Secretagogue-induced Ca2+ oscillations in isolated canine gastric chief cells

Agonist-induced changes in cytoplasmic free Ca2+ concentration [( Ca2+]i) of isolated canine gastric chief cells were evaluated by microspectrofluorometry of superfused fura-2 loaded cells. Application of high concentrations of carbachol (CCh, 10(-5) M) or cholecystokinin octapeptide (10(-8) M) resulted in biphasic Ca2+ mobilization comprising an initial large transient followed by a small sustained elevation above the prestimulation level. Submaximal concentrations of CCh (10(-6) M) or cholecystokinin (10(-9) M) led to either a transient series of large amplitude Ca2+ spike(s) or a higher frequency of sustained Ca2+ oscillations of smaller amplitude. Cholecystokinin at 10(-10) M induced only sustained Ca2+ oscillations. Elimination of Ca2+ from the medium had no immediate effect on oscillations indicating an intracellular source of Ca2+. Thus the Ca2+ signalling mode in chief cells is dependent on agonist concentrations.