Lm. John et al., Control of IP3-mediated Ca2+ puffs in Xenopus laevis oocytes by the Ca2+-binding protein parvalbumin, J PHYSL LON, 535(1), 2001, pp. 3-16
1. Elementary events of Ca2+ release (Ca2+ puffs) can be elicited from disc
rete clusters of inositol 1,4,5 trisphosphate receptors (IP(3)Rs) at low co
ncentrations of IP3. Ca2+ puffs have rarely been observed unless elicited b
y either hormone treatment or introduction of IP3 into the cell. However, c
ells appear to have sufficient concentrations of IP3 (0.1-3.0 muM) to induc
e Ca2+ release under resting conditions.
2. Here, we investigated Ca2+ puff activity in non-stimulated Xenopus oocyt
es using confocal microscopy. The fluorescent Ca2+ dye indicators Calcium G
reen 1 and Oregon Green 488 BAPTA-2 were injected into oocytes to monitor b
asal Ca2+ activity.
3. In this preparation, injection or overexpression of parvalbumin, an EF-h
and Ca2+-binding protein (CaBP), induced Ca2+ puffs in resting Xenopus oocy
tes. This activity was inhibited by heparin, an IP3R channel blocker, and b
y mutation of the Ca2+-binding sites in parvalbumin.
4. Ca2+ puff activity was also evoked by injection of low concentrations of
the Ca2+ chelator EGTA, but not by calbindin D-28k, another member of the
EF-hand CaBP superfamily.
5. BAPTA and the Ca2+ indicator dye Oregon Green 488 BAPTA-1 evoked Ca2+ pu
ff activity, while the dextran conjugate of Oregon Green 488 BAPTA-1 did no
t. These data indicate that a Ca2+ buffer must be mobile in order to increa
se Ca2+ puff activity.
6. Together, the data indicate that some IP(3)Rs spontaneously release Ca2 under resting concentrations of IP3. These elementary Ca2+ events appear t
o be below the level of detection of current imaging techniques. We suggest
that parvalbumin evokes Ca2+ puffs by coordinating the activity of element
ary IP3R channel openings.
7. We conclude that Ca2+ release can be evoked not only by hormone-induced
increases in IP3, but also by expression of mobile cytosolic CaBPs under re
sting concentrations of IP3.