• International Journal of Oral Biology
• /
• v.45 no.2
• /
• pp.58-63
• /
• 2020

The salivary glands secrete saliva, which plays a role in the maintenance of a healthy oral environment. Under physiological conditions, saliva secretion within the acinar cells of the gland is regulated by stimulation of specific calcium (Ca²⁺) signaling mechanisms such as increases in the intracellular Ca²⁺ concentration ([Ca²⁺]_i) via storeoperated Ca²⁺ entry, which involves components such as Orai1, transient receptor potential (TRP) canonical 1, stromal interaction molecules, and inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate (IP₃) receptors (IP₃Rs). Homer proteins are scaffold proteins that bind to G protein-coupled receptors, IP₃Rs, ryanodine receptors, and TRP channels. However, their exact role in Ca²⁺ signaling in the salivary glands remains unknown. In the present study, we investigated the role of Homer2 in Ca²⁺ signaling and saliva secretion in parotid gland acinar cells under physiological conditions. Deletion of Homer2 (Homer2^-/-) markedly decreased the amplitude of [Ca²⁺]_i oscillations via the stimulation of carbachol, which is physiologically concentrated in parotid acinar cells, whereas the frequency of [Ca²⁺]_i oscillations showed no difference between wild-type and Homer2^-/- mice. Homer2^-/- mice also showed a significant decrease in amylase release by carbachol in the parotid gland in a dose-dependent manner. These results suggest that Homer2 plays a critical role in maintaining [Ca²⁺]_i concentration and secretion of saliva in mouse parotid gland acinar cells.

• BMB Reports
• /
• v.29 no.1
• /
• pp.22-26
• /
• 1996

Agents that activate or inhibit the $Ca^{2+}$ release channel in cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) were tested for their abilities to affect the activity of the SR $Ca^{2+}$-ATPase. Vesicles of junctional SR (heavy SR, HSR) from terminal cisternae were prepared from porcine cardiac muscle by density gradient centrifugation. The steady-state activity of $Ca^{2+}$-ATPases in intact HSR vesicles was/$347{\pm}5\;nmol/min{\cdot}mg$ protein (${\pm}$ SD). When the HSR vesicles were made leaky, the activity was increased to $415{\pm}5\;nmol/min{\cdot}mg$ protein. This increase is probably due to the uncoupling of HSR vesicles. Caffeine (10 mM), an agonist of the SR $Ca^{2+}$ release channel, increased $Ca^{2+}$-ATPase activity in the intact HSR vesicle preparation to $394{\pm}30\;nmol/min{\cdot}mg$ protein. However, caffeine had no significant effect in the leaky vesicle preparation and in the purified $Ca^{2+}$-ATPase preparation. The effect of caffeine on SR $Ca^{2+}$-ATPase was investigated at various concentrations of $Ca^{2+}$. Caffeine increased the pump activity over the whole range of $Ca^{2+}$ concentrations, from $1\;{\mu}M$ to $250\;{\mu}M$, in the intact HSR vesicles. When the SR $Ca^{2+}$-ATPase was inhibited by thapsigargin, no caffeine effect was observed. These results imply that the caffeine effect requires the intact vesicles and that the increase in $Ca^{2+}$-ATPase activity is not due to a direct interaction of caffeine with the enzyme. We propose that the activity of SR $Ca^{2+}$-ATPase is linked indirectly to the activity of the $Ca^{2+}$ release channel (ryanodine receptor) and may depend upon the amount of $Ca^{2+}$ released by the channels.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
• /
• v.54 no.6
• /
• pp.751-758
• /
• 2016

This study aimed at constructing a draft genome of the adult female worm Toxocara canis using next-generation sequencing (NGS) and de novo assembly, as well as to find new genes after annotation using functional genomics tools. Using an NGS machine, we produced DNA read data of T. canis. The de novo assembly of the read data was performed using SOAPdenovo. RNA read data were assembled using Trinity. Structural annotation, homology search, functional annotation, classification of protein domains, and KEGG pathway analysis were carried out. Besides them, recently developed tools such as MAKER, PASA, Evidence Modeler, and Blast2GO were used. The scaffold DNA was obtained, the N50 was 108,950 bp, and the overall length was 341,776,187 bp. The N50 of the transcriptome was 940 bp, and its length was 53,046,952 bp. The GC content of the entire genome was 39.3%. The total number of genes was 20,178, and the total number of protein sequences was 22,358. Of the 22,358 protein sequences, 4,992 were newly observed in T. canis. Following proteins previously unknown were found: E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase cbl-b and antigen T-cell receptor, zeta chain for T-cell and B-cell regulation; endoprotease bli-4 for cuticle metabolism; mucin 12Ea and polymorphic mucin variant C6/1/40r2.1 for mucin production; tropomodulin-family protein and ryanodine receptor calcium release channels for muscle movement. We were able to find new hypothetical polypeptides sequences unique to T. canis, and the findings of this study are capable of serving as a basis for extending our biological understanding of T. canis.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
• /
• v.59 no.4
• /
• pp.158-163
• /
• 2015

Cardiac myocytes are subjected to fluid shear stress during each contraction and relaxation. Under pathological conditions, such as valve disease, heart failure or hypertension, shear stress in cardiac chamber increases due to high blood volume and pressure. The shear stress induces proarrhythmic longitudinal global $Ca^{2+}$ waves in atrial myocytes. In the present study, we further explored underlying cellular mechanism for the shear stress-induced longitudinal global $Ca^{2+}$ wave in isolated rat atrial myocytes. A shear stress of ${\sim}16dyn/cm^2$ was applied onto entire single myocyte using pressurized fluid puffing. Confocal $Ca^{2+}$ imaging was performed to measure local and global $Ca^{2+}$ signals. Shear stress elicited longitudinally propagating global $Ca^{2+}$ wave (${\sim}80{\mu}m/s$). The occurrence of shear stress-induced atrial $Ca^{2+}$ wave was eliminated by the inhibition of ryanodine receptors (RyRs) or inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptors ($IP_3Rs$). In addition, pretreatment of phospholipase C (PLC) inhibitor U73122, but not its inactive analogue U73343, abolished the generation of longitudinal $Ca^{2+}$ wave under shear stress. Our data suggest that shear-induced longitudinal $Ca^{2+}$ wave may be induced by $Ca^{2+}$-induced $Ca^{2+}$ release through the RyRs which is triggered by $PLC-IP_3R$ signaling in atrial myocytes.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
• /
• v.26 no.1
• /
• pp.27-35
• /
• 1992

We used the whole cell patch clamp technique to examine the ionic basis for the tail current after depolarizing pulse in single atrial myocytes of the rabbit. We recorded the tail currents during various repolarizations after short depolarizing pulse from a holding potential of -70 mV. The potassium currents were blocked by external 4-aminopyridine and replacement of internal potassium with cesium. The current was reversed to the outward direction above +10 mV. High concentrations of intracellular calcium buffer inhibited the activation of the current. Diltiazem and ryanodine blocked it too. These data suggest that the current is activated by intracellular calcium released from sarcoplasmic reticulumn. When the internal chloride concentration was increased, the inward tail current was increased. The current was partially blocked by the anion transport blocker niflumic acid. The current voltage curve of the niflumic acid sensitive current component shows outward rectification and is well fitted to the current voltage curve of the theoretically predicted chloride current calculated from the constant field equation. The currents recorded in rabbit atrial myocytes, with the method showing isolated outward Na Ca exchange current in ventricular cells of the guinea pig, suggested that chloride conductance could be activated with the activation of Na/ca exchange current. From the above results it is concluded that a chloride sensitive component which is activated by intracellular calcium contributes to tail currents in rabbit atrial cells.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
• /
• v.44 no.3
• /
• pp.389-397
• /
• 2004

The therapeutic efficacy of xylamine in the field of psychological medicine has been recognized for years and the drug is used to treat depression and some other conditions, but little is known about its mechanism of action on vascular system. Therefore, the present study was designed to investigate the influence of xylamine on the contractile responses of isolated rat thoracic arteries to phenylephrine(PE) and potassium chloride(KCl). Xylamine produced a concentration-dependent relaxation in PE-precontracted endothelium intact(+E) rat aortic rings, but not in a KCl-precontracted aortic rings. Also, xylamine inhibited the PE-induced contraction in concentration-dependent manner, but not in the high KCl-induced contraction in +E rings. This concentration-dependent inhibition was suppressed by the removal of the endothelium (-E). The inhibitory effects of xylamine($0.3{\mu}M$) on the PE-induced contractions were suppressed by N(G)-nitro-L-arginine(L-NNA), N(omega)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester(L-NAME), aminoguanidine, dexamethasone, methylene blue, 1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazolo [4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one(ODQ), indomethacin, ryanodine, tetrabutylammonium(TBA), lidocaine, procaine and 0 mM extracellular $Na^+$, but not by 2-nitro-4-carboxyphenyl-n,n-diphenylcarbamate(NCDC), lithium, nifedipine, verapamil, 0 mM extracellular $Ca^{2+}$, glibenclamide and clotrimazole. These findings suggest that xylamine could act as a vasorelaxant and direct inhibitor of arterial contraction. This vasorelaxation involves an endothelial nitric oxide (NO)/cGMP (guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate) pathway or cyclooxygenase system, and an interference with $Ca^{2+}$ release, TBA-sensitive $Ca^{2+}$-activated $K^+$ channels and $Na^+$$ channels.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
• /
• v.19 no.4
• /
• pp.1-14
• /
• 2007

Background: It is generally accepted that skeletal muscle contraction is triggered by nerve impulse and intracellular $Ca^{2+}\;([Ca^{2+}]_i)$ released from intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ stores such as sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR). Specifically, this process, called excitation-contraction (E-C) coupling, takes place at intracellular junctions between the plasma membrane, the transverse (T) tubule L-type $Ca^{2+}$ channel (dihydropyridine-sensitive L-rype $Ca^{2+}$ channel, DHPR, also called tetrads), and the SR $Ca^{2+}$ release channel (ryanodine-sensitive $Ca^{2+}$ release channel, RyR, also called feet) of internal $Ca^{2+}$ stores in skeletal muscle cells. Furthermore, it has been reported that the $Ca^{2+-}$ dependent and -independent contraction determine the expression of skeletal muscle genes, thus providing a mechanism for tightly coupling the extent of muscle contraction to regulation of muscle plasticity-related excitation-transcription (E-T) coupling. Purpose: Expression and activity of plasticity-associated enzymes in gastrocnemius muscle strips have not been well studied, however. Methods: Therefore, in this study the expression and phosphorylation of E-C and E-T coupling-related mediators such as protein kinases, ROS(reactive oxygen species)- and apoptosis-related substances, and others in gastrocnemius muscles from rats was examined. Results: I found that expression and activity of MAPKs (mitogen-activated protein kinases, ERK1/2, p38MAPK, and SAPK/JNK), apoptotic proteins (cleaved caspase-3, cytochrome c, Ref-1, Bad), small GTP-binding proteins (RhoA and Cdc42), actin-binding protein (cofilin), PKC (protein kinase C) and $Ca^{2+}$ channel (transient receptor potential channel 6, TRPC6) was observed in rat gastrocnemius muscle strips. Conclusion: These results suggest that MAPKs, ROS- and apoptosis-related enzymes, cytoskeleton-regulated proteins, and $Ca^{2+}$ channel may in part functionally import in E-C and E-T coupling from rat skeletal muscles.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
• /
• v.23 no.6
• /
• pp.539-547
• /
• 2019

Anoctamin 5 (ANO5)/TMEM16E belongs to a member of the ANO/TMEM16 family member of anion channels. However, it is a matter of debate whether ANO5 functions as a genuine plasma membrane chloride channel. It has been recognized that mutations in the ANO5 gene cause many skeletal muscle diseases such as limb girdle muscular dystrophy type 2L (LGMD2L) and Miyoshi muscular dystrophy type 3 (MMD3) in human. However, the molecular mechanisms of the skeletal myopathies caused by ANO5 defects are poorly understood. To understand the role of ANO5 in skeletal muscle development and function, we silenced the ANO5 gene in C2C12 myoblasts and evaluated whether it impairs myogenesis and myotube function. ANO5 knockdown (ANO5-KD) by shRNA resulted in clustered or aggregated nuclei at the body of myotubes without affecting differentiation or myotube formation. Nuclear positioning defect of ANO5-KD myotubes was accompanied with reduced expression of Kif5b protein, a kinesin-related motor protein that controls nuclear transport during myogenesis. ANO5-KD impaired depolarization-induced $[Ca2^{+}]_i$ transient and reduced sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) $Ca^{2+}$ storage. ANO5-KD resulted in reduced protein expression of the dihydropyridine receptor (DHPR) and SR $Ca^{2+}-ATPase$ subtype 1. In addition, ANO5-KD compromised co-localization between DHPR and ryanodine receptor subtype 1. It is concluded that ANO5-KD causes nuclear positioning defect by reduction of Kif5b expression, and compromises $Ca^{2+}$ signaling by downregulating the expression of DHPR and SERCA proteins.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
• /
• v.28 no.5
• /
• pp.413-422
• /
• 2024

Group I metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) modulate postsynaptic neuronal excitability and epileptogenesis. We investigated roles of group I mGluRs on low extracellular Mg²⁺ concentration ([Mg²⁺]_o)-induced epileptiform activity and neuronal cell death in the CA1 regions of isolated rat hippocampal slices without the entorhinal cortex using extracellular recording and propidium iodide staining. Exposure to Mg²⁺-free artificial cerebrospinal fluid can induce interictal epileptiform activity in the CA1 regions of rat hippocampal slices. MPEP, a mGluR 5 antagonist, significantly inhibited the spike firing of the low [Mg²⁺]_o-induced epileptiform activity, whereas LY367385, a mGluR1 antagonist, did not. DHPG, a group 1 mGluR agonist, significantly increased the spike firing of the epileptiform activity. U73122, a PLC inhibitor, inhibited the spike firing. Thapsigargin, an ER Ca²⁺-ATPase antagonist, significantly inhibited the spike firing and amplitude of the epileptiform activity. Both the IP₃ receptor antagonist 2-APB and the ryanodine receptor antagonist dantrolene significantly inhibited the spike firing. The PKC inhibitors such as chelerythrine and GF109203X, significantly increased the spike firing. Flufenamic acid, a relatively specific TRPC 1, 4, 5 channel antagonist, significantly inhibited the spike firing, whereas SKF96365, a relatively non-specific TRPC channel antagonist, did not. MPEP significantly decreased low [Mg²⁺]_o DMEM-induced neuronal cell death in the CA1 regions, but LY367385 did not. We suggest that mGluR 5 is involved in low [Mg²⁺]_o-induced interictal epileptiform activity in the CA1 regions of rat hippocampal slices through PLC, release of Ca²⁺ from intracellular stores and PKC and TRPC channels, which could be involved in neuronal cell death.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
• /
• v.24 no.4
• /
• pp.349-354
• /
• 2004

Stress-susceptible pigs have been known as the porcine stress syndrome (PSS), swine PSS, also known as malignant hyperthermia (MH), is characterized as sudden death and production of poor meat quality such as PSE (pale, soft and exudative) meat after slaughtering. PSS and PSE meat cause major economic losses in the pig industry. A point mutation in the gene coding for the ryanodine receptor (RYR1) in porcine skeletal muscle, also known calcium (Ca$^{2+}$) release channel, has been associated with swine PSS and halothane sensitivity. We used the PCR-RFLP(restriction fragment length polymorphism) and PCR-SSCP (single strand conformation polymorphism) methods to detect the PSS gene mutation (C1843T) in the RYR1 gene and to estimate genotype frequencies of PSS gene in Korean pig breed populations. In PCR-RFLP and SSCP analyses, three genotypes of homozygous normal (N/M), heterozygous carrier (N/n) and homozygous recessive mutant (n/n) were detected using agarose or polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, respectively. The proportions of normal, carrier and PSS pigs were 57.1, 35.7 and 7.1％ for Landrace, 82.5, 15.8 and 1.7％ far L. Yorkshire, 95.2, 4.8 and 0.0％ for Duroc and 72.0, 22.7 and 5.3％ for Crossbreed. Consequently, DNA-based diagnosis for the identification of stress-susceptible pigs of PSS and pigs producing PSE meat is a powerful technique. Especially, PCR-SSCP method may be useful as a rapid, sensitive and inexpensive test for the large-scale screening of PSS genotypes and pigs with PSE meat in the pork industry.y.