• 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.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.413-420
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• 2005

We previously demonstrated the ability of ginseng saponins (active ingredients of Panax ginseng) to enhance $Ca^{2+}$-activated $Cl^{-}$ current. The mechanism for this ginseng saponin-induced enhancement was proposed to be the release of $Ca^{2+}$ from $IP_{3}-sensitive$ intracellular stores through the activation of PTX-insensitive $G\alpha_{q/11}$ proteins and PLC pathway. Recent studies have shown that calmodulin (CaM) regulates $IP_{3}$ receptor-mediated $Ca^{2+}$ release in both $Ca^{2+}-dependent$ and -independent manner. In the present study, we have investigated the effects of CaM on ginseng saponin-induced $Ca^{2+}$-activated $Cl^{-}$ current responses in Xenopus oocytes. Intraoocyte injection of CaM inhibited ginseng saponin-induced $Ca^{2+}$-activated $Cl^{-}$ current enhancement, whereas co-injection of calmidazolium, a CaM antagonist, with CaM blocked CaM action. The inhibitory effect of CaM on ginseng saponin-induced $Ca^{2+}$-activated $Cl^{-}$ current enhancement was dose- and time-dependent, with an $IC_{50} of 14.9\pm3.5 {\mu}M$. The inhibitory effect of CaM on saponin's activity was maximal after 6 h of intraoocyte injection of CaM, and after 48 h the activity of saponin recovered to control level. The half-recovery time was calculated to be $16.7\pm4.3 h$. Intraoocyte injection of CaM inhibited $Ca^{2+}$-induced $Ca^{2+}$-activated $Cl^{-}$ current enhancement and also attenuated $IP_{3}$-induced $Ca^{2+}$-activated $Cl^{-}$ current enhancement. $Ca^{2+}$/CaM kinase II inhibitor did not inhibit CaM-caused attenuation of ginseng saponin-induced $Ca^{2+}$-activated $Cl^{-}$ current enhancement. These results suggest that CaM regulates ginseng saponin effect on $Ca^{2+}$-activated $Cl^{-}$ current enhancement via $Ca^{2+}$-independent manner.

• Proceedings of the Korean Biophysical Society Conference
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• 2001.06a
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• pp.67-67
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• 2001

Our previous studies showed that the relaxation defect of diabetic heart was due to the changes in the expressional levels of SR $Ca^{2＋}$-ATPase and PLB. In the diabetic heart contractile abnormalities were also observed, and one of the mechanisms for these changes could include alterations in the expression and/or activity levels of various $Ca^{2＋}$ regulatory proteins involving cardiac contraction.(omitted)

• Journal of fish pathology
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.41-51
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• 1996

The present study was undertaken to investigate the physiological characteristics of the adrenergic responses in the tilapia dorsal aorta. Epinephrine, norepinephrine, clonidine and methoxamine in the presence of propranolol($3{\times}10^{-6}$M), induced only endothelium-independent and concentration-dependent vasocontractions in tilapia dorsal aorta. The rank order of potency of adrenergic agonists inducing vasocontraction was epinephrine>norepinephrine>phenylephrine>clonidine>ethoxamine, Yohimbine produced a parallel shift of the concentration-vascontraction curves of epinephrine, norepinephrine, phenylephrine and clonidine to the right, while prazosin depressed the maximum responses of epinephrine and norepinephrine. Calcium-free physiological solution and verapamil markedly reduced epinephrine or norepinephrine-induced vasocontractions. These results suggest that a-adrenergic agonists produce only on endothelium-inedpenent casoconstrictions in tilapia dorsal aorta and these effect of a-adrenergic agonists, which might be associated with both calcium release from intracellular stores and calcium influx through voltage-dependent calcium channel.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Applied Pharmacology
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• 2001.11a
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• pp.95-95
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• 2001

Ciinidipine (FRC-8635) is a newly synthesized novel DHP type of organic Ca$\_$2＋/channel blockers that have been developed so far in Japan (Yoshimoto et al., 1991 : Hosono et at., 1992). It also has a blocking action on L-type voltage-dependent Ca$\^$2＋/channel (VDCCs) in the rabbit basilar artery (Oike et al., 1990) and a slow-onset and long-lasting hypotensive action in clinical and experimental studies (Ikeda et al., 1992 ; Tominaga et al., 1997). Recent electrophysiological data indicate that cilnidipine might be a dual-channel antagonist for peripheral neuronal N-type and vascular L-type Ca$\^$2＋/channels (Oike et al., 1990 ; Fujii et al., 1997; Uneyama et at., 1997). However, little is known about the involvement of N-type VDCCs in contributing to the muscarinic receptor-mediated CA secretion. Therefore, the present study was attempted to investigate the effect of cilinidipine on secretion of catecholamines (CA) evoked by ACh, high K$\^$＋/, DMPP and McN-A-343 from the isolated perfused rat adrenal gland. Cilnidipine (1-10 ${\mu}$M) perfused into an adrenal vein for 60 min produced dose- and time-dependent inhibition in CA secretory responses evoked by ACh (5.32${\times}$10$\^$-3/M), DMPP (10$\^$-4/ M for 2 min) and McN-A-343 (10$\^$-4/ M for 2 min). However, lower dose of lobeline did not affect CA secretion by high K$\^$＋/(5.6${\times}$10$\^$-2/ M), higher dose of it reduced greatly CA secretion of high K$\^$＋/. Cilnidipine itself did also fail to affect basal catecholamine output. Furthermore, in adrenal glands loaded with cilnidipine (10 ${\mu}$M), CA secretory response evoked by Bay-K-8644 (10 ${\mu}$M), an activator of L-type Ca$\^$2＋/channels was markedly inhibited while CA secretion by cyclopiazonic acid (10 ${\mu}$M), an inhibitor of cytoplasmic Ca$\^$2＋/-ATPase was no affected. Moreover, $\omega$-conotoxin GVIA (1 ${\mu}$M), given into the adrenal gland for 60 min, also inhibited time-dependently CA secretory responses evoked by ACh and high K$\^$＋/.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.17-21
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• 2010

Objectives : The aim of this study was to evaluate the differential mechnism of vasodilation of alcohol steamed Rhei Tangutici Radix et Rhizoma. (ART) and Rhei Tangutici Radix et Rhizoma. (RT) in rat thoracic aorta. Methods : Rat aortic ring preparations were mounted in organ baths with oxygenated (95% $O_2$-5% $CO_2$) Krebs-Ringer bicarbonate solutions at $37{\pm}0.5^{\circ}C$ and subjected to contractions or relaxations. Results : ART exerted vasorelaxation on phenylephrine(PE)-induced contraction in a dose dependent manner. Vasorelaxation effects of ART and RT were endothelium-independent. In the $Ca^{2+}$-free high KCl (60 mM) baths, the contraction of aortic rings induced by accumulative addition of $Ca^{2+}$ (0.3-10.0 mM) was significantly reduced by pre-treatment with both ART and RT for 10 min. The magnitude of vasodilatation was biggerin ART. Moreover, verapamil ($0.001{\mu}M$) and diltiazem ($10{\mu}M$), voltage operative $Ca^{2+}$channel blockers, attenuated the relaxation effect of ART but not that of RT. In the absence of extracellular $Ca^{2+}$, pre-incubation of the aortic rings with RT ($1.0mg/m{\ell}$) significantly reduced the contraction caused by PE but not that of ART. $K^+$ channel inhibitors such as glibenclamide (Gli, $10^{-5}M$), tetraethylammonium (TEA, 1 mM) and 4-aminopyridine (4-AP, 0.2 mM) significantly reduced the ART's vasorelaxation efficacy, but not that of RT. However, the relaxation effects of ART and RT were not inhibited by pre-treatment with indomethacin ($10^{-5}M$), and atropine ($10^{-6}M$). Conclusions : These results suggest that the endothelium-independent relaxation is due to inhibition of $Ca^{2+}$ influx via the suppression of $Ca^{2+}$ release from intracelluar store in RT but via both voltage operative $Ca^{2+}$channel blockage and $K^+$ channel activation in ART.

• Animal cells and systems
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.77-80
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• 1997

DOantrolene is a primary specific therapeutic drug for prevention and treatment of malignant hyperthermia symptoms. The mechanisms underlying the therapeutic effects of the drug are not well understood. The present study aimed at the characterization of the effects of azumolene, a water soluble dantrolene analogue, on ryanodine binding to sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) from normal and malign::lnt hyperthermia susceptible (MHS) swine muscles. Characteristics of $[^3H]ryanodine$ binding were clearly different between the two types of SR. Kinetic analysis of eH]ryanodine binding to SR in the presence of $2{\mu}M$ $Ca^{2+}$ showed that association constant $(K_{ryanodine}_7$ is significantly higher in MHS than normal muscle SR $(2.83 vs. 1.32{\times}10^7 M^{-1}$, whereas the maximal ryanodine binding capacity $(B_{max})$ is similar between the two types of SR. Addition of azumolene $(e.g. 400{\mu}M)$ did not significantly alter both $K_{ryanodine}$ and $B_{max}$ of $[^3H]$ryanodine binding in both types of SR, indicating that the azumolene effect was not on the ryanodine binding sites. Addition of caffeine activated $[^3H]$ ryanodine binding in both types of SR, and caffeine sensitivity was significantly higher in MHS muscle SR than normal muscle SR $(K_{caffeine}:3.24 vs. 0.82 {\times} 10^2 M^{-l}). Addition of azumolene $(e.g.400{\mu}M)$ decreased Kcaffeine without significant change in $B_{max}$ in both types of SR suggesting that azumolene competes with caffeine binding site(s). These results suggest that malignant hyperthermia symptoms are caused at least in part by greater sensitivity of the MHS muscle SR to the $Ca^{2+}$ release drug(s), and that azumolene can reverse the symptoms by reducing the drug affinity to $Ca^{2+}$ release channels.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.269-277
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• 1995

Membrane vesicles were prepared by differential centrifugation from epithelial cells of porcine trachea. Total activity of microsomal ATPases was measured spectrophotometrically by a coupled enzyme assay. The steady-state activity of the enzyme was $329{\pm}10$ nmol/min mg protein. Thapsigargin, a specific antagonist of intracellular $Ca^{2+}-ATPase$, inhibited about 50% of the activity, leaving $178{\pm}18\;nmol/min .mg$ protein (n=6), indicating that the $Ca^{2+}-ATPase$ is one of the major microsomal ATPases. The microsomes used in this study appeared to be tight-sealed vesicles since they showed saturation in $^{45}Ca^{2+}$ uptake experiments. Inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate $InsP_{3}, 4\;{\mu}M$, an agonist of $InsP_{3}$-sensitive $Ca^{2+}$ release channel ($InsP_{3}$, receptor), and Ca-ionophore A23187 $(10\;{\mu}M)$ induced $^{45}Ca^{2+}$ releases of 20% and 50% of stored $^{45}Ca^{2+}$, respectively. The addition of $(10\;{\mu}M\;InsP_{3}$ also increased the microsomal ATPase activity from $282{\pm}8$ nmol/min mg protein to $334{\pm}21$ nmol/min . mg protein in the intact vesicles. Similar increase in the activity was observed by making microsomes leaky (uncoupling) using the Ca-ionophore A23187. ;$InsP_{3}-induced$ effects were blocked by either thapsigargin or heparin suggesting that: 1) the $InsP_{3}-induced$ increase in ATPase activity is mediated by microsomal $Ca^{2+}-ATPase$, and 2) dissipation of $Ca^{2+}$ gradient across the microsomal membrane is responsible for the $InsP_{3}-induced$ effect. In order to test the dependence of the $Ca^{2+}-ATPase$ activity on the activity of $InsP_{3}-induced$ the activity of ATPases was monitored in various concentrations of free $Ca^{2+}$ using $EGTA-Ca^{2+}$ buffers. The $Ca^{2+}$-dependent biphasic change is the well-known character of $InsP_{3} receptor but not of microsomal $Ca^{2+}-ATPase$ in non-excitable cells; however, the activity of microsomal ATPase appeared biphasic and a maxim진 activity of $397{\pm}36nmol/min\;.mg$ protein was obtained in the solution containing 100 nM free $Ca^{2+}$. Below or above this concentration, the activity of ATPases was lower. These results strongly support a positive correlation of microsomal $Ca^{2+}-ATPase$ to the $InsP_{3}$ receptors in epithelial microsomes.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.139-150
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• 1996

The effects of adenosine analogues on the electrically-evoked norepinephrine(NE) release and the influence of ischemia on the effects were studied in the rat hippocampus. Slices from the rat hippocampus were equilibrated with $0.1{\mu}M$ $[^3H]-norepinephrine$ and the release of the labelled product, $[^3H]-NE$, was evoked by electrical stimulation(3 Hz, 2 ms, 5 $VCm^{-1}$ and rectangular pulses for 90 sec), and the influence of various agents on the evoked tritium-outflow was investigated. Ischemia(15min with 95% $N_2$ +5% $CO_2$) increased both the basal and evoked NE release. These increases were abolished by addition of glucose into the superfused medium, and they were significantly inhibited either by $0.3\;{\mu}M$ tetrodotoxin pretreatment or by removing $Ca^{++}$ in the medium. MK-801$(1{sim}10\;{\mu}M)$, a specific NMDA receptor antagonist, and glibenclamide $(1\;{\mu}M)$, a $K^+-channel$ inhibitor, neither alter the evoked NE release nor affected the Ischemia-Induced increases in NE release. However, polymyxin B(0.03 mg), a specific protein kinase C inhibitor, inhibited the effect of ischemia on the evoked NE release. Adenosine and $N^6-cyclopentyladenosine$ decreased the NE release in a dose-dependent manner in ischemic condition, though the magnitude of inhibition was far less than those in normal (normoxic) condition. Also the treatment with $5{\mu}M$ DPCPX, a potent $A_1-adenosine$ receptor antagonist did not affect the ischemia-effect. These results suggest that the evoked-NE release is potentiated by ischemia, and this process being most probably mediated by protein kinase C, and that the decrease of NE release mediated through $A_1-adenosine$ receptor is significantly inhibited in ischemic state.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.259-265
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• 2017

Excessive influx and the subsequent rapid cytosolic elevation of $Ca^{2+}$ in neurons is the major cause to induce hyperexcitability and irreversible cell damage although it is an essential ion for cellular signalings. Therefore, most neurons exhibit several cellular mechanisms to homeostatically regulate cytosolic $Ca^{2+}$ level in normal as well as pathological conditions. Delayed rectifier $K^+$ channels ($I_{DR}$ channels) play a role to suppress membrane excitability by inducing $K^+$ outflow in various conditions, indicating their potential role in preventing pathogenic conditions and cell damage under $Ca^{2+}$-mediated excitotoxic conditions. In the present study, we electrophysiologically evaluated the response of $I_{DR}$ channels to hyperexcitable conditions induced by high $Ca^{2+}$ pretreatment (3.6 mM, for 24 hours) in cultured hippocampal neurons. In results, high $Ca^{2+}$-treatment significantly increased the amplitude of $I_{DR}$ without changes of gating kinetics. Nimodipine but not APV blocked $Ca^{2+}$-induced $I_{DR}$ enhancement, confirming that the change of $I_{DR}$ might be targeted by $Ca^{2+}$ influx through voltage-dependent $Ca^{2+}$ channels (VDCCs) rather than NMDA receptors (NMDARs). The VDCC-mediated $I_{DR}$ enhancement was not affected by either $Ca^{2+}$-induced $Ca^{2+}$ release (CICR) or small conductance $Ca^{2+}$-activated $K^+$ channels (SK channels). Furthermore, PP2 but not H89 completely abolished $I_{DR}$ enhancement under high $Ca^{2+}$ condition, indicating that the activation of Src family tyrosine kinases (SFKs) is required for $Ca^{2+}$-mediated $I_{DR}$ enhancement. Thus, SFKs may be sensitive to excessive $Ca^{2+}$ influx through VDCCs and enhance $I_{DR}$ to activate a neuroprotective mechanism against $Ca^{2+}$-mediated hyperexcitability in neurons.