Multiple calcium signaling pathways in Mardin-Darby canine kidney cells

Effects of various receptor agonists on cytoplasmic Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) were examined in fura-2-loaded Mardin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) monolayer cells. Carbachol (100 microM) increased [Ca2+]i which slightly declined to a sustained increase in [Ca2+]i. On the other hand, [Ca2+]i elevated by 100 nM bradykinin (BK) declined to a resting level of [Ca2+]i even in the presence of BK. After washout of BK, the subsequent addition of a higher concentration of BK (1 microM) caused a smaller increase in [Ca2+]i than that induced by 100 nM BK. Isoproterenol (100 microM) did not increase [Ca2+]i by itself but caused an transient increase in [Ca2+]i in the presence of 1 mM isobutyl-methylxanthine (IBMX). Prostaglandin E1 (1 microM) resulted in a slight increase in [Ca2+]i which was potentiatedin the presence of 1 mM IBMX. The microsomal Ca(2+)-ATPase inhibitor thapsigargin (100 nM) caused a sustained increase in [Ca2+]i. These results suggest that MDCK cells have multiple Ca2+ signaling pathways which may regulate epithelial cell functions.