The toxic metal ion cadmium (Cd2+) is pro-oxidant and specifically disrupts the actin cytoskeleton in renal mesangial cells. This study investigated the role of Cd2+-mediated redox modulation of actin through protein S-glutathionylation and the effects of cytoskeletal changes on focal adhesions (FAs) through a Ca2+/calmodulin dependent-protein kinase II (CaMK-II) pathway. Only at low concentrations of Cd2+ (0.5-2 μM) was there an increase in actin glutathionylation, which was a reactive oxygen species-independent, total glutathione-dependent effect. Immunofluorescence of the cytoskeleton suggests that increases in glutathionylation levels occurring under low [Cd2+] are protective in vivo. Higher concentrations (>= 10 μM) of Cd2+ resulted in loss of vinculin and focal adhesion kinase (FAK) from FAs, concomitant with cytoskeletal disruption. Inhibition of CaMK-II preserved cytoskeletal integrity and focal contacts, while decreasing the migration of FAK-phosphoTyr925 to a membrane-associated compartment. This study adds further insight into the Cd2+-mediated effects on the cytoskeleton and FAs.

The toxic metal ion cadmium (Cd2+) is pro-oxidant and specifically disrupts the actin cytoskeleton in renal mesangial cells. This study investigated the role of Cd2+-mediated redox modulation of actin through protein S-glutathionylation and the effects of cytoskeletal changes on focal adhesions (FAs) through a Ca2+/calmodulin dependent-protein kinase II (CaMK-II) pathway. Only at low concentrations of Cd2+ (0.5-2 μM) was there an increase in actin glutathionylation, which was a reactive oxygen species-independent, total glutathione-dependent effect. Immunofluorescence of the cytoskeleton suggests that increases in glutathionylation levels occurring under low [Cd2+] are protective in vivo. Higher concentrations (>= 10 μM) of Cd2+ resulted in loss of vinculin and focal adhesion kinase (FAK) from FAs, concomitant with cytoskeletal disruption. Inhibition of CaMK-II preserved cytoskeletal integrity and focal contacts, while decreasing the migration of FAK-phosphoTyr925 to a membrane-associated compartment. This study adds further insight into the Cd2+-mediated effects on the cytoskeleton and FAs.