Calcium-induced release of calcium from the cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum

The hypothesis of a Ca2+-induced Ca2+ release (CICR) from the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) is supported by experiments done in skinned cardiac cells (sarcolemma removed by microdissection). According to this hypothesis, the transsarcolemmal Ca2+ influx does not activate the myofilaments directly but through the induction of a Ca2+ release from the SR. The stimulus gating CICR is not a small change in free Ca2+ concentration (delta[free Ca2+]) outside the SR but a function of the rate of this change (delta[free Ca2+/delta t]). The initial relatively fast component of the transsarcolemmal Ca2+ current would trigger Ca2+ release; the subsequent slow component, perhaps corresponding to noninactivating Ca2+ channels, would load the SR with an amount of Ca2+ available for release during subsequent beats. Inactivation of CICR is caused by the large increase of [free Ca2+] outside the SR resulting from Ca2+ release, which inhibits further release. This negative feedback helps to explain that CICR is not all or none. During relaxation the Ca2+ reaccumulation in the SR is backed up by the Ca2+ efflux across the sarcolemma through Na+-Ca2+ exchange and the sarcolemmal Ca2+ pump. Computations of the Ca2+ buffering in the mammalian ventricular cell and of the systolic transsarcolemmal Ca2+ influx do not support the alternative hypothesis that this influx of Ca2+ is large enough to activate the myofilaments directly. Yet the hypothesis of a CICR can be challenged because of many problems and uncertainties related to the preparations and methods used for skinned cardiac cell experiments.     

Effects of aging on phospholamban phosphorylation and calcium transport in rat cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum

Acceleration of cardiac relaxation upon beta adrenergic stimulation is due, in part, to enhancement in the rate of Ca2+ sequestration by the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+ pump resulting from cAMP-mediated phosphorylation of the SR protein phospholamban. Our previous studies have shown that in rat myocardium, beta adrenergic activation of adenylate cyclase and the Ca2+ pump activity of SR decline with aging (Mech. Ageing Dev., 19 (1982) 127-139; 38 (1987) 127-143). In the present study, the effect of aging on phospholamban phosphorylation and consequent changes in SR Ca2+ pump activity were evaluated using cardiac SR from 6 (young adult), 12 (adult) and 28 (aged) months old rats. No age-related differences were observed in the rate or maximum level of phospholamban phosphorylation by exogenous cAMP-dependent protein kinase. The rates of ATP-dependent Ca2+ uptake by SR from young adult and aged rats were stimulated upon phospholamban phosphorylation, the percentage stimulation of Ca2+ uptake at varying Ca2+ concentrations (0.24-11.9 microM) was not diminished with aging. However, the rates of Ca2+ uptake by phosphorylated and unphosphorylated SR were remarkably lower (35-50%) in the aged. Regardless of the age of rats, the stimulatory effect of phosphorylation on Ca2+ uptake by SR was due to increase in Vmax of Ca2+ transport with no appreciable changes in K0.5 for Ca2+. These findings imply that in spite of the age-associated decline in SR Ca2+ pump activity, the ability of phospholamban to undergo cAMP-mediated phosphorylation and the relative responsiveness of the SR Ca2+ pump to phospholamban phosphorylation are not diminished in the aging heart.     

Phospholamban phosphorylation increases the passive calcium leak from cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum

Phospholamban (PLN) is a 52 amino acid integral membrane protein of the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) that exists in both monomeric and pentameric forms. In its unphosphorylated state, PLN inhibits the SR Ca²⁺ ATPase (SERCA). This inhibition is relieved when PLN is phosphorylated as a result of ??-adrenergic stimulation of the heart. Consistent with some predictions from molecular models and from functional studies of PLN incorporated into planar lipid bilayers, it has also been postulated that pentameric PLN can also form ion-selective channels. Other molecular models contradict this hypothesis, however. In the work reported here, we used the Ca²⁺-sensitive fluorescent dye Fura-2, to examine the passive Ca²⁺ permeability of the SR membrane in vesicles derived from cardiac ventricle. We have found that phosphorylation of PLN by protein kinase A (PKA) leads to an increase in the rate of Ca²⁺ leak from Ca²⁺-loaded SR vesicles. This enhanced rate of Ca²⁺ leak from the SR is also observed when SR vesicles are incubated with a PLN specific antibody (A1) that mimics phosphorylation of PLN. The ryanodine receptor blocker ruthenium red does not affect the increased rate of Ca²⁺ leak from the SR after PLN phosphorylation with PKA or after exposure to A1 antibody, arguing against a possible role of ryanodine receptors in mediating the enhanced leak. Our results are consistent with the hypothesis that phosphorylated PLN forms or regulates a Ca²⁺ leak pathway in cardiac SR membranes in situ.     

维生素D_3诱导的钙超载大鼠心肌肌浆网功能变化

目的 :观察钙超载大鼠心肌肌浆网 (SR )功能的变化。方法 :腹腔注射维生素D3和nicotine灌胃复制大鼠心肌钙超载模型。差速离心制备心肌肌浆网 ,微孔过滤技术测定SR的钙释放与钙摄取 ,放射配基法测定SRryanodine受体结合能力。结果 :钙超载大鼠心肌钙含量比对照组高 32 4% (P <0 0 1) ,心肌SR钙摄取和钙释放分别低 6 4%和 40 % (P <0 0 1)。心肌SRCa2 -ATP酶活性低 6 5 % (P <0 0 1)。SR特异 [3H]-ryanodine结合的最大值Bmax低 5 1% (P <0 0 1)。结论 :钙超载大鼠心肌SR功能下降。     

Immunohistochemical study on the distribution of sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium ATPase in various human tissues using novel monoclonal antibodies

Summary Novel monoclonal antibodies were raised against sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium (Ca²⁺)-ATPase of human skeletal muscle. Immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated that these antibodies, designated 6F5 and 7F10, bind Ca²⁺-ATPase of non-muscle tissue of the adult including parathyroid, islets of Langerhans, anterior lobe of the pituitary gland and photoreceptor cells of the retina as well as skeletal muscle. A positive reaction was also found for fetal tissues including skeletal muscle, heart, chondrocytes and peripheral nerves. Our results for distribution suggest that Ca²⁺-ATPase is strongly expressed in the tissues and cells in which signal transduction is actively carried out by Ca²⁺ release from the cytoplasmic Ca²⁺ pool.     

Digital-imaging microscopy analysis of calcium release from sarcoplasmic reticulum in single rat cardiac myocytes

Digital imaging microscopy of fura-2 fluorescence has allowed us to assess the dynamic patterns of local Ca increase in newly isolated rat myocardial cells. Of the myocytes bathed in a saline solution (1.8 mM Ca²⁺, 37°C, pH 7.4), 10%–20% exhibited local spontaneous contractions. The resting intracellular free calcium concentration ([Ca²⁺]_i) of these cells was 106±4nM versus 77±3 nM for non-contracting cells. The spontaneous contractile activity appeared to be closely related to internal spontaneous Ca waves that spread across the myoplasm (velocity 50 m/s, maximal Ca amplitude=195±11nM) along the major axis of the cells. Precise topographical examination of Ca wave propagation indicated a refractory period for internal Ca release. The occurrence of both the generation and propagation of spontaneous Ca increases appeared to be closely dependent on the extent of Ca loading of the cells. Most of our observations were in accordance with the assumption that local Ca overload of the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) is the main parameter involved in the spontaneous Ca-release phenomena. Using the same approach, the increase in internal Ca evoked by KCl (50 mM) addition was investigated, and compared with that seen during spontaneous activity. Total [Ca²⁺]_i increase induced by K⁺ depolarization involved three consecutive local Ca-release patterns: (a) a peripheral Ca enhancement that remained during the total [Ca²⁺]_i increase, (b) subsequent transversal local Ca increases occurring in Z-line regions, (c) longitudinal local Ca increases. In addition, a weak heterogeneous Ca distribution was detected in both peripheral and central parts of resting cardiac cells. Thus, the total Ca increase seemed to result consecutively from a peripheral Ca pool, from junctional SR and from longitudinal structures (possibly longitudinal SR).     

维生素D3诱导的钙超载大鼠心肌肌浆网功能变化

目的:观察钙超载大鼠心肌肌浆网(SR)功能的变化。方法:腹腔注射维生素D₃和nicotine灌胃复制大鼠心肌钙超载模型。差速离心制备心肌肌浆网,微孔过滤技术测定SR的钙释放与钙摄取,放射配基法测定SRryanodine受体结合能力。结果:钙超载大鼠心肌钙含量比对照组高324%(P＜0.01),心肌SR钙摄取和钙释放分别低64%和40%(P＜0.01)。心肌SRCa²⁺-ATP酶活性低65%(P＜0.01)。SR特异-ryanodine结合的最大值Bmax低51%(P＜0.01)。结论:钙超载大鼠心肌SR功能下降。     

Calcium transport and ATPase activity of the sarcoplasmic reticulum of normal and denervated rabbit muscles

The properties of the calcium pump of the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) from normal and denervated rabbit muscles were studied. The kinetics of transport of Ca⁺⁺ ions in SR from denervated muscles obeys the Michaelis-Menten law. After denervation the rate of fast outflow of Ca⁺⁺ from the vesicles is increased, leading to a decrease in the efficiency of transport and an increase in the activity of basal ATPase. Meanwhile the rate of Ca⁺⁺ accumulation and the activity of transport Ca-ATPase are increased by 1.5 times. The kinetic properties of the reticulum from denervated muscles correspond to the pattern of the contraction-relaxation cycle in those muscles.Department of Biochemistry, Biological Faculty, State University, Moscow. (Presented by Academician of the Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR S. E. Severin.) Translated from Byulleten' Éksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 81, No. 5, pp. 536–539, May, 1976     

Activation by intracellular calcium of a potassium channel in cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum

The effects of low (pCa 7.5 to 3) concentrations of intracellular calcium ion on a single potassium channel in the sarcoplasmic reticulum of canine heart ventricular muscle were investigated using a planar lipid bilayer technique. The low concentrations were obtained by mixing EGTA and calcium chloride. By varying the pCa of the cytoplasmic face between 3 to 7.5, two novel effects were observed. First, an increase in the intracellular Ca²⁺ concentration produced an increase in the unit current amplitude of open states; the voltage-current relationship was ohmic at these concentrations. Second, an increase in the Ca²⁺ concentration increased the open probability. Both these effects of Ca²⁺ were dose-dependent, and were consistently observed in all channels tested. Thus, the SR potassium channel observed appears to belong to the class of Ca²⁺ -activated potassium channels.     

Calcium ATPase and intestinal calcium transport in uremic rats

Calcium ATPase, an enzyme involved in intestinal calcium transport, was measured in homogenates of duodenal mucosal scrapings of normal and uremic rats. The effects of calcium deprivation and treatment with 1 alpha,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol [1,25-(OH)2D3] were investigated as well. Uremia decreased the enzyme activity and impaired the rise after calcium deprivation as observed in intact rats. The 1,25-(OH)2D3 treatment increased the enzyme activity in uremic animals and resulted in an identical response to calcium deprivation as observed in intact rats; parathyroidectomy abolished this effect. A striking correlation between everted duodenal gut sac calcium transport and calcium ATPase activity could be demonstrated for all groups of rats studied. It is concluded that the calcium ATPase activity is linked to the production of 1,25-(OH)2D3 as well as to an additional factor, probably parathyroid hormone. The close relationship between enzyme activity and in vitro calcium transport, even during constant physiological supplementation with 1,25-(OH)2D3, suggests an autonomous role of the calcium ATPase activity for mediation of calcium transport in the duodenum in addition to the well-known mechanisms related to vitamin D and its metabolites.     

心血管组织钙化大鼠心肌肌浆网一氧化氮合酶的改变

目的:观察心血管组织钙化大鼠心肌肌浆网一氧化氮合酶/一氧化氮系统的改变,以探讨是否SR上NO的过量生成是钙化心肌SR功能抑制的重要机制。方法:维生素D3肌肉注射和nicotine灌胃复制大鼠心血管组织钙化的模型。差速离心制备心肌肌浆网,检测SR中NO生成及NOS的活性和蛋白表达。结果:心血管组织钙化处理6周大鼠心肌钙含量比对照组高4倍(P＜0.01),钙化组心肌SR的NO产生高于对照组,NOS活性增加,NOS蛋白表达比对照组高54%(P＜0.01)。钙化处理2周左右尽管心肌钙化尚不明显,但SR的NOS/NO系统已经发生改变。结论:心血管组织钙化大鼠心肌SR的NOS/NO系统的上调,是钙化心肌SR功能抑制的重要机制之一。     

The composition and calcium transport activity of the sarcoplasmic reticulum from goats with and without heritable myotonia.

Studies were conducted on purified sarcoplasmic reticulum isolated from myotonic goats, an animal model of heritable myotonia. When compared to sarcoplasmic reticulum from normal goats, fragmented sarcoplasmic reticulum from the myotonic goat had (1) increased levels of calcium, (2) increased rates of calcium uptake and efflux, (3) an increased sialic acid content, and (4) an increased content of saturated fatty acids. These differences support the concept of a structural and functional defect as a basis for the abnormal contraction-relaxation characteristics of myotonia.     

Functional aspects of calcium transport in sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles derived from frog skeletal muscle treated with saponin

Summary To study the physiological aspects of the excitation-contraction cycle, saponin (10–100g ml^–1) was used as a skinning agent on muscle and sarcotubular vesicles derived from fast muscles (sartorius and tibialis anterior) ofRana esculenta.The vesicles showed similar Ca²⁺-ATPase activity and similar protein profiles carried out by SDS-PAGE. Calcium transport in untreated vesicles and those treated with different concentrations of saponin seemed to have the same quantitative and qualitative parameters if the saponin was used in a range between 10 and 50g ml^–1.Our results confirm that saponin may be considered to be a valid skinning agent for the external membranes of fast skeletal muscles.     

Caffeine-induced calcium release from isolated sarcoplasmic reticulum of rabbit skeletal muscle

The essential conditions for the Ca²⁺ releasing action of caffeine from isolated sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) of rabbits were evaluated by an investigation into the effects of Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, MgATP^2–, and ATP concentration, ionic strength, and degree of loading. The heavy fraction (4,500×g) of the reticulum was used. Except for the study on degree of loading, 0.2 mg protein·ml^–1 SR was loaded actively with 0.02 mM⁴⁵CaCl₂, resulting in >90 nmol·mg protein^–1 at steady state, and then the effects of various parameters with or without (control) caffeine were tested.It was found that (1) caffeine induces a transient, dosedependent release of Ca²⁺, (2) the absolute amount of Ca²⁺ released by caffeine increases with the Ca²⁺ load of the SR, (3) increasing the ionic strength () from 0.09 to 0.3 lowers the threshold concentration of caffeine, (4) the SR is refractory to a repeated challenge by a caffeine concentration causing maximal effect, (5) caffeine-induced Ca²⁺ release increases with increasing (a) external Ca²⁺ concentrations up to 5 M total Ca²⁺ (or 3 M free Ca²⁺) and (b) free ATP concentrations up to 0.45 mM, and (6) caffeine-induced Ca²⁺ release is not affected by changes of either the Mg²⁺ or the MgATP^2– concentration.     

Contractions induced by a calcium-triggered release of calcium from the sarcoplasmic reticulum of single skinned cardiac cells.

1. Fragments of single cardiac cells were obtained by homogenization of ventricular tissue from adult rats. Remaining pieces of sacrolemma were removed by micro-dissection. Tension was recorded from the ends of the skinned (sarcolemma-free) cells with a photodiode force transducer. 2. In the presence of a strong buffering of the free [Ca2+] with 4-0 mM total EGTA, a tonic tension was obtained that increased according to t sigmoid curve when the free ([Ca2+] was increased from 10(-6-75)M to 10(-5-0)M. This curve was not modified by the destruction of the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) by the detergent Brij 58. Therefore, the tonic tension corresponded to the direct effect of the free [Ca2+] present in the buffer on the myofilaments. 3. In the presence of a slight buffering of the free [Ca2+] with 0-050 mM total EGTA, cyclic contractions were observed that were attributed to cyclic releases and re-sequestrations of Ca2+ by the SR. The absence of effect of azide and ruthenium red on the cyclic contractions obtained at a free [Ca2+] lower than 10(-6-50)M demonstrated that the mitochondria played no role in the triggering of these contractions. 4. Cyclic contractions were induced by a slight variation of free [Ca2+] in the buffer from 10(-7-65)M to 10(-7-40)M. Their amplitude at 10(-7-40)M free Ca2+ was equal to the tonic tension developed by a free [Ca2+] 20 times higher applied to the myofilaments when the SR was destroyed by detergent or functionally inhibited by high total [EGTA]. It was concluded that these cyclic contractions corresponded to a Ca2+-triggered release of Ca2+ from the SR. 5. The cyclic contractions were induced by the filling of the SR with Ca2+ to a critical level at which it released a fraction of the Ca2+ it contained. Each contraction was followed by a re-sequestration of Ca2+, the kinetics of which conditioned the duration of the cycles. 6. The amplitude of the cyclic contractions increased when the free [Ca2+] that triggered them was increased. This gradation was deemed incompatible with a simple regenerative process, which should produce an all-or-nothing response. Additional process, such as a modulation of the Ca2+ release by free [Mg2+] and [ADP] may help to explain the gradation of the contractions. 7. It was concluded that a Ca2+-triggered release of Ca2+ from the SR of rat ventricular cells may amplify the Ca2+ flux crossing the sarcolemma during the plateau of the action potential, thereby permitting the activation of the myofilaments.     

Calcium-induced inactivation of calcium release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum of skeletal muscle

The ability of myofilament space Ca²⁺ to modulate Ca²⁺ release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) of skeletal muscle was investigated. Single fibers of the frog Rana pipiens belindieri were manually skinned (sarcolemma removed). Following a standard load and pre-incubation in varying myoplasmic Ca²⁺ concentrations, SR Ca²⁺ release was initiated by caffeine. Ca²⁺ release rates were calculated from the changes in absorbance of a Ca²⁺ sensitive dye, antipyrylazo III. An apparent dissociation constant (K _d) for dye-Ca²⁺ binding of 8000 M² was determined by comparing the buffering action of the dye with that of ethylenebis(oxonitrilo)tetraacetate (EGTA) using the contractile proteins of the skinned fiber as a measure of free Ca²⁺. This value for K _d was used in the calculation of Ca²⁺ release rates. As the myoplasmic space Ca²⁺ was increased from pCa 7.4, Ca²⁺ release rates declined sharply such that at pCa 6.9 the calculated release rate was 72±3% (mean ± SEM) of control (pCa 8.4). Further increases in myoplasmic Ca²⁺ from pCa 6.9 to pCa 6.1 did not result in a further decline in release rate. The effect of a decreased driving force on Ca²⁺ ions was investigated to determine whether it could account for the change in release rates observed. At pCa 6.9, where the greatest degree of inactivation occurred, the measured effects of a change in driving force could account for at most 40% of the observed inactivation. Varying concentrations of Ba²⁺ and Sr²⁺ in the myofilament space had no inactivating effect on the SR Ca²⁺ release rates. The ability of myofilament Ca²⁺ to inhibit SR Ca²⁺ release at concentrations normally encountered during muscle activation suggests a role for released Ca²⁺ as a modulator of the SR Ca²⁺ channel.     

Hydralazine-induced promoter demethylation enhances sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ -ATPase and calcium homeostasis in cardiac myocytes

Sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca(2+)-ATPase (SERCA2a) plays an essential role in Ca(2+) homeostasis and cardiac functions. The promoter region of SERCA2a has a high content of CpG islands; thus, epigenetic modification by inhibiting methylation can enhance SERCA2a expression in cardiomyocytes. Hydralazine, a drug frequently used in heart failure, is a potential DNA methylation inhibitor. We evaluated whether hydralazine can modulate Ca(2+) handling through an increase in SERCA2a expression via regulating methylation. We used indo-1 fluorescence, real-time RT-PCR, immunoblotting, and methylation-specific PCR to investigate intracellular Ca(2+), the expressions of RNA and protein, and methylation of SERCA2a in HL-1 cardiomyocytes with and without (control) the administration of hydralazine (1, 10, and 30 μM) for 72 h. Hydralazine (10 and 30 μM) increased the intracellular Ca(2+) transients and SR Ca(2+) contents. Hydralazine (10 and 30 μM) decreased methylation in the SERCA2a promoter region and increased the RNA and protein expressions of SERCA2a. Additionally, hydralazine (10 and 30 μM) decreased the expression of DNA methyltransferase 1. Moreover, treatment with hydralazine in isoproterenol-induced heart failure rats decreased the promoter methylation of SERCA2a and increased SERCA2a RNA expression. In conclusion, hydralazine-induced promoter demethylation may improve cardiac function through increasing SERCA2a and modulating calcium homeostasis in cardiomyocytes.