Physiopathology of neuronal voltage-operated calcium channels.

Voltage-operated calcium channels are multimeric transmembrane proteins crucially involved in control of calcium homeostasis. Multiple types of voltage-operated calcium channels have been described in both the nervous system and peripheral tissues. Different channels can be classified according to either their biophysical properties or their pharmacology, biochemical and molecular structure, and localization and functional role. Concentrating on neuronal cells, this paper reviews the different properties of low- and high-voltage activated channels, as well as various attempts to subdivide high-voltage activated channels into different subtypes (L, N, omega, P, etc.). The availability of selective drugs (such as dihydropyridines) and natural toxins (such as omega-Conotoxin, omega-agatoxin, and funnel-web spider toxins), which bind to specific channel subtypes, has greatly helped in channel classification. The emerging view is that there are many members of the family of voltage-operated calcium channels, each with its own molecular structure, a different pharmacology, a different localization, and possibly a different physiological role. Different calcium subtypes are selectively affected in human and animal diseases. The use of omega-Conotoxin has led to identification of the channel subtype (omega) specifically affected in Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome (a human disease of neurotransmission), and has permitted development of new diagnostic approaches to the disease.     

Interaction of diltiazem with single L-type calcium channels in guinea-pig ventricular myocytes.

The effects of diltiazem on cardiac L-type calcium channels were studied at the single channel level, using Ba2+ ions as the charge carrier. Patch clamp experiments were performed on enzymatically isolated guinea-pig ventricular myocytes. It was shown in cell-attached configuration on multichannel patches that diltiazem, when applied to the bath, can approach the calcium channel under the pipette after diffusion through the membrane phase. The time constant of the onset of the effect was 60 s. The rate of recovery seemed to be of the same order. Diltiazem had most prominent effect on calcium channel open state probability by reducing the frequency of openings, and by increasing the frequency of records without channel opening (nulls). The effect on mean open time was found to be insignificant at 1 kHz resolution. Diltiazem had no effect on the amplitude of unitary currents. These data are consistent with the assumption that diltiazem interacts mainly with the inactivated state (although interaction with the closed states was not ruled out), and does not bind to the open state of the calcium channel.     

The effect of C-type natriuretic peptide on delayed rectifier potassium currents in gastric antral circular myocytes of the guinea-pig

C-type natriuretic peptides (CNP) play an inhibitory role in smooth muscle motility of the gastrointestinal tract, but the effect of CNP on delayed rectifier potassium currents is still unclear. This study was designed to investigate the effect of CNP on delayed rectifier potassium currents and its mechanism by using conventional whole-cell patch-clamp technique in guinea-pig gastric myocytes isolated by collagenase. CNP significantly inhibited delayed rectifier potassium currents [I(K (V))] in dose-dependent manner, and CNP inhibited the peak current elicited by depolarized step pulse to 86.1+/-1.6 % (n=7, P<0.05), 78.4+/-2.6 % (n=10, P<0.01) and 67.7+/-2.3 % (n=14, P<0.01), at concentrations of 0.01 micromol/l, 0.1 micromol/l and 1 micromol/l, respectively, at +60 mV. When the cells were preincubated with 0.1 micromol/l LY83583, a guanylate cyclase inhibitor, the 1 ?micromol/l CNP-induced inhibition of I(K (V)) was significantly impaired but when the cells were preincubated with 0.1 micromol/l zaprinast, a cGMP-sensitive phosphodiesterase inhibitor, the 0.01 micromol/l CNP-induced inhibition of I(K (V)) was significantly potentiated. 8-Br-cGMP, a membrane permeable cGMP analogue mimicked inhibitory effect of CNP on I(K (V)). CNP-induced inhibition of I(K (V)) was completely blocked by KT5823, an inhibitor of cGMP-dependent protein kinase (PKG). The results suggest that CNP inhibits the delayed rectifier potassium currents via cGMP-PKG signal pathway in the gastric antral circular myocytes of the guinea-pig.     

The involvement of voltage-operated calcium channels in somato-dendritic oxytocin release

Magnocellular neurons of the supraoptic nucleus (SON) secrete oxytocin and vasopressin from axon terminals in the neurohypophysis, but they also release large amounts of peptide from their somata and dendrites, and this can be regulated both by activity-dependent Ca(2+) influx and by mobilization of intracellular Ca(2+). This somato-dendritic release can also be primed by agents that mobilise intracellular Ca(2+), meaning that the extent to which it is activity-dependent, is physiologically labile. We investigated the role of different Ca(2+) channels in somato-dendritic release; blocking N-type channels reduced depolarisation-induced oxytocin release from SONs in vitro from adult and post-natal day 8 (PND-8) rats, blocking L-type only had effect in PND-8 rats, while blocking other channel types had no significant effect. When oxytocin release was primed by prior exposure to thapsigargin, both N- and L-type channel blockers reduced release, while P/Q and R-type blockers were ineffective. Using confocal microscopy, we found immunoreactivity for Ca(v)1.2 and 1.3 channel subunits (which both form L-type channels), 2.1 (P/Q type), 2.2 (N-type) and 2.3 (R-type) in the somata and dendrites of both oxytocin and vasopressin neurons, and the intensity of the immunofluorescence signal for different subunits differed between PND-8, adult and lactating rats. Using patch-clamp electrophysiology, the N-type Ca(2+) current density increased after thapsigargin treatment, but did not alter the voltage sensitivity of the channel. These results suggest that the expression, location or availability of N-type Ca(2+) channels is altered when required for high rates of somato-dendritic peptide release.     

Inactivation of calcium channels in vascular smooth muscle myocytes

Many of the structural domains involved in Ca²⁺ channel (CACN) inactivation are also involved in determining their sensitivity to antagonist inhibition. We hypothesize that differences in inactivation properties and their structural determinants may suggest candidate domains as targets for the development of novel, selective antagonists. The characteristics of Ca²⁺ current (I_Ca) inactivation, steady-state inactivation (SSIN), and recovery from inactivation were studied in freshly dispersed smooth muscle cells from rabbit portal vein (RPV) using whole-cell, voltage-clamp methods. The time course of inactivation could be represented by two time constants. Increasing I_Ca by increasing [Ca²⁺]_o or with more negative holding potentials decreased both time constants. With Sr²⁺, Ba²⁺, or Na⁺ as the charge carrier, I_Ca inactivation was also represented by two time constants, both of which were larger than those found with Ca²⁺. With Ca²⁺, Sr²⁺, or Ba²⁺ as the charge carrier, both time constants had minimum values near the voltage associated with maximum current. When Na⁺ (140 mM) was the charge carrier, voltages for I_max (−20 mV) or τ_min (o mV) did not correspond. SSIN of I_Ca had a half-maximum voltage of −32±4 mV for Ca²⁺, −43 mV±5 mV for Sr²⁺, −41±5 mV for Ba²⁺, and −68±6 mV for Na⁺. The slope factor for SSIN per e-fold voltage change was 6.5±0.2 mV for Ca²⁺, 6.8±0.3 for Sr²⁺, and 6.6±0.2 for Ba²⁺, representing four equivalent charges. When Na⁺ or Li⁺ was the charge carrier, the slope factor was 13.5±0.7 mV, representing two equivalent charges. For I_Ca in rat left ventricular (rLV) myocytes, there was no difference in the slope factor of SSIN for Ca²⁺ and Na⁺. The rate of recovery of I_Ca from inactivation varied inversely with recovery voltage and was independent of the charge carrier. These results suggest that inactivation of I_Ca in PV myocytes possess an intrinsic voltage dependence that is modified by Ca²⁺. For RPV but not rLV I_Ca, the charge of the permeating ion confers the voltage-dependency of SSIN.     

Modulation of calcium mobilization in aortic rings of pregnant rats: Contribution of extracellular calcium and of voltage-operated calcium channels

Pregnancy is associated with decreased vascular responsiveness to vasopressor stimuli. We have tested the involvement of Ca2+ mobilization in myotropic responses of aortic rings obtained from pregnant and virgin rats. Contractions of the rings to phenylephrine, in the absence of calcium in the bathing medium, were lower in tissues from virgin than from pregnant rats. Concentration-response curves to CaCl2 that were measured after stimulation by phenylephrine in the absence of Ca2+ were shifted to higher levels of contraction. This was not observed when KCl was used to prestimulate the aorta. D-600, a phenylalkylamine calcium channel blocker, similarly inhibited these responses to CaCl2 in tissues from both pregnant and virgin animals. D-600 exerted a concentration-dependent inhibition of responses to phenylephrine and KCl. However, the calcium antagonist was less effective in aortic rings of pregnant than of virgin rats. Basal 45Ca2+ uptake was lower in aortic rings from pregnant than from virgin rats, and Bay K 8644 was unable to reverse this difference. The time course of basal and stimulated (KCl) 45Ca2+ influx was lower in aorta of pregnant rats at all times studied. Moreover, when the intracellular calcium pools were emptied with phenylephrine, the refilling of these pools was delayed in aortic rings of pregnant rats. These results indicate an altered extracellular calcium mobilization of aortic rings from pregnant rats. These changes may be due to a functional alteration of the voltage-operated calcium channels during pregnancy.     

Interactions between peripheral-type benzodiazepine receptor ligands and an activator of voltage-operated calcium channels.

The effects of the peripheral-type benzodiapine receptor (PBR) ligands Ro 5-4864 and PK 11195 were studied in the spontaneously beating guinea pig atrium and in a model for myocardial ischemia in the rat. In the former, Bay K 8644 produced positive chronotropic and inotropic responses; intracarotid administration of this agonist (5 or 10 micrograms kg-1) to anesthetized rats elicited a transient increase in mean arterial blood pressure accompanied by alterations in the ECG pattern. Ro 5-4864 and PK 11195 (10 microM) completely blocked the positive chronotropic effect of Bay K 8644 in the atrium, PK 11209, a structural analog of PK 11195 with a low affinity for PBR, was inactive, and the central benzodiazepine receptor ligand clonazepam had a marginal effect. Ro 5-4864 potentiated whereas PK 11195 inhibited the myocardial ischemia produced by Bay K 8644 in the rat. Furthermore, PK 11195 blocked the combined response to Bay K 8644 and Ro 5-4864. Addition of Ro 5-4864 (10 microM) to the organ bath potentiated the inotropic effect of Bay K 8644 in the atria; PK 11195 at the same concentration inhibited this effect. Clonazepam and PK 11209 were both inactive in this regard. Nifedipine, a potent calcium channel antagonist, completely blocked the inotropic and chronotropic responses to Bay K 8644. PK 11195 and Ro 5-4864 did not affect this action. These findings strongly suggest that there is a functional association between PBR and voltage-operated calcium channels in the guinea pig atrium and rat cardiovascular system.     

Potassium permeability of voltage-operated calcium channels of dorsal root ganglion neurons in a calcium-free medium

In freshly isolated neurons of the rat spinal ganglia, we studied the behavior of voltage-operated calcium channels of these cells under conditions of the absence of calcium ions in the extracellular solution; a patch-clamp technique in the whole-cell configuration was used. We found that such channels in a part of the studied neurons lose their selectivity in a calcium-free potassium-containing solution and become capable of passing an inward potassium current. This current was inhibited by blockers of voltage-operated calcium channels, nifedipine and nickel, and also was to some extent inhibited by caffeine. The latter effect is realized, perhaps, due to calcium-dependent inactivation of calcium channels induced by the action of calcium ions released from the endoplasmic reticulum upon caffeine-induced activation of ryanodine receptors. The peculiarities of current-voltage relationships and characteristics of activation/inactivation of calcium channels modified in calcium-free medium and the possible mechanisms of such modification are discussed. Neirofiziologiya/Neurophysiology, Vol. 40, No. 2, pp. 93–99, March–April, 2008.     

肾上腺髓质素对豚鼠心室肌细胞L-型钙通道的调制

应用全细胞膜片钳技术研究了肾上腺髓质素 (ADM )对豚鼠心室肌细胞L 型钙电流 (ICa ,L)的影响及其信号传导机制。结果发现 :ADM ( 1～ 10 0nmol/L)浓度依赖性抑制ICa,L(P <0 0 5 ) ,并可被ADM特异受体阻断剂ADM2 2 52 ( 10 0nmol/L)完全阻断。用蛋白激酶A特异拮抗剂H 89( 10 μmol/L)预处理 ,对ADM抑制ICa ,L的作用无影响。但用蛋白激酶C (PKC)特异性拮抗剂PKC19 36 预处理 ,可完全阻断ADM的抑制效应 ;而PKC特异性激动剂PMA则可以模仿ADM的抑制效应 (P <0 0 5 )。上述结果提示 :ADM作用于特异性ADM受体可浓度依赖性地抑制豚鼠心室肌细胞ICa ,L,而此作用可能是PKC介导的。     

嘌呤拟似物对豚鼠胃窦环行肌自发性收缩及电活动的影响

为探讨非肾上腺素能非胆碱能神经递质对胃窦环行肌功能的调节作用,在离体胃平滑肌上观察了嘌呤拟似物对胃窦环行肌自发性收缩活动和电活动的影响。电活动用传统的细胞内微电极记录,并和收缩活动同步描记于多道生理记录仪。结果表明,嘌呤能P2Y受体激动剂,三磷酸腺苷(ATP)和2-methylthio ATP(2-MeSATP)均增强胃窦平滑肌的收缩活动,但不影响电活动,而且ATP和2-MeSATP对胃平滑肌收缩活动的增强作用可被嘌呤能P2Y受体阻断剂,reactive blue-2和苏拉明(suramin)所阻断。用100μmol／L α,β-MeATP引起的脱敏感使P2X受体被阻断,ATP增强胃窦平滑肌收缩活动的效应不受影响。嘌呤能P2X受体激动剂,α,β-MeATP明显抑制胃窦环行肌自发性收缩活动,同时使膜电位明显超极化。ATP对胃窦平滑肌的收缩作用不被L型钙通道阻断剂尼卡地平(nicardipine)阻断,但细胞外用无钙液灌流时这种效应则完全被阻断。用前列腺素合成抑制剂消炎痛预先处理20min后,ATP和2-MeSATP仍能增强胃窦平滑肌的自发性收缩活动。以上结果提示：(1)ATP和2-MeSATP通过嘌呤能P2Y受体增强胃窦平滑肌的自发性收缩活动,而α,β-MeATP或β,γ-MeATP通过嘌呤能P2X受体使膜电位超极化,引起胃窦平滑肌的舒张;(2)ATP和2-MeSATP增强胃窦平滑肌自发性收缩活动的效应依赖于细胞外钙,但钙离子进入细胞的途径并不是电压依赖性钙通道;(3)ATP和2-MeSATP增强胃窦平滑肌自发性收缩活动的效应不通过前列腺素介导。     

A model of calcium dynamics in cardiac myocytes based on the kinetics of ryanodine-sensitive calcium channels.

The ryanodine-sensitive calcium channels are pivotal to signal transduction and cell function in many cell types, including cardiac myocytes. In this paper a kinetic model is proposed for these channels. In the model there are two Ca regulatory sites on the channel protein, one positive and the other negative. Cytoplasmic Ca binds to these regulatory sites independently It is assumed that the binding of Ca to the positive site is a much faster process than binding to the negative site. At steady state, the channel opening as a function of the Ca concentration is a bell-shaped curve. The model predicts the adaptation of channels to constant Ca stimulus. When this model is applied to cardiac myocytes, it predicts excitability with respect to Ca perturbations, smoothly graded responses, and Ca oscillations in certain pathological circumstances. In a spatially distributed system, traveling Ca waves in individual myocytes exist under certain conditions. This model can also be applied to other systems where the ryanodine-sensitive channels have been identified.     

Toluene inhibits voltage-sensitive calcium channels expressed in pheochromocytoma cells

Commercial solvents such as toluene are commonly used as drugs of abuse by children and adolescents. The cellular and molecular sites and mechanisms of actions of these compounds are not well studied but their effects on behavior resemble those of central nervous system depressants such as alcohol, barbiturates and benzodiazepines. In this study, the effects of toluene on voltage-sensitive calcium channels (VSCCs) were measured in pheochromocytoma cells. The KCl-induced rise in intracellular calcium as measured by calcium imaging was almost completely blocked by the dihydropyridine calcium channel antagonist nifedipine verifying that undifferentiated pheochromocytoma cells express mainly the L-type of calcium channel. Toluene (0.3–3000 μM) by itself did not affect intracellular calcium levels in resting cells but dose-dependently inhibited the KCl-induced rise in calcium. This inhibition was substantially reversed upon washout of the toluene-containing solution. KCl-dependent increases in intracellular calcium in cells differentiated with nerve growth factor (NGF) were largely insensitive to nifedipine. Toluene produced a greater inhibition of the KCl response in NGF treated cells as compared with undifferentiated cells. A similar finding was obtained when whole-cell patch-clamp-electrophysiology was used to directly monitor the effects of toluene on voltage-activated calcium currents in undifferentiated and differentiated cells. These results show that dihydropyridine sensitive and insensitive calcium channels are inhibited by toluene and may represent important sites of action for this compound.     

The effect of heterogeneously-distributed RyR channels on calcium dynamics in cardiac myocytes

Calcium plays an essential role in excitation-contraction coupling in muscle, and derangements in calcium handling can produce a variety of potentially harmful conditions, especially in cardiac muscle. In cardiac tissue specialized invaginations of the sarcolemma, called T-tubules, penetrate deep into each sarcomere, and depolarization of the SL leads to an influx of calcium through voltage-sensitive channels in the T-tubules that in turn triggers further calcium release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum via ryanodine-sensitive calcium channels. Under certain conditions, such as elevated external Ca²⁺, cardiac cells can release calcium from the sarcoplasmic reticulum spontaneously, producing a calcium ’spark’ and propagating traveling waves of elevated Ca²⁺ concentration, without depolarization of the SL (Wier and Blatter, 1991a, Cell Calcium 12, 241–254; Williams, 1993, Cell Calcium 14, 724–735; Cheng et al., 1993a, Science 262, 740–744). However, under normal resting conditions these potentially harmful waves seldom occur. In this paper we investigate the role of the periodic distribution of ryanodine-sensitive channels in determining whether a spark can trigger a wave, using a modification of the kinetic model proposed by Tang and Othmer, 1994b, Biophys. J. 67, 2223–2235, for calcium-induced calcium release. We show that the spatial localization of these channels near the T-tubules has a significant effect on both wave propagation and the onset of oscillations in this system. Spatial localization provides a possible explanation for the differing effects of various experimental protocols on the system’s ability to propagate a traveling wave. Supported in part by NIH Grant GM29123.     

Selective modulation of L-type calcium current by magnesium lithospermate B in guinea-pig ventricular myocytes

Magnesium lithospermate B (MLB) is the main water-soluble principle of Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix (also called as 'Danshen' in the traditional Chinese medicine) for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. MLB was found to possess a variety of pharmacological actions. However, it is unclear whether and how MLB affects the cardiac ion channels. In the present study, the effects of MLB on the voltage-activated ionic currents were investigated in single ventricular myocytes of adult guinea pigs. MLB reversibly inhibited L-type Ca(2+) current (I(Ca,L)). The inhibition was use-dependent and voltage-dependent (the IC(50) value of MLB was 30 microM and 393 microM, respectively, at the holding potential of -50 mV and -100 mV). In the presence of 100 microM MLB, both the activation and steady-state inactivation curves of I(Ca,L) were markedly shifted to hyperpolarizing membrane potentials, whereas the time course of recovery of I(Ca,L) from inactivation was not altered. MLB up to 300 microM had no significant effect on the fast-inactivating Na(+) current (I(Na)), delayed rectifier K(+) current (I(K)) and inward rectifier K(+) current (I(K1)). The results suggest that the voltage-dependent Ca(2+) antagonistic effect of MLB work in concert with its antioxidant action for attenuating heart ischemic injury.     

血小板活化因子对豚鼠心室肌细胞动作电位和钾通道的影响

应用全细胞膜片钳技术研究了血小板活化因子(platelet activatingfactor,PAF)对豚鼠心室肌细胞动作电位和钾电流的影响.结果发现,当电极内液ATP浓度为5 mmol/L(模拟正常条件)时,1 μmol/L PAF使APD90由对照的225.8±23.3 ms延长至352.8±29.8ms(n=5,P＜0.05);使IK尾电流在指令电压 30 mV由对照的173.5±16.7 pA降至152.1±11.5 pA(P＜0.05,n=4);使Ikl在指令电压为-120 mV时由对照组的-6.1±1.3 nA降至-5.6±1.1 nA(P＜0.05,n=5);但PAF在生理膜电位范围(-90mV～ 20mV)对IK1没有影响.当电极内液ATP浓度为0mmol/L时,IK·ATP开放(模拟缺血条件),1 μmol/LPAF却显著缩短APD90,由对照的153±24.6 ms缩短至88.2±19.4 ms(n=5,P＜0.01).而用1 μmol/L格列本脲(IK·ATP的特异阻断剂)预处理后,恢复了PAF可显著延长动作电位时程的作用.结果提示,PAF可能扩大缺血心肌和正常心肌细胞动作电位时程的不均一性,是缺血/再灌注性心律失常发生的重要原因.     

8-Bromo-cyclic GMP inhibits the calcium channel current in embryonic chick ventricular myocytes

Superfusion with 8-bromo-cyclic GMP or intracellular injection of cyclic GMP inhibits calcium-dependent slow action potentials in embryonic chick or guinea pig ventricular cells, suggesting that cyclic GMP inhibits calcium currents. Recently, cyclic GMP has been shown to reduce cyclic AMP-stimulated calcium currents in voltage-clamped ventricular myocytes. Since earlier results in intact cells had suggested that cyclic GMP might inhibit basal (i.e., unstimulated by cyclic AMP) calcium currents, we directly investigated the effect of 8-bromo-cyclic GMP on basal calcium channel currents (using barium as the charge carrier) in voltage-clamped ventricular myocytes isolated from embryonic chick hearts. Superfusion with 1 mM 8-bromo-cyclic GMP (without prior cyclic AMP elevation) progressively decreased peak calcium channel currents (-68% at 15 min after the onset of drug exposure). In contrast, the currents were unchanged during 15 min superfusion with control solution, or 1 mM 8-bromo-GMP (the noncyclic inactive analog of 8-bromo-cyclic GMP). The present results in voltage-clamped embryonic chick heart cells indicate that cyclic GMP can inhibit basal calcium channel currents, apparently through a cyclic AMP-independent mechanism.     

Intensified expression of calcium and sodium voltage-operated channels in oocytes ofXenopus following the injection of total RNA from the rat brain

Expression of voltage-gated calcium and sodium ionic channels was found with the help of electrophysiological methods in the membrane of oocytes of theXenopus laevis frog following the injection of total RNA from the brain of 15-to-20-day-old rats. The amplitudes of currents through these channels were much higher than those induced by poly(A)⁺-mRNA from the same source. Barium currents induced by both RNA preparations were insensitive to Bay K 8644 (10 µM) and nitrendipine (50 µM), but were blocked by addition of 100 µM Cd²⁺ to extracellular solution; in both cases -conotoxin GVIA (1 µM) suppressed currents through the expressed calcium channels. The conclusion is that processes responsible for the expression of alien ionic channels in oocyte membrane become more intensive following the injection of total RNA separated in a sucrose gradient than those following the injection of poly(A)⁺-mRNA. The results suggest that the effectiveness of the expression is positively affected by some factors contained in the preparations of total RNA. The question of the nature of these factors remains open.Neirofiziologiya/Neurophysiology, Vol. 25, No. 6, pp. 433–437, November–December, 1993.