• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.113-120
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• 2000

To investigate the mechanism of smooth muscle contraction induced by emptying of intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ stores, we measured isometric contraction and $^{45}Ca^{2+}$ influx. $CaCl_2$ increased $Ca^{2+}$ store emptying- induced contraction in dose-dependent manner, but phospholipase C activity was not affected by the $Ca^{2+}$ store emptying-induced contraction. The contraction was inhibited by voltage-dependent $Ca^{2+}$ channel antagonists dose dependently, but not by TMB-8 (intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ release blocker). Both PKC inhibitors (H-7 and staurosporine) and tyrosine kinase inhibitors (genistein and methyl 2,5-dihydroxycinnamic acid) significantly inhibited the contraction, but calmodulin antagonists (W-7 and trifluoperazine) had no inhibitory effect on the contraction. The combined inhibitory effects of protein kinase inhibitors, H-7 and genistein, together with verapamil were greater than that of each one alone. In $Ca^{2+}$ store-emptied condition, $^{45}Ca^{2+}$ influx was significantly inhibited by verapamil, H-7 or genistein but not by trifluoperazine. However combined inhibitory effects of protein kinase inhibitors, H-7 and genistein, together with verapamil were not observed. Therefore, this kinase pathway may modulate the sensitivity of contractile protein. These results suggest that contraction induced by emptying of intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ stores was mediated by influx of extracellular $Ca^{2+}$ through voltage-dependent $Ca^{2+}$ channel, also protein kinase C and/or tyrosine kinase pathway modulates the $Ca^{2+}$ sensitivity of contractile protein.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.233-239
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• 2017

Intracellular calcium ($Ca^{2+}$) oscillation is an initial event in digestive enzyme secretion of pancreatic acinar cells. Reactive oxygen species are known to be associated with a variety of oxidative stress-induced cellular disorders including pancreatitis. In this study, we investigated the effect of hydrogen peroxide ($H_2O_2$) on intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ accumulation in mouse pancreatic acinar cells. Perfusion of $H_2O_2$ at $300{\mu}M$ resulted in additional elevation of intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ levels and termination of oscillatory $Ca^{2+}$ signals induced by carbamylcholine (CCh) in the presence of normal extracellular $Ca^{2+}$. Antioxidants, catalase or DTT, completely prevented $H_2O_2$-induced additional $Ca^{2+}$ increase and termination of $Ca^{2+}$ oscillation. In $Ca^{2+}$-free medium, $H_2O_2$ still enhanced CCh-induced intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ levels and thapsigargin (TG) mimicked $H_2O_2$-induced cytosolic $Ca^{2+}$ increase. Furthermore, $H_2O_2$-induced elevation of intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ levels was abolished under sarco/endoplasmic reticulum $Ca^{2+}$ ATPase-inactivated condition by TG pretreatment with CCh. $H_2O_2$ at $300{\mu}M$ failed to affect store-operated $Ca^{2+}$ entry or $Ca^{2+}$ extrusion through plasma membrane. Additionally, ruthenium red, a mitochondrial $Ca^{2+}$ uniporter blocker, failed to attenuate $H_2O_2$-induced intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ elevation. These results provide evidence that excessive generation of $H_2O_2$ in pathological conditions could accumulate intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ by attenuating refilling of internal $Ca^{2+}$ stores rather than by inhibiting $Ca^{2+}$ extrusion to extracellular fluid or enhancing $Ca^{2+}$ mobilization from extracellular medium in mouse pancreatic acinar cells.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.2 no.4
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• pp.411-417
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• 1998

The role of phospholipase ($A_2\;PLA_2$) in tumor cell growth was investigated using SK-N-MC human neuroblastoma cells. 4-Bromophenacyl bromide (BPB) and mepacrine (Mep), known $PLA_2$ inhibitors, suppressed growth of the tumor cells in a dose-dependent manner without a significant cytotoxicity. Melittin (Mel), a $PLA_2$ activator, enhanced the cell growth in a concentration-dependent fashion. The growth-enhancing effects of Mel were significantly reversed by the co-treatment with $PLA_2$ inhibitors. In addition, Mel induced intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ release from internal stores like as did serum, a known intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ agonist in the tumor cells. Intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ release induced by these agonists was significantly blocked by $PLA_2$ inhibitors at growth-inhibitory concentrations. Arachidonic acid (AA), a product of the $PLA_2-catalyzed$ reaction, induced cell growth enhancement and intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ release. These effects of AA were significantly blocked by BAPTA/AM, an intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ chelator. Taken together, these results suggest that the modulation of $PLA_2$ activity may be one of the regulatory mechanisms of cell growth in human neuroblastoma cells. Intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ may act as a key mediator in the $PLA_2-induced$ growth regulation.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.18 no.5
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• pp.1382-1386
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• 2004

This study was performed for the investigation of vasodilatory efficacy and its underlying mechanisms of Samhwangsasim-tang(SST), herbal remedy. SST relaxed vascular strips precontracted with phenylephrine or KCI(51 mM), but the magnitude of relaxation was greater in phenylephrine(PE) induced contraction. The relaxation effects of SST was endothelium-independent. L-NAME, iNOS inhibitor, and methyl en blue(MB), cGMP inhibitor, did not attenuate the relaxation responses of SST. In the absence of extracellular Ca2+, pre-incubation of the aortic rings with SST significantly reduced the contraction by PE, suggesting that the relaxant action of the SST includes inhibition of Ca/sup 2+/ influx and release of Ca/sup 2+/ from intracellular stores (SR). In addition, the cell death was induced by SST in human aortic smooth muscle cells but not that of human umbilical vein endothelial cells. We conclude that in rat thoracic aorta, SST may induce in part vasodilation through inhibition of Ca/sup 2+/ influx and release of Ca/sup 2+/ from intracellular stores.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.53-59
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• 2011

The secretion of insulin from pancreatic ${\beta}$-cells is triggered by the influx of $Ca^{2+}$ through voltage-dependent $Ca^{2+}$ channels. The resulting elevation of intracellular calcium ($[Ca^{2+}]_i$) triggers additional $Ca^{2+}$ release from internal stores. Less well understood are the mechanisms involved in $Ca^{2+}$ mobilization from internal stores after activation of $Ca^{2+}$ influx. The mobilization process is known as calcium-induced calcium release (CICR). In this study, our goal was to investigate the existence of and the role of caffeine-sensitive ryanodine receptors (RyRs) in a rat pancreatic ${\beta}$-cell line, INS-1 cells. To measure cytosolic and stored $Ca^{2+}$, respectively, cultured INS-1 cells were loaded with fura-2/AM or furaptra/AM. $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ was repetitively increased by caffeine stimulation in normal $Ca^{2+}$ buffer. However, peak $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ was only observed after the first caffeine stimulation in $Ca^{2+}$ free buffer and this increase was markedly blocked by ruthenium red, a RyR blocker. KCl-induced elevations in $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ were reduced by pretreatment with ruthenium red, as well as by depletion of internal $Ca^{2+}$ stores using cyclopiazonic acid (CPA) or caffeine. Caffeine-induced $Ca^{2+}$ mobilization ceased after the internal stores were depleted by carbamylcholine (CCh) or CPA. In permeabilized INS-1 cells,$Ca^{2+}$ release from internal stores was activated by caffeine, $Ca^{2+}$, or ryanodine. Furthermore, ruthenium red completely blocked the CICR response in perrneabilized cells. RyRs were widely distributed throughout the intracellular compartment of INS-1 cells. These results suggest that caffeine-sensitive RyRs exist and modulate the CICR response from internal stores in INS-1 pancreatic ${\beta}$-cells.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.64-69
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• 2003

To analyze vasopressin-induced $Ca^{2+}$ increase in liver cells, rat hepatocytes were isolated and attached to collagen-coated cover slips. Using fura-2, a $Ca^{2+}$-sensing dye, changes in intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ concentration by vasopressin were monitored. Results in this communication suggested that vasopressin-induced $Ca^{2+}$ increase were composed of both $Ca^{2+}$ release from internal $Ca^{2+}$ stores and influx from the plasma membrane. The $Ca^{2+}$ influx consisted of two distinguishable components. One was dependent on the presence of vasopressin and the other was not. SK＆F96365 blocked vasopressin-induced $Ca^{2+}$ influx in a dose-dependent manner. Vasopressin-induced $Ca^{2+}$ release from internal stores diminished in a primary culture of hepatocytes according to the culture time. However, changes in vasopressin-induced $Ca^{2+}$ influx across the plasma membrane differed from changes in the $Ca^{2+}$ release from internal stores, suggesting two separate signalings from receptor activation to internal stores and to the plasma membrane.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.57-63
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• 2006

One of the various signaling agents in the animal cells is the simple ion called calcium, $Ca^{2+}$.$Ca^{2+}$ controls almost everything that animals do, including fertilization, secretion, metabolism, muscle contractions, heartbeat, learning, memory stores, and more. To do all of this, $Ca^{2+}$ acts as an intracellular messenger, relaying information within cells to regulate their activity. In contrast, the maintenance of intracellular high $Ca^{2+}$ concentrations caused by various excitatory agents or toxins can lead to the disintegration of cells (necrosis) through the activity of $Ca^{2+}$-sensitive protein-digesting enzymes. High concentrations of calcium have also been implicated in the more orderly programs of cell death known as apoptosis. Because this simple ion, acts as an agent for cell birth, life and death, to coordinate all of these functions, $Ca^{2+}$ signalings should be regulated precisely and tightly. Recent reports have shown that ginsenosides regulate directly and indirectly intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ level with differential manners between neuronal and non-neuronal cells. This brief review will attempt to survey how ginsenosides differentially regulate intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ signaling mediated by various ion channels and receptor activations in neuronal and non-neuronal cells.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.19 no.5
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• pp.65-76
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• 2007

Purpose: It is generally accepted that smooth muscle contraction is triggered by intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ ($[Ca^{2+}]_i$) released from intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ stores such as sarcoplasmic teticulum (SR) and from the extracellular space. The increased $[Ca^{2+}]^i$ can phosphorylate the 20,000 dalton myosin light chain $(MLC_{20})$ by activating MLC kinase (MLCK), and this initiates smooth muscle contraction. In addition to the $[Ca^{2+}]_i$MACK-tension pathway, a number of intracellular signal molecules, including mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), protein kinase C (PKC) and others, play important roles in the regulation of smooth muscle contraction. However, the mechanisms regulating contraction of depletion of SR $Ca^{2+}$ in mouse gastric smooth muscle strips is not still clear. Methods: To investigate the rotes of $Ca^{2+}$ influx and SR $Ca^{2+}$ release channel on gastric motility, isometric contraction and $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ were examined in mouse gastric smooth muscle strips. Results: High KCl, ryanodine, an activator of $Ca^{2+-}$induced $Ca^{2+}$ release channel, and cyclopiazonic acid (CPA), an inhibitor of SR $Ca^{2+-}$ATPase evoked a sustained increase in muscle contraction and $[Ca^{2+}]_i$. These increases induced by high KCl, ryanodine, and CPA were partially blocked by application of verapamil ($10{\mu}M$), a L-type $Ca^{2+}$ channel inhibitor. Additionally, in $Ca^{2+-}$free solution (1 mM EGTA), ryanodine and CPA had no effect contraction and $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ in fundic muscle strips. Conclusion: These results that extracellular $Ca^{2+}$ influx and depletion of SR trigger $Ca^{2+}$ influx through verapamil-sensitive $Ca^{2+}$ channel, and extracellular and SR $Ca^{2+}$ store may functionally involve in the subcellular $Ca^{2+}$ mobilization in mouse gastric muscle.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.1-14
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• 2007

Background: It is generally accepted that skeletal muscle contraction is triggered by nerve impulse and intracellular $Ca^{2+}\;([Ca^{2+}]_i)$ released from intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ stores such as sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR). Specifically, this process, called excitation-contraction (E-C) coupling, takes place at intracellular junctions between the plasma membrane, the transverse (T) tubule L-type $Ca^{2+}$ channel (dihydropyridine-sensitive L-rype $Ca^{2+}$ channel, DHPR, also called tetrads), and the SR $Ca^{2+}$ release channel (ryanodine-sensitive $Ca^{2+}$ release channel, RyR, also called feet) of internal $Ca^{2+}$ stores in skeletal muscle cells. Furthermore, it has been reported that the $Ca^{2+-}$ dependent and -independent contraction determine the expression of skeletal muscle genes, thus providing a mechanism for tightly coupling the extent of muscle contraction to regulation of muscle plasticity-related excitation-transcription (E-T) coupling. Purpose: Expression and activity of plasticity-associated enzymes in gastrocnemius muscle strips have not been well studied, however. Methods: Therefore, in this study the expression and phosphorylation of E-C and E-T coupling-related mediators such as protein kinases, ROS(reactive oxygen species)- and apoptosis-related substances, and others in gastrocnemius muscles from rats was examined. Results: I found that expression and activity of MAPKs (mitogen-activated protein kinases, ERK1/2, p38MAPK, and SAPK/JNK), apoptotic proteins (cleaved caspase-3, cytochrome c, Ref-1, Bad), small GTP-binding proteins (RhoA and Cdc42), actin-binding protein (cofilin), PKC (protein kinase C) and $Ca^{2+}$ channel (transient receptor potential channel 6, TRPC6) was observed in rat gastrocnemius muscle strips. Conclusion: These results suggest that MAPKs, ROS- and apoptosis-related enzymes, cytoskeleton-regulated proteins, and $Ca^{2+}$ channel may in part functionally import in E-C and E-T coupling from rat skeletal muscles.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.194-201
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• 2017

Lysophosphatidylethanolamine (LPE), a lyso-type metabolite of phosphatidylethanolamine, has been reported to be an intercellular signaling molecule. LPE mobilizes intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ through G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) in some cells types. However, GPCRs for lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) were not implicated in the LPE-mediated activities in LPA GPCR overexpression systems or in SK-OV3 ovarian cancer cells. In the present study, in human SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells, experiments with $LPA_1$ antagonists showed LPE induced intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ increases in an $LPA_1$ GPCR-dependent manner. Furthermore, LPE increased intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ through pertussis-sensitive G proteins, edelfosine-sensitive-phospholipase C, 2-APB-sensitive $IP_3$ receptors, $Ca^{2+}$ release from intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ stores, and subsequent $Ca^{2+}$ influx across plasma membranes, and LPA acted on $LPA_1$ and $LPA_2$ receptors to induce $Ca^{2+}$ response in a 2-APB-sensitive and insensitive manner. These findings suggest novel involvements for LPE and LPA in calcium signaling in human SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells.