Potentiation by metal ions of ryanodine contracture of the mouse diaphragm

Silver ions induce Ca2+ release from the SR in vitro by acting on the Ca2+ release channel and the Ca2+ pump

Silver nitrate (AgNO3) is a sulfhydryl oxidizing agent that induces a biphasic Ca2+ release from isolated sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) vesicles by presumably oxidizing critical sulfhydryl groups in the Ca2+ release channel (CRC), causing the channel to open. To further examine the effects of AgNO3 on the CRC and the Ca2+-ATPase, Ca2+ release was measured in muscle homogenates prepared from rat hindlimb muscle using indo 1. Cyclopiazonic acid (CPA) and ruthenium red (RR) were used to inhibit the Ca2+-ATPase and block the CRC, respectively, before inducing Ca2+ release with both AgNO3 and 4-chloro-m-cresol (4-CMC), a releasing agent specific for the CRC. With AgNO3 and CPA, the early rapid rate of release (phase 1) was increased (P < 0.05) by 42% (314 +/- 5 vs. 446 +/- 39 micromol x g protein(-1) x min(-1)), whereas the slower, more prolonged rate of release (phase 2) was decreased (P < 0.05) by 72% (267 +/- 39 vs. 74 +/- 7.7 micromol x g protein(-1) x min(-1)). RR, in combination with AgNO3, had no effect on phase 1 (P > 0.05) (314 +/- 51 vs. 334 +/- 43 micromol x g protein(-1) x min(-1)) and decreased phase 2 (P < 0.05) by 65% (245 +/- 34 vs. 105 +/- 8.2 micromol x g protein(-1) x min(-1)). With 4-CMC, CPA had no effect (P > 0.05) on either phase 1 or 2. With addition of RR, phase 1 was reduced (P < 0.05) by 59% (2,468 +/- 279 vs. 1,004 +/- 87 micromol x g protein(-1) x min(-1)), and RR completely blocked phase 2. Both AgNO3 and 4-CMC fully inhibited Ca2+-ATPase activity measured in homogenates. These findings indicate that AgNO3, but not 4-CMC, induces Ca2+ release by acting on both the CRC and the Ca2+-ATPase.

Studies on the contracture inducing action of triphenyltin in the mouse diaphragm

Triphenyltin induces a contracture of the mouse phrenic nerve-diaphragm preparation. This contracture was not inhibited by (+)-tubocurarine, high magnesium or the absence of electrical stimulation. Triphenyltin (0.1 mM) reduced the muscle membrane potential, the amplitude of the muscle action potential and the muscle membrane input resistance. Pretreatment with high K+ (25 mM) or veratridine (1.5 microM; a Na+ channel activator) briefly shortened the onset of the contracture and increased the peak tension of the contracture. Pretreatment with tetrodotoxin (0.3 microM; a Na+ channel blocker) or glycerol (a T tubule uncoupler) however, significantly reduced the triphenyltin-induced contracture. Removing Ca2+ from external solution and prolonged treatment with either caffeine (20 mM) or ryanodine (2 microM) inhibited the triphenyltin-induced contracture. However, a brief treatment with a lower concentration of caffeine (10 mM) potentiated the contracture. 45Ca2+ uptake studies showed that triphenyltin caused the muscle to accumulate Ca2+ which entered from external solution. Pretreatment with trypsin and dithiothreitol (a sulfhydryl-containing reducing agent) blocked the contracture induced by triphenyltin. These results suggest that triphenyltin initially interacts with the sulfhydryl groups of membrane bound proteins (possibly the Na+ channel) to cause depolarization of the muscle fibres. This depolarization triggers the release of Ca2+ from sarcoplasmic reticulum through the mechanism of Ca2+ inducing Ca2+ release, activates the contractile filaments and causes the muscle to contract.