p-Hydroxymercuribenzoic acid inhibits arachidonic acid esterification into two distinct pools and stimulates insulin release in intact rat islets

Activation of an islet phospholipase A2 may contribute to glucose-induced insulin release. In order to simulate the accumulation of the resultant hydrolytic products (arachidonic acid, AA; its lipoxygenase-derived oxygenation product 12-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid; and lysophospholipids) without many of the other concomitants of beta cell activation, we studied the effects on intact rat islets of p-hydroxymercuribenzoic acid (PHMB), which inhibits the reacylation of lysophospholipids with AA in other cell types. PHMB inhibited in a dose-responsive fashion (-90% at 500 microM) the incorporation of [3H]AA into a "basal" pool or pools whose release and reuptake mechanisms appeared to be largely energy- and Ca++-independent (resistant to inhibition by mannoheptulose, antimycin A or CoCl2); reciprocally, islets prelabeled with [3H]AA accumulated an increased amount of [3H]-12-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (twice basal at 200 microM PHMB and three times basal at 500 microM) when reacylation of any [3H]AA released basally at 1.7 mM glucose was inhibited. PHMB also blocked (by up to 99% at 500 microM) the incorporation of [3H]AA into a functionally defined, glucose-stimulated compartment of fatty acid (tightly coupled to the islet 12-lipoxygenase) whose release and reuptake required metabolic energy and Ca++. It was also demonstrated that PHMB inhibited the esterification of [3H]AA (at low or high glucose concentrations) into specific phospholipids in islet membranes. In parallel with these alterations in lipid metabolism, PHMB caused rapid, potent and reversible increments in insulin release with a threshold concentration (about 25 microM) identical to that inhibiting AA fluxes. PHMB both initiated release (at 1.7 mM glucose) and potentiated the effects of islet fuels (16.7 mM glucose or 15 mM alpha-ketoisocaproic acid). Thus, pharmacologic manipulation of the AA reuptake mechanism is a new approach to unmask potential roles in insulin release of phospholipid hydrolysis products from different lipid pools and in the absence or presence of phospholipase A2 activation.     

Dependency of cyclic AMP-induced insulin release on intra- and extracellular calcium in rat islets of Langerhans.

Calcium and cyclic AMP are important in the stimulation of insulin release. The phosphodiesterase inhibitor 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX) raises islet cAMP levels and causes insulin release at nonstimulatory glucose concentrations. In isolated rat pancreatic islets maintained for 2 d in tissue culture, the effects of IBMX on insulin release and 45Ca++ fluxes were compared with those of glucose. During perifusion at 1 mM Ca++, 16.7 mM glucose elicited a biphasic insulin release, whereas 1 mM IBMX in the presence of 2.8 mM glucose caused a monophasic release. Decreasing extracellular Ca++ a monophasic release. Decreasing extracellular Ca++ to 0.1 mM during stimulation reduced the glucose effect by 80% but did not alter IBMX-induced release. Both glucose and IBMX stimulated 45Ca++ uptake (5 min). 45Ca++ efflux from islets loaded to isotopic equilibrium (46 h) was increased by both substances. IBMX stimulation of insulin release, of 45Ca++ uptake, and of efflux were not inhibited by blockade of Ca++ uptake with verapamil, whereas glucose-induced changes are known to be inhibited. Because IBMX-induced insulin release remained unaltered at 0.1 mM calcium, it appears that cAMP-stimulated insulin release is controlled by intracellular calcium. This is supported by perifusion experiments at 0 Ca++ when IBMX stimulated net Ca++ efflux. In addition, glucose-stimulated insulin release was potentiated by IBMX. These results suggest that cAMP induced insulin release is mediated by increases in cytosolic Ca++ and that cAMP causes dislocation of Ca++ from intracellular stores.     

Comparative effects of divalent cations on the methylmercury-induced alterations of acetylcholine release

Bath application of methylmercury (MeHg) at the murine neuromuscular junction blocks synchronous evoked release of acetylcholine (ACh) and then increases spontaneous release of ACh effects observed electrophysiologically as cessation of EPPS, and increased MEPP frequency (MEPPf), respectively. The objectives of the present study were to test whether the effect of MeHg on spontaneous release was Ca++-specific by substituting Sr++ or Ba++ for Ca++, whether the time course of MeHg-induced block of synchronous evoked release was altered by varying Ca++ concentrations or substituting Sr++ and whether the processes involved in the decay of elevated MEPPf after repetitive stimulation (asynchronous evoked release) were altered by MeHg. MEPPf was recorded continuously from the rat hemidiaphragm using conventional methods during pretreatment with 2 mM Ca++, 2 mM Sr++ or 0.5 mM Ba++ and subsequently with the cation plus 100 microM MeHg. The time to peak MEPPf in MeHg was not different under any condition; however, peak MEPPf was lower in Sr++ solutions than in Ca++ or Ba++ solutions. EPPs were recorded from the rat hemidiaphragm cut muscle preparation during pretreatment with either 2, 4 or 8 mM Ca++ or 2 or 4 mM Sr++ and subsequently with the cation plus 100 microM MeHg. The latency to block of the EPP in 4 and 8 mM Ca++ was not significantly different from the latency in 2 mM Ca++. The latency to block in 2 or 4 mM Sr++ was also not different from that in Ca++. In addition, under all conditions EPP amplitude remained virtually unchanged from pretreatment values until block occurred after 8 to 9 min exposure to MeHg.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Effects of divalent cations, cation chelators and an ionophore on morphine analgesia and tolerance.

The analgesic effect of morphine was antagonized in mice by intracerebroventricular injection of Ca++, Mg++ and Mn++ and was potentiated by ethylene glycol tetraacetic acid but was not altered by Sr++, Ba++, Ni++, Hg++, Cd++ or ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid. The antagonistic effect of Ca++ was not altered by pretreatment with pargyline or 6-hydroxydopamine indicating that altered release of catecholamines or serotonin was not involved in this action of Ca++. Induction of morphine tolerance by pellet implantation also did not alter the antagonistic effect of Ca++. The antagonistic effects of Ca++ and naloxone were additive in both nontolerant and tolerant animals and the apparent affinity of naloxone for its receptors, as estimated by in vivo pA2 determinations, was not altered by Ca++. However, the ionophore X537A was found to increase greatly the narcotic antagonist effect of a low dose of Ca++ although the ionophore alone did not alter the effects of morphine. This indicates that Ca"++ must penetrate cell membranes in order to reduce the analgesic effects of morphine. These findings indicate the importance of Ca++ localization in the actions of narcotic agonists and antagonists.     

Stimulation of prostaglandin production in rabbit ileal mucosa by bradykinin

When rabbit ileal mucosa was incubated with exogenous [3H]arachidonic acid (AA), its major metabolites, identified by comigration with known standards on thin-layer chromatography, were prostaglandin (PG) E2, 6-keto-PGF1 alpha and to a lesser extent PGF2 alpha and PGD2. The rate of prostanoid release from the serosal surface of the mucosa only was increased after incubation th either bradykinin, lys-bradykinin, melittin or the calcium ionophore A 23187, in a rapid and dose-dependent fashion. Peptide concentrations as low as 10(-9) M were effective. Kinin-induced release of AA or its metabolites required the presence of Ca++ in the incubation medium. Stimulation of prostanoid release by lys-bradykinin was completely blocked by indomethacin. The combined lipoxygenase/cyclooxygenase inhibitors BW 755 and eicosa-5,8,11,14-tetraynoic acid and the lipoxygenase inhibitor nordihydroguaiaretic acid also blocked the stimulation of PG synthesis by lys-bradykinin. These inhibitors caused an increase in levels of AA released from the tissue by lys-bradykinin. The phospholipase inhibitors, mepacrine and U- 10029, inhibited the lys-bradykinin-stimulated release of both prostanoids and AA. At higher concentrations, U- 10029 inhibited the stimulation of transepithelial potential difference and short-circuit current across rabbit ileal mucosa produced by lys-bradykinin. These results support the hypothesis that bradykinin-stimulated intestinal secretion may be mediated by PGs.     

A further evaluation of the effects of K+ depolarization on glutamate-evoked [3H]dopamine release from striatal slices.

Exogenous glutamate will evoke dopamine (DA) release from striatal slices in vitro. To further characterize glutamate-evoked DA release from striatal slices, experiments were designed to: 1) determine if sufficient endogenous glutamate can be released in vitro to presynaptically mediate [3H]DA release in the absence of Mg++ and 2) reevaluate how K+ depolarization affects glutamate-evoked [3H]DA release. Removal of Mg++ to potentiate N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor-mediated DA release increased 15 mM K(+)-evoked [3H]DA release to about 200% of control. The potentiation of this release was probably not mediated by NMDA receptors because it was not blocked by the glutamate receptor antagonists MK-801, 6,7-dinitroquinoxalinedione (DNQX) or kynurenate. Furthermore, the removal of Mg++ increased DA release substantially (200%) in the presence of 5 microM sulpiride and 10 microM nomifensine, indicating that DA reuptake and DA D2 autoreceptors are not primarily responsible for increased DA release. In the absence of Mg++, depolarization produced by 20 mM or greater [K+] inhibited DA released by exogenous glutamate, whereas a much higher [K+] was necessary to evoke endogenous glutamate release. In the presence of 1.5 mM Mg++, a reduction of the "Mg++ blockade" of NMDA receptors by 15 mM K+ depolarization during glutamate-evoked DA release was evaluated with and without the DA reuptake inhibitor nomifensine and the DA D2 antagonist sulpiride. DA released by K+ depolarization (Mg++ present) was markedly increased by 1 mM glutamate, but this effect was only partially reversed by kynurenate or high concentrations of either MK-801 (25 microM) or DNQX (100 microM).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Ionic and secretory response of pancreatic islet cells to minoxidil sulfate

Minoxidil sulfate is an antihypertensive agent belonging to the new class of vasodilators, the "K+ channel openers." The present study was undertaken to characterize the effects of minoxidil sulfate on ionic and secretory events in rat pancreatic islets. The drug unexpectedly provoked a concentration-dependent decrease in 86Rb outflow. This inhibitory effect was reduced in a concentration-dependent manner by glucose and tolbutamide. Minoxidil sulfate did not affect 45Ca outflow from islets perfused in the presence of extracellular Ca++ and absence or presence of glucose. However, in islets exposed to a medium deprived of extracellular Ca++, the drug provoked a rise in 45Ca outflow. Whether in the absence or presence of extracellular Ca++, minoxidil sulfate increased the cytosolic free Ca++ concentration of islet cells. Lastly, minoxidil sulfate increased the release of insulin from glucose-stimulated pancreatic islets. These results suggest that minoxidil sulfate reduces the activity of the ATP-sensitive K+ channels and promotes an intracellular translocation of Ca++. The latter change might account for the effect of the drug on the insulin-releasing process. However, the secretory response to minoxidil sulfate could also be mediated, at least in part, by a modest Ca++ entry.     

An adenosine triphosphate-dependent calcium uptake pump in human neutrophil lysosomes.

Regulation of the cytosolic free calcium concentration is important to neutrophil function. In these studies, an ATP-dependent calcium uptake pump has been identified in human neutrophil lysosomes. This energy-dependent Ca++ uptake pump has a high affinity for Ca++ (Michaelis constant [Km] Ca++ = 107 nM) and a maximum velocity (Vmax) of 5.3 pmol/mg of protein per min. ATP was the only nucleotide that supported Ca++ uptake by lysosomes. The Km for ATP was 177 microM. ATP-dependent Ca++ uptake by neutrophil lysosomes was temperature- and pH-sensitive with optimal Ca++ pump activity at 37 degrees C and pH 7.0-7.5. Mg++ was also essential for ATP-dependent Ca++ uptake by lysosomes. Azide and antimycin A had no effect on the energy-dependent uptake of Ca++ by neutrophil lysosomes. The chemotactic peptide formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine inhibited ATP-dependent Ca++ accumulation by isolated lysosomes. Butoxycarbonyl-phenylalanine-leucine-phenylalanine-leucine-phenylalanine , a competitive antagonist of the chemotactic peptide, blocked this inhibitory effect. These studies demonstrate the presence of an ATP-dependent Ca++ uptake pump in human neutrophil lysosomes that functions at physiologic intracellular concentrations of Ca++, ATP, and H+ and may be important to regulating neutrophil function by modulating cytosolic Ca++.     

The Na(+)-dependent release of endogenous dopamine and noradrenaline from rat brain synaptosomes

The involvement of intrasynaptosomal-free Ca++ concentration [( Ca++]i) in Na(+)-dependent release of endogenous dopamine and noradrenaline from rat brain synaptosomes was studied. The release of endogenous dopamine and noradrenaline from rat whole brain synaptosomes were measured using high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detector. The change of [Ca++]i was measured fluorometrically using a Ca++ indicator, Quin-2. Whether extracellular Ca++ was present or not, 30 microM veratridine, a Na(+)-ionophore, increased the release of endogenous dopamine and noradrenaline. In the presence of 1.25 mM Ca++, 30 microM veratridine increased [Ca++]i. In contrast, in the absence of extracellular Ca++, veratridine did not affect [Ca++]i. Ethylene glycol bis(beta-aminoethyl ether)-N,N'-tetraacetic acid (EGTA) increased the release of dopamine and noradrenaline in Ca-Mg-free medium. This stimulatory effect of EGTA seemed to be the result of an increase in the influx of Na+ through Ca++ channels in the absence of divalent cation. In Ca-Mg-free medium, EGTA caused a slight decrease in [Ca++]i. The EGTA-stimulated release of dopamine and noradrenaline was blocked by La which also significantly blocked the decrease in [Ca++]i observed after the addition of EGTA. These results suggest that the Na(+)-dependent release of dopamine and noradrenaline may not depend on a change in [Ca++]i. Veratridine (30 microM)-induced release of dopamine and noradrenaline were detected simultaneously. However, the time needed to induce the maximal stimulatory effect of veratridine on the release of dopamine was apparently shorter than that of noradrenaline. This delay might suggest that the Na(+)-dependent release process of dopamine is not similar to that of noradrenaline.     

Ca++ inhibition of isoproterenol responses in mammalian skeletal muscle

In noncontracting mouse hemidiaphragms incubated in modified Krebs-Ringer--bicarbonate buffer with 10 mM Ca++, isoproterenol-stimulated phosphorylase a formation, conversion of phosphorylase kinase to the activated form, elevation of cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase activity ratios and increase in cyclic AMP concentrations were reduced 35 to 50% over the responses in buffer with 2.5 mM Ca++. In buffer with 10 mM Ca++, the initial rate of isoproterenol-stimulated cyclic AMP accumulation was 59% of that in buffer with 2.5 mM Ca++. The inhibitory action of Ca++ on cyclic AMP accumulation was antagonized by verapamil, but not by inhibitors of cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase activity. In buffer with 2.5 mM Ca++, isoproterenol-stimulated cyclic AMP accumulation was inhibited by A23187 and caffeine, agents that can increase intracellular Ca++ concentrations. In addition to Ca++, high concentrations of Co++, Ni++, Mn++ and, to a lesser extent, Sr++ inhibited the isoproterenol response. The results of these studies indicate that high buffer Ca++ concentrations inhibit the response of the glycogenolytic pathway to isoproterenol by an action on cyclic AMP formation. We propose that the site of the inhibitory action of Ca++ is the divalent metal activator site associated with hormone-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity.     

Calcium ion requirement for acetylcholine-stimulated breakdown of triphosphoinositide in rabbit iris smooth muscle.

Previous studies from this laboratory have established that addition of acetylcholine (ACh) or norepinephrine to 32P-labeled rabbit iris smooth muscle increases significantly the breakdown of triphosphoinositide (TPI) and that these stimulatory effects are blocked by atropine and phentolamine, respectively. The present studies were undertaken in order to show the effect of Ca++ on the ACh-stimulated breakdown of TPI ("TPI effect") in this tissue. Paired iris smooth muscles were prelabeled with 32Pi for 30 minutes at 37 degrees C in Ca++-free iso-osmotic salt medium. The prelabeled irises were then washed and incubated for 10 minutes in nonradioactive Ca++-free medium which contained 10 mM 2-deoxyglucose under various conditions. The phospholipids were isolated by means of two-dimensional thin-layer chromatography and their radioactivities were determined. In the absence of Ca++, 50 micrometer ACh increased TPI breakdown and phosphatidic acid (PA) labeling by 16 and 38%, respectively. In the absence of ACh, 0.75 micrometer Ca++ increased TPI breakdown and PA labeling by 11 and 20%, respectively. When both ACh and Ca++ were added, the increase in TPI breakdown and PA labeling rose to 32 and 74%, respectively. The labeling of phosphatidylinositol was found to be insensitive to the presence of Ca++. Ca++ was determined in the iris smooth muscle and it was found to contain 3.13 mumol of Ca++ per g of tissue. This was reduced by 80% after the muscle was washed and incubated in a medium which contained 0.25 micrometer ethyleneglycol bis (beta-aminoethyl ether)-N,N'-tetraacetic acid (EGTA). The TPI effect was abolished by 0.25 micrometer EGTA and restored when excess Ca++ (1.25 micrometer) was added. Concentrations of Ca++ as low as 50 micrometer provoked a TPI effect. Sr++ (2 micrometer), but not Ba++ or Mn++, was found to substitute partially for Ca++. Ionophore A-23187 (20 micrometer) was found to increase the breakdown of TPI and labeling of PA by 11 and 24%, respectively. High concentrations of Ca++ (20 mM) exerted similar effects. The increase in TPI breakdown and PA labeling in response to these agents, in contrast to the TPI effect in response to ACh, was not blocked by atropine. This suggests that the observed effects are not caused by the release of endogenous ACh from the muscle. A possible interpretation for the above observations on the role of Ca++ in the TPI effect at the postsynaptic membrane of the iris smooth muscle could be: (formula: see text).     

Lipoxygenase pathway in islet endocrine cells. Oxidative metabolism of arachidonic acid promotes insulin release

Metabolism of arachidonic acid (AA) via the cyclooxygenase pathway reduces glucose-stimulated insulin release. However, metabolism of AA by the lipoxygenase pathway and the consequent effects on insulin secretion have not been simultaneously assessed in the endocrine islet. Both dispersed endocrine cell-enriched pancreatic cells of the neonatal rat, as well as intact islets of the adult rat, metabolized [(3)H]AA not only to cyclooxygenase products (prostaglandins E(2), F(2alpha), and prostacyclin) but also to the lipoxygenase product 12-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (12-HETE). 12-HETE was identified by coelution with authentic tritiated or unlabeled 12-HETE using four high performance liquid chromatographic systems under eight mobile-phase conditions and its identity was confirmed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry using selected ion monitoring. The predominant effect of exogenous AA (5 mug/ml) was to stimulate insulin release from pancreatic cells grown in monolayer. This effect was concentration- and time-dependent, and reversible. The effect of AA upon insulin release was potentiated by a cyclooxygenase inhibitor (indomethacin) and was prevented by either of two lipoxygenase inhibitors (5,8,11,14-eicosatetraynoic acid [ETYA] and BW755c). In addition, glucose, as well as two structurally dissimilar agents (the calcium ionophore A23187 and bradykinin), which activate phospholipase(s) and thereby release endogenous AA in several cell systems, also stimulated insulin secretion. The effects of glucose, glucagon, bradykinin and high concentrations of A23187 (5 mug/ml) to augment insulin release were blocked or considerably reduced by lipoxygenase inhibitors. However, a lower concentration of the ionophore (0.25 mug/ml), which did not appear to activate phospholipase, was resistant to blockade. Exogenous 12-HETE (up to 2,000 ng/ml) did not alter glucose-induced insulin release. However, the labile intermediate 12-hydroperoxy-ETE increased insulin release. Furthermore, diethylmaleate (which binds intracellular glutathione and thereby impedes conversion of the lipoxygenase intermediates hydroperoxy-ETE and leukotriene A(4) to HETE and leukotriene C(4), respectively) potentiated the effect of glucose and of exogenous AA. Finally, 5,6-epoxy, 8,11,14-eicosatrienoic acid (a relatively stable epoxide analogue of leukotriene A(4)) as well as two other epoxy-analogues, potentiated glucose-induced insulin release. We conclude that dual pathways of AA metabolism exist in islet endocrine cells and have opposing regulatory effects on the beta cell-an inhibitory cyclooxygenase cascade and a stimulatory lipoxygenase cascade. Labile products of the latter pathway may play a pivotal role in stimulus-secretion coupling in the islet.     

Depolarizing agents induce oscillations in canine bronchial smooth muscle membrane potential: possible mechanisms.

Tetraethylammonium (TEA) 925 mM), 4-aminopyridine (4-AP) (5 mM) and carbachol (3 X 10(-7) M) elicited membrane depolarization (approximately 20 mV) and oscillation (0.5-1.0 Hz; up to 25 mV in amplitude) in canine bronchi (3rd to 5th order). BaCl2 (1 mM) also elicited large depolarizations but not oscillations. The oscillations were antagonized by nitrendipine (NT) (10(-8) M) or atropine (10(-6) M) and were unaffected by phentolamine, propranolol or apamin (all 10(-7) M). TEA- or 4-AP-induced membrane depolarizations were partially reversed by atropine. After replacement of extracellular Ca++ with Sr++, oscillations elicited by carbachol or TEA were considerably slower (although amplitudes were similar to those seen in Ca++). Excitatory junction potentials were not altered by NT, were inhibited by 4-AP or replacement of extracellular Ca++ with Sr++, were potentiated by Ba++ and were variably affected by TEA. Contractile responses to acetylcholine were supported by Ca++ or Sr++ (with reduced efficacy), and only the latter were sensitive to NT. Our data suggest that, in canine bronchi (3rd to 5th order), 1) there are K+ channels and Ca++ channels (not L-type) on the cholinergic nerve endings, which modulate neurotransmitter release, 2) there are voltage-dependent K+ channels on the smooth muscle, which regulate membrane potential and suppress excitatory activity, and 3) membrane depolarization leads to alternating opening and closing of voltage-dependent (L-type) Ca++ channels on the smooth muscle, producing oscillations in membrane potential.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Effects of the amphiphilic peptides melittin and mastoparan on calcium influx, phosphoinositide breakdown and arachidonic acid release in rat pheochromocytoma PC12 cells.

Two amphiphilic peptides from hymenopterid insects, melittin and mastoparan, stimulate secretion in a variety of cell types. In PC12 cells, both peptides stimulate calcium influx with melittin some 20-fold more potently than mastoparan. Melittin stimulates both breakdown of phosphoinositides (Pl) by phospholipase C to yield inositol phosphates and hydrolysis of phospholipids by phospholipase A2 to release arachidonic acid (AA). Mastoparan stimulates Pl breakdown, but has no effect on AA release. Maximal stimulation of Pl breakdown occurs at 1 to 2.5 micrograms/ml melittin and 30 micrograms/ml mastoparan, whereas maximal stimulation of AA release occurs at 2 to 5 micrograms/ml melittin. Organic calcium channel blockers (nifedipine, verapamil, diltiazem) have little or no effect on responses to the peptides. The influx of calcium elicited by melittin or mastoparan is completely or nearly completely blocked by inorganic calcium channel blockers (Co++, Mn++, Cd++). Mn++ and Cd++ inhibit melittin-induced Pl breakdown and AA release and mastoparan-induced Pl breakdown. Co++ has no effect on melittin-induced Pl breakdown and potentiates mastoparan-induced Pl breakdown. Pertussis toxin has no effect on the Pl breakdown induced by either peptide. The responses to melittin and mastoparan in PC12 cells are compared to those reported for maitotoxin.     

Possible role for calmodulin in insulin release. Studies with trifluoperazine in rat pancreatic islets.

The role of calmodulin in insulin secretion from rat pancreatic islets has been examined by the use of trifluoperazine, an inhibitor of calmodulin-Ca++-directed functions. It was found that 30 microM trifluoperazine caused 50% inhibition, and 100 microM, up to 73% inhibition of 16.7 mM glucose-stimulated insulin release. 100 microM trifluoperazine caused a similar inhibition of 10 mM glyceraldehyde-stimulated release. Therefore, the site of action of trifluoperazine in glucose stimulus-secretion coupling appears to be after the trioses. As trifluoperazine had no effect upon insulin release stimulated by 1 mM 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine, the inhibitory effect of trifluoperazine appears to be rather specific. Further, the process of exocytosis per se is not affected. It was also found that although trifluoperazine inhibited the effect of glucose to stimulate insulin release, it did not affect the synergism between glucose and 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine to potentiate insulin release. It may be concluded that trifluoperazine selectively inhibits one part of the mechanism by which glucose stimulates insulin release. Calmodulin plays a role in the stimulation of insulin release by glucose at a site between metabolism of trioses and elevation of cytosol Ca++, but is not involved in the final process of exocytosis.     

Calcium-independent activation of contractile apparatus in smooth muscle by calyculin-A

Calyculin-A (CL-A), a novel marine toxin isolated from Discodermia calyx, caused contraction in the smooth muscle of guinea pig taenia ceci and rat aorta in the presence or absence (with 1 mM ethylene glycol bis(beta-aminoethyl ether)-N,N'-tetraacetic acid) of external Ca++ at concentrations ranging from 1 X 10(-8) to 1 X 10(-6) M. In the presence of external Ca++, the contraction induced by CL-A was accompanied by an increase in the cytosolic free Ca++ concentration [( Ca++]cyt) as measured by the fluorescence indicator fura-2. Verapamil (3 X 10(-6) M) inhibited the increase in [Ca++]cyt, but not tension development caused by CL-A. In the absence of external Ca++, CL-A still caused contraction without changing [Ca++]cyt. Thus, from studies with intact smooth muscle it was demonstrated that, in the absence of external Ca++, CL-A can induce a contraction that was not accompanied by an increase in [Ca++]cyt. In permeabilized taenia, CL-A caused contraction in the absence of Ca++ (with 2 mM ethylene glycol bis(beta-aminoethyl ether)N,N'-tetraacetic acid) at concentrations similar to those required to contract intact tissue. This contraction was inhibited by the nonselective kinase inhibitors such as amiloride (1 X 10(-3) M) and K-252a (2 X 10(-5) M). Low concentrations of Ca++ (approximately 1 X 10(-6) M) augmented the CL-A-induced contraction in the permeabilized taenia. In native actomyosin prepared from chicken gizzard CL-A induced phosphorylation of the 20 kDa myosin light chain (MLC) in the absence of Ca++.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Cardiac sarcolemma as a possible site of action of caffeine in rat heart

Caffeine (0.1-10 mM) produced a biphasic effect on Na(+)-K+ ATPase activity in the rat heart sarcolemmal preparations. The Na(+)-K+ ATPase activity was stimulated by about 25% at low concentrations (0.1-1 mM), whereas the enzyme was inhibited by about 25% at higher concentrations (10 mM) of caffeine. The stimulatory effect of 1 mM caffeine was associated with about 30% increase in the Vmax value for Na(+)-K+ ATPase, whereas the depressant action of 10 mM caffeine was associated with an increase of the Km value from 1.4 to 2.1 mM ATP. The Na(+)-induced Ca++ release from the sarcolemmal vesicles was stimulated with caffeine in a concentration-dependent manner; about 80% increase in the activity was observed at 0.1 mM caffeine. The apparent Ka (millimolar Na+) values for the Na(+)-induced Ca++ release were about 17 and 6 in the absence and presence of 1 mM caffeine, respectively. However, the sarcolemmal Na(+)-dependent Ca++ uptake and ATP-independent Ca++ binding were not affected, whereas the ATP-dependent Ca++ accumulation and Ca+(+)-stimulated ATPase activities were depressed by 1 to 10 mM caffeine. This agent at concentrations of 0.1 to 10 mM produced a biphasic effect on the contractile activity of the isolated perfused rat heart. The initial transient positive inotropic (30-60%) effect was followed by a sustained negative inotropic (50-80%) response of the drug; the delayed decrease in contractile force was associated with a significant increase (35-50%) in the resting tension. The initial positive inotropic effect of caffeine was dependent on the concentration of Ca++ (0.2-3 mM) in the perfusion medium; however, this response was attenuated either by lowering the concentration of Na+ from 140 to 35 mM or by different concentrations (0.5-1 mM) of amiloride in the medium.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Calcium-dependent stimulation of renal medullary prostaglandin synthesis by furosemide

The present study examined the actions of furosemide and other "loop" diuretics on immunoreactive prostaglandin E (iPGE) and [14C]arachidonate (AA) release in vitro in incubates of slices from rat and dog outer or inner medulla. The loop diuretics furosemide, ethacrynic acid, bumetanide and 3-benzylamino-4-phenylthio-5-sulfamoylbenzoic acid all significantly increased [14C]AA and iPGE release (1.5- to 4-fold) into the media of rat outer and inner medulla and dog outer medullary slice incubates. By contrast, equimolar concentrations of chlorothiazide and hydrochlorothiazide were without effects on these parameters. Stimulation of [14C]AA or iPGE by furosemide was abolished by exclusion of Ca++ from the incubation media or by addition of verapamil to complete media, but was not altered by exclusion of Na+. Ca++-free media or verapamil also abolished the increases in [14C]AA and iPGE induced by ionophore A23187. By contrast, these incubation conditions did not influence the iPGE responses to hypertonic mannitol or exogenous AA. The presence of Ca++-responsive acyl hydrolase activity was demonstrated in the microsomal fraction from rat outer medulla. However, this activity was not altered by addition of furosemide to the subcellular fraction in the presence or absence of Ca++. Thus, furosemide and other loop diuretics stimulate renal medullary iPGE synthesis in vitro, and may do so through Ca++-mediated or dependent enhancement of the release of AA.     

The increase in spontaneous transmitter release produced by beta-bungarotoxin and its modification by inorganic ions.

The excitatory phase of the biphasic action on transmitter release of the neurotoxin, beta-bungarotoxin (beta-BuTX; 0.5 microgram ml-1), was studied on miniature end-plate potentials (MEPPs) at frog sciatic nerve-sartorius muscle junctions. The most common type of excitatory response was characterized by a continuous increase in MEPP frequency that reached a plateau; a less common form was characterized by irregular episodic bursts of firing. There was a direct relationship between toxin activity and [K+]O (2.5-10.0 mM) with virtually no effect of the toxin at normal [K]O+ at the concentration of toxin used. In the absence of Mg++, there was a paradoxical inverse relationship between toxin activity and [Ca++]O (0.5-4.0 mM) at higher [K+]O. However, in the presence of 1.0 mM Mg++ the increased MEPP frequency produced by beta-BuTX was independent of [Ca++]O. The action of beta-BuTX was very sensitive to blockade by Mg++. Toxin activity was demonstrated in a Sr++-containing, Ca++-free solution, but not in a Mg++-containing, Ca++-free solution. It is probable that beta-BuTX causes a slight depolarization of the nerve terminals by a mechanism not sensitive to blockade by tetrodotoxin and that the ability of beta-BuTX to depolarize the terminals can account for the enhancement of the response by raising [K+]O and the depression of the response by Mg++. Alternatively, beta-BuTX could be producing its effects by some, as yet undefined, direct action on the release process.     

Extracellular calcium-dependent and -independent effects of methylmercury on spontaneous and potassium-evoked release of acetylcholine at the neuromuscular junction

Acute bath administration of methylmercury (MeHg) to the murine neuromuscular junction causes an initial surge in the frequency of occurrence of miniature end-plate potentials (MEPPs), followed by a complete suppression of asynchronous spontaneous release. The goals of the present study were to determine: whether the MeHg-induced in MEPP frequency was dependent upon extracellular Ca++, whether MeHg produced this effect by actions within the motor nerve terminal and whether the secondary suppression of release was due to transmitter depletion. Conventional intracellular microelectrode recording measurements of MEPPs were made from myofibers of the isolated hemidiaphragm of the rat. Increasing the bath concentration of Ca++ from 1 to 2 or 4 mM decreased the time period required by 100 microM MeHg to produce a peak increase of spontaneous release from 52 to 39 to 28 min, respectively. Further increasing bath Ca++ to 8 mM actually increased this period back to 49 min. Increasing [Ca++]o had no consistent effect on the magnitude of the MeHg-induced increase in MEPP frequency. After depolarization of the nerve terminal with elevated extracellular K+ (15 mM) the time to peak increases in MEPP frequency was shortened from approximately 40 min to 1 to 2 min. The time required for MeHg to cause complete cessation of MEPPs was also shortened. In experiments conducted in K+-depolarized preparations to which no Ca++ was added, MeHg still increased MEPP frequency, although not as rapidly, or to the same extent as in solutions containing Ca++.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)