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First published online January 10, 2008

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Nuclear Ca²⁺ declares independence

In cardiac muscle cells, the level of calcium in the cytoplasm oscillates repeatedly, causing muscle contraction and heartbeat. In addition, Ca²⁺ plays a key role in the nucleus, where it regulates gene expression. Nuclear Ca²⁺ levels depend – at least in part – on Ca²⁺ transients (CaTs) in the cytosol, but it is not known whether nuclear Ca²⁺ concentration can also be independently controlled. Now, Burkert Pieske and colleagues (p. 186) report that low levels of the vasoconstrictor peptide endothelin-1 increase the amplitude of nuclear CaTs selectively in cardiac myocytes. The authors show that endothelin-1 increases CaTs in both the nucleus and the cytoplasm when used at higher concentrations, but nuclear CaTs still increase when cytoplasmic CaTs are blocked. By using specific inhibitors, the authors demonstrate that phospholipase C and inositol (1,4,5)-trisphosphate mediate the increase in nuclear Ca²⁺. Moreover, they show that endothelin-1 promotes Ca²⁺ release from perinuclear stores. Thus, nuclear Ca²⁺ can be independently regulated, shedding light on how Ca²⁺ controls diverse processes within a single cell.

Related articles in JCS:

Endothelin-1 enhances nuclear Ca²⁺ transients in atrial myocytes through Ins(1,4,5)P₃-dependent Ca²⁺ release from perinuclear Ca²⁺ stores

Jens Kockskämper, Lea Seidlmayer, Stefanie Walther, Kristian Hellenkamp, Lars S. Maier, and Burkert Pieske
JCS 2008 121: 186-195. [Abstract] [Full Text]  

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Related articles in JCS Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Search for Related Content