Regulation of calcium handling by rat parotid acinar cells.

Salivary gland fluid secretion following neurotransmitter stimulation is Ca2+-dependent. We have studied the control of cellular Ca2+ following secretory stimuli in rat parotid gland acinar cells. After muscarinic-cholinergic receptor activation, cytosolic Ca2+ is elevated 4-5 fold, due to both intracellular Ca2+ pool mobilization and extracellular Ca2+ entry. Fluid movement ensues due to the Ca2+-activated enhancement of membrane permeability to K+ and Cl-. Basal cytosolic Ca2+ levels are tightly controlled at approximately 150-200 nM through the action of high affinity and high capacity ATP-dependent Ca2+ transporters in the basolateral and endoplasmic reticulum membranes. Activity of these Ca2+ transporters can be modulated to facilitate rapid responsiveness and a sustained fluid secretory response necessary for alimentary function.