Ca2+ signalling and membrane current activated by cADPr in starfish oocytes

Francesco Moccia, G A Nusco, D Lim, E Ercolano, G Gragnaniello, Euan R Brown, L Santella

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

14 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Cyclic ADP-ribose (cADPr) is a second messenger that regulates intracellular free [Ca2+] ([Ca2+](i)) in a variety of cell types, including immature oocytes from the starfish Astropecten auranciacus. In this study, we employed confocal laser scanning microscopy and voltage clamp techniques to investigate the source of the cADPr-elicited Ca2+ wave originating from the cortical Ca2+ patches we have described previously. The Ca2+ swing was accompanied by a membrane current with a reversal potential of approximate to+20 mV. Decreasing external Na+ almost abolished the current without affecting the Ca2+ response. Removal of extracellular Ca2+ altered neither the Ca2+ transient nor the ionic current, nor did the holding potential exert any effect on the Ca2+ wave. Both the Ca2+ response and the membrane current were abolished when BAPTA, ruthenium red or 8-NH2-cADPr were preinjected into the oocytes, while perfusion with ADPr did not elicit any [Ca2+](i) increase or ionic current. However, elevating [Ca2+](i) by uncaging Ca2+ from nitrophenyl- (NP-EGTA) or by photoliberating inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (InsP(3)) induced an ionic current with biophysical properties similar to that elicited by cADPr. These results suggest that cADPr activates a Ca2+ wave by releasing Ca2+ from intracellular ryanodine receptors and that the rise in [Ca2+](i) triggers a non-selective monovalent cation current that does not seem to contribute to the global Ca2+ elevation.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)541-552
Number of pages12
JournalPflügers Archiv European Journal of Physiology
Volume446
Issue number5
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Aug 2003

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Ca2+ signalling and membrane current activated by cADPr in starfish oocytes'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this