Phenylethylamine induces an increase in cytosolic Ca2+ in yeast

• Published in: Bioscience, biotechnology, and biochemistry biotechnology, and biochemistry, 2002-05, Vol.66 (5), p.1069-1074
• Main Authors: Pinontoan, R. (Nagoya Univ. (Japan)), Krystofova, S, Kawano, T, Mori, I.C, Tsuji, F.I, Iida, H, Muto, S
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; CALCIUM; Calcium - metabolism; calcium signaling; Cell physiology; CELLS; Cytosol - drug effects; Cytosol - metabolism; cytosolic Ca; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; HYDROGEN PEROXIDE; IONS; Mating Factor; Molecular and cellular biology; Peptides - metabolism; Phenethylamines - pharmacology; PHENYLALANINE; PHEROMONES; Pheromones - metabolism; SACCHAROMYCES CEREVISIAE; Saccharomyces cerevisiae - drug effects; Saccharomyces cerevisiae - metabolism; Signal transduction; β-phenylethylamine
• ISSN: 0916-8451; 1347-6947
• DOI: 10.1271/bbb.66.1069

beta-Phenylethylamine (PEA) induced an increase in cytosolic free calcium ion concentration ([Ca**2+]c) in Saccharomyces cereviseae cells monitored with transgenic aequorin, a Ca**2+-dependent photoprotein. The PEA-induced [Ca**2+]c increase was dependent on the concentrations of PEA applied, and the Ca**2+ mostly originated from an extracellular source. Preceding the Ca**2+ influx, H2O2 was generated in the cells by the addition of PEA. Externally added H2O2 also induced a [Ca**2+]c increase. These results suggest that PEA induces the [Ca**2+]c increase via H2O2 generation. The PEA-induced [Ca**2+]c increase occurred in the mid1 mutant with a slightly smaller peak than in the wild-type strain, indicating that Mid1, a stretch-activated nonselective cation channel, may not be mainly involved in the PEA-induced Ca**2+ influx. When PEA was applied, the MATa mid1 mutant was rescued from alpha-factor-induced death in a Ca**2+-limited medium, suggesting that the PEA-induced [Ca**2+]c increase can reinforce calcium signaling in the mating pheromone response pathway.