Uptake characteristics of the InsP3-sensitive and -insensitive Ca2+ pools in porcine aortic smooth-muscle cells: different Ca2+ sensitivity of the Ca2(+)-uptake mechanism

Sarcoplasmic reticulum function in smooth muscle

The sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) of smooth muscles presents many intriguing facets and questions concerning its roles, especially as these change with development, disease, and modulation of physiological activity. The SR's function was originally perceived to be synthetic and then that of a Ca store for the contractile proteins, acting as a Ca amplification mechanism as it does in striated muscles. Gradually, as investigators have struggled to find a convincing role for Ca-induced Ca release in many smooth muscles, a role in controlling excitability has emerged. This is the Ca spark/spontaneous transient outward current coupling mechanism which reduces excitability and limits contraction. Release of SR Ca occurs in response to inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate, Ca, and nicotinic acid adenine dinucleotide phosphate, and depletion of SR Ca can initiate Ca entry, the mechanism of which is being investigated but seems to involve Stim and Orai as found in nonexcitable cells. The contribution of the elemental Ca signals from the SR, sparks and puffs, to global Ca signals, i.e., Ca waves and oscillations, is becoming clearer but is far from established. The dynamics of SR Ca release and uptake mechanisms are reviewed along with the control of luminal Ca. We review the growing list of the SR's functions that still includes Ca storage, contraction, and relaxation but has been expanded to encompass Ca homeostasis, generating local and global Ca signals, and contributing to cellular microdomains and signaling in other organelles, including mitochondria, lysosomes, and the nucleus. For an integrated approach, a review of aspects of the SR in health and disease and during development and aging are also included. While the sheer versatility of smooth muscle makes it foolish to have a "one model fits all" approach to this subject, we have tried to synthesize conclusions wherever possible.

Attenuation of contractility in rat epididymal vas deferens by Rho kinase inhibitors

The involvement of Ca(2+) sensitization mediated through Rho kinase in the contractility of rat epididymal vas deferens was investigated using Rho kinase inhibitors, trans-4-[(1R)-1-aminoethyl]-N-4-pyridinilcyclohexanecarboxamide dihydrochloride (Y-27632) and 1-(5-isoquinolinesulphonyl)homopiperazine (HA 1077), in comparison with myosin light chain kinase (MLCK) inhibitors, wortmannin and 1-(5-chloronaphthalenesulphonyl)homopiperazine (ML-9) and agents that affect protein kinase C (PKC) and non-receptor tyrosine kinase intracellular signalling. 2 In Ca(2+)-free/ethyleneglycol-bis-(beta-aminoethylether)N,N,N('),N(')-tetraacetic acid (EGTA) (1 mM) medium, noradrenaline evoked sustained contractions. Y-27632 and HA 1077 caused a concentration-dependent inhibition and complete relaxation (IC(50), 1.08 and 1.75 microM respectively). The Ca(2+)-free contraction was reduced by wortmannin (10 microM) or ML-9 (10 microM) but not by inhibitors of diacylglycerol metabolism, 3-[2-[4[bis(4-Fluoropheny)methylene]-1-piperidinyl]-2,3-dihydro-2-thioxi-4(H)-quinazolinone (R59949) (10 microm) or 1,6-bis(cyclohexyloximinocarbonylamino)hexane (RHC-80267) (10 microM) or by the phospholipase A(2) (PLA(2)) inhibitor, quinacrine (up to 100 microM) or tyrosine kinase inhibitor, genistein (30 microM). 3 In the presence of Ca(2+) (2.5 mM), noradrenaline (100 microM) evoked rhythmic activity and biphasic tonic contractions. Y-27632 (1-10 microM) or HA 1077 (1-10 microM) reduced the amplitude of rhythmic activity and tonic contractions. ML-9 (10 microM) attenuated the occurrence of rhythmic activity and modestly reduced the tonic contractions. ML-9 (10 microM) combined with Y-27632 (10 microM) significantly reduced the tonic contractions. ML-9 (30 microM) alone (or combined with Y-27632 10 microM) suppressed the rhythmic activity and substantially reduced (or abolished) the tonic contractions. 4 Contractions evoked by high [K(+)](o) (120 mM) or alpha,beta-methylene ATP (10 microM) were reduced significantly by Y-27632 (1-3 microM) indicating that the Rho kinase signalling pathway is activated by direct tissue depolarization or by stimulation of ligand-gated P(2X) purinoceptors. 5 Collectively, these results indicate that Ca(2+)-sensitization mediated by Rho kinase is involved in agonist- or depolarization-induced contraction of rat epididymal vas deferens. It is the major contractile mechanism underlying noradrenaline-induced Ca(2+)-free responses. It contributes to Ca(2+)-dependent rhythmic contractility and optimizes the development of full contractile tension triggered through calmodulin/MLCK activation by stimulated influx of Ca(2+).

Functionally separate intracellular Ca2+ stores in smooth muscle

In smooth muscle, release via the inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (Ins(1,4,5)P(3)R) and ryanodine receptors (RyR) on the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) controls oscillatory and steady-state cytosolic Ca(2+) concentrations ([Ca(2+)](c)). The interplay between the two receptors, itself determined by their organization on the SR, establishes the time course and spatial arrangement of the Ca(2+) signal. Whether or not the receptors are co-localized or distanced from each other on the same store or whether they exist on separate stores will significantly affect the Ca(2+) signal produced by the SR. To date these matters remain unresolved. The functional arrangement of the RyR and Ins(1,4,5)P(3)R on the SR has now been examined in isolated single voltage-clamped colonic myocytes. Depletion of the ryanodine-sensitive store, by repeated application of caffeine, in the presence of ryanodine, abolished the response to Ins(1,4,5)P(3), suggesting that Ins(1,4,5)P(3)R and RyR share a common Ca(2+) store. Ca(2+) release from the Ins(1,4,5)P(3)R did not activate Ca(2+)-induced Ca(2+) release at the RyR. Depletion of the Ins(1,4,5)P(3)-sensitive store, by the removal of external Ca(2+), on the other hand, caused only a small decrease ( approximately 26%) in caffeine-evoked Ca(2+) transients, suggesting that not all RyR exist on the common store shared with Ins(1,4,5)P(3)R. Dependence of the stores on external Ca(2+) for replenishment also differed; removal of external Ca(2+) depleted the Ins(1,4,5)P(3)-sensitive store but caused only a slight reduction in caffeine-evoked transients mediated at RyR. Different mechanisms are presumably responsible for the refilling of each store. Refilling of both Ins(1,4,5)P(3)-sensitive and caffeine-sensitive Ca(2+) stores was inhibited by each of the SR Ca(2+) ATPase inhibitors thapsigargin and cyclopiazonic acid. These results may be explained by the existence of two functionally distinct Ca(2+) stores; the first expressing only RyR and refilled from [Ca(2+)](c), the second expressing both Ins(1,4,5)P(3)R and RyR and dependent upon external Ca(2+) for refilling.

Pharmacomechanical coupling in rat vas deferens: effects of agents that modulate intracellular release of calcium and protein kinase C activation

The effects of agents that modulate intracellular release of calcium and protein kinase C (PKC) activation on noradrenaline (NA)-induced contractions of epididymal vas deferens in calcium-free/EGTA (1 mM) medium were investigated. NA (100 microM) or methoxamine (100 microM) evoked repeatable contractions. Clonidine (100-300 microM) was ineffective. The contractions to NA were reduced by procaine (1-10 mM) but not by thapsigargin (0.1-30 microM), ryanodine (1-30 microM) or TMB-8 (1-30 microM). Contractions to cumulative additions of NA (1-100 microM) were enhanced in the presence of cyclopiazonic acid (10 & 30 microM) but not ryanodine (10 & 30 microM). Sequential contractions to NA were not blocked by PKC inhibitors, calphostin C (1 microM) or Ro 31-8220 (1-30 microM) but were reduced by H-7 (1-30 microM), a broad spectrum protein kinase inhibitor. Although RT-PCR experiments detected mRNA for some Ca2+-dependent/DAG-activated and Ca2+-independent/DAG-activated PKC isoforms in epididymal vas deferens, the PKC activators, phorbol 12, 13-dibutyrate (100 microM) or phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (100 microM) failed to activate the tissues in calcium-free medium but enhanced subsequent contractions to NA. These results indicate a limited role for intracellular calcium stores and phorbol ester/DAG-sensitive PKC isoforms in NA-induced contraction of epididymal rat vas deferens in calcium-free medium. The results suggest that pharmacomechanical coupling triggered by NA may involve the sensitization of contractile myofilaments to Ca2+ or a Ca2+-independent mechanism. The possible involvement of Ca2+-independent/DAG-insensitive PKC isoforms and agonist-dependent but PKC-independent sensitization pathway is discussed.

Physiological features of visceral smooth muscle cells, with special reference to receptors and ion channels

Visceral smooth muscle cells (VSMC) play an essential role, through changes in their contraction-relaxation cycle, in the maintenance of homeostasis in biological systems. The features of these cells differ markedly by tissue and by species; moreover, there are often regional differences within a given tissue. The biophysical features used to investigate ion channels in VSMC have progressed from the original extracellular recording methods (large electrode, single or double sucrose gap methods), to the intracellular (microelectrode) recording method, and then to methods for recording from membrane fractions (patch-clamp, including cell-attached patch-clamp, methods). Remarkable advances are now being made thanks to the application of these more modern biophysical procedures and to the development of techniques in molecular biology. Even so, we still have much to learn about the physiological features of these channels and about their contribution to the activity of both cell and tissue. In this review, we take a detailed look at ion channels in VSMC and at receptor-operated ion channels in particular; we look at their interaction with the contraction-relaxation cycle in individual VSMC and especially at the way in which their activity is related to Ca2+ movements and Ca2+ homeostasis in the cell. In sections II and III, we discuss research findings mainly derived from the use of the microelectrode, although we also introduce work done using the patch-clamp procedure. These sections cover work on the electrical activity of VSMC membranes (sect. II) and on neuromuscular transmission (sect. III). In sections IV and V, we discuss work done, using the patch-clamp procedure, on individual ion channels (Na+, Ca2+, K+, and Cl-; sect. IV) and on various types of receptor-operated ion channels (with or without coupled GTP-binding proteins and voltage dependent and independent; sect. V). In sect. VI, we look at work done on the role of Ca2+ in VSMC using the patch-clamp procedure, biochemical procedures, measurements of Ca2+ transients, and Ca2+ sensitivity of contractile proteins of VSMC. We discuss the way in which Ca2+ mobilization occurs after membrane activation (Ca2+ influx and efflux through the surface membrane, Ca2+ release from and uptake into the sarcoplasmic reticulum, and dynamic changes in Ca2+ within the cytosol). In this article, we make only limited reference to vascular smooth muscle research, since we reviewed the features of ion channels in vascular tissues only recently.

Ryanodine- and cyclopiazonic acid-sensitive components in human vas deferens contractions to noradrenaline

1. The role of calcium stores in noradrenaline- (NA) and caffeine-induced contractions of human vas deferens were investigated using ryanodine and cyclopiazonic acid (CPA) in the presence of the calcium antagonist, nifedipine (1 microM) or in calcium-free/EGTA (1 mM) medium. 2. In either media, NA (100 microM) evoked biphasic contractions of longitudinal muscle and tonic circular muscle contractions. Caffeine (20 mM) evoked longitudinal but not circular muscle contractions. 3. Ryanodine (1-30 microM) or CPA (1-30 microM) inhibited contractions of circular muscle, and the initial but not secondary component of longitudinal muscle contraction to NA. 4. In the presence of nifedipine, pre-exposure to caffeine caused a potentiation of circular muscle, and the initial but not secondary longitudinal muscle contractions to NA. The presence of ryanodine or CPA during the caffeine pre-exposures effectively blocked the potentiation of the initial component and reduced the secondary component of the subsequent responses to NA in longitudinal muscle. 5. In calcium-free media, caffeine pre-exposures had little effect on subsequent NA-induced contractions in circular muscle, but reduced both components in longitudinal muscle. The presence of ryanodine or CPA during caffeine pre-exposures produced no further effects on either component of the subsequent NA-induced contraction in longitudinal muscle. 6 In the presence of nifedipine or in calcium-free media, repeated applications of caffeine evoked contractions in longitudinal muscle which were not blocked by either ryanodine or CPA. 7. These results suggest that circular muscle contraction by NA and the initial component of longitudinal muscle to NA both utilize an intracellular pool of calcium that is triggered via a ryanodine-sensitive mechanism and replenished via a CPA-sensitive Ca2+-ATPase. 8. In longitudinal muscle, both the secondary component of its response to NA and contraction to caffeine appear to involve an unusual but pharmacologically distinct (ryanodine- and CPA-insensitive) pathway. 9. The quiescence to caffeine of circular muscle may be caused by a relative absence of the ryanodine- and CPA-insensitive pathway.

SR Ca2+ pump heterogeneity in coronary artery: free radicals and IP3-sensitive and -insensitive pools

Reactive oxygen species are known to decrease the action of agents that mobilize Ca2+ from sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) in pig coronary artery smooth muscle. Potentially, this may be due to damage to the SR Ca2+ pump or to the myo-inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3)-induced Ca2+ release channels. Here we report on the effects of peroxide and superoxide on the SR Ca2+ pump and the subsequent IP3-induced Ca2+ release. Smooth muscle cells cultured from pig left coronary arteries were permeabilized using saponin and then loaded with 45Ca2+ in the presence of an ATP-regenerating system and the mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake inhibitor sodium azide. IP3 caused a release of up to 65% of the loaded 45Ca2+, whereas the Ca2+ ionophore A-23187 caused a release of > 95%. The nature of the IP3-insensitive component of the Ca2+ uptake is not known. The IP3-induced Ca2+ release occurred at 0 or 37 degrees C and was complete in < 30 s. The 50% effective concentration for IP3 was 2.7 +/- 1.0 microM at pH 6.8 and 37 degrees C. At pH 7.4 the IP3-induced Ca2+ release was slightly lower than at pH 6.4-6.8. The IP3-induced release was also inhibited by Ca2+ concentration in the release medium. To investigate the effects of peroxide or superoxide, the cells were treated with these agents, washed, skinned, and then used to examine the IP3-sensitive and -insensitive Ca2+ pools under the conditions in which the IP3-sensitive pool was 60-65% of the total. Peroxide pretreatment was equipotent in inhibiting loading into the IP3-sensitive and -insensitive Ca2+ pools. In contrast, superoxide pretreatment inhibited loading into the IP3-sensitive pool but not into the IP3-insensitive pool. These data are consistent with a model in which the SR Ca2+ pumps are heterogeneous: those required to pump Ca2+ into the IP3-sensitive pool are inhibited by peroxide and superoxide, but those loading the IP3-insensitive pool are inhibited by peroxide only.

Inhibition of calcium release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum of rabbit aorta by hydralazine

1. The mechanism of hydralazine-induced vasorelaxation was investigated in rabbit isolated aorta, by determining its ability to interfere with force development under a variety of conditions. 2. Hydralazine relaxed phenylephrine-contracted aorta with half maximal relaxation at 17 microM and maximal relaxation above 100 microM. At 200 microM, hydralazine had little effect on contractions induced by 25 mM or 50 mM K+. 3. Hydralazine was equally effective at inhibiting contractile responses to phenylephrine in the absence or presence of extracellular Ca2+. Responses to phenylephrine in Ca(2+)-free solution were blocked to the same degree whether hydralazine was applied during filling of the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+ stores or after filling was complete. Caffeine-induced contractions were less sensitive to block by hydralazine. 4. Thapsigargin, cyclopiazonic acid, ryanodine, nifedipine and diltiazem all failed to block the inhibitory effect of hydralazine on tonic contractions to phenylephrine in the presence of extracellular Ca2+. However, when cyclopiazonic acid was applied either with diltiazem or ryanodine, substantial inhibition of the hydralazine response was observed. 5. We propose that tonic contractions to phenylephrine are largely maintained by Ca2+ cycling through the SR, with Ca2+ entering the smooth muscle cell being sequestered by the SR eventually to leak out through IP3-activated channels close to the contractile proteins. Sequestration of Ca2+ would employ two pathways, one sensitive to inhibitors of the SR Ca(2+)-ATPase and the other to Ca antagonists. We further suggest that, in the presence of extracellular Ca2+ and phenylephrine, the leakage of Ca2+through IP3-activated channels is significantly reduced only if both routes for SR Ca2+ accumulation are blocked or the Ca2+-ATPase is blocked while the SR is made leaky with ryanodine.6. We conclude that the main action of hydralazine is to block the IP3-dependent release of Ca2+ from the sarcoplasmic reticulum. Thus conditions that diminish the contribution of IP3-induced Ca2+ release to tension can inhibit the hydralazine-induced vasorelaxation.

Vanadate increases cytosolic free calcium in rat aortic smooth muscle cells

Although several studies have shown that vanadate evokes vasoconstriction whether it elevates cytosolic free calcium, [Ca2+]i, in vascular smooth muscle (VSM) cells has not been investigated. The present study shows that acute additions of low concentrations of vanadate (10-200 microM) to cultured aortic smooth muscle cells (ASMC) produced a rapid and a concentration-dependent increase in [Ca2+]i with an EC50 (mean +/- SEM) value of 42 +/- 11 microM. Inclusion of vanadate (200 microM) led to a significant increase (p < 0.05) in the peak [Ca2+]i level to 190 +/- 23 nM from a basal level of 102 +/- 2 nM. At concentrations > 200 microM, vanadate caused quenching of fura-2 fluorescence. For example, addition of 1 mM vanadate led to an apparent decrease in fluorescence by about 50% (due to a quenching effect), followed by a transient rise. H2O2, which is used in the preparation of peroxide forms of vanadate, pervanadate (PV), also produced a rise in [Ca2+]i. These data suggest that vanadate promotes vascular tone by elevating [Ca2+]i in ASMC. However, [Ca2+]i measurements made with higher concentrations of vanadate and PV, using the fura-2 method, must be interpreted with caution.

Unidirectional interaction between two intracellular calcium stores in rat phaeochromocytoma (PC12) cells

1. A clone of the rat phaeochromocytoma cell line (PC12) was treated with nerve growth factor (NGF) for 4-6 days and used to study caffeine- and bradykinin-induced Ca2+ release from intracellular Ca2+ stores. The caffeine-sensitive store can be depleted by Ca(2+)-induced Ca2+ release (CICR), while the bradykinin-induced release is mediated by inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3). The effect of Ca2+ release from these Ca2+ stores on cytosolic free Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) was measured by means of fura-2 single cell microfluorimetry. 2. Caffeine application caused no or only a small Ca2+ release in untreated cells in normal culture medium. The caffeine-sensitive pool could be filled by Ca2+ entry into cells through either voltage-activated Ca2+ channels or ligand-gated cation channels. 3. Bradykinin application produced substantial Ca2+ release in untreated cells in normal culture medium. The response was enhanced after K(+)-depolarization of the cells. The bradykinin-induced release of Ca2+ also caused depletion of the caffeine-sensitive pool by CICR. However, Ca2+ released from the IP3-sensitive store was not sequestered into the caffeine-sensitive Ca2+ store. 4. The caffeine-induced rise in [Ca2+]i was blocked by ryanodine in a use-dependent manner. In addition, a substantial use-dependent ryanodine block resulted from the bradykinin-induced rise of [Ca2+]i and subsequent CICR. By contrast, the K(+)-induced rise of [Ca2+]i caused only a marginal use-dependent ryanodine inhibition of Ca2+ release. 5. Our results suggest an enhancement of the IP3-induced [Ca2+]i rise in the cytoplasm by CICR from the caffeine-sensitive pool. 6. A mathematical model adequately simulates our experimental data.

Ca2+ dependence of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate-induced Ca2+ release in renal epithelial LLC-PK1 cells

We have studied arginine vasopressin (AVP)-, thapsigargin- and inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (InsP3)-mediated Ca2+ release in renal epithelial LLC-PK1 cells. AVP-induced changes in the intracellular free calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) were studied in indo-1 loaded single cells by confocal laser cytometry. AVP-mediated Ca2+ mobilization was also observed in the absence of extracellular Ca2+, but was completely abolished after depletion of the intracellular Ca2+ stores by 2 microM thapsigargin. Using 45Ca2+ fluxes in saponin-permeabilized cell monolayers, we have analysed how InsP3 affected the Ca2+ content of non-mitochondrial Ca2+ pools in different loading and release conditions. Less than 10% of the Ca2+ was taken up in a thapsigargin-insensitive pool when loading was performed in a medium containing 0.1 microM Ca2+. The thapsigargin-insensitive compartment amounted to 35% in the presence of 110 microM Ca2+, but Ca2+ sequestered in this pool could not be released by InsP3. The thapsigargin-sensitive Ca2+ pool, in contrast, was nearly completely InsP3 sensitive. A submaximal [InsP3], however, released only a fraction of the sequestered Ca2+. This fraction was dependent on the cytosolic as well as on the luminal [Ca2+]. The cytosolic free [Ca2+] affected the InsP3-induced Ca2+ release in a biphasic way. Maximal sensitivity toward InsP3 was found at a free cytosolic [Ca2+] between 0.1 and 0.5 microM, whereas higher cytosolic [Ca2+] decreased the InsP3 sensitivity. Other divalent cations or La3+ did not provoke similar inhibitory effects on InsP3-induced Ca2+ release. The luminal free [Ca2+] was manipulated by varying the time of incubation of Ca(2+)-loaded cells in an EGTA-containing medium. Reduction of the Ca2+ content to one-third of its initial value resulted in a fivefold decrease in the InsP3 sensitivity of the Ca2+ release.

Caffeine response in pyramidal neurons freshly dissociated from rat hippocampus

The effect of caffeine on the CA1 pyramidal neurons freshly dissociated from rat hippocampus was investigated with nystatin-perforated patch technique under voltage-clamp condition. Caffeine evoked a transient outward current (Icaffeine) in a concentration-dependent manner at a holding potential of -40 mV. The activation and inactivation of Icaffeine were accelerated with increasing caffeine concentration. The reversal potential for Icaffeine was close to K+ equilibrium potential. The Icaffeine was not blocked by apamin and 4-aminopyridine but suppressed by charybdotoxin, tetraethylammonium, quinine and Ba2+. Thus, the pharmacological characteristics of Icaffeine were similar to those of Ca(2+)-activated K+ current having a large conductance (IC), which generates a fast afterhyperpolarization (a.h.p.). Icaffeine was depressed by pretreatment with a membrane-permeant Ca2+ chelator (BAPTA-AM) and by depletion of the Ca(2+)-induced Ca2+ release (CICR) pool with ryanodine. A blocker of CICR sites, procaine, potently depressed the Icaffeine. In the absence of the extracellular Ca2+, an application of 10 mM caffeine depleted the caffeine-sensitive Ca2+ pools. Icaffeine recovered in an exponential fashion in the presence of the extracellular Ca2+. It was concluded that rat hippocampal pyramidal neurons have a caffeine-sensitive Ca2+ pool. Furthermore, the Ca2+ released from the pool evokes K+ current similar to IC current and hyperpolarizes the neurons.

2,5-Di-(tert-butyl)-1,4-benzohydroquinone and cyclopiazonic acid decrease the Ca2+ permeability of endoplasmic reticulum

Specific inhibitors of the endoplasmic-reticulum Ca2+ pump will deplete intracellular stores and are therefore useful to study the role of store depletion on plasma-membrane Ca2+ permeability. We now report that the Ca(2+)-pump inhibitor 2,5-di-(tert-butyl)-1,4-benzohydroquinone (tBuBHQ) reduces the passive Ca2+ leak from the internal stores in permeabilized A7r5 vascular smooth-muscle cells. This aspecific effect occurred at concentrations that are normally used to empty the stores in intact cells. Cyclopiazonic acid exerted a similar, although less pronounced effect, while thapsigargin did not affect the passive Ca2+ leak. The inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate-mediated Ca2+ release was not affected. tBuBHQ and cyclopiazonic acid cannot therefore be used as specific tools to probe the mechanism of receptor-mediated Ca2+ entry.

Stored calcium modulates inositol phosphate synthesis in cultured smooth muscle cells

Cytosolic Ca2+ concentrations ([Ca2+]cyt) and [3H]inositol phosphates ([3H]InsP) were correlated while varying the Ca2+ content of the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) in cultured A7r5 cells at rest and during activation with [Arg8]-vasopressin (AVP). Thapsigargin (TG) raised and superfusion with 0 Ca2+ lowered [Ca2+]cyt, but both treatments decreased SR Ca2+ and AVP-evoked Ca2+ transients. Neither TG nor 0 Ca2+ affected basal [3H]InsP, but both treatments increased AVP-evoked synthesis of [3H]InsP. Exposure for several minutes to 40 mM K+ solution, BAY K 8644, or low-Na+ solution all elevated [Ca2+]cyt and, thereby, increased SR Ca2+, as manifested by augmented AVP-evoked Ca2+ transients. In all three cases, AVP-evoked, but not basal, [3H]InsP were reduced. The inhibitory effect of 40 mM K+ on AVP-evoked [3H]InsP synthesis was blocked when SR Ca2+ uptake was prevented by TG. Brief (30-s) exposures to 40 mM K+, which elevated [Ca2+]cyt but not SR Ca2+ loading, did not modify AVP-evoked [3H]InsP synthesis or Ca2+ transients. These results demonstrate an inverse relationship between SR Ca2+ content and evoked [3H]-InsP synthesis. Moreover, they suggest that SR Ca2+ may serve as a signal that modulates sarcolemmal [3H]InsP formation.

Effects of cyclopiazonic acid, a novel Ca(2+)-ATPase inhibitor, on contractile responses in skinned ileal smooth muscle

1. Effects of cyclopiazonic acid (CPA), a specific inhibitor of the Ca(2+)-ATPase in sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) of skeletal and cardiac muscles, on contractile responses induced by Ca(2+)-release from intracellular storage sites were examined in the longitudinal smooth muscle strip of the guinea-pig ileum skinned with beta-escin. 2. Ca(2+)-loading of storage sites (Ca(2+)-uptake) was performed in pCa 6.3 solution. The amount of Ca2+ taken up was monitored by use of the amplitude of contraction following application of 25 mM caffeine or 25 microM inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3). 3. Contractile responses to caffeine or IP3 were reduced or abolished when the preceding Ca(2+)-uptake was performed in the presence of 0.1-10 microM CPA. The dose of CPA required to inhibit the contraction induced by caffeine or IP3 by 50% was approximately 0.6 microM. The CPA-sensitive Ca(2+)-uptake completely depended upon the presence of ATP in the solution during Ca(2+)-uptake. 4. When 1 microM CPA was added after Ca(2+)-uptake, the subsequent caffeine- or IP3-induced contraction was not significantly affected by the presence of CPA. 5. Acetylcholine-induced contraction was also almost abolished when the preceding Ca(2+)-uptake was performed in the presence of 10 microM CPA. 6. The relationship between pCa and contraction was not affected by the presence of 10 microM CPA in skinned fibres where Ca2+ storage sites had been destroyed by treatment with A23187. The enhancement of contraction in pCa 6.0 solution by calmodulin was not affected by 10 microM CPA.7. These results suggest that CPA selectively inhibits ATP-dependent Ca2"-uptake into intracellular storage sites in skinned ileal smooth muscle strips. CPA appears to be a potent, reversible, and very specific inhibitor of the Ca2+-pump in the storage sites of smooth muscle, and is an extremely valuable pharmacological tool.

Structure and function of inositol trisphosphate receptors

Inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (Ins(1,4,5)P3) is a soluble intracellular messenger formed rapidly after activation of a variety of cell-surface receptors that stimulate phosphoinositidase C activity. The initial response to Ins(1,4,5)P3 is a rapid Ca2+ efflux from nonmitochondrial intracellular stores which are probably specialized subcompartments of the endoplasmic reticulum, although their exact identities remain unknown. This initial response is followed by more complex Ca2+ signals: regenerative Ca2+ waves propagate across the cell, repetitive Ca2+ spikes occur, and stimulated Ca2+ entry across the plasma membrane contributes to the sustained Ca2+ signal. The mechanisms underlying these complex Ca2+ signals are unknown, although Ins(1,4,5)P3 is clearly involved. The intracellular receptor that mediates Ins(1,4,5)P3-stimulated Ca2+ mobilization has been purified and functionally reconstituted, and its amino acid sequence deduced from its cDNA sequence. These studies demonstrate that the Ins(1,4,5)P3 receptor has an integral Ca2+ channel separated from the Ins(1,4,5)P3 binding site by a long stretch of residues some of which form binding sites for allosteric regulators, and some of which are substrates for phosphorylation. In this review, we discuss the ligand recognition characteristics of Ins(1,4,5)P3 receptors, and their functional properties in their native environment and after purification, and we relate these properties to what is known of the structure of the receptor. In addition to regulation by Ins(1,4,5)P3, the Ins(1,4,5)P3 receptor is subject to many additional regulatory influences which include Ca2+, adenine nucleotides, pH and phosphorylation by protein kinases. Many of the functional and structural characteristics of the Ins(1,4,5)P3 receptor show striking similarities to another intracellular Ca2+ channel, the ryanodine receptor. These properties of the Ins(1,4,5)P3 are discussed, and their possible roles in contributing to the complex Ca2+ signals evoked by extracellular stimuli are considered.

Ca2+ extrusion across plasma membrane and Ca2+ uptake by intracellular stores

The aim of this review is to summarize the various systems that remove Ca2+ from the cytoplasm. We will initially focus on the Ca2+ pump and the Na(+)-Ca2+ exchanger of the plasma membrane. We will review the functional regulation of these systems and the recent progress obtained with molecular-biology techniques, which pointed to the existence of different isoforms of the Ca2+ pump. The Ca2+ pumps of the sarco(endo)plasmic reticulum will be discussed next, by summarizing the discoveries obtained with molecular-biology techniques, and by reviewing the physiological regulation of these proteins. We will finally briefly review the mitochondrial Ca(2+)-uptake mechanism.