cyclic-gmp and nickel-chloride

βig-h3 is a TGF-β (transforming growth factor β)-induced ECM (extracellular matrix) protein that induces the secretion of MMPs (matrix metalloproteinases). However, the mechanism of induction is yet to be established. In this study, siRNAs (small interfering RNAs) targeted against βig-h3 were transfected into SMMC-7721 cells [a HCC (human hepatocellular carcinoma) cell line] to knockdown the expression of βig-h3. We found that NiCl2, a potent blocker of extracellular Ca2+ entry, reduced βig-h3-induced secretion of MMP-2 and -9. Further investigation suggested that reduction in the levels of βig-h3 decreased the secretion of MMP-2 and -9 that was enhanced by an increase in the concentration of extracellular Ca2+. SNAP (S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine), a NO (nitric oxide) donor, and 8-Br-cGMP (8-bromo-cGMP) inhibited thapsigargin-induced Ca2+ entry and MMP secretion in the invasive potential of human SMMC-7721 cells. Further, the inhibitory effects of 8-Br-cGMP and SNAP could be significantly enhanced by down-regulating βig-h3. βig-h3 attenuates the negative regulation of NO/cGMP-sensitive store-operated Ca2+ entry. Our findings suggest that the expression of βig-h3 might play an important role in the regulation of store-operated Ca2+ entry to increase the invasive potential of HCC cells.

Topics: Calcium; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular; Cell Line, Tumor; Cyclic GMP; Extracellular Matrix Proteins; Fluorescent Antibody Technique; Humans; Liver Neoplasms; Matrix Metalloproteinase 2; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9; Neoplasm Invasiveness; Nickel; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; RNA Interference; RNA, Small Interfering; S-Nitroso-N-Acetylpenicillamine; Thapsigargin; Transfection; Transforming Growth Factor beta

The influence of oxidative stress on agonist-stimulated changes of intracellular free calcium and inositol trisphosphate in the neurosecretory PC12 cell line was investigated. The oxidant H2O2 modulated the bradykinin-induced calcium signal by decreasing the initial peak and the plateau phase in the same manner as tetraphorbolacetate, an activator of protein kinase C. Inositol trisphosphate formation, induced by bradykinin was also decreased by oxidative stress. Thiol protecting agents were able to restore the altered signal. In contrast to this, radical quenching substances had no influence on calcium signals in stressed cells. Inhibitors of several protein kinases, such as protein kinase C, protein kinase A, or cyclic GMP-dependent protein kinase showed the ability to protect the plateau phase of calcium signals against oxidative stress, but not the peak response. These results indicate that under the influence of oxidative stress multiple targets within the signal transduction cascades are affected.

Topics: Adenosine Triphosphate; Alkaloids; Animals; Antioxidants; Bradykinin; Calcium; Cyclic AMP; Cyclic GMP; Free Radical Scavengers; Hydrogen Peroxide; Inositol 1,4,5-Trisphosphate; Kinetics; Nickel; PC12 Cells; Protein Kinase C; Signal Transduction; Staurosporine; Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate; Thionucleotides; Time Factors

In cultured porcine aortic endothelial cells bradykinin produced a long-lasting Ca2+ influx. In contrast to the G protein-independent Ca2+ entry evoked by ionomycin or digitonin, bradykinin-induced Ca2+ influx was antagonized by Ni2+ with an IC50 value of about 50 microM. Since identical IC50 values for Ni2+ were found when Ca2+ entry was induced by sodium fluoride or GTP gamma S, we suggest that stimulation of G protein(s) results in the activation of the same Ca2+ channels as stimulation by bradykinin. This conclusion is supported by our findings that inhibition of GTPase by mepacrine amplified bradykinin-stimulated Ca2+ influx, but did not interfere with the effect of the Ca2+ ionophore A23187. Similar to its effect on Ca2+ influx, mepacrine also potentiated endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF) formation by bradykinin and sodium fluoride, but did not affect A23187-induced EDRF biosynthesis. We therefore suggest that in endothelial cells the bradykinin-induced Ca2+ influx and the resulting formation of EDRF are regulated by a G protein.

Topics: Animals; Bradykinin; Calcimycin; Calcium; Cells, Cultured; Cyclic GMP; Endothelium, Vascular; GTP-Binding Proteins; Guanosine 5'-O-(3-Thiotriphosphate); Nickel; Nitric Oxide; Sodium Fluoride; Swine