title: ACh- and caffeine-induced Ca2+ mobilization and current activation in rabbit arterial endothelial cells.
abstract: Fura 2 microfluorometry and perforated-patch whole cell recording were carried out simultaneously to investigate the relationship between intracellular free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) and membrane current activation in response to ACh and caffeine in freshly dissociated arterial endothelial cells. ACh and caffeine evoked transient increases in [Ca2+]i. The initial increase in [Ca2+]i was accompanied by a transient outward current, which caused membrane hyperpolarization. The amplitudes of the [Ca2+]i transient and outward current were dependent on caffeine concentration (EC50 approximately 1 mM). Cyclopiazonic acid raised resting [Ca2+]i levels by >/=50 nM and failed to completely block caffeine- or ACh-induced [Ca2+]i transients but slowed [Ca2+]i recovery fourfold. The reversal potential of caffeine-induced currents was dependent on external K+ and Cl- concentrations. Caffeine-induced current amplitudes, but not [Ca2+]i responses, were attenuated by external tetraethylammonium, Zn2+, and La3+. A consistent temporal relationship between agonist-activated membrane current and [Ca2+]i increases was not observed, and, in some cases, time differences were greater than expected for simple diffusion of Ca2+ throughout the cell. These results suggest that Ca2+-dependent current activation monitors local [Ca2+]i changes adjacent to the plasmalemma, whereas single-cell photometry provides a measure of global changes in [Ca2+]i.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Fransen
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Katnik
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Adams
mesh_terms: D000109:Acetylcholine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D001158:Arteries / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D002118:Calcium / Q000502:physiology*; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000502:physiology*; D011817:Rabbits; D014661:Vasoconstriction / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D014665:Vasodilator Agents; D000109:Acetylcholine; D002118:Calcium