Masamitsu Iino

Encoding of Ca2+ signals by differential expression of IP3 receptor subtypes

Inositol 1,4,5‐trisphosphate (IP3) plays a key role in Ca2+ signalling, which exhibits a variety of spatio‐temporal patterns that control important cell functions. Multiple subtypes of IP3 receptors (IP3R‐1, ‐2 and ‐3) are expressed in a tissue‐ and development‐specific manner and form heterotetrameric channels through which stored Ca2+ is released, but the physiological significance of the differential expression of IP3R subtypes is not known. We have studied the Ca2+‐signalling mechanism in genetically engineered B cells that express either a single or a combination of IP3R subtypes, and show that Ca2+‐signalling patterns depend on the IP3R subtypes, which differ significantly in their response to agonists, i.e. IP3, Ca2+ and ATP. IP3R‐2 is the most sensitive to IP3 and is required for the long lasting, regular Ca2+ oscillations that occur upon activation of B‐cell receptors. IP3R‐1 is highly sensitive to ATP and mediates less regular Ca2+ oscillations. IP3R‐3 is the least sensitive to IP3 and Ca2+, and tends to generate monophasic Ca2+ transients. Furthermore, we show for the first time functional interactions between coexpressed subtypes. Our results demonstrate that differential expression of IP3R subtypes helps to encode IP3‐mediated Ca2+ signalling.

Coupling of STIM1 to store-operated Ca2+ entry through its constitutive and inducible movement in the endoplasmic reticulum

Depletion of intracellular calcium (Ca2+) stores induces store-operated Ca2+ (SOC) entry across the plasma membrane (PM). STIM1, a putative Ca2+ sensor in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), has been recently shown to be necessary for SOC channel activation. Here we show that STIM1 dynamically moves in tubulovesicular shape on the ER and its subcompartment in resting living cells, whereas, upon Ca2+ store depletion, it is rapidly redistributed into discrete puncta that are located underneath, but not inserted into the PM. Normal constitutive movement of STIM1 is mediated through the coiled-coil and Ser/Thr-rich C-terminal domains in the cytoplasmic region of STIM1, whereas subsequent inducible puncta formation further requires the sterile α motif domain protruding into the ER lumen. Each of these three domains (coiled-coil, Ser/Thr-rich, and sterile α motif) was essential for activating SOC channels. Hence, our findings based on structure–function experiments suggest that constitutive dynamic movement of STIM1 in the ER and its subcompartment is obligatory for subsequent depletion-dependent redistribution of STIM1 into puncta underneath the PM and activation of SOC channels.

Use of ryanodine for functional removal of the calcium store in smooth muscle cells of the guinea-pig

Calcium store of the skinned fibers of the guinea-pig portal vein, pulmonary artery and taenia caeci consisted of two classes: one with both Ca-induced Ca release (CICR) and inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3)-induced Ca release (IICR) mechanisms (S alpha) and the other only with IICR mechanisms (S beta). Ryanodine, applied during the CICR was activated, locked the CICR channels open, but the drug had practically no effect on the IICR mechanism. Thus, after the ryanodine treatment the Ca store with the CICR (S alpha) lost its capacity to hold Ca. Changes in the agonist-evoked contraction of intact muscle due to the ryanodine treatment suggest that agonists release Ca from S alpha which produces the initial phase of contractures.

A fluorescent indicator for visualizing cAMP-induced phosphorylation in vivo.

We have developed a method for visualizing phosphorylation of proteins in living cells using a novel fluorescent indicator composed of two green fluorescent protein (GFP) variants joined by the kinase-inducible domain (KID) of the transcription factor cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)-responsive element binding protein (CREB). Phosphorylation of KID by the cAMP-dependent protein kinase A (PKA) decreased the fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) among the flanking GFPs. By transfecting COS-7 cells with an expression vector encoding this indicator protein (termed ART for cAMP-responsive tracer), we were able to visualize activation dynamics of PKA in living cells.

EMBRYONIC LETHALITY AND ABNORMAL CARDIAC MYOCYTES IN MICE LACKING RYANODINE RECEPTOR TYPE 2

The ryanodine receptor type 2 (RyR‐2) functions as a Ca2+‐induced Ca2+ release (CICR) channel on intracellular Ca2+ stores and is distributed in most excitable cells with the exception of skeletal muscle cells. RyR‐2 is abundantly expressed in cardiac muscle cells and is thought to mediate Ca2+ release triggered by Ca2+ influx through the voltage‐gated Ca2+ channel to constitute the cardiac type of excitation–contraction (E–C) coupling. Here we report on mutant mice lacking RyR‐2. The mutant mice died at approximately embryonic day (E) 10 with morphological abnormalities in the heart tube. Prior to embryonic death, large vacuolate sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) and structurally abnormal mitochondria began to develop in the mutant cardiac myocytes, and the vacuolate SR appeared to contain high concentrations of Ca2+. Fluorometric Ca2+ measurements showed that a Ca2+ transient evoked by caffeine, an activator of RyRs, was abolished in the mutant cardiac myocytes. However, both mutant and control hearts showed spontaneous rhythmic contractions at E9.5. Moreover, treatment with ryanodine, which locks RyR channels in their open state, did not exert a major effect on spontaneous Ca2+ transients in control cardiac myocytes at E9.5–11.5. These results suggest no essential contribution of the RyR‐2 to E–C coupling in cardiac myocytes during early embryonic stages. Our results from the mutant mice indicate that the major role of RyR‐2 is not in E–C coupling as the CICR channel in embryonic cardiac myocytes but it is absolutely required for cellular Ca2+ homeostasis most probably as a major Ca2+ leak channel to maintain the developing SR.

NFAT functions as a working memory of Ca2+ signals in decoding Ca2+ oscillation

Transcription by the nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) is regulated by the frequency of Ca2+ oscillation. However, why and how Ca2+ oscillation regulates NFAT activity remain elusive. NFAT is dephosphorylated by Ca2+‐dependent phosphatase calcineurin and translocates from the cytoplasm to the nucleus to initiate transcription. We analyzed the kinetics of dephosphorylation and translocation of NFAT. We show that Ca2+‐dependent dephosphoryl ation proceeds rapidly, while the rephosphorylation and nuclear transport of NFAT proceed slowly. Therefore, after brief Ca2+ stimulation, dephosphoryl ated NFAT has a lifetime of several minutes in the cytoplasm. Thus, Ca2+ oscillation induces a build‐up of dephosphorylated NFAT in the cytoplasm, allowing effective nuclear translocation, provided that the oscillation interval is shorter than the lifetime of dephos phorylated NFAT. We also show that Ca2+ oscillation is more cost‐effective in inducing the translocation of NFAT than continuous Ca2+ signaling. Thus, the lifetime of dephosphorylated NFAT functions as a working memory of Ca2+ signals and enables the control of NFAT nuclear translocation by the frequency of Ca2+ oscillation at a reduced cost of Ca2+ signaling.

Transient Receptor Potential 1 Regulates Capacitative Ca2+ Entry and Ca2+ Release from Endoplasmic Reticulum in B Lymphocytes

Capacitative Ca2+ entry (CCE) activated by release/depletion of Ca2+ from internal stores represents a major Ca2+ influx mechanism in lymphocytes and other nonexcitable cells. Despite the importance of CCE in antigen-mediated lymphocyte activation, molecular components constituting this mechanism remain elusive. Here we demonstrate that genetic disruption of transient receptor potential (TRP)1 significantly attenuates both Ca2+ release-activated Ca2+ currents and inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3)-mediated Ca2+ release from endoplasmic reticulum (ER) in DT40 B cells. As a consequence, B cell antigen receptor–mediated Ca2+ oscillations and NF-AT activation are reduced in TRP1-deficient cells. Thus, our results suggest that CCE channels, whose formation involves TRP1 as an important component, modulate IP3 receptor function, thereby enhancing functional coupling between the ER and plasma membrane in transduction of intracellular Ca2+ signaling in B lymphocytes.

Visualization of neural control of intracellular Ca2+ concentration in single vascular smooth muscle cells in situ.

The intermittent rise in intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i oscillation) has been observed in many types of isolated cells, yet it has not been demonstrated whether it plays an essential role during nerve stimulation in situ. We used confocal microscopy to study Ca2+ transients in individual smooth muscle cells in situ within the wall of small arteries stimulated with perivascular sympathetic nerves or noradrenaline. We show here that the sympathetic adrenergic regulation of arterial smooth muscle cells involves the oscillation of [Ca2+]i that propagates within the cell in the form of a wave. Ca2+ release from intracellular stores plays a key role in the oscillation because it is blocked after the store depletion by ryanodine treatment. Ca2+ influx through the plasma membrane sustains the oscillation by replenishing the Ca2+ stores. These results demonstrate the involvement of [Ca2+]i oscillations in the neural regulation of effector cells within the integrated system.

Sequential-replenishment mechanism of exocytosis in pancreatic acini

Here we report exocytosis of zymogen granules, as examined by multiphoton excitation imaging in intact pancreatic acini. Cholecystokinin induces Ca 2+ oscillations that trigger exocytosis when the cytosolic Ca 2+ concentration exceeds 1 μM. Zymogen granules fused with the plasma membrane maintain their Ω-shaped profile for an average of 220 s and serve as targets for sequential fusion of granules that are located within deeper layers of the cell. This secondary exocytosis occurrs as rapidly as the primary exocytosis and accounts for most exocytotic events. Granule–granule fusion does not seem to precede primary exocytosis, indicating that secondary fusion events may require a plasma-membrane factor. This sequential-replenishment mechanism of exocytosis allows the cell to take advantage of a large supply of fusion-ready granules without needing to transport them to the plasma membrane.

Generation and Characterization of Mutant Mice Lacking Ryanodine Receptor Type 3

The ryanodine receptor type 3 (RyR-3) functions as a Ca2+-induced Ca2+ release (CICR) channel and is distributed in a wide variety of cell types including skeletal muscle and smooth muscle cells, neurons, and certain non-excitable cells. However, the physiological roles of RyR-3 are totally unclear. To gain an insight into the function of RyR-3 in vivo, we have generated mice lacking RyR-3 by means of the gene targeting technique. The mutant mice thus obtained showed apparently normal growth and reproduction. Although Ca2+-induced Ca2+ release from intracellular Ca2+ stores of the mutant skeletal muscle differed in Ca2+ sensitivity from that of wild-type muscle, excitation-contraction coupling of the mutant muscle seemed to be normal. Moreover, we could not find any significant disturbance in the smooth muscle and lymphocytes from the mutant mice. On the other hand, the mutant mice showed increased locomotor activity, which was about 2-fold greater than that of the control mice. These results indicate that the loss of RyR-3 causes no gross abnormalities and suggest that the lack of RyR-3-mediated Ca2+ signaling results in abnormalities of certain neurons in the central nervous system.