• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
• /
• 제25권3호
• /
• pp.269-275
• /
• 1998

It has been reported that the $Ca^{2+}$-ATPase and the $Ca^{2+}-Na^+$ exchanger play an important role for the regulation of intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ in somatic cells, the $Ca^{2+}$-ATPase located in the plasma membrane helps the $Ca^{2+}$ concentration in maintain low $[Ca^{2+}]_i$. Roldan & Fleming reported that the spermatozoan $Ca^{2+}$-ATPase plays an important role in the capacitation and acrosome reaction. We used to assess $Ca^{2+}$ changes by chlortetracycline (CTC) patterns in the capacitation and acrosome reaction of human and hamster spermatozoa. In the present study applying quercetin which has been known as an ATPase antagonist, the enzymatic effect of $Ca^{2+}$-ATPase on capacitation and acrosome reaction was found to be remarkable: a significant increase of the transformation from the original type to the B type and the AR type of spermatozoa. This finding suggests that $Ca^{2+}$-ATPase play an important role in the efflux and the influx of the $Ca^{2+}$ which have been known to be an essential factor for the capacitation and acrosome reaction, and that the inhibitory action of the $Ca^{2+}$-ATPase might be a prerequsit step toward the capacitation and acrosome reaction. In conclusion, this study suggest the considerable evidence as follows: the increment of the intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ concentration occurred by controlling the slope of $Ca^{2+}$ concentration through $Ca^{2+}$-ATPase activites in both the intracellular and extracellulr fluid may be important procedures for the capacitation and the acrosome reaction, and finally for fertilization of the sperm and ovum.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
• /
• 제14권2호
• /
• pp.105-111
• /
• 2010

Inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptors ($InsP_3Rs$) modulate $Ca^{2+}$ release from intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ store and are extensively expressed in the membrane of endoplasmic/sarcoplasmic reticulum and Golgi. Although caffeine and 2-aminoethoxydiphenyl borate (2-APB) have been widely used to block $InsP_3Rs$, the use of these is limited due to their multiple actions. In the present study, we examined and compared the ability of caffeine and 2-APB as a blocker of $Ca^{2+}$ release from intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ stores and $Ca^{2+}$ entry through store-operated $Ca^{2+}$ (SOC) channel in the mouse pancreatic acinar cell. Caffeine did not block the $Ca^{2+}$ entry, but significantly inhibited carbamylcholine (CCh)-induced $Ca^{2+}$ release. In contrast, 2-APB did not block CCh-induced $Ca^{2+}$ release, but remarkably blocked SOC-mediated $Ca^{2+}$ entry at lower concentrations. In permeabilized acinar cell, caffeine had an inhibitory effect on InsP3-induced $Ca^{2+}$ release, but 2-APB at lower concentration, which effectively blocked $Ca^{2+}$ entry, had no inhibitory action. At higher concentrations, 2-APB has multiple paradoxical effects including inhibition of Ins$P_3$-induced $Ca^{2+}$ release and direct stimulation of $Ca^{2+}$ release. Based on the results, we concluded that caffeine is useful as an inhibitor of $InsP_3R$, and 2-APB at lower concentration is considered a blocker of $Ca^{2+}$ entry through SOC channels in the pancreatic acinar cell.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
• /
• 제41권3호
• /
• pp.119-123
• /
• 2016

Acetylcholine receptors (AChR) including muscarinic and nicotinic AChR are widely expressed and mediate a variety of physiological cellular responses in neuronal and non-neuronal cells. Notably, a functional cholinergic system exists in oral epithelial cells, and nicotinic AChR (nAChR) mediates cholinergic anti-inflammatory responses. However, the pathophysiological roles of AChR in periodontitis are unclear. Here, we show that activation of AChR elicits increased cytosolic $Ca^{2+}([Ca^{2+}]_i)$, transient cytotoxicity, and induction of receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand (RANKL) expression. Intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ mobilization in human gingival fibroblast-1 (hGF-1) cells was measured using the fluorescent $Ca^{2+}$ indicator, fura-2/AM. Cytotoxicity and induction of gene expression were evaluated by measuring the release of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and RT-PCR. Activation of AChR in hGF-1 cells by carbachol (Cch) induced $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ increase in a dose-dependent manner. Treatment with a high concentration of Cch on hGF-1 cells caused transient cytotoxicity. Notably, treatment of hGF-1 cells with Cch resulted in upregulated RANKL expression. The findings may indicate potential roles of AChR in gingival fibroblast cells in bone remodeling.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
• /
• 제6권2호
• /
• pp.93-99
• /
• 2002

Effects of oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL), $1-{\alpha}-stearoyl-lysophosphatidylcholine$ (LPC), on intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ concentration were examined in mouse endothelial cells by measuring intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ concentration $([Ca^{2+}]_i)$ with fura 2-AM and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). LPC increased $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ under the condition of 1.5 mM $[Ca^{2+}]_o$ but did not show any effect under the nominally $Ca^{2+}-free$ condition. Even after the store depletion with $30{\mu}M$ 2,5-di-tert- butylhydroquinone (BHQ) or $30{\mu}M$ ATP, LPC could still increase the $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ under the condition of 1.5 mM $[Ca^{2+}]_o.$ The time required to increase [$Ca{2+}$]i (about 1 minute) was longer than that for ATP-induced $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ increase $(10{\sim}30\;seconds).$ LPC-induced $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ increase was completely blocked by $1{\mu}M\;La^{3+}.$ Transient receptor potential channel(trpc) 4 mRNA was detected with RT-PCR. From these results, we suggest that LPC increased $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ via the increase of $Ca^{2+}$ influx through the $Ca^{2+}$ routes which exist in the plasma membrane.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
• /
• 제21권2호
• /
• pp.241-249
• /
• 2017

Plasma membrane hyperpolarization associated with activation of $Ca^{2+}$-activated $K^+$ channels plays an important role in sperm capacitation during fertilization. Although Slo3 (slowpoke homologue 3), together with the auxiliary ${\gamma}^2$-subunit, LRRC52 (leucine-rich-repeat-containing 52), is known to mediate the pH-sensitive, sperm-specific $K^+$ current KSper in mice, the molecular identity of this channel in human sperm remains controversial. In this study, we tested the classical $BK_{Ca}$ activators, NS1619 and LDD175, on human Slo3, heterologously expressed in HEK293 cells together with its functional interacting ${\gamma}^2$ subunit, hLRRC52. As previously reported, Slo3 $K^+$ current was unaffected by iberiotoxin or 4-aminopyridine, but was inhibited by ~50% by 20 mM TEA. Extracellular alkalinization potentiated hSlo3 $K^+$ current, and internal alkalinization and $Ca^{2+}$ elevation induced a leftward shift its activation voltage. NS1619, which acts intracellularly to modulate hSlo1 gating, attenuated hSlo3 $K^+$ currents, whereas LDD175 increased this current and induced membrane potential hyperpolarization. LDD175-induced potentiation was not associated with a change in the half-activation voltage at different intracellular pHs (pH 7.3 and pH 8.0) in the absence of intracellular $Ca^{2+}$. In contrast, elevation of intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ dramatically enhanced the LDD175-induced leftward shift in the half-activation potential of hSlo3. Therefore, the mechanism of action does not involve pH-dependent modulation of hSlo3 gating; instead, LDD175 may modulate $Ca^{2+}$-dependent activation of hSlo3. Thus, LDD175 potentially activates native KSper and may induce membrane hyperpolarization-associated hyperactivation in human sperm.

• 약학회지
• /
• 제55권2호
• /
• pp.168-171
• /
• 2011

Chrysosplenol C [5,6-dihydroxy-2-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-3,7-dimethoxychromen-4-one] is a flavonoid found in Miliusa balansae and Pterocaulon sphacelatum. We have recently shown that chrysosplenol C has positive inotropic effect in isolated rat ventricular myocytes. In the present study, we explored a possible mechanism for the positive inotropic effect of chrysosplenol C by examining intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ transients during action potentials. The intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ transients were measured by confocal $Ca^{2+}$ imaging in field-stimulated single rat ventricular myocytes. Chrysosplenol C (50 ${\mu}M$) significantly increased the magnitudes (${\Delta}F/F_0$) of $Ca^{2+}$ transients (control, $1.08{\pm}0.05$; chrysosplenol C, $1.25{\pm}0.03$; n=8, P<0.01). Half decay time of the action potential-induced $Ca^{2+}$ transient was not altered by chrysosplenol C (50 ${\mu}M$) (control, $154{\pm}6$ ms; chrysosplenol C, $167{\pm}11$ ms; n=21). The $Ca^{2+}$ content in the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR), measured as caffeine (10 mM)-induced $Ca^{2+}$ transient, was significantly decreased by chrysosplenol C (50 ${\mu}M$). These results indicate that chrysosplenol C increases $Ca^{2+}$ transients without altering $Ca^{2+}$ removal kinetics in ventricular myocytes, providing a possible mechanism for its positive inotropic effect.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• 제24권4호
• /
• pp.168-175
• /
• 2000

Xenopus oocytes를 이용하여 인삼의 유효 성분으로 알려진 Ginseng total saponin(GTS)의 신호 전달 기작을 two electrode voltage clamp 방법을 이용하여 연구하였다. GTS는 세포 바깥에 처리했을 때 -2OmV보다 더 positive한 voltage에서 커다란 outward current를 유도하였다. 그러나, 세포 안쪽에 GTS를 injection할 경우 아무런 효과가 없는 것으로 나타났다. GTS처리에 의한 outward current유발 효과는 GTS 투여 용량에 의존적인 것으로 나타났다(EC$_{50}$ : 4.4 $\mu\textrm{g}$/ml). GTS의 작용은 $Ca^{2+}$-activated Cl- channel blocker인 niflumic acid에 의하여 차단되었다. 칼슘 chelator인 BAPIA와 IP$_3$ 수용체 길항제인 heparin을 세포내 injection에 의하여 차단되었다. 또한 active phospholipase C inhibitor(PLC)인U-73122를 세포 바깥에 전처리할 경우에도 GTS의 작용이 부분적으로 억제되는 것으로 나타났다. 백일해 독소를 전처리할 경우GTS의 작용은 억제되지 않은 것으로 나타났으나, GTP analog인 GTP${\gamma}$S를 세포내 injection할 경우 GTS의 작용은 억제되는 것으로 나타났다. 이러한 연구 결과는 GTS가 oocytes세포막 성분과 상호 작용에 의하여 $Ca^{2+}$-activated Cl- channel이 열리도록 하고, 이 과정에 PLC활성 및 백일해 독소에 민감하지 않은 G단백질활성 및 IP3에 민감한 세포내 $Ca^{2+}$-activated로부터 칼슘 방출을 유도하는 것으로 나타났다났다

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
• /
• 제26권6호
• /
• pp.546-552
• /
• 2018

A comprehensive collection of proteins senses local changes in intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ concentrations ($[Ca^{2+}]_i$) and transduces these signals into responses to agonists. In the present study, we examined the effect of sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) on modulation of intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ concentrations in cat esophageal smooth muscle cells. To measure $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ levels in cat esophageal smooth muscle cells, we used a fluorescence microscopy with the Fura-2 loading method. S1P produced a concentration-dependent increase in $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ in the cells. Pretreatment with EGTA, an extracellular $Ca^{2+}$ chelator, decreased the S1P-induced increase in $[Ca^{2+}]_i$, and an L-type $Ca^{2+}$-channel blocker, nimodipine, decreased the effect of S1P. This indicates that $Ca^{2+}$ influx may be required for muscle contraction by S1P. When stimulated with thapsigargin, an intracellular calcium chelator, or 2-Aminoethoxydiphenyl borate (2-APB), an $InsP_3$ receptor blocker, the S1P-evoked increase in $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ was significantly decreased. Treatment with pertussis toxin (PTX), an inhibitor of $G_i$-protein, suppressed the increase in $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ evoked by S1P. These results suggest that the S1P-induced increase in $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ in cat esophageal smooth muscle cells occurs upon the activation of phospholipase C and subsequent release of $Ca^{2+}$ from the $InsP_3$-sensitive $Ca^{2+}$ pool in the sarcoplasmic reticulum. These results suggest that S1P utilized extracellular $Ca^{2+}$ via the L type $Ca^{2+}$ channel, which was dependent on activation of the $S1P_4$ receptor coupled to PTX-sensitive $G_i$ protein, via phospholipase C-mediated $Ca^{2+}$ release from the $InsP_3$-sensitive $Ca^{2+}$ pool in cat esophageal smooth muscle cells.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
• /
• 제14권1호
• /
• pp.21-28
• /
• 2010

Phenolic compounds affect intracellular free $Ca^{2+}$ concentration ($[Ca^{2+}]_i$) signaling. The study examined whether the simple phenolic compound octyl gallate affects ATP-induced $Ca^{2+}$ signaling in PC12 cells using fura-2-based digital $Ca^{2+}$ imaging and whole-cell patch clamping. Treatment with ATP ($100\;{\mu}M$) for 90 s induced increases in $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ in PC12 cells. Pretreatment with octyl gallate (100 nM to $20\;{\mu}M$) for 10 min inhibited the ATP-induced $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ response in a concentration-dependent manner ($IC_{50}=2.84\;{\mu}M$). Treatment with octyl gallate ($3\;{\mu}M$) for 10 min significantly inhibited the ATP-induced response following the removal of extracellular $Ca^{2+}$ with nominally $Ca^{2+}$-free HEPES HBSS or depletion of intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ stores with thapsigargin ($1\;{\mu}M$). Treatment for 10 min with the L-type $Ca^{2+}$ channel antagonist nimodipine ($1\;{\mu}M$) significantly inhibited the ATP-induced $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ increase, and treatment with octyl gallate further inhibited the ATP-induced response. Treatment with octyl gallate significantly inhibited the $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ increase induced by 50 mM KCI. Pretreatment with protein kinase C inhibitors staurosporin (100 nM) and GF109203X (300 nM), or the tyrosine kinase inhibitor genistein ($50\;{\mu}M$) did not significantly affect the inhibitory effects of octyl gallate on the ATP-induced response. Treatment with octyl gallate markedly inhibited the ATP-induced currents. Therefore, we conclude that octyl gallate inhibits ATP-induced $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ increase in PC12 cells by inhibiting both non-selective P2X receptor-mediated influx of $Ca^{2+}$ from extracellular space and P2Y receptor-induced release of $Ca^{2+}$ from intracellular stores in protein kinase-independent manner. In addition, octyl gallate inhibits the ATP-induced $Ca^{2+}$ responses by inhibiting the secondary activation of voltage-gated $Ca^{2+}$ channels.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
• /
• 제3권3호
• /
• pp.357-364
• /
• 1999

We investigated the role of $Ca^{2+}$ and protein kinases/phosphatases in the stimulatory effect of insulin on glucose transport. In isolated rat adipocytes, the simple omission of $CaCl_2$ from the incubation medium significantly reduced, but did not abolish, insulin-stimulated 2-deoxy glucose (2-DG) uptake. Pre-loading adipocytes with intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ chelator, 5,5'-dimethyl bis (o-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N'N' tetraacetic acetoxymethyl ester (5,5'-dimethyl BAPTA/AM) completely blocked the stimulation. Insulin raised intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ concentration $([Ca^{2+}]_i)$ about 1.7 times the basal level of $72{\pm}5$ nM, and 5,5'-dimethyl BAPTA/AM kept it constant at the basal level. This correlation between insulin-induced increases in 2-DG uptake and $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ indicates that the elevation of $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ may be prerequisite for the stimulation of glucose transport. Studies with inhibitors (ML-9, KN-62, cyclosporin A) of $Ca^{2+}-calmodulin$ dependent protein kinases/phosphatases also indicate an involvement of intracellular $Ca^{2+}.$ Additional studies with okadaic acid and calyculin A, protein phosphatase-1 (PP-1) and 2A (PP-2A) inhibitors, indicate an involvement of PP-1 in insulin action on 2-DG uptake. These results indicate an involvement of $Ca^{2+}-dependent$ signaling pathway in insulin action on glucose transport.