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Phosphorylation down-regulates the store-operated Ca2+ entry pathway of human neutrophils

M Montero1, J García-Sancho, J Alvarez

  • 1Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular y Fisiología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Valladolid, Spain.

Insights

Protein phosphatase inhibitors prevent the recovery of calcium (Ca2+) entry after N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLP) inhibition. Dephosphorylation by phosphatases 1 and/or 2A is crucial for restoring store-operated calcium entry pathway (SOCP) activity.

Area of Science:

  • Cellular Biology
  • Immunology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • The chemotactic peptide N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLP) was previously shown to transiently inhibit calcium (Ca2+) entry via the plasma membrane Ca2+ channel, a process activated by the depletion of intracellular Ca2+ stores.
  • This inhibition affects the store-operated calcium entry pathway (SOCP).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of protein phosphatases in the regulation of fMLP-induced inhibition of Ca2+ entry.
  • To determine if dephosphorylation is necessary for the restoration of SOCP activity.

Main Methods:

  • Treatment of cells with calyculin A and okadaic acid (inhibitors of protein phosphatases 1 and 2A).
  • Assessment of Ca2+ and Mn2+ entry.
  • Comparison with fMLP-induced inhibition and phorbol dibutyrate inhibition.

Main Results:

  • Calyculin A and okadaic acid prevented the spontaneous reversion of fMLP-induced inhibition, leading to permanent inhibition of Ca2+ and Mn2+ entry.
  • At high concentrations or prolonged incubation, these phosphatase inhibitors also inhibited SOCP independently of fMLP.
  • Inhibition of SOCP by phorbol dibutyrate was unaffected by phosphatase inhibitors.
  • The time course of fMLP-induced SOCP inhibition mirrored that of fMLP-induced phosphorylation of a 47-kDa protein involved in respiratory burst.

Conclusions:

  • fMLP inhibits SOCP likely through phosphorylation of the SOCP protein or a regulatory protein.
  • Dephosphorylation mediated by protein phosphatases 1 and/or 2A is essential for restoring SOCP activity after fMLP-induced inhibition.
  • These findings highlight the critical role of phosphatase activity in regulating calcium signaling pathways.

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