Potential role of protein kinase C on the differentiation of erythroid progenitor cells

The effect of protein kinase C inhibitors, staurosporine and 1-(5-isoquinolinyl sulfonyl)-2-methyl piperazine(H7) onin vitro differentiation of erythroid progenitor cells which were isolated from spleens of mice infected with the anemia-inducing strain of Friend virus were examined. Erythropoietin-mediated differentiation of erythroid progenitor cells, as determined by the incorporation of⁵⁹Fe into protoporphyrin, was inhibited by staurosporine and H7 in a concentration-dependent manner. Scatchard analysis of the³H-phorbol-12, 13-dibutyrate binding to erythroid progenitor cells revealed that at the high affinity sites the dissociation constant was 22nM and the maximum number of³H-phorbol-12,13-dibutyrate binding sites per cell was approximately 3.7×10⁵. Cytosolic protein kinase C was isolated from erythroid progenitor cells and then purified by sequential column chromatography. Two isoforms of protein kinase C were found. Photoaffinity labeling of the purified protein kinase C samples with³H-phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate followed by analysis of SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and autofluorography showed radiolabeled 82-KDa peptides. Radiolabeling of the 82-kDa peptides with³H-phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate was almost completely blocked by excess unlabeled phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate. Results of phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate-promoted phosphorylation with the purified protein kinase C samples showed that the phosphorylation of 82-kDa peptides was increased as the concentration of phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate was increased from 10⁻⁸ M to 10⁻⁴M. In light of the findings that erythroid progenitor cells possessed an abundance of protein kinase C and that staurosporine and H7 inhibited erythroid differentiation, it seemed likely that protein kinase C would play a role in the erythroid progenitor cell development.     

Effect of a novel inhibitor of cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase,E-1020, on cytosolic Ca++ level and contraction in vascular smooth muscle

Summary 1. The effects of a novel cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase inhibitor, E-1020 (1,2-dihydro-6-methyl-2-oxo5-(imidazo[1,2-a]pyridin-6-yl)-3-pyridine carbonitrile hydrochloride monohydrate), on cytosolic Ca⁺⁺ level ([Ca⁺⁺]_cyt) and muscle tension were examined in rat aorta using a fluorescent Ca⁺⁺ indicator, fura-2. 2. The sustained contraction induced by norepinephrine was more strongly inhibited by E-1020 than that induced by high K⁺. The contraction induced by a higher concentration of the stimulant was less sensitive to E-1020 than that due to a lower concentration. 3. Contractions induced by high K⁺ and norepinephrine followed the increase in [Ca⁺⁺]_cyt. E-1020 inhibited the increments in [Ca⁺⁺]_cyt and muscle tension. A Ca⁺⁺ channel blocker, verapamil, inhibited the norepinephrine-stimulated [Ca⁺⁺]_cyt more strongly than the contraction. E-1020 inhibited the verapamil-insensitive portion of the norepinephrine-stimulated [Ca⁺⁺]_cyt and contraction. 4. Norepinephrine transiently increased [Ca⁺⁺]_cyt and muscle tension in Ca⁺⁺-free solution. E-1020 inhibited the transient contraction but not the stimulated [Ca⁺⁺]_cyt. 5. E-1020 increased the cyclic AMP content of the muscle. The effects of E-1020 on cyclic AMP content and contraction were potentiated by an activator of adenylate cyclase, forskolin. 6. These results suggest that E-1020 inhibits the vascular contractility by the decrease in [Ca⁺⁺]_cyt and decrease in Ca⁺⁺ sensitivity of contractile elements. These effects may be mediated by the increase in cyclic AMP content of the muscle. Send offprint requests to M. Täjimi at the above address     

PKC-Independent Stimulation of Cardiac Na+/Ca2+ Exchanger by Staurosporine

[Ca²⁺]_i transients by reverse mode of cardiac Na⁺/Ca²⁺ exchanger (NCX1) were recorded in fura-2 loaded BHK cells with stable expression of NCX1. Repeated stimulation of reverse NCX1 produced a long-lasting decrease of Ca²⁺ transients (''rundown''). Rundown of NCX1 was independent of membrane PIP₂ depletion. Although the activation of protein kinase C (PKC) was observed during the Ca²⁺ transients, neither a selective PKC inhibitor (calphostin C) nor a PKC activator (PMA) changed the degrees of rundown. By comparison, a non-specific PKC inhibitor, staurosporine (STS), reversed rundown in a dose-dependent and reversible manner. The action of STS was unaffected by pretreatment of the cells with calphostin C, PMA, or forskolin. Taken together, the results suggest that the stimulation of reverse NCX1 by STS is independent of PKC and/or PKA inhibition.     

N,N-dimethyl-D-erythro-sphingosine increases intracellular Ca2+ concentration via Na+-Ca2+-exchanger in HCT116 human colon cancer cells

N,N-dimethyl-D-erythro-sphingosine (DMS), an N-methyl derivative of sphingosine, is an inhibitor of protein kinase C (PKC) and sphingosine kinase (SK). In previous reports, DMS-induced intracellular Ca²⁺ increase concentration ([Ca²⁺]_i) was studied in T lymphocytes, monocytes, astrocytes and neuronal cells. In the present study, we studied DMS-induced increase of [Ca²⁺]_i in HCT116 human colon cancer cells. We found that the DMS-induced increase of [Ca²⁺]_i in colon cancer cells is composed of Ca²⁺ release from intracellular Ca²⁺ stores and subsequent Ca²⁺ influx. The Ca²⁺ release is not related to modulation of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP₃) receptor or ryanodine receptor. On the other hand, the Ca²⁺ influx is mediated largely through Ca²⁺ channels sensitive to verapamil, nifedipine, Ga³⁺, and La³⁺. Furthermore, we found that the response is inhibited by bepridil and Ni²⁺, specific inhibitors of Na⁺-Ca²⁺-exchanger, suggesting involvement of Na⁺-Ca²⁺ exchanger in the DMS-induced [Ca²⁺]_i increase in colon cancer cells. This inhibition was also observed in U937 monocytes, but not in 1321N1 astrocytes.     

Effect of Roflumilast in airways disorders via dual inhibition of phosphodiesterase and Ca2+-channel

The bronchodilator effects of Roflumilast “a selective phosphodiesterase type-4 (PDE4)” inhibitor studied in this experimental protocol. The spiral strips of isolated guinea-pig tracheal chains mounted in organ bath and maintained in Krebs solution ventilated with carbogen at 32 °C and in Ca⁺⁺ restricted krebs solution. PDE inhibitory activity was evaluated by recording dose response curves using inhibitory effect of isoprenaline on CCh induced contractions. For confirmation of PDE inhibition the intracellular cAMP levels were also estimated. Roflumilast resulted a sharp inhibition in contractile responses of carbachol (CCh, 1 µM) and K⁺ (80 mM) and the results were almost similar to verapamil. In Ca⁺⁺ restricted Krebs solution, a rightward shift in the Ca⁺⁺ response curves observed in the tracheal chain strips which were pretreated with Roflumilast (0.001–0.003 mg/mL) and the maximum response was suppressed, similarly as with verapamil. PDE inhibitory effect of Roflumilast evaluated by recording dose-dependent (0.03–0.1 mg/mL) responses, the isoprenaline-induced inhibitory dose response curves shifted leftward similar to papaverine (PDE inhibitor). Pretreatment with Roflumilast exhibited elevated intracellular cAMP levels in tracheal strips. Findings of the experiment conclude bronchodilatory influence of Roflumilast via PDE and Ca⁺⁺ channel inhibition. Results of current experiment offers comprehensive mechanistic background of Roflumilast in future as therapeutic bronchodilator for hyperactive bronchial airway diseases.     

Octyl Gallate Inhibits ATP-induced Intracellular Calcium Increase in PC12 Cells by Inhibiting Multiple Pathways

Phenolic compounds affect intracellular free Ca²⁺ concentration ([Ca²⁺]_i) signaling. The study examined whether the simple phenolic compound octyl gallate affects ATP-induced Ca²⁺ signaling in PC12 cells using fura-2-based digital Ca²⁺ imaging and whole-cell patch clamping. Treatment with ATP (100 µM) for 90 s induced increases in [Ca²⁺]_i in PC12 cells. Pretreatment with octyl gallate (100 nM to 20 µM) for 10 min inhibited the ATP-induced [Ca²⁺]_i response in a concentration-dependent manner (IC₅₀=2.84 µM). Treatment with octyl gallate (3 µM) for 10 min significantly inhibited the ATP-induced response following the removal of extracellular Ca²⁺ with nominally Ca²⁺-free HEPES HBSS or depletion of intracellular Ca²⁺ stores with thapsigargin (1 µM). Treatment for 10 min with the L-type Ca²⁺ channel antagonist nimodipine (1 µM) significantly inhibited the ATP-induced [Ca²⁺]_i increase, and treatment with octyl gallate further inhibited the ATP-induced response. Treatment with octyl gallate significantly inhibited the [Ca²⁺]_i increase induced by 50 mM KCl. Pretreatment with protein kinase C inhibitors staurosporin (100 nM) and GF109203X (300 nM), or the tyrosine kinase inhibitor genistein (50 µM) did not significantly affect the inhibitory effects of octyl gallate on the ATP-induced response. Treatment with octyl gallate markedly inhibited the ATP-induced currents. Therefore, we conclude that octyl gallate inhibits ATP-induced [Ca²⁺]_i increase in PC12 cells by inhibiting both non-selective P2X receptor-mediated influx of Ca²⁺ from extracellular space and P2Y receptor-induced release of Ca²⁺ from intracellular stores in protein kinase-independent manner. In addition, octyl gallate inhibits the ATP-induced Ca²⁺ responses by inhibiting the secondary activation of voltage-gated Ca²⁺ channels.     

赛庚啶对离体犬心肌肌质网Ca2+,Mg2+—ATP酶活性和45Ca2+摄取功能的影响

当赛庚啶浓度在8×10^-6mol/L～2×10^-4mol/L之间时,该药对正常犬心肌肌质网Ca²⁺,Mg²⁺—ATP酶活性几乎没有影响,仅在10^-3mol/L时对该酶活性才有一定的抑制作用(抑制率为39.85%,P<0.01)。正常犬心肌肌质网的⁴⁵Ca²⁺摄取过程有明显的时间依赖性,至第30 min,其⁴⁵Ca²⁺摄取量可达312.79±22.25 nmol/mg protein.赛庚啶对心肌肌质网的~(45)Ca²⁺摄取有一定的抑制作用,其IC₅₀为1.94×10^-4mol/L。     

A new role for extracellular Ca2+ in gap-junction remodeling: studies in humans and rats

We wanted to elucidate whether extracellular calcium may regulate the expression of the cardiac gap-junction proteins connexin 40 and connexin43. In the free wall of the left atria of 126 cardiac surgery patients with either sinus rhythm (SR) or chronic atrial fibrillation (AF), we determined the expression of the cardiac gap-junction proteins Cx43 and Cx40 by Western blot and immunohistology. For deeper investigation, we incubated cultured neonatal rat cardiomyocytes at 2 or 4 mM Ca⁺⁺ for 24 h and determined intercellular coupling, Cx40, Cx43 protein and mRNA expression, protein trafficking and sensitivity to verapamil (10–100 nM), cyclosporin A (1 μM),and BMS605401 (100 nM), a specific inhibitor of Ca²⁺-sensing receptor (CaSR). We found in patients that both Cx are up-regulated in AF in the left atrium (by 100–200%). Interestingly, Cx40 was mainly up-regulated, if total serum calcium was ≥2.2 mM, while Cx43 was independent from extracellular [Ca⁺⁺]. In cultured cells, 4 mM Ca⁺⁺-exposure lead to up-regulation of Cx40, but not Cx43. We found enhanced Cx40 in the plasma membrane and reduced Cx40 in the Golgi apparatus. The membrane Cx40 up-regulation resulted in enhanced gap-junction intercellular coupling with a shift in the Boltzmann fit of voltage-dependent inactivation indicating a higher contribution of Cx40 as revealed by dual whole cell voltage clamp experiments. BMS605401 could prevent all Ca²⁺-induced changes. Moreover, cyclosporin A completely abolished the Ca²⁺-induced changes, while verapamil was ineffective. We conclude that extracellular calcium (24 h exposure) seems to up-regulate Cx40 but not Cx43.     

Intracellular Ca2+ mediates lipoxygenase-induced proliferation of U-373 MG human astrocytoma cells

The role of intracellular Ca²⁺ in the regulation of tumor cell proliferation by products of arachidonic acid (AA) metabolism was investigated using U-373 MG human astrocytoma cells. Treatment with nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA), a lipoxygenase (LOX) inhibitor, or caffeic acid (CA), a specific 5-LOX inhibitor, suppressed proliferation of the tumor cells in a dose-dependent manner. However, indomethacin (Indo), a cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitor, did not significantly alter proliferation of the tumor cells. At anti-proliferative concentrations, NDGA and CA significantly inhibited intracellular Ca²⁺ release induced by carbachol, a known intracellular Ca²⁺ agonist in the tumor cells. Exogenous administration of leukotriene B₄ (LTB₄), an AA metabolite of LOX pathway, enhanced proliferation of the tumor cells in a concentration-dependent fashion. In addition, LTB₄ induced intracellular Ca²⁺ release. Intracellular Ca²⁺ inhibitors, such as an intracellular Ca²⁺ chelator (BAPTA) and intracellular Ca²⁺-release inhibitors (dantrolene and TMB-8), significantly blocked the LTB₄-induced enhancement of cell proliferation and intracellular Ca²⁺ release. These results suggest that LOX activity may be critical for cell proliferation of the human astrocytoma cells and that intracellular Ca²⁺ may play a major role in the mechanism of action of LOX.     

Epigallocatechin-3-gallate increases intracellular [Ca<Superscript>2+</Superscript>] in U87 cells mainly by influx of extracellular Ca<Superscript>2+</Superscript> and partly by release of intracellular stores

Green tea has been receiving considerable attention as a possible preventive agent against cancer and cardiovascular disease. Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) is a major polyphenol component of green tea. Using digital calcium imaging and an assay for [³H]-inositol phosphates, we determined whether EGCG increases intracellular [Ca²⁺] ([Ca²⁺]_i) in non-excitable human astrocytoma U87 cells. EGCG induced concentration-dependent increases in [Ca²⁺]_i. The EGCG-induced [Ca²⁺]_i increases were reduced to 20.9% of control by removal of extracellular Ca²⁺. The increases were also inhibited markedly by treatment with the non-specific Ca²⁺ channel inhibitors cobalt (3 mM) for 3 min and lanthanum (1 mM) for 5 min. The increases were not significantly inhibited by treatment for 10 min with the L-type Ca²⁺ channel blocker nifedipine (100 nM). Treatment with the inhibitor of endoplasmic reticulum Ca²⁺-ATPase thapsigargin (1 µM) also significantly inhibited the EGCG-induced [Ca²⁺]_i increases. Treatment for 15 min with the phospholipase C (PLC) inhibitor neomycin (300 µM) attenuated the increases significantly, while the tyrosine kinase inhibitor genistein (30 µM) had no effect. EGCG increased [³H]-inositol phosphates formation via PLC activation. Treatment for 10 min with mefenamic acid (100 µM) and flufenamic acid (100 µM), derivatives of diphenylamine-2-carboxylate, blocked the EGCG-induced [Ca²⁺]_i increase in non-treated and thapsigargin-treated cells but indomethacin (100 µM) did not affect the increases. Collectively, these data suggest that EGCG increases [Ca²⁺]_i in non-excitable U87 cells mainly by eliciting influx of extracellular Ca²⁺ and partly by mobilizing intracellular Ca²⁺ stores by PLC activation. The EGCG-induced [Ca²⁺]_i influx is mediated mainly through channels sensitive to diphenylamine-2-carboxylate derivatives.     

Modulation of intracellular calcium by potassium channel openers in vascular muscle

Summary We investigated two putative K⁺ channel openers, pinacidil and BRL34915 (cromakalim), and demonstrated their vasorelaxant effectiveness on rat artery contractions induced by K⁺, tetraethylammonium (TEA), or norepinephrine. The K⁺ channel opener-induced decrease in tension was rapid, even when tension was stimulated by 100 mmol/l K⁺. Measurements of intracellular free Ca⁺⁺ (activity) by ultra-high sensitivity digital imaging microscopy was carried out by briefly loaded fura2 (fluorescence ratio) quantitation in isolated, contracting cells of rat azygos vein. Submicron resolution was achieved by measuring cytoplasmic Ca⁺⁺-sensitive fluorescence at each pixel, and size and intensity of areas with high Ca⁺⁺ concentrations, called hot spots, were determined by a computer-generated, 3 algorithm. Hot spots, which most likely represent the sites of Ca⁺⁺ release and re-uptake by Ca⁺⁺-regulatory organelles, increased in size and intensity upon addition of K⁺ or norepinephrine, reaching an early peak prior to the whole cell average peak in cytoplasmic Ca⁺⁺ activity. Both norepinephrine and K⁺-induced stimulation resulted in Ca⁺⁺ activity increases that were primarily due to Ca⁺⁺ release from storage sites. Reduction of free Ca⁺⁺ activity to resting or lower levels occurred upon addition of pinacidil or cromakalim. Intracellular Ca⁺⁺ decreases due to K⁺ channel openers appeared abruptly beginning at the central portions of the cells, resulting in a pronounced early drop in central Ca⁺⁺ activity while elevated Ca⁺⁺ levels persisted at the periphery. While this late stage residual of peripheral Ca⁺⁺ appears to be a significant step in the vascular muscle relaxant action of both K⁺ channel opener drugs, the level of Ca⁺⁺ at peripheral sites was greater in response to pinacidil than to cromakalim. The results of this study suggest that in addition to increasing K⁺ conductance, pinacidil and cromakalim cause 1) decreased Ca⁺⁺ activity in central regions of the myocytes, and 2) a shift in Ca⁺⁺ distribution to primarily subsarcolemmal sites. These observations lead us to hypothesize separate control of peripheral and central Ca⁺⁺ activity within a vascular muscle cell, with Ca⁺⁺ redistribution that can be altered by vasorelaxants. We suggest that intracellular Ca⁺⁺ redistribution may contribute the membrane potential-independent part of the vasorelaxant action of the K⁺ channel openers.This study was supported by NIH grants HL38537 and HL38645, and Eli Lilly Co. P.E. was supported by the Swiss Foundation of Cardiology and by the SNF 32-029 975.90     

U-73122, an aminosteroid phospholipase C inhibitor, may also block Ca2+ influx through phospholipase C-independent mechanism in neutrophil activation

1-[6-[[17a-3-Methoxyestra-1,3,5(10)-trien17-yl]amino]hexyl]-1H-pyrrole-2,5-dione (U-73122) has been proven to be a useful tool in investigation of phospholipase C (PLC)-coupled signal transduction during cell activation. In the present studies, the inhibition by U-73122 of cytosolic free Ca²⁺ concentration ([Ca 2+]i) of neutrophils was investigated. U-73122 suppressed the [Ca²⁺]i elevation of neutrophils suspended in Ca²⁺-containing medium challenged by N-formyl-Met-Leu-Phe (fMLP), cyclopiazonic acid (CPA) and ionomycin. The concentrations of U-73122 required for inhibition of CPA- and ionomycin-induced changes with IC₅₀ values 4.06 ± 0.27 µM and 4.04 ± 0.44 µM, respectively, is almost 10-times that required for inhibition of the fMLP-induced response (IC₅₀ value 0.62 ± 0.04 µM) U-73122 also reduced the intracellular Ca²⁺ mobilization of neutrophils suspended in Ca ²⁺-free medium stimulated by fMLP and CPA, but not by ionomycin, with IC₅₀ values 0.52 ± 0.02 µM and 6.82 ± 0.74 µM, respectively. 1-[6-[[17f3-Methoxyestra-1,3,5(10)-trien-l7-yl]amino]hexyl]2,5-pyrrolidinedione (U-73343), a close analog of U-73122 that does not inhibit PLC activity, suppressed the [Ca²⁺]_i elevation of neutrophils challenged by fMLP in Ca²⁺-containing medium, but not in Ca²⁺-free medium, with IC₅₀ value 22.30 ± 1.61 µM. In Mn²⁺-quench studies, U-73122 suppressed the Mn²⁺ influx in CPA-activated neutrophils (IC₅₀ value was 7.16 ± 0.28 µM) as well as in resting neutrophils (IC₅₀ value was 6.72 ± 0.30 M). U-73343 also suppressed the Mn²⁺ influx in resting neutrophils in a concentration-dependent manner. These results suggest that the inhibitory effect of U-73122 on [Ca²⁺]i of activated neutrophils is attributed partly to the suppression of Ca²⁺ release from the intracellular Ca²⁺ stores through PLC inhibition, and partly to the blockade, especially at higher concentrations, of Ca²⁺ entry from the extracellular space through PLC-independent processes.     

Inhibition of calcium influx in rabbit aorta by nicardipine hydrochloride (YC-93)

The Ca²⁺ antagonistic effects of a potent vasodilator, nicardipine hydrochloride [2-(N-benzyl-N-methylamino)ethyl methyl 2,6-dimethyl-4-(m-nitrophenyl)-1,4-dihydropyridine-3,5-dicarboxylate hydrochloride], were investigated. Both nicardipine and verapamil, neither of which exhibited a significant effect on cellular ⁴⁵Ca²⁺ uptake by the rabbit aorta in normal buffer containing 2.68 mM KCl as measured by the “lanthanum method”, inhibited the enhancement of ⁴⁵Ca²⁺ uptake induced by equimolar replacement of 120 mM NaCl by KCl. Nicardipine with an ic₅₀ (the concentration required for 50 per cent inhibition) of 10^?9 M was sixty-eight times more potent than verapamil in the inhibition of KCl-induced ⁴⁵Ca²⁺ uptake. Nicardipine also repressed KCl-induced contraction of the aorta and its ic₅₀ was about 2 × 10^?9M, eighty-five times smaller than that of verapamil. These comparative studies on the relation between cellular ⁴⁵Ca²⁺ uptake and KCl-induced contraction of the rabbit aorta suggest that nicardipine causes relaxation of smooth muscle mainly by interfering with Ca²⁺ influx.     

Suppression by phospholipase A2 inhibitors of secretion of catecholamines from isolated adrenal medullary cells by suppression of cellular calcium uptake

The involvement of phospholipase A₂ in the secretion of catecholamines and cellular uptake of ⁴⁵Ca^2? was investigated in isolated bovine adrenal medullary cells. In these cells, stimulation of cholinergic receptors by carbamylcholine causes the activation of receptor-linked Ca-channels and influx of Ca^?2 is known to trigger the secretory process. Phospholipase A₂ inhibitors, such as quinacrine. chloroquine, quinine and p-bromophenacyi bromide, all inhibited the secretion of catecholamines evoked by carbamylcholine in a dose-dependent manner. These phospholipase A₂ inhibitors also inhibited the cellular uptake of ⁴⁵Ca^2? evoked by carbamylcholine with similar dose-response curves to those for inhibition of catecholamine secretion. The inhibition by phospholipase A₂ inhibitors was found to be distinct from inhibition by d-tubocurarine which competitively blocks acetylcholine receptors. and from inhibition by diltiazem which acts as a Ca-antagonist at Ca-channels. Phospholipase A₂ inhibitors seem to suppress the secretion of catecholamines by interfering with the linkage between acetylcholine receptors and Ca-channels by the membrane effects including the inhibition of endogenous phospholipase A₂ activity of the adrenal medullary cells.     

Studies on the mechanism of action of glucagon in strips of rabbit renal artery

1 The vasodilator effects of glucagon and adenosine cyclic 3′,5′-monophosphate (cyclic AMP) were evaluated in strips of rabbit renal artery contracted with noradrenaline (NA) in the absence and presence of phosphodiesterase inhibitors or calcium (Ca²⁺) antagonists.

2 The vascular relaxant effect of glucagon was markedly potentiated by various concentrations of four different phosphodiesterase inhibitors (papaverine, theophylline, 3-isobutyl-l-methylxanthine (IBMX) and indomethacin), while that of cyclic AMP was potentiated by only two of them (papaverine and indomethacin) and inhibited by the others (theophylline and IBMX).

3 Amongst the four phosphodiesterase inhibitors, IBMX (10 μg/ml) was found to produce the largest potentiation (e.g. the sensitivity increased by a factor of 10) of glucagon-induced vascular relaxations (ED₅₀ of glucagon in the presence of IBMX = 9.2 ± 1.0 ng/ml).

4 Ca²⁺ antagonists such as verapamil and SKF 525A produced a dose-dependent inhibition of the vasodilator action of glucagon. Verapamil (2.5 μg/ml) also antagonized cyclic AMP-induced vascular relaxations.

5 The vasodilator effect of verapamil was inhibited dose-dependently by raising the concentration of extracellular Ca²⁺ from 0.05 to 0.2 g/l (or 1.25 to 5.0 mM) while those elicited by glucagon or cyclic AMP were not influenced, thus suggesting that the latter two drugs do not interfere with Ca²⁺ influx.

6 Disodium edetate (Na₂EDTA, 210 to 840 μg/l) produced a dose-dependent vasodilator effect which was attributed to the facilitation of Ca²⁺ extrusion from the smooth muscle cells and/or Ca²⁺ binding to the cell membrane. The relaxation produced by Na₂EDTA was significantly blocked by verapamil (10 μg/ml) or SKF 525A (10 μg/ml).

7 The results were taken as an indication that glucagon produces at least a fraction of its vasodilator effect by promoting Ca²⁺ extrusion from the vascular smooth muscle cells and/or Ca²⁺ binding to or sequestration into intracellular sites, presumably via a cyclic AMP-dependent mechanism.

     

Mechanisms of serotonin-induced Ca2+ responses in mesangial cells

Smooth muscle cell-like mesangial cells play an important role in the regulation of glomerular blood flow and are involved in renal inflammatory reactions, thereby interacting with circulating cells. The platelet products serotonin (5-HT) and ATP induce similar, e.g. mitogenic, effects in mesangial cells, but differentially activate and induce inflammation-related genes. To get an insight into intracellular signaling steps, a very early step in the signaling cascade, the biphasic Ca²⁺ signal elicited by 5-HT and ATP in rat mesangial cells was investigated. Both phases of the Ca²⁺ signal, release from internal stores as well as influx of extracellular Ca²⁺, were dependent on phospholipase C activation as shown by the specific inhibitor U73122 (complete inhibition at 10μM U73122). There was no evidence for voltage-gated L-type channels in these cells, suggesting that Ca²⁺ influx was mediated by Ca²⁺ release-activated channels. The L-type channel blocker verapamil, however, dose-dependently (0.1–10μM) and specifically inhibited 5-HT-elicited Ca²⁺ signals by interference with binding of 5-HT to 5-HT_2A receptors. 5-HT-mediated Ca²⁺ release was reduced by 80% when protein kinase C was activated by the phorbolester TPA (0.1μM). Interaction of 5-HT_2A receptors with phospholipase C was also inhibited by genistein (30% at 5μM; 100% at 50μM), an inhibitor of tyrosine kinases. Binding of 5-HT to its receptor reduced subsequent ATP-mediated Ca²⁺ signaling. The cross talk between the receptors was sensitive to genistein. ATP-mediated Ca²⁺ signaling was attributed to different types of P_2y receptors and/or multiple G-proteins coupled, because the signal was partially inhibited by pertussis toxin (50%). In accordance, modulation of the ATP-mediated signaling by phosphorylation was less tightly controlled than 5-HT-mediated Ca²⁺ release. These data indicate that although the Ca²⁺ responses elicited by the two stimuli are comparable, interactions between receptors, G-proteins and target enzymes are regulated differentially. Received: 6 January 1997 / Accepted: 9 May 1997     

Expression of the extraneuronal monoamine transporter (uptake2) in human glioma cells

Tritiated methylphenylpyridinium ([³H]MPP⁺), a substrate of the neuronal and extraneuronal noradrenaline transporter (uptake₁ and uptake₂, respectively) and of the organic cation transporter (OCT1), was used to characterize the amine transport system of the established human glioma cell line SK-MG-1.Uptake of [³H]MPP⁺ (25 nM) into SK-MG-1 cells increased linearly with time for up to 15 min. Selective uptake₁ inhibitors (e.g. (+)oxaprotiline) or omission of Na⁺ or Cl^– ions did not affect [³H]MPP⁺ uptake, whereas uptake₂ inhibitors such as O-methyl-isoprenaline (OMI) or corticosterone as well as depolarizing concentrations of K⁺ or Ba²⁺ strongly reduced [³H]MPP⁺ uptake. Initial rates of OMI(100 M)-sensitive [³H]MPP⁺ uptake were saturable, with a K_m of about 17 M and a maximal rate of about 50 pmol/ (min × mg protein). IC₅₀ (or K_i) values for inhibition of [³H]MPP⁺ uptake by substrates and inhibitors of uptake₂ or OCTI were highly significantly correlated with published IC₅₀ values for inhibition of uptake₂ but not with corresponding values for inhibition of OCT1.The results presented here clearly demonstrate that human glioma cells express an uptake₂ transporter. Thus, glial cells in the human central nervous system endowed with this transporter are likely to contribute to the inactivation of neuronally released noradrenaline.     

Vasoinhibitory effect of leminoprazole,a H+,K+-atpase inhibitor,on rat aortic rings

• 1.1. In isolated rat aortic rings, leminoprazole (2-[2-N-methyl-N-(2-methylpropyl)amino] benzylsulfinyl benzimidazole) (10⁻⁶-10⁻⁴ M) inhibited contractile responses to phenylephrine (PE), KCl and Ca²⁺ in KCl-depolarized tissues in a Ca²⁺ free medium. Leminoprazole also relaxed the aorta contracted by PE and KCI.
• 2.2. The relaxing effect of leminoprazole was markedly inhibited by nifedipine and verapamil (inhibitors of voltage operated Ca²⁺ channels). Relaxation induced by verapamil, but not by nifedipine, was inhibited by pre-treatment by leminoprazole.
• 3.3. The relaxing effect of leminoprazole was also inhibited by N^G-monomethyl-l-arginine (a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor), methylene blue (a guanylate cyclase inhibitor) or endothelium removal but not by indomethacin (a cyclooxygenase inhibitor), glyburide (a K_ATP channel inhibitor) or iberiotoxin (a K_Ca channel inhibitor).
• 4.4. Zaprinast (a cGMP-phosphodiesterase inhibitor) also inhibited the relaxing action of leminoprazole. In addition, relaxation induced by nitroglycerin was potentiated by leminoprazole.
• 5.5. Further, in the presence of methylene blue, residual relaxation induced by leminoprazole was still potentiated by verapamil.
• 6.6. These results suggest that the vasoinhibitory effect of leminoprazole in rat aortic rings is due to the increased level of cGMP through inhibition of cGMP-phosphodiesterase and also due to inhibition of voltage operated Ca²⁺ channels.