α1-Adrenoceptors in parotid cells: age does not alter the ratio of α1A and α1B subtypes

Comparison of the Ca2+ movement by activation of alpha1-adrenoceptor subtypes in HEK-293 cells

We studied the Ca2+ movement induced by activation of alpha1A-, alpha1B- and alpha1D-adrenoceptor subtypes in transfected HEK-293 cells with the fura-2 probe. All these alpha1-AR subtypes induced both Ca2+ release and Ca2+ entry. The effect on Ca2+ release in alpha1b transfected HEK-293 cells was bigger than that in alpha1a and alpha1d transfected HEK-293 cells, and the effects on Ca2+ entry were the same in alpha1a, alpha1b and alpha1d transfected HEK-293 cells. The Ca2+ entry was inhibited by 1 mM NiSO4, but not by nifedipine. Cyclopiazonic acid (CPA) produced a biphasic Ca2+ signal response in Ca2+ medium, and only induced a transient response in Ca2+-free medium. After depletion of CPA-sensitive Ca2+ pool by 10 microM CPA in Ca2+-free medium, 10 microM adrenaline (Adr) still transiently increased [Ca2+]i in three different alpha1-adrenoceptor subtype transfected HEK-293 cells. However, after depletion of adrenaline-sensitive Ca2+ pool by 10 microM Adr, CPA transiently elevated [Ca2+]i only in alpha1a and alpha1d transfected HEK-293 cells, not in alpha1b transfected HEK-293 cells. U73122, a phospholipase C (PLC) inhibitor, inhibited both Ca2+ release and Ca2+ entry induced by activation of alpha1A alpha1B and alpha1D subtypes in transfected HEK-293 cells. These results suggest that HEK-293 cell line contains two functionally separate intracellular Ca2+ pools, CPA-sensitive and Adr-sensitive pools. Activation of alpha1B-AR stimulates Ca2+ release from both CPA-sensitive and Adr-sensitive Ca2+ pools. Alpha1A and alpha1D subtypes induce Ca2+ release only from Adr-sensitive Ca2+ pool.

Adrenoceptor coupling mechanisms which regulate salivary secretion during aging

In parotid slices and membranes from Wistar rats 2, 12 and 24 months old, changes are noted in adrenoceptor-stimulated K+ fluxes, formation of [3H]inositol phosphates ([3H]IPs), cAMP production, and membrane environment. Norepinephrine-stimulated K+ efflux and formation of [3H]IPs in the slices proceed through an alpha 1-adrenergic mechanism and are reduced 20% and 40% during aging, respectively. In beta-adrenoceptor stimulation with isoproterenol, no age changes were observed in K+ influx and cAMP production. The cholesterol content in membranes was reduced with age; concomitantly, the membrane viscosity decreased with age. These results indicate that the alterations in the membrane environment may provide age-dependent modulation of alpha 1-adrenoceptor coupling mechanisms and their functions.