Independent external calcium entry and cellular calcium mobilization in Xenopus oocytes

Capacitative calcium entry in the nervous system

Capacitative calcium entry is a process whereby the depletion of Ca(2+) from intracellular stores (likely endoplasmic or sarcoplasmic reticulum) activates plasma membrane Ca(2+) channels. Current research has focused on identification of capacitative calcium entry channels and the mechanism by which Ca(2+) store depletion activates the channels. Leading candidates for the channels are members of the transient receptor potential (TRP) superfamily, although no single gene or gene product has been definitively proven to mediate capacitative calcium entry. The mechanism for activation of the channels is not known; proposals fall into two general categories, either a diffusible signal released from the Ca(2+) stores when their Ca(2+) levels become depleted, or a more direct protein-protein interaction between constituents of the endoplasmic reticulum and the plasma membrane channels. Capacitative calcium entry is a major mechanism for regulated Ca(2+) influx in non-excitable cells, but recent research has indicated that this pathway plays an important role in the function of neuronal cells, and may be important in a number of neuropathological conditions. This review will summarize some of these more recent findings regarding the role of capacitative calcium entry in normal and pathological processes in the nervous system.

Effects of adenophostin-A and inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate on Cl- currents in Xenopus laevis oocytes

Adenophostin-A, a novel compound isolated from cultures of Penicillium brevicompactum, has been shown to stimulate Ca2+ release from inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3)-sensitive Ca2+ stores in microsomal preparations, permeabilized cells, and lipid vesicles containing purified IP3 receptor. The purpose of the current study was to compare the effects of adenophostin-A and IP3 on Ca2+ release from stores and Ca2+ influx in intact Xenopus laevis oocytes. Ca2+ influx though store-operated Ca2+ channels and Ca2+ release from stores were monitored by measuring two Ca2+ -activated Cl- currents that can be used as real-time indicators of Ca2+ release and Ca2+ influx (I(Cl-1) and I(Cl-2), respectively). We find that high concentrations (final intraoocyte concentrations of 5-10 microM) of adenophostin-A and IP3 stimulate a large Ca2+ release from stores (as measured by I(Cl-1)) followed by Ca2+ influx (as measured by I(Cl-2)). Low concentrations (approximately 50 nM) of IP3 stimulate oscillations in Ca2+ release without stimulating Ca2+ influx. In contrast, low concentrations of adenophostin-A can stimulate Ca2+ influx without stimulating a large Ca2+ release. However, Ca2+ influx did not occur in the complete absence of Ca2+ release. Therefore, it is unlikely that adenophostin-A directly stimulates store-operated Ca2+ channels. We hypothesize that adenophostin-A releases Ca2+ from a subpopulation of stores that is tightly coupled to store-operated Ca2+ channels.