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

Calcium oscillations

Changes in cellular Ca2+ concentration control a wide range of physiological processes, from the subsecond release of synaptic neurotransmitters, to the regulation of gene expression over months or years. Ca2+ can also trigger cell death through both apoptosis and necrosis, and so the regulation of cellular Ca2+ concentration must be tightly controlled through the concerted action of pumps, channels and buffers that transport Ca2+ into and out of the cell cytoplasm. A hallmark of cellular Ca2+ signalling is its spatiotemporal complexity: stimulation of cells by a hormone or neurotransmitter leads to oscillations in cytoplasmic Ca2+ concentration that can vary markedly in time course, amplitude, frequency, and spatial range. In this chapter we review some of the biological roles of Ca2+, the experimental characterisation of complex dynamic changes in Ca2+ concentration, and attempts to explain this complexity using computational models. We consider the 'toolkit' of cellular proteins which influence Ca2+ concentrarion, describe mechanistic models of key elements of the toolkit, and fit these into the framework of whole cell models of Ca2+ oscillations and waves. Finally, we will touch on recent efforts to use stochastic modelling to elucidate elementary Ca2+ signal events, and how these may evolve into global signals.

Characterization of transepithelial potential oscillations in theDrosophilaMalpighian tubule

The Malpighian tubule of Drosophila melanogaster is a useful model system for studying the regulation of epithelial ion transport. In acutely isolated tubules, the transepithelial potential (TEP) undergoes large oscillations in amplitude with a period of approximately 30s. The TEP oscillations are diminished by reductions in the peritubular chloride concentration in a manner consistent with their being caused by fluctuations in chloride conductance. The oscillations are eliminated by pretreating tubules with the calcium chelator BAPTA-AM, although removal of peritubular calcium has no effect, suggesting that the oscillations are a result of either the release of calcium from intracellular stores or the entry of calcium from the tubule lumen. Transcripts encoding two calcium-release channels, the ryanodine receptor and the inositol trisphosphate receptor, are detectable in the tubule by reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction. To identify the cell type responsible for the oscillations, tubules were treated with diuretic hormones known to alter calcium levels in each of the two cell types. Leucokinin-IV, which increases calcium levels in the stellate cells, suppressed the oscillations, whereas cardioacceleratory peptide 2b (CAP2b), which increases calcium levels in the principal cells, had no effect. These data are consistent with a model in which rhythmic changes in transepithelial chloride conductance, regulated by intracellular calcium levels in the stellate cells, cause the TEP oscillations.

Acute glucose overload abolishes Ca2+ oscillation in cultured endothelial cells from bovine aorta: a possible role of superoxide anion

Effects of acute glucose overload on [Ca2+]i were investigated in cultured endothelial cells from bovine aorta. Application of 0.1 micromol/L ATP elicited an oscillatory increase in [Ca2+]i (Ca2+ oscillation) in Krebs solution containing 11.5 mmol/L glucose. The frequency of Ca2+ oscillation induced by ATP increased in a concentration-dependent manner, ranging between 0.03 and 1 micromol/L. When cells were preincubated with 23 mmol/L glucose-containing Krebs solution (high glucose solution) for 3 hours, 0.1 micromol/L ATP failed to induce Ca2+ oscillation but evoked only a phasic followed by sustained increase in [Ca2+]i. Application of a higher concentration of ATP (10 micromol/L) evoked a transient increase in [Ca2+]i both in control and high glucose-treated cells. However, the falling phase of [Ca2+]i was prolonged in high glucose-treated cells. Thapsigargin (1 micromol/L), an inhibitor of endoplasmic Ca2+-ATPase, induced a transient followed by a sustained increase in [Ca2+]i in control cells. Preincubation with high glucose solution increased the rate of rise of the thapsigargin-induced increase in [Ca2+]i and abolished the sustained increase, suggesting that glucose overload accelerates Ca2+ leak from intracellular store sites and impairs Ca2+ release-activated Ca2+ entry. We found that all of the glucose overload-induced changes in Ca2+ mobilization could be mimicked by xanthine with xanthine oxidase and abolished by superoxide dismutase. These results indicate that acute glucose overload accumulates superoxide anion in bovine aortic endothelial cells, thereby diminishing ATP-induced Ca2+ oscillation through the impairment of Ca2+ homeostasis.

Identification and function of type-2 and type-3 ryanodine receptors in gut epithelial cells

Reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) techniques were used to identify the expression of ryanodine receptor (RyR) isoforms in gut epithelial cells. Restriction digest and sequence analysis of the PCR product showed the presence of RyR 2 and RyR 3. [3H]Ry binding studies on a microsome preparation, in a high-salt buffer, showed specific binding with an EC50 of 15 microM. In order to determine a potential functional role for these RyRs, we first characterized the response of the cells to acetylcholine. At all concentrations used acetylcholine induced sinusoidal cytosolic Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) oscillations. In response to 10(-4) M acetylcholine, levels of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (InsP3) showed a peak of six times the basal level, at 30 s after stimulation. Application of caffeine alone failed to elicit a rise in cytosolic Ca2+. However, caffeine (5-50 mM) did rapidly and reversibly inhibit the acetylcholine-induced [Ca2+]i oscillations. The effects of Ry were more complex. Applied alone, Ry had no effect on the [Ca2+]i signal. When applied during agonist-evoked [Ca2+]i oscillations, Ry (10 microM) slowly blocked the response. In the continuous presence of Ry (10 microM) a short application of acetylcholine elicited a [Ca2+]i response that continued as oscillations even when the agonist was removed. The oscillations, in the presence of Ry (10 microM) but absence of agonist, were blocked either by removal of extracellular Ca2+ or by an application of a higher concentration of Ry (100 microM). These effects are consistent with the known use-dependence and dose-dependence for Ry action at the RyR. We conclude that the RyR 2 and RyR 3, identified by RT-PCR, play a central role in [Ca2+]i oscillations in gut epithelial cells.

Cell transformation induces a cytoplasmic Ca2+ oscillator in Madin-Darby canine kidney cells

Alkaline stress transforms Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells as indicated by loss of epithelial structure, multilayer cell growth and formation of foci. In the present study we report that transformed MDCK cells (MDCK-F cells) exhibit spontaneous and lasting oscillations of intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i), which are absent in non-transformed cells. Oscillations, as revealed by Fura-2 video imaging, were due to the activity of an inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate-(InsP3)-sensitive Ca2+ store since their frequency was dependent on bradykinin concentration and they were abolished by the phosphoinositidase C inhibitor U73122. Moreover, blockers of the cytoplasmic Ca(2+)-ATPase, thapsigargin and 2,5-di-(tetr-butyl)-1,4-benzohydroquinone inhibited oscillatory activity. In contrast, neither injection of ruthenium red, ryanodine nor caffeine had any effect on oscillations. Analysis of the spatial distribution of [Ca2+]i showed that Ca2+ transients originated from an initiation site constant for a given cell and spread through the cell as an advancing Ca2+ wave. Oscillations started in a random manner from single cells and spread over neighbouring cells, suggesting a kind of intercellular communication. We conclude that MDCK-F cells have acquired the ability for endogenous Ca2+ release through transformation. Oscillations are primarily due to the activity of an InsP3-sensitive cytosolic Ca2+ oscillator.

Spontaneous membrane potential oscillations in Madin-Darby canine kidney cells transformed by alkaline stress

High pH is known to be associated with normal cell growth and neoplastic transformation. We observed that Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells grown under sustained alkaline stress (pH 7.7) develop "foci" composed of spindle-shaped cells lacking contact inhibition and exhibiting only poor adhesion to the culture support. Foci-developing (F) cells were cloned and grown in control medium (pH 7.4), where they maintained their neoplastic features indicating a stable pH-induced genetic transformation. After F cells had been fused to giant cells with polyethylene glycol, the cell membrane potential (Vm) was measured by means of microelectrodes. In contrast to non-transformed MDCK cells, Vm of F cells showed spontaneous biorhythmicity caused by periodic opening of Ca2(+)-activated K+ channels. Spiking activity was blunted by the Ca2+ channel blocker nifedipine, by the K+ channel blocker Ba2+, by the Na+/H+ exchange blocker amiloride and its analogue ethylisopropylamiloride, and by an extracellular pH of 7.6 and 6.8. We conclude that MDCK cells transformed by sustained alkaline stress have lost their stable plasma membrane potential but, instead, exhibit endogenous Ca2(+)- and pH-sensitive oscillations.

The role of ions and second messengers in circadian clock function

The fact that single cells can exhibit circadian rhythmicity simultaneously in quite different processes, such as those of photosynthesis, bioluminescence, and cell division, suggests that membrane-bound compartmentalization is important for temporal organization. Since these rhythms, as well as others, are known to be affected by changes in the ionic environment and are probably membrane-bound systems, it is not surprising that transmembrane ion transport or flux has been proposed to be a key feature of the underlying circadian oscillator(s). Likewise, signal transduction along the entrainment pathway leading to the clock, among the elements, or "gears," of the timing loop itself, and within the output pathway between the oscillator and its "hands" likely is mediated by ions and second messengers. In this overview, we examine the theoretical and experimental evidence supporting the possible roles of intracellular free calcium and cyclic AMP in these capacities, particularly in view of the fact that oscillations in the concentrations of both species have been proposed to form the basis of pacemaker activity and other biological rhythms.

Separate agonist-specific oscillatory mechanisms in cultured human sweat duct cells

1. Cultured sweat duct cells (CSDCs) were grown to confluency on a permeable support, and the pharmacological ion transport regulation was assayed by transepithelial voltage clamp techniques. 2. Exposure of the serosal membrane of CSDCs to methacholine (MCh), lysylbradykinin (LBK) or histamine produced an oscillating short-circuit current (Iscc) response, which could be divided in an initial transient phase and a sustained oscillating phase, the latter of which was totally dependent on external Ca2+. 3. The Iscc responses evoked by LBK and histamine were, in contrast to the cholinergic response, characterized by a marked desensitization and short duration of the subsequent phase of Iscc oscillations. 4. Prolonged Iscc oscillations, reflecting continuous Ca2+ influx, were seen following MCh stimulation, and in response to LBK or histamine stimulation, when cells had been pre-treated with MCh. This pre-treatment effect of MCh was independent of continuous muscarinic receptor occupation, and it was unrelated to nicotinic receptor occupation. 5. It is suggested that MCh stimulation selectively initiates an influx of Ca2+ to an intracellular pool, from where Ca2+ can be discharged repetitively. In contrast, LBK and histamine only activate discharge of Ca2+ from such an intracellular pool, resulting in a limited response, given no prior stimulation by MCh of the Ca2+ influx mechanism.

Ion transport in cultured epithelia from human sweat glands: comparison of normal and cystic fibrosis tissues

1. Cultured epithelia derived from whole human sweat glands, isolated secretory coils, isolated reabsorptive ducts and whole glands from cystic fibrosis (CF) subjects have been used to examine drug sensitivity by use of short circuit current recording. 2. Short circuit current increases were observed with lysylbradykinin, carbachol and histamine in epithelia of different origins. All responses were due to stimulation of electrogenic sodium absorption, evidenced by the inhibition of these responses by amiloride. The latter also abolished the basal current. The terpenes, thapsigargin and forskolin had no effect on transport. 3. The stimulation of a sodium current by agonists was dependent upon calcium, responses being inhibited by lanthanum ions and EGTA. Further A23187 induced a sodium current. 4. Pronounced oscillations in the sodium currents were a feature of the responses, implying synchronous, regulated cell activity. 5. Forskolin produced a ten fold increase in adenylate cyclase activity. All agonists listed in 2 except forskolin caused an increase in intracellular calcium [Ca]i, [Ca]i responses in CF cells were not different from those of normal cells, except with thapsigargin where the responses were smaller. 6. It is concluded that in culture, cells develop ductal characteristics, whether derived from normal or CF glands, coils or ducts. An increase in [Ca]i followed by activation of calcium-sensitive potassium channels and apical membrane hyperpolarization may be the major mechanism for increasing sodium influx.

Synergistic activation by serotonin and GTP analogue and inhibition by phorbol ester of cyclic Ca2+ rises in hamster eggs

1. Synergistic activation of a GTP-binding protein (G protein) by external serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) and internally applied guanosine-5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate (GTP gamma S) in hamster eggs was demonstrated by the facilitation of repetitive increases in cytoplasmic Ca2+ as measured by their associated hyperpolarizing responses (HRs) and by aequorin luminescence. 2. Rapid application of 70 nM-5-HT caused a single HR of 10-12 s duration and with a delay of 80 s. The critical concentration of 5-HT to cause an HR was 50 nM. 3. With 10 microM-5-HT four to six HRs were often elicited with a delay to the first HR of 8-30 s. HRs disappeared after prolonged or repeated application of 5-HT, indicating an apparent desensitization. 4. 5-HT-induced HRs were completely inhibited by the protein kinase C (PKC) activator phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (TPA) (100 nM). Conversely, the PKC inhibitor sphingosine (2 microM) enhanced the series of HRs by shortening the delay to the first HR (3-9 s) and by causing more HRs. 5. Ionophoretic injection of GTP gamma S into the egg usually produced a large HR with a delay of 120-240 s followed by a series of much smaller HRs. When 5-HT was applied within 1 min of injection of GTP gamma S. 70 nM-5-HT induced a number of large HRs and even 1 nM-5-HT could induce HR(s). In contrast, when 5-HT was applied after the size of GTP gamma S-induced HRs had declined, as much as 10 microM-5-HT could only elicit a single large HR. Thus, GTP gamma S apparently caused a sensitization and then a desensitization of the action of 5-HT. 6. GTP gamma S-induced Ca2+ transients were facilitated when injected in the presence of 5-HT concentrations as low as 0.1 nM. The time delay to the first HR was 65 s in 0.1 nM-5-HT or 4 s in 100 nM-5-HT whereas it was 170 s without 5-HT (mean values). The magnitude as well as frequency of HRs succeeding the first HR was enhanced by 5-HT at concentrations above 0.01 nM. 7. TPA (100 nM) blocked the GTP gamma S-plus-5-HT-potentiated HRs after the first four to five HRs. Sphingosine (2 microM) augmented the series of HRs.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Cholinergic-induced oscillating transepithelial short-circuit current in cultured human sweat duct cells

Human sweat duct cells in primary culture were investigated by voltage-clamp technique. Stimulation with the muscarinic agonist, metacholine (MCh), produced an abrupt transient rise followed by sustained regular oscillations in the transepithelial short-circuit current (Iscc), which in these cells is carried by a mucosal amiloride-sensitive Na+ influx, secondary to a Ca2(+)-activated, voltage-dependent, large K+ shunt across the serosal membrane. The time of latency, the initial transient phase, and the sustained oscillating phase of the MCh-induced Iscc response were demonstrated to be differently affected by changes in temperature, agonist concentration and external Ca2+ supply. From these results a model is proposed for the MCh-induced signal transduction in cultured sweat duct cells, involving a primary intracellular oscillatory Ca2+ mobilization, activated by IPP, sustained by a temperature-regulated external Ca2+ supply, and counter-regulated by cytosolic Ca2+.

Carbachol induces oscillations of membrane potassium conductance in a colonic cell line, T84

Effects of carbachol on membrane potential and current in T84 cells were determined using whole cell patch-clamp techniques. When the pipettes contained a standard KCl solution and the bath contained a standard NaCl solution, carbachol (100 microM) caused a rapid hyperpolarization to the K+ equilibrium potential (EK+), followed by potential oscillations. When membrane potential was clamped to 0 mV, carbachol induced an outwardly directed K+ current in 31 of 37 cells, with a peak value of 618 +/- 51 (SE) pA. In 77% of these cells the current oscillated and gradually declined to base line. Atropine (20 microM) blocked this response. In symmetric KCl solutions the carbachol-induced current reversed at 0 mV with no rectification. Ba2+ or Cs+ did not block the current, but tetraethylammonium ion (TEA) reduced the number of responding cells. Although a Cl- conductance was found in resting cells, carbachol did not cause an increase in Cl- current when the cells were voltage-clamped to EK+, or when voltage-clamped to +/- 60 mV while bathed in symmetric NaCl solutions. When the Ca2(+)-buffering capacity of the pipette solution was increased, 80% of the cells responded to carbachol, but only 10% oscillated; however, no K+ current was induced by carbachol when the pipette was made nominally Ca2+ free. The current was not affected by removal of Ca2+ from the bath. These results show that carbachol induces an oscillating Ca2(+)-activated K+ conductance in T84 cells, but no Cl- conductance. This K+ conductance is dependent on the mechanisms that regulate intracellular Ca2+.

Intestinal secretagogues increase cytosolic free Ca2+ concentration and K+ conductance in a human intestinal epithelial cell line

A human intestinal epithelial cell line (Intestine 407) is known to retain receptors for intestinal secretagogues such as acetylcholine (ACh), histamine, serotonin (5-HT) and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP). The cells were also found to possess separate receptors for secretin and ATP, the stimulation of which elicited transient hyperpolarizations coupled to decreased membrane resistances. These responses were reversed in polarity at the K+ equilibrium potential. The hyperpolarizing responses to six agonists were reversibly inhibited by quinine or quinidine. By means of Ca2(+)-selective microelectrodes, increases in the cytosolic free Ca2+ concentration were observed in response to individual secretagogues. The time course of Ca2+ responses coincided with that of hyperpolarizing responses. The responses to ACh and 5-HT were abolished by a reduction in the extracellular Ca2+ concentration down to pCa 7 or by application of Co2+. Thus, in Intestine 407 cells, not only the intestinal secretagogues, which are believed to act via increased cytosolic Ca2+ (ACh, 5-HT and histamine), but also those which elevate cyclic AMP (VIP, secretin and ATP) induce increases in cytosolic Ca2+, thereby activating the K+ conductance. It is likely that the origin of increased cytosolic Ca2+ is mainly extracellular for ACh- and 5-HT-induced responses, whereas histamine, VIP, secretin and ATP mobilize Ca2+ from the internal compartment.

Membrane conductance oscillations induced by serum in quiescent human skin fibroblasts

1. Application of fetal calf serum to quiescent human fibroblasts, kept under whole-cell voltage clamp at positive potentials, induced a series of transient rises in membrane conductance. 2. The first transient increase in conductance developed with very short time lag (2-10 s) after serum addition, while the period between successive transients was 30-90 s, being remarkably constant in each particular cell. 3. Raising the Ca2(+)-buffering capacity of the intracellular solution with 1 mM-EGTA suppressed the appearance of the sustained oscillations. 4. The conductance increase was strongly voltage dependent: voltage ramps applied before, during and after the transients revealed the activation of an outwardly rectifying conductance with variable reversal potentials (between +14 and -55 mV). 5. No significant shifts of the reversal potential were observed when the extracellular K+ concentration was increased to 126 mM. Substitution of K+ with Cs+ as intracellular cation eliminated the outward current in response to serum. 6. External application of the Ca2+ ionophore A23187 elicited currents which were very similar in voltage dependence and time course to those triggered by serum. 7. The serum-induced response persisted unaffected by the absence of external Ca2+. The response was also seen in the presence of 1 mM-Cd2+ in the external solution. 8. Serum addition caused a rapid morphological rearrangement of the cells. 9. It is concluded that serum triggers a mobilization of Ca2+ from intracellular stores which in turn activates cationic channels.

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.

Measurement of cytosolic free Ca2+ in individual pancreatic acini

The kinetics of changes in cytosolic free Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) were determined in individual rat pancreatic acini by microfluorimetry. Three major findings are reported. First, at maximal stimulatory concentrations for amylase release, both caerulein and bombesin induced an initial rise in [Ca2+]i followed by prolonged secondary oscillations of smaller amplitude. The latter effect was not observed with supramaximal doses of caerulein. Second, these cyclic changes were dependent, at least in part, on extracellular Ca2+. Finally, comparison of the threshold doses for [Ca2+]i mobilization and enzyme discharge demonstrated that pathways independent of an elevation of [Ca2+]i control the secretory activity of pancreatic acini at low, picomolar agonist concentrations.

Inositol trisphosphate-induced membrane potential oscillations in Xenopus oocytes

1. The role of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (Ins1,4,5P3) in controlling the membrane potential oscillations induced by acetylcholine in Xenopus oocytes was investigated by studying the effect of injecting Ins1,4,5P3. 2. Perfusing Xenopus oocytes with low concentrations of acetylcholine (less than or equal to 1 x 10(-7) M) induced regular oscillations in membrane potential. The frequency of these oscillations accelerated as the concentration of acetylcholine was increased. 3. Ionophoretic application of low doses of Ins1,4,5P3 stimulated membrane depolarization in the form of an initial brief spike which was followed by a burst of oscillations when the amount of Ins1,4,5P3 injected was increased. 4. When low doses of Ins1,4,5P3 were injected at 30 s intervals, there was rapid desensitization of the early response which recovered if the interval between injections was extended to 2 min or longer. 5. In comparison to the vegetal pole, the animal pole was much more sensitive to Ins1,4,5P3. This localization of Ins1,4,5P3 sensitivity in the animal pole may contribute to the electrical field which surrounds Xenopus oocytes. 6. A model is presented to explain these oscillations based on the phenomenon of calcium-induced calcium release. It is proposed that Ins1,4,5P3 releases calcium from an Ins1,4,5P3-sensitive pool which is then periodically taken up and released by an Ins1,4,5P3-insensitive pool. It is the overloading of this Ins1,4,5P3-insensitive pool which may provide the trigger to spontaneously release calcium back into the cytoplasm.

Ca2+ sensitivity of volume-regulatory K+ and Cl- channels in cultured human epithelial cells

1. During exposure to a hypotonic solution, cultured human epithelial cells (Intestine 407) exhibited a regulatory volume decrease (RVD) after initial osmotic swelling. 2. The volume readjustment was slowed by elevating the extracellular K+ concentration and facilitated by reducing the extracellular Cl- concentration. Not only putative K+ channel blockers, quinine and Ba2+, but also a stilbene derivative Cl- channel blocker (SITS) inhibited the RVD. 3. The volume recovery of hypoosmotically swollen cells was very much suppressed by the deprivation of extracellular Ca2+ ions or by chelation of cytosolic Ca2+ ions with Quin-2 loaded within the cells. 4. Biphasic membrane potential changes were associated with the RVD process at low extracellular K+ and Cl- concentrations. The initial hyperpolarizing response was inhibited by quinine and Ba2+, whereas the late depolarizing response was inhibited by SITS. The deprivation of extracellular Ca2+ inhibited the initial hyperpolarizing phase but not the late depolarizing phase. 5. Two-microelectrode voltage clamp studies showed that the initial hyperpolarization and late depolarization were associated with quinine-sensitive outward currents and SITS-sensitive inward currents, respectively. The reversal potentials estimated from the current-voltage curves were about -80 mV for the initial response and -27 mV for the late response. Tenfold changes in the K+ and Cl- concentrations shifted these reversal potentials by 50 mV for the initial response and by 42 mV for the late response. 6. Under whole-cell recordings, similar current changes were observed in the cells exposed to a hypotonic solution, when the intracellular Ca2+ ions were moderately buffered with 1 mM-EGTA in the dialysing solution filled in a patch pipette. When most Ca2+ ions were chelated with 10 mM-EGTA in the pipette solution, the initial outward current as well as the corresponding hyperpolarization was suppressed, but the late current associated with the depolarizing phase was preserved. 7. Intracellular Ca2+ injections induced an increase in the quinine-sensitive K+ conductance but failed to activate the Cl- conductance. 8. It is concluded that both K+ and Cl- channels are involved in the regulatory volume decrease, and that the former channel is exclusively activated by elevation of the cytosolic Ca2+ concentration in the epithelial cells.

Possible participation of calmodulin in stimulation of leucine transport by concanavalin A in human lymphocytes

Stimulation of leucine uptake by addition of concanavalin A, mediated by increase of intracellular free Ca2+ concentration [( Ca2+]), in lymphocytes (Mitsumoto, Y., Sato, K. and Mohri, T. (1988) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 968, 353-358) was abolished by N-(6-aminohexyl)-5-chloro-1-naphthalenesulfonamide (W-7) and chlorpromazine, which inhibited membrane hyperpolarization induced by the mitogen. Quinine (0.5-1 mM) completely inhibited the concanavalin A-induced hyperpolarization and extensively inhibited the induced stimulation of leucine uptake. Based on these results, we suggest that the stimulation of leucine uptake by concanavalin A is largely due to activation of the Ca2+-dependent K+ channel which reinforces negative potential of the plasma membrane and is regulated by calmodulin.

Direct effects of wheat germ agglutinin on inositol phosphate formation and cytosolic-free calcium level in intestine 407 cells

The interaction between dietary lectins, especially wheat germ agglutinin (WGA), and intestinal cells has been implicated in the pathogenesis of celiac disease. The present study was undertaken to investigate the immediate effects following such an interaction. Direct WGA-stimulation of Intestine 407 cells leads to an immediate rise in the cytosolic-free calcium concentration. The major part of this lectin-induced rise is due to an influx of calcium across the plasma membrane into the cytosol. However, WGA-exposure also results in an immediate mobilization of calcium from intracellular stores, most likely mediated via the simultaneous increase of inositol trisphosphate formation in these cells. The transduction mechanism described for WGA in these intestinal cells is not very sensitive towards pertussis toxin, indicating that if a G-protein is involved, it differs from those of most other systems. The suggested role for WGA in changing the functional and structural properties of intestinal cells might involve increases of inositol phosphate and cytosolic-free calcium levels.

Oscillatory activation of calcium-dependent potassium channels in HeLa cells induced by histamine H1 receptor stimulation: a single-channel study

We have used the patch-clamp method (O.P. Hamill et al., Pfluegers Arch., 391:85-100, 1981) in order to investigate the activation pattern of a calcium-dependent potassium channel following H1 receptor stimulation in HeLa cells. Our results essentially indicate that the stimulation of H1 receptors by exogenous histamine at concentrations greater than 1 microM induces an oscillatory activation pattern of calcium-dependent potassium channels characterized by the occurrence of channel current bursts separated by long silent periods. It was also found that the occurrence of these bursts could be directly correlated with transmembrane potential oscillations, the latter being the resulting effect of the calcium-dependent potassium channel synchronous openings. In addition, the cyclic activation of the calcium-dependent potassium channels could be initiated by the addition of histamine to a calcium-free external medium, indicating that the stimulation of the H1 receptors in HeLa cells is mainly related to the release of calcium from internal stores. Finally, the membrane-permeable cyclic AMP analog dibutyryl cyclic AMP was found to be ineffective in initiating single-channel events such as those triggered by exogenous histamine. It is proposed that the oscillatory activation of the calcium-dependent potassium channels in HeLa cells results from a repetitive transient increase in cytosolic free calcium concentration consequent to the H1 receptor stimulation.