Biomedical subjects

James W Putney

Publications and source records attributed to James W Putney.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2007

Role of the store-operated calcium entry proteins Stim1 and Orai1 in muscarinic cholinergic receptor-stimulated calcium oscillations in human embryonic kidney cells.

We have investigated the nature of the Ca2+ entry supporting [Ca2+]i oscillations in human embryonic kidney (HEK293) cells by examining the roles of recently described store-operated Ca2+ entry proteins, Stim1 and Orai1. Knockdown of Stim1 by RNA interference (RNAi) reduced the frequency of [Ca2+]i oscillations in response to a low concentration of methacholine to the level seen in the absence of external Ca2+. However, knockdown of Stim1 did not block oscillations in canomical transient receptor potential 3 channel (TRPC3)-expressing cells and did not affect Ca2+ entry in response to arachidonic acid. The effects of knockdown of Stim1 could be reversed by inhibiting Ca2+ extrusion with a high concentration of Gd3+, or by rescuing the knockdown by overexpression of Stim1. Similarly, knockdown of Orai1 abrogated [Ca2+]i oscillations, and this was reversed by use of high concentrations of Gd3+; however, knockdown of Orai1 did not affect arachidonic acid-activated entry. RNAi targeting 34 members of the transient receptor potential (TRP) channel superfamily did not reveal a role for any of these channel proteins in store-operated Ca2+ entry in HEK293 cells. These findings indicate that the Ca2+ entry supporting [Ca2+]i oscillations in HEK293 cells depends upon the Ca2+ sensor, Stim1, and calcium release-activated Ca2+ channel protein, Orai1, and provide further support for our conclusion that it is the store-operated mechanism that plays the major role in this pathway.

Bacterial Proteins↗

PubMed2007

Inositol lipids and TRPC channel activation.

The original hypothesis put forth by Bob Michell in his seminal 1975 review held that inositol lipid breakdown was involved in the activation of plasma membrane calcium channels or 'gates'. Subsequently, it was demonstrated that while the interposition of inositol lipid breakdown upstream of calcium signalling was correct, it was predominantly the release of Ca2+ that was activated, through the formation of Ins(1,4,5)P3. Ca2+ entry across the plasma membrane involved a secondary mechanism signalled in an unknown manner by depletion of intracellular Ca2+ stores. In recent years, however, additional non-store-operated mechanisms for Ca2+ entry have emerged. In many instances, these pathways involve homologues of the Drosophila trp (transient receptor potential) gene. In mammalian systems there are seven members of the TRP superfamily, designated TRPC1-TRPC7, which appear to be reasonably close structural and functional homologues of Drosophila TRP. Although these channels can sometimes function as store-operated channels, in the majority of instances they function as channels more directly linked to phospholipase C activity. Three members of this family, TRPC3, 6 and 7, are activated by the phosphoinositide breakdown product, diacylglycerol. Two others, TRPC4 and 5, are also activated as a consequence of phospholipase C activity, although the precise substrate or product molecules involved are still unclear. Thus the TRPCs represent a family of ion channels that are directly activated by inositol lipid breakdown, confirming Bob Michell's original prediction 30 years ago.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

Calcium signaling: double duty for calcium at the mitochondrial uniporter.

Uptake of Ca(2+) by mitochondria serves as a regulator of a number of important cellular functions, including energy metabolism, cytoplasmic Ca(2+) signals, and apoptosis. Recent findings reveal that the process of Ca(2+) uptake by the mitochondrial uniporter is itself regulated by Ca(2+) in a temporally complex manner.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

Emerging perspectives in store-operated Ca2+ entry: roles of Orai, Stim and TRP.

Depletion of intracellular Ca2+ stores induces Ca2+ influx across the plasma membrane through store-operated channels (SOCs). This store-operated Ca2+ influx is important for the replenishment of the Ca2+ stores, and is also involved in many signaling processes by virtue of the ability of intracellular Ca2+ to act as a second messenger. For many years, the molecular identities of particular SOCs, as well as the signaling mechanisms by which these channels are activated, have been elusive. Recently, however, the mammalian proteins STIM1 and Orai1 were shown to be necessary for the activation of store-operated Ca2+ entry in a variety of mammalian cells. Here we present molecular, pharmacological, and electrophysiological properties of SOCs, with particular focus on the roles that STIM1 and Orai1 may play in the signaling processes that regulate various pathways of store-operated entry.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

Native TRPC7 channel activation by an inositol trisphosphate receptor-dependent mechanism.

In DT40 B lymphocytes, Canonical Transient Receptor Potential 7 (TRPC7) functions as a diacylglycerol-activated non-selective cation channel. However, previous work indicated that the non-store-operated Ca2+ entry in this cell type depends upon inositol trisphosphate receptors (IP3R). With the cell-attached configuration oleyl-acetyl-glycerol (OAG) induced single channel activity (75 pS) that was not observed in TRPC7-/- cells but was rescued by expression of TRPC7 under conditions expected to produce relatively low levels of expression ((LowT7)TRPC7-/-). A DT40 cell line lacking IP3R(IP3R-/- cells) showed no OAG-induced single channel activity, but this activity was rescued by transient expression of an IP3R((IP3R)IP3R-/-). Single channel properties in (LowT7)TRPC7-/- or (IP3R)IP3R-/- DT40 cells were indistinguishable from one another and from wild-type cells. Thus, TRPC7 forms, or is part of, the channel underlying endogenous diacylglycerol-activated currents in DT40 B lymphocytes, and this activity of native TRPC7 requires IP3R. However, with conditions expected to produce greater expression levels, TRPC7 functioned independently of the presence of IP3R. This finding may serve to resolve previously conflicting reports from expression studies of TRPC channels.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

Large store-operated calcium selective currents due to co-expression of Orai1 or Orai2 with the intracellular calcium sensor, Stim1.

The molecular nature of store-operated Ca(2+)-selective channels has remained an enigma, due largely to the continued inability to convincingly demonstrate Ca(2+)-selective store-operated currents resulting from exogenous expression of known genes. Recent findings have implicated two proteins, Stim1 and Orai1, as having essential roles in store-operated Ca(2+) entry across the plasma membrane. However, transient overexpression of these proteins on their own results in little or no increase in store-operated entry. Here we demonstrate dramatic synergism between these two mediators; co-transfection of HEK293 cells with Stim1 and Orai1 results in an approximate 20-fold increase in store-operated Ca(2+) entry and Ca(2+)-selective current. This demonstrates that these two proteins are limiting for both the signaling and permeation mechanisms for Ca(2+)-selective store-operated Ca(2+) entry. There are three mammalian homologs of Orai1, and in expression experiments they all produced or augmented store-operated Ca(2+) entry with efficacies in the order Orai1 > Orai2 > Orai3. Stim1 apparently initiates the signaling process by acting as a Ca(2+) sensor in the endoplasmic reticulum. This results in rearrangement of Stim1 within the cell and migration toward the plasma membrane to regulate in some manner Orai1 located in the plasma membrane. However, we demonstrate that Stim1 does not incorporate in the surface membrane, and thus likely regulates or interacts with Orai1 at sites of close apposition between the plasma membrane and an intracellular Stim1-containing organelle.

Biological Transport↗

PubMed2006

Dissociation of regulated trafficking of TRPC3 channels to the plasma membrane from their activation by phospholipase C.

Regulated translocation of canonical transient receptor potential (TRPC) proteins to the plasma membrane has been proposed as a mechanism of their activation. By using total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy (TIRFM), we monitored green fluorescent protein-labeled TRPC3 (TRPC3-GFP) movement to the plasma membrane in HEK293 cells stably expressing this fusion protein. We observed no increase in TRPC3-GFP TIRFM in response to the muscarinic receptor agonist methacholine or the synthetic diacylglycerol, 1-oleoyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycerol, despite activation of TRPC3 by these agents. We did, however, observe a TIRFM response to epidermal growth factor (EGF). This TIRFM response to EGF was accompanied by increased Ba2+ entry and TRPC3 currents. However, 1-oleoyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycerol-induced TRPC3 activity was not increased. TIRFM also increased in response to Gd3+, a competitive inhibitor of TRPC3 channels. This may be indicative of constitutive trafficking of TRPC3, with Gd3+ acting to "trap" cycling TRPC3 molecules in the plasma membrane. Consistent with this interpretation, TRPC3-expressing cells exhibited large variance in membrane capacitance, and this variance was decreased by both Gd3+ and EGF. These results indicate the following: (i) trafficking of TRPC3 may play a role in regulating the concentration of channels in the plasma membrane but is not involved in activation through the phospholipase C pathway; (ii) TRPC3 undergoes constitutive cyclical trafficking in the plasma membrane, and the mechanism by which growth factors increase the number of plasma membrane channels may involve stabilizing them in the plasma membrane.

Barium↗

PubMed2006

Protection of TRPC7 cation channels from calcium inhibition by closely associated SERCA pumps.

Numerous studies have demonstrated that members of the transient receptor potential (TRP) superfamily of channels are involved in regulated Ca2+ entry. Additionally, most Ca2+-permeable channels are themselves regulated by Ca2+, often in complex ways. In the current study, we have investigated the regulation of TRPC7, a channel known to be potentially activated by both store-operated mechanisms and non-store-operated mechanisms involving diacylglycerols. Surprisingly, we found that activation of TRPC7 channels by diacylglycerol was blocked by the SERCA pump inhibitor thapsigargin. The structurally related channel, TRPC3, was similarly inhibited. This effect depended on extracellular calcium and on the driving force for Ca2+ entry. The inhibition is not due to calcium entry through store-operated channels but rather results from calcium entry through TRPC7 channels themselves. The effect of thapsigargin was prevented by inhibition of calmodulin and was mimicked by pharmacological disruption of the actin cytoskeleton. Our results suggest the presence of a novel mechanism involving negative regulation of TRPC channels by calcium entering through the channels. Under physiological conditions, this negative feedback by calcium is attenuated by the presence of closely associated SERCA pumps.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

PubMed2005

The role of canonical transient receptor potential 7 in B-cell receptor-activated channels.

Phospholipase C signaling stimulates Ca2+ entry across the plasma membrane through multiple mechanisms. Ca2+ store depletion stimulates store-operated Ca2+-selective channels, or alternatively, other phospholipase C-dependent events activate Ca2+-permeable non-selective cation channels. Transient receptor potential 7 (TRPC7) is a non-selective cation channel that can be activated by both mechanisms when ectopically expressed, but the regulation of native TRPC7 channels is not known. We knocked out TRPC7 in DT40 B-cells, which expresses both forms of Ca2+ entry. No difference in the store-operated current I(crac) was detected between TRPC7-/- and wild-type cells. Wild-type cells demonstrated nonstore-operated cation entry and currents in response to activation of the B-cell receptor or protease-activated receptor 2, intracellular dialysis with GTPgammaS, or application of the synthetic diacylglycerol oleyl-acetyl-glycerol. These responses were absent in TRPC7-/- cells but could be restored by transfection with human TRPC7. In conclusion, in B-lymphocytes, TRPC7 appeared to participate in the formation of ion channels that could be activated by phospholipase C-linked receptors. This represents the first demonstration of a physiological function for endogenous TRPC7 channels.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

Physiological mechanisms of TRPC activation.

TRPC (canonical transient receptor potential) channels are vertebrate homologs of the Drosophila photoreceptor channel, TRP. Considerable research has been brought to bear on the seven members of this family, especially with regard to their possible role in calcium entry. Unfortunately, the current literature presents a confusing picture, with different laboratories producing widely differing results and interpretations. It appears that ectopically expressed TRPC channels can be activated by phospholipase C products (generally, diacylglycerols), by stimulation of trafficking to the plasma membrane, or by depletion of intracellular Ca(2+) stores. Here, I discuss the possibility that these diverse experimental findings arise because TRPC channels can, under both experimental as well as physiological conditions, be activated in three distinct ways, possibly depending on their subunit composition and/or signaling complex environment. The TRPCs may be unique among ion-channel subunit families in being able to participate in the assembly and function of multiple types of physiologically important ion channels.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

Mechanism of inhibition of TRPC cation channels by 2-aminoethoxydiphenylborane.

We investigated the actions of the organoborane, 2-aminoethoxydiphenylborane (2APB), on Ca2+ signaling in wild-type human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293 cells and in HEK293 cells stably expressing canonical transient receptor potential (TRPC) channels. Previous reports have suggested that 2APB inhibits agonist activation of TRPC channels because of its ability to act as a membrane-permeant inhibitor of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) receptors. 2APB was specifically said to inhibit TRPC3 channels when activated through a phospholipase C-linked receptor but not when activated more directly by a synthetic diacylglycerol, oleyl-acetyl-glycerol (OAG) [Science (Wash DC) 287:1647-1651, 2000]. However, we subsequently reported that IP3 does not activate TRPC3; rather the mechanism of activation by phospholipase C-linked receptors seemed to result from diacylglycerol [J Biol Chem 278:16244-16252, 2003]. Thus, the current study was carried out to address the mechanism of action of 2APB in inhibiting TRPC channels. We found that, although the release of Ca2+ by a muscarinic agonist was reduced by high concentrations of 2APB, this effect was indistinguishable from that seen when stores were discharged by thapsigargin, which does not involve IP3 receptors. This indicates that 2APB is incapable of significant inhibition of IP3 receptors when applied to intact cells. We found that 2APB partially inhibits divalent cation entry in cells expressing TRPC3, TRPC6, or TRPC7 and that this partial inhibition was observed whether the channels were activated by a muscarinic agonist or by OAG. Thus, as concluded for store-operated channels, 2APB seems to inhibit TRPC channels by a direct mechanism not involving IP3 receptors.

Boron Compounds↗

PubMed2005

Capacitative calcium entry: sensing the calcium stores.

A long-standing mystery in the cell biology of calcium channel regulation is the nature of the signal linking intracellular calcium stores to plasma membrane capacitative calcium entry channels. An RNAi-based screen of selected Drosophila genes has revealed that a calcium-binding protein, stromal interaction molecule (STIM), plays an essential role in the activation of these channels and may be the long sought sensor of calcium store content.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

Store-operated calcium channels.

In electrically nonexcitable cells, Ca(2+) influx is essential for regulating a host of kinetically distinct processes involving exocytosis, enzyme control, gene regulation, cell growth and proliferation, and apoptosis. The major Ca(2+) entry pathway in these cells is the store-operated one, in which the emptying of intracellular Ca(2+) stores activates Ca(2+) influx (store-operated Ca(2+) entry, or capacitative Ca(2+) entry). Several biophysically distinct store-operated currents have been reported, but the best characterized is the Ca(2+) release-activated Ca(2+) current, I(CRAC). Although it was initially considered to function only in nonexcitable cells, growing evidence now points towards a central role for I(CRAC)-like currents in excitable cells too. In spite of intense research, the signal that relays the store Ca(2+) content to CRAC channels in the plasma membrane, as well as the molecular identity of the Ca(2+) sensor within the stores, remains elusive. Resolution of these issues would be greatly helped by the identification of the CRAC channel gene. In some systems, evidence suggests that store-operated channels might be related to TRP homologs, although no consensus has yet been reached. Better understood are mechanisms that inactivate store-operated entry and hence control the overall duration of Ca(2+) entry. Recent work has revealed a central role for mitochondria in the regulation of I(CRAC), and this is particularly prominent under physiological conditions. I(CRAC) therefore represents a dynamic interplay between endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondria, and plasma membrane. In this review, we describe the key electrophysiological features of I(CRAC) and other store-operated Ca(2+) currents and how they are regulated, and we consider recent advances that have shed insight into the molecular mechanisms involved in this ubiquitous and vital Ca(2+) entry pathway.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Ca2+-calmodulin-dependent facilitation and Ca2+ inactivation of Ca2+ release-activated Ca2+ channels.

In non-excitable cells, one major route for Ca2+ influx is through store-operated Ca2+ channels in the plasma membrane. These channels are activated by the emptying of intracellular Ca2+ stores, and in some cell types store-operated influx occurs through Ca2+ release-activated Ca2+ (CRAC) channels. Here, we report that intracellular Ca2+ modulates CRAC channel activity through both positive and negative feedback steps in RBL-1 cells. Under conditions in which cytoplasmic Ca2+ concentration can fluctuate freely, we find that store-operated Ca2+ entry is impaired either following overexpression of a dominant negative calmodulin mutant or following whole-cell dialysis with a calmodulin inhibitory peptide. The peptide had no inhibitory effect when intracellular Ca2+ was buffered strongly at low levels. Hence, Ca2+-calmodulin is not required for the activation of CRAC channels per se but is an important regulator under physiological conditions. We also find that the plasma membrane Ca2+ATPase is the dominant Ca2+ efflux pathway in these cells. Although the activity of the Ca2+ pump is regulated by calmodulin, the store-operated Ca2+ entry is more sensitive to inhibition by the calmodulin mutant than by Ca2+ extrusion. Hence, these two plasmalemmal Ca2+ transport systems may differ in their sensitivities to endogenous calmodulin. Following the activation of Ca2+ entry, the rise in intracellular Ca2+ subsequently feeds back to further inhibit Ca2+ influx. This slow inactivation can be activated by a relatively brief Ca2+ influx (30-60 s); it reverses slowly and is not altered by overexpression of the calmodulin mutant. Hence, the same messenger, intracellular Ca2+, can both facilitate and inactivate Ca2+ entry through store-operated CRAC channels and through different mechanisms.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

The mammalian TRPC cation channels.

Transient Receptor Potential-Canonical (TRPC) channels are mammalian homologs of Transient Receptor Potential (TRP), a Ca(2+)-permeable channel involved in the phospholipase C-regulated photoreceptor activation mechanism in Drosophila. The seven mammalian TRPCs constitute a family of channels which have been proposed to function as store-operated as well as second messenger-operated channels in a variety of cell types. TRPC channels, together with other more distantly related channel families, make up the larger TRP channel superfamily. This review summarizes recent findings on the structure, regulation and function of the apparently ubiquitous TRPC cation channels.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Negative regulation of TRPC3 channels by protein kinase C-mediated phosphorylation of serine 712.

TRPC3 is a nonselective cation channel member of the "canonical" transient receptor potential (TRPC) family whose members are activated by phospholipase C-coupled receptors. TRPC3 can be activated by the diacylglycerol analog 1-oleoyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycerol (OAG) in a protein kinase C-independent manner. On the other hand, phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) inhibits OAG-mediated TRPC3 channel activation, suggesting that phosphorylation of TRPC3 by protein kinase C is a mechanism of receptor-mediated negative feedback. Here, we show PMA-induced phosphorylation of TRPC3 channels in vivo. We demonstrate by site-directed mutagenesis that a single site containing Ser(712) and conserved among all members of the TRPC family is essential for protein kinase C-mediated negative regulation of TRPC3. In human embryonic kidney 293 cells expressing a TRPC3 mutant in which Ser(712) was replaced by alanine (S712A), PMA failed to block channel activation, whereas wild-type TRPC3 activity was completely inhibited. Phosphorylation of the S712A TRPC3 mutant was not stimulated in response to PMA treatment. Furthermore, S712A TRPC3 mutant-mediated Ca(2+) entry after methacholine activation was significantly greater than that of wild-type TRPC3. These findings demonstrate a dual role for phospholipase C-generated diacylglycerol, which serves as a signal for TRPC3 activation as well as a signal for negative feedback via protein kinase C-mediated phosphorylation.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed2004

Capacitative calcium entry supports calcium oscillations in human embryonic kidney cells.

Treatment of human epithelial kidney (HEK293) cells with low concentrations of the muscarinic agonist methacholine results in the activation of complex and repetitive cycling of intracellular calcium ([Ca(2+)](i)), known as [Ca(2+)](i) oscillations. These oscillations occur with a frequency that depends on the concentration of methacholine, whereas the magnitude of the [Ca(2+)](i) spikes does not. The oscillations do not persist in the absence of extracellular Ca(2+), leading to the conclusion that entry of Ca(2+) across the plasma membrane plays a significant role in either their initiation or maintenance. However, treatment of cells with high concentrations of GdCl(3), a condition which limits the flux of calcium ions across the plasma membrane in both directions, allows sustained [Ca(2+)](i) oscillations to occur. This suggests that the mechanisms that both initiate and regenerate [Ca(2+)](i) oscillations are intrinsic to the intracellular milieu and do not require entry of extracellular Ca(2+). This would additionally suggest that, under normal conditions, the role of calcium entry is to sustain [Ca(2+)](i) oscillations. By utilizing relatively specific pharmacological manoeuvres we provide evidence that the Ca(2+) entry that supports Ca(2+) oscillations occurs through the store-operated or capacitative calcium entry pathway. However, by artificial introduction of a non-store-operated pathway into the cells (TRPC3 channels), we find that other Ca(2+) entry mechanisms can influence oscillation frequency in addition to the store-operated channels.

Calcium↗

PubMed2004

Canonical transient receptor potential TRPC7 can function as both a receptor- and store-operated channel in HEK-293 cells.

Previous studies on the activation mechanism of canonical transient receptor potential (TRPC) channels have often produced conflicting conclusions. All seven have been shown to be activated by phospholipase C (PLC)-coupled receptors, but TRPC1, TRPC2, TRPC3, TRPC4, TRPC5, and TRPC7 have also been proposed to function as store-operated channels.(1)1Although PLC activation inevitably leads to activation of store-operated channels, in this report when we refer to PLC-activated channels, we mean those channels that are specifically activated by PLC independently of store depletion. In the case of TRPC3, the expression environment and the expression level appear to determine the mode of regulation. Evidence of a close structural relative of TRPC3, TRPC7, has been presented that this channel is activated by receptor activation or by store depletion. On the basis of previous findings for TRPC3, we reasoned that subtle differences in structure or expression conditions might account for the apparent distinct gating mechanisms of TRPC7. To reexamine the mode of activation of TRPC7, we stably and transiently transfected human embryonic kidney (HEK)-293 cells with cDNA encoding for human TRPC7. We examined the ability of a PLC-activating agonist and an intracellular Ca(2+) store-depleting agent to activate these channels. Our findings demonstrate that when transiently expressed in HEK-293 cells, TRPC7 forms channels that are activated by PLC-stimulating agonists, but not by Ca(2+) store depletion. However, when stably expressed in HEK-293 cells, TRPC7 can be activated by either Ca(2+) store depletion or PLC activation. To our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of a channel protein that can be activated by both receptor- and store-operated modes in the same cell. In addition, the results reconcile the apparently conflicting findings of other laboratories regarding TRPC7 regulation.

Barium↗