Patterns of free calcium in multicellular stages of Dictyostelium expressing jellyfish apoaequorin

Development ◽  
1995 ◽  
Vol 121 (8) ◽  
pp. 2291-2301 ◽  
Author(s):  
A.B. Cubitt ◽  
R.A. Firtel ◽  
G. Fischer ◽  
L.F. Jaffe ◽  
A.L. Miller
Keyword(s):  
Doubling Time ◽  
Cytosolic Calcium ◽  
Free Calcium ◽  
Calcium Waves ◽  
Calcium Spikes ◽  
Multicellular Development ◽  
Previous Evidence ◽  
Calcium Dependent ◽  
High Calcium

To examine the patterns of high free cytosolic calcium or [Ca2+]i during Dictyostelium's development, we expressed apoaequorin in D. discoideum, reconstituted aequorin and observed the resultant patterns of calcium-dependent luminescence. Specific, high calcium zones are seen throughout normal multicellular development and are roughly coincident with those regions that later differentiate into stalk or stalk-like cells. A slug, for example, shows a primary high calcium zone within its front quarter and a secondary one around its tail; while a mound shows such a zone around the periphery of its base. Combined with previous evidence, our findings support the hypothesis that high [Ca2+]i feeds back to favor the stalk pathway. We also discovered several high calcium zones within the mound's base that do not coincide with any known prepatterns in D. discoideum. These include two, relatively persistent, antipodal strips along the mound's periphery. These various persistent zones of high calcium are largely made up of frequent, 10 to 30 second long, semiperiodic calcium spikes. Each of these spikes generates a correspondingly short-lived, 200 to 500 microns long, high calcium band which extends along the nearby surface. Similar, but relatively large and infrequent, spikes generate cross bands which extend across migrating slugs and just behind their advancing tips as well as across the peripheries of rotating mounds and midway between their antipodal strips. Moreover, calcium has a doubling time of about a second as various spikes rise. This last observation suggests that the calcium bands seen in Dictyostelium may be generated by so-called fast calcium waves.

scholarly journals Influence of the calcium-sensitive fluorophore, Quin 2, on platelet function

Blood ◽  
1986 ◽  
Vol 67 (2) ◽  
pp. 354-361 ◽  
Author(s):  
GH Rao ◽  
JD Peller ◽  
CP Semba ◽  
JG White
Keyword(s):  
Platelet Function ◽  
Light Emission ◽  
Cytosolic Calcium ◽  
Functional Restoration ◽  
Calcium Flux ◽  
Free Calcium ◽  
Cytosolic Free Calcium ◽  
Experimental Conditions ◽  
Calcium Dependent ◽  
Dose Dependent Increase

Abstract Recent investigations using Quin 2, a fluorophore used to monitor cytosolic free calcium shifts, have shown that strong agonists cause a dramatic dose-dependent increase in platelet fluorescence. However, weak agonists stimulated little or no increase in light emission of Quin 2-loaded platelets, suggesting that calcium flux is not involved in activation by these agents. The present study has sought an alternative explanation for the failure of weak stimuli to cause a rise in cytosolic free calcium in platelets containing Quin 2. Conditions used to prepare, wash, load, gel-filter, and evaluate the fluorophore- filled cells were examined for their compatibility with retention of sensitivity to activation by weak agonists. The technique used to measure shifts in cytosolic calcium with Quin 2 requires multiply washed, unstirred platelets. Under these conditions, platelets do not aggregate or secrete in response to weak agonists. Quin 2, at concentrations greater than 40 mumol/L, inhibits the response of platelets to strong agonists, and completely blocks their reaction to weak agonists. Quin 2 inhibition of platelet function appears related to high buffering capacity for free calcium, although other mechanisms cannot be ruled out. This suggestion is supported by the observation that Quin 2-induced blockade can be overcome by membrane modulation, which is a calcium-dependent process. However, since both agonists are weak, significant elevation in cytosolic calcium concurrent with functional restoration could not be demonstrated under the experimental conditions used for monitoring calcium. Thus, the conditions used to prepare platelets for Quin 2 evaluation and Quin 2 itself appear to be responsible for the failure of weak agonists to cause evidence of a calcium shift in fluorophore-loaded cells.

scholarly journals Influence of the calcium-sensitive fluorophore, Quin 2, on platelet function

Blood ◽  
1986 ◽  
Vol 67 (2) ◽  
pp. 354-361
Author(s):  
GH Rao ◽  
JD Peller ◽  
CP Semba ◽  
JG White
Keyword(s):  
Platelet Function ◽  
Light Emission ◽  
Cytosolic Calcium ◽  
Functional Restoration ◽  
Calcium Flux ◽  
Free Calcium ◽  
Cytosolic Free Calcium ◽  
Experimental Conditions ◽  
Calcium Dependent ◽  
Dose Dependent Increase

Recent investigations using Quin 2, a fluorophore used to monitor cytosolic free calcium shifts, have shown that strong agonists cause a dramatic dose-dependent increase in platelet fluorescence. However, weak agonists stimulated little or no increase in light emission of Quin 2-loaded platelets, suggesting that calcium flux is not involved in activation by these agents. The present study has sought an alternative explanation for the failure of weak stimuli to cause a rise in cytosolic free calcium in platelets containing Quin 2. Conditions used to prepare, wash, load, gel-filter, and evaluate the fluorophore- filled cells were examined for their compatibility with retention of sensitivity to activation by weak agonists. The technique used to measure shifts in cytosolic calcium with Quin 2 requires multiply washed, unstirred platelets. Under these conditions, platelets do not aggregate or secrete in response to weak agonists. Quin 2, at concentrations greater than 40 mumol/L, inhibits the response of platelets to strong agonists, and completely blocks their reaction to weak agonists. Quin 2 inhibition of platelet function appears related to high buffering capacity for free calcium, although other mechanisms cannot be ruled out. This suggestion is supported by the observation that Quin 2-induced blockade can be overcome by membrane modulation, which is a calcium-dependent process. However, since both agonists are weak, significant elevation in cytosolic calcium concurrent with functional restoration could not be demonstrated under the experimental conditions used for monitoring calcium. Thus, the conditions used to prepare platelets for Quin 2 evaluation and Quin 2 itself appear to be responsible for the failure of weak agonists to cause evidence of a calcium shift in fluorophore-loaded cells.

scholarly journals Injection of inositol trisphosphorothioate into Limulus ventral photoreceptors causes oscillations of free cytosolic calcium.

1991 ◽  
Vol 97 (6) ◽  
pp. 1165-1186 ◽  
Author(s):  
R Payne ◽  
B V Potter
Keyword(s):  
Membrane Potential ◽  
Calcium Release ◽  
Feedback Inhibition ◽  
Initial Response ◽  
Periodic Variation ◽  
Cytosolic Calcium ◽  
Ion Concentration ◽  
Free Calcium ◽  
Calcium Stores ◽  
Calcium Ion Concentration

Limulus ventral photoreceptors contain calcium stores sensitive to release by D-myo-inositol 1,4,5 trisphosphate (InsP3) and a calcium-activated conductance that depolarizes the cell. Mechanisms that terminate the response to InsP3 were investigated using nonmetabolizable DL-myo-inositol 1,4,5 trisphosphorothioate (InsPS3). An injection of 1 mM InsPS3 into a photoreceptor's light-sensitive lobe caused an initial elevation of cytosolic free calcium ion concentration (Cai) and a depolarization lasting only 1-2 s. A period of densensitization followed, during which injections of InsPS3 were ineffective. As sensitivity recovered, oscillations of membrane potential began, continuing for many minutes with a frequency of 0.07-0.3 Hz. The activity of InsPS3 probably results from the D-stereoisomer, since L-InsP3 was much less effective than InsP3. Injections of 1 mM InsP3 caused an initial depolarization and a period of densensitization similar to that caused by 1 mM InsPS3, but no sustained oscillations of membrane potential. The initial response to InsPS3 or InsP3 may therefore be terminated by densensitization, rather than by metabolism. Metabolism of InsP3 may prevent oscillations of membrane potential after sensitivity has recovered. The InsPS3-induced oscillations of membrane potential accompanied oscillations of Cai and were abolished by injection of ethyleneglycol-bis (beta-aminoethyl ether)-N,N'-tetraacetic acid. Removal of extracellular calcium reduced the frequency of oscillation but not its amplitude. Under voltage clamp, oscillations of inward current were observed. These results indicate that periodic bursts of calcium release underly the oscillations of membrane potential. After each burst, the sensitivity of the cell to injected InsP3 was greatly reduced, recovering during the interburst interval. The oscillations may, therefore, result in part from a periodic variation in sensitivity to a constant concentration of InsPS3. Prior injection of calcium inhibited depolarization by InsPS3, suggesting that feedback inhibition of InsPS3-induced calcium release by elevated Cai may mediate desensitization between bursts and after injections of InsPS3.

The origin of passive force enhancement in skeletal muscle

2008 ◽  
Vol 294 (1) ◽  
pp. C74-C78 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. Joumaa ◽  
D. E. Rassier ◽  
T. R. Leonard ◽  
W. Herzog
Keyword(s):  
Calcium Concentration ◽  
Force Production ◽  
Primary Source ◽  
Passive Force ◽  
Active Force ◽  
Force Enhancement ◽  
Bridge Formation ◽  
Calcium Dependent ◽  
Cross Bridge ◽  
High Calcium

The aim of the present study was to test whether titin is a calcium-dependent spring and whether it is the source of the passive force enhancement observed in muscle and single fiber preparations. We measured passive force enhancement in troponin C (TnC)-depleted myofibrils in which active force production was completely eliminated. The TnC-depleted construct allowed for the investigation of the effect of calcium concentration on passive force, without the confounding effects of actin-myosin cross-bridge formation and active force production. Passive forces in TnC-depleted myofibrils ( n = 6) were 35.0 ± 2.9 nN/ μm2 when stretched to an average sarcomere length of 3.4 μm in a solution with low calcium concentration (pCa 8.0). Passive forces in the same myofibrils increased by 25% to 30% when stretches were performed in a solution with high calcium concentration (pCa 3.5). Since it is well accepted that titin is the primary source for passive force in rabbit psoas myofibrils and since the increase in passive force in TnC-depleted myofibrils was abolished after trypsin treatment, our results suggest that increasing calcium concentration is associated with increased titin stiffness. However, this calcium-induced titin stiffness accounted for only ∼25% of the passive force enhancement observed in intact myofibrils. Therefore, ∼75% of the normally occurring passive force enhancement remains unexplained. The findings of the present study suggest that passive force enhancement is partly caused by a calcium-induced increase in titin stiffness but also requires cross-bridge formation and/or active force production for full manifestation.

TRAVELLING CALCIUM WAVES IN SYSTEMS WITH NON-DIFFUSING BUFFERS

2008 ◽  
Vol 18 (06) ◽  
pp. 883-912 ◽  
Author(s):  
BOGDAN KAZMIERCZAK ◽  
VITALY VOLPERT
Keyword(s):  
Structural Stability ◽  
Diffusion Coefficients ◽  
Calcium Concentration ◽  
Travelling Waves ◽  
Cytosolic Calcium ◽  
Calcium Waves ◽  
Cytosolic Calcium Concentration

The existence and structural stability of travelling waves of systems of the free cytosolic calcium concentration in the presence of immobile buffers are studied. The proof is carried out by passing to zero with the diffusion coefficients of buffers. Thus, its method is different from Ref. 13 where the existence is proved straightforwardly.

scholarly journals Myotubes from transgenic mdx mice expressing full-length dystrophin show normal calcium regulation.

1994 ◽  
Vol 5 (10) ◽  
pp. 1159-1167 ◽  
Author(s):  
W F Denetclaw ◽  
F W Hopf ◽  
G A Cox ◽  
J S Chamberlain ◽  
R A Steinhardt
Keyword(s):  
Single Channel ◽  
Calcium Regulation ◽  
Full Length ◽  
Mdx Mice ◽  
Free Calcium ◽  
Muscle Degeneration ◽  
Channel Activity ◽  
Mouse Muscle ◽  
Calcium Dependent ◽  
Normal Calcium

A lack of dystrophin results in muscle degeneration in Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Dystrophin-deficient human and mouse muscle cells have higher resting levels of intracellular free calcium ([Ca2+]i) and show a related increase in single-channel open probabilities of calcium leak channels. Elevated [Ca2+]i results in high levels of calcium-dependent proteolysis, which in turn increases calcium leak channel activity. This process could initiate muscle degeneration by further increasing [Ca2+]i and proteolysis in a positive feedback loop. Here, we tested the direct effect of restoration of dystrophin on [Ca2+]i and channel activity in primary myotubes from mdx mice made transgenic for full-length dystrophin. Transgenic mdx mice have been previously shown to have normal dystrophin localization and no muscle degeneration. Fura-2 calcium measurements and single-channel patch recordings showed that resting [Ca2+]i levels and open probabilities of calcium leak channels of transgenic mdx myotubes were similar to normal levels and significantly lower than mdx littermate controls (mdx) that lack dystrophin. Thus, restoration of normal calcium regulation in transgenic mdx mice may underlie the resulting absence of degeneration.

scholarly journals The calcium-dependent ATP-Mg/Pi mitochondrial carrier is a target of glucose-induced calcium signalling in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

2005 ◽  
Vol 392 (3) ◽  
pp. 537-544 ◽  
Author(s):  
Santiago Cavero ◽  
Javier Traba ◽  
Araceli Del Arco ◽  
Jorgina Satrústegui
Keyword(s):  
Calcium Binding ◽  
Mitochondrial Protein ◽  
Calcium Signalling ◽  
Cytosolic Calcium ◽  
Calcium Signal ◽  
Transport Activity ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Binding Motifs ◽  
Mitochondrial Carrier ◽  
Calcium Dependent

Sal1p is a mitochondrial protein that belongs to the SCaMC (short calcium-binding mitochondrial carrier) subfamily of mitochondrial carriers. The presence of calcium-binding motifs facing the extramitochondrial space allows the regulation of the transport activity of these carriers by cytosolic calcium and provides a new mechanism to transduce calcium signals in mitochondria without the requirement of calcium entry in the organelle. We have studied its transport activity, finding that it is a carboxyatractyloside-resistant ATP-Mg carrier. Mitochondria from a disruption mutant of SAL1 have a 50% reduction in the uptake of ATP. We have also found a clear stimulation of ATP-transport activity by calcium, with an S0.5 of approx. 30 μM. Our results also suggest that Sal1p is a target of the glucose-induced calcium signal which is non-essential in wild-type cells, but becomes essential for transport of ATP into mitochondria in yeast lacking ADP/ATP translocases.

scholarly journals Ryanodine receptor gating controls generation of diastolic calcium waves in cardiac myocytes

2015 ◽  
Vol 145 (6) ◽  
pp. 489-511 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pavol Petrovič ◽  
Ivan Valent ◽  
Elena Cocherová ◽  
Jana Pavelková ◽  
Alexandra Zahradníková
Keyword(s):  
Ryanodine Receptor ◽  
Calcium Sensitivity ◽  
Cytosolic Calcium ◽  
Calcium Waves ◽  
Calcium Sparks ◽  
Calcium Spark ◽  
Gating Model ◽  
Calcium Diffusion ◽  
Confocal Scanning ◽  
Deterministic Description

The role of cardiac ryanodine receptor (RyR) gating in the initiation and propagation of calcium waves was investigated using a mathematical model comprising a stochastic description of RyR gating and a deterministic description of calcium diffusion and sequestration. We used a one-dimensional array of equidistantly spaced RyR clusters, representing the confocal scanning line, to simulate the formation of calcium sparks. Our model provided an excellent description of the calcium dependence of the frequency of diastolic calcium sparks and of the increased tendency for the production of calcium waves after a decrease in cytosolic calcium buffering. We developed a hypothesis relating changes in the propensity to form calcium waves to changes of RyR gating and tested it by simulation. With a realistic RyR gating model, increased ability of RyR to be activated by Ca2+ strongly increased the propensity for generation of calcium waves at low (0.05–0.1-µM) calcium concentrations but only slightly at high (0.2–0.4-µM) calcium concentrations. Changes in RyR gating altered calcium wave formation by changing the calcium sensitivity of spontaneous calcium spark activation and/or the average number of open RyRs in spontaneous calcium sparks. Gating changes that did not affect RyR activation by Ca2+ had only a weak effect on the propensity to form calcium waves, even if they strongly increased calcium spark frequency. Calcium waves induced by modulating the properties of the RyR activation site could be suppressed by inhibiting the spontaneous opening of the RyR. These data can explain the increased tendency for production of calcium waves under conditions when RyR gating is altered in cardiac diseases.

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