Long-term potentiation of neuron-glia synapses mediated by Ca2+-permeable AMPA receptors

Interactions between neurons and glial cells in the brain may serve important functions in the development, maintenance, and plasticity of neural circuits. Fast neuron-glia synaptic transmission has been found between hippocampal neurons and NG2 cells, a distinct population of macroglia-like cells widely distributed in the brain. We report that these neuron-glia synapses undergo activity-dependent modifications analogous to long-term potentiation (LTP) at excitatory synapses, a hallmark of neuronal plasticity. However, unlike the induction of LTP at many neuron-neuron synapses, both induction and expression of LTP at neuron-NG2 synapses involve Ca2+-permeable AMPA receptors on NG2 cells.     

Bergmann glial AMPA receptors are required for fine motor coordination

The impact of glial neurotransmitter receptors in vivo is still elusive. In the cerebellum, Bergmann glial (BG) cells express α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA)-type glutamate receptors (AMPARs) composed exclusively of GluA1 and/or GluA4 subunits. With the use of conditional gene inactivation, we found that the majority of cerebellar GluA1/A4-type AMPARs are expressed in BG cells. In young mice, deletion of BG AMPARs resulted in retraction of glial appendages from Purkinje cell (PC) synapses, increased amplitude and duration of evoked PC currents, and a delayed formation of glutamatergic synapses. In adult mice, AMPAR inactivation also caused retraction of glial processes. The physiological and structural changes were accompanied by behavioral impairments in fine motor coordination. Thus, BG AMPARs are essential to optimize synaptic integration and cerebellar output function throughout life.     

Ca2+ entry through plasma membrane IP3 receptors

Inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptors (IP3Rs) release calcium ions, Ca2+, from intracellular stores, but their roles in mediating Ca2+ entry are unclear. IP3 stimulated opening of very few (1.9 +/- 0.2 per cell) Ca2+-permeable channels in whole-cell patch-clamp recording of DT40 chicken or mouse B cells. Activation of the B cell receptor (BCR) in perforated-patch recordings evoked the same response. IP3 failed to stimulate intracellular or plasma membrane (PM) channels in cells lacking IP3R. Expression of IP3R restored both responses. Mutations within the pore affected the conductances of IP3-activated PM and intracellular channels similarly. An impermeant pore mutant abolished BCR-evoked Ca2+ signals, and PM IP3Rs were undetectable. After introduction of an alpha-bungarotoxin binding site near the pore, PM IP3Rs were modulated by extracellular alpha-bungarotoxin. IP(3)Rs are unusual among endoplasmic reticulum proteins in being also functionally expressed at the PM, where very few IP3Rs contribute substantially to the Ca2+ entry evoked by the BCR.     

Dynamic interaction of stargazin-like TARPs with cycling AMPA receptors at synapses

Activity-dependent plasticity in the brain arises in part from changes in the number of synaptic AMPA receptors. Synaptic trafficking of AMPA receptors is controlled by stargazin and homologous transmembrane AMPA receptor regulatory proteins (TARPs). We found that TARPs were stable at the plasma membrane, whereas AMPA receptors were internalized in a glutamate-regulated manner. Interaction with AMPA receptors involved both extra- and intracellular determinants of TARPs. Upon binding to glutamate, AMPA receptors detached from TARPs. This did not require ion flux or intracellular second messengers. This allosteric mechanism for AMPA receptor dissociation from TARPs may participate in glutamate-mediated internalization of receptors in synaptic plasticity.     

Ca2+-induced apoptosis through calcineurin dephosphorylation of BAD

The Ca2+-activated protein phosphatase calcineurin induces apoptosis, but the mechanism is unknown. Calcineurin was found to dephosphorylate BAD, a pro-apoptotic member of the Bcl-2 family, thus enhancing BAD heterodimerization with Bcl-xL and promoting apoptosis. The Ca2+-induced dephosphorylation of BAD correlated with its dissociation from 14-3-3 in the cytosol and translocation to mitochondria where Bcl-xL resides. In hippocampal neurons, L-glutamate, an inducer of Ca2+ influx and calcineurin activation, triggered mitochondrial targeting of BAD and apoptosis, which were both suppressible by coexpression of a dominant-inhibitory mutant of calcineurin or pharmacological inhibitors of this phosphatase. Thus, a Ca2+-inducible mechanism for apoptosis induction operates by regulating BAD phosphorylation and localization in cells.     

Ca2+ and Ca2+-activated K+ currents in mammalian gastric smooth muscle cells

Inward movement of calcium through voltage-dependent channels in muscle is thought to initiate the action potential and trigger contraction. Calcium-activated potassium channels carry large outward potassium currents that may be responsible for membrane repolarization. Calcium and calcium-activated potassium currents were identified in enzymatically isolated mammalian gastric myocytes. These currents were blocked by cadmium and nifedipine but were not substantially affected by diltiazem or D600. No evidence for a tetrodotoxin-sensitive sodium current or an inwardly rectifying potassium current was found.     

Elementary Ca2+ signals through endothelial TRPV4 channels regulate vascular function

Major features of the transcellular signaling mechanism responsible for endothelium-dependent regulation of vascular smooth muscle tone are unresolved. We identified local calcium (Ca(2+)) signals ("sparklets") in the vascular endothelium of resistance arteries that represent Ca(2+) influx through single TRPV4 cation channels. Gating of individual TRPV4 channels within a four-channel cluster was cooperative, with activation of as few as three channels per cell causing maximal dilation through activation of endothelial cell intermediate (IK)- and small (SK)-conductance, Ca(2+)-sensitive potassium (K(+)) channels. Endothelial-dependent muscarinic receptor signaling also acted largely through TRPV4 sparklet-mediated stimulation of IK and SK channels to promote vasodilation. These results support the concept that Ca(2+) influx through single TRPV4 channels is leveraged by the amplifier effect of cooperative channel gating and the high Ca(2+) sensitivity of IK and SK channels to cause vasodilation.     

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.     

Driving AMPA receptors into synapses by LTP and CaMKII: requirement for GluR1 and PDZ domain interaction

To elucidate mechanisms that control and execute activity-dependent synaptic plasticity, alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole propionate receptors (AMPA-Rs) with an electrophysiological tag were expressed in rat hippocampal neurons. Long-term potentiation (LTP) or increased activity of the calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) induced delivery of tagged AMPA-Rs into synapses. This effect was not diminished by mutating the CaMKII phosphorylation site on the GluR1 AMPA-R subunit, but was blocked by mutating a predicted PDZ domain interaction site. These results show that LTP and CaMKII activity drive AMPA-Rs to synapses by a mechanism that requires the association between GluR1 and a PDZ domain protein.     

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.     

植物Ca2+信号的研究进展

在植物的生长发育过程中,为了适应环境,调节自身代谢和生长,需要对各种外界环境刺激以及植物内部生理信息做出反应,因此,植物产生了自己的信号系统。Ca2 作为一种信号分子在植物细胞信号系统中起着举足轻重的作用。针对国内外对植物Ca2 信号的研究情况,综述了Ca2 信号的产生、Ca2 信号参与的各种植物生理过程、Ca2 信号的检测以及其研究的最新进展。     

Ca2+ Fe2+ Mg2+ Zn2+ Na+ K+对哺乳仔猪乳糖酶活力的影响

乳糖和矿质元素是哺乳仔猪十分重要的营养素,对7日龄的哺乳仔猪乳糖酶研究结果表明:哺乳仔猪乳糖酶的酶活力常数是65.825μg(ONP)/mL.m in,矿质元素钠、铁和钙能促进乳糖酶的酶活力。     

Immunocyte Ca2+ influx system mediated by LTRPC2

We characterized an activation mechanism of the human LTRPC2 protein, a member of the transient receptor potential family of ion channels, and demonstrated that LTRPC2 mediates Ca2+ influx into immunocytes. Intracellular pyrimidine nucleotides, adenosine 5'-diphosphoribose (ADPR), and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD), directly activated LTRPC2, which functioned as a Ca2+-permeable nonselective cation channel and enabled Ca2+ influx into cells. This activation was suppressed by intracellular adenosine triphosphate. These results reveal that ADPR and NAD act as intracellular messengers and may have an important role in Ca2+ influx by activating LTRPC2 in immunocytes.     

Ca2+ Fe2+ Mg2+ Zn2+ Na+ K+对哺乳仔猪乳糖酶活力的影响

乳糖和矿质元素是哺乳仔猪十分重要的营养素,对7日龄的哺乳仔猪乳糖酶研究结果表明:哺乳仔猪乳糖酶的酶活力常数是65.825μg(ONP)/mL·min,矿质元素钠、铁和钙能促进乳糖酶的酶活力.     

Cu2+、Mn2+、Mg2+胁迫对小麦种子发芽状况的影响

采用不同浓度Cu^2 、Mn^2 、Mg^2 胁迫，研究其对小麦种子发芽状况的影响。结果表明：≥0．1％浓度的Cu^2 胁迫对小麦种子发芽影响最大，导致小麦叶片呈黄绿色，苗矮小，根系衰退，发芽势和发芽率大幅度降低，不正常幼苗和未发芽种子数增加。≥0．1％浓度的Mn^2 胁迫对小麦种子发芽产生负面影响，幼苗新生叶尖全部枯黄，叶片相对较短，根系生长受抑制。≥0．5％浓度的Mn^2 胁迫对小麦种子发芽产生较明显影响。≤0．5％浓度的Mg^2 胁迫对小麦种子发芽的影响较小，与对照差异不明显。     

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.     

The Maturation and Senescence in Relation to Ca2+ , CaM Content and Ca2+ -ATPase Activity and Active Oxygen Metabolism in Strawberry Fruits

The changes in content of Ca2 + and CaM, Ca2 + -ATPase activity and active oxygen metabolism during strawberry (Fragaria ananassa Duch. cv. Chunxing) fruits maturation and senescence were investigated in this study. The results showed that the soluble Ca2 + content and SOD activity in fruits tended to decline and O2.-production rate to increase, the Ca2+ -ATPase activity peaked at first and then declined during fruits maturation and senescence. There were the highest CaM content at white stage in preharvest fruits and at marked senescence stage in postharvest ones. The above biochemical changes in fruits stored at low temperature (4℃) were slower than those stored at normal temperature(25℃ ). Thus, it indicated that the stimulation of calcium messenger system and accumulation of active oxygen free radical were closely related to fruits maturation and senescence.     

草莓果实成熟衰老与Ca~(2+)、CaM、Ca~(2+)-ATPase和活性氧代谢的关系

 研究了春星草莓果实成熟衰老过程中Ca2 + 、CaM含量、Ca2 + ATPase活性和活性氧代谢的变化 ,结果表明 ,随果实成熟衰老 ,可溶性Ca2 + 含量和SOD活性呈下降趋势 ,O2-·产生速率呈升高趋势 ,Ca2 + ATPase活性先达到高峰后降低。CaM含量以采前白熟期和采后明显衰老期为最高。与常温 (2 5℃ )贮藏相比 ,低温 (4℃ )贮藏中上述生化变化较为缓慢。表明细胞内钙信使系统的活化和活性氧自由基的积累与果实成熟衰老密切相关。     

鱿鱼墨黑色素吸附Ca2+的活性研究

[目的]为鱿鱼墨在饲料、保健品等领域的应用提供理论依据。采用高速离心法精制的鱿鱼墨黑色素与Ca~(2+)作用,探究酸度、温度、时间、黑色素添加量、Ca~(2+)浓度及盐度等因素对鱿鱼墨黑色素吸附Ca~(2+)的影响。[结果]当pH为4、温度为40℃、黑色素添加量为0.02g、吸附时间为10h时,鱿鱼墨黑色素对钙的吸附量最大,达到65%。不同浓度的氯化钠和氯化镁对黑色素吸附Ca~(2+)的影响较小,氯化铁对黑色素吸附钙的影响很大,随着氯化铁浓度的增大,吸附量急剧增加。[结论]鱿鱼墨黑色素对Ca~(2+)的吸附能力并不理想,吸附量也不多。     

Inositol 1,3,4,5-tetrakisphosphate induces Ca2+ sequestration in rat liver cells

Inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate [I(1,4,5)P3] is a second messenger generated along with diacylglycerol upon the binding of various physiological agents with their cell surface receptors. I(1,4,5)P3 mobilizes Ca2+ from intracellular storage sites through a receptor-coupled mechanism, and the subsequent increased intracellular free calcium ion concentration [( Ca2+]i) activates a multitude of cellular responses. Electropermeabilized neoplastic rat liver epithelial (261B) cells were used to study Ca2+ sequestration, a process that reverses the elevated [Ca2+]i to resting levels and replenishes intracellular Ca2+ pools. Although I (1,4,5)P3-mobilized Ca2+ is readily sequestered into storage pools by the action of Ca2+-adenosine triphosphatases, Ca2+ mobilized by addition of the nonmetabolized inositol trisphosphate isomer I(2,4,5)P3 is not sequestered, suggesting that metabolism is necessary to eliminate the stimulus for Ca2+ release. Several inositol phosphate compounds were examined for their ability to lower the buffer [Ca2+] to determine if a specific I(1,4,5)P3 metabolite might be involved in stimulating Ca2+ sequestration; of these, I(1,3,4,5)P4 alone was found to induce Ca2+ sequestration, demonstrating a physiological role for this inositol trisphosphate metabolite.