Prevention of a hypoxic Ca(2+)(i) response by SERCA inhibitors in cerebral arterioles

1. The aim of the study was to investigate the mechanism of a novel effect of hypoxia on intracellular Ca(2+) signalling in rabbit cerebral arteriolar smooth muscle cells, an effect that was resistant to the L-type Ca(2+) channel antagonist methoxyverapamil (D600). 2.[Ca(2+)](i) of smooth muscle cells in intact arteriolar fragments was measured using the Ca(2+)-indicator dye fura-PE3. Hypoxia (PO(2) 10 - 20 mmHg) lowered basal [Ca(2+)](i) but did not inhibit Ca(2+) entry pathways measured by Mn(2+)-quenching of fura-PE3. 3. The effect of hypoxia was completely prevented by thapsigargin or cyclopiazonic acid, selective inhibitors of sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+) ATPase (SERCA). Since these inhibitors do not block Ca(2+) extrusion or uptake via the plasma membrane, the data indicate that the effect of hypoxia depends on a functional sarcoplasmic reticulum. 4. Because actions of nitric oxide (NO) on vascular smooth muscle are also prevented by SERCA inhibitors it was explored whether the effect of hypoxia occurred via modulation of endogenous NO release. Residual NOS-I and NOS-III were detected by immunostaining, and there were NO-dependent effects of NOS inhibitors on Ca(2+)(i)-signalling. Nevertheless, inhibition of endogenous NO production did not prevent the effect of hypoxia on [Ca(2+)](i). 5. The experiments reveal a novel nitric oxide-independent effect of hypoxia that is prevented by SERCA inhibitors.     

Abnormalities of sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ mobilization in aortic smooth muscle cells from streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

1. Previously, we found that contractions in response to receptor-dependent (i.e. a(1)-adrenoceptor agonist phenylephrine) and -independent (i.e. cyclopiazonic acid) stimuli are decreased in rat aorta during late diabetes. The aim of the present study was to further investigate the changes of intracellular Ca(2+) homeostasis in diabetic aortic smooth muscle cells. Functional changes of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP(3))- and ryanodine-sensitive Ca(2+) stores of the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) were evaluated using Fluo-3 acetoxymethyl ester fluorescence, western blot and organ bath techniques. 2. In aortic smooth muscle cells from diabetic rats, the Ca(2+) release and Ca(2+) influx caused by both 10 mmol/L phenylephrine (depletion of IP(3)-sensitive Ca(2+) stores) and 1 mmol/L ryanodine (depletion of ryanodine-sensitive Ca(2+) stores) were both significantly decreased compared with control. Moreover, protein expression levels of IP(3) (260 kDa) and ryanodine receptors (500 kDa) were reduced by 31.8 +/- 7.7 and 69.2 +/- 8.4%, respectively, in aortas from diabetic rats compared with those from control rats. 3. In diabetic rat aorta, phenylephrine-induced contractility was decreased to approximately two-thirds of that in controls, whereas ryanodine alone did not cause obvious contraction in aortas from either control or diabetic rats. 4. The present results suggest that the hyporeactivity of aortic smooth muscle to vasoconstrictors in diabetes results mainly from changes to the IP(3)-sensitive Ca(2+) release pathway. The SR Ca(2+) signalling pathway plays a crucial role in the development of diabetic vascular complications.     

Caffeine-induced contracture in oesophageal striated muscle of normotensive and hypertensive rats

To elucidate whether properties of the sarcoplasmic reticulum are altered, not only in vascular smooth muscle, but also in visceral striated muscle of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), caffeine-induced contractures in oesophageal striated muscle of Wistar Kyoto rats (WKY) and stroke-prone SHR (SHRSP) were compared. In both preparations, 30 mM caffeine induced a contracture with two components. The second component, which was diminished by extracellular Ca(2+) removal or Ni(2+) but not by verapamil, was much smaller in SHRSP. Both components and differences between WKY and SHRSP coincided with changes in intracellular Ca(2+). Although membrane potential was identical between these preparations, caffeine induced slight depolarization only in WKY preparations. Similar depolarization was observed with 10 mM K(+), which induced no contraction. It is suggested that the first and the second components of caffeine-induced contracture were induced by Ca(2+) released from sarcoplasmic reticulum and by Ca(2+) that entered through channels activated by sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+) depletion, respectively. In SHRSP preparations, Ca(2+) from the latter pathway was clearly decreased, although this change is thought not to be related to the initiation of hypertension. These results suggest that Ca(2+) handling properties of cell membrane and sarcoplasmic reticulum are generally altered in muscles of SHRSP.     

Inhibitory mechanism of xestospongin-C on contraction and ion channels in the intestinal smooth muscle

1. Xestospongin-C isolated from a marine sponge, Xestospongia sp., has recently been shown to be a membrane-permeable IP(3) receptor inhibitor. In this study we examined the effects of this compound on smooth muscle from guinea-pig ileum. 2. In guinea-pig ileum permeabilized with alpha-toxin, xestospongin-C (3 microM) inhibited contractions induced by Ca(2+) mobilized from sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) with IP(3) or carbachol with GTP, but not with caffeine. 3. In intact smooth muscle tissue, xestospongin-C (3-10 microM) inhibited carbachol- and high-K+-induced increases in [Ca(2+)](i) and contractions at sustained phase. 4. It also inhibited voltage-dependent inward Ba(2+) currents in a concentration-dependent manner with an IC(50) of 0.63 microM. Xestospongin-C (3-10 microM) had no effect on carbachol-induced inward Ca(2+) currents via non-selective cation channels; but it did reduce voltage-dependent K+ currents in a concentration-dependent manner with an IC(50) of 0.13 microM. 5. These results suggest that xestospongin-C inhibits the IP(3) receptor but not the ryanodine receptor in smooth muscle SR membrane. In intact smooth muscle cells, however, xestospongin-C appears to inhibit voltage-dependent Ca(2+) and K+ currents at a concentration range similar to that at which it inhibits the IP(3) receptor. Xestospongin-C is a selective blocker of the IP(3) receptor in permeabilised cells but not in cells with intact plasma membrane.     

ENDOTHELIUM-SMOOTH MUSCLE INTERACTIONS IN BLOOD VESSELS

1. Blood vessel tone is determined both by smooth muscle and endothelial functions. In coronary arteries taken from rat (Fisher-Lewis) cardiac transplanted hearts, the inducible form of NOS (iNOS) in smooth muscle is more active, while acetylcholine-induced nitric oxide production in the endothelium is greatly diminished. This causes a greatly reduced myogenic constriction, in pressurized septal arteries taken from immunologically challenged transplanted hearts. 2. The sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) of smooth muscle and the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) of endothelial cells sequeste. Ca²⁺ from the cytoplasm. This reduces the intracellular concentration of free Ca²⁺, which is necessary for the activation of cellular processes. The release of Ca²⁺ from internal stores occurs through ryanodine and IP3 recoptors located on the SR membrane. 3. The superficial SR/ER also interacts with ion exchangers and pumps in the plasma membrane. This allows for the superficial SR/ER to function in Ca²⁺ extrusion; for example, inhibition of the SR/ER Ca²⁺-ATPase (SERCA) partially inhibits the rate of loss Ca²⁺ from the cell. Recent data suggest that the SR Ca²⁺-ATPase and the Na⁺-Ca²⁺ exchanger of smooth muscle cells function in series; that is, Ca²⁺ uptake by the SR followed by release towards the exchanger to mediate extrusion. This interaction between the SERCA of the superficial SR and ion exchangers and pumps creates intracellular Ca²⁺ gradients. 4. The SERCA of the superficial, peripherally distributed SR/ER also serves to regulat. Ca²⁺ entry from the extracellular space. This occurs in part by inhibition of the superficial buffer barrier function of the SR as well as by depletion of stimulated Ca²⁺ entry. 5. Ca²⁺ entry is also regulated in endothelial and smooth muscle cells by the membrane potential. Membrane hyperpolar-ization increases the driving force for Ca²⁺ entry into endothelial cells, which lack voltage-gated Ca²⁺ channels, and reduces open ate probability of voltage-gated Ca²⁺ channels in vascular smooth muscle cells. The two cell types have electrical contact and interact in a dynamic manner to regulate blood vessel diameter     

Modulation of spontaneous transient Ca2+-activated K+ channel currents by cADP-ribose in vascular smooth muscle cells

Transient local releases of Ca(2+) from the sarcoplasmic reticulum activate nearby Ca(2+)-activated K(+) channels to produce spontaneous transient outward current (STOC) in smooth muscle cells. We examined if cADP-ribose, an endogenous mediator of Ca(2+) release channels of the sarcoplasmic reticulum, could modify STOC activity. In freshly isolated rat tail arterial cells, cADP-ribose (5 microM) increased STOC frequency significantly from 308+/-26.2 to 398.8+/-28.8 per minute. The average current at a test potential of -20 mV was increased significantly from 47.8+/-0.7 to 101.1+/-0.7 pA in the presence of cADP-ribose. The cell permeant antagonist 8-bromo-cADP-ribose (50 microM) reduced significantly the STOC frequency to 52.5+/-7.5 per minute and the average current to 24.7+/-0.1 pA. The STOCs were inhibited significantly by ryanodine (1 microM) and charybodotoxin (150 nM). These findings suggest the presence of basal cADP-ribose activity in resting vascular smooth muscle cells and that STOC activity is stimulated by cADP-ribose.     

Mechanisms of hydralazine induced vasodilation in rabbit aorta and pulmonary artery

1. The directly acting vasodilator hydralazine has been proposed to act at an intracellular site in vascular smooth muscle to inhibit Ca(2+) release. 2. This study investigated the mechanism of action of hydralazine on rabbit aorta and pulmonary artery by comparing its effects on the tension generated by intact and beta-escin permeabilized vessels and on the cytoplasmic Ca(2+) concentration, membrane potential and K(+) currents of isolated vascular smooth muscle cells. 3. Hydralazine relaxed pulmonary artery and aorta with similar potency. It was equally effective at inhibiting phasic and tonic contractions evoked by phenylephrine in intact vessels and contractions evoked by inositol 1,4,5 trisphosphate (IP(3)) in permeabilized vessels. 4. Hydralazine inhibited the contraction of permeabilized vessels and the increase in smooth muscle cell Ca(2+) concentration evoked by caffeine with similar concentration dependence, but with lower potency than its effect on IP(3) contractions. 5. Hydralazine had no effect on the relationship between Ca(2+) concentration and force generation in permeabilized vessels, but it slowed the rate at which maximal force was developed before, but not after, destroying sarcoplasmic reticulum function with the calcium ionophore, ionomycin. 6. Hydralazine had no effect on membrane potential or the amplitudes of K(+) currents recorded from isolated smooth muscle cells over the concentration range causing relaxation of intact vessels. 7. The results suggest that the main action of hydralazine is to inhibit the IP(3)-induced release of Ca(2+) from the sarcoplasmic reticulum in vascular smooth muscle cells.     

Ca(2+) movement from leaky sarcoplasmic reticulum during contraction of rat arterial smooth muscles

To examine the Ca(2+) buffering function of the sarcoplasmic reticulum during arterial contraction, we studied Ca(2+) movement during stimulation with K(+) or norepinephrine in arteries with a leaky sarcoplasmic reticulum. Responses were compared in endothelium-denuded strips of femoral, mesenteric and carotid arteries of the rat. To make the sarcoplasmic reticulum leaky to Ca(2+), Ca(2+)-induced Ca(2+) release channels of the sarcoplasmic reticulum were locked open by treatment with ryanodine plus caffeine. After ryanodine treatment, the contractile responses to K(+) (3-20 mM) were augmented when compared with control responses in femoral and mesenteric arteries, but were inhibited in the carotid artery. Similar results were obtained when the contractile responses to norepinephrine were determined. The inhibition by ryanodine of the K(+)- or norepinephrine-contractions seen in the carotid artery was reversed by pretreatment with cyclopiazonic acid (10 microM), an inhibitor of the sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase, but was not by charybdotoxin (100 nM), a blocker of Ca(2+)-activated K(+) channels. We conclude that (1) after ryanodine treatment, Ca(2+) entering from the extracellular space during stimulation with K(+) or norepinephrine is first taken up into the leaky sarcoplasmic reticulum and then reaches the myofilaments in femoral and mesenteric arteries, while in the carotid artery, Ca(2+) leaked from the sarcoplasmic reticulum reaches mainly the plasma membrane from where it is extruded into the extracellular space, and (2) the different movement of Ca(2+) may be due to the relative location of the sarcoplasmic reticulum in the smooth muscle cell of each artery.     

Modification of intracellular free calcium in cultured A10 vascular smooth muscle cells by exogenous phosphatidic acid

Exogenous phosphatidic acid (PA) was observed to produce a concentration-dependent increase in [Ca(2+)](i) in cultured A10 vascular smooth muscle cells. Preincubation of cells with sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase inhibitors (cyclopiazonic acid and thapsigargin), a phospholipase C inhibitor (2-nitro-4-carboxyphenyl-N,N-diphenylcarbamate), inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor antagonists (2-aminoethoxydiphenyl borate and xestospongin), and an activator of protein kinase C (PKC) (phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate) depressed the PA-evoked increase in [Ca(2+)](i). Although EGTA, an extracellular Ca(2+) chelator, decreased the PA-induced increase in [Ca(2+)](i), sarcolemmal Ca(2+)-channel blockers (verapamil or diltiazem) did not alter the action of PA. On the other hand, inhibitors of PKC (bisindolylmaleimide I) and G(i)-protein (pertussis toxin) potentiated the increase in [Ca(2+)](i) evoked by PA significantly. These results suggest that the PA-induced increase in [Ca(2+)](i) in vascular smooth muscle cells may occur upon the activation of phospholipase C and the subsequent release of Ca(2+) from the inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate-sensitive Ca(2+) pool in the sarcoplasmic reticulum. This action of PA may be mediated through the involvement of PKC.     

Stim, ORAI and TRPC channels in the control of calcium entry signals in smooth muscle

Ca2+ entry signals are crucial in the control of smooth muscle contraction. Smooth muscle cells are unusual in containing plasma membrane (PM) Ca2+ entry channels that respond to voltage changes, receptor activation and Ca2+ store depletion. Activation of these channel subtypes is highly coordinated. The TRPC6 channel, widely expressed in most smooth muscle cell types, is largely non-selective to cations and is activated by diacylglycerol arising from receptor-induced phosholipase C activation. Receptor activation results largely in Na+ ion movement through TRPC6 channels, depolarization and subsequent activation of voltage-dependent L-type Ca2+ channels. The TRPC6 channels also appear to be activated by mechanical stretch, resulting again in depolarization and L-type Ca2+ channel activation. Such a coupling may be crucial in mediating the myogenic tone response in vascular smooth muscle. The emptying of stores mediated by inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptors triggers the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) Ca2+ sensing protein stromal-interacting molecule (STIM) 1 to translocate into defined ER-PM junctional areas in which coupling occurs to Orai proteins, which serve as highly Ca2+-selective low-conductance Ca2+ entry channels. These ER-PM junctional domains may serve as crucial sites of interaction and integration between the function of store-operated, receptor-operated and voltage-operated Ca2+ channels. The STIM, Orai and TRPC channels represent highly promising new pharmacological targets through which such control may be induced.     

Characterization of subcellular fractions and distribution profiles of transport components involved in Ca(2+) homeostasis in rat vas deferens

INTRODUCTION: The sarcoplasmic reticulum present in eukaryotic cells contains Ca(2+) pumps (SERCA type) that accumulate Ca(2+) from the cytosol and Ca(2+) channels, such as ryanodine receptors and inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptors, that release Ca(2+) from the lumen of this organelle. The use of a preparation rich in sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles and poorly contaminated with plasmalemmal vesicles would be a prerequisite for studies of Ca(2+) efflux through ryanodine and inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptors, so the present work was aimed to characterize the distribution profiles of various markers of sarcoplasmic reticulum and plasma membrane among fractions obtained from rat vas deferens. METHODS: Oxalate-dependent Ca(2+) uptake, thapsigargin-sensitive (Ca(2+)-Mg(2+)) ATPase activity and binding of [3H]ryanodine and [3H]inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate were measured in the nuclear, mitochondrial, and microsomal fractions obtained by differential centrifugation of rat vas deferens homogenate. RESULTS: The recovery of the thapsigargin-resistant (Ca(2+)-Mg(2+)) ATPase activity, supposed to label the plasma membrane, was the same among nuclear, mitochondrial, and microsomal fractions, whereas the recovery of the thapsigargin-sensitive (Ca(2+)-Mg(2+)) activity, oxalate-dependent Ca(2+) uptake, and [3H]inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate binding, used as sarcoplasmic reticulum markers, was higher in nuclear fraction than in the others. The recovery profiles of the four sarcoplasmic reticulum markers, including [3H]ryanodine binding, were statistically the same among the different subcellular fractions. Caffeine, an agonist of ryanodine receptors, induced the release of 17% of Ca(2+) taken up by the vesicles present in the nuclear fraction but had no effect in microsomes. DISCUSSION: Although this nuclear fraction is less purified in sarcoplasmic reticulum markers than the microsomal fraction, it is more suitable for studying Ca(2+) release through ryanodine receptors, primarily because it is less contaminated with vesicles from the plasma membrane which are able to take up Ca(2+) but are insensitive to caffeine.     

羟苯氨酮激活家兔血管平滑肌细胞钙敏感钾通道

目的研究羟苯氨酮(oxyphenamone,Oxy)扩张血管作用机理。方法用全细胞膜片钳技术,监测家兔肠系膜阻力血管平滑肌细胞钙敏感钾通道电流变化以及Oxy对其的影响。结果0.1 μmol·L^-1 Oxy明显增加钙敏感钾通道电流,冲洗后恢复至给药前水平;0.01～10 μmol·L^-1 Oxy明显增加钙敏感钾通道电流,且呈现浓度依赖性。结论 Oxy呈浓度依赖性和可逆性的增大血管平滑肌细胞钙敏感钾通道电流。     

Regulation of sarcoplasmic reticulum protein phosphorylation by localized cyclic GMP-dependent protein kinase in vascular smooth muscle cells.

The role of cGMP-dependent protein kinase in the regulation of intracellular Ca2+ levels in vascular smooth muscle cells was examined by studying the effects of cGMP on the phosphorylation of the Ca(2+)-ATPase regulatory protein phospholamban. Cultured rat aortic smooth muscle cells incubated with atrial natriuretic peptide II or sodium nitroprusside responded with increased phosphorylation of the 6000-Da subunit of phospholamban. The identity of phospholamban was confirmed using immunoprecipitation methods. Phosphorylation was associated with an increase in the activation of membrane-associated ATPase by Ca2+. These results indicated that at least one site of action of cGMP in smooth muscle cells is the sarcoplasmic reticulum, where phosphorylation of proteins regulating Ca2+ fluxes occurs. Studies using confocal laser scanning microscopy to define the cellular distribution of cGMP-dependent protein kinase suggested that the enzyme was localized to the same cellular region(s) as was phospholamban. Phosphorylation of proteins by cGMP in broken cell fractions from rabbit aorta was also performed. Phospholamban and other proteins were phosphorylated in the presence of cGMP but not cAMP, suggesting that only cGMP-dependent protein kinase was associated with smooth muscle membrane fractions containing phospholamban. These results suggest that one mechanism of action of cGMP in the reduction of intracellular Ca2+ is the activation of sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase via phosphorylation of phospholamban. The data also support the concept that compartmentalization of protein kinases with substrates in the intact cell is an important factor involved in protein phosphorylation.     

吸入布地奈德对哮喘大鼠气道平滑肌细胞SERCA表达的影响

目的:探讨吸入布地奈德混悬液对哮喘大鼠气道平滑肌细胞(ASMC)肌浆网钙-ATP酶(SERCA)表达的影响。方法:按照随机数字分组的方法将大鼠分为正常组、哮喘组及布地奈德干预组,每组8只。哮喘组用卵蛋白雾化吸入法制作哮喘大鼠模型;正常组用PBS代替卵蛋白吸入;布地奈德干预组在卵蛋白吸入后用布地奈德混悬液泵吸干预。各组大鼠ASMC原代培养;实时定量PCR检测SERCA2 mRNA于ASMC中的表达;Western blot检测SERCA2于ASMC中表达。结果:SERCA2 mRNA表达及蛋白水平在哮喘组ASMC中较在正常组中降低,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。SERCA2 mRNA表达及蛋白水平在布地奈德干预组ASMC中均较在哮喘组ASMC中增高,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);而与在正常组ASMC中表达相比差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论:布地奈德有可能通过增加SERCA2表达促进细胞内钙离子储备,从而改善哮喘气道高反应性。     

Alteration of Ryanodine-receptors in Cultured Rat Aortic Smooth Muscle Cells

Vascular smooth muscle cells can obtain a proliferative function in environments such as atherosclerosis in vivo or primary culture in vitro. Proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells is accompanied by changes in ryanodine receptors (RyRs). In several studies, the cytosolic Ca(2+) response to caffeine is decreased during smooth muscle cell culture. Although caffeine is commonly used to investigate RyR function because it is difficult to measure Ca(2+) release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) directly, caffeine has additional off-target effects, including blocking inositol trisphosphate receptors and store-operated Ca(2+) entry. Using freshly dissociated rat aortic smooth muscle cells (RASMCs) and cultured RASMCs, we sought to provide direct evidence for the operation of RyRs through the Ca(2+)- induced Ca(2+)-release pathway by directly measuring Ca(2+) release from SR in permeabilized cells. An additional goal was to elucidate alterations of RyRs that occurred during culture. Perfusion of permeabilized, freshly dissociated RASMCs with Ca(2+) stimulated Ca(2+) release from the SR. Caffeine and ryanodine also induced Ca(2+) release from the SR in dissociated RASMCs. In contrast, ryanodine, caffeine and Ca(2+) failed to trigger Ca(2+) release in cultured RASMCs. These results are consistent with results obtained by immunocytochemistry, which showed that RyRs were expressed in dissociated RASMCs, but not in cultured RASMCs. This study is the first to demonstrate Ca(2+) release from the SR by cytosolic Ca(2+) elevation in vascular smooth muscle cells, and also supports previous studies on the alterations of RyRs in vascular smooth muscle cells associated with culture.     

Endothelin receptor antagonist CPU0213 suppresses ventricular fibrillation in L-thyroxin induced cardiomyopathy

Arrhythmias correlate with disorders of either K(2+) channels in sarcolemma or calcium modulating system in sarcoplasmic reticulum which handles Ca(2+) intracellularly. We hypothesized that an activated endothelin (ET) signaling pathway, which may be associated with an alteration of K(+) channels and Ca(2+) uptake activity in the myocardium, participated in the exaggerated ventricular fibrillation (VF) incidence in cardiomyopathy (CM) induced by L-thyroxin. We intended to test if a dual endothelin receptor antagonist CPU0213 is effective to suppress VF correlating with a reversal of abnormalities in expression of the ion channels in sarcolemma and sarcoplasmic reticulum. The CM was induced by L-thyroxin administration for 10 days, and the altered expression of ion channels and the ET system was examined and the susceptibility to VF was evaluated by 10-min ischemia followed by reperfusion (I/R). Rats were treated with either propranolol or CPU0213 from day 6-10 of L-thyroxin medication. An increased VF incidence on I/R episode in the CMwas found relative to control. An elevated myocardial ET-1 and preproET-1 expression were associated with abnormal mRNAlevel of sarcoplasmic/endoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase 2a (SERCA2a), phospholamban (PLB), and ERG, MinK, and Kv4.2 in sarcolemma. Propranolol and CPU0213 were equally effective in reversing the alterations of gene phenotype and exaggerated VF in CM hearts. In conclusion, an activated ET receptor signaling plays a role in the progression of augmented VF in association with abnormal expression of ion channels in both sarcolemma and sarcoplasmic reticulum in the CM.     

Store-operated calcium entry in vascular smooth muscle

In non-excitable cells, activation of G-protein-coupled phospholipase C (PLC)-linked receptors causes the release of Ca(2+) from intracellular stores, which is followed by transmembrane Ca(2+) entry. This Ca(2+) entry underlies a small and sustained phase of the cellular [Ca(2+)](i) increases and is important for several cellular functions including gene expression, secretion and cell proliferation. This form of transmembrane Ca(2+) entry is supported by agonist-activated Ca(2+)-permeable ion channels that are activated by store depletion and is referred to as store-operated Ca(2+) entry (SOCE) and represents a major pathway for agonist-induced Ca(2+) entry. In excitable cells such as smooth muscle cells, Ca(2+) entry mechanisms responsible for sustained cellular activation are normally considered to be mediated via either voltage-operated or receptor-operated Ca(2+) channels. Although SOCE occurs following agonist activation of smooth muscle, this was thought to be more important in replenishing Ca(2+) stores rather than acting as a source of activator Ca(2+) for the contractile process. This review summarizes our current knowledge of SOCE as a regulator of vascular smooth muscle tone and discusses its possible role in the cardiovascular function and disease. We propose a possible hypothesis for its activation and suggest that SOCE may represent a novel target for pharmacological therapeutic intervention.     

CGP-37157 inhibits the sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca²+ ATPase and activates ryanodine receptor channels in striated muscle

7-Chloro-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-1,5-dihydro-4,1-benzothiazepin-2(3H)-one [CGP-37157 (CGP)], a benzothiazepine derivative of clonazepam, is commonly used as a blocker of the mitochondrial Na+/Ca2+ exchanger. However, evidence suggests that CGP could also affect other targets, such as L-type Ca2+ channels and plasmalemma Na+/Ca2+ exchanger. Here, we tested the possibility of a direct modulation of ryanodine receptor channels (RyRs) and/or sarco/endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-stimulated ATPase (SERCA) by CGP. In the presence of ruthenium red (inhibitor of RyRs), CGP decreased SERCA-mediated Ca2+ uptake of cardiac and skeletal sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) microsomes (IC?? values of 6.6 and 9.9 μM, respectively). The CGP effects on SERCA activity correlated with a decreased V(max) of ATPase activity of SERCA-enriched skeletal SR fractions. CGP (≥ 5 μM) also increased RyR-mediated Ca2+ leak from skeletal SR microsomes. Planar bilayer studies confirmed that both cardiac and skeletal RyRs are directly activated by CGP (EC(50) values of 9.4 and 12.0 μM, respectively). In summary, we found that CGP inhibits SERCA and activates RyR channels. Hence, the action of CGP on cellular Ca2+ homeostasis reported in the literature of cardiac, skeletal muscle, and other nonmuscle systems requires further analysis to take into account the contribution of all CGP-sensitive Ca2+ transporters.     

Modification of alterations in cardiac function and sarcoplasmic reticulum by astragaloside IV in myocardial injury in vivo

Astragaloside IV, the primary pure saponin isolated from Astragalus membranaceus has been found to have potent cardioprotective effects. In this study, we aim to investigate if the beneficial effects of astragaloside IV on cardiac function are associated with improvement in sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-pump function in myocardial injury in vivo. Myocardial injury in rats was induced by subcutaneous injection of a high dose of isoproterenol, and the therapeutic effect of astragaloside IV was observed. Isoproterenol-treated rats showed widespread subendocardial necrosis, a rise in serum lactate dehydrogenase and creatine kinase, formation of lipid oxide product malondialdehyde and inhibition of left ventricular diastolic and systolic function, which suggested severe myocardial injury and acute heart failure. Moreover, sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-uptake ability and Ca(2+)-ATPase (SERCA2a) activity were significantly reduced. And the level of SERCA2a mRNA and protein expression was also markedly decreased, associated with a decrease in Ser(16)-phosphorylated phospholamban protein expression, while total phospholamban level was unchanged in the isoproterenol-treated group compared with controls. However, these biochemical and hemodynamic changes in the acute failing hearts were prevented by treatment of isoproterenol-induced rats with astragaloside IV. Likewise, the observed reductions in sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-pump function as well as in SERCA2a mRNA and protein levels and the phosphorylation level of phospholamban in the injured hearts were attenuated by astragaloside IV treatment. These results suggest that the beneficial effect of astragaloside IV on isoproterenol-induced myocardial injury may be due to its ability to prevent changes of SERCA2a and Ser(16)-phosphorylated phospholamban protein expression and, thus, may prevent the depression in sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+) transport and improve cardiac function.