Extracellular ATP activates ERK1/ERK2 via a metabotropic P2Y1 receptor in a Ca2+ independent manner in differentiated human skeletal muscle cells

P2Y1 and P2Y2 receptors differ in their role in the regulation of signaling pathways during unloading-induced rat soleus muscle atrophy

The current study aimed to investigate the hypothesis that purinergic receptors P2Y1 and P2Y2 play a regulatory role in gene expression in unloaded muscle. ATP is released from cells through pannexin channels, and it interacts with P2Y1 and P2Y2 receptors, leading to the activation of markers of protein catabolism and a reduction in protein synthesis. To test this hypothesis thirty-two rats were randomly divided into four groups (8 per group): a non-treated control group (C), a group subjected to three days of hindlimb unloading with a placebo (HS), a group subjected to three days of hindlimb unloading treated with a P2Y1 receptor inhibitor, MRS2179 (HSM), and a group subjected to three days of hindlimb unloading treated with a P2Y2 receptor inhibitor, AR-C 118925XX (HSA). This study revealed several key findings following three days of soleus muscle unloading: 1: Inhibition of P2Y1 or P2Y2 receptors prevented the accumulation of ATP, the increase in IP3 receptor content, and the decrease in the phosphorylation of GSK-3beta. This inhibition also mitigated the reduction in the rate of protein synthesis. However, it had no significant effect on the markers of mTORC1-dependent signaling. 2: Blocking P2Y1 receptors prevented the unloading-induced upregulation of phosphorylated p38MAPK and partially reduced the increase in MuRF1mRNA expression. 3: Blocking P2Y2 receptors prevented muscle atrophy during unloading, partially maintained the levels of phosphorylated ERK1/2, reduced the increase in mRNA expression of MAFbx, ubiquitin, and IL-6 receptor, prevented the decrease in phosphorylated AMPK, and attenuated the increase in phosphorylated p70S6K. Taken together, these results suggest that the prevention of muscle atrophy during unloading, as achieved by the P2Y2 receptor inhibitor, is likely mediated through a reduction in catabolic processes and maintenance of energy homeostasis. In contrast, the P2Y1 receptor appears to play a relatively minor role in muscle atrophy during unloading.

Secretion of Interleukin 6 in Human Skeletal Muscle Cultures Depends on Ca2+ Signalling

The systemic effects of physical activity are mediated by the release of IL-6 and other myokines from contracting muscle. Although the release of IL-6 from muscle has been extensively studied, the information on the cellular mechanisms is fragmentary and scarce, especially regarding the role of Ca²⁺ signals. The aim of this study was to characterize the role of the main components of Ca²⁺ signals in human skeletal muscle cells during IL-6 secretion stimulated by the Ca²⁺ mobilizing agonist ATP. Primary cultures were prepared from surgical samples, fluorescence microscopy was used to evaluate the Ca²⁺ signals and the stimulated release of IL-6 into the medium was determined using ELISA. Intracellular calcium chelator Bapta, low extracellular calcium and the Ca²⁺ channels blocker La³⁺ reduced the ATP-stimulated, but not the basal secretion. Secretion was inhibited by blockers of L-type (nifedipine, verapamil), T-type (NNC55-0396) and Orai1 (Synta66) Ca²⁺ channels and by silencing Orai1 expression. The same effect was achieved with inhibitors of ryanodine receptors (ryanodine, dantrolene) and IP3 receptors (xestospongin C, 2-APB, caffeine). Inhibitors of calmodulin (calmidazolium) and calcineurin (FK506) also decreased secretion. IL-6 transcription in response to ATP was not affected by Bapta or by the T channel blocker. Our results prove that ATP-stimulated IL-6 secretion is mediated at the post-transcriptional level by Ca²⁺ signals, including the mobilization of calcium stores, the activation of store-operated Ca²⁺ entry, and the subsequent activation of voltage-operated Ca²⁺ channels and calmodulin/calcineurin pathways.

P2Y1R and P2Y2R: potential molecular triggers in muscle regeneration

Muscle regeneration is indispensable for skeletal muscle health and daily life when injury, muscular disease, and aging occur. Among the muscle regeneration, muscle stem cells' (MuSCs) activation, proliferation, and differentiation play a key role in muscle regeneration. Purines bind to its specific receptors during muscle development, which transmit environmental stimuli and play a crucial role of modulator of muscle regeneration. Evidences proved P2R expression during development and regeneration of skeletal muscle, both in human and mouse. In contrast to P2XR, which have been extensively investigated in skeletal muscles, the knowledge of P2YR in this tissue is less comprehensive. This review summarized muscle regeneration via P2Y1R and P2Y2R and speculated that P2Y1R and P2Y2R might be potential molecular triggers for MuSCs' activation and proliferation via the p-ERK1/2 and PLC pathways, explored their cascade effects on skeletal muscle, and proposed P2Y1/2 receptors as potential pharmacological targets in muscle regeneration, to advance the purinergic signaling within muscle and provide promising strategies for alleviating muscular disease.

Damage-induced pyroptosis drives endog thymic regeneration via induction of Foxn1 by purinergic receptor activation

Endogenous thymic regeneration is a crucial process that allows for the renewal of immune competence following stress, infection or cytoreductive conditioning. Fully understanding the molecular mechanisms driving regeneration will uncover therapeutic targets to enhance regeneration. We previously demonstrated that high levels of homeostatic apoptosis suppress regeneration and that a reduction in the presence of damage-induced apoptotic thymocytes facilitates regeneration. Here we identified that cell-specific metabolic remodeling after ionizing radiation steers thymocytes towards mitochondrial-driven pyroptotic cell death. We further identified that a key damage-associated molecular pattern (DAMP), ATP, stimulates the cell surface purinergic receptor P2Y2 on cortical thymic epithelial cells (cTECs) acutely after damage, enhancing expression of Foxn1, the critical thymic transcription factor. Targeting the P2Y2 receptor with the agonist UTPγS promotes rapid regeneration of the thymus in vivo following acute damage. Together these data demonstrate that intrinsic metabolic regulation of pyruvate processing is a critical process driving thymus repair and identifies the P2Y2 receptor as a novel molecular therapeutic target to enhance thymus regeneration.

Roles of ATP and SERCA in the Regulation of Calcium Turnover in Unloaded Skeletal Muscles: Current View and Future Directions

A decrease in skeletal muscle contractile activity or its complete cessation (muscle unloading or disuse) leads to muscle fibers’ atrophy and to alterations in muscle performance. These changes negatively affect the quality of life of people who, for one reason or another, are forced to face a limitation of physical activity. One of the key regulatory events leading to the muscle disuse-induced changes is an impairment of calcium homeostasis, which leads to the excessive accumulation of calcium ions in the sarcoplasm. This review aimed to analyze the triggering mechanisms of calcium homeostasis impairment (including those associated with the accumulation of high-energy phosphates) under various types of muscle unloading. Here we proposed a hypothesis about the regulatory mechanisms of SERCA and IP3 receptors activity during muscle unloading, and about the contribution of these mechanisms to the excessive calcium ion myoplasmic accumulation and gene transcription regulation via excitation–transcription coupling.

Role of Pannexin 1 ATP-Permeable Channels in the Regulation of Signaling Pathways during Skeletal Muscle Unloading

Skeletal muscle unloading results in atrophy. We hypothesized that pannexin 1 ATP-permeable channel (PANX1) is involved in the response of muscle to unloading. We tested this hypothesis by blocking PANX1, which regulates efflux of ATP from the cytoplasm. Rats were divided into six groups (eight rats each): non-treated control for 1 and 3 days of the experiments (1C and 3C, respectively), 1 and 3 days of hindlimb suspension (HS) with placebo (1H and 3H, respectively), and 1 and 3 days of HS with PANX1 inhibitor probenecid (PRB; 1HP and 3HP, respectively). When compared with 3C group there was a significant increase in ATP in soleus muscle of 3H and 3HP groups (32 and 51%, respectively, p < 0.05). When compared with 3H group, 3HP group had: (1) lower mRNA expression of E3 ligases MuRF1 and MAFbx (by 50 and 38% respectively, p < 0.05) and MYOG (by 34%, p < 0.05); (2) higher phosphorylation of p70S6k and p90RSK (by 51 and 35% respectively, p < 0.05); (3) lower levels of phosphorylated eEF2 (by 157%, p < 0.05); (4) higher level of phosphorylated GSK3β (by 189%, p < 0.05). In conclusion, PANX1 ATP-permeable channels are involved in the regulation of muscle atrophic processes by modulating expression of E3 ligases, and protein translation and elongation processes during unloading.

Epigallocatechin-3-gallate confers protection against corticosterone-induced neuron injuries via restoring extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 and phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase/protein kinase B signaling pathways

Extensive studies suggested epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) has significant neuroprotection against multiple central neural injuries, but the underlying mechanisms still remain poorly elucidated. Here we provide evidence to support the possible involvement of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) and phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase/ protein kinase B (PI3K/AKT) pathways in EGCG-mediated protection against corticosterone-induced neuron injuries. As an essential stress hormone, corticosterone could induce obvious neurotoxicity in primary hippocampal neurons. Pre-treatment with EGCG ameliorated the corticosterone-induced neuronal injuries; however, it was blocked by pharmacological inhibitors for ERK1/2 (U0126) and PI3K/AKT (LY294002). Furthermore, the results confirmed that EGCG restored the corticosterone-induced decrease of ERK1/2 and PI3K/AKT phosphorylation, and attenuated the corticosterone-induced reduction of peroxisome proliferators-activated receptor-γ coactivator-1α (PGC-1α) expression and ATP production. Taken together, these findings indicated that EGCG has significant neuroprotection against corticosterone-induced neuron injuries partly via restoring the ERK1/2 and PI3K/AKT signaling pathways as well as the PGC-1α-mediated ATP production.

Succinate promotes skeletal muscle protein synthesis via Erk1/2 signaling pathway

It is well known that endurance training is effective to attenuate skeletal muscle atrophy. Succinate is a typical TCA metabolite, of which exercise could dramatically increase the content. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of succinate on protein synthesis in skeletal muscle, and try to delineate the underlying mechanism. The in vitro study revealed that succinate dose‑dependently increased protein synthesis in C2C12 myotube along with the enhancement of phosphorylation levels of AKT Serine/Threonine Kinase 1(Akt), mammalian target of rapamycin, S6, eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E, 4E binding protein 1 and forkhead box O (FoxO) 3a. Furthermore, it was demonstrated that 20 mM succinate markedly increased [Ca2+]i. Then, the phospho‑extracellular regulated kinase (Erk), ‑Akt level and the crosstalk between Erk and Akt were elevated in response to succinate. Notably, the Erk antagonist (U0126) or mTOR inhibitor (rapamycin) abolished the effect of succinate on protein synthesis. The in vivo study verified that succinate dose‑dependently increased the protein synthesis, in addition to phosphorylation levels of Erk, Akt and FoxO3a in gastrocnemius muscle. In summary, these findings demonstrated that succinate promoted skeletal muscle protein deposition via Erk/Akt signaling pathway.

Oral Adenosine-5'-triphosphate (ATP) Administration Increases Postexercise ATP Levels, Muscle Excitability, and Athletic Performance Following a Repeated Sprint Bout

OBJECTIVE

Oral adenosine-5'-triphosphate (ATP) administration has failed to increase plasma ATP levels; however, chronic supplementation with ATP has shown to increase power, strength, lean body mass, and blood flow in trained athletes. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of ATP supplementation on postexercise ATP levels and on muscle activation and excitability and power following a repeated sprint bout.

METHODS

In a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized design, 42 healthy male individuals were given either 400 mg of ATP as disodium salt or placebo for 2 weeks prior to an exercise bout. During the exercise bout, muscle activation and excitability (ME, ratio of power output to muscle activation) and Wingate test peak power were measured during all sprints. ATP and metabolites were measured at baseline, after supplementation, and immediately following exercise.

RESULTS

Oral ATP supplementation prevented a drop in ATP, adenosine-5'-diphosphate (ADP), and adenosine-5'-monophosphate (AMP) levels postexercise (p < 0.05). No group by time interaction was observed for muscle activation. Following the supplementation period, muscle excitability significantly decreased in later bouts 8, 9, and 10 in the placebo group (-30.5, -28.3, and -27.9%, respectively; p < 0.02), whereas ATP supplementation prevented the decline in later bouts. ATP significantly increased Wingate peak power in later bouts compared to baseline (bout 8: +18.3%, bout 10: +16.3%).

CONCLUSIONS

Oral ATP administration prevents exercise-induced declines in ATP and its metabolite and enhances peak power and muscular excitability, which may be beneficial for sports requiring repeated high-intensity sprinting bouts.

Antihyperlipidemic activity of adenosine triphosphate in rabbits fed a high-fat diet and hyperlipidemic patients

Context Recently, adenosine triphosphate (ATP) was occasionally found to decrease the triglyceride (TG) levels in several hyperlipidemic patients in our clinical practice. Objective The study investigates the anti-hyperlipidemic effects of ATP in a high-fat fed rabbit model and hyperlipidemic patients. Materials and methods Twenty-four rabbits were randomly divided into three groups of eight animals each as follows: normal diet, high-fat diet and high-fat diet + ATP group. ATP supplementation (40 mg/day) was started at the 20th day and lasted for 10 days. Serum concentrations of total cholesterol (TC), TG, LDL-C, HDL-C were measured on the 20th day and 30th day. Heart, liver and aorta were subjected histopathological examination. Twenty outpatients diagnosed primary hyperlipidemia took ATP at a dose of 60 mg twice a day for 1 week. Results Feeding rabbits with a high-fat diet resulted in a significant elevation of lipid parameters including TC, TG, LDL-C, VLDL-C compared to the normal diet group (p < 0.01). ATP treatment significantly decreased serum TG level (p < 0.01), whilst other parameters remained statistically unaltered. Meanwhile, ATP significantly reduced the thickness of fat layer in cardiac epicardium (p < 0.05) and pathological gradation of ballooning degeneration in hepatocytes (p < 0.05). After taking ATP for 1 week, hyperlipidemia patients exhibited a significant decrease of TG (p < 0.01), but other lipid parameters had no significant change. Discussion and conclusion The study indicates that ATP selectively decreases serum TG levels in high-fat diet rabbits and hyperlipidemic patients. Therefore, ATP supplementation may provide an effective approach to control TG level.

Purinergic signalling-evoked intracellular Ca(2+) concentration changes in the regulation of chondrogenesis and skeletal muscle formation

It is now widely recognised that changes of the intracellular calcium concentration have deep impact on the differentiation of various non-excitable cells including the elements of the vertebrate skeleton. It has become evident that purinergic signalling is one of the most ancient cellular mechanisms that can cause such alterations in the intracellular Ca(2+)-homeostasis, which are precisely set either spatially or temporally. Purinergic signalling is believed to regulate intracellular Ca(2+)-concentration of developing cartilage and skeletal muscle cells and suggested to play roles in the modulation of various cellular functions. This idea is supported by the fact that pluripotent mesenchymal cells, chondroprogenitors or muscle precursors, as well as mature chondrocytes all are capable of releasing ectonucleotides, and express various types of purinoreceptors and ectonucleotidases. The presence of the basic components of purinergic signalling proves that cells of the chondrogenic lineage can utilise this mechanism for modulating their intracellular Ca(2+) concentration independently from the surrounding skeletal muscle and bone tissues, which are well known to release ectopurines during development and mechanical stress. In this review, we summarize accumulating experimental evidence supporting the importance of purinergic signalling in the regulation of chondrogenesis and during skeletal muscle formation.

Phosphoinositides in Ca(2+) signaling and excitation-contraction coupling in skeletal muscle: an old player and newcomers

Since the postulate, 30 years ago, that phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PtdIns(4,5)P 2) as the precursor of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (Ins(1,4,5)P 3) would be critical for skeletal muscle excitation-contraction (EC) coupling, the issue of whether phosphoinositides (PtdInsPs) may have something to do with Ca(2+) signaling in muscle raised limited interest, if any. In recent years however, the PtdInsP world has expanded considerably with new functions for PtdIns(4,5)P 2 but also with functions for the other members of the PtdInsP family. In this context, the discovery that genetic deficiency in a PtdInsP phosphatase has dramatic consequences on Ca(2+) homeostasis in skeletal muscle came unanticipated and opened up new perspectives in regards to how PtdInsPs modulate muscle Ca(2+) signaling under normal and disease conditions. This review intends to make an update of the established, the questioned, and the unknown regarding the role of PtdInsPs in skeletal muscle Ca(2+) homeostasis and EC coupling, with very specific emphasis given to Ca(2+) signals in differentiated skeletal muscle fibers.

Oral adenosine-5'-triphosphate (ATP) administration increases blood flow following exercise in animals and humans

INTRODUCTION

Extracellular adenosine triphosphate (ATP) stimulates vasodilation by binding to endothelial ATP-selective P2Y2 receptors; a phenomenon, which is posited to be accelerated during exercise. Herein, we used a rat model to examine how different dosages of acute oral ATP administration affected the femoral blood flow response prior to, during, and after an exercise bout. In addition, we performed a single dose chronic administration pilot study in resistance trained athletes.

METHODS

ANIMAL STUDY

Male Wistar rats were gavage-fed the body surface area, species adjusted human equivalent dose (HED) of either 100 mg (n=4), 400 mg (n=4), 1,000 mg (n=5) or 1,600 mg (n=5) of oral ATP as a disodium salt (Peak ATP®, TSI, Missoula, MT). Rats that were not gavage-fed were used as controls (CTL, n=5). Blood flow was monitored continuously: a) 60 min prior to, b) during and c) 90 min following an electrically-evoked leg-kicking exercise. Human Study: In a pilot study, 12 college-aged resistance-trained subjects were given 400 mg of ATP (Peak ATP®, TSI, Missoula, MT) daily for 12 weeks, and prior to an acute arm exercise bout at weeks 1, 4, 8, and 12. Ultrasonography-determined volumetric blood flow and vessel dilation in the brachial artery was measured at rest, at rest 30 minutes after supplementation, and then at 0, 3, and 6 minutes after the exercise.

RESULTS

ANIMAL STUDY

Rats fed 1,000 mg HED demonstrated significantly greater recovery blood flow (p < 0.01) and total blood flow AUC values (p < 0.05) compared to CTL rats. Specifically, blood flow was elevated in rats fed 1,000 mg HED versus CTL rats at 20 to 90 min post exercise when examining 10-min blood flow intervals (p < 0.05). When examining within-group differences relative to baseline values, rats fed the 1,000 mg and 1,600 mg HED exhibited the most robust increases in blood flow during exercise and into the recovery period. Human study: At weeks 1, 8, and 12, ATP supplementation significantly increased blood flow, along with significant elevations in brachial dilation.

CONCLUSIONS

Oral ATP administration can increase post-exercise blood flow, and may be particularly effective during exercise recovery.

Electrical stimulation induces IL-6 in skeletal muscle through extracellular ATP by activating Ca(2+) signals and an IL-6 autocrine loop

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is an important myokine that is highly expressed in skeletal muscle cells upon exercise. We assessed IL-6 expression in response to electrical stimulation (ES) or extracellular ATP as a known mediator of the excitation-transcription mechanism in skeletal muscle. We examined whether the canonical signaling cascade downstream of IL-6 (IL-6/JAK2/STAT3) also responds to muscle cell excitation, concluding that IL-6 influences its own expression through a positive loop. Either ES or exogenous ATP (100 μM) increased both IL-6 expression and p-STAT3 levels in rat myotubes, a process inhibited by 100 μM suramin and 2 U/ml apyrase. ATP also evoked IL-6 expression in both isolated skeletal fibers and extracts derived from whole FDB muscles. ATP increased IL-6 release up to 10-fold. STAT3 activation evoked by ATP was abolished by the JAK2 inhibitor HBC. Blockade of secreted IL-6 with a neutralizing antibody or preincubation with the STAT3 inhibitor VIII reduced STAT3 activation evoked by extracellular ATP by 70%. Inhibitor VIII also reduced by 70% IL-6 expression evoked by ATP, suggesting a positive IL-6 loop. In addition, ATP increased up to 60% the protein levels of SOCS3, a negative regulator of the IL-6 signaling pathway. On the other hand, intracellular calcium chelation or blockade of IP3-dependent calcium signals abolished STAT3 phosphorylation evoked by either extracellular ATP or ES. These results suggest that expression of IL-6 in stimulated skeletal muscle cells is mediated by extracellular ATP and nucleotide receptors, involving IP3-dependent calcium signals as an early step that triggers a positive IL-6 autocrine loop.

Purinergic signalling in the musculoskeletal system

It is now widely recognised that extracellular nucleotides, signalling via purinergic receptors, participate in numerous biological processes in most tissues. It has become evident that extracellular nucleotides have significant regulatory effects in the musculoskeletal system. In early development, ATP released from motor nerves along with acetylcholine acts as a cotransmitter in neuromuscular transmission; in mature animals, ATP functions as a neuromodulator. Purinergic receptors expressed by skeletal muscle and satellite cells play important pathophysiological roles in their development or repair. In many cell types, expression of purinergic receptors is often dependent on differentiation. For example, sequential expression of P2X5, P2Y1 and P2X2 receptors occurs during muscle regeneration in the mdx model of muscular dystrophy. In bone and cartilage cells, the functional effects of purinergic signalling appear to be largely negative. ATP stimulates the formation and activation of osteoclasts, the bone-destroying cells. Another role appears to be as a potent local inhibitor of mineralisation. In osteoblasts, the bone-forming cells, ATP acts via P2 receptors to limit bone mineralisation by inhibiting alkaline phosphatase expression and activity. Extracellular ATP additionally exerts significant effects on mineralisation via its hydrolysis product, pyrophosphate. Evidence now suggests that purinergic signalling is potentially important in several bone and joint disorders including osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis and cancers. Strategies for future musculoskeletal therapies might involve modulation of purinergic receptor function or of the ecto-nucleotidases responsible for ATP breakdown or ATP transport inhibitors.

Electrical stimuli release ATP to increase GLUT4 translocation and glucose uptake via PI3Kγ-Akt-AS160 in skeletal muscle cells

Skeletal muscle glucose uptake in response to exercise is preserved in insulin-resistant conditions, but the signals involved are debated. ATP is released from skeletal muscle by contractile activity and can autocrinely signal through purinergic receptors, and we hypothesized it may influence glucose uptake. Electrical stimulation, ATP, and insulin each increased fluorescent 2-NBD-Glucose (2-NBDG) uptake in primary myotubes, but only electrical stimulation and ATP-dependent 2-NBDG uptake were inhibited by adenosine-phosphate phosphatase and by purinergic receptor blockade (suramin). Electrical stimulation transiently elevated extracellular ATP and caused Akt phosphorylation that was additive to insulin and inhibited by suramin. Exogenous ATP transiently activated Akt and, inhibiting phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) or Akt as well as dominant-negative Akt mutant, reduced ATP-dependent 2-NBDG uptake and Akt phosphorylation. ATP-dependent 2-NBDG uptake was also inhibited by the G protein βγ subunit-interacting peptide βark-ct and by the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-γ (PI3Kγ) inhibitor AS605240. ATP caused translocation of GLUT4myc-eGFP to the cell surface, mechanistically mediated by increased exocytosis involving AS160/Rab8A reduced by dominant-negative Akt or PI3Kγ kinase-dead mutants, and potentiated by myristoylated PI3Kγ. ATP stimulated 2-NBDG uptake in normal and insulin-resistant adult muscle fibers, resembling the reported effect of exercise. Hence, the ATP-induced pathway may be tapped to bypass insulin resistance.

Adenosine-5'-triphosphate (ATP) supplementation improves low peak muscle torque and torque fatigue during repeated high intensity exercise sets

Background

Intracellular concentrations of adenosine-5’-triphosphate (ATP) are many times greater than extracellular concentrations (1–10 mM versus 10–100 nM, respectively) and cellular release of ATP is tightly controlled. Transient rises in extracellular ATP and its metabolite adenosine have important signaling roles; and acting through purinergic receptors, can increase blood flow and oxygenation of tissues; and act as neurotransmitters. Increased blood flow not only increases substrate availability but may also aid in recovery through removal of metabolic waste products allowing muscles to accomplish more work with less fatigue. The objective of the present study was to determine if supplemental ATP would improve muscle torque, power, work, or fatigue during repeated bouts of high intensity resistance exercise.

Methods

Sixteen participants (8 male and 8 female; ages: 21–34 years) were enrolled in a double-blinded, placebo-controlled study using a crossover design. The participants received either supplemental ATP (400 mg/d divided into 2 daily doses) or placebo for 15 d. After an overnight fast, participants underwent strength and fatigue testing, consisting of 3 sets of 50 maximal knee extensions performed on a Biodex® leg dynamometer.

Results

No differences were detected in high peak torque, power, or total work with ATP supplementation; however, low peak torque in set 2 was significantly improved (p < 0.01). Additionally, in set 3, a trend was detected for less torque fatigue with ATP supplementation (p < 0.10).

Conclusions

Supplementation with 400 mg ATP/d for 15 days tended to reduce muscle fatigue and improved a participant’s ability to maintain a higher force output at the end of an exhaustive exercise bout.

Connexin- and pannexin-based channels in normal skeletal muscles and their possible role in muscle atrophy

Precursor cells of skeletal muscles express connexins 39, 43 and 45 and pannexin1. In these cells, most connexins form two types of membrane channels, gap junction channels and hemichannels, whereas pannexin1 forms only hemichannels. All these channels are low-resistance pathways permeable to ions and small molecules that coordinate developmental events. During late stages of skeletal muscle differentiation, myofibers become innervated and stop expressing connexins but still express pannexin1 hemichannels that are potential pathways for the ATP release required for potentiation of the contraction response. Adult injured muscles undergo regeneration, and connexins are reexpressed and form membrane channels. In vivo, connexin reexpression occurs in undifferentiated cells that form new myofibers, favoring the healing process of injured muscle. However, differentiated myofibers maintained in culture for 48 h or treated with proinflammatory cytokines for less than 3 h also reexpress connexins and only form functional hemichannels at the cell surface. We propose that opening of these hemichannels contributes to drastic changes in electrochemical gradients, including reduction of membrane potential, increases in intracellular free Ca(2+) concentration and release of diverse metabolites (e.g., NAD(+) and ATP) to the extracellular milieu, contributing to multiple metabolic and physiologic alterations that characterize muscles undergoing atrophy in several acquired and genetic human diseases. Consequently, inhibition of connexin hemichannels expressed by injured or denervated skeletal muscles might reduce or prevent deleterious changes triggered by conditions that promote muscle atrophy.

Purinergic activation of rat skeletal muscle membranes increases Vmax and Na+ affinity of the Na,K-ATPase and phosphorylates phospholemman and α1 subunits

Muscle activity is associated with an increase in extracellular purines (ATP, ADP), which are involved in signalling mechanisms. The present study investigates the effect of purines on the function of Na,K-ATPase (Na,K-pump) in rat skeletal muscle. Na,K-ATPase activity was quantified by measuring the release of inorganic phosphate in the presence of ATP and variable Na(+) concentrations. In membranes purified from glycolytic muscle fibres, purinergic stimulation increases V (max) and decreases the K (m) (higher Na(+) affinity) of the Na,K-ATPase. Stimulatory effects were obtained using ATP, ADP, 2-methylthio-ADP and UPT, but not UDP and adenosine. The effect of ADP on V (max) can be inhibited by the non-specific P2Y receptor antagonists, suramin and PPADS. Moreover, the P2Y(13) receptor antagonist MRS 2211 strongly inhibited the response to ADP, whereas the specific P2Y(1) receptor antagonist MRS 2500 had less effect. Based on results from these agonists and antagonists, we conclude that P2Y(13) receptors mediate the main effects observed, that P2Y1 receptors are also involved and that some P2Y(2)/P2Y(4) receptors also appear to be involved. Receptor antagonists had no effect on ADP-induced subunit (phospholemman and α1) phosphorylation and changes in K (m) (Na(+) affinity). Thus, the stimulatory effects of purines are mediated by two independent mechanisms: P2Y receptor-mediated increase in Na,K-ATPase capacity (increased V (max)) and P2Y receptor-independent phosphorylation of Na,K-ATPase phospholemman and α1 subunits, which induce changes in ion affinity. These mechanisms may contribute to up-regulation of Na,K-ATPase during muscle activity.

Purinergic signaling in embryonic and stem cell development

Nucleotides are of crucial importance as carriers of energy in all organisms. However, the concept that in addition to their intracellular roles, nucleotides act as extracellular ligands specifically on receptors of the plasma membrane took longer to be accepted. Purinergic signaling exerted by purines and pyrimidines, principally ATP and adenosine, occurs throughout embryologic development in a wide variety of organisms, including amphibians, birds, and mammals. Cellular signaling, mediated by ATP, is present in development at very early stages, e.g., gastrulation of Xenopus and germ layer definition of chick embryo cells. Purinergic receptor expression and functions have been studied in the development of many organs, including the heart, eye, skeletal muscle and the nervous system. In vitro studies with stem cells revealed that purinergic receptors are involved in the processes of proliferation, differentiation, and phenotype determination of differentiated cells. Thus, nucleotides are able to induce various intracellular signaling pathways via crosstalk with other bioactive molecules acting on growth factor and neurotransmitter receptors. Since normal development is disturbed by dysfunction of purinergic signaling in animal models, further studies are needed to elucidate the functions of purinoceptor subtypes in developmental processes.

Extracellular ATP signaling during differentiation of C2C12 skeletal muscle cells: role in proliferation

Evidence shows that extracellular ATP signals influence myogenesis, regeneration and physiology of skeletal muscle. Present work was aimed at characterizing the extracellular ATP signaling system of skeletal muscle C2C12 cells during differentiation. We show that mechanical and electrical stimulation produces substantial release of ATP from differentiated myotubes, but not from proliferating myoblasts. Extracellular ATP-hydrolyzing activity is low in myoblasts and high in myotubes, consistent with the increased expression of extracellular enzymes during differentiation. Stimulation of cells with extracellular nucleotides produces substantial Ca(2+) transients, whose amplitude and shape changed during differentiation. Consistently, C2C12 cells express several P2X and P2Y receptors, whose level changes along with maturation stages. Supplementation with either ATP or UTP stimulates proliferation of C2C12 myoblasts, whereas excessive doses were cytotoxic. The data indicate that skeletal muscle development is accompanied by major functional changes in extracellular ATP signaling.

Signaling pathways of ATP-induced PGE2 release in spinal cord astrocytes are EGFR transactivation-dependent

Traumatic spinal cord injury is characterized by an immediate, irreversible loss of tissue at the lesion site, as well as a secondary expansion of tissue damage over time. Although secondary injury should, in principle, be preventable, no effective treatment options currently exist for patients with acute spinal cord injury (SCI). Excessive release of ATP by the traumatized tissue, triggers the rapid release of arachidonic acid (AA) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), and has beenimplicated in acute and chronic neuropathic pain and inflammation. But the intracellular pathways between ATP and PGE2 remain largely unknown. We have explored the signaling events involved in this synthesis by primarily culturing spinal cord astrocytes: (1) we determined significant PGE2 production increased by ATP is mainly via Subtype 1 of P2 purinoceptors (P2Y1) but not P2Y2; (2) we found that ATP strongly increased the level of intracellular Ca(2+) via P2Y1 receptor; (3) we indicated that ATP stimulates the definitely release of AA and PGE2 which involved the transactivation of epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor, the phosphorylation of extracellular-regulated protein kinases 1 and 2 (ERK(1/2) ) and the activation of cytosolic phospholipase A(2) (cPLA(2) ); (4) we examined ATP could increase the phosphorylation of Akt via P2Y1 receptor which also depend on the transactivation of EGFR, but the activation of Akt has no effect on the downstream of cPLA(2) phosphorylation. ATP induced by SCI could mobilize the release of AA and PGE2. And inhibition of PGE2 release reduces behavioral signs of pain after SCI and peripheral nerve injury.

Excitation of rat spinal ventral horn neurons by purinergic P2X and P2Y receptor activation

ATPgammaS, a nonhydrolyzable ATP analog, was found to dose-dependently generate an inward current at a holding potential of -70 mV (EC(50)=43 microM) in lamina IX neurons of rat spinal cord slices using the whole-cell patch-clamp technique. This inward current had an extrapolated reversal potential of -9 mV and was resistant to the Na(+)-channel blocker tetrodotoxin, glutamate-receptor antagonists or nominally Ca(2+)-free medium. ATP gamma S also increased the frequency and amplitude of glutamatergic spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic current (sEPSC); this action was dose-dependent and sensitive to tetrodotoxin. Unlike ATP gamma S, the P2X-receptor agonist, BzATP or alpha,beta-methylene ATP, did not change holding currents, but the current response produced by ATP gamma S disappeared in the presence of the P2-receptor antagonist PPADS. The sEPSC frequency and amplitude increase was observed with alpha,beta-methylene ATP, but not with the P2Y-receptor agonist, 2-methylthio ADP, UTP or UDP. The current response by ATP gamma S was suppressed by the addition of GDP beta S into the patch-pipette solution. As for ATP gamma S, 2-methylthio ADP produced an inward current, while UTP and UDP had no effect on holding currents. The P2Y(1)-receptor antagonist MRS2179 inhibited the ATP gamma S-induced inward current, but did not affect the sEPSC frequency and amplitude increase produced by ATP gamma S. These data indicate that extracellular ATP increases the excitability of lamina IX neurons by membrane depolarization (probably through non-selective cation-channel activation) and spontaneous excitatory transmission enhancement, which may be mediated by P2Y(1) and P2X receptors, respectively. This finding supports the idea that purinergic receptor antagonists provide a therapy for spinal cord injury.

Effect of purinergic receptor activation on Na+-K+ pump activity, excitability, and function in depolarized skeletal muscle

Activity-induced elevation of extracellular purines and pyrimidines has been associated with autocrine and paracrine signaling in many tissues. Here we investigate the effect of purinergic signaling for the excitability and contractility of depolarized skeletal muscle. Muscle excitability was experimentally depressed by elevating the extracellular K(+) from 4 to 10 mM, which reduced the tetanic force to 24 +/- 2% of the force at 4 mM K(+). Upon addition of 1 mM ATP, however, the force recovered to 65 +/- 8% of the control force (P < 0.001, n = 5). A similar recovery was seen with ADP, but not with UTP or adenosine. The ATP-induced force recovery could be inhibited by P2Y(1) receptor antagonists (3 muM SCH-202676 or 1 muM MRS-2500). A fourfold increase in M-wave area demonstrated that the ATP-induced force recovery was associated with restoration of muscle excitability (P < 0.05, n = 4). Experiments using (86)Rb(+) as a tracer for K(+) showed that ATP also induced a twofold increase in the activity of muscle Na(+)-K(+) pumps. The force recovery and the stimulation of the Na(+)-K(+) pump activity by ATP were inhibited by 50 muM of the phospholipase C inhibitor U-73122. It is concluded that purinergic signaling can increase the Na(+)-K(+) pump activity and improve force and excitability of depolarized skeletal muscles. This novel purinergic regulation may be important for the maintenance of muscle excitability during intense exercise, where the extracellular K(+) can increase substantially.

P2 receptors in renal pathophysiology

Our knowledge and understanding of the P2 receptor signalling system in the kidney have increased significantly in the last ten years. The broad range of physiological roles proposed for this receptor system and the variety of P2 receptor subtypes found in the kidney suggest that any disturbance of function may contribute to several pathological processes. So far, most reports of a possible pathophysiological role for this system in the kidney have focussed on polycystic kidney disease, where abnormal P2 receptor signalling might be involved in cyst expansion and disease progression, and on the P2X(7) receptor, a unique P2X subtype, which when activated enhances inflammatory cytokine release and production, and also cell death. Expression of this particular receptor is upregulated in some forms of chronic renal injury and inflammatory diseases. Further studies of adenosine triphosphate signalling and P2 receptor expression in renal disorders could provide us with novel insights into the role of these receptors in both normal and abnormal kidney function.

ATP released by electrical stimuli elicits calcium transients and gene expression in skeletal muscle

ATP released from cells is known to activate plasma membrane P2X (ionotropic) or P2Y (metabotropic) receptors. In skeletal muscle cells, depolarizing stimuli induce both a fast calcium signal associated with contraction and a slow signal that regulates gene expression. Here we show that nucleotides released to the extracellular medium by electrical stimulation are partly involved in the fast component and are largely responsible for the slow signals. In rat skeletal myotubes, a tetanic stimulus (45 Hz, 400 1-ms pulses) rapidly increased extracellular levels of ATP, ADP, and AMP after 15 s to 3 min. Exogenous ATP induced an increase in intracellular free Ca(2+) concentration, with an EC(50) value of 7.8 +/- 3.1 microm. Exogenous ADP, UTP, and UDP also promoted calcium transients. Both fast and slow calcium signals evoked by tetanic stimulation were inhibited by either 100 mum suramin or 2 units/ml apyrase. Apyrase also reduced fast and slow calcium signals evoked by tetanus (45 Hz, 400 0.3-ms pulses) in isolated mouse adult skeletal fibers. A likely candidate for the ATP release pathway is the pannexin-1 hemichannel; its blockers inhibited both calcium transients and ATP release. The dihydropyridine receptor co-precipitated with both the P2Y(2) receptor and pannexin-1. As reported previously for electrical stimulation, 500 mum ATP significantly increased mRNA expression for both c-fos and interleukin 6. Our results suggest that nucleotides released during skeletal muscle activity through pannexin-1 hemichannels act through P2X and P2Y receptors to modulate both Ca(2+) homeostasis and muscle physiology.

Purinergic (ATP) signaling stimulates JNK1 but not JNK2 MAPK in osteoblast-like cells: contribution of intracellular Ca2+ release, stress activated and L-voltage-dependent calcium influx, PKC and Src kinases

This work shows that ATP activates JNK1, but not JNK2, in rat osteoblasts and ROS-A 17/2.8 osteoblast-like cells. In ROS-A 17/2.8 cells ATP induced JNK1 phosphorylation in a dose- and time-dependent manner. JNK1 phosphorylation also increased after osteoblast stimulation with ATPgammaS and UTP, but not with ADPbetaS. RT-PCR studies supported the expression of P2Y(2) receptor subtype. ATP-induced JNK1 activation was reduced by PI-PLC, IP(3) receptor, PKC and Src inhibitors and by gadolinium, nifedipine and verapamil or a Ca(2+)-free medium. ERK 1/2 or p38 MAPK inhibitors diminished JNK1 activation by ATP, suggesting a cross-talk between these pathways. ATP stimulated osteoblast-like cell proliferation consistent with the participation of P2Y(2) receptors. These results show that P2Y(2) receptor stimulation by ATP induces JNK1 phosphorylation in ROS-A 17/2.8 cells in a way dependent on PI-PLC/IP(3)/intracellular Ca(2+) release and Ca(2+) influx through stress activated and L-type voltage-dependent calcium channels and involves PKC and Src kinases.

Evidence for the involvement of CaMKII and AMPK in Ca2+-dependent signaling pathways regulating FA uptake and oxidation in contracting rodent muscle

Calcium-calmodulin/dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII), AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK1/2) have each been implicated in the regulation of substrate metabolism during exercise. The purpose of this study was to determine whether CaMKII is involved in the regulation of FA uptake and oxidation and, if it is involved, whether it does so independently of AMPK and ERK1/2. Rat hindquarters were perfused at rest with (n = 16) or without (n = 10) 3 mM caffeine, or during electrical stimulation (n = 14). For each condition, rats were subdivided and treated with 10 muM of either KN92 or KN93, inactive and active CaMKII inhibitors, respectively. Both caffeine treatment and electrical stimulation significantly increased FA uptake and oxidation. KN93 abolished caffeine-induced FA uptake, decreased contraction-induced FA uptake by 33%, and abolished both caffeine- and contraction-induced FA oxidation (P < 0.05). Caffeine had no effect on ERK1/2 phosphorylation (P > 0.05) and increased alpha(2)-AMPK activity by 68% (P < 0.05). Electrical stimulation increased ERK1/2 phosphorylation and alpha(2)-AMPK activity by 51% and 3.4-fold, respectively (P < 0.05). KN93 had no effect on caffeine-induced alpha(2)-AMPK activity, ERK1/2 phosphorylation, or contraction-induced ERK1/2 phosphorylation (P > 0.05). Alternatively, it decreased contraction-induced alpha(2)-AMPK activity by 51% (P < 0.05), suggesting that CaMKII lies upstream of AMPK. These results demonstrate that regulation of contraction-induced FA uptake and oxidation occurs in part via Ca(2+)-independent activation of ERK1/2 as well as Ca(2+)-dependent activation of CaMKII and AMPK.

P2Y receptor-activating nucleotides modulate cellular reactive oxygen species production in dissociated hippocampal astrocytes and neurons in culture independent of parallel cytosolic Ca(2+) rise and change in mitochondrial potential

With mixed cultures of hippocampal astrocytes and neurons, we investigated the influence of nucleotides on cytosolic Ca(2+) level, generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and mitochondrial potential. We employed ATP and four purine/pyrimidine derivates, which are P2Y receptor subtype-preferring agonists. Stimulation with ATP, a P2Y(1/2/4) receptor agonist in rat, caused a large cytosolic Ca(2+) increase in astrocytes and a considerably smaller Ca(2+) response in neighboring neurons. The P2Y(1) receptor antagonist MRS2179 completely blocked the ATP-induced Ca(2+) response in astrocytes and neurons. Application of ATP significantly reduced the mitochondrial potential in neurons, which was not inhibited by MRS2179. Interestingly, MRS2179 mediated a mitochondrial depolarization without affecting the cytosolic Ca(2+) level. Stimulation with UDP, a P2Y(6) receptor agonist; UTP, a P2Y(2/4) receptor agonist; 2MeSATP, a P2Y(1) receptor agonist; or 2MeSADP, a P2Y(1/12/13) receptor agonist, evoked significant Ca(2+) responses in astrocytes but small Ca(2+) responses in neurons. In astrocytes, there was an inverse relationship between the amplitude of the cytosolic Ca(2+) peak and the rate of ROS generation in response to nucleotide application. Activation with UDP resulted in the highest ROS generation that we detected, whereas 2MeSADP and 2MeSATP reduced the ROS generation below the basal level. 2MeSADP and UDP caused mitochondrial depolarization of comparable size. Thus, neither in astrocytes nor in neurons did the degree of mitochondrial depolarization correlate with ROS generation. Nucleotides acting via P2Y receptors can modulate ROS generation of hippocampal neurons without acutely changing the cytosolic Ca(2+) level. Thus, ROS might function as a signaling molecule upon nucleotide-induced P2Y receptor activation in brain.

Physiology and pathophysiology of purinergic neurotransmission

This review is focused on purinergic neurotransmission, i.e., ATP released from nerves as a transmitter or cotransmitter to act as an extracellular signaling molecule on both pre- and postjunctional membranes at neuroeffector junctions and synapses, as well as acting as a trophic factor during development and regeneration. Emphasis is placed on the physiology and pathophysiology of ATP, but extracellular roles of its breakdown product, adenosine, are also considered because of their intimate interactions. The early history of the involvement of ATP in autonomic and skeletal neuromuscular transmission and in activities in the central nervous system and ganglia is reviewed. Brief background information is given about the identification of receptor subtypes for purines and pyrimidines and about ATP storage, release, and ectoenzymatic breakdown. Evidence that ATP is a cotransmitter in most, if not all, peripheral and central neurons is presented, as well as full accounts of neurotransmission and neuromodulation in autonomic and sensory ganglia and in the brain and spinal cord. There is coverage of neuron-glia interactions and of purinergic neuroeffector transmission to nonmuscular cells. To establish the primitive and widespread nature of purinergic neurotransmission, both the ontogeny and phylogeny of purinergic signaling are considered. Finally, the pathophysiology of purinergic neurotransmission in both peripheral and central nervous systems is reviewed, and speculations are made about future developments.

Purinergic receptor activation inhibits mitogen-stimulated proliferation in primary neurospheres from the adult mouse subventricular zone

The expression pattern of purinergic receptors was examined in subventricular zone-derived primary neurospheres. Primary neurospheres expressed mRNA for P2X4 and P2X7 receptors, all P2Y receptors, with the exception of P2Y4, and the A1, A2a and A2b adenosine receptors. ATPgammaS, ADPbetaS and UTP evoked transient increases in cytoplasmic Ca(2+) concentration in dissociated primary neurospheres, demonstrating the functional expression of P2Y1 and P2Y2 receptors. Ca(2+) transients were not attenuated by the removal of extracellular Ca(2+) and were reversibly inhibited by the P2Y1 selective antagonist, MRS 2179. P2Y and adenosine receptor agonists reduced the size and frequency of primary neurospheres. The effects of ADPbetaS and adenosine were reversed by subtype-selective receptor antagonists, demonstrating that P2Y1 and A2a receptors mediate inhibitory effects on primary neurosphere proliferation. The modulation of neural precursor cell proliferation by P2Y and adenosine receptors therefore represents a potential regulatory mechanism within the neurogenic microenvironment.

Physiological regulation of ATP release at the apical surface of human airway epithelia

Extracellular ATP and its metabolite adenosine regulate mucociliary clearance in airway epithelia. Little has been known, however, regarding the actual ATP and adenosine concentrations in the thin ( approximately 7 microm) liquid layer lining native airway surfaces and the link between ATP release/metabolism and autocrine/paracrine regulation of epithelial function. In this study, chimeric Staphylococcus aureus protein A-luciferase (SPA-luc) was bound to endogenous antigens on primary human bronchial epithelial (HBE) cell surface and ATP concentrations assessed in real-time in the thin airway surface liquid (ASL). ATP concentrations on resting cells were 1-10 nm. Inhibition of ecto-nucleotidases resulted in ATP accumulation at a rate of approximately 250 fmol/min/cm2, reflecting the basal ATP release rate. Following hypotonic challenge to promote cell swelling, cell-surface ATP concentration measured by SPA-luc transiently reached approximately 1 microm independent of ASL volume, reflecting a transient 3-log increase in ATP release rates. In contrast, peak ATP concentrations measured in bulk ASL by soluble luciferase inversely correlated with volume. ATP release rates were intracellular calcium-independent, suggesting that non-exocytotic ATP release from ciliated cells, which dominate our cultures, mediated hypotonicity-induced nucleotide release. However, the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) did not participate in this function. Following the acute swelling phase, HBE cells exhibited regulatory volume decrease which was impaired by apyrase and facilitated by ATP or UTP. Our data provide the first evidence that ATP concentrations at the airway epithelial surface reach the range for P2Y2 receptor activation by physiological stimuli and identify a role for mucosal ATP release in airway epithelial cell volume regulation.