Reactive Blue 2 Induces Calcium Oscillations in HeLa Cells

Abstract

Reactive Blue 2 (RB), which is used as an ATP receptor antagonist, induced Ca²⁺ oscillations in HeLa cells. RB-induced Ca²⁺ oscillations were abolished in Ca²⁺-free solution. RB, however, did not affect Ca²⁺ influx measured by Mn²⁺ quenching. The PLC cascade and intracellular Ca²⁺ release were involved as U73122 and thapsigargin inhibited RB-induced Ca²⁺ oscillations. RB enhanced a Ca²⁺ response to histamine that is linked to the PLC cascade. RB may activate the PLC cascade in an extracellular Ca²⁺-dependent manner and induce Ca²⁺ oscillations.