Search for Intracellular Sensors Involved in the Functioning of Monovalent Cations as Secondary Messengers.

Maintenance of non-equilibrium Na+ and K+ distribution between cytoplasm and extracellular medium suggests existence of sensors responding with conformational transitions to the changes of these monovalent cations' intracellular concentration. Molecular nature of monovalent cation sensors has been established in Na,K-ATPase, G-protein-coupled receptors, and heat shock proteins structural studies. Recently, it was found that changes in Na+ and K+ intracellular concentration are the key factors in the transcription and translation control, respectively. In this review, we summarize results of these studies and discuss physiological and pathophysiological significance of Na+i,K+i-dependent gene expression regulation mechanism.

Effects of Ouabain on Proliferation of Human Endothelial Cells Correlate with Na+,K+-ATPase Activity and Intracellular Ratio of Na+ and K.

Side-by-side with inhibition of the Na+,K+-ATPase ouabain and other cardiotonic steroids (CTS) can affect cell functions by mechanisms other than regulation of the intracellular Na+ and K+ ratio ([Na+]i/[K+]i). Thus, we compared the dose- and time-dependences of the effect of ouabain on intracellular [Na+]i/[K+]i ratio, Na+,K+-ATPase activity, and proliferation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). Treatment of the cells with 1-3 nM ouabain for 24-72 h decreased the [Na+]i/[K+]i ratio and increased cell proliferation by 20-50%. We discovered that the same ouabain concentrations increased Na+,K+-ATPase activity by 25-30%, as measured by the rate of (86)Rb(+) influx. Higher ouabain concentrations inhibited Na+,K+-ATPase, increased [Na+]i/[K+]i ratio, suppressed cell growth, and caused cell death. When cells were treated with low ouabain concentrations for 48 or 72 h, a negative correlation between [Na+]i/[K+]i ratio and cell growth activation was observed. In cells treated with high ouabain concentrations for 24 h, the [Na+]i/[K+]i ratio correlated positively with proliferation inhibition. These data demonstrate that inhibition of HUVEC proliferation at high CTS concentrations correlates with dissipation of the Na+ and K+ concentration gradients, whereas cell growth stimulation by low CTS doses results from activation of Na+,K+-ATPase and decrease in the [Na+]i/[K+]i ratio.

Control of Myofibroblast Differentiation and Function by Cytoskeletal Signaling.

The cytoskeleton consists of three distinct types of protein polymer structures - microfilaments, intermediate filaments, and microtubules; each serves distinct roles in controlling cell shape, division, contraction, migration, and other processes. In addition to mechanical functions, the cytoskeleton accepts signals from outside the cell and triggers additional signals to extracellular matrix, thus playing a key role in signal transduction from extracellular stimuli through dynamic recruitment of diverse intermediates of the intracellular signaling machinery. This review summarizes current knowledge about the role of cytoskeleton in the signaling mechanism of fibroblast-to-myofibroblast differentiation - a process characterized by accumulation of contractile proteins and secretion of extracellular matrix proteins, and being critical for normal wound healing in response to tissue injury as well as for aberrant tissue remodeling in fibrotic disorders. Specifically, we discuss control of serum response factor and Hippo signaling pathways by actin and microtubule dynamics as well as regulation of collagen synthesis by intermediate filaments.