• Journal of Photoscience
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• 제3권3호
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• pp.133-136
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• 1996

Calcium modulates the activity of guanylate cyclase and plays a key role in dark and light adaptation in the visual system. We have measured the Ca$^{2+}$, K$^+$ and Na$^+$ concentration in dark and light adapted bullfrog's (Rana catesbeiana) vitreous humor by using the atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The calcium concentration of the light adapted bullfrog's vitreous humor was higher than that of the dark adapted bullfrog's vitreous humor. This means that ion activity between the photoreceptor and vitreous humor side is light dependent and we have found that a Ca$^{2+}$ channel and Na$^+$ - Ca$^{2+}$ exchanger exist in the vitreous humor.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제2권6호
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• pp.715-724
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• 1998

Frequency-force relationships (FFR) were studied in electrically field stimulated rat left atria (LA) by reducing the stimulation frequency from resting 3 Hz to test frequencies (0.1-1 Hz) for 5 minutes. The twitch amplitudes of LA elicited the typical negative staircases with 3-phased changes: the initial rapid increase, the second decrease and the following plateau at test frequencies. Verapamil $(3{\times}10^{-5}\;M)$ pretreatment elicited frequency-dependent suppression of the twitch amplitudes, exaggerating the negative staircase. Monensin pretreatment enhanced not the peak but the plateau amplitudes in a concentration-dependent manner. When the $Na^+-Ca^{2+}$ exchange was blocked by $Na^+\;and\;Ca^{2+}$ depletion in the Krebs Hensleit buffer (0 $Na^+-0\;Ca^{2+}$ KHB), the twitch amplitudes increased in a frequency-dependent manner, changing the negtive staircase into the positve one. Meanwhile, the 0 $Na^+-0\;Ca^{2+}$ KHB applicationinduced enhancement was strongly suppressed by caffeine (5 mM) pretreatment. Only dibucaine among the local anesthetics increased the basal tone during frequency reduciton. There were no differences in $^{45}Ca$ uptakes between 0.3 Hz and 3 Hz stimulation except at 1 min when it was significantly low at 0.3 Hz than 3 Hz, illustrating net $Ca^{2+}$ losses. Monensin pretreatment enhanced the rate of this $Ca^{2+}$ loss. Taken together, it is concluded that $Na^+-Ca^{2+}$ exchange extrudes more SR released $Ca^{2+}$ out of the cell in proportion to the frequency, resulting in the negative rate staircase in the rat LA.

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

• 대한약리학회지
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• 제30권1호
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• pp.111-116
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• 1994

수용체작동약물과 GTP에 의한 수축단백질의 칼슘이온의 감수성의 증가에 대하여 $Ca^{2+}$/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II의 역할을 ${\alpha}$-독으로 처리한 토끼장간막동맥에서 조사하였다. $0.3\;{\mu}M$의 칼슘이온은 마이오신의 인산화를 시간의존적으로 증가시켰고 5분 이후부터 평형에 도달하였다. 한편, $10\;{\mu}M$의 norepinephine과 $10\;{\mu}M$의 GTP는 칼슘이온 존재하에 칼슘이온 단독에 의한 것 보다 더 마이오신의 인산화를 증가시켰는데, 5분 후에 최대에 달하였고 그 후는 감소하기 시작하여 20분 후에는 칼슘이온 단독에 의한 마이오신 인산화 증가와 거의 차이가 없었다. $Ca^{2+}$/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II 억제제인 KN-62를 전처치하여 norepinephrine과 GTP에 의한 마이오신 인산화 증가의 변화를 경시적으로 관찰하였다. $10\;{\mu}M$ KN-62는 1분에서 norepinephrine과 $10\;{\mu}M$ GTP에 의한 마이오신의 인산화의 증가를 억제하였다. 그러나 5분에서 관찰되는 norepinephrine과 GTP에 의한 마이오신 인산화의 증가의 최대치에는 영향이 없었고 그 이후에도 KN-62는 아무 영향을 끼치지 못하였다. 이상과 같은 결과로 볼때 norepinephrine과 GTP에 의하여 일어나는 평활근 수축단백의 칼슘이온의 감수성의 증가는 이미 알려진 바와 같이 마이오신 인산화의 증가에 기인하며 이 증가는 일과성임을 확인하였다. 이때 $Ca^{2+}$/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II의 역할은 시간의존적으로 norepinephrine과 GTP의 자극 초기에 관여되는 것으로 생각되며 그 이후에는 관여가 없는 것으로 사료된다.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• 제40권1호
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• pp.11-17
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• 2015

The gingival epithelium of the oral cavity is constantly exposed to exogenous stimuli such as bacterial toxins, allergens, and thermal changes. These exogenous stimuli are resisted by innate host defense in gingival epithelial cells. However, it is unclear exactly how the exogenous stimuli affect detrimentally on the human gingival epithelial cells. Here, we investigated whether the allergen, such as house dust mite (HDM) extract, is linked to $Ca^{2+}$ signaling and proinflammatory cytokine expression in primary cultured human gingival epithelial cells. HDM extract induced an increase in intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ concentration ($[Ca^{2+}]_i$) in a dose-dependent manner. Extracellular $Ca^{2+}$ depletion did not affected on the HDM extract-induced increase in $[Ca^{2+}]_i$. The HDM extract-induced increase in $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ was abolished by the treatment with U73122 and 2-APB, which are inhibitors of phospholipase C (PLC) and inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate ($IP_3$) receptor. Moreover, HDM extract induced the mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory cytokine, interleukin (IL)-8. These results suggest that HDM extract triggers $PLC/IP_3$-dependent $Ca^{2+}$ signaling and IL-8 mRNA expression in primary cultured human gingival epithelial cells.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제27권3호
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• pp.310-317
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• 2017

본 연구진은 HaCaT-ARE-luciferase 세포를 이용하여 400 여개의 약용식물 에탄올 추출물 중 NRF2/ARE 유도효과가 있는 신규 추출물을 검색하였고 이를 통하여 종대황(Rheum undulatum)과 선복화(Inula japonica)의 주정 추출물이 HaCaT-ARE-luciferase 세포에서 ARE 활성을 강하게 유도하는 것을 관찰하였다. 종대황과 선복화 에탄올 추출물은 HaCaT 세포에서 생존(viability)을 증가시켰고 NRF2/ARE에 의존적인 phase II cytoprotective 효소인 heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1)와 NADPH:quinone oxidoreductase-1 (NQO1)의 전사 및 단백질 발현을 강하게 유도하였다. 또한 종대황과 선복화 추출물은 HaCaT 세포에서 TPA로 유도한 세포 내 활성 산소 및 이를 통하여 생성되는 스트레스 마커인 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OH-dG)과 4-hydroxynonenal (4HNE)의 발생을 강하게 억제하였다. 본 연구는 종대황과 선복화의 에탄올 추출물이 인간 피부 세포주인 HaCaT 세포에서 NRF2/ARE에 의존적인 유전자 발현의 유도를 통하여 강력한 항산화 효과를 발휘한다는 것을 증명한다.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제24권4호
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• pp.287-298
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• 2020

Ca²⁺ signaling of endothelial cells plays a critical role in controlling blood flow and pressure in small arteries and arterioles. As the impairment of endothelial function is closely associated with cardiovascular diseases (e.g., atherosclerosis, stroke, and hypertension), endothelial Ca²⁺ signaling mechanisms have received substantial attention. Increases in endothelial intracellular Ca²⁺ concentrations promote the synthesis and release of endothelial-derived hyperpolarizing factors (EDHFs, e.g., nitric oxide, prostacyclin, or K⁺ efflux) or directly result in endothelial-dependent hyperpolarization (EDH). These physiological alterations modulate vascular contractility and cause marked vasodilation in resistance arteries. Transient receptor potential (TRP) channels are nonselective cation channels that are present in the endothelium, vascular smooth muscle cells, or perivascular/sensory nerves. TRP channels are activated by diverse stimuli and are considered key biological apparatuses for the Ca²⁺ influx-dependent regulation of vasomotor reactivity in resistance arteries. Ca²⁺-permeable TRP channels, which are primarily found at spatially restricted microdomains in endothelial cells (e.g., myoendothelial projections), have a large unitary or binary conductance and contribute to EDHFs or EDH-induced vasodilation in concert with the activation of intermediate/small conductance Ca²⁺-sensitive K⁺ channels. It is likely that endothelial TRP channel dysfunction is related to the dysregulation of endothelial Ca²⁺ signaling and in turn gives rise to vascular-related diseases such as hypertension. Thus, investigations on the role of Ca²⁺ dynamics via TRP channels in endothelial cells are required to further comprehend how vascular tone or perfusion pressure are regulated in normal and pathophysiological conditions.

• 대한물리치료과학회지
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• 제11권1호
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• pp.20-27
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• 2004

It is widely accepted that smooth muscle contraction is triggered by intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ ($[Ca^{2+}]_i$) released from intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ stores such as sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) and from the extracellular space, The increased $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ can phosphorylate the 20-kDa myosin light chain ($MLC_{20}$) by activating MLC kinase (MLCK), and this initiates smooth muscle contraction. In addition to the $[Ca^{2+}]_i$-MLCK-tension pathway, a number of intracellular signal molecules, including mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), protein kinase C (PKC), phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), and Rho-associated coiled coil-forming protein kinase (ROCK), play important roles in the regulation of smooth muscle contraction. However, the mechanisms regulating contraction of caldesmon (CaD), actin-binding protein, are not entirely elucidated in the presence of $Ca^{2+}$. It is known that CaD tightly interacts with actin and inhibits actomyosin ATPase activity. Therefore, the purpose of the present study was to investigate the roles of $Ca^{2+}$-dependent CaD in smooth muscle contraction. Endothelin-1 (ET-1), G-protein coupled receptor agonist and vasoconstrictor, increased both vascular smooth contraction and phosphorylation of CaD in the presence of $Ca^{2+}$. These results suggest that ET-1 induces contraction and phosphorylation of CaD in rat aortic smooth muscle, which may he mediated by the increase of $[Ca^{2+}]_i$.

• Animal cells and systems
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• 제3권1호
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• pp.53-58
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• 1999

The immunocytochemical method was used to identify the existence of voltage-dependent $Ca^{2＋}$-channels in mouse follicular oocytes. Three types of voltage-dependent $Ca^{2＋}$-channels were shown to exist in the follicular oocytes for the first time, the P/Q-type $Ca^{2＋}$-channel, the N-type $Ca^{2＋}$-channel, and the L-type $Ca^{2＋}$-channel. Among proven $Ca^{2＋}$-channels distributions of the P/Q-type $Ca^{2＋}$-channel and L-type $Ca^{2＋}$-channel showed localized staining (clustered pattern) on the oolemma. The distribution of the P/Q-type $Ca^{2＋}$-channel showed all localized staining, and the range of localized staining was from 1 to 8 in staining intensity. As the staining intensity increased from 1 to 8, the number of localized staining decreased. The L-type $Ca^{2＋}$-channel are homogeneously stained (29.4%-54.2%), while some of them (around 28.7%-44.1%) showed localized staining on the oolemma. However, the rest of them showed no staining at all (17.1%- 26.5%). On the contrary, the N-type $Ca^{2＋}$-channel showed mostly homogeneous staining, while nonstaining oocytes were around 33.8%. The rest showed localized staining (10%). However, staining intensity was much weaker than those of the P/Q-type and L-type $Ca^{2＋}$-channel. In fact, the N-type $Ca^{2＋}$-channel has been known to exist only in neurons (from ectoderm origin), but it is unknown how the N-type $Ca^{2＋}$-channel exists in the follicular oocytes (from mesoderm origin). Further studies are needed to examine the expression of $Ca^{2＋}$-channels during the developmental stages of the oocytes.

• 자연과학논문집
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• 제9권1호
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• pp.1-7
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• 1997

칼슘/calmodulin-의존적 단백질 인산화 효소 II (CaMK-II)는 세포의 여러 기능을 조절하는 다양한 단백질들을 인산화시키는 효소이다. 세포 내부의 칼슘의 농도는 세포의 주기에 따라 변하므로 CaMK-II의 활성도 역시 세포주기에 따라 변하는 지를 조사함으로 세포주기에서의 CaMK-II의 역할을 알아보려 하였다. NIH3T3 세포를 CaMK-II의 활성도에는 전혀 영향을 주지 않는 여러 가지 약제로 처리하여 세포주기상의 특정한 시점에 동일하게 정지시킨 후, 세포내의 CaMK-II 활성도를 합성 펩타이드기질을 이용하여 측정하였다. 또한 일정 시점으로부터 동조화된 세포내의 CaMK-II의 활성도의 변화를 측정하여 한 세포주기 동안 효소의 활성도 변화의 양상을 조사하였다. 세포주기상 각각 G0, G1, G1/S, G2/M기에 정지된 세포내의 CaMK-II 총활성도는 대조군과 차이가 없었으나 M기에서는 낮았다. 그러나 자가인산화에 의한 CaMK-II의 칼슘-비의존성 활성도는 M기에서 가장 높았다. 이러한 양상은 G1기에서부터 동조화된 세포내 CaMK-II의 칼슘-비의존성 활성도 변화 양상과도 일치하였다. CaMK-II의 생리학적 의미를 지닌 활성도는 인산화에 의한 calcium-비의존성 활성도임을 비추어 볼 때 M기에서 CaMK-II가 세포분열의 과정에서 중요한 기능을 하고 있음을 보여주고 있다.