title: Ionizing radiation induces a transient increase in cytosolic free [Ca2+] in human epithelial tumor cells.
abstract: Free cytosolic [Ca2+] ([Ca2+]f) was measured at the single cell level using digitized video-intensified fluorescence microscopy and the fluorescent Ca2+ indicator, fura-2. Cells were irradiated at 1-4 Gy (dose rate of 6 Gy/min) with a 90Sr eye applicator mounted on the microscope. HeLa cells responding to ionizing radiation exhibited a maximal 3-4-fold transient rise in cytosolic and nuclear [Ca2+]f immediately upon irradiation, which persisted for at least 5 min before returning to baseline in most but not all cells. The radiation-induced rise in [Ca2+]f was blocked by 1 mM La3+, 100 nM nifedipine, or membrane potential depolarization, suggesting that HeLa cells possess a voltage-dependent Ca2+ channel that mediates the response to radiation. Experiments with Mn2+, a paramagnetic probe for extracellular Ca2+, showed that radiation stimulated an increase in Mn2+ influx, as witnessed by loss of fura-2 fluorescence. Thapsigargin and ryanodine, inhibitors of intracellular Ca2+ mobilization, also completely blocked the radiation effect, implying a linkage between the radiation-induced influx and mobilization of internal Ca2+ stores. Not all cells in an asynchronous culture responded identically to radiation. Upon synchronization with thymidine/aphidicolin, cells in the S- and G2/M-phase exhibited radiation-induced changes in [Ca2+]f, whereas G1-phase cells did not. In addition, the increased [Ca2+]f of irradiated G2/M phase cells did not fully return to pretreatment levels. Further studies utilizing MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 human breast and HT-29 human colon cancer cell lines indicate that radiation can alter Ca2+ homeostasis in other epithelial cell types. In the case of MDA-MB-231 and HT-29 cells, oscillations in cytosolic [Ca2+]f levels were observed that persisted for up to 50 min. The kinetics and inhibitor sensitivities differed from HeLa cells, indicating a different type of mechanism for the radiation effects on cell [Ca2+]f. Survival studies with HeLa and MDA-MB-231 cells did not reveal a connection between the radiation effects on cellular Ca2+ homeostasis and cell survival.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, Medical College of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond 23298-0058.
authors.forename: D G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Todd
authors.forename: R B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Mikkelsen
mesh_terms: D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism*; D002453:Cell Cycle / Q000528:radiation effects; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects; D004307:Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; D006706:Homeostasis / Q000528:radiation effects; D006801:Humans; D008345:Manganese / Q000378:metabolism; D008674:Metals, Rare Earth / Q000494:pharmacology; D009375:Neoplasms, Glandular and Epithelial / Q000378:metabolism*; D009543:Nifedipine / Q000494:pharmacology; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
chemical_list: D008674:Metals, Rare Earth; D008345:Manganese; D009543:Nifedipine; D002118:Calcium