Distinct mechanisms of [Ca2+]i oscillations in HSY and HSG cells: role of Ca2+ influx and internal Ca2+ store recycling.

This study examined [Ca2+]i oscillations in the human salivary gland cell lines, HSY and HSG. Relatively low concentrations of carbachol (CCh) induced oscillatory, and higher [CCh] induced sustained, steady-state increases in [Ca2+]i and KCa currents in both cell types. Low IP3, but not thapsigargin (Tg), induced [Ca2+]i oscillations, whereas Tg blocked CCh-stimulated [Ca2+]i oscillations in both cell types. Unlike in HSG cells, removal of extracellular Ca2+ from HSY cells (i) did not affect CCh-stimulated [Ca2+]i oscillations or internal Ca2+ store refill, and (ii) converted high [CCh]-induced steady-state increase in [Ca2+]i into oscillations. CCh- or thapsigargin-induced Ca2+ influx was higher in HSY, than in HSG, cells. Importantly, HSY cells displayed relatively higher levels of sarcoendoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ pump (SERCA) and inositoltrisphosphate receptors (IP3Rs) than HSG cells. These data demonstrate that [Ca2+]i oscillations in both HSY and HSG cells are primarily determined by the uptake of Ca2+ from, and release of Ca2+ into, the cytosol by the SERCA and IP3R activities, respectively. In HSY cells, Ca2+ influx does not acutely contribute to this process, although it determines the steady-state increase in [Ca2+]i. In HSG cells, [Ca2+]i oscillations directly depend on Ca2+ influx; Ca2+ coming into the cell is rapidly taken up into the store and then released into the cytosol. We suggest that the differences in the mechanism of [Ca2+]i oscillations HSY and HSG cells is related to their respective abilities to recycle internal Ca2+ stores.