Oscillations of pH inside the secretory granule control the gain of Ca2+ release for signal transduction in goblet cell exocytosis

Novartis Found Symp. 2002:248:132-41; discussion 141-9, 277-82.

Abstract

Although Ca2+ plays a critical function in relaying intracellular messages, the role of subcellular organelles in the dynamics of intracellular Ca2+ still remains largely unexplored. We recently demonstrated that secretory granules can signal their own export from the cell by releasing Ca2+ to the cytosol. Oscillations and release of Ca2+ in/from the granule result from the combined action of a Ca2+/K+ ion exchange process that occurs in the granule's matrix, and the sequential activation of two Ca2+-sensitive ion channels: an inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor Ca2+ channel (InsP3R) and an apamin-sensitive Ca2+-activated K+ channel (ASK(Ca)). The results reported here from studies using isolated mucin granules indicate that intralumenal granular Ca2+ oscillations ([Ca2+]L) and the corresponding cyclical release of Ca2+ to the cytosol induced by InsP3 are accompanied by corresponding intragranular pH(G) oscillations. Our data show that K+-induced unbinding of Ca2+ from the mucin matrix increases as the pH(G) declines. These observations suggest that oscillations of pH(G) can modulate the gain of the Ca2+/K+ ion exchange process, thereby controlling the amplitude of [Ca2+]L oscillations and the granule-cytosol release gradient of [Ca2+].

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Calcium Channels / drug effects
  • Calcium Channels / physiology
  • Calcium Signaling / drug effects
  • Calcium Signaling / physiology*
  • Cytoplasmic Granules / chemistry*
  • Exocrine Glands / cytology*
  • Exocrine Glands / metabolism
  • Exocytosis / physiology*
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration*
  • Inositol 1,4,5-Trisphosphate / physiology
  • Inositol 1,4,5-Trisphosphate Receptors
  • Ion Transport / drug effects
  • Ion Transport / physiology
  • Macromolecular Substances
  • Models, Biological
  • Mucins / metabolism
  • Mucus / metabolism*
  • Potassium Channels, Calcium-Activated / physiology
  • Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear / physiology

Substances

  • Calcium Channels
  • Inositol 1,4,5-Trisphosphate Receptors
  • Macromolecular Substances
  • Mucins
  • Potassium Channels, Calcium-Activated
  • Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear
  • Inositol 1,4,5-Trisphosphate