In fura 2-loaded N1E-115 cells, regulation of intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) following a Ca2+ load induced by 1 μM thapsigargin and 10 μM carbonylcyanide p-trifluoromethyoxyphenylhydrazone (FCCP) was Na+ dependent and inhibited by 5 mM Ni2+. In cells with normal intracellular Na+ concentration ([Na+]i), removal of bath Na+, which should result in reversal of Na+/Ca2+exchange, did not increase [Ca2+]i unless cell Ca2+ buffer capacity was reduced. When N1E-115 cells were Na+ loaded using 100 μM veratridine and 4 μg/ml scorpion venom, the rate of the reverse mode of the Na+/Ca2+ exchanger was apparently enhanced, since an ∼4- to 6-fold increase in [Ca2+]ioccurred despite normal cell Ca2+ buffering. In SBFI-loaded cells, we were able to demonstrate forward operation of the Na+/Ca2+ exchanger (net efflux of Ca2+) by observing increases (∼ 6 mM) in [Na+]i. These Ni2+ (5 mM)-inhibited increases in [Na+]i could only be observed when a continuous ionomycin-induced influx of Ca2+ occurred. The voltage-sensitive dye bis-(1,3-diethylthiobarbituric acid) trimethine oxonol was used to measure changes in membrane potential. Ionomycin (1 μM) depolarized N1E-115 cells (∼25 mV). This depolarization was Na+dependent and blocked by 5 mM Ni2+ and 250–500 μM benzamil. These data provide evidence for the presence of an electrogenic Na+/Ca2+ exchanger that is capable of regulating [Ca2+]i after release of Ca2+ from cell stores.
Simultaneous Measurements of Intracellular Calcium and Membrane Potential in Freshly Isolated and Intact Mouse Cerebral Endothelium
