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A Galione

Publications and source records attributed to A Galione.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Differential regulation of nicotinic acid-adenine dinucleotide phosphate and cADP-ribose production by cAMP and cGMP.

The sea urchin egg has been used as a system to study calcium-release mechanisms induced by inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3), cADP-ribose (cADPR), and more recently, nicotinic acid-adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NAADP). In order that cADPR and NAADP may be established as endogenous messengers for calcium release, the existence of intracellular enzymes capable of metabolizing these molecules must be demonstrated. In addition, intracellular levels of cADPR and NAADP should be under the control of extracellular stimuli. It has been shown that cGMP stimulates the synthesis of cADPR in the sea urchin egg. The present study shows that the sea urchin egg is capable of synthesizing and degrading NAADP. cADPR and NAADP synthetic activities appear to be separate, with different cellular localizations, pH and temperature optima. We suggest that in the sea urchin egg, cADPR and NAADP production may be differentially regulated by receptor-coupled second messengers, with cADPR production being regulated by cGMP and NAADP production modulated by cAMP.

Adenosine Diphosphate Ribose

Cyclic ADP-ribose and the regulation of calcium-induced calcium release in eggs and cardiac myocytes.

Cyclic ADP-ribose (cADPR) is a cyclic metabolite of NAD+ synthesised in cells and tissues expressing ADP-ribosyl cyclases. Although it was first discovered in sea-urchin egg extracts as a potent calcium mobilizing agent, subsequent studies have indicated that it may have a widespread action in the activation of calcium-release channels in such diverse systems as mammalian neurones, myocytes, blood cells, eggs, and plant microsomes. In this review we focus on recent work suggesting that cADPR enhances the sensitivity of ryanodine-sensitive calcium-release channels (RyRs) to activation by calcium, a phenomenon termed calcium-induced calcium release (CICR). Two roles for cADPR in calcium signaling are discussed. The first is as a classical second messenger where its levels are controlled by extracellular stimuli, and the second mode of cellular regulation is that the levels of intracellular cADPR may set the sensitivity of RyRs to activation by an influx of calcium in excitable cells. These two possible actions of cADPR are illustrated by considering the signal transduction events during the fertilization of the sea-urchin egg and the modulation of CICR during excitation-coupling in isolated guinea-pig ventricular myocytes, respectively.

Adenosine Diphosphate Ribose

A cytosolic sperm protein factor mobilizes Ca2+ from intracellular stores by activating multiple Ca2+ release mechanisms independently of low molecular weight messengers.

Ca2+ oscillations can be induced in mammalian eggs and somatic cells by microinjection of a cytosolic sperm protein factor. The nature of the sperm factor-induced Ca2+ signaling was investigated by adding sperm protein extracts to homogenates of sea urchin eggs, which contain multiple classes of Ca2+ release mechanisms. We show that the sperm factor mobilizes Ca2+ from non-mitochondrial Ca2+ stores in egg homogenates after a distinct latency. This latency is abolished by preincubation of sperm extracts with egg cytosol. The preincubation step is highly temperature-dependent and generates a high molecular weight, protein-based Ca2+-releasing agent that can also mobilize Ca2+ from purified egg microsomes. This Ca2+ release appears to be mediated via both inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate and ryanodine receptors, since homologous desensitization of these two release mechanisms by their respective agonists inhibits further release by the sperm factor. However, sperm factor-induced Ca2+ release by these channels is independent of inositol 1,4, 5-trisphosphate or cADPR since antagonists of either of these two messengers did not block the Ca2+ release effected by the sperm factor. The sperm protein factor may cause Ca2+ release via an enzymatic step that generates a protein-based Ca2+-releasing agent.

Animals

Nitric oxide gates fertilization channels in ascidian oocytes through nicotinamide nucleotide metabolism.

In this paper we use the nitric oxide (NO) donor sodium nitroprusside to examine the response of the unfertilised oocyte of the ascidian Ciona intestinalis to nitric oxide. We show that the release of NO triggers an inward current that displays similar properties to the ascidian fertilisation current. Furthermore, the production of NO causes the release of intracellular calcium through a ruthenium-red sensitive mechanism. Our data suggest that these effects are due to the stimulation of nicotinamide nucleotide metabolism, but the active second messenger is not cyclic adenosine diphosphate ribose (cADPr). Finally, we show that NO production increases at fertilisation. The results suggest that ascidian sperm trigger the release of NO and this second messenger causes the breakdown of nicotinamide nucleotides leading to the production of a second messenger which induces the fertilisation current and may assist in the production of the increase in calcium.

Adenosine Diphosphate Ribose

Cyclic ADP-ribose enhances coupling between voltage-gated Ca2+ entry and intracellular Ca2+ release.

Ca2+ release from intracellular stores can be activated in neurons by influx of Ca2+ through voltage-gated Ca2+ channels. This process, called Ca2+-induced Ca2+ release, relies on the properties of the ryanodine receptor and represents a mechanism by which Ca2+ influx during neuronal activity can be amplified into large intracellular Ca2+ signals. In a differentiated neuroblastoma cell line, we show that caffeine, a pharmacological activator of the ryanodine receptor, released Ca2+ from intracellular stores in a Ca2+-dependent and ryanodine-sensitive manner. The pyridine nucleotide, cyclic ADP-ribose, thought to be an endogenous modulator of ryanodine receptors also amplified Ca2+-induced Ca2+ release in these neurons. Cyclic ADP-ribose enhanced the total cytoplasmic Ca2+ levels during controlled Ca2+ influx through voltage gated channels, in a concentration-dependent and ryanodine-sensitive manner and also increased the sensitivity with which a small amount of Ca2+ influx could trigger additional release from the ryanodine-sensitive intracellular Ca2+ stores. Single cell imaging showed that following the Ca2+ influx, cyclic ADP-ribose enhanced the spatial spread of the Ca2+ signal from the edge of the cell into its center. These powerful actions suggest a role for cyclic ADP-ribose in the functional coupling of neuronal depolarization, Ca2+ entry, and global intracellular Ca2+ signaling.

Adenosine Diphosphate Ribose

Roles for adenosine ribose hydroxyl groups in cyclic adenosine 5'-diphosphate ribose-mediated Ca2+ release.

Cyclic adenosine diphosphate ribose (cADPR) is a naturally occurring and potent Ca2+-mobilizing agent. Structural analogues are currently required as pharmacological tools for the investigation of this topical molecule, but modifications to date have concentrated primarily upon the purine ring. Two novel dehydroxylated analogues of cADPR have now been prepared from chemically synthesized nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) precursors modified in the ribose moiety linked to adenine. ADP-ribosyl cyclase of Aplysia californica catalyzed the conversion of 2'A-deoxy-NAD+ and 3'A-deoxy-NAD+ into the corresponding 2'A-deoxy-cADPR and 3'A-deoxy-cADPR analogues, respectively. These analogues were used to assess the effect of 2'- and 3'-hydroxyl group deletion in the adenosine ribose moiety of cADPR on the Ca2+-releasing potential of cADPR. These compounds were found to have comparatively markedly different activities as agonists for Ca2+ mobilization in sea urchin egg homogenate. 2'A-Deoxy-cADPR is similar to cADPR, whereas 3'A-deoxy-cADPR is at least 100-fold less potent, indicating that the 3'A-hydroxyl group, but not the 2'A-hydroxyl group, is essential for calcium releasing activity. EC50 values recorded were 32 nM, 58 nM, and 5 microM for cADPR, 2'A-deoxy-cADPR, and 3'A-deoxy-cADPR, respectively. Moreover, 200 nM 2'A-deoxy-cADPR was required to desensitize the cADPR-sensitive Ca2+ channel to a subsequent addition of 100 nM cADPR, but 20 microM 3'A-deoxy-cADPR was required to produce the same desensitizing effect. This is in accordance with the 100-fold lower potency exhibited by the latter analogue. To further investigate the importance of the 3'-hydroxyl group, we have also synthesized 3'A-O-methyl-cADPR, in which the 3'-hydroxyl group of adenosine has been methylated and its ability potentially to donate a hydrogen atom in a hydrogen bond has been removed. Although inactive in releasing Ca2+, 3'A-O-methyl-cADPR inhibited cADPR-induced Ca2+ release in a dose-dependent manner with an approximate IC50 value of 5 microM, whereas 3'-O-methyladenosine had no effect. This further supports the requirement of a 3'-OH group for Ca2+ releasing activity. In addition, however, it suggests that this group may not be crucial for ligand-receptor recognition. Thus, replacement of the hydrogen atom of the hydroxyl with a methyl group effects a change of activity from an agonist to an antagonist of cADPR-induced Ca2+ release. Two other analogues with modifications in the 2' and/or 3' positions, 3'-cADPR phosphate and 2',3'-cyclic-cADPR phosphate, were synthesized and tested for their Ca2+-mobilizing activity in sea urchin egg homogenates. Both analogues were inactive with respect to both agonistic and antagonistic activities on the cADPR-sensitive Ca2+ release mechanism. These are the first steps toward a wider structure-activity relationship for cADPR, and this is the first study to implicate a crucial role for the adenosine ribose hydroxyl groups of cADPR in the biological activity of this cyclic nucleotide. Additionally, this is the first report of a cADPR receptor antagonist that is not modified at the 8-position of the purine ring.

Adenosine Diphosphate Ribose

7-Deaza-8-bromo-cyclic ADP-ribose, the first membrane-permeant, hydrolysis-resistant cyclic ADP-ribose antagonist.

Cyclic ADP-ribose (cADPR) is a putative second messenger that has been demonstrated to mobilize Ca2+ in many cell types. Its postulated role as the endogenous regulator of ryanodine-sensitive Ca2+ release channels has been greatly supported by the advent and use of specific cADPR receptor antagonists such as 8-NH2-cADPR (Walseth, T. F., and Lee, H. C. (1993) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 1178, 235-242). However, investigations of the role of cADPR in physiological responses, such as fertilization, stimulus-secretion coupling, and excitation-contraction coupling, have been hindered by the susceptibility of cADPR receptor antagonists to hydrolysis and the need to introduce these molecules into cells by microinjection or patch clamp techniques. We have recently reported on the discovery of a poorly hydrolyzable analogue of cADPR, 7-deaza-cADPR (Bailey, V. C., Sethi, J. K., Fortt, S. M., Galione, A., and Potter, B. V. L. (1997) Chem. Biol. 4, 41-51) but this, like cADPR, is an agonist of ryanodine-sensitive Ca2+ release channels. We therefore explored the possibility of combining antagonistic activity with that of hydrolytic resistance and now report on the biological properties of the first hydrolysis-resistant cADPR receptor antagonist, 7-deaza-8-bromo-cADPR. In addition this compound has the advantage of being membrane-permeable. Together these properties make this hybrid molecule the most powerful tool to date for studying cADPR-mediated Ca2+ signaling in intact cells.

Adenosine Diphosphate Ribose

Kinetic properties of nicotinic acid adenine dinucleotide phosphate-induced Ca2+ release.

Three endogenous molecules have now been shown to release Ca2+ in the sea urchin egg: inositol trisphosphate (InsP3), cyclic adenosine 5'-diphosphate ribose (cADPR), and nicotinic acid adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NAADP), a derivative of NADP. While the mechanism through which the first two molecules are able to release Ca2+ is established and well characterized with InsP3 and cADPR-activating InsP3 and ryanodine receptors, respectively, the newly described NAADP has been shown to release Ca2+ via an entirely different mechanism. The most striking feature of this novel Ca2+ release mechanism is its inactivation, since subthreshold concentrations of NAADP are able to fully and irreversibly desensitize the channel. In the present study we have investigated the fast kinetics of activation and inactivation of NAADP-induced Ca2+ release. NAADP was found to release Ca2+ in a biphasic manner, and such release was preceded by a pronounced latent period, which was inversely dependent on concentration. Moreover, the kinetic features of NAADP-induced Ca2+ release were not altered by pretreatment with low concentrations of NAADP, although the extent of Ca2+ release was greatly affected. Our data suggest that the inactivation of NAADP-induced Ca2+ release is an all-or-none phenomenon, and while some receptors have been fully inactivated, those that remain sensitive to NAADP do so without any change in kinetic features.

Animals

7-Deaza cyclic adenosine 5'-diphosphate ribose: first example of a Ca(2+)-mobilizing partial agonist related to cyclic adenosine 5'-diphosphate ribose.

BACKGROUND: Cyclic adenosine 5'-diphosphate ribose (cADPR), a naturally occurring metabolite of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+), mobilizes Ca2+ from non-mitochondrial stores in a variety of mammalian and invertebrate tissues. It has been shown that cADPR activates ryanodine-sensitive Ca(2+)-release channels, working independently of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) to mobilize intracellular Ca2+ stores. In some systems, cADPR has been shown to be more potent than IP3. The chemo-enzymatic synthesis of structurally modified analogues of cADPR can provide pharmacological tools for probing this new Ca(2+)-signaling pathway. In this work, we describe the synthesis and evaluation of a structural mimic of cADPR with different Ca(2+)-releasing properties. RESULTS: 7-Deaza cyclic adenosine 5'-diphosphate ribose (7-deaza cADPR), a novel cADPR analogue modified in the purine ring, was synthesized and its ability to release Ca2+ from non-mitochondrial pools in homogenates made from sea urchin eggs was investigated. 7-Deaza cADPR was more effective in releasing Ca2+ than cADPR, but it only released approximately 66% of the Ca2+ released by a maximal concentration of cADPR. It was also more resistant to hydrolysis than cADPR. If we administered increasing concentrations of 7-deaza cADPR at the same time as a maximal concentration of cADPR, the induction of Ca2+ release by cADPR was antagonized. CONCLUSIONS: 7-Deaza cADPR has a Ca(2+)-release profile consistent with that of a partial agonist, and it is the first reported example of such a compound to act at the cADPR receptor. The imidazole ring of cADPR is clearly important in stimulating the Ca(2+)-release machinery, and the present results demonstrate that structural modification of a site other than position 8 of the purine ring can affect the efficacy of Ca2+ release. 7-Deaza cADPR represents a significant step forwards in designing modulators of the cADPR signaling pathway.

Adenosine Diphosphate Ribose

Pharmacological properties of the Ca2+-release mechanism sensitive to NAADP in the sea urchin egg.

1. The sea urchin egg homogenate is an ideal model to characterize Ca2+-release mechanisms because of its reliability and high signal-to-noise-ratio. Apart from the InsP3- and ryanodine-sensitive Ca2+-release mechanisms, it has been recently demonstrated that this model is responsive to a third independent mechanism, that has the pyridine nucleotide, nicotinic acid adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NAADP), as an endogenous agonist. 2. The sea urchin egg homogenate was used to characterize the pharmacological and biochemical characteristics of the novel Ca2+-releasing agent, NAADP, compared to inositol trisphosphate (InsP3) and cyclic ADP ribose (cyclic ADPR), an endogenous activator of ryanodine receptors. 3. NAADP-induced Ca2+-release was blocked by L-type Ca2+-channel blockers and by Bay K 8644, while InsP3- and cyclic ADPR-induced Ca2+-release were insensitive to these agents. L-type Ca2+-channel blockers did not displace [32P]-NAADP binding, suggesting that their binding site was different. Moreover, stopped-flow kinetic studies revealed that these agents blocked NAADP in a all-or-none fashion. 4. Similarly, a number of K+-channel antagonists blocked NAADP-induced Ca2+-release selectively over InsP3- and cyclic ADPR-induced Ca2+-release. Radioligand studies showed that these agents were not competitive antagonists. 5. As has been shown for InsP3 and ryanodine receptors, NAADP receptors were sensitive to calmodulin antagonists, suggesting that this protein could be a common regulatory feature of intracellular Ca2+-release mechanisms. 6. The presence of K+ was not essential for NAADP-induced Ca2+-release, since substitution of K+ with other monovalent cations in the experimental media did not significantly alter Ca2+ release by NAADP. On the contrary, cyclic ADPR and InsP3-sensitive mechanisms were affected profoundly, although to a different extent depending on the monovalent cation which substituted for K+. Similarly, modifications of the pH in the experimental media from 7.2 to 6.7 or 8.0 only slightly affected NAADP-induced Ca2+-release. While the alkaline condition permitted InsP3 and cyclic ADPR-induced Ca2+-release, the acidic condition completely hampered both Ca2+-release mechanisms. 7. The present results characterize pharmacologically and biochemically the novel Ca2+-release mechanism sensitive to NAADP. Such characterization will help future research aimed at understanding the role of NAADP in mammalian systems.

Adenosine Diphosphate Ribose

Actions of cADP-ribose and its antagonists on contraction in guinea pig isolated ventricular myocytes. Influence of temperature.

Although it is becoming widely accepted that cADP-ribose (cADPR) can regulate calcium release from the endoplasmic reticulum in sea urchin eggs and in a variety of mammalian cell types, it remains controversial whether this substance might influence calcium release during excitation-contraction coupling in cardiac muscle. We have investigated possible actions of cADPR in intact cells isolated from guinea pig ventricle, paying particular attention to the possible influence of temperature. At 36 degrees C, myocyte contraction was influenced by cytosolic application of cADPR in a concentration-dependent manner (showing an approximately 30% increase in contraction with 5 mumol/L cADPR applied via a patch pipette in myocytes stimulated to fire action potentials at 1 Hz). Calcium transients measured with fura 2 were also increased by 5 mumol/L cADPR. Antagonists of cADPR reduced contraction at 36 degrees C (by approximately 35% with either 50 mumol/L 8-Br-cADPR or 5 mumol/L 8-amino-cADPR applied via the patch pipette). At room temperature (approximately 20 degrees C to 24 degrees C), no significant effects on contraction were detected with either cADPR or its antagonists. At 36 degrees C, treatment of the cells with a mixture of 2 mumol/L ryanodine and 1 mumol/L thapsigargin to suppress function of the sarcoplasmic reticulum stores of calcium prevented the action of 5 mumol/L cADPR applied via a patch pipette. These observations are consistent with an action of cytosolic cADPR to enhance calcium-induced calcium release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum in guinea pig ventricular myocytes at 36 degrees C. The observed influence of temperature under the conditions of our experiments is one factor that might help to account for failure to detect actions of cADPR and its analogues in some previous studies.

Adenosine Diphosphate Ribose

Influence of haemodialysis on lipase activity.

Our aim was to determine whether the increase in serum pancreatic lipase values, reported in patients with chronic renal failure maintained on haemodialysis, is the result of haemoconcentration by fluid removal during dialysis, or whether it is due to lipase stimulation by endothelial lipoprotein lipase, induced by the heparin used as an anticoagulant. We therefore compared the increases in serum lipase, when heparin was used, with those observed when this was replaced by the antithrombotic agent, defibrotide, which has no effect on lipoprotein lipase. In addition, in order to determine the effects of haemoconcentration, variations in total protein concentration and haematocrit values were determined on the same samples, both before and after dialysis. The results showed a statistically significant post-dialysis increase in lipase only when heparin was used (p < 0.03). There was also a mean percentage post-dialysis increase of 16.2% in total protein (p < 0.0001) and 15.5% in haematocrit (p < 0.0001), due to fluid removal. No significant correlation in percentage increases was found between lipase vs total protein or haematocrit values. These findings suggest that heparin-induced lipoprotein lipase stimulation is the principal cause of the post-dialysis increase in pancreatic lipase, and that fluid removal during dialysis makes only a minor contribution to this increase.

Adult

Nicotinamide inhibits cyclic ADP-ribose-mediated calcium signalling in sea urchin eggs.

Cyclic ADP ribose (cADPR) is a potent Ca(2+)-releasing agent, and putative second messenger, the endogenous levels of which are tightly regulated by synthetic (ADP-ribosyl cyclases) and degradative (cADPR hydrolase) enzymes. These enzymes have been characterized in a number of mammalian and invertebrate tissues and their activities are often found on a single polypeptide. beta-NAD+, cGMP and nitric oxide (NO) have been reported to mobilize Ca2+ in the sea urchin egg via the cADPR-mediated pathway. We now report that in sea urchin egg homogenates, nicotinamide inhibits the Ca(2+)-mobilizing action of beta-NAD+, cGMP and NO, but has no effect on cADPR-induced Ca2+ release. Moreover, nicotinamide inhibits cGMP-induced regenerative Ca2+ waves in the intact sea urchin egg. By successfully separating the cADPR-metabolizing machinery from that which releases Ca2+, we have shown that nicotinamide inhibits cADPR-mediated Ca2+ signalling at the level of cADPR generation. Importantly, nicotinamide had no effect upon the hydrolysis of cADPR, and its selective action on cyclase activity was supported by its inhibition of purified Aplysia ADP-ribosyl cyclase, which does not exhibit detectable hydrolytic activity. The action of nicotinamide in blocking Ca2+ release by beta-NAD+, cGMP and NO strongly suggests that these agents act as modulators of cADPR synthesis rather than to sensitize calcium release channels to cADPR.

Adenosine Diphosphate Ribose

A specific cyclic ADP-ribose antagonist inhibits cardiac excitation-contraction coupling.

BACKGROUND: Cyclic ADP-ribose (cADPR) has been shown to act as a potent cytosolic mediator in a variety of tissues, regulating the release of Ca2+ from intracellular stores by a mechanism that involves ryanodine receptors. There is controversy over the effects of cADPR in cardiac muscle, although one possibility is that endogenous cADPR increases the Ca2+ sensitivity of Ca2+-induced Ca2+ release (CICR) from the sarcoplasmic reticulum. We investigated this possibility using 8-amino-cADPR, which has been found to antagonize the Ca2+-releasing effects of cADPR on sea urchin egg microsomes and in mammalian cells (Purkinje neurons, Jurkat T cells, smooth muscle and PC12 cells). RESULTS: In intact cardiac myocytes isolated from guinea-pig ventricle, cytosolic injection of 8-amino-cADPR substantially reduced contractions and Ca2+ transients accompanying action potentials (stimulated at 1Hertz). These reductions were not seen with injection of HEPES buffer, with heat-inactivated 8-amino-cADPR, or in cells pretreated with ryanodine (2 microM) to suppress sarcoplasmic reticulum function before injection of the 8-amino-cADPR. L-type Ca2+ currents and the extent of Ca2+ loading of the sarcoplasmic reticulum were not reduced by 8-amino-cADPR. CONCLUSIONS: These observations are consistent with the hypothesis that endogenous cADPR plays an important role during normal contraction of cardiac myocytes. One possibility is that cADPR sensitizes the CICR mechanism to Ca2+, an action antagonized by 8-amino-cADPR (leading to reduced Ca2+ transients and contractions). A direct effect of 8-amino-cADPR on CICR cannot be excluded, but observations with caffeine are not consistent with a non-selective block of release channels.

Adenosine Diphosphate Ribose

Inhibition of cADPR-Hydrolase by ADP-ribose potentiates cADPR synthesis from beta-NAD+.

Cyclic adenosine 5'-diphosphate ribose (cADPR) is a potent Ca2+ releasing agent in a number of tissues. A particular bifunctional NAD+ glycohydrolase is responsible for both the cyclase and hydrolase activity necessary for its synthesis from beta-NAD and degradation to ADPR. We now report that ADPR, the end-product of this enzyme, releases Ca2+ at high concentrations (above 100 microM), and at lower concentrations (10-100 microM) inhibits the hydrolysis of cADPR and potentiates the production of cADPR from NAD+. This evidence suggests that ADPR may be an important modulator of the NAD+ glycohydrolase responsible for the production of cADPR.

ADP-ribosyl Cyclase

Unique inactivation properties of NAADP-sensitive Ca2+ release.

Ca2+ mobilization from intracellular stores constitutes an important mechanism for generating cytoplasmic Ca2+ signals. Inositol trisphosphate (InsP3) and ryanodine receptors are the two families of intracellular Ca2+ release channels that have been identified, which may be regulated by separate intracellular messengers, InsP3, and cyclic adenosine 5'-diphosphate ribose, respectively. A third molecule, nicotinic acid adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NAADP), has recently been recognized as a potent Ca2+ releasing agent in sea urchin eggs and microsomes. We now report that non-releasing concentrations of NAADP fully and irreversibly inactivate the NAADP-sensitive Ca2+ release mechanism. This phenomenon occurred both in intact sea urchin eggs and in homogenates and is not shared by either InsP3 or cyclic adenosine 5'-diphosphate ribose. The novel properties of this Ca2+ release mechanism, giving a one-shot Ca2+ release, may be suited to irreversible cellular events.

Animals

Calcium store depletion potentiates a phosphodiesterase inhibitor- and dibutyryl cGMP-evoked calcium influx in rat pituitary GH3 cells.

A role for cGMP in the control of capacitative Ca2+ influx was identified in rat pituitary GH3 cells. Application of 50 microM - 1 mM of the non-specific phosphodiesterase inhibitor, 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX), or the specific cGMP-phosphodiesterase inhibitor, zaprinast, induced a dose-dependent increase in the intracellular free Ca2+ concentration [Ca2+]i of the pituitary cell line, as assessed by video ratio imaging using fura-2. Response onset times were identical and response profiles were similar in all cells analysed. Application of 50 microM dibutyryl cGMP to GH3 cells resulted in heterogeneous Ca2+ responses, consisting of single or multiple transients with varying onset times. In all cases, increases in [Ca2+]i were predominantly due to Ca2+ influx, since no responses were detected in low Ca2+ medium, or following pre-incubation of cells with 1 microM verapamil, or nicardipine. Depleting intracellular Ca2+ stores by prior treatment of cells with 1 microM thapsigargin resulted in a dramatic potentiation in the Ca2+ influx mediated by both phosphodiesterase inhibitors and dibutyryl cGMP, suggesting that cGMP modulates a dihydropyridine-sensitive Ca2+ entry mechanism in GH3 cells which is possibly regulated by the state of filling of Ca2+ stores.

Animals