• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.15 no.6
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• pp.383-388
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• 2011

Regulators of G-protein signaling (RGS) proteins are regulators of $Ca^{2+}$ signaling that accelerate the GTPase activity of the G-protein ${\alpha}$ -subunit. RGS1, RGS2, RGS4, and RGS16 are expressed in the pancreas, and RGS2 regulates G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR)-induced $Ca^{2+}$ oscillations. However, the role of RGS4 in $Ca^{2+}$ signaling in pancreatic acinar cells is unknown. In this study, we investigated the mechanism of GPCR-induced $Ca^{2+}$ signaling in pancreatic acinar cells derived from $RGS4^{-/-}$ mice. $RGS4^{-/-}$ acinar cells showed an enhanced stimulus intensity response to a muscarinic receptor agonist in pancreatic acinar cells. Moreover, deletion of RGS4 increased the frequency of $Ca^{2+}$ oscillations. $RGS4^{-/-}$ cells also showed increased expression of sarco/endoplasmic reticulum $Ca^{2+}$ ATPase type 2. However, there were no significant alterations, such as $Ca^{2+}$ signaling in treated high dose of agonist and its related amylase secretion activity, in acinar cells from $RGS4^{-/-}$ mice. These results indicate that RGS4 protein regulates $Ca^{2+}$ signaling in mouse pancreatic acinar cells.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.19 no.5
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• pp.413-420
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• 2015

Dexmedetomidine is a sedative and analgesic agent that exerts its effects by selectively agonizing ${\alpha}2$ adrenoceptor. Histamine is a pathophysiological amine that activates G protein-coupled receptors, to induce $Ca^{2+}$ release and subsequent mediate or progress inflammation. Dexmedetomidine has been reported to exert inhibitory effect on inflammation both in vitro and in vivo studies. However, it is unclear that dexmedetomidine modulates histamine-induced signaling and pro-inflammatory cytokine expression. This study was carried out to assess how dexmedetomidine modulates histamine-induced $Ca^{2+}$ signaling and regulates the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokine genes encoding interleukin (IL)-6 and -8. To elucidate the regulatory role of dexmedetomidine on histamine signaling, HeLa cells and human salivary gland cells which are endogenously expressed histamine 1 receptor were used. Dexmedetomidine itself did not trigger $Ca^{2+}$ peak or increase in the presence or absence of external $Ca^{2+}$. When cells were stimulated with histamine after pretreatment with various concentrations of dexmedetomidine, we observed inhibited histamine-induced $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ signal in both cell types. Histamine stimulated IL-6 mRNA expression not IL-8 mRNA within 2 hrs, however this effect was attenuated by dexmedetomidine. Collectively, these findings suggest that dexmedetomidine modulates histamine-induced $Ca^{2+}$ signaling and IL-6 expression and will be useful for understanding the antagonistic properties of dexmedetomidine on histamine-induced signaling beyond its sedative effect.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.9 no.5
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• pp.291-298
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• 2005

To characterize cytosolic $Ca^{2+}$ fluctuations under metabolic inhibition, rat ventricular myocytes were exposed to $200{\mu}M$ 2,4-dinitrophenol (DNP), and mitochondrial $Ca^{2+}$, mitochondrial membrane potential (${\Delta}{\Psi}m$), and cytosolic $Ca^{2+}$ were measured, using Rhod-2 AM, TMRE, and Fluo-4 AM fluorescent dyes, respectively, by Laser Scanning Confocal Microscopy (LSCM). Furthermore, the role of sarcolemmal $Na^+$/$Ca^{2+}$ exchange (NCX) in cytosolic $Ca^{2+}$ efflux was studied in KB-R7943 and $Na^+$-free normal Tyrode's solution (143 mM LiCl ). When DNP was applied to cells loaded with Fluo-4 AM, Fluo-4 AM fluorescence intensity initially increased by $70{\pm}10$% within $70{\pm}10$ s, and later by $400{\pm}200$% at $850{\pm}45$ s. Fluorescence intensity of both Rhod-2 AM and TMRE were initially decreased by DNP, coincident with the initial increase of Fluo-4 AM fluorescence intensity. When sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) $Ca^{2+}$ was depleted by $1{\mu}M thapsigargin plus $10{\mu}M ryanodine, the initial increase of Fluo-4 AM fluorescence intensity was unaffected, however, the subsequent progressive increase was abolished. KB-R7943 delayed both the first and the second phases of cytosolic $Ca^{2+}$ overload, while $Na^+$-free solution accelerated the second. The above results suggest that: 1) the initial rise in cytosolic $Ca^{2+}$ under DNP results from mitochondrial depolarization; 2) the secondary increase is caused by progressive $Ca^{2+}$ release from SR; 3) NCX plays an important role in transient cytosolic $Ca^{2+}$ shifts under metabolic inhibition with DNP.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.327-334
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• 2017

Epidemiologic interest in particulate matter (PM) is growing particularly because of its impact of respiratory health. It has been elucidated that PM evoked inflammatory signal in pulmonary epithelia. However, it has not been established $Ca^{2+}$ signaling mechanisms involved in acute PM-derived signaling in pulmonary fibroblasts. In the present study, we explored dust particles PM modulated intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ signaling and sought to provide a therapeutic strategy by antagonizing PM-induced intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ signaling in human lung fibroblasts MRC5 cells. We demonstrated that PM10, less than $10{\mu}m$, induced intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ signaling, which was mediated by extracellular $Ca^{2+}$. The PM10-mediated intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ signaling was attenuated by antioxidants, phospholipase blockers, polyADPR polymerase 1 inhibitor, and transient receptor potential melastatin 2 (TRPM2) inhibitors. In addition, PM-mediated increases in reactive oxygen species were attenuated by TRPM2 blockers, clotrimazole (CLZ) and N-(p-amylcinnamoyl) anthranilic acid (ACA). Our results showed that PM10 enhanced reactive oxygen species signal by measuring DCF fluorescence and the DCF signal attenuated by both TRPM2 blockers CLZ and ACA. Here, we suggest functional inhibition of TRPM2 channels as a potential therapeutic strategy for modulation of dust particle-mediated signaling and oxidative stress accompanying lung diseases.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.179-187
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• 2011

Regulation of B cell receptor (BCR)-induced $Ca^{2+}$ signaling by CD40 co-stimulation was compared in long-term BCR-stimulated immature (WEHI-231) and mature (Bal-17) B cells. In response to long-term pre-stimulation of immature WEHI-231 cells to ${\alpha}$-IgM antibody (0.5~48 hr), the initial transient decrease in BCR-induced $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ was followed by spontaneous recovery to control level within 24 hr. The recovery of $Ca^{2+}$ signaling in WEHI-231 cells was not due to restoration of internalized receptor but instead to an increase in the levels of $PLC{\gamma}2$ and $IP_3R-3$. CD40 co-stimulation of WEHI-231 cells prevented BCR-induced cell cycle arrest and apoptosis, and it strongly inhibited the recovery of BCR-induced $Ca^{2+}$ signaling. CD40 co-stimulation also enhanced BCR internalization and reduced expression of $PLC{\gamma}2$ and $IP_3R-3$. Pre-treatment of WEHI-231 cells with the antioxidant N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) strongly inhibited CD40-mediated prevention of the recovery of $Ca^{2+}$ signaling. In contrast to immature WEHI-231 cells, identical long-term ${\alpha}$-IgM pre-stimulation of mature Bal-17 cells abolished the increase in BCR-induced $[Ca^{2+}]_i$, regardless of CD40 co-stimulation. These results suggest that CD40-mediated signaling prevents antigen-induced cell cycle arrest and apoptosis of immature B cells through inhibition of sustained BCR-induced $Ca^{2+}$ signaling.

• Proceedings of the PSK Conference
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• 2003.10a
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• pp.94-95
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• 2003

Local cytosolic rises of $Ca^{2+}$ appears to be critical in the regulation of many cellular activities, including muscle contraction, neurotransmitter secretion, and cell death. Cardiac $Ca^{2+}$ signaling similarly begins with discrete and localized rises of $Ca^{2+}$($Ca^{2+}$ sparks) triggered by $Ca^{2+}$ current ($I_{Ca}$). The large local releases of $Ca^{2+}$ in turn modulate L-type $Ca_{v}$1.2( ${\alpha}_{1C}$ $Ca^{2+}$ channels, suggesting that discrete $Ca^{2+}$ cross-signaling may occur in the micro-domains of ${\alpha}_{1C}$/ryanodine receptors (RyRs). (omitted)

• 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 Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.217-239
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• 2011

We carried out a series of experiment demonstrating the role of mitochondria in the cytosolic and mitochondrial $Ca^{2+}$ transients and compared the results with those from computer simulation. In rat ventricular myocytes, increasing the rate of stimulation (1~3 Hz) made both the diastolic and systolic [$Ca^{2+}]$ bigger in mitochondria as well as in cytosol. As L-type $Ca^{2+}$ channel has key influence on the amplitude of $Ca^{2+}$ -induced $Ca^{2+}$ release, the relation between stimulus frequency and the amplitude of $Ca^{2+}$ transients was examined under the low density (1/10 of control) of L-type $Ca^{2+}$ channel in model simulation, where the relation was reversed. In experiment, block of $Ca^{2+}$ uniporter on mitochondrial inner membrane significantly reduced the amplitude of mitochondrial $Ca^{2+}$ transients, while it failed to affect the cytosolic $Ca^{2+}$ transients. In computer simulation, the amplitude of cytosolic $Ca^{2+}$ transients was not affected by removal of $Ca^{2+}$ uniporter. The application of carbonyl cyanide 4-(trifluoromethoxy) phenylhydrazone (FCCP) known as a protonophore on mitochondrial membrane to rat ventricular myocytes gradually increased the diastolic [$Ca^{2+}$] in cytosol and eventually abolished the $Ca^{2+}$ transients, which was similarly reproduced in computer simulation. The model study suggests that the relative contribution of L-type $Ca^{2+}$ channel to total transsarcolemmal $Ca^{2+}$ flux could determine whether the cytosolic $Ca^{2+}$ transients become bigger or smaller with higher stimulus frequency. The present study also suggests that cytosolic $Ca^{2+}$ affects mitochondrial $Ca^{2+}$ in a beat-to-beat manner, however, removal of $Ca^{2+}$ influx mechanism into mitochondria does not affect the amplitude of cytosolic $Ca^{2+}$ transients.

• Journal of Interdisciplinary Genomics
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.35-41
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• 2023

Background: Ca²⁺ signaling plays a vital role in neuronal signaling and altered Ca²⁺ homeostasis in Parkinson's disease (PD). Overexpression of αSYN significantly promote the Ca²⁺-Calmodulin (CaM) activity and subsequent nuclear translocation of nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) transcription factor in dopaminergic neurons of midbrain. However, the exact role of Ca²⁺-CaM and NFAT in PD pathology is yet to be elucidated. Methods: We designed the CaM-NFAT-oligodeoxynucleotide (ODN), a synthetic short DNA containing complementary sequence for NFAT transcription factor and CaM mRNA. Then, the effect of CaM-NFAT-ODN on 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP⁺)-mediated neurotoxicity was investigated in mimic PD model in vitro. Results: First, the expression of αSYN and CaM was strongly increased in substantia nigra (SN) of PD and the expression of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) was strongly increased in control SN. Additionally, the expression of apoptosis marker proteins was strongly increased in SN of PD. Transfection of CaM-NFAT-ODN repressed CaM and pNFAT, the target genes of this ODN in rat embryo primary mesencephalic neurons. It also reduced ERK phosphorylation, a downstream target of these genes. These results demonstrated that CaM-NFAT-ODN operated successfully in rat embryo primary mesencephalic neurons. Transfection of CaM-NFAT-ODN repressed TH reduction, αSYN accumulation, and apoptosis by MPP⁺-induced neurotoxicity response through Ca²⁺ signaling and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) signaling. Conclusion: Synthetic CaM-NFAT-ODN has substantial therapeutic feasibility for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.633-636
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• 2000

Translationally controlled tumor protein (TCTP), also known as IgE-dependent histamine-releasing factor, is a growth-related tumor protein. Although the primary sequence of rat TCTP does not reveal any recognizable $Ca^{2+}$ -binding motif, previous studies have demonstrated that rat TCTP consisting of 172 amino acids is a $Ca^{2+}$ -binding protein. However. the region of TCTP required for $Ca^{2+}$ interaction has not been mapped to the molecule. Here, we reported that the $Ca^{2+}$ binding region of TCTP which was mapped by using a combination of deletion constructs of rat TCTP and $^{45}Ca^{2+}$-overlay assay. was confined to amino acid residues 81-112. This binding domain did not show any peculiar loop of calcium- binding motif such as CaLB domain and EF hand motif and it seems to be constituted of random coil regions neighboring the a helix. Thus, our data confirm that TCTP is a novel family of $Ca^{2+}$ -binding protein.