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P H Cobbold

Publications and source records attributed to P H Cobbold.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1999

Maitotoxin-induced free Ca changes in single rat hepatocytes.

We report the results using bioluminescent and fluorescent indicators to investigate maitotoxin-induced free Ca changes in single rat hepatocytes. Maitotoxin generated a steadily rising free Ca increase after a long lag period. The free Ca increase was dependent on extracellular calcium and could be antagonised by chelation of extracellular calcium or the inclusion of nickel in the superfusate. Manganese-induced quench of cytoplasmic Fura2 dextran revealed an accelerated rate of calcium entry during the final period of the lag phase, immediately prior to the free Ca increase. Imaging experiments demonstrated a markedly different part of free Ca mobilisation compared with glycogenolytic stimuli. Moreover, the use of a combination of hormonal stimuli and maitotoxin revealed that some cells could exhibit free Ca oscillations despite steadily rising intracellular free Ca level. The significance of these observations in terms of the mechanism of action of maitotoxin and the mechanism of free Ca transient generation is discussed.

Adrenergic alpha-Agonists↗
PubMed1999

Thimerosal enhances agonist-specific differences between [Ca2+]i oscillations induced by phenylephrine and ATP in single rat hepatocytes.

Single rat hepatocytes, microinjected with the Ca(2+)-sensitive photoprotein aequorin, respond to agonists acting through the phosphoinositide signalling pathway by the generation of oscillations in cytosolic free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i). The duration of [Ca2+]i transients generated is characteristic of the stimulating agonist; the differences lie in the rate of fall of [Ca2+]i from its peak. We considered that differential sensitivity of the InsP3 receptor may underlie agonist specificity. The thiol reagent, thimerosal, is known to increase the sensitivity of the Ca2+ stores to InsP3 by increasing the affinity of the InsP3 receptor for InsP3 in rat hepatocytes. We show here that a low dose of thimerosal (1 microM), insufficient alone to elevate [Ca2+]i, potentiates [Ca2+]i oscillations induced by phenylephrine or ATP in single, aequorin-injected, rat hepatocytes. Moreover, thimerosal enhances both the frequency and amplitude of phenylephrine-induced oscillations, whereas, in contrast, ATP-induced oscillations undergo an increase in the duration of the falling phase of individual [Ca2+]i transients. Thimerosal, therefore, enhances, rather than eliminates, agonist-specific differences in the hepatocyte [Ca2+]i oscillator.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗
PubMed1998

Single-cell measurements of purine release using a micromachined electroanalytical sensor.

To study the cellular events surrounding the formation of purines in cardiac ischemia, we have micromachined a micrometer-scale titer chamber containing an integrated electrochemical sensor, capable of measuring analytes produced by a single heart cell. The analytical procedure involves the determination of metabolites via the amperometric detection of enzymically generated hydrogen peroxide, measured at a platinized microelectrode, poised at a suitably oxidizing potential, equivalent to +420 mV vs Ag/AgCl. Signals were recorded as current-time responses and were integrated to give a total charge (Q) attributable to the reaction under investigation. The amount of analyte produced by the cell was subsequently quantified by the addition of a known amount of calibrant. As a consequence, by using a cascade of three enzymes (adenosine deaminase, nucleotide phosphorylase, and xanthine oxidase), we were able to show that, after rigor contracture had been induced in a single myocyte, adenosine (but not inosine) only reached the extracellular space after the cell membrane had been permeabilized by detergent. These data, which could only be obtained unambiguously by using this single-cell methodology, have provided us with information on the origin of ischemic adenosine which challenges the established assumption that purine release is an early retaliatory response from intact anoxic myocytes.

Biosensing Techniques↗
PubMed1997

Inositol-phosphoglycan inhibits calcium oscillations in hepatocytes by reducing calcium entry.

Inositol-phosphoglycan (IPG) is a putative mediator of insulin action that has been shown to affect numerous biochemical processes. IPG, prepared from liver membranes, promptly inhibited phenylephrine- or vasopressin-induced [Ca2+]i oscillations when perfused over Fura-2-dextran injected rat hepatocytes. An antibody to IPG suppressed the inhibitory effect of insulin on the [Ca2+]i oscillations. Measurement of the rate of quench of cytoplasmic Fura-2 by extracellular Mn2+ showed that Ca2+ entry occurred continuously in the unstimulated cell and was not affected by phenylephrine or vasopressin. IPG, specifically, almost completely abolished the Mn2+ quench rate. Elevated extracellular [Ca2+] reversed the inhibitory effect of IPG on [Ca2+]i oscillations. We conclude that IPG inhibits the hepatocyte Ca2+ oscillatory by reducing the continuous Ca2+ influx that is required to sustain oscillations in [Ca2+]i.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Effects on the hepatocyte [Ca2+]i oscillator of inhibition of the plasma membrane Ca2+ pump by carboxyeosin or glucagon-(19-29).

Single rat hepatocytes, microinjected with the Ca(2+)-sensitive photoprotein aequorin, respond to agonists acting through the phosphoinositide signalling pathway by the generation of oscillations in cytosolic free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i). The duration of [Ca2+]i transients generated is characteristic of the receptor species activated; the variability results in differences in the rate of fall of [Ca2+]i from its peak. It is conceivable that the plasma membrane Ca(2+)-ATPase (PM Ca2+ pump) may have an important role in the mechanism underlying agonist specificity. It has recently been shown that an esterified form of carboxyeosin, an inhibitor of the red cell PM Ca2+ pump, is suitable for use in whole cell studies. Glucagon-(19-29) (mini-glucagon) inhibits the Ca2+ pump in liver plasma membranes, mediated by Gs. We show here that carboxyeosin and mini-glucagon inhibit Ca2+ efflux from populations of intact rat hepatocytes. We show that carboxyeosin and mini-glucagon enhance the frequency of oscillations induced by Ca(2+)-mobilizing agonists in single hepatocytes, but do not affect the duration of individual transients. Furthermore, we demonstrate that inhibition of the hepatocyte PM Ca2+ pump enables the continued generation of [Ca2+]i oscillations for a prolonged period following the removal of extracellular Ca2+.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Bovine growth hormone induces oscillations in cytosolic free Ca2+ in single rat hepatocytes.

Single rat hepatocytes microinjected with the photoprotein aequorin generate oscillations in the cytosolic free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) when stimulated with agonists acting through the phosphoinositide signalling pathway. We show here that, in single rat hepatocytes, bovine growth hormone (bGH) is able to induce [Ca2+]i oscillations which display similarities with oscillations induced by phenylephrine. Thus the rate of rise of intracellular Ca2+ in each oscillation closely resembles that induced by Ins(1,4,5)P3-mediated agonists. However, the duration of bGH-induced oscillations increases with agonist concentration, in contrast to phenylephrine-induced oscillations, which undergo an increase in frequency as the agonist concentration is raised, without any increase in the duration of individual oscillations.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

[Measurement of ATP in intact Escherichia coli cells, containing recombinant firefly luciferase].

Recombinant firefly luciferase was expressed in E. coli and its properties inside the intact cells were studied. At low concentrations, antibiotic polymyxin B increases permeability of E. coli cell membrane and concentrations of luciferase substrates inside the cells can thus be varied. Effect of intracellular ATP concentrations on intensity of bioluminescence was studied. Recombinant cells expressing the firefly luciferase gene can be used for investigation of substances which influence synthesis and hydrolysis of ATP inside the cells and cell membrane transport.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗
PubMed1995

Cytosolic free Ca2+ oscillations induced by diadenosine 5',5"'-P1,P3-triphosphate and diadenosine 5',5"'-P1,P4-tetraphosphate in single rat hepatocytes are indistinguishable from those induced by ADP and ATP respectively.

Diadenosine 5',5"'-P1,P3-triphosphate (Ap3A) and diadenosine 5',5"'-P1,P4-tetraphosphate (Ap4A) induce distinctive patterns of [Ca2+]i oscillations in single rat hepatocytes. We show here that [Ca2+]i oscillations induced by Ap3A and ADP are indistinguishable and that [Ca2+]i oscillations induced by Ap4A closely resemble those induced by ATP. These similarities embrace the following: (1) ADP and Ap3A invariably induce [Ca2+]i transients of short duration (approx. 9 s). Ap4A, like ATP, can induce, depending upon the individual cell, either transients of short duration (approx. 9 s), transients of much longer duration or a mixture of short and long transients within a single response. We show here that the pattern of oscillations induced by Ap4A is similar to that induced by ATP in the same hepatocyte. (2) Elevated intracellular cyclic AMP concentration modulates Ap3A-induced transients, like ADP-induced transients, through an increase in both the peak [Ca2+]i and the frequency of the transients. In contrast, Ap4A-induced transients, like ATP-induced transients, develop an increased duration or a sustained rise in [Ca2+]i, with no rise in peak [Ca2+]i. (3) Ap3A-induced transients, like ADP-induced transients, are abolished by low concentrations of the phorbol ester 4 beta-phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate (PDB; 5-10 nM), whereas long Ap4A-induced transients, like long ATP-induced transients, are refractory to high concentrations of PDB (100 nM). We propose that the [Ca2+]i oscillations induced in rat hepatocytes by Ap3A are mediated by the same purinoceptor that mediates the effects of ADP, whereas the oscillations induced by Ap4A are mediated by the same purinoceptor(s) that mediate the effects of ATP.

Adenosine Diphosphate↗
PubMed1995

Oscillations in cytosolic free Ca2+ induced by ADP and ATP in single rat hepatocytes display differential sensitivity to application of phorbol ester.

We have previously described differences in the oscillatory responses of cytosolic free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) in hepatocytes to ADP and ATP, which we have interpreted as evidence that these two nucleotides are acting at distinct receptors. We show here that ADP- and ATP-induced oscillations are differentially sensitive to application of the phorbol ester 4 beta-phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate (PDB). ADP-induced [Ca2+]i oscillations are abolished by low concentrations of PDB (5-10 nM), whereas ATP-induced oscillations of long duration are refractory to PDB, even at greatly elevated concentrations (100 nM). The data illustrate a further difference in the actions of ADP and ATP, strengthening the argument that these agonists are not acting at the same receptor on rat hepatocytes.

Adenosine Diphosphate↗
PubMed1995

Both activators and inhibitors of protein kinase C promote the inhibition of phenylephrine-induced [Ca2+]i oscillations in single intact rat hepatocytes.

In single isolated rat hepatocytes Ca(2+)-mobilising hormones induce oscillations in cytosolic free Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) in which the frequency of spiking depends on agonist dose, but the time course of individual spikes depends on the hormone species, rather than agonist concentration. We have previously presented data using sphingosine and staurosporine as evidence of a negative feedback role for protein kinase C (PKC) in the elongation of the falling phase of [Ca2+]i spikes. We show here that the principal effect of three specific PKC inhibitors, namely the bis-indolylmaleimide GF 109203X, the tetracyclic aromatic alkaloid chelerythrine, and a myristoylated PKC pseudosubstrate peptide, that act at different sites on the PKC molecule, is a reduction in, or a complete suppression of, the phenylephrine-induced [Ca2+]i oscillation frequency. These results resemble the effects of activators of PKC and modulators of diacylglycerol (DAG) metabolism. Furthermore, following phorbol ester-induced inhibition of the hepatocyte [Ca2+]i oscillator, the addition of all three of these PKC inhibitors further reduces the [Ca2+]i oscillation frequency, with high concentrations of chelerythrine being the only agent that overcomes this inhibition by phorbol ester. These paradoxical results point to the need for caution in interpreting the effects of protocols involving PKC activators and inhibitors in assessing the feedback control from PKC on cellular [Ca2+]i oscillations.

Alkaloids↗
PubMed1995

Actions of ADP, but not ATP, on cytosolic free Ca2+ in single rat hepatocytes mimicked by 2-methylthioATP.

1. Aequorin-injected, single rat hepatocytes generate series of repetitive transients in cytosolic free calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) when stimulated with agonists acting through the phosphoinositide signalling pathway, including ADP and ATP. We have previously described differences in the [Ca2+]i responses of aequorin-injected hepatocytes to ADP and ATP. 2. The effects of the phosphorothioate analogue of ATP, 2-methylthioATP (2-meSATP), have been examined on single rat hepatocytes. This analogue is belived to be the most potent agonist at the P2Y1 subclass of purinoceptor. 3. The [Ca2+]i transients induced by 2-meSATP were indistinguishable from those induced by ADP, and in contrast to those induced by ATP. 4. At hig concentrations, 2-meSATP and ADP both induced transients at high frequency. In contrast, hepatocytes responded to high concentrations of ATP with an initial rapid rise in [Ca2+]i, followed by a slowly decaying fall. 5. The modulatory effects of elevated intracellular cyclic AMP concentration were the same on both 2-meSATP- and ADP-induced [Ca2+]i transients; the peak height and frequency of transients were enhanced. ATP-induced transients, however, underwent either an increase in duration or conversion into a sustained rise in [Ca2+]i. 6. ATP-induced transients were specifically potentiated by the co-addition of alpha, beta-methyleneATP, whereas 2-meSATP- and ADP-induced transients were unaffected by this treatment. 7. We conclude that 2-meSATP acts at the same receptor as ADP on rat hepatocytes, and that this is distinct from teh receptor(s) mediating the effects of ATP.

Adenosine Diphosphate↗
PubMed1994

Elevated intracellular cyclic AMP exerts different modulatory effects on cytosolic free Ca2+ oscillations induced by ADP and ATP in single rat hepatocytes.

Single aequorin-injected hepatocytes respond to agonists acting via the phosphoinositide signalling pathway by the generation of oscillations in cytosolic free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]free). The duration of [Ca2+]free transients is characteristic of the stimulating agonist. We have previously reported that ADP and ATP, which are believed to act through a single P(2y)-purinoceptor species, induce very different oscillatory [Ca2+]free responses in the majority of hepatocytes. We have interpreted these data as evidence for two separate Ca(2+)-mobilizing purinoceptors for these nucleotides. We show here that the elevation of intracellular cyclic AMP concentration, by the co-application of either dibutyryl cyclic AMP or 7 beta-desacetyl-7 beta-[gamma-(N-methylpiperazino)butyryl]- forskolin (L858051), exerts different modulatory effects on [Ca2+]free oscillations induced by ADP and ATP in single rat hepatocytes. Elevated intracellular cyclic AMP levels enhance the frequency and peak [Ca2+]free of transients induced by ADP. In contrast, the elevation of intracellular cyclic AMP levels in hepatocytes producing [Ca2+]free oscillations in response to ATP stimulates either an increase in the duration of transients or a sustained rise in [Ca2+]free. The data illustrate a further difference between the oscillatory [Ca2+]free responses of hepatocytes to ADP and ATP, thus further arguing against ADP and ATP acting via a single purinoceptor species.

Adenosine Diphosphate↗
PubMed1994

Taurolithocholate and taurolithocholate 3-sulphate exert different effects on cytosolic free Ca2+ concentration in rat hepatocytes.

Single rat hepatocytes show repetitive oscillations in cytosolic free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) when stimulated by agonists acting through the phosphoinositide signalling pathway. We have studied the effect of a natural bile acid, taurolithocholate (TLC), and its sulphated form, taurolithocholate 3-sulphate (TLC-S), on [Ca2+]i in single isolated rat hepatocytes. Although these bile acids are believed to act through a common mechanism to permeabilize the intracellular Ca2+ pool, the [Ca2+]i responses induced by the two compounds were different. Whereas TLC induced a sustained elevation of [Ca2+]i, TLC-S evoked repetitive [Ca2+]i oscillations. In addition, we show that ryanodine, which blocks the Ca(2+)-induced Ca2+ release ('CICR') mechanism, blocked TLC-S-induced oscillations in 50% of hepatocytes, but did not affect the TLC-induced rise in [Ca2+]i.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗
PubMed1994

Caffeine inhibits agonists-induced cytoplasmic Ca2+ oscillations in single rat hepatocytes.

Single hepatocytes microinjected with aequorin generate free Ca oscillations when stimulated by agonists such as phenylephrine or vasopressin. Here we show that caffeine by itself does not elicit any significant change in free Ca, nor it does lower the threshold concentration of an agonist needed to induced spikes. In contrast, both caffeine and theophylline inhibit agonist-induced spikes. Since ryanodine inhibits vasopressin-induced spikes, but not phenylephrine-induced spikes, the actions of caffeine probably involve another target than the ryanodine receptor. This antagonistic action of caffeine on the hepatocyte calcium oscillator agrees with an inhibitory action of caffeine on the receptor for inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate.

Aequorin↗
PubMed1993

Continuous bioluminescent monitoring of cytoplasmic ATP in single isolated rat hepatocytes during metabolic poisoning.

We have devised a technique for monitoring cytoplasmic ATP continuously in single hepatocytes. Single isolated rat hepatocytes were injected with the ATP-dependent luminescent protein firefly luciferase, and then superfused with 45 microM luciferin in air-equilibrated medium. Signals of approx. 10-200 photoelectron counts per second could be recorded from individual healthy cells for up to 3 h. The response of the luminescent signal to chemical hypoxia (2-5 mM CN- and 5-10 mM 2-deoxyglucose) was monitored. We found a great cell-to-cell variability in the time course of the ATP decline in response to CN-, 2-deoxyglucose or to their combination; the time for the signal to fall to 10% of the original (corresponding to approx. 100 microM ATP) ranged from approx. 20 to 75 min. This resistance of the cytoplasmic ATP concentration to depletion after blockade of oxidative phosphorylation and glycolysis could be abolished by pretreatment of the cells with etomoxir, which blocks mitochondrial beta-oxidation. Etomoxir alone had no effect on the luciferase signal, but etomoxir-pre-treated cells showed a prompt fall in the luciferase signal starting within 1-2 min of application of cyanide and 2-deoxyglucose and falling to 10% of the original signal in approx. 6-10 min. The technique allows cytoplasmic ATP changes to be monitored in single hepatocytes at concentrations of 1 mM or lower, but more precise calibration of the signal will require correction for the effects of cytoplasmic pH changes.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗
PubMed1993

Adenosine 5'-[alpha beta-methylene]triphosphate potentiates the oscillatory cytosolic Ca2+ responses of hepatocytes to ATP, but not to ADP.

Single rat hepatocytes microinjected with aequorin generate oscillations in cytosolic free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) when stimulated with agonists acting through the phosphoinositide signalling pathway. The duration of these transients has been shown to be characteristic of the stimulating agonist, so that transients of very different duration can be induced in the same individual hepatocyte by different agonists. In a previous study we have shown that ADP and ATP, which are believed to act through a single P2y-purinoceptor species, elicit very different [Ca2+]i responses in most of the hepatocytes. We have interpreted this as evidence for two Ca(2+)-mobilizing purinoceptors. The methylated derivative of ATP, adenosine 5'-[alpha beta-methylene]-triphosphate (pp[CH2]pA), is only a weak P2y-purinoceptor agonist. When 100 microM pp[CH2]pA was supplied to aequorin-injected hepatocytes, there was no effect on [Ca2+]i. However, 25 microM pp[CH2]pA co-supplied with ATP causes a potentiation of the [Ca2+]i response in most of the hepatocytes. The effect was specific for ATP-induced transients; [Ca2+]i transients induced by other agonists, and importantly by ADP, were not affected by addition of pp[CH2]pA. This further illustrates differences in the actions of ADP and ATP, strengthening the argument for separate receptors for these nucleotides.

Adenosine Diphosphate↗
PubMed1993

Different modulatory effects of elevated cyclic AMP on cytosolic Ca2+ spikes induced by phenylephrine or vasopressin in single rat hepatocytes.

We show here, by aequorin measurements in single isolated rat hepatocytes, that elevation of cyclic AMP, by dibutyryl cyclic AMP, forskolin or glucagon, has different effects on oscillations in cytosolic concentration of free Ca2+ ('free Ca') induced by phenylephrine or vasopressin. Elevated cyclic AMP does not itself induce free Ca oscillations, but enhances both the peak free Ca and the frequency of spikes induced by phenylephrine. In contrast, elevated cyclic AMP has no effect on peak free Ca of vasopressin-induced spikes, but markedly prolongs the falling phase, with the result that spiking frequency (peak to peak) falls, although the period between spikes of resting free Ca is usually decreased. The data provide another example of receptor-specific information being retained in the oscillator mechanism, with implications for models of the hepatocyte calcium oscillator.

Animals↗