Mechanisms by which endothelin-1 stimulates increased cytosolic free calcium ion concentrations in single rat Sertoli cells.
The regulation by endothelin-1 (ET-1) of cytosolic free calcium ion concentrations ([Ca2+]i) was investigated in single immature rat (testicular) Sertoli cells. [Ca2+]i was estimated in individual gonadal cells by digital imaging videomicroscopy using the calcium indicator dye fura-2/AM. Two concentration-dependent types of ET-1-induced [Ca2+]i signals were observed. Responses to high ET-1 concentrations (1.0-1000 nM) were characterized by a biphasic, rapid, and transient [Ca2+]i rise (spike) within 10 sec, followed by an exponential decrease toward a new steady state level (plateau phase) in 98% of responsive cells. At low concentrations of ET-1 (0.001 or 0.1 nM), the [Ca2+]i increase was slower, reaching peak values 40-100 sec after stimulation and remaining elevated for 2-3 min of observation. There was cell-cell heterogeneity in the amplitude and kinetics of the [Ca2+]i response to the same concentration of ET-1. However, there was a significant ET-1 concentration-dependent increase in the total percentage of cells responding to ET-1. Removal of extracellular Ca2+ or use of Ca2+ channel blockers (verapamil or cobalt) did not affect the ET-1-induced [Ca2+]i spike phase, but abolished the plateau phase, suggesting that ET-1 induces the mobilization of Ca2+ from internal stores, followed by calcium influx from extracellular sources. In cell population experiments, ET-1 attenuated FSH-stimulated cAMP and estradiol accumulation by Sertoli cells. These inhibitory effects were mimicked by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate, an activator of protein kinase-C, suggesting that ET-1 action on Sertoli cells might be linked to the protein kinase-C pathway. In conclusion, the present investigations demonstrate that ET-1 activates an intracellular signaling pathway involving [Ca2+]i in single rat Sertoli cells. The sources of the biphasic [Ca2+]i response include mobilization of Ca2+ from internal stores, followed by Ca2+ influx via verapamil- and cobalt-sensitive Ca2+ channels. Increasing ET-1 concentrations recruit an increasing number of individual Sertoli cells responding with a spike-plateau [Ca2+]i signal, thus offering a mechanism at the single cell level for the ET dose-response curve.
Department of Internal Medicine, University of Virginia Health Sciences Center, Charlottesville 22908.
O P
OP
Sharma
J A
JA
Flores
D A
DA
Leong
J D
JD
Veldhuis
D000818:Animals; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism*; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000494:pharmacology; D002469:Cell Separation; D000242:Cyclic AMP / Q000378:metabolism; D003600:Cytosol / Q000378:metabolism*; D016232:Endothelins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004958:Estradiol / Q000378:metabolism; D005110:Extracellular Space / Q000378:metabolism; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000494:pharmacology; D007477:Ions; D008297:Male; D009994:Osmolar Concentration; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012708:Sertoli Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*
D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D016232:Endothelins; D007477:Ions; D004958:Estradiol; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone; D000242:Cyclic AMP; D002118:Calcium