Restoration by calmodulin of a Ca2+-dependent K+ current missing in a mutant of Paramecium

A combination of genetics, biochemistry, and biophysics was used to show that calmodulin is involved in the regulation of an ion channel. Calmodulin restored the Ca2+-dependent K+ current in pantophobiac, a mutant in Paramecium that lacks this current. The restoration of the current occurred within 2 hours after the injection of 1 picogram of wild-type calmodulin into the mutant. The current remained for approximately 30 hours before the mutant phenotype returned. The injection of calmodulin isolated from pantophobiac had no effect. These results imply that calmodulin is required for the function or regulation of the Ca2+-dependent K+ current in Paramecium.     

The Role of Extracellular Ca2+Influx, Intracellular Ca2+ Release and Calmodulin in Mouse Egg Fertilization

The effects of various Ca^2 -modifying drugs on moue egg fertilization were studied.Ca^2 chelator,ethylen glycol-bis-(2-aminoethyl)-tetracetic acid(EGTA),and calmodulin(CaM) antagonist,trifluoperzaine (TFP),inhibited fertilization in a dose-dependent manner,whild Ca^2 channel bolcker,verspamil,did not have any effect.When intracellular Ca^2 release was blocked by 8-(N,N-diethylamino) octy 1-3,4,5-trimethoxy-benzonate(TME-8) or the Ca^2 oscillations were inhibited by an inhibitor of endoplasmic reticulum Ca^2 -At-Pase,thapsigargin,the second polar body emission and pronuclear formation were significantly decreased.In contrast,inhibition of intracellular Ca^2 release via bolckage of inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate (IP3) production by neomycin or lithium did not affect fertilization.The results sugest that both extracellular influx,intracellular Ca^2 release and CaM activation are required for mormal fertilization.However,extracellular influx through voltage-gated Ca^2 channel and intracellular release induced by IP3 and not the only pathways for producing Ca^2 transients in moue eggs.     

肉鸡腹水综合征患鸡肺脏组织钙沉积和Ca2＋-ATPase活性变化

肺动脉收缩和重塑在肉鸡AS发生过程中起着重要作用.本实验经采用右心导管法研究发现AS患鸡PASP 、PADP和mPAP极显著高于对照组(P <0.01).同时,采用焦锑酸钾沉淀法、电镜酶细胞化学法研究AS患鸡肺脏组织Ca2+和Ca2+-ATPase活性变化,发现AS患鸡肺脏组织中钙沉积量显著增多,且Ca2+-ATPase的电子密度颗粒显著减少或缺失.表明AS患鸡具有明显的肺动脉高压,其可能与肺脏组织,特别是肺动脉平滑肌细胞钙处理能力异常导致的钙离子浓度升高和肌浆网Ca2+-ATPase酶活性降低有关.     

Ca(2+)-induced Ca2+ release in sea urchin egg homogenates: modulation by cyclic ADP-ribose

Calcium-induced calcium release (CICR) may function widely in calcium-mediated cell signaling, but has been most thoroughly characterized in muscle cells. In a homogenate of sea urchin eggs, which display transients in the intracellular free calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) during fertilization and anaphase, addition of Ca2+ triggered CICR. Ca2+ release was also induced by the CICR modulators ryanodine and caffeine. Responses to both Ca2+ and CICR modulators (but not Ca2+ release mediated by inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate) were inhibited by procaine and ruthenium red, inhibitors of CICR. Intact eggs also displayed transients of [Ca2+]i when microinjected with ryanodine. Cyclic ADP-ribose, a metabolite with potent Ca(2+)-releasing properties, appears to act by way of the CICR mechanism and may thus be an endogenous modulator of CICR. A CICR mechanism is present in these nonmuscle cells as is assumed in various models of intracellular Ca2+ wave propagation.     

BAX and BAK regulation of endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+: a control point for apoptosis

BAX and BAK are "multidomain" proapoptotic proteins that initiate mitochondrial dysfunction but also localize to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Mouse embryonic fibroblasts deficient for BAX and BAK (DKO cells) were found to have a reduced resting concentration of calcium in the ER ([Ca2+]er) that results in decreased uptake of Ca2+ by mitochondria after Ca2+ release from the ER. Expression of SERCA (sarcoplasmic-endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ adenosine triphosphatase) corrected [Ca2+]er and mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake in DKO cells, restoring apoptotic death in response to agents that release Ca2+ from intracellular stores (such as arachidonic acid, C2-ceramide, and oxidative stress). In contrast, targeting of BAX to mitochondria selectively restored apoptosis to "BH3-only" signals. A third set of stimuli, including many intrinsic signals, required both ER-released Ca2+ and the presence of mitochondrial BAX or BAK to fully restore apoptosis. Thus, BAX and BAK operate in both the ER and mitochondria as an essential gateway for selected apoptotic signals.     

Microinjection of a conserved peptide sequence of p34cdc2 induces a Ca2+ transient in oocytes

The product of the yeast cell cycle control gene cdc2, and its homologs in higher eukaryotes (p34cdc2), all contain a perfectly conserved sequence of 16 amino acids that has not been found in any other protein sequence. Microinjection of this peptide triggers a specific increase in the concentration of intracellular free Ca2+ that originates from intracellular stores in both starfish and Xenopus oocytes. Thus, p34cdc2 might interact through its conserved peptide domain with some component of the Ca2(+)-regulatory system.     

In situ formation of an oxygen-evolving catalyst in neutral water containing phosphate and Co2+

The utilization of solar energy on a large scale requires its storage. In natural photosynthesis, energy from sunlight is used to rearrange the bonds of water to oxygen and hydrogen equivalents. The realization of artificial systems that perform "water splitting" requires catalysts that produce oxygen from water without the need for excessive driving potentials. Here we report such a catalyst that forms upon the oxidative polarization of an inert indium tin oxide electrode in phosphate-buffered water containing cobalt (II) ions. A variety of analytical techniques indicates the presence of phosphate in an approximate 1:2 ratio with cobalt in this material. The pH dependence of the catalytic activity also implicates the hydrogen phosphate ion as the proton acceptor in the oxygen-producing reaction. This catalyst not only forms in situ from earth-abundant materials but also operates in neutral water under ambient conditions.     

一种新的电子显微技术Ca2+定位法

外界条件变化时，植物细胞中Ca^2 分布的变化发生在生理形态变化之前，研究Ca^2 分布的变化有助于对植物生理情况的研究。在研究植物细胞中Ca^2 的分布时，为排除其他离子复合物对试验结果的影响，在获得Ca^2 分布结果后，采用将钙离子螯合掉的方法来检验前面的试验，本研究对以往的检验方法提出了修正，并介绍了一种新的检验方法。     

Prolonged Ca2+-dependent afterhyperpolarizations in hippocampal neurons of aged rats

The possibility that calcium is elevated in brain neurons during aging was examined by quantifying afterhyperpolarizations induced by spike bursts in CAl neurons of hippocampal slices from young and aged rats. The afterhyperpolarizations result from Ca2+-dependent K+ conductance increases and are blocked in medium low in Ca2+ and prolonged in medium high in Ca2+. The afterhyperpolarization and associated conductance increases were considerably prolonged in cells from aged rats, although inhibitory postsynaptic potentials did not differ with age. Since elevated intracellular Ca2+ can exert deleterious effects on neurons, the data suggest that altered Ca2+ homeostasis may play a significant role in normal brain aging.     

White-noise analysis of a neuron chain: an application of the Wiener theory

The Wiener theory of nonlinear system identification was applied to a three-stage neuron chain in the catfish retina in order to determine the functional relationship between the artificial polarization of the horizontal cell membrane potential and the resulting discharge of the ganglion cell. A mathematical model was obtained that can predict quantitatively, with reasonable accuracy, the nonlinear, dynamic behavior of the neuron chain. The applicability of the method is discussed. We conclude that this is a very powerful method in the analysis of information transfer in the central nervous system.     

土壤中Pb2+,Ca2+,Cd2+对苜蓿种子发芽和生长的影响

本试验采用苜蓿盆栽的方法,研究了土壤中Pb^2＋,Ca^2＋,Cd^2＋对苜蓿种子发芽与生长的影响.结果表明,Pb^2＋,Ca^2＋,Cd^2＋单一处理在低浓度时对苜蓿的发芽和生长有一定刺激作用.在浓度为100 mg/kg时,苜蓿种子发芽率Pb2＋处理较对照增加了10.66%,Ca^2＋处理增加了0.66%, Cd^2＋处理增加了14.00%;Pb^2＋处理在≤3000 mg/kg浓度时地上部分的长度比对照高出3.73%～13.53%,鲜重高出6.10%～22.95%;地下部分的长度比对照高出13.46%～24.50%,鲜重高出9.54%～211.07%;高浓度时随着浓度的升高而抑制效应增强.Ca^2＋处理与Pb^2＋处理趋势相同,但浓度达到3 000 mg/kg就表现出抑制效应;Cd^2＋的抑制最强烈,当浓度达到500 mg/kg时就表现出明显的抑制效应,浓度为3 000 mg/kg时植株全部死亡.总体来说,Pb^2＋影响幼苗成活率,而Ca^2＋对发芽率抑制明显.Cd^2＋对植株的发芽及生长均有强烈的抑制作用.     

Ca2+和Mn2+对地中海拟无枝菌酸菌(Amycolatopsis mediterranei)U-32次生代谢及激酶活性的影响

采用Ca2 、Mn2 和地中海拟无枝菌酸菌U 32共培养的方法 ,通过滤纸法检测抗生素含量和离体磷酸化反应检测激酶活性 ,研究Ca2 和Mn2 对地中海拟无枝菌酸菌U 32次生代谢的影响。低浓度Ca2 和Mn2 均能促进地中海拟无枝菌酸菌U 32的生长 ;随着离子浓度增高 ,促生长效果下降 ;浓度太高 ,则表现为抑制作用。 5mmol/LCa2 对地中海拟无枝菌酸菌U 32的色素绝对产量增加效果最好 ,而对其相对于菌体的色素量则以 5mmol/LMn2 的效果最好。 0 5mmol/LCa2 对地中海拟无枝菌酸菌U 32的抗生素合成有很好的作用 ,而Mn2 有一定的抑制作用。对地中海拟无枝菌酸菌U 32的无细胞提取液进行离体磷酸化反应检测 ,发现Ca2 能促进其激酶的活性 ,而Mn2 则相对抑制了某些激酶活性。     

Cytoprotective role of Ca2+- activated K+ channels in the cardiac inner mitochondrial membrane

Ion channels on the mitochondrial inner membrane influence cell function in specific ways that can be detrimental or beneficial to cell survival. At least one type of potassium (K+) channel, the mitochondrial adenosine triphosphate-sensitive K+ channel (mitoKATP), is an important effector of protection against necrotic and apoptotic cell injury after ischemia. Here another channel with properties similar to the surface membrane calcium-activated K+ channel was found on the mitochondrial inner membrane (mitoKCa) of guinea pig ventricular cells. MitoKCa significantly contributed to mitochondrial K+ uptake of the myocyte, and an opener of mitoKCa protected hearts against infarction.     

In vivo receptor-mediated phosphorylation of a G protein in Dictyostelium

Extracellular adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cAMP) serves multiple roles in Dictyostelium development, acting as a chemoattractant, a cell-cell signaling molecule, and an inducer of differentiation. The Dictyostelium G-protein alpha subunit G alpha 2 appears to be the major transducer linking the surface cAMP receptor to these intracellular responses. On stimulation of cells with cAMP, G alpha 2 is phosphorylated on one or more serine residues, resulting in an alteration of its electrophoretic mobility. Phosphorylation of G alpha 2 is triggered by increased occupancy of the surface cAMP receptor and is rapid and transient, coinciding with the time course of activation of physiological responses.     

Ca2+与葱兰花粉萌发和花粉管生长的关系

采用离体花粉培养技术,研究了不同浓度Ca~(2 )对葱兰花粉萌发和花粉管生长的影响。结果表明:较低浓度的Ca~(2 )(1×10~(-3)～1×10~(-5)mol/L)对花粉的萌发有一定的促进作用,能较快的促进花粉管的伸长,其中以Ca~(2 )(10~(-3)mol/L)作用最明显;而高浓度的Ca~(2 )(10~(-1)～10~(-2) mol/L)则对其有一定的阻碍和抑制作用。     

Effect of Hypoxia on Ca^2＋ Concentration in Broiler＇s Cardiac Muscle Cells

The purpose of this research was to study the effect of hypoxia on the Ca^2＋ concentration in broiler＇s cardiac muscle cells （CMCs）. The concentration of Ca^2＋ in the CMC was observed using a laser scanning confocal microscope （LSCM）. The results showed that hypoxia could significantly increase intracellular Ca^2＋（normal oxygen, 99.3 ＋_ 13.1; hypoxia, 129.4 ＋_ 24.3, P 〈 0.01） in CMCs. The Ca^2＋ antagonist （nifedipine, verapamil） could significantly restrain the Ca^2＋ influx across the cell membrane of CMC treated by hypoxia （CMC： hypoxia ＋ verapamil, 100.9± 28.2; hypoxia ＋ nifedipine, 107.6± 27.7; P 〈 0.01）. The results showed hypoxia could increase intracellular Ca^2＋ concentration of CMC, and the Ca^2＋ antagonist could restrain the Ca^2＋ influx across the cell membrane of CMC treated by hypoxia.     

In vivo modulation of cytolytic activity and Thy-1 expression in TCR-gamma delta+ intraepithelial lymphocytes

Although the functional aspects of the alpha beta T cell antigen receptor (TCR) found on most peripheral T cells are well described, the function of the gamma delta TCR remains unclear. Murine intraepithelial lymphocytes (IEL) of the small intestine are CD8+, express the gamma delta TCR, and are constitutively lytic. Fresh IEL from germ-free mice had no lytic activity. Moreover, whereas IEL from normal mice are 30 to 50 percent Thy-1+, IEL from germ-free did not express Thy-1. Acclimation of germ-free mice to nonsterile conditions resulted in the generation of Thy-1+ IEL and induction of lytic activity. Thus CD8+ TCR-gamma delta IEL were regulated by externally derived stimuli via a specific functional interaction between IEL and gut-associated antigens.     

黑土中NH_4~+、K~+、Ca~(2+)、Mg~(2+)对烤烟中钾含量的影响

采用框栽田间模拟试验方法对哈尔滨黑土中不同浓度养分离子对烟叶中钾含量的影响进行了研究。结果表明 ,烟叶中钾含量与土壤中 NH4 +浓度无明显相关性 ,而与土壤中 K+浓度呈显著正相关 γ=0 .935* ,土壤中 Ca2 +、Mg2 +浓度增加使烟叶中钾含量有所降低