Does the hydrolysis of inositol phospholipids lead to the opening of voltage operated Ca2+ channels in guinea-pig ileum? Studies with fluoride ions and caffeine

Effect of sodium fluoride on gastric emptying and intestinal transit in mice

Fluoride, a well-recognised harmful substance, is easily absorbed by the gastrointestinal mucosa. It is therefore conceivable that any alteration of the gastrointestinal motility can affect the rate of absorption of fluoride and leads to aggravation of its toxic effects. The effects of fluoride on gastric emptying and intestinal transit were studied in the mouse using a carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) solution as a non-nutrient meal. The participation of the cholinergic and nitrergic systems in these effects was also evaluated. Oral gavage of 5 mM NaF had no significant effect on gastric emptying and intestinal transit of the CMC meal, whereas a decrease of gastric emptying (-33%, P<0.05) and an increase in intestinal transit (+20.7%, P<0.05) were observed with 20 mM NaF. Atropine injection induced a significant decrease of gastric emptying. Combined treatment of atropine with 20 mM NaF brought about a further, but not significant decrease in gastric emptying. N-G-nitro-L-arginine-methyl ester (L-NAME) treatment with or without oral administration of NaF decreased gastric emptying. Atropine treatment significantly depressed intestinal transit from 56.5% to 37.7% in the absence of NaF and from 70.1% to 42.8% in its presence. In contrast, L-NAME administration either alone or with fluoride increased intestinal transit (P<0.05). The present results suggest that fluoride alter gastrointestinal motility, an effect that may partly involve the cholinergic pathway.

Effects of sodium fluoride on the mechanical activity in mouse gastric preparations

The aim of the present study was to investigate the responses induced by sodium fluoride (NaF) on gastric mechanical activity, using mouse whole-stomach preparations. The mechanical activity was recorded in vitro as changes of intraluminal pressure. In most of the preparations, NaF induced a tetrodotoxin-insensitive biphasic effect characterized by early relaxation followed by slowly developing contractile response. The contraction was dependent on the concentration of NaF, whereas the relaxation was observed at only 10-30 mmol/L NaF. The contractile effect was significantly reduced by nifedipine (an L-type Ca(2+) channel blocker), ryanodine or ruthenium red (inhibitors of Ca(2+) release from sarcoplasmic reticulum), and GF109203X (a protein kinase C inhibitor). Moreover, it was abolished by neomycin (an inhibitor of phospholipase C) and potentiated by SQ22536 (an inhibitor of adenylyl cyclase). All the drugs significantly increased the relaxation, except SQ22536, which abolished it. The present results suggest that NaF causes a complex mechanical response in the whole-stomach, which might explain gastric discomfort after fluoride ingestion. The relaxation appears owing to production of cAMP, while the contractile effects imply activation of phospholipase C, protein kinase C, influx of Ca(2+), and release of Ca(2+) from ryanodine-sensitive intracellular store.

The effect of L-type calcium channel modulators on the mobilization of intracellular calcium stores in guinea-pig intestinal smooth muscle

1. The action of Ca2+ channel modulators has been examined on the intracellular Ca2+ signal in the longitudinal smooth muscle cells of the guinea-pig intestine after exposure to histamine and to agents known to affect intracellular Ca2+ stores. Isometric contraction has been measured simultaneously with front-surface fluorometry of fura 2-loaded preparations. 2. Histamine (10 microM) evoked a phasic and tonic increase in [Ca2+]i and contraction which were both sensitive to the Ca2+ channel blockers, nimodipine and D600. 3. Caffeine (10 mM) evoked in rapid increase in [Ca2+]i which was sustained as long as the preparation was exposed to the drug, whereas the contractile response was only phasic. In the presence of nimodipine 1 microM, the phasic contraction was absent although the fura 2-Ca2+ signal amounted to 32% of the control. 4. Ryanodine (10 microM) evoked a slow increase in [Ca2+]i and a contraction, both of which were reversed after exposure to nimodipine (1 microM) or D600 (10 microM). In the presence of diazoxide (500 microM), a hyperpolarizing agent, the ryanodine-evoked increase in [Ca2+]i and in muscle tone were inhibited. 5. Thapsigargin (1 microM) also produced an increase in [Ca2+]i and a contraction both of which were blocked by nimodipine (1 microM). 6. In Ca2+-free solution, histamine 10 microM evoked non-reproducible phasic Ca2+ signal and contraction. This response was recovered after refilling in Ca2+ containing solution. The recovery was blocked by nimodipine, D600 or diazoxide and was facilitated by the Ca2+ channel activator, Bay K 8644. When the refilling medium was supplemented with thapsigargin, the recovered response was significantly reduced, but Bay K 8644 still had some action. 7. The present results show that blockage of L-type Ca2+ channels inhibited changes in [Ca2+]i evoked by histamine, caffeine and ryanodine which are generally attributed to Ca2+ mobilization from intracellular stores. They also show that when the tissue was exposed to nimodipine, D600 and diazoxide during the procedure of refilling after depletion of intracellular stores, the action of histamine on [Ca2+]i and contraction was blocked. Bay K 8644 had an opposite effect even when the Ca2+ pumping activity of the sarcoplasmic reticulum was reduced by thapsigargin. This indicates that refilling of intracellular Ca2+ stores depleted by histamine in guinea-pig intestine mainly occurred through L-type Ca2+ channels.

G-protein involvement in muscarinic receptor-stimulation of inositol phosphates in longitudinal smooth muscle from the small intestine of the guinea-pig

1. Aluminium fluoride (AlF), pertussis toxin (PTX) and cholera toxin (ChTX) have been used to examine the involvement of G-proteins during muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (AChR) stimulation of inositol phospholipid hydrolysis in fragments of longitudinal smooth muscle from the small intestine of the guinea-pig. 2. Carbachol (CCh) induced time- and concentration-dependent increases in [3H]-inositol monophosphates, [3H]-inositol (1,4) bisphosphate, [3H]-inositol (1,3,4) trisphosphate, [3H]-inositol (1,4,5) trisphosphate ([3H]-Ins (1,4,5)P3) and [3H]-inositol tetrakisphosphates measured by h.p.l.c. These increases were inhibited > 95% in the presence of the muscarinic AChR antagonist atropine (0.5 microM). 3. AlF transiently increased the basal levels of [3H]-Ins (1,4,5)P3 but increases in the levels of the other [3H]-inositol phosphates occurred more slowly. CCh-induced increases in the levels of all the [3H]-inositol phosphates were strongly inhibited in the presence of AlF. 4. PTX had no effect on basal levels of any of the [3H]-inositol phosphates but reduced the effects of CCh on these; ChTX had no effects on either basal or CCh-stimulated levels. 5. It was concluded that muscarinic AChR-stimulated increases in the levels of [3H]-inositol phosphates occur via both a PTX-sensitive G-protein and a PTX-insensitive mechanism. The actions of AlF may suggest the involvement of an inhibitory G-protein in the regulation of muscarinic AChR-stimulated inositol phospholipid turnover.

Guanine nucleotide binding regulatory proteins: their characteristics and identification

Many biological signals are processed by the binding of chemicals to cell surface receptors. Signals are switched to intracellular language via guanine nucleotide binding regulatory proteins (G-proteins) which are present in all eukaryotic cells. Thus, G-proteins serve as interfaces between receptor-response coupling. Two forms of G-proteins have been reported: conventional G-proteins which are heterotrimeric and consist of alpha, beta, and gamma subunits, and monomeric small molecular weight G-proteins which are generally found as single polypeptides. Recently, high molecular weight G-proteins have also been described. The family of G-proteins contains multiple genes that encode the alpha, beta, or gamma subunits. G-proteins play a pivotal role in excitation-contraction coupling in smooth muscle function and control metabolic and secretory processes. In this review article, we have given a brief overview on the characteristics and methodology for the identification of G-proteins. The heterotrimeric G-proteins are generally identified by Western blotting and ADP-ribosylation with bacterial toxins. The monomeric and high molecular weight G-proteins have been identified by [35S]GTP delta S overlay technique and photoaffinity labeling, respectively. Recently, the use of molecular genetic probes has made it possible to investigate the expression of the message for various G-proteins.

Signal transduction pathway of the muscarinic receptors mediating gallbladder contraction

In gallbladder smooth muscle, carbachol interacts with M3 receptors to mediate contraction. To examine components of the intracellular second messenger system that is coupled to these receptors we have tested whether carbachol stimulates the formation of inositol phosphates (IP) to cause contraction. Guinea pig gallbladder muscle strips were prelabeled with [3H]inositol and were incubated with 0.1 mmol/l carbachol, a concentration causing maximal contraction. [3H]inositol monophosphates, [3H]inositol bisphosphates and [3H]inositol trisphosphates and contraction were measured at various times (0-90 s). To examine whether a pertussis toxin-sensitive guanine nucleotide binding protein is coupled to the muscarinic receptors, guinea pigs were pretreated with pertussis toxin (180 micrograms/kg i.v./24 h). The effectiveness of pertussis toxin treatment was determined by measuring [32P]ADP-ribosylation of a approximately 40/41 kDa protein from gallbladder homogenates. Carbachol caused a significant time-dependent increase in the formation of [3H]inositol monophosphates, [3H]inositol bisphosphates and [3H]inositol trisphosphates. The time course of [3H]inositol trisphosphate turnover caused by carbachol was biphasic, and was detectable at 15 s and maximal at 60 s; at 75 s and 90 s formation of [3H]inositol trisphosphates decreased, whereas the time course of carbachol-induced contraction of the gallbladder smooth muscle strips reached a plateau after 90 s. The effects of carbachol on [3H]inositol trisphosphates and on contraction were abolished by atropine.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Effects of guanine nucleotides on bombesin-stimulated signal transduction in rat pancreatic acinar cells

To study the role of guanine nucleotide binding proteins (G proteins) in bombesin receptor signal transduction, we investigated the effects of guanine nucleotide analogues and of the G protein activator NaF on bombesin-induced amylase release, inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (Ins(1,4,5)P3) production and release of intracellular Ca2+ in rat pancreatic acini. In digitonin-permeabilized acini, guanosine 5'-[gamma-thio]triphosphate (GTP gamma S), a well-known activator of G proteins, potentiated bombesin-induced Ins(1,4,5)P3 production and increased amylase release at low bombesin concentrations (< 10 nM). By contrast, GTP gamma S decreased bombesin-stimulated amylase release at high bombesin concentrations (> 10 nM). Fluoride (10 mM), another G protein activator, had similar effects to GTP gamma S on amylase release. However, unlike GTP gamma S it had no effect on Ins(1,4,5)P3 production and release of intracellular Ca2+ induced by high bombesin concentrations. GDP and its analogues, such as 2'-desoxyguanosine 5'-diphosphate (dGDP) or guanosine 5'-[beta-thio]diphosphate (GDP beta S), inhibit activation of G proteins. GDP and dGDP both inhibited amylase release and Ins(1,4,5)P3 production at all bombesin concentrations tested. In contrast, GDP beta S mimicked the effects of GTP gamma S on bombesin-stimulated amylase release and Ins(1,4,5)P3 accumulation. In conclusion, we suggest that bombesin receptor-mediated signal transduction involves G proteins in pancreatic acini. The correlation between inhibition of maximum-stimulated enzyme secretion and further increase in Ins(1,4,5)P3 production in response to GTP gamma S at high bombesin concentrations suggests that overstimulation of phospholipase C inhibits amylase release. The discrepant effects of GDP and of GDP beta S on phospholipase C activity and amylase release might be due to the ability of GDP beta S, but not of GDP to activate G proteins persistently after phosphorylation by G protein-associated GDP kinases.

The change in the threshold for short-term desensitization in isolated smooth muscle cells showing an all-or-none response to acetylcholine

1. Isolated smooth muscle cells from guinea-pig taenia caecum were prepared by collagenase digestion. The cells showed an all-or-none response to acetylcholine (ACh) under our experimental conditions. 2. Desensitized cells showed an all-or-none response but required a higher concentration of ACh for induction of contraction, indicating that the desensitization was due to a change in the threshold concentration. 3. In [3H]-quinuclidinyl benzilate ([3H]-QNB) binding to the desensitized cells, KD and Bmax were not significantly different from those estimated in the control cells. The competitive inhibition curve for specific binding of [3H]-QNB by ACh in the desensitized cells was in agreement with that of control cells. 4. The ACh-stimulated increase of the 45Ca2+ influx was very rapid and correlated well with the contraction of the cells. The concentrations of ACh inducing the maximal 45Ca2+ influx were increased by desensitization. 5. These results indicated that although the binding of ACh to the receptor was not changed by desensitization, the threshold concentration of ACh for their contraction was raised by desensitization, and the 45Ca2+ influx accompanying the contraction was shifted to the side of high concentration of ACh. 6. These results suggest that the development of short-term desensitization is due to an uncoupling of the receptor from the mechanism for initiation of the contraction.

Homologous histamine H1 receptor desensitization results in reduction of H1 receptor agonist efficacy

Prolonged exposure of the guinea-pig intestinal longitudinal smooth muscle to histamine caused homologous desensitization of the H1 receptor, which led to reduced H1 receptor-mediated production of [3H]inositol phosphates as well as to reduced H1 agonist-induced contractions. [3H]Mepyramine binding studies showed that desensitization affected neither the agonist affinity nor the number of H1 receptors. Combining the data from the binding studies and the contraction measurements it was found that desensitization results in a selective reduction of agonist efficacy.

Fluoride is a contractile agent of guinea pig airway smooth muscle

1. Guinea pig parenchymal lung strips and tracheal smooth muscle contract potently after NaF-addition. Maximal contractions of lung strips and tracheal rings induced by NaF were 208 +/- 17% (n = 6) and 151 +/- 8% (n = 4) of the maximal histamine response respectively. 2. The -log EC50-value for NaF on lung strips and tracheal rings was 2.38 +/- 0.01 (n = 6) and 2.28 +/- 0.01 (n = 4) respectively. 3. Contractions induced by NaF were augmented after Al3+ pretreatment, suggesting the involvement of a G-protein. NaF responses were not affected by blockade of H1-, muscarinic-, leukotriene C4- or leukotriene D4-receptors, indicating that mast cell degranulation or nerve activation is most probably not implicated. 4. Contractions after NaF-addition were relatively insensitive to removal of extracellular calcium and were reversed via cAMP- and cGMP-mediated pathways. 5. Relaxation studies with (-)isoprenaline and 8-bromo-cGMP on lung strips, precontracted to similar levels with either a H1-agonist, KCl or NaF, showed that the level of relaxation depends on the contractile agent that is used. 6. After precontraction with KCl (-)isoprenaline relaxes lung strips only to 58 +/- 9% (n = 5) of the initial contraction, whereas lung strips precontracted with NaF or a H1-agonist relax 114 +/- 8% (n = 4) and 120 +/- 7% (n = 5) respectively with (-)isoprenaline. 7. Similar results were obtained with relaxation induced with 8-bromo-cGMP. 8. These findings suggest that NaF-induced contractions are elicited via a mechanism, that is probably similar to that of the H1-receptor. The involvement of a G-protein in the observed NaF-responses is therefore likely.

Different profiles of desensitization dynamics in guinea-pig jejunal longitudinal smooth muscle after stimulation with histamine and methacholine

1. In the present study we investigated desensitization phenomena of guinea-pig jejunal longitudinal smooth muscle responses after stimulation with 100 microM histamine or methacholine, using a superfusion method. 2. Histamine H1-receptor-mediated contractions appear to be rapidly reduced after application of 100 microM histamine. Muscarinic responses were not affected following desensitization with 100 microM histamine, indicating a homologous desensitization. 3. Initial contractions to 0.3 microM histamine were reduced by 90%, recovered quickly, but did not reach control levels within 1 h. Desensitization of histamine responses could be separated into two phases; a rapid, but transient, desensitization and a more sustained desensitization. As a consequence of this sustained effect the pD2 for histamine shifted from 6.7 +/- 0.1 (control) to 6.1 +/- 0.1 (desensitized). 4. Desensitization with 100 microM methacholine caused a heterologous desensitization, reflected by the development of a refractory period, in which neither histamine nor methacholine was able to elicit a contraction. After a few minutes responses to both agents recovered to control levels. 5. During the refractory period after methacholine desensitization, muscle strips were still responsive to 40 mM KCl but did not contract in response to 10 mM caffeine, suggesting that the heterologous desensitization is caused by a modification of an intracellular Ca2(+)-store, which is used by both histamine and methacholine. 6. The recovery of the responses after methacholine desensitization was not dependent on extracellular Ca2+, suggesting that the recovery is not dependent on refilling of the intracellular Ca2+ store with extracellular Ca2+. 7. The protein kinase C activator, phorbol-12,13-dibutyrate, concentration-dependently inhibited histamine- and methacholine-induced contractions. Protein kinase C seems therefore not to be implicated in the observed homologous H,-receptor desensitization. 8. These data suggest that different forms of desensitization can be distinguished in this model, each with a different time course and dependent on the applied stimulus.

G protein control of inositol lipids in intact vascular smooth muscle

Agonist-induced PIP2 breakdown has been demonstrated in permeabilized vascular smooth muscle and shown to depend on a G protein. Segments of rat tail artery were permeabilized with ATP and EGTA after prelabeling with [3H]inositol. Norepinephrine and GTP gamma S were both able to increase levels of IP, IP2 and IP3 in the segments. The effects of both norepinephrine and GTP gamma S on the segments was non-additive. Aluminum fluoride also increased inositol phosphates in intact segments and norepinephrine-stimulated increases in IP, IP2 and IP3 were insensitive to pertussis toxin.

Effects of thrombin on single calcium channels in frog ventricular cells

Single calcium channel (Ca channel) currents were measured using the patch-clamp technique in isolated ventricular myocytes of the frog (Rana esculenta). Sodium was used as the charge carrier. After formation of cell-attached patches, the proteolytic enzyme thrombin was added to the bath solution, where it increased the amplitude of the averaged currents more than twofold, by decreasing the number of empty sweeps and reducing the time constant of the slow exponential term of the shut-time histogram. Single channel conductance was not changed by thrombin. If the activation kinetics of the Ca channels are described by the commonly used C1-C2-O model, where C1 and C2 indicate closed states 1 and 2 respectively and O denotes the open state, thrombin increases the open-state probability in the non-empty sweeps by increasing the rate constant (k1) for the transition from C1 to C2. It is shown that thrombin acts via an H-7 blockable pathway.

Phorbol esters inhibit smooth muscle contractions through activation of Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase

1. The role of protein kinase C (PKC) in agonist-induced contractions of guinea-pig ileum longitudinal smooth muscle has been investigated. 2. The phorbol esters, phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate (PDBu), phorbol 12,13-diacetate (PDA) and phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), relaxed tissues precontracted by submaximal concentrations of carbachol, histamine or substance P. 3. This inhibitory action of the phorbol esters was reversed following the application of ouabain, a specific inhibitor of Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase. Similarly, pretreatment with ouabain inhibited the ability of phorbol esters to relax tissues precontracted by the above agonists. 4. The slow relaxation of the tonic component of contraction induced by submaximal concentrations of carbachol and histamine, and all concentrations of substance P, was abolished in the presence of ouabain. 5. In Na(+)-loaded tissues, PDBu and carbachol caused a concentration-dependent increase of Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase activity, assessed by ouabain-sensitive 86Rb(+)-uptake. Extrusion of Na+, assessed by the cellular content of the ion, was also stimulated by PDBu (the effect of carbachol was not investigated). 6. We conclude that phorbol esters inhibit the tonic component of contractions induced by submaximal concentrations of these agonists through activation of Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase. We suggest that PKC may exert feedback control over the tonic component of agonist contractions through stimulation of the pump.

Protein kinase C regulates the tonic but not the phasic component of contraction in guinea-pig ileum

1. We have investigated the effect of phorbol esters and the down-regulation of protein kinase C on contraction of guinea-pig ileum longitudinal smooth muscle to carbachol and high K+. 2. Phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate (PDBu) enhanced the phasic component and inhibited or enhanced, respectively, the tonic component of contraction to carbachol and high K+. In contrast, 4 alpha-phorbol, which does not activate protein kinase C, had no effect on these responses. 3. Exposure to phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA; 1 microM) for up to 8 h induced a time-dependent loss of [3H]-PDBu binding sites, consistent with the down-regulation of protein kinase C by this treatment. 4. The phasic component of contraction to carbachol or high K+ was unaffected following the down-regulation of protein kinase C. The tonic component of contraction to carbachol was markedly enhanced by this treatment while that to high K+ was partially suppressed. 5. These data suggest that although the activation of protein kinase C can lead to potentiation of the phasic component of contraction to carbachol or high K+, this appears to have little physiological significance since the response is not altered in tissues in which protein kinase C has been down-regulated. On the other hand, protein kinase C may limit the tonic contraction to carbachol but potentiate that to high K+.