A zinc-sensing receptor triggers the release of intracellular Ca2+ and regulates ion transport.

ABSTRACT: Changes in extracellular zinc concentration participate in modulating fundamental cellular processes such as proliferation, secretion, and ion transport in a mechanism that is not well understood. Here, we show that a micromolar concentration of extracellular zinc triggers a massive release of calcium from thapsigargin-sensitive intracellular pools in the colonocytic cell line HT29. Calcium release was blocked by a phospholipase-C inhibitor, indicating that formation of inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate is required for zinc-dependent calcium release. Zinc influx was not observed, indicating that extracellular zinc triggered the release. The Ca(i)2+ release was zinc specific and could not be triggered by other heavy metals. Furthermore, zinc failed to activate the Ca(2+)-sensing receptor heterolo

SUBMITTER: Hershfinkel M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC58801 | biostudies-literature | 2001 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature