title: Evidence for a Na+/Ca2+ exchange mechanism in the neuroendocrine cells of the locust corpus cardiacum.
abstract: The glandular lobe of the locust corpus cardiacum (CC) is a peripheral neuroendocrine gland consisting primarily of neurosecretory cells (NSCs), all of which synthesize, store, and release adipokinetic hormones (AKHs). An influx of extracellular Ca2+ into the NSCs provides an essential trigger for initiating AKH release. In this study we demonstrate that the Na+ gradient across the plasma membrane of these NSCs has a significant influence on the process of AKH release and on Ca2+ fluxes across the membrane. AKHs are released from NSCs when the corpus cardiacum is incubated in Na+-free saline or in K+-free saline with ouabain. The rate of 45Ca2+ efflux from the gland is reduced by 50% when glands are incubated in Na+-free saline compared to normal saline. The amount of 45Ca2+ uptake by Na+-loaded cells is nearly 100% greater in glands exposed to Na+-free saline compared to glands in normal saline. These results are most clearly interpreted by proposing that a Na+/Ca2+ exchange system is present in the NSCs. This system may provide an essential Ca2+ buffering mechanism by extruding Ca2+ from the NSCs following a stimulus-secretion cycle.
authors.affiliation: Department of Zoology, University of Toronto, Ont., Canada.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Pannabecker
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Orchard
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism*; D002132:Calcium Radioisotopes; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D006110:Grasshoppers / Q000378:metabolism*; D007700:Kinetics; D009490:Neurosecretory Systems / Q000378:metabolism; D010042:Ouabain / Q000494:pharmacology; D019831:Sodium-Calcium Exchanger
chemical_list: D002132:Calcium Radioisotopes; D002352:Carrier Proteins; D019831:Sodium-Calcium Exchanger; D010042:Ouabain; D002118:Calcium