• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.546-551
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• 2001

We have previously shown that, in circular muscle cells of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) isolated by enzymatic digestion, contraction in response to maximally effective doses of acetylcholine (ACh) or Inositol Triphosphate ($IP_3$) depends on the release of $Ca^{2+}$ from intracellular stores and activation of a $Ca6{2+}$-calmodulin (CaM)-dependent pathway. On the contrary, maintenance of LES tone, and response to low doses of ACh or $IP_3$ depend on a protein kinase C (PKC) mediated pathway. In the present investigation, we have examined requirements for $Ca6{2+}$ regulation of the interaction between CaM- and PKC-dependent pathways in LES contraction. Thapsigargin (TG) treatment for 30 min dose dependently reduced ACh-induced contraction of permeable LES cells in free $Ca6{2+}$ medium. ACh-induced contraction following the low level of reduction of $Ca6{2+}$ stores by a low dose of TG ($10^{-9}{\;}M$) was blocked by the CaM antagonist, CCS9343B but not by the PKC antagonists chelerythrine or H7, indicating that the contraction is CaM-dependent. After maximal reduction in intracellular $Ca{2+}$ from $Ca6{2+}$stores by TG ($10^{-6}{\;}M$), ACh-induced contraction was blocked by chelerythrine or H7, but not by CCS9343B, indicating that it is PKC-dependent. In normal $Ca^{2+}$medium, the contraction by ACh after TG ($10^{-9}{\;}M$) treatment was also CaM-dependent, whereas the contraction by ACh after TG ($10^{-9}{\;}M$) treatment was PKC-dependent. We examined whether PKC activation was inhibited by activated CaM. CCS 7343B Inhibited the CaM-induced contraction, but did not inhibit the DAC-induced contraction. CaM inhibited the DAC-induced contraction in the presence of CCS 9343B. This inhibition by CaM was $Ca{2+}$dependent. These data are consistent with the view that the switch from a PKC-dependent pathway to a CaM dependent pathway can occur and can be regulated by cytosolic $Ca{2+}$ in the LES.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.31-39
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• 2011

Change in intracellular $Ca^{2+}$-concentration ($[Ca^{2+}]_i$) is an essential event for egg activation and further development. $Ca^{2+}$ ion is originated from intracellular $Ca^{2+}$-store via inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate receptor and/or $Ca^{2+}$ influx via $Ca^{2+}$ channel. This study was performed to investigate whether changes in $Ca^{2+}$/calmodulin dependent protein kinase II (CaM KII) activity affect $Ca^{2+}$ influx during artificial egg activation with ethanol using $Ca^{2+}$ monitoring system and whole-cell patch clamp technique. Under $Ca^{2+}$ ion-omitted condition, $Ca^{2+}$-oscillation was stopped within 30 min post microinjection of porcine sperm factor, and ethanol-induced $Ca^{2+}$ increase was reduced. To investigate the role of CaM KII known as an integrator of $Ca^{2+}$- oscillation during mammalian egg fertilization, CaM KII activity was tested with a specific inhibitor KN-93. In the eggs treated with KN-93, ethanol failed to induce egg activation. In addition, KN-93 inhibited inward $Ca^{2+}$ current ($I_{Ca}$) in a time-dependent manner in whole-cell configuration. Immunostaining data showed that the voltage-dependent $Ca^{2+}$ channels were distributed along the plasma membrane of mouse egg and 2-cell embryo. From these results, we suggest that $Ca^{2+}$ influx during fertilization might be controlled by CaM KII activity.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.4 no.3
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• pp.197-210
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• 2000

Suppressive role of $Na^+-Ca^{2+}$ exchange in myocardial tension generation was examined in the negative frequency-force relationship (FFR) of electric field stimulated left atria (LA) from postnatal developing rat heart and in the whole-cell clamped adult rat ventricular myocytes with high concentration of intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ buffer (14 mM EGTA). LA twitch amplitudes, which were suppressed by cyclopiazonic acid in a postnatal age-dependent manner, elicited frequency-dependent and postnatal age-dependent enhancements after $Na^+-reduced,\;Ca^{2+}-depleted$ (26 Na-0 Ca) buffer application. These enhancements were blocked by caffeine pretreatment with postnatal age-dependent intensities. In the isolated rat ventricular myocytes, stimulation with the voltage protocol roughly mimicked action potential generated a large inward current which was partially blocked by nifedipine or $Na^+$ current inhibition. 0 Ca application suppressed the inward current by $39{\pm}4%$ while the current was further suppressed after 0 Na-0 Ca application by $53{\pm}3%.$ Caffeine increased this inward current by $44{\pm}3%$ in spite of 14 mM EGTA. Finally, the $Na^+$ current-dependent fraction of the inward current was increased in a stimulation frequency-dependent manner. From these results, it is concluded that the $Ca^{2+}$ exit-mode (forward-mode) $Na^+-Ca^{2+}$ exchange suppresses the LA tension by extruding $Ca^{2+}$ out of the cell right after its release from sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) in a frequency-dependent manner during contraction, resulting in the negative frequency-force relationship in the rat LA.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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 and Pharmacology
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• v.11 no.5
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• pp.183-188
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• 2007

Using BHK cells with stable expression of cardiac $Na^+/Ca^{2+}$ exchanger(BHK-NCX1), reverse mode(i.e. $Ca^{2+}$ influx mode) of NCX1 current was recorded by whole-cell patch clamp. Repeated stimulation of reverse NCX1 produced a cytosolic $Ca^{2+}$-dependent long-term inactivation of the exchanger activity. The degrees of inactivation correlated with NCX1 densities of the cells and were attenuated by reduced $Ca^{2+}$ influx via the reverse exchanger. The inactivation of NCX1 was attenuated by(i) inhibition of $Ca^{2+}$ influx with reduced extracellular $Ca^{2+}$, (ii) treatment with NCX1 blocker($Na^{2+}$), and (iii) increase of cytoplasmic $Ca^{2+}$ buffer(EGTA). In BHK-NCX1 cells transiently expressing TRPV1 channels, $Ca^{2+}$ influx elicited by capsaicin produced a marked inactivation of NCX1. We suggest that cytoplasmic $Ca^{2+}$ has a dual effect on NCX1 activities, and that allosteric $Ca^{2+}$ activation of NCX1 can be opposed by the $Ca^{2+}$-dependent long-term inactivation in intact cells.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.