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PubMed2004

Genetically encoded indicators of cellular calcium dynamics based on troponin C and green fluorescent protein.

Genetic calcium probes offer tremendous potential in the fields of neuroscience, cell biology, and pharmaceutical screening. Previously, ratiometric and non-ratiometric indicators of cellular calcium dynamics have been described that consist of mutants of the green fluorescent protein (GFP) as fluorophores and calmodulin as calcium-binding moiety in several configurations. However, these calmodulin-based types of probes have a series of deficiencies, such as reduced dynamic ranges, when expressed within transgenic organisms and lack of calcium sensitivity in certain targetings. We developed novel types of calcium probes based on troponin C variants from skeletal and cardiac muscle. These indicators have ratio changes up to 140%, K(d)s ranging from 470 nm to 29 microm, and improved subcellular targeting properties. We targeted the indicators to the plasma membrane of HEK293 cells and primary hippocampal neurons. Upon long lasting depolarization, submembrane calcium levels in hippocampal neurons were found to be in equilibrium with bulk cytosolic calcium levels, suggesting no standing gradient persists from the membrane toward the cytosol. We expect that such novel indicators using specialized calcium sensing proteins will be minimally interacting with the cellular biochemical machinery.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Calcium dynamics in dendritic spines and spine motility.

A dendritic spine is an intracellular compartment in synapses of central neurons. The role of the fast twitching of spines, brought about by a transient rise of internal calcium concentration above that of the parent dendrite, has been hitherto unclear. We propose an explanation of the cause and effect of the twitching and its role in the functioning of the spine as a fast calcium compartment. Our molecular model postulates that rapid spine motility is due to the concerted contraction of calcium-binding proteins. The contraction induces a stream of cytoplasmic fluid in the direction of the dendritic shaft, thus speeding up the time course of spine calcium dynamics, relative to pure diffusion. Simulations indicate that chemical reaction rate theory at the molecular level can explain spine motility. They reveal two time periods in calcium dynamics, as measured recently by other researchers. It appears that rapid motility in dendritic spines increases the efficiency of calcium conduction to the dendrite and speeds up the emptying of the spine. This could play a major role in the induction of synaptic plasticity. A prediction of the model is that alteration of spine motility will modify the time course of calcium in the dendritic spine and could be tested experimentally.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Cytosolic calcium dynamics and smooth muscle contraction.III Plasmalemmal calcium fluxes].

Smooth muscle contractile activity depends upon cytosolic Ca2+, the Ca(2+)-sensitivity of actin-myosin interaction and several auxiliary mechanisms. This section presents the plasmalemmal Ca2+ fluxes in relation with the functional structure of their supportive proteins and the contractile impact. Summaries of classical data are accompanied by examples of recent advances. Ca2+ influx occurs mainly via the L and T types of voltage-operated Ca2+ channels, the store-operated Ca2+ channels and the non-selective cation channels (operated by membrane receptors or mechanical stimuli). The plasmalemmal Ca2+ ATPase and Na/Ca antiport function to limit increases in cytosolic Ca2+; Na/Ca effect is opposite when driven to operate in the reverse mode.

Calcium↗
PubMed1998

Effects of cellular interactions on calcium dynamics in prolactin-secreting cells.

Signals derived from other pituitary cells can have a dramatic effect on PRL gene expression and secretion by mammotropes. However, the intracellular mechanisms by which these effects are manifested on the target cell remain unexplored. Inasmuch as calcium is a key modulator of both gene expression and hormone export in mammotropes, we evaluated the effects of cell to cell contact vs. specific cellular interactions on calcium dynamics within these cells. This was accomplished by digital-imaging fluorescence microscopy of fura-2 in pituitary cells that were isolated in culture (singles) or adjoining one other cell (doublets). After calcium imaging, we then subjected cells to immunocytochemistry for PRL. Doublets were further categorized into mammotropes attached to another mammotrope (M-M) or to a nonmammotrope (M-nonM). We then calculated and compared Mean [Ca2+]i values as well as Oscillation Indices (which reflect the oscillatory behavior of cells) in singles and doublets and found that they were not different (P > 0.05). However, the phenotype of the adjoining cell had a profound influence on both of these calcium parameters, such that the presence of one mammotrope could consistently decrease (P < 0.05) the Mean [Ca2+]i value (39.17 +/- 3.83 vs. 56.24 +/- 5.56 in M-nonM) and Oscillation Index (10.19 +/- 1.76 vs. 21.21 +/- 3.73 in M-nonM) of its neighboring counterpart. A more detailed analysis of oscillatory patterns in these cells revealed that nonoscillators were more abundant in M-M (23%) than in M-nonM (12%) doublets. Taken together, our results indicate that PRL-secreting cells convey a signal that dampens the oscillatory behavior of neighboring mammotropes. Thus, it appears that it is the phenotype rather than the physical presence of a neighbor that controls intercellular regulation of calcium dynamics among mammotropes.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Activity-related calcium dynamics in motoneurons of the nucleus hypoglossus from mouse.

A quantitative analysis of activity-related calcium dynamics was performed in motoneurons of the nucleus hypoglossus in the brain stem slice preparation from mouse by simultaneous patch-clamp and microfluorometric calcium measurements. Motoneurons were analyzed under in vitro conditions that kept them in a functionally intact state represented by rhythmic, inspiratory-related bursts of excitatory postsynaptic currents and associated action potential discharges. Bursts of electrical activity were paralleled by somatic calcium transients resulting from calcium influx through voltage-activated calcium channels, where each action potential accounted for a calcium-mediated charge influx around 2 pC into the somatic compartment. Under in vivo conditions, rhythmic-respiratory activity in young mice occurred at frequencies up to 5 Hz, demonstrating the necessity for rapid calcium elevation and recovery in respiratory-related neurons. The quantitative analysis of hypoglossal calcium homeostasis identified an average extrusion rate, but an exceptionally low endogenous calcium binding capacity as cellular parameters accounting for rapid calcium signaling. Our results suggest that dynamics of somatic calcium transients 1) define an upper limit for the maximum frequency of respiratory-related burst discharges and 2) represent a potentially dangerous determinant of intracellular calcium profiles during pathophysiological and/or excitotoxic conditions.

Algorithms↗
PubMed2004

Calcium dynamics and vasomotion in rat mesenteric arteries.

Smooth muscle cell calcium dynamics and diameter were measured in intact pressurized rat mesenteric artery segments during vasoconstriction and vasomotion. Arteries showed a certain norepinephrine (NE) threshold (0.3-0.4 microM) for the onset of vasomotion, during a cumulative NE concentration-response curve. This was due to a necessary [Ca2+]i threshold (increase over basal level of 22.2 +/- 2.6%) to elicit oscillations. The calcium oscillations obtained were synchronous over the entire vessel length and phase-shifted (in advance by 1.7 +/- 0.3 seconds) with respect to the diameter oscillations. A similar result was obtained using a KCl depolarization to contract the arteries, even though the [Ca2+]i threshold was much smaller in this case (increase over basal level of 9.9 +/- 4.3%), as compared with the NE-elicited vasomotion. Blockade of the Na+/K+-ATPase with 1 microM ouabain, or of the Na+/Ca2+ exchanger (NCX) with 1 microM KB-R 7943, did not abolish the calcium oscillations, thus showing that these two pumps are only modulatory elements, while on the other hand, voltage-gated calcium channels have been found to be important in the vasomotion mechanism.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

[Analysis of intracellular calcium dynamics in enterochromaffin cells of small intestine].

Although serotonin (5-HT) release from enterochromaffin (EC) cells is considered to be regulated by multiple receptor-mediated mechanisms, little is known about the signal transduction. Here, we introduce the methods to isolate the mouse ileal crypts, which consist of various types of cells including EC cells, and to analyze the intracellular calcium dynamics. Ileal tissue was inserted with a plastic straw and the smooth muscle layers were peeled off. The mucosa were digested with collagenase and then suspended by moderate pipetting. Ileal crypts were separated by stepwise filtrations through 2 different nylon-meshes. The isolated crypt contained 0-3 EC cells as identified by immunostaining using anti-5-HT antibody followed by confocal microscopy. Isolated crypts were attached to a coverglass by an adhesive material (Cell-Tak) and loaded with fura-2/AM. Intracellular calcium dynamics in EC cells were obtained by digital video-imaging analysis of fura-2 fluorescence followed by the identification of EC cells with immunostaining of 5-HT granules. By these methods, it was suggested that norepinephrine elicited a transient elevation of intracellular calcium concentration in EC cells via alpha 2-adrenoceptors. These methods could be also useful to analyze the signal transduction system in intestinal endocrine cells that contain various intestinal hormones such as gastrin, cholecystokinin or secretin.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Altered monocyte calcium dynamics in sepsis.

PURPOSE: This study was designed to evaluate monocyte calcium concentration and mobilization in normal and septic surgical patients. METHODS: Monocytes were isolated from 15 "septic" surgical patients, washed, and loaded with the fluorescent calcium chelator, FURA-2. Monocytes from 20 normal volunteers served as controls. Intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) was measured by means of fluorescent spectrophotometry before, during, and after stimulation with concanavalin A. Differences were evaluated for statistical significance by analysis of variance. The study was repeated using normal monocytes preincubated in "septic" serum and "septic" monocytes preincubated in normal serum. Additional paired whole blood specimens were obtained from the control group and were incubated with Escherichia coli endotoxin. Monocytes were then isolated and evaluated as described. RESULTS: Sepsis was associated with significantly low resting monocyte calcium concentrations. Although concanavalin A stimulation resulted in marked calcium mobilization in both normal and septic cells, final cellular calcium concentration was significantly lower in the stimulated "septic" monocytes. Similar alterations were seen in normal cells incubated with septic serum, but could not be reproduced by incubation with endotoxin. This deficiency could not be corrected in septic cells incubated in normal serum. CONCLUSION: Sepsis is associated with a significant alteration of monocyte calcium dynamics in both resting and stimulated cells. These changes appear to be modulated by a serum factor other than endotoxin.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Calcium dynamics associated with a single action potential in a CNS presynaptic terminal.

Calcium dynamics associated with a single action potential were studied quantitatively in the calyx of Held, a large presynaptic terminal in the rat brainstem. Terminals were loaded with different concentrations of high- or low-affinity Ca2+ indicators via patch pipettes. Spatially averaged Ca2+ signals were measured fluorometrically and analyzed on the basis of a single compartment model. A single action potential led to a total Ca2+ influx of 0.8-1 pC. The accessible volume of the terminal was about 0.4 pl; thus the total calcium concentration increased by 10-13 microM. The Ca(2+)-binding ratio of the endogenous buffer was about 40, as estimated from the competition with Fura-2, indicating that 2.5% of the total calcium remained free. This is consistent with the peak increase in free calcium concentration of about 400 nM, which was measured directly with MagFura-2. The decay of the [Ca2+]i transients was fast, with time constants of 100 ms at 23 degrees C and 45 ms at 35 degrees C, indicating Ca2+ extrusion rates of 400 and 900 s-1, respectively. The combination of the relatively low endogenous Ca(2+)-binding ratio and the high rate of Ca2+ extrusion provides an efficient mechanism for rapidly removing the large Ca2+ load of the terminal evoked by an action potential.

Action Potentials↗
PubMed2001

[Calcium dynamics in the neuron (influx and efflux)].

The advance of optical methods has enabled measurement of calcium dynamics at single spine level. The molecular bases of the calcium influx and efflux mechanisms are becoming clearer, as well. Information about calcium storage and release functions of ER and mitochondria is also accumulating. This article surveys these topics in the neuron.

English Abstract↗
PubMed2000

Regulation of spine calcium dynamics by rapid spine motility.

Dendritic spines receive most excitatory inputs in the CNS and compartmentalize calcium. Spines also undergo rapid morphological changes, although the function of this motility is still unclear. We have investigated the effect of spine movement on spine calcium dynamics with two-photon photobleaching of enhanced green fluorescent protein and calcium imaging of action potential-elicited transients in spines from layer 2/3 pyramidal neurons in mouse visual cortex slices. The elongation or retraction of the spine neck during spine motility alters the diffusional coupling between spine and dendrite and significantly changes calcium decay kinetics in spines. Our results demonstrate that the spine's ability to compartmentalize calcium is constantly changing.

Acoustic Stimulation↗
PubMed2000

Intracellular calcium dynamics--sparks of insight.

Calcium ions are of key importance in a large number of cellular functions. In the past decade a large variety of cells have been found to show localized increases in the intracellular calcium concentration named calcium sparks. In this brief review, the methodology of detecting calcium sparks by confocal microscopy is summarized. Some of the properties of calcium sparks in muscle (cardiac, skeletal and smooth muscles), neurons, nerve terminals and oocytes aredescribed. Speculations are put forward regarding their possible role in microcontrol of cell function.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Cytosolic calcium dynamics and smooth muscle contraction(II): Reticular calcium fluxes].

The contractile status of smooth muscle depends upon cytosolic Ca2+, the Ca(2+)-sensitivity of actin-myosin interaction and various calcium-independent mechanisms. This second part of our overview is devoted to the complex involvement of endoplasmic reticulum in the cytosolic Ca2+ signals related to smooth muscle contractile activity, with a focus on the functional structure of reticular membrane proteins that ensure the respective Ca2+ fluxes. Ca2+ release is activated by cytosolic Ca2+, involving reticular channels called inositol triphosphate receptors and ryanodine receptors. Beside calcium and inositol triphosphate, cyclic ADP-ribose and nicotinic acid adenine dinucleotide phosphate have recently emerged as intracellular signals that activate Ca2+ release. The reticular Ca2+ pump is essential both for the control of cytosolic Ca2+ and for the preservation of reticular stores.

Calcium↗
PubMed2006

Reaction diffusion modeling of calcium dynamics with realistic ER geometry.

We describe a finite-element model of mast cell calcium dynamics that incorporates the endoplasmic reticulum's complex geometry. The model is built upon a three-dimensional reconstruction of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) from an electron tomographic tilt series. Tetrahedral meshes provide volumetric representations of the ER lumen, ER membrane, cytoplasm, and plasma membrane. The reaction-diffusion model simultaneously tracks changes in cytoplasmic and ER intraluminal calcium concentrations and includes luminal and cytoplasmic protein buffers. Transport fluxes via PMCA, SERCA, ER leakage, and Type II IP3 receptors are also represented. Unique features of the model include stochastic behavior of IP3 receptor calcium channels and comparisons of channel open times when diffusely distributed or aggregated in clusters on the ER surface. Simulations show that IP3R channels in close proximity modulate activity of their neighbors through local Ca2+ feedback effects. Cytoplasmic calcium levels rise higher, and ER luminal calcium concentrations drop lower, after IP3-mediated release from receptors in the diffuse configuration. Simulation results also suggest that the buffering capacity of the ER, and not restricted diffusion, is the predominant factor influencing average luminal calcium concentrations.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Modeling observed chaotic oscillations in bursting neurons: the role of calcium dynamics and IP3.

Chaotic bursting has been recorded in synaptically isolated neurons of the pyloric central pattern generating (CPG) circuit in the lobster stomatogastric ganglion. Conductance-based models of pyloric neurons typically fail to reproduce the observed irregular behavior in either voltage time series or state-space trajectories. Recent suggestions of Chay [Biol Cybern 75: 419-431] indicate that chaotic bursting patterns can be generated by model neurons that couple membrane currents to the nonlinear dynamics of intracellular calcium storage and release. Accordingly, we have built a two-compartment model of a pyloric CPG neuron incorporating previously described membrane conductances together with intracellular Ca2+ dynamics involving the endoplasmic reticulum and the inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor IP3R. As judged by qualitative inspection and quantitative, nonlinear analysis, the irregular voltage oscillations of the model neuron resemble those seen in the biological neurons. Chaotic bursting arises from the interaction of fast membrane voltage dynamics with slower intracellular Ca2+ dynamics and, hence, depends on the concentration of IP3. Despite the presence of 12 independent dynamical variables, the model neuron bursts chaotically in a subspace characterized by 3-4 active degrees of freedom. The critical aspect of this model is that chaotic oscillations arise when membrane voltage processes are coupled to another slow dynamic. Here we suggest this slow dynamic to be intracellular Ca2+ handling.

Action Potentials↗
PubMed1989

A physiological view of in vivo calcium dynamics: the regulation of a nonlinear self-organized system.

Our aim is neither to re-evaluate the term homeostasis, nor to summarize the conventional concepts in the field of calcium metabolism and its regulation, nor even to comment on their advantages and their limitations (excellent recent reviews have been published). This paper is rather a position article and references to the current literature will be made only if they contribute to a better understanding of our proposals; in contrast, emphasis will be placed on a literature which has, until now, remained unfamiliar to the field of calcium metabolism. The text is organized around three related features which are largely dictated by the characteristics of our recently published compartmental self-oscillatory model for rat calcium metabolism: (a) The circadian behavior associated with calcium dynamics in vivo may be viewed as a "key" temporal behavior for investigating the spatiotemporal organization of calcium metabolism in the normal rat. Within the bone, a large part of this circadian behavior should stem from the physico-chemical properties of the transformations of calcium-phosphate associations at the extracellular fluid (ECF)/mature bone interface; (b) an important part of the maintenance of a nearly constant plasma calcium concentration (homeostasis) results from interaction between nonlinear oscillators belonging to both calcium metabolism and calcium-regulating hormones. This implies that: firstly, calcium metabolism, like any biological system, is a complex dynamic system which has evolved over a long period and whose metabolic components--gut, kidney, bone--are organized as dynamic entities, adapted to periodic relationships with the external environment. The intrinsic nature of the circadian behavior of bone calcium efflux proposed here is a sufficient demonstration of this. Secondly, the existence of rhythmic variations in the main calcium regulating hormones, parathyroid hormone (PTH), calcitonin (CT) and vitamin D (VitD), are in agreement with this argument. As developed below, fascinating properties emerge from interaction between oscillators (hormones and target organs) which provide a new perspective on calcium regulation; and (c) one of the striking properties of the kind of nonlinear dynamic system required for this representation of calcium metabolism is that periodicity is only one of many temporal expressions. Thus, qualitative diversity in the temporal expression of calcium metabolism can be expected with varying experimental situations and different modes of temporal regulation of calcium metabolism might be physiologically effective, depending on the species studied.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1992

[Neurophysiologic changes and bound calcium dynamics during the elaboration of associative learning in Helix lucorum].

Neurophysiological effects and dynamics of bound calcium (Ca-b) in command neurons of defense behavior (LP11 and RP11) during food aversion conditioning were studied in snail Helix lucorum. It was found that during associative learning both conditioned reaction and nonspecific facilitation of sensory responses were determined in neurons. The nonspecific facilitation of sensory responses was similar to that found during sensitization development in neurons. However, conditioned response appeared 30 min later than long-term sensitization development. Specific dynamics of the Ca-b level in neurons was obtained after three and more conditioning. The dynamics of the Ca-b level correlated with neurophysiological effects and differed from those measured during sensitization development. It is suggested that molecular mechanisms underlying associative learning and sensitization are different in a command neuron of defense behavior in the snail.

Animals↗