The mechanisms of sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ release in toad pacemaker cells

The mechanisms of sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+ release in pacemaker cells from the sinus venosus of the cane toad (Bufo marinus) were studied. Single, isolated cells were voltage clamped using a nystatin-perforated patch. Ionic currents and intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+](i)) were recorded simultaneously. 2. Depolarizations of 300 ms duration from a holding potential of -55 mV produced an inward current which had a bell-shaped relationship with voltage. Inward current first appeared at about -45 mV, reached a maximum of -343 +/- 46 pA at -15 mV and reversed at +45 mV. In contrast the amplitude of the increase in [Ca2+](i) caused by depolarization (Ca2+ transient) increased monotonically with the increasing depolarization. At -15 mV the amplitude of the Ca2+ transient was 243 +/- 33 nM and at +45 mV it was 411 +/- 43 nM. 3. The inward current produced by depolarizations to -5 mV was largely eliminated by the L-type Ca2+ channel blocker nifedipine (10 mu M) while 37 +/- 7% of the Ca2+ transient persisted. A significantly larger proportion of the Ca2+ transient (56 +/- 5%) remained at +85 mV in the presence of nifedipine. 4. The SR Ca2+ pump inhibitor 2,5-di(tert-butyl)-1,4-hydroquinone (10 mu M), which causes depletion of the SR Ca2+, reduced the amplitude of the Ca2+ transient to 34 +/- 1% of control, irrespective of the voltage. 5. Brief exposure to extracellular Ca2+-free solution abolished the Ca2+ transients caused by depolarization while the caffeine-induced Ca2+ release persisted. 6. Tetrodotoxin (1 mu M) had no effect on the amplitude of the depolarization-induced Ca2+ transient, although it reduced the fast component of the inward current. 7. In contrast, Ni2+ (5 mM) abolished the Ca2+ transients at any given voltage. Ni2+ also abolished spontaneous Ca2+ transients. In conclusion, in toad pacemaker cells Ca2+ release from SR contributes approximately 66% of the Ca2+ involved in the Ca2+ transient and requires extracellular Ca2+ influx to trigger its release. The L-type Ca2+ channels and Na+-Ca2+ exchange are major sources of Ca2+ influx under physiological conditions.