Single-channel recording of inositol trisphosphate receptor in the isolated nucleus of a muscle cell line

Nuclear calcium appears to have an important role in the regulation of gene expression in many cells, but the mechanisms involved in controlling nuclear Ca2+ signaling are controversial and still poorly understood. We have described the presence of inositol 1,4,5 trisphosphate (IP3) receptors in the nuclei of skeletal muscle cells. Now, we have characterized the properties of the IP3 receptors channels present in the nuclei of the 1B5 cell line, which do not express any isoforms of the ryanodine receptor. Immunocytochemistry of isolated nuclei confirmed the presence of IP3R in the nuclear envelope and fluorescence measurements in nuclei suspensions allowed us to document ATP-dependent calcium loading by the nucleus and its release upon IP3 addition. Patch clamp of nuclear membranes was performed, and single-channel activity recorded was dependent on the presence of IP3 in the pipette; single-channel conductance was in the range reported in the literature for these channels, and the open probability was shown to be dependent on IP3 concentration.

Possible link of different slow calcium signals generated by membrane potential and hormones to differential gene expression in cultured muscle cells

We studied the effect of IGF-I, insulin and testosterone on intracellular Ca2+ in cultured muscle cells. Insulin produced a fast (<1 s) and transient [Ca2+] increase lasting less than 10 s. IGF-I induced a transient [Ca2+] increase, reaching a fluorescence peak 6 s after stimulus, to return to basal values after 60 s. Testosterone induced delayed (35 s) and long lasting (100-200 s) signals, frequently associated with oscillations. IGF-I, testosterone and electrical stimulation-induced Ca2+ signals were shown to be dependent on IP3 production. All of these Ca2+ signals were blocked by inhibitors of the IP3 pathway. On the other hand, insulin-induced Ca2+ increase was dependent on ryanodine receptors and blocked by either nifedipine or ryanodine. The different intracellular Ca2+ patterns produced by electrical stimulation, testosterone, IGF-I and insulin, may help to understand the role of intracellular calcium kinetics in the regulation of gene expression by various stimuli in skeletal muscle cells.

IP3 receptors and Ca2+ signals in adult skeletal muscle satellite cells in situ

In this short article we review muscle satellite cell characteristics and our studies in adult rodent muscle satellite cells in situ. Using confocal laser scanning microscopy and immunocytochemistry, a high level of IP3 receptor (IP3R) immunostaining was detected in satellite cells. These cells were identified by their peripheral position, their size, the shape of their nucleus, the paucity of the apparent cytoplasm, and the immunostaining with specific molecular markers such as a-actinin, the neural cell adhesion molecule (N-CAM) and desmin. High extracellular K+ (60 mM) induced long-lasting Ca2+ signals in satellite cells in situ. We suggest that electrical activity stimulates IP3-associated Ca2+ signals that could act in concert with signaling pathways triggered by growth factors and/or hormones.

Signal transduction and gene expression regulated by calcium release from internal stores in excitable cells

Calcium regulation of several transcription factors involves different calcium-dependent signaling cascades and engages cytoplasmic as well as nuclear calcium signals. The study of the specific sources of calcium signals involved in regulation of gene expression in skeletal muscle has been addressed only recently. In this tissue, most cytoplasmic and nuclear calcium signals originate from calcium release from internal stores, mediated either by ryanodine receptor (RyR) or IP3 receptor (IP3R) channels. The latter are located both in the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) and in the nuclear membrane, and their activation results in long-lasting nuclear calcium increase. The calcium signals mediated by RyR and IP3R are very different in kinetics, amplitude and subcellular localization; an open question is whether these differences are differentially sensed by transcription factors. In neurons, it is well established that calcium entry through L-type calcium channels and NMDA receptors plays a role in the regulation of gene expression. Increasing evidence, however, points to a role for calcium release from intracellular stores in this process. In this article, we discuss how RyR-mediated calcium release contributes to the activation of the calcium-dependent transcription factor CREB and the subsequent LTP generation. We present novel results from our laboratory showing ERK-mediated CREB activation by hydrogen peroxide. This activation takes place in the absence of extracellular calcium and is blocked by inhibitory ryanodine concentrations, suggesting it is caused by redox activation of RyR-mediated calcium release.

IP3 dependent Ca2+ signals in muscle cells are involved in regulation of gene expression

Potassium depolarization of cultured muscle cells was employed to study cellular responses linked to calcium signaling. Events occurring after depolarization include i) A transient increase of the IP3 mass (2-10s); ii) A slow calcium transient (5 to 25s) that propagates as a low concentration wave along the myotube showing a distinct calcium transient at the level of cell nuclei. Due to the presence of IP3 receptors both in the SR (A-band region) and in the nuclear envelope, these two events appear to be related; iii) Phosphorylation of mitogen activated kinases (ERK 1/2) and of the transcription factor CREB (30 s-10 min), as well as expression of the early genes c-fos, c-jun and egr-1 mRNA (5-15 min). Several independent pieces of evidence, including results obtained using inhibitors specific for individual steps, allowed us to connect these in a sequential manner. As the same type of signaling cascade can be triggered by oxidants, neurotransmitters and hormones, the ensemble of results allows us to propose a general model to describe signaling events that link membrane stimulation to regulation of gene transcription in skeletal muscle cells