Svetlana Voronina

Activation of trypsinogen in large endocytic vacuoles of pancreatic acinar cells

The intracellular activation of trypsinogen, which is both pH- and calcium-dependent, is an important early step in the development of acute pancreatitis. The cellular compartment in which trypsinogen activation occurs currently is unknown. We therefore investigated the site of intracellular trypsinogen activation by using an established cellular model of acute pancreatitis: supramaximal stimulation of pancreatic acinar cells with cholecystokinin. We used fluorescent dextrans as fluid phase tracers and observed the cholecystokinin-elicited formation and translocation of large endocytic vacuoles. The fluorescent probe rhodamine 110 bis-(CBZ-l-isoleucyl-l-prolyl-l-arginine amide) dihydrochloride (BZiPAR) was used to detect trypsinogen activation. Fluid phase tracers were colocalized with cleaved BZiPAR, indicating that trypsinogen activation occurred within endocytic vacuoles. The development of BZiPAR fluorescence was inhibited by the trypsin inhibitor benzamidine. Fluorescein dextran and Oregon Green 488 BAPTA-5N were used to measure endosomal pH and calcium, respectively. The pH in endocytic vacuoles was 5.9 ± 0.1, and the calcium ion concentration was 37 ± 11 μM. The caged calcium probe o-nitrophenyl EGTA and UV uncaging were used to increase calcium in endocytic vacuoles. This increase of calcium caused by calcium uncaging was followed by recovery to the prestimulated level within ≈100 s. We propose that the initiation of acute pancreatitis depends on endocytic vacuole formation and trypsinogen activation in this compartment.

Bile acids induce calcium signals in mouse pancreatic acinar cells: implications for bile-induced pancreatic pathology

The effect of the natural bile acid, taurolithocholic acid 3‐sulfate (TLC‐S), on calcium signalling in pancreatic acinar cells has been investigated. TLC‐S induced global calcium oscillations and extended calcium transients as well as calcium signals localised to the secretory granule (apical) region of acinar cells. These calcium signals could still be triggered by TLC‐S in a calcium‐free external solution. TLC‐S‐induced calcium signals were not inhibited by atropine, but were abolished by caffeine or by depletion of calcium stores, due to prolonged application of ACh. Global calcium signals, produced by TLC‐S application, displayed vectorial apical‐to‐basal polarity. The signals originated in the apical part and were then propagated to the basal region. Other natural bile acids, taurocholate (TC) and taurodeoxycholate (TDC), were also able to produce local and global calcium oscillations (but at higher concentrations than TLC‐S). Bile, which can enter pancreas by reflux, has been implicated in the pathology of acute pancreatitis. The calcium releasing properties of bile acids suggest that calcium toxicity could be an important contributing factor in the bile acid‐induced cellular damage.

Bile acids induce Ca2+ release from both the endoplasmic reticulum and acidic intracellular calcium stores through activation of inositol trisphosphate receptors and ryanodine receptors

Gallstones can cause acute pancreatitis, an often fatal disease in which the pancreas digests itself. This is probably because of biliary reflux into the pancreatic duct and subsequent bile acid action on the acinar cells. Because Ca2+ toxicity is important for the cellular damage in pancreatitis, we have studied the mechanisms by which the bile acid taurolithocholic acid 3-sulfate (TLC-S) liberates Ca2+. Using two-photon plasma membrane permeabilization and measurement of [Ca2+] inside intracellular stores at the cell base (dominated by ER) and near the apex (dominated by secretory granules), we have characterized the Ca2+ release pathways. Inhibition of inositol trisphosphate receptors (IP3Rs), by caffeine and 2-APB, reduced Ca2+ release from both the ER and an acidic pool in the granular area. Inhibition of ryanodine receptors (RyRs) by ruthenium red (RR) also reduced TLC-S induced liberation from both stores. Combined inhibition of IP3Rs and RyRs abolished Ca2+ release. RyR activation depends on receptors for nicotinic acid adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NAADP), because inactivation by a high NAADP concentration inhibited release from both stores, whereas a cyclic ADPR-ribose antagonist had no effect. Bile acid-elicited intracellular Ca2+ liberation from both the ER and the apical acidic stores depends on both RyRs and IP3Rs.

Modulation of calcium signalling by mitochondria

In this review we will attempt to summarise the complex and sometimes contradictory effects that mitochondria have on different forms of calcium signalling. Mitochondria can influence Ca(2+) signalling indirectly by changing the concentration of ATP, NAD(P)H, pyruvate and reactive oxygen species - which in turn modulate components of the Ca(2+) signalling machinery i.e. buffering, release from internal stores, influx from the extracellular solution, uptake into cellular organelles and extrusion by plasma membrane Ca(2+) pumps. Mitochondria can directly influence the calcium concentration in the cytosol of the cell by importing Ca(2+) via the mitochondrial Ca(2+) uniporter or transporting Ca(2+) from the interior of the organelle into the cytosol by means of Na+/Ca(2+) or H+/Ca(2+) exchangers. Considerable progress in understanding the relationship between Ca(2+) signalling cascades and mitochondrial physiology has been accumulated over the last few years due to the development of more advanced optical techniques and electrophysiological approaches.

Correlation of NADH and Ca2+ signals in mouse pancreatic acinar cells

Relationships between calcium signals and NADH responses were investigated in pancreatic acinar cells stimulated with calcium‐releasing secretagogues. Cytosolic calcium signals were studied using Fura Red or calcium‐sensitive Cl− current. Mitochondrial calcium was measured using Rhod‐2. The highest levels of NADH autofluorescence were found around the secretory granule region. Stimulation of cells with physiological doses of cholecystokinin (CCK) triggered slow oscillations of NADH autofluorescence. NADH oscillations were clearly resolved in the mitochondrial clusters around secretory granules. Very fast apical calcium signals induced by acetylcholine (ACh) produced no detectable changes in NADH; slightly more extended apical (or preferentially apical) calcium transients triggered clear NADH responses. Triple combined recordings of cytosolic calcium, mitochondrial calcium and NADH revealed the sequence of development of individual signals: an increase in cytosolic calcium was accompanied by a slower mitochondrial calcium response followed by a delayed increase in NADH fluorescence. Recovery of cytosolic calcium was faster than recovery of mitochondrial calcium. NADH recovery occurred at elevated mitochondrial calcium levels. During the transient cytosolic calcium oscillations induced by intermediate doses of ACh, there was an initial increase in NADH fluorescence following the first calcium transient; each of the subsequent calcium responses produced biphasic NADH changes comprising an initial small decline followed by restoration to an elevated calcium level. During the higher‐frequency sinusoidal calcium oscillations induced by higher doses of ACh, NADH responses fused into a smooth rise followed by a slow decline. Supramaximal doses of ACh and CCK produced single large NADH transients.

Dynamic Changes in Cytosolic and Mitochondrial ATP Levels in Pancreatic Acinar Cells

BACKGROUND & AIMS Previous studies of pancreatic acinar cells characterized the effects of Ca(2+)-releasing secretagogues and substances, inducing acute pancreatitis on mitochondrial Ca(2+), transmembrane potential, and NAD(P)H, but dynamic measurements of the crucial intracellular adenosine triphosphate (ATP) levels have not been reported. Here we characterized the effects of these agents on ATP levels in the cytosol and mitochondria. METHODS ATP levels were monitored using cytosolic- or mitochondrial-targeted luciferases. RESULTS Inhibition of oxidative phosphorylation produced a substantial decrease in cytosolic ATP comparable to that induced by inhibition of glycolysis. Cholecystokinin-8 (CCK) increased cytosolic ATP in spite of accelerating ATP consumption. Acetylcholine, caerulein, and bombesin had similar effect. A bile acid, taurolithocholic acid 3-sulfate (TLC-S); a fatty acid, palmitoleic acid (POA); and palmitoleic acid ethyl ester (POAEE) reduced cytosolic ATP. The ATP decrease in response to these substances was observed in cells with intact or inhibited oxidative phosphorylation. TLC-S, POA, and POAEE reduced mitochondrial ATP, whereas physiological CCK increased mitochondrial ATP. Supramaximal CCK produced a biphasic response composed of a small initial decline followed by a stronger increase. CONCLUSIONS Both glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation make substantial contributions to ATP production in acinar cells. Ca(2+)-releasing secretagogues increased ATP level in the cytosol and mitochondria of intact isolated cells. TLC-S, POA, and POAEE reduced cytosolic and mitochondrial ATP. When cells rely on nonoxidative ATP production, secretagogues as well as TLC-S, POA, and POAEE all diminish cytosolic ATP levels.

Stable golgi-mitochondria complexes and formation of golgi Ca2+ gradients in pancreatic acinar cells

We have determined the localization of the Golgi with respect to other organelles in living pancreatic acinar cells and the importance of this localization to the establishment of Ca2+ gradients over the Golgi. Using confocal microscopy and the Golgi-specific fluorescent probe 6-((N-(7-nitrobenz-2-oxa-1,3-diazol-4-yl)amino)hexanoyl)sphingosine, we found Golgi structures localizing to the outer edge of the secretory granular region of individual acinar cells. We also assessed Golgi positioning in acinar cells located within intact pancreatic tissue using two-photon microscopy and found a similar localization. The mitochondria segregate the Golgi from lateral regions of the plasma membrane, the nucleus, and the basal part of the cytoplasm. The Golgi is therefore placed between the principal Ca2+ release sites in the apical region of the cell and the important Ca2+ sink formed by the peri-granular mitochondria. During acetylcholine-induced cytosolic Ca2+ signals in the apical region, large Ca2+ gradients form over the Golgi (decreasing from trans- to cis-Golgi). We further describe a novel, close interaction of the peri-granular mitochondria and the Golgi apparatus. The mitochondria and the Golgi structures form very close contacts, and these contacts remain stable over time. When the cell is forced to swell, the Golgi and mitochondria remain juxtaposed up to the point of cell lysis. The strategic position of the Golgi (closer to release sites than the bulk of the mitochondrial belt) makes this organelle receptive to local apical Ca2+ transients. In addition the Golgi is ideally placed to be preferentially supplied by ATP from adjacent mitochondria.

ATP depletion induces translocation of STIM1 to puncta and formation of STIM1–ORAI1 clusters: translocation and re-translocation of STIM1 does not require ATP

Depletion of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) calcium store triggers translocation of stromal interacting molecule one (STIM1) to the sub-plasmalemmal region and formation of puncta—structures in which STIM1 interacts and activates calcium channels. ATP depletion induced the formation of STIM1 puncta in PANC1, RAMA37, and HeLa cells. The sequence of events triggered by inhibition of ATP production included a rapid decline of ATP, depletion of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PI(4,5)P2) and a slow calcium leak from the ER followed by formation of STIM1 puncta. STIM1 puncta induced by ATP depletion were co-localized with clusters of ORAI1 channels. STIM1–ORAI1 clusters that developed as a result of ATP depletion were very poor mediators of Ca2+ influx. Re-translocation of STIM1 from puncta back to the ER was observed during total ATP depletion. We can therefore conclude that STIM1 translocation and re-translocation as well as formation of STIM1–ORAI1 clusters occur in an ATP-independent fashion and under conditions of PI(4,5)P2 depletion.

Endoplasmic reticulum-plasma membrane junctions: structure, function and dynamics.

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER)–plasma membrane (PM) junctions are contact sites between the ER and the PM; the distance between the two organelles in the junctions is below 40 nm and the membranes are connected by protein tethers. A number of molecular tools and technical approaches have been recently developed to visualise, modify and characterise properties of ER–PM junctions. The junctions serve as the platforms for lipid exchange between the organelles and for cell signalling, notably Ca2+ and cAMP signalling. Vice versa, signalling events regulate the development and properties of the junctions. Two Ca2+‐dependent mechanisms of de novo formation of ER–PM junctions have been recently described and characterised. The junction‐forming proteins and lipids are currently the focus of vigorous investigation. Junctions can be relatively short‐lived and simple structures, forming and dissolving on the time scale of a few minutes. However, complex, sophisticated and multifunctional ER–PM junctions, capable of attracting numerous protein residents and other cellular organelles, have been described in some cell types. The road from simplicity to complexity, i.e. the transformation from simple ‘nascent’ ER–PM junctions to advanced stable multiorganellar complexes, is likely to become an attractive research avenue for current and future junctologists. Another area of considerable research interest is the downstream cellular processes that can be activated by specific local signalling events in the ER–PM junctions. Studies of the cell physiology and indeed pathophysiology of ER–PM junctions have already produced some surprising discoveries, likely to expand with advances in our understanding of these remarkable organellar contact sites.

ER‐PM junctions: Structure, function and dynamics

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER)–plasma membrane (PM) junctions are contact sites between the ER and the PM; the distance between the two organelles in the junctions is below 40 nm and the membranes are connected by protein tethers. A number of molecular tools and technical approaches have been recently developed to visualise, modify and characterise properties of ER–PM junctions. The junctions serve as the platforms for lipid exchange between the organelles and for cell signalling, notably Ca2+ and cAMP signalling. Vice versa, signalling events regulate the development and properties of the junctions. Two Ca2+‐dependent mechanisms of de novo formation of ER–PM junctions have been recently described and characterised. The junction‐forming proteins and lipids are currently the focus of vigorous investigation. Junctions can be relatively short‐lived and simple structures, forming and dissolving on the time scale of a few minutes. However, complex, sophisticated and multifunctional ER–PM junctions, capable of attracting numerous protein residents and other cellular organelles, have been described in some cell types. The road from simplicity to complexity, i.e. the transformation from simple ‘nascent’ ER–PM junctions to advanced stable multiorganellar complexes, is likely to become an attractive research avenue for current and future junctologists. Another area of considerable research interest is the downstream cellular processes that can be activated by specific local signalling events in the ER–PM junctions. Studies of the cell physiology and indeed pathophysiology of ER–PM junctions have already produced some surprising discoveries, likely to expand with advances in our understanding of these remarkable organellar contact sites.