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IP(3)and cyclic ADP-ribose induced Ca(2+) release from intracellular stores of pancreatic acinar cells from rat in primary culture.

We have measured Ca(2+)concentration changes in intracellular Ca(2+)stores ([Ca(2+)](store)) of rat pancreatic acinar cells in primary culture in response to the Ca(2+)mobilizing substances inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP(3)) and cyclic ADP-ribose (cADPr) using the Ca(2+)-sensitive dye mag Fura-2. We found that in this cell model IP(3)releases Ca(2+)in a quantal manner. Higher Ca(2+)concentration in the stores allowed a response to lower IP(3)concentrations ([IP(3)]) indicating that the sensitivity of IP(3)receptors to IP(3)is regulated by the Ca(2+)concentration in the stores. Cyclic ADPr, that modifies 'Ca(2+)-induced-Ca(2+)-release' (CICR), was also able to release Ca(2+)from intracellular stores of pancreatic acinar cells in primary culture. In comparison to the Ca(2+)ionophore ionomycin, which induced a maximal decrease (100%) in [Ca(2+)](store), a hypermaximal [IP(3)] (10 microM) dropped [Ca(2+)](store)by 87% and cADPr had no further effect. Cyclic ADPr reduced [Ca(2+)](store)by only 56% and subsequent IP(3)addition caused further maximal decrease in [Ca(2+)](store). Furthermore, a maximal [IP(3)] caused the same decrease in [Ca(2+)](store)in all regions of the cell, whereas cADPr dropped the [Ca(2+)](store)between 20 and 80% in different cell regions. From these data we conclude that in primary cultured rat pancreatic acinar cells at least three types of Ca(2+)stores exist. One type possessing both cADPr receptors and IP(3)receptors, a second type possessing only IP(3)receptors, and a third type whose Ca(2+)can be released by ionomycin but neither by IP(3)nor by cADPr.

Adenosine Diphosphate Ribose↗

Vitamin B6 modulates glucocorticoid-dependent gene transcription in a promoter- and cell type-specific manner.

Due to their immunosuppressive effects, glucocorticoids (GC) are widely used in the treatment of inflammatory and autoimmune states. However, long-term GC treatment is associated with severe side effects. To increase the ratio of wanted and unwanted GC effects, is, therefore, a desirable goal, which could be achieved by either developing new "dissociating" GC or by combining conventional GC therapy with substances that selectively interfere with glucocorticoid receptor (GR) function. Vitamin B6 was previously shown to inhibit GR transactivation in non-immune cells. In the present study, we tested whether vitamin B6 would also interfere with GR function in immune cells and/or with transrepression in non-immune cells. Normal human lymphocytes and Jurkat T lymphoma cells were transfected with luciferase reporter constructs under the control of the interleukin-2 (IL-2) and the leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) promoter, respectively. Cells were stimulated with phorbol ester, ionomycin, and different concentrations of dexamethasone, either in the absence (a vitamin B6-free medium was especially prepared for this study) or presence of vitamin B6. Both promoters were strongly induced in response to phorbol ester and ionomycin. Dexamethasone inhibited this effect in a dose-dependent manner both in the presence and absence of vitamin B6. Similar results were obtained at the protein level (IL-2- and LIF-specific ELISAs). Induction of a glucocorticoid response element (GRE)-driven promoter construct by dexamethasone in lymphoid cells was only marginally reduced by vitamin B6. In contrast, GR-mediated transactivation was strongly inhibited by vitamin B6 in HeLa cells, while GR-mediated transrepression of a matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9) promoter construct was not affected. Our data indicate that vitamin B6 does not interfere with GC action in immune cells (wanted GC effects) while selectively inhibiting GR-dependent transactivation in non-immune cells (unwanted GC effects). Combination of GC treatment with supraphysiological doses of vitamin B6 may, thus, reduce the side effects of this type of immunosuppressive therapy, provided that the observed effects can be reproduced at subtoxic vitamin B6 concentrations in vivo.

Cytokines↗

Interrelationship between growth factor-induced pH changes and intracellular Ca2+.

Many mitogens cause rapid changes in intracellular pH and Ca2+. We studied the patterns of pH and Ca2+ changes after exposure of murine fibroblasts to platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), bombesin, phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), and the vasoactive peptide bradykinin. Intracellular pH and Ca2+ were measured by using the fluorescent dyes 2',7'-bis(carboxyethyl)-5(6)-carboxyfluorescein and fura-2. Three distinct patterns of intracellular pH change were observed. PDGF and bombesin caused a rapid (maximum change, less than 2 min) cytoplasmic acidification of 0.03 pH unit followed by a slower (5-10 min) alkalinization of approximately 0.11 pH unit above the resting pH of 6.88. PMA caused alkalinization without causing the early acidification. Bradykinin caused rapid acidification without the slower net alkalinization. Ionomycin also caused acidification without subsequent alkalinization. All acidification responses were amiloride resistant. Patterns of intracellular Ca2+ response were also determined for each agent. PDGF and bombesin caused a transient increase in cytoplasmic Ca2+ from a resting level of 85 +/- 12 nM to 190 +/- 12 nM within 2 min and return to baseline within 5 min. PMA caused no change in intracellular Ca2+. Bradykinin caused the most rapid (maximum response, less than 20 sec) increase in intracellular Ca2+. For each agonist, the Ca2+ transient could be blocked by buffering intracellular Ca2+ with quin-2. In Ca2+-buffered cells, PDGF, bombesin, bradykinin, and ionomycin failed to induce cellular acidification, but alkalinization responses to PDGF, bombesin, and PMA persisted. We propose that the transient acidification seen with PDGF, bombesin, and other agents is the result of increased intracellular Ca2+. However, growth factor-induced alkalinization via the Na+/H+ exchanger is independent of changes in Ca2+.

Animals↗

Differential effects of protein kinase C activation on calcium storage and capacitative calcium entry in NIH 3T3 cells.

In NIH 3T3 cells, treatment with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) reduced the release of Ca2+ by thapsigargin, but did not activate Ca2+ entry; Ca2+ influx was triggered after the residual pool was emptied by thapsigargin, and this Ca2+ influx was similar to that induced by thapsigargin in control cells. The effect of PMA was due to decreased Ca2+ storage because 1) Ca2+ release by ionomycin was similarly affected by PMA, and in both control and PMA-treated cells, ionomycin did not release Ca2+ following thapsigargin treatment; 2) PMA reduced 45Ca2+ accumulation; and 3) studies with Ca2+ indicator compartmentalized into the endoplasmic reticulum indicated that stored Ca2+ was reduced by PMA. Although PMA did not itself activate Ca2+ entry, PMA potentiated Ca2+ entry with low concentrations of cyclopiazonic acid. With a somewhat higher concentration of cyclopiazonic acid, PMA had no effect on calcium entry. Thus, protein kinase C has two apparent actions on calcium signaling in NIH 3T3 cells: 1) reduced intracellular Ca2+ storage capacity and 2) augmented calcium entry with submaximal intracellular Ca2+ pool depletion. These actions indicate a complex and potentially important role for the protein kinase C system in calcium homeostasis in this cell type.

3T3 Cells↗

In situ Ca2+ dependence for activation of Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II in vascular smooth muscle cells.

Activation of Ca2+/calmodulin (CaM)-dependent protein kinase II (CaM kinase II) and development of the Ca2+/CaM-independent (autonomous) form of the kinase was investigated in cultured vascular smooth muscle (VSM) cells. Within 15 s of ionomycin (1 microM) exposure 52.7 +/- 4.4% of the kinase became autonomous, a response that was partially maintained for at least 10 min. This correlated with 32P phosphorylation of CaM kinase II delta-subunits in situ and was abolished by pretreatment with the CaM kinase II inhibitor KN-93. The in situ Ca2+ dependence for generating autonomous CaM kinase II was determined in cells selectively permeabilized to Ca2+ and depleted of sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ by pretreatment with thapsigargin. Analysis of the resulting curve revealed an EC50 (concentration producing 50% of maximal response) of 692 +/- 28 nM [Ca2+]i, a maximum of 68 +/- 2% of the total activity becoming autonomous reflecting nearly complete activation of CaM kinase II and a Hill slope of 3, indicating a highly cooperative process. Based on this dependence and measured [Ca2+]i responses in intact cells, increases in autonomous activity stimulated by angiotensin II, vasopressin and platelet-derived growth factor-BB (4.6-, 2-, and 1.7-fold, respectively) were unexpectedly high. In intact cells stimulated by ionomycin, the correlation between autonomous activity and [Ca2+]i resulted in a parallel curve with an EC50 of 304 +/- 23 nM [Ca2+]i. This apparent increase in Ca2+ sensitivity for generating autonomous activity in intact VSM cells was eliminated by thapsigargin pretreatment. We conclude that alteration of [Ca2+]i over a physiological range activates CaM kinase II in VSM and that this process is facilitated by release of Ca2+ from intracellular pools which initiates cooperative autophosphorylation and consequent generation of autonomous CaM kinase II activity.

Animals↗

Isoprenylated human brain type I inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate 5-phosphatase controls Ca2+ oscillations induced by ATP in Chinese hamster ovary cells.

D-myo-Inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (InsP3) 5-phosphatase and 3-kinase are thought to be critical regulatory enzymes in the control of InsP3 and Ca2+ signaling. In brain and many other cells, type I InsP3 5-phosphatase is the major phosphatase that dephosphorylates InsP3 and D-myo-inositol 1,3,4,5-tetrakisphosphate. The type I 5-phosphatase appears to be associated with the particulate fraction of cell homogenates. Molecular cloning of the human brain enzyme identifies a C-terminal farnesylation site CVVQ. Post-translational modification of this enzyme promotes membrane interactions and changes in specific activity. We have now compared the cytosolic Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) responses induced by ATP, thapsigargin, and ionomycin in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO-K1) cells transfected with the intact InsP3 5-phosphatase and with a mutant in which the C-terminal cysteine cannot be farnesylated. [Ca2+]i was also measured in cells transfected with an InsP3 3-kinase construct encoding the A isoform. The Ca2+ oscillations detected in the presence of 1 microM ATP in control cells were totally lost in 87.5% of intact (farnesylated) InsP3 5-phosphatase-transfected cells, while such a loss occurred in only 1.1% of the mutant InsP3 5-phosphatase-transfected cells. All cells overexpressing the InsP3 3-kinase also responded with an oscillatory pattern. However, in contrast to control cells, the [Ca2+]i returned to base-line levels in between a couple of oscillations. The [Ca2+]i responses to thapsigargin and ionomycin were identical for all cells. The four cell clones compared in this study also behaved similarly with respect to capacitative Ca2+ entry. In permeabilized cells, no differences in extent of InsP3-induced Ca2+ release nor in the threshold for InsP3 action were observed among the four clones and no differences in the expression levels of the various InsP3 receptor isoforms could be shown between the clones. Our data support the contention that the ATP-induced increase in InsP3 concentration in transfected CHO-K1 cells is essentially restricted to the site of its production near the plasma membrane, where it can be metabolized by the type I InsP3 5-phosphatase. This enzyme directly controls the [Ca2+]i response and the Ca2+ oscillations in intact cells.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Biosynthesis, uptake, and degradation of anandamide and palmitoylethanolamide in leukocytes.

Anandamide (arachidonoylethanolamide, AnNH) and palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) have been proposed as the physiological ligands, respectively, of central and peripheral cannabinoid receptors. Both of these receptors are expressed in immune cells, including macrophages and mast cells/basophils, where immunomodulatory and/or anti-inflammatory actions of AnNH and PEA have been recently reported. We now provide biochemical grounds to these actions by showing that the biosynthesis, uptake, and degradation of AnNH and PEA occur in leukocytes. On stimulation with ionomycin, J774 macrophages and RBL-2H3 basophils produced AnNH and PEA, probably through the hydrolysis of the corresponding N-acylphosphatidylethanolamines, also found among endogenous phospholipids. Immunological challenge of RBL-2H3 cells also caused AnNH and PEA release. The chemical structure and the amounts of AnNH and PEA produced upon ionomycin stimulation were determined by means of double radiolabeling experiments and isotope dilution gas chromatography/electron impact mass spectrometry. Both cell lines rapidly sequestered the two amides from the culture medium through temperature-dependent, saturable and chemically inactivable mechanisms. Once uptaken by basophils, AnNH and PEA compete for the same inactivating enzyme which catalyzes their hydrolysis to ethanolamine. This enzyme was found in both microsomal and 10,000 x g fractions of RBL cell homogenates, and exhibited similar inhibition and temperature/pH dependence profiles but a significantly higher affinity for PEA with respect to neuronal "anandamide amidohydrolase." The finding of biosynthetic and inactivating mechanisms for AnNH and PEA in macrophages and basophils supports the previously proposed role as local modulators of immune/inflammatory reactions for these two long chain acylethanolamides.

Amides↗

Fcgamma receptor I activation triggers a novel Ca2+-activated current selective for monovalent cations in the human monocytic cell line, U937.

Previous reports have suggested that receptors for immunoglobulin G (IgG), FcgammaRs, directly activate a nonselective cation channel (Young, J. D.-E., Unkeless, J. C., Young, T. M., Mauro, A., and Cohn, Z. A. (1983) Nature 306, 186-189; Nelson, D. J., Jacobs, E. R., Tang, J. M., Zeller, J. M., and Bone, R. C. (1985) J. Clin. Invest. 76, 500-507). To investigate the mechanisms underlying membrane conductance changes following human high affinity (FcgammaRI) receptor activation, we have used the human monocytic cell line U937 and combined conventional whole cell patch-clamp recordings with single cell fura-2 Ca2+ measurements. Using a K+-free internal solution, antibody cross-linking of IgG-occupied FcgammaRI activated an inward current at negative potentials, whose amplitude and time course mirrored the concomitant rise in intracellular Ca2+. Current-voltage relationships, obtained under different ionic conditions, revealed a monovalent cation-selective conductance that, under physiological conditions, would result in Na+ influx. Noise analysis of current recordings indicated a single channel conductance of 18 picosiemens and a mean opening time of 4.5 ms. This current was also activated by rises in intracellular Ca2+ induced by ionomycin (3 microM) or thapsigargin (1 microM). Addition of the Ca2+ chelator 1,2-bis(2-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N', N'-tetraacetic acid to the intracellular medium abolished any channel activation by ionomycin, FcgammaRI, or the low affinity receptor, FcgammaRII. These results demonstrate that FcgammaRI activation triggers a novel Ca2+-activated channel selective for monovalent cations and that neither FcgammaRI nor FcgammaRII can directly activate a channel.

Calcium↗

The role of calcium and phosphorylation of cytosolic phospholipase A2 in regulating arachidonic acid release in macrophages.

Arachidonic acid release is induced in macrophages with diverse agonists including calcium ionophores, phorbol myristate acetate (PMA), okadaic acid, and the phagocytic particle, zymosan, and correlates with activation of cytosolic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2). The role of calcium and phosphorylation of cPLA2 in regulating arachidonic acid release was investigated. Zymosan induced a rapid and transient increase in [Ca2+]i. This in itself is not sufficient to induce arachidonic acid release since ATP and platelet activating factor (PAF), agonists that induce transient calcium mobilization in macrophages, induced little arachidonic acid release. Unlike zymosan, which is a strong activator of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), ATP and PAF were weak MAPK activators and induced only a partial and transient increase in cPLA2 phosphorylation (gel shift). However, ATP or PAF together with colony stimulating factor-1 (CSF-1) synergistically stimulated arachidonic acid release. CSF-1 is a strong MAPK activator that induces a rapid and complete cPLA2 gel shift but not calcium mobilization or arachidonic acid release. Arachidonic acid release was more rapid in response to CSF-1 plus ATP or PAF than zymosan and correlated with the time course of the cPLA2 gel shift. Although low concentrations of ionomycin induced a lower magnitude of calcium mobilization than ATP, the response was more sustained resulting in arachidonic acid release. A23187 and ionomycin induced weak MAPK activation, and a partial and transient cPLA2 gel shift. The MAPK kinase inhibitor, PD 98059 suppressed A23187-induced MAPK activation and cPLA2 gel shift but had little effect on arachidonic acid release. These results indicate that in macrophages a transient increase in [Ca2+]i and sustained phosphorylation of cPLA2 can act together to promote arachidonic acid release but neither alone is sufficient. A sustained increase in calcium is sufficient for inducing arachidonic acid release. However, PMA and okadaic acid induce arachidonic acid release without increasing [Ca2+]i, although resting levels of calcium are required, suggesting alternative mechanisms of regulation.

Animals↗

Activation of P2Y2 receptors by UTP and ATP stimulates mitogen-activated kinase activity through a pathway that involves related adhesion focal tyrosine kinase and protein kinase C.

We examined downstream signaling events that followed the exposure of PC12 cells to extracellular ATP and UTP, and we compared the effects of these P2 receptor agonists with those of growth factors and other stimuli. Based on early findings, we focused particular attention on the mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase pathway. ATP and/or UTP produced increases in tyrosine phosphorylation of multiple proteins, including p42 MAP (ERK2) kinase, related adhesion focal tyrosine kinase (RAFTK) (PYK2, CAKbeta), focal adhesion kinase (FAK), Shc, and protein kinase Cdelta (PKCdelta). MAP (ERK2) kinase activity (quantified by substrate phosphorylation) was increased by UTP, ATP, phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate, ionomycin, and growth factors. UTP and ATP were equipotent (EC50 approximately 25 microM) in stimulating MAP kinase activity, suggesting that these effects were mediated via the Gi-linked P2Y2 (P2U) receptor. Consistent with this, the UTP- and ATP-promoted activation of MAP kinase was diminished in pertussis toxin-treated cells. Treatment of cells with pertussis toxin also reduced both the UTP-dependent increases in intracellular calcium ion concentration ([Ca2+]i) and the tyrosine phosphorylation of RAFTK. Similarly, when [Ca2+]i elevation was prevented using BAPTA and EGTA, the activation of MAP kinase by UTP and ionomycin was blocked, and the tyrosine phosphorylation of RAFTK was reduced. The UTP-promoted increase in MAP kinase activity was partially reduced in cells in which PKC was down-regulated, suggesting that both PKC-dependent and PKC-independent pathways were involved. PKCdelta, which increases MAP kinase activity in some systems, became tyrosine-phosphorylated within 15 s of exposure of cells to ATP or UTP; but epidermal growth factor, nerve growth factor, and insulin had little effect. UTP also promoted the association of Shc with Grb2. These results suggest that the P2Y2 receptor-initiated activation of MAP kinase was dependent on the elevation of [Ca2+]i, involved the recruitment of Shc and Grb2, and was mediated by RAFTK and PKC.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

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.

Animals↗

Translocation of the Rac1 guanine nucleotide exchange factor Tiam1 induced by platelet-derived growth factor and lysophosphatidic acid.

Several guanine nucleotide exchange factors for the Rho family of GTPases that induce activation by exchanging GDP for GTP have been identified. One of these is the tumor invasion gene product Tiam1, which acts on Rac1. In this study, we demonstrate that platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) and lysophosphatidic acid induce the translocation of Tiam1 to the membrane fraction of NIH 3T3 fibroblasts in a time-dependent manner. Previously, we have shown that Tiam1 is phosphorylated by protein kinase C (PKC) and calcium/calmodulin kinase II (CaMK II) after stimulation with agonists. Here we show, by pretreatment of cells with kinase inhibitors, that CaMK II, but not PKC, is involved in the membrane translocation of Tiam1. Addition of the calcium ionophore ionomycin alone induced the translocation of Tiam1. However, the cell-permeable diacylglycerol oleoylacetylglycerol was without effect and did not enhance the effect of ionomycin. These data further indicated a role for CaMK II and not PKC. Inhibition of phosphoinositide 3-kinase by wortmannin had little effect on the translocation of Tiam1. The role of phosphorylation was further studied by comparing the phosphorylation pattern of Tiam1 in the membranes versus whole cell Tiam1. PDGF-induced phosphorylation of membrane-associated Tiam1 occurred more rapidly than that of the total Tiam1 pool, and CaMK II, but not PKC, played a significant role in this process. Furthermore, by using the p21-binding domain of PAK-3, we show that PDGF, but not lysophosphatidic acid, activates Rac1 in vivo and that this activation involves CaMK II and PKC, but not 3-phosphoinositides. Our results indicate that Tiam1 is translocated to and phosphorylated at membranes after agonist stimulation and that CaMK II, but not PKC, is involved in this process. Also, these kinases are involved in the activation of Rac in vivo.

3T3 Cells↗

Ca(2+)-dependent inhibition of Na+/H+ exchanger 3 (NHE3) requires an NHE3-E3KARP-alpha-actinin-4 complex for oligomerization and endocytosis.

Two PDZ domain-containing proteins, NHERF and E3KARP are necessary for cAMP-dependent inhibition of Na(+)/H(+) exchanger 3 (NHE3). In this study, we demonstrate a specific role of E3KARP, which is not duplicated by NHERF, in Ca(2+)-dependent inhibition of NHE3 activity. NHE3 activity is inhibited by elevation of intracellular Ca(2+) ([Ca(2+)](i)) in PS120 fibroblasts stably expressing E3KARP but not those expressing NHERF. In addition, this Ca(2+)-dependent inhibition requires Ca(2+)-dependent association between alpha-actinin-4 and E3KARP. NHE3 is indirectly connected to alpha-actinin-4 in a protein complex through Ca(2+)-dependent interaction between alpha-actinin-4 and E3KARP, which occurs through the actin-binding domain plus spectrin repeat domain of alpha-actinin-4. Elevation of [Ca(2+)](i) results in oligomerization and endocytosis of NHE3 as well as in inhibition of NHE3 activity. Overexpression of alpha-actinin-4 potentiates the inhibitory effect of ionomycin on NHE3 activity by accelerating the oligomerization and endocytosis of NHE3. In contrast, overexpression of the actin-binding domain plus spectrin repeat domain acts as a dominant-negative mutant and prevents the inhibitory effect of ionomycin on NHE3 activity as well as the oligomerization and internalization of NHE3. From these results, we propose that elevated Ca(2+) inhibits NHE3 activity through oligomerization and endocytosis of NHE3, which occurs via formation of an NHE3-E3KARP-alpha-actinin-4 complex.

Actinin↗

Subcellular localization and in vivo subunit interactions of ubiquitous mu-calpain.

Ubiquitously expressed calpains are Ca(2+)-dependent, intracellular cysteine proteases comprising a large catalytic subunit (domains DI-DIV) and a noncovalently bound small regulatory subunit (domains DV and DVI). It is unclear whether Ca(2+)-induced calpain activation is followed by subunit dissociation or not. Here, we have applied advanced fluorescence microscopy techniques to study calpain subunit interactions in living cells using recombinant calpain subunits or domains fused to enhanced cyan and enhanced yellow fluorescent reporter proteins. All of the overexpressed variants of the catalytic subunit (DI-IV, DI-III, and DI-IIb) were active and Ca(2+)-dependent. The intact large subunit, but not its truncated variants, associates with the small subunit under resting and ionomycin-activated conditions. All of the variants were localized in cytoplasm and nuclei, except DI-IIb, which accumulates in the nucleus and in nucleoli as shown by microscopy and cell fractionation. Localization studies with mutated and chimeric variants indicate that nuclear targeting of the DI-IIb variant is conferred by the two N-terminal helices of DI. Only those variants that contain DIII migrated to membranes upon the addition of ionomycin, suggesting that DIII is essential for membrane targeting. We propose that intracellular localization and in particular membrane targeting of activated calpain, but not dissociation of its intact subunits, contribute to regulate its proteolytic activity in vivo.

Amino Acid Motifs↗

Cell density and growth-dependent down-regulation of both intracellular calcium responses to agonist stimuli and expression of smooth-surfaced endoplasmic reticulum in MC3T3-E1 osteoblast-like cells.

A two-dimensional intracellular Ca(2+) ([Ca(2+)](i)) imaging system was used to examine the relationship between [Ca(2+)](i) handling and the proliferation of MC3T3-E1 osteoblast-like cells. The resting [Ca(2+)](i) level in densely cultured cells was 1.5 times higher than the [Ca(2+)](i) level in sparsely cultured cells or in other cell types (mouse fibroblasts, rat vascular smooth muscle cells, and bovine endothelial cells). A high resting [Ca(2+)](i) level may be specific for MC3T3-E1 cells. MC3T3-E1 cells were stimulated with ATP (10 microM), caffeine (10 mM), thapsigargin (1 microM), or ionomycin (10 microM), and the effect on the [Ca(2+)](i) level of MC3T3-E1 cells was studied. The percentage of responding cells and the degree of [Ca(2+)](i) elevation were high in the sparsely cultured cells and low in densely cultured cells. The rank order for the percentage of responding cells and magnitude of the Ca(2+) response to the stimuli was ionomycin > thapsigargin = ATP > caffeine and suggests the existence of differences among the various [Ca(2+)](i) channels. All Ca(2+) responses in the sparsely cultured MC3T3-E1 cells, unlike in other cell types, disappeared after the cells reached confluence. Heptanol treatment of densely cultured cells restored the Ca(2+) response, suggesting that cell-cell contact is involved with the confluence-dependent disappearance of the Ca(2+) response. Immunohistological analysis of type 1 inositol trisphosphate receptors and electron microscopy showed distinct expression of inositol trisphosphate receptor proteins and smooth-surfaced endoplasmic reticulum in sparsely cultured cells but reduced levels in densely cultured cells. These results indicate that the underlying basis of confluence-dependent [Ca(2+)](i) regulation is down-regulation of smooth-surfaced endoplasmic reticulum by cell-cell contacts.

3T3 Cells↗

NF-E2-related factor-2 mediates neuroprotection against mitochondrial complex I inhibitors and increased concentrations of intracellular calcium in primary cortical neurons.

NF-E2-related factor-2 (Nrf2) regulates the gene expression of phase II detoxification enzymes and antioxidant proteins through an enhancer sequence referred to as the antioxidant-responsive element (ARE). In this study, we demonstrate that Nrf2 protects neurons in mixed primary neuronal cultures containing both astrocytes ( approximately 10%) and neurons ( approximately 90%) through coordinate up-regulation of ARE-driven genes. Nrf2-/- neurons in this mixed culture system were more sensitive to mitochondrial toxin (1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,5,6-tetrahydropyridine or rotenone)-induced apoptosis compared with Nrf2+/+ neurons. To understand the underlying mechanism of this observed differential sensitivity, we compared the gene expression profiles using oligonucleotide microarrays. Microarray data showed that Nrf2+/+neuronal cultures had higher expression levels of genes encoding detoxification enzymes, antioxidant proteins, calcium homeostasis proteins, growth factors, neuron-specific proteins, and signaling molecules compared with Nrf2-/- neuronal cultures. As predicted from the microarray data, Nrf2-/- neurons were indeed more vulnerable to the cytotoxic effects of ionomycin- and 2,5-di-(t-butyl)-1,4-hydroquinone-induced increases in intracellular calcium. Finally, adenoviral vector-mediated overexpression of Nrf2 recovered ARE-driven gene expression in Nrf2-/- neuronal cultures and rescued Nrf2-/- neurons from rotenone- or ionomycin-induced cell death. Taken together, these findings suggest that Nrf2 plays an important role in protecting neurons from toxic insult.

1-Methyl-4-phenylpyridinium↗

Calcium regulates human CYP11B2 transcription.

The CYP11B2 gene encodes aldosterone synthase, a cytochrome P450 (P450aldo) expressed in high levels in the adrenal zona glomerulosa. While the primary physiologic regulators of aldosterone production are circulating angiotensin II (Ang II) and potassium (K+) the action of these agents on CYP11B2 gene transcription have not been examined. Because these factors increase intracellular calcium we have hypothesized that calcium signaling pathways are one mechanism controlling CYP11B2 transcription. Previously we demonstrated that increases in intracellular calcium increase P450aldo mRNA. Herein, we analyzed the role of calcium in the expression of the human CYP11B2 gene using transient transfection of a luciferase reporter construct containing 2017 bp of human CYP11B2 5'flanking DNA in mouse Y-1 and human H295R adrenocortical cell lines. When transfected into Y-1 cells, reporter gene expression was increased following treatment with ACTH or forskolin, but not with Ang II, the L-type calcium channel agonist BAYK8644, or ionomycin. In H295R cells, however, reporter gene expression was increased following treatment with Ang II, K+, BAYK8644 ionomycin or dibutyryl cAMP (Bu2cAMP). Activation of protein kinase C with TPA did not alter reporter gene expression in either cell line. These data demonstrate that both calcium and cAMP signaling pathways regulate human CYP11B2 gene expression. In addition, the H295R adrenal cell line appears to be an appropriate model to study regulation of CYP11B2 by calcium.

8-Bromo Cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate↗

Stimulation of cytosolic phospholipase A2-catalyzed arachidonic acid liberation by low dose tert-butyl hydroperoxide without an influence on the enzyme activity in rabbit platelets.

The effect of lipid peroxide on the hydrolytic action of cytosolic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2) in rabbit platelets was investigated. Ionomycin-stimulated arachidonic acid liberation and lysophosphatidylcholine formation were significantly potentiated when platelets were pretreated with tert-butyl hydroperoxide (BHP) and FeSO4, and then washed. Under the conditions, oxidizing reagents did not enhance the increase in cPLA2 activity by ionomycin or the basal activity in unstimulated cells. Furthermore, the treatment of a platelet lysate with BHP and FeSO4 did not affect Ca(2+)-induced translocation of cPLA2 to the membranes. However, with a membrane fraction, arachidonic acid liberation catalyzed by the partially purified cPLA2 was synergistically enhanced by BHP and FeSO4. These results suggest that oxidative stress may potentiate the hydrolytic action of cPLA2 on membrane phospholipids without an influence on the processes leading to the enzyme activation.

Animals↗