• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.71-81
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• 1988

Glutamate and aspartate may evoke an increase in membrane permeability to monovalent cations and $Ca^{++}$. However, it is uncertain whether $Ca^{++}$ influx is mediated by voltage dependent $Ca^{++}$ channels or by excitatory amino acid activated channels. In addition, the influences of excitatory amino acids on $Ca^{++}$ uptake by neuronal tissues as well as the responses of their actions to extracellular $Mg^{++}$ concentration are different. $K^{+}$ induced $Ca^{++}$ uptake by synaptosomes was dependent on extracellular $Mg^{++}$ up to 5 mM and at concentration of 10 mM, $Ca^{++}$ influx was rather reduced. In $Na^{+}$ rich media, glutamate-and aspartate-induced $Ca^{++}$ uptake was increased by $Mg^{++}$ in a dose independent manner. However, the response for NMDA was inhibited by $Mg^{++}$ at concentrations above 2 mM. $K^+$-and glutamate-induced $Ca^{++}$ influx s were inhibited by 2,4-dinitrophenol, chlorprom-azine and verapamil but not by tetraethylammonium chloride. Tetrodotoxin effectively inhibited the action of glutamate but did not affect that of $K^+$. The response for MNDA was inhibited by 2, 4-dinitrophenol and tetrodotoxin, slightly inhibited by verapamil, and not affected by tetraethylammonium chloride. In $Na^{++}$ rich medium, depolarizing action of glutamate, aspartate and MNDA on synaptosomes was not demonstrated, whereas these agents stimulated $Ca^{++}$ uptake and caused $Ca^{++}$ influx induced depolarization at mitochondria. On the other hand, the activities of synaptosomal ATPases were not affected by excitatory amino acids at 5 mM. The results suggest that glutamate or NMDA induced $Ca^{++}$ influx at synaptosomes exhibits different responses for extracellular $Mg^{++}$ Ex citatory amino acids induced $Ca^{++}$ influx at synaptosomes may be associated with increased permeability of membrane for $Na^{++}$ and $Ca^{++}$ except $K^{++}$ and membrane depolarization due to increased ionic permeability.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.273-279
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• 2009

Cordycepin (3'-deoxyadenosine) is an adenosine analogue isolated from Cordyceps militaris, and it has been used as an anti-cancer and anti-inflammation ingredient in traditional Chinese medicine. We investigated the effects of cordycepin on human platelet aggregation induced by thapsigargin, and determined the cytosolic free $Ca^{2+}$ levels ($[Ca^{2+}]_i$), an aggregation-stimulating factor. Cordycepin significantly inhibited thapsigargin-induced platelet aggregation. Its inhibitory effect was continually sustained at the maximal aggregation concentration of thapsigargin. The thapsigargin-induced $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ were clearly reduced by cordycepin in the presence of exogenous $CaCl_2$ or extracellular $Ca^{2+}$-chelator (EDTA). These results suggest that cordycepin inhibited thapsigargin-induced $Ca^{2+}$-influx from extracellular domain and thapsigargin-induced $Ca^{2+}$-mobilization from intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ storage. Accordingly, our data demonstrated that cordycepin may have a beneficial effect on platelet aggregation-mediated thrombotic diseases by inhibiting a $[Ca^{2+}]_i$-elevation.

• The Korean Journal of Zoology
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.182-189
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• 1996

It has been known that spermatozoa should obtain their fertilizing ability through capacitation and acrosome reaction, and that in these processes of fertilization, Ca2+ platys an important role for their conjugation. Therefore the present study has been designed in order to clarify the effect of fluctuation of the media Ca2+ level and the intracellular concentration of the spermatozoa on the acrosomes. During the incubation of spermatozoa, a considerable fluctuation in the media Ca2+ level has been observed after the BSA administration and the media concentration of Ca2+. It is deduced that these fluctuation rates may have an effect on the acrosome reaction. The fluctuation of K+ flux has been observed in accordance with the incubation period over time, and it's concentration seems to be closely related with the acrosomal reaction. The respiratory exchange rate (RERI of the spermatozoa is kept more regular in the BSA and Cacl2 administration groups than the non-administration group. Based on the experimental findings, it is possible to deduce a hypothesis from these findings that physiological activities of the acrosome reaction are not functionally related to the media Ca2+ level and the intracellular influx of Ca2+ concentration, although Ca2+ platys an important role as a stimulating factor in the acrosome reaction.

• Animal cells and systems
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.75-79
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• 2003

Highly purified high performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC) fractions containing a putative calcium influx factor (CIF) were prepared from the Jurkat cells and Xenopus oocytes in which $Ca^{2+}$ stores were depleted by thapsigargin treatment and from the yeast in which intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ stores were also depleted by genetic means. Microinjection of the fractions has been shown to elicit $Ca^{2+}$ dependent currents in Xenopus oocytes. The nature of the membrane currents evoked by the putative CIF appeared to be carried by chloride ions since the current was blocked by the selective chloride channel blocker 1 mM niflumic acid and its reversal potential was about -24 mV. Injection of the calcium chelator 1,2-bis(2-aminophenoxy)ethane-N, N, N',N'-tetraacetic acid (BAPTA) eradicated the current activities, suggesting the current responses are entirely $Ca^2$-dependent. Moreover, the currents were sensitive to the removal of extracellular calcium, indicating the dependence on calcium entry through the plasma membrane calcium entry channels. CIF activities were insensitive to protease, heat, and acid treatments and to Dische-reaction whereas the activities were sensitive to nucleotide pyrophosphatase and hydrazynolysis. The fraction might have a sugar because it was sensitive to Molisch test and Seliwaniff's resorcinol reaction. From the above results, CIF as a small and stable molecule seems to have pyrimidine, pyrophosphate, and a sugar moiety.oiety.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.217-220
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• 2006

The effects of $(1R,9S)-\beta-hydrastine$ hydrochloride (BHSH) on $Ca^{2+}$ transport in rat pheochromocytoma PC12 cells were investigated. In the presence of external $Ca^{2+}$, BHSH at $100{\mu}M$ inhibited $K^+$ (56mM)-induced dopamine release, and $K^+-induced$ $Ca^{2+}$ influx and a sustained rise of $[Ca^{2+}]_i$. In addition, BHSH at 100 f.!M reduced the sustained rise of $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ elicited by 20 mM caffeine, but not by $1{\mu}M$ thapsigargin, in presence of external $Ca^{2+}$. These results suggest that BHSH inhibited $K^+-induced$ dopamine release and $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ influx, and store-operated $Ca^{2+}$ channels activated by caffeine, but not by thapsigargin, in PC12 cells.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.329-337
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• 1989

Cardiac muscles show stimulation frequency-dependent tension changes i.e. Bowditch phenomenon and Woodworth phenomenon, the former is an increase of tension with the increase of stimulation frequency, whereas the latter is an increase of tension with a decrease of stimulation frequency. Bowditch phenomenon is seen in the range of frequency 1.0 cps and above, and Woodworth phenomenon below the frequency 1.0 cps in the most of mammalian cardiac atrium. To throw some light on the possible mechanism of both phenomena in rat atrium, influences of drugs affecting $Ca^{2+}$ influx through the plasma membrane $(verapamil,\;La^{3+},\;norepinephrine)$ and $Ca^{2+}$ release from sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) on frequency-tension curve were studied. The results obtained are summarized as follows: 1) At low temperature $(27.5^{\circ}C)$, both Bowditch and Woodworth phenomenon were demonstrated. But Bowditch phenomenon disappeared at the temperature above $(32.5^{\circ}C)$. 2) At $(27.5^{\circ}C)$, in the presence of verapamil, a $Ca^{2+}$ channel blocker, a time course of change in the frequency-tension was studied. It was found that Bowditch phenomenon was affected before the Woodworth phenomenon, then the former was completely disappeared. At $(32.5^{\circ}C)$, where no Bow-ditch is seen in normal atrial muscle, Bowditch phenomenon was reappeared by an administration of norepinephrine suggesting again that slow inward current of such as $Ca^{2+}$ channel is closely related to Bowditch phenomenon. 3) At $27.5^{\circ}C$, in the presence of $La^{3+}$, although tensions were decreased at all stimulation frequencies, Bowditch and Woodworth phenomenon were still demonstrated. However in the presence of both $La^{3+}$ and verapamil, Bowditch phenomena was disappeared suggesting that $La^{3+}$ is less effective in blocking $Ca^{2+}$ channel than verapamil. 4) At $27.5^{\circ}C$, in the presence of ryanodine, an inhibitor of calcium release from SR, Woodworth phenomenon was disappeared, which was consistent with previous reports of others, suggesting that $Ca^{2+}$ release from SR is closely related to Woodworth phenomenon. From the above findings, it may be concluded that Bowditch phenomenon is dependent on the magnitude of $Ca^{2+}$ influx through slow channel and Woodworth phenomenon is dependent on the amount of $Ca^{2+}$ stored in SR.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.417-424
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• 1996

The present study was done to examine the involvement of protein kinase C and protein tyrosine kinase in intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ mobilization in C5a-stimulated neutrophils. Although protein kinase C inhibitors, staurosporine and H-7 inhibited intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ release in C5a-stimulated neutrophils, they did not affect $Ca^{2+}$ influx across the plasma membrane and elevation of $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ C5a-induced intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ release and $Ca^{2+}$ influx were inhibited by protein tyrosine kinase inhibitors, genistein and methyl-2,5-dihydroxycinnamate. ADP-evoked elevation of $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ was inhibited by genistein and methyl-2,5-dihydroxycinnamate but was not affectd by staurosporine and H-7. Genistein and methyl-2,5-dihydroxycinnamate reduced the store-regulated $Ca^{2+}$ influx in thapsigargin-treated neutrophils, while the effect of staurosporine and H-7 was not detected. When neutrophils were preincubated wih phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate, the stimulatory effect of C5a on the elevation of $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ was reduced. These results suggest that protein tyrosine kinase may be involved in control of intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ release and $Ca^{2+}$ influx across the plasma membrane in C5a-activated neutrophils.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.268-278
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• 2005

We investigated the effect of cytosolic and extracellular $Ca^{2+}$ on $Ca^{2+}$ signals in pancreatic acinar cells by measuring $Ca^{2+}$ concentration in the cytosol($[Ca^{2+}]_c$) and in the lumen of the ER($[Ca^{2+}]_{Lu}$). To control buffers and dye in the cytosol, a patch-clamp microelectrode was employed. Acetylcholine released $Ca^{2+}$ mainly from the basolateral ER-rich part of the cell. The rate of $Ca^{2+}$ release from the ER was highly sensitive to the buffering of $[Ca^{2+}]_c$ whereas ER $Ca^{2+}$ refilling was enhanced by supplying free $Ca^{2+}$ to the cytosol with $[Ca^{2+}]_c$ clamped at resting levels with a patch pipette containing 10 mM BAPTA and 2 mM $Ca^{2+}$. Elevation of extracellular $Ca^{2+}$ to 10 mM from 1 mM raised resting $[Ca^{2+}]_c$ slightly and often generated $[Ca^{2+}]_c$ oscillations in single or clustered cells. Although pancreatic acinar cells are reported to have extracellular $Ca^{2+}$-sensing receptors linked to phospholipase C that mobilize $Ca^{2+}$ from the ER, exposure of cells to 10 mM $Ca^{2+}$ did not decrease $[Ca^{2+}]_{Lu}$ but rather raised it. From these findings we conclude that 1) ER $Ca^{2+}$ release is strictly regulated by feedback inhibition of $[Ca^{2+}]_c$, 2) ER $Ca^{2+}$ refilling is determined by the rate of $Ca^{2+}$ influx and occurs mainly in the tiny subplasmalemmal spaces, 3) extracellular $Ca^{2+}$-induced $[Ca^{2+}]_c$ oscillations appear to be triggered not by activation of extracellular $Ca^{2+}$-sensing receptors but by the ER sensitised by elevated $[Ca^{2+}]_c$ and $[Ca^{2+}]_{Lu}$.

• BMB Reports
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• v.47 no.2
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• pp.69-79
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• 2014

$Ca^{2+}$ release from intracellular stores and influx from extracellular reservoir regulate a wide range of physiological functions including muscle contraction and rhythmic heartbeat. One of the most ubiquitous pathways involved in controlled $Ca^{2+}$ influx into cells is store-operated $Ca^{2+}$ entry (SOCE), which is activated by the reduction of $Ca^{2+}$ concentration in the lumen of endoplasmic or sarcoplasmic reticulum (ER/SR). Although SOCE is pronounced in non-excitable cells, accumulating evidences highlight its presence and important roles in skeletal muscle and heart. Recent discovery of STIM proteins as ER/SR $Ca^{2+}$ sensors and Orai proteins as $Ca^{2+}$ channel pore forming unit expedited the mechanistic understanding of this pathway. This review focuses on current advances of SOCE components, regulation and physiologic and pathophysiologic roles in muscles. The specific property and the dysfunction of this pathway in muscle diseases, and new directions for future research in this rapidly growing field are discussed.

• 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.