Ca2+ regulation in the Na+/Ca2+ exchanger features a dual electrostatic switch mechanism

Regulation of ion-transport in the Na⁺/Ca²⁺ exchanger (NCX) occurs via its cytoplasmic Ca²⁺-binding domains, CBD1 and CBD2. Here, we present a mechanism for NCX activation and inactivation based on data obtained using NMR, isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) and small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS). We initially determined the structure of the Ca²⁺-free form of CBD2-AD and the structure of CBD2-BD that represent the two major splice variant classes in NCX1. Although the apo-form of CBD2-AD displays partially disordered Ca²⁺-binding sites, those of CBD2-BD are entirely unstructured even in an excess of Ca²⁺. Striking differences in the electrostatic potential between the Ca²⁺-bound and -free forms strongly suggest that Ca²⁺-binding sites in CBD1 and CBD2 form electrostatic switches analogous to C₂-domains. SAXS analysis of a construct containing CBD1 and CBD2 reveals a conformational change mediated by Ca²⁺-binding to CBD1. We propose that the electrostatic switch in CBD1 and the associated conformational change are necessary for exchanger activation. The response of the CBD1 switch to intracellular Ca²⁺ is influenced by the closely located cassette exons. We further propose that Ca²⁺-binding to CBD2 induces a second electrostatic switch, required to alleviate Na⁺-dependent inactivation of Na⁺/Ca²⁺ exchange. In contrast to CBD1, the electrostatic switch in CBD2 is isoform- and splice variant-specific and allows for tailored exchange activities.     

Action potential prolongation in cardiac myocytes of old rats is an adaptation to sustain youthful intracellular Ca2+ regulation

Advanced age in rats is accompanied by reduced expression of the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+ pump (SERCA-2). The amplitudes of intracellular Ca2+ (Ca2+(i)) transients and contractions in ventricular myocytes isolated from old (23-24-months) rats (OR), however, are similar to those of young (4-6-months) rat myocytes (YR). OR myocytes also manifest slowed inactivation of L-type Ca2+ current (I(CaL)) and marked prolongation of action potential (AP) duration. To determine whether and how age-associated AP prolongation preserves the Ca2+(i) transient amplitude in OR myocytes, we employed an AP-clamp technique with simultaneous measurements of I(CaL) (with Na+ current, K+ currents and Ca2+ influx via sarcolemmal Na+-Ca2+ exchanger blocked) and Ca2+(i) transients in OR rat ventricular myocytes dialyzed with the fluorescent Ca2+ probe, indo-1. Myocytes were stimulated with AP-shaped voltage clamp waveforms approximating the configuration of prolonged, i.e. the native, AP of OR cells (AP-L), or with short AP waveforms (AP-S), typical of YR myocytes. Changes in SR Ca2+ load were assessed by rapid, complete SR Ca2+ depletions with caffeine. As expected, during stimulation with AP-S vs AP-L, peak I(CaL) increased, by 21+/-4%, while the I(CaL) integral decreased, by 19+/-3% (P<0.01 for each). Compared to AP-L, stimulation of OR myocytes with AP-S reduced the amplitudes of the Ca2+(i) transient by 31+/-6%, its maximal rate of rise (+dCa2+(i)/dt(max); a sensitive index of SR Ca2+ release flux) by 37+/-4%, and decreased the SR Ca2+ load by 29+/-4% (P<0.01 for each). Intriguingly, AP-S also reduced the maximal rate of the Ca2+(i) transient relaxation and prolonged its time to 50% decline, by 35+/-5% and 33+/-7%, respectively (P<0.01 for each). During stimulation with AP-S, the gain of Ca2+-induced Ca2+ release (CICR), indexed by +dCa2+(i)/dt(max)/I(CaL), was reduced by 46+/-4% vs AP-L (P<0.01). We conclude that the effects of an application of a shorter AP to OR myocytes to reduce +dCa2+(i)/dt(max) and the Ca2+ transient amplitude are attributable to a reduction in SR Ca2+ load, presumably due to a reduced I(CaL) integral and likely also to an increased Ca2+ extrusion via sarcolemmal Na+-Ca2+ exchanger. The decrease in the Ca2+(i) transient relaxation rate in OR cells stimulated with shorter APs may reflect a reduction of Ca2+/calmodulin-kinase II-regulated modulation of Ca2+ uptake via SERCA-2, consequent to a reduced local Ca2+ release in the vicinity of SERCA-2, also attributable to reduced SR Ca2+ load. Thus, the reduction of CICR gain during stimulation with AP-S is the net result of both a diminished SR Ca2+ release and an increased peak I(CaL). These results suggest that ventricular myocytes of old rats utilize AP prolongation to preserve an optimal SR Ca2+ loading, CICR gain and relaxation of Ca2+(i) transients.     

Ca2+ release-activated Ca2+ channel blockade as a potential tool in antipancreatitis therapy

Alcohol-related acute pancreatitis can be mediated by a combination of alcohol and fatty acids (fatty acid ethyl esters) and is initiated by a sustained elevation of the Ca²⁺ concentration inside pancreatic acinar cells ([Ca²⁺]_i), due to excessive release of Ca²⁺ stored inside the cells followed by Ca²⁺ entry from the interstitial fluid. The sustained [Ca²⁺]_i elevation activates intracellular digestive proenzymes resulting in necrosis and inflammation. We tested the hypothesis that pharmacological blockade of store-operated or Ca²⁺ release-activated Ca²⁺ channels (CRAC) would prevent sustained elevation of [Ca²⁺]_i and therefore protease activation and necrosis. In isolated mouse pancreatic acinar cells, CRAC channels were activated by blocking Ca²⁺ ATPase pumps in the endoplasmic reticulum with thapsigargin in the absence of external Ca²⁺. Ca²⁺ entry then occurred upon admission of Ca²⁺ to the extracellular solution. The CRAC channel blocker developed by GlaxoSmithKline, GSK-7975A, inhibited store-operated Ca²⁺ entry in a concentration-dependent manner within the range of 1 to 50 μM (IC₅₀ = 3.4 μM), but had little or no effect on the physiological Ca²⁺ spiking evoked by acetylcholine or cholecystokinin. Palmitoleic acid ethyl ester (100 μM), an important mediator of alcohol-related pancreatitis, evoked a sustained elevation of [Ca²⁺]_i, which was markedly reduced by CRAC blockade. Importantly, the palmitoleic acid ethyl ester-induced trypsin and protease activity as well as necrosis were almost abolished by blocking CRAC channels. There is currently no specific treatment of pancreatitis, but our data show that pharmacological CRAC blockade is highly effective against toxic [Ca²⁺]_i elevation, necrosis, and trypsin/protease activity and therefore has potential to effectively treat pancreatitis.     

Loss of luminal Ca2+ activation in the cardiac ryanodine receptor is associated with ventricular fibrillation and sudden death

Different forms of ventricular arrhythmias have been linked to mutations in the cardiac ryanodine receptor (RyR)2, but the molecular basis for this phenotypic heterogeneity is unknown. We have recently demonstrated that an enhanced sensitivity to luminal Ca(2+) and an increased propensity for spontaneous Ca(2+) release or store-overload-induced Ca(2+) release (SOICR) are common defects of RyR2 mutations associated with catecholaminergic polymorphic or bidirectional ventricular tachycardia. Here, we investigated the properties of a unique RyR2 mutation associated with catecholaminergic idiopathic ventricular fibrillation, A4860G. Single-channel analyses revealed that, unlike all other disease-linked RyR2 mutations characterized previously, the A4860G mutation diminished the response of RyR2 to activation by luminal Ca(2+), but had little effect on the sensitivity of the channel to activation by cytosolic Ca(2+). This specific impact of the A4860G mutation indicates that the luminal Ca(2+) activation of RyR2 is distinct from its cytosolic Ca(2+) activation. Stable, inducible HEK293 cells expressing the A4860G mutant showed caffeine-induced Ca(2+) release but exhibited no SOICR. Importantly, HL-1 cardiac cells transfected with the A4860G mutant displayed attenuated SOICR activity compared with cells transfected with RyR2 WT. These observations provide the first evidence that a loss of luminal Ca(2+) activation and SOICR activity can cause ventricular fibrillation and sudden death. These findings also indicate that although suppressing enhanced SOICR is a promising antiarrhythmic strategy, its oversuppression can also lead to arrhythmias.     

Crystal structure of Ca2+/H+ antiporter protein YfkE reveals the mechanisms of Ca2+ efflux and its pH regulation

Ca²⁺ efflux by Ca²⁺ cation antiporter (CaCA) proteins is important for maintenance of Ca²⁺ homeostasis across the cell membrane. Recently, the monomeric structure of the prokaryotic Na⁺/Ca²⁺ exchanger (NCX) antiporter NCX_Mj protein from Methanococcus jannaschii shows an outward-facing conformation suggesting a hypothesis of alternating substrate access for Ca²⁺ efflux. To demonstrate conformational changes essential for the CaCA mechanism, we present the crystal structure of the Ca²⁺/H⁺ antiporter protein YfkE from Bacillus subtilis at 3.1-Å resolution. YfkE forms a homotrimer, confirmed by disulfide crosslinking. The protonated state of YfkE exhibits an inward-facing conformation with a large hydrophilic cavity opening to the cytoplasm in each protomer and ending in the middle of the membrane at the Ca²⁺-binding site. A hydrophobic “seal” closes its periplasmic exit. Four conserved α-repeat helices assemble in an X-like conformation to form a Ca²⁺/H⁺ exchange pathway. In the Ca²⁺-binding site, two essential glutamate residues exhibit different conformations compared with their counterparts in NCX_Mj, whereas several amino acid substitutions occlude the Na⁺-binding sites. The structural differences between the inward-facing YfkE and the outward-facing NCX_Mj suggest that the conformational transition is triggered by the rotation of the kink angles of transmembrane helices 2 and 7 and is mediated by large conformational changes in their adjacent transmembrane helices 1 and 6. Our structural and mutational analyses not only establish structural bases for mechanisms of Ca²⁺/H⁺ exchange and its pH regulation but also shed light on the evolutionary adaptation to different energy modes in the CaCA protein family.     

Structural basis for the high Ca2+ affinity of the ubiquitous SERCA2b Ca2+ pump

Sarco(endo)plasmic reticulum Ca²⁺ ATPase (SERCA) Ca²⁺ transporters pump cytosolic Ca²⁺ into the endoplasmic reticulum, maintaining a Ca²⁺ gradient that controls vital cell functions ranging from proliferation to death. To meet the physiological demand of the cell, SERCA activity is regulated by adjusting the affinity for Ca²⁺ ions. Of all SERCA isoforms, the housekeeping SERCA2b isoform displays the highest Ca²⁺ affinity because of a unique C-terminal extension (2b-tail). Here, an extensive structure–function analysis of SERCA2b mutants and SERCA1a2b chimera revealed how the 2b-tail controls Ca²⁺ affinity. Its transmembrane (TM) segment (TM11) and luminal extension functionally cooperate and interact with TM7/TM10 and luminal loops of SERCA2b, respectively. This stabilizes the Ca²⁺-bound E1 conformation and alters Ca²⁺-transport kinetics, which provides the rationale for the higher apparent Ca²⁺ affinity. Based on our NMR structure of TM11 and guided by mutagenesis results, a structural model was developed for SERCA2b that supports the proposed 2b-tail mechanism and is reminiscent of the interaction between the α- and β-subunits of Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase. The 2b-tail interaction site may represent a novel target to increase the Ca²⁺ affinity of malfunctioning SERCA2a in the failing heart to improve contractility.     

Regulation of sarcolemmal Ca2+ pump by endogenous protein phosphatases

Summary The function of several key sarcolemmal proteins is modulated through phosphorylation-dephosphorylation of serine/threonine residues. While the involvement of sarcolemma-associated protein kinases in the phosphorylation of these proteins has been established, the nature of the protein phosphatases controlling these proteins has not been investigated. Rat heart sarcolemma contains two protein phosphatase isozymes, protein phosphatase 1 and 2A, which are distinguished on the basis of their susceptibility of inhibitor 2. Both isozymes elute from a Bio Gel A-0.5 column in association with the highest molecular weight protein fraction. However, some protein phosphatase 1 activity elutes with a smaller molecular weight fraction of about 37000, suggesting that the native enzyme exists as a catalytic subunit in complex with an anchor protein. Inhibition of the protein phosphatases using standard inhibitors leads to a stimulation in both the rate and extent of³²P incorporation into isolated sarcolemma. Also affected by inhibition of protein phosphatase activity is the rate of ATP-dependent calcium uptake, which is stimulated following exposure to either inhibitor 2, a classical protein phosphatase 1 inhibitor, and microcystin, a protein phosphatase 1 and 2A inhibitor. The data suggest that the protein phosphatases regulate the dephosphorylation of sarcolemmal proteins Through this mechanism they serve as important modulators of the sarcolemmal Ca²⁺ pump.     

Influence of interleukin-2 on Ca2+ handling in rat ventricular myocytes

In the present study, we examined the effect of interleukin-2 (IL-2) on cardiomyocyte Ca(2+) handling. The effects of steady-state and transient changes in stimulation frequency on the intracellular Ca(2+) transient were investigated in isolated ventricular myocytes by spectrofluorometry. In the steady state (0.2 Hz) IL-2 (200 U/ml) decreased the amplitude of Ca(2+) transients induced by electrical stimulation and caffeine. At 1.25 mM extracellular Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+)](o)), when the stimulation frequency increased from 0.2 to 1.0 Hz, diastolic Ca(2+) level and peak intracellular Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+)](i)), as well as the amplitude of the transient, increased. The positive frequency relationships of the peak and amplitude of [Ca(2+)](i) transients were blunted in the IL-2-treated myocytes. The effect of IL-2 on the electrically induced [Ca(2+)](i) transient was not normalized by increasing [Ca(2+)](o) to 2.5 mM. IL-2 inhibited the frequency relationship of caffeine-induced Ca(2+) release. Blockade of sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca(2+)-ATPase with thapsigargin resulted in a significant reduction of the amplitude-frequency relationship of the transient similar to that induced by IL-2. The restitutions were not different between control and IL-2 groups at 1.25 mM [Ca(2+)](o), which was slowed in IL-2-treated myocytes when [Ca(2+)](o) was increased to 2.5 mM. There was no difference in the recirculation fraction (RF) between control and IL-2-treated myocytes at both 1.25 and 2.5 mM [Ca(2+)](o). The effects of IL-2 on frequency relationship, restitution, and RF may be due to depressed SR functions and an increased Na(+)-Ca(2+) exchange activity, but not to any change in L-type Ca(2+) channels.     

From the Cover: Salt stress-induced Ca2+ waves are associated with rapid,long-distance root-to-shoot signaling in plants

Their sessile lifestyle means that plants have to be exquisitely sensitive to their environment, integrating many signals to appropriate developmental and physiological responses. Stimuli ranging from wounding and pathogen attack to the distribution of water and nutrients in the soil are frequently presented in a localized manner but responses are often elicited throughout the plant. Such systemic signaling is thought to operate through the redistribution of a host of chemical regulators including peptides, RNAs, ions, metabolites, and hormones. However, there are hints of a much more rapid communication network that has been proposed to involve signals ranging from action and system potentials to reactive oxygen species. We now show that plants also possess a rapid stress signaling system based on Ca²⁺ waves that propagate through the plant at rates of up to ∼400 µm/s. In the case of local salt stress to the Arabidopsis thaliana root, Ca²⁺ wave propagation is channeled through the cortex and endodermal cell layers and this movement is dependent on the vacuolar ion channel TPC1. We also provide evidence that the Ca²⁺ wave/TPC1 system likely elicits systemic molecular responses in target organs and may contribute to whole-plant stress tolerance. These results suggest that, although plants do not have a nervous system, they do possess a sensory network that uses ion fluxes moving through defined cell types to rapidly transmit information between distant sites within the organism.Plants are constantly tailoring their responses to current environmental conditions via a complex array of chemical regulators that integrate developmental and physiological programs across the plant body. Environmental stimuli are often highly localized in nature, but the subsequent plant response is often elicited throughout the entire organism. For example, soil is a highly heterogeneous environment and the root encounters stimuli that are presented in a patchy manner. Thus, factors including dry or waterlogged regions of the soil, variations in the osmotic environment, and stresses such as elevated levels of salt are all likely to be encountered locally by individual root tips, but the information may have to be acted on by the plant as a whole.In animals, long-range signaling to integrate activities across the organism occurs through rapid ionic/membrane potential-driven signaling through the nervous system in addition to operating via long-distance chemical signaling. Plants have also been proposed to possess a rapid, systemic communication network, potentially mediated through signals ranging from changes in membrane potential/ion fluxes (1–3) and levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) (4, 5) to altered hydraulics in the vasculature (6). Even so, the molecular mechanisms behind rapid, systemic signaling in plants and whether such signals indeed carry regulatory information remains largely unknown. Suggestions that Ca²⁺ channels play a role in signals that occlude sieve tube elements (7), or that mediate systemic electrical signaling (2) in response to remote wounding, highlight Ca²⁺-dependent signaling events as a strong candidate for mediating some of these long-range responses. Similarly, cooling of roots elicits Ca²⁺ increases in the shoot within minutes (8), suggesting systemic signals can elicit Ca²⁺-dependent responses at distal sites within the plant. However, despite extensive characterization of Ca²⁺ signals (reviewed in ref. 9), their roles in a possible plant-wide communication network remain poorly understood. Therefore, to visualize how Ca²⁺ might act in local and systemic signaling, we generated Arabidopsis plants expressing the highly sensitive, GFP-based, cytoplasmic Ca²⁺ sensor YCNano-65 (10). We observed that a range of abiotic stresses including H₂O₂, touch, NaCl, and cold shock triggered Ca²⁺ increases at the point of application. However, NaCl also elicited a Ca²⁺ increase that moved away from the point of stress application. Propagation of this Ca²⁺ increase was associated with subsequent systemic changes in gene expression. We also report that this salt stress-induced long-distance Ca²⁺ wave is dependent on the activity of the ion channel protein Two Pore Channel 1 (TPC1), which also appears to contribute to whole-plant stress tolerance.     

Reduced expression of sarcalumenin and related Ca2+ -regulatory proteins in aged rat skeletal muscle

In skeletal muscle, Ca(2+)-cycling through the sarcoplasm regulates the excitation-contraction-relaxation cycle. Since uncoupling between sarcolemmal excitation and fibre contraction may play a key role in the functional decline of aged muscle, this study has evaluated the expression levels of key Ca(2+)-handling proteins in senescent preparations using immunoblotting and confocal microscopy. Sarcalumenin, a major luminal Ca(2+)-binding protein that mediates ion shuttling in the longitudinal sarcoplasmic reticulum, was found to be greatly reduced in aged rat tibialis anterior, gastrocnemius and soleus muscle as compared to adult specimens. Minor sarcolemmal components of Ca(2+)-extrusion, such as the surface Ca(2+)-ATPase and the Na(+)-Ca(2+)-exchanger, were also diminished in senescent fibres. No major changes were observed for calsequestrin, sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase and the ryanodine receptor Ca(2+)-release channel. In contrast, the age-dependent reduction in the alpha(1S)-subunit of the dihydropryridine receptor was confirmed. Hence, this report has shown that downstream from the well-established defect in coupling between the t-tubular voltage sensor and the junctional Ca(2+)-release channel complex, additional age-related alterations exist in the expression of essential Ca(2+)-handling proteins. This may trigger abnormal luminal Ca(2+)-buffering and/or decreased plasmalemmal Ca(2+)-removal, which could exacerbate impaired signaling or disturbed intracellular ion balance in aged fibres, thereby causing contractile weakness.     

L-type Ca channel facilitation mediated by H2O2-induced activation of CaMKII in rat ventricular myocytes

The Ca²⁺-dependent facilitation (CDF) of L-type Ca²⁺ channels, a major mechanism for force-frequency relationship of cardiac contraction, is mediated by Ca²⁺/CaM-dependent kinase II (CaMKII). Recently, CaMKII was shown to be activated by methionine oxidation. We investigated whether oxidation-dependent CaMKII activation is involved in the regulation of L-type Ca²⁺ currents (I_Ca,L) by H₂O₂ and whether Ca²⁺ is required in this process. Using patch clamp, I_Ca,L was measured in rat ventricular myocytes. H₂O₂ induced an increase in I_Ca,L amplitude and slowed inactivation of I_Ca,L. This oxidation-dependent facilitation (ODF) of I_Ca,L was abolished by a CaMKII blocker KN-93, but not by its inactive analog KN-92, indicating that CaMKII is involved in ODF. ODF was not affected by replacement of external Ca²⁺ with Ba²⁺ or presence of EGTA in the internal solutions. However, ODF was abolished by adding BAPTA to the internal solution or by depleting sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca²⁺ stores using caffeine and thapsigargin. Alkaline phosphatase, β-iminoadenosine 5′-triphosphate (AMP-PNP), an autophosphorylation inhibitor autocamtide-2-related inhibitory peptide (AIP), or a catalytic domain blocker (CaM-KIINtide) did not affect ODF. In conclusion, oxidation-dependent facilitation of L-type Ca²⁺ channels is mediated by oxidation-dependent CaMKII activation, in which local Ca²⁺ increases induced by SR Ca²⁺ release is required.     

Three distinct types of Ca(2+) waves in Langendorff-perfused rat heart revealed by real-time confocal microscopy

Although Ca(2+) waves in cardiac myocytes are regarded as arrhythmogenic substrates, their properties in the heart in situ are poorly understood. On the hypothesis that Ca(2+) waves in the heart behave diversely and some of them influence the cardiac function, we analyzed their incidence, propagation velocity, and intercellular propagation at the subepicardial myocardium of fluo 3-loaded rat whole hearts using real-time laser scanning confocal microscopy. We classified Ca(2+) waves into 3 types. In intact regions showing homogeneous Ca(2+) transients under sinus rhythm (2 mmol/L [Ca(2+)](o)), Ca(2+) waves did not occur. Under quiescence, the waves occurred sporadically (3.8 waves. min(-1) x cell(-1)), with a velocity of 84 microm/s, a decline half-time (t(1/2)) of 0.16 seconds, and rare intercellular propagation (propagation ratio <0.06) (sporadic wave). In contrast, in presumably Ca(2+)-overloaded regions showing higher fluorescent intensity (113% versus the intact regions), Ca(2+) waves occurred at 28 waves x min(-1) x cell(-1) under quiescence with a higher velocity (116 microm/s), longer decline time (t(1/2) = 0.41 second), and occasional intercellular propagation (propagation ratio = 0.23) (Ca(2+)-overloaded wave). In regions with much higher fluorescent intensity (124% versus the intact region), Ca(2+) waves occurred with a high incidence (133 waves x min(-1) x cell(-1)) and little intercellular propagation (agonal wave). We conclude that the spatiotemporal properties of Ca(2+) waves in the heart are diverse and modulated by the Ca(2+)-loading state. The sporadic waves would not affect cardiac function, but prevalent Ca(2+)-overloaded and agonal waves may induce contractile failure and arrhythmias.     

Quantification in crude homogenates of rat myocardial Na+, K+-and Ca2+-ATPase by K+ and Ca2+-dependent pNPPase. Age-dependent changes

Assays for complete quantification of Na⁺, K⁺-and Ca²⁺-ATPase in crude homogenates of rat ventricular myocardium by determination of K⁺-and Ca²⁺-dependentp-nitrophenyl phosphatase (pNPPase) activities were evaluated and optimized. Using these assays the total K⁺-and Ca²⁺-dependentpNPPase activities in ventricular myocardium of 11–12 week-old rats were found to be 2.98±0.10 and 0.29±0.02 mol×min^–1×g^–1 wet wt. (mean±SEM) (n=5), respectively. Coefficient of variance of interindividual determinations was 7 and 12%, respectively. The total Na⁺, K⁺-and Ca²⁺-ATPase concentrations were estimated to 2 and 10 nmol×g^–1 wet wt., respectively. Evaluation of a putative developmental variation revealed a biphasic age-related change in the rat myocardial Ca²⁺-dependentpNPPase activity with an increase from birth to around the third week of life followed by a decrease. By contrast, the K⁺-dependentpNPPase activity of the rat myocardium showed a decrease from birth to adulthood. It was excluded that the changes were simple out-come of variations in water and protein content of myocardium. Expressed per heart, the K⁺-and Ca²⁺-dependentpNPPase activity gradually increased to a plateau. The present assay for Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase quantification has the advantage over [³H] ouabain binding of being applicable on the ouabain-resistant rat myocardium, and is more simple and rapid than measurements of K⁺-dependent 3-0-methylfluorescein phosphatase (3-0-MFPase) in crude tissue homogenates. Furthermore, with few modifications thepNPPase assay allows quantification of Ca²⁺-ATPase on crude myocardial homogenates. Age-dependent changes in K⁺-and Ca²⁺-dependentpNPPase activities are of developmental interest and indicate the importance of close age match in studies of quantitative aspects of Na⁺, K⁺-and Ca²⁺-ATPase in excitable tissues.Abbreviations Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase sodium, potassium-dependent ATPase - Ca²⁺-ATPase caldium-dependent ATPase - pNP p-nitrophenyl - pNPP p-nitrophenyl phosphate - 3-0-MFP 3-0 methylfluorescein phosphate - DOC sodium deoxycholate     

Ca2+ waves require sequential activation of inositol trisphosphate receptors and ryanodine receptors in pancreatic acini

BACKGROUND & AIMS: The inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (InsP3) receptor (InsP3R) and the ryanodine receptor (RyR) are the principal Ca2+-release channels in cells and are believed to serve distinct roles in cytosolic Ca2+ (Ca(i)2+) signaling. This study investigated whether these receptors instead can release Ca2+ in a coordinated fashion. METHODS: Apical and basolateral Ca(i)2+ signals were monitored in rat pancreatic acinar cells by time-lapse confocal microscopy. Caged forms of second messengers were microinjected into individual cells and then photoreleased in a controlled fashion by either UV or 2-photon flash photolysis. RESULTS: InsP3 increased Ca(i)2+ primarily in the apical region of pancreatic acinar cells, whereas the RyR agonist cyclic adenosine diphosphate ribose (cADPR) increased Ca(i)2+ primarily in the basolateral region. Apical-to-basal Ca(i)2+ waves were induced by acetylcholine and initiation of these waves was blocked by the InsP3R inhibitor heparin, whereas propagation into the basolateral region was inhibited by the cADPR inhibitor 8-amino-cADPR. To examine integration of apical and basolateral Ca(i)2+ signals, Ca2+ was selectively released either apically or basolaterally using 2-photon flash photolysis. Ca(i)2+ increases were transient and localized in unstimulated cells. More complex Ca(i)2+ signaling patterns, including polarized Ca(i)2+ waves, were observed when Ca2+ was photoreleased in cells stimulated with subthreshold concentrations of acetylcholine. CONCLUSIONS: Polarized Ca(i)2+ waves are induced in acinar cells by serial activation of apical InsP3Rs and then basolateral RyRs, and subcellular release of Ca2+ coordinates the actions of these 2 types of Ca2+ channels. This subcellular integration of Ca2+-release channels shows a new level of complexity in the formation of Ca(i)2+ waves.     

Calaxin drives sperm chemotaxis by Ca2+-mediated direct modulation of a dynein motor

Sperm chemotaxis occurs widely in animals and plants and plays an important role in the success of fertilization. Several studies have recently demonstrated that Ca²⁺ influx through specific Ca²⁺ channels is a prerequisite for sperm chemotactic movement. However, the regulator that modulates flagellar movement in response to Ca²⁺ is unknown. Here we show that a neuronal calcium sensor, calaxin, directly acts on outer-arm dynein and regulates specific flagellar movement during sperm chemotaxis. Calaxin inhibition resulted in significant loss of sperm chemotactic movement, despite normal increases in intracellular calcium concentration. Using a demembranated sperm model, we demonstrate that calaxin is essential for generation and propagation of Ca²⁺-induced asymmetric flagellar bending. An in vitro motility assay revealed that calaxin directly suppressed the velocity of microtubule sliding by outer-arm dynein at high Ca²⁺ concentrations. This study describes the missing link between chemoattractant-mediated Ca²⁺ signaling and motor-driven microtubule sliding during sperm chemotaxis.     

Distinct intracellular Ca2+ response to extracellular adenosine triphosphate in pancreatic beta-cells in rats and mice

Extracellular adenosine triphosphate (ATP) has distinct effects on insulin secretion from pancreatic β-cells between rats and mice. Using a confocal microscope, we compared changes between rats and mice in cytosolic free calcium concentration ([Ca²⁺]_c) in pancreatic β-cells stimulated by extracellular ATP. Extracellular ATP (50 μM) induced calcium release from intracellular calcium stores by activating P2Y receptors in both rat and mouse β-cells. The intracellular calcium release stimulated by extracellular ATP is significantly smaller in amplitude and longer in duration in rat β-cells than in mouse. In response to extracellular ATP, rat β-cells activate store-operated calcium entry following intracellular calcium release. This response is lacking in mouse β-cells. Rat and mouse β-cells both responded to 9 mM glucose by increasing [Ca²⁺]_c. This increase, however, was pronounced only in the rat β-cells. In 9 mM glucose, extracellular ATP induced a pro-nounced calcium release above the increased level of [Ca²⁺]_c in rat β-cells. In mouse β-cells, however, extracellular ATP did not exhibit calcium release on top of the increased level of [Ca²⁺]_c in 9 mM glucose. These results demonstrate distinct responses between rat and mouse β-cells to extracellular ATP under the condition of low and high glucose. Considering that extracellular ATP inhibits insulin secretion from mouse β-cells but stimulates insulin secretion from rat β-cells, we suggest that store-operated Ca²⁺ entry may be related to exocytosis in pancreatic rat β-cells.     

Unique characteristics of Ca2+ homeostasis of the trans-Golgi compartment

Taking advantage of a fluorescent Ca²⁺ indicator selectively targeted to the trans-Golgi lumen, we here demonstrate that its Ca²⁺ homeostatic mechanisms are distinct from those of the other Golgi subcompartments: (i) Ca²⁺ uptake depends exclusively on the activity of the secretory pathway Ca²⁺ ATPase1 (SPCA1), whereas the sarco-endoplasmic reticulum Ca²⁺ ATPase (SERCA) is excluded; (ii) IP₃ generated by receptor stimulation causes Ca²⁺ uptake rather than release; (iii) Ca²⁺ release can be triggered by activation of ryanodine receptors in cells endowed with robust expression of the latter channels (e.g., in neonatal cardiac myocyte). Finally, we show that, knocking down the SPCA1, and thus altering the trans-Golgi Ca²⁺ content, specific functions associated with this subcompartment, such as sorting of proteins to the plasma membrane through the secretory pathway, and the structure of the entire Golgi apparatus are dramatically altered.     

Relationship between Ca2+-affinity and shielding of bulk water in the Ca2+-pump from molecular dynamics simulations

The sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase transports two Ca(2+) per ATP hydrolyzed from the cytoplasm to the lumen against a large concentration gradient. During transport, the pump alters the affinity and accessibility for Ca(2+) by rearrangements of transmembrane helices. In this study, all-atom molecular dynamics simulations were performed for wild-type Ca(2+)-ATPase in the Ca(2+)-bound form and the Gln mutants of Glu771 and Glu908. Both of them contribute only one carboxyl oxygen to site I Ca(2+), but only Glu771Gln completely looses the Ca(2+)-binding ability. The simulations show that: (i) For Glu771Gln, but not Glu908Gln, coordination of Ca(2+) was critically disrupted. (ii) Coordination broke at site II first, although Glu771 and Glu908 only contribute to site I. (iii) A water molecule bound to site I Ca(2+) and hydrogen bonded to Glu771 in wild-type, drastically changed the coordination of Ca(2+) in the mutant. (iv) Water molecules flooded the binding sites from the lumenal side. (v) The side chain conformation of Ile775, located at the head of a hydrophobic cluster near the lumenal surface, appears critical for keeping out bulk water. Thus the simulations highlight the importance of the water molecule bound to site I Ca(2+) and point to a strong relationship between Ca(2+)-coordination and shielding of bulk water, providing insights into the mechanism of gating of ion pathways in cation pumps.