Induction of calcium release from isolated sarcoplasmic reticulum by triphenyltin

A direct peripheral myopathy has been found in organotin intoxication and suggested to be a significant factor in the development of muscle weakness following exposure. In this study, by using the isolated sarcoplasmic reticulum membrane vesicles, we have shown that triphenyltin dose-dependently induced Ca2+ release from the actively and passively loaded sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles. Triphenyltin induced Ca2+ release in ruthenium red-sensitive and insensitive ways with EC50 values of 75 and 270 microM, respectively. The Ca2+-ATPase activity and Ca2+ uptake of sarcoplasmic reticulum were also inhibited by triphenyltin. Triphenyltin exerted dual effects on the apparent [3H]ryanodine binding. Triphenyltin (0.5-10 microM) dose-dependently potentiated the [3H]ryanodine binding; however, the [3H]ryanodine binding decreased as the concentration of triphenyltin increased. The dissociation of bound [3H]ryanodine was facilitated by triphenyltin. The present study suggested that the internal Ca2+ store of skeletal muscle could be depleted by triphenyltin through the inhibition of the Ca2+ uptake and the induction of Ca2+ release by acting on the Ca2+-ATPase and Ca2+ release channel, also known as the ryanodine receptor, of sarcoplasmic reticulum, respectively. These results could partly explain the development of muscle weakness in organotin intoxication; however, their relevance to the development of peripheral myopathy requires further examination.