The effect of intracellular calcium level regulators on the synthesis of pollen tube callose in Oenothera biennis L.

It is shown that callose synthesis in the <em>Oenothera biennis </em>pollen tube is regulated by the endogenous Ca²⁺ level. Calcium antagonists reduced the amount of callose in the wall above the tip of the pollen tube (Verapamil - calcium channels blocker) and at the tube tip after stopping tube growth (La³⁺ - a Ca²⁺ substitute). Ruthenium red and ionophore A 23187, which raise the Ca 21 level in the cytoplasm, induced callose synthesis at the tip of pollen tube.

Xepac protein and IP3/Ca2+ pathway implication during Xenopus laevis vitellogenesis

SummaryThe objective of this study was to elucidate the signalling pathways initiated by cAMP once inside the Xenopus laevis oocyte, where it triggers and maintains vitellogenin endocytic uptake. Our results showed the presence of Xepac transcripts at all stages of oogenesis and we demonstrated that a cAMP analogue that exclusively activates Xepac, 8-CPT, was able to rescue the endocytic activity in oocytes with uncoupled gap junctions. Inhibition experiments for the IP3/Ca2+ signalling pathway showed either a complete inhibition or a significant reduction of the vitellogenic process. These results were confirmed with the rescue capability of the A-23187 ionophore in those oocyte batches in which the IP3/Ca2+ pathway was inhibited. Taking our findings into account, we propose that the cAMP molecule binds Xepac protein enabling it to activate the IP3/Ca2+ pathway, which is necessary to start and maintain X. laevis vitellogenin uptake.

Calcium-independent phospholipase A2 plays a key role in the endothelium-dependent contractions to acetylcholine in the aorta of the spontaneously hypertensive rat

Phospholipase A2 (PLA2), a regulatory enzyme found in most mammalian cells, catalyzes the breakdown of membrane phospholipids to arachidonic acid. There are two major cytosolic types of the enzyme, calcium-dependent (cPLA2) and calcium-independent (iPLA2) PLA2. The present study investigated whether or not iPLA2 plays a role in the endothelium-dependent contractions of the aorta of the spontaneously hypertensive rat and its normotensive counterpart, the Wistar-Kyoto rat. The presence of iPLA2 in the endothelial cells was identified by using immunochemistry and immunoblotting. Aortic rings with and without the endothelium were suspended in organ chambers for isometric tension recording. The production of prostanoids was measured by using enzyme immunoassay kits. iPLA2 was densely distributed in endothelial cells of the aorta of both strains. At 3 × 10−6 M, the selective iPLA2 inhibitor, bromoenol lactone (BEL), abrogated endothelium-dependent contractions induced by acetylcholine but not those evoked by the calcium ionophore A-23187. The effects of BEL were similar in the aortae of Wistar-Kyoto and spontaneously hypertensive rats. The nonselective PLA2 inhibitor quinacrine abolished the contractions triggered by both acetylcholine and A-23187, whereas the store-operated calcium channel inhibitor SKF-96365 prevented only the acetylcholine-induced contraction. The acetylcholine- but not the A-23187-induced release of 6-keto prostaglandin F1α was inhibited by BEL. The release of thromboxane B2 by either acetylcholine or A-23187 was not affected by BEL. In conclusion, iPLA2 plays a substantial role in the generation of endothelium-derived contracting factor evoked by acetylcholine.

Vitamin D derivatives acutely reduce endothelium-dependent contractions in the aorta of the spontaneously hypertensive rat

The available evidence suggests that vitamin D has cardiovascular effects besides regulating calcium homeostasis. To examine the effect of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, the major metabolite of vitamin D, on endothelium-dependent contractions, aortic rings of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) were suspended in organ chambers for isometric force measurements. Rings were incubated with Nω-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (l-NAME) and then exposed to increasing concentrations of acetylcholine, ATP, or the calcium ionophore to trigger contractions. This was done in the absence or presence of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3. The release of prostacyclin after acetylcholine or A-23187 stimulation was also measured. The cytosolic-free calcium concentration was measured by confocal microscopy after incubation with the fluorescent dyes fluo-4 and fura red. The presence of vitamin D receptors was confirmed using immunohistochemistry. Acetylcholine- and ATP-induced endothelium-dependent contractions were significantly reduced compared with those obtained in the absence of the drug. This effect was not present if A-23187 was used as an agonist. The acetylcholine- but not the A-23187-induced release of prostacyclin was reduced by the acute administration of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3. Exposure to 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 reduced the increase in cytosolic-free calcium concentration caused by acetylcholine but not by A-23187 in cells. Vitamin D receptors were densely distributed in the endothelium. Inecalcitol (19-nor-14-epi-23-yne-1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3), a synthetic analog of vitamin D, caused a comparable depression of endothelium-dependent contractions as 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3. These results demonstrate that vitamin D3 modulates vascular tone by reducing calcium influx into the endothelial cells and hence decreasing the production of endothelium-derived contracting factors.

The role of nitric oxide synthase-derived reactive oxygen species in the altered relaxation of pulmonary arteries from lambs with increased pulmonary blood flow

Congenital cardiac defects associated with increased pulmonary blood flow (Qp) produce pulmonary hypertension. We have previously reported attenuated endothelium-dependent relaxations in pulmonary arteries (PA) isolated from lambs with increased Qp and pulmonary hypertension. To better characterize the vascular alterations in the nitric oxide-superoxide system, 12 fetal lambs underwent in utero placement of an aortopulmonary vascular graft (shunt). Twin lambs served as controls. PA were isolated from these lambs at 4–6 wk of age. Electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy on fourth-generation PA showed significantly increased superoxide anion generation in shunt PA that were decreased to control levels following inhibition of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) with 2-ethyl-2-thiopseudourea. Preconstricted fifth-generation PA rings were relaxed with a NOS agonist (A-23187), a nitric oxide donor [ S-nitrosyl amino penicillamine (SNAP)], polyethylene glycol-conjugated superoxide dismutase (PEG-SOD), or H2O2. A-23187-, PEG-SOD-, and H2O2-mediated relaxations were impaired in shunt PA compared with controls. Pretreatment with PEG-SOD significantly enhanced the relaxation response to A-23187 and SNAP in shunt but not control PA. Inhibition of NOS with nitro-l-arginine or scavenging superoxide anions with tiron enhanced relaxation to SNAP and inhibited relaxation to PEG-SOD in shunt PA. Pretreatment with catalase inhibited relaxation of shunt PA to A-23187, SOD, and H2O2. We conclude that NOS catalyzes the production of superoxide anions in shunt PA. PEG-SOD relaxes shunt PA by converting these anions to H2O2, a pulmonary vasodilator. The redox environment, influenced by the balance between production and scavenging of ROS, may have important consequences on pulmonary vascular reactivity in the setting of increased Qp.

In SHR aorta, calcium ionophore A-23187 releases prostacyclin and thromboxane A2 as endothelium-derived contracting factors

In mature spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY), acetylcholine and the calcium ionophore A-23187 release endothelium-derived contracting factors (EDCFs), cyclooxygenase derivatives that activate thromboxane-endoperoxide (TP) receptors on vascular smooth muscle. The EDCFs released by acetylcholine are most likely prostacyclin and prostaglandin (PG)H2, whereas those released by A-23187 remain to be identified. Isometric tension and the release of PGs were measured in rings of isolated aortas of WKY and SHR. A-23187 evoked the endothelium-dependent release of prostacyclin, thromboxane A2, PGF2α, PGE2, and possibly PGH2 (PGI2 ≫ thromboxane A2 = PGF2α = PGE2). In SHR aortas, the release of prostacyclin and thromboxane A2 was significantly larger in response to A-23187 than to acetylcholine. In response to the calcium ionophore, the release of thromboxane A2 was significantly larger in aortas of SHR than in those of WKY. In both strains of rat, the inhibition of cyclooxygenase-1 prevented the release of PGs and the occurrence of endothelium-dependent contractions. Dazoxiben, the thromboxane synthase inhibitor, abolished the A-23187-dependent production of thromboxane A2 and inhibited by approximately one-half the endothelium-dependent contractions. U-51605, an inhibitor of PGI synthase, reduced the release of prostacyclin elicited by A-23187 but induced a parallel increase in the production of PGE2 and PGF2α, suggestive of a PGH2 spillover, which was associated with the enhancement of the endothelium-dependent contractions. These results indicate that in the aorta of SHR and WKY, the endothelium-dependent contractions elicited by A-23187 involve the release of thromboxane A2 and prostacyclin with a most likely concomitant contribution of PGH2.

Ionic mechanisms of excitation-induced regulation of Na+-K+-ATPase mRNA expression in isolated rat EDL muscle

This study investigated the effects of electrical stimulation on Na+-K+-ATPase isoform mRNA, with the aim to identify factors modulating Na+-K+-ATPase mRNA in isolated rat extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscle. Interventions designed to mimic exercise-induced increases in intracellular Na+ and Ca2+ contents and membrane depolarization were examined. Muscles were mounted on force transducers and stimulated with 60-Hz 10-s pulse trains producing tetanic contractions three times at 10-min intervals. Ouabain (1.0 mM, 120 min), veratridine (0.1 mM, 30 min), and monensin (0.1 mM, 30 min) were used to increase intracellular Na+ content. High extracellular K+ (13 mM, 60 min) and the Ca2+ ionophore A-23187 (0.02 mM, 30 min) were used to induce membrane depolarization and elevated intracellular Ca2+ content, respectively. Muscles were analyzed for Na+-K+-ATPase α1–α3 and β1–β3 mRNA (real-time RT-PCR). Electrical stimulation had no immediate effect on Na+-K+-ATPase mRNA; however at 3 h after stimulation, it increased α1, α2, and α3 mRNA by 223, 621, and 892%, respectively ( P = 0.010), without changing β mRNA. Ouabain, veratridine, and monensin increased intracellular Na+ content by 769, 724, and 598%, respectively ( P = 0.001) but did not increase mRNA of any isoform. High intracellular K+ concentration elevated α1 mRNA by 160% ( P = 0.021), whereas A-23187 elevated α3 mRNA by 123% ( P = 0.035) but reduced β1 mRNA by 76% ( P = 0.001). In conclusion, electrical stimulation induced subunit-specific increases in Na+-K+-ATPase mRNA in isolated rat EDL muscle. Furthermore, Na+-K+-ATPase mRNA appears to be regulated by different stimuli, including cellular changes associated with membrane depolarization and increased intracellular Ca2+ content but not increased intracellular Na+ content.