• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.128-134
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• 1989

$Na^+-Ca^{2+}$ exchange process in sarcolemmal vesicles isolated from mesenteric arteries of Wistar-Kyoto normotensive(WKY) and spontaneously hypertensive rats(SHR) was investigated. The sarcolemmal fractions isolated after homogenization and sucrose density gradient centrifugation were enriched with 5'-nucleotidase and ouabain sensitive, $K^+-dependent$ phosphatase activities. When the vesicles were loaded with $Na^+$, a time dependent $Ca^{2+}$ uptake was observed. However, very little $Ca^{2+}$ uptake was observed when the vesicles were loaded with $K^+$, or $Ca^{2+}$ uptake of the $Na^+-loaded$ vesicles was carried out in high sodium medium so that there was no sodium gradient. When the vesicles loaded with $Ca^{2+}$ by $Na^+-Ca^{2+}$ exchange were diluted into potassium medium containing EGTA, $Ca^{2+}$ was rapidly released from the vesicles. $Na^+-dependent\;Ca^{2+}$ uptake was increased in SHR compared to WKY, but passive efflux of preaccumulated $Ca^{2+}$ from the vesicles was decreased in SHR. The data indicate that the membrane vesicles of rat mesenteric arteries exhibit $Na^+-Ca^{2+}$ exchange activity. It is also suggested that changes of this process in vascular smooth muscle cell membrane of SHR may be involved in higher intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ concentration and higher basal tone in SHR.

• Journal of Photoscience
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.35-40
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• 1997

The sensory transduction processes of blue light in guard cells have been suggested the involvement of Ca$^{2+}$/calmodulin-dependent myosin light chain kinase (MLCK) or MLCK-like proteins. The source of Ca$^{2+}$ required for the signal transduction process was investigated in guard cell protoplasts (GCPs). The GCPs showed the typical H$^+$ pumping activity by blue light (200 $\mu$mol m$^{-2}$ s$^{-1}$) and fusicoccin (10 $\mu$M) under background red light (600 $\mu$mol m$^{-2}$ s$^{-1}$). The blue light-dependent H$^+$ pumping was not significantly affected by the externally changed Ca$^{2+}$ concentrations. The addition of 1 mM Ca$^{2+}$ in the bathing medium ratherly inhibited the H$^+$ pumping. In contrast, the blue light-dependent H$^+$ pumping was inhibited by caffeine and 2,5-di-(tert-butyl)-1,4-benzohydroquinone (BHQ), inhibitor of C$^{2+}$-ATPase in endoplasmic reticulum (ER) without inhibiting the H $^+$ pump. The inhibition by caffeine and BHQ was fully reversible. The extent of inhibition by caffeine and BHQ was larger when they were added together than when added separately. The results suggest that Ca$^{2+}$ required for the blue light-dependent H$^+$ pumping may be released from the intracellular Ca$^{2+}$ stores, probably ER in guard cells.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.47-58
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• 1987

It has been reported that the luteal function may be regulated by the intracellular $Ca^{++}$ level which may be adjusted partially by the high affinity $Ca^{++}-ATPase$ in luteal cell membranes. Then, one may expect that luteotropic and/or luteolytic agents, such as gonadotropins, prostaglandin $F_{2{\alpha}}\;(PGF_{2{\alpha}})$ and ouabain, affect the intracellular $Ca^{++}$ level. In this present study, therefore, we examined the effects of luteinizing hormone (LH, or human chorionic gonadotropin, hCG), $PGF_{2{\alpha}}$ and ouabain on the kinetic properties of the high affinity $Ca^{++}-ATPase$ in light membrane, heavy membrane, and microsomal fractions from the highly luteinized ovary. LH (or hCG) increased the affinity and the Vmax for $Ca^{++}$ both in light membrane and heavy membrane. $PGF_{2{\alpha}}$ increased the Vmax in light membrane and decreased the Km in heavy membrane for $Ca^{++}$ at low concentration $(5\;{\mu}g/ml)$. At higher concentration, however, $PGF_{2{\alpha}}$ oppositly affected on kinetic properties, that shown at low concentration. Ouabain, a potent inhibitor of $Na^+-K^+-ATPase$, increased the Km at high concentration $(10^{-4}\;M)$, however, decreased the Vmax for $Ca^{++}$ in light membrane at low concentration $(10^{-6}\;M)$. Also, ouabain increased the Km for $Ca^{++}$ in heavy membrane without changes in the Vmax at both concentrations. It seems that LH and low dose of $PGF_{2{\alpha}}$ increase the intracellular $Ca^{++}$ level and cause in activation of $Ca^{++}-ATPase$, however, higher dose of $PGF_{2{\alpha}}$ and ouabain inhibit directly $Ca^{++}-ATPase$ activity and result in increase in intracellular $Ca^{++}$ level. According to the above results, we suggest that luteotropic and/or luteolytic agents regulate the luteal progesterone $(P_4)$ production through two different pathways; one is cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)-dependent and another is $Ca^{++}-dependent$. Intracellula. $Ca^{++}$ level regulated by the high affinity $Ca^{++}-ATPase$ may affect both pathways in a time-dependent fashion. LH (or hCG) acts on the luteal $P_4$ production via both pathways. The initial step is $Ca^{++}$ dependent, and the late step is cAMP dependent. $PGF_{2{\alpha}}$ and ouabain increase the intracellular $Ca^{++}$ concentration so that basal luteal $P_4$ production is increased and LH-stimulated $P_4$ production is inhibited by the inhibiting LH-dependent adenylate cyclase activity.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.41 no.6
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• pp.773-781
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• 1997

The activity of $Ca^{2+}$calmodulin (CaM)-dependent protein kinase Ia (CaM kinase Ia) is shown to be regulated through direct phosphorylation by CaM kinase I kinase (CaMK IK). In the present study, three distinct CaMKIK peaks were separated from Q-Sepharose colunm chromatography of pig brain homogenate using a Waters 650 Protein Purification System. The purified CaMKIK from the major peak potently and rapidly enhanced CaM kinase Ia activity, reaching a maximal stimulation within 2min at the concentrations of 12-15nM. The activated state of CaM kinase Ia is characterized by a markedly enhanced $V_{max}4 as well as significantly decreased $K_m\;and\;K_a$ values toward peptide substrate and CaM, respectively. These observations suggest the activation process of CaM kinase Ia. The phosphorylation of CaM kinase Ia by CaMKIK may induce its conformational change responsible for the alterations in the kinetic properties, which ultimately leads to the rapid enzyme activation.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.139-150
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• 1993

We have reported that dopamine potentiates spontaneous contractions dose-dependently in guinea-pig antral circular muscle strips (Hwang et al, 1991). To clarify the underlying excitatory mechanism of dopamine on the gastric smooth muscle, the effects of dopamine on voltage-dependent $Ca^{2+}\;currents\;and\;Ca^{2+}\;-dependent\;K^+\;currents$ were observed in enzymatically dispersed guinea-pig gastric myocytes using the whole-cell voltage-clamp technique. Experiments were also done using isometric tension recording and conventional intracellular microelectrode techniques. 1) The effect of dopamine on the spontaneous contraction of antral circular muscle strips of the guinea-pig was excitatory in a dose-dependent manner, and was blocked by phentolamine, an ${\alpha}-adrenoceptor$ blocker. 2) The slow waves were not changed by dopamine. 3) The voltage-operated inward $Ca^{2+}$ current was not influenced by dopamine. 4) The $Ca^{2+}\;-dependent\;K^+$ outward current, which might reflect the changes of intracellular calcium concentration, was enhanced by dopamine. This effect was abolished by phentolamine. 5) The enhancing effect of dopamine on the $Ca^{2+}\;-dependent\;K^+$ current disappeared with heparin which is known to block the action of $InsP_3$. From these results, it is suggested that dopamine acts via $InsP_3-mediated\;Ca^{2+}$ mobilization from intracellular stores and such action potentiates the spontaneous contraction of guinea-pig gastric smooth muscle.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.25 no.8
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• pp.1371-1379
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• 2015

The Ca_v1.2 Ca²⁺ channel is essential for cardiac and smooth muscle contractility and many physiological functions. We mutated single, double, and quadruple sites of the four potential Asn (N)-glycosylation sites in the rabbit Ca_v1.2 into Gln (Q) to explore the effects of Nglycosylation. When a single mutant (N124Q, N299Q, N1359Q, or N1410Q) or Ca_v1.2/WT was expressed in Xenopus oocytes, the biophysical properties of single mutants were not significantly different from Ca_v1.2/WT. In comparison, the double mutant N124,299Q showed a positive shift in voltage-dependent gating. Furthermore, the quadruple mutant (QM; N124,299,1359,1410Q) showed a positive shift in voltage-dependent gating as well as a reduction of current. We tagged EGFP to the QM, double mutants, and Ca_v1.2/WT to chase the mechanisms underlying the reduced currents of QM. The surface fluorescence intensity of QM was weaker than that of Ca_v1.2/WT, suggesting that the reduced current of QM arises from its lower surface expression than Ca_v1.2/WT. Tunicamycin treatment of oocytes expressing Ca_v1.2/WT mimicked the effects of the quadruple mutations. These findings suggest that Nglycosylation contributes to the surface expression and voltage-dependent gating of Ca_v1.2.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.115-122
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• 1993

There is evidence that noradrenaline enhances spontaneous contractions dose-dependently in guinea-pig antral circular muscle. To investigate the mechanism of this excitatory action, slow waves and membrane currents were recorded using conventional microelectrode techniques in muscle strips and the whole cell patch clamp technique in isolated gastric myocytes. On recording slow waves, noradrenaline $(10^{-5}\;M)$ induced the hyperpolarization of the membrane potential, although the shape of the slow waves became tall and steep. Also, spike potentiaIs occurred at the peaks of slow waves. These changes were completely reversed by administration of phentolamine $(10^{-5}\;M),\;an\;{\alpha}-adrenoceptor$ blocker. Noradrenaline-induced hyperpolarization was blocked by apamin $(10^{-7}\;M)$, a blocker of a class of $Ca^{2+}\;-dependent\;K^+$ channels. To investigate the mechanisms for these effects, we performed whole cell patch clamp experiments. Norndrenaline increased voltage-dependent $Ca^{2+}$ currents in the whole range of test potentials. Noradrenaline also increased $Ca^{2+}\;-dependent\;K^+$\;currents, and this effects was abolished by apamin. These results suggest that the increase in amplitude and the generation of spike potentials on slow waves was caused by the activation of voltage-dependent $Ca^{2+}$ channel via adrenoceptors, and hyperpolarization of the membrane potential was mediated by activation of apamin-sensitive $Ca^{2+}\;-dependent\;K^+\;channels$.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.237-252
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• 1989

Effect of a $Na^+$ gradient on $Ca^{2+}$ uptake was studied in isolated sarcolemmal vesicles of cat ileal longitudinal muscle. $Ca^{2+}$ uptake was markedly stimulated in the presence of an outwardly directed $Na^+$ gradient. External $Na^+$, monensin and A23187 abolished the $Na^+-dependent$ $Ca^{2+}$ uptake. Monovalent cations such as $K^+$, $Li^+$, $Rb^+$, $Cs^+$ and choline could not substitute for $Na^+$ in enhancement of $Ca^{2+}$ uptake. Divalent cations such as $Ba^{2+}$, $Sr^{2+}$, $Mn^{2+}$ and $Cd^{2+}$ but not $Mg^{2+}$ inhibited the $Na^+-dependent$ $Ca^{2+}$ uptake. Increase in external pH in the range of 6.0 to 8.0 stimulated the $Na^+-dependent$ $Ca^{2+}$ uptake. Amiloride inhibited the $Na^+-dependent$ $Ca^{2+}$ uptake at concentrations above 0.5 mM, whereas diltiazem or vanadate did not. The apparent Km of the $Na^+-dependent$ $Ca^{2+}$ uptake for $Ca^{2+}$ was 18.2 ${\mu}M$ and apparent Vmax was 689.7 pmole/mg protein/5 sec. Kinetic analysis of the $Na^+-dependent$ $Ca^{2+}$ uptake showed a noncompetitive interaction between internal $Na^+$ and external $Ca^{2+}$. The dependence of $Ca^{2+}$ uptake on internal $Na^+$ showed sigmoidal kinetics and Hill coefficient for internal $Na^+$ was 2.52. Inside positive membrane potential generated by imposing an inwardly directed $K^+$ gradient and valinomycin significantly stimulated the $Na^+-dependent$ $Ca^{2+}$ uptake. These results indicate that a $Na^+-Ca^{2+}$ exchange system exists in the sarcolemmal membranes isolated from cat ileal longitudinal muscle and it might operate as an electrogenic process.

• BMB Reports
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.212-218
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• 2001

Although the blockage of a cell cycle by specific inhibitors of $Ca^{2+}/$calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMK-II) is well known, the activity profile of CaMK-II during the cell cycle in the absence of any direct effectors of the enzyme is unclear. The activity of native CaMK-II in NIH 3T3 cells was examined by the use of cell cycle-specific arresting and synchronizing methods. The total catalytic activity of CaMK-II in arrested cells was decreased about 30% in the M phase, whereas the $Ca^{2+}$-independent autonomous activity increased about 1.5-fold in the M phase and decreased about 50% at the G1/S transition. The in vivo phosphorylation level of CaMK-II was lowest at G1/S and highest in M. The CaMK-II protein level was unchanged during the cell cycle. When the cells were synchronized, the autonomous activity was increased only in M. These results indicate that the physiologically relevant portion of CaMK-II is activated only in M, and that the net activation of CaMK-II is required in mitosis.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.111-116
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• 1994

The role of $Ca^{2+}$/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II in the increase of myofilament $Ca^{2+}$ sensitivity by agonist and GTP was investigated in rabbit mesenteric ${\alpha}-toxin$ permeabilized artery. $0.3{\mu}M\;Ca^{2+}$ increased myosin light chain phosphorylations monotonically. $10\;{\mu}M$ norepinephrine and $10\;{\mu}M$ GTP potentiated increase of myosin light chain phosphorylations by $0.3{\mu}M\;Ca^{2+}$, which reaches a peak at 5 min and gradually declines to the $Ca^{2+}$ alone level at 20 min. At the early phase (1 min), $10\;{\mu}M$ KN 62, the inhibitor of $Ca^{2+}$/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II , decreased myosin light chain phosphorylation levels by $10\;{\mu}M$ norepinephrine and $10\;{\mu}M$ GTP in the presence of $0.3{\mu}M\;Ca^{2+}.\;However\;10\;{\mu}M$ KN-62 did not affect the myosin light chain phosphorylations by $10\;{\mu}M$ norepinephrine and $10\;{\mu}M$ GTP in the presence of $0.3{\mu}M\;Ca^{2+}$ at the peak (5 min) and plateau phases (20 min). From these results, the role of $Ca^{2+}$/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II may be different depending on time, which may play a role in increase of myofilamint $Ca^{2+}$ sensitivity by norepinephrine and GTP resulting from increase of myosin light chain phosphorylations at the early phase. However, at plateau phase, $Ca^{2+}$/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II may not be involved in the increase of myofilament $Ca^{2+}$ sensitivity by norepinephrine and GTP in rabbit mesenteric ${\alpha}-toxin$ permeabilized artery.