Lectin-Induced Enhancement of Voltage-Dependent Calcium Flux and Calcium Channel Antagonist Binding

Concanavalin A (Con A), a tetravalent lectin with preferential affinity for mannosyl and glucosyl residues of membrane glycoconjugates, increased K+ depolarization-evoked uptake of 45Ca2+ in the PC12 neural cell line. Enhancement of uptake by Con A was concentration dependent, with maximal (24%) stimulation at 100 micrograms/ml of Con A, and was preferentially inhibited by mannoside and glucoside. Succinyl-Con A, a divalent analog with reduced biological potency, increased uptake by only 7%. The effect of Con A on 45Ca2+ uptake was dependent on membrane depolarization, was abolished by ionic Ca2+ channel blockers and organic Ca2+ channel antagonists, and was accompanied by an equivalent increase in Ca2+ channel 3H-labeled antagonist binding, observations suggesting that the voltage-dependent Ca2+ channel was the site of Ca2+ entry. The mechanism for enhancement of 45Ca2+ uptake by Con A appeared to be separate from that used by the Ca2+ channel agonist BAY K 8644 and independent of that involved in Ca2+ channel regulation by phorbol esters. These findings suggest that voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels may link cell surface carbohydrate interactions with intracellular effector processes.