Functional expression of the human cardiac Na+/Ca2+ exchanger in Sf9 cells: Rapid and specific Ni2+ transport

M. Egger, A. Ruknudin, P. Lipp, P. Kofuji, W. J. Lederer, D. H. Schulze, E. Niggli

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15 Scopus citations

Abstract

Although inhibition of the Na+/Ca2+ exchanger normally increases [Ca2+](i) in neonatal cardiac myocytes, application of the inhibitor Ni2+ appears to reduce [Ca2+](i) measured by fluo-3. To investigate how the apparent reduction in [Ca2+](i) occurs we examined Ca2+ transport by the human Na+/Ca2+ exchanger expressed in Sf9 cells. Transport of Ca2+ by the Na+/Ca2+ exchanger was examined using a laser-scanning confocal microscope and the fluorescent Ca2+ indicator fluo-3, and the electrogenic function was determined by measuring the Na+/Ca2+ exchange current (I(NaCa)) using patch clamp methods. I(NaCa) was elicited with voltage-clamp steps or flash photolysis of caged Ca2+. We show significant expression of Na+/Ca2+ exchanger function in Sf9 cells infected with a recombinant Baculovirus carrying the Na+/Ca2+ exchanger. In addition to measurements of I(NaCa), characterization includes Ca2+ transport via the Na+/Ca2+ exchanger and the voltage dependence of Ca2+ transport. Application of Ni2+ blocked I(NaCa) but, contrary to expectation, decreased fluo-3 fluorescence. Experiments with infected Sf9 cells suggested that Ni2+ was transported via the Na+/Ca2+ exchanger at a rate comparable to the Ca2+ transport. Once inside the cells, Ni2+ reduced fluorescence, presumably by quenching fluo-3. We conclude that Ni2+ does indeed block I(NaCa), but is also rapidly translocated across the cell membrane by the Na+/Ca2+ exchanger itself, most likely via an electroneutral partial reaction of the exchange cycle.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)9-17
Number of pages9
JournalCell Calcium
Volume25
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 1999

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
The work was supported by grants from the Swiss National Science Foundation to E.N. (31.–50564.97), the NIH (AG15555) and by a grant from the University of Maryland SRIF to D.H.S. We would like to thank Mrs M. Herrenschand and Mrs J. Gygax for skillful technical help.

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