Thalamic control of visceral nociception mediated by T-type Ca2+ channels

Sensations from viscera, like fullness, easily become painful if the stimulus persists. Mice lacking alpha1G T-type Ca2+ channels show hyperalgesia to visceral pain. Thalamic infusion of a T-type blocker induced similar hyperalgesia in wild-type mice. In response to visceral pain, the ventroposterolateral thalamic neurons evokeda surge of single spikes, which then slowly decayed as T type-dependent burst spikes gradually increased. In alpha1G-deficient neurons, the single-spike response persisted without burst spikes. These results indicate that T-type Ca2+ channels underlie an antinociceptive mechanism operating in the thalamus andsupport the idea that burst firing plays a critical role in sensory gating in the thalamus.     

钙离子在植物生理调节中的作用

钙是植物必须的营养元素,同时也是植物体内转导多种生理过程的胞内胞外信号物质之一。胞外Ca2+通过Ca2+通道内流进入胞质,并通过Ca2+-ATPase和Ca2+/H+反向转运蛋白外流,以保持胞质内低Ca2+浓度。同时为了应对植物发育和环境胁迫信号,Ca2+由质膜、液泡膜和内质网膜的Ca2+通道内流进入胞质,导致胞质Ca2+浓度迅速增加,产生钙瞬变和钙振荡,传递到钙信号靶蛋白(如钙调素、钙依赖型蛋白激酶及钙调磷酸酶B类蛋白,引起特异的生理生化反应),这一系列钙信号调节、应答机制构成了植物的钙信号系统。对钙转运系统、钙信号调节和放大及应答方式进行了综述。     

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.     

外生菌根真菌Paxillus involutus吸收Cd2+及H2O2对Cd2+内流的调控作用

目的本文研究了外生菌根真菌Paxillus involutus对Cd2+的吸收作用以及H₂O₂对Cd2+内流的调控作用。方法以Paxillus involutus的2种菌株MAJ和NAU为研究材料,利用50 μmol/L CdCl₂对材料进行24 h处理,应用非损伤微测技术测定菌丝的Cd2+和Ca2+离子流。结果结果显示,Cd2+处理后,MAJ和NAU菌丝的Cd2+内流增强,同时也显著促进了Ca2+的内流。Ca2+通道抑制剂(Verapamil、GdCl₃、TEA)处理后,Cd2+和Ca2+内流强度均明显减弱,表明Cd2+是通过钙通透性离子通道(CaPCs)进入菌丝细胞的。Cd2+处理促进了Cd2+和Ca2+的内流,很可能是Cd2+激活了菌丝质膜的CaPCs。Ca2+和Cd2+的竞争性实验结果显示,高浓度的Ca2+抑制菌株MAJ和NAU的Cd2+内流;反过来,测试液中Cd2+浓度的提高也明显降低了Ca2+的内流强度,这证明Ca2+和Cd2+是竞争性地通过CaPCs进入菌丝细胞的。此外还发现,H₂O₂(1.0 mmol/L)能增强菌丝的Cd2+和Ca2+内流,而ROS清除剂DMTU却显著抑制了菌株对Ca2+和Cd2+的吸收,表明H₂O₂在调控菌丝细胞CaPCs介导Cd2+内流的过程中具有重要作用。结论 综上,外生菌根真菌Paxillus involutus对Cd2+具有富集作用并且可以通过H₂O₂激活CaPCs促进Cd2+内流。      

BKCa-Cav channel complexes mediate rapid and localized Ca2+-activated K+ signaling

Large-conductance calcium- and voltage-activated potassium channels (BKCa) are dually activated by membrane depolarization and elevation of cytosolic calcium ions (Ca2+). Under normal cellular conditions, BKCa channel activation requires Ca2+ concentrations that typically occur in close proximity to Ca2+ sources. We show that BKCa channels affinity-purified from rat brain are assembled into macromolecular complexes with the voltage-gated calcium channels Cav1.2 (L-type), Cav2.1 (P/Q-type), and Cav2.2 (N-type). Heterologously expressed BKCa-Cav complexes reconstitute a functional "Ca2+ nanodomain" where Ca2+ influx through the Cav channel activates BKCa in the physiological voltage range with submillisecond kinetics. Complex formation with distinct Cav channels enables BKCa-mediated membrane hyperpolarization that controls neuronal firing pattern and release of hormones and transmitters in the central nervous system.     

NaCl对泌盐红树和非泌盐红树Cd吸收和积累的影响

为研究NaCl对红树植物Cd吸收和转运的影响,本文以非泌盐红树秋茄和泌盐红树桐花树幼苗为实验材料,研究了不同浓度NaCl和CdCl2处理下地上和地下各器官中Na+、Ca2+、Cd2+离子浓度的变化,并利用非损伤微测技术测定植物根尖在不同处理下对Cd2+和Ca2+的动态吸收。结果表明,随着CdCl2处理浓度的增加,2种红树的根、胚轴、茎和叶4器官中的Cd2+含量均明显增加。而泌盐红树桐花树各器官中Cd2+含量均高于非泌盐红树秋茄,分别达到65%(根)、19%(胚轴)、203%(茎)和96%(叶)。利用非损伤微测技术测定Cd2+流,发现Cd2+内流能被Ca2+通道抑制剂LaCl3抑制,表明Cd2+主要通过Ca2+通道实现内流。在NaCl对Cd2+吸收的影响方面,低浓度NaCl(100~200 mmol/L)能促进秋茄对Cd2+的积累,但高浓度NaCl(400 mmol/L)抑制了桐花树和秋茄对Cd2+的吸收。这是由于:1)红树根系对Na+吸收增加,而Na+能与Cd2+竞争膜上转运蛋白上的金属离子结合位点从而减少Cd2+的吸收,2)NaCl促进了植物根尖对Ca2+的吸收,从而竞争性的抑制了Cd2+通过Ca2+通道的内流,最终减少了2种红树根系对Cd2+的吸收和积累。泌盐红树桐花树Cd2+含量高于非泌盐红树秋茄,表明桐花树根细胞质膜上的转运蛋白与Ca2+通道对Cd2+的吸收能力高于秋茄。      

NMDA receptor-mediated K+ efflux and neuronal apoptosis

Neuronal death induced by activating N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors has been linked to Ca2+ and Na+ influx through associated channels. Whole-cell recording from cultured mouse cortical neurons revealed a NMDA-evoked outward current, INMDA-K, carried by K+ efflux at membrane potentials positive to -86 millivolts. Cortical neurons exposed to NMDA in medium containing reduced Na+ and Ca2+ (as found in ischemic brain tissue) lost substantial intracellular K+ and underwent apoptosis. Both K+ loss and apoptosis were attenuated by increasing extracellular K+, even when voltage-gated Ca2+ channels were blocked. Thus NMDA receptor-mediated K+ efflux may contribute to neuronal apoptosis after brain ischemia.     

CRACM1 is a plasma membrane protein essential for store-operated Ca2+ entry

Store-operated Ca2+ entry is mediated by Ca2+ release-activated Ca2+ (CRAC) channels following Ca2+ release from intracellular stores. We performed a genome-wide RNA interference (RNAi) screen in Drosophila cells to identify proteins that inhibit store-operated Ca2+ influx. A secondary patch-clamp screen identified CRACM1 and CRACM2 (CRAC modulators 1 and 2) as modulators of Drosophila CRAC currents. We characterized the human ortholog of CRACM1, a plasma membrane-resident protein encoded by gene FLJ14466. Although overexpression of CRACM1 did not affect CRAC currents, RNAi-mediated knockdown disrupted its activation. CRACM1 could be the CRAC channel itself, a subunit of it, or a component of the CRAC signaling machinery.     

镉胁迫下NO对胡杨细胞Cd2+吸收调控机制的研究

本文研究了NO对胡杨愈伤细胞Cd2+耐受性的影响。结果表明:Cd2+(50 μmol/L)显著抑制了胡杨细胞的生长,而硝普钠SNP(NO供体,25 μmol/L)能明显缓解Cd2+对胡杨细胞生长的抑制作用,并减轻镉对细胞膜的伤害以及镉胁迫导致的细胞活力下降。利用非损伤微测技术等研究了NO对Cd2+动态吸收的影响。CdCl2(50 μmol/L)处理之后,胡杨细胞表现出Cd2+内流,而SNP(25 μmol/L,6 h)显著抑制了Cd2+的内流,并降低了Cd2+在细胞内的积累。研究发现,NO是通过调控钙离子通道来抑制胡杨细胞对Cd2+的吸收。镉胁迫下Cd2+内流被钙离子通道专一性抑制剂氯化镧明显抑制,表明Cd2+是通过钙离子通道转运进入细胞。并且发现,NO是通过促进Ca2+的内流来竞争性地抑制胡杨细胞对Cd2+的吸收,从而缓解了镉胁迫对胡杨细胞造成的生长抑制。      

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.     

盐胁迫条件下钙离子对不同品种小麦NSCCs转移钾的影响

采用3种耐盐能力不同的小麦品种,通过添加钾专性通道抑制剂的方法,对盐胁迫下钙离子(Ca~(2+))对非选择性阳离子通道(NSCCs)转移钾的影响进行研究.结果表明:耐盐性越强的小麦,由NSCCs转移的钾占总吸钾的比例越大.Ca~(2+)对3种小麦的总吸钾速率均有促进作用,且这种作用随着Ca~(2+)浓度的增加而增加.耐盐能力越强的小麦,Ca~(2+)对其根系NSCCs转移钾的能力促进作用也越大.Ca~(2+)对耐盐能力较强的小麦吸钾的促进是通过同时提高钾的专性通道吸收和NSCCs转移而达到的,但对耐盐能力较弱的小麦而言,更多的则是通过对钾专性通道吸收而实现的.     

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.     

Mitogens and oncogenes can block the induction of specific voltage-gated ion channels

The mechanisms underlying the ontogeny of voltage-gated ion channels in muscle are unknown. Whether expression of voltage-gated channels is dependent on mitogen withdrawal and growth arrest, as is generally true for the induction of muscle-specific gene products, was investigated in the BC3H1 muscle cell line by patch-clamp techniques. Differentiated BC3H1 myocytes expressed functional Ca2+ and Na+ channels that correspond to those found in T tubules of skeletal muscle. However, Ca2+ and Na+ channels were first detected after about 5 days of mitogen withdrawal. In order to test whether cellular oncogenes, as surrogates for exogenous growth factors, could prevent the expression of ion channels whose induction was contingent on mitogen withdrawal, BC3H1 cells were modified by stable transfection with oncogene expression vectors. Expression vectors containing v-erbB, or c-myc under the control of the SV40 promoter, delayed but did not prevent the appearance of functional Ca2+ and Na+ channels. In contrast, transfection with a Val12 c-H-ras vector, or cotransfection of c-myc together with v-erbB, suppressed the formation of functional Ca2+ and Na+ channels for greater than or equal to 4 weeks. Potassium channels were affected neither by mitogenic medium nor by transfected oncogenes. Thus, the selective effects of certain oncogenes on ion channel induction corresponded to the suppressive effects of mitogenic medium.     

Filopodial calcium transients promote substrate-dependent growth cone turning

Filopodia that extend from neuronal growth cones sample the environment for extracellular guidance cues, but the signals they transmit to growth cones are unknown. Filopodia were observed generating localized transient elevations of intracellular calcium ([Ca2+]i) that propagate back to the growth cone and stimulate global Ca2+ elevations. The frequency of filopodial Ca2+ transients was substrate-dependent and may be due in part to influx of Ca2+ through channels activated by integrin receptors. These transients slowed neurite outgrowth by reducing filopodial motility and promoted turning when stimulated differentially within filopodia on one side of the growth cone. These rapid signals appear to serve both as autonomous regulators of filopodial movement and as frequency-coded signals integrated within the growth cone and could be a common signaling process for many motile cells.     

Increased activity of calcium leak channels in myotubes of Duchenne human and mdx mouse origin

Elevated free Ca2+ concentrations found in adult dystrophic muscle fibers result in enhanced protein degradation. Since the difference in concentrations may reflect differences in entry, Ca2+ leak channels in cultures of normal and Duchenne human myotubes, and normal and mdx murine myotubes, have been identified and characterized. The open probability of leak channels is markedly increased in dystrophic myotubes. Other channel properties, such as mean open times, single channel conductance, ion selectivity, and behavior in the presence of pharmacological agents, were similar among myotube types. Compared to the Ca2+ concentrations in normal human and normal mouse myotubes, intracellular resting free Ca2+ concentrations ([Ca2+]i) in myotubes of Duchenne and mdx origin were significantly higher at a time when dystrophin is first expressed in normal tissue. Taken together, these findings suggest that the increased open probability of Ca2+ leak channels contributes to the elevated free intracellular Ca2+ concentration in Duchenne human and mdx mouse myotubes.     

Retrograde signaling by Syt 4 induces presynaptic release and synapse-specific growth

The molecular pathways involved in retrograde signal transduction at synapses and the function of retrograde communication are poorly understood. Here, we demonstrate that postsynaptic calcium 2+ ion (Ca2+) influx through glutamate receptors and subsequent postsynaptic vesicle fusion trigger a robust induction of presynaptic miniature release after high-frequency stimulation at Drosophila neuromuscular junctions. An isoform of the synaptotagmin family, synaptotagmin 4 (Syt 4), serves as a postsynaptic Ca2+ sensor to release retrograde signals that stimulate enhanced presynaptic function through activation of the cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)-cAMP-dependent protein kinase pathway. Postsynaptic Ca2+ influx also stimulates local synaptic differentiation and growth through Syt 4-mediated retrograde signals in a synapse-specific manner.     

蓝猪耳花粉萌发和花粉管生长的影响因素

[目的]探讨蓝猪耳花粉管的最佳培养条件,为建立植物离体受精体系奠定基础。[方法]采用离体培养技术,研究了蓝猪耳花粉离体萌发和花粉管体外生长的主要影响因素。[结果]蓝猪耳花粉萌发及花粉管生长的最佳培养基为:5.00%(V/V)蔗糖、0.01%(V/V)氯化钙、0.01%(V/V)硼酸和0.01%(V/V)磷酸二氢钾,其培养基的渗透压主要靠蔗糖调节。[结论]硼是蓝猪耳花粉萌发中必不可少的微量元素;钙对花粉管生长起着非常重要的调节作用,并推测钙离子主要是通过电压依赖型钙通道进入花粉管内部。     

胞外ATP、H2O2、Ca2+与NO调控木榄根系离子平衡机理研究

运用非损伤微测技术(NMT),研究了短期盐胁迫下胞外ATP(eATP)、H2 O2 、Ca2 + 与NO 对非泌盐红树木榄根 系K+/Na+ 平衡的调控作用。NaCl(100 mmol/L,24 h)与等渗甘露醇处理的实验表明,木榄根尖对盐胁迫的响应具 有高度的离子特异性。盐胁迫增强了木榄根尖的Na+ 外流,但Na+ 外流被Na+ /H+ 逆向转运蛋白抑制剂Amiloride 和质膜H+ -ATPase 抑制剂Vanadate 抑制,表明Na+ 外流源于根尖表皮细胞质膜Na+ /H+ 逆向转运系统驱动的Na+ 外排。短期盐胁迫处理能诱导木榄根尖K+ 外流,但被氯化四乙胺(TEA,外向K+ 通道抑制剂)明显抑制,证明K+ 外流是由激活的去极化外向型离子通道KORCs 介导。胞外ATP(300 mol/L)、H2 O2 (10 mmol/L)、Ca2 + (10 mmol/ L)与SNP(NO 供体,100 mol/L)均能增加短期盐胁迫下的Na+ 外流,同时抑制K+ 外流。其中,促进Na+ 外流效果 较强的是H2 O2 和Ca2 + ,而Ca2 + 和NO 抑制K+ 外流的效果突出。这些实验结果表明,胞外ATP、H2 O2 、Ca2 + 与NO 这4 种盐胁迫信使是通过上调木榄根系细胞质膜Na+ /H+ 逆向转运体系(Na+ /H+ 逆向转运体和H+ 泵)活性,在促 进Na+ 和H+ 逆向跨膜转运的同时,抑制去极化激活的K+ 离子通道来减少盐诱导的K+ 外流。