Inhibition of Ca2+ uptake into A7r5 vascular smooth muscle cells by farnesol

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Abstract
Previous studies have shown that farnesol, a 15-carbon nonsterol derivative of mevalonic acid, inhibits vasoconstriction. Because of its lipophilic properties, we hypothesized that farnesol increased membrane dynamics, thus reducing uptake of Ca2+ and contraction. To characterize the effect of farnesol on cell membrane fluidity. The study was conducted using A7r5 cells, a rat aortic vascular smooth muscle cell line. Inhibition of Ca2+ uptake by farnesol was first established in these cells. Then, the effect of farnesol on membrane dynamics was determined. Finally, to ascertain that activation of Ca2+ extrusion and reuptake processes by farnesol did not occur, Ca2+ -ATPase activity was examined. Membrane fluidity in cell homogenates was estimated using two fluorescent dyes (1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene) and (1-[-(trimethylamino)-phenyl]-6-phenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene). Ca2+ uptake was determined by monitoring the changes in cytosolic Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) in fura-2-loaded cells after addition of KCl. Ca2+ -ATPase activity was measured in 100 000 ×g cell fractions. Farnesol reduced KCl-induced [Ca2+]i transients significantly (P 2+ Farnesol inhibits KCl-dependent rise of [Ca2+]i in A7r5 cells. This effect of farnesol is not related to a global change in plasma membrane lipid organization or to activation of Ca2+ pumps. Other mechanisms such as direct inhibition of voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels could therefore explain the biologic action of farnesol in the vascular tissue.