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Background: Vascular endothelium induces smooth muscle cell (SMC) relaxation mainly mediated by endothelium-derived nitric oxide (EDNO) and endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor (EDHF). It has previously been reported that functions of these endothelium factors have been greatly impaired in vein grafts. The present study was undertaken to determine whether the functions of EDNO and EDHF might be altered in artery graft., Methods and results: In rabbits, the right carotid artery was excised and implanted in its original position as an autogenous graft ("artery graft") and the non-operated left carotid artery served as the "control artery". Histochemical changes, acetylcholine (ACh)-induced effects on the intracellular concentration of Ca 2+ ([Ca 2+ ] i ) in endothelial cells, endothelium-dependent SMC hyperpolarization and relaxation, and tissue cGMP content were examined on post-operative day 28. "Artery graft" displayed a minimal amount of intimal hyperplasia. When compared with the "control artery", it exhibited greater ACh-induced, endothelium-dependent relaxation, but the reverse was true when EDNO production was blocked. In the "artery graft" (vs. the "control artery"), basal cGMP content was greater, whereas the [Ca 2+ ] i increase in endothelial cells and the endothelium-dependent SMC-hyperpolarization induced by ACh were less., Conclusions: It is suggested that the [Ca 2+ ] i -independent EDNO production covers the loss of function of endothelium-dependent SMC hyperpolarization and minimizes intimal hyperplasia caused by surgical operation in autogenous carotid artery graft.

Background: Phosphorylation of the regulatory light chain of myosin (MLC) has roles in cardiac function. In vitro, myosin phosphatase target subunit 2 (MYPT2) is a strongly suspected regulatory subunit of cardiac myosin phosphatase (MP), but there is no in-vivo evidence regarding the functions of MYPT2 in the heart., Methods and Results: Transgenic mice (Tg) overexpressing MYPT2 were generated using the alpha-MHC promoter. Tg hearts showed an increased expression of MYPT2 and concomitant increase of the endogenous catalytic subunit of type 1 phosphatase (PP1cdelta), resulting in an increase of the MP holoenzyme. The level of phosphorylation of ventricular MLC was reduced. The pCa-tension relationship, using beta-escin permeabilized fibers, revealed decreased Ca(2+) sensitization of contraction in the Tg heart. LV enlargement with associated impairment of function was observed in the Tg heart and ultrastructural examination showed cardiomyocyte degeneration., Conclusions: Overexpression of MYPT2 and the increase in PP1cdelta resulted in an increase of the MP holoenzyme and a decrease in the level of MLC phosphorylation. The latter induced Ca(2+) desensitization of contraction and decreased LV contractility, resulting in LV enlargement. Thus, MYPT2 is truly the regulatory subunit of cardiac MP in-vivo and plays a significant role in modulating cardiac function. (Circ J 2010; 74: 120 - 128).

Motor neurons express particularly high levels of the AMPA receptor subunit GluR1(Q)flip (GluR1(Q)i) during the period in early postnatal life when their dendritic tree grows and becomes more branched. To investigate how GluR1-containing AMPA receptors contribute to dendrite morphogenesis, we characterized a mutant form of GluR1 (containing a histidine in the Q/R editing site) with unique electrophysiological properties. Most notably, AMPA receptors assembled from GluR1(H)i display less calcium permeability than AMPA receptors assembled from GluR1(Q)i. Expression of GluR1(Q)i in vivo or in vitro led to an increase in dendrite branching with no net change in the overall tree size while GluR1(H)i led to a loss of branches and a net reduction in overall tree size. GluR1(H)i-dependent dendrite atrophy is mediated by protein phosphatase 2B. The results suggest that the electrophysiological properties of cell surface AMPA receptors, specifically their permeability to calcium, can be a central determinant of whether the dendrites undergo activity-dependent branching or atrophy.

Background/purpose: Cellular differentiation due to the extracellular calcium (Ca(2+)) concentration affects the level of several antioxidant enzymes in cultured human keratinocytes. Because the epidermis includes well- and un-differentiated keratinocytes, we expected that keratinocytes possess different antioxidant capacity and sensitivity to damaging effects of ultraviolet-B (UVB) depending on the differentiation. We examined the effects of Ca(2+) concentration of culture medium (DMEM (Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium)) on the superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and UVB-induced cytotoxicity in cultured human keratinocytes in order to investigate the relationship between cell differentiation and antioxidant defense., Methods: Human keratinocytes (HaCaT cells) were incubated in high Ca(2+) (>1 mM) or low Ca(2+) (<0.1 mM) concentration DMEM for 24 h at 37 degrees C in 5% CO(2). Then, we measured total SOD activity and also individual Cu,Zn- and Mn-SOD activities in keratinocytes. Furthermore, after incubation in high or low Ca(2+) concentration DMEM, human keratinocytes were irradiated with 10, 20 or 30 mJ/cm(2) UVB. The quantity of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) leaked in the supernatant from damaged keratinocytes, cell viability and TdT-mediated dUTP nick end labelings (TUNEL) positive keratinocytes were measured at 24 h after UVB irradiation., Results: Total SOD activity and Cu,Zn-SOD activity in human keratinocytes cultured in low Ca(2+) were significantly lower than in keratinocytes cultured in high Ca(2+) concentration DMEM. In contrast, Mn-SOD activity was not affected. LDH leakage in the supernatant from keratinocytes cultured in low Ca(2+) concentration was significantly higher than that from keratinocytes cultured in high Ca(2+) concentration DMEM after UVB irradiation. The cell viability of keratinocytes cultured in low Ca(2+) concentration DMEM was significantly decreased compared to that of keratinocytes cultured in high Ca(2+) concentration DMEM after UVB irradiation. Furthermore, UVB-induced apoptosis was increased in keratinocytes cultured in low Ca(2+) concentration DMEM by the TUNEL method., Conclusions: These results suggest that cellular differentiation due to the change of Ca(2+) concentration of culture medium affects the Cu,Zn-SOD activity and UVB-induced cytotoxicity in cultured human keratinocytes.

3-Nitropropionic acid (3-NP), an irreversible inhibitor of succinate dehydrogenase, induced ATP depletion and both necrosis and apoptosis in human NT2-N neurons. Necrosis occurred predominantly within the first two days, and increased in a dose-dependent fashion with the concentration of 3-NP, whereas apoptosis was observed after 24 h or later at a similar rate in 0.1 mM and 5 mM 3-NP. We focused our efforts on intracellular calcium homeostasis during the first 48 h in 1 mM 3-NP, a period during which 10% of the neurons died by necrosis and 3% by apoptosis. All NT2-N neurons showed a stereotyped [Ca(2+)](i) rise, from 48+/-2 to 140+/-12 nM (mean +/-S.E.M.), during the first 2 h in 3-NP. Despite severe ATP depletion, however, [Ca(2+)](i) remained above 100 nM in only 17% and 25% of the NT2-N neurons after 24 and 48 h in 3-NP, respectively, indicating that most neurons were able to recover from acute [Ca(2+)](i) rise, and suggesting that chronic [Ca(2+)](i) dysregulation is a better indicator of subsequent necrosis. Blockade of N-methyl-D-aspartate-glutamate receptor by MK-801 substantially ameliorated 3-NP-induced ATP depletion, subsequent chronic [Ca(2+)](i) elevation, and survival. Moreover, xestospongin C, an inhibitor of endoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+) release, enhanced the capacity of NT2-N neurons to maintain [Ca(2+)](i) homeostasis and resist necrosis while subjected to sustained energy deprivation. As far as we know, this report is the first to employ human neurons to study the pathophysiology of 3-NP neurotoxicity.

JS 3/16, derived from passaged oligodendroglial cultures prepared from rat cerebral white matter, differentiate from progenitors (OP) into complex process-bearing, galactocerebroside-positive but myelin basic protein-negative immature oligodendrocyte-like cells (ImO) after withdrawal of trophic factors. We found that JS 3/16 ImO are markedly more susceptible than OP to cell death after sustained alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionate glutamate receptor (AMPA-GluR) activation. This excitotoxicity is preceded by loss of intracellular Ca(2+) homeostasis, which is more marked in ImO than OP. We identified three factors likely to contribute to the diminished Ca(2+) homeostatic capacity of ImO. First, signal intensities of immunoreactive GluR2, GluR3, and GluR4 AMPA-GluR subunits are increased 1.3- to 2.2-fold in ImO over OP without comparable changes in RNA editing and alternative splicing. Second, transcriptional levels of genes encoding Na(+)-Ca(2+) exchanger proteins and a plasma membrane ATPase (PMCA1), which are necessary for Ca(2+) extrusion across the plasma membrane, are lower in ImO than in OP. Third, ImO have more depolarized basal mitochondrial membrane potential (Delta Psi) than OP, and Delta Psi collapses within 15 min after onset of AMPA-GluR activation in almost all ImO, but not in the majority of OP. This Delta Psi collapse limits the capacity of ImO mitochondria to buffer the rise in intracellular Ca(2+) caused by AMPA-GluR activation. The JS 3/16 line provides a valuable system for analysis of intracellular Ca(2+) homeostasis and AMPA-GluR-mediated excitotoxicity in the oligodendroglial lineage., (Copyright 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.)

Ca(2+)-activated K(+) channels (K(Ca)) regulate a wide variety of cellular functions by coupling intracellular Ca(2+) concentration to membrane potential. There are three major groups of K(Ca) classified by their unit conductances: large (BK), intermediate (IK), and small (SK) conductance of channels. BK channel is gated by combined influences of Ca(2+) and voltage, while IK and SK channels are gated solely by Ca(2+). Volatile anesthetics inhibit BK channel activity by interfering with the Ca(2+) gating mechanism. However, the effects of anesthetics on IK and SK channels are unknown. Using cloned IK and SK channels, hIK1 and hSK1-3, respectively, we found that the currents of hIK1 were inhibited rapidly and reversibly by volatile anesthetics, whereas those of SK channels were not affected. The IC(50) values of the volatile anesthetics, halothane, sevoflurane, enflurane, and isoflurane for hIK1 inhibition were 0.69, 0.42, 1.01 and 1.03 mM, respectively, and were in the clinically used concentration range. In contrast to BK channel, halothane inhibition of hIK1 currents was independent of Ca(2+) concentration, suggesting that Ca(2+) gating mechanism is not involved. These results demonstrate that volatile anesthetics, such as halothane, enflurane, isoflurane, and sevoflurane, affect BK, IK, and SK channels in distinct ways.

Caspase-3 enzyme activity is induced, and cell death follows, when cerebellar granule neurons (CGNs) from 8-day-old rats are transferred from an extracellular concentration of 25 mM K+ (25 mM [K+]e) to 5 mM [K+]e. Death of these neurons is diminished by an inhibitor of caspase-3 but not by an inhibitor of caspase-1. Actinomycin D and cycloheximide inhibit induction of caspase-3 and prevent death. Experiments in which CGN intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) was manipulated by either changing [K+]e or adding a voltage-gated Ca2+ channel antagonist or a Ca2+ ionophore to the medium showed that caspase-3 mRNA rises 2.5-fold when [Ca2+]i is diminished from 300 to 150 nM, with a corresponding rise in peak caspase enzyme activity. Whereas the caspase-3 mRNA level does not rise further with a still greater diminution in [Ca2+]i, peak caspase enzyme activity continues to increase, reaching sevenfold induction when [Ca2+]i is reduced to 55 nM. In CGNs in which [Ca2+]i is set at 55 nM by incubation in 5 mM [K+]e, treatment with forskolin or dibutyryl 3',5'-cyclic adenosine-5'-monophosphate delays caspase-3 induction and diminishes death but does not alter [Ca2+]i. We conclude that, in immature CGNs, both caspase-3 transcription and the subsequent processing of caspase-3 are induced by a fall in [Ca2+]i. Elevating cyclic AMP content delays caspase-3 induction by a mechanism that does not require an increase in [Ca2+]i.

The effects of Selegiline hydrochloride (Selegiline HCl) on the intracellular Ca2+ contents of primarily cultured rat striatal, mesencephalic neuronal cells and PC-12 cells were examined by the use of a Ca2+ imaging analyzer. In the former two cell types, Selegiline HCl (10(-5)-10(-6) M) induced a transient inflow of extracellular Ca2+ through the voltage-dependent N-type Ca2+ channel. In addition, all cells indicating an increase in the intracellular Ca2+ content were found to be catecholaminergic neurons which showed a positive reaction with anti-tyrosine hydroxylase antibodies. Furthermore, a transient intracellular influx of Ca2+ was observed in the NGF-pretreated PC-12 cells. From these results, it is suggested that Selegiline HCl elicits various functions, including antioxidation, activation of neurotrophic factor biosynthesis and neuronal protection probably via an unidentified specific proteins of tyrosine hydroxylase-positive neurons.

Human NT2-N neurons express Ca2+-permeable alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazole-4-propionic acid glutamate receptors (AMPA-GluRs) and become vulnerable to excitotoxicity when AMPA-GluR desensitization is blocked with cyclothiazide. Although the initial increase in intracellular Ca2+ levels ([Ca2+]i) was 1.9-fold greater in the presence than in the absence of cyclothiazide, Ca2+ entry via AMPA-GluRs in an early phase of the exposure was not necessary to elicit excitotoxicity in these neurons. Rather, subsequent necrosis was caused by a >40-fold rise in [Na+]i, which induced a delayed [Ca2+]i rise. Transfer of the neurons to a 5 mM Na+ medium after AMPA-GluR activation accelerated the delayed [Ca2+]i rise and intensified excitotoxicity. Low-Na+ medium-enhanced excitotoxicity was partially blocked by amiloride or dizocilpine (MK-801), and completely blocked by removal of extracellular Ca2+, suggesting that Ca2+ entry by reverse operation of Na+/Ca2+ exchangers and via NMDA glutamate receptors was responsible for the neuronal death after excessive Na+ loading. Our results serve to emphasize the central role of neuronal Na+ loading in AMPA-GluR-mediated excitotoxicity in human neurons.

Background: Propofol (2,6-diisopropylphenol) possesses vasodilating activity in vivo and in vitro. The propofol-induced relaxation of agonist-induced contractions in small resistance arteries has not been clarified., Methods: The effect of propofol was examined on the contractions induced by norepinephrine and high K+ in endothelium-denuded rabbit mesenteric resistance artery in vitro. The effects of propofol on the [Ca2+]i mobilization induced by norepinephrine and high K+ were studied by simultaneous measurement of [Ca2+]i using Fura 2 and isometric force in ryanodine-treated strips., Results: Propofol attenuated the contractions induced by high K+ and norepinephrine, the effect being greater on the high K+-induced contraction than on the norepinephrine-induced contraction. In Ca2+-free solution, norepinephrine produced a transient contraction resulting from the release of Ca2+ from storage sites that propofol attenuated. In ryanodine-treated strips, propofol increased the resting [Ca2+]i but attenuated the increases in [Ca2+]i and force induced by both high K+ and norepinephrine. In the presence of nicardipine, propofol had no inhibitory action on the residual norepinephrine-induced [Ca2+]i increase, whereas it still modestly increased resting [Ca2+]i, as in the absence of nicardipine., Conclusions: In smooth muscle of the rabbit mesenteric resistance artery, propofol attenuates norepinephrine-induced contractions due to an inhibition both of Ca2+ release and of Ca2+ influx through L-type Ca2+ channels. Propofol also increased resting [Ca2+]i, possibly as a result of an inhibition of [Ca2+]i removal mechanisms. These results may explain in part the variety of actions seen with propofol in various types of vascular smooth muscle.

1. The effect of cilostazol, an inhibitor of phosphodiesterase type III (PDE III), on the contraction induced by histamine was studied by making simultaneous measurements of isometric force and the intracellular concentration of Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) in endothelium-denuded muscle strips from the peripheral part of the middle cerebral artery of the rabbit. 2. High K+ (80 mM) produced a phasic, followed by a tonic increase in both [Ca2+]i and force. Cilostazol (10 microM) did not modify the resting [Ca2+]i, but it did significantly decrease the tonic contraction induced by high K+ without a corresponding change in the [Ca2+]i response. 3. Histamine (3 microM) produced a phasic, followed by a tonic increase in both [Ca2+]i and force. Cilostazol (3 and 10 microM) significantly reduced both the phasic and tonic increases in [Ca2+]i and force induced by histamine, in a concentration-dependent manner. 4. Rp-adenosine-3':5'-cyclic monophosphorothioate (Rp-cAMPS, 0.1 mM), a PDE-resistant inhibitor of protein kinase A (and as such a cyclic AMP antagonist), did not modify the increases in [Ca2+]i and force induced by histamine alone, but it did significantly decrease the cilostazol-induced inhibition of the histamine-induced responses. 5. In Ca2+-free solution containing 2 mM EGTA, both histamine (3 microM) and caffeine (10 mM) transiently increased [Ca2+]i and force. Cilostazol (1-10 microM) (i) significantly reduced the increases in [Ca2+]i and force induced by histamine, and (ii) significantly reduced the increase in force but not the increase in [Ca2+]i induced by caffeine. 6. In ryanodine-treated strips, which had functionally lost the histamine-sensitive Ca2+ storage sites, histamine (3 microM) slowly increased [Ca2+]i and force. Cilostazol (3 and 10 microM) lowered the resting [Ca2+]i, but did not modify the histamine-induced increase in [Ca2+]i, suggesting that functional Ca2+ storage sites are required for the cilostazol-induced inhibition of histamine-induced Ca2+ mobilization. 7. The [Ca2+]i-force relationship was obtained in ryanodine-treated strips by applying ascending concentrations of Ca2+ (0.16-2.6 mM) in Ca2+-free solution containing 100 mM K+. Histamine (3 microM) shifted the [Ca2+]i-force relationship to the left and increased the maximum Ca2+-induced force. Under the same conditions, whether in the presence or absence of 3 microM histamine, cilostazol (3-10 microM) shifted the [Ca2+]i-force relationship to the right without producing a change in the maximum Ca2+-induced force. 8. It is concluded that, in smooth muscle of the peripheral part of the rabbit middle cerebral artery, cilostazol attenuates the histamine-induced contraction both by inhibiting histamine-induced Ca2+ mobilization and by reducing the myofilament Ca2+ sensitivity. It is suggested that the increase in the cellular concentration of cyclic AMP that will follow the inhibition of PDE III may play an important role in the cilostazol-induced inhibition of the histamine-contraction.

We examined the effects of nerve growth factor on the regulation of intracellular calcium levels of superior cervical ganglion neurons in terms of postnatal maturation and ageing. Rat superior cervical ganglion neurons from three age groups (neonatal: 0 to one-day-old, young adult: three to six-month-old, and aged: more than 24-month-old) were dissociated and cultured in the presence or absence of 100 ng/ml of nerve growth factor. Intracellular free calcium levels ([Ca2+]i) were measured using the fura-2 microfluorometry. Nerve growth factor treatment increased the resting [Ca2+]i of neonatal neurons, although it had no effect on those of mature and aged neurons. We further examined the effects of nerve growth factor on the transient increase of [Ca2+]i induced by methacholine (0.1 mM), caffeine (20 mM) or high-potassium medium (40 mM K+). Nerve growth factor pre-treatment significantly increased the population of neonatal superior cervical ganglion neurons which responded to methacholine, whereas almost all young adult and aged neurons responded to methacholine regardless of pre-treatment of nerve growth factor. Caffeine induced a cyclic alteration of [Ca2+]i (oscillation) in 45% of the neonatal superior cervical ganglion neurons when they were maintained without nerve growth factor, but nerve growth factor treatment suppressed the oscillation to 10% of neurons. In contrast to neonatal neurons, all of the young adult and aged neurons showed only a transient increase of [Ca2+]i in response to caffeine independent of nerve growth factor treatment. There was no significant effect of nerve growth factor on K+ depolarization-induced [Ca2+]i elevations at any of the ages studied. Nerve growth factor did not substantially alter the pattern of the transients induced by these three agents. Our results indicate that exogenous nerve growth factor is necessary to maintain normal acetylcholine receptor-mediated [Ca2+]i responses as well as Ca(2+)-induced Ca2+ release from intracellular calcium storage in neonatal superior cervical ganglion neurons. In mature superior cervical ganglion neurons, Ca2+ homeostasis becomes independent of exogenous nerve growth factor, and Ca2+ homeostasis and its independency are well preserved in aged neurons.

In SLJ-1 we proposed to study three major objectives. They were; 1. hormonal changes associated with fluid and electrolyte metabolism, 2. the effect of space flight on the circadian rhythms of endocrine and metabolic systems, 3. the changes in the indices of the bone and muscle metabolism during space flight. In this report, the changes in the bone metabolism during Spacelab-J will be presented with a special emphasis on urinary excretion of pyridinium cross-links. Timed urine samples from three Japanese payload specialists were obtained for 3 days from May 19 to 21, 1991 (one year before the launch = L-1 year). Immediately before the launch (L-3 to L-0), urine samples were obtained from a payload specialist who was on board the Space Shuttle Endeavor (PS). During the inflight period (flight from September 3 to 10 in 1992), urine samples from the PS were collected by using Urine Monitoring System (UMS). After the landing, they were obtained from the PS for three days (R+0-R+2). Various parameters related to bone metabolism such as hydroxyproline, pyridinium cross-links and calcium were determined. It was noted that excretion of hydroxyproline decreased during the preflight periods when compared with that in the control L-1 year period. The average excretory rate during control period was 846.2 +/- 198.7 milligrams/hour (mean +/- SD), while those in the preflight 474.6 +/- 171.1 milligrams/hour, suggesting the diminished collagen intake during the preflight period. Average excretion rate of pyridinium cross-links during the first 4 mission days (MD0-MD3) was similar to that of preflight and control L-1 year period. However, it was significantly increased during the last 4 mission days (MD4-MD7). It returned to the preflight level during postflight days (R+0-R+2). Increased urinary excretion of calcium during the last 4 mission days were also observed. These results suggest that increase in bone resorption could occur during relatively short stay in microgravity.

1. The role of membrane hyperpolarization on agonist-induced contraction was investigated in intact and alpha-toxin-skinned smooth muscles of rabbit mesenteric artery by use of the ATP-sensitive K+ channel opener, (-)-(3S,4R)-4-(N-acetyl-N-hydroxyamino)-6-cyano-3,4-dihydro-2,2- dimethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-ol (Y-26763), and either histamine (Hist) or noradrenaline (NA). 2. Hist (3 microM) and NA (10 microM) both produced a phasic, followed by a tonic increase in intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) and force. Y-26763 (10 microM) potently inhibited the NA-induced phasic and tonic increase in [Ca2+]i and force. In contrast, Y-26763 attenuated the Hist-induced phasic increase in [Ca2+]i and force but had almost no effect on the tonic response. However, ryanodine-treatment of muscles in order to inhibit the function of intracellular Ca2+ storage sites altered the action of Y-26763 which now attenuated the Hist-induced tonic increase in [Ca2+]i and force in a concentration-dependent manner (at concentrations > 1 microM). Glibenclamide (10 microM) attenuated the inhibitory action of Y-26763. 3. Hist (3 microM) depolarized the smooth muscle cells to the same extent as NA (10 microM). In the absence of either agonist, Y-26763 (over 30 nM) hyperpolarized the membrane and glibenclamide inhibited this hyperpolarization. Y-26763 (10 microM) almost abolished the NA-induced membrane depolarization, but only slightly attenuated the Hist-induced membrane depolarization in which the delta (delta) value (the difference before and after application of Hist) was not modified by any concentration of Y-26763. In ryanodine-treated smooth muscle cells, Y-26763 hyperpolarized the membrane and potently inhibited the membrane depolarization induced by Hist. 4. In ryanodine-treated muscle, Y-26763 had no measurable effect on the Hist-induced [Ca2+]i-force relationship. Y-26763 also had no apparent effect on the myofilament Ca(2+)-sensitivity in the presence of Hist in alpha-toxin-skinned smooth muscles. 5. It is concluded that the membrane hyperpolarization induced by Y-26763 may not be enough to inhibit the Hist-activated Ca2+ influx. It is also suggested that Hist prevents the membrane hyperpolarization induced by Y-26763, activating an unknown mechanism which is thought to depend on the function of intracellular Ca2+ storage sites.

In permeabilized smooth muscle, exogenously applied calponin binds to myofibrils and reduces Ca(2+)-activated tension (Itoh, T., Suzuki, S., Suzuki, A., Nakamura, F., Naka, M., and Tanaka, T. (1994) Pflügers Arch. Eur. J. Physiol. 427, 301-308). A calponin peptide (calponin Phe173-Arg185), which inhibits the binding of calponin to actin, blocks the action of calponin and enhances the contraction induced by submaximal Ca2+ in permeabilized vascular smooth muscle. Unlike calmodulin, this peptide enhances the Ca(2+)-induced contraction without a corresponding increase in the level of myosin light chain phosphorylation. These results suggest that calponin decreases the sensitivity of smooth muscle to Ca2+ at a given level of myosin light chain phosphorylation.

1. Effects of KC399, an opener of ATP-sensitive K+ channels were investigated on membrane potential, isometric force and intracellular Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) mobilization induced by acetylcholine (ACh) in smooth muscle from the rabbit trachea. 2. In these smooth muscle cells, ACh (0.1 and 1 microM) depolarized the membrane in a concentration-dependent manner, KC399 (1-100 nM) hyperpolarized the membrane whether in the presence or absence of ACh. When the concentration of ACh was increased, the absolute values of the membrane potential induced by the maximum concentration of KC399 were less negative. 3. ACh (0.1 to 10 microM) concentration-dependently produced a phasic, followed by a tonic increase in both [Ca2+]i and force. KC399 (above 3 nM) lowered the resting [Ca2+]i and attenuated the ACh-induced phasic and tonic increases in [Ca2+]i and force, in a concentration-dependent manner. The magnitude of the inhibition was greater for the ACh-induced tonic responses than for the phasic ones. Nicardipine (0.3 microM), a blocker of the L-type Ca2+ channel, attenuated the ACh-induced tonic, but not phasic, increases in [Ca2+]i and force. KC399 further attenuated the ACh-induced tonic responses in the presence of nicardipine. 4. In beta-escin-skinned strips, Ca2+ (0.3-10 microM) produced a contraction in a concentration-dependent manner. KC399 (0.1 microM) had no effect on the Ca(2+)-force relationship in the presence or absence of ATP with GTP. However, at a very high concentration (1 microM), this agent slightly shifted the relationship to the right and attenuated the maximum Ca(2+)-induced contraction. 5. We conclude that, in rabbit tracheal smooth muscle, the membrane hyperpolarization induced byKC399 attenuates the ACh-induced tonic increase in [Ca2+], through an inhibition of nicardipinesensitive and -insensitive Ca2+-influxes, thus causing an inhibition of the ACh-induced tonic contraction. The ACh-induced phasic increase in [Ca2+]i and force are also inhibited, but less effectively than the tonic ones, suggesting that the action of such K+ channel openers on agonist-induced responses may be slightly different in tracheal from vascular smooth muscle.

To help elucidate the physiological role of calponin (a thin-filament-linked regulatory protein) in smooth muscle contraction, the effects of its exogenous application were investigated on actin-activated MgAT-Pase activity in crude actomyosin from chicken gizzard, and on contraction induced by Ca(2+)-dependent and -independent means in arterial smooth muscle strips skinned by saponin or beta-escin. Calponin concentration dependently inhibited actin-activated MgATPase activity with a proportional increase in its binding to actomyosin and also attenuated Ca(2+)-induced contractions, in the presence or absence of calmodulin, in skinned arterial strips. Calponin, when phosphorylated by protein kinase C, reduced both its ability to bind to actomyosin and its inhibitory action on actomyosin MgATPase. The phosphorylated calponin also had no effect on the maximum Ca(2+)-induced contraction in skinned smooth muscle, suggesting that these actions of calponin are not nonspecific. Calponin attenuated the Ca(2+)-independent contraction observed in myosin light chain thio-phosphorylated strips, or on application of trypsin-treated myosin light chain kinase. However, calponin had no effect on maintained rigor contraction. These results suggest that in vascular smooth muscle, calponin may play a physiological role in the inhibition of Ca(2+)-regulated force, possibly through a direct action on active actin-myosin interactions.

1. To investigate the role of protein kinase C in the increase mediated by guanosine 5'-triphosphate (GTP)-binding proteins (G-proteins) in the sensitivity of the contractile proteins to Ca2+ in vascular smooth muscle, the effect of a novel peptide inhibitor of protein kinase C (PKC19-36) on Ca(2+)-induced contraction and myosin light chain (MLC) phosphorylation was studied in the presence and absence of guanosine 5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate) (GTP gamma S) in beta-escin-skinned smooth muscle strips of rabbit mesenteric artery. For comparison, the effects were also observed of PKC19-36 on the action of phorbol 12,13-dibutylate (PDBu, an activator of PKC) on the two Ca(2+)-induced responses. 2. In beta-escin-skinned strips treated with ionomycin, Ca2+ (0.1-3 microM) concentration-dependently produced contraction in parallel with an increase in MLC-phosphorylation. GTP gamma S (10 microM) and PDBu (0.1 microM) each shifted both the Ca(2+)-force and Ca(2+)-MLC-phosphorylation relationships to the left without a significant change in either maximum response. The relationship between force and MLC-phosphorylation was not modified by either GTP gamma S or PDBu, indicating that the sensitivity of MLC-phosphorylation to Ca2+ is enhanced by both GTP gamma S and PDBu. 3. PKC19-36 itself modified neither the contraction nor MLC-phosphorylation induced by Ca2+ but it did block the PDBu-induced enhancement of these two Ca(2+)-induced responses. By contrast, PKC19-36 did not modify the GTP gamma S-induced enhancement of the two Ca(2+)-induced responses. Guanosine 5'-O-(2-thiodiphosphate) (GDP Beta S) attenuated the GTP gamma S-induced enhancement of the Ca2+-induced contraction.4. These results suggest that GTP gamma S increases Ca2+-induced MLC-phosphorylation through the activation of a PKC-independent mechanism and thus causes an increase in the sensitivity of the contractile proteins to Ca2+ in Beta-escin-skinned smooth muscle of rabbit mesenteric artery.

1. The mechanisms underlying the vasodilatation induced by (-)-(3S,4R)-4-(N-acetyl-N-hydroxyamino)-6-cyano-3,4-dihydro-2, 2-dimethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-ol (Y-26763) were investigated by measuring membrane potential, intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) and isometric force in smooth muscle cells of the rabbit mesenteric artery. 2. Y-26763 (0.03-1 microM) concentration-dependently hyperpolarized the membrane and glibenclamide (1-10 microM) inhibited this hyperpolarization. Noradrenaline (NA, 10 microM) depolarized the membrane and generated spike potentials. Y-26763 (1 microM) inhibited these NA-induced electrical responses. 3. In thin smooth muscle strips in 2.6 mM Ca2+ containing (Krebs) solution, 10 microM NA produced a large phasic, followed by a small tonic increase in [Ca2+]i and force with associated oscillations. In Ca(2+)-free solution (containing 2 mM EGTA), NA produced only phasic increases in [Ca2+]i and force. In ryanodine-treated strips, NA could not produce the phasic increases in [Ca2+]i and force even in the presence of 2.6 mM Ca2+, suggesting that ryanodine functionally removes the NA-sensitive intracellular storage sites. 4. Nicardipine (1 microM) partly inhibited the NA-induced tonic increases in [Ca2+]i and force but had no effect on either the resting [Ca2+]i or the NA-activated phasic increases in [Ca2+]i and force. By contrast, Y-26763 (10 microM) lowered the resting [Ca2+]i and also inhibited both the phasic and the tonic increases in [Ca2+]i and force induced by NA. All these actions of Y-26763 were inhibited by glibenclamide (10 microM). 5. In ryanodine-treated strips, nicardipine partly, but Y-26763 completely inhibited the NA-induced increases in [Ca2+]i, suggesting that Y-26763 inhibits both the nicardipine-sensitive and -insensitive Ca2+ influxes activated by NA. Y-26763 attenuated the phasic increase in [Ca2+]i and force in a Ca(2+)-free solution containing 5.9 mM K+, but not in one containing 50 mM K+, suggesting that Y-26763 inhibits NA-induced Ca2+ release, probably as a result of its membrane hyperpolarizing action. 6. In Beta-escin-skinned strips, Y-26763 (10 MicroM) had no effect on either the NA-induced Ca2+ release or the Ca2+-tension relationship in the presence and absence of NA (10 MicroM) with guanosine 5'-triphosphate(GTP, 10 MicroM), suggesting that Y-26763 has no direct action on either NA-induced Ca2+ release or the contractile proteins.7. It is concluded that Y-26763 inhibits NA-activated Ca2+ release and Ca2+ influx and thus inhibits the NA-contraction. Y-26763 also lowers the resting [Ca2+]i through an inhibition of the nicardipine insensitive Ca2+ influx. These actions of Y-26763 may be linked with the membrane hyperpolarization it produces by activation of the ATP-sensitive K+ channels.

1. Effects were studied of 6-(3-dimethylaminopropionyl) forskolin (NKH477), a water-soluble forskolin derivative and of dibutyryl-cyclic AMP, a membrane-permeable cyclic AMP analogue on noradrenaline (NA)-induced Ca2+ mobilization in smooth muscle strips of the rabbit mesenteric artery. The intracellular concentration of Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i), isometric force and cellular concentration of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (InsP3) were measured. 2. NA (10 microM) produced a phasic, followed by a tonic increase in both [Ca2+]i and force in a solution containing 2.6 mM Ca2+. NKH477 (0.01-0.3 microM) attenuated the phasic and the tonic increases in both [Ca2+]i and force induced by 10 microM NA, in a concentration-dependent manner. 3. In Ca(2+)-free solution containing 2 mM EGTA with 5.9 mM K+, NA (10 microM) produced only phasic increases in [Ca2+]i and force. NKH477 (0.01 microM) and dibutyryl-cyclic AMP (0.1 mM) each greatly inhibited these increases. 4. NA (10 microM) led to the production of InsP3 in intact smooth muscle strips and InsP3 (10 microM) increased Ca2+ in Ca(2+)-free solution after a brief application of Ca2+ in beta-escin-skinned smooth muscle strips. NKH477 (0.01 microM) or dibutyryl-cyclic AMP (0.1 mM) modified neither the NA-induced synthesis of InsP3 in intact muscle strips nor the InsP3-induced Ca2+ release in skinned strips. 5. In Ca(2+)-free solution, high K+ (40 and 128 mM) itself failed to increase [Ca2+]i but concentration-dependently enhanced the amplitude of the increase in [Ca2+]i induced by 10 microM NA with a parallel enhancement of the maximum rate of rise. The extent of the inhibition induced by NKH477 (0.01 microM)or dibutyryl-cyclic AMP (0.1 mM) on the NA-induced [Ca2+] increase was inversely related to the maximum rate of rise of [Ca2+], induced by NA in Ca2+-free solution containing various concentrations of K+. These results suggest that the increase in the rate of Ca2+ release induced by NA can conceal the inhibitory action on NA-induced Ca2+ mobilization of agents that increase cyclic AMP.6. Repetitive application of 10 JAM NA in Ca2+-free solution led to a disappearance of the NA-induced increase in [Ca2+]j, but NA could again increase [Ca2+], in Ca2+-free solution after a brief application of Ca2+ with 40 mM K+ ('Ca2+-loading'). The magnitude of this NA-induced increase in [Ca2+]i depended on the duration of the Ca2+-loading. With application of dibutyryl-cyclic AMP (0.1 mM) during the Ca2+-loading period, the loading duration required for the restoration of the maximum NA-response was shortened.7. Cyclopiazonic acid (10 microM, an inhibitor of Ca2+-ATPase at intracellular storage sites) attenuated the inhibitory action of dibutyryl-cyclic AMP on the NA-induced increase in [Ca2+], in Ca2+-free solution.When NA (10 microM) was applied twice for 30 s with a 10 min interval in Ca2+-free solution, the amplitude of response to the second application was about one third of the first response. With application of 0.1 mM dibutyryl-cyclic AMP during the first application of NA, the increase in [Ca2+], induced by the first application of NA was inhibited, but the response induced by the second was enhanced. These results suggest that dibutyryl-cyclic AMP enhances Ca2+ uptake into the NA-sensitive storage sites.8. We conclude that, in smooth muscle of the rabbit mesenteric artery, agents that increase cyclic AMP inhibit the NA-induced increase in [Ca2+] through an activation of Ca2+ uptake into the cellular storage sites.

1. Effects of noradrenaline (NAd) on changes in cellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) and tension were investigated, and these effects were compared with those evoked by 128 mM K+ or caffeine in intact smooth muscle strips or by inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (Ins(1,4,5)P3) or caffeine in beta-escin-treated chemically skinned smooth muscle strips of the rabbit mesenteric artery. 2. In physiological solution containing 2.6 mM Ca2+, application of 128 mM K+ or 10 microM NAd produced a phasic, followed by a tonic increase in [Ca2+]i and tension. NAd (10 microM) produced a larger tonic tension than did 128 mM K+ but a smaller increase in [Ca2+]i. When the [Ca2+]i-tension relationship was observed in ionomycin- and 128 mM K(+)-treated muscle strips, 10 microM NAs shifted the relationship to the left and enhanced the maximum amplitude of contraction. These results suggest that NAd increases the sensitivity of contractile proteins to Ca2+ in smooth muscle of the rabbit mesenteric artery. 3. Noradrenaline (10 microM) or caffeine (10 mM), but not 128 mM K+, produced a phasic increase in both [Ca2+]i and tension in Ca(2+)-free solution containing 2 mM EGTA. When 10 mM caffeine had been applied in Ca(2+)-free solution, subsequent application of 10 microM NAd did not increase [Ca2+]i. By contrast, when 10 microM NAd had been applied in Ca(2+)-free solution, subsequent application of 10 mM caffeine still increased [Ca2+]i. Ryanodine (50 microM) abolished the increase in [Ca2+]i induced by 10 mM caffeine or 10 microM NAd in intact and in skinned smooth muscle strips. These results suggest that NAd releases Ca2+ from the ryanodine-sensitive Ca2+ storage sites. 4. Noradrenaline (10 microM) synthesized Ins(1,4,5)P3 in Ca(2+)-free solution in intact smooth muscle strips. Following application of 10 microM NAd, a relatively long time lag (around 1 s) was always observed before the initiation of the increase in [Ca2+]i whether in the presence or absence of Ca2+. The maximum rate of rise of [Ca2+]i induced by 10 mM caffeine was much larger than that induced by 10 microM NAd in Ca(2+)-containing or Ca(2+)-free solution (containing 2 mM EGTA). Both [Ca2+]i and tension reached their peak in a shorter time with caffeine (10 mM) than with 10 microM NAd. In Beta-escin-treated skinned smooth muscle strips, 20 microM Ins(1,4,5)P3 10 mM caffeine or 10 microM NAd increased Ca2+ in Ca(2+)-free solution following brief application of 0.3 microM Ca2+.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

A possible role was investigated of the Ca2+ released by acetylcholine (ACh) in the ACh-induced synthesis of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (Ins(1,4,5)P3) in smooth muscle of the porcine coronary artery. In Ca(2+)-free solution, 10 microM ACh transiently increased the cellular concentration of Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) and Ins(1,4,5)P3. Divalent cation ionophores abolished the increase in [Ca2+]i but not the synthesis of Ins(1,4,5)P3 induced by subsequent application of 10 microM ACh in Ca(2+)-free solution, suggesting that the Ca2+ released by Ins(1,4,5)P3 following application of ACh does not act to accelerate the ACh-induced synthesis of Ins(1,4,5)P3 in smooth muscle of the porcine coronary artery.

To study the essential features of acetylcholine (ACh)- and caffeine-sensitive cellular Ca2+ storage sites in single vascular smooth muscle cells of the porcine coronary artery, the effects of ryanodine on both ACh- and caffeine-induced Ca2+ mobilization were investigated by measuring intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) using Fura 2 in Ca(2+)-containing or Ca(2+)-free solution. The resting [Ca2+]i of the cells was 122 nM in normal physiological solution and no spontaneous activity was observed. In a solution containing 2.6 mM Ca2+, 10 microM ACh or 128 mM K+ produced a phasic, followed by a tonic, increase in [Ca2+]i but 20 mM caffeine produced only a phasic increase. In Ca(2+)-free solution containing 0.5 mM ethylenebis(oxonitrilo)tetraacetate (EGTA), the resting [Ca2+]i rapidly decreased to 102 nM within 5 min, and 10 microM ACh or 20 mM caffeine (but not 128 mM K+) transiently increased [Ca2+]i. Ryanodine (50 microM) greatly inhibited the phasic increase in [Ca2+]i induced by 10 microM ACh or 5 mM caffeine and increased the time to peak and to the half decay after the peak in the presence or absence of extracellular Ca2+. By contrast, ryanodine (50 microM) enhanced the tonic increase in [Ca2+]i induced by 128 mM K+ and also by 10 microM ACh in Ca(2+)-containing solution. In Ca(2+)-free solution containing 0.5 mM EGTA, ACh (10 microM) failed to increase [Ca2+]i following application of 20 mM caffeine. The level of [Ca2+]i induced by 20 mM caffeine was greatly reduced, but not abolished, following application of 10 microM ACh in Ca(2+)-free solution.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

1. Effects of (-)-cromakalim (lemakalim) on tension and Ca2+ mobilization induced by noradrenaline (NA) were investigated by measuring intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) isometric tension and production of inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) in smooth muscle strips of the rabbit mesenteric artery. 2. In thin smooth muscle strips, 10 microM NA produced a large phasic, followed by a small tonic increase in [Ca2+]i, which correlated well with the evoked phasic and tonic contractions, respectively. Lemakalim (0.1-10 microM) lowered the resting [Ca2+]i without a decrease in the resting tension, and also inhibited the increased [Ca2+]i and tension induced by 10 microM NA, all in a concentration-dependent manner. Glibenclamide (1 microM) inhibited these actions of lemakalim. 3. In Ca(2+)-free solution containing 2 mM EGTA, NA (10 microM) transiently increased [Ca2+]i, tension and synthesis of IP3. Lemakalim (over 0.01 microM) inhibited these actions of NA in Ca(2+)-free solution containing 5.9 mM K+, but not in Ca(2+)-free solution containing 128 mM K+. These actions of lemakalim were prevented by glibenclamide (1 microM). Lemakalim (1 microM) did not modify the increases in [Ca2+]i and tension induced by 10 mM caffeine. 4. In beta-escin-skinned strips, 10 microM NA increased [Ca2+]i in Ca(2+)-free solution containing 50 microM EGTA, 3 microM guanosine triphosphate (GTP) and 2 microM Fura 2 after the storage sites were loaded by application of 0.3 microM Ca2+ for 2 min, suggesting that Ca2+ is released from intracellular storage sites following activation of the alpha-adrenoceptor. Lemakalim (1 microM) did not inhibit the Ca2+ release from storage sites induced by NA. 5. We conclude that lemakalim inhibits NA-induced Ca2 + release due to inhibition of NA-induced 'P3 production in a manner dependent on the membrane potential and causes inhibition of the phasic contraction induced by NA.

In vascular smooth muscles, neurotransmitters or autacoids produce contraction through activation of Ca2(+)-influx and release of Ca2+ from intracellular store sites. These agonists appear to activate Ca2(+)-influxes in both voltage-dependent and voltage-independent manners. The release of Ca2+ is though to be linked to the action of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate. The phosphorylation of myosin light chain may be the mechanism for the Ca2(-+)-induced contraction in smooth muscles. Some agonists only transiently increase cellular Ca2+ and the phosphorylation of myosin, but they produce a sustained contraction in various vascular tissues. Hence, additional high Ca2(+)-sensitive mechanisms are no doubt involved in the contraction of vascular smooth muscle. In the present article, attention will be directed to the mechanisms and agonist-induced contraction in arterial smooth muscle.

We have demonstrated that ISO produces part of its negative inotropic action through activation of the plasmalemmal Na+/K+ pump, and reduction of [Na+]i. This action is mediated by the beta-adrenergic receptor through activation of adenylate cyclase. The reduction of [Na+]i is most probably translated to a change in the contractile state of the cell through activation of the Na+/Ca2+ exchanger. While the exchanger is at equilibrium when the cell is at rest, after ISO it would extrude Ca2+ at the expense of the increased Na+ gradient, resulting in a decrease Ca2+ availability and a reduction in the magnitude of subsequent contractions. We have also seen that the previous calcium history of the myoplasm can influence the time course of future calcium transients. Prolonged large increases in [Ca2+]i can accelerate the rate of its removal and depress basal [Ca2+]i levels. This action is most probably mediated through a Ca2+/calmodulin dependent protein kinase. We have observed that MLCK is both necessary and sufficient to produce contraction of Bufo marinus stomach smooth muscle. There is also evidence that an as yet unidentified Ca(2+)-calmodulin dependent protein kinase is acting to limit the magnitude and the duration of the Ca2+ transient by feeding back on processes involved in Ca2+ signal generation.

Blood magnesium (Mg) and calcium (Ca) concentrations were determined in patients with stomach cancer and in normal subjects. The patients were classified into four stages of malignancy and three metastatic categories. High Mg levels were found in plasma and whole blood of patients in the early stages of stomach cancer, while low Ca levels were found in blood plasma in most stages and in all metastatic groups. By contrast, high Ca levels were observed in whole blood in the later malignancy stages and in two of the metastatic categories. The calcium level in blood plasma does not therefore seem to depend on the stage of malignancy and metastasis, while the calcium level in whole blood and the Mg level in blood plasma and whole blood do appear to depend on the stage of malignancy or metastasis.

Muscle tone of coronary arteries is regulated by free calcium concentration in the myoplasm. Various agonists, autacoids and putative peptides modify the calcium concentration directly or through actions of second messengers (signal transductors), such as cyclic guanosine monophosphate (GMP), cyclic adenosine monophosphate (AMP), inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate, diacylglycerol or calmodulin. For example, acetylcholine (in the presence of intact endothelium cells), alpha-human natriuretic peptide or nitrate compounds increase the amount of cyclic GMP and isoproterenol, prostacyclin (prostaglandin I2) or vasoactive intestinal polypeptide increases cyclic AMP. Both cyclic nucleotides reduce free calcium concentration. On the other hand, acetylcholine (in the presence or absence of endothelium cells), norepinephrine or thromboxane A2 increases inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate and diacylglycerol, thus causing the increase in the free calcium concentration, whereas vasoactive intestinal peptide and alpha-human natriuretic peptide reduce them. Calmodulin acts as an internal calcium receptor for regulation of the contractile machinary. Regulation of calcium homeostasis in relation to the muscle tone in the coronary arteries including other vascular tissues is discussed together with the role of second messengers.

Effects of direct or indirect (nerve-mediated) muscle stimulation, acetylcholine (ACh), caffeine and procaine on the membrane and mechanical properties of smooth muscle cells of the cat trachea were investigated by means of double sucrose-gap and isometric tension recording methods. Outward current pulses (2 s in duration) applied to the muscle tissue in the presence of tetrodotoxin (10(-7)M), atropine (10(-6)M) and propranolol (10(-6)M) evoked no action potential (spike); however, when the depolarization exceeded 9 mV, a contraction was evoked. The spike and contraction evoked by outward current pulses in the presence of tetraethylammonium (TEA, 10 mM) were suppressed by treatment of the tissue with either Ca2+-free EGTA (2 mM) containing solution or Mn2+ (5 mM). In the presence of procaine (10 mM), outward current pulses evoked an action potential but no contraction. Field stimulation of short duration (50 microseconds) applied to the whole tissue produced an excitation of the intrinsic nerves and evoked excitatory junction potentials (e.j.ps), and when the amplitude of e.j.ps exceeded 4 mV, a twitch contraction occurred. E.j.p. was more effective in producing a contraction than was the membrane depolarization evoked by outward current pulses. Amplitudes of contractions evoked by exogenous ACh (10(-5)M) were much larger than those evoked by 128 mM-[K]0 or caffeine (10 mM), in normal Krebs solution. When the amplitudes of the contractions produced by 128 mM [K]0 were defined as a relative amplitude of 1.0, the mean amplitudes of contraction produced by ACh (10(-5)M) or caffeine were 2.5 +/- 0.20 or 1.2 +/- 0.26, respectively. In Ca2+-free EGTA (2 mM)-containing solution, the contraction induced by 128 mM-[K]0 was rapidly abolished, whereas the contractions evoked by caffeine (10 mM) or the initial phasic contraction produced by ACh (10(-5)M) were largely unaffected. When the amount of Ca2+ stored in the muscle cell was estimated from the amplitude of caffeine-induced contraction evoked in Ca2+-free solution, procaine (10 mM) applied simultaneously with Ca2+, after depletion of Ca2+ from the cells by means of caffeine, increased the amount of Ca2+ stored to 1.31 +/- 0.14 (n = 6) times the control value. However, ACh (10(-7)M) or excess concentrations of [K]0 applied with Ca2+ did not increase the amount of Ca2+ stored in the caffeine-sensitive intracellular compartment. 8 These results indicate that the amount of Ca2 + stored in the smooth muscle cells of the cat trachea may be larger than other visceral smooth muscle and plays an important role in the initiation of contraction, in response to endogenous or exogenous ACh.

1. The effects of 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA), an activator of protein kinase C, have been investigated on intact and chemically skinned muscle strips of the porcine coronary artery. 2. In the presence or absence of extracellular Ca2+, TPA (0.1-1 nM) slightly enhanced the amplitude of ACh (10 microM)-induced contractions but at 100 nM, inhibited the contractions by approximately 50%. 3. ACh (10 microM) reduced the amount of [32P]phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) and increased the amount of [32P]phosphatidic acid (PA) in the presence or absence of Ca2+. TPA (over 1 nM) dose-dependently inhibited the hydrolysis of PIP2 induced by ACh. 4. ACh (over 0.1 microM) dose-dependently increased the intensity of fura-2 fluorescence in dispersed single-cell suspensions. TPA (over 1 nM) dose-dependently inhibited the increase of the Ca2+ transient evoked by ACh, but it did not modify the ionomycin-induced Ca2+ transient or the resting fluorescence. These inhibitory effects of TPA occurred over a similar dose range to that which inhibited ACh-induced PIP2 break-down. 5. When the relationship between ACh-induced contraction amplitude and Ca2+ transient was observed in the presence or absence of 10 nM-TPA, TPA greatly reduced the Ca2+ transient but did not modify the amplitude of contraction. 6. In saponin-treated skinned muscle strips, TPA (10 nM) or 1,2-diolein (50 micrograms/ml) with phosphatidylserine (PS; 50 micrograms/ml) increased the amplitude of contraction evoked by various concentrations of Ca2+ (0.1-1.0 microM) without any change in the maximum amplitude of the Ca2+-induced contraction. 7. TPA (10 nM) with PS (50 micrograms/ml) increased the amplitude of contraction evoked by 10 microM-inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate in chemically skinned muscle strips. 8. It is concluded that TPA inhibits the ACh-induced [Ca2+]i increase by inhibiting the hydrolysis of PIP2, but that it enhances the Ca2+ sensitivity of the contractile proteins. These results indicate that ACh-induced contractions are controlled by negative feed-back regulation of PIP2 hydrolysis together with a positive feed-back regulation of the Ca2+ sensitivity of the contractile proteins. This may depend on the on-going level of protein kinase C activation.

1. To investigate the mechanism of generation of contractions in tissues from the guinea-pig stomach, the effects of caffeine, procaine, acetylcholine (ACh), diltiazem or MnCl(2) on the contraction evoked from small bundles of intact or skinned muscles (50 mum in width and 250-300 mum in length) were observed.2. All these agents except for ACh blocked the spontaneously generated contraction. Diltiazem (1 x 10(-4)m) had no effect and MnCl(2) (3 mm) slightly reduced and caffeine enhanced the tonic contraction evoked in Na-free solution, whereas procaine relaxed the tissue. On the other hand, in the isotonic [K](o) solution, diltiazem, MnCl(2) and procaine relaxed the tissue, while caffeine enhanced the tonic contraction.3. Under pre-treatment with Ca-free solution (2 mm-EGTA-containing solution) after depletion of the stored Ca, application of 2.5 mm-Ca and subsequently applied 5 mm-caffeine produced contractions (Ca- and caffeine-induced contractions, respectively). In polarized (5.9 mm-K(o)) and depolarized (128 mm-K(o)) muscles, the various agents simultaneously applied with 2.5 mm-Ca modified the amplitude of the Ca-induced and the resulting caffeine-induced contractions. Thus, at least three different Ca influxes required to evoke the Ca- or caffeine-induced contraction were identified; diltiazem-sensitive Ca influx, diltiazem-insensitive but Mn-sensitive Ca influx and Mn-insensitive Ca influx.4. The Ca- and caffeine-induced contractions in Ca-free and 15.5 mm-Na-containing solutions were gradually reduced in amplitude, in proportion to the time of exposure. However, amplitude of the caffeine-induced contractions was inhibited to a greater extent and the duration of the contracts was less prolonged than the case of the Ca-induced contraction.5. In saponin-treated skinned muscles, the minimum concentration of Ca required to produce the contraction was 1 x 10(-7)m, and the maximum contraction was evoked by application of 1 x 10(-5)m-Ca. The effects of Na-free solution on the Ca accumulation and release to and from the storage site were also observed in these skinned muscles. The removal of Na from the cell seems to accelerate the Ca leakage, and depletes the stored Ca. In addition, Na-free solution inhibits to some extent the accumulation of Ca in the store site.6. In skinned muscles, Mn (over 2 x 10(-9)m) significantly enhanced the Ca-induced contraction and the pCa-tension relationship shifted to the left and upper directions. Mn seemed to possess the property of activating the contractile proteins, as determined from the pMn-tension relationship, and this agent may also inhibit leakage of Ca from the store sites. However, in relation to the latter two actions, the possible effects of Ca contaminations in the solution would have to be ruled out. Under physiological conditions, MnCl(2) may act at the level of the myoplasmic membrane and not actually penetrate the cell in this tissue.

Actions of methyl-1,4-dihydro-2,6-dimethyl-3-nitro-4-(2- trifluoromethylphenyl)-pyridine-5-carboxylate (Bay K 8644) on the mechanical response evoked in intact and skinned mesenteric artery of the rabbit were investigated. The data were compared to that of nisoldipine, another dihydropyridine derivative Bay K 8644 increased the amplitudes of both the phasic and tonic components of the K+-induced contraction which is due to an increase in the voltage-dependent influx of Ca ion. Bay K 8644 antagonized competitively the actions of nisoldipine (a Ca antagonist) on the tonic but not on the phasic component of the K+-induced contraction. The contractions caused by high concentrations of norepinephrine were enhanced to a greater extent by Bay K 8644 than that evoked by lower concentrations of norepinephrine. Bay K 8644 had no effect on Ca++ extrusion from cells, which was estimated from the change in amplitudes of the norepinephrine-induced contractions in Na+- and Ca++-free solutions. This agent had no effect on the contractile proteins and Ca storage sites, as estimated from the Ca++- or caffeine-induced contraction observed in skinned muscles. The results suggested that Bay K 8644 acts primarily on the voltage-dependent Ca++ channel, presumably the same site at which other dihydropyridine derivatives (Ca antagonists) act, and that the influx of Ca++ is accelerated.

Effects of acetylcholine (ACh), caffeine and procaine on the membrane and mechanical properties of the intact and skinned muscle cells of the porcine coronary artery were investigated using the micro-electrode and isometric tension recording methods.1. ACh (10(-8)-10(-5)m) had no effect on the membrane potential and membrane resistance, as assessed from the current-voltage relationship.2. Caffeine possessed dual actions on the membrane property, i.e. a low concentration (0.3-1 mm) hyperpolarized and a high concentration (over 1 mm) depolarized the membrane, while caffeine (over 0.3 mm) consistently increased the ionic conductance of the membrane. Procaine (over 1 mm) depolarized the membrane and decreased the ionic conductance of the membrane.3. The spike and contraction evoked by outward current pulses in the presence of 10 mm-TEA were suppressed by treatment with caffeine (5 mm) or procaine (3 mm), but the spike was slightly and the electrically induced contraction was significantly suppressed by ACh (10(-6)m) due to the marked increase in resting tension.4. In Ca-free 2 mm-EGTA containing solution, the K-induced contraction (118 mm) rapidly ceased, but not the contraction evoked by ACh (10(-5)m) or caffeine (5 mm). The ACh-induced contraction rapidly ceased in the presence of 1 mm-procaine; however, over 5 mm-procaine was required to abolish the caffeine-induced contraction.5. The pCa-tension relationship was measured in saponin-treated skinned muscles. The minimum concentration of free Ca required to produce contraction was 2 x 10(-7)m, while maximum contraction was observed at 10(-5)m-free Ca. The maximum amplitude of Ca-induced contraction observed in skinned muscles was larger or the same as that evoked by ACh in the intact muscle. ACh (10(-5)m), caffeine (5 mm) and procaine (5 mm) had no effect on the pCa-tension relationship.6. After Ca has been loaded in skinned muscles, caffeine and replacement of K with choline (116 mm) in the Ca-free EGTA containing solution produced the contraction. However, the application of ACh did not result in a release of the stored Ca, and procaine suppressed the release of Ca activated by caffeine.7. The present results indicate that ACh activates the muscarinic receptor distributed on the plasma membrane, thus releasing the stored Ca. However, this mechanism may not be a prerequisite for direct action of ACh on the Ca releasing site. The possible mechanism of ACh action on the Ca releasing site, mainly sarcoplasmic reticulum, was discussed in relation to actions of caffeine and procaine, particularly with regard to the functional relations between plasma membrane and sarcoplasmic reticulum.

The effects of a Ca ionophore, A23187, were investigated on intact and skinned smooth muscle tissues of the rabbit mesenteric artery. A23187 (over 10(-9) M) inhibited, dose dependently, contractions induced by 10(-5) M-noradrenaline (NA) or 10 mM-caffeine in Ca2+-free solution containing 2 mM-EGTA. Procaine (3 mM) led to cessation of the caffeine- or NA-induced contractions in the presence or absence of Ca2+. When A23187 (10(-7) M) was applied, the contractions in the presence of procaine were to some extent restored in Krebs solution. A23187 at a concentration of 10(-7) M did not modify the resting muscle tone, but this concentration did increase the amplitude of the contraction evoked by 20.2 or 128 mM-K+ and markedly inhibited the 10(-7) M-NA or 10 mM-caffeine-induced contraction in Krebs solution. A23187 (10(-7) M) delayed the onset and rising phase of the 10(-5) M-NA-induced contraction with inhibition of the oscillatory contractions. High concentrations of A23187 (over 10(-6) M) produced a large contraction in the presence and a small contraction in the absence of 2.6 mM-Ca2+. These A23187-induced contractions were not inhibited by 10(-7) M-nisoldipine, a Ca2+ antagonist. A23187 (over 10(-6) M) applied for a long period functionally skinned the muscle tissues. However, the Ca2+ sensitivity of the A23187-treated skinned muscles was lower than that of saponin-treated muscles. In saponin-treated skinned muscles, A23187 (below 10(-6) M) had no effect on the pCa-tension relation. After filling the store, A23187 (over 10(-7) M) generated a larger contraction than did caffeine in Ca2+-free solution, in the presence or absence of 5 mM-NaN3. When 10(-7) M-A23187 was applied once for 5 min, subsequently applied caffeine (20 mM), following application of Ca2+, no longer produced contraction of skinned muscle tissues. The present results indicate that low concentrations of A23187 show a selective Ca2+-releasing action on Ca2+ store sites in muscle cells and that high concentrations increase the Ca2+ leakage (influx) and the cell membrane is skinned.

1. Single smooth muscle cells were prepared from the guinea-pig taenia coli and the porcine coronary artery by treatment with collagenase, in order to measure the 45Ca flux with special reference to the effects of external cations. 2. In excess [K]o solution, cell suspensions prepared from both tissues showed an increased 45Ca uptake within 3-5 min. In Na-free solution, the cells prepared from taenia coli, but not from coronary artery showed an increased 45Ca uptake. The Ca uptake of the cells paralleled with the tension increase recorded from tissues of both species. 3. The efflux of 45Ca into Ca-free EGTA containing solution was markedly increased by [Na]o in cells from the taenia coli, but not in cells from the coronary artery. 4. The [Na]o-activated 45Ca efflux from cells of the taenia coli was slightly larger in Ca-free solution than in the Ca-containing (10)-4) M) solution. Depolarization of membranes produced by excess [K]o did not effect the [Na]o-activated 45Ca efflux. 5. Increase in [Na]i by treatment with K-free solution suppressed the [Na]o-activated 45Ca efflux in the taenia coli. Re-addition of [K]o reactivated the [Na]o-activated 45Ca efflux. This re-activation was blocked by ouabain. 6. The efflux of 45Ca was slightly activated by [Ca]o in cells from the taenia coli. This [ca]o-activated 45Ca efflux was larger in Na-free solution than in Na-containing solution, thus suggesting interactions between [Na]o and [Ca]o on the Ca efflux. 7. In cells from the taenia coli, 45Ca efflux could still be observed in nominally Na-and Ca-free solution. This residual 45Ca efflux made a large contribution to the total 45Ca efflux. 8. When 45Ca uptake was measured in Na-free (Tris) solution, the [Na]o-activated, [Ca]o-activated and residual 45Ca effluxes of cells from the taenia coli were accelerated, non-selectively. 9. These results obtained with cells prepared from the guinea-pig taenia coli are comparable to the Ca2+ efflux mechanism seen in the squid axon. However, maintenance of low concentrations of [Ca]i seems to require not only the above three 45Ca efflux mechanisms, but also Ca sequestering mechanisms in the cell.

To investigate the role of the intracellular calcium ion in the development of acute gastric mucosal lesions, phosphorylase a activity was measured as an index of the intracellular calcium ion concentration ([Ca2+]i), using Lowry's method, in the rat ischemia-reperfusion model. [Ca2+]i increased significantly at the end of the ischemic state without acute mucosal lesions (AGML). After reinfusion, [Ca2+]i showed a slight increase and AGML developed. Continual intravenous infusion of the calcium channel blocker, diltiazem (1 mg/kg/hr), inhibited the increase in [Ca2+]i in the ischemic state and reduced the development of AGML after reinfusion. These results suggest that the increase in [Ca2+]i in the ischemic state plays an important role in the development of AGML.

The effects were investigated of inorganic phosphate (Pi) on the Ca2+-dependent and Ca2+-independent contractions evoked in chemically skinned smooth muscles of the rabbit mesenteric artery. The relation between the concentration of Ca2+ and tension showed a sigmoidal curve in the range of pCa 7-5.5. Pi (over 1 mM) inhibited the Ca2+-induced contraction, shifted the pCa-tension curve to the right and increased the Hill number from 2 to 3. Calmodulin did not change the Hill number and attenuated the inhibitory action of Pi as estimated from the shift of the curve, but this agent did not modify the increased Hill number in the presence of Pi. Pi consistently inhibited the Ca2+-independent contractions provoked by application of trypsin-treated myosin light chain kinase, of MgATP following adenosine-5'-o-(3-thiotriphosphate) (ATP gamma S) and Ca2+, and of a solution containing high Mg2+. These inhibitory actions of Pi were inversely proportional to the amplitude of the contraction. When Pi was applied simultaneously with ATP gamma S and Ca2+, there was no change in the amplitude of Ca2+-independent contractions provoked by the application of MgATP. The amplitude of the rigor contraction evoked by ATP-free solution was less than 7% of that of the 10 microM-Ca2+-induced contraction. When ATP was removed from the solution during the Ca2+ contraction, the rigor contraction was also generated. Pi did not inhibit either type of contraction. With a decrease in the concentration of Ca2+ from 10 microM to below 1 nM, the tissue relaxed at a slower rate than the rate of rise of the Ca2+-induced contraction. The slow relaxation was not modified by a change in the concentration of EGTA or addition of 1 microM-calmodulin. Pi reduced, and high Mg2+ prolonged the time required for the relaxation. This action of Pi was not prevented in the presence of calmodulin or of high Mg2+. The rates of rise and fall of the Ca2+-induced contraction depended on the concentration of MgATP, and Pi consistently inhibited the Ca2+-induced contraction in the presence of any given concentration of MgATP. We conclude that Pi may accelerate the detachment of cross-bridges between the contractile proteins. Thus, the amplitude of Ca2+-induced contraction is slightly inhibited and the relaxation is markedly facilitated. However, the site of action of Pi may differ from that of MgATP.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

This article was concerned with the role of Ca in triggering the contraction in vascular smooth muscles. Whenever Ca influx is activated, this Ca does not directly activate the contractile proteins, but rather triggers the release of Ca from the SR to activate calmodulin. This release of Ca by Ca is dependent on the amount of Ca stored within the cells. Voltage dependent Ca influx activated by excess concentrations of K, electrical depolarization and Ca spikes is required to produce the contraction through activation of the Ca-induced Ca release mechanism. The elucidation of the contribution of the P-I response for Ca mobilization through activation of receptors under physiological conditions hopefully will lend support to our hypothesis.

Cells of the oligodendroglial lineage express Ca[sup 2+]-permeable α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionate-preferring glutamate receptors (AMPA-GluR) during development. Prolonged activation of their AMPA-GluR causes Ca[sup 2+] overload, resulting in excitotoxic death. Prior studies have shown that oligodendroglial progenitors and immature oligodendrocytes are susceptible to excitotoxicity, whereas mature oligodendrocytes are resistant. An unresolved issue has been why Ca[sup 2+]-permeability of AMPA-GluR varies so markedly with oligodendroglial development, although the level of expression of edited GluR2, an AMPA-GluR subunit which blocks Ca[sup 2+] entry, is relatively constant. To address this question, we performed Ca[sup 2+] imaging, molecular and electrophysiological analyses using purified cultures of the rat oligodendroglial lineage. We demonstrate that transient up-regulation of expression of GluR3 and GluR4 subunits in oligodendroglial progenitors and immature oligodendrocytes results in the assembly by these cells, but not by oligodendroglial pre-progenitors or mature oligodendrocytes, of a population of AMPA-GluR which lack GluR2. This stage-specific up-regulation of edited GluR2-free, and hence Ca[sup 2+]-permeable, AMPA-GluR explains the selective susceptibility to excitotoxicity of cells at these stages of oligodendroglial differentiation, and is likely to be important to these cells in the trans-synaptic Ca[sup 2+]-signaling from glutamatergic neurons, which occurs in hippocampus in vivo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents an abstract of the study "Role of Calcium and Cyclic AMP in the Regulation of Caspases Involved in Apoptosis of Cerebellar Granule Neurons." The study will be presented at a joint meeting of the International Society for Neurochemistry and the European Society for Neurochemistry which will be organized in Berlin, Germany, from August 8-14, 1999.