Biomaterial Database

The action of acetylcholine and catecholamines on an intracellular calcium store in the smooth muscle cells of the guinea-pig taenia coli. 1979

R Casteels, and L Raeymaekers

1. The role of an intracellular Ca store in excitation-contraction coupling was studied by recording isometric tension development of thin strips (100-150 micron in diameter) of taenia coli incubated in Ca-free solution containing 2 mM-EGTA. 2. The smooth muscle cells of taenia coli do not contract during exposure to a K+-rich and Ca-free solution. However a contractile response can be elicited by acetylcholine or carbachol at concentrations exceeding 10(-6) M. These contractions are probably induced by a release of intracellular Ca. Ca is also released from the same store, although less effectively, by histamine and caffeine. 3. The amount Ca in the intracellular store, as revealed by the magnitude of the carbachol contraction in Ca-free solution, increases after contractions have been induced by high (K+)0 or by solutions containing low concentrations of carbachol. This contraction amplitude decreases after stimulation with a high concentration of carbachol. The amount of Ca in the filled store is sufficient for a near-maximal contraction. 4. The activation of beta-receptors during a K+-depolarization reduces the height of the contracture and induces a carbachol response in Ca-free solution which is higher than that obtained after a preceding K+ depolarization without isoprenaline. This observation indicates that an increased uptake of Ca into the carbachol-sensitive store contributes to the relaxing effect of beta-agonists. 5. In the tissues which have been loaded with 45Ca in a K+-depolarizing solution, a release of Ca into Ca-free solution is observed when the muscle is stimulated with carbachol, but not when it is stimulated with Ca-free high K+. The release is larger when isoprenaline was present during the loading with 45Ca. 6. The removal of Na+ from the solution exerts a complex and unexplained action on the Ca store. Substitution of Na+ by Tris+ and by K+ have similar effects. 7. It is concluded that the smooth muscle cells of the guinea-pig taenia coli have an intracellular store of Ca which participates in excitation-contraction coupling. The store is sensitive to muscarinic agonists, beta-agonists and monovalent ions, but is not affected by depolarization of the outer membrane.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007424	Intracellular Fluid	The fluid inside CELLS.	Fluid, Intracellular,Fluids, Intracellular,Intracellular Fluids
D007545	Isoproterenol	Isopropyl analog of EPINEPHRINE; beta-sympathomimetic that acts on the heart, bronchi, skeletal muscle, alimentary tract, etc. It is used mainly as bronchodilator and heart stimulant.	Isoprenaline,Isopropylarterenol,4-(1-Hydroxy-2-((1-methylethyl)amino)ethyl)-1,2-benzenediol,Euspiran,Isadrin,Isadrine,Isopropyl Noradrenaline,Isopropylnoradrenaline,Isopropylnorepinephrine,Isoproterenol Hydrochloride,Isoproterenol Sulfate,Isuprel,Izadrin,Norisodrine,Novodrin,Hydrochloride, Isoproterenol,Noradrenaline, Isopropyl,Sulfate, Isoproterenol
D008564	Membrane Potentials	The voltage differences across a membrane. For cellular membranes they are computed by subtracting the voltage measured outside the membrane from the voltage measured inside the membrane. They result from differences of inside versus outside concentration of potassium, sodium, chloride, and other ions across cells' or ORGANELLES membranes. For excitable cells, the resting membrane potentials range between -30 and -100 millivolts. Physical, chemical, or electrical stimuli can make a membrane potential more negative (hyperpolarization), or less negative (depolarization).	Resting Potentials,Transmembrane Potentials,Delta Psi,Resting Membrane Potential,Transmembrane Electrical Potential Difference,Transmembrane Potential Difference,Difference, Transmembrane Potential,Differences, Transmembrane Potential,Membrane Potential,Membrane Potential, Resting,Membrane Potentials, Resting,Potential Difference, Transmembrane,Potential Differences, Transmembrane,Potential, Membrane,Potential, Resting,Potential, Transmembrane,Potentials, Membrane,Potentials, Resting,Potentials, Transmembrane,Resting Membrane Potentials,Resting Potential,Transmembrane Potential,Transmembrane Potential Differences
D009119	Muscle Contraction	A process leading to shortening and/or development of tension in muscle tissue. Muscle contraction occurs by a sliding filament mechanism whereby actin filaments slide inward among the myosin filaments.	Inotropism,Muscular Contraction,Contraction, Muscle,Contraction, Muscular,Contractions, Muscle,Contractions, Muscular,Inotropisms,Muscle Contractions,Muscular Contractions
D009130	Muscle, Smooth	Unstriated and unstriped muscle, one of the muscles of the internal organs, blood vessels, hair follicles, etc. Contractile elements are elongated, usually spindle-shaped cells with centrally located nuclei. Smooth muscle fibers are bound together into sheets or bundles by reticular fibers and frequently elastic nets are also abundant. (From Stedman, 25th ed)	Muscle, Involuntary,Smooth Muscle,Involuntary Muscle,Involuntary Muscles,Muscles, Involuntary,Muscles, Smooth,Smooth Muscles
D011188	Potassium	An element in the alkali group of metals with an atomic symbol K, atomic number 19, and atomic weight 39.10. It is the chief cation in the intracellular fluid of muscle and other cells. Potassium ion is a strong electrolyte that plays a significant role in the regulation of fluid volume and maintenance of the WATER-ELECTROLYTE BALANCE.
D002118	Calcium	A basic element found in nearly all tissues. It is a member of the alkaline earth family of metals with the atomic symbol Ca, atomic number 20, and atomic weight 40. Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the body and combines with phosphorus to form calcium phosphate in the bones and teeth. It is essential for the normal functioning of nerves and muscles and plays a role in blood coagulation (as factor IV) and in many enzymatic processes.	Coagulation Factor IV,Factor IV,Blood Coagulation Factor IV,Calcium-40,Calcium 40,Factor IV, Coagulation
D002217	Carbachol	A slowly hydrolyzed CHOLINERGIC AGONIST that acts at both MUSCARINIC RECEPTORS and NICOTINIC RECEPTORS.	Carbamylcholine,Carbacholine,Carbamann,Carbamoylcholine,Carbastat,Carbocholine,Carboptic,Doryl,Isopto Carbachol,Jestryl,Miostat,Carbachol, Isopto
D003106	Colon	The segment of LARGE INTESTINE between the CECUM and the RECTUM. It includes the ASCENDING COLON; the TRANSVERSE COLON; the DESCENDING COLON; and the SIGMOID COLON.	Appendix Epiploica,Taenia Coli,Omental Appendices,Omental Appendix,Appendices, Omental,Appendix, Omental
D004305	Dose-Response Relationship, Drug	The relationship between the dose of an administered drug and the response of the organism to the drug.	Dose Response Relationship, Drug,Dose-Response Relationships, Drug,Drug Dose-Response Relationship,Drug Dose-Response Relationships,Relationship, Drug Dose-Response,Relationships, Drug Dose-Response