The carcinogen Cd(2+) activates InsP(3)-mediated Ca(2+) release through a specific metal ion receptor in Xenopus oocyte.

The effects of the carcinogen Cd(2+) on Xenopus oocyte were evaluated by Inositol (1,4,5)-trisphosphate (InsP(3)) assays and electrophysiological experiments. The stimulation of the Ca(2+)-dependent Cl(-) current by Cd(2+) is clearly linked to InsP(3) formation since the effects of the metal are antagonized by neomycin, heparin and caffeine. A similar inhibition of the Cd(2+) effects is observed when the oocytes are pretreated with thapsigargin. Moreover, the use of sulfhydryl groups reductors such as 2-mercaptoethanol or N-ethylmaleimide strongly suggests that the Cd(2+) response is mediated by an extracellular receptor. Finally, measurements of InsP(3) production demonstrate that Cd(2+) superfusion actually leads to a PIP(2) breakdown. We conclude that extracellular Cd(2+) evokes an increase in [Ca(2+)](i) by stimulating the emptying of the InsP(3)-sensitive Ca(2+) stores, and that it may do so by interacting with a specific cell-surface ion receptor. This putative ion receptor may be important in allowing oocytes to respond to heavy metals.