Amplitude-encoded calcium oscillations in fish cells

The reaction of intracellular Ca 2+ to different agonist stimuli in primary hepatocytes from rainbow trout ( Oncorhynchus mykiss) as well as the permanent fish cell line RTL-W1 was investigated systematically. In addition to “classical” agonists such as phenylephrine and ATP, model environmental toxicants like 4-nitrophenol and 3,4-dichloroaniline were used to elucidate possible interactions between toxic effects and Ca 2+ signaling. We report Ca 2+ oscillations in response to several stimuli in RTL-W1 cells and to a lesser extent in primary hepatocytes. Moreover, these Ca 2+ oscillations are amplitude-encoded in contrast to their mammalian counterpart. Bioinformatics and computational analysis were employed to identify key players of Ca 2+ signaling in fish and to determine likely causes for the experimentally observed differences between the Ca 2+ dynamics in fish cells compared to those in mammalian liver cells. [Display omitted] ► The reaction of intracellular Ca 2+ was investigated in two cell types from fish. ► Bioinformatics and computational analysis were employed to identify key players. ► We report Ca 2+ oscillations in RTL-W1 cells and in primary hepatocytes. ► In contrast to mammalian cells, these Ca 2+ oscillations are amplitude encoded.