Paradoxical electromechanical effect of lanthanum ions in cardiac muscle cells

Generation of GCaMP6s-Expressing Zebrafish to Monitor Spatiotemporal Dynamics of Calcium Signaling Elicited by Heat Stress

The ability of organisms to quickly sense and transduce signals of environmental stresses is critical for their survival. Ca²⁺ is a versatile intracellular messenger involved in sensing a wide variety of stresses and regulating the subsequent cellular responses. So far, our understanding for calcium signaling was mostly obtained from ex vivo tissues and cultured cell lines, and the in vivo spatiotemporal dynamics of stress-triggered calcium signaling in a vertebrate remains to be characterized. Here, we describe the generation and characterization of a transgenic zebrafish line with ubiquitous expression of GCaMP6s, a genetically encoded calcium indicator (GECI). We developed a method to investigate the spatiotemporal patterns of Ca²⁺ events induced by heat stress. Exposure to heat stress elicited immediate and transient calcium signaling in developing zebrafish. Cells extensively distributed in the integument of the head and body trunk were the first batch of responders and different cell populations demonstrated distinct response patterns upon heat stress. Activity of the heat stress-induced calcium signaling peaked at 30 s and swiftly decreased to near the basal level at 120 s after the beginning of exposure. Inhibition of the heat-induced calcium signaling by LaCl₃ and capsazepine and treatment with the inhibitors for CaMKII (Ca²²/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II) and HSF1 (Heat shock factor 1) all significantly depressed the enhanced heat shock response (HSR). Together, we delineated the spatiotemporal dynamics of heat-induced calcium signaling and confirmed functions of the Ca²⁺-CaMKII-HSF1 pathway in regulating the HSR in zebrafish.

Ion microscopy evidence that La3+ releases Ca2+ from Golgi complex in LLC-PK1 cells

The effect of La3+ on LLC-PK1 cells was investigated by ion microscopy, a mass spectrometry-based technique with a spatial resolution of approximately 0.5 micron. Cells were incubated with LaCl3 for 10 min. (1 mM) or 30 min (0.1 mM), and intracellular calcium distributions were measured with a Cameca IMS-3f ion microscope in cryogenically prepared cells. Compared with control cells, La3+ reduced total calcium in the Golgi complex by > 100 microM in both treatments, whereas other cellular regions, such as the nucleus and cytoplasm, remained largely unchanged. These two treatments were repeated on cells that were preincubated with 1 mM ouabain. The presence of ouabain in the medium increased the loss of calcium from the Golgi by about fourfold compared with the treatments without ouabain. The La3+ effect, therefore, was amplified by ouabain-induced Na+ loading, indicating a possible involvement of a Na+/La3+ exchanger. La3+ was detected within cells and its influx was facilitated by Na+ loading. These results suggest that La3+ may affect cellular calcium homeostasis by actions other than as a simple Ca2+ antagonist.

Effects of aluminium on electrical and mechanical properties of frog atrial muscle

1. The effects of aluminium on membrane ionic currents were studied in single cardiac myocytes. Most of the work was done on frog atrial cells, but some experiments were also carried out on single cells isolated from rabbit ventricles and atria. 2. The effects of aluminium on the force of contraction of frog atrial trabeculae were also investigated. 3. Aluminium was prepared from AlCl3 as a stock 0.5 M solution which has a pH of 3.5. Before each experiment, this solution was added to the control solution, to give a final concentration of 20-100 micrograms ml-1 aluminium (0.75-3.75 mM AlCl3). The solutions were brought to a pH of 7.4 or 7.6. at which they consist of a mixture of amorphous aluminium hydroxides and a very small amount of soluble ionic aluminium complexes: free aluminium cations (less than 10 pM), aluminohydroxide anions (less than 8 microM). The addition of this suspension reduced the peak inward calcium currents in single rabbit atrial and ventricular cells and in frog atrial cells. In the latter, the peak current was reduced (at + 10 mV) to 45% of control (mean of 9 cells). This effect was reversible upon washout, and was obtained at all membrane potentials, with no shift of the calcium current voltage relationship along the voltage axis. 4. Aluminium also reduced the time-dependent potassium current IK. This reduction was observed at all membrane potentials. For example, at + 10 mV, the mean reduction of IK (n = 9) was to 69% of the control amplitude. This effect, which was very difficult to reverse, was not due to IK rundown. The fully activated current-voltage relationships (obtained by standard 'tail' analysis) showed that the effect of aluminium was due mainly to a decrease in conductance and not to a shift in the activation range of IK. The mean voltage of half activation was shifted by 8 mV in the depolarizing direction (n = 5). 5. The background potassium current IK1 was also slightly but consistently changed in a complex fashion, with an outward shift at membrane potentials positive to -60 mV. For example, at a membrane potential of -40mV, the mean shift was by 22 + 4pA. At more negative potentials, there was an inward shift in the current amplitudes. For example, for steps to -I00 mV the current elicited was larger (more inward) by 53 pA (mean value, n = 10). The reversal potential was slightly shifted (<10 mV) in the hyperpolarizing direction. 6. The force of contraction of frog atrial trabeculae was altered by aluminium in a complex manner, which showed marked seasonal variation. During most of the year, 50-100,ug ml-1 aluminium caused a biphasic change, with an early small and consistent decrease, followed by a large increase in twitch amplitude. For a short period corresponding to the (local) winter months the sensitivity to aluminium was greatly enhanced. Aluminium lOOupgml-1 totally abolished contraction (n = 5), while a lower concentration (20,ug ml- 1) produced a sustained reduction in the force of contraction. Similar biphasic and seasonal responses have been reported to be induced by lanthanum. 7. The biphasic changes in twitch amplitude were independent of the transmembrane sodium gradient. Aluminium produced the same effects when 90% of the extracellular sodium was replaced by lithium. Caffeine (5 mM) attenuated or even inverted the positive inotropic effect of aluminium. These results imply that aluminium alters the release of calcium from intracellular, caffeine-sensitive stores. This could be effected either by augmenting the amount released during each activation, and/or by increasing the loading of stores prior to release.

Detection of La3+ influx in ventricular cells by indo-1 fluorescence

We exposed indo-1-loaded cultured embryonic chick ventricular cells to 0.03-1.0 mM extracellular lanthanum concentration ([La3+]o) and simultaneously measured cell contractile motion and the 410/480 nm fluorescence intensity ratio. After exposure to La3+, ventricular cells stopped contracting and relaxed within seconds, and the 410/480 fluorescence ratio increased. The increase in the 410/480 signal was related to [La3+]o but was not affected by short exposures to zero extracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]o) or caffeine, suggesting that the fluorescence was not caused by a La3+-induced increase in intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) but rather to increased intracellular lanthanum concentration ([La3+]i). In vitro studies confirmed that indo-1 fluorescence was sensitive to La3+. The increase in [La3+]i in 0.1 mM [La3+]o was directly related to intracellular sodium concentration ([Na+]i), suggesting that La3+ entered cells via Na+-La3+ exchange. In contrast to ventricular cells, which have a functionally distinct Na+-Ca2+ exchange system, exposure of indo-1-loaded cultured bovine endothelial cells to La3+ failed to produce an increase in [La3+]i. These results indicate that exposure of ventricular cells to 0.1-1.0 mM [La3+]o results in a [La3+]i greater than 250 nM within 1 min. Therefore, changes in myocardial 45Ca2+ fluxes and contents induced by La3+ cannot be ascribed solely to extracellular La3+ effects.

La3+-induced fusion of phosphatidylserine liposomes. Close approach, intermembrane intermediates, and the electrostatic surface potential

The fusion of large unilamellar phosphatidylserine liposomes (PS LUV) induced by La3+ has been monitored using the 1-aminoapthalene-3,6,8-trisulfonic acid/p-xylenebis(pyridinium bromide) (ANTS/DPX) fluorescence assay for the mixing of aqueous contents. The fusion event is extensive and nonleaky, with up to 95% mixing of contents in the fused liposomes. However, addition of excess EDTA leads to disruption of the fusion products in a way that implies the existence of metastable intermembrane contact sites. The maximal fusion activity occurs between 10 and 100 microM La3+ and fusion can be terminated rapidly, without loss of contents, by the addition of excess La3+, e.g., 1 mM La3+ at pH 7.4. This observation is explained by the very large intrinsic binding constant (approximately 10(5) M-1) of La3+ to the PS headgroup, as measured by microelectrophoresis. Addition of 1 mM La3+ causes charge reversal of the membrane and a large positive surface potential. La3+ binding to PS causes the release of a proton. These data can be explained if La3+ can chelate to PS at two sites, with one of the sites being the primary amino group. This binding model successfully predicts that at pH 4.5 fusion occurs up to 2 mM La3+, due to reduced La3+ binding at low pH. We conclude that the general mechanism of membrane fusion includes three kinetic steps. In addition to (a) aggregation, there is (b) the close approach of the surfaces, or thinning of the hydration layer, and (c) the formation of intermembrane intermediates which determine the extent to which membrane destabilization leads to fusion (mixing of aqueous contents), as opposed to lysis. The lifetime of these intermembrane intermediates appears to depend upon La3+ binding to both PS sites.

Control of cytosolic calcium activity during low sodium exposure in cultured chick heart cells

We investigated the roles of sodium-calcium exchange, sarcoplasmic reticulum, and mitochondria in Cai homeostasis in cultured chick ventricular cells. Specifically, the influence of low sodium medium on contractile state, calcium fluxes, and cytosolic free [Ca] [( Ca]i) was examined. [Ca]i was measured using fura-2. Mean [Ca]i in control medium was 126 +/- 14 nM. Exposure of cells to sodium-free or sodium- and calcium-free medium (choline-substituted) resulted in contracture development, which returned toward the baseline level over 2-3 minutes. The Nao-free contracture was associated with a tenfold increase in [Ca]i (1,280 +/- 110 nM) followed by a gradual decrease to a level fourfold above control [Ca]i (460 +/- 58 nM). Nao- and Cao-free contracture was associated with a fivefold increase in [Ca]i (540 +/- 52 nM) followed by a rapid decrease to below 80 nM. Sodium-free medium failed to produce an increase in [Ca]i or contracture in cells preexposed to calcium-free medium, although caffeine, when subsequently added to sodium- and calcium-free medium, was able to elicit a transient increase in [Ca]i and contracture. Brief, 5-second preperfusion of cells with La3+ (1 mM) or EGTA (1 mM) abolished the Nao-free contracture and the increase in [Ca]i. In the presence of 20 mM caffeine, removal of Nao resulted in minimal changes in the resting position of the cell although 45Ca uptake and [Ca]i were increased in response to sodium-free medium; the subsequent decrease in [Ca]i was greatly slowed. Addition of caffeine during the relaxation phase of the sodium-free contracture produced an additional transient contracture and transient increase in [Ca]i. Ryanodine (1 microM) abolished this effect of caffeine. Caffeine or ryanodine abolished Nao- and Ca-free contracture. CCCP (2 microM), a potent oxidative phosphorylation inhibitor, did not significantly affect calcium efflux rate. In the presence of 2 microM CCCP, removal of sodium resulted in an augmented contracture signal and a rise in [Ca]i, followed by a slow decrease. We conclude that removal of extracellular sodium enhances transsarcolemmal entry of calcium via sodium-calcium exchange, but this effect alone does not lead to the development of sodium-free contracture. Calcium displaceable by lanthanum or EGTA appears to contribute to Nao-free or Nao- and Cao-free contracture. Studies using caffeine and ryanodine suggest that removal of Nao leads to release of calcium from the sarcoplasmic reticulum (presumably via calcium-induced calcium release).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Effects of sodium-potassium pump inhibition and low sodium on membrane potential in cultured embryonic chick heart cells

1. When the Na+-K+ pump of cultured embryonic chick heart cells was inhibited by addition of ouabain with or without removal of external K+, the membrane potential rapidly depolarized to -40 mV and the Na+ content approximately doubled within 3 min. 2. After this, exposure to an [Na+]o of 27 mM caused a fall in Na+ content, a gain in Ca2+ content and a hyperpolarization. The hyperpolarization was approximately 25 mV in a [K+]o of 0 or 5.4 mM after 3 min of pump inhibition. After approximately 10 min of pump inhibition, the same hyperpolarization was observed in a [K+]o of 5.4 mM but in K+-free solution the hyperpolarization increased to approximately 44 mV. 3. Varying [K+]o during the 10 min period of Na+-K+ pump inhibition showed that the increase in hyperpolarization was associated with the period of exposure to K+-free solution rather than the [K+]o at the time of lowering [Na+]o. 4. Changes in Na+ and Ca2+ content induced by exposure to an [Na+]o of 27 mM in K+-free solution were similar at 3 and 10 min. This and the above observations suggest that the increased hyperpolarization was due to an increased membrane resistance. 5. 10 mM-Cs+ reduced the low-[Na+]o hyperpolarization by 26% but did not significantly affect the movements of Na+ and Ca2+. 1 mM-La3+ reduced the low-[Na+]o hyperpolarization by 15%: it also totally blocked the rise in Ca2+ content and partially blocked the fall in Na+ content. 1 mM-Ba2+ reduced the low-[Na+]o hyperpolarization by 20%. 6. Raising [Ca2+]o from 2.7 to 13.5 mM produced similar but smaller hyperpolarizations (approximately 6 mV after 3 min pump inhibition). High [Ca2+]o caused a rise in Ca2+ content but no significant drop in Na+ content. The hyperpolarization in high [Ca2+]o was insensitive to verapamil (20 microM) and 10 mM-Cs+. 7. We conclude from the disparities between the magnitudes of the hyperpolarizations and the changes in ion contents that Na+-Ca2+ exchange cannot be unequivocally identified as electrogenic solely from the low-[Na+]o hyperpolarizations.

Effects of ryanodine and caffeine on contractility, membrane voltage, and calcium exchange in cultured heart cells

To investigate the mechanisms of action of ryanodine and caffeine, changes in mechanical and electrical activity caused by these agents were correlated with alterations in 45Ca fluxes and cell Ca contents in chick embryo ventricular cell monolayer cultures. Ryanodine (10(-10)-10(-5) M) irreversibly decreased contraction amplitude by 10-70% relative to control in a concentration-dependent manner with minimal effects on electrical activity. Ryanodine caused a slight decrease in rapid 45Ca uptake, but no change in total exchangeable calcium content or rapid 45Ca efflux. Caffeine (1-20 mM) caused a transient (less than 10 seconds) 5-12% increase in contraction amplitude followed by a sustained 9-76% decrease in contraction amplitude and a 10 mV decrease in diastolic membrane voltage. Caffeine caused a decrease in rapid 45Ca uptake, a decrease in total exchangeable calcium content, and an increase in rapid 45Ca efflux. These results suggest that caffeine produces a decrease in sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+ uptake, and/or an increase in SR Ca2+ release that eventually depletes the SR of Ca2+, presumably accounting for the negative inotropic effect. The ryanodine effects on contraction are more difficult to account for solely in terms of alterations of transsarcolemmal Ca2+ fluxes and Ca2+ contents. Our data indicate an important role for the SR in excitation-contraction coupling in cultured chick embryo ventricular cells and suggest that SR Ca2+ is part of the rapidly exchanging Ca2+ compartment noted in 45Ca flux studies.