Carbachol and KCl-induced changes in intracellular free calcium concentration in isolated, fura-2 loaded smooth-muscle cells from the anterior byssus retractor muscle of Mytilus edulis.

Intracellular free calcium concentration [( Ca2+]1) was measured in suspensions of fura-2 loaded smooth-muscle cells isolated from the anterior byssus retractor muscle of Mytilus edulis. Successive application of 5mM carbachol (CCh) and 100mM KCl to the cells transiently elevated [Ca2+]1 from the resting value of 124 +/- 4.5nM (mean +/- S.E., n = 14) to 295 +/- 15.3 and 383 +/- 20.5 nM, respectively. The response to CCh was concentration-dependent with an ED50 of 10(-5) M. Under the microscope, 67 +/- 3.0 and 83 +/- 1.3 % of fura-2 loaded cells contracted on the addition of 5mM CCh and 100mM KCl, respectively. In Ca2+ -free sea water, the CCh induced change in [Ca2+]1 was partially suppressed whereas that induced by KCl was completely abolished, suggesting an agonist-evoked release of stored Ca2+.