Ca2+/calmodulin inhibition and phospholipase C-linked Ca2+ Signaling in clonal beta-cells

Neurotransmitters and hormones, such as arginine vasopressin (AVP) and bombesin, evoke frequency-modulated repetitive Ca2+ transients in insulin-secreting HIT-T15 cells by binding to receptors linked to phospholipase C (PLC). The role of calmodulin (CaM)-dependent mechanisms in the generation of PLC-linked Ca2+ transients was investigated by use of the naphthalenesulfonamide CaM antagonists W-7 and W-13 and their dechlorinated control analogs W-5 and W-12. W-7 (10-30 microM) and W-13 (30-100 microM), but not W-5 (100 microM) and W-12 (300 microM), reversibly inhibited the AVP- and bombesin-induced Ca2+ transients. As the generation of PLC-linked Ca2+ transients requires mobilization of internal Ca2+ and Ca2+ influx through voltage-sensitive (VSCC) and -insensitive (VICC) Ca2+ channels, the effects of the W compounds on these processes were further investigated. First, W-7 dose dependently diminished K+ (45 mM)-induced Ca2+ signals (IC50, approximately 25 microM), and W-13 (100 microM) reduced the K+ (45 mM)-induced [Ca2+]i rise by about 40-60%, whereas W-5 (100 microM) and W-12 (300 microM) had no effect. In addition, W-7 (100 microM) inhibited whole cell Ca2+ currents in mouse beta-cells by about 60%. Second, pretreatment of cells (5 min) with W-7 (30 microM), but not W-5 (30 microM), inhibited agonist-induced internal Ca2+ mobilization by about 75% in Ca2+-free medium. Neither W-7 (30 microM) nor W-5 (30 microM) affected AVP (100 nM)-stimulated formation of IP3. Third, capacitative Ca2+ influx through VICC activated by thapsigargin (2 microM) in the presence of verapamil (50 microM) was inhibited by W-7 (30 microM) but not by W-5 (30 microM). As all of the W compound effects corresponded well to their reported anticalmodulin activity, a specific anticalmodulin action can be assumed. Thus, Ca2+ via activation of CaM-dependent processes could provide positive feedback on the generation of PLC-linked Ca2+ transients in HIT-T15 cells. This appears to involve CaM-dependent regulation of both mobilization of internal Ca2+ and Ca2+ influx through VSCC and VICC.     

Effect of W-7 on ionic fluxes and electrical activity of mouse pancreatic islets

W-7 (N-(6-amino-hexyl)-5-chloro-1-naphthalenesulfonamide) (0.1 mM), a calmodulin inhibiting compound, suppressed the reincrease of 86Rb+ efflux from pancreatic islets normally seen in response to lowering the glucose concentration from stimulated to basal value. Ionophore (A23187)-induced increase was completely abolished. W-7 inhibited 45Ca2+ uptake and stimulation of 45Ca2+ efflux in response to glucose (11.1 mM) but did not affect K+ (20 mM)-induced 45Ca2+ uptake. Electrical activity of B-cells at 11.1 mM glucose showed a prolongation in burst length in the presence of 0.1 mM W-7. The data suggest that W-7 affects the opening properties of K+ channels resulting in a delayed repolarisation of the cells possibly through its inhibitory action on Ca2(+)-activated calmodulin.     

3''-modified antisense oligodeoxyribonucleotides complementary to calmodulin mRNA alter behavioral responses in Paramecium.

The calcium-binding protein calmodulin has been shown to modulate the Ca(2+)-dependent ion channels of Paramecium tetraurelia. Mutations in the calmodulin gene of Paramecium result in an altered pattern of behavioral responses. Antisense oligodeoxyribonucleotides (ODNs), complementary to calmodulin mRNA in Paramecium, were synthesized from a modified solid support that introduced a 3'-hydroxyhexyl phosphate. These 3'-modified ODNs were tested for their ability to alter the behavioral response of Paramecium. The microinjection of antisense ODNs temporarily reduced the backward swimming behavior of the cells in test solutions containing Na+. The injection of sense and random 3'-modified ODNs, or unmodified antisense ODNs, had no effect. The antisense ODN-induced effect was reversed by the injection of calmodulin protein. The pattern of response of the injected cells in various behavioral test solutions indicated that the calmodulin antisense ODNs reduce the Ca(2+)-dependent Na+ current. Antisense ODNs, complementary either to the 5' start site or to an internal sequence of the calmodulin mRNA, were similarly effective in altering behavior. These results show that antisense ODNs may be utilized in ciliated protozoa as a tool for reducing the expression of specific gene products. In addition, Paramecium represents a powerful model system with which to study and develop antisense ODN technology.     

A mutant Paramecium with a defective calcium-dependent potassium conductance has an altered calmodulin: a nonlethal selective alteration in calmodulin regulation.

The Paramecium mutant, pantophobiac A, has a defect that results in an in vivo loss of calcium-dependent potassium efflux channel activity. This defect is corrected fully by the microinjection of wild-type Paramecium calmodulin into pantophobiac A cells and is partially restored by calmodulins from other organisms, but it cannot be restored by microinjection of pantophobiac calmodulin. Overall, these results suggested that wild-type Paramecium calmodulin has unique features that allow it to restore fully a normal phenotype and that the defect in pantophobiac A might be an altered calmodulin molecule. Previous studies established the amino acid sequence of wild-type calmodulin and showed that Paramecium calmodulin has several differences from other calmodulins, including the presence of dimethyllysine at residue 13. To test directly the possibility that calmodulin from the pantophobiac mutant might be altered, we purified the mutant calmodulin and compared its properties to those of wild-type Paramecium calmodulin. We found one amino acid sequence difference between the two Paramecium calmodulins: a phenylalanine in the mutant protein, instead of a serine, at residue 101. This change is at a calcium-liganding residue in the third calcium-binding loop. These and previous studies demonstrate that comparatively subtle changes in the structure of calmodulin can result in quantitative alterations in in vivo activity, provide insight into the in vivo roles of calmodulin and the regulation of ion channels, and demonstrate that functional alterations of calmodulin are not necessarily lethal.     

钙调蛋白和电压依赖性钙通道在EGF促肝癌细胞生长中的作用

目的:许多生长因子如表皮生长因子(EGF)与肿瘤的发生密切相关。EGF与表皮生长因子受体(EGFR)结合,通过一系列的信息传导,导致肝癌细胞的增生。但受体后的信息传导机制尚不清楚。本实验探讨酪氨酸激酶、钙调蛋白和电压依赖性钙通道在EGF促肝癌细胞生长中的作用。方法:本研究于无血清RPMI 1640中培养肝癌细胞SMMC7721。采用3H-Thymidine(3H-TdR)掺入的方法,检测肝癌细胞DNA合成速率,研究酪氨酸激酶、钙调蛋白和电压依赖性钙通道在EGF促肝癌细胞生长中的作用。结果:EGF10-9M对肝癌细胞的生长有极显著促进作用,与对照组比较差异有显著意义(P<0.05)。酪氨酸激酶阻滞剂Genistein对EGF的促肝癌细胞生长极显著抑制作用(P<0.001)。钙调蛋白阻滞剂W-7对EGF的促肝癌细胞生长具有极显著抑制作用(P<0.001),而对基础状态细胞的H-TdR掺入值无显著影响(P>0.05)。电压依赖性钙通道阻滞剂Varapamil对EGF的促肝癌细胞生长无显著抑制作用(P>0.05),对基础状态细胞的3H-TdR掺入值亦无显著影响(P>0.05)。结论:结果显示,酪氨酸激酶及依赖钙-钙调蛋白途径在EGF的作用中起关键作用,电压依赖性钙通道与EGF的作用无关。     

A role for calmodulin in the growth of human hematopoietic progenitor cells.

A possible role for calmodulin in the colony growth of human hematopoietic progenitor cells was investigated using pharmacologic approaches. We obtained evidence for a dose-dependent inhibition of colony formation of myeloid progenitor cells (CFU-C) stimulated by interleukin-3 (IL-3), granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), or granulocyte CSF (G-CSF) by three calmodulin antagonists, N-(6-aminohexyl)-5-chloro-1-naphthalenesulfonamide hydrochloride (W-7), N-(4-aminobutyl)-5-chloro-2-naphthalenesulfonamide hydrochloride (W-13), and trifluoperazine. Chlorine-deficient analogs of W-7 and W-13, with a lower affinity for calmodulin, did not inhibit the growth of CFU-C colonies. W-7, W-13, and trifluoperazine inhibited the colony formation of immature erythroid progenitor cells (BFU-E) stimulated by IL-3 plus erythropoietin (Ep) or GM-CSF plus Ep, in a dose-dependent manner, while they did not affect the colony formation of mature erythroid progenitor cells (CFU-E) induced by Ep. W-7, W-13, and trifluoperazine also led to a dose-dependent inhibition of GM-CSF-induced colony formation of KG-1 cells. Calmodulin-dependent kinase activity derived from the KG-1 cells was inhibited by these three calmodulin antagonists in a dose-dependent manner. These data suggest that calmodulin may play an important regulatory role via a common process in the growth of hematopoietic progenitor cells stimulated by IL-3, GM-CSF, and G-CSF. Mechanisms related to the growth signal of Ep apparently are not associated with calmodulin-mediated systems.     

N-(6-aminohexyl)-5-chloro-1-naphthalenesulfonamide, a calmodulin antagonist, inhibits cell proliferation.

N-(6-Aminohexyl)-5-chloro-1-naphthalenesulfonamide (W-7) and its derivatives are putative calmodulin antagonists that bind to calmodulin and inhibit Ca2+/calmodulin-regulated enzyme activities. Autoradiographic studies using tritiated W-7 showed that this compound penetrates the cell membrane, is distributed mainly in the cytoplasm, and inhibits proliferation of Chinese hamster ovary K1 (CHO-K1) cells. Cytoplasmic [3H]W-7 was excluded completely within 6 hr after removal of [3H]W-7 from the culture medium. N-(6-aminohexyl)-1-naphthalenesulfonamide, an analogue of W-7 that interacts only weakly with calmodulin, proved to be a much weaker inhibitor of cell proliferation. CHO-K1 cells were synchronized by shaking during mitosis and then released into the cell cycle in the presence of 25 microM W-7 or 2.5 mM thymidine for 12 hr. Cell division was observed approximately 6 hr later. The results suggest that the effect of W-7 on cell proliferation might be through selective inhibition of the G1/S boundary phase, which is similar to the effect of excess thymidine. This pharmacological demonstration that cytoplasmic calmodulin is involved in cell proliferation is significant; W-7 and its derivatives may be useful tools for research on calmodulin and cell biology-related studies.     

Effects of calmodulin inhibitors on amylase secretion from rat pancreatic acini.

To investigate the role of calmodulin in stimulus-secretion coupling in pancreatic acinar cells, we studied the effects of W-7, a calmodulin inhibitor, and KN-62, a specific inhibitor of Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (Ca2+/CaM kinase II), on amylase secretion from rat pancreatic acini. Calmodulin inhibitor (W-7, 100 microM) and Ca2+/CaM kinase II inhibitor (KN-62, 10 microM) reduced amylase secretion stimulated by cholecystokinin (CCK) or carbachol. W-7 and KN-62 also inhibited amylase secretion stimulated by both calcium ionophore (A23187) and phorbol ester (12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate, TPA). To clarify the role of calmodulin in the interaction of intracellular mediators, pancreatic acini were permeabilized with streptolysin O. Following permeabilization, amylase secretion was stimulated by submicromolar free Ca2+, and this Ca(2+)-dependent amylase secretion was enhanced by guanosine 5'-[gamma-thio]triphosphate (GTP gamma S), TPA or cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cAMP). W-7 and KN-62 had no effects on amylase secretion stimulated by Ca2+ alone, but inhibited the enhancement in Ca(2+)-dependent amylase secretion by GTP gamma S, TPA or cAMP. These data suggest that calmodulin plays an important role in Ca(2+)-dependent amylase secretion from pancreatic acinar cells and in the interaction between Ca2+ and other intracellular messengers.     

W-5 and quin 2-AM reverse the inhibitory effect of insulin on lipolysis due to dibutyryl cAMP.

The effects of W-5, a weak calmodulin antagonist, and quin 2-AM, a cell permeant calcium chelator, on lipolysis and antilipolytic activity of insulin were studied in isolated rat adipocytes. We have previously shown that W-7, a strong calmodulin antagonist, suppresses the inhibitory effect of insulin on lipolysis due to dibutyryl cAMP (Bt2cAMP) in a dose-dependent manner [H. Goko, A. Matsuoka, Diabetes Res. Clin. Prac. 19 (1993) 177-181] and verapamil, a calcium antagonist, potentiates lipolysis due to Bt2cAMP. Like W-7, W-5 suppressed the antilipolytic action of insulin on lipolysis due to Bt2cAMP in a dose-dependent manner. However, when lipolysis was potentiated with 3-isobutyryl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX), W-5 did not suppress the antilipolytic action of insulin. At the same time, like verapamil, W-5 also potentiated lipolysis due to Bt2cAMP in a dose-dependent manner. Thus W-5 has the pharmaceutical effects of both W-7 and verapamil. The chelation of intracellular Ca2+ in adipocytes with quin 2-AM also produced a dose-dependent potentiation of lipolysis due to Bt2cAMP and suppression of the antilipolytic action of insulin on lipolysis due to Bt2cAMP. These effects of quin 2-AM are the same as those of W-5. Therefore, our results suggest that the cytoplasmic Ca2+ plays a pivotal role in mediating the potentiation of lipolysis and antilipolytic action of insulin when lipolysis is induced by Bt2cAMP in rat adipocytes and that W-5 appears to exert its pharmaceutical effects through the inhibition of intracellular calcium-dependent steps other than calmodulin.     

Calcium dependence of somatostatin (SRIF) release and cyclic AMP levels in cultured diencephalic neurons

Calmodulin has been reported to be involved in the Ca2+-dependent hypothalamus in vitro. The present experiments were undertaken to determine whether at an early stage of development (in diencephalic primary cultures secreting SRIF, on the 11th day) the activation of a Ca2+-calmodulin kinase system is also involved in the release of the peptide. Since a calmodulin-dependent adenylate cyclase activity has been detected in the brain, we measured intracellular cyclic AMP accumulation as an additional parameter of calmodulin activity. SRIF release and cyclic AMP accumulation were stimulated by K+ (56 mM) and by the Ca2+ ionophores ionomycin (0.5 microM) and A 23187 (in a dose-dependent manner). Incubation of cells in Ca2+-free Locke medium or in the presence of Co2+ (1 mM) completely blocked ionophore-induced SRIF release and cyclic AMP accumulation. Three calmodulin antagonists (calmidazolium, W-7, and chlorpromazine) and two blockers of calmodulin-dependent kinase (phenytoin and diazepam) were tested on evoked-SRIF release and cyclic AMP formation. Neither W-7 nor calmidazolium modified A 23187-induced SRIF release at any dose tested, although they inhibited, in a dose-dependent manner, the stimulatory effect of the Ca2+ ionophore on cyclic AMP accumulation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Prostaglandin production by the guinea-pig endometrium: is calcium necessary?

The output of prostaglandin (PG) F2 alpha from guinea-pig endometrium obtained on day 15 of the oestrous cycle and maintained in tissue culture was significantly (P less than 0.05) reduced by the use of Ca2+-depleted medium, EGTA (a Ca2+ chelator), 8-(N,N-diethyl-amino)octyl-3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoate hydrochloride (TMB-8; an intracellular Ca2+ antagonist), trifluoperazine (TFP) and N-(6-aminohexyl)-5-chloro-1-naphthalenesulphonamide (W-7; both calmodulin antagonists). Nifedipine inhibited PGF2 alpha output at a concentration (100 mumol/l) much greater than that usually required to block Ca2+ channels. Verapamil had a small but significant (P less than 0.05) inhibitory effect on PGF2 alpha output at 10-100 mumol/l. The outputs of PGE2 and, to a lesser extent, 6-keto-PGF1 alpha (the hydrated product of PGI2) were also reduced by using Ca2+-depleted medium. EGTA reduced the outputs of PGE2 and 6-keto-PGF1 alpha on day 1 of culture, but stimulated 6-keto-PGF1 alpha output on day 3 of culture. The outputs of PGE2 and 6-keto-PGF1 alpha were increased by TMB-8 (100 mumol/l) on day 3 of culture and by TFP and, to a smaller extent, by W-7 on all 3 days of culture. Nifedipine (100 mumol/l by not 1 or 10 mumol/l) reduced the outputs of PGE2 and 6-keto-PGF1 alpha on all 3 days of culture, whereas verapamil (100 mumol/l but not 1 or 10 mumol/l) increased the outputs of these two prostaglandins on days 2 and 3 of culture.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Multiple Ca2+ channel types coexist to regulate synaptosomal neurotransmitter release.

The regulation of excitation-secretion coupling by Ca2+ channels is a fundamental property of the nerve terminal. Peptide toxins that block specific Ca2+ channel types have been used to identify which channels participate in neurotransmitter release. Subsecond measurements of [3H]-glutamate and [3H]dopamine release from rat striatal synaptosomes showed that P-type channels, which are sensitive to the Agelenopsis aperta venom peptide omega-Aga-IVA, trigger the release of both transmitters. Dopamine (but not glutamate) release was also controlled by N-type, omega-conotoxin-sensitive channels. With strong depolarizations, where neither toxin was very effective alone, a combination of omega-Aga-IVA and omega-conotoxin produced a synergistic inhibition of 60-80% of Ca(2+)-dependent dopamine release. The results suggest that multiple Ca2+ channel types coexist to regulate neurosecretion under normal physiological conditions in the majority of nerve terminals. P- and N-type channels coexist in dopaminergic terminals, while P-type and a omega-conotoxin- and omega-Aga-IVA-resistant channel coexist in glutamatergic terminals. Such an arrangement could lend a high degree of flexibility in the regulation of transmitter release under diverse conditions of stimulation and modulation.     

Effect of calmodulin inhibitors on thyroid hormone secretion

The effect of calmodulin inhibitors, N-(6-aminohexyl)-5-chloro-1-naphthalene sulfonamide (W-7) and trifluoperazine, on TSH-induced thyroid hormone secretion from rat thyroid was examined in vivo and in vitro. The ip administration of 5 mg W-7 to the rat inhibited T4 and T3 secretion from rat thyroids at 2, 3, and 4 h after the ip injection of 2 IU TSH, and so did the ip injection of trifluoperazine at 3 and 4 h. However, the ip injection of N-(6-aminohexyl)-1-naphthalene sulfonamide as a control substance did not show any significant inhibition of T4 and T3 release. To identify the site of action of calmodulin, the effect of W-7 on (Bu)2cAMP-induced thyroid hormone secretion was tested in vitro. One hundred micromolar W-7 completely inhibited T4 release from the rat thyroid when it was enhanced by TSH or (Bu)2cAMP, suggesting that the inhibitory effect of W-7 is subsequent to cAMP formation. These results suggest that calmodulin may play a role in thyroid hormone secretion from the thyroid, acting beyond cAMP formation.     

Regulation of cardiac calcium channel current and contractile activity by the dihydropyridine Bay K 8644 is voltage-dependent

Pharmacological studies have provided considerable information about the molecular structure of ion channels in the membranes of excitable cells. Two classes of drugs, the local anesthetics and the biotoxins, have been used to study sodium channels in nerve, skeletal muscle, and cardiac cells, and tetraethylammonium ion and many of its derivatives have provided structural information about potassium channels in nerve. More recently, organic compounds that block calcium channels (calcium channel antagonists) have begun to be used to probe calcium channels in cardiac and smooth muscle cells (see). One group of calcium channel blockers, the dihydropyridines, has provided considerable information on the structure and function of these channels on the basis of electrophysiological and binding studies. Slight modification of the structure of one of these dihydropyridines, nifedipine, has led to the discovery of a group of compounds that are presumed to act by increasing the influx of Ca2+ into cardiac and smooth muscle cells. One of these novel compounds, Bay K 8644 (methyl 1,4-dihydro-2,6-dimethyl-3-nitro-4-(2-trifluoromethylphenyl)-pyridine-5 carboxylate) has been reported to act at the same receptor site as the calcium channel antagonist nifedipine, but enhances contractile activity of the perfused heart and aortic strips. Because activation of contraction in cardiac muscle is closely linked to calcium entry via voltage-dependent calcium channels (see for review) these results suggested that Bay K 8644 might act on these channels.     

W-7 specifically inhibits insulin-induced increase in glucose transport

To elucidate the role of calmodulin in insulin action, we examined the effect of the calmodulin antagonists, W-7 and W-5, on glucose transport in isolated rat adipocytes. W-7 inhibited insulin-stimulated 2-deoxyglucose uptake by 18% at 100 microM, but it did not affect basal uptake levels. W-5, a less potent analogue of W-7, however, had no significant effect at the same concentration, indicating that the effect was specific to calmodulin. Similar results were observed in a 3-O-methylglucose uptake study. Kinetic analysis of 2-deoxyglucose uptake revealed that W-7 affected the insulin-induced increase in Vmax but not Km. These results suggest that calmodulin modifies insulin action in the glucose transport system.     

Calmodulin antagonist W-7 prevents sparfloxacin-induced early afterdepolarizations (EADs) in isolated rabbit purkinje fibers: importance of beat-to-beat instability of the repolarization

INTRODUCTION: The occurrence of early afterdepolarizations (EADs) has been related to the incidence of torsades de pointes in drug-induced long QT (LQT). The generation of EADs may be facilitated by Ca(2+)/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaM kinase). METHODS AND RESULTS: In the present study, we investigated a possible involvement of Ca(2+)/Calmodulin dependent protein kinase in the generation of sparfloxacin-induced EADs in isolated rabbit Purkinje fibers by means of a calmodulin antagonist W-7. EADs were evident in 8 of the 10 preparations perfused with sparfloxacin at 1 x 10(-4) M and stimulated at 0.2 Hz. The induction of EADs by sparfloxacin was associated with a large prolongation of the duration of the action potential (APD), an increase in the triangulation, and the short-term instability of the repolarization. CaM kinase blockade with the calmodulin antagonist W-7 inhibited sparfloxacin-induced EADs in a concentration-dependent manner (EADs were induced in 3 of 10, 1 of 10, and 0 of 8 preparations in the presence of W-7 at 5 x 10(-7) M, 5 x 10(-6) M, and 5 x 10(-5) M, respectively; P < 0.01 at 5 x 10(-6) M and 5 x 10(-5) M). The inhibition of sparfloxacin-induced EADs by W-7 at 5 x 10(-7) M and 5 x 10(-6) M was associated with a significant decrease in the beat-to-beat instability but not associated with a significant shortening of the APD and reduction of V(max). CONCLUSION: The present findings support the hypothesis that CaM kinase may be a proarrhythmic signaling molecule and demonstrate that CaM kinase may be involved in the generation of EADs in drug-induced LQT and enhanced beat-to-beat instability of repolarization is essential for the genesis of EADs in rabbit in vitro.     

Voltage-dependent block of calcium channel current in the calf cardiac Purkinje fiber by dihydropyridine calcium channel antagonists

We have investigated the mechanisms of blockade of calcium channel current by the dihydropyridines, e.g. nisoldipine, nitrendipine, and nicardipine. Membrane current was recorded in isolated calf Purkinje fibers using a two-microelectrode voltage-clamp technique, and voltage protocols were designed to identify voltage- and use-dependent block by these compounds systematically. Our results show that calcium channel blockade by dihydropyridine derivatives is strongly modulated by membrane potential. Block is more pronounced when current is measured from depolarized holding potentials, but in contrast to verapamil, this voltage-dependent block occurs in the absence of repetitive depolarizations. Use-dependent block by dihydropyridines is observed at pulse frequencies greater than 1 Hz. Our results suggest that dihydropyridines bind preferentially to the inactivated state of the calcium channel, and that the development of use-dependent block is related to the ionization constants of the compounds. Furthermore, binding is approximately one thousand times stronger to inactivated channels than to resting channels. This state-dependent difference in binding affinities may account for the previously reported contrast between electrophysiological and binding data for these compounds.     

Role of extracellular calcium and calmodulin in prolactin secretion induced by hyposmolarity, thyrotropin-releasing hormone, and high K+ in GH4C1 cells

The mechanism by which 30% medium hyposmolarity induces PRL secretion by GH4C1 cells was compared with that induced by 100 nmol/l TRH or 30 mmol/l K+. Removing medium Ca2+, blocking Ca2+ channels with 50 mumol/l verapamil, or inhibiting calmodulin activation with 20 mumol/l trifluoperazine, 10 mumol/l chlorpromazine or 10 mumol/l pimozide almost completely blocked hyposmolarity-induced secretion. The smooth muscle relaxant, W-7, which is believed relatively specific in inhibiting the Ca2(+)-calmodulin interaction, depressed hyposmolarity-induced PRL secretion in a dose-dependent manner (r = -0.991, p less than 0.01). The above drugs also blocked or decreased high K(+)-induced secretion, but had much less effect on TRH-induced secretion. Secretion induced by TRH, hyposmolarity, or high K+ was optimal at pH 7.3-7.65 and was significantly depressed at pH 6.0 or 8.0, indicating that release of hormone induced by all 3 stimuli is due to an active cell process requiring a physiologic extracellular pH and is not produced by nonspecific cell toxicity. The data suggest hyposmolarity and high K+ may share some similarities in their mechanism of stimulating secretion, which is different from that of TRH.     

The role of calmodulin in the responses to adrenocorticotropin of plasma membranes from adrenal cells

Inhibitors of calmodulin [trifluoperazine, chlorpromazine, pimozide, and calmidazolium N-(6-aminohexyl)5-chloro-1-napthalenesulphonamide (W7)] and calmodulin antibodies were used to investigate the role of calmodulin in the response of Y-1 mouse adrenal cells to ACTH, with particular reference to events in the plasma membrane. In whole cells it was found that two responses (production of steroids and cAMP) to two stimulating agents (ACTH and forskolin) were inhibited by trifluoperazine at concentrations consistent with those involved in binding of the inhibitor to pure calmodulin (10-25 microM). The steroidogenic responses were also inhibited by the three other inhibitors of calmodulin (chlorpromazine, calmidazolium, and W-7). Trifluoperazine and pimozide (1-500 microM) did not inhibit binding of an [125I]ACTH analog to highly purified plasma membranes of Y-1 cells or to the cells themselves. With Y-1 plasma membranes it was found that trifluoperazine, pimozide, W-7, and calmodulin antibodies inhibited the increase in adenylate cyclase activity in response to ACTH, but not the cyclase responses to cholera toxin or forskolin. Moreover, the effect of cholera toxin on the ADP-ribosylation of specific membrane substrates was independent of the presence or absence of endogenous and/or exogenous Ca2+/calmodulin. The response of adenylate cyclase to ACTH was also decreased in plasma membranes from which calmodulin was removed by washing, and exogenous calmodulin partly reversed this decrease. Anti-calmodulin immunoglobulin inhibited the stimulation of adenylate cyclase produced in plasma membrane by ACTH, but was without effect on the responses to cholera toxin and forskolin. Exogenous calmodulin partly reversed the inhibition of stimulation by ACTH of adenylate cyclase produced by the antibody. It is concluded that calmodulin influences the events taking place in the plasma membrane in response to ACTH, after the binding of the hormone to its receptor and before the action of the G protein (Gs). That is, calmodulin is involved in coupling the occupied receptor to Gs. The effects of inhibitors of calmodulin in whole cells must involve some additional effect(s) requiring the intact cell.     

Crosstalk between voltage-independent Ca2+ channels and L-type Ca2+ channels in A7r5 vascular smooth muscle cells at elevated intracellular pH: evidence for functional coupling between L-type Ca2+ channels and a 2-APB-sensitive cation channel

This study was designed to investigate the role of voltage-independent and voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels in the Ca2+ signaling associated with intracellular alkalinization in A7r5 vascular smooth muscle cells. Extracellular administration of ammonium chloride (20 mmol/L) resulted in elevation of intracellular pH and activation of a sustained Ca2+ entry that was inhibited by 2-amino-ethoxydiphenyl borate (2-APB, 200 micromol/L) but not by verapamil (10 micro;mol/L). Alkalosis-induced Ca2+ entry was mediated by a voltage-independent cation conductance that allowed permeation of Ca2+ (PCa/PNa approximately 6), and was associated with inhibition of L-type Ca2+ currents. Alkalosis-induced inhibition of L-type Ca2+ currents was dependent on the presence of extracellular Ca2+ and was prevented by expression of a dominant-negative mutant of calmodulin. In the absence of extracellular Ca2+, with Ba2+ or Na+ as charge carrier, intracellular alkalosis failed to inhibit but potentiated L-type Ca2+ channel currents. Inhibition of Ca2+ currents through voltage-independent cation channels by 2-APB prevented alkalosis-induced inhibition of L-type Ca2+ currents. Similarly, 2-APB prevented vasopressin-induced activation of nonselective cation channels and inhibition of L-type Ca2+ currents. We suggest the existence of a pH-controlled Ca2+ entry pathway that governs the activity of smooth muscle L-type Ca2+ channels due to control of Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent negative feedback regulation. This Ca2+ entry pathway exhibits striking similarity with the pathway activated by stimulation of phospholipase-C-coupled receptors, and may involve a similar type of cation channel. We demonstrate for the first time the tight functional coupling between these voltage-independent Ca2+ channels and classical voltage-gated L-type Ca2+ channels.