endothelin-1 and 2-aminoethoxydiphenyl-borate

UV radiation of the skin triggers keratinocytes to secrete endothelin-1 (ET-1) that binds to endothelin receptors on neighboring melanocytes. Melanocytes respond with a prolonged increase in intracellular Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+)](i)), which is necessary for proliferation and melanogenesis. A major fraction of the Ca(2+) signal is caused by entry through Ca(2+)-permeable channels of unknown identity in the plasma membrane. ORAI Ca(2+) channels are molecular determinants of Ca(2+) release-activated Ca(2+) (CRAC) channels and are expressed in many tissues. Here, we show that ORAI1-3 and their activating partners stromal interaction molecules 1 and 2 (STIM1 and STIM2) are expressed in human melanocytes. Although ORAI1 is the predominant ORAI isoform, STIM2 mRNA expression exceeds STIM1. Inhibition of ORAI1 by 2-aminoethoxydiphenyl borate (2-APB) or downregulation of ORAI1 by small interfering RNA (siRNA) reduced Ca(2+) entry and CRAC current amplitudes in activated melanocytes. In addition, suppression of ORAI1 caused reduction in the ET-1-induced cellular viability, melanin synthesis, and tyrosinase activity. Our results imply a role for ORAI1 channels in skin pigmentation and their potential involvement in UV-induced stress responses of the human skin.

Topics: Boron Compounds; Calcium; Calcium Channels; Cell Adhesion Molecules; Cells, Cultured; Down-Regulation; Endothelin-1; Humans; Melanins; Melanocytes; Membrane Proteins; Mitosis; Neoplasm Proteins; ORAI1 Protein; ORAI2 Protein; RNA, Messenger; RNA, Small Interfering; Stromal Interaction Molecule 1; Stromal Interaction Molecule 2

Hypertension is associated with an elevation in agonist-induced vasoconstriction, but mechanisms involved require further investigation. Many vasoconstrictors bind to phospholipase C-coupled receptors, leading to an elevation in inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP(3)) that activates sarcoplasmic reticulum IP(3) receptors. In cerebral artery myocytes, IP(3) receptors release sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+) and can physically couple to canonical transient receptor potential 3 (TRPC3) channels in a caveolin-1-containing macromolecular complex, leading to cation current activation that stimulates vasoconstriction. Here, we investigated mechanisms by which IP(3) receptors control vascular contractility in systemic arteries and IP(3)R involvement in elevated agonist-induced vasoconstriction during hypertension. Total and plasma membrane-localized TRPC3 protein was ≈2.7- and 2-fold higher in mesenteric arteries of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) than in Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rat controls, respectively. In contrast, IP(3)R1, TRPC1, TRPC6, and caveolin-1 expression was similar. TRPC3 expression was also similar in arteries of pre-SHRs and WKY rats. Control, IP(3)-induced and endothelin-1 (ET-1)-induced fluorescence resonance energy transfer between IP3R1 and TRPC3 was higher in SHR than WKY myocytes. IP3-induced cation current was ≈3-fold larger in SHR myocytes. Pyr3, a selective TRPC3 channel blocker, and calmodulin and IP(3) receptor binding domain peptide, an IP(3)R-TRP physical coupling inhibitor, reduced IP(3)-induced cation current and ET-1-induced vasoconstriction more in SHR than WKY myocytes and arteries. Thapsigargin, a sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase blocker, did not alter ET-1-stimulated vasoconstriction in SHR or WKY arteries. These data indicate that ET-1 stimulates physical coupling of IP(3)R1 to TRPC3 channels in mesenteric artery myocytes, leading to vasoconstriction. Furthermore, an elevation in IP(3)R1 to TRPC3 channel molecular coupling augments ET-1-induced vasoconstriction during hypertension.

Topics: Animals; Blotting, Western; Boron Compounds; Caveolin 1; Cells, Cultured; Endothelin-1; Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer; Hypertension; Immunoprecipitation; In Vitro Techniques; Inositol 1,4,5-Trisphosphate Receptors; Male; Membrane Potentials; Mesenteric Arteries; Muscle Cells; Protein Binding; Pyrazoles; Rats; Rats, Inbred SHR; Rats, Inbred WKY; TRPC Cation Channels; Vasoconstriction

Embryonic stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (ESdCs) have been proposed as a source for cardiac cell-replacement therapy. The aim of this study was to determine the Ca2+-handling mechanisms that determine the frequency and duration of spontaneous Ca2+ transients in single ESdCs. With laser scanning confocal microscopy using the Ca2+-sensitive dye Fluo-4/AM, we determined that spontaneous Ca2+ transients in ESdCs at the onset of beating (day 9) depend on Ca2+ entry across the plasma membrane (50%) whereas Ca2+-induced Ca2+ release is the major contributor to Ca2+ transients in ESdCs after 16 days (72%). Likewise, Ca2+ extrusion in 9-day-old ESdCs depends on Na+-Ca2+ exchange (50.0+/-8%) whereas Ca2+ reuptake by the sarco(endo)plasmic Ca2+ ATPase (72+/-5%) dominates in further differentiated cells. Spontaneous Ca2+ transients were suppressed by the inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) receptor (IP3R) blocker 2-aminoethoxydiphenyl borate (2-APB) and the phospholipase C blocker U73122 but continued in the presence of caffeine. Stimulation of IP3 production by phenylephrine or endothelin-1 had a positive chronotropic effect that could be reversed by U73122 and 2-APB. The presence of Ca2+-free solution and block of L-type Ca2+ channels by nifedipine also resulted in a cessation of spontaneous activity. Overall, IP3R-mediated Ca2+ release in ESdCs is translated into a depolarization of the plasma membrane and a whole-cell Ca2+ transient is subsequently induced by voltage-dependent Ca2+ influx. Although ryanodine receptor-mediated Ca2+ release amplifies the IP3R-induced trigger for the Ca2+ transients and modulates its frequencies, it is not a prerequisite for spontaneous activity. The results of this study offer important insight into the role of IP3R-mediated Ca2+ release for pacemaker activity in differentiating cardiomyocytes.

Topics: Action Potentials; Aniline Compounds; Animals; Boron Compounds; Calcium; Calcium Channel Blockers; Calcium Channels, L-Type; Calcium Signaling; Cell Differentiation; Cell Line; Embryonic Stem Cells; Endothelin-1; Enzyme Inhibitors; Estrenes; Fluorescent Dyes; Heart Rate; Inositol 1,4,5-Trisphosphate; Inositol 1,4,5-Trisphosphate Receptors; Mice; Microscopy, Confocal; Myocytes, Cardiac; Nifedipine; Phenylephrine; Pyrrolidinones; Ryanodine Receptor Calcium Release Channel; Sarcoplasmic Reticulum Calcium-Transporting ATPases; Sodium-Calcium Exchanger; Time Factors; Type C Phospholipases; Xanthenes

Although ventricular cardiomyocytes express inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate [Ins(1,4,5)P3] receptors, it is unclear how these Ca2+ channels contribute to the effects of Gq-coupled agonists. Endothelin-1 augmented the amplitude of pacing-evoked Ca2+ signals (positive inotropy), and caused an increasing frequency of spontaneous diastolic Ca2+-release transients. Both effects of endothelin-1 were blocked by an antagonist of phospholipase C, suggesting that Ins(1,4,5)P3 and/or diacylglycerol production was necessary. The endothelin-1-mediated spontaneous Ca2+ transients were abolished by application of 2-aminoethoxydiphenyl borate (2-APB), an antagonist of Ins(1,4,5)P3 receptors. Incubation of electrically-paced ventricular myocytes with a membrane-permeant Ins(1,4,5)P3 ester provoked the occurrence of spontaneous diastolic Ca2+ transients with the same characteristics and sensitivity to 2-APB as the events stimulated by endothelin-1. In addition to evoking spontaneous Ca2+ transients, stimulation of ventricular myocytes with the Ins(1,4,5)P3 ester caused a positive inotropic effect. The effects of endothelin-1 were compared with two other stimuli, isoproterenol and digoxin, which are known to induce inotropy and spontaneous Ca2+ transients by overloading intracellular Ca2+ stores. The events evoked by isoproterenol and digoxin were dissimilar from those triggered by endothelin-1 in several ways. We propose that Ins(1,4,5)P3 receptors support the development of both inotropy and spontaneous pro-arrhythmic Ca2+ signals in ventricular myocytes stimulated with a Gq-coupled agonist.

Topics: Animals; Arrhythmias, Cardiac; Boron Compounds; Calcium; Calcium Channels; Calcium Signaling; Digoxin; Endothelin-1; Heart Ventricles; Inositol 1,4,5-Trisphosphate; Inositol 1,4,5-Trisphosphate Receptors; Isoproterenol; Myocytes, Cardiac; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear; Type C Phospholipases

In vascular smooth muscle (VSM) of Squalus acanthias, endothelin-1 (ET-1) signals via the ET(B) receptor. In both shark and mammalian VSM, ET-1 induces a rise in cytosolic Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+)](i)) via activation of the inositol trisphosphate (IP(3)) receptor (IP(3)R) and subsequent release of Ca(2+) from the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR). IP(3)R-mediated release of SR Ca(2+) causes calcium-induced calcium release (CICR) via the ryanodine receptor (RyR), which can be sensitized by cyclic adeninediphosphate ribose (cADPR). cADPR is synthesized from NAD(+) by a membrane-bound bifunctional enzyme, ADPR cyclase. We have previously shown that the antagonists of the RyR, Ruthenium Red, high concentrations of ryanodine and 8-Br cADPR, diminish the [Ca(2+)](i) response to ET-1 in shark VSM. To investigate how ET-1 might influence the activity of the ADPR cyclase, we employed inhibitors of the cyclase. To explore the possibility that ET-1-induced production of superoxide (O(2)*-) might activate the cyclase, we used an inhibitor of NAD(P)H oxidase (NOX), DPI and a scavenger of O(2)*-, TEMPOL. Anterior mesenteric artery VSM was loaded with fura-2AM to measure [Ca(2+)](i). In Ca(2+)-free shark Ringers, ET-1 increased [Ca(2+)](i) by 104+/-8 nmol l(-1). The VSM ADPR cyclase inhibitors, nicotinamide and Zn(2+), diminished the response by 62% and 72%, respectively. Both DPI and TEMPOL reduced the response by 63%. The combination of the IP(3)R antagonists, 2-APB or TMB-8, with DPI or TEMPOL further reduced the response by 83%. We show for the first time that in shark VSM, inhibition of the ADPR cyclase reduces the [Ca(2+)](i) response to ET-1 and that superoxide may be involved in the activation of the cyclase.

Topics: ADP-ribosyl Cyclase; Animals; Atlantic Ocean; Boron Compounds; Calcium; Calcium Channels; Catecholamines; Cyclic N-Oxides; Endothelin-1; Fura-2; Gallic Acid; Imidazolines; Inositol 1,4,5-Trisphosphate Receptors; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular; NADH, NADPH Oxidoreductases; NADPH Oxidases; Niacinamide; Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear; Ryanodine Receptor Calcium Release Channel; Signal Transduction; Spin Labels; Squalus acanthias; Superoxides; Zinc

Endothelins are known to be among the most potent endogenous vasoconstrictors. Vasoconstriction of the spiral modiolar artery, which supplies the cochlea, may be implicated in hearing loss and tinnitus. The purpose of the present study was to determine whether the spiral modiolar artery responds to endothelin, whether a change in the cytosolic Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) mediates the response and which endothelin receptors are present. The vascular diameter and [Ca2+]i were measured simultaneously by videomicroscopy and microfluorometry in the isolated spiral modiolar artery from the gerbil. ET-1 induced a transient [Ca2+]i increase and a strong and long-lasting vasoconstriction. The transient [Ca2+]i increase underwent rapid desensitization, was independent of extracellular Ca2+ and inhibited by the IP3-receptor blocker (75 microm) 2-aminoethoxydiphenyl borate (2-APB) and by depletion of Ca2+ stores with 10(-6) m thapsigargin. In contrast, the vasoconstriction displayed no comparable desensitization. The initial vasoconstriction was independent of extracellular Ca2+ but maintenance of the constriction depended on the presence of extracellular Ca2+. The half-maximal concentration values (EC50) for the agonists ET-1, ET-3 and sarafotoxin S6c were 0.8 nm, >10 nm and >100 nm, respectively. Affinity constants for the antagonists BQ-123 and BQ-788 were 24 nm and 77 nm, respectively. These observations demonstrate that ET-1 mediates a vasoconstriction of the gerbil spiral modiolar artery via ETA receptors and an IP3 receptor-mediated release of Ca2+ from thapsigargin-sensitive Ca2+ stores. The marked difference in desensitization between Ca2+ mobilization and vasoconstriction suggests that Ca2+ mobilization is not solely responsible for the vasoconstriction and that other signaling mechanisms must be present.

Topics: Animals; Antihypertensive Agents; Arteries; Boron Compounds; Calcium; Calcium Signaling; Cochlea; Cytophotometry; Endothelin Receptor Antagonists; Endothelin-1; Enzyme Inhibitors; Gerbillinae; Microscopy, Video; Oligopeptides; Peptides, Cyclic; Piperidines; Receptor, Endothelin A; Receptors, Endothelin; Thapsigargin; Vasoconstriction; Vasoconstrictor Agents; Viper Venoms