T型钙通道在逼尿肌过度活动发病中作用的实验研究

目的:研究T型钙通道在逼尿肌过度活动(detrusor overactivity,DO)大鼠模型中的改变并探索其在发病机制中的作用.方法:部分结扎雌性大鼠近端尿道制作DO动物模型,假手术组作为对照;6周后使用尿流动力学技术膀胱测压筛选实验动物;应用钙荧光探针Fluo-4比较模型和对照大鼠培养逼尿肌静息钙浓度,观察比较加入T型钙通道阻断剂Mibefradil后细胞静息钙浓度的变化;利用穿孔膜片钳技术比较模型和对照组大鼠急性分离逼尿肌细胞中T型钙通道密度.结果:膀胱测压中出现非排尿收缩的为DO大鼠.结果表明近端尿道部分结扎可成功制作DO动物模型;钙探针激光共聚焦实验表明当T型钙通道被抑制后,DO、对照逼尿肌细胞的静息钙荧光强度均显著下降,其中自身前后荧光变化率DO组显著大于正常组;穿孔膜片钳结果表明DO大鼠逼尿肌中T型钙通道的密度显著大于对照.结论:T型钙通道活动在DO动物中显著上调,这可能是导致该疾病的重要分子机制.     

T型Ca2+通道在心脏中的表达

电生理学研究表明心脏组织细胞主要存在L型和T型两种不同的Ca2 通道,其中T型Ca2 通道主要存在于正常成熟心脏的浦肯野纤维和起搏点细胞以及胚胎心室肌细胞,而正常成熟心肌细胞中存在很少,但在心脏肥大和心衰等心脏疾病的心肌细胞中表达明显增加,提示T型Ca2 通道与心脏正常节律的形成和心脏发育以及一些心脏疾病的发生与发展密切相关.     

T型钙通道α1G亚单位在细胞增殖中的功能研究

利用稳定过表达人类T型钙通道α_(1G)亚单位的HEK-293细胞研究了T型钙通道在细胞增殖中的作用。RT-PCR和标准全细胞膜片钳记录分别从mRNA转录水平和T型钙通道蛋白功能水平验证了α_(1G)单位的过表达的实现。生长曲线表明,T型钙通道α_(1G)亚单位的过表达能显著促进细胞增殖,HEKα_(1G)~+细胞的细胞群体倍增时间(13.7±0.3h)比对照HEK-293细胞的细胞群体倍增时间(22.1±1.1h)缩短了约8h;流式细胞分析结果也与此吻合,在稳定过表达了人类T型钙通道α_(1G)亚单位的细胞处于S期的细胞百分率比对照HEK-293细胞高,相反地处于G_0/G_1期的百分率比对照HEK-293细胞低,以上结果证明过表达T型钙通道α_(1G)亚单位能促进细胞增殖;T型钙通道特异性阻断剂mibefradil抑制HEKα_(1G)~+细胞增殖,IC_(50)为3.5/μmol/L,表明在HEK-293细胞过表达T型钙通道对细胞增殖的促进作用可以被T型钙通道特异性阻断剂mibefradil抑制,这就进一步证明了T型钙通道在促进细胞增殖方面的直接作用。Western杂交结果提示了T型钙通道α_(1G)亚单位的表达是通过某种信号途径提高了与细胞周期有关的蛋白质,cyclin A、cyclin E和CDK2的表达水平,从而刺激了细胞周期的进程。本研究有助于理解细胞增殖的机制并为开发治疗与细胞增殖异常有关疾病的新药提供了理论依据。     

人类T型钙通道α1H亚单位基因在细胞增殖中的功能研究

将人类T型钙通道α1H 亚单位基因 (CACNA1H)cDNA转染到HEK 2 93(humanembroyonickidney)细胞系得到稳定过量表达的细胞株 ,以此为体外模型来研究T型钙通道在细胞增殖中的直接作用。RT -PCR和标准全细胞膜片钳记录分别从mRNA转录水平和T型钙通道蛋白功能水平验证了α1H 亚单位的过量表达。生长曲线结果表明 ,T型钙通道α1H 亚单位基因的过量表达能显著促进HEK - 2 93细胞增殖 ,将细胞群体倍增时间从对照细胞的 2 2 1± 1.1h缩短到稳定转染细胞的 14 0± 0 .4h ,细胞群体倍增时间缩短了约 8h ;流式细胞分析结果表明 ,在稳定转染细胞处于S期的细胞百分率比对照细胞高 ,相反地处于G1 期的百分率比对照细胞低 ,以上结果证明了过量表达T型钙通道亚单位α1H 基因能促进细胞增殖。Western印迹结果提示 ,T型钙通道α1H 亚单位基因表达产物是通过某种信号途径 ,提高了与细胞周期有关基因 (CDK2、cyclinA和cyclinE)的蛋白质表达水平 ,从而刺激了细胞周期的进程。此研究结果有助于理解细胞增殖的机制并为开发治疗与细胞增殖异常有关疾病的新药提供了理论依据     

T型钙通道与乳腺癌

T型钙通道是激活电位低、失活速度快、单通道电导小的电压依赖性钙通道,具有高组织特异性、突出的生理功能及药理学选择性等特点。近年来的研究表明,T型钙通道通过独特的激活失活效应参与细胞内外钙流的振荡,影响肿瘤细胞的增殖过程。值得关注的是正常人乳腺上皮细胞中没有T型钙通道,而在不同分化阶段的乳腺癌细胞中该通道却有表达。实验证实,T型钙通道的表达影响乳腺癌细胞的增殖,通道拮抗剂能够显著地抑制乳腺癌细胞增殖。这一发现为乳腺癌的诊断及靶向治疗药物的研发提供了新的思路。本文概要介绍了近年来T型钙通道与乳腺癌关系的研究进展。     

电压调节钙通道有三种类型

采用电生理和药理技术证明,细胞膜上存在三种类型的钙通道,即 T(瞬时)型、N(神经元)型和 L(长程)型。在神经元、心肌、骨骼肌、平滑肌和神经内分泌细胞上可检出含量可变的 L 型和 T 型通道。T 型通道为低电压激活、快速失活通道,流入钙量与流入钡量相等或略高,而 L 型通道则为高电压激活,不失活或缓慢失活通道,它流入的钡量多于钙量。N 型通道仅存在于神经元。T 型通道不受已知的钙通道激动剂、阻滞剂或毒素影响,但可被0.1mmol/L 镍阻断,在某些神经元亦可被0.1mmol/L 苯妥英(phenytoin)阻断。N 型和 L 型通道可被低浓度(20μmol/L)的镉阻断,N 型和神经元     

马尾松花粉多糖及其酯化物对离体蟾蜍心肌生理特性的影响

利用常规离体蟾蜍心脏灌流法,通过生理记录仪经张力换能器系统描记心脏活动,观察了60%马尾松花粉多糖及其硫酸酯化多糖对离体蟾蜍心肌收缩力及心率的影响,并用普萘洛尔、氯化镉、维拉帕米等药物对心肌上的特异受体进行阻断,初步探讨了酯化多糖对心肌的作用机制.结果表明:60%多糖有降低离体蟾蜍心肌收缩力的作用,酯化60%多糖则有增强心肌收缩力的作用,两者对心率都没有影响;酯化60%多糖可以逆转普萘洛尔、氯化镉对心肌的抑制作用,而在维拉帕米存在的情况下,其正性肌力作用受到抑制,说明酯化多糖的正性肌力作用可能是通过胞膜上的L-型钙通道介导完成,而与β1受体无关.因而,加深研究酯化多糖影响心脏生理活动的的分子机制,对治疗相关疾病和开发松花粉多糖具有双重意义.     

BK通道的生物物理特性与门控及其最新研究进展

BK_(Ca)通道是细胞膜上受Ca~(2+)和膜电位双重调控的离子通道,其与细胞信号系统偶联并发挥着重要作用,该通道高度表达于高等动物的多种组织.最近的研究证实,在心肌细胞膜上存在力敏感BK通道并参与了心脏收缩与舒张的调控.本文将介绍BK通道与L-型钙通道功能上的耦合,心肌细胞质膜力敏感BK通道门控和功能的研究,以及对基底刚度的响应.这有助于更好地理解力敏感离子通道相关心脏疾病的病理和生理学基础.     

T型钙通道在神经病理性痛模型中介导疼痛的研究进展

神经病理痛是临床上常见病症,其发病机制尚不清楚,目前尚无有效的治疗手段,其慢性神经病理痛持续时间长,故其研究成为疼痛领域的热点和重点。近年来发现T型钙通道在神经病理性疼痛中起到了关键性的作用。本文将近年T型钙通道在神经病理性痛模型中介导疼痛的机制研究进展加以综述。     

巨型支架蛋白AHNAK在疾病中的研究进展

AHNAK是一种巨型支架蛋白，分子量约为700 kDa, AHNAK可以通过蛋白质-蛋白质的相互作用介导一系列的生理活动，包括维持心脏相关钙通道的平衡、脂肪细胞的分化、膜结构构成与修复等。本文就近年来AHNAK生物学特性、功能以及AHNAK涉及的相关疾病，如AHNAK在心血管疾病、代谢性疾病、肿瘤等疾病中的研究进展进行综述，以期全面地理解和探索AHNAK的特性及在疾病中发挥的作用，这将有助于阐明AHNAK的功能及为相关疾病的转化研究提供理论依据。     

T-type calcium channel expression and function in the diseased heart

The regulation of intracellular Ca (2+) is essential for cardiomyocyte function, and alterations in proteins that regulate Ca (2+) influx have dire consequences in the diseased heart. Low voltage-activated, T-type Ca (2+) channels are one pathway of Ca (2+) entry that is regulated according to developmental stage and in pathological conditions in the adult heart. Cardiac T-type channels consist of two main types, Cav3.1 (α1G) and Cav3.2 (α1H), and both can be induced in the myocardium in disease and injury but still, relatively little is known about mechanisms for their regulation and their respective functions. This article integrates previous data establishing regulation of T-type Ca (2+) channels in animal models of cardiac disease, with recent data that begin to address the functional consequences of cardiac Cav3.1 and Cav3.2 Ca (2+) channel expression in the pathological setting. The putative association of T-type Ca (2+) channels with Ca (2+) dependent signaling pathways in the context of cardiac hypertrophy is also discussed.     

Both T- and L-type Ca2+ channels can contribute to excitation-contraction coupling in cardiac Purkinje cells.

Although L-type Ca2+ channels have been shown to play a central role in cardiac excitation-contraction (E-C) coupling, little is known about the role of T-type Ca2+ channels in this process. We used the amphotericin B perforated patch method to study the possible role of T-type Ca2+ current in E-C coupling in isolated canine Purkinje myocytes where both Ca2+ currents are large. T-type Ca2+ current was separated from L-type Ca2+ current using protocols employing the different voltage dependencies of the channel types and their different sensitivities to pharmacological blockade. We showed that Ca2+ admitted through either T- or L-type Ca2+ channels is capable of initiating contraction and that the contractions depended on Ca2+-induced Ca2+ release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR). The contractions, however, had different properties. Those initiated by Ca2+ entry through T-type Ca2+ channels had a longer delay to the onset of shortening, slower rates of shortening and relaxation, lower peak shortening, and longer time to peak shortening. These differences were present even when L-type Ca2+ current amplitude, or charge entry, was less than that of T-type Ca2+ current, suggesting that Ca2+ entry through the T-type Ca2+ channel is a less effective signal transduction mechanism to the SR than is Ca2+ entry through the L-type Ca2+ channel. We conclude that under our experimental conditions in cardiac Purkinje cells Ca2+ entry through the T-type Ca2+ channel can activate cell contraction. However, Ca2+ entry through the L-type Ca2+ channel is a more effective signal transduction mechanism. Our findings support the concept that different structural relationships exist between these channel types and the SR Ca2+ release mechanism.     

Splice-variant changes of the CaV3.2 T-type calcium channel mediate voltage-dependent facilitation and associate with cardiac hypertrophy and development

Low voltage-activated T-type calcium (Ca) channels contribute to the normal development of the heart and are also implicated in pathophysiological states such as cardiac hypertrophy. Functionally distinct T-type Ca channel isoforms can be generated by alternative splicing from each of three different T-type genes (Ca_V3.1, Ca_V3.2,Ca_V3 .3), although it remains to be described whether specific splice variants are associated with developmental states and pathological conditions. We aimed to identify and functionally characterize Ca_V3.2 T-type Ca channel alternatively spliced variants from newborn animals and to compare with adult normotensive and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). DNA sequence analysis of full-length Ca_V3.2 cDNA generated from newborn heart tissue identified ten major regions of alternative splicing, the more common variants of which were analyzed by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and also subject to functional examination by whole-cell patch clamp. The main findings are that: (1) cardiac Ca_V3.2 T-type Ca channels are subject to considerable alternative splicing, (2) there is preferential expression ofCa_V3 .2(-25) splice variant channels in newborn rat heart with a developmental shift in adult heart that results in approximately equal levels of expression of both (+25) and (-25) exon variants, (3) in the adult stage of hypertensive rats there is a both an increase in overallCa_V3 .2 expression and a shift towards expression of Ca_V3.2(+25) containing channels as the predominant form, and (4) alternative splicing confers a variant-specific voltage-dependent facilitation ofCa_V3 .2 channels. We conclude that Ca_V3.2 alternative splicing generates significant T-type Ca channel structural and functional diversity with potential implications relevant to cardiac developmental and pathophysiological states.     

Splice-variant changes of the CaV3.2 T-type calcium channel mediate voltage-dependent facilitation and associate with cardiac hypertrophy and development

Low voltage-activated T-type calcium (Ca) channels contribute to the normal development of the heart and are also implicated in pathophysiological states such as cardiac hypertrophy. Functionally distinct T-type Ca channel isoforms can be generated by alternative splicing from each of three different T-type genes (Ca_V3.1, Ca_V3.2, Ca_V3.3), although it remains to be described whether specific splice variants are associated with developmental states and pathological conditions. We aimed to identify and functionally characterize Ca_V3.2 T-type Ca channel alternatively spliced variants from newborn animals and to compare with adult normotensive and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). DNA sequence analysis of full-length Ca_V3.2 cDNA generated from newborn heart tissue identified ten major regions of alternative splicing, the more common variants of which were analyzed by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and also subject to functional examination by whole-cell patch clamp. The main findings are that: (1) cardiac Ca_V3.2 T-type Ca channels are subject to considerable alternative splicing, (2) there is preferential expression of Ca_V3.2(−25) splice variant channels in newborn rat heart with a developmental shift in adult heart that results in approximately equal levels of expression of both (+25) and (−25) exon variants, (3) in the adult stage of hypertensive rats there is both an increase in overall Ca_V3.2 expression and a shift towards expression of Ca_V3.2(+25) containing channels as the predominant form and (4) alternative splicing confers a variant-specific voltage-dependent facilitation of Ca_V3.2 channels. We conclude that Ca_V3.2 alternative splicing generates significant T-type Ca channel structural and functional diversity with potential implications relevant to cardiac developmental and pathophysiological states.Key words: voltage-dependent facilitation, alternative splicing, T-type calcium channel, hypertension, cardiac hypertrophy     

T-type calcium channels and tumor proliferation

The role of T-type Ca2+ channels in proliferation of tumor cells is reviewed. Intracellular Ca2+ is important in controlling proliferation as evidenced by pulses, or oscillations, of intracellular Ca2+ which occur in a cell cycle-dependent manner in many tumor cells. Voltage-gated calcium channels, such as the T-type Ca2+ channel, are well suited to participate in such oscillations due to their unique activation/inactivation properties. Expression of the T-type Ca2+ channels has been reported in numerous types of tumors, and has been shown to be cell cycle-dependent. Overexpression of the alpha1 subunit of T-type Ca2+ channels in human astrocytoma, neuroblastoma and renal tumor cell lines enhanced proliferation of these cells. In contrast, targeting of the alpha1 subunit of the T-type calcium channel via siRNA decreased proliferation of these cells. A Ca2+ oscillatory model is proposed involving potassium channels, Ca2+ stores and Ca2+ exchangers/transporters. A review of T-type channel blockers is presented, with a focus on mibefradil-induced inhibition of proliferation. The development of newer blockers with higher selectivity and less potential side effects are discussed. The conclusion reached is that calcium channel blockers serve as a potential therapeutic approach for tumors whose proliferation depends on T-type calcium channel expression.     

Remodeling excitation-contraction coupling of hypertrophied ventricular myocytes is dependent on T-type calcium channels expression

We utilized Wistar rats with monocrotaline (MCT)-induced right ventricular hypertrophy (RVH) in order to evaluate the T-type Ca2+ channel current (ICaT) for myocardial contraction. RT-PCR provides that mRNA for T-type Ca2+ channel alpha1-subunits in hypertrophied myocytes was significantly higher than those in control rats (alpha1G; 264+/-36%, alpha1H; 191+/-34%; P<0.05). By whole-cell patch-clamp study, ICaT was recorded only in hypertrophied myocytes but not in control myocytes. The application of 50 nmol/L nifedipine reduced the twitch tension of the right ventricles equally in the control and RVH rats. On the other hand, 0.5 micromol/L mibefradil, a T-type Ca2+ channel blocker, strongly inhibited the twitch tension of the RVH muscle (control 6.4+/-0.8% vs. RVH 20.0+/-2.3% at 5 Hz; P<0.01). In conclusion, our results indicate the functional expression of T-type Ca2+ channels in the hypertrophied heart and their contribution to the remodeling of excitation-contraction coupling in the cardiac myocyte.     

Low voltage-activated calcium channels in vascular smooth muscle: T-type channels and AVP-stimulated calcium spiking

An important path of extracellular calcium influx in vascular smooth muscle (VSM) cells is through voltage-activated Ca2+ channels of the plasma membrane. Both high (HVA)- and low (LVA)-voltage-activated Ca2+ currents are present in VSM cells, yet little is known about the relevance of the LVA T-type channels. In this report, we provide molecular evidence for T-type Ca2+ channels in rat arterial VSM and characterize endogenous LVA Ca2+ currents in the aortic smooth muscle-derived cell line A7r5. AVP is a vasoconstrictor hormone that, at physiological concentrations, stimulates Ca2+ oscillations (spiking) in monolayer cultures of A7r5 cells. The present study investigated the role of T-type Ca2+ channels in this response with a combination of pharmacological and molecular approaches. We demonstrate that AVP-stimulated Ca2+ spiking can be abolished by mibefradil at low concentrations (<1 microM) that should not inhibit L-type currents. Infection of A7r5 cells with an adenovirus containing the Cav3.2 T-type channel resulted in robust LVA Ca2+ currents but did not alter the AVP-stimulated Ca2+ spiking response. Together these data suggest that T-type Ca2+ channels are necessary for the onset of AVP-stimulated calcium oscillations; however, LVA Ca2+ entry through these channels is not limiting for repetitive Ca2+ spiking observed in A7r5 cells.     

T-type calcium channel expression and function in the diseased heart

The regulation of intracellular Ca²⁺ is essential for cardiomyocyte function, and alterations in proteins that regulate Ca²⁺ influx have dire consequences in the diseased heart. Low voltage-activated, T-type Ca²⁺ channels are one pathway of Ca²⁺ entry that is regulated according to developmental stage and in pathological conditions in the adult heart. Cardiac T-type channels consist of two main types, Ca_v3.1 (α1G) and Ca_v3.2 (α1H), and both can be induced in the myocardium in disease and injury but still, relatively little is known about mechanisms for their regulation and their respective functions. This article integrates previous data establishing regulation of T-type Ca²⁺ channels in animal models of cardiac disease, with recent data that begin to address the functional consequences of cardiac Ca_v3.1 and Ca_v3.2 Ca²⁺ channel expression in the pathological setting. The putative association of T-type Ca²⁺ channels with Ca²⁺ dependent signaling pathways in the context of cardiac hypertrophy is also discussed.     

Frequency-dependent blockade of T-type Ca2+ current by efonidipine in cardiomyocytes

Efonidipine is a dihydropyridine Ca2+ antagonist with inhibitory effects on both L-type and T-type Ca2+ channels and potent bradycardiac activity especially in patients with high heart rate. In the present study, we examined the frequency dependence of efonidipine action on the T-type Ca2+ channel in isolated guinea-pig ventricular myocytes. The potency of efonidipine to inhibit the T-type Ca2+ current was higher under higher stimulation frequencies. The IC50 values were 1.3 x 10(-8), 2.0 x 10(-6) and 6.3 x 10(-6) M under stimulation frequencies of 1, 0.2 and 0.05 Hz, respectively. The reduction of T-type Ca2+ current amplitude was not accompanied by change in the time course of current decay. Efonidipine (10 microM) inhibited T-type Ca2+ current elicited by depolarization from holding potentials ranging from -90 to -30 mV by about 30%; the voltage-dependence of steady-state inactivation was not changed by the drug. Efonidipine slowed the recovery from inactivation following an inactivating prepulse. In conclusion, efonidipine was shown to have frequency-dependent inhibitory effects on the T-type Ca2+ channel, which could be explained by slow dissociation of the drug from the inactivated state of the channel.