The effects of thapsigargin on [Ca2+]i in isolated rat mesenteric artery vascular smooth muscle cells

The effects of thapsigargin were studied on single cells isolated from side branches of the rat mesenteric artery. Thapsigargin (150 nM) produced a transient increase of [Ca2+]i. This transient rise of [Ca2+]i was unaffected by removing external Ca2+ ions. This suggests that thapsigargin is releasing Ca2+ ions from an intracellular store. In the absence of thapsigargin both noradrenaline and caffeine also produced a transient increase of [Ca2+]i. These increases were abolished by prior exposure to thapsigargin. Correspondingly, the effects of thapsigargin were abolished by prior exposure to caffeine. These results show that thapsigargin releases Ca2+ from the noradrenaline and caffeine-sensitive stores.