Depolarization increases inositolphosphate production in a particulate preparation from rat brain

Phycotoxins in Marine Shellfish: Origin, Occurrence and Effects on Humans

Massive phytoplankton proliferation, and the consequent release of toxic metabolites, can be responsible for seafood poisoning outbreaks: filter-feeding mollusks, such as shellfish, mussels, oysters or clams, can accumulate these toxins throughout the food chain and present a threat for consumers' health. Particular environmental and climatic conditions favor this natural phenomenon, called harmful algal blooms (HABs); the phytoplankton species mostly involved in these toxic events are dinoflagellates or diatoms belonging to the genera Alexandrium, Gymnodinium, Dinophysis, and Pseudo-nitzschia. Substantial economic losses ensue after HABs occurrence: the sectors mainly affected include commercial fisheries, tourism, recreational activities, and public health monitoring and management. A wide range of symptoms, from digestive to nervous, are associated to human intoxication by biotoxins, characterizing different and specific syndromes, called paralytic shellfish poisoning, amnesic shellfish poisoning, diarrhetic shellfish poisoning, and neurotoxic shellfish poisoning. This review provides a complete and updated survey of phycotoxins usually found in marine invertebrate organisms and their relevant properties, gathering information about the origin, the species where they were found, as well as their mechanism of action and main effects on humans.

Microelectrode array (MEA) platform as a sensitive tool to detect and evaluate Ostreopsis cf. ovata toxicity

In the last decade, the occurrence of harmful dinoflagellate blooms of the genus Ostreopsis has increased both in frequency and in geographic distribution with adverse impacts on public health and the economy. Ostreopsis species are producers of palytoxin-like toxins (putative palytoxin and ovatoxins) which are among the most potent natural non-protein compounds known to date, exhibiting extreme toxicity in mammals, including humans. Most existing toxicological data are derived from in vivo mouse assay and are related to acute effects of pure palytoxin, without considering that the toxicity mechanism of dinoflagellates can be dependent on the varying composition of complex biotoxins mixture and on the presence of cellular components. In this study, in vitro neuronal networks coupled to microelectrode array (MEA)-based system are proposed, for the first time, as sensitive biosensors for the evaluation of marine alga toxicity on mammalian cells. Toxic effect was investigated by testing three different treatments of laboratory cultured Ostreopsis cf. ovata cells: filtered and re-suspended algal cells; filtered, re-suspended and sonicated algal cells; conditioned growth medium devoid of algal cells. The great sensitivity of this system revealed the mixture of PTLX-complex analogues naturally released in the growth medium and the different potency of the three treatments to inhibit the neuronal network spontaneous electrical activity. Moreover, by means of the multiparametric analysis of neuronal network activity, the approach revealed a different toxicity mechanism of the cellular component compared to the algal conditioned growth medium, highlighting the potential active role of the first treatment.

Neurotoxins from marine dinoflagellates: a brief review

Dinoflagellates are not only important marine primary producers and grazers, but also the major causative agents of harmful algal blooms. It has been reported that many dinoflagellate species can produce various natural toxins. These toxins can be extremely toxic and many of them are effective at far lower dosages than conventional chemical agents. Consumption of seafood contaminated by algal toxins results in various seafood poisoning syndromes: paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP), neurotoxic shellfish poisoning (NSP), amnesic shellfish poisoning (ASP), diarrheic shellfish poisoning (DSP), ciguatera fish poisoning (CFP) and azaspiracid shellfish poisoning (ASP). Most of these poisonings are caused by neurotoxins which present themselves with highly specific effects on the nervous system of animals, including humans, by interfering with nerve impulse transmission. Neurotoxins are a varied group of compounds, both chemically and pharmacologically. They vary in both chemical structure and mechanism of action, and produce very distinct biological effects, which provides a potential application of these toxins in pharmacology and toxicology. This review summarizes the origin, structure and clinical symptoms of PSP, NSP, CFP, AZP, yessotoxin and palytoxin produced by marine dinoflagellates, as well as their molecular mechanisms of action on voltage-gated ion channels.

Veratrine-stimulated phosphoinositide breakdown as an assay for local anesthetic actions at Na+ channels

The blockade of veratrine-stimulated phosphoinositide breakdown in rat cerebral cortical miniprisms as a model of local anesthetic actions on voltage-dependent sodium channels was assessed. Veratrine stimulated phosphoinositide breakdown with an EC50 value of 5 microM. The stimulation produced by 20 microM veratrine was blocked completely by (+)-bupivacaine (IC50 7.6 microM [mean of three separate experimental series]), (-)-bupivacaine (IC50 7.3 microM), lidocaine (IC50 34 microM), etidocaine (IC50 3.4 microM), tetracaine (IC50 approximately 2 microM), and prilocaine (IC50 110 microM). Phosphoinositide breakdown responses to ouabain (100-1000 microM) and K+ (50 mM) were only partially blocked by (+)-bupivacaine, and the responses to monensin (100 and 1000 microM) and noradrenaline (30 microM) were not blocked at all by this drug. Nifedipine produced no significant effects on the phosphoinositide response to 10 microM veratrine. It is concluded that in pulse label experiments using rat cerebral cortical miniprisms, local anesthetics in general, and (+)-bupivacaine in particular, block the phosphoinositide response to veratrine with a high degree of specificity. This system may be useful as a relatively simple and quantitative assay for drug effects on Na(+)-channels.

Palytoxin. Recent electrophysiological and pharmacological evidence for several mechanisms of action

1. Palytoxin is one of the most potent toxins known so far. It acts as an haemolysin and alters the functioning of excitable cells. 2. A primary action of palytoxin in excitable cells is to induce the activity of a small conductance (9-25 pS), non-selective cationic channel which then triggers secondary activations of voltage dependent Ca2+ channels and of Na+/Ca2+ exchange. This results in neurotransmitter release by nerve terminals and contractions of striated and smooth muscle cells. 3. Palytoxin induced channels are blocked by amiloride derivatives such as 3,4 dichlorobenzamil. They are also blocked by ouabain but at concentrations higher than those required to inhibit the (Na+,K+)ATPase. 4. A second and independent action of palytoxin is to open a membrane conductive pathway for H+ that drives H+ inside the cells and secondarily activates Na+/H+ exchange activity. 5. A third action of PTX in chick cardiomyocytes is to raise [Ca2+]i in a manner independent of its depolarizing action or of its action on intracellular pH. 6. It is suggested that PTX probably has more than one site of action in excitable cells and that it may act as an agonist for a family of low conductance channels that conduct Na+/K+, H+ and Ca2+ions.

Effects of muscarinic agonists and depolarizing agents on inositol monophosphate accumulation in the rabbit vagus nerve

The effects of muscarinic agonists and depolarizing agents on inositol phospholipid hydrolysis in the rabbit vagus nerve were assessed by the measurement of [3H]inositol monophosphate production in nerves that had been preincubated with [3H]inositol. After 1 h of drug action, carbachol, oxotremorine, and arecoline increased the inositol monophosphate accumulation, though the maximal increase induced by these agonists differed. Addition of the muscarinic antagonists atropine or pirenzepine shifted the carbachol dose-response curves to the right, without decreasing the carbachol maximal stimulatory effects. The KB for pirenzepine was 35 nM, which is characteristic of muscarinic high-affinity binding sites coupled to phosphoinositide turnover and often associated with the M1 receptor subtype. On the other hand, agents known to depolarize or to increase the intracellular Ca2+ concentration, e.g., elevated extracellular K+, ouabain, Ca2+, and the Ca2+ ionophore A23187, also increased inositol monophosphate accumulation. These effects were not mediated by the release of acetylcholine, as suggested by the fact that they could not be potentiated by the addition of physostigmine nor inhibited by the addition of atropine. The Ca(2+)-channel antagonist Cd2+, also known to inhibit the Na+/Ca2+ exchanger, was able to block the effects of K+ and ouabain, but did not alter those of carbachol. These results suggest that depolarizing agents increase inositol monophosphate accumulation in part through elevation of the intracellular Ca2+ concentration and that muscarinic receptors coupled to phosphoinositide turnover are present along the trunk of the rabbit vagus nerve.

A specific transduction mechanism for the glutamate action on phosphoinositide metabolism via the quisqualate metabotropic receptor in rat brain synaptoneurosomes: II. Calcium dependency, cadmium inhibition

In this article, we demonstrate that an increase in intracellular Ca2+ concentration may represent a specific common step(s) in the mechanism(s) of action of glutamate (Glu) and depolarizing agents on formation of inositol phosphates (IPs) in 8-day-old rat forebrain synaptoneurosomes. In fact, A23187, a Ca2+ ionophore, induces a dose-dependent accumulation of IPs, which is not additive with that evoked by Glu and K+ but is slightly synergistic with that induced by carbachol. In addition, Glu and K+ augment the intracellular Ca2+ concentration in synaptoneurosome preparations as measured by the fura-2 assay. The absence of external Ca2+ decreases basal and Glu-, and K(+)-stimulated formation of IPs. Cd2+ (100 microM) fully inhibits both Glu- and K(+)-evoked formation of IPs without affecting the carbachol-elicited response of IPs. Zn2+ inhibits Glu- and K(+)-stimulated accumulation of IPs (IC50 approximately 0.4 mM) but with a lower affinity than Cd2+ (IC50 approximately 0.035 mM). The organic Ca2+ channel blockers verapamil (10 microM), nifedipine (10 microM), omega-conotoxin (2 microM), and amiloride (10 microM) as well as the inorganic blockers Co2+ (100 microM) and La3+ (100 microM) block neither Glu- nor K(+)-evoked formation of IPs, a result suggesting that the opening of the L-, T-, N-, or P-type Ca2+ channels does not participate in these responses. All these data suggest that an increase in intracellular Ca2+ concentration resulting from an influx of Ca2+, sensitive to Cd2+ but not to other classical Ca2+ antagonists, may play a key role in the transduction mechanism activated by Glu or depolarizing agents.

A specific transduction mechanism for the glutamate action on phosphoinositide metabolism via the quisqualate metabotropic receptor in rat brain synaptoneurosomes: I. External Na+ requirement

The characteristics of the transduction mechanism(s) activated by glutamate (Glu) via the quisqualate metabotropic receptor, as well as by depolarizing agents, to trigger formation of inositol phosphates (IPs) were investigated in 8-day-old rat forebrain synaptoneurosomes. The replacement of external Na+ by various compounds (Li+, Tris+, N-methyl-D-glucamine+, and sucrose) induces an increase in basal accumulation of IPs and depolarizes synaptoneurosome membranes. Under these conditions, Glu- and K(+)-induced accumulations of IPs are inhibited, whereas the carbachol (Carb)-elicited response of IPs parallels the basal one. Agents increasing Na+ influx, such as veratridine and monensin, depolarize synaptoneurosomes and stimulate formation of IPs. These stimulations are not additive with responses of IPs elicited by Glu or K+. These data suggest that (a) Glu activates phosphoinositide metabolism via a specific mechanism (distinct from that of cholinergic agonists), (b) depolarizing agents and Glu share at least one common intermediate step in their mechanisms of activation of the metabolism of IPs, and (c) the depolarization may correspond to this common step. In addition, Na+ seems to be required for Glu stimulation of metabolism of IPs. The depolarization associated with the action of Glu on formation of IPs results neither from an influx via tetrodotoxin-sensitive voltage-dependent Na+ channels nor from an entry via the classically characterized Na+/Ca2+ or Na+/H+ exchangers. In fact, tetrodotoxin (2 microM) has no effect on the Glu- or K(+)-elicited response of IPs. Amiloride (greater than 50 microM) and some of its derivatives similarly inhibit not only Glu- and K(+)- but also Carb-evoked formation of IPs.

Taurine inhibits protein kinase C-catalyzed phosphorylation of specific proteins in a rat cortical P2 fraction

We previously reported that taurine inhibits the phosphorylation of specific proteins in a P2 synaptosomal fraction prepared from the rat cortex. In the present study, the regulation of the phosphorylation of an approximately 20K Mr protein whose phosphorylation is inhibited by taurine was further investigated. The phosphorylation of the approximately 20K Mr protein in a hypo-osmotically shocked P2 fraction from rat cortex was dependent on the free Ca2+ in the reaction medium. Depolarization induced by 30 mM K+ stimulated the phosphorylation of the approximately 20K Mr protein in an intact synaptosomal P2 preparation by 30-fold. This stimulation was inhibited 35% by taurine, whereas guanidinoethanesulfonic acid, a taurine analogue, did not have any effect, thereby indicating the specificity of taurine. Addition of phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate, a phorbol ester, together with phosphatidylserine, stimulated the phosphorylation of the approximately 20K Mr protein in the hypo-osmotically shocked P2 synaptosomal fraction by fivefold, whereas cyclic AMP, cyclic GMP, and calmodulin did not have any effect on the phosphorylation of this particular protein. Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate-stimulated phosphorylation of the approximately 20K Mr protein is blocked 30% by taurine. Taurine also inhibited phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate-activated phosphorylation of two other proteins that were similar in molecular weight and isoelectric point to the approximately 20K Mr protein on two-dimensional gels. These results suggest that taurine modulates the phosphorylation of specific proteins regulated by the signal transduction system in the brain. Thus, taurine may modulate neuroactivity by inhibiting the phosphorylation of specific proteins involved in regulatory function.

3,4-Diaminopyridine-evoked noradrenaline release in rat hippocampus: role of Na+ entry on Ca2+ pools and of protein kinase C

Slices of rat hippocampus, preincubated with [3H]noradrenaline [(3H]NA), were superfused continuously and stimulated by addition of 3,4-diaminopyridine (3,4-DAP; 100 microM) for 10 min to the superfusion medium. An overflow of 3H evoked by 3,4-DAP (representing [3H]NA release) was measurable not only in the presence but also in the absence of extracellular Ca2+. Both the protein kinase C (PKC) activator 4 beta-phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate (4 beta-PDB) and the PKC inhibitor polymyxin B, affected mainly the evoked release in the absence of extracellular Ca2+ in a facilitatory or inhibitory manner, respectively. Moreover, in the absence of extracellular Ca2+, both the 3,4-DAP-evoked [3H]NA release and the facilitatory effect of 4 beta-PDB were abolished in the presence of tetrodotoxin or in the absence of Na+ in the superfusion medium. Ruthenium red, a blocker of mitochondrial Ca2+ reuptake, potently increased 3,4-DAP-evoked [3H]NA release in Ca(2+)-free EGTA-containing medium. The facilitatory effects of ruthenium red and 4 beta-PDB were additive. From these and earlier observations we conclude (1) that the mechanism of 3,4-DAP-evoked [3H]NA release involves both Ca2+ influx into the nerve terminals and mobilization of intraneuronal Ca2+ pools. Most probably Ca2+ release from cytoplasmic Ca2+ stores (e.g. endoplasmic reticular pools or mitochondria) is induced by Na+ ions entering the nerve endings during 3,4-DAP-evoked repetitive action potentials. (2) The facilitatory effect of phorbol ester on 3,4-DAP-evoked NA release appears to be mediated not by changes in Ca2+ influx, but by enhancement of intraneuronal events distal to Na+ ion entry and increased intracellular Ca2+ availability.

Cholinergic inositol phosphate formation in striatal neurons is mediated by distinct mechanisms

In murine striatal neurons devoid of functional synapses (6 days in vitro) the cholinergic agonists carbachol and arecoline evoked dose-dependent inositol phosphate (InsP) responses with mean log EC50s of -4.1 +/- 0.5 and -4.48 +/- 0.1, respectively. Carbachol (1 mM) and arecoline (1 mM) responses were insensitive to tetrodotoxin, a voltage-sensitive Na+ channel blocker, and were blocked by pirenzepine with relatively low affinity (logIC50 = -5.9 +/- 0.3 for the carbachol response and logIC50 = -5.8 +/- 0.3 for the arecoline response). After synaptogenesis (13 days in vitro) the maximal carbachol effect doubled whereas the arecoline response remained unchanged. This additional effect was sensitive to tetrodotoxin and the voltage-dependent Ca2+ channel blocker, omega-conotoxin. The tetrodotoxin-sensitive carbachol response was blocked by lower concentrations of pirenzepine than the tetrodotoxin-insensitive carbachol response. More than 75% of the InsP response evoked by low concentrations of muscarine (1 and 10 microM) was sensitive to tetrodotoxin whereas only 38% of the InsP response stimulated by 1 mM of muscarine could be blocked by tetrodotoxin. These results suggest that there are at least two different mechanisms (depending on the stage of development), activated most probably by two different muscarinic receptors responsible for the carbachol-induced InsP formation in striatal neurons.

Effect of sodium and calcium on basal secretory activity of rat neurohypophysial peptidergic nerve terminals

1. The release of arginine vasopressin (AVP) from a perifused preparation of peptidergic nerve terminals isolated from rat neurohypophyses was studied during manipulations of the external sodium and calcium concentrations. Intracellular concentrations of these two ions were manipulated by use of ouabain and a calcium ionophore, respectively. 2. Removal of extracellular Na+ caused, in a concentration-dependent manner, a significant decrease of secretory activity. Conversely, graded addition of Na+ to a Na(+)-free perifusion medium increased secretion. Half-maximal activation of secretory activity was attained at ca 75 mM [Na+]o. 3. Manipulations of extracellular Ca2+ did not affect the level of hormonal secretion in the absence of extracellular Na+. However, when Na+ was present in the perifusion medium, removal of extracellular Ca2+ induced an increase of secretory activity. 4. The effects of manipulations of [Na+]o were not dependent on the presence of Ca2+ in the perifusion medium nor on the nature of the Na+ replacement used (i.e. choline or mannitol). 5. Ouabain (0.1 mM) increased the basal secretory activity and potentiated the secretory response to removal of Ca2+ from the perifusion medium. 6. The Ca2+ ionophore A23187 stimulated, in a concentration-dependent fashion, the secretory activity of the peptidergic nerve terminals and this stimulation was strictly dependent on the presence of Ca2+ in the perifusion medium. 7. These results show that basal secretion is directly dependent on [Na]o and indicate that intracellular Na+ is an important factor in the control of secretory mechanisms. Evidence is presented in regard to a possible antagonistic effect of extracellular Ca2+ and Na+ on secretion.

Influence of external K+ on potassium efflux in isolated chicken enterocytes

1. Efflux of K+ was measured in pre-loaded (86Rb+) chicken enterocytes incubated in buffers with external K+ concentration ([K+]0) between 1 and 40 mM. 2. A decrease in [K+]0 from 6 to 1 mM reduced the rate constant of K+ efflux, whereas it was stimulated by increasing [K+]0 from 6 to 40 mM. 3. The inhibitory effect of low [K+]0 on K+ efflux was: (i) higher than that expected from a change in the electrical driving force, suggesting that membrane K+ permeability has been decreased, and (ii) attenuated by A23187 and Na(+)-free buffers. 4. The effect of A23187 on K(+)-induced K+ efflux was abolished by apamin and that of Na(+)-free buffers by apamin, quinine or verapamil, which suggests that the effect of low K+ on K+ efflux seems to be due to decreased intracellular Ca2+ concentration. 5. The stimulatory effect of 40 mM K0+ on K+ exit can be accounted for by an increase in the electrical driving force. 6. The efflux of K+ at 40 mM K0 appears to occur through Ca2(+)-activated K+ channels (KCa) since it was prevented by 500 microM quinine and unaffected by bumetanide or 3,4-diaminopyridine. 7. In addition, the current results show that an increase in external K+ concentration reduced the ability of quinine to inhibit KCa channels, and even abolished that of Ba2+ and apamin.

Characterization of ouabain-induced phosphoinositide hydrolysis in brain slices of the neonatal rat

The effect of the Na/K-ATPase inhibitor ouabain on phosphoinositide (Ptdlns) hydrolysis was studied in rat brain cortical slices. Ouabain induced a dose-dependent accumulation of inositol phosphates (InsPs) which was much higher in neonatal rats (1570 +/- 40% of basal) than in adult animals (287 +/- 18% of basal). For this reason, all experiments were conducted with 7 day-old rats. Strophantidin caused a similar stimulation of Ptdlns hydrolysis, although it was less potent than ouabain. The order of potency for ouabain-stimulated InsPs accumulation in brain areas was hippocampus greater than cortex greater than brainstem greater than cerebellum. The effect of ouabain was not blocked by antagonists for the muscarinic, alpha1 -adrenergic and glutamate receptors. Also ineffective were the K+ channel blockers 4-aminopyridine and tetraethylammonium, the sodium channel blocker tetrodotoxin, and the calcium channel blocker verapamil, whereas the Na/Ca exchanger blocker amiloride partially antagonized the effect of ouabain. The accumulation of InsPs induced by ouabain was additive to that of carbachol and norepinephrine, as well as to that induced by high K+ and veratrine, but not to that of glutamate. Removal of Na+ ions from the incubation buffer completely prevented the accumulation of InsPs induced by ouabain. The effect of ouabain was also dependent upon extracellular calcium and was under negative feedback control of protein kinase C. Despite the higher effect of ouabain on Ptdlns hydrolysis of immature rats, the density of [3H]ouabain binding sites, as well as the activity of Na/K-ATPase were higher in adult animals. Furthermore, a poor correlation was found between ouabain-stimulated Ptdlns hydrolysis and [3H]ouabain binding in brain regions.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Relationship between the partial inhibition of muscarinic receptor-mediated phosphoinositide hydrolysis by phorbol esters and tetrodotoxin in rat cerebral cortex

Our results demonstrate that phorbol esters and tetrodotoxin (TTX) partially inhibit muscarinic receptor-mediated increase in phosphoinositide (PI) hydrolysis in rat cerebral cortex cell aggregates; this inhibition was observed using several muscarinic agonists. While these effects were not accompanied by major changes in the total muscarinic receptor population, phorbol esters, but not TTX, reduced the relative concentration of the high affinity binding sites of the M1-selective ligands pirenzepine and telenzepine. In contrast, the binding of a muscarinic agonist to multiple receptor conformations was not influenced by either phorbol esters or TTX. Our data also show that the partial inhibition of the PI response by these agents is not due to a selective effect on the response mediated by a certain muscarinic receptor subtype or a receptor population which is more sensitive to agonist-induced desensitization. Evidence is provided that the effects of both phorbol esters and TTX might be mediated largely, although not entirely, by a common mechanism.

Differences between muscarinic-receptor- and Ca2(+)-induced inositol polyphosphate isomer accumulation in rat cerebral-cortex slices

Muscarinic-receptor stimulation or depolarization by elevated K+ leads to increased accumulation of [3H]Ins(1,4,5)P3, [3H]Ins(1,3,4,5)P4 and several degradation products of these polyphosphates separated by h.p.l.c. On the other hand, agents such as ionomycin and maitotoxin, which increase intracellular Ca2+ directly, produce a small accumulation of [3H]Ins(1,4,5)P3 and markedly increase [3H]Ins(1,4)P2, but [3H]Ins(1,3,4,5)P4, [3H]Ins(1,3,4)P3 and [3H]Ins(1,3)P2 are virtually unaffected. Ca2(+)-dependent [3H]inositol polyphosphate metabolism may involve different pools of lipids and/or phosphoinositidases.

Increased intracellular calcium stimulates 3H-inositol polyphosphate accumulation in rat cerebral cortical slices

Agents that increase the intracellular Ca2+ concentration have been examined for their ability to stimulate 3H-inositol polyphosphate accumulation in rat cerebral cortex slices. Elevated extracellular K+ levels, the alkaloid sodium channel activator veratrine, the calcium ionophore ionomycin, and the marine toxin maitotoxin were all able to stimulate phosphoinositide metabolism. Certain features appear common to the agents studied. Thus, although [3H]inositol monophosphate, [3H]inositol bisphosphate ([3H]InsP2), and [3H]inositol trisphosphate were all stimulated, a proportionally greater effect was observed on [3H]InsP2 in comparison to stimulation by the muscarinic receptor agonist carbachol. However, only an elevated K+ level stimulated [3H]inositol tetrakisphosphate ([3H]InsP4) accumulation alone or produced marked synergy with carbachol on the formation of this polyphosphate. The results suggest that agents that elevate the cytoplasmic Ca2+ concentration in cerebral cells can increase the hydrolysis of membrane polyphosphoinositides. The pattern of the response differs from that produced by muscarinic receptor agonists and indicate that Ca2(+)-dependent hydrolysis may involve different pools of lipids, phosphoinositidase C enzymes, or both. However, clear differences in the ability of these agents to stimulate InsP4, alone or in the presence of muscarinic agonist, suggest that factors other than a simple elevated intracellular Ca2+ concentration are implicated.

Calcium channel involvement in potassium depolarization-induced phosphoinositide hydrolysis in rat cortical slices

The stimulation of production of inositol phosphates in rat cortical slices by KCl depolarization and the effects of calcium channel active drugs were investigated. Elevation of K+ in the medium up to 48 mM KCl caused a linear concentration-dependent increase in [3H]inositol phosphate accumulation. The KCl stimulated response was not significantly inhibited in the presence of muscarinic or alpha 1-adrenergic antagonists. KCl stimulated the production of inositol trisphosphate at 60 min but not 10 min. Addition of peptidase inhibitors did not significantly affect KCl-stimulated PI hydrolysis. The KCl-stimulated response was still observed in the absence of extracellular calcium, although the net accumulation of inositol phosphates was greater in the presence of 0.1 or 0.5 mM calcium. KCl (48 mM) inhibited [3H]inositol uptake into phospholipids of cortical slices. The dihydropyridine calcium channel agonist BAY K 8644 stimulated PI hydrolysis in cortical slices in a concentration dependent manner in the presence of 19 mM KCl. The BAY K 8644-stimulated PI response was partially inhibited by 1 microM atropine but not by 1 microM prazosin. Calcium channel blockers nitrendipine, verapamil, flunarizine, and nifedipine slightly inhibited the PI response stimulated by 19 mM KCl in the presence or absence of BAY K 8644. The effects of the calcium channel antagonists were attenuated in the presence of 1 microM atropine. The peptide calcium channel blocker omega-conotoxin did not affect KCl-stimulated PI hydrolysis. These results suggest that endogenous muscarinic or adrenergic neurotransmitters are not involved in KCl-stimulated PI hydrolysis in cortical slices. Although extracellular calcium is necessary for optimal KCl-stimulated PI hydrolysis, it is not required for the expression of the KCl-evoked response suggesting that depolarization is the primary trigger for this stimulant.

Dual effects of K+ depolarisation on inositol polyphosphate production in rat cerebral cortex

Depolarisation of [3H]inositol-prelabelled slices of rat cerebral cortex with elevated extracellular K+ induced a rapid and marked increase in inositol polyphosphate accumulation. Addition of the muscarinic antagonist atropine (10 microM) markedly inhibited the K+-induced accumulation of inositol tetrakisphosphate (InsP4), with only a slight reduction in stimulated inositol bis- and trisphosphate levels. Inhibitory effects on InsP4 were noted at the earliest time period measured (30 s) and suggested the involvement of released endogenous acetylcholine in part of the response. The atropine-insensitive component of depolarisation did not appear to be secondary to release of noradrenaline, histamine, or 5-hydroxytryptamine, because addition of prazosin, mepyramine, or ketanserin was without effect on the K+ response. Furthermore, secretion of a neuropeptide that could stimulate phosphoinositide hydrolysis was unlikely, because the peptidase inhibitor bacitracin was also without effect. The results suggest that endogenous acetylcholine can stimulate phosphoinositide metabolism by interacting with muscarinic receptors and that this is particularly evident on InsP4 accumulation. Atropine-insensitive responses may be secondary to Ca2+ entry via voltage-sensitive channels.

Phosphoinositide hydrolysis induced by depolarization and sodium channel activation in mouse cerebrocortical slices

Carbachol, a muscarinic receptor agonist and the sodium channel-activating agents, scorpion venom, veratridine, batrachotoxin and aconitine, were shown to stimulate the formation of [3H]inositol phosphates in [3H]inositol-labelled miniprisms, obtained from the cerebral cortex of the mouse. The inositol response to the Na+ channel-activating agents was inhibited by the sodium channel blocker tetrodotoxin (TTX), while the response induced by carbachol was partially resistant to TTX. The response to scorpion venom and the TTX-insensitive portion of the response to carbachol was additive, indicating different mechanisms. The presence of high potassium (K+) induced hydrolysis of inositide in a TTX-insensitive manner and was not additive with that resulting from sodium channel activators, thus indicating a common mechanism. The addition of large concentrations of magnesium to block the release of acetylcholine, did not inhibit the inositol response to high K+ or to veratridine. Calcium channel blockers such as nickel or cobalt, or the dihydropyridine calcium (Ca2+) channel activator BAY K 8644 and the calcium channel blocker nifedipine, nimodipine or PN-200 110 had little effect. Monensin, a sodium ionophore, stimulated the turnover of phosphatidylinositol at non-depolarizing concentrations and the omission of Na+ ions inhibited the response to sodium channel agents and to high K+. Thus, membrane potential and gradients of K+, Na+ and Ca2+ are all important factors determining the final effect on the turnover of phosphatidylinositol. The data are consistent with a model in which all these factors impinge on the Na+/Ca2+ exchanger regulating internal Ca2+ that, in turn, activates phospholipase C.

Muscarinic agonists cause calcium influx and calcium mobilization in forebrain neurons in vitro

We have examined the effects of the muscarinic agonist carbachol on the intracellular free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) in primary cultures of neurons from rat forebrain using the Ca2+-sensitive fluorescent dye fura-2. Addition of carbachol increased the [Ca2+]i in approximately 60% of cells studied. Oxotremorine-M, but not pilocarpine, mimicked the effects of carbachol. The response was reduced by 60% on removal of extracellular Ca2+, a finding suggesting that muscarinic receptor activation causes Ca2+ influx in addition to intracellular Ca2+ mobilization. Tetrodotoxin and nitrendipine also significantly reduced the response to carbachol. These studies suggest that the changes in [Ca2+]i produced by activation of muscarinic receptors result in part from mobilization of intracellular Ca2+ and that influx through voltage-sensitive Ca2+ channels also provides a significant contribution to the net [Ca2+]i change observed.

Evidence for the involvement of Na+/Ca2+ exchange in the stimulation of inositol phospholipid hydrolysis by sodium channel activation and depolarization

Amiloride, an inhibitor of the Na+/Ca2+ exchanger, blocked the hydrolysis of inositol phospholipids in mouse cerebrocortical slices induced by the sodium channel activator veratridine, by KCl, or by the sodium ionophore monensin; there was no inhibition by A 23187, a Ca2+ ionophore, or by serotonin. It is concluded that agents that increase intracellular Na2+ stimulate inositide hydrolysis by an indirect effect via Na+/Ca2+ exchange.

Dependence on extracellular potassium of the positive inotropic response to St 587, a selective alpha-1 adrenoceptor agonist, in Zucker rat heart ventricle

The effects of St 587, a selective alpha-1 adrenoceptor agonist, were investigated in non obese and obese Zucker rat heart ventricles. In both groups, the numbers and affinity constants for alpha-1 adrenoceptors were found to be similar. At 4 or 10 mM [K]o, St 587 failed to increase the developed tension whereas at 14 mM [K]o, St 587 significantly increased it in both groups of rats. This effect was reversed by prazosin; St 587 also increased action potential duration at 14 mM [K]o. [K]o is thus important for the occurrence of the inotropic effect of St 587 in 12 week-old Zucker rats, either non obese or obese with reduced beta-adrenoceptor responsiveness. This suggests the participation of phosphoinositide metabolism in the mechanism of St 587 inotropic effect in the rat.

Palytoxin acts through Na+,K+-ATPase

Palytoxin is the most potent animal toxin, with a unique structure. The author's group has searched for its mode of action with the following results: 1. Palytoxin (1 pM and less) causes a fast K+ outflow from erythrocytes; 2. Extracellular Ca2+ and borate, and intracellular ATP enhance, but ouabain potently inhibits the palytoxin effects; 3. Palytoxin increases the permeability for Na+ and K+ but not for Ca2+; 4. Palytoxin in comparatively high concentrations (100 nM and above) inhibits Na+,K+-ATPase; 5. Palytoxin can be radiolabeled with 125I. Its receptor is very similar to, but not identical to that of ouabain. A reaction scheme has been delineated which allows an explanation to be obtained for all the known actions of palytoxin. It centers on the hypothesis that palytoxin binds to Na+,K+-ATPase and converts the enzyme or its close vicinity into an open channel with the permselectivity measured on erythrocytes. Patch clamp data from myocytes were obtained in other laboratories. They prove the presence of the predicted palytoxin channel.

The activation of phosphatidylinositol turnover is not directly involved in the modulation of neurotransmitter release mediated by presynaptic muscarinic receptors

In the rat cerebral cortex, the comparative effects of various muscarinic agonists on the release of [3H]dopamine ([3H]DA), [3H]acetylcholine ([3H]ACh), and [3H]5-hydroxytryptamine ([3H]5-HT) from superfused nerve endings and on phosphatidylinositol (PI) turnover were studied. Acetylcholine (ACh) was found to be the most potent among the agonists tested on all three release systems examined, and also on the activation of PI turnover. Oxotremorine and bethanechol were very weak agonists when tested as stimulators of PI turnover. However, oxotremorine was very effective as a release modulator, while bethanechol was completely ineffective. Our data suggest that the activation of PI turnover is not directly involved in the modulation of neurotransmitter release mediated by presynaptic muscarinic receptors.

Formation of second messengers in response to activation of ion channels in excitable cells

1. Depolarization of excitable cells of the central nervous system results in the formation of the second messengers cyclic AMP, cyclic GMP, inositol phosphates, and diacylglycerides. 2. Depolarization-evoked accumulation of cyclic AMP in brain preparations can be accounted for mainly by the release of adenosine, which subsequently interacts with stimulatory adenosine receptor linked to adenylate cyclase. 3. Depolarization-evoked formation of cyclic GMP in brain preparations is linked to activation of voltage-dependent calcium channels, presumably leading to activation of guanylate cyclase by calcium ions. 4. In brain slices depolarization-evoked stimulation of phosphoinositide breakdown and subsequent formation of inositol phosphates and diacylglycerides are linked to activation of voltage-dependent calcium channels, which are sensitive to dihydropyridines, presumably leading to activation of phospholipase(s) C by calcium ions. 5. In the synaptoneurosome preparation depolarization-evoked stimulation of phosphoinositide breakdown does not involve activation of dihydropyridine-sensitive calcium channels and, instead, appears to be regulated primarily by the intracellular concentration of sodium ions. Thus, agents that induce increases in intracellular sodium--such as toxins that open or delay inactivation of voltage-dependent sodium channels; ouabain, an inhibitor of Na+/K+ ATPase that transports sodium outward and a sodium ionophore--all stimulate phosphoinositide breakdown. Mechanistically, increases in intracellular sodium either might directly affect phospholipase(s) C or might lead to influx of calcium ions through Na+/Ca2+ transporters. 6. Depolarization-evoked stimulation of cyclic AMP formation and phosphoinositide breakdown can exhibit potentiative interactions with responses to receptor agonists, thereby providing mechanisms for modulation of receptor responses by neuronal activity. 7. Since all these second messengers can induce phosphorylation of ion channels through the activation of specific kinases, it is proposed that depolarization-evoked formation of second messengers represents a putative feedback mechanism to regulate ion fluxes in excitable cells.

Effects of acetylcholine and other agents on 32P-prelabeled phosphoinositides and phosphatidate in crude synaptosomal preparations

Experimental conditions are described which permit effects of various agents on polyphosphoinositides and phosphatidic acid (PA) to be evaluated simultaneously in crude nerve-ending preparations from rat brain. Acetylcholine (3-100 microM) or carbachol (30-1,000 microM) induced the hydrolysis of prelabeled polyphosphoinositides and, at the same time, stimulated the net label incorporated in phosphatidic acid. All muscarinic effects were blocked by atropine or pirenzepine. Non-muscarinic agonists (glutamate, adenosine, norepinephrine) stimulated polyphosphoinositide hydrolysis in this preparation, but of these only norepinephrine affected phosphatidic acid turnover. A potentiation of acetylcholine-induced phosphoinositide turnover by KCl was observed, as well as an apparent selective inhibition of PIP2 hydrolysis by LiCl. Acetylcholine-stimulated turnover of PA was not necessarily coupled to phosphoinositide hydrolysis.

K+-dependent stimulation of dopamine synthesis in striatal synaptosomes is mediated by protein kinase C

Dopamine synthesis rate was measured in striatal synaptosomes. Removal of Na+ increased synthesis rate; this was blocked in Ca2+-free medium and by addition of the Ca2+/calmodulin inhibitor N-6-aminohexyl-5-chloro-1-naphthalenesulfonamide (W7). The increase in dopamine synthesis rate caused by the addition of the phorbol ester 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) was blocked by the protein kinase C inhibitor polymyxin B. K+-stimulated synthesis was unchanged in Ca2+-free medium or by addition of W7; it was blocked by polymyxin B. The effect of 50 mM K+ was additive with that of 8-Br cyclic AMP and of Na+ removal; the combined effect of 50 mM K+ and TPA was no greater than that of either alone. These results suggest that stimulation of dopamine synthesis in striatal synaptosomes by 50 mM K+ is mediated by protein kinase C.

Effects of 17 beta-estradiol and progesterone on agonist-stimulated inositol phospholipid breakdown in uterine smooth muscle

Inositol phospholipid breakdown, from a [3H]inositol-labelled pool, induced by a variety of contractile agents was monitored in uterine smooth muscle slices pretreated with estradiol-17 beta or estradiol-17 beta and progesterone by measuring the accumulation of [3H]inositol phosphates. Agonist potencies for stimulating [3H]IP accumulation were not affected by hormone treatment but the maximum responses were dependent upon hormonal state. Maximum responses to carbachol, norepinephrine, prostaglandin F2 alpha were increased in progesterone-dominated tissues but maximum responses to oxytocin were unaffected. Inhibition of agonist-induced responses by competitive receptor antagonists confirmed the receptor specificity of carbachol-, norepinephrine- and oxytocin-mediated responses. Partial membrane depolarization (25 mM K+) did not affect agonist-induced maximal responses in either estrogen- or progesterone-dominated tissue. These data suggest that gonadal steroid hormones affect agonist-dependent intracellular calcium mobilization processes.

Increased reactivity in the mesenteric artery of spontaneously hypertensive rats to phorbol ester

The contraction responses of mesenteric artery from 10 week old spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) and normotensive Wistar Kyoto controls (WKYs) to phorbol 12, 13 - dibutyrate (PDBu) and agents acting on the potential-operated calcium channels were compared. The vessels from the SHR were significantly more sensitive to PDBu than those from the WKY. The PDBu-induced contractions were inhibited by nifedipine. The vessels from the SHR were also more sensitive to Bay K 8644 and KCl than the WKY. Low concentrations of PDBu (1 nM) potentiated the KCl contraction significantly more in the SHR than the WKY. It is suggested that the increased reactivity to PDBu in the SHR may in part be related to changes in the activity of the potential-operated calcium channels.