Mechanism of nitric oxide-induced vasodilatation: refilling of intracellular stores by sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ ATPase and inhibition of store-operated Ca2+ influx

The precise mechanisms by which nitric oxide (NO) decreases free [Ca2+]i, inhibits Ca2+ influx, and relaxes vascular smooth muscle are poorly understood. In rabbit and mouse aorta, agonist-induced contractions and increases in [Ca2+]i were resistant to nifedipine, suggesting Ca2+ entry through non-L-type Ca2+ channels. Relaxations to NO were inhibited by thapsigargin (TG) or cyclopiazonic acid (CPA) indicating the involvement of sarcoplasmic reticulum ATPase (SERCA). Studies of the effect of NO on [Ca2+]i and the rate of Mn2+ influx with fura-2 fluorometry in rabbit aortic smooth muscle cells in primary culture were designed to test how SERCA is involved in mediating the response to NO. When cells were stimulated with angiotensin II (AII), NO accelerated the removal of Ca2+ from the cytoplasm, decreased [Ca2+]i, and inhibited Ca2+ and Mn2+ influx. Inhibition of SERCA abolished all the effects of NO. In contrast, inhibition of the Na+/Ca2+exchanger or the plasma membrane Ca2+ ATPase had no influence on the ability of NO to decrease [Ca2+]i. NO maximally decreased [Ca2+]i within 5 s, whereas significant inhibition of AII-induced Ca2+ and Mn2+ influx required more than 15 s. The inhibition of cation influx strictly depended on [Ca2+]o and functional SERCA, suggesting that during the delay before NO inhibits Ca2+ influx, the influx of Ca2+ and the uptake into intracellular stores are required. In the absence of [Ca2+]o, NO diminished the AII-induced [Ca2+]i transient by a SERCA-dependent mechanism and increased the amount of Ca2+ in the stores subsequently released by ionomycin. The present study indicates that the initial rapid decrease in [Ca2+]i caused by NO in vascular smooth muscle is accounted for by the uptake of Ca2+ by SERCA into intracellular stores. It is proposed that the refilling of the stores inhibits store-operated Ca2+ influx through non-L-type Ca2+ conducting ion channels and that this maintains the decrease in [Ca2+]i and NO-induced relaxation.     

Regulation of protein synthesis in ventricular myocytes by vasopressin. The role of sarcoplasmic/endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ stores

Protein synthesis in H9c2 ventricular myocytes was subject to rapid inhibition by agents that release Ca2+ from the sarcoplasmic/endoplasmic reticulum, including thapsigargin, ionomycin, caffeine, and arginine vasopressin. Inhibitions were attributable to the suppression of translational initiation and were coupled to the mobilization of cell-associated Ca2+ and the phosphorylation of eIF2alpha. Ionomycin and thapsigargin produced relatively stringent degrees of Ca2+ mobilization that produced an endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress response. Translational recovery was associated with the induction of ER chaperones and resistance to translational inhibition by Ca2+-mobilizing agents. Vasopressin at physiologic concentrations mobilized 60% of cell-associated Ca2+ and decreased protein synthesis by 50% within 20-30 min. The inhibition of protein synthesis was exerted through an interaction at the V1 vascular receptor, was imposed at physiologic extracellular Ca2+ concentrations, and became refractory to hormonal washout within 10 min of treatment. Inhibition was found to attenuate after 30 min, with full recovery occurring in 2 h. Translational recovery did not involve an ER stress response but rather was derived from the partial repletion of intracellular Ca2+ stores. Longer exposures to vasopressin were invariably accompanied by increased rates of protein synthesis. Translational inhibition by vasopressin, but not by Ca2+-mobilizing drugs, was both preventable and reversible by treatment with phorbol ester, which reduced the extent of Ca2+ mobilization occurring in response to the hormone. Larger and more prolonged translational inhibitions occurred after down-regulation of protein kinase C. This report provides the first compelling evidence that hormonally induced mobilization of sarcoplasmic/endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ stores is regulatory upon mRNA translation.     

Inhibition of skeletal muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase by nitric oxide

The effects of nitric oxide on the activities of thapsigargin-sensitive sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase (SERCA) and Ca2+ uptake by sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) membranes prepared from white skeletal muscle of rabbit femoral muscle were studied. Pretreatment of the SR preparations with nitric oxide at concentrations of up to 250 microM for 1 min decreased the SERCA activity concentration dependently, and also decreased their Ca2+ uptake. Both these effects of nitric oxide were reversible. Inhibitors of guanylyl cyclase and protein kinase G (PKG) had no significant effect on the nitric oxide-induced inhibitions of SERCA and Ca2+ uptake. Moreover, dithiothreitol did not reverse the inhibitory effects of nitric oxide on SERCA and Ca2+ uptake. These findings suggest that nitric oxide inhibits SERCA, mainly SERCA 1, of rabbit femoral skeletal muscle by an action independent of the cyclic GMP-PKG system or oxidation of thiols, and probably by a direct action on SERCA protein.     

Regulation of cardiac muscle Ca2+ release channel by sarcoplasmic reticulum lumenal Ca2+

The cardiac muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ release channel (ryanodine receptor) is a ligand-gated channel that is activated by micromolar cytoplasmic Ca2+ concentrations and inactivated by millimolar cytoplasmic Ca2+ concentrations. The effects of sarcoplasmic reticulum lumenal Ca2+ on the purified release channel were examined in single channel measurements using the planar lipid bilayer method. In the presence of caffeine and nanomolar cytosolic Ca2+ concentrations, lumenal-to-cytosolic Ca2+ fluxes >/=0.25 pA activated the channel. At the maximally activating cytosolic Ca2+ concentration of 4 microM, lumenal Ca2+ fluxes of 8 pA and greater caused a decline in channel activity. Lumenal Ca2+ fluxes primarily increased channel activity by increasing the duration of mean open times. Addition of the fast Ca2+-complexing buffer 1,2-bis(2-aminophenoxy)ethanetetraacetic acid (BAPTA) to the cytosolic side of the bilayer increased lumenal Ca2+-activated channel activities, suggesting that it lowered Ca2+ concentrations at cytosolic Ca2+-inactivating sites. Regulation of channel activities by lumenal Ca2+ could be also observed in the absence of caffeine and in the presence of 5 mM MgATP. These results suggest that lumenal Ca2+ can regulate cardiac Ca2+ release channel activity by passing through the open channel and binding to the channel's cytosolic Ca2+ activation and inactivation sites.     

Regulation of capacitative Ca2+ influx in human neutrophil granulocytes. Alterations in chronic granulomatous disease

Ca2+ entry through the capacitative (store-regulated) pathway was shown to be inhibited in neutrophil granulocytes by the protein kinase C activator phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate and the chemoattractant N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLP) by a hitherto unknown mechanism. Measuring both Ca2+ and Mn2+ entry into store-depleted cells we show in the present study that inhibition of the capacitative pathway is absent in various forms of chronic granulomatous disease. To establish the possible relationship between inhibition of the capacitative pathway and ability of O-2 production and consequent membrane depolarization, gradual changes of the membrane potential were evoked in neutrophils of healthy individuals. This was accomplished by pharmacological manipulation of the membrane potential and by variations of the concentration and type of the stimulant. Close relationship was observed between membrane depolarization and inhibition of Mn2+ entry through the capacitative transport route. Our results provide an explanation for the inhibitory action of fMLP and phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate on capacitative cation influx and reveal that upon physiological stimulation, Ca2+ entry into neutrophils is restricted by the depolarization accompanying O-2 production.     

Ontogeny of sarcoplasmic reticulum protein phosphorylation by Ca2+--calmodulin-dependent protein kinase

In the adult myocardium the Ca2+ uptake and release functions of the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) are known to be regulated by a membrane-associated Ca2+-calmodulin-dependent protein kinase (CaM kinase) which phosphorylates the Ca2+-pumping ATPase (Ca2+ pump), Ca2+ release channel (ryanodine receptor) and the Ca2+ pump-regulatory protein, phospholamban. The role of CaM kinase during development, however, has not been examined previously. The present study investigated the ontogenetic expression of SR-associated CaM kinase in the rabbit myocardium as well as development-related changes in CaM kinase-mediated phosphorylation of the SR proteins (Ca2+ pump, Ca2+ release channel and phospholamban) involved in transmembrane Ca2+ cycling. For these experiments, cardiac muscle homogenate and SR-enriched membrane fraction derived from fetal (21- and 28-days gestation), newborn (2 days postnatal) and adult New Zealand White rabbits were used. Western immunoblotting analysis detected the presence of phospholamban, Ca2+ pump and Ca2+ release channel in homogenate and SR at all ages tested. The amount of these proteins in the SR increased substantially during fetal and postnatal development. Phosphorylation studies revealed the presence of CaM kinase-dependent phosphorylation of the Ca2+ pump, Ca2+ release channel and phospholamban as early as 21-days gestation. This phosphorylation could be elicited with the addition of only Ca2+ and calmodulin indicating the presence of a SR-associated CaM kinase as early as 21-days gestation. This was confirmed using a delta-CaM kinase II-specific antibody. Phosphorylation per unit amount of each substrate was greater in the fetus and newborn compared to adult. Phosphorylation of phospholamban could be elicited by exogenous cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) at all developmental stages studied. Activation of SR CaM kinase with Ca2+ and calmodulin, or induction of phospholamban phosphorylation by exogenous PKA, resulted in stimulation of the Ca2+ uptake activity of SR in fetal, newborn and adult heart. These results demonstrate early ontogenetic expression of the Ca2+ cycling proteins and CaM kinase in the SR and the concurrent development of phosphorylation-dependent regulation of SR Ca2+ cycling.     

Phencyclidine block of Ca2+ ATPase in rat heart sarcoplasmic reticulum

Phencyclidine hydrochloride (PCP) also known as Angel Dust is a very potent psychotomimetic drug of abuse. Besides its central nervous system (CNS) effects PCP produces a number of adverse effects in a variety of tissues including the cardiovascular system. Since PCP is known to alter the cellular calcium homeostasis the present studies were initiated to determine the changes in cardiac Ca2+ ATPase activity in rats treated with PCP. For in vitro studies the cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) fractions prepared from normal rats were incubated with 25, 50 and 100 microM PCP and the enzyme activities were estimated. Whereas, for in vivo studies the cardiac SR fractions prepared from rats treated with PCP (10 mg/kg body wt. single dose, intra-peritoneally (i.p.)) and sacrificed at different time intervals were used. PCP reduced the Ca2+ ATPase activity significantly both in vitro and in vivo. A 50% inhibition of the enzyme activity was obtained with 100 microM PCP in vitro. A significant reduction of SR Ca2+ ATPase was also evident as early as 1 h after treatment of rats with PCP. The reduction of Ca2+ ATPase activity in SR was irreversible even at 12 h after treatment. The in vitro kinetic studies revealed that PCP was found to be a competitive inhibitor of Ca2+ ATPase with respect to the substrate, ATP, and non-competitive with respect to Ca2+ activation. These results indicate that PCP alters the myocardial Ca2+ homeostasis by inhibiting the Ca2+ ATPase in cardiac SR in rats. Inhibition of SR Ca2+ ATPase may result in the impairment of contraction and relaxation coupling processes in the myocardium.     

Effect of ryanodine on sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ accumulation in nonfailing and failing human myocardium

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to determine whether abnormal Ca2+ release through ryanodine-sensitive Ca2+ channels in the sarcoplasmic reticulum might contribute to the abnormal [Ca2+]i homeostasis that has been described in failing human myocardium. METHODS AND RESULTS: Occupancy of low-affinity ryanodine binding sites on ryanodine-sensitive Ca2+ channels stimulates oxalate-supported, ATP-dependent Ca2+ accumulation in sarcoplasmic reticulum-derived microsomes by inhibiting concurrent Ca2+ efflux through these channels. We examined the effects of 0.5 mmol/L ryanodine on 45Ca2+ accumulation in microsomes prepared from nonfailing (n = 8) and failing (n = 10) human left ventricular myocardium. In the absence of ryanodine, 45Ca2+ accumulation reached similar levels in microsomes from nonfailing and failing hearts. Incubation with 0.5 mmol/L ryanodine caused a 52.2 +/- 6.5% increase in peak 45Ca2+ accumulation in microsomes from nonfailing hearts and a 24.3 +/- 4.1% increase in microsomes from failing hearts. The density of high-affinity ryanodine binding sites and the inhibition of [3H]ryanodine dissociation from these sites by 0.1 mmol/L ryanodine were similar in microsomes from nonfailing and failing hearts. CONCLUSIONS: These results, which demonstrate a diminished stimulation of Ca2+ accumulation by ryanodine in sarcoplasmic reticulum-derived microsomes from failing human myocardium that could be explained by an uncoupling of the occupancy of low-affinity ryanodine binding sites from the reduction in the open probability of these channels or by concurrent Ca2+ efflux through a ryanodine-insensitive mechanism, are evidence that increased efflux of Ca2+ from the sarcoplasmic reticulum may contribute to the abnormal [Ca2+]i homeostasis described in failing human myocardium.     

Diisopropyl fluorophosphate inhibits receptor-activated Ca2+ influx in isolated rat hepatocytes

The influence of diisopropyl fluorophosphate (DFP) on receptor-activated increases in cytosolic free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) in isolated rat hepatocytes was monitored by measuring phosphorylase a activity and the fluorescence ratio of the Ca2+ sensitive dye Indo-1. Pretreatment (2 min) of hepatocytes with DFP (1 mM) inhibited maximal increases in phosphorylase a activity stimulated by phenylephrine (1 microM), angiotensin II (5 nM), or vasopressin (10 nM) by 36, 35, and 17%, respectively, when the cells were incubated in Ca2+ (1 mM)-containing medium. In contrast, agonist-stimulated increases in phosphorylase a activity were similar in control and DFP-pretreated cells when cells were incubated in medium containing very low (10 nM) Ca2+. Addition of Ca2+ (1 mM) to hepatocytes maintained in the low Ca2+ buffer and exposed to agonists rapidly increased phosphorylase a activity in control cells; however, increases in DFP-pretreated cells were markedly attenuated. Changes in [Ca2+]i similar to those noted with phosphorylase a were observed using Indo-1. Addition of calcium ionophore A23187 to control or DFP-pretreated hepatocytes increased phosphorylase a activity to a similar extent in control and DFP-pretreated cells, demonstrating that DFP pretreatment did not alter the ability of the enzyme to respond to elevation in [Ca2+]i. Collectively, these data indicate that DFP pretreatment of hepatocytes irreversibly inhibits one or more components of the Ca2+ influx pathway.     

Fluorescence probe study of the lumenal Ca2+ of the sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles during Ca2+ uptake and Ca2+ release

A limited amount of information is available about the lumenal Ca2+ kinetics of the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR). Incubation of mag-fura-2AM permitted to incorporate a sufficient amount of the probe into the SR vesicles, as determined by Mn2+ quenching. Rapid changes in the lumenal [Ca2+] ([Ca2+]lum) during Ca2+ uptake and release could be monitored by following the signal derived from the lumenal probe while clamping the extra-vesicular Ca2+ ([Ca2+]ex) at various desired levels with a BAPTA/Ca buffer. Changes in the [Ca2+]lum during uptake and release show the characteristics intrinsic to the SR Ca2+ pump (the [Ca2+]ex-dependence of the activation and inhibition by thapsigargin) and the Ca2+ release channel (blocking by ruthenium red), respectively. A new feature revealed by the [Ca2+]lum measurement is that during the uptake reaction the free [Ca2+]lum showed a significant oscillation. Several pieces of evidence suggest that this is due to some interactions between the Ca2+ pump and lumenal proteins.     

Specific substitutions at amino acid 256 of the sarcoplasmic/endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ transport ATPase mediate resistance to thapsigargin in thapsigargin-resistant hamster cells

High levels of resistance to thapsigargin (TG), a specific inhibitor of intracellular Ca2+ transport ATPases (SERCAs), can be developed in culture by stepwise exposure of mammalian cells to increasing concentrations of TG. We have identified, in two independently selected TG-resistant hamster cell lines of different lineages, mutant forms of SERCA. In the TG-resistant Chinese hamster lung fibroblast cell line DC-3F/TG, a T --> C change at nucleotide 766 introduces a Phe256 --> Leu alteration within the first cytosolic loop of the SERCA. In contrast, in the TG-resistant Syrian hamster smooth muscle cell line DDT/TG 4 microM, a T --> C change at nucleotide 767 introduces a Phe256 --> Ser mutation at that position. When these specific mutations are introduced into a wild-type full-length avian SERCA1 cDNA, transfection experiments reveal that Ca2+ transport function and ATP hydrolytic activity are not altered by such mutations. However, a 4-5-fold resistance to TG inhibition of Ca2+ transport function occurs upon the introduction of either the Phe256 --> Leu or the Phe256 --> Ser mutation into wild-type SERCA1. These specific mutations also render the hydrolytic activity of the ATPase resistant to inhibition by TG. Our results not only implicate amino acid 256 in TG-SERCA interactions, but also demonstrate that specific mutations within SERCA can mediate resistance to TG.     

The role of sarcoplasmic reticulum and sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase in the smooth muscle tone of the cat gastric fundus

Circular smooth muscle strips isolated from cat gastric fundus were studied in order to understand whether the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) and SR Ca2+-ATPase could play a role in the regulation of the muscle tone. Cyclopiazonic acid (CPA), a specific inhibitor of SR Ca2+-ATPase, caused a significant and sustained increase in muscle tone, depending on the presence of extracellular Ca2+. Nifedipine and cinnarizin only partially suppressed the CPA-induced tonic contraction. Bay K 8644 antagonized the relaxant effect of nifedipine in CPA-contracted fundus. Nitric-oxide-releasing agents sodium nitroprusside and 3-morpholino-sydnonimine completely suppressed the CPA-induced tonic contraction. The blockers of Ca2+-activated K+ channels, tetraethylammonium, charybdotoxin and/or apamin, decreased the contractile effect of CPA. Vanadate increased the tone but did not change significantly the effect of CPA. CPA exerted its contractile effect even when Ca2+ influx was triggered through the Na+/Ca2+ exchanger and the other Ca2+ entry pathways were blocked. Thapsigargin, another specific SR Ca2+-ATPase inhibitor, also increased the muscle tone. The effect of thapsigargin was completely suppressed by sodium nitroprusside and 3-morpholino-sydnonimine and partially by nifedipine. In conclusion, under conditions when the SR Ca2+-ATPase is inhibited, the tissue develops a strong tonic contraction and a large part of this is mediated by Ca2+ influx presumably via nifedipine-sensitive Ca2+ channels. This study suggests the important role of SR Ca2+-ATPase in the modulation of the muscle tone and the function of SR as a "buffer barrier" to Ca2+ entry in the cat gastric fundus smooth muscle.     

Effects of cytosolic Ca2+ on the Ca2+ content of the sarcoplasmic reticulum in saponin-permeabilized rat ventricular trabeculae

After a brief presentation of the development of free walking interpreted as learning dynamical equilibrium, the problem of sensory integration in the process of walking development is discussed. A critical review of the role of vision in the development of posturo-locomotor task is presented, along with recent test results on the development of the vestibular system. A final section presents the development of head stabilization and coordination as a necessary means to assist sensory integration. It is suggested that if sensory information is necessary to enhance posturo-locomotor skills, a good mastery of walking is in turn necessary to increase the efficiency of sensory integration.     

The cytoplasmic loop located between transmembrane segments 6 and 7 controls activation by Ca2+ of sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase

During active cation transport, sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase, like other P-type ATPases, undergoes major conformational changes, some of which are dependent on Ca2+ binding to high affinity transport sites. We here report that, in addition to previously described residues of the transmembrane region (Clarke, D. M., Loo, T. W., Inesi, G., and MacLennan, D. H. (1989) Nature 339, 476-478), the region located in the cytosolic L6-7 loop connecting transmembrane segments M6 and M7 has a definite influence on the sensitivity of the Ca2+-ATPase to Ca2+, i.e. on the affinity of the ATPase for Ca2+. Cluster mutation of aspartic residues in this loop results in a strong reduction of the affinity for Ca2+, as shown by the Ca2+ dependence of ATPase phosphorylation from either ATP or Pi. The reduction in Ca2+ affinity for phosphorylation from Pi is observed both at acidic and neutral pH, suggesting that these mutations interfere with binding of the first Ca2+, as proposed for some of the intramembranous residues essential for Ca2+ binding (Andersen, J. P. (1995) Biosci. Rep. 15, 243-261). Treatment of the mutated Ca2+-ATPase with proteinase K, in the absence or presence of various Ca2+ concentrations, leads to Ca2+-dependent changes in the proteolytic degradation pattern similar to those in the wild type but observed only at higher Ca2+ concentrations. This implies that these effects are not due to changes in the conformational state of Ca2+-free ATPase but that changes affecting the proteolytic digestion pattern require higher Ca2+ concentrations. We conclude that aspartic residues in the L6-7 loop might interact with Ca2+ during the initial steps of Ca2+ binding.     

Effects of Mg2+ on Ca2+ handling by the sarcoplasmic reticulum in skinned skeletal and cardiac muscle fibres

The influence of myoplasmic Mg2+ (0.05-10 mM) on Ca2+ accumulation (net Ca2+ flux) and Ca2+ uptake (pump-driven Ca2+ influx) by the intact sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) was studied in skinned fibres from the toad iliofibularis muscle (twitch portion), rat extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscle (fast twitch), rat soleus muscle (slow twitch) and rat cardiac trabeculae. Ca2+ accumulation was optimal between 1 and 3 mM Mg2+ in toad fibres and reached a plateau between 1 and 10 mM Mg2+ in the rat EDL fibres and between 3 and 10 mM Mg2+ in the rat cardiac fibres. In soleus fibres, optimal Ca2+ accumulation occurred at 10 mM Mg2+. The same trend was obtained with all preparations at 0.3 and 1 microM Ca2+. Experiments with 2,5-di-(tert-butyl)-1,4-benzohydroquinone, a specific inhibitor of the Ca2+ pump, revealed a marked Ca2+ efflux from the SR of toad iliofibularis fibres in the presence of 0.2 microM Ca2+ and 1 mM Mg2+. Further experiments indicated that the SR Ca2+ leak could be blocked by 10 microM ruthenium red without affecting the SR Ca2+ pump and this allowed separation between SR Ca2+ uptake and SR Ca2+ accumulation. At 0.3 microM Ca2+, Ca2+ uptake was optimal with 1 mM Mg2+ in the toad iliofibularis and rat EDL fibres and between 1 and 10 mM Mg2+ in the rat soleus and trabeculae preparations. At higher [Ca2+] (1 microM), Ca2+ uptake was optimal with 1 mM Mg2+ in the iliofibularis fibres and between 1 and 3 mM Mg2+ in the EDL fibres.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Effects of cyclopiazonic acid on Ca2+ regulation by the sarcoplasmic reticulum in saponin-permeabilized skeletal muscle fibres

Slices of lapine meniscus produced large amounts of nitric oxide after stimulation with interleukin-1, tumor necrosis factor alpha, or a mixture of lapine synovial cytokines known as chondrocyte-activating factors. Monolayer cultures of meniscal cells produced from the proteolysis of meniscal tissue contained a mixed population of chondrocytic and fibroblastic cells. These cultures also produced large amounts of nitric oxide in response to cytokines. Monolayer cultures of meniscal cells produced by the explant method, in contrast, were uniformly fibroblastic and did not produce nitric oxide in response to cytokines. We conclude that menisci contain two populations of cells, one fibroblastic and the other chondrocytic. The chondrocytic cells are responsible for generating most of the nitric oxide in response to cytokines. Endogenously generated nitric oxide suppressed the synthesis of collagen and proteoglycan by menisci but protected proteoglycan from the catabolic effects of interleukin-1. The inhibitory effect of nitric oxide on collagen synthesis occurred without greatly altering the abundance of mRNAs encoding the various collagen alpha chains. During further investigation, arginine was unexpectedly found to stimulate the synthesis of collagen and, to a lesser degree, of noncollagenous proteins but not of proteoglycans. Fragments of meniscus, but not meniscal cells in monolayer culture, increased their production of matrix metalloproteinases, lactate, and, especially, prostaglandin E2 in response to interleukin-1. Inhibition of nitric oxide production with NG-monomethyl-L-arginine enhanced production of matrix metalloproteinases but had little effect on the synthesis of lactate or prostaglandin E2.     

Ca2+ influx activated by low pH in Chlamydomonas

Cytosolic acidification stimulates an influx of Ca2+ which results in shedding of the two flagella of Chlamydomonas. Ca2+ influxes are also involved in the photoresponses of this alga, but it is not understood how the acidification-activated Ca2+ influx is distinguished from the Ca2+ influxes which mediate phototaxis and the photophobic response. The present study focuses on the deflagellation-inducing Ca2+ influx pathway. Influx occurs through an ion channel or transporter with low abundance or low permeability to Ca2+ (approximately 500 fmol/s/10(6) cells in 50 microM Ca2+). Ca2+ influx was potently blocked by Cd3+ (EC50 approximately 5 microM), but was insensitive to Cd2+ (Quarmby, L.M., and H.C. Hartzell. 1994. J. Cell Biol. 124:807) and organic blockers of Ca2+ channels including SKF-96365 (up to 100 microM) and flufenamic acid (up to 1 mM). Experiments with a flagella-less mutant (bald-2), isolated flagella, and a blocker of flagellar assembly (colchicine) indicated that the acidification-stimulated Ca2+ influx pathway is not localized to the flagellar membrane. The acid-stimulated influx pathway was transiently inactivated after cells shed their flagella. Inactivation did not occur in the deflagellation mutant, fa-1, although acidification-stimulated Ca2+ influx was normal. This suggests that inactivation of this pathway in wild-type cells is probably not a direct consequence of acidification nor of Ca2+ influx, but may be related to deflagellation. Recovery of deflagellation-inducing Ca2+ influx occurred within 30 min after a 30 s exposure to acid and did not require flagellar assembly. The regulation, drug sensitivity, and subcellular localization identify acidification-stimulated Ca2+ influx as a specific Ca2+ entry pathway distinct from established Ca2+ channels.     

Ca2+ release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum compared in amphibian and mammalian skeletal muscle

This paper describes and evaluates a method for quantifying the amounts of specific plasma proteins adsorbed to biomaterial surfaces. In particular, it demonstrates that macroscopic images ('stains'), that assess the spatial distribution of albumin, IgG, fibrinogen, and HMK (high molecular weight kininogen), can be obtained over areas of at least 12 cm2 using immunospecific adhesion of dyed polystyrene beads. Stain intensities, measured with a scanner and an image analysis system, were found to quantify the amount of specific protein in the solution used to coat the surfaces. Results obtained with the proposed method produced single protein isotherms for albumin, immunoglobulin G (IgG) and fibrinogen that followed Langmuir-like adsorption behavior and were similar to previously published isotherms. The HMK isotherm also exhibited Langmuir-like adsorption behavior. The proposed method also detected the presence of an expected maximum in the adsorption of fibrinogen onto glass as a function of plasma dilution. Adsorption of fibrinogen out of 6.4% plasma onto glass from a separated flow produced results indicating the quantity as well as the location of fibrinogen at the boundary of the separated region. This result confirmed the utility of the proposed method for detecting spatial distributions of specific proteins adsorbed from plasma in practical devices.     

Close contacts with the endoplasmic reticulum as determinants of mitochondrial Ca2+ responses

The spatial relation between mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) in living HeLa cells was analyzed at high resolution in three dimensions with two differently colored, specifically targeted green fluorescent proteins. Numerous close contacts were observed between these organelles, and mitochondria in situ formed a largely interconnected, dynamic network. A Ca2+-sensitive photoprotein targeted to the outer face of the inner mitochondrial membrane showed that, upon opening of the inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate (IP3)-gated channels of the ER, the mitochondrial surface was exposed to a higher concentration of Ca2+ than was the bulk cytosol. These results emphasize the importance of cell architecture and the distribution of organelles in regulation of Ca2+ signaling.     

Unchanged protein expression of sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase, phospholamban, and calsequestrin in terminally failing human myocardium

The enhanced diastolic Ca2+ levels observed in cardiac myocytes from patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) may be either a consequence of functional impairment of sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium-ATPase (SERCA 2) and its regulator protein phospholamban or due to a reduction in the number of SERCA 2 proteins. As different myocardial membrane preparations may lead to different accumulation of proteins, the present study evaluated two different membrane preparations, in human failing and nonfailing myocardium for comparison of SERCA 2 activity and the protein expression of SERCA 2 and phospholamban. Crude membranes and tissue homo-genates without any centrifugation steps were prepared from human nonfailing hearts (donor hearts, NF, n=18) and terminally failing hearts (heart transplant, DCM, n=18). Calsequestrin protein expression was used as an internal control for overall protein expression. In both crude membranes and homogenates maximal SERCA 2 activity (Vmax) was significantly reduced in failing heart preparations (NF crude membranes, 130+/-8; DCM crude membranes, 102+/-5 nmol ATP/mg protein per minute). In contrast, the protein expression of SERCA 2 (NF crude membranes, 488+/-35; DCM crude membranes, 494+/-42; P=0.92), phospholamban (NF crude membranes, 497+/-51; DCM crude membranes, 496+/-45; P=0.98) and calsequestrin (NF crude membranes, 109+/-06; DCM crude membranes, 107+/-08; P=0.84) was unchanged in NF and DCM hearts in both preparation methods. This was also the case when the protein expression was normalized to calsequestrin protein levels. Preparation of sarcoplasmic reticulum in crude membranes led to enhanced purification and consequently higher SERCA 2, phospholamban, and calsequestrin protein levels in crude membranes than in the homogenates, which was paralleled by an increase in SERCA 2 enzyme activity. In conclusion, the altered Ca2+ handling in DCM may be a consequence of reduced SERCA 2 enzyme activity and not the result of differences in protein expression of the Ca2+ regulating proteins SERCA 2, phospholamban, and calsequestrin in human myocardium. The present study emphasizes the importance of different myocardial membrane preparations with respect to quantitative investigations of protein expression and function.