Fabrication of a versatile substrate for finding samples on the nanometer scale.

With increasing interest in nanometer scale studies, a common research issue is the need to use different analytical systems with a universal substrate to relocate objects on the nanometer scale. Our paper addresses this need. Using the delicate milling capability of a focused ion beam (FIB) system, a region of interest (ROI) on a sample is labelled via a milled reference grid. FIB technology allows for milling and deposition of material at the sub 20-nm level, in a similar user environment as a standard scanning electron microscope (SEM). Presently commercially available transmission electron microscope (TEM) grids have spacings on the order 100 mum on average; this technique can extend this dimension down to the submicrometre level. With a grid on the order of a few micrometres optical, FIBs, TEMs, scanning electron microscopes (SEMs), and atomic force microscopes (AFM) are able to image the ROI, without special chemical processes or conductive coatings required. To demonstrate, Au nanoparticles of approximately 25 nm in size were placed on a commercial Formvar- and carbon-coated TEM grid and later milled with a grid pattern. Demonstration of this technique is also extended to bulk glass substrates for the purpose of sample location. This process is explained and demonstrated using all of the aforementioned analytical techniques.

Spectrophotometric and fluorometric assay of superoxide ion using 4-chloro-7-nitrobenzo-2-oxa-1,3-diazole.

Two highly sensitive spectrophotometric methods are developed and described for the measurement of superoxide ion radical derived from KO2 as well as O2*- generated either from the xanthine-xanthine oxidase reaction or by the addition of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) to skeletal muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) vesicles. These methods allow quantification of superoxide ion concentration by monitoring its reaction with 4-chloro-7-nitrobenzo-2-oxa-1,3-diazole (NBD-Cl), either by recording absorbance of the final reaction product at a wavelength of 470 nm or by measuring its fluorescence emission intensity at 550 nm using an excitation wavelength of 470 nm. The extinction coefficient of the active product was determined to be 4000 M(-1) cm(-1). A lower limit second-order bimolecular rate constant of 1.5+/-0.3x10(5) M(-1) s(-1) was estimated from kinetic stopped-flow analysis for the reaction between NBD-Cl and KO2. A plot of absorbance versus concentration of superoxide was linear over the range 2 to 200 microM KO2, whereas higher sensitivities were obtained from fluorometric measurements down into sub-micromolar concentrations with a limit of detection of 100 nM KO2. This new spectrophotometric assay showed higher specificity when compared with some other commonly used methods for detection of superoxide (e.g., nitroblue tetrazolium). Results presented showed good experimental agreement with rates obtained for the measurement of superoxide ion when compared with other well-known probes such as acetylated ferri cytochrome c and 2,3-bis(2-methoxy-4-nitro-5-sulfophenyl)-5-[(phenylamino)carbonyl]-2H-tetrazolium hydroxide (XTT). A detailed discussion of the advantages and limitations of this new superoxide ion probe is presented.

o-Phthalaldehyde activates the Ca(2+) release mechanism from skeletal muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum.

o-Phthalaldehyde (OPA) is a bifunctional reagent that forms an isoindole derivative by reacting with cysteine and lysine residues separated by approximately 0.3 nm. OPA inhibits sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca(2+)-ATPase activity at low micromolar concentrations and induces Ca(2+) release from actively loaded SR vesicles by activating the ryanodine receptor from fast twitch skeletal muscle. Both ryanodine binding and single-channel activity show a biphasic concentration dependence. At low OPA concentrations (<100 microM), ryanodine binding and single channel activity are stimulated, while at higher concentrations, a time-dependent sequential activation and inhibition of receptor binding is observed. Activation is characterized by a Ca(2+)-independent increase in maximal receptor occupancy. Data are presented to support a model in which Ca(2+) channel and ryanodine binding activity are enhanced due to an intramolecular cross-linking of nearby lysine and nonhyperreactive cysteine residues. OPA complexation with endogenous lysine residue(s) is critical for receptor activation.

Skeletal muscle ryanodine receptor is a redox sensor with a well defined redox potential that is sensitive to channel modulators.

Hyperreactive sulfhydryl groups associated with the Ca(2+) release protein from sarcoplasmic reticulum are shown to have a well defined reduction potential that is sensitive to the cellular environment. Ca(2+) channel activators lower the redox potential of the ryanodine receptor, which favors the oxidation of thiols and the opening of the Ca(2+) release protein. In contrast, channel inhibitors increase the redox potential, which favors the reduction of disulfides and the closure of the release protein. Modulation of redox potential of reactive thiols may be a general control mechanism by which sarcoplasmic/endoplasmic reticulum, ryanodine receptors/IP(3) receptors, control cytoplasmic Ca(2+) concentrations.

Molecular interaction between nitric oxide and ryanodine receptors of skeletal and cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum.

In striated muscle, the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) is the major storage compartment of intracellular Ca2+ that controls cytosolic free Ca2+ (Cai) and developed force by sequestering and releasing Ca2+ during each contraction. Ca2+ release from the SR occurs through high-conductance Ca2+ release channels or ryanodine receptors (RyR), which are regulated by various signaling processes. Over the last 15 years, there has been a growing consensus that critical sulfhydryl sites on RyRs can be oxidized and reduced, respectively, to open and close the release channels. The pharmacological actions of various classes of sulfhydryl reagents have demonstrated the existence of hyperreactive thiols on RyRs, which could play a role in the regulation of normal contractile function and explain contractile dysfunctions in pathological conditions. More recent studies show that redox regulation of release channels may occur by nitric oxide (NO), a physiological signaling mechanism. This article is intended to review current concepts in thiol regulation of RyRs and present new data on the possible identification of the primary cysteine residues, which may be the site of oxidation and S-nitrosylation involved in channel opening.

Site-selective modification of hyperreactive cysteines of ryanodine receptor complex by quinones.

Quinones undergo redox cycling and/or arylation reactions with key biomolecules involved with cellular Ca2+ regulation. The present study utilizes nanomolar quantities of the fluorogenic maleimide 7-diethylamino-3-(4'-maleimidylphenyl)-4-methylcoumarin (CPM) to measure the reactivity of hyperreactive sulfhydryl moieties on sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) membranes in the presence and absence of quinones by analyzing the kinetics of forming CPM-thioether adducts and localization of fluorescence by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Doxorubicin, 1,4-naphthoquinone (NQ), and 1, 4-benzoquinone (BQ) are found to selectively and dose-dependently interact with a class of hyperreactive sulfhydryl groups localized on ryanodine-sensitive Ca2+ channels [ryanodine receptor (RyR)], and its associated protein, triadin, of skeletal type channels. NQ and BQ are the most potent compounds tested for reducing the rate of CPM labeling of hyperreactive SR thiols (IC50 = 0.3 and 1.8 microM, respectively) localized on RyR and associated protein. The reduced forms of quinone, tert-butylhydroquinone, and 5-imino-daunorubicin do not alter significantly the pattern or kinetics of CPM labeling up to 100 microM, demonstrating that the quinone group is essential for modulating the state of hyperreactive SR thiols. Nanomolar NQ is shown to enhance the association of [3H]ryanodine for its high-affinity binding site and directly enhance channel-open probability in bilayer lipid membrane in a reversible manner. By contrast, micromolar NQ produces a time-dependent biphasic action on channel function, leading to irreversible channel inactivation. These results provide evidence that nanomolar quinone selectively and reversibly alters the redox state of hyperreactive sulfhydryls localized in the RyR/Ca2+ channel complex, resulting in enhanced channel activation. The Ca2+-dependent cytotoxicities observed with reactive quinones formed at the microsomal surface by oxidative metabolism may be related to their ability to selectively modify hyperreactive thiols regulating normal functioning of microsomal Ca2+ release channels.

Hypochlorous acid inhibits Ca(2+)-ATPase from skeletal muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum.

Hypochlorous acid (HOCl) is produced by polymorphonuclear leukocytes that migrate and adhere to endothelial cells as part of the inflammatory response to tissue injury. HOCl is an extremely toxic oxidant that can react with a variety of cellular components, and concentrations reaching 200 microM have been reported in some tissues. In this study, we show that HOCl interacts with the skeletal sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-adenosinetriphosphatase (ATPase), inhibiting transport function, HOCl inhibits sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase activity in a concentration-dependent manner with a concentration required to inhibit ATPase activity by 50% of 170 microM and with complete inhibition of activity at 3 mM. A concomitant reduction in free sulfhydryl groups after HOCl treatment was observed, paralleling the inhibition of ATPase activity. It was also observed that HOCl inhibited the binding of the fluorescent probe fluorescein isothiocyanate to the ATPase protein, indicating some structural damage may have occurred. These findings suggest that the reactive oxygen species HOCl inhibits ATPase activity via a modification of sulfhydryl groups on the protein, supporting the contention that reactive oxygen species disrupt the normal Ca(2+)-handling kinetics in muscle cells.

Glutathione modulates ryanodine receptor from skeletal muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum. Evidence for redox regulation of the Ca2+ release mechanism.

In this report, we demonstrate the ability of the cellular thiol glutathione to modulate the ryanodine receptor from skeletal muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum. Reduced glutathione (GSH) inhibited Ca2+-stimulated [3H]ryanodine binding to the sarcoplasmic reticulum and inhibited the single-channel gating activity of the reconstituted Ca2+ release channel. The effects of GSH on both the [3H]ryanodine binding and single-channel measurements were dose-dependent, exhibiting an IC50 of approximately 2.4 mM in binding experiments. Scatchard analysis demonstrated that GSH decreased the binding affinity of ryanodine for its receptor (increased Kd) and lowered the maximal binding occupancy (Bmax). In addition, GSH did not modify the Ca2+ dependence of [3H]ryanodine binding. In single-channel experiments, GSH (5-10 mM), added to the cis side of the bilayer lipid membrane, lowered the open probability (Po) of a Ca2+ (50 microM)-stimulated Ca2+ channel without modifying the single-channel conductance. Subsequent perfusion of the cis chamber with an identical buffer, containing 50 microM Ca2+ without GSH, re-established Ca2+-stimulated channel gating. GSH did not inhibit channel activity when added to the trans side of the bilayer lipid membrane. Similar to GSH, the thiol-reducing agents dithiothreitol and beta-mercaptoethanol also inhibited high affinity [3H]ryanodine binding to sarcoplasmic reticulum membranes. In contrast to GSH, glutathione disulfide (GSSG) was a potent stimulator of high affinity [3H]ryanodine binding and it also stimulated the activity of the reconstituted single Ca2+ release channel. These results provide direct evidence that glutathione interacts with reactive thiols associated with the Ca2+ release channel/ryanodine receptor complex, which are located on the cytoplasmic face of the SR, and support previous observations (Liu, G, Abramson, J. J., Zable, A. C., and Pessah, I. N. (1994) Mol. Pharmacol. 45, 189-200) that reactive thiols may be involved in the gating of the Ca2+ release channel.

Lactate inhibits Ca(2+) -activated Ca(2+)-channel activity from skeletal muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum.

Sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca(2+)-release channel function is modified by ligands that are generated during about of exercise. We have examined the effects of lactate on Ca(2+)- and caffeine-stimulated Ca2+ release, [3H]ryanodine binding, and single Ca(2+)-release channel activity of SR isolated from rabbit white skeletal muscle. Lactate, at concentrations from 10 to 30 mM, inhibited Ca(2+)- and caffeine-stimulated nodine binding to and inhibited Ca(2+)- and caffeine-stimulated [3H]ryanodine binding to and inhibited Ca(2+)- and caffeine-stimulated Ca2+ release from SR vesicles. Lactate also inhibited caffeine activation of single-channel activity in bilayer reconstitution experiments. These findings suggest that intense muscle activity, which generates high concentrations of lactate, will disrupt excitation-contraction coupling. This may lead to decreases in Ca2+ transients promoting a decline in tension development and contribute to muscle fatigue.

Thimerosal interacts with the Ca2+ release channel ryanodine receptor from skeletal muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum.

The thiol-oxidizing reagent, thimerosal, has been shown to increase the intracellular Ca2+ concentration, to induce Ca2+ spikes in several cell types, and to increase the sensitivity of intracellular Ca2+ stores to inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate. Ryanodine-sensitive stores have also been implicated in the generation of Ca2+ oscillations induced by the addition of thimerosal. Here we report that micromolar concentrations of thimerosal stimulate Ca2+ release from skeletal muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles, inhibit high affinity [3H]ryanodine binding, and modify the channel activity of the reconstituted Ca2+ release protein. Thimerosal inhibits ryanodine binding by decreasing the binding capacity (Bmax) but does not affect the binding affinity or the dissociation rate of bound ryanodine. Single channel reconstitution experiments show that thimerosal (100-200 microM) stimulates single channel activity without modifying channel conductance. The thimerosal-stimulated channel is not inhibited by heparin. Furthermore, a Ca(2+)-stimulated channel is first activated and then inhibited in a time-dependent fashion by high concentrations of thimerosal (1 mM). Once inactivated, the channel cannot be reactivated by addition of either Ca2+ or ATP.

Hydrogen peroxide stimulates the Ca2+ release channel from skeletal muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum.

Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) at millimolar concentrations induces Ca2+ release from actively loaded sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles and induces biphasic [3H]ryanodine binding behavior. High affinity [3H]ryanodine binding is enhanced at concentrations from 100 microM to 10 mM (3-4 fold). At H2O2 concentrations greater than 10 mM, equilibrium binding is inhibited. H2O2 decreased the kd for [3H]ryanodine binding by increasing its association rate, while having no effect on the rate of dissociation of [3H]ryanodine from its receptor. H2O2 (1 mM) also reduced the EC50 for Ca2+ activation from 632 nM to 335 nM. These effects were completely abolished in the presence of catalase, ruthenium red, and/or Mg2+ (Mm). H2O2-stimulated [3H]ryanodine binding is not further enhanced by either doxorubicin or caffeine. The direct interaction between H2O2 and the Ca2+ release mechanism was further demonstrated in single-channel reconstitution experiments. Peroxide, at submillimolar concentrations, activated the Ca2+ release channel following fusion of a sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicle to a bilayer lipid membrane. At millimolar concentrations of peroxide, Ca2+ channel activity was inhibited. Peroxide stimulation of Ca2+ channel activity was reversed by the thiol reducing agent dithiothreitol. Paralleling peroxide induced activation of ryanodine binding, Ca2+ transport, and single Ca2+ channel activity, it was observed that the ryanodine receptor formed large disulfide-linked protein complexes that dissociated upon addition of dithiothreitol.

Metabolic end products inhibit sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ release and [3H]ryanodine binding.

Sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+ release channel function is modified by ligands (Mg2+, Ca2+, ATP, and H+) that are generated during a bout of exercise. We have examined the effects of changing intracellular metabolites on Ca2+ release, [3H]ryanodine binding, and single-Ca2+ release channel activity of SR isolated from white rabbit skeletal muscle. Increasing Mg2+ (from 0 to 4 mM) and decreasing pH (7.1-6.5) inhibited SR Ca2+ release and [3H]-ryanodine binding. In addition, increasing lactate concentrations from 2 to 20 mM inhibited [3H]ryanodine binding to SR vesicles, inhibited SR Ca2+ release, and decreased the single-channel open probability. These findings suggest that intracellular modifications that disrupt excitation-contraction coupling and decrease Ca2+ transients will promote a decline in tension development and contribute to muscle fatigue. In addition, we show that hydrogen peroxide induces Ca2+ release and increases [3H]ryanodine binding to its receptor, suggesting that reactive oxygen species produced during exercise may compromise muscle function by altering the normal gating of the SR Ca2+ release channel.

Caffeine enhances doxorubicin cardiac toxicity in an animal model.

Based on in vitro data suggesting an interaction between methylxanthines and doxorubicin in regulating Ca2+ across muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum, this study was designed to test the hypothesis that a commonly used methylxanthine, caffeine, might influence the cardiac toxicity of doxorubicin. Three days following doxorubicin treatment, in vivo intracardiac pressures, cardiac outputs, in vitro cardiac weights, and cardiac electron microscopy were performed. Guinea pigs were treated with doxorubicin alone, doxorubicin plus caffeine, caffeine alone, and sterile saline as a control measure. Animals treated with doxorubicin had no significant differences in in vivo hemodynamics compared to the control animals. The average histology score was slightly but not statistically greater than the control animals, score (1.19 +/- 0.36 vs 1.60 +/- 0.34, respectively, P = NS). Animals receiving both doxorubicin and caffeine compared to the control animals had important differences in left ventricular systolic pressure (67 +/- 10 vs 92 +/- 7 mmHg; P = .003), cardiac output (154 +/- 35 vs 217 +/- 41 mL/min; P = .0174), stroke volume (.59 +/- 12 vs .79 +/- .07 mL; P = .0045), and histology score (2.36 +/- 0.21 vs 1.19 +/- 0.36; P = .028). There were no differences in left or right heart filling pressures between treatment groups. As an independent confirmation, there was a weak but statistically significant negative correlation between the biopsy score and cardiac output or stroke volume for all four groups of animals (r = .44, P = .031 and r = -.42, P = .040, respectively). These data are consistent with caffeine and doxorubicin having additive or potentiating effects on cardiac toxicity in this animal model.

Ca2+ binding sites of the ryanodine receptor/Ca2+ release channel of sarcoplasmic reticulum. Low affinity binding site(s) as probed by terbium fluorescence.

Fluorescence spectroscopy has been used to study the interaction of Tb3+ (as a Ca2+ analog) with the purified ryanodine receptor (RyR)/Ca2+ release channel of skeletal muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum. Tb3+ replaces Ca2+ in both the high- and the low-affinity sites. Occupation of the low-affinity site (inhibitory), but not of the high-affinity Ca2+ binding site (activating), by Tb3+ results in a strong enhanced green fluorescence (at 543 nm) and in an inhibition of ryanodine binding. The Tb3+ concentrations required for half-maximal enhanced fluorescence and inhibition of ryanodine binding were: 22.5 +/- 2.5 microM (n = 4) and 22.3 +/- 3.1 microM (n = 2), respectively. Tb3+ appears to bind to the protein at two or more cooperative sites (nH = 2.4) and to dissociate from these sites with three different rate constants (K-1,1 = 361 +/- 250 min-1 (n = 6); K-1,2 = 0.45 +/- 0.22 min-1 (n = 11); K-1,3 = 0.011 +/- 0.013 min-1 (n = 7). The enhancement in Tb3+ fluorescence is very fast (K1 >> 5 x 10(5) M-1.min-1), and it is quenched by EGTA, La3+, or Ca2+ addition. About 20% of the bound Tb3+ was not displaced by EGTA or Ca2+; suggesting its "occlusion" in the RyR. This is also reflected in the partially irreversible inhibition of ryanodine binding by Tb3+. Reconstitution of sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles into a planar bilayer lipid membrane showed that the Ca2+ release channel was activated by submicromolar and inhibited by micromolar concentrations of Tb3+ and La3+. The Tb(3+)-activated channel showed an enhancement of the open dwell time of the channel. The results suggest that RyR/Ca2+ release channel undergoes conformational changes due to Tb3+ binding to the low-affinity Ca2+ binding site, and this binding results in the closing of the Ca2+ release channel.

Direct evidence for the existence and functional role of hyperreactive sulfhydryls on the ryanodine receptor-triadin complex selectively labeled by the coumarin maleimide 7-diethylamino-3-(4'-maleimidylphenyl)-4-methylcoumarin.

The fluorogenic sulfhydryl probe 7-diethylamino-3-(4'-maleimidylphenyl)-4-methylcoumarin (CPM) (1-50 nM) is used to characterize the functional role and location of highly reactive thiol groups on the ryanodine-sensitive Ca2+ release channel complex [i.e., ryanodine receptors (RyRs)] of skeletal and cardiac junctional sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR). The kinetics of forming fluorescent CPM adducts with junctional but not longitudinal SR membrane proteins (0.02-1 pmol of CPM/microgram of SR protein) are found to be markedly dependent on the presence of physiological and pharmacological modulators of the RyR Ca2+ channel. RyR agonists, micromolar Ca2+, and nanomolar ryanodine promote a slow SR thiol-CPM reaction, with an apparent rate constant k of 0.0021 +/- 0.0002 sec-1, and > 89% of the fluorescence is associated with the 110-kDa Ca2+ pump, which constitutes 68% of the protein in the SR preparations. However, in the presence of Ca2+ channel antagonists (millimolar Mg2+, millimolar Ca2+, or micromolar ryanodine), CPM rapidly forms adducts with a single class of highly reactive (hyperreactive) SR thiols (k = 0.025 +/- 0.002 sec-1). Nonreducing sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of CPM-labeled SR protein and Western blot analyses with antiryanodine or antitriadin antibodies reveal that the hyperreactive thiols labeled by CPM under conditions favoring channel closure are localized principally to the RyR protomer and triadin, which constitute < 6% of the protein in the SR preparation. Immunoprecipitation experiments with antiryanodine and antitriadin monoclonal antibodies confirm the location of CPM-labeled thiol groups on RyR and triadin, respectively. The results indicate that the RyR and triadin contain a small number of highly reactive cysteine residues that selectively conjugate with CPM only when channel closure is favored. It is shown that either 1) the redox state (sulfhydryl/disulfide status) or 2) the accessibility of the hyperreactive thiols on the RyR and triadin is determined by the conformational state of the channel. Covalent modification of hyperreactive thiols with nanomolar CPM inhibits both Ca(2+)-induced Ca2+ release and the gating activity of single channels reconstituted in bilayers, revealing the essential functional importance of hyperreactive thiols on channel-associated proteins. 1,4-Naphthoquinone (0.4-40 pmol/micrograms of protein) selectively oxidizes hyperreactive thiols on RyR and triadin and releases Ca2+ from SR vesicles, without inhibiting Ca(2+)-ATPase activity. The results provide direct evidence of the existence and functional role of hyperreactive cysteine residues on the RyR and triadin in regulating the gating of ryanodine-sensitive intracellular Ca2+ channels and strongly suggest that these important Ca2+ regulatory channels may be an important target for oxidative cell damage mediated by quinones.

Thapsigargin-induced Ca2+ release from sarcoplasmic reticulum and asolectin vesicles.

Thapsigargin, an inhibitor of several isoforms of the Ca(2+)-ATPase protein, has been used in many cell preparations to induce an increase in cytosolic Ca2+ concentration purportedly by inhibition of the catalytic cycle. We report in this paper, that thapsigargin induces rapid Ca2+ release from sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles at concentrations higher than those required to inhibit ATPase activity. Thapsigargin also induces a similar concentration-dependent release in Ca(2+)-loaded asolectin liposomes devoid of any protein. These data suggest that Ca2+ release induced by micromolar concentrations of thapsigargin is due to an ionophoric effect on the lipid membrane.

Porphyrin induced calcium release from skeletal muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum.

Micromolar concentrations of the porphyrin mesotetra(4-N-methylpyridyl)porphine tetraiodide is shown to induce rapid release of Ca2+ from skeletal muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles. Porphyrin-induced Ca2+ release is stimulated by ATP (KdATP = 100 microM) and Ca2+ (KdCa = 1 microM) and is inhibited by Mg2+ (KI = 220 microM) and ruthenium red (KI = 7 nM). The porphyrin is also shown to stimulate high affinity [3H]ryanodine binding by decreasing the dissociation constant (kd) and increasing the binding capacity (Bmax). Moreover, in the presence of Mg2+, receptor binding is sensitized to activation by Ca2+, and porphyrin-stimulated channel activity is sensitized to activation by Ca2+. These observations show that porphyrin-induced Ca2+ release is due to a direct interaction with the Ca2+ release protein from sarcoplasmic reticulum.

Ryanodine induces persistent inactivation of the Ca2+ release channel from skeletal muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum.

Junctional sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) membranes isolated from rabbit skeletal muscle were pretreated with 0.1-500 microM ryanodine under equilibrium conditions optimal for receptor binding, followed by the removal of bound alkaloid by several washes in Ca(2+)- and ryanodine-free buffer. Pretreatment with > 100 nM ryanodine results in a concentration-dependent decrease in the Bmax of the high affinity sites and a complete loss of measurable low affinity binding sites that persist for > 48 hr. Quantitative analysis of residual ryanodine using three different methods demonstrates that the inhibition is not the result of residual ryanodine bound to its receptor. Ca2+ transport measurements made with antipyrylazo III show that actively loaded ryanodine-pretreated SR exhibits a persistent insensitivity to ryanodine- and daunomycin-induced Ca2+ release that is not seen with washed control vesicles. Lipid bilayer membranes fused with SR vesicles exhibit rapidly fluctuating single-channel events with a conductance of 468 pS in asymmetric CsCl solutions. Ryanodine (10 microM) produces a unidirectional transition to a slowly fluctuating half-conductance state that is not reversed by perfusion of the bilayer with Ca(2+)-free buffer and subsequent addition of dithiothreitol. However, dithiothreitol added in the ryanodine pretreatment medium offers marked protection against ryanodine-induced loss of binding sites and allows complete restoration of native gating behavior of single channels in bilayer lipid membrane. Using three different experimental approaches, the data demonstrate that the alkaloid at micromolar concentration persistently alters SR Ca2+ release channel function, perhaps by uncoupling four negatively cooperative binding sites. The oxidation of critical receptor thiols is implicated in the process.

Ryanodine stabilizes multiple conformational states of the skeletal muscle calcium release channel.

Nanomolar to micromolar ryanodine alters the gating kinetics of the Ca2+ release channel from skeletal sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) fused with bilayer lipid membranes (BLM). In the presence of asymmetric CsCl and 100 microM CaCl2 cis, ryanodine (RY) (5-40 nM) activates the channel, increasing the open probability (po; maximum 300% of control) without changing unitary conductance (468 picosiemens (pS)). Statistical analyses of gating kinetics reveal that open and closed dwell times exhibit biexponential distributions and are significantly modified by nanomolar RY. Altered channel gating kinetics with low nanomolar RY is fully reversible and correlates well with binding kinetics of nanomolar [3H]RY with its high affinity site (Kd1 = 0.7 nM) under identical experimental conditions. RY (20-50 nM) induces occasional 1/2 conductance fluctuations which correlate with [3H]RY binding to a second site having lower affinity (Kd2 = 23 nM). RY (5-50 nM) in the presence of 500 mM CsCl significantly enhances Ca(2+)-induced Ca2+ release from actively loaded SR vesicles. Ryanodine > or = 50 nM stabilizes the channel in a 234-pS subconductance which is not readily reversible. RY (> or = 70 microM) produces a unidirectional transition from the 1/2 to a 1/4 conductance fluctuation, whereas RY > or = 200 microM causes complete closure of the channel. The RY required for stabilizing 1/4 conductance transitions and channel closure do not quantitatively correlate with [3H]RY equilibrium binding constants and is attributed to significant reduction in association kinetics with > 200 nM [3H]RY in the presence of 500 mM CsCl. These results demonstrate that RY stabilizes four discrete states of the SR release channel and supports the existence of multiple interacting RY effector sites on the channel protein.

Sulphydryl reagents trigger Ca2+ release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum of skinned rabbit psoas fibres.

1. By analogy with studies on sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) vesicles, Ca2+ release induced by heavy metals and mercaptans (e.g. cysteine) was investigated in rabbit skinned psoas fibres through measurements of isometric tension. 2. Heavy metals (at 2-5 microM) elicited phasic contractions by triggering Ca2+ release from the SR and had the following order of potency: Hg2+ > Cu2+ > Cd2+ > Ag+ > Ni2+. Higher concentrations produced tonic contractions due to maintained high Ca2+ permeability of SR membranes. 3. Contractions induced by heavy metals required a functional and Ca(2+)-loaded SR, were dependent on [Ca2+]free, blocked by Ruthenium Red (RR), inhibited by free Mg2+ and reduced glutathione (GSH) but not by oxidized glutathione (GSSG). Such contractions were not elicited through direct interaction(s) of heavy metals with the myofilaments. 4. In the presence of catalytic concentrations of Hg2+ or Cu2+ (2-5 microM), additions of cysteine (25-100 microM) elicited rapid twitches, producing 70% of maximal force with a time to half-peak of 2 s. Contractions induced by cysteine plus a catalyst required a functional SR network, were dependent on free [Mg2+] and were blocked by RR or GSH but not by GSSG. 5. In the presence of Hg2+ (2-5 microM), low concentrations of cysteine (10 microM) elicited tonic contractures, but subsequent or higher additions of cysteine (50-100 microM) caused further SR Ca2+ release and tension, followed by rapid and full relaxation. 6. High cysteine (200-250 microM, without Cu2+ or Hg2+) blocked contractions elicited by Cl- induced depolarization of sealed T-tubules. High cysteine probably acted as a sulphydryl reducing agent which promoted rapid relaxation of the fibres through the closure of Ca(2+)-release channels and ATP-dependent re-uptake of Ca2+ by the SR. 7. In some batches of skinned fibres (approximately 10%), cysteine (5-50 microM) alone (without Hg2+ or Cu2+ catalyst) produced rapid twitches. This implied that the catalyst(s) necessary to promote the sulphydryl oxidation reaction with exogenously added cysteine may be present in intact fibres but is usually lost by the skinning procedure. 8. The data demonstrate that skeletal fibres contain a highly reactive and accessible sulphydryl site on an SR protein which can be reversibly oxidized and reduced to respectively, open and close SR Ca(2+)-release channels. A model of sulphydryl-gated excitation-contraction coupling is proposed where the voltage sensor on the T-tubule membrane directly oxidizes sulphydryl sites on SR Ca(2+)-release channels.