Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “Calcium Signaling”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 487 records · Page 27Linked to original sources

Engagement of the human pre-B cell receptor generates a lipid raft-dependent calcium signaling complex.

Pre-B cell receptor (pre-BCR) expression is critical for B lineage development. The signaling events initiated by the pre-BCR, however, remain poorly defined. We demonstrate that lipid rafts are the major functional compartment for human pre-B cell activation. A fraction of pre-BCR was constitutively raft associated, and receptor engagement enhanced this association. These events promoted Lyn activation and Igbeta phosphorylation and led to the generation of a raft-associated signaling module composed of tyrosine phosphorylated Lyn, Syk, BLNK, PI3K, Btk, VAV, and PLCgamma2. Formation of this module was essential for pre-BCR calcium signaling. Together, these observations directly link the previously identified genetic requirement for the components of this module in B lineage development with theirfunctional role(s) in human preBCR signaling.

B-Lymphocytes↗

Is the calcium signal induced by follicle-stimulating hormone in swine granulosa cells mediated by adenosine cyclic 3',5'-monophosphate-dependent protein kinase?

We have previously demonstrated FSH-induced increases in cytosolic free calcium ion concentrations ([Ca2+]i) in single granulosa cells. We report here on the role of cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) in the FSH-induced [Ca2+]i increase using swine granulosa cells. The R-isomer of cAMP (Rp-cAMPS) and a synthetic peptide containing the active core region of the PKA inhibitor were used as specific inhibitors of PKA. The Rp-cAMPS dose used was effective in completely abolishing FSH-stimulated progesterone production by cultured granulosa cells. However, FSH retained its ability to initiate a calcium signal even in the presence of the cAMP antagonist. In addition, both Rp-cAMPS and the PKA inhibitor peptide significantly reduced the percentage of granulosa cells able to generate [Ca2+]i signals in response to 8-bromo-cAMP without affecting the percentage of [Ca2+]i responses to FSH. We conclude from these observations that at least two aspects, percentage of responding cells and kinetics of the response, of FSH-induced [Ca2+]i increases in swine granulosa cells appear to be independent of the action of PKA. Such findings suggest a direct action of cAMP on [Ca2+]i or cAMP-independent action(s) of FSH in granulosa cells.

8-Bromo Cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate↗

InsP3R-associated cGMP kinase substrate (IRAG) is essential for nitric oxide-induced inhibition of calcium signaling in human colonic smooth muscle.

Nitric oxide (NO)-mediated relaxation of colonic smooth muscle is crucial for the maintenance of human gut function. The molecular mechanisms of NO-dependent smooth muscle relaxation involve cyclic GMP-mediated inhibition of store-dependent calcium signaling. Recently, IRAG (inositol 1,4,5-trisphophate receptor-associated cGMP kinase substrate) has been characterized as a novel target molecule of cGMP-dependent protein kinase (cGKI) mediating NO-/cGMP-dependent inhibition of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (InsP(3))-dependent calcium release in transfected COS cells. The aim of the present study was to characterize IRAG expression and its functional role in NO-dependent signaling in human colonic smooth muscle. Reverse transcriptase-PCR revealed IRAG mRNA expression in human colon, rectum, and cultured colonic smooth muscle cells. In cultured human colonic smooth muscle cells, bradykinin (BK) elicited InsP(3)-dependent calcium transients that were repeatable and independent of extracellular calcium. The NO donor sodium nitroprusside and the specific cGK activator 8-(4-chlorophenylthio)guanosine-3',5'-cyclic-monophosphate (8-pCPT-cGMP) significantly inhibited BK-induced increase in intracellular calcium. Cells transfected with antisense oligonucleotides raised against IRAG (IRAG-AS) showed strongly decreased IRAG protein expression. In these cells, sodium nitroprusside and 8-pCPT-cGMP both failed to modulate BK-induced calcium transients. Thus, endogenous IRAG appears to be essentially involved in the NO/cGK-dependent inhibition of InsP(3)-dependent Ca(2+)-signaling in colonic smooth muscle.

Animals↗

Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide and melatonin in the suprachiasmatic nucleus: effects on the calcium signal transduction cascade.

The suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) harbors an endogenous oscillator generating circadian rhythms that are synchronized to the external light/dark cycle by photic information transmitted via the retinohypothalamic tract (RHT). The RHT has recently been shown to contain pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) as neurotransmitter/neuromodulator. PACAPergic effects on cAMP-mediated signaling events in the SCN are restricted to distinct time windows and sensitive to melatonin. In neurons isolated from the SCN of neonatal rats we investigated by means of the fura-2 technique whether PACAP and melatonin also influence the intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i). PACAP elicited increases of [Ca2+]i in 27% of the analyzed neurons, many of which were also responsive to the RHT neurotransmitters glutamate and/or substance P. PACAP-induced changes of [Ca2+]i were independent of cAMP, because they were not mimicked by forskolin or 8-bromo-cAMP. PACAP caused G-protein- and phospholipase C-mediated calcium release from inositol-trisphosphate-sensitive stores and subsequent protein kinase C-mediated calcium influx, demonstrated by treatment with GDP-beta-S, neomycin, U-73122, calcium-free saline, thapsigargin, bisindolylmaleimide, and chelerythrine. The calcium influx was insensitive to antagonists of voltage-gated calcium channels of the L-, N-, P-, Q- and T-type (diltiazem, nifedipine, verapamil, omega-conotoxin, omega-agatoxin, amiloride). Immunocytochemical characterization of the analyzed cells revealed that >50% of the PACAP-sensitive neurons were GABA-immunopositive. Our data demonstrate that in the SCN PACAP affects the [Ca2+]i, suggesting that different signaling pathways (calcium as well as cAMP) are involved in PACAPergic neurotransmission or neuromodulation. Melatonin did not interfere with calcium signaling, indicating that in SCN neurons the hormone primarily affects the cAMP signaling pathway.

Animals↗

Structural determinants of calcium signaling by RGD peptides in rat osteoclasts: integrin-dependent and -independent actions.

Extensive characterization of the vitronectin receptor (VNR), a member of the integrin group of cell adhesion molecules, which is abundantly expressed in osteoclasts, has revealed a role for this receptor in osteoclast adhesion as well as bone resorption. Earlier evidence from our laboratory suggests that VNR is also capable of transducing intracellular signals following receptor ligand interaction, although this function is poorly understood. Thus, addition of peptides containing the minimal tripeptide Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) integrin recognition sequence elicits transient increases in intracellular free calcium ions, with maximal responses seen with a bone sialoprotein peptide, BSP-IIA. In the present study we have attempted to determine some of the structural requirements for calcium signaling in osteoclasts using derivatives of the peptide PRGDN/T sequence found in bone sialoprotein. While some peptides, such as the parent sequence PRGDN, can induce both signaling and retractile events, it was found that minor structural modifications yielded peptides such as PRADN which elicited a transient increase in intracellular free calcium ions without promoting a reduction in osteoclast spread area (retraction). Conversely, certain other modifications resulted in peptides, such as PrGDN and benzoyl-RGDN, which effect osteoclast retraction, while having minimal Ca2+ signaling capabilities. Osteoclast adhesion, and hence retraction, are known to be RGD-dependent and integrin-dependent events. However, intracellular Ca2+ signaling is RGD-independent and, based on lack of inhibition by an anti-beta 3 integrin antibody F11 and echistatin, very likely integrin-independent. These data suggest that signaling is not always via VNR and as yet unknown receptors on the osteoclast membrane play a role in osteoclast signaling and hence function.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Mutations causing achondroplasia and thanatophoric dysplasia alter bFGF-induced calcium signals in human diploid fibroblasts.

Mutations in the fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) gene family recently have been shown to underlie several hereditary disorders of bone development, with specific FGFR3 mutations causing achondroplasia (Ach) and thanatophoric dysplasia (TD). However, for none of these mutations has the defect in receptor function been demonstrated directly and, therefore, for none has the pathophysiological mechanism of the disease been defined. Using our established techniques for single-cell ratiometric real-time calcium image analysis, we defined the nature of the basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF)-induced calcium signal in human diploid fibroblasts, and, in blinded studies, have analyzed the bFGF-induced signals from 18 independent fibroblast cell lines, including multiple lines from patients with known mutant alleles of FGFR3 and syndromes of Ach or TD. Control cells responded with transient increases in intracellular calcium, with many cells showing oscillatory calcium waves. Homozygous Ach cell lines failed to signal, whereas heterozygous Ach lines responded nearly normally. We observed heterogeneous signals in TD heterozygotes: the unresponsive lines all turned out to carry TD1 alleles, whereas all responsive lines had TD2 alleles. Since FGFR1, 2 and 3 receptors are known to be expressed in fibroblasts, our results suggest that specific mutant FGFR3 alleles can function in a dosage-dependent dominant-negative fashion to inactivate FGFR signaling.

Achondroplasia↗

Neuroprotective sigma ligands attenuate NMDA and trans-ACPD-induced calcium signaling in rat primary neurons.

The effect of neuroprotective sigma ligands possessing a range of relative selectivity for sigma and phencyclidine (PCP) binding sites on N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) and (+/-)-1-aminocyclopentane-trans-1,3-dicarboxylic acid (trans-ACPD)-stimulated calcium flux was studied in 12-15-day-old primary cultures of rat cortical neurons. In approximately 80% of the neurons tested, NMDA (80 microM) caused a sustained increase in intracellular calcium ([Ca2+]i). With the exception of R-(+)-3-(3-hydroxyphenyl)-N-propylpiperidine hydrochloride ((+)-3-PPP) (previously shown not to be neuroprotective) all of the sigma ligands studied significantly altered NMDA-induced calcium dynamics. The primary effect of dextromethorphan, (+)-pentazocine, (+)-cyclazocine, (+)-SKF10047, carbetapentane, 1,3-di(2-tolyl) guanidine (DTG), and haloperidol was to shift the NMDA response from a sustained, to either a biphasic or a transient, calcium event. In contrast to NMDA, the primary response observed in 62% of the neurons treated with trans-ACPD (100 microM) was a transient elevation in [Ca2+]i. Here, however, only the highly selective neuroprotective sigma ligands (i.e., those lacking substantial PCP binding affinity) significantly decreased the number of transient responses elicited by trans-ACPD whereas the PCP-related sigma ligands such as dextromethorphan, (+)-SKF10047 and (+)-cyclazocine were ineffective. Unexpectedly, (+)-3-PPP potentiated trans-ACPD activity. These results demonstrating attenuating effects of sigma ligands on NMDA-stimulated neuronal calcium responses agree with earlier studies using glutamate and KCl and identify a sigma receptor modulation of functional NMDA responsiveness. Furthermore, the ability of sigma ligands to attenuate NMDA-, trans-ACPD- and KCl-evoked neuronal calcium dynamics indicates that the receptor mechanisms mediating sigma neuroprotection comprise complex interactions involving ionotropic, metabotropic, and even voltage-gated calcium signaling processes.

Animals↗

The whoosh and trickle of calcium signalling.

The importance of phospholipase C catalysed hydrolysis of phosphatidylinositol-(4,5)bisphosphate (PtdIns(4,5)P2) to inositol-(1,4,5)trisphosphate (Ins(1,4,5)P3) and sn-1,2-diacylglycerol in the signal transduction pathways of eukaryote cells, in response to extracellular stimuli, is now widely recognised. Although nearly 60 naturally occurring inositol phosphates have been identified in mammalian cells, mobilisation of Ca2+ from the intracellular stores has been most commonly attributed to the generation of Ins(1,4,5)P3 [1]. However, there is increasing evidence for the presence of ryanodine receptors (RyR) in non-excitable cells and for cADP-ribose (cADPr) as the signalling molecule responsible for Ca2+ release via the RyR. But what is the purpose for the co-existence of these two intracellular Ca2+ channels in non-excitable cells and why are they so heterogeneous in their distribution? These questions were explored at the recent International Symposium Calcium Signalling in Inflammatory Cells. Depletion of the intracellular Ca2+ pools is followed by entry of Ca2+ into the cell across the plasma membrane, but the mechanism(s) underlying this 'capacitative Ca2+ entry' is not well understood. Many potential signalling pathways which may account for capacitative Ca2+ entry have been proposed although none have been unanimously accepted. New developments in the elucidation of the mechanism responsible for capacitative Ca2+ entry and how Ca2+ entry is regulated, together with progress in the characterisation of plasma membrane Ca2+ entry channels were also discussed at this symposium.

Animals↗

Attenuation of LPA-mediated calcium signaling and inositol polyphosphate production in rat-1 fibroblasts transformed by the v-src oncogene.

Alterations in cellular signaling underlie the transforming actions of many oncogenes. The vsrc oncogene tyrosine kinase, pp60vsrc, is known to alter multiple signal transduction pathways, including those involving phosphatidylinositol (PI) metabolism. In this study, we investigated the effects of vsrc-transformation on lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) receptor coupling to intracellular free calcium [Ca2+]i and PI turnover in rat-1 fibroblasts. In normal rat-1 cells, LPA rapidly elevated [Ca2+]i (EC50 = 10nM). In contrast, the ability of LPA to mobilize calcium was markedly attenuated in rat-1-vsrc cells. Further study revealed that the LPA-mediated generation of inositol (1,4,5)P3 and other inositol polyphosphates was also markedly attenuated in the vsrc-transformed cells. Although LPA caused a transient reduction in the level of PI(4,5)P2 in normal rat-1 cells, the agonist elevated the level of PI(4,5)P2 in the vsrc-transformed cells. These findings demonstrate that vsrc-transformation alters the coupling of LPA receptors to PI turnover and calcium signaling in rat-1 cells, and point to G protein-coupled receptor systems as targets for modulation by the vsrc kinase.

Calcium↗

Evidence of a role for cyclic ADP-ribose in calcium signalling and neurotransmitter release in cultured astrocytes.

Astrocytes possess different, efficient ways to generate complex changes in intracellular calcium concentrations, which allow them to communicate with each other and to interact with adjacent neuronal cells. Here we show that cultured hippocampal astrocytes coexpress the ectoenzyme CD38, directly involved in the metabolism of the calcium mobilizer cyclic ADP-ribose, and the NAD+ transporter connexin 43. We also demonstrate that hippocampal astrocytes can release NAD+ and respond to extracellular NAD+ or cyclic ADP-ribose with intracellular calcium increases, suggesting the existence of an autocrine cyclic ADP-ribose-mediated signalling. Cyclic ADP-ribose-induced calcium changes are in turn responsible for an increased glutamate and GABA release, this effect being completely inhibited by the cyclic ADP-ribose specific antagonist 8-NH2-cADPR. Furthermore, addition of NAD+ to astrocyte-neuron co-cultures results in a delayed intracellular calcium transient in neuronal cells, which is strongly but not completely inhibited by glutamate receptor blockers. These data indicate that an astrocyte-to-neuron calcium signalling can be triggered by the CD38/cADPR system, which, through the activation of intracellular calcium responses in astrocytes, is in turn responsible for the increased release of neuromodulators from glial cells.

ADP-ribosyl Cyclase↗

Binding of activated protein C to a specific receptor on human mononuclear phagocytes inhibits intracellular calcium signaling and monocyte-dependent proliferative responses.

Upon activation, mononuclear phagocytes (Mphi) play key roles in the development of septic shock and multiple host immune responses, but details of the regulation of Mphi activation are little understood. We recently showed that the physiologic anticoagulant molecule, activated protein C (APC), blocks responses of human blood Mphi, alveolar Mphi, or THP-1 cells induced by LPS, IFN-gamma, or PMA, including TNF-alpha production and down-regulation of several LPS binding-related proteins. We now report a possible mechanism of action through inhibition of the rapid intracellular calcium signaling that occurs at the onset of Mphi activation, and characterization of a specific Mphi receptor for APC. Flow cytometry studies using Fluo-3 showed that Mph activation by Fc-receptor cross-linking or rIFN-gamma caused a rapid increase in free intracellular calcium, a primary event in multiple signal transduction pathways, which was blocked by pretreatment with APC. Consistent with this, addition of APC inhibited PHA-induced T cell proliferation in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Peak suppression (> 70%) required addition of APC within the first hour of 72 hr cocultures of Mphi and lymphocytes, and proliferative responses were not restored by addition of IL-2 or TNF-alpha. Biochemical studies showed that 125I-labeled APC bound specifically to M phi in a time-dependent and saturable manner. Scatchard analysis indicated there were 180,690 binding sites for APC per cell, which were of high affinity (Kd value of 12.9 mM). Binding of 125I-APC was doubled by activation of Mphi with LPS, and bound APC was not displaced by the zymogen, protein C (PC), or by enzymatically inactive (diisopropyl fluorophosphate- or PPACK-treated) APC, indicating an absolute requirement for the active site of APC in its binding to Mphi. APC binding was blocked by a polyclonal Ab to human PC/APC, but not by protein S, factor Va or Xa, or a polyclonal antithrombomodulin antibody. When 125I-APC was crosslinked to its receptor, immunoprecipitated and analyzed by SDS-PAGE under reducing conditions, a covalent complex (110-115 kD) of 125I-APC (62 kD) and its receptor was seen. In addition, a Mphi membrane protein of 50-55 kD, as determined by SDS-PAGE, was affinity-purified using an APC-Affigel column, and confirmed by ligand binding. Taken together, our findings document the presence of a M phi surface receptor for APC, which appears distinct from a recently described endothelial receptor for PC and APC, and which may be involved in the inhibitory effects of APC on activation of human Mphi, including Mphi-dependent T cell proliferation.

Calcium↗

Calcium signalling in lymphocytes.

The modulation of intracellular calcium ion concentration, [Ca(2+)](i), is a common signalling mechanism used in many biological systems. B and T lymphocytes rely on Ca(2+) signalling to initiate both developmental and activation programs. Recent data has shed new light on the initiation of this signalling pathway, the connection between the release of intracellular Ca(2+) stores and the influx of extracellular Ca(2+), and the molecular identity of the elusive Ca(2+) release-activated Ca(2+) (CRAC) channel. In addition, recent gene profiling of T lymphocytes has identified the genes that are controlled by [Ca(2+)](i) and the Ca(2+)-dependent phosphatase calcineurin.

Calcium↗

Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1: receptor interactions and calcium signaling mechanisms.

Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) is a member of the Cys-Cys chemokine family. Two related MCP-1 receptors have been identified (CC-CKR2A and CC-CKR2B), although the precise kinetics of ligand binding and calcium signaling of these receptors has yet to be investigated. To examine this more closely, the human MCP-1 receptors were cloned and expressed in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells. Membranes prepared from cells expressing CC-CKR2B bind MCP-1 selectively and with high affinity (Kd = 120 pM). MCP-1 stimulation of recombinant CHO cells expressing CC-CKR2B induces a rapid increase in intracellular Ca2+ through both receptor-operated Ca2+ channels and mobilization of Ca2+ from intracellular stores, and leads to a rapid temperature-dependent internalization of the ligand/receptor complexes. In contrast, recombinant CHO cells expressing CC-CKR2A, and membranes prepared from these cells, fail to bind detectable levels of MCP-1. However, MCP-1 stimulation of cells expressing CC-CKR2A induces a small but significant increase in intracellular Ca2+. Repeated stimulation of these cells with MCP-1 leads to a potentiation of the response to a level comparable to that seen in cells expressing CC-CKR2B. These observations suggest that the levels of cell surface CC-CKR2A are controlled by novel mechanisms.

Animals↗

Intact antigen receptor-mediated calcium signals in patients with early stage HIV-1 infection.

A variety of deficiencies in T cell activation have been described in HIV-1 infection. To determine whether one component of Ag receptor signal transduction might be impaired and contribute to the immunopathology of HIV infection, we tested CD4 cells from patients with early to mid-stage HIV infection for TCR-induced calcium mobilization. There was no detectable difference between patients and controls in the mean CD4 cell calcium response or in the fraction of responding CD4 cells after cross-linking the TCR with OKT3 Ab. In addition, in HIV-infected patients, there was no correlation between calcium mobilization and the CD4 cell count. These results indicate that there are no intrinsic impairments of Ag receptor calcium signaling in circulating CD4 cells from HIV-infected patients with more than 400 CD4 cells/mm3, although abnormalities in patients with later stage infections cannot be excluded.

Adult↗

The vasopressin receptor of the blood-brain barrier in the rat hippocampus is linked to calcium signalling.

The signal transduction system of the vasopressin receptor in cerebral microvessels is not known but appears not to be adenylate cyclase/cyclic AMP. We determined the effect of arginine vasopressin (AVP) on the intracellular free calcium concentration [Ca2+]i in endothelial cells of isolated hippocampal microvessels of rats, using the fura-2 fluorescence technique. AVP administration caused a rapid and transient rise of cytosolic free calcium which was absent after extracellular calcium was removed, and could be blocked with the vasopressin V1 receptor antagonist, d(CH2)5 Tyr(Me)AVP. The vasopressin V2 receptor agonist, 1-deamino-8,D-AVP, on the contrary, failed to affect the intracellular free calcium level, and was unable to inhibit the AVP-induced rise of [Ca2+]i in the preparation. Our results, therefore, demonstrate the presence of a calcium-signalling, i.e. V1 vasopressin receptor at the blood-brain barrier in the hippocampus of the rat.

Animals↗