AlF4- induces Ca2+ oscillations in guinea-pig ileal smooth muscle

The effects of different compounds that inhibit the isolated plasma-membrane Ca2+/Mg2(+)-ATPase on the cytosolic free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) and on the corresponding force development have been examined in smooth muscle of the longitudinal layer of the guinea-pig ileum. F-, in the presence of Al3+, induced an increase of the resting force and of the amplitude of the superimposed phasic contractions. The increase of resting force was associated with an increased level of basal [Ca2+]i while the phasic contractions were accompanied by concomitant oscillations in [Ca2+]i. Comparable contractions could be induced by vanadate and the calmodulin antagonist calmidazolium. The oscillations of [Ca2+]i and of force elicited by AlF4- were not modified by adrenergic or cholinergic blocking agents but were inhibited by verapamil. These phasic contractions were not affected by depleting the intracellular Ca2+ stores with ryanodine. This finding excludes a cytosolic origin of these oscillations. However, hyperpolarization and complete depolarization of the cells inhibited the oscillations. It is concluded that AlF4-, vanadate and calmidazolium induce cytoplasmic Ca2+ oscillations possibly by acting at the plasma membrane. Indeed all these substances affect by different mechanisms the isolated plasma-membrane Ca2+/Mg2(+)-ATPase. The generation of membrane-linked Ca2+ oscillations could therefore be related to an inhibition of the plasma-membrane Ca2+ pump resulting in an increase of [Ca2+]i. This change in [Ca2+]i could be responsible for the pronounced changes of the electrical and mechanical activity of this tissue.