@article{HeindorffBaumann2014, author = {Heindorff, Kristoffer and Baumann, Otto}, title = {Calcineurin is part of a negative feedback loop in the InsP(3)/Ca2+ signalling pathway in blowfly salivary glands}, series = {Cell calcium}, volume = {56}, journal = {Cell calcium}, number = {3}, publisher = {Churchill Livingstone}, address = {Edinburgh}, issn = {0143-4160}, doi = {10.1016/j.ceca.2014.07.009}, pages = {215 -- 224}, year = {2014}, abstract = {The ubiquitous InsP(3)/Ca2+ signalling pathway is modulated by diverse mechanisms, i.e. feedback of Ca2+ and interactions with other signalling pathways. In the salivary glands of the blowfly Calliphora vicina, the hormone serotonin (5-HT) causes a parallel rise in intracellular [Ca2+] and [cAMP] via two types of 5-HT receptors. We have shown recently that cAMP/protein kinase A (PKA) sensitizes InsP(3)-induced Ca2+ release. We have now identified the protein phosphatase that counteracts the effect of PKA on 5-HT-induced InsP(3)/Ca2+ signalling. We demonstrate that (1) tautomycin and okadaic acid, inhibitors of protein phosphatases PP1 and PP2A, have no effect on 5-HT-induced Ca2+ signals; (2) cyclosporin A and FK506, inhibitors of Ca2+/calmodulin-activated protein phosphatase calcineurin, cause an increase in the frequency of 5-HT-induced Ca2+ oscillations; (3) the sensitizing effect of cyclosporin A on 5-HT-induced Ca2+ responses does not involve Ca2+ entry into the cells; (4) cyclosporin A increases InsP(3)-dependent Ca2+ release; (5) inhibition of PKA abolishes the effect of cyclosporin A on the 5-HT-induced Ca2+ responses, indicating that PKA and calcineurin act antagonistically on the InsP(3)/Ca2+ signalling pathway. These findings suggest that calcineurin provides a negative feedback on InsP(3)/Ca2+ signalling in blowfly salivary glands, counteracting the effect of PKA and desensitizing the signalling cascade at higher 5-HT concentrations. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.}, language = {en} } @article{FechnerBaumannWalz2013, author = {Fechner, Lennart and Baumann, Otto and Walz, Bernd}, title = {Activation of the cyclic AMP pathway promotes serotonin-induced Ca2+ oscillations in salivary glands of the blowfly Calliphora vicina}, series = {Cell calcium}, volume = {53}, journal = {Cell calcium}, number = {2}, publisher = {Churchill Livingstone}, address = {Edinburgh}, issn = {0143-4160}, doi = {10.1016/j.ceca.2012.10.004}, pages = {94 -- 101}, year = {2013}, abstract = {Ca2+ and cAMP signalling pathways interact in a complex manner at multiple sites. This crosstalk fine-tunes the spatiotemporal patterns of Ca2+ and cAMP signals. In salivary glands of the blowfly Calliphora vicina fluid secretion is stimulated by serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) via activation of two different 5-HT receptors coupled to the InsP(3)/Ca2+ (Cv5-HT2 alpha) or the cAMP pathway (Cv5-HT7), respectively. We have shown recently in permeabilized gland cells that cAMP sensitizes InsP(3)-induced Ca2+ release to InsP(3). Here we study the effects of the CAMP signalling pathway on 5-HT-induced oscillations in transepithelial potential (TEP) and in intracellular [Ca2+]. We show: (1) Blocking the activation of the cAMP pathway by cinanserin suppresses the generation of TEP and Ca2+ oscillations, (2) application of 8-CPT-cAMP in the presence of cinanserin restores 5-HT-induced TEP and Ca2+ oscillations, (3) 8-CPT-cAMP sensitizes the InsP(3)/Ca2+ signalling pathway to 5-HT and the Cv5-HT2 alpha, receptor agonist 5-MeOT, (4) 8-CPT-cAMP induces Ca2+ oscillations in cells loaded with subthreshold concentrations of InsP(3), (5) inhibition of protein kinase A by H-89 abolishes 5-HT-induced TEP and Ca2+ spiking and mimics the effect of cinanserin. These results suggest that activation of the cyclic AMP pathway promotes the generation of 5-HT-induced Ca2+ oscillations in blowfly salivary glands.}, language = {en} } @article{HeindorffBlenauWalzetal.2012, author = {Heindorff, Kristoffer and Blenau, Wolfgang and Walz, Bernd and Baumann, Otto}, title = {Characterization of a Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent AC1 adenylyl cyclase in a non-neuronal tissue, the blowfly salivary gland}, series = {Cell calcium}, volume = {52}, journal = {Cell calcium}, number = {2}, publisher = {Churchill Livingstone}, address = {Edinburgh}, issn = {0143-4160}, doi = {10.1016/j.ceca.2012.04.016}, pages = {103 -- 112}, year = {2012}, abstract = {Crosstalk between intracellular signalling pathways is a functionally important and widespread phenomenon in cell physiology across phyla. In the salivary gland of the blowfly, serotonin induces fluid secretion via parallel activation of both the InsP(3)/Ca2+ and the cAMP/PKA signalling pathways, which interact on multiple levels. We have determined the molecular identity of a link between both pathways that mediates a Ca2+-dependent rise of intracellular cAMP. Whereas hydrolysis of cAMP via phosphodiesterases is largely independent of Ca2+, cAMP synthesis by adenylyl cyclases (AC) is potentiated in a Ca2+/calmodulin (Ca2+/CaM)-dependent manner. The existence of a Ca2+/CaM-dependent AC is supported by physiological data and a molecular approach. We have cloned Cv rutabaga cDNA, encoding the first blowfly AC, and confirmed its expression in the salivary gland via reverse transcription followed by polymerase chain reaction. The putative gene product of Cv rutabaga is a Ca2+/CaM-dependent type I AC and shows highest homology to Rutabaga from Drosophila. Thus, a Ca2+/CaM-dependent AC serves as a link between the InsP(3)/Ca2+ and the cAMP/PKA signalling pathways in the salivary gland of the blowfly and might be important for the amplification and optimization of the secretory response.}, language = {en} } @misc{BlenauGrohmannErberetal.2003, author = {Blenau, Wolfgang and Grohmann, Lore and Erber, Joachim and Ebert, Paul R. and Str{\"u}nker, Timo and Baumann, Arnd}, title = {Molecular and functional characterization of an octopamine receptor from honeybee (Apis mellifera) brain}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus-44293}, year = {2003}, abstract = {Biogenic amines and their receptors regulate and modulate many physiological and behavioural processes in animals. In vertebrates, octopamine is only found in trace amounts and its function as a true neurotransmitter is unclear. In protostomes, however, octopamine can act as neurotransmitter, neuromodulator and neurohormone. In the honeybee, octopamine acts as a neuromodulator and is involved in learning and memory formation. The identification of potential octopamine receptors is decisive for an understanding of the cellular pathways involved in mediating the effects of octopamine. Here we report the cloning and functional characterization of the first octopamine receptor from the honeybee, Apis mellifera . The gene was isolated from a brain-specific cDNA library. It encodes a protein most closely related to octopamine receptors from Drosophila melanogaster and Lymnea stagnalis . Signalling properties of the cloned receptor were studied in transiently transfected human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293 cells. Nanomolar to micromolar concentrations of octopamine induced oscillatory increases in the intracellular Ca2+ concentration. In contrast to octopamine, tyramine only elicited Ca2+ responses at micromolar concentrations. The gene is abundantly expressed in many somata of the honeybee brain, suggesting that this octopamine receptor is involved in the processing of sensory inputs, antennal motor outputs and higher-order brain functions.}, language = {en} }