Biophysical Properties, Pharmacology, and Modulation of Human, Neuronal L-Type (α1D, CaV1.3) Voltage-Dependent Calcium Currents

2001 ◽  
Vol 85 (2) ◽  
pp. 816-827 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. C. Bell ◽  
A. J. Butcher ◽  
N. S. Berrow ◽  
K. M. Page ◽  
P. F. Brust ◽  
...  

Voltage-dependent calcium channels (VDCCs) are multimeric complexes composed of a pore-forming α1 subunit together with several accessory subunits, including α2δ, β, and, in some cases, γ subunits. A family of VDCCs known as the L-type channels are formed specifically from α1S (skeletal muscle), α1C (in heart and brain), α1D (mainly in brain, heart, and endocrine tissue), and α1F (retina). Neuroendocrine L-type currents have a significant role in the control of neurosecretion and can be inhibited by GTP-binding (G-) proteins. However, the subunit composition of the VDCCs underlying these G-protein–regulated neuroendocrine L-type currents is unknown. To investigate the biophysical and pharmacological properties and role of G-protein modulation of α1D calcium channels, we have examined calcium channel currents formed by the human neuronal L-type α1D subunit, co-expressed with α2δ-1 and β3a, stably expressed in a human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293 cell line, using whole cell and perforated patch-clamp techniques. The α1D-expressing cell line exhibited L-type currents with typical characteristics. The currents were high-voltage activated (peak at +20 mV in 20 mM Ba2+) and showed little inactivation in external Ba2+, while displaying rapid inactivation kinetics in external Ca2+. The L-type currents were inhibited by the 1,4 dihydropyridine (DHP) antagonists nifedipine and nicardipine and were enhanced by the DHP agonist BayK S-(−)8644. However, α1D L-type currents were not modulated by activation of a number of G-protein pathways. Activation of endogenous somatostatin receptor subtype 2 (sst2) by somatostatin-14 or activation of transiently transfected rat D2 dopamine receptors (rD2long) by quinpirole had no effect. Direct activation of G-proteins by the nonhydrolyzable GTP analogue, guanosine 5′-0-(3-thiotriphospate) also had no effect on the α1D currents. In contrast, in the same system, N-type currents, formed from transiently transfected α1B/α2δ-1/β3, showed strong G-protein–mediated inhibition. Furthermore, the I–II loop from the α1D clone, expressed as a glutathione-S-transferase (GST) fusion protein, did not bind Gβγ, unlike the α1B I–II loop fusion protein. These data show that the biophysical and pharmacological properties of recombinant human α1D L-type currents are similar to α1C currents, and these currents are also resistant to modulation by Gi/o-linked G-protein–coupled receptors.

1995 ◽  
Vol 74 (6) ◽  
pp. 2251-2257 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. Ehrlich ◽  
K. S. Elmslie

1. We studied the mechanism of voltage-dependent inhibition of N-type calcium current by norepinephrine (NE) and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) in adult rat superior cervical ganglion (SCG) neurons using the whole cell patch-clamp technique. 2. The voltage dependence of inhibition is manifest in the reversal of inhibition by strong depolarization. We tested the hypothesis that this voltage dependence results from disruption of G proteins binding to calcium channels. According to this hypothesis, the kinetics of calcium current reinhibition following a strong depolarization should become faster for higher concentrations of active G proteins. 3. Assuming that larger inhibitions result from higher concentrations of active G proteins, we used different concentrations of NE to alter the amplitude of inhibition and, thus, the active G protein concentration. We found that the kinetics of reinhibition at -80 mV following a depolarizing pulse to +80 mV were faster for larger inhibitions. 4. VIP induces voltage-dependent inhibition of N-current via a different G protein (Gs) than that of NE (Go). We found that the effect of VIP on reinhibition kinetics was identical to that produced by NE. 5. Combined application of NE and VIP did not greatly increase the amplitude of the inhibition but significantly increased the rate of reinhibition. Thus NE plus VIP appear to greatly increase the concentration of the molecule binding to the channel (G protein according to the hypothesis). 6. The kinetics of calcium current disinhibition during strong depolarization (step to +80 mV) did not change with the size of the inhibition induced by NE, VIP or application of NE and VIP together. 7. Both the concentration-dependent reinhibition kinetics and concentration-independent disinhibition kinetics are consistent with the hypothesis that active G proteins bind directly to N-type calcium channels to modulate their activity in rat sympathetic neurons.


1996 ◽  
Vol 76 (5) ◽  
pp. 3559-3562 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. A. Wilk-Blaszczak ◽  
W. D. Singer ◽  
F. Belardetti

1. In NG108-15 cells dialyzed with 10 mM ethylene glycolbis (beta-aminoethyl ether)-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid (EGTA) or bis (o-aminophenoxy)-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid (BAPTA), bradykinin (BK) selectively inhibited the N-type calcium current. This effect of BK was blocked by an antibody directed against the G protein G13. Thus under these conditions G13 mediates the inhibition of voltage-dependent calcium current (ICa, V) by BK. In contrast, activation of K+ currents by BK is mediated by Gq/11. BK also couples to Gi2. 2. We now examine the involvement of G proteins in the inhibition of ICa, V by BK when NG108-15 cells are dialyzed with 1 mM BAPTA. Under these conditions, BK inhibited both the N- and L-type, but not the T-type, calcium currents. Intracellular application of anti-G13 antibody did not suppress the response to BK. Applications of either anti-Gq/11 antibody or pertussis toxin (PTX, to block Gi2) were similarly ineffective. Even combined application of anti-Gq/11 and -G13 antibodies, or PTX together with either antibody, did not block inhibition of ICa, V by BK. However, the combination of both antibodies with PTX blocked the response to BK in low BAPTA. In conclusion, both Gq/11 and a PTX-sensitive G protein (presumably Gi2), together with G13, are involved in the inhibition of ICa, V by BK. 3. Gq/11 inhibited only the L-type calcium current, whereas the PTX-sensitive G protein inhibited both the N- and L-type calcium currents. 4. The BAPTA dependence of the Gq/11 and PTX-sensitive inhibitions may reflect a Ca2+ requirement of the pathway(s) acting on the L current and/or a direct suppressive effect of BAPTA.


1996 ◽  
Vol 85 (5) ◽  
pp. 1167-1175 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas S. McDowell ◽  
Joseph J. Pancrazio ◽  
Carl III Lynch

Background Volatile anesthetics may act in part by inhibiting voltage-dependent calcium channels. The effects of several volatile agents on three types of calcium channels in a thyroid C-cell line were examined. Methods Whole-cell calcium currents were recorded using standard patch clamp techniques. Current-voltage relationships were derived before, during, and after application of isoflurane, enflurane, or halothane. Low-voltage-activated (LVA; T type) calcium currents were isolated based on the voltage range of activation. High-voltage-activated (HVA) calcium currents were separated into L and N types using omega-conotoxin GVIA (omega-CTX) and nicardipine. Results All three agents reversibly decreased both LVA and HVA currents at clinically relevant concentrations. Isoflurane and enflurane both reduced peak LVA current more than peak HVA current: -33 +/- 6% (mean +/- SE) versus -22 +/- 4% for 0.71 mM isoflurane (n = 6), and -46 +/- 6% versus -35 +/- 5% for 1.21 mM enflurane (n = 6). In contrast, halothane depressed LVA and HVA currents to a similar extent: -22 +/- 4% versus -29 +/- 3% for 0.65 mM halothane (n = 6). Isoflurane had no effect on LVA whole-cell current kinetics. Pretreatment with either omega-CTX (400 nM) or nicardipine (1 microM) did not change the sensitivity of HVA current to isoflurane. Conclusions Isoflurane and enflurane block LVA calcium channels more potently than either L-type or N-type calcium channels, but halothane shows no such preferential effect. These results may have implications for the mechanism action of volatile anesthetics.


Viruses ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 480 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yaohui Li ◽  
Ruihua Li ◽  
Meirong Wang ◽  
Yujiao Liu ◽  
Ying Yin ◽  
...  

The genus Henipavirus (HNVs) includes two fatal viruses, namely Nipah virus (NiV) and Hendra virus (HeV). Since 1994, NiV and HeV have been endemic to the Asia–Pacific region and responsible for more than 600 cases of infections. Two emerging HNVs, Ghana virus (GhV) and Mojiang virus (MojV), are speculated to be associated with unrecognized human diseases in Africa and China, respectively. Despite many efforts to develop vaccines against henipaviral diseases, there is presently no licensed human vaccine. As HNVs are highly pathogenic and diverse, it is necessary to develop universal vaccines to prevent future outbreaks. The attachment enveloped glycoprotein (G protein) of HNVs mediates HNV attachment to the host cell’s surface receptors. G proteins have been used as a protective antigen in many vaccine candidates for HNVs. We performed quantitative studies on the antibody responses elicited by the G proteins of NiV, HeV, GhV, and MojV. We found that the G proteins of NiV and HeV elicited only a limited cross-reactive antibody response. Further, there was no cross-protection between MojV, GhV, and highly pathogenic HNVs. We then constructed a bivalent vaccine where the G proteins of NiV and HeV were fused with the human IgG1 Fc domain. The immunogenicity of the bivalent vaccine was compared with that of monovalent vaccines. Our results revealed that the Fc-based bivalent vaccine elicited a potent antibody response against both NiV and HeV. We also constructed a tetravalent Fc heterodimer fusion protein that contains the G protein domains of four HNVs. Immunization with the tetravalent vaccine elicited broad antibody responses against NiV, HeV, GhV, and MojV in mice, indicating compatibility among the four antigens in the Fc-fusion protein. These data suggest that our novel bivalent and tetravalent Fc-fusion proteins may be efficient candidates to prevent HNV infection.


1994 ◽  
Vol 266 (3) ◽  
pp. C709-C719 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. M. Simasko

The role of Na+ in the expression of membrane potential activity in the clonal rat pituitary cell line GH3 was investigated using the perforated patch variation of patch-clamp electrophysiological techniques. It was found that replacing bath Na+ with choline, tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane (Tris), or N-methyl-D-glucamine (NMG) caused the cells to hyperpolarize 20-30 mV. Tetrodotoxin had no effect. The effects of the Na+ substitutes could not be explained by effects on potassium or calcium currents. Although all three Na+ substitutes suppressed voltage-dependent calcium current by 10-20%, block of voltage-dependent calcium current by nifedipine or Co2+ did not result in hyperpolarization of the cells. There was no effect of the Na+ substitutes on voltage-dependent potassium currents. In contrast, all three Na+ substitutes influenced calcium-activated potassium currents [IK(Ca)], but only at depolarized potentials. Choline consistently suppressed IK(Ca), whereas Tris and NMG either had no effect or slightly increased IK(Ca). These effects on IK(Ca) also cannot explain the hyperpolarization induced by removing bath Na+. Choline always hyperpolarized cells yet suppressed IK(Ca). Furthermore, removing bath Na+ caused an increase in cell input resistance, an observation consistent with the loss of a membrane conductance as the basis of the hyperpolarization. Direct measurement of background currents revealed a 12-pA inward current at -84 mV that was lost upon removing bath Na+. These results suggest that this background sodium conductance provides the depolarizing drive for GH3 cells to reach the threshold for firing calcium-dependent action potentials.


eLife ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ivan Kadurin ◽  
Laurent Ferron ◽  
Simon W Rothwell ◽  
James O Meyer ◽  
Leon R Douglas ◽  
...  

The auxiliary α2δ subunits of voltage-gated calcium channels are extracellular membrane-associated proteins, which are post-translationally cleaved into disulfide-linked polypeptides α2 and δ. We now show, using α2δ constructs containing artificial cleavage sites, that this processing is an essential step permitting voltage-dependent activation of plasma membrane N-type (CaV2.2) calcium channels. Indeed, uncleaved α2δ inhibits native calcium currents in mammalian neurons. By inducing acute cell-surface proteolytic cleavage of α2δ, voltage-dependent activation of channels is promoted, independent from the trafficking role of α2δ. Uncleaved α2δ does not support trafficking of CaV2.2 channel complexes into neuronal processes, and inhibits Ca2+ entry into synaptic boutons, and we can reverse this by controlled intracellular proteolytic cleavage. We propose a model whereby uncleaved α2δ subunits maintain immature calcium channels in an inhibited state. Proteolytic processing of α2δ then permits voltage-dependent activation of the channels, acting as a checkpoint allowing trafficking only of mature calcium channel complexes into neuronal processes.


1993 ◽  
Vol 102 (3) ◽  
pp. 525-549 ◽  
Author(s):  
T D Parsons ◽  
H C Hartzell

Calcium currents (ICa) were measured in frog ventricular myocytes using the whole-cell patch clamp technique and a perfused pipette. To gain insight into the role of G proteins in the regulation of ICa in intact cells, the effect of internal perfusion with hydrolysis-resistant GTP analogues, guanylyl 5'-imidodiphosphate (GppNHp) or guanosine 5'-thiotriphosphate (GTP gamma S), on ICa stimulated by isoproterenol (Iso) or forskolin (Forsk) was examined. Significant differences were observed between the effects of the two GTP analogues. Internal perfusion of GppNHp resulted in a near-complete (approximately 80%) and irreversible inhibition of Iso-stimulated ICa. In contrast, internal perfusion with GTP gamma S resulted in only a partial (approximately 40%) inhibition of Iso- or Forsk-stimulated ICa. The fraction of the current not inhibited by GTP gamma S remained persistently elevated after the washout of Iso but declined to basal levels upon washout of Forsk. Excess internal GTP or GppNHp did not reduce the persistent ICa. Internal adenosine 5'-thiotriphosphate (ATP gamma S) mimicked the GTP gamma S-induced, persistent ICa. GppNHp sometimes induced a persistent ICa, but only if GppNHp was present at high concentration before Iso exposure. Inhibitors of protein kinase A inhibited both the GTP gamma S- and ATP gamma S-induced, persistent ICa. We conclude that: (a) GTP gamma S is less effective than GppNHp in inhibiting adenylyl cyclase (AC) via the inhibitory G protein, Gi; and (b) the persistent ICa results from a long-lived Gs-GTP gamma S complex that can activate AC in the absence of Iso. These results suggest that different hydrolysis-resistant nucleotide analogues may behave differently in activating G proteins and imply that the efficacy of G protein-effector molecule interactions can depend on the GTP analogue with which the G protein is activated.


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