[Ca2+]i oscillation frequency regulates agonist-stimulated NF-κB transcriptional activity

In nonexcitable cells, stimulation by high agonist concentrations typically produces a biphasic increase in cytosolic Ca2+ ([Ca2+](i)), This response is characterized by a transient initial increase because of intracellular Ca2+ release followed by a sustained elevation which varies in amplitude depending on the nature of the stimulus. In contrast, low-level stimulation often evokes oscillatory changes in [Ca2+](i), The specific information provided by repetitive [Ca2+], spikes appears to be encoded in the frequency rather than in the amplitude of [Ca2+](i) oscillations. The specific, membrane-permeable inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (Ins-1,4,5-P-3) receptor blocker Xestospongin C (XeC, 2-20 mu M) was used to affect [Ca2+], signaling in human aortic endothelial cells (HAEC) during an established response to low-level (1 mu M) histamine stimulation. XeC produced a dose-dependent decrease in the frequency of [Ca2+], oscillations during histamine stimulation without affecting oscillation amplitude. Histamine stimulated a 14-fold increase in NF-kappa B-chloramphenicol acetyltransferase reporter gene activity that was dose-dependently decreased by XeC, Thus, during low-level agonist stimulation, [Ca2+](i) oscillation frequency regulates nuclear transcription in HAEC.