title: Inhibition of cAMP signalling cascade-mediated Ca2+ influx by a prothoracicostatic peptide (Mas-MIP I) via dihydropyridine-sensitive Ca2+ channels in the prothoracic glands of the silkworm, Bombyx mori.
abstract: Measurements of Ca(2+) influx in Fura-2/AM loaded prothoracic glands (PGs) of the silkworm, Bombyx mori, after application of forskolin or the cAMP analogue, 8-bromo-cAMP, showed a steady increase in [Ca(2+)](i), which was of extracellular origin and was inhibited, in both cases, by the dihydropyridine (DHP) derivative, nitrendipine. Nitrendipine also inhibited the abrupt S(-).Bay K 8644-mediated increase in [Ca(2+)](i) and its effects were mimicked by a myoinhibitory/prothoracicostatic peptide (Mas-MIP I/PTSP), which was isolated from Manduca sexta and was found to possess ecdysteroidostatic activity in Bombyx mori PGs. This peptide blocked both the forskolin and S(-).Bay K 8644-mediated increase in [Ca(2+)](i) of PG cells. It was ineffective, however, in blocking the recombinant prothoracicotropic hormone (rPTTH)-stimulated high increase in [Ca(2+)](i) of PG cells suggesting that distinct and independently regulated Ca(2+) influx mechanisms operate in the PG cells of Bombyx mori. The dependence of DHP-sensitive Ca(2+) channels on the cAMP-signalling cascade was further corroborated by the inabilitity of nitrendipine to block the thapsigargin-stimulated high increase in [Ca(2+)](i) after depletion of Ca(2+) from the intracellular stores. This, together with the inability of thapsigargin to stimulate the cAMP levels of PG cells suggest that there is a tightly regulated cross-talk mechanism between the two signalling cascades of Ca(2+) and cAMP. The combined results suggest a cAMP-mediated regulation of the opening-state of DHP-sensitive Ca(2+) channels and stimulation of [Ca(2+)](i) increases and ecdysteroid secretion by a positive feedback mechanism. Mas-MIP I/PTSP interferes with this mechanism by blocking DHP-sensitive Ca(2+) channels. This regulatory mechanism appears to be autonomously stimulating ecdysteroidogenesis by the PGs, it is regulated by Mas-MIP I/PTSPS, and it is not involved in other Ca(2+) influx mechanisms that operate within the PG cells of Bombyx mori.
authors.affiliation: Saxon Academy of Sciences at Leipzig, AG Prof. Dr. H. Penzlin, Erbertstr. 1, PF 100322, 07703 Jena, Germany. sd323@cam.ac.uk
authors.forename: S G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Dedos
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Birkenbeil
mesh_terms: D001498:3-Pyridinecarboxylic acid, 1,4-dihydro-2,6-dimethyl-5-nitro-4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)-, Methyl ester / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D012831:Bombyx; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D015220:Calcium Channels / Q000502:physiology*; D020013:Calcium Signaling / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D005576:Colforsin / Q000494:pharmacology; D000242:Cyclic AMP / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology*; D004095:Dihydropyridines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005088:Exocrine Glands / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D007700:Kinetics; D007814:Larva; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D015220:Calcium Channels; D004095:Dihydropyridines; D005576:Colforsin; D001498:3-Pyridinecarboxylic acid, 1,4-dihydro-2,6-dimethyl-5-nitro-4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)-, Methyl ester; C038806:1,4-dihydropyridine; D000242:Cyclic AMP