Membrane wounding triggers ATP release and dysferlin-mediated intercellular calcium signaling

Abstract

Dysferlin is a Ca2+-binding protein found in many different cell types. It is required for membrane wound repair in muscle, but it is not known whether it has the same function in other cells. Here we report the activation of an intercellular signaling pathway in sea urchin embryos by membrane wounding that evokes Ca2+ spikes in neighboring cells. This pathway was mimicked by ATP application, and inhibited by apyrase, cadmium, and ω-agatoxin-IVA. Microinjection of dysferlin antisense phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligonucleotides blocked this pathway, whereas control morpholinos did not. Co-injection of mRNA encoding human dysferlin with the inhibitory morpholino rescued signaling activity. We conclude that in sea urchin embryos dysferlin mediates Ca2+-triggered intercellular signaling in response to membrane wounding. © 2010. Published by The Company of Biologists Ltd.