Lindane (γ-hexachlorocyclohexane) induces internal Ca2+ release and capacitative Ca2+ entry in Madin-Darby canine kidney cells

The effect of lindane (gamma -hexachlorocyclohexane), an organochlorine pesticide, on Ca2+ mobilization in Madin-Darby canine kidney cells was examined by fluorimetry using fura-2 as a Ca2+ indicator. Lindane (5-200 muM) increased [Ca2+](i) concentration-dependently. The [Ca2+](i) signal comprised an immediate initial rise followed by a persistent phase. Ca2+ removal inhibited the [Ca2+](i) signal by reducing both the initial rise and the sustained phase. This implies lindane-triggered Ca2+ influx and Ca2+ release. In Ca2+-free medium, 0.15 mM lindane increased [Ca2+](i) after pretreatment with carbonylcyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone (CCCP; 2 muM), a mitochondrial uncoupler, and two endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ pump inhibitors, thapsigargin and cyclopiazonic acid. Conversely, pretreatment with lindane abolished CCCP- and thapsigargin-induced Ca2+ release. This suggests that 0.15 mM lindane released Ca2+ from the endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondria and other stores. La3+ (1 mM) partly inhibited 0.1 mM lindane-induced [Ca2+](i) increase, confirming that lindane induced Ca2+ influx. Addition of 3 mM Ca2+ increased [Ca2+](i) after pretreatment with 0.15 mM lindane for 750 sec. in Ca2+-free medium, which indicates lindane-induced capacitative Ca2+ entry. Lindane (0.15 mM)-induced Ca2+ release was not reduced by inhibiting phospholipase C with 2 muM U73122, but was inhibited by 70% by the phospholipase A(2) inhibitor aristolochic acid (40 muM).