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Updated: Aug 7, 2026

Preparation of Pancreatic Acinar Cells for the Purpose of Calcium Imaging, Cell Injury Measurements, and Adenoviral Infection
Published on: July 5, 2013
FK506 induces biphasic Ca2+ release from microsomal vesicles of rat pancreatic acinar cells
1Department of Physiology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai 980-8575, Japan. teozawa@mail.tains.tohoku.ac.jp
Abstract:
The effect of the immunosuppressant drug FK506 on microsomal Ca2+ release was investigated in rat pancreatic acinar cells. When FK506 (0.1-200 microM) was added to the microsomal vesicles at a steady state of ATP-dependent 45Ca2+ uptake, FK506 caused a dose-dependent and a biphasic release of 45Ca2+. Almost 10% of total 45Ca2+ uptake was released at FK506 concentrations up to 10 microM (Km=0.47 microM), and 60% of total 45Ca2+ uptake was released at FK506 concentrations over 10 microM (Km=55 microM). Preincubation of the vesicles with cyclic ADP-ribose (cADPR, 0.5 microM) increased the FK506 (< or =10 microM)-induced 45Ca2+ release (Ozawa T, Biochim Biophys Acta 1693: 159-166, 2004). Preincubation with heparin (200 microg/ml) resulted in significant inhibition of the FK506 (30 microM)-induced 45Ca2+ release. Subsequent addition of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3, 5 microM) after FK506 (100 microM)-induced 45Ca2+ release did not cause any release of 45Ca2+. These results indicate that two types of FK506-induced Ca2+ release mechanism operate in the endoplasmic reticulum of rat pancreatic acinar cells: a high-affinity mechanism of Ca2+ release, which involves activation of the ryanodine receptor, and a low-affinity mechanism of Ca2+ release, which involves activation of the IP3 receptor.
Insights
The immunosuppressant FK506 triggers a biphasic release of calcium from rat pancreatic cells, involving both ryanodine and IP3 receptors. This study reveals dual FK506-induced calcium release mechanisms in pancreatic endoplasmic reticulum.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Pharmacology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Immunosuppressant FK506 affects cellular calcium signaling.
- Microsomal calcium release is crucial in pancreatic acinar cell function.
- Understanding drug-induced calcium dynamics is vital for therapeutic development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of FK506 on microsomal calcium (Ca2+) release in rat pancreatic acinar cells.
- To elucidate the mechanisms underlying FK506-induced Ca2+ release.
- To determine the involvement of specific calcium channels in this process.
Main Methods:
- Utilized ATP-dependent 45Ca2+ uptake assays in isolated microsomal vesicles.
- Administered varying concentrations of FK506 to assess dose-dependent effects.
- Investigated the influence of cyclic ADP-ribose (cADPR) and heparin on FK506-induced Ca2+ release.
- Examined the effect of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) following FK506 treatment.
Main Results:
- FK506 induced a dose-dependent and biphasic release of Ca2+ from microsomal vesicles.
- Two affinity-dependent mechanisms were identified: high-affinity (Km=0.47 microM) and low-affinity (Km=55 microM).
- cADPR enhanced FK506-induced release, while heparin inhibited it, suggesting ryanodine receptor involvement.
- IP3 did not induce further Ca2+ release after FK506 treatment, indicating distinct pathways.
Conclusions:
- FK506 activates two distinct Ca2+ release pathways in rat pancreatic endoplasmic reticulum.
- A high-affinity pathway involves ryanodine receptor activation.
- A low-affinity pathway involves inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) receptor activation.
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