Ca2+ scraps: local depletions of free [Ca2+] in cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum during contractions leave substantial Ca2+ reserve

Store-Operated Calcium Entry Increases Nuclear Calcium in Adult Rat Atrial and Ventricular Cardiomyocytes

Store-operated calcium entry (SOCE) in cardiomyocytes may be involved in cardiac remodeling, but the underlying mechanisms remain elusive. We hypothesized that SOCE may increase nuclear calcium, which alters gene expression via calcium/calmodulin-dependent enzyme signaling, and elucidated the underlying cellular mechanisms. An experimental protocol was established in isolated adult rat cardiomyocytes to elicit SOCE by re-addition of calcium following complete depletion of sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) calcium and to quantify SOCE in relation to the electrically stimulated calcium transient (CaT) measured in the same cell before SR depletion. Using confocal imaging, calcium changes were recorded simultaneously in the cytosol and in the nucleus of the cell. In ventricular myocytes, SOCE was observed in the cytosol and nucleus amounting to ≈15% and ≈25% of the respective CaT. There was a linear correlation between the SOCE-mediated calcium increase in the cytosol and nucleus. Inhibitors of TRPC or Orai channels reduced SOCE by ≈33-67%, whereas detubulation did not. In atrial myocytes, SOCE with similar characteristics was observed in the cytosol and nucleus. However, the SOCE amplitudes in atrial myocytes were ≈two-fold larger than in ventricular myocytes, and this was associated with ≈1.4- to 3.6-fold larger expression of putative SOCE proteins (TRPC1, 3, 6, and STIM1) in atrial tissue. The results indicated that SOCE in atrial and ventricular myocytes is able to cause robust calcium increases in the nucleus and that both TRPC and Orai channels may contribute to SOCE in adult cardiomyocytes.

The Structural-Functional Crosstalk of the Calsequestrin System: Insights and Pathological Implications

Calsequestrin (CASQ) is a key intra-sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-handling protein that plays a pivotal role in the contraction of cardiac and skeletal muscles. Its Ca2+-dependent polymerization dynamics shape the translation of electric excitation signals to the Ca2+-induced contraction of the actin-myosin architecture. Mutations in CASQ are linked to life-threatening pathological conditions, including tubular aggregate myopathy, malignant hyperthermia, and Catecholaminergic Polymorphic Ventricular Tachycardia (CPVT). The variability in the penetrance of these phenotypes and the lack of a clear understanding of the disease mechanisms associated with CASQ mutations pose a major challenge to the development of effective therapeutic strategies. In vitro studies have mainly focused on the polymerization and Ca2+-buffering properties of CASQ but have provided little insight into the complex interplay of structural and functional changes that underlie disease. In this review, the biochemical and structural natures of CASQ are explored in-depth, while emphasizing their direct and indirect consequences for muscle Ca2+ physiology. We propose a novel functional classification of CASQ pathological missense mutations based on the structural stability of the monomer, dimer, or linear polymer conformation. We also highlight emerging similarities between polymeric CASQ and polyelectrolyte systems, emphasizing the potential for the use of this paradigm to guide further research.

Physiology of intracellular calcium buffering

Calcium signaling underlies much of physiology. Almost all the Ca2+ in the cytoplasm is bound to buffers, with typically only ∼1% being freely ionized at resting levels in most cells. Physiological Ca2+ buffers include small molecules and proteins, and experimentally Ca2+ indicators will also buffer calcium. The chemistry of interactions between Ca2+ and buffers determines the extent and speed of Ca2+ binding. The physiological effects of Ca2+ buffers are determined by the kinetics with which they bind Ca2+ and their mobility within the cell. The degree of buffering depends on factors such as the affinity for Ca2+, the Ca2+ concentration, and whether Ca2+ ions bind cooperatively. Buffering affects both the amplitude and time course of cytoplasmic Ca2+ signals as well as changes of Ca2+ concentration in organelles. It can also facilitate Ca2+ diffusion inside the cell. Ca2+ buffering affects synaptic transmission, muscle contraction, Ca2+ transport across epithelia, and the killing of bacteria. Saturation of buffers leads to synaptic facilitation and tetanic contraction in skeletal muscle and may play a role in inotropy in the heart. This review focuses on the link between buffer chemistry and function and how Ca2+ buffering affects normal physiology and the consequences of changes in disease. As well as summarizing what is known, we point out the many areas where further work is required.

Local Control Model of a Human Ventricular Myocyte: An Exploration of Frequency-Dependent Changes and Calcium Sparks

Calcium (Ca2+) sparks are the elementary events of excitation-contraction coupling, yet they are not explicitly represented in human ventricular myocyte models. A stochastic ventricular cardiomyocyte human model that adapts to intracellular Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) dynamics, spark regulation, and frequency-dependent changes in the form of locally controlled Ca2+ release was developed. The 20,000 CRUs in this model are composed of 9 individual LCCs and 49 RyRs that function as couplons. The simulated action potential duration at 1 Hz steady-state pacing is ~0.280 s similar to human ventricular cell recordings. Rate-dependence experiments reveal that APD shortening mechanisms are largely contributed by the L-type calcium channel inactivation, RyR open fraction, and [Ca2+]myo concentrations. The dynamic slow-rapid-slow pacing protocol shows that RyR open probability during high pacing frequency (2.5 Hz) switches to an adapted "nonconducting" form of Ca2+-dependent transition state. The predicted force was also observed to be increased in high pacing, but the SR Ca2+ fractional release was lower due to the smaller difference between diastolic and systolic [Ca2+]SR. Restitution analysis through the S1S2 protocol and increased LCC Ca2+-dependent activation rate show that the duration of LCC opening helps modulate its effects on the APD restitution at different diastolic intervals. Ultimately, a longer duration of calcium sparks was observed in relation to the SR Ca2+ loading at high pacing rates. Overall, this study demonstrates the spontaneous Ca2+ release events and ion channel responses throughout various stimuli.

Dantrolene inhibition of ryanodine channels (RyR2) in artificial lipid bilayers depends on FKBP12.6

Dantrolene is a neutral hydantoin that is clinically used as a skeletal muscle relaxant to prevent overactivation of the skeletal muscle calcium release channel (RyR1) in response to volatile anesthetics. Dantrolene has aroused considerable recent interest as a lead compound for stabilizing calcium release due to overactive cardiac calcium release channels (RyR2) in heart failure. Previously, we found that dantrolene produces up to a 45% inhibition RyR2 with an IC50 of 160 nM, and that this inhibition requires the physiological association between RyR2 and CaM. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that dantrolene inhibition of RyR2 in the presence of CaM is modulated by RyR2 phosphorylation at S2808 and S2814. Phosphorylation was altered by incubations with either exogenous phosphatase (PP1) or kinases; PKA to phosphorylate S2808 or endogenous CaMKII to phosphorylate S2814. We found that PKA caused selective dissociation of FKBP12.6 from the RyR2 complex and a loss of dantrolene inhibition. Rapamycin-induced FKBP12.6 dissociation from RyR2 also resulted in the loss of dantrolene inhibition. Subsequent incubations of RyR2 with exogenous FKBP12.6 reinstated dantrolene inhibition. These findings indicate that the inhibitory action of dantrolene on RyR2 depends on RyR2 association with FKBP12.6 in addition to CaM as previously found.

Alterations of sarcoplasmic reticulum-mediated Ca2+ uptake in a model of premature ventricular contraction (PVC)-induced cardiomyopathy

Premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) are the most frequent ventricular arrhythmias in the overall population. PVCs are known to acutely enhance contractility by the post-extrasystolic potentiation phenomenon, but over time persistent PVCs promote PVC-induced cardiomyopathy (PVC-CM), characterized by a reduction of the left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction. Ca2+ cycling in myocytes commands muscle contraction and in this process, SERCA2 leads the Ca2+ reuptake into the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) shaping cytosolic Ca2+ signal decay and muscle relaxation. Altered Ca2+ reuptake can contribute to the contractile dysfunction observed in PVC-CM. To better understand Ca2+ handling using our PVC-CM model (canines with 50% PVC burden for 12 weeks), SR-Ca2+ reuptake was investigated by measuring Ca2+ dynamics and analyzing protein expression. Kinetic analysis of Ca2+ reuptake in electrically paced myocytes showed a ~ 21 ms delay in PVC-CM compared to Sham in intact isolated myocytes, along with a ~ 13% reduction in SERCA2 activity assessed in permeabilized myocytes. Although these trends were not statistically significant between groups using hierarchical statistics, relaxation of myocytes following contraction was significantly slower in PVC-CM vs Sham myocytes. Western blot analyses indicate a 22% reduction in SERCA2 expression, a 23% increase in phospholamban (PLN) expression, and a 50% reduction in PLN phosphorylation in PVC-CM samples vs Sham. Computational analysis simulating a 20% decrease in SR-Ca2+ reuptake resulted in a ~ 22 ms delay in Ca2+ signal decay, consistent with the experimental result described above. In conclusion, SERCA2 and PLB alterations described above have a modest contribution to functional adaptations observed in PVC-CM.

Role of Ca2+ in healthy and pathologic cardiac function: from normal excitation-contraction coupling to mutations that cause inherited arrhythmia

Calcium (Ca²⁺) ions are a key second messenger involved in the rhythmic excitation and contraction of cardiomyocytes throughout the heart. Proper function of Ca²⁺-handling proteins is required for healthy cardiac function, whereas disruption in any of these can cause cardiac arrhythmias. This comprehensive review provides a broad overview of the roles of Ca²⁺-handling proteins and their regulators in healthy cardiac function and the mechanisms by which mutations in these proteins contribute to inherited arrhythmias. Major Ca²⁺ channels and Ca²⁺-sensitive regulatory proteins involved in cardiac excitation-contraction coupling are discussed, with special emphasis on the function of the RyR2 macromolecular complex. Inherited arrhythmia disorders including catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia, long QT syndrome, Brugada syndrome, short QT syndrome, and arrhythmogenic right-ventricular cardiomyopathy are discussed with particular emphasis on subtypes caused by mutations in Ca²⁺-handling proteins.

Modeling Calcium Cycling in the Heart: Progress, Pitfalls, and Challenges

Intracellular calcium (Ca) cycling in the heart plays key roles in excitation-contraction coupling and arrhythmogenesis. In cardiac myocytes, the Ca release channels, i.e., the ryanodine receptors (RyRs), are clustered in the sarcoplasmic reticulum membrane, forming Ca release units (CRUs). The RyRs in a CRU act collectively to give rise to discrete Ca release events, called Ca sparks. A cell contains hundreds to thousands of CRUs, diffusively coupled via Ca to form a CRU network. A rich spectrum of spatiotemporal Ca dynamics is observed in cardiac myocytes, including Ca sparks, spark clusters, mini-waves, persistent whole-cell waves, and oscillations. Models of different temporal and spatial scales have been developed to investigate these dynamics. Due to the complexities of the CRU network and the spatiotemporal Ca dynamics, it is challenging to model the Ca cycling dynamics in the cardiac system, particularly at the tissue sales. In this article, we review the progress of modeling of Ca cycling in cardiac systems from single RyRs to the tissue scale, the pros and cons of the current models and different modeling approaches, and the challenges to be tackled in the future.

Visualization of Dynamic Mitochondrial Calcium Fluxes in Isolated Cardiomyocytes

Background

Cardiomyocyte contraction requires a constant supply of ATP, which varies depending on work rate. Maintaining ATP supply is particularly important during excitation-contraction coupling, where cytosolic Ca2+ fluxes drive repeated cycles of contraction and relaxation. Ca2+ is one of the key regulators of ATP production, and its uptake into the mitochondrial matrix occurs via the mitochondrial calcium uniporter. Fluorescent indicators are commonly used for detecting cytosolic Ca2+ changes. However, visualizing mitochondrial Ca2+ fluxes using similar methods is more difficult, as the fluorophore must be permeable to both the sarcolemma and the inner mitochondrial membrane. Our aim was therefore to optimize a method using the fluorescent Ca2+ indicator Rhod-2 to visualize beat-to-beat mitochondrial calcium fluxes in rat cardiomyocytes.

Methods

Healthy, adult male Wistar rat hearts were isolated and enzymatically digested to yield rod-shaped, quiescent ventricular cardiomyocytes. The fluorescent Ca2+ indicator Rhod-2 was reduced to di-hydroRhod-2 and confocal microscopy was used to validate mitochondrial compartmentalization. Cardiomyocytes were subjected to various pharmacological interventions, including caffeine and β-adrenergic stimulation. Upon confirmation of mitochondrial Rhod-2 localization, loaded myocytes were then super-fused with 1.5 mM Ca2+ Tyrodes containing 1 μM isoproterenol and 150 μM spermine. Myocytes were externally stimulated at 0.1, 0.5 and 1 Hz and whole cell recordings of both cytosolic ([Ca2+]cyto) and mitochondrial calcium ([Ca2+]mito) transients were made.

Results

Myocytes loaded with di-hydroRhod-2 revealed a distinct mitochondrial pattern when visualized by confocal microscopy. Application of 20 mM caffeine revealed no change in fluorescence, confirming no sarcoplasmic reticulum compartmentalization. Myocytes loaded with di-hydroRhod-2 also showed a large increase in fluorescence within the mitochondria in response to β-adrenergic stimulation (P < 0.05). Beat-to-beat mitochondrial Ca2+ transients were smaller in amplitude and had a slower time to peak and maximum rate of rise relative to cytosolic calcium transients at all stimulation frequencies (P < 0.001).

Conclusion

Myocytes loaded with di-hydroRhod-2 revealed mitochondrial specific compartmentalization. Mitochondrial Ca2+ transients recorded from di-hydroRhod-2 loaded myocytes were distinct in comparison to the large and rapid Rhod-2 cytosolic transients, indicating different kinetics between [Ca2+]cyto and [Ca2+]mito transients. Overall, our results showed that di-hydroRhod-2 loading is a quick and suitable method for measuring beat-to-beat [Ca2+]mito transients in intact myocytes.

The function and regulation of calsequestrin-2: implications in calcium-mediated arrhythmias

Cardiac arrhythmias are life-threatening events in which the heart develops an irregular rhythm. Mishandling of Ca²⁺ within the myocytes of the heart has been widely demonstrated to be an underlying mechanism of arrhythmogenesis. This includes altered function of the ryanodine receptor (RyR2)-the primary Ca²⁺ release channel located to the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR). The spontaneous leak of SR Ca²⁺ via RyR2 is a well-established contributor in the development of arrhythmic contractions. This leak is associated with increased channel activity in response to changes in SR Ca²⁺ load. RyR2 activity can be regulated through several avenues, including interactions with numerous accessory proteins. One such protein is calsequestrin-2 (CSQ2), which is the primary Ca²⁺-buffering protein within the SR. The capacity of CSQ2 to buffer Ca²⁺ is tightly associated with the ability of the protein to polymerise in response to changing Ca²⁺ levels. CSQ2 can itself be regulated through phosphorylation and glycosylation modifications, which impact protein polymerisation and trafficking. Changes in CSQ2 modifications are implicated in cardiac pathologies, while mutations in CSQ2 have been identified in arrhythmic patients. Here, we review the role of CSQ2 in arrhythmogenesis including evidence for the indirect and direct regulation of RyR2 by CSQ2, and the consequences of a loss of functional CSQ2 in Ca²⁺ homeostasis and Ca²⁺-mediated arrhythmias.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12551-021-00914-6.

Mechanoelectric coupling and arrhythmogenesis in cardiomyocytes contracting under mechanical afterload in a 3D viscoelastic hydrogel

The heart pumps blood against the mechanical afterload from arterial resistance, and increased afterload may alter cardiac electrophysiology and contribute to life-threatening arrhythmias. However, the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying mechanoelectric coupling in cardiomyocytes remain unclear. We developed an innovative patch-clamp-in-gel technology to embed cardiomyocytes in a three-dimensional (3D) viscoelastic hydrogel that imposes an afterload during regular myocyte contraction. Here, we investigated how afterload affects action potentials, ionic currents, intracellular Ca2+ transients, and cell contraction of adult rabbit ventricular cardiomyocytes. We found that afterload prolonged action potential duration (APD), increased transient outward K+ current, decreased inward rectifier K+ current, and increased L-type Ca2+ current. Increased Ca2+ entry caused enhanced Ca2+ transients and contractility. Moreover, elevated afterload led to discordant alternans in APD and Ca2+ transient. Ca2+ alternans persisted under action potential clamp, indicating that the alternans was Ca2+ dependent. Furthermore, all these afterload effects were significantly attenuated by inhibiting nitric oxide synthase 1 (NOS1). Taken together, our data reveal a mechano-chemo-electrotransduction (MCET) mechanism that acutely transduces afterload through NOS1-nitric oxide signaling to modulate the action potential, Ca2+ transient, and contractility. The MCET pathway provides a feedback loop in excitation-Ca2+ signaling-contraction coupling, enabling autoregulation of contractility in cardiomyocytes in response to afterload. This MCET mechanism is integral to the individual cardiomyocyte (and thus the heart) to intrinsically enhance its contractility in response to the load against which it has to do work. While this MCET is largely compensatory for physiological load changes, it may also increase susceptibility to arrhythmias under excessive pathological loading.

Targeted esterase-induced dye (TED) loading supports direct calcium imaging in eukaryotic cell-free systems

Calcium imaging is an important functional tool for analysing ion channels, transporters and pumps for drug screening in living cells. Depicted eukaryotic cell-free systems utilize microsomes, derived from the endoplasmic reticulum to incorporate the synthesized membrane proteins-like ion channels. Carboxylesterase is required to cleave the acetoxymethyl ester moiety of the chemical calcium indicators in order to ensure its immobility across the endoplasmic reticulum membrane. Absence or an inadequate amount of carboxylesterase in the endoplasmic reticulum of different eukaryotic cells poses a hindrance to perform calcium imaging in microsomes. In this work, we try to overcome this drawback and adapt the cell-based calcium imaging principle to a cell-free protein synthesis platform. Carboxylesterase synthesized in a Spodoptera frugiperda Sf21 lysate translation system is established as a viable calcium imaging tool in microsomes. Cell-free synthesized carboxylesterase inside microsomes is validated with esterase and dye loading assays. Native proteins from the endoplasmic reticulum, such as ryanodine channels and calcium ATPase, are analysed. Cell-free synthesized transient receptor potential channels are used as model proteins to demonstrate the realization of this concept.

Carboxylesterase, the key enzyme to handle ester-based dyes, is synthesized in microsomes using eukaryotic cell-free protein synthesis platform and established as a viable calcium imaging tool to analyze native and cell-free synthesized ion channels.

Phenytoin Reduces Activity of Cardiac Ryanodine Receptor 2; A Potential Mechanism for Its Cardioprotective Action

Phenytoin is a hydantoin derivative that is used clinically for the treatment of epilepsy and has been reported to have antiarrhythmic actions on the heart. In a failing heart, the elevated diastolic Ca²⁺ leak from the sarcoplasmic reticulum can be normalized by the cardiac ryanodine receptor 2 (RyR2) inhibitor, dantrolene, without inhibiting Ca²⁺ release during systole or affecting Ca²⁺ release in normal healthy hearts. Unfortunately, dantrolene is hepatotoxic and unsuitable for chronic long-term administration. Because phenytoin and dantrolene belong to the hydantoin class of compounds, we test the hypothesis that dantrolene and phenytoin have similar inhibitory effects on RyR2 using a single-channel recording of RyR2 activity in artificial lipid bilayers. Phenytoin produced a reversible inhibition of RyR2 channels from sheep and human failing hearts. It followed a hyperbolic dose response with maximal inhibition of ∼50%, Hill coefficient ∼1, and IC₅₀ ranging from 10 to 20 µM. It caused inhibition at diastolic cytoplasmic [Ca²⁺] but not at Ca²⁺ levels in the dyadic cleft during systole. Notably, phenytoin inhibits RyR2 from failing human heart but not from healthy heart, indicating that phenytoin may selectively target defective RyR2 channels in humans. We conclude that phenytoin could effectively inhibit RyR2-mediated release of Ca²⁺ in a manner paralleling that of dantrolene. Moreover, the IC₅₀ of phenytoin in RyR2 is at least threefold lower than for other ion channels and clinically used serum levels, pointing to phenytoin as a more human-safe alternative to dantrolene for therapies against heart failure and cardiac arrythmias. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: We show that phenytoin, a Na channel blocker used clinically for treatment of epilepsy, is a diastolic inhibitor of cardiac calcium release channels [cardiac ryanodine receptor 2 (RyR2)] at doses threefold lower than its current therapeutic levels. Phenytoin inhibits RyR2 from failing human heart and not from healthy heart, indicating that phenytoin may selectively target defective RyR2 channels in humans and pointing to phenytoin as a more human-safe alternative to dantrolene for therapies against heart failure and cardiac arrhythmias.

Multiple Dynamical Mechanisms of Phase-2 Early Afterdepolarizations in a Human Ventricular Myocyte Model: Involvement of Spontaneous SR Ca 2+ Release

Early afterdepolarization (EAD) is known to cause lethal ventricular arrhythmias in long QT syndrome (LQTS). In this study, dynamical mechanisms of EAD formation in human ventricular myocytes (HVMs) were investigated using the mathematical model developed by ten Tusscher and Panfilov (Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 291, 2006). We explored how the rapid (IKr) and slow (IKs) components of delayed-rectifier K+ channel currents, L-type Ca2+ channel current (ICa L), Na+/Ca2+ exchanger current (INCX), and intracellular Ca2+ handling via the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) contribute to initiation, termination and modulation of phase-2 EADs during pacing in relation to bifurcation phenomena in non-paced model cells. Parameter-dependent dynamical behaviors of the non-paced model cell were determined by calculating stabilities of equilibrium points (EPs) and limit cycles, and bifurcation points to construct bifurcation diagrams. Action potentials (APs) and EADs during pacing were reproduced by numerical simulations for constructing phase diagrams of the paced model cell dynamics. Results are summarized as follows: (1) A modified version of the ten Tusscher-Panfilov model with accelerated ICaL inactivation could reproduce bradycardia-related EADs in LQTS type 2 and β-adrenergic stimulation-induced EADs in LQTS type 1. (2) Two types of EADs with different initiation mechanisms, ICaL reactivation-dependent and spontaneous SR Ca2+ release-mediated EADs, were detected. (3) Termination of EADs (AP repolarization) during pacing depended on the slow activation of IKs. (4) Spontaneous SR Ca2+ releases occurred at higher Ca2+ uptake rates, attributable to the instability of steady-state intracellular Ca2+ concentrations. Dynamical mechanisms of EAD formation and termination in the paced model cell are closely related to stability changes (bifurcations) in dynamical behaviors of the non-paced model cell, but they are model-dependent. Nevertheless, the modified ten Tusscher-Panfilov model would be useful for systematically investigating possible dynamical mechanisms of EAD-related arrhythmias in LQTS.

Novel approach for quantification of endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ transport

The type 2a sarco-/endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase (SERCA2a) plays a key role in Ca2+ regulation in the heart. However, available techniques to study SERCA function are either cell destructive or lack sensitivity. The goal of this study was to develop an approach to selectively measure SERCA2a function in the cellular environment. The genetically encoded Ca2+ sensor R-CEPIA1er was used to measure the concentration of Ca2+ in the lumen of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) ([Ca2+]ER) in HEK293 cells expressing human SERCA2a. Coexpression of the ER Ca2+ release channel ryanodine receptor (RyR2) created a Ca2+ release/reuptake system that mimicked aspects of cardiac myocyte Ca2+ handling. SERCA2a function was quantified from the rate of [Ca2+]ER refilling after ER Ca2+ depletion; then, ER Ca2+ leak was measured after SERCA inhibition. ER Ca2+ uptake and leak were analyzed as a function of [Ca2+]ER to determine maximum ER Ca2+ uptake rate and maximum ER Ca2+ load. The sensitivity of this assay was validated by analyzing effects of SERCA inhibitors, [ATP]/[ADP], oxidative stress, phospholamban, and a loss-of-function SERCA2a mutation. In addition, the feasibility of using R-CEPIA1er to study SERCA2a in a native system was evaluated by using in vivo gene delivery to express R-CEPIA1er in mouse hearts. After ventricular myocyte isolation, the same methodology used in HEK293 cells was applied to study endogenous SERCA2a. In conclusion, this new approach can be used as a sensitive screening tool to study the effect of different drugs, posttranslational modifications, and mutations on SERCA function. NEW & NOTEWORTHY The aim of this study was to develop a sensitive approach to selectively measure sarco-/endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase (SERCA) function in the cellular environment. The newly developed Ca2+ sensor R-CEPIA1er was used to successfully analyze Ca2+ uptake mediated by recombinant and native cardiac SERCA. These results demonstrate that this new approach can be used as a powerful tool to study new mechanisms of Ca2+ pump regulation.

Mechanistic insights into store-operated Ca2+ entry during excitation-contraction coupling in skeletal muscle

Skeletal muscle fibres support store-operated Ca²⁺-entry (SOCE) across the t-tubular membrane upon exhaustive depletion of Ca²⁺ from the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR). Recently we demonstrated the presence of a novel mode of SOCE activated under conditions of maintained [Ca²⁺]_SR. This phasic SOCE manifested in a fast and transient manner in synchrony with excitation contraction (EC)-coupling mediated SR Ca²⁺-release (Communications Biology 1:31, doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/s42003-018-0033-7). Stromal interaction molecule 1 (STIM1) and calcium release-activated calcium channel 1 (ORAI1), positioned at the SR and t-system membranes, respectively, are the considered molecular correlate of SOCE. The evidence suggests that at the triads, where the terminal cisternae of the SR sandwich a t-tubule, STIM1 and ORAI1 proteins pre-position to allow for enhanced SOCE transduction. Here we show that phasic SOCE is not only shaped by global [Ca²⁺]_SR but provide evidence for a local activation within nanodomains at the terminal cisternae of the SR. This feature may allow SOCE to modulate [Ca²⁺]_SR during EC coupling. We define SOCE to occur on the same timescale as EC coupling and determine the temporal coherence of SOCE activation to SR Ca²⁺ release. We derive a delay of 0.3 ms reflecting diffusive Ca²⁺-equilibration at the luminal ryanodine receptor 1 (RyR1) channel mouth upon SR Ca²⁺-release. Numerical simulations of Ca²⁺-calsequestrin binding estimates a characteristic diffusion length and confines an upper limit for the spatial distance between STIM1 and RyR1. Experimental evidence for a 4- fold change in t-system Ca²⁺-permeability upon prolonged electrical stimulation in conjunction with numerical simulations of Ca²⁺-STIM1 binding suggests a Ca²⁺ dissociation constant of STIM1 below 0.35 mM. Our results show that phasic SOCE is intimately linked with RyR opening and closing, with only μs delays, because [Ca²⁺] in the terminal cisternae is just above the threshold for Ca²⁺ dissociation from STIM1 under physiological resting conditions. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: ECS Meeting edited by Claus Heizmann, Joachim Krebs and Jacques Haiech.

Simultaneous Recording of Subcellular Ca2+ Signals from the Cytosol and Sarco/Endoplasmic Reticulum: Compartmentalized Dye Loading, Imaging, and Analysis

An increase in the cytosolic Ca²⁺ concentration triggers the contraction in cardiomyocytes. In these cells sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) is the major source of Ca²⁺, and the release from this store is mediated by the ryanodine receptors (RyRs). These receptors are regulated by cytosolic and intra-SR [Ca²⁺]. The cytosolic Ca²⁺ regulation is well established, but there are some limitations to determine indirectly the intra-SR Ca²⁺ concentration and understand its role in the RyRs regulation. Therefore, the interest to directly measure the free intra-SR Ca²⁺ concentration ([Ca²⁺]_SR) has led to the application of a low-affinity Ca²⁺ indicator (Fluo-5N AM) to follow changes of [Ca²⁺]_SR in cardiomyocytes. However the loading of this AM-ester dye into the SR has remained a challenge in freshly isolated mouse cardiomyocytes. Here, we describe an optimized protocol to measure changes of [Ca²⁺]_SR in mouse cardiomyocytes using fluorescent Ca²⁺ indicators and confocal microscopy. The application of this protocol allows to evaluate directly intra-SR Ca²⁺ in real time in various mouse models of cardiac disease, including transgenic animals harboring mutants of RyRs or other Ca²⁺ signaling proteins.

Regulation of the RyR channel gating by Ca2+ and Mg2

Ryanodine receptors (RyRs) are the Ca2+ release channels in the sarcoplasmic reticulum in striated muscle which play an important role in excitation-contraction coupling and cardiac pacemaking. Single channel recordings have revealed a wealth of information about ligand regulation of RyRs from mammalian skeletal and cardiac muscle (RyR1 and RyR2, respectively). RyR subunit has a Ca2+ activation site located in the luminal and cytoplasmic domains of the RyR. These sites synergistically feed into a common gating mechanism for channel activation by luminal and cytoplasmic Ca2+. RyRs also possess two inhibitory sites in their cytoplasmic domains with Ca2+ affinities of the order of 1 μM and 1 mM. Magnesium competes with Ca2+ at these sites to inhibit RyRs and this plays an important role in modulating their Ca2+-dependent activity in muscle. This review focuses on how these sites lead to RyR modulation by Ca2+ and Mg2+ and how these mechanisms control Ca2+ release in excitation-contraction coupling and cardiac pacemaking.

Fluorescent, Bioluminescent, and Optogenetic Approaches to Study Excitable Physiology in the Single Cardiomyocyte

This review briefly summarizes the single cell application of classical chemical dyes used to visualize cardiomyocyte physiology and their undesirable toxicities which have the potential to confound experimental observations. We will discuss, in detail, the more recent iterative development of fluorescent and bioluminescent protein-based indicators and their emerging application to cardiomyocytes. We will discuss the integration of optical control strategies (optogenetics) to augment the standard imaging approach. This will be done in the context of potential applications, and barriers, of these technologies to disease modelling, drug toxicity, and drug discovery efforts at the single-cell scale.

Calcium and Excitation-Contraction Coupling in the Heart

Cardiac contractility is regulated by changes in intracellular Ca concentration ([Ca²⁺]_i). Normal function requires that [Ca²⁺]_i be sufficiently high in systole and low in diastole. Much of the Ca needed for contraction comes from the sarcoplasmic reticulum and is released by the process of calcium-induced calcium release. The factors that regulate and fine-tune the initiation and termination of release are reviewed. The precise control of intracellular Ca cycling depends on the relationships between the various channels and pumps that are involved. We consider 2 aspects: (1) structural coupling: the transporters are organized within the dyad, linking the transverse tubule and sarcoplasmic reticulum and ensuring close proximity of Ca entry to sites of release. (2) Functional coupling: where the fluxes across all membranes must be balanced such that, in the steady state, Ca influx equals Ca efflux on every beat. The remainder of the review considers specific aspects of Ca signaling, including the role of Ca buffers, mitochondria, Ca leak, and regulation of diastolic [Ca²⁺]_i.

Ambiguous interactions between diastolic and SR Ca2+ in the regulation of cardiac Ca2+ release

Sobie et al. highlight unresolved issues concerning the regulation of sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium release in cardiac myocytes.

Quenching the spark: Termination of CICR in the submicroscopic space of the dyad

Cannell and Kong discuss the different termination mechanisms proposed for CICR in cardiac myocytes.

The role of luminal Ca regulation in Ca signaling refractoriness and cardiac arrhythmogenesis

Györke et al. discuss the role of sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ in cardiac refractoriness and pathological implications.

The effect of PKA-mediated phosphorylation of ryanodine receptor on SR Ca2+ leak in ventricular myocytes

Functional impact of cardiac ryanodine receptor (type 2 RyR or RyR2) phosphorylation by protein kinase A (PKA) remains highly controversial. In this study, we characterized a functional link between PKA-mediated RyR2 phosphorylation level and sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca²⁺ release and leak in permeabilized rabbit ventricular myocytes. Changes in cytosolic [Ca²⁺] and intra-SR [Ca²⁺]_SR were measured with Fluo-4 and Fluo-5N, respectively. Changes in RyR2 phosphorylation at two PKA sites, serine-2031 and -2809, were measured with phospho-specific antibodies. cAMP (10μM) increased Ca²⁺ spark frequency approximately two-fold. This effect was associated with an increase in SR Ca²⁺ load from 0.84 to 1.24mM. PKA inhibitory peptide (PKI; 10μM) abolished the cAMP-dependent increase of SR Ca²⁺ load and spark frequency. When SERCA was completely blocked by thapsigargin, cAMP did not affect RyR2-mediated Ca²⁺ leak. The lack of a cAMP effect on RyR2 function can be explained by almost maximal phosphorylation of RyR2 at serine-2809 after sarcolemma permeabilization. This high RyR2 phosphorylation level is likely the consequence of a balance shift between protein kinase and phosphatase activity after permeabilization. When RyR2 phosphorylation at serine-2809 was reduced to its "basal" level (i.e. RyR2 phosphorylation level in intact myocytes) using kinase inhibitor staurosporine, SR Ca²⁺ leak was significantly reduced. Surprisingly, further dephosphorylation of RyR2 with protein phosphatase 1 (PP1) markedly increased SR Ca²⁺ leak. At the same time, phosphorylation of RyR2 at serine 2031 did not significantly change under identical experimental conditions. These results suggest that RyR2 phosphorylation by PKA has a complex effect on SR Ca²⁺ leak in ventricular myocytes. At an intermediate level of RyR2 phosphorylation SR Ca²⁺ leak is minimal. However, complete dephosphorylation and maximal phosphorylation of RyR2 increases SR Ca²⁺ leak.

Increased Energy Demand during Adrenergic Receptor Stimulation Contributes to Ca(2+) Wave Generation

While β-adrenergic receptor (β-AR) stimulation ensures adequate cardiac output during stress, it can also trigger life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias. We have previously shown that proarrhythmic Ca(2+) waves during β-AR stimulation temporally coincide with augmentation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that increased energy demand during β-AR stimulation plays an important role in mitochondrial ROS production and Ca(2+)-wave generation in rabbit ventricular myocytes. We found that β-AR stimulation with isoproterenol (0.1 μM) decreased the mitochondrial redox potential and the ratio of reduced to oxidated glutathione. As a result, β-AR stimulation increased mitochondrial ROS production. These metabolic changes induced by isoproterenol were associated with increased sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca(2+) leak and frequent diastolic Ca(2+) waves. Inhibition of cell contraction with the myosin ATPase inhibitor blebbistatin attenuated oxidative stress as well as spontaneous SR Ca(2+) release events during β-AR stimulation. Furthermore, we found that oxidative stress induced by β-AR stimulation caused the formation of disulfide bonds between two ryanodine receptor (RyR) subunits, referred to as intersubunit cross-linking. Preventing RyR cross-linking with N-ethylmaleimide decreased the propensity of Ca(2+) waves induced by β-AR stimulation. These data suggest that increased energy demand during sustained β-AR stimulation weakens mitochondrial antioxidant defense, causing ROS release into the cytosol. By inducing RyR intersubunit cross-linking, ROS can increase SR Ca(2+) leak to the critical level that can trigger proarrhythmic Ca(2+) waves.

Real-time intra-store confocal Ca2+ imaging in isolated mouse cardiomyocytes

To initiate the contraction of cardiomyocytes, Ca²⁺ is released from the SR to the cytosol via ryanodine receptors (RyRs), which are activated by the Ca²⁺-induced Ca²⁺ release mechanism (CICR). The activity of RyRs is regulated by both, cytosolic and SR luminal Ca²⁺. Deregulation of the CICR, by dysfunctional SR Ca²⁺ release or uptake, is frequently associated with cardiac pathologies (e.g. arrhythmias, CPVT, heart failure). Recently, the interest to directly measure changes of the free Ca²⁺ concentration within the SR ([Ca²⁺]_SR) has led to the application of low affinity Ca²⁺ indicators (mag-fluo-4, Fluo-5N) to follow changes of [Ca²⁺]_SR in cardiomyocytes from some species. However, direct measurement of Ca²⁺ signals from the SR have not been possible in freshly isolated mouse cardiomyocytes. Here, we show a new protocol optimized to measure changes of [Ca²⁺]_SR in mouse cardiomyocytes using fluorescent Ca²⁺ indicators and confocal microscopy. The application of this protocol permits the design of experimental studies with direct evaluation of SR Ca²⁺ in real time in various mouse models of cardiac disease, including transgenic animals harboring mutants of RyRs or other Ca²⁺ signaling proteins. The technique, in combination with these models, will help to understand how these diseases and mutations affect Ca²⁺ signals within the SR and the Ca²⁺ sensitivity of the RyRs for cytosolic and SR luminal Ca²⁺, thereby contributing to arrhythmias or weak heart beat.

R-CEPIA1er as a new tool to directly measure sarcoplasmic reticulum [Ca] in ventricular myocytes

In cardiomyocytes, [Ca] within the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR; [Ca]SR) partially determines the amplitude of cytosolic Ca transient that, in turn, governs myocardial contraction. Therefore, it is critical to understand the molecular mechanisms that regulate [Ca]SR handling. Until recently, the best approach available to directly measure [Ca]SR was to use low-affinity Ca indicators (e.g., Fluo-5N). However, this approach presents several limitations, including nonspecific cellular localization, dye extrusion, and species limitation. Recently a new genetically encoded family of Ca indicators has been generated, named Ca-measuring organelle-entrapped protein indicators (CEPIA). Here, we tested the red fluorescence SR-targeted Ca sensor (R-CEPIA1er) as a tool to directly measure [Ca]SR dynamics in ventricular myocytes. Infection of rabbit and rat ventricular myocytes with an adenovirus expressing the R-CEPIA1er gene displayed prominent localization in the SR and nuclear envelope. Calibration of R-CEPIA1er in myocytes resulted in a Kd of 609 μM, suggesting that this sensor is sensitive in the whole physiological range of [Ca]SR [Ca]SR dynamics measured with R-CEPIA1er were compared with [Ca]SR measured with Fluo5-N. We found that both the time course of the [Ca]SR depletion and fractional SR Ca release induced by an action potential were similar between these two Ca sensors. R-CEPIA1er fluorescence did not decline during experiments, indicating lack of dye extrusion or photobleaching. Furthermore, measurement of [Ca]SR with R-CEPIA1er can be combined with cytosolic [Ca] measurements (with Fluo-4) to obtain more detailed information regarding Ca handling in cardiac myocytes. In conclusion, R-CEPIA1er is a promising tool that can be used to measure [Ca]SR dynamics in myocytes from different animal species.

Luminal Ca(2+) dynamics during IP3R mediated signals

The role of cytosolic Ca(2+) on the kinetics of Inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate receptors (IP3Rs) and on the dynamics of IP3R-mediated Ca(2+) signals has been studied at large both experimentally and by modeling. The role of luminal Ca(2+) has not been investigated with that much detail although it has been found that it is relevant for signal termination in the case of Ca(2+) release through ryanodine receptors. In this work we present the results of observing the dynamics of luminal and cytosolic Ca(2+) simultaneously in Xenopus laevis oocytes. Combining observations and modeling we conclude that there is a rapid mechanism that guarantees the availability of free Ca(2+) in the lumen even when a relatively large Ca(2+) release is evoked. Comparing the dynamics of cytosolic and luminal Ca(2+) during a release, we estimate that they are consistent with a 80% of luminal Ca(2+) being buffered. The rapid availability of free luminal Ca(2+) correlates with the observation that the lumen occupies a considerable volume in several regions across the images.

FKBPs facilitate the termination of spontaneous Ca2+ release in wild-type RyR2 but not CPVT mutant RyR2

FK506-binding proteins 12.6 (FKBP12.6) and 12 (FKBP12) tightly associate with the cardiac ryanodine receptor (RyR2). Studies suggest that dissociation of FKBP12.6 from mutant forms of RyR2 contributes to store overload-induced Ca(2+) release (SOICR) and Ca(2+)-triggered arrhythmias. However, these findings are controversial. Previous studies focused on the effect of FKBP12.6 on the initiation of SOICR and did not explore changes in the termination of Ca(2+) release. Less is known about FKBP12. We aimed to determine the effect of FKBP12.6 and FKBP12 on the termination of SOICR. Using single-cell imaging, in cells expressing wild-type RyR2, we found that FKBP12.6 and FKBP12 significantly increase the termination threshold of SOICR without changing the activation threshold of SOICR. This effect, dependent on the association of each FKBP with RyR2, reduced the magnitude of Ca(2+) release but had no effect on the propensity for SOICR. In contrast, neither FKBP12.6 nor FKBP12 was able to regulate an arrhythmogenic variant of RyR2, despite a conserved protein interaction. Our results suggest that both FKBP12.6 and FKBP12 play critical roles in regulating RyR2 function by facilitating the termination of SOICR. The inability of FKBPs to mediate a similar effect on the mutant RyR2 represents a novel mechanism by which mutations within RyR2 lead to arrhythmia.

A technical review of optical mapping of intracellular calcium within myocardial tissue

Optical mapping of Ca(2+)-sensitive fluorescence probes has become an extremely useful approach and adopted by many cardiovascular research laboratories to study a spectrum of myocardial physiology and disease conditions. Optical mapping data are often displayed as detailed pseudocolor images, providing unique insight for interpreting mechanisms of ectopic activity, action potential and Ca(2+) transient alternans, tachycardia, and fibrillation. Ca(2+)-sensitive fluorescent probes and optical mapping systems continue to evolve in the ongoing effort to improve therapies that ease the growing worldwide burden of cardiovascular disease. In this technical review we provide an updated overview of conventional approaches for optical mapping of Cai (2+) within intact myocardium. In doing so, a brief history of Cai (2+) probes is provided, and nonratiometric and ratiometric Ca(2+) probes are discussed, including probes for imaging sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+) and probes compatible with potentiometric dyes for dual optical mapping. Typical measurements derived from optical Cai (2+) signals are explained, and the analytics used to compute them are presented. Last, recent studies using Cai (2+) optical mapping to study arrhythmias, heart failure, and metabolic perturbations are summarized.

Conformation of ryanodine receptor-2 gates store-operated calcium entry in rat pulmonary arterial myocytes

AIMS

Store-operated Ca(2+) entry (SOCE) contributes to a multitude of physiological and pathophysiological functions in pulmonary vasculatures. SOCE attributable to inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor (InsP3R)-gated Ca(2+) store has been studied extensively, but the role of ryanodine receptor (RyR)-gated store in SOCE remains unclear. The present study aims to delineate the relationship between RyR-gated Ca(2+) stores and SOCE, and characterize the properties of RyR-gated Ca(2+) entry in pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs).

METHODS AND RESULTS

PASMCs were isolated from intralobar pulmonary arteries of male Wister rats. Application of the RyR1/2 agonist 4-chloro-m-cresol (4-CmC) activated robust Ca(2+) entry in PASMCs. It was blocked by Gd(3+) and the RyR2 modulator K201 but was unaffected by the RyR1/3 antagonist dantrolene and the InsP3R inhibitor xestospongin C, suggesting RyR2 is mainly involved in the process. siRNA knockdown of STIM1, TRPC1, and Orai1, or interruption of STIM1 translocation with ML-9 significantly attenuated the 4-CmC-induced SOCE, similar to SOCE induced by thapsigargin. However, depletion of RyR-gated store with caffeine failed to activate Ca(2+) entry. Inclusion of ryanodine, which itself did not cause Ca(2+) entry, uncovered caffeine-induced SOCE in a concentration-dependent manner, suggesting binding of ryanodine to RyR is permissive for the process. This Ca(2+) entry had the same molecular and pharmacological properties of 4-CmC-induced SOCE, and it persisted once activated even after caffeine washout. Measurement of Ca(2+) in sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) showed that 4-CmC and caffeine application with or without ryanodine reduced SR Ca(2+) to similar extent, suggesting store-depletion was not the cause of the discrepancy. Moreover, caffeine/ryanodine and 4-CmC failed to initiate SOCE in cells transfected with the ryanodine-binding deficient mutant RyR2-I4827T.

CONCLUSIONS

RyR2-gated Ca(2+) store contributes to SOCE in PASMCs; however, store-depletion alone is insufficient but requires a specific RyR conformation modifiable by ryanodine binding to activate Ca(2+) entry.

A quantitative description of tubular system Ca(2+) handling in fast- and slow-twitch muscle fibres

KEY POINTS

Current methods do not allow a quantitative description of Ca(2+) movements across the tubular (t-) system membrane without isolating the membranes from their native skeletal muscle fibre. Here we present a fluorescence-based method that allows determination of the t-system [Ca(2+) ] transients and derivation of t-system Ca(2+) fluxes in mechanically skinned skeletal muscle fibres. Differences in t-system Ca(2+) -handling properties between fast- and slow-twitch fibres from rat muscle are resolved for the first time using this new technique. The method can be used to study Ca(2+) handling of the t-system and allows direct comparisons of t-system Ca(2+) transients and Ca(2+) fluxes between groups of fibres and fibres from different strains of animals.

ABSTRACT

The tubular (t-) system of skeletal muscle is an internalization of the plasma membrane that maintains a large Ca(2+) gradient and exchanges Ca(2+) between the extracellular and intracellular environments. Little is known of the Ca(2+) -handling properties of the t-system as the small Ca(2+) fluxes conducted are difficult to resolve with conventional methods. To advance knowledge in this area we calibrated t-system-trapped rhod-5N inside skinned fibres from rat and [Ca(2+) ]t-sys , allowing confocal measurements of Ca(2+) -dependent changes in rhod-5N fluorescence during rapid changes in the intracellular ionic environment to be converted to [Ca(2+) ] transients in the t-system ([Ca(2+) ]t-sys (t)). Furthermore, t-system Ca(2+) -buffering power was determined so that t-system Ca(2+) fluxes could be derived from [Ca(2+) ]t-sys (t). With this new approach, we show that rapid depletion of sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca(2+) induced a robust store-operated Ca(2+) entry (SOCE) in fast- and slow-twitch fibres, reducing [Ca(2+) ]t-sys to < 0.1 mm. The rapid activation of SOCE upon Ca(2+) release was consistent with the presence of STIM1L in both fibre types. Abruptly introducing internal solutions with 1 mm Mg(2+) and [Ca(2+) ]cyto (28 nm-1.3 μm) to Ca(2+) -depleted fibres generated t-system Ca(2+) uptake rates dependent on [Ca(2+) ]cyto with [Ca(2+) ]t-sys reaching final plateaus in the millimolar range. For the same [Ca(2+) ]cyto , t-system Ca(2+) fluxes of fast-twitch fibres were greater than that in slow-twitch fibres. In addition, simultaneous imaging of t-system and SR Ca(2+) signals indicated that both membrane compartments accumulated Ca(2+) at similar rates and that SOCE was activated early during SR Ca(2+) depletion.

SERCA2a upregulation ameliorates cellular alternans induced by metabolic inhibition

Cardiac alternans has been associated with the incidence of ventricular tachyarrhythmias and sudden cardiac death. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of impaired mitochondrial function in the genesis of cellular alternans and to examine whether modulating the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca(2+)ameliorates the level of alternans. Cardiomyocytes isolated from control and doxycyline-induced sarco(endo)plasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase 2a (SERCA2a)-upregulated mice were loaded with two different Ca(2+)indicators to selectively measure mitochondrial and cytosolic Ca(2+)using a custom-made fluorescence photometry system. The degree of alternans was defined as the alternans ratio (AR) [1 - (small Ca(2+)intensity)/(large Ca(2+)intensity)]. Blocking of complex I and II, cytochrome-coxidase, F0F1synthase, α-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase of the electron transport chain, increased alternans in both control and SERCA2a mice (P< 0.01). Changes in AR in SERCA2a-upregulated mice were significantly less pronounced than those observed in control in seven of nine tested conditions (P< 0.04).N-acetyl-l-cysteine (NAC), rescued alternans in myocytes that were previously exposed to an oxidizing agent (P< 0.001). CGP, an antagonist of the mitochondrial Na(+)-Ca(2+)exchanger, had the most severe effect on AR. Exposure to cyclosporin A, a blocker of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore reduced CGP-induced alternans (P< 0.0001). The major findings of this study are that impairment of mitochondrial Ca(2+)cycling and energy production leads to a higher amplitude of alternans in both control and SERCA2a-upregulated mice, but changes in SERCA2a-upregulated mice are less severe, indicating that SERCA2a mice are more capable of sustaining electrical stability during stress. This suggests a relationship between sarcoplasmic Ca(2+)content and mitochondrial dysfunction during alternans, which may potentially help to understand changes in Ca(2+)signaling in myocytes from diseased hearts, leading to new therapeutic targets.

Cardiac ryanodine receptor: Selectivity for alkaline earth metal cations points to the EF-hand nature of luminal binding sites

A growing body of evidence suggests that the regulation of cardiac ryanodine receptor (RYR2) by luminal Ca(2+) is mediated by luminal binding sites located on the RYR2 channel itself and/or its auxiliary protein, calsequestrin. The localization and structure of RYR2-resident binding sites are not known because of the lack of a high-resolution structure of RYR2 luminal regions. To obtain the first structural insight, we probed the RYR2 luminal face stripped of calsequestrin by alkaline earth metal divalents (M(2+): Mg(2+), Ca(2+), Sr(2+) or Ba(2+)). We show that the RYR2 response to caffeine at the single-channel level is significantly modified by the nature of luminal M(2+). Moreover, we performed competition experiments by varying the concentration of luminal M(2+) (Mg(2+), Sr(2+) or Ba(2+)) from 8 mM to 53 mM and investigated its ability to compete with 1mM luminal Ca(2+). We demonstrate that all tested M(2+) bind to exactly the same RYR2 luminal binding sites. Their affinities decrease in the order: Ca(2+)>Sr(2+)>Mg(2+)~Ba(2+), showing a strong correlation with the M(2+) affinity of the EF-hand motif. This indicates that the RYR2 luminal binding regions and the EF-hand motif likely share some structural similarities because the structure ties directly to the function.

Optical Mapping of Intra-Sarcoplasmic Reticulum Ca2+ and Transmembrane Potential in the Langendorff-perfused Rabbit Heart

Sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+ handling plays a key role in normal excitation-contraction coupling and aberrant SR Ca2+ handling is known to play a significant role in certain types of arrhythmia. Because arrhythmias are spatially distinct, emergent phenomena, they must be investigated at the tissue level. However, methods for directly probing SR Ca2+ in the intact heart remain limited. This article describes the protocol for dual optical mapping of transmembrane potential (Vm) and free intra-SR [Ca2+] ([Ca2+]SR) in the Langendorff-perfused rabbit heart. This approach takes advantage of the low-affinity Ca2+ indicator Fluo-5N, which has minimal fluorescence in the cytosol where intracellular [Ca2+] ([Ca2+]i) is relatively low but exhibits significant fluorescence in the SR lumen where [Ca2+]SR is in the millimolar range. In addition to revealing SR Ca2+ characteristics spatially across the epicardial surface of the heart, this approach has the distinct advantage of simultaneous monitoring of Vm, allowing for investigations into the bidirectional relationship between Vm and SR Ca2+ and the role of SR Ca2+ in arrhythmogenic phenomena.

Cytosolic Ca²⁺ buffering determines the intra-SR Ca²⁺ concentration at which cardiac Ca²⁺ sparks terminate

Single ryanodine receptor (RyR) Ca(2+) flux amplitude (i(Ca-RyR)) decreases as intra-sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca(2+) levels fall during a cardiac Ca(2+) spark. Since i(Ca-RyR) drives the inter-RyR Ca(2+)-induced Ca(2+) release (CICR) that underlies the spark, decreasing i(Ca-RyR) may contribute to spark termination because RyRs that spontaneously close may stay closed. To test this possibility, we simultaneously measured local cytosolic and intra-SR ([Ca(2+)]cyto and [Ca(2+)]SR) during Ca(2+) sparks in permeabilized rabbit ventricular myocytes. Local cytosolic or intra-SR Ca(2+) dynamics were manipulated using Ca(2+) buffers. Buffer manipulations applied in cells had no effect on individual RyR channels reconstituted in planar lipid bilayers. Presence of a fast cytosolic Ca(2+) buffer (BAPTA) significantly suppressed Ca(2+) spark activity and sparks terminated earlier at a higher than usual [Ca(2+)]SR level (∼80% vs. ∼62%). When cytosolic Ca(2+) buffer power was reduced (i.e. cytosolic EGTA level decreased), sparks terminated later and at a lower than usual [Ca(2+)]SR level (∼45% vs. ∼62%). When intra-SR Ca(2+) buffer power was increased, sparks also terminated later and at a lower than usual [Ca(2+)]SR (∼48% vs. ∼62%). These results suggest that cytosolic local control of inter-RyR CICR by i(Ca-RyR) plays a substantial role during the spark termination process. Thus, alterations in local cytosolic Ca(2+) handling dynamics in the dyadic cleft (Ca(2+) buffering, extrusion, etc.) likely influence Ca(2+) spark termination.

Chasing cardiac physiology and pathology down the CaMKII cascade

Calcium dynamics is central in cardiac physiology, as the key event leading to the excitation-contraction coupling (ECC) and relaxation processes. The primary function of Ca(2+) in the heart is the control of mechanical activity developed by the myofibril contractile apparatus. This key role of Ca(2+) signaling explains the subtle and critical control of important events of ECC and relaxation, such as Ca(2+) influx and SR Ca(2+) release and uptake. The multifunctional Ca(2+)-calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) is a signaling molecule that regulates a diverse array of proteins involved not only in ECC and relaxation but also in cell death, transcriptional activation of hypertrophy, inflammation, and arrhythmias. CaMKII activity is triggered by an increase in intracellular Ca(2+) levels. This activity can be sustained, creating molecular memory after the decline in Ca(2+) concentration, by autophosphorylation of the enzyme, as well as by oxidation, glycosylation, and nitrosylation at different sites of the regulatory domain of the kinase. CaMKII activity is enhanced in several cardiac diseases, altering the signaling pathways by which CaMKII regulates the different fundamental proteins involved in functional and transcriptional cardiac processes. Dysregulation of these pathways constitutes a central mechanism of various cardiac disease phenomena, like apoptosis and necrosis during ischemia/reperfusion injury, digitalis exposure, post-acidosis and heart failure arrhythmias, or cardiac hypertrophy. Here we summarize significant aspects of the molecular physiology of CaMKII and provide a conceptual framework for understanding the role of the CaMKII cascade on Ca(2+) regulation and dysregulation in cardiac health and disease.

Regulation of RYR2 by sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+)

Ca(2+) is arguably the most important ion involved in the contraction of the heart. The cardiac ryanodine receptor (RyR2), the major Ca(2+) release channel located in the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) membrane, is responsible for releasing the bulk of Ca(2+) required for contraction. Moreover, RyR2 is also crucial for maintaining SR Ca(2+) homeostasis by releasing Ca(2+) from the SR when it becomes overloaded with Ca(2+) . During normal contraction, RyR2 is activated by cytosolic Ca(2+) , whereas during store overload conditions, the opening of RyR2 is governed by SR Ca(2+) . Although the process of the cytosolic control of RyR2 is well established, the molecular mechanism by which SR luminal Ca(2+) regulates RyR2 has only recently been elucidated and remains controversial. In addition to the activation of RyR2, SR luminal Ca(2+) also determines when the RyR2 channel closes. RyR2-mediated Ca(2+) release from the SR does not continue until the SR is completely depleted. Rather, it ceases when SR luminal Ca(2+) falls below a certain level. Given the importance of SR Ca(2+) , it is not surprising that the SR luminal Ca(2+) level is tightly controlled by SR Ca(2+) -buffering proteins. Consequently, the opening and closing of RyR2 is heavily influenced by the presence of such proteins, particularly those associated with RyR2, such as calsequestrin and the histidine-rich Ca(2+) -binding protein. These proteins appear to indirectly alter RyR2 activity by modifying the microdomain SR Ca(2+) level surrounding RyR2.

Measuring intranuclear and nuclear envelope [Ca(2+)] vs. cytosolic [Ca (2+)]

Nuclear Ca(2+) regulates key cellular processes, including gene expression, apoptosis, assembly of the nuclear envelope, and nucleocytoplasmic transport. Quantification of subcellularly resolved Ca(2+) signals is, therefore, essential for understanding physiological and pathological processes in various cell types. However, the properties of commonly used Ca(2+)-fluorescent indicators in intracellular compartments may differ, thus affecting the translation of Ca(2+)-dependent fluorescence changes into quantitative changes of Ca(2+) concentration. Here, we describe technical approaches for reliable subcellular quantification of [Ca(2+)] in the cytoplasm vs. the nucleus and the nuclear envelope by in situ calibration of fluorescein-derived fluorescent indicators Fluo-4 and Fluo-5N.

The role of dyadic organization in regulation of sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+) handling during rest in rabbit ventricular myocytes

The dyadic organization of ventricular myocytes ensures synchronized activation of sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca(2+) release during systole. However, it remains obscure how the dyadic organization affects SR Ca(2+) handling during diastole. By measuring intraluminal SR Ca(2+) ([Ca(2+)]SR) decline during rest in rabbit ventricular myocytes, we found that ∼76% of leaked SR Ca(2+) is extruded from the cytosol and only ∼24% is pumped back into the SR. Thus, the majority of Ca(2+) that leaks from the SR is removed from the cytosol before it can be sequestered back into the SR by the SR Ca(2+)-ATPase (SERCA). Detubulation decreased [Ca(2+)]SR decline during rest, thus making the leaked SR Ca(2+) more accessible for SERCA. These results suggest that Ca(2+) extrusion systems are localized in T-tubules. Inhibition of Na(+)-Ca(2+) exchanger (NCX) slowed [Ca(2+)]SR decline during rest by threefold, however did not prevent it. Depolarization of mitochondrial membrane potential during NCX inhibition completely prevented the rest-dependent [Ca(2+)]SR decline. Despite a significant SR Ca(2+) leak, Ca(2+) sparks were very rare events in control conditions. NCX inhibition or detubulation increased Ca(2+) spark activity independent of SR Ca(2+) load. Overall, these results indicate that during rest NCX effectively competes with SERCA for cytosolic Ca(2+) that leaks from the SR. This can be explained if the majority of SR Ca(2+) leak occurs through ryanodine receptors in the junctional SR that are located closely to NCX in the dyadic cleft. Such control of the dyadic [Ca(2+)] by NCX play a critical role in suppressing Ca(2+) sparks during rest.

Direct measurements of SR free Ca reveal the mechanism underlying the transient effects of RyR potentiation under physiological conditions

AIMS

Most of the calcium that activates contraction is released from the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) through the ryanodine receptor (RyR). It is controversial whether activators of the RyR produce a maintained increase in the amplitude of the systolic Ca transient. We therefore aimed to examine the effects of activation of the RyR in large animals under conditions designed to be as physiological as possible while simultaneously measuring SR and cytoplasmic Ca.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Experiments were performed on ventricular myocytes from canine and ovine hearts. Cytoplasmic Ca was measured with fluo-3 and SR Ca with mag-fura-2. Application of caffeine resulted in a brief increase in the amplitude of the systolic Ca transient accompanied by an increase of action potential duration. These effects disappeared with a rate constant of ∼3 s(-1). Similar effects were seen in cells taken from sheep in which heart failure had been induced by rapid pacing. The decrease of Ca transient amplitude was accompanied by a decrease of SR Ca content. During this phase, the maximum (end-diastolic) SR Ca content fell while the minimum systolic increased.

CONCLUSIONS

This study shows that, under conditions designed to be as physiological as possible, potentiation of RyR opening has no maintained effect on the systolic Ca transient. This result makes it unlikely that potentiation of the RyR has a maintained role in positive inotropy.

NAD derived second messengers: Role in spontaneous diastolic Ca(2+) transients in murine cardiac myocytes

Strong β-adrenergic stimulation induced spontaneous diastolic Ca(2+) transients (SCTs) in electrically paced murine cardiac myocytes [28]. To obtain further insights into the underlying mechanism, we developed a method for a simultaneous analysis, in which the free luminal Ca(2+) concentration in the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) ([Ca(2+)]SR) and the free cytosolic Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+)]i) were measured in parallel in the same cell. Each spontaneous diastolic Ca(2+) transient was exactly mirrored by a decrease of [Ca(2+)]SR. Since antagonism of the Ca(2+) mobilizing second messenger nicotinic acid adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NAADP) was shown to block SCTs in single cardiac myocytes [28], we analyzed the effect of the novel ADP-ribosyl cyclase inhibitor SAN4825 on both cytosolic and intra-luminal Ca(2+) transients upon strong β-adrenergic stimulation. A strong antagonist effect of SAN4825 on SCTs at low micromolar concentrations was observed. Our results suggest that the underlying mechanism of spontaneous diastolic Ca(2+) transients observed upon strong β-adrenergic stimulation is sensitization of type 2 ryanodine receptor by the Ca(2+) releasing activity of the products of ADP-ribosyl cyclase activity.

Regulation of sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+) release by cytosolic glutathione in rabbit ventricular myocytes

Of the major cellular antioxidant defenses, glutathione (GSH) is particularly important in maintaining the cytosolic redox potential. Whereas the healthy myocardium is maintained at a highly reduced redox state, it has been proposed that oxidation of GSH can affect the dynamics of Ca(2+)-induced Ca(2+) release. In this study, we used multiple approaches to define the effects of oxidized glutathione (GSSG) on ryanodine receptor (RyR)-mediated Ca(2+) release in rabbit ventricular myocytes. To investigate the role of GSSG on sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca(2+) release induced by the action potential, we used the thiol-specific oxidant diamide to increase intracellular GSSG in intact myocytes. To more directly assess the effect of GSSG on RyR activity, we introduced GSSG within the cytosol of permeabilized myocytes. RyR-mediated Ca(2+) release from the SR was significantly enhanced in the presence of GSSG. This resulted in decreased steady-state diastolic [Ca(2+)]SR, increased SR Ca(2+) fractional release, and increased spark- and non-spark-mediated SR Ca(2+) leak. Single-channel recordings from RyR's incorporated into lipid bilayers revealed that GSSG significantly increased RyR activity. Moreover, oxidation of RyR in the form of intersubunit crosslinking was present in intact myocytes treated with diamide and permeabilized myocytes treated with GSSG. Blocking RyR crosslinking with the alkylating agent N-ethylmaleimide prevented depletion of SR Ca(2+) load induced by diamide. These findings suggest that elevated cytosolic GSSG enhances SR Ca(2+) leak due to redox-dependent intersubunit RyR crosslinking. This effect can contribute to abnormal SR Ca(2+) handling during periods of oxidative stress.

Optical mapping of sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ in the intact heart: ryanodine receptor refractoriness during alternans and fibrillation

RATIONALE

Sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca(2+) cycling is key to normal excitation-contraction coupling but may also contribute to pathological cardiac alternans and arrhythmia.

OBJECTIVE

To measure intra-SR free [Ca(2+)] ([Ca(2+)]SR) changes in intact hearts during alternans and ventricular fibrillation (VF).

METHODS AND RESULTS

Simultaneous optical mapping of Vm (with RH237) and [Ca(2+)]SR (with Fluo-5N AM) was performed in Langendorff-perfused rabbit hearts. Alternans and VF were induced by rapid pacing. SR Ca(2+) and action potential duration (APD) alternans occurred in-phase, but SR Ca(2+) alternans emerged first as cycle length was progressively reduced (217±10 versus 190±13 ms; P<0.05). Ryanodine receptor (RyR) refractoriness played a key role in the onset of SR Ca(2+) alternans, with SR Ca(2+) release alternans routinely occurring without changes in diastolic [Ca(2+)]SR. Sensitizing RyR with caffeine (200 μmol/L) significantly reduced the pacing threshold for both SR Ca(2+) and APD alternans (188±15 and 173±12 ms; P<0.05 versus baseline). Caffeine also reduced the magnitude of spatially discordant SR Ca(2+) alternans, but not APD alternans, the pacing threshold for discordance, or threshold for VF. During VF, [Ca(2+)]SR was high, but RyR remained nearly continuously refractory, resulting in minimal SR Ca(2+) release throughout VF.

CONCLUSIONS

In intact hearts, RyR refractoriness initiates SR Ca(2+) release alternans that can be amplified by diastolic [Ca(2+)]SR alternans and lead to APD alternans. Sensitizing RyR suppresses spatially concordant but not discordant SR Ca(2+) and APD alternans. Despite increased [Ca(2+)]SR during VF, SR Ca(2+) release was nearly continuously refractory. This novel method provides insight into SR Ca(2+) handling during cardiac alternans and arrhythmia.

Calmodulin modulates the termination threshold for cardiac ryanodine receptor-mediated Ca2+ release

RyR2 (cardiac ryanodine receptor)-mediated Ca2+ release in cardiomyocytes terminates when the sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ content depletes to a threshold level, known as the termination threshold. Despite its importance, little is known about the mechanism that regulates the termination threshold. CaM (calmodulin), by inhibiting RyR2, has been implicated in Ca2+-release termination, but whether CaM modulates the termination threshold is unknown. To this end, we monitored the endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ dynamics in RyR2-expressing HEK (human embryonic kidney)-293 cells transfected with WT (wild-type) CaM or mutants. We found that WT CaM or CaM mutations which abolish Ca2+ binding to the N-lobe (N-terminal lobe) of CaM increased the termination threshold (i.e. facilitated termination), but had no effect on the activation threshold at which spontaneous Ca2+ release occurs. On the other hand, CaM mutations that diminish Ca2+ binding to both the N-lobe and C-lobe (C-terminal lobe), or the C-lobe only, decreased the termination threshold (i.e. delayed termination) with a similar activation threshold. Furthermore, deletion of residues 3583-3603 or point mutations (W3587A/L3591D/F3603A, W3587A, or L3591D) in the CaM-binding domain of RyR2 that are known to abolish or retain CaM binding all reduced the termination threshold without having a significant impact on the activation threshold. Interestingly, the RyR2-F3603A mutation affected both the activation and termination threshold. Collectively, these data indicate that CaM facilitates the termination of Ca2+ release by increasing the termination threshold, and that this action of CaM depends on Ca2+ binding to the C-lobe, but not to the N-lobe, of CaM. The results of the present study also suggest that the CaM-binding domain of RyR2 is an important determinant of Ca2+-release termination and activation.

Detection of differentially regulated subsarcolemmal calcium signals activated by vasoactive agonists in rat pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells

Intracellular calcium (Ca(2+)) plays pivotal roles in distinct cellular functions through global and local signaling in various subcellular compartments, and subcellular Ca(2+) signal is the key factor for independent regulation of different cellular functions. In vascular smooth muscle cells, subsarcolemmal Ca(2+) is an important regulator of excitation-contraction coupling, and nucleoplasmic Ca(2+) is crucial for excitation-transcription coupling. However, information on Ca(2+) signals in these subcellular compartments is limited. To study the regulation of the subcellular Ca(2+) signals, genetically encoded Ca(2+) indicators (cameleon), D3cpv, targeting the plasma membrane (PM), cytoplasm, and nucleoplasm were transfected into rat pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) and Ca(2+) signals were monitored using laser scanning confocal microscopy. In situ calibration showed that the Kd for Ca(2+) of D3cpv was comparable in the cytoplasm and nucleoplasm, but it was slightly higher in the PM. Stimulation of digitonin-permeabilized cells with 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) elicited a transient elevation of Ca(2+) concentration with similar amplitude and kinetics in the nucleoplasm and cytoplasm. Activation of G protein-coupled receptors by endothelin-1 and angiotensin II preferentially elevated the subsarcolemmal Ca(2+) signal with higher amplitude in the PM region than the nucleoplasm and cytoplasm. In contrast, the receptor tyrosine kinase activator, platelet-derived growth factor, elicited Ca(2+) signals with similar amplitudes in all three regions, except that the rise-time and decay-time were slightly slower in the PM region. These data clearly revealed compartmentalization of Ca(2+) signals in the subsarcolemmal regions and provide the basis for further investigations of differential regulation of subcellular Ca(2+) signals in PASMCs.

Control of sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ release by stochastic RyR gating within a 3D model of the cardiac dyad and importance of induction decay for CICR termination

The factors responsible for the regulation of regenerative calcium-induced calcium release (CICR) during Ca(2+) spark evolution remain unclear. Cardiac ryanodine receptor (RyR) gating in rats and sheep was recorded at physiological Ca(2+), Mg(2+), and ATP levels and incorporated into a 3D model of the cardiac dyad, which reproduced the time course of Ca(2+) sparks, Ca(2+) blinks, and Ca(2+) spark restitution. The termination of CICR by induction decay in the model principally arose from the steep Ca(2+) dependence of RyR closed time, with the measured sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) lumen Ca(2+) dependence of RyR gating making almost no contribution. The start of CICR termination was strongly dependent on the extent of local depletion of junctional SR Ca(2+), as well as the time course of local Ca(2+) gradients within the junctional space. Reducing the dimensions of the dyad junction reduced Ca(2+) spark amplitude by reducing the strength of regenerative feedback within CICR. A refractory period for Ca(2+) spark initiation and subsequent Ca(2+) spark amplitude restitution arose from 1), the extent to which the regenerative phase of CICR can be supported by the partially depleted junctional SR, and 2), the availability of releasable Ca(2+) in the junctional SR. The physical organization of RyRs within the junctional space had minimal effects on Ca(2+) spark amplitude when more than nine RyRs were present. Spark amplitude had a nonlinear dependence on RyR single-channel Ca(2+) flux, and was approximately halved by reducing the flux from 0.6 to 0.2 pA. Although rat and sheep RyRs had quite different Ca(2+) sensitivities, Ca(2+) spark amplitude was hardly affected. This suggests that moderate changes in RyR gating by second-messenger systems will principally alter the spatiotemporal properties of SR release, with smaller effects on the amount released.

Cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium leak: basis and roles in cardiac dysfunction

Synchronized SR calcium (Ca) release is critical to normal cardiac myocyte excitation-contraction coupling, and ideally this release shuts off completely between heartbeats. However, other SR Ca release events are referred to collectively as SR Ca leak (which includes Ca sparks and waves as well as smaller events not detectable as Ca sparks). Much, but not all, of the SR Ca leak occurs via ryanodine receptors and can be exacerbated in pathological states such as heart failure. The extent of SR Ca leak is important because it can (a) reduce SR Ca available for release, causing systolic dysfunction; (b) elevate diastolic [Ca]i, contributing to diastolic dysfunction; (c) cause triggered arrhythmias; and (d) be energetically costly because of extra ATP used to repump Ca. This review addresses quantitative aspects and manifestations of SR Ca leak and its measurement, and how leak is modulated by Ca, associated proteins, and posttranslational modifications in health and disease.