24 research outputs found

    Isoform- and species-specific control of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) receptors by reactive oxygen species.

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    Reactive oxygen species (ROS) stimulate cytoplasmic [Ca(2+)] ([Ca(2+)]c) signaling, but the exact role of the IP3 receptors (IP3R) in this process remains unclear. IP3Rs serve as a potential target of ROS produced by both ER and mitochondrial enzymes, which might locally expose IP3Rs at the ER-mitochondrial associations. Also, IP3Rs contain multiple reactive thiols, common molecular targets of ROS. Therefore, we have examined the effect of superoxide anion (O2) on IP3R-mediated Ca(2+) signaling. In human HepG2, rat RBL-2H3, and chicken DT40 cells, we observed [Ca(2+)]c spikes and frequency-modulated oscillations evoked by a O2 donor, xanthine (X) + xanthine oxidase (XO), dose-dependently. The [Ca(2+)]c signal was mediated by ER Ca(2+) mobilization. X+XO added to permeabilized cells promoted the [Ca(2+)]c rise evoked by submaximal doses of IP3, indicating that O2 directly sensitizes IP3R-mediated Ca(2+) release. In response to X+XO, DT40 cells lacking two of three IP3R isoforms (DKO) expressing either type 1 (DKO1) or type 2 IP3Rs (DKO2) showed a [Ca(2+)]c signal, whereas DKO expressing type 3 IP3R (DKO3) did not. By contrast, IgM that stimulates IP3 formation, elicited a [Ca(2+)]c signal in every DKO. X+XO also facilitated the Ca(2+) release evoked by submaximal IP3 in permeabilized DKO1 and DKO2 but was ineffective in DKO3 or in DT40 lacking every IP3R (TKO). However, X+XO could also facilitate the effect of suboptimal IP3 in TKO transfected with rat IP3R3. Although in silico studies failed to identify a thiol missing in the chicken IP3R3, an X+XO-induced redox change was documented only in the rat IP3R3. Thus, ROS seem to specifically sensitize IP3Rs through a thiol group(s) within the IP3R, which is probably inaccessible in the chicken IP3R3

    Selective role for superoxide in InsP3 receptor–mediated mitochondrial dysfunction and endothelial apoptosis

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    Reactive oxygen species (ROS) play a divergent role in both cell survival and cell death during ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury and associated inflammation. In this study, ROS generation by activated macrophages evoked an intracellular Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) transient in endothelial cells that was ablated by a combination of superoxide dismutase and an anion channel blocker. [Ca2+]i store depletion, but not extracellular Ca2+ chelation, prevented [Ca2+]i elevation in response to O2.− that was inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (InsP3) dependent, and cells lacking the three InsP3 receptor (InsP3R) isoforms failed to display the [Ca2+]i transient. Importantly, the O2.−-triggered Ca2+ mobilization preceded a loss in mitochondrial membrane potential that was independent of other oxidants and mitochondrially derived ROS. Activation of apoptosis occurred selectively in response to O2.− and could be prevented by [Ca2+]i buffering. This study provides evidence that O2.− facilitates an InsP3R-linked apoptotic cascade and may serve a critical function in I/R injury and inflammation

    Paradigm shifts in malaria parasite biochemistry and anti- malarial chemotherapy

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    A fatty acid synthesis (FAS) pathway was recently discovered and established in the obligate human parasite Plasmodium falciparum. Its inhibition by triclosan (2,4,4-trichloro-2- hydroxydiphenyl ether) leads to its classification as a type II FAS. Humans, the vertebrate host for the malarial parasite utilize type I FAS, which is not inhibited by triclosan. This discovery thus paves the way for novel approaches to the treatment of malaria. In direct contrast to the delayed-death phenotype associated with poisoning of the apicoplast using certain other drugs, the rapid and striking action of triclosan suggests the possibility of developing new drug(s) for the treatment of malaria
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