Biomaterial Database

Extracellular ionic composition alters kinetics of vesicular release of catecholamines and quantal size during exocytosis at adrenal medullary cells. 1994

J A Jankowski, and J M Finnegan, and R M Wightman

Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 27599-3290.

The temporal resolution of carbon-fiber microelectrodes has been exploited to examine the plasticity of quantal secretory events at individual adrenal medullary cells. The size of individual quantal events, monitored by amperometric oxidation of released catecholamines, was found to be dependent on the extracellular ionic composition, the secretagogue, and the order of depolarization delivery. Release was observed with either exposure to 60 mM K+ in the presence of Ca2+ or exposure to 3 mM Ba2+ in solutions of different pH, with and without external Ca2+. Ba2+ was demonstrated to induce Ca(2+)-independent exocytotic release for an extended period of time (> 4 min) relative to release induced by K+ (approximately 30 s), which is Ca2+ dependent. In all cases, simultaneous changes of intracellular divalent cations, monitored by fura-2 fluorescence, accompanied quantal release and had a similar time course. Exocytosis caused by Ba2+ in Ca(2+)-free medium had a larger mean spike area at pH 8.2 than at pH 7.4. When Ba(2+)-induced spikes measured at pH 7.4 were compared, the spikes in Ca(2+)-free medium were found to be broader and shorter but had the same area. Release induced by K+ after exposure to Ba2+ was comprised of larger quantal events when compared with preceding K+ stimulations. Finally, spikes obtained with Ba2+ exposure at an extracellular pH of 5.5 had a different shape than those obtained in more basic solutions. These changes in spike size and shape are consistent with the interactions between catecholamines and other intravesicular components.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
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
D002395	Catecholamines	A general class of ortho-dihydroxyphenylalkylamines derived from TYROSINE.	Catecholamine,Sympathin,Sympathins
D002417	Cattle	Domesticated bovine animals of the genus Bos, usually kept on a farm or ranch and used for the production of meat or dairy products or for heavy labor.	Beef Cow,Bos grunniens,Bos indicus,Bos indicus Cattle,Bos taurus,Cow,Cow, Domestic,Dairy Cow,Holstein Cow,Indicine Cattle,Taurine Cattle,Taurus Cattle,Yak,Zebu,Beef Cows,Bos indicus Cattles,Cattle, Bos indicus,Cattle, Indicine,Cattle, Taurine,Cattle, Taurus,Cattles, Bos indicus,Cattles, Indicine,Cattles, Taurine,Cattles, Taurus,Cow, Beef,Cow, Dairy,Cow, Holstein,Cows,Dairy Cows,Domestic Cow,Domestic Cows,Indicine Cattles,Taurine Cattles,Taurus Cattles,Yaks,Zebus
D002478	Cells, Cultured	Cells propagated in vitro in special media conducive to their growth. Cultured cells are used to study developmental, morphologic, metabolic, physiologic, and genetic processes, among others.	Cultured Cells,Cell, Cultured,Cultured Cell
D005089	Exocytosis	Cellular release of material within membrane-limited vesicles by fusion of the vesicles with the CELL MEMBRANE.
D005453	Fluorescence	The property of emitting radiation while being irradiated. The radiation emitted is usually of longer wavelength than that incident or absorbed, e.g., a substance can be irradiated with invisible radiation and emit visible light. X-ray fluorescence is used in diagnosis.
D006863	Hydrogen-Ion Concentration	The normality of a solution with respect to HYDROGEN ions; H+. It is related to acidity measurements in most cases by pH	pH,Concentration, Hydrogen-Ion,Concentrations, Hydrogen-Ion,Hydrogen Ion Concentration,Hydrogen-Ion Concentrations
D000313	Adrenal Medulla	The inner portion of the adrenal gland. Derived from ECTODERM, adrenal medulla consists mainly of CHROMAFFIN CELLS that produces and stores a number of NEUROTRANSMITTERS, mainly adrenaline (EPINEPHRINE) and NOREPINEPHRINE. The activity of the adrenal medulla is regulated by the SYMPATHETIC NERVOUS SYSTEM.	Adrenal Medullas,Medulla, Adrenal,Medullas, Adrenal
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia