Ca2+ signals induced from calcium stores in pancreatic islet β cells

In single rat pancreatic β cells, using fura-2 microfluorometry to measure [Ca²⁺]i response upon different stimuli, the ways of calcium regulation have been studied. When the extracellular calcium concentration was 2.5 mmol/L, either 60 mmol/L KCl, 20 mmol/L D-glucose or 0.1 mmol/L tolbutamide induced increase in [Ca²⁺]i. Such increase in [Ca²⁺]i was absent when the same stimuli were applied under zero extracellular calcium. These results indicate that the increase of [Ca²⁺]i is induced by the activation of voltage-dependent calcium channels in β cells. The manifold forms of [Ca²⁺]i change induced by glucose imply that the effects of glucose are complex. 5 mmol/L caffeine or 5 mmol/L MCh increase the [Ca²⁺]i, which is independent of the external calcium, suggesting that [Ca²⁺]i can be regulated by Ca²⁺ release from not only the IP₃-sensitive but also the ryanodine sensitive calcium stores in β cells. The latency of Ca responses for IP₃ pathway (5 s) is faster than that for ryanodine pathway (30 s). It is concluded that there are multiple calcium stores in rat pancreatic β cells.     

Mechanisms of peroxynitrite-induced [Ca2+]i increase in single neuronal cell

The mechanism of peroxynitrite (ONOO⁻)-induced [ca²⁺]_i increase in single MN9D cell (Dopaminergic neuroblastoma cell line) was studied by using Fura-2 microfluorometric technique. The results show that ONOO⁻ caused a rapid increase of [Ca²⁺]_i when ONOO₋ was puffed to the cell. Removing Ca²⁺ from the bath or using calcium channel antagonist (CdCl₂, Nifedipine) greatly inhibited the [Ca²⁺]_i increase induced by ONOO⁻¹, suggesting that the opening of L-Ca²⁺ channel makes a great contribution to the [Ca²⁺]_i increase. The effect of sulfhydryl reductive agent (DTT) on ONOO⁻-induced [Ca²⁺]_i increase suggests that ONOO⁻-activating L-Ca²⁺ channel is partly related to its oxidative speciality.     

Cardiac protective role of a novel erythrocyte-derived depressing factor on rats and its Ca^2＋ mechanism

The cardiac protective role of a novel erythro-cyte-derived depressing factor (EDDF) on spontaneous hy-pertensive rats (SHR), calcium overload (CaO) rats and Wistar rats and its mechanism was evaluated. Mean artery pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR) and LVdp/dtmax were measured by physiological recorder. The effect of EDDF on the Ca2+-ATPase activity in myocardial sarcoplasmic reticu-lum (SR) of CaO rats was determined by inorganic phos-phate assay. Calcium transport in myocytes was measured by 45Ca2+ radioactive isotope measurement. The phosphoryla-tion levels of extracellular signal-regulated protein kinases (ERK1/2) in myocardial tissue of SHR and CaO rats were measured by Western blot method. And the ultrastructures of cardiac muscle cells were observed with the transmission electron microscope. The results indicated that EDDF could significantly decrease MAP, HR and LVdp/dtmax in a dose dependent manner (P < 0.05). It seems that the mechanism might relate with activating the Ca2+-APTase, enhancing the uptake and release of Ca2+ from SR (P < 0.05), decreasing the phosphorylation levels of ERK1/2 of myocytes (P < 0.01) and lightening the ultrastructural lesion of cardiac muscle cells. In CaO rats, the Ca2+-ATPase activity decreased clearly com-pared to control (64.99 7.16 vs 94.48 7.68 nmol·min-1 ·mg-1 protein, P < 0.01), while EDDF (100 mg/mL) could significantly increase the activity (87.93 ?9.54 vs 64.99 ?7.16, P < 0.05, n = 7). Both uptake and release rate of Ca2+ (祄ol 45Ca2+/g protein/min) from myocardial SR of CaO rats re-markably decreased compared to control (32.40 ?2.70 and 15.46 ?1.49 vs 61.09 ?10.89 and 25.47 ?4.29, P < 0.05); EDDF (100 mg/mL) could significantly stimulate their activi-ties (50.48 6.76 and 21.76 2.75 vs 32.40 2.70 and 15.46 1.49, P < 0.05). EDDF could evidently down-regulate the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 in myocardial tissue from SHR and CaO rats (P < 0.01), lighten the ultrastructural lesion of cardiac muscle cells of SHR as well. It is concluded that EDDF seems to play protective roles on both structure and function of heart, which closely related with amelioration of Ca2+ transport and inhibition of Ca2+-MAP kinase pathway.     

Heat and hyposmotic stimulation increase in [Ca^2＋]i by Ca^2＋ influx in rat synoviocytes

Rheumatoid arthritis （RA）, which is marked by inflammatory synovitis, is a common, chronic autoimmune-disease, whose pathogenesis is complex and still unclear. In order to explore the effects of heat and hyposmotic stimuli on synoviocytes in rheumatoid arthritis, the changes of [Ca^2＋]i induced by heat, hyposmotic and 4α-PDD stimuli were observed in synoviocytes. [Ca^2＋]i elevation induced by heat 28℃, hyposmotic and 4α-PDD stimuli is found to be positively relative to increasing temperature, decreasing osmolality and rising concentration of 4α-PDD. Results show that there is reciprocity among these stimuli and desensitization, and that [Ca^2＋]i elevation depends on Ca^2＋ influx, but not necessarily links to Ca^2＋ release from intracellular stores and voltage-dependent Ca^2＋ channel in synoviocytes. The above characteristics of Ca^2＋ influx are similar to those of TRPV4. A probable mechanism has been suggested that heat and hyposmotic stimulation might increase the level of [Ca^2＋]i by activating the TRPV4-like channel and Ca^2＋ influx in the synoviocytes.     

Icariin suppresses bone resorption activity of rabbit osteoclasts in vitro

The effect of icariin on the bone resorption activity of rabbit osteoclasts is assessed in vitro. Osteoclasts were isolated from Japanese white rabbits and cultured on plates with a sterilized bone slice in each well. After treatment with icariin at various concentrations, the bone resorption activity of osteoclasts was evaluated by examining pit areas, superoxide anion (·O2-) generation, size and number of actin rings and intracellular calcium concentration [Ca2 ]i. As revealed by these data, icariin elicited continuous decline of [Ca2 ]i, making actin ring constricted and ·O2- generation decreased. These events resulted in smaller and fewer pits which indicate suppressed bone resorption activity of rabbit osteoclasts by icariin.     

α-LTX and α-LTXN4C induce [Ca2+]i elevation through different mechanisms in pancreatic β cells

α-latrotoxin (α-LTX) is the only neurotoxin from black-widow spider which has secretagogue effects in the vertebrates. It causes massive neurotransmitter and hormone release via two instinct mechanisms after binding with its high-affinity membrane recep…     

The new sideway of CNTF signal transduction pathway

The action of ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) on intercellular free Ca²⁺ concentrations [Ca²⁺]_i induced by glutamate (Glu) in primary cultured hippocampal neurons were detected with Fura2/AM, a Ca²⁺-sensitive fluorophore, and the morphological influence of G-protein on it was objected. Glu could induce rapid increase of [Ca²⁺]_i in hippocampal neurons. CNTF had no significant action on [Ca²⁺]_i in resting hippocampal neurons. However, after incubation of CNTF for 5 min, the increase of [Ca²⁺]_i in hippocampal neurons rapidly induced by Glu was inhibited. Pretussis toxin (PTX)-sensitive G protein could block the action. These results indicate that a new non-genomic rapid sideway might exist in the upper stream of CNTF signal transduction pathway, which was related to Ca²⁺ signal transduction. Keywords:     

Protective role of a novel human erythrocyte-derived depressing factor on blood vessels in rats

The protective role of a human erythrocyte-derived depressing factor (EDDF) on blood vessels was evaluated. The experiments were carried out on 25male Wistar rats aged 6-8 weeks, which were divided into control (n = 8), calcium overload (n = 8) and NG-L-nitro-arginine hypertensive model groups (L-NNA,n = 9), respectively. The isolated vascular ring perfusion assay, two-photon laser scanning fluorescence microscopy (TPM) and transmitted electron microscope were used to examine the effect of EDDF on vascular function and ultrastructure. Results showed that the contractile response of calcium overload rats and L-NNA rats to phenylephrine (PE) was significantly enhanced compared with that of the control (P < 0.05), and EDDF (10-3 g @mL-1) remarkably decreased the vascular contractile response of control's and calcium overload rats (P < 0.05),while EDDF had no effect on that of L-NNA rats. EDDF also alleviated the ultrastructural lesion of aorta VSMC in calcium overload rats by easing the abnormal in the nucleus, mitochondrion and other organell. It is concluded that EDDF could efficiently protect blood vessels against injury by influencing Ca2+ transport and ameliorating the lesion of VSMC, and further supported the hypothesis that the NO-cGMP pathway might contribute to the vasodilation and partially antihypertensive mechanism of EDDF.``     

Summer monsoon and dust signals recorded in the Dasuopu firn core, central Himalayas

In September 1997, a 15-m firn core was recovered from an elevation of 7 000 m a. s.l. from the Dasuopu Glacier in the central Himalayas. The analysis of δ18O values and major ion (Ca2+ , Mg2+ , NH4+ , SO42- and NO3-) concentrations shows that average annual accumulation is 0.75 m (water equivalent) in the Dasuopu firn core. The seasonal variations of δ18O values and major ion concentrations in the core indicate that present summer monsoon and dust signals are recorded with high-resolution in the Dasuopu Glacier. δ18O in precipitation are controlled by amount effect in summer monsoon season, more negative δ18O is representative of summer monsoon signal in snow layers. Higher concentrations of Ca2+ , Mg2+ , SO42- and NO3-are dominated by spring dust storm imput derived from the arid and semi-arid desert regions in central Asia. Also EOF analysis verifies that high spring concentrations of major ions are consistent. Due to the possibly different sources, the secondary variations of NH4+ and NO3- are negatively relevant with that of Ca2+ and Mg2+ .     

Electronic properties and stabilities of methoxy-substituted Lindqvist polyoxometalates [Nb<Subscript>2</Subscript>W<Subscript>4</Subscript>O<Subscript>19</Subscript>CH<Subscript>3</Subscript>]<Superscript>3−</Superscript> by DFT

The electronic properties and stabilities of five [Nb₂W₄O₁₈OCH₃]³⁻ isomers have been investigated using a density functional theory method. The results show that the isomer with the methoxy group occupying a bridging position between two tungsten atoms (two tungsten atoms in the plane that contains two niobium atoms) in the [Nb₂W₄O₁₈OCH₃]3⁻ framework is the most stable isomer in acetonitrile. The stability of the one-electron-reduced isomers changes little. The most stable one-electron-reduced isomer has the methoxy group occupying a bridging position between niobium atoms in the [Nb₂W₄O₁₈OCH₃]⁴⁻ framework. The M-Ob (M = Nb, W; b denotes bridging) bond lengths in anions in which the metal atoms are connected by a methoxy group are longer than those in [Nb₂W₄O₁₉]⁴⁻. The highest occupied molecular orbitals (HOMO) in [Nb₂W₄O₁₉]⁴⁻ mainly delocalize over the bridging oxygen atoms of two niobium atoms and two tungsten atoms located in the equatorial plane, and the bridging oxygen atoms on the axial surface. The lowest unoccupied molecular orbitals (LUMO) of [Nb₂W₄O₁₉]⁴⁻ are mainly concentrated on the tungsten atoms and antibonding oxygen atoms. Methoxy substitution modifies the electronic properties of the [Nb₂W₄O₁₈OCH₃]³⁻ isomers. The HOMOs in the five isomers formally delocalize over the bridging oxygen atoms, which are distant from the surface containing the methoxy group and four metal atoms. The LUMOs delocalize over the d-shells of the four metal atoms that are close to the methoxy group, and the p-orbitals of oxygen. One-electron reduction occurred at the tungsten atoms, not the niobium atoms.     

Regulation of angiotensinⅡon Gαq/11 protein of vascular smooth muscle cell and its underlying mechanism

To study the regulation of angiotensin Ⅱ(Ang Ⅱ) on Gαq/11 protein of vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) and its underlying mechanism, the protein synthesis was detected by [³H]-leucine incorporation. Gαq/11 expression was measured by Western blot in cultured VSMC of rat aorta. The results showed that the level of Gαq/11 was downregulated after stimulated by AngⅡ for 1—6 h, while it was upregulated significantly by 12—24 h stimulation (P < 0.01) in VSMC. The [³H]-leucine incorporation of VSMC was increased after 24 h Ang Ⅱ stimulation. The biphase regulation of Ang Ⅱ on Gαq/11 protein was blocked by the Ang Ⅱ type Ⅰ receptor (AT1) specific antagnist losartan or PLC inhibitor U73122, while PD98059 did not have this effect. These data indicated that Ang Ⅱ contributed to VSMC hypertrophy by regulating the level of Gαq/11, and this effect was mediated mainly through AT1 receptor-PLC signal transduction pathway.     

Correlation between platelet gelsolin levels and different types of coronary heart disease

Gelsolin is an important cytoskeletal protein of platelets and studies have shown a close relationship between gelsolin and cardiovascular disease.However,the role of gelsolin in the development of coronary heart disease(CHD) is unclear.In this study,we record the distribution of gelsolin in human platelets and plasma and its association with different types of CHD.This study included 114 cases,with 33 stable angina pectoris(SAP) cases,81 acute coronary syndrome(ACS) cases—composed of 39 unstable angina pectoris(UAP) and 42 acute myocardial infarction(AMI) cases,and 31 healthy control participants.Gelsolin concentration in platelet rich plasma(PRP) and platelet poor plasma(PPP),actin filament(F-actin) and Gc-globulin of PPP were determined by enzyme-linked immunoadsorbent assay(ELISA).The fluorescence intensity of CD62p and cytoplasmic calcium([Ca2+] i) in human platelets measured by flow cytometry.We also used turbidimetry to detect the platelet aggregation rate(PAR).We analyzed the correlation between platelet gelsolin concentration and CD62p or plasma F-actin levels among each different patient group.Compared with the control group,the gelsolin level in PRP of UAP and AMI groups increased significantly(P<0.01),while the gelsolin level in PPP of all the three patient groups decreased markedly(P<0.01),and the CD62p,PAR,[Ca2+] i of platelets,F-actin and Gc-globulin of the UAP and AMI groups increased significantly(P<0.01).Compared with the SAP group,the gelsolin level in PRP,the PAR,[Ca2+] i of platelets and CD62p of other two groups increased significantly(P<0.01),F-actin of the AMI group increased markedly(P<0.01).Platelet cytoskeleton protein dynamics vary among the different types of CHD.Platelet gelsolin levels are markedly increased and accompanied by increased platelet activity,F-actin and [Ca2+] i of ACS patients,while gelsolin levels in PPP are markedly lower.Abnormally increased platelet gelsolin levels show high positive correlation with the level of platelet activity.Therefore,platelet gelsolin might be a novel molecular marker and/or a new potential therapeutic target of anti-platelet therapy of ACS.     

H-ATPase in the plasma membrane of Arabidopsis pollen cells is involved in extracellular calmodulin-promoted pollen germination

In this paper, the role of the plasma membrane (PM) H⁺-ATPase in extracellular calmodulin (CaM)-promoted pollen germination and in tube growth of Arabidopsis thaliana was investigated. Pollen germination, pollen tube growth rate, free cytosolic Ca²⁺ concentration ([Ca²⁺]_cyt) and Ca²⁺ channel activity in the PM of pollen cells were measured. In response to fusicoccin or CaM treatment, in vitro pollen germination and pollen tube growth rate, [Ca²⁺]_cyt and activity of a hyperpolarization-activated Ca²⁺-permeable channel increased. Sodium vanadate inhibited the promotion of these parameters by extracellular CaM. The results suggest that H⁺-ATPase may be involved in extracellular CaM-regulated pollen germination and in tube growth by modulation of the hyperpolarization-activated Ca²⁺ channel in the PM of A. thaliana pollen cells.     

Formation, structure and properties of GeCn± and Ge2Cn± binary clusters

The binary cluster ions Ge₂C_n⁺/Ge₂C_n^- and GeC_n⁺ have been produced by laser ablation. The parity effect is present in the negative ions Ge₂C_n^-, though it is not very prominent. While the experiments tell that the parity effect is totally not shown in the positive ions Ge₂C_n⁺. An extensive theoretical investigation on GeCn/GeC_n⁺/GeC_n^-(n=1-10) and Ge₂Cn/Ge₂C_n⁺/Ge₂C_n^-(n=1-9) has been carried out by density functional theory at B3LPY level. The calculation shows that the low-lying states of GeC_n/GeC_n⁺/GeC_n^-(n=1-10) and Ge₂C_n/Ge₂C_n⁺/Ge₂C_n^-(n=1-9) are linear structure with germanium atoms locating at terminals respectively. The electronic distributions, ionization potential (IP_ad), elec-tron affinity (EA) and increasing bonding energy reveal that the parity effect of neutral species is much stronger than that of ions, which is attributed to the valence π-electrons. It is explained that the differences between experiments and cal-culations are due to the kinetic factor in the formation of Ge₂C_n^±.     

Coupled isomorphic substitution and exsolution of pyroxene,rutile, apatite and quartz in supersilicic garnet

Dissolution of pyroxene in garnet at ultrahigh pressures produces supersilicie garnet with the coupled substitutions of Si^Ⅵ M^Ⅵ= A^Ⅵ A^Ⅵ and Si^Ⅵ Na^Ⅷ=A^Ⅵ M^Ⅷ,which are enhanced by rising pressure. The supersilicic garnet and exsolution of pyroxene, rutile, apatite and quartz in garnet during decompression were found in natural rocks,pointing to the importance in studying mantle-derived rocks and ultrahigh pressure metamorphism related to plate deep subduction. Ti, P, K and H2O enters garnet via the substitutions of Ti = Si, P^Ⅵ Na^Ⅷ = Si^Ⅵ CaⅧ, Si^Ⅵ K^Ⅷ = AI^Ⅵ M^Ⅷ, and [(OH)4]^4- = [SiO4]^4- or [4H]^4 = Si^4 respectively. The possible entering of Eskola pyroxene component M0.5AlSi2O6 in clinopyroxene, together with the common pyroxene component M2Si2O6, into garnet can lead to the presence of the substitution of Si^Ⅵ 0.5□^Ⅷ= A^Ⅵ 0.5M^Ⅷ in garnet structure, which plays a key role in the exsolution of rntile, apatite and quartz in garnet. Two new breakdown reactions are thus proposed on the basis of the new coupled substitution, which can be regarded as a theoretical model for the exsolntion of the 3 minerals in garnet. The real exsolution may be a combination of several breakdown reactions.     

Recent high-resolution glaciochemical record from a Dasuopu firn core of middle Himalayas

A 16.8 m firn core of middle Himalayas was recovered on the col of Dasuopu glacier in August 2006, being 7000 m above sea level. A total of 317 samples were measured for stable oxygen isotope ratios （6180） and major ion concentrations （Na＋, NH＋, K＋, Mg2＋, Ca2＋, Cl-, SO4^2-, and NO3^-. The firn core dating and seasonal partitioning were carried out based on the marked seasonal variations along the stable oxygen isotopes and crustal species （Ca2＋, Mg2＋） profiles. The multi-parameters and high-resolution glaciochemical data set of Dasuopu firn core recorded the detailed chemical characteristics of pre cipitation in high-elevation region, middle Himalayas, since 1991 A.D., which mainly originated from the crustal and anthropogenic sources, while the sea-salt contribution was minor. The seasonal variability of major ion concentrations was dominated by the seasonal alternation of the prevalent air mass, atmospheric circulation situation and precipitation regime. Linear regression analysis indicated that most of the variance in annual ionic fluxes can be explained by a linear dependence on snow accumulation rate.     

Third-order optical nonlinearities for lanthanum (III) complexes with 1, 10-phenanthroline components

The nonlinear refractive indexesn ₂ for the ethanol solutions of 1, 10-phenanthroline (2.0 × 10⁻³ mol · L⁻¹), [bis(l, 10-phenanthroline) lanthanum (III)] nitrate (1.0 × 10⁻³ mol · L⁻¹), and [nitrato-fluoracil-bis (1, 10_{-phenanthroline}) lanthanum (III) ] nitrate (1.0 × 10⁻³ mol · L⁻¹) are first measured, the third-order nonlinear optical susceptibilities χ(³) and 〈γ〉 are calculated, and the mechanisms of the third-order optical nonlinearities enhanced by lanthanum (III) are discussed preliminarily.     

Studies on the interaction of DNA and Ru (1,10-phenanthroline)2− (dipyrido[3,2−a:2′,3′−c]phenazine)2+

The interaction of Ru(phen)₂(dppz)²⁺(phen=1,10-phenanthroline,dppz=dipyrido[3,2−1:2′,3′−c]phenazine) and the calfthymus DNA were studied with fluorescence and ultraviolet visible absorption spectroscopy. The ultraviolet visible absorption spectrum of Ru(phen)₂(dppz)²⁺ calfthymus DNA, and their interaction demonstrated that Ru(phen)₂(dppz)²⁺ intercalated into the double helix of DNA via the ligand dppz. Fe(CN)₆ ⁴⁻ and NaCl can not quench the fluorescence of Ru(phen)₂(dppz)²⁺-DNA, which was in agreement with the intercalation mode. Foundation item: Supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China Biography: LING Lian-sheng (1972-), male, PhD, candidate.