Stimulation of 45Ca efflux from smooth muscle cells by metabolic inhibition and high K depolarization

The characteristics of the extracellular and cellular calcium exchange in taenia coli have been studied by efflux experiments under different experimental conditions. The exchange of extracellularly bound calcium is accelerated by the presence of calcium in the external solution. If a Ca-free solution is used as washing solution, the slowly exchanging extracellular calcium also contributes appreciably to the later phase of the Ca efflux and obscures the changes of the cellular calcium exchange. There is no evidence for a Ca-Ca exchange diffusion. Most of the 45Ca bound at extracellular binding sites can be released by a 10 min exposure to 2 mM EGTA or to 10 mM La3+. This La concentration moreover largely inhibits the release of 45Ca from the cellular compartment by metabolic depletion. A release of cellular 45Ca can be induced by metabolic depletion or by K depolarization. Both procedures probably act at the same sequestering sites. However, while DNP + IAAa cts in the absence of external Ca, it is observed that K depolarization can only cause a Ca release if external Ca can enter the cells.