Pancreatic acinar cells exhibit a remarkable polarization of Ca2+ release and Ca2+ influx mechanisms. In the present brief review, we discuss the localization of channels responsible for Ca2+ release [mainly IP3 (inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate) receptors] and proteins responsible for SOCE (store-operated Ca2+ entry). We also place these Ca2+-transporting mechanisms on the map of cellular organell...

Characterization of muscarinic acetylcholine receptors in acinar cells from rat pancreas and lacrimal and parotid glands was achieved by binding of the reversible muscarinic antagonist [3H]quinuclidinyl benzilate (QNB) and the specific alkylating reagent [3H]propylbenzilylcholine mustard (PrBCM) to intact acini or dispersed acinar cells. Binding studies with [3H]QNB showed that acinar cells fro...

We recently reported that store-operated Ca(2+) entry (SOCE) in nonexcitable cells is likely to be mediated by a reversible interaction between Ca(2+) channels in the plasma membrane and the endoplasmic reticulum, a mechanism known as "secretion-like coupling." As for secretion, in this model the actin cytoskeleton plays a key regulatory role. In the present study we have explored the involveme...

Salivary gland acinar cells secrete large amounts of water and electrolytes, where aquaporins (AQPs) are thought to be involved in the secretion. In the present study, we investigated expression/localization of AQP6, and the anion transporting properties of AQP6 in mouse parotid acinar cells. RT-PCR, western blotting and immunohistochemical analyses revealed expression of AQP6 in acinar cells, ...

Ultrastructural changes in the exocrine pancreas 24, 48, 72 and 168 hours after a single intravenous injection of 4-hydroxyaminoquinoline-1-oxide (4-HAQO), at a dose of 14 mg.per kg., were observed in male rats. At 24 hours after administration, multiple focal degenerative lesion-like large vacuoles in the acini, and a decrease in zymogen granules with dilation of the rough endoplasmic reticulu...

Secretin is an important regulator of pancreatic function, but the molecular basis of its actions is not well understood. We have, therefore, used in situ autoradiography, photoaffinity labeling, and RNase protection assays with healthy rat pancreas, dispersed acinar cells, and pancreas depleted of acinar cells to explore the cellular distribution and molecular identity of high-affinity secreti...

Aquaporins (AQPs) are channel proteins that regulate the movement of water through the plasma membrane of secretory and absorptive cells in response to osmotic gradients. In the salivary gland, AQP5 is the major aquaporin expressed on the apical membrane of acinar cells. Previous studies have shown that the volume of saliva secreted by AQP5-deficient mice is decreased, indicating a role for AQP...

PURPOSE To evaluate the kinetics, receptor specificity, molecular basis, and site selectivity of the endocrine and neural regulation of secretory component (SC) synthesis by rat lacrimal gland acinar cells. METHODS Acinar cells from the rat lacrimal and submandibular glands, as well as epithelial cells (IEC-6) from the rat small intestine, were cultured in supplemented, serum-free media and t...

Hydrogen sulphide (H(2)S) is synthesized from L-cysteine via the action of cystathionine-gamma-lyase (CSE) and cystathionine-beta-synthase (CBS). We have earlier shown that H(2)S acts as a mediator of inflammation. However the mechanism remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the presence of H(2)S and the expression of H(2)S synthesizing enzymes, CSE and CBS, in isolated mouse pancreati...

In nonexcitable cells, such as exocrine cells from the pancreas and salivary glands, agonist-stimulated Ca2+ signals consist of both Ca2+ release and Ca2+ influx. We have investigated the contribution of these processes to membrane-localized Ca2+ signals in pancreatic and parotid acinar cells using total internal reflection fluorescence (TIRF) microscopy (TIRFM). This technique allows imaging w...