Ca2+ Dynamics in the Secretory Vesicles of Neurosecretory PC12 and INS1 Cells

Abstract

We have investigated the dynamics of the free [Ca2+] inside the secretory granules of neurosecretory PC12 and INS1 cells using a low-Ca2+-affinity aequorin chimera fused to synaptobrevin-2. The steady-state secretory granule [Ca2+] ([Ca2+]SG] was around 20–40 lM in both cell types, about half the values previously found in chromaffin cells. Inhibition of SERCA-type Ca2+ pumps with thapsigargin largely blocked Ca2+ uptake by the granules in Ca2+-depleted permeabilized cells, and the same effect was obtained when the perfusion medium lacked ATP. Consistently, the SERCA-type Ca2+ pump inhibitor benzohydroquinone induced a rapid release of Ca2+ from the granules both in intact and permeabilized cells, suggesting that the continuous activity of SERCA-type Ca2+ pumps is essential to maintain the steady-state [Ca2+]SG. Both inositol 1,4, 5-trisphosphate (InsP3) and caffeine produced a rapid Ca2+ release from the granules, suggesting the presence of InsP3 and ryanodine receptors in the granules. The response to high-K+ depolarization was different in both cell types, a decrease in [Ca2+]SG in PC12 cells and an increase in [Ca2+]SG in INS1 cells. The difference may rely on the heterogeneous response of different vesicle populations in each cell type. Finally, increasing the glucose concentration triggered a decrease in [Ca2+]SG in INS1 cells. In conclusion, our data show that the secretory granules of PC12 and INS1 cells take up Ca2+ through SERCA-type Ca2+ pumps and can release it through InsP3 and ryanodine receptors, supporting the hypothesis that secretory granule Ca2+ may be released during cell stimulation and contribute to secretion.