Changes in either cytosolic or nucleoplasmic inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate levels can control nuclear Ca2+ concentration

Daniel J. Hennager, Michael J. Welsh, Sylvain DeLisle

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96 Scopus citations

Abstract

The free nucleoplasmic Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]n) may regulate many nuclear events, such as gene transcription. Since the nucleus may possess the enzymes necessary to generate the second messenger mositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (Ins(1,4,5)P3), and because the nuclear envelope may enclose an Ins(1,4,5)P3-releasable Ca2+ store, we tested the hypothesis that nuclear and/or cytosolic levels of Ins(1,4,5)P3 can control [Ca2+]n. To assay [Ca2+]n, we measured the fluorescence of the Ca2+ indicator fluo 3 in the nucleus of Xenopus oocytes by confocal microscopy. When we injected Ins(1,4,5)P3 into the cytosol, [Ca2+]n increased. This increase in [Ca2+]n still occurred when heparin was present in the nucleus, but was abolished when heparin was present in the cytosol, indicating that cytosolic Ins(1,4,5)P3 levels could control [Ca2+]n. When we injected Ins(1,4,5)P3 directly into the nucleus, [Ca2+]n increased, even when heparin was present in the cytosol, indicating that Ins(1,4,5)P3 could control [Ca2+]n from within the nucleus. These results provide functional evidence for Ins(1,4,5)P3 receptors facing the nucleoplasm and raise the possibility that a phosphoinositide cycle situated at the nuclear membranes can control Ca2+-dependent nuclear functions.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)4959-4962
Number of pages4
JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry
Volume270
Issue number10
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 10 1995

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Biology

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