Direct demonstration of increases in cytosolic free Ca2+ during stimulation of pancreatic enzyme secretion.

The Ca2+-activated photoprotein aequorin has been incorporated into intact, isolated rat pancreatic acini by a hypotonic swelling method. The isolated acini retained normal secretory responses after loading with aequorin. Increases in cytosolic Ca2+ concentration in response to a physiological secretagogue, carbamylcholine, and to divalent-cation ionophore A23187 have been demonstrated. Simultaneous measurement of the dynamics of enzyme secretion and changes in cytosolic Ca2+ concentration has been achieved using a newly developed apparatus.