Human autoantibodies specific for the  1A calcium channel subunit reduce both P-type and Q-type calcium currents in cerebellar neurons

We examined the dopamine (DA) modulation of calcium currents (ICa) that could contribute to the plasticity of the pyloric network in the lobster stomatogastric ganglion. Pyloric somata were voltage-clamped under conditions designed to block voltage-gated Na+, K+, and H currents. Depolarizing steps from –60 mV generated voltage-dependent, inward currents that appeared to originate in electrotonically distal, imperfectly clamped regions of the cell. These currents were blocked by Cd2+ and enhanced by Ba2+ but unaffected by Ni2+. Dopamine enhanced the peak ICa in the pyloric constrictor (PY), lateral pyloric (LP), and inferior cardiac (IC) neurons and reduced peak ICa in the ventricular dilator (VD), pyloric dilator (PD), and anterior burster (AB) neurons. All of these effects, except for the AB, are consistent with DA's excitation or inhibition of firing in the pyloric neurons. Enhancement of ICa in PY and LP neurons and reduction of ICa in VD and PD neurons are also consistent with DA-induced synaptic strength changes via modulation of presynaptic ICa. However, the reduction of ICa in AB suggests that DA's enhancement of AB transmitter release is not directly mediated through presynaptic ICa. ICa in PY and PD neurons was more sensitive to nifedipine block than in AB neurons. In addition, nifedipine blocked DA's effects on ICa in the PY and PD neurons but not in the AB neuron. Thus the contribution of specific calcium channel subtypes carrying the total ICa may vary between pyloric neuron classes, and DA may act on different calcium channel subtypes in the different pyloric neurons.

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COOH-terminal association of human smooth muscle calcium channel Cav1.2b with Src kinase protein binding domains: effect of nitrotyrosylation

AJP Cell Physiology ◽

10.1152/ajpcell.00308.2007 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 293 (6) ◽

pp. C1983-C1990 ◽

Cited By ~ 14

Author(s):

Minho Kang ◽

Gracious R. Ross ◽

Hamid I. Akbarali

Keyword(s):

Smooth Muscle ◽

Calcium Channel ◽

Tyrosine Phosphorylation ◽

Src Kinase ◽

Sh2 Domain ◽

Calcium Currents ◽

Hek 293 ◽

Hek 293 Cells ◽

Binding Domains ◽

293 Cells

The carboxyl terminus of the calcium channel plays an important role in the regulation of calcium entry, signal transduction, and gene expression. Potential protein-protein interaction sites within the COOH terminus of the L-type calcium channel include those for the SH3 and SH2 binding domains of c-Src kinase that regulates calcium currents in smooth muscle. In this study, we examined the binding sites involved in Src kinase-mediated phosphorylation of the human voltage-gated calcium channel (Cav) 1.2b (hCav1.2b) and the effect of nitrotyrosylation. Cotransfection of human embryonic kidney (HEK)-293 cells with hCav1.2b and c-Src resulted in tyrosine phosphorylation of the calcium channel, which was prevented by nitration of tyrosine residues by peroxynitrite. Whole cell calcium currents were reduced by 58 + 5% by the Src kinase inhibitor PP2 and 64 + 6% by peroxynitrite. Nitrotyrosylation prevented Src-mediated regulation of the currents. Glutathione S-transferase fusion protein of the distal COOH terminus of hCav1.2b (1809-2138) bound to SH2 domain of Src following tyrosine phosphorylation, while binding to SH3 required the presence of the proline-rich motif. Site-directed mutation of Y2134 prevented SH2 binding and resulted in reduced phosphorylation of hCav1.2b. Within the distal COOH terminus, single, double, or triple mutations of Y1837, Y1861, and Y2134 were constructed and expressed in HEK-293 cells. The inhibitory effects of PP2 and peroxynitrite on calcium currents were significantly reduced in the double mutant Y1837-2134F. These data demonstrate that the COOH terminus of hCav1.2b contains sites for the SH2 and SH3 binding of Src kinase. Nitrotyrosylation of these sites prevents Src kinase regulation and may be importantly involved in calcium influx regulation during inflammation.

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Pharmacologically and Functionally Distinct Calcium Currents of Stomatogastric Neurons

Journal of Neurophysiology ◽

10.1152/jn.1998.79.4.2070 ◽

1998 ◽

Vol 79 (4) ◽

pp. 2070-2081 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Laura M. Hurley ◽

Katherine Graubard

Keyword(s):

Neuromuscular Junction ◽

Calcium Channel ◽

Calcium Current ◽

Calcium Influx ◽

Outward Current ◽

Calcium Currents ◽

High Threshold ◽

Channel Blockers ◽

Postsynaptic Potentials ◽

Different Types

Hurley, Laura M. and Katherine Graubard. Pharmacologically and functionally distinct calcium currents of stomatogastric neurons. J. Neurophysiol. 79: 2070–2081, 1998. Previous studies have suggested the presence of different types of calcium channels in different regions of stomatogastric neurons. We sought to pharmacologically separate these calcium channel types. We used two different preparations from different regions of stomatogastric neurons to screen a range of selective calcium channel blockers. The two preparations were isolated cell bodies in culture, in which calcium current was measured directly, and isolated neuromuscular junction, in which synaptic transmission was the indirect assay for presynaptic calcium influx. The selective blockers were two different dihydropyridines, ω-Agatoxin IVA, and ω-Conotoxin GVIA. Cultured cell bodies possessed both high-threshold calcium current and calcium-activated outward current, similar to intact neurons. The calcium current had transient and maintained components, but both components had the same voltage dependence of activation and inactivation. Dihydropyridines at ≥10 μM blocked both high-threshold calcium current and calcium-activated outward current. Nanomolar doses of ω-Agatoxin IVA did not block calcium current, but micromolar doses did. ω-Conotoxin GVIA did not block either current. In contrast, at the neuromuscular junction, dihydropyridines reduced the amplitude of postsynaptic potentials by only a modest amount, whereas ω-Agatoxin IVA at doses as low as 64 nM reduced the amplitude of postsynaptic potentials almost entirely. These effects were presynaptic. ω-Conotoxin GVIA did not change the amplitude of postsynaptic potentials. The different pharmacological profiles of the two isolated preparations suggest that there are at least two different types of calcium channel in stomatogastric neurons and that ω-Agatoxin IVA and dihydropridines can be used to pharmacologically distinguish them.

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Inhibition of L-type calcium-channel activity by thapsigargin and 2,5-t-butylhydroquinone, but not by cyclopiazonic acid

Biochemical Journal ◽

10.1042/bj3020147 ◽

1994 ◽

Vol 302 (1) ◽

pp. 147-154 ◽

Cited By ~ 53

Author(s):

E J Nelson ◽

C C R Li ◽

R Bangalore ◽

T Benson ◽

R S Kass ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Calcium Channels ◽

Calcium Channel ◽

Cyclopiazonic Acid ◽

Calcium Currents ◽

Pituitary Cells ◽

Channel Activity ◽

Patch Clamp Technique ◽

Channel Current ◽

Low Concentrations ◽

Ic50 Values

Thapsigargin (TG), 2,5-t-butylhydroquinone (tBHQ) and cyclopiazonic acid (CPA) all inhibit the initial Ca(2+)-response to thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) by depleting intracellular Ca2+ pools sensitive to inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3). Treatment of GH3 pituitary cells for 30 min with 5 nM TG, 500 nM tBHQ or 50 nM CPA completely eliminated the TRH-induced spike in intracellular free Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i). Higher concentrations of TG and tBHQ, but not CPA, were also found to inhibit strongly the activity of L-type calcium channels, as measured by the increase in [Ca2+]i or 45Ca2+ influx stimulated by depolarization. TG and tBHQ blocked high-K(+)-stimulated 45Ca2+ uptake, with IC50 values of 10 and 1 microM respectively. Maximal inhibition of L-channel activity was achieved 15-30 min after drug addition. Inhibition by tBHQ was reversible, whereas inhibition by TG was not. TG and CPA did not affect spontaneous [Ca2+]i oscillations when tested at concentrations adequate to deplete the IP3-sensitive Ca2+ pool. However, 20 microM TG and 10 microM tBHQ blocked [Ca2+]i oscillations completely. The effect of drugs on calcium currents was measured directly by using the patch-clamp technique. When added to the external bath, 10 microM CPA caused a sustained increase in the calcium-channel current amplitude over 8 min, 10 microM tBHQ caused a progressive inhibition, and 10 microM TG caused an enhancement followed by a sustained block of the calcium current over 8 min. In summary, CPA depletes IP3-sensitive Ca2+ stores and does not inhibit voltage-operated calcium channels. At sufficiently low concentrations, TG depletes IP3-sensitive stores without inhibiting L-channel activity, but, for tBHQ, inhibition of calcium channels occurs at concentrations close to those needed to block agonist mobilization of intracellular Ca2+.

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Calcium Currents in Retrogradely Labeled Pyramidal Cells From Rat Sensorimotor Cortex

Journal of Neurophysiology ◽

10.1152/jn.2000.83.4.2349 ◽

2000 ◽

Vol 83 (4) ◽

pp. 2349-2354 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Ansalan Stewart ◽

Robert C. Foehring

Keyword(s):

Pyramidal Neurons ◽

Pyramidal Cells ◽

Cell Types ◽

Calcium Currents ◽

Patch Clamp Technique ◽

Whole Cell ◽

Multiple Populations ◽

Whole Cell Patch Clamp ◽

The Mean ◽

P Type

Our previous studies of calcium (Ca2+) currents in cortical pyramidal cells revealed that the percentage contribution of each Ca2+ current type to the whole cell Ca2+ current varies from cell to cell. The extent to which these currents are modulated by neurotransmitters is also variable. This study was directed at testing the hypothesis that a major source of this variability is recording from multiple populations of pyramidal cells. We used the whole cell patch-clamp technique to record from dissociated corticocortical, corticostriatal, and corticotectal projecting pyramidal cells. There were significant differences between the three pyramidal cell types in the mean percentage of L-, P-, and N-type Ca2+ currents. For both N- and P-type currents, the range of percentages expressed was small for corticostriatal and corticotectal cells as compared with cells which project to the corpus callosum or to the general population. The variance was significantly different between cell types for N- and P-type currents. These results suggest that an important source of the variability in the proportions of Ca2+ current types present in neocortical pyramidal neurons is recording from multiple populations of pyramidal cells.

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