Calcium oscillation induced by bradykinin in polyoma middle T antigen-transformed NIH3T3 fibroblasts: evidence for dependence on protein kinase C
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 9, 2026

Assessment of Mitochondrial Functions and Cell Viability in Renal Cells Overexpressing Protein Kinase C Isozymes
Published on: January 7, 2013
Abstract:
Bradykinin (BK) triggered long lasting intracellular free calcium ([Ca2+]i) oscillation in polyoma middle T-transformed cell line MT3 cells but not in the parental NIH3T3 cells. This periodic [Ca2+]i fluctuation was extracellular Ca(2+)-dependent and blocked by pretreatments with Ca2+ channel blockers, SK&F 96365 or CdCl2, suggesting a crucial role of Ca2+ entry across the plasma membrane possibly through a receptor-operated Ca2+ channel. Brief pretreatment with phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) completely abolished the BK-induced [Ca2+]i oscillation, and a protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor, H-7, reversed the effect of PMA, indicating involvement of PKC. On the other hand, in some cells, oscillatory changes in [Ca2+]i were seen without agonist stimulation. The spontaneous oscillation was also dependent on extracellular Ca2+, but neither treatment with PMA nor H-7 had any effect under the same conditions.
Insights
Bradykinin induces calcium oscillations in transformed cells, dependent on extracellular calcium entry and protein kinase C. Spontaneous oscillations also occur, unaffected by protein kinase C modulation.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Calcium Signaling
Background:
- Bradykinin (BK) is a peptide that elicits various cellular responses.
- Intracellular calcium ([Ca2+]i) plays a critical role in cell signaling pathways.
- Transformed cell lines can exhibit altered signaling compared to their parental counterparts.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of bradykinin in inducing intracellular calcium oscillations in polyoma middle T-transformed MT3 cells.
- To elucidate the mechanisms underlying BK-induced calcium oscillations, including calcium source and involvement of protein kinase C (PKC).
- To characterize spontaneous calcium oscillations in MT3 cells.
Main Methods:
- Utilized calcium imaging techniques to monitor intracellular free calcium ([Ca2+]i) levels.
- Applied bradykinin as a stimulus in polyoma middle T-transformed MT3 cells and parental NIH3T3 cells.
- Employed calcium channel blockers (SK&F 96365, CdCl2), phorbol myristate acetate (PMA), and a PKC inhibitor (H-7) to investigate signaling pathways.
Main Results:
- Bradykinin triggered long-lasting intracellular calcium oscillations in MT3 cells, but not in NIH3T3 cells.
- BK-induced oscillations were dependent on extracellular calcium and inhibited by calcium channel blockers, suggesting receptor-operated calcium entry.
- Phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) abolished BK-induced oscillations, an effect reversed by a protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor (H-7), indicating PKC involvement.
- Spontaneous calcium oscillations were observed in some MT3 cells, were extracellular calcium-dependent, but were not affected by PMA or H-7.
Conclusions:
- Bradykinin-induced calcium oscillations in MT3 cells are mediated by extracellular calcium influx through a receptor-operated channel and involve protein kinase C.
- Spontaneous calcium oscillations in MT3 cells represent a distinct pathway, independent of PKC and agonist stimulation.
- These findings highlight differential calcium signaling mechanisms in transformed cells.
More Related Videos
10:46Mechanical Stimulation-induced Calcium Wave Propagation in Cell Monolayers: The Example of Bovine Corneal Endothelial Cells
Published on: July 16, 2013
09:07Fluorescent Calcium Imaging and Subsequent In Situ Hybridization for Neuronal Precursor Characterization in Xenopus laevis
Published on: February 18, 2020
Related Concept Videos
Cell Specific Gene Expression
MAPK Signaling Cascades
Feedback Regulation of Calcium Concentration
Various transmembrane receptors, such as G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), elicit a response to extracellular signals by increasing cytosolic calcium. Activated GPCRs...
Calmodulin-dependent Signaling
The Ca2+-CaM complex does not have enzymatic activity by itself. Instead, the complex binds downstream target proteins, including membrane proteins or enzymes,...
Intracellular Signaling Affects Focal Adhesions
Some...
Smooth Muscle Contraction
The onset of contraction is triggered by an increase in calcium ions within the sarcoplasm, similar to the process in striated muscle. However, smooth muscles have a relatively smaller reservoir of the sarcoplasmic...