Browsing by Subject "Ca2+"
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Item Effect of Progesterone on Calcium Signaling of Hippocampal Neurons(2006-05-01) Hwang, Ji-Yeon; Koulen; Singh, Meharvan; Yang, ShaohuaJi-yeon Hwang, Effects of Progesterone on Calcium Signaling of Hippocampal Neurons. Master of Science (Pharmacology and Neuroscience), May 2006, 74 pp., 18 Figures. Progesterone (P4) is one of the steroid hormones responsible for female sexual behavior. It has been recently show that P4 plays also multiple roles in the central nervous system (CNS) including neuroprotection. Calcium (Ca2+) is involved in numerous cellular processes in nerve cells such as neurotransmitter release and cell death. In the present studies, we present evidence that P4 increases the activity of IP3R-mediated Ca2+ release within nerve cells leading to cell survival and neuroprotection. The purpose of the present study is to identify the subcellular distribution of all IP3Rs and other signaling proteins including Akt and phosphor-Akt, in the primary hippocampal neuron and to test the hypothesis that P4 controls the gain of IP3R-mediated intracellular Ca2+ signaling in neurons. We observed that primary hippocampal neurons express predominantly IP3R type 1, 2, and 3. The cellular distribution of all IP3R isoforms as well as Akt and phospho-Akt was increased in primary hippocampal neurons by P4 treatment. In addition, phospho-Akt was translocated to nucleus in response to P4. P4-pretreated neurons showed potentiated IP3R-mediated intracellular Ca2+ responses. Acute application of P4 resulted in transient elevations of intracellular Ca2+ concentrations. Our results will contribute to establishing potential pharmacological approaches for the treatment of pathological conditions characterized by a dysregulation of cellular Ca2+ concentrations such as Alzheimer’s disease.Item Function of Differentially Expressed Intracellular Calcium Channels in Retinal Neurons(2008-05-01) Nixon, Everett Sheldon; Peter Koulen; Raghu Krishnamoorthy; Rong MaNixon, Everett, Function of differentially expressed intracellular calcium channels in retinal neurons. Doctor of Philosophy (Pharmacology and Neuroscience), May, 2008, pp154, 17 illustrations. The retina, a specialized part of the central nervous system (CNS) is the innermost layer of the eye responsible for capturing light and converting the light response into a signal that can be transmitted through the optic nerve and onto the brain for interpretation. The ability of the retina to perceive light is dependent on its sensory neurons and the neural circuitry present that initiate the primary stage of processing the image being visualized, which then transmits an electrical signal down the optic nerve to the brain for processing and ultimately visual perception. In the vertical pathway of the visual process that involves the photoreceptor cells, bipolar cells and the ganglion cells, glutamate is the main excitatory neurotransmitter. Communication between these cells is dependent upon the release of glutamate into the synaptic region within both the outer plexiform layer and inner plexiform layer, a process that is Ca2+ regulated. In neurons, Ca2+ regulates a plethora of processes such as gene expression, cell death, synaptic plasticity and neurotransmitter release since it serves as a critical intracellular messenger. In view of the involvement of Ca2+ in a variety of physiological processes, it is essential for the intracellular Ca2+ concentration to be tightly regulated within neuronal cell. Regulation of Ca2+ signaling within retinal neurons can occur via inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate (IP3) receptors (IP3Rs) and ryanodine receptors (RyRs). These receptors are involved in the release of Ca2+ from the intracellular stores such as the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) into the cytosol. IP3Rs and RyRs contribute substantially to cytosolic free Ca2+ concentration transients and thereby play an important role in neuronal function. The purpose of the study was to determine the role of mGluRs, IP3Rs and RyRs in increasing intracellular Ca2+ levels in retinal neurons as related to signaling and neurotransmitter release. The present study provides experimental evidence for the following mechanisms: -Activation of mGluR8 in photoreceptor cells reduced cytosolic Ca2+ concentration by inhibition of the voltage gated Ca2+ channels on the plasma membrane. –The distribution of IP3R and RyR isoforms was associated with cytosolic Ca2+ transients and the IP3R induced transients occurs by activation of group I mGluRs. –In rod bipolar cells, the main increase in cytosolic Ca2+ concentrations during depolarization is due to Ca2+ release from internal stores via activation of RyR. The results of the present study contribute to the understanding of intracellular Ca2+ signaling in retinal neurons and Ca2+ signaling mechanisms. This is of relevance for identifying mechanisms controlling neurotransmitter release and possible pharmacological targets in neurodegenerative retinal diseases characterized by Ca2+ dyshomeostasis.Item Oxidative Stress Alters IP3 Receptor Function in the Neuronal Cell Line HT22(2008-05-01) Longoria, Sandra; Peter Koulen; Kati Prokai; Tina MachuSandra Longoria., Oxidative Stress Alters IP3 Receptor Function in the Neuronal Cell Line HT22, Master of Science (Biomedical Sciences), May 2008, 72 pp., 25 Figures. Oxidative stress contributes to the genesis of several neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). Oxidants such as, tert-butyl hydrogen peroxide (tBHP), have been used in in vitro models of neurodegeneration to induce oxidative stress. Small changes in the regulation of the intracellular calcium (Ca2+) concentration can contribute to brain aging and increase vulnerability of neurons to cellular and functional damage in neurodegenerative diseases. In neurons, inositol 1, 4, 5-trisphosphate (IP3) is a second messenger that is generated through receptor activity at the plasma membrane. IP3 receptors (IP3R) are located on endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membranes and are intracellular calcium channels (ICC) that release Ca2+ into the cytoplasm in response to activation by their ligand IP3. The goal of the present study was to measure the contribution of ICCs to Ca2+ dysregulation in neurons experiencing oxidative stress. I tested the hypothesis that oxidative stress induced with tBHP causes increased intracellular Ca2+ release via activation of IP3 receptors. I used the murine hippocampal cell line HT22, as a model for neuronal oxidative stress. Immunocytochemistry and Ca2+ imaging experiments were performed to identify areas of altered IP3R expression and activity under normal conditions and induced oxidative stress. tBHP treatment increased expression and Ca2+ release activity of neuronal IP3 receptors. My findings support that oxidative stress as seen in a number of neurodegenerative diseases negatively affects regulation of Ca2+ release through increased expression and activity of IP3 receptors.Item Protein Phosphate in the Regulation of Protein Phosphorylation and Insulin Secretion(2003-05-01) Parameswara, Vinay K.; Robert Easom; Porunelloor Mathew; Ming-Chi WuParameswara, Vinay K., Protein Phosphatase 2A in the Regulation of Ca2+- Sensitive Protein Phosphorylation and Insulin Secretion. Doctor of Philosophy (Biomedical Sciences), May 2003; 191 pp., 28 illustrations; 5 tables; 250 references. Type 2 diabetes is characterized by insufficient insulin secretion in the midst of increased demand from concomitant insulin resistance of peripheral tissues. More specifically, the diabetic β-cell is characterized by impaired responsiveness to D-glucose, the primary physiological regulator of insulin secretion, necessitating that the mechanism of glucose-induced insulin secretion from the β-cell of the pancreas is critically dependent on an elevation of cytosolic calcium as a trigger signal but is also dependent on reversible protein phosphorylation. Accordingly, a number of protein kinases are activated by glucose, or by incretin hormones that enhance glucose-induced insulin secretion. This dissertation however stems from a general hypothesis that protein phosphorylation and insulin secretion may also be controlled via the regulation of protein phosphatases (PP). Initially, a panel of specific antibodies was used to profile the expression of known PP species in the β-cell. By immunoblotting cultured clonal β-cells, INS-1, were shown to express various protein phosphatases namely PP 1, 2A, 2B, 2C, 4 and 6, but with distinct subcellular localization suggesting that these phosphatases regulated distinct functions within the β-cells. Of particular interest, PP-2A holoenzyme was localized to purified fractions of insulin secretory granules suggesting an involvement in insulin regulation. Selective inhibition of PP-2A in the presence of endothall or low concentrations of okadaic acid, increased insulin secretion in the presence of glucose in INS-1 cells. In order to discern potential substrates of PP-2A and thus-mechanisms of action, microcystin immobilized to sepharose was employed to affinity purify phosphatase species from β-cell lysates and proteins complexed with them. Fractions containing PP-2A also contained synapsin I and a specific interaction of these proteins was confirmed by co-immunoprecipitation from INS-1 cell lysates. In contrast, PP-1 was not associated with synapsin I. That synapsin I is indeed a substrate for PP-2A in INS-1 cells was confirmed via the demonstration that synapsin I phosphorylation was increased by okadaic acid under conditions that increased insulin release. Okadaic acid also induced the autophosphrylation and activation of CaMKII, a Ca2+-dependent kinase that phosphorylates synapsin I; suggesting CaMKII may mediate PP-2A effects on insulin secretion. The elimination of syanpsin I, markedly modulates glucose homeostasis of mice and subtly modulates insulin release. In summary these studies document that the modulation of PP-2A in β-cells dramatically influences insulin secretion reinforcing a concept that the control of protein phosphatase may have a critical role in the regulation of insulin secretion. These data suggest that a role of PP-2A on insulin secretion is mediated in part through the regulation of CaMKII activity and synapsin I-phosphorylation.Item Regulation and Characterization of Cardiac Phosphoinositide-Specific Phospholipase C (PLC) Isoenzymes(1997-12-01) Wang, Juan; Eugene E. Quist; Thomas Yorio; Ming-Chi WuWang, Juan, Regulation and Characterization of Cardiac Phosphoinositide-Specific Phospholipase C Isoenzymes. Master of Biomedical Science, Dec., 1997, 79 pp., 20 illustration, bibliography, 62 titles. It is hypothesized that myocardial phosphoinositide-specific phospholipase C (PLC) isoenzymes are regulated by physiological intracellular Ca2+ and by cytosol-membrane translocation. The regulation and identification of PLC isoenzymes in rat and dog ventricular subcellular fractions were studied. PLC-β1, PLC-β3 and PLC-δ1 were identified in rat and dog cytosol and microsomal membranes by chromatographic separation, enzyme assays and western blotting. Truncated PLC-β isoforms with molecular weights of 69 kDa and 114 kDa were isolated from rat and dog cytosol, respectively. Species differences in the relative distribution of PLC isoenzymes were evident as PLC-δ dominant in rat whereas PLC-β isoenzymes were dominant in dog. A 91 kDa cytosolic protein which did not contain PLC activity alone markedly led to PLC activation when combined with microsomes. The activator protein was immunoprecipitated with an anti-PLC-δ identifying this activator as an inactive PLC-δ isoenzyme. These studies indicate that cytosolic PLC-δ may be activated by translocating to membranes. In addition, proteolysis may be involved in long term activation of cytosolic PLC isoenzymes. Further studies will be required to resolve the physiological significance of these modes of cardiac PLC activation.Item Regulation of intracellular calcium channels by their associated proteins homer 1 and presenilin 1(2006-05-01) Hwang, Sung-Yong; Koulen, Peter; Dillon, Glenn; Singh, MeharvanSung-Yong, Hwang, Regulation of intracellular calcium channels by their associated proteins homer 1 and presenilin 1. Doctor of Philosophy (Pharmacology and Neuroscience), May, 2006, 184 pp., 4 tables, 20 illustrations, 74 titles. In neurons, Calcium (CA2+) serves as a critical intracellular messenger that regulates a variety of cellular processes such as gene expression, neurotransmitter release, cell death, and synaptic plasticity. Therefore, it is essential for neurons to control their Ca2+ levels tightly. Ca2+ is released within the cell from intracellular stores such as the endoplasmic reticulum by activation of intracellular Ca2+ channels (ICCs) such as the inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate (IP3) receptors (IP3Rs) and ryanodine receptors (RyRs). Each of these two groups of ICC has three isoforms. A number of associated proteins of these two ICCs that were shown to modulate activity of the respective channel have been identified. Homer 1, a synaptic scaffolding protein not only physically associated with IP3R type1 (IP3R1), but also changes the activity of IP3R1, suggesting that Homer 1 is involved in intracellular Ca2+ signaling. Based on the similarity in amino acid sequence and molecular and physiological properties among IP3R isoforms and the fact that IP3R type 3 (IP3R3) contains the proline-rich motif (PPxxFr) that is required for the interaction with Homer, it was hypothesized that Homer 1 associates with IP3R3, leading to changes in the channel activity. Presenilin 1 (PS1) is a transmembrane protein, being expressed in cell body, dendrites, and axon in the neuron. Mutations in PS1 account for most cases of early-onset familial Alzheimer’s disease (AD). PS1 was shown to associate with RyRs and to modulate their channel activity. Therefore, it was hypothesized that specific regions of PS-1 bind to RyR type 2 (RyR2), a major isoform in the brain, resulting in changes in the channel activity. Homer 1c was shown to associate with IP3R3, leading to a decrease in channel activity. A specific region of PS1 that interacts with RyR2 was identified to increase the channel activity of RyR2. Results of the present study contributed to the understanding of the nature of intracellular Ca2+ signaling as well as the mechanisms of action by which ICCs are regulated by their associated proteins. These findings provide the rationale for novel strategies to study neurological disorders including AD and epilepsy that are mediated by Ca2+ dysregulation.Item The Inositol Tetrakisphosphate Stimulated Calcium Transporter in Cardiac Membranes(1998-12-01) Jester, Lara; Eugene Quist; Glenn Dillon; Michael ForsterJester, Lara A., The Inositol Tetrakisphosphate-Stimulated Calcium Transporter in Cardiac Membranes. Master of Science (Biomedical Sciences), December 1998, 61 pp., 13 illustrations, references, 49 titles. Regulation of Ca2+ fluxes across the sarcolemma and sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) are critical for regulation of calcium across the myocardial membranes. Studies were performed on the InsP4 stimulated Ca2+ transporter from both canine and bovine heart tissue to determine the location and ionic conditions under which InsP4 stimulated Ca2+ transporter works most efficiently. The results indicated that the InsP4 stimulated Ca2+ transporter is present in the sarcolemma, and is functional under conditions that are physiologically relevant. These findings may compliment future in vivo or in situ studies that will further examine the role of the InsP4 stimulated Ca2+ transporter in the heart.