Cell Calcium

In Alzheimers disease (AD), formation of harmful self-gating pores formed by the insertion of amyloid beta oligomers (A{beta}Os) into the plasma membrane have been shown to cause disruption of Ca2+ homeostasis, leading to neuronal malfunctioning and degeneration. Among different isoforms, the most studied A{beta}40 and A{beta}42 are also believed to be the most toxic ones. Using single channel imaging, we show that both isoforms can form functionally distinct populations of Ca2+ permeable pores, we named transient and persistent pores. The transient pores could be seen only for a few tens of milliseconds, while persistent pores can be observed for more than an hour. However, while the Ca2+-toxicity of pores formed by A{beta}42Os tend to increase over time by displaying higher open probability and larger Ca2+ permeability, pores formed by A{beta}40Os show opposite time dependent behavior. We conclude that although both isoforms can form Ca2+ permeable pores in the cells plasma membrane, pores due to A{beta}42Os display worsening Ca2+ toxicity over time.

G-protein coupled receptors inhibit Cav2.2 N-type Ca2+ channels by a fast, voltage-dependent pathway mediated by Gi/ G{beta}{gamma} and a slow, voltage-independent pathway mediated by Gq-dependent reductions in phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) or increases in arachidonic acid. Studies of these forms of regulation generally employ Ba2+ as the permeant ion, despite that Ca2+ -dependent pathways may impinge upon G-protein modulation. To address this possibility, we compared tonic G-protein inhibition of currents carried by Ba2+ (IBa) and Ca2+ (ICa) in HEK293T cells transfected with Cav2.2. Both IBa and ICa exhibited voltage-dependent facilitation (VDF), consistent with G{beta}{gamma} unbinding from the channel. Compared to that for IBa, VDF of ICawas less sensitive to an inhibitor of G proteins (GDP-{beta}-S) and an inhibitor of G{beta}{gamma} (C-terminal construct of G-protein coupled receptor kinase 2). While insensitive to high intracellular Ca2+ buffering, VDF of ICa that remained in GDP-{beta}-S was blunted by reductions in PIP2. We propose that when G-proteins are inhibited, Ca2+ influx through Cav2.2 promotes a form of VDF that involves PIP2. Our results highlight the complexity whereby Cav2.2 channels integrate G-protein signaling pathways, which may enrich the information encoding potential of chemical synapses in the nervous system.

The accumulation of unfolded proteins within the Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER) activates a signal transduction pathway termed the unfolded protein response (UPR), which attempts to restore ER homeostasis. If homeostasis cannot be restored, UPR signalling ultimately induces apoptosis. Ca2+ depletion in the ER is a potent inducer of ER stress. Despite the ubiquity of Ca2+ as intracellular messenger, the precise mechanism (s) by which Ca2+ release affects the UPR remains unknown. Use of a genetically encoded Ca2+ indicator (GCamP6) that is tethered to the ER membrane, uncovered novel Ca2+ signalling events initiated by Ca2+ microdomains in human astrocytes under ER stress, as well as in a cell model deficient in all three IP3 Receptor isoforms. Pharmacological and molecular studies indicate that these local events are mediated by translocons. Together, these data reveal the existence of a previously unrecognized mechanism by which stressor-mediated Ca2+ release regulates ER stress.

Salivary fluid secretion involves an intricate choreography to result in the trans-epithelial movement of NaCl and water into the acinus lumen. Current models are based on experimental observations in enzymatically isolated cells where the Ca2+ signal invariably propagates globally and thus appears ideally suited to activate spatially separated Cl and K channels. We monitored Ca2+ signals and salivary secretion in live mice expressing GCamp6F, following stimulation of the nerves innervating the submandibular gland. Consistent with in vitro studies, Ca2+ signals were initiated in the apical endoplasmic reticulum. In marked contrast to in vitro data, highly localized trains of Ca2+ transients that failed to propagate from the apical region were observed. Following stimuli optimum for secretion, large apical-basal gradients were elicited. Given this incompatibility to the previous model, a new mathematical model was constructed to explain how salivary secretion can be efficiently stimulated by apically localized Ca2+ signals.

Angiopoietin2 (Ang2), a regulator of angiogenesis, is stored with other pro-inflammatory and pro-thrombotic mediators, in endothelial-specific vesicles called Weibel-Palade bodies (WPBs). The WPB secretagogue, histamine, delays Ang2 secretion by activating Rab46-specific trafficking of Ang2-positive WPBs to the microtubule organising centre (MTOC), where they persist until Ca2+ binds to the EF-hand of Rab46, enabling detachment. Here, using Ca2+ imaging and high-resolution light microscopy, we pharmacologically investigated the contribution of endolysosomal two-pore channels proteins (TPC) to the Ca2+ signal necessary for Ang2 secretion. We show an increase in the histamine-evoked clustering of Rab46 (and thus WPBs) at the MTOC in the presence of TPC inhibitors Ned19 and tetrandrine, and a decrease in the presence of a TPC2 agonist, TPC2-A1-N. Histamine-evoked secretion of Ang2 was decreased by pharmacological inhibition of TPC channels but potentiated in the presence of an TPC2 agonist. These data suggest that histamine-mediated Ca2+ release via TPC2 channels is necessary for the Rab46-dependent detachment of Ang2-positive WPBs from the MTOC and thus Ang2 secretion. SummaryCa2+ binding to the EF-hand of Rab46 in endothelial cells has previously been reported but the molecular mechanisms and functional relevance is unclear. Here the authors show that Ca2+ released from TPC2 regulates the detachment of Rab46 from the MTOC and thereby allows secretion of Ang2 from WPBs.

Calcium (Ca2+) signaling has emerged as a central regulator of activity-dependent myelination in oligodendrocytes. These Ca2+ signals encompass both the stimulus-independent spontaneous Ca2+ local transients (SCaLTs) generated intrinsically in a voltage-independent manner or facilitated by the membrane voltage, as well as evoked responses triggered by ATP and glutamate release. To investigate the regulatory mechanisms underlying this combined spiking activity, we developed a stochastic spatiotemporal flux-balance model of Ca2+ transients in oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs). The model incorporates all the relevant fluxes in these cells and integrates membrane voltage dynamics with a Ca2+-induced Ca2+-release (CICR) mechanism using parameters fitted to Ca2+ fluorescence recordings. The model reproduced the intrinsic and voltage-facilitated SCaLTs in OPCs in the absence of purinergic and glutamatergic receptors, and captured the three distinct patterns of evoked Ca2+ responses induced by ATP and glutamate identified using machine classifier. The model highlighted the role of ATP and glutamate concentrations in generating these clusters, and showed that the fast dynamics of CICR is key to producing these evoked responses. Further analysis of the model also revealed that voltage-gated L- and T-type Ca2+ channels slightly increase the frequency of SCaLTs, while stimulation with ATP and glutamate, using randomly distributed pulses mimicking in vivo conditions, leads to an increase in both the amplitudes of Ca2+ spikes (i.e., the combination of SCaLTs and evoked responses) and the prevalence of wide spikes, especially upon glutamate stimulation. Bifurcation analysis of the deterministic version of the model, in the absence of diffusion, demonstrated that ATP and glutamate stimulation can shift the system into an oscillatory regime, thereby increasing the deterministic component of SCaLT dynamics. This study thus offers a comprehensive representation of OPC Ca2+ transients linking recorded in vitro behaviors to in vivo dynamics. Author summaryOligodendrocytes are glial cells in the central nervous system that form myelin, the insulating sheath enabling rapid nerve signal transmission. Myelination is a dynamic process influenced by neuronal activity, with calcium (Ca2+) signaling emerging as a key regulator. These signals include spontaneous local Ca2+ transients (SCaLTs), generated intrinsically or facilitated by membrane voltage, as well as evoked responses triggered by neurotransmitters like ATP and glutamate. To understand how these signals arise and interact, we combined experimental recordings of Ca2+ activity in oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) with a data-driven biophysical model. The model incorporates stochastic Ca2+ fluxes, membrane voltage dynamics, and ca-induced Ca2+-release (CICR), allowing us to simulate diverse patterns of Ca2+ transients. Our simulations reproduced both intrinsic and voltage-facilitated SCaLTs and captured three distinct evoked response types induced by ATP and glutamate. We found that voltage-gated Ca2+ channels slightly enhance SCaLT frequency, while rapid CICR dynamics are critical for shaping the amplitude and timing of evoked signals. Furthermore, neurotransmitter stimulation can drive the system into an oscillatory regime, increasing the deterministic structure of Ca2+ transients. This work offers a mechanistic framework linking intracellular Ca2+ dynamics to the regulation of activity-dependent myelination in OPCs.

The capsaicin receptor TRPV1 in mammals evolved the capability of integrating pain arising from combinations of noxious temperature or chemical irritants. Four-fold repetition of TRPV1 subunits makes an ion channel endowed with excellent sensitivity for pain detection, assisting this ionotropic receptor to differentiate graded injuries. We manipulated the stoichiometry and relative steric coordination of capsaicin binding at the molecular level, explicating rules with which a receptor codes pain within a broad range of intensity. The first ligand binding delivers small but clear initiation of channel activation. Maximal agonist action has already been reached in a receptor-in-tandem containing two or three wild-type receptor units, displaying activity comparable to the full liganded all-wild-type tandem tetramers. When the binding sites outnumbered ligands, independent action dominates in each channel. The non-vanilloid agonist 2-APB differs from capsaicin by adopting a distinct open mechanism since it does not demand a vanilloid group to activate. The sharing of the same pore greatly simplifies synergism to transduce relevant inputs by summation for pain signaling. And questions the need to explore deeper into other aspects of nociception.

An accurate and precise mechanism for measuring CaMKII activity in living cells is invaluable in the search for effective and targeted CaMKII-based therapeutics. Here, we employ our recently published CaMKII Activity Reporter (CaMKAR) biosensor in order to investigate the spatiotemporal dynamics of CaMKII activation in three different types of cells - cardiac myocytes, skeletal myocytes, and neurons. In doing so, we found a greater rate of CaMKII activation in skeletal muscle compared to cardiac muscle and also delineated CaMKARs ability to measure discrete CaMKII activation events in the presence of individual action potentials. By modifying the original CaMKAR sequence, we generated sensors that can be localized to subcellular compartments and thereby preferentially detect the activity of specific spatially-distributed CaMKII isoforms. Finally, we utilized the live-cell data to generate mathematical models of CaMKII activation kinetics, both as an integrated function across multiple calcium transients and as discrete on-off events following individual depolarizations. By furthering our understanding of CaMKII activity profiles across cell types and within subcellular compartments, we hope to support development of CaMKII inhibitors that are optimally precise and potent.

Genetically encoded biosensors allow us to study events in single cells in real time. Here, we used biosensors with a read-out based on Forster resonance energy transfer (FRET) or intensity to investigate the main signaling pathways activated immediately downstream of the calcium sensing receptor (CaSR) in HEK-293 cells. CaSR responds to its endogenous ligand, calcium, to activate Gq and Gi protein dependent pathways. We demonstrate that CaSR activates Gq to promote intracellular calcium mobilization, and we monitored these two events simultaneously in the same cells. We also observed that CaSR activates the 3 Gi subtypes and decreases cAMP levels in a Gi-dependent manner. Moreover, the use of negative allosteric modulator NPS-2143 can inhibit these signaling events and also rapidly disrupts them if added after receptor activation by calcium stimulation. In addition, the increases in calcium and cAMP levels were respectively enhanced when activation of Gi or Gq proteins was prevented. Finally, we provide evidence that CaSR does not couple to G13 proteins, and that activation of RhoA by CaSR is solely dependent on Gq/G11 activity.

Many cell surface stimuli cause calcium release from endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stores to regulate cellular physiology. Upon ER calcium store depletion, the ER-resident protein STIM1 physically interacts with plasma membrane protein Orai1 to induce calcium release-activated calcium (CRAC) currents that conduct calcium influx from the extracellular milieu. Although the physiological relevance of this process is well established, the mechanism supporting the assembly of these proteins is incompletely understood. Earlier we demonstrated a previously unknown post-translational modification of Orai1 with long chain fatty acids, known as S-acylation. We found that S-acylation of Orai1 is dynamically regulated in a stimulus-dependent manner and essential for its function as a calcium channel. Here we show that STIM1 is also rapidly and transiently S-acylated at cysteine 437 upon ER calcium store depletion. S-acylation of STIM1 is required for the assembly of STIM1 into puncta with Orai1 and full CRAC channel function. Together with the S-acylation of Orai1, our data suggest that stimulus-dependent S-acylation of CRAC channel components Orai1 and STIM1 is a critical mechanism facilitating CRAC channel assembly and function.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained cardiac arrhythmia. Excessive stimulation of the IP3 signaling pathway has been linked to AF through abnormal calcium handling. However, little is known about the mechanisms involved in this process. We expressed Fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) based cytosolic cAMP sensor EPAC-SH187 in neonatal rat atrial myocytes (NRAMs) and neonatal rat ventricular myocytes (NRVMs). In NRAMs, addition of the alpha ()-1 agonist phenylephrine (PE, 3{micro}M) resulted in a bi-phasic FRET change (R1) 21.20 {+/-} 7.43% and (R2) 9.67 {+/-} 4.23% and addition of membrane permeant IP3 derivative, 2,3,6-tri-O-Butyryl-myo-IP3(1,4,5)-hexakis(acetoxymethyl)ester (IP3-AM, 20M) resulted in a peak of 20.31 {+/-} 6.74%. These FRET changes imply an increase in cAMP. Prior application of IP3 receptor (IP3R) inhibitors 2-Aminoethyl diphenylborinate (2-APB, 2.5M) or Xestospongin-C (0.3M) significantly inhibited the change in FRET in NRAMs in response to PE. Xestospongin-C (0.3M) significantly inhibited the change in FRET in NRAMs in response to IP3-AM. The FRET change in response to PE in NRVMs were not inhibited by 2-APB or Xestospongin-C. Finally, the localisation of cAMP signals was tested by expressing the FRET-based cAMP sensor, AKAP79-CUTie, which targets the intracellular surface of the plasmalemma. We found in NRAMs that PE led to FRET change corresponding to an increase in cAMP that was inhibited by 2-APB and Xestospongin C. This data support further investigation of the pro-arrhythmic nature and components of IP3 induced cAMP signalling to identify potential pharmacological targets. NEW & NOTEWORTHYThis study shows that indirect activation of the IP3 pathway in atrial myocytes using phenylephrine and direct activation using IP3-AM leads to an increase in cAMP and is in-part localized to the cell membrane. These changes can be pharmacologically inhibited using IP3R inhibitors. However, the cAMP rise in ventricular myocytes is independent of IP3R calcium release. Our data support further investigation into the pro-arrhythmic nature of IP3-induced cAMP signaling.

RationaleGenetic deletion of Phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K{gamma}) in mice (PI3K{gamma}-/-) results in increased cAMP levels and enhanced ventricular rate/contractility. Whether PI3K{gamma} plays a role in cardiac contractility by altering intracellular calcium recycling is not known. ObjectiveTo understand the mechanism of PI3K{gamma} mediated regulation of cardiac contractility. Methods and ResultsCaffeine treatment of adult cardiomyocytes from PI3K{gamma}-/- mice showed significantly reduced calcium reuptake by sarcoendoplasmic reticulum (SR) indicating that PI3K{gamma} locally regulates SR function. This resulted in elevated levels of intracellular calcium for prolonged period following caffeine. Our findings show that delayed re-uptake of calcium was caused by changes in phosphorylation of phospholamban (PLN), a major regulator of SR calcium reuptake. PI3K{gamma}-/- cardiomyocytes show significantly reduced PLN phosphorylation due to increase in PLN-associated protein phosphatase (PP) activity as reflected by decreased demethylated-PP2A. Consistently, the altered calcium regulation in the cardiomyocytes of PI3K{gamma}-/- can be restored by inhibition of PP by okadaic acid. Unexpectedly, cardiomyocyate-specific overexpression of kinase-dead PI3K{gamma} PI3K{gamma}inact) in the global PI3K{gamma}-/- cardiomyocytes normalized caffeine induced calcium reuptake, restored PLN phosphorylation, and decreased PLN-associated PP activity reflected by increased demethylated-PP2A. ConclusionsThese studies bring-to-fore an unrecognized regulation of PLN by PI3K{gamma} through PP2A with implications in deleterious cardiac remodeling as PI3K{gamma} is significantly upregulated following cardiac stress.

In white fat adipocytes voltage-gated Ca2+ channels are constitutively active. Since the adipocyte membrane potential (Vm) is controlled by Cl- we investigated if changes in [Cl-]o can affect the activity of voltage-gated Ca2+ channels and intracellular calcium, [Ca2+]i. Adipocytes were isolated from epididymal fat of CD-1 mice. [Ca2+]i was imaged with epifluorescent microscopy at 28{degrees}C. Constitutive voltage-gated channel activity was confirmed by the ability of verapamil to decrease [Ca2+]i. Substitution of [Cl-]o to 113, 53 and 18 mM with the membrane impermeant gluconate anion decreased [Ca2+]i from 114{+/-}8.7 to 106{+/-}7.5, 101{+/-}7.1 and 97{+/-}6 nM respectively. Substitution of [Cl-]o with glutamate mimicked the ability of gluconate to decrease [Ca2+]i. To explore if anions affected [Ca2+]i via chelation of external Ca2+, [Ca2+]o was analyzed by potentiometry. Gluconate, glutamate, aspartate and methylsulphonate had Ca2+ association constants of 17{+/-}1.8, 12{+/-}1, 8.2{+/-}4.1 and 3.3{+/-}0.5 L-1 M respectively. Substitution of 134 mM [Cl-]o with gluconate decreased [Ca2+]o from 2.6 mM to 200 M; the effect of this anion on [Ca2+]i was mimicked by a decrease of [Ca2+]o to 200 M in standard [Cl-]o solution. Conversely, titration of [Ca2+]o from 200 M back to 2.6 mM in 134 mM gluconate solutions abolished the effect of this anion on [Ca2+]i. Substitution of [Cl-]o with methylsulphonate to affect Vm did not affect [Ca2+]i. Whereas, growth hormone at 10-20 nM increased [Ca2+]i, an effect blocked by verapamil or absence of [Ca2+]o. In conclusion, growth hormone, but not changes in Vm, can increase voltage-gated Ca2+ channel activity and [Ca2+]i in white fat adipocytes. Key pointsO_LI[Ca2+]i plays a key role in the metabolic and endocrine functions of white fat adipocytes. C_LIO_LIIn adipocytes basal [Ca2+]i is maintained by voltage-gated Ca2+ channels constitutively active at their resting membrane potential, Vm, which is predominantly controlled by Cl- permeability. C_LIO_LISubstitution of [Cl-]o to depolarize Vm with gluconate or glutamate, did not increase but decreased [Ca2+]i. an action due to chelation of extracellular Ca2+. This effect was not seen with methylsulphonate, which did no chelate Ca2+ but did not affect [Ca2+]i. C_LIO_LIGrowth hormone elevated, [Ca2+]i an effect blocked by inhibitors of voltage-gated Ca2+ channels C_LIO_LIIn adipocytes, voltage-gated Ca2+ channel activity appear recalcitrant to changes in Vm, but are however gated by growth hormone. C_LI

Neurotransmitter release from presynaptic terminals is primarily regulated by rapid Ca2+ influx through membrane-resident voltage-gated Ca2+ channels (VGCCs). Also, accumulating evidence indicates that the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is extensively present in axonal terminals of neurons and plays a modulatory role in synaptic transmission by regulating Ca2+ levels. Alzheimers disease (AD) is marked by enhanced Ca2+ release from the ER and downregulation of Ca2+ buffering proteins. However, the precise consequence of impaired Ca2+ signalling within the vicinity of VGCCs (active zone (AZ)) on exocytosis is poorly understood. Here, we perform in-silico experiments of intracellular Ca2+ signalling and exocytosis in a detailed biophysical model of hippocampal synapses to investigate the effect of aberrant Ca2+ signalling on neurotransmitter release in AD. Our model predicts that enhanced Ca2+ release from the ER increases the probability of neurotransmitter release in AD. Moreover, over very short timescales (30-60 msec), the model exhibits activity-dependent and enhanced short-term plasticity in AD, indicating neuronal hyperactivity--a hallmark of the disease. Similar to previous observations in AD animal models, our model reveals that during prolonged stimulation (~450 msec), pathological Ca2+ signalling increases depression and desynchronization with stimulus, causing affected synapses to operate unreliably. Overall, our work provides direct evidence in support of a crucial role played by altered Ca2+ homeostasis mediated by intracellular stores in AD.

Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) is a major bacterial enteropathogen causing diarrhea among children in developing countries. Here, we found that EPEC induced isolated Ca2+ responses in epithelial cells, triggered by extracellular ATP (eATP). These responses were dependent on type III secretion (T3S) and down-regulated by the bacterial secreted protease EspC, consistent with eATP released by the T3S translocon. By performing high speed Ca2+ imaging, we uncovered that at the onset of infection, low eATP levels triggered Ca2+-responses involving the whole cell but showing the small amplitude and fast kinetics usually associated with local Ca2+ responses. The findings, supported by theoretical modeling, evocate a conceptual shift whereby low amounts of inositol 1, 4, 5-trisphosphate (IP3) induced by low eATP levels and subsequent moderate Ca2+ release enable the fast coordination of IP3 receptor cluster activation throughout the cell. Importantly, these yet undescribed coordinated fast responses occurred over prolonged time periods and defined a cell state with dampened activation of the pro-inflammatory transcriptional activator NF-kB associated with a decrease in its Ca2+-dependent O-linked {beta}-N-acetylglucosamine modification.

The ion channel TRPV1 is expressed in the peripheral nervous system where it mediates heat sensation and pain signaling. How lipids contribute to TRPV1 regulation remains an open topic. Although an inhibitory binding site for phosphoinositides was identified at the vanilloid site in TRPV1 structures, a mechanism for phosphatidylinositol-2-bisphosphate (PI(4,5)P2) to both inhibit and potentiate TRPV1 activity is lacking. This gap in knowledge led us to examine structural and sequence overlap between TRPV1 and the PI(4,5)P2 binding site of TRPV5. In a space located adjacent to the turn from S6 to TRP helices, we identify a second, possible PI(4,5)P2 binding site in TRPV1, which we term the "front porch" site and includes residue H410. On the one hand, we obtained electrophysiological evidence with the TRPV1-H410R mutant that PI(4,5)P2 associates with TRPV1 at the front porch site through an electrostatic interaction to potentiate channel activity. On the other hand, the charge reversal in H410D conferred an increase in channel activity, which was not expected if the electrostatic interaction with PI(4,5)P2 is lost and channel function is crippled. Importantly, capsaicin activated currents from H410D experience significant current run-up, consistent with the slow displacement by capsaicin of a tighter-bound lipid in the vanilloid site, which structures suggest is phosphoinositide (PI). Lastly, we tested TRPV1-H410D sensitivity to PI(4,5)P2 manipulations by dephosphorylating the membrane pool of PI(4,5)P2 to PI with the Pseudojanin rapamycin-phosphatase (PJ) system. Depletion of PI(4,5)P2 with the PJ-system in wild type channels induces 1) a robust increase in baseline activity as channels are released from inhibition and 2) loss of current potentiation, driven by PI(4,5)P2 dissociation from the front porch, both of which were absent in TRPV1-H410D. Based on these findings we hypothesize that plasma membrane TRPV1-H410D maintains PI rather than PI(4,5)P2 in its vanilloid site and does not interact with PI(4,5)P2 in the front porch site. We integrated our discoveries that H410 interacts with PI(4,5)P2 at two distinct sites in a mutually exclusive manner and present a cohesive model for phosphoinositide inhibition and potentiation in TRPV1, addressing a maturation process for TRPV1 that relies on H410 to coordinate the exchange of PI for PI(4,5)P2. Statement of SignificanceA lingering question that hangs over TRPV1 research is how the lipid PI(4,5)P2 regulates the function of this channel. We devised a study based on structural homology between TRPV5 and TRPV1 to identify critical contact points between the lipid and a putative PI(4,5)P2 binding site in TRPV1, which we probed using mutagenesis experiments. The results we obtained lay the groundwork for how a two-site binding mechanism of PI(4,5)P2 couples to TRPV1 gating and address important questions about the channels maturation and association with phosphoinositides as it is transferred through membrane compartments with different phosphoinositide compositions. We conclude that TRPV1 expressed and purified from different compartments may preserve the phosphoinositide character of that compartment (PI in the endoplasmic reticulum, PI(4,5)P2 in the plasma membrane) and bestow on structures a state that is not necessarily relevant to the biological function of the channel in the plasma membrane.

Transduction of mechanical information is influenced by physical, chemical and thermal cues but the molecular mechanisms through which transducer activation shapes temporal signaling remain underexplored. In the present study, electrophysiology, histochemistry and functional imaging were combined with gene silencing and heterologous expression to gain insight into calcium signaling downstream from TRPV4 (Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid 4), a stretch-activated nonselective cation channel. We show that trabecular meshwork (TM) cells, which employ mechanotransduction to actively regulate intraocular pressure, respond to the TRPV4 agonist GSK1016790A with fluctuations in intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) and an increase in [Na+]i. ([Ca2+]i oscillations coincided with a monovalent cation current that was suppressed by BAPTA, Ruthenium Red and 9-phenanthrol, an inhibitor of TRPM4 (Transient Receptor Potential Melastatin 4) channels. Accordingly, TM cells expressed TRPM4 mRNA, protein at the expected 130-150 kDa and showed punctate TRPM4 immunoreactivity at the membrane surface. Genetic silencing of TRPM4 antagonized TRPV4-evoked oscillatory signaling whereas TRPV4 and TRPM4 co-expression in HEK-293 cells reconstituted the oscillations. Membrane potential recordings indicated that TRPM4-dependent oscillations required release of Ca2+ from internal stores. 9-phenanthrol did not affect the outflow facility in mouse eyes. Collectively, our results show that TRPV4 activity initiates dynamic calcium signaling in TM cells by stimulating TRPM4 channels and intracellular Ca2+ release. These findings provide insight into the complexity of membrane-cytosolic interactions during TRPV4 signaling and may foster strategies to promote homeostatic regulation and counter pathological remodeling within the conventional outflow pathway of the mammalian eye.

The Bile Acid TGR5 receptor is well known to active the cAMP pathways leading to CFTR activation and Cl- ions secretion, needed for bile alkalinization and hydration. However, during cystic fibrosis development, only 10 to 15% of the patients present liver defect due to bile duct disorders, meaning that another process should compensate for the loss of CFTR activity. Interestingly, TGR5 stimulation has also been reported to mobilize Ca2+ ions. Using normal human cholangiocytes and cholangiocarcinoma cell lines, we confirmed by using a specific agonist, that TGR5 stimulation induced a Ca2+ release from the endoplasmic reticulum and an influx of extracellular Ca2+ ions. Next, this Ca2+ mobilization allows an ATP (and UTP) release, leading to the activation of P2Y receptors, reinforcing this Ca2+ mobilization. This study shows that activation of the BA receptor TGR5 has the capacity to induce the two main intracellular pathways, cAMP and IP3-Ca2+ in cholangiocytes. From our data, we speculate that the pathway we described will allow activation of the Ca2+-activated Cl- channels TMEM16A, in parallel to CFTR in non-CF cells, or to compensate in part or in totality the loss of CFTR in CF patients. HIGHLIGHTSO_LIBile acid receptor TGR5 induces Ca2+ mobilization in cholangiocytes C_LIO_LICa2+ ions come from the endoplasmic reticulum and from the extracellular medium C_LIO_LIP2Y receptors are trans-activated by TGR5 and reinforce the Ca2+ mobilization C_LIO_LIThis Ca2+ pathways might compensate the CFTR defect in CF patients C_LI

Numerous studies have highlighted the crucial roles of cytosolic calcium transients mediated by inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor (IP3R) channels in intracellular signaling, as well as the significant modulatory effects of cytosolic redox state on these dynamics. Accordingly, developing a mathematical model that captures the core dynamics by which redox state of IP3Rs influence calcium signaling would provide a valuable foundation for simulating and predicting experimental observations. In this study, we developed a dynamic system, based on ordinary differential equations that incorporates a kinetic model for the redox dynamic of the IP3R and the role of this dynamic on the channels gating parameters. Using this framework, we simulated both the static and dynamic effects of mitochondria-derived superoxide fluctuations on local calcium oscillations. Numerical solutions demonstrated that the model quantitatively reproduced experimentally observed changes in local calcium oscillation frequency in response to mitochondria-derived superoxide variations. Overall, the proposed model offers a predictive tool for exploring how redox perturbations affect cellular signaling pathways through calcium frequency modulation.

The transverse-axial tubular system (TATS) enables close structural and functional coupling between plasma membrane and sarcoplasmic reticulum of cardiomyocytes. It supports fast and efficient Ca2+-induced Ca2+ release upon cell depolarisation, crucial for excitation-contraction coupling in the heart. Due to the small diameter and tortuosity of individual tubules, the TATS forms a domain of restricted diffusive transport. It has previously been suggested that, as a consequence of an uneven distribution of Ca2+ influx and efflux pathways in TATS compared to outer surface plasma membrane domains of cardiomyocytes, cyclic electrical activity may lead to a gradual depletion of Ca2+ in the TATS. Here, we show experimentally that in mechanically uncoupled rabbit ventricular cardiomyocytes, electrical stimulation does indeed lead to an L-type Ca2+ channel-dependent gradual depletion of Ca2+ inside TATS, an effect that scales with pacing frequency. Ca2+ depletion was absent in freely contracting cardiomyocytes, presumably as a result of cyclic TATS deformation during cell shortening. This squeezes transverse TATS tubules and adds an advective contribution to, and thereby accelerates the, intra-TATS content exchange with bulk extracellular fluid. Our results reveal a novel mechanism of cardiac mechano-dependent auto-regulation, where the increased propensity for development of intra-TATS Ca2+ gradients at high electrical stimulation rates is mitigated by the coinciding mechanically induced TATS deformation, twice on each cycle in the heart (during diastolic stretch and systolic shortening), which accelerates luminal content exchange. Our study provides first insight into a novel facet of cardiac mechano-biology, whose auto-regulatory benefit may be reduced by TATS remodelling in disease.