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CorA is a Mg 2+ channel that plays a key role in the homeostasis of intracellular Mg 2+ in bacteria and archaea. CorA consists of a cytoplasmic domain and a transmembrane domain and generates a Mg 2+ pathway by forming a pentamer in the cell membrane. CorA gating is regulated via negative feedback by Mg 2+ , which is accommodated by the pentamerization interface of the CorA cytoplasmic domain (CorA CD ). The Mg 2+ -binding sites of CorA CD differ depending on the species, suggesting that the Mg 2+ -binding modes and Mg 2+ -mediated gating mechanisms of CorA vary across prokaryotes. To define the Mg 2+ -binding mechanism of CorA in the Campylobacter jejuni pathogen, we structurally and biochemically characterized C. jejuni CorA CD (cjCorA CD ). cjCorA CD adopts a three-layered α/β/α structure as observed in other CorA orthologs. Interestingly, cjCorA CD exhibited enhanced thermostability in the presence of Ca 2+ , Ni 2+ , Zn 2+ , or Mn 2+ in addition to Mg 2+ , indicating that cjCorA CD interacts with diverse divalent cations. This cjCorA CD stabilization is mediated by divalent cation accommodation by negatively charged residues located at the bottom of the cjCorA CD structure away from the pentamerization interface. Consistently, cjCorA CD exists as a monomer irrespective of the presence of divalent cations. We concluded that cjCorA CD binds divalent cations in a unique pentamerization-independent manner., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Cation diffusion facilitators (CDFs) are a large family of divalent metal transporters with broad specificities that contribute to intracellular metal homeostasis and toxicity in bacterial pathogens. Streptococcus pyogenes (Group A Streptococcus [GAS]) expresses two homologous CDF efflux transporters, MntE and CzcD, which selectively transport Mn and Zn, respectively. We discovered that the MntE- and CzcD-deficient strains exhibited a marked decrease in the viability of macrophage-differentiated THP-1 cells and neutrophils. In addition, the viability of mice infected with both deficient strains markedly increased. Consistent with a previous study, our results suggest that MntE regulates the PerR-dependent oxidative stress response by maintaining intracellular Mn levels and contributing to the growth of GAS. The maturation and proteolytic activity of streptococcal cysteine protease (SpeB), an important virulence factor in GAS, has been reported to be abrogated by zinc and copper. Zn inhibited the maturation and proteolytic activity of SpeB in the culture supernatant of the CzcD-deficient strain. Furthermore, Mn inhibited SpeB maturation and proteolytic activity in a MntE-deficient strain. Since the host pathogenicity of the SpeB-deficient strain was significantly reduced, maintenance of intracellular manganese and zinc levels in the GAS via MntE and CzcD may not only confer metal resistance to the bacterium, but may also play an essential role in its virulence. These findings provide new insights into the molecular mechanisms of pathogenicity, which allow pathogens to survive under stressful conditions associated with elevated metal ion concentrations during host infection., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2023 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Although cultured adult cardiac myocytes in combination with cell-level genetic modifications have been adopted for the study of protein function, the cellular alterations caused by the culture conditions themselves need to be clarified before we can interpret the effects of genetically altered proteins. We systematically compared the cellular morphology, global Ca 2+ signaling, elementary Ca 2+ release (sparks), and arrangement of ryanodine receptor (RyR) clusters in short-term (2 days)-cultured adult rat ventricular myocytes with those of freshly isolated myocytes. The transverse (t)-tubules were remarkably decreased (to ∼25%) by culture, and whole-cell capacitance was reduced by ∼35%. The magnitude of depolarization-induced Ca 2+ transients decreased to ∼50%, and Ca 2+ transient decay was slowed by culture. The culture did not affect sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca 2+ loading. Therefore, fractional Ca 2+ release was attenuated by culture. In the cultured cells, the L-type Ca 2+ current (I Ca ) was smaller (∼50% of controls) and its inactivation was slower. In cultured myocytes, there were significantly fewer (∼50% of control) Ca 2+ sparks, the local Ca 2+ releases through RyR clusters, compared with in freshly isolated cells. Amplitude and kinetics (duration and time-to-peak) of individual sparks were similar, but they showed greater width in cultured cells. Immunolocalization analysis revealed that the cross-striation of RyRs distribution became weaker and less organized, and that the density of RyR clusters decreased in cultured myocytes. Our data suggest that the loss of t-tubules and generation of compromised Ca 2+ transients and I Ca in short-term adult ventricular cell culture are independent of SR Ca 2+ loading status. In addition, the deteriorated arrangement of the RyR-clusters and their decreased density after short-term culture may be partly responsible for fewer Ca 2+ sparks and a decrease in global Ca 2+ release., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Protein phosphatase 5 (PP5), an important member of serine/threonine protein phosphatases, has been associated with diverse human cancers. Structural data demonstrate that two metal ions and two water molecules are located in the active site of PP5 and are involved in the dephosphorylations of the substrate. Recently, the catalytic reaction of PP5 has been studied by a density functional theory (DFT) method, and the role of the water molecules in regulating the substrate binding of PP5 was explored by our previous molecular dynamics (MD) study. These two studies enrich our understanding of the catalytic mechanism of PP5. However, the questions of how the metal ions regulate the substrate binding and the contribution of each metal ion to the catalysis remain not answered. To this end, the role of the catalytic Mn 2+ ions in regulating the binding of PP5 with its substrate was investigated through MD simulations. Results reveal that the different states of Mn 2+ ions can alter the structure of the active site and the conformations of the residues coordinating the Mn 2+ ions or the substrate. This leads to changes in the secondary structure and dynamical fluctuation of PP5, especially for that of helix αJ. With the position change of helix αJ, the volume of the substrate binding pocket is altered by the different states of Mn 2+ ions, indicating the regulatory role of Mn 2+ ions in PP5 activity. Furthermore, combined with the simulation data of our previous study, the sequential steps for PP5 binding of the substrate, the two active site water molecules, and the two Mn 2+ ions are proposed. This may help to develop new inhibitors to treat the PP5-related cancers., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Glucose isomerase (GI) catalyzes the reversible enzymatic isomerization of d-glucose and d-xylose to d-fructose and d-xylulose, respectively. This is one of the most important enzymes in the production of high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) and biofuel. We recently determined the crystal structure of GI from S. rubiginosus (SruGI) complexed with a xylitol inhibitor in one metal binding mode. Although we assessed inhibitor binding at the M1 site, the metal binding at the M2 site and the substrate recognition mechanism for SruGI remains the unclear. Here, we report the crystal structure of the two metal binding modes of SruGI and its complex with glucose. This study provides a snapshot of metal binding at the SruGI M2 site in the presence of Mn 2+ , but not in the presence of Mg 2+ . Metal binding at the M2 site elicits a configuration change at the M1 site. Glucose molecule can only bind to the M1 site in presence of Mn 2+ at the M2 site. Glucose and Mn 2+ at the M2 site were bridged by water molecules using a hydrogen bonding network. The metal binding geometry of the M2 site indicates a distorted octahedral coordination with an angle of 55-110°, whereas the M1 site has a relatively stable octahedral coordination with an angle of 85-95°. We suggest a two-step sequential process for SruGI substrate recognition, in Mn 2+ binding mode, at the M2 site. Our results provide a better understanding of the molecular role of the M2 site in GI substrate recognition., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The preprotein translocase of the inner membrane of mitochondria (TIM23 complex) is the main entry gate for proteins of the matrix and the inner membrane. Tim23p, the core component of TIM23 complex, forms the import pore across the inner membrane and exerts a key function in the protein import. However, the interaction of divalent metal ions with Tim23p and the contribution in the interaction of presequence peptide with Tim23p are still unknown. Herein, we investigated the interaction of divalent metal ions with the intermembrane space domain of Tim23p (Tim23IMS) and the interaction of presequence peptides with Tim23IMS in presence of Ca(2+) ion by fluorescence spectroscopy in vitro. The static fluorescence quenching indicates the existence of strong binding between divalent metal ions and Tim23IMS. The order of the binding strength is Ca(2+), Mg(2+), Cu(2+), Mn(2+), and Co(2+) (from strong to weak). Moreover, the interaction of presequence peptides with Tim23IMS is weakened in presence of Ca(2+) ion, which implicates that Ca(2+) ion may play an important role in the protein import by TIM23 complex., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Previous molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of ion-lipid interactions have focused on pure phospholipid bilayers. Many functional microdomains in membranes have a complex composition of cholesterol and phospholipids. Here, we reveal the distinctiveness of the interactions and the effects of the ions on a cholesterol-rich bilayer by performing MD simulations of a cholesterol-rich bilayer with a Na(+)/K(+) mixture or a Na(+)/K(+)/Ca(2+)/Mg(2+) mixture. The simulations reveal that Ca(2+) maintains its dominant role in the interaction with the cholesterol-rich bilayer, but the binding affinity of Mg(2+) to the cholesterol-rich bilayer is even weaker than the affinities of Na(+) and K(+), whereas its interaction with pure phospholipid bilayers is strong and is only slightly weaker than that of Ca(2+). Additionally, it was found that the presence of additional divalent cations induces the headgroups of phospholipids to be more perpendicular to the membrane surface, reducing the lateral movement of lipids and slightly altering the ordering and packing of the cholesterol-rich bilayer, different from divalent cations, which strongly influence that ordering and packing of pure phospholipid bilayers. Therefore, this study indicates that cholesterol in the membrane could affect the interactions between membrane and cations. The findings could be helpful in understanding the biological processes relevant to regulation of cations in cholesterol-rich regions., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

E-cadherin, a calcium (Ca(2+))-dependent cell-cell adhesion molecule, plays a key role in the maintenance of tissue integrity. We have previously demonstrated that E-cadherin functions in vivo as a cis-dimer through chemical cross-linking reagents. Ca(2+) plays an important role in the cis-dimer formation of cadherin. However, the molecular mechanisms by which Ca(2+) interacts with the binding sites that regulate cis-dimer structures have not been completely elucidated. As expected for a Ca(2+) antagonist, cadmium (Cd(2+)) disrupts cadherin function by displacing Ca(2+) from its binding sites on the cadherin molecules. We used Cd(2+) as a probe for investigating the role of Ca(2+) in the dynamics of the E-cadherin extracellular region that involve cis-dimer formation and adhesion. While cell-cell adhesion assembly was completely disrupted in the presence of Cd(2+), the amount of cis-dimers of E-cadherin that formed at the cell surface was not affected. In our "Cd(2+)-switch" experiments, we did not find that Cd(2+)-induced E-cadherin cis-dimer formation in EL cells when they were incubated in low-Ca(2+) medium. In the present study, we demonstrated for the first time the effects of Cd(2+) on the cis-dimer structure of E-cadherin in living cells using a chemical cross-link analysis., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Rapid and selective ion transport is essential for the generation and regulation of electrical signaling pathways in living organisms. In this study, we use molecular dynamics simulations and free energy calculations to investigate how the bacterial sodium channel Na(V)Ab (Arcobacter butzleri) differentiates between Na(+) and Ca(2+) ions. Multiple nanosecond molecular dynamics simulations revealed distinct binding patterns for these two cations in the selectivity filter and suggested a high affinity calcium binding site formed by backbone atoms of residues Leu-176 and Thr-175 (S(CEN)) in the sodium channel selectivity filter., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Transient receptor potential melastatin 2 (TRPM2) is a Ca(2+)-permeable cationic channel in the TRP channel family. The channel activity can be regulated by reactive oxygen species (ROS) and cellular acidification, which has been implicated to the pathogenesis of diabetes and some neuronal disorders. However, little is known about the effect of redox-active metal ions, such as copper, on TRPM2 channels. Here we investigated the effect of divalent copper on TRPM2. TRPM2 channel was over-expressed in HEK-293 cells and the whole-cell current was recorded by patch clamp. We found the whole-cell current evoked by intracellular ADP-ribose was potently inhibited by Cu(2+) with a half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC(50)) of 2.59 μM. The inhibitory effect was irreversible. The single channel activity was abolished in the outside-out patches, and intracellular application of Cu(2+) did not prevent the channel activation, suggesting that the action site of Cu(2+) is located in the extracellular domains of the channel. TRPM2 current was also blocked by Hg(2+), Pb(2+), Fe(2+) and Se(2+). We concluded that Cu(2+) is a potent TRPM2 channel blocker. The sensitivity of TRPM2 channel to heavy metal ions could be a new mechanism for the pathogenesis of some metal ion-related diseases., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Exposure of cells to nanosecond pulsed electric fields (nsPEF) causes a rapid increase in intracellular calcium. The mechanism(s) responsible for this calcium burst remains unknown, but is hypothesized to be from direct influx through nanopores, the activation of specific ion channels, or direct disruption of organelles. It is likely, however, that several mechanisms are involved/activated, thereby resulting in a complex chain of events that are difficult to separate by slow imaging methods. In this letter, we describe a novel high-speed imaging system capable of determining the spatial location of calcium bursts within a single cell following nsPEF exposure. Preliminary data in rodent neuroblastoma cells are presented, demonstrating the ability of this system to track the location of calcium bursts in vitro within milliseconds of exposure. These data reveal that calcium ions enter the cell from the plasma membrane regions closest to the electrodes (poles), and that intracellular calcium release occurs in the absence of extracellular calcium. We believe that this novel technique will allow us to temporally and spatially separate various nsPEF-induced effects, leading to powerful insights into the mechanism(s) of interaction between electric fields and cellular membranes., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

In many bacterial feo loci, the feoA gene is associated with the feoB gene. While the feoB-encoded FeoB protein has been demonstrated as a ferrous iron [Fe(II)] transporter, the function of the feoA gene product, FeoA, is unknown. In the present study, we report that the FeoA protein interacts with the FeoB Fe(II) transporter, which is required for FeoB-mediated Fe(II) uptake in Salmonella enterica. Iron uptake assay revealed that in the absence of FeoA, FeoB import of Fe(II) is impaired. Bacterial two-hybrid assay determined that the FeoA protein directly and specifically binds to the FeoB transporter in vivo. This FeoA-FeoB interaction appeared necessary for FeoB-mediated Fe(II) uptake because Salmonella expressing the mutant FeoA that cannot interact with FeoB failed to uptake Fe(II) via the FeoB transporter. Finally, we showed that the FeoA protein does not affect expression of the FeoB transporter per se., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Metal ions like Cu(II) and Zn(II) are accumulated in Alzheimer's disease amyloid plaques. The amyloid-β (Aβ) peptide involved in the disease interacts with these metal ions at neutral pH via ligands provided by the N-terminal histidines and the N-terminus. The present study uses high-resolution NMR spectroscopy to monitor the residue-specific interactions of Cu(II) and Zn(II) with (15)N- and (13)C,(15)N-labeled Aβ(1-40) peptides at varying pH levels. At pH 7.4 both ions bind to the specific ligands, competing with one another. At pH 5.5 Cu(II) retains its specific histidine ligands, while Zn(II) seems to lack residue-specific interactions. The low pH mimics acidosis which is linked to inflammatory processes in vivo. The results suggest that the cell toxic effects of redox active Cu(II) binding to Aβ may be reversed by the protective activity of non-redox active Zn(II) binding to the same major binding site under non-acidic conditions. Under acidic conditions, the protective effect of Zn(II) may be decreased or changed, since Zn(II) is less able to compete with Cu(II) for the specific binding site on the Aβ peptide under these conditions., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Cytoskeletal reorganization processes can be analyzed by studying the nanometer-scale spontaneous motion of beads bound to the cytoskeleton. The bead motion is determined by force fluctuations within the cytoskeletal network that originates from myosin motor activity and dynamic restructuring of cytoskeletal filaments. We investigated to what extend the spontaneous bead motion is influenced by the dynamics of the link between the bead and the cytoskeleton in the presence of divalent cations. Our data show that, when K562 cells expressing constitutively (alpha 5 beta 1) integrin and when stably transfected with (alpha v beta 3) integrin, spontaneous bead motion is dramatically affected by the presence of 1mM Mn(2+) (integrin, activate state) compared to 1mM Ca(2+)/Mg(2+) ions (integrin, inactive state). The directionality of the bead motion, which is influenced by the overall stability of the cytoskeletal network and by actomyosin-generated forces, is markedly different, whilst the persistence remained similar due to the specific binding of either Mn(2+) or Mg(2+)/Ca(2+) ions., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

WNK4 is a serine/threonine protein kinase that is involved in pseudohypoaldosteronism type II (PHAII), a Mendelian form disorder featuring hypertension and hyperkalemia. Most of the PHAII-causing mutations are clustered in an acidic motif rich in negatively charged residues. It is unclear, however, whether these mutations affect the kinase activity in any way. In this study, we isolated kinase domain of WNK4 produced by Escherichia coli, and demonstrated its ability to phosphorylate the oxidative stress-responsive kinase-1 (OSR1) and the thiazide-sensitive Na(+)-Cl(-) cotransporter (NCC) in vitro. Threonine 48 was identified as the WNK4 phosphorylation site at mouse NCC. The phospho-mimicking T48D mutant of mouse NCC increased its protein abundance and Na(+) uptake, and also enhanced the phosphorylation at the N-terminal region of NCC by OSR1. When the acidic motif was included in the WNK4 kinase construct, the kinase activity of WNK4 exhibited sensitivity to Ca(2+) ions with the highest activity at Ca(2+) concentration around 1 μM using kinase-inactive OSR1 as a substrate. All tested PHAII-causing mutations at the acidic motif exhibited impaired Ca(2+) sensitivity. Our results suggest that these PHAII-causing mutations disrupt a Ca(2+)-sensing mechanism around the acidic motif necessary for the regulation of WNK4 kinase activity by Ca(2+) ions., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Zinc is one of the trace elements which induce the proliferation and the differentiation of the osteoblast. In the previous study, we found that zinc ions (Zn(2+) ion)-releasing titanium implants had excellent bone fixation using a rabbit femurs model. In this study, we isolated the Zn(2+) ions (eluted Zn(2+) ion; EZ) released from the implant surface, and evaluated the effect of EZ on the osteogenesis of human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal cells (hBMCs). In the result, it was found that the EZ stimulated cell viability, osteoblast marker gene (type I collagen, osteocalcin (OC), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and bone sialoprotein (BSP)) expressions and calcium deposition in hBMCs., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Glycosaminoglycans were prepared as salts of different divalent cations and tested as donors in bovine testicular hyaluronidase catalyzed transglycosylation reactions. All of the metal cations examined had similar binding efficiency of divalent cations to hyaluronan. However, cations bound with different efficiencies to chondroitin sulfate species and the differences were marked in the case of chondroitin 6-sulfate; the numbers of cations bound per disaccharide unit were estimated to be 0.075 for Mn, 1.231 for Ba, 0.144 for Zn, and 0.395 for Cu. While barium salt of chondroitin sulfates enhanced transglycosylation, the zinc salt of chondroitin sulfates inhibited transglycosylation. Therefore, by selecting the proper divalent cation salt of chondroitin sulfates as a donor in the transglycosylation reaction it is possible to improve the yields of the products., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Mortierella alpina is a filamentous fungus commonly found in soil, which is able to produce large amount of polyunsaturated fatty acids. L-fucose is an important sugar found in a diverse range of organisms, playing a variety of biological roles. In this study, we characterized the de novo biosynthetic pathway of GDP-L-fucose (the nucleotide-activated form of L-fucose) in M. alpina. Genes encoding GDP-D-mannose 4,6-dehydratase (GMD) and GDP-keto-6-deoxymannose 3,5-epimerase/4-reductase (GMER) were expressed heterologously in Escherichia coli. The recombinant enzymes were produced as His-tagged fusion proteins. Conversion of GDP-mannose to GDP-4-keto-6-deoxy mannose by GMD and GDP-4-keto-6-deoxy mannose to GDP-L-fucose by GMER were analyzed by capillary electrophoresis, electro-spray ionization-mass spectrometry, and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The k(m) values of GMD for GDP-mannose and GMER for GDP-4-keto-6-deoxy mannose were determined to be 0.77 mM and 1.047 mM, respectively. Both NADH and NADPH may be used by GMER as the coenzyme. The optimum temperature and pH were determined to be 37 degrees C and pH 9.0 (GMD) or pH 7.0 (GMER). Divalent cations are not required for GMD and GMER activity, and the activities of both enzymes may be enhanced by DTT. To our knowledge this is the first report on the characterization of GDP-L-fucose biosynthetic pathway in fungi., (Copyright 2009 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The Saccharomyces cerevisiae gene YPK9 encodes a putative integral membrane protein which is 58% similar and 38% identical in amino acid sequence to the human lysosomal P(5B) ATPase ATP13A2. Mutations in ATP13A2 have been found in patients with Kufor-Rakeb syndrome, a form of juvenile Parkinsonism. We report that Ypk9p localizes to the yeast vacuole and that deletion of YPK9 confers sensitivity for growth for cadmium, manganese, nickel or selenium. These results suggest that Ypk9p may play a role in sequestration of divalent heavy metal ions. Further studies on the function of Ypk9p/ATP13A2 may help to define the molecular basis of Kufor-Rakeb syndrome and provide a potential link to environmental factors such as heavy metals contributing to some forms of Parkinsonism.

A protease was purified from the culture medium of Clostridium botulinum serotype C strain Stockholm (C-St). The purified protease belonged to the cysteine protease family based on assays for enzyme inhibitors, activators and kinetic parameters. The protease formed a binary complex consisting of 41- and 17-kDa proteins held together non-covalently. The DNA sequence encoding the protease gene was shown to be a single open reading frame of 1593 nucleotides, predicting 530 amino acid residues including a signal peptide. The N-terminal region of the native enzyme underwent further proteolytic modification after processing by a signal peptidase. The protease introduced intermolecular cleavage into an intact single chain botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) at a specific site. Homology modeling and docking simulation of C-St BoNT and C-St protease demonstrated that the specific nicking-site of the BoNT appears to fit into the deep pocket in the active site of the protease.

NBCe1-B, a major splice variant of the electrogenic Na+--HCO3- cotransporter (NBCe1) fulfills basic cellular functions including regulation of intracellular pH and epithelial HCO3- secretion. However, its cellular regulatory mechanism still remains elusive. Here, we provide evidence for the first time that NBCe1-B activity can be controlled by intracellular Mg2+ (Mg2+(i)), the physiologically most abundant intracellular divalent cation. Using the whole-cell patch-clamp technique, we found that recombinant NBCe1-B currents expressed in HEK293 and NIH3T3 cells were inhibited voltage-independently by Mg2+(i) in a concentration-dependent manner (K(i) approximately 0.01 mM). The Mg2+(i) inhibition was partially relieved by truncation of the NBCe1-B specific N-terminal region (K(i) approximately 0.3 mM), and was also observed for native electrogenic Na+--HCO3- cotransporter current in bovine parotid acinar cells that endogenously express NBCe1-B (K(i) approximately 1 mM). These results suggest that Mg2+ may be a cytosolic factor that limits intrinsic cotransport activity of NBCe1-B in mammalian cells.

Previously it was known that cytosolic Ca(2+) elevation was involved in regulating UV- or TNFalpha-induced apoptosis. Here, we reported new evidence that mitochondrial Ca(2+) signal is also involved in the apoptotic process. First, using living cell imaging techniques, we observed multiple mitochondrial Ca(2+) spikes during the early stage of UV- or TNFalpha-induced apoptosis. Second, the mitochondrial Ca(2+) spikes were synchronous with cytosolic Ca(2+) spikes observed in apoptosis, which preceded cytochrome c (cyt-c) release. Third, blocking the mitochondrial Ca(2+) elevation by applying a mitochondrial uniporter inhibitor could suppress UV-induced apoptosis in HeLa cells. Finally, overexpressing an anti-apoptotic protein, Bcl-2, could suppress the mitochondrial Ca(2+) elevation. Furthermore, it appeared that the elevation of mitochondrial Ca(2+) during apoptosis was caused by a direct coupling between endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and mitochondria through IP(3) receptors. Taken together, these findings suggest that Ca(2+) mobilization from ER to mitochondria can play a significant role in the apoptotic signaling pathway.

Sphingosine kinase (SK) is an enzyme that converts sphingosine to sphingosine 1-phosphate, a lysophospholipid with various cellular functions. Here, we report cloning and characterization of a novel isoform of rat SK1 (rSK1) with an N-terminal extension (long-rSK1). Long-rSK1 is 458 amino acid-long and has a calculated molecular weight of 49.8kDa. Deduced amino acid sequences of rat and human long-SK1 have high homology (71.3% identity and 78.9% similarity). Long-rSK1 mRNA is widely expressed throughout the tissues including brain, heart, lung, liver, kidney, and spleen, whereas mRNA encoding rSK1 has been shown not to be expressed in heart or liver. When the long-rSK1 was transfected in COS-7 cells, SK activity was 53-fold increased. Substrate specificity and dependency on divalent cations of long-rSK1 were similar to those of rSK1. Taken together, the fact that long-rSK1 with similar enzymatic characteristics to rSK1 displays differential tissue distribution may suggest an additional role of long-rSK1.

Fibroblasts isolated from jaw cysts expressed calcium-sensing receptor (CasR). In the fibroblasts elevated extracellular Ca(2+) ([Ca(2+)](o)) increased fluo-3 fluorescence intensity, and the production of inositol(1,4,5)trisphosphate and active protein kinase C. Phospholipase C inhibitor U-73122 attenuated the Ca(2+)-induced increase in fluo-3 fluorescence intensity. Elevated [Ca(2+)](o) enhanced the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) mRNA and protein, and the secretion of prostaglandin E(2) in the fibroblasts. CasR activator neomycin also increased the expression of COX-2 mRNA, and U-73122 attenuated the Ca(2+)-induced expression of COX-2 mRNA. Elevated [Ca(2+)](o)-induced phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase-1/2 (ERK1/2), p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), and U-73122 inhibited the Ca(2+)-induced phosphorylation. The inhibitors for each kinase, PD98059, SB203580, and SP600125, attenuated the Ca(2+)-induced expression of COX-2 mRNA. These results suggest that in jaw cyst fibroblasts elevated extracellular Ca(2+) may enhance COX-2 expression via the activation of ERK1/2, p38 MAPK, and JNK through CasR.

Triadin in the junctional sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) of skeletal muscle cells has been suggested to interact with ryanodine receptor 1 (RYR1) via its KEKE motifs. Recently, we showed that amino acid residues D4878, D4907, and E4908 in RYR1 are critical for triadin-binding in vitro [J.M. Lee, S.H. Rho, D.W. Shin, C. Cho, W.J. Park, S.H. Eom, J. Ma, D.H. Kim, Negatively charged amino acids within the intraluminal loop of ryanodine receptor are involved in the interaction with triadin, J. Biol. Chem. 279 (2004) 6994-7000]. In order to test whether a disruption of the triadin-binding site(s) in RYR1 affects SR Ca(2+) release, alanine-substituted single (D4878A, D4907A, and E4908A) and triple (RYR1-TM) mutants of D4878, D4907, and E4908 were expressed in RYR1-null myotubes. Co-immunoprecipitation experiments showed a 50-60% decrease of triadin brought down in the D4907A and RYR1-TM complexes compared to the triadin-wtRYR1 complex. Ca(2+) imaging experiments using Fluo-4-AM showed atypical caffeine responses in myotubes expressing D4907A and RYR1-TM characterized by either a lack of or slower activation and faster inactivation of Ca(2+) transients. The results suggest that disruption of interaction between triadin and RYR1 impairs RYR1 function and SR Ca(2+) release.

Pituitary lactotrophs fire action potentials spontaneously and the associated voltage-gated calcium influx is sufficient to maintain high prolactin release. Here we studied the role of hyperpolarization-activated cation channels in pacemaking activity, calcium signaling, and prolactin secretion in these cells. A slowly developing and hyperpolarization-activated inward current was identified but only in a fraction of lactotrophs. The current was blocked by ZD7288, a relatively specific blocker of these channels. However, the pacemaking activity increased in ZD7288-treated cells independently of the presence of this current. This in turn facilitated voltage-gated calcium influx and transiently stimulated prolactin secretion. Sustained ZD7288 application in concentrations that are commonly used to block the hyperpolarization-activated cation channels inhibited hormone release at elevated intracellular calcium concentrations. Agonist and Bay K 8644-stimulated prolactin release was also inhibited by ZD7288, indicating that this compound attenuates the exocytotic pathway downstream of calcium influx.

Immunosuppressants such as cyclosporinA and FK506 (tacrolimus) are widely prescribed to treat numerous disorders and to treat organ transplant recipients. However, cyclosporine A and FK506 are both known to produce hypomagnesaemia. The mechanism of this effect is still unclear. The present study determined the effects of immunosuppressant treatment on the parathyroid hormone (PTH) mediated Mg(2+) uptake and the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activation in mouse distal convoluted tubule (MDCT) cells. The intracellular Ca(2+) and Mg(2+) concentrations in a single MDCT cell were measured by using the fluorescentdye Fura-2 AM and Mag-fura-2 AM, respectively. Cyclosporine A and FK506 illicited a transient increase of intracellular Ca(2+) from a basal level of 99 +/- 16 nM to 685 +/- 105 and 608 +/- 96 nM, respectively. In order to determine the Mg(2+) transport, the MDCT cells were Mg(2+)-depleted by culturing them in Mg(2+)-free media for 16 h, and the Mg(2+) uptake was measured by microfluorescence after placing the depleted cells in 1.5mM MgCl(2). The mean rate of Mg(2+) uptake, d([Mg(2+)](i))/dt, was 140 +/- 16 nM/s in the control MDCT cells. PTH increased the Mg(2+) uptake more than 2 times in this cell. Cyclosporine A (10 microM) and FK506 (0.1 microM) did not affect the basal Mg(2+)uptake (140 +/- 16 and 142 +/- 14 nM/s, respectively), but they inhibited the PTH-stimulated Mg(2+) entry, decreasing it from 248+/-12 to 147 +/- 7 and 148 +/- 14 nM/s, respectively. These effects were inhibited by L685818, which is a potent competitive antagonist of FK506. PTH stimulated the extracellular signal-regulated kinase1/2 (ERK1/2) protein synthesis. This PTH-stimulated ERK1/2 activation was inhibited by cyclosporine A and FK506. In the present study, the role of ERK1/2 activation on the PTH-dependent magnesium uptake was examined in MDCT cells, and we showed that immunosuppressants inhibit the hormone-stimulated Mg(2+) uptake into the MDCT cells by inhibiting the MAPK pathway.

Various reports have demonstrated that the sphingolipids sphingosine and sphingosine-1-phosphate are able to induce Ca2+ release from intracellular stores in a similar way to second messengers. Here, we have used the sea urchin egg homogenate, a model system for the study of intracellular Ca2+ release mechanisms, to investigate the effect of these sphingolipids. While ceramide and sphingosine-1-phosphate did not display the ability to release Ca2+, sphingosine stimulated transient Ca2+ release from thapsigargin-sensitive intracellular stores. This release was inhibited by ryanodine receptor blockers (high concentrations of ryanodine, Mg2+, and procaine) but not by pre-treatment of homogenates with cADPR, 8-bromo-cADPR or blockers of other intracellular Ca2+ channels. However, sphingosine rendered the ryanodine receptor refractory to cADPR. We propose that, in the sea urchin egg, sphingosine is able to activate the ryanodine receptor via a mechanism distinct from that used by cADPR.

We have recently demonstrated that the human solute carrier, SLC41A1, is a Mg 2+ transporter that is regulated by extracellular magnesium. A BLAST search found a closely related protein encoded by SLC41A2 that may have related functional properties. In order to determine the function of SLC41A2, the corresponding cRNA was expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes and Mg2+ currents were determined under voltage-clamp conditions. Further, real-time RT-PCR was performed to determine if SLC41A2 expression is regulated by magnesium. When expressed in oocytes, SLC41A2 mediates voltage-dependent and saturable Mg2+ uptake with a Michaelis constant of 0.34+/-0.05 mM. Expressed SLC41A2 transports a range of other divalent cations: Ba2+, Ni2+, Co2+, Fe2+, or Mn2+, but not Ca2+, Zn2+, or Cu2+. Mg2+ transport was inhibited by large concentrations of Ca2+. Real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction of RNA isolated from renal distal tubule epithelial (MDCT) cells cultured in low-magnesium media relative to normal media and in kidney cortex of mice maintained on low-magnesium diets compared to those animals consuming normal diets showed that SLC41A2 transcript, unlike SLC41A1 mRNA, is not responsive to magnesium. These studies suggest that SLC41A2 is a Mg2+ transporter that might be involved in magnesium homeostasis in epithelial cells.

The divalent metal ion transporter DMT1 is localized in the brush border membrane (BBM) of the upper small intestine and has been shown to be able to transport Mn2+, Fe2+, Co2+, Ni2+, and Cu2+. Belgrade rats have a glycine-to-arginine (G185R) mutation in DMT1, which affects its function. We investigated copper transport with BBM vesicles of Belgrade rats loaded with calcein, which exhibits fluorescence quenching by various metal ions. Transport of copper was disrupted in unenergized BBM vesicle of b/b Belgrade rats, as had been described for iron transport, while +/b vesicles exhibited normal transport by DMT1. When either b/b or +/b vesicles were loaded with ATP and magnesium, similar high-affinity accumulation of copper was observed in both types of vesicles. Thus, brush border membranes possess an ATP-driven, high-affinity copper transport system which could serve as the primary route for copper uptake by the intestine.

Methionine aminopeptidases (MetAPs) have been studied in vitro as Co(II) enzymes, but their in vivo metal remains to be defined. While activation of Escherichia coli MetAP (EcMetAP1) by Co(II), Mn(II), and Zn(II) was detectable by a colorimetric Met-S-Gly-Phe assay, significant activation by Ni(II) was shown in a fluorescence Met-AMC assay, in addition to Co(II) and Mn(II) activation. When tested on the metal-substituted EcMetAP1s, a few inhibitors that we obtained recently from a random screening on Co-EcMetAP1 either became much weak or lost activity on Mn- or Zn-EcMetAP1, although they kept inhibitory activity on Ni-EcMetAP1. A couple of peptidic inhibitors and the methionine mimetic (3R)-amino-(2S)-hydroxyheptanoic acid (AHHpA, 6) maintained moderate activities on Co-, Mn-, Zn-, and Ni-EcMetAP1s. Our results clearly demonstrate that the metal-substitution has changed the enzyme specificity for substrates and inhibitors. Therapeutic applications call for inhibitors specific for MetAP with a physiologically relevant metal at its active site.

Cyclic nucleotide-gated (CNG) channels are composed of the tetramer of alpha-subunit alone or alpha- and beta-subunits. The alpha-subunits of these channels have a conserved glutamate (Glu) residue within the pore-forming region and the residue determines the selectivity as well as the affinity for the extracellular divalent cations. Using the high-affinity mutant (E363D) of bovine retinal CNG channel in which the Glu at position 363 was replaced to Asp, we constructed tandem dimers and investigated the binding characteristics of divalent cations to the site. The gating and permeation characteristics of individual homomeric tandem dimers are indistinguishable to those of homo-tetramers formed by parental monomers. The heteromeric tandem dimers showed the binding affinity for Sr(2+) identical to the geometric mean of the affinities for two parent channels, indicating the energy additive and thus the simultaneous interaction. On the other hand, the binding affinity for Mg(2+) followed the harmonic mean of those parent channels indicating that Mg(2+) interacts more strongly with the subunit bearing Asp residue at the position. Thus the results strongly suggest that the Glu363 residues in the CNG channel pore be flexible enough to adapt different binding symmetries for different divalent cations. Moreover, the simultaneous interaction between the four Glu residues and Sr(2+) provides an important structural constraint to the CNG channel outer vestibule of unknown structure.

We have investigated the protective effect of (-)-epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) on alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolo propionate (AMPA)-induced toxicity in cultured rat hippocampal neurons. Treatment of 24 h AMPA (10 microM) reduced the neuronal viability in both survival neuron counting and MTT reduction assay compared with control, with increase in cellular concentrations of hydrogen peroxide and malondialdehyde. These responses to AMPA were significantly blocked by co-treatments with EGCG (10 microM), which effect was very similar to the protective ability of a known antioxidant catalase (2000 U/ml). AMPA (50 microM) elicited the increase in intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca(2+)]i) on which EGCG significantly attenuated both peak amplitude and sustained nature of that [Ca(2+)]i increase in a dose-dependent manner. These data suggest that EGCG has a neuroprotective effect against AMPA through inhibition of AMPA-induced [Ca(2+)]i increase and consequent attenuation of reactive oxygen species production and lipid peroxidation as an antioxidant and a radical scavenger., (©2002 Elsevier Science (USA).)

Aggregation of the human amyloid beta-peptide (Abeta) into insoluble plaques is a key event in Alzheimer's disease. Zinc sharply accelerates the Abeta aggregation in vitro, and the Abeta region 6-28 was suggested to be the obligatory zinc binding site. However, time-dependent aggregation of the zinc-bound Abeta species investigated so far prevented their structural analysis. By using CD spectroscopy, we have shown here for the first time that (i) the protected synthetic peptide spanning the fragment 1-16 of Abeta binds specifically zinc with 1:1 and 1:2 stoichiometry under physiologically relevant conditions; (ii) the peptide-zinc complex is soluble and stable for several months; (iii) zinc binding causes a conformational change of the peptide towards a more structured state. These findings suggest the region 1-16 to be the minimal autonomous zinc binding domain of Abeta., (Copyright 2001 Academic Press.)

Ca2+-independent forms of nitric-oxide synthase have significant activity when the endogenous calmodulin subunit is Ca2+ free. Further activation is seen when Ca2+ is added. We have examined the activation of a Ca2+-independent nitric-oxide synthase variant and its two point mutants that are more dependent on Ca2+ for activation using mutant calmodulins containing non-functional Ca2+-binding sites. These studies provide evidence that the Ca2+-independent activity of these enzymes can be exerted through specific adapted interactions between the enzyme and the Ca2+-binding site 2 of calmodulin. Further, the results suggest that EGTA-sensitive metals other than Ca2+ complexed to calmodulin may be involved in maximal activation of these nitric-oxide synthase variants., (Copyright 2001 Academic Press.)

External divalent cations are known to play an important role in the function of voltage-gated ion channels. The purpose of this study was to examine the sensitivity of the voltage-gated K(+) currents of human atrial myocytes to external Ca(2+) ions. Myocytes were isolated by collagenase digestion of atrial appendages taken from patients undergoing coronary artery-bypass surgery. Currents were recorded from single isolated myocytes at 37 degrees C using the whole-cell patch-clamp technique. With 0.5 mM external Ca(2+), voltage pulses positive to -20 mV (holding potential = -60 mV) activated outward currents which very rapidly reached a peak (I(peak)) and subsequently inactivated (tau = 7.5 +/- 0.7 msec at +60 mV) to a sustained level, demonstrating the contribution of both rapidly inactivating transient (I(to1)) and non-inactivating sustained (I(so)) outward currents. The I(to1) component of I(peak), but not I(so), showed voltage-dependent inactivation using 100 msec prepulses (V(1/2) = -35.2 +/- 0.5 mV). The K(+) channel blocker, 4-aminopyridine (4-AP, 2 mM), inhibited I(to1) by approximately 76% and reduced I(so) by approximately 33%. Removal of external Ca(2+) had several effects: (i) I(peak) was reduced in a manner consistent with an approximately 13 mV shift to negative voltages in the voltage-dependent inactivation of I(to1). (ii) I(so) was increased over the entire voltage range and this was associated with an increase in a non-inactivating 4-AP-sensitive current. (iii) In 79% cells (11/14), a slowly inactivating component was revealed such that the time-dependent inactivation was described by a double exponential time course (tau(1) = 7.0 +/- 0.7, tau(2) = 90 +/- 21 msec at +60 mV) with no effect on the fast time constant. Removal of external Ca(2+) was associated with an additional component to the voltage-dependent inactivation of I(peak) and I(so) (V(1/2) = -20.5 +/- 1.5 mV). The slowly inactivating component was seen only in the absence of external Ca(2+) ions and was insensitive to 4-AP (2 mM). Experiments with Cs(+)-rich pipette solutions suggested that the Ca(2+)-sensitive currents were carried predominantly by K(+) ions. External Ca(2+) ions are important to voltage-gated K(+) channel function in human atrial myocytes and removal of external Ca(2+) ions affects I(to1) and 4-AP-sensitive I(so) in distinct ways., (Copyright 2000 Academic Press.)

Recently we have demonstrated that hammerhead ribozymes can be fully substituted with 2'-amino pyrimidines without detriment to the catalytic activity, provided that positions 2.2 and/or 2.1 are not modified. We now report on the potential molecular mechanisms by which 2'-amino groups at these positions inhibit the ribozyme cleavage activity. In the presence of Mg(2+), the 2'-amino modification at positions 2.2 and/or 2.1 had no significant effect on substrate binding. Detailed analysis of the ribozyme initial cleavage rates in the presence of various Mg(2+) concentrations indicated that Mg(2+) binding is inhibited by the 2'-amino group at position 2.1. Furthermore, preannealed substrate molecules to the modified ribozyme are not effectively cleaved upon Mg(2+) addition, indicating an alteration of the ribozyme cleavage step. Surprisingly, the cleavage activity of the modified ribozymes was substantially increased when Mg(2+) ions were replaced by the thiophilic Mn(2+) ions, whereas only a moderate cleavage enhancement occurred with its unmodified version. Taken together, our findings indicate that changes in the sugar at position 2.1 alter Mg(2+)-promoting ribozyme cleavage., (Copyright 1999 Academic Press.)

The product of the ialA invasion gene of Bartonella bacilliformis has been expressed as a thioredoxin fusion protein. It is a (di)nucleoside polyphosphate hydrolase of the MutT motif protein family with strong sequence similarity to plant diadenosine tetraphosphate hydrolases. It hydrolyses nucleoside and dinucleoside polyphosphates with four or more phosphate groups, always producing an NTP as one product. Diadenosine tetraphosphate (Ap4A) is the preferred substrate with a Km of 10 microM and a kcat of 3.0 s-1. It is inhibited by Ca2+ and F- (Ki = 30 microM). Hydrolysis of Ap4A in H218O yielded [18O]AMP as the only labelled product. In terms of sequence, reaction mechanism and properties, IalA is very similar to eukaryotic Ap4A hydrolases and unlike previously described bacterial Ap4A hydrolases. Homologs are present in the genomes of other invasive pathogens. They may function to reduce stress-induced dinucleotide levels during invasion and so enhance pathogen survival., (Copyright 1999 Academic Press.)

Escherichia coli DNA topoisomerase I binds three Zn(II) with three tetracysteine motifs. Three subclones containing these tetracysteine motifs were expressed and purified. Subclone ZD1 contained the minimal tetracysteine motifs sequence. A larger subclone ZD2 corresponded to a region bordered by two protease sensitive sites. Subclone ZD3 also included the 14-kDa C-terminal domain that has been shown to bind DNA. Subclones ZD1 and ZD2 were found to bind one and two Zn(II), respectively, and neither had detectable DNA binding activity. ZD3 could bind three Zn(II) and had higher DNA binding affinity than the 14-kDa C-terminal domain. The complex formed between ZD3 and a single-stranded 31mer could be detected by the gel shift assay while the complex formed by the 14-kDa C-terminal domain was not stable under gel electrophoresis conditions. The three Zn(II) binding motifs appeared to be part of a high-affinity DNA binding domain., (Copyright 1998 Academic Press.)

The purpose of the present investigation was to examine the correlation between rates of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) depletion and activation of store operated channels (SOC) in freshly isolated rabbit aortic endothelial cells. We investigated the effects of 10 microM cyclopiazonic acid (CPA), 10 microM ryanodine, and 10 mM caffeine on the rate of Ca2+ depletion from the ER and on Ca2+ and Mn2+ influx using fura-2 fluorescence. We observed that the spontaneous loss of the ACh-sensitive pool is slow. Activation of ryanodine receptors (caffeine, ryanodine) or inhibition of the ER Ca2+ pump (CPA) increased the rate of Ca2+ loss from the ACh-sensitive pool. CPA stimulated Mn2+ influx, while caffeine and ryanodine did not. Our results show non linear correlation between ER depletion and activation of divalent cation entry. In the case of CPA, less than 20% depletion of the ACh sensitive store was required for full activation of SOC, while caffeine and ryanodine deplete over 50% of the ACh sensitive store without activating any influx. These data suggest that only a small compartment of the ER is involved in regulation of Ca2+ entry.

SecA protein of Escherichia coli (E. coli), an ATPase essential for the translocation of precursor proteins, was found to have an additional activity of RNA helicase. This RNA unwinding activity of SecA was tested with two kinds of RNA duplex with different predicted stability. Each of these duplexes is consisted of two strands of unequal length with single-stranded ends. The RNA helicase activity of SecA required ATP and divalent cations. Confirmation of this activity came from the inhibition of unwinding of the RNA duplex when SecA was preincubated with its own polyclonal antibody. The biological significance of the RNA helicase activity of E. coli SecA protein is discussed.

Agonist-stimulated Ca2+ influx is critically important to mediate the function of endothelial cells. It has been suggested that release of Ca2+ from internal stores activates Ca2+ influx across the plasma membrane. In the present study, we investigated the effects of ML-9, a myosin light-chain kinase (MLCK) inhibitor, and genistein, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, on the agonist stimulated Ca2+ response in porcine aortic endothelial cells loaded with a Ca2+-sensitive dye, fura-2. ML-9 almost completely abolished Ca2+ influx, whereas genistein only partially attenuated Ca2+ entry. Both of them did not affect the mobilization of Ca2+ from internal stores. In contrast, genistein was more potent in the inhibition of Mn2+ influx than ML-9. These findings indicate the different selectivity for Ca2+ and Mn2+ in the cation entry pathway in agonist-stimulated endothelial cells.

Human immunodeficiency virus type-1 Tat protein transactivates the gene expression of retrovirus. The unique cysteine-rich region of Tat protein is biologically essential. This study characterizes the structural features of a synthetic Tat21-38 peptide covering the cysteine-rich region with Zn binding property. UV titrations confirm Tat peptide binds with two Zn2+ cations maximally per monomer, as previously reported(1). Only monomer is observed from the electrospray mass spectrum. Interestingly, a modified Ellman reaction (2) can differentiate a metal chelated thiolate of cysteine residue from a free one. Three disulfide bonds are formed in apo-Tat21-38 peptide. One Tat21-38 molecule utilize four Cys residues in coordination with the first incorporated Zn2+ cation. Five out of seven Cys residues are coordinating with two Zn cations of the complex Zn-Tat21-38 (2:1). A model of the coordination arrangement of Zn binding sites at different states is proposed.

We report that the divalent cation Ni2+ elicits elevations in the cytosolic free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]) in cultured enterocytes. These elevations were monophasic, each response consisting of a rapid initial transient rise of cytosolic [Ca2+] to a peak value followed by an exponential decline. The magnitude of the cytosolic [Ca2+] elevation varied with the concentration of applied Ni2+. In some cells, a single application of Ni2+ induced oscillatory changes in cytosolic [Ca2+]. There was also evidence for use-dependent inactivation: a conditioning application of Ni2+ substantially attenuated the response resulting from its subsequent application. Our findings thus demonstrate the existence of a divalent cation-sensing "receptor" on the enterocyte. This putative receptor may play a role in regulating mineral absorption across the enterocyte membrane.

Ion selectivity of divalent cations on Ba2+ inward current oscillations was examined by voltage-clamp recording in v-Ki-ras-transformed NIH/3T3 (DT) fibroblasts where repetitive transient increases in cytoplasmic Ca2+ concentration were evoked by bradykinin. Application of bradykinin onto DT cells in 50 mM Ba2+ solution initiated Ba2+ inward current oscillations. The inward currents were inhibited in equimolar Sr2+ or Ca2+ solutions. Ba2+ current oscillations were dependent upon extracellular Ba2+ concentration. The results suggest that inward current oscillations are highly selective to Ba2+.

The precipitation of insoluble salts containing divalent metal ions is inhibited by Gla-containing proteins of various origin. In this paper we demonstrate that: Gla-residues are required for the inhibitory activity; the inhibition is effected by a protein which in vivo is bound to calcified tissue (osteocalcin) as well as by proteins occurring in blood plasma (factor X) and urine (the urinary Gla-protein); The inhibitor concentration required for 50% precipitation-inhibition varied slightly from one salt to the other, but no marked differences were observed between the effects of the various Gla-containing proteins used; Precipitation-inhibition occurred in all phosphates (Be, Ca, Mn and Zn) and in all calcium salts (phosphate, oxalate and carbonate) tested.

Chromaffin granules, the secretory vesicles of the adrenal medulla, are stable in isotonic sucrose solutions at room temperature; however, when low concentrations of the ionophore A23187 are added, rapid lysis ensues which is dependent on the presence of a divalent cation chelator and is prevented by the addition of either Ca2+ or Mg2+. As little as 10 microM Ca2+ totally inhibit lysis of chromaffin granules by A23187, while 28 mM KCl have no effect. Lysis by A23187 at 4.7 microM is almost 100% in the presence of EDTA in isotonic sucrose in 1 h and can be suppressed by raising the osmotic strength of the medium with half maximal inhibition at 0.57 M sucrose, demonstrating that A23187 causes osmotic lysis of chromaffin granules as a consequence of the withdrawal of divalent cations from the core solution. Our results strongly suggest that divalent cations are involved in the formation of a ionic complex in the core solution which lowers its effective osmotic pressure.

Monomeric actin is known to bind tightly one divalent cation per molecule. We have quantitatively reinvestigated the affinity of actin for Ca++ and Mg++ using the fluorescent Ca++ chelator Quin2 to induce and measure the dissociation of Ca++ from Ca-actin, supporting these studies with measurements using 45Ca. We found that the KD for Ca-actin is actually 1.9 +/- 0.7 nM. Kinetic analysis supported this result and demonstrated a dissociation rate constant (k-) of 0.013 s-1 and an association rate constant (k+) of 6.8 X 10(6)M-1 s-1 for Ca-actin. Competitive binding studies indicated that the binding affinity of actin for Ca++ is 5.4 times that for Mg++, yielding a calculated KD for Mg-actin of about 10 nM. Thus, the tight-binding of divalent cations to actin is 3-4 orders of magnitude stronger than previously thought.