No abstract

Epithelial cells in the urinary bladder (urothelium) trigger sensory signals in micturition by releasing ATP in response to distention of the bladder wall. Our previous study revealed the distinct roles of extracellular Ca(2+) and the Ca(2+) stores in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) in urothelial ATP release. In the present study, we investigated the regulation of urothelial ATP release by Ca(2+) influx from the extracellular space and Ca(2+) release from the ER using a distention assay of the mouse bladder wall in a small Ussing chamber. Stimulation of Ca(2+) release from the ER in the mucosal side of the bladder induced significant ATP release without distention. Blockade of the inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate receptor reduced distention-induced ATP release, suggesting that Ca(2+) release from the ER is essential for the induction of urothelial ATP release. On the other hand, blockade of store-operated Ca(2+) entry (SOCE) from the extracellular space significantly enhanced distention-induced ATP release. Thus Ca(2+) release from the ER causes urothelial ATP release and depletion of Ca(2+) stores in the ER, which in turn causes the depletion-inducing SOCE to suppress the amount of urothelial ATP released.