Although human pannexins (PanX) are homologous to gap junction molecules, their physiological function in vertebrates remains poorly understood. Our results demonstrate that overexpression of PanX1 results in the formation of Ca(2+)-permeable gap junction channels between adjacent cells, thus, allowing direct intercellular Ca(2+) diffusion and facilitating intercellular Ca(2+) wave propagation. More ... More
Hypoxia induces an increase in intracellular magnesium via transient receptor potential melastatin 7 (TRPM7) channels in rat hippocampal neurons in vitro.
Authors:Zhang J, Zhao F, Zhao Y, Wang J, Pei L, Sun N, Shi J,
Journal:J Biol Chem
PubMed ID:21487014
TRPM7, a divalent cation channel, plays an important role in neurons damaged from cerebral ischemia due to permitting intracellular calcium overload. This study aimed to explore whether magnesium was transported via a TRPM7 channel into the intracellular space of rat hippocampal neurons after 1 h of oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) and ... More
Effects of serum amyloid a and lysophosphatidylcholine on intracellular calcium concentration in human coronary artery smooth muscle cells.
Serum amyloid A (SAA), an acute-phase protein, and lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC), an oxidized LDL component, contribute to the physiological processes of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease. However, the effects of SAA/LPC on human coronary artery smooth muscle cells (hCASMCs) have not been fully investigated. Therefore, we examined the effects of SAA/LPC on ... More
Cellular mechanisms of vasopressin and endothelin to mobilize [Mg2+]i in vascular smooth muscle cells.
Authors:Okada K, Ishikawa S, Saito T
Journal:Am J Physiol
PubMed ID:1415672
The present study was undertaken to examine the effects of arginine vasopressin (AVP) and endothelin-1 (ET-1) on cytosolic free Mg2+ ([Mg2+]i) in cultured rat vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC). [Mg2+]i was measured using the fluorescence indicator dye mag-fura-2. AVP and ET-1 at a concentration of 1 x 10(-9) M or ... More
Elevation of extracellular magnesium rapidly raises intracellular free Mg<sup>2+</sup> in human aortic endothelial cells: is extracellular Mg<sup>2+</sup> a regulatory cation?