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Calcium concentration is strictly regulated in all cells. The inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor (IP(3)R), which forms a homotetrameric Ca2+ release channel in the endoplasmic reticulum, is one of the key molecules responsible for this regulation. The opening of this channel requires binding of two intracellular messengers, which are inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP(3)) and Ca2+. To promote the Ca2+-channel gating and release from the endoplasmic reticulum, IP(3) binds to the amino-terminal region of IP(3)R. Recently, the crystal structure of IP(3)R-binding core in complex with its ligand was presented [I. Bosanac, J.R. Alattia, T.K. Mai, J. Chan, S. Talarico, F.K. Tong, K.I. Tong, F. Yoshikawa, T. Furuichi, M. Iwai, T. Michikawa, K. Mikoshiba, M. Ikura, Structure of the inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor binding core in complex with its ligand, Nature 420 (2002) 696-700; I. Bosanac, H. Yamazaki, T. Matsu-ura, T. Michikawa, K. Mikoshiba, M. Ikura, Crystal structure of the ligand-binding suppressor domain of type 1 inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor, Mol. Cell 17 (2005) 193-203]. The space positions of residues 289-301 (segment A), 320-350 (segment B), 373-386 (segment C), and 529-545 (segment D) were not determined by the X-ray crystallography. To bridge these gaps, the computer modeling of physiologically meaningful low-energy 3D structures of the segments A-D of the inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor has been carried out by using a hierarchical conformational search algorithm combining two approaches: knowledge-based homology modeling and ab initio conformational search strategy. The structure analysis suggests a Ca2+-binding site of high affinity formed by residues 296-335, several low-energy regular secondary structure units within the segment B, and a number of hinge regions within the segments A-D, important for the receptor functioning.

The influence of lanthanoids on exocytosis was investigated. It was shown that gadolinium increases the spontaneous release of the glutamate nonmetabolizing analogue [3H]D-aspartate. It was established using the fluorescent dye acridine orange that gadolinium and lanthanum induce exocytosis. The effect was dose-dependent and was maximum at 300 microM Gd3+. The exocytosis induced by gadolinium was calcium-independent. It is suggested that lanthanides induce a vesicular release of neurotransmitters by the mechanisms common for all polyvalent cations.

We studied the influence of Ca(2+) on exocytosis induced by hypotonic shock using the fluorescent dyes acridine orange FM1-43 and FM2-10. It was shown using acridine orange that lowering osmolarity to 230 mOsm/L induces exocytosis both in calcium-containing and calcium-free media. By contrast, we were able to demonstrate calcium dependence of exocytosis using styryl dyes. Lowering osmolarity leads to an increase of neurotransmitter release in a calcium-independent manner. Thus, our data suggest that hypotonic swelling induces calcium-independent exocytosis. Calcium influx mediated by stretch channels is able to switch mode of exocytosis from "kiss and run" to full fusion.

The dynamics of the inositol-1,4,5-triphosphate-sensitive calcium channel after binding of inositol-1,4,5-triphosphate and Ca2+ was analyzed by the Monte Carlo minimization technique. It was shown that the binding of Ca2+ with the unliganded receptor (channel) leads to a turning of the beta-sheet domain relative to the alpha-helical domain with the formation of the receptor conformation that is open for the entry of ions into the cytoplasmic channel vestibule, sterically closed for their passage through the vestibule in the part adjacent to the alpha-helical domains, and unfavourable for subsequent binding of inositol-1,4,5-triphosphate with the receptor. When both co-agonists bind to the receptor, the structure rearrangements induced eliminate both these steric obstacles for the passage of ions through the IP3-binding domain: one at the entrance of the channel cytoplasmic vestibule and the other that is placed deeper in the vestibule near the alpha-domains. The role of the dynamics of the receptor binding core in the IP3-sensitive channel gating is discussed.

A decrease in the osmolarity of incubation medium is accompanied by calcium influx in neuronal presynaptic endings. We studied the influence of Ca2+ on exocytosis induced by hypotonic shock using the hydrophilic fluorescent dye acridine orange and the hydrophobic fluorescent dye FM2-10. It was shown using acridine orange that lowering of osmolarity to 230 mOsm/l induces exocytosis both in calcium-containing and calcium-free medium. By contrast, we were able to demonstrate calcium-dependence of exocytosis using styryl dye FM2-10. Lowering of osmolarity leads to increase of [3H]D-aspartate and [3H]GABA release in calcium-free medium. Addition of calcium inhibits hypotonic-induced neurotransmitter release. Decreasing of NaCl concentration to 92 mM in isotonic medium is able to induce d-aspartate and GABA release. Thus, our data suggest that hypotonic swelling induces calcium-independent exocytosis possibly by a "kiss and run" mechanism. Calcium influx mediated by stretch channels is able to provoke full fusion between plasma membrane and synaptic vesicles. [3H]D-aspartate and [3H]GABA released by hypotonic shock is determined by sodium lowering rather than by osmolarity decreasing itself.

Hyponatremia leads to hyperexcitability of neurons, seizures, and coma. It is well established that uptake of neurotransmitters is a sodium-dependent process. Therefore, we suggest that inhibition of neurotransmitter uptake can lead to the clinical manifestations of hyponatremia. Decreasing of sodium concentration down to 92 mM in incubation medium, which corresponds to lowering the osmolarity down to 230 mOsm/l, leads to a 45% decrease in glutamate uptake and a 46% decrease in gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) uptake. However, this effect was mediated by the nonspecific lowering of osmolarity rather than by decreasing sodium concentration. Hypotonic shock was able to reduce glutamate uptake in the presence of protein kinase inhibitors staurosporine and genistein, the phosphatase inhibitor okadaic acid, the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase inhibitor wortmannin, and cytoskeleton modulators colchicine and cytochalasin B. Therefore, we suggest that intracellular signaling is not mediating the effect of osmolarity reduction on neurotransmitter uptake.

The effect of calcium ionophore A23187 on the release of nonmetabolizable glutamate analogues [3H]D-aspartate and the exocytosis registered by fluorescent dyes in synaptosomes was investigated. It was shown that A23187 is able to induce neurotransmitter release both in calcium-containing and calcium-free medium, the effect in the latter case being more pronounced. Calcium ionophore is able to induce exocytosis registered by acridine orange and FM 2-10. The influence of A23187 on the fluorescence of acridine orange was mainly calcium-independent, whereas the change in the fluorescence of FM 2-10 was calcium-dependent. It was suggested that the calcium-independent increase in acridine orange fluorescence is related to the dissipation of pH gradient in synaptic vesicles. Probably, the calcium-independent release of D-aspartate is also associated with the dissipation of pH gradient and subsequent leakage of neurotransmitters.

A method for determining the cumulative concentration of tyrosine- and tryptophan-containing peptides (TSP and TPP) in blood plasma: 0.2 ml of blood plasma is added 0.1 ml of 1.8 M chloric acid, the sample is centrifuged, the supernatant (0.2 ml) is added 1.8 ml of 0.7 M NaOH and the optic density is measured at 290 nm in the quarts or plastic flask. Equations were derived to calculate separately the concentrations of TSP and TPP, whose normal values are 1.28 +/- 0.31 and 0.25 +/- 0.06 mmol/l, respectively. The increasing total content of peptides in thyrotoxicosis was shown to be mainly conditioned by a higher TSP concentration (a 2.4-fold increase). Therefore, TSP is a more sensitive marker in case of endogenous intoxication versus the generally known index of the cumulative content of oligopeptides.

The effect of hypotonic and hypertonic shock on exocytosis in rat brain synaptosomes was studied using the fluorescent dye acridine orange. It was shown that an increase in medium osmolarity leads to calcium-independent exocytosis. The response of the probe was directly proportional to the amount of osmolithes added. A decrease in medium osmolarity to 230 mOsm led to an increase of acridine orange fluorescence, which is comparable with exocytosis occurring by the action of 15 mM KCl. This effect was independent of calcium concentration. It is assumed that, under hypotonic shock, part of neurotransmitters are released from the vesicular pool.

The effect of acidification of the incubation medium on the membrane potential and glutamate uptake and release was studied in isolated presynaptic neuronal endings (synaptosomes) from rat brain. Using the fluorescent probe diS-C3-(5), a rapid depolarization of plasma membrane was detected at pH 6.0, most probably as a result of the inhibition of the sodium pump and potassium channel blockade. The membrane potential decrease did not result in increase of basal efflux of glutamate. Glutamate release following K(+)-induced depolarization was decreased upon lowering pH to 6.0. Acidosis inhibited mainly calcium-dependent (vesicular) release of glutamate and did not significantly reduce [14C]glutamate uptake. This inhibition of glutamate release but not of glutamate uptake may be a mechanism of the protective effect of acidosis during brain ischemia.

Background: Cerebral edema contributes significantly to morbidity and death in many common neurological disorders. Ca2+ ions play a important role in the development of pathophysiological reactions in nerve cells. The aim of our research was to elucidate the mechanism of the osmotically-induced entrance of Ca2+ into nerve terminals (synaptosomes) and to estimate the involvement of endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ stores in intrasynaptosomal Ca2+-dependent processes in hypoosmotic swelling., Material/methods: Synaptosomes were isolated from rat brains. The rates of Ca2+ uptake were determined using 45Ca2+ as a radiotracer. Intracellular Ca2+ measurements were performed using Fura-2 as a cell calcium indicator., Results: Entry into synaptosomes in hypotonic medium (230 mOsm) of osmosis-induced Ca2+ (45 Ca2+) was reduced by verapamil, Cd2+ or genistein to 50-60% of baseline. NEM and PCMB inhibit 45Ca2+ uptake. Swelling of synaptosomes is coupled with increased tyrosine kinase activity and oxidation of SH-groups of cysteine residues of the membrane proteins involved in Ca2+ transport. These membrane processes probably influence the properties of voltage-dependent L-type Ca2+ channels, which increase their conductivity to Ca2+. Activation of RyR- and Ins(1,4,5,)P3-stores were recorded. It was shown that the Ins(1,4,5,)P3-stores are a major source of the increase in [Ca2+]i in the cytoplasm with swelling of the synaptosomes., Conclusions: Osmotic swelling of synaptosomes leads to Ca2+ accumulation by intrasynaptosomal mitochondria. Excess Ca2+ ions stored in mitochondria inhibit oxidative phosphorylation. This causes an irreversible reduction in the energy status of nerve terminals, which can initiate pathophysiological processes in nerve cells.

The acute-phase response alters the composition of carrier proteins in plasma, which may affect the blood deposition and transport of biomediators and drugs. The effect of the acute-phase response on the ligand binding ability of plasma was studied in leukemic children with and without systemic inflammation (sepsis and septic shock). To target different transport proteins, differentially charged fluorescent dyes were used: anionic ANS (8-anilinonaphthalene-1-sulfonate), uncharged Nile red, and cationic Quinaldine red. Human serum albumin was a principal carrier for ANS and competed for Nile red binding with lipoproteins. The synchro-scan fluorescence spectra of Nile red in plasma distinguished two species of the dye bound to serum albumin and to low-density and/or very low-density lipoproteins. The binding of Quinaldine red did not correlate with albumin and lipoprotein levels, and was probably determined by alpha(1)-acid glycoprotein. Compared with the control group, leukemia increased Quinaldine red binding by 65% and did not significantly affect the binding of other probes. Sepsis and septic shock did not change the binding of Quinaldine red, but progressively decreased ANS binding, finally by about 33%, and shifted Nile red distribution from serum albumin toward lipoproteins. These changes reflected a modified composition of the three principal transport proteins in plasma in the acute-phase response. Simple and rapid fluorescent tests developed in this study can be used to evaluate the acute-phase response and to optimize drug administration protocols in clinical practice.

Nitric oxide (NO) modulates processes of synaptic transmission at pre- and postsynaptic levels. In the present work we studied the mechanisms of action of NO on [gamma-14C]amino-n-butyric acid ([14C]GABA) release in rat cortical synaptosomes. NO donors--S-nitroso-L-cysteine and hydroxylamine (but not sodium nitroprusside)--inhibited the neurotransmitter efflux in a concentration range from 10 microM to 1 mM. Nitrosocysteine completely and selectively suppressed the Ca2+-dependent (vesicular) [14C]GABA release, while not affecting the Ca2+-independent component of the [14C]GABA transport. The influence of NO donors was not related to activation of guanylyl cyclase, since the membrane-permeable cGMP analog dibutyryl-cGMP did not mimic and the guanylyl cyclase inhibitor methylene blue did not change the NO effects. In contrast, the membrane-permeable SH-reagent N-ethylmaleimide (NEM) resembled the effects of NO donors on the Ca2+-dependent [14C]GABA release. The degree of inhibition of the release by nitrosocysteine, hydroxylamine, and NEM correlated with their ability to oxidize intra-synaptosomal SH-groups. These data suggest that synaptosomal sulfhydryl groups are the target for NO action at the presynaptic level. The NO-induced oxidation of thiols may be involved in physiological and, especially, pathological effects of nitric oxide in the central nervous system.

The swelling of nerve terminals of rat brain in a hypotonic medium (230 mOsm) induced the potential-independent entrance of 45Ca2+ into synaptosomes and intrasynaptosomal mitochondria that changed the energy status of synaptosomes, the rate of O2 consumption and the content of ATP being decreased. The ratio ATP/ADP decreased from 6.5 +/- 0.26 (310 mOsm medium) to 3.1 +/- 0.18 (the medium 230 mOsm). Studies on the equilibrium distribution of K+ (86Rb+) and [3H]TPP+ showed that contents of these cations in the nerve terminals were virtually the same on incubation in both iso- and hypotonic media. This indicated that the swelling did not damage intrasynaptosomal mitochondria and plasma membranes of the synaptosomes. The inhibition of oxidative phosphorylation increased twofold the rate of glycolysis. The incubation of synaptosomes in calcium-free medium (230 mOsm) in the presence of EGTA (1 mM) prevented the inhibition of oxidative phosphorylation and synthesis of ATP by the osmotic swelling. Ruthenium Red (10 microM) in the medium 230 mOsm inhibited the entrance of 45Ca2+ into the intrasynaptosomal mitochondria and normalized the oxidative phosphorylation to the control level (310 mOsm medium). The decrease in the energy potential of synaptosomes induced by the hypoosmotic shock is suggested to be associated with the increase in Ca2+ content in the cytoplasm, its transport into the mitochondria, and the inhibitory effect on oxidative phosphorylation.

The accumulation of methylene blue in native and damaged erythrocytes treated by cetyltrimethylammonium bromide at different initial concentrations (c0) of methylene blue and different volume ratios between external solution and cells (Vs/Vc) was studied. It was shown that at low methylene blue concentrations (c0 < 200 microM), the sorption of the dye by cells made the main contribution to its accumulation. As a result, the internal concentration of methylene blue exceeded manifold its external concentration and their ratio Q was 4-6 for native and 6-9 for damaged cells. As Vs/Vc decreased and especially as c0 increased, the diffusion of methylene blue inward the cells increased concentration gradient, and Q sharply fell to 0.9-1.0. The optimal values of c0 and Vs/Vc that provide the maximum sensitivity of Q to cell damage were determined. The advantages of using Q over other parameters of methylene blue accumulation were shown.

We studied the influence of plasma membrane depolarization on cAMP content in presynaptic nerve endings (synaptosomes) isolated from brain hemispheres (HS) and cerebellum (CS). Depolarization by elevated [K+]o decreased basal cAMP level in both types of synaptosomes; reduced cAMP content in HS and increased cAMP in CS in the presence of IBMX; and lowered forskolin-stimulated cAMP accumulation in both the HS and the CS. Similar results were obtained when depolarization was induced by veratrine or when [Ca2+]i was elevated by treatment of the synaptosomes with the ionophore A23187. In Ca2+-free media, depolarization was not able to affect the synaptosomal cAMP levels. These data suggest that in brain synaptosomes intracellular cAMP pathway is modulated by alterations in [Ca2+]i.

A method for estimating the fluidity of natural membranes from the pyrene excimer/monomer fluorescence ratio (Ie/Im) is proposed. The method makes it possible to exclude artefacts such as fluorescence quenching, aggregation, and redistribution of the probe in lipid mains with different microviscosity. It is shown that, upon variation of intramembrane pyrene concentration [pyr], the occurrence of a common crossover point in pyrene fluorescence spectra normalized to the corresponding probe concentration (isoemission or isobestic point) or, as a consequence, the linear dependence of Ie/[pyr] on Im/[pyr] can serve as a criterion of diffusion (fluidity)-controlled excimerization of pyrene. The isobestic point can be used for determining the range of working concentrations of the probe in membrane suspension. It was found from the intensity of pyrene fluorescence in the isobestic point and quenching with potassium iodide that at t < 30 degrees C, the probe is uniformly distributed throughout the membrane, and its excimerization is mainly controlled by the microviscosity of environment.

A novel approach to assessing endogenic intoxication (EI) as an imbalance between toxin accumulation and binding by albumin in blood plasma is proposed. The intoxication criterion (IC) is determined by the ratio of the content of medium-weight molecules (MWM) and effective albumin concentration (EAC): IC = MWN/EAC. In children with oncohematological diseases the development of EI is associated with a 4-fold drop of MWM content and a twofold decrease of EAC, and hence, the imbalance between these two values increases 9-10 times. The proposed approach notably improves the sensitivity of diagnosis of the early stages of EI. Application of a new fluorescent marker pirrone red for measuring albumin binding capacity is validated and an algorithm of EAC determination using calibration curve of probe binding to standard albumin solution is described.

Significant differences in the development of ozonolysis of lipids in membrane preparations and intact cells of the Candida utilis yeast were revealed. First, unlike isolated membranes, in which lipid modifications can be initiated by low ozone doses (< 0.5 micromol O3/mg protein) and develop proportionally to the treatment dose, in intact yeast cells, even the most ozone-sensitive sterols and nitrogen-containing phospholipids (phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine) did not undergo oxidative destruction at doses up to 6.0 micromol O3/mg protein. Second, the peculiarity of the ozone-initiated lipid modification in intact cells was that different classes of lipids exhibited different sensitivity to ozone. With an increase in the ozone dose, neutral lipids (sterols) and nitrogen-containing phospholipids (phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, and sphingomyelin) were modified to a greater extent. Third, the accumulation of lipid peroxidation products upon ozone treatment of cells, in contrast to the isolated membranes, was absent at low ozone doses and was recorded only after the lethal damage. It is suggested that these differences are related to both the function of antioxidative enzymes (catalase, superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, etc.) and the difference between the structural states (i.e., stability and accessibility to oxidation) of lipids in the isolated membranes and the intact cells.

The origin of calcium responsible for earlier observed acidosis-induced decrease in ATP content and inhibition of respiration in rat brain synaptosomes was studied. Acidosis (pH 6.0) inhibits both basal and potassium-stimulated 45Ca2+ uptake (60 mM KCl). Calcium channel blockers verapamil (100 microM) and 45Ca2+ (100 microM) have no effect on the level of ATP and respiration rate at pH 6.0. Theophylline (10 mM) releasing calcium from intracellular stores lowered ATP and O2 consumption rate at pH 7.4 but not at pH 6.0 being effective only in calcium-containing medium. Inhibitor of calcium transport in mitochondria ruthenium red (10 microM) prevented acidosis-induced ATP decrease. It is suggested that acidosis inhibits oxidative phosphorylation by releasing calcium from cytoplasmic stores with its subsequent transport into intrasynaptosomal mitochondria.

Incubation of rat brain synaptosomes at pH 6.0 in Ca2+-containing medium is associated with a decrease in the ATP content and the rate of oxygen consumption. ATP/ADP ratio decreased from 6.6 +/- 0.24 at pH 7.4 to 3.2 +/- 0.17 at pH 6.0. The content of 86Rb+ and [3H]tetraphenylphosphonium measured at pH 7.4 did not change after preincubation at pH 6.0, indicating the absence of lesion of synaptosomal plasma membranes and intrasynaptosomal mitochondria. Incubation with 1 mM EGTA in Ca2+-free medium as well as addition of 1 mM ouabain or 10 microM ruthenium red prevents the effect of acidosis. Similar results were obtained when 5 mM pyruvate was used as a mitochondrial substrate instead of glucose. It is suggested that acidosis-induced decrease in the ATP level is associated with the increase in Ca2+ concentration in the cytoplasm and its transport into mitochondria. Ouabain reverses this process due to activation of Na+/Ca2+ exchange.

Electron transfer activity of isolated cytochrome oxidase inhibited by low concentrations of cyanide by 93-95% was shown to rise no less than three times under exposure to visible light. Irradiation with visible light was found to increase the rate of reduction of cytochrome oxidase heme groups in the presence of sodium dithionite. Based on these results, it is suggested that the modification of the catalytic and spectral characteristic of the cytochrome oxidase-cyanide complex is due to the photostimulation of the intramolecular electron transport at the interheme (heme a heme a3) transfer stage, i.e., is caused by photoreduction of the enzyme's heme a3-CN complex.

Influence of hypotonic swelling on Ca2+ (45Ca2+) uptake in rat brain synaptosomes was studied. A decrease in medium osmolality from 310 to 260-180 mOsm led to a progressive stimulation of 45Ca2+ accumulation. The effect was blocked by verapamil (IC50 = 5 microM), CoCl2 (IC50 = 58 microM) and retained at a fixed concentration of external sodium indicating the involvement of Ca2+ channels rather than Na+/Ca2+ exchange in swelling-induced Ca2+ influx. The populations of calcium channels observed in hypoosmotic and depolarizing conditions are different in three aspects: (i) kinetics of 45Ca2+ entry; (ii) insensitivity to dihydropyridines and omega-conotoxin GVIA; (iii) insensitivity to preliminary depolarization by high potassium. The effects of swelling and depolarization on Ca2+ uptake were additive. No change in membrane potential monitored with diS-C3-(5) was recorded during synaptosome hypotonic swelling. The results suggest the existence in synaptosomal plasma membrane of volume-dependent calcium-permeable channels with properties distinct from those of the voltage-dependent calcium channels. Activation of these channels may constitute an early event in volume regulation of nerve terminals in anisoosmotic conditions.

The mechanisms of intracellular [correction of intercellular] signalling responsible for cell volume regulation are elucidated in the 2nd part of the review. Data on a nature of the "volume" sensor and signals acting on it, the properties of structures and mechanisms regulating the cell volume, are discussed as well as genetic regulation of the cell volume responses.

This study examines the effect of heat-induced cytoskeleton transitions and phosphoprotein phosphatase inhibitors on the activity of shrinkage-induced Na+, K+, 2Cl- cotransport and Na+/H+ exchange in rat erythrocytes and swelling-induced K+, Cl- cotransport in human and rat blood cells. Preincubation of human and rat erythrocytes at 49 degrees C drastically activated K+, Cl- cotransport and completely (rat) or partly (human) abolished its volume-dependent regulation. The same procedure did not affect basal activity of Na+, K+, 2Cl- cotransport but completely abolished its activation by shrinkage thus suggesting the involvement of a thermosensitive element of cytoskeleton network in the volume-dependent regulation of cotransporters. Both the shrinkage- and electrochemical proton gradient-induced Na+/H+ exchange was inhibited by the heat treatment to the same extent (50-70%), thus indicating the different signaling pathways involved in the activation of Na+, K+, 2Cl- cotransport and Na+/H+ exchange by cell shrinkage. This suggestion is in accordance with data on the different kinetics of volume-dependent activation and inactivation of these carriers as well as on their sensitivity to medium osmolality. Both swelling- and heat-induced increments of K+, Cl- cotransport activity were diminished by inhibitors of phosphoprotein phosphatases (okadaic acid and calyculin). In rat erythrocytes these compounds potentiate shrinkage-induced Na+/H+ exchange. On the contrary, neither basal nor shrinkage-induced Na+, K+, 2Cl- cotransport was affected by these compounds. Our results indicate a key role of cytoskeleton network in volume-dependent activation of K+, Cl- and Na+, K+, 2Cl- cotransport and the involvement of protein phosphorylation-dephosphorylation cycle in regulation of the activity of K+, Cl- cotransport and Na+/H+ exchange.

The influence of acidosis on the transmembrane potential, sodium pump and membranous systems of calcium transport was studied on isolated presynaptic nerve terminals (synaptosomes) from rat brain. It is established that acidic shift causes a decrease of membrane potential, a large inhibition of the sodium pump (by three times at pH 6.0). All the systems controlling both inward- and outward-directed calcium fluxes are partially blocked by low pH. At pH 6.0 the basal influx and calcium pump are reduced two-fold while the voltage-sensitive calcium channels and Na+/Ca2+ exchanger are inhibited by three and four to five times, respectively. We have no found any evidence of acidosis-induced net flux of calcium directed inwards.

Accumulation of TBA-reactive substances after a 40 min incubation of rat brain synaptosomes at 37 degrees C was analysed. A lowering of pH to 6.5-5.5 or arachidonic acid (0.1-1.0 mM) increased lipid peroxidation which was blocked by antioxidants. Acidosis (pH 6.0) and arachidonic acid used in combination had a strong synergic effect. Depolarisation of plasma membranes or intrasynaptosomal mitochondria were without influence on lipid peroxidation at neutral or acid pH. The results support a leading role of acidosis and phospholipases in stimulation of peroxidation under ischaemia.

Swelling of C6 glioma cells in hypotonic medium (180 mOsm) results in two- to three-fold activation of K+ (86Rb+) influx suppressed by 10 microM bumetanide. Bumetanide-sensitive transport of 86Rb+ is dependent on extracellular K+, Na+ and Cl- both in iso-osmotic conditions and under hypo-osmotic shock, supporting the notion that it is mediated by Na+,K+,2Cl- cotransport. Inhibitors of protein kinase C (10 microM polymyxin B and l microM staurosporine) had no significant effect on basal cotransport but reduced its hypotonic stimulation by 70-80%. Similar results were obtained with calmodulin antagonist R24571 (10 microM), indicating Ca2+/calmodulin-dependence of the process. Influence of polymyxin B and R24571 was not additive. Swelling-activated Na+,K+,2Cl- cotransport was also suppressed by protein kinase C activator PMA (l microM). By contrast, preincubation of cells with inhibitors of protein phosphatases (100 microM vanadate, 5 mM fluoride and 0.5 microM okadaic acid) activated greatly the bumetanide-sensitive 86Rb+ uptake in isotonic conditions, while a subsequent hypotonic swelling led to smaller or no increment. These results indicate the involvement of Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent staurosporine/polymyxin B-sensitive protein kinase other than protein kinase C in swelling-induced activation of Na+,K+,2Cl- cotransport in glial cells.

Galvanization of precardial region in rats with experimental infarction elicits considerable cardioprotective effect manifested in a decrease of the mass of necrotic tissue and in partial normalization of ion content both in the necrotic focus and outside it.

Studies were performed on the influence of cytoskeleton modification (by colchicine, vinblastine, and cytochalasin B, and by neoplastic transformation) on cell aggregation induced by small trypsin concentrations (the final concentrations equal to 1-100 mg/ml) added to a suspension of chick embryo fibroblasts dispersed from a monolayer with EDTA. It was shown that alteration of microfilaments resulted in the loss of the ability of plasma membranes to structural rearrangements. It is suggested that aggregation of these cells is realized due to a gradual exposure of adhesive sites along with proteolytic splitting of protein components of plasma membranes.

Hyperosmotic shrinkage (adding 300 microM sucrose to isotonic medium) stimulates lactate and ATP accumulation in rat but not human erythrocytes in which ATP pool was preliminary depleted. Inhibitors of Na(+)-K(+)-2Cl(-)-cotransport, Na+/H(+)- exchange and Na(+)- pump known to be activated by hypertonic medium had no influence on volume-induced effect. EGTA (1 microM), Ca(2+)-ATPase inhibitor vanadate (200 microM) and antagonist of calmodulin R24571 (10 microM) suppressed the stimulation of glycolysis by 80 and 30%, respectively. Addition of 1 microM Ca2+ and 1 mM Ca(2+)-ionophore A23187 in Ca2+ free medium stimulated glycolysis by 20% at isotonic conditions while additional hyperosmotic shrinkage resulted in a two-fold activation. It is suggested that shrinkage regulates activity of glycolytic enzymes through the mechanism of intracellular signaling involving Ca2+.

Enzymatic proteolysis of the proteins of synaptic membranes has been found to be accompanied by the promotion of lipid peroxidation probably mediated by the liberation of membrane-bound iron. As fluorescent probes pyrene and diphenylhexatriene show, the microviscosity and micropolarity of membrane lipid phase rise as a result of lipid peroxidation. Different structural changes induced by proteolysis are displayed under inhibition of lipid peroxidation. Thus, the microviscosity of the bulk lipid phase appears to be lowered and the annular lipid microviscosity raised. Another explanation of the fluorescent data for annular lipids is the exclusion of pyrene molecules from this lipid pool, leading to a reduction of the probe local concentration. The changes observed in membrane lipid phase are considered as primary structural effects of proteolysis, not mediated by a phospholipase activation.

The effect of swelling of cultured primary astrocytes from rat brain in hypotonic medium on K+ influx has been studied. A decrease in osmolality from 310 to 180 mOsm increased the activity of sodium pump (ouabain-inhibited 86Rb+ influx) and Na+,K+,2Cl- cotransport (ouabain-insensitive bumetanide-inhibited 86Rb+ influx) by 70 and 35%, respectively. It is suggested that activation of these transport systems makes it possible to retain a high potassium concentration in the cells under regulatory volume decrease.

The effect of hypoosmolality of incubation medium on the rat of ouabain-sensitive 86Rb+ transport in rat brain synaptosomes was studied. A decreased osmolality from 310 to 250 mOsm increased the rate of 86Rb+ uptake from 3.72 to 6.23 nmol/mg of protein min. To evaluate the involvement of cytoplasmic sodium in sodium pump stimulation inhibitors of ion channels and transport pathways able to increase [Na+]in were used. Tetrodotoxin (1 microM), amiloride (0.5 mM) and verapamil (0.1 mM) had no influence on the osmotic response of the sodium pump. The decrease of sodium concentration in incubation medium to 15 mM, leading to a practical loss of its transmembrane gradient, did not abolish stimulation of pump. No increase in 22Na+ influx or intrasynaptosomal sodium content was registered at hypotonic conditions. It is suggested that osmotic regulation of Na+,K(+)-ATPase is not connected with an increase of internal sodium through opening of sodium channels, or with activation of other membrane sodium-transporting systems.

Hyperosmotic shrinkage and hypoosmotic swelling of the internal mitochondrial membrane decrease considerably the efficiency of the reaction of the cyanide photodissociation from the cytochrome oxidase. The osmotic effect increases after the reduction of the membrane potential by a protonophore uncoupler. This suggests that the local photochemical reaction is subject to membrane control.

The kinetics of the volume-dependent activation of Na+/H+ exchange, Na+,K+,2Cl(-)-cotransport and K+,Cl(-)-cotransport in rat erythrocytes was studied. The significant increase in the rate of Na+/H+ exchange is observed within 15 min after hypertonic shrinkage while the maximum transport rate is reached by 20 min. A delay of about 5 min was found in activation of Na+,K+,2Cl(-)-cotransport, the maximum transport rate being reached 10 min after shrinkage. Activation of K+,Cl(-)-cotransport by hypotonic swelling was registered within 10 min after cell swelling, with a simultaneous achievement of the constant transport rate. Preincubation of cells at 49 degrees C has no effect on the basal Na+/H+ exchange and Na+,K+,2Cl(-)-cotransport but suppresses the activation of these systems by osmotic shrinkage. On the contrary, the rate of K+,Cl(-)-cotransport in isosmotic medium is raised 10-fold after preincubation at 49 degrees C. The thermal treatment at 49 degrees C blocks the activation of K+,Cl(-)-cotransport by swelling. On the basis of the data on thermal denaturation of spectrin at the same temperature it was suggested that the cytoskeleton of erythrocyte membrane is involved in volume regulation of the ion-transporting systems and that the molecular mechanisms which underlie the activation of Na+/H+ exchange, Na+,K+,2Cl(-)-cotransport and K+,Cl(-)-cotransport are essentially different.

The nile red fluorescence in solutions containing Triton X-100, human serum albumin and hexadecane in different combinations was investigated. The dye fluorescence in phosphate buffer after 2-4 min incubation strongly decreased because of the dye aggregation and was stable in a detergent solution. The intensity of nile red fluorescence in the detergent solution was not changed after the addition of equal weight concentration of albumin and increased more than 2 times after the addition of the same concentration of hexadecane. The detergent eliminated the nile red sorption by cuvette surface. It is concluded that the detergent addition increases nile red selectivity as a lipid probe in the lipid-protein systems.

The effect of gamma-irradiated solutions of carbohydrates, mainly glucose, upon Na+, K(+)-ATPase and lipid peroxidation in rat brain synaptosomal membranes was studied. The membrane damage by irradiated glucose was enhanced in the presence of Fe2+ and was diminished when a free-radical scavenger (BHT) or metal chelators (EDTA, EGTA) were present. It is suggested that a key element in the free-radical membrane damage by irradiated carbohydrates is an Fe(2+)-complex of some species of the radiolysis products. Participation of radiotoxins of carbohydrate origin in radiobiological effects is discussed.

Evidence is presented for the sensitivity of the synaptosomal plasma membrane Mg(2+)-ATPase activity to arachidonic acid being dependent on the functional state of Na+,K(+)-ATPase. An "Inversion effect" was observed at arachidonic acid concentrations exceeding 80 mumol/l when the Mg(2+)-ATPase activity (after ouabain addition) is higher than the total ATPase activity (without ouabain). The "Inversion effect" is reduced by cyclooxygenase inhibitor indomethacin or acetylsalicylic acid and restored by prostaglandin PGA2 or PGD2.

In the rat brain synaptosomes the furosemide-sensitive component of 86Rb+ uptake constituted 30.8% of the total uptake in the medium containing 132 mM Na+. A decrease in the medium tonicity from 310 to 230 mOsm increased the rate of 86Rb+ uptake from 2.38 +/- 0.58 to 7.12 +/- 0.52 nMoles/mg of protein/min.

Effect of medium osmolarity on 3H-ouabain binding and the rate of ouabain-sensitive 86Rb+ transport in the rat brain synaptosomes was studied. A decrease in tonicity to 230 mOsm increases both parameters indicating the activation of the sodium pump upon synaptosome swelling. The effect is retained in the absence of inside-oriented Na+ gradient, i. e. a rise in Na(in) is not responsible for hypoosmotic activation. Colchicine (5mM) decreased and cytochalasin B (40 microM) increased the ouabain binding. In the presence of cytochalasin B the inhibition of binding observed under hypotonic conditions was shifted to higher osmolarity values. It is suggested that volume regulation of the sodium pump is controlled by the cytoskeleton elements.

Using fluorescent probe pyrene a study was carried out of temperature dependence of the annular and lipid bilayer polarity in synaptic membranes. Polarity of microenvironment was evaluated by a ratio of intensities of vibronic bands in pyrene fluorescence spectra at direct excitation of probe or through energy transfer from protein molecules. At the temperature range 10-50 degrees C the polarity of bilayer was shown to increase while that of annular lipid underwent biphasic changes. Above 20 degrees C polarity of the bilayer was higher than of the annular zone. From experiments on pyrene fluorescence quenching with potassium iodide the conclusion has been made that changes in polarity correlate with pyrene accessibility to water.

The rates of 86Rb influx into human and rat erythrocytes were studied in media of various tonicity. At sucrose concentrations below 0.3 mol/l, the ouabain-insensitive, furosemide-inhibited component of influx increased in rat but not in human erythrocytes; this may be explained by a rise in the rate of Na+, K+, Cl-- and/or K+, Cl-cotransport. An increase in osmolarity resulted in a reduction of this as well as of the ouabain and furosemide-insensitive component in rat erythrocytes. At the same conditions a drastic inhibition of Na+, K(+)-pump occurred both in rat and human erythrocytes. We failed to observe a lag-phase in the activation of the cotransport in rat erythrocytes; i. e. the process of activation parallels the shrinkage of cells. In rat erythrocyte ghosts, the shrinkage-induced stimulation of the cotransport was lost, and the direction of their osmotic reaction (inhibition of transport pathways) was similar to that in human erythrocyte ghosts. It is suggested that the mechanism of volume regulation of ion transport in intact cells involves a step of physical amplification via a change in interactions between the protein carcass and the lipid bilayer.

It is shown that cleavable cross-linking reagents reversibly inhibit proton translocation with concomitant stimulation of respiration in the mitochondria respiratory chain. It is concluded that a definite level of dynamic mobility of proteins is needed for proton translocation.

It has been shown by microelectrode techniques and microcytofluorometry that fragments of the substance P and L-vasopressin--low molecular physiologically active peptides of wide regulatory action--bind to the receptors on the surface of plasma membranes outside the region of high permeable gap contact in unimolar concentrations and cause an increase in the rate of intracellular diffusion exchange of inorganic ions and fluorescein molecules in the salivary gland cells of Drosophila larva. The growth of intracellular contact permeability induced by low peptide concentrations is blocked by carbodiimide--a reagent cross-linking the membrane proteins. On the basis of the previous data it is suggested that the functions of intracellular contacts are regulated by the distant action mechanism involving the generalized structural rearrangements of plasma membranes.