Abstract
Ca2+ and cAMP are important second messengers that regulate multiple
cellular processes. Although previous studies have suggested direct
interactions between Ca2+ and cAMP signaling pathways, the underlying
mechanisms remain unresolved. In particular, direct evidence for
Ca2+-regulated cAMP production in living cells is incomplete. Genetically
encoded fluorescence resonance energy transfer-based biosensors have
made possible real-time imaging of spatial and temporal gradients
of intracellular cAMP concentration in single living cells. Here,
we used confocal microscopy, fluorescence resonance energy transfer,
and insulin-secreting MIN6 cells expressing Epac1-camps, a biosynthetic
unimolecular cAMP indicator, to better understand the role of intracellular
Ca2+ in cAMP production. We report that depolarization with high
external K+, tolbutamide, or glucose caused a rapid increase in cAMP
that was dependent on extracellular Ca2+ and inhibited by nitrendipine,
a Ca2+ channel blocker, or 2',5'-dideoxyadenosine, a P-site antagonist
of transmembrane adenylate cyclases. Stimulation of MIN6 cells with
glucose in the presence of tetraethylammonium chloride generated
concomitant Ca2+ and cAMP oscillations that were abolished in the
absence of extracellular Ca2+ and blocked by 2',5'-dideoxyadenosine
or 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine, an inhibitor of phosphodiesterase.
Simultaneous measurements of Ca2+ and cAMP concentrations with Fura-2
and Epac1-camps, respectively, revealed a close temporal and causal
interrelationship between the increases in cytoplasmic Ca2+ and cAMP
levels following membrane depolarization. These findings indicate
highly coordinated interplay between Ca2+ and cAMP signaling in electrically
excitable endocrine cells and suggest that Ca2+-dependent cAMP oscillations
are derived from an increase in adenylate cyclase activity and periodic
activation and inactivation of cAMP-hydrolyzing phosphodiesterase.
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