lugdunensis invaded the endothelial cell line EA.hy 926 and the urinary bladder carcinoma cell line 5637. The invasion of cells is similar, in some cases, to that of S. aureus. Clinical strains which showed a binding to solid-phase fibronectin were invasive into the 5637 and EA.hy 926 cells. The isolate RG7422 Stlu 108 with a strong fibronectin binding, similar to that of S. aureus Cowan I, was also invasive to a similar degree. The fibrinogen-binding protein Fbl is not involved in the invasion of cells by S. lugdunensis Stlu 108,

as shown by an isogenic fbl mutant. Our results indicate the presence of an invasion mechanism, supposedly similar to that described for S. aureus and one which contains a putative further cytochalasin D-independent invasion mechanism. We thank Anke Albrecht (Bochum) for excellent technical assistance, Inge Schmitz (Institute of Pathology, University of Bochum) for electron microscopy, and Gurpreet Khaira (Vancouver, Canada) for

critically reading the manuscript. The authors certify that there is no actual or potential conflict in relation to this article. “
“G-protein-coupled RG7420 research buy octopamine (OA) receptors mediate their effects by Ca2+ signaling or adjusting intracellular cAMP levels. Depending on OA concentration and cell type, activation of OA receptors in excitable cells triggers excitatory or inhibitory effects, but the mechanisms by which Ca2+ or cAMP mediates these effects are not well understood. We investigated signaling mechanisms that are potentially activated by OA, and OA effects on excitability and frequency sensitivity in mechanosensory neurons innervating the VS-3 slit sensilla on the patella of the spider Cupiennius salei. These neurons are directly innervated by octopaminergic efferents, and possess OA receptors that were immunoreactive to an

antibody against an OA receptor highly expressed in mushroom bodies. Janus kinase (JAK) OA application enhanced VS-3 neuron sensitivity, especially at high stimulation frequencies. This enhancement lasted for at least 1 h after OA application. Changes in sensitivity were also detected when the Ca2+ ionophore ionomycin or the cAMP analog 8-Br-cAMP was applied. However, the cAMP pathway was unlikely to mediate the OA effect, as the protein kinase A inhibitor RP-cAMPS did not diminish this effect. In contrast, the OA-induced sensitivity enhancement was significantly reduced by KN-62, an inhibitor of Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII), and by the Ca2+ chelator BAPTA-AM. OA depolarized the neurons by 3.8 mV from resting potential, well below the threshold for opening of voltage-activated Ca2+ channels. OA also reduced the amplitudes of voltage-activated K+ currents. We propose that OA receptors in VS-3 neurons activate inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate, leading to Ca2+ release from intracellular stores. The Ca2+ surge switches on CaMKII, which modulates voltage-activated K+ channels, resulting in persistent enhancement in excitability.