiting histamine release. TFP and W-7 inhibited histamine release in the absence and in the presence of increasing concentrations of extracellular Ca2+. These results emphasize the possible role of CaM in the control of histamine secretion from human basophils.

Effect of chlorpromazine on the localization of cAMP phosphodiesterase

Chlorpromazine (CPZ) at dosages of 10 mg/kg body weight (b.wt.) affected the cytochemical localization of cAMP-dependent phosphodiesterase (cAMP PDE) activity in the synapses of the rat frontal cortex. Postsynaptic cAMP PDE activity was inhibited, and presynaptic activity increased. CPZ also inhibited membrane-bound ATPase activity in the frontal cortex. The activity of Na+-K+-ATPase was significantly (P less than 0.005) inhibited in isolated plasma membranes from the rat frontal cortex. CPZ exposure also affected the cytochemical localization of cations with potassium pyroantimonate. Precipitate, which could be removed with 5 mm EGTA, was decreased in the mitochondria and synaptic vesicles in presynaptic areas after CPZ treatment. The incorporation of 45Ca2+ into slices of the rat frontal cortex was also significantly (P less than 0.001) inhibited by CPZ. This ultrastructural study shows that CPZ may affect biochemical events in an opposite manner in the pre- and post-synaptic areas of some neurons of the frontal cortex.

Platelet membrane molecular organization: relationship with membrane bound calcium

The fatty acid spin label 5 nitroxide stearate has been used to determine the membrane organization changes induced by platelet aggregation. A decrease in order is observed with thrombin, even in the presence of EDTA, when aggregation is inhibited. Conversely, after aggregation by the calcium ionophore A23187 the rigidity of the phospholipids is not modified. These effects are discussed in relation to the release of membrane bound calcium induced by thrombin.

Change in the physical state of platelet plasma membranes upon ionophore A23187 activation. A fluorescence polarization study

Human platelets were isolated and fluorescence-labelled by 1,6-diphenylhexatriene. Diphenylhexatriene was essentially localized in the plasma membrane, as indicated by trinitrobenzenesulfonate-quenching experiments. A decrease of the fluorescence polarization of diphenylhexatriene was observed upon ionophore A23187 addition in the absence of aggregation. 0.3 microM ionophore allowed to reach the maximum rate of the decrease of fluorescence polarization; it also maximally stimulated the light transmission change, the serotonin release and the thromboxane B2 synthesis. The amplitude of the fluorescence polarization decrease was maximum at platelet concentrations between 4 X 10(7) and 7 X 10(7)/ml. The presence of Ca2+ in the medium increased the rate constant of the polarization change. Chlorpromazine (60 microM) completely inhibited this transition, but at 30 microM its inhibitory effect was reversed by Ca2+. The membrane events implied in platelet activation very likely lead to fluidization of the plasma membrane, perhaps by its fusion with the membranes of internal granules which are relatively depleted of cholesterol. Ca2+ plays a central role in the triggering of the observed effects at the membrane level.

Relationship between structure of phenothiazine analogues and their activity on platelet calcium fluxes

Phenothiazine analogues have been tested for their effect on calcium uptake into platelet membrane vesicles and on ionophore-induced platelet activation, both phenomena being Ca2+-dependent. Both calcium uptake into membrane vesicles and ionophore-induced platelet activation were inhibited by the drugs. Evidence for two inhibitors as potent as chlorpromazine and trifluoperazine was found. These drugs are apparently competitive inhibitors of calcium uptake. A structure-activity relationship has been established. The data suggest that the phenothiazines are able to inhibit calmodulin-insensitive calcium uptake of platelet membrane vesicles and that therefore they cannot be assumed to be selective inhibitors of calmodulin interactions under all circumstances.

Radioprotection of euoxic bacteria by phenothiazine drugs

Survival studies on irradiated euoxic E. coli B/r cells in presence of various concentrations of four radioprotecting phenothiazine drugs have been carried out. Maximum radioprotection was obtained at a optimal concentration for each drug and it decreased on either side of it. The DNA strand break studies at the maximum protective and non-protective concentrations of chlorpromazine and promethazine revealed that the number of ssbs in DNA were less at the protective concentration which were efficiently repaired by the type-III repair process. On the other hand, at the non-protective concentrations, inhibition of DNA repair was noticed and a higher number of DNA ssbs were detected. We suggest that the membrane is fluidized to a greater extent at the protective concentrations allowing the chemical restitution of damaged sites by NPSH compounds. At the non-protective high concentrations of the drugs, the membrane may be too grossly disorganised to allow any repair and at the same time high concentrations of the drugs or their radicals may also react with radioprotective intracellular sulphhydryls.

Motility initiation of quiescent spermatozoa from rat caudal epididymis: effects of pH, viscosity, osmolality and inhibitors

Non-motile spermatozoa freshly extruded from the rat caudal epididymis can be initiated to full motility immediately after diluting with 0.9% NaCl. The motility initiation was dependent on the pH, viscosity and osmolality of diluent. Diluent with pH 4 to 8 could optimally initiate the motility. Osmolality of most diluents suitable for the initiation was between 130 to 600 mOsm/kg. The motility initiation was inhibited by Hg2+ greater than Cu2+ greater than Cd2+, chlorpromazine, Triton X-100 and SDS. The following compounds showed essentially no inhibitory effect: EGTA, chlortetracycline, calcein, ruthenium red, phloridzin, myo-inositol and carnitine. The findings suggested that spermatozoa were kept in quiescence in the cauda epididymis not by the pH, osmolality, viscosity, myo-inositol, carnitine, Ca2+ or K+ of the caudal epididymal fluid. It was also suggested that motility initiation did not involve Ca2+, calmodulin and transport of Ca2+ or glucose across sperm membrane.

On the calcium receptor activating exocytosis: inhibitory effects of calmodulin-interacting drugs on rat mast cells

1. A series of neuroleptic drugs (five phenothiazines, imipramine, and pimozide) and the smooth muscle relaxant W-7, which all inhibit calcium-calmodulin-activated processes inhibited rat mast cell secretion elicited by antigen, by 48/80, and by the calcium ionophore A23187. 2. Neither the phenothiazines nor W-7 reduced 45Ca uptake in response to A23187. The drugs thus exert an inhibitory action distal to the rise in intracellular Ca ions that activates exocytosis. 3. Chlorpromazine sulphoxide, which shares several membrane-perturbing actions of the phenothiazines but is a weak inhibitor of calmodulin, did not inhibit secretion. Moreover, the inhibitory effects of the phenothiazines were not overcome by a 5- or 10-fold increase in the concentration of calcium, which should counter unspecific membrane effects. 4. The inhibitory effects of the various neuroleptic drugs appeared to be related to their ability to inhibit calmodulin because the individual potencies of these compounds on secretion evoked by 48/80 or A23187 correlated significantly with their reported potencies in inhibiting calmodulin-activated processes. (The greater potency and different rank order of these compounds on secretion evoked by antigen suggests an additional inhibitory action, perhaps involving Ca entry.) 5. These results, which parallel those obtained with drugs of this sort in smooth muscle where calmodulin seemingly functions as the Ca receptor activating contraction, strengthen the view that calmodulin, or some calmodulin-like protein, is the Ca receptor activating exocytosis.

A novel method for the study of fluorescent probes in biological material during exposure to microwave radiation

Instrumentation has been developed which allows the monitoring of fluorescence in erythrocyte ghost membranes before, during, and after exposure to microwave radiation. Using non-fluorescent, UV-transmitting fiber optic cables, excitation light of specific wavelengths was delivered to a stirred sample undergoing irradiation (2450 MHz, CW) within a fluid-filled, temperature-controlled waveguide. Fluorescence was collected using an identical cable and transferred through appropriate filters to standard detecting, amplification and recording devices. We have used the fluorescent probe, 1-anilino-8-naphthalene sulfonate (ANS) to monitor the effect of microwave radiation on the binding of calcium to erythrocyte ghosts. Microwave radiation at specific absorption rates of 10 and 200 mW/g had no effect on the binding of ANS to the membranes. Dose-response curves also showed no influence of microwaves on calcium binding between 2.0 and 10.0 x 10(-4) M. In addition, experiments studying fluorescence energy transfer between intrinsic tryptophan residues and membrane bound ANS showed that intermolecular distances between donor and acceptor are also unaffected by microwave radiation. We have thus shown that 2450 MHz microwave radiation at the specific absorption rates used does not interfere with the binding of calcium to erythrocyte ghosts or alter intermolecular distances between intrinsic molecules and bound ANS.

Effects of calcium, lanthanum, and temperature on the fluidity of spin-labeled human platelets

Previous platelet studies have shown that calcium plays important roles in stimulus-secretion coupling, aggregation, and other membrane-associated functions. In addition, lanthanum induces platelet aggregation and the platelet release reaction and also influences platelet responsiveness to various stimuli. The spin-label results presented here suggest that one mechanism through which calcium and lanthanum mediate their effects on platelet functions may be by decreasing the lipid fluidity of the surface membrane. The structure of platelet membrane lipids was examined with the spin-label method. Washed human platelets were labeled with the 5-, 12- and 16-nitroxide stearic acid spin probes. Order parameters which measure the fluidity of the lipid environment of the incorporated probe may be calculated from the electron spin resonance (ESR) spectra of 5-nitroxide stearate [I(12,3)]-labeled cells. Evidence is presented which indicates that these spectra principally reflect properties of the platelet surface membrane lipids. The membrane fluidity increased with temperature for the range 17 to 37 degrees C. Either calcium or lanthanum additions to intact cells increased the rigidity of the platelet membranes at 37 degrees C, although the La3+ effect was larger and occurred at lower concentrations than that of Ca2+. For example, addition of 1 mM La3+ or 4 mM Ca2+ increased the order parameter of I(12,3)-labeled platelets by 4.3 +/- 1.7% or 2.1 +/- 0.5%. Preliminary studies conducted on purified platelet plasma membranes labeled with I(12,3) indicated that 1 mM LaCl3 or 4 mM CaCl2 additions similarly decreased the lipid fluidity at 37 degrees C. The above cation-induced effects on the fluidity of whole platelets were reversed by the use of the divalent cation-chelating agent ethylene glycol-bis-(beta-aminoethyl ether)-N,N'-tetra-acetic acid (EGTA). Lastly, lanthanum (0.2-1 mM) caused rapid aggregation of platelets which were suspended in a 50-mM Tris buffer pH 7.4 that did not contain adenosine.

Intermittent swimming in live sea urchin sperm

Sperm of the sea urchin Tripneustes gratilla repeatedly start and stop swimming when suspended in seawater and observed by dark-field microscopy. While in the quiescent state, which usually lasts about a second, the sperm assume s shape resembling a cane, with a sharp bend of approximately 3.4 rad in the proximal region of the flagellum and very little curvature in the rest of the flagellum except for a slight curve near the tip. The occurrence of quiescence requires the presence of at least 2 mM Ca2+ in the seawater, and the percentage of sperm quiescent at any one time increases substantially when the sperm are illuminated with blue light. With intense illumination, close to 100% of the sperm become quiescent, and this percentage decreases gradually to approximately 0.3% over a 10(4)-fold decrease in light intensity. An increased concentration of K+ in the seawater also increases the percentage of quiescence, with a majority of the sperm being quiescent in seawater containing 80 mM KCl. The induction of quiescence by light or by increased KCl is completely inhibited by 10 micrometers chlorpromazine, and approximately 90% inhibited by 1 mM procaine or sodium barbital. Sperm treated with the divalent-cation ionophore A23187 swim quite normally, although for a relatively short period, in artificial seawater lacking divalent cations, but are abruptly arrested upon addition of 0.04--0.2 mM free Ca2%. The flagellar waveform of these arrested sperm is almost identical to that of light-induced quiescence in the live sperm. The results support the hypothesis that quiescence is induced by a rise in intracellular Ca2%, perhaps as a consequence of a membrane depolarization, and that it is similar to the arrest response in cilia.