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Ca2+ Channels (ca2+ + channel)
Kinds of Ca2+ Channels Terms modified by Ca2+ Channels Selected AbstractsElectrophysiological and Neurochemical Evidence for Voltage-Dependent Ca2+ Channel Blockade by a Novel Neuroprotective Agent NS-7,BASIC AND CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY & TOXICOLOGY, Issue 3 2001Michiko Oka In rat dorsal root ganglion neurones, NS-7 (0.3,100 ,M) inhibited the whole-cell Ba2+ currents (IBa) in a voltage-dependent manner, in which the compound more potently blocked the IBa elicited from the holding potential of ,40 mV than that induced from ,80 mV. In slices of rat cerebral cortex, KCl-evoked nitric oxide synthesis was markedly inhibited by ,-conotoxin GVIA and ,-agatoxin IVA, but only slightly attenuated by nifedipine, suggesting that the response is mediated predominantly through activation of N-type and P/Q-type Ca2+ channels. NS-7 (1,100 ,M) inhibited the KCl-stimulated nitric oxide synthesis in a manner dependent on the intensity of the depolarizing stimuli. Moreover, weak but significant inhibitory effect of NS-7 was observed even after wash-out. Similar voltage-dependent inhibition of the KCl response was observed by a limited concentration (10 ,M) of verapamil. These findings indicate that NS-7 in several concentrations blocks Ca2+ channel in a voltage-dependent manner. [source] Melanotrope Cells of Xenopus laevis Express Multiple Types of High-Voltage-Activated Ca2+ ChannelsJOURNAL OF NEUROENDOCRINOLOGY, Issue 1 2005H.-Y. Zhang Abstract Pituitary melanotrope cells are neuroendocrine signal transducing cells that translate physiological stimuli into adaptive hormonal responses. In this translation process, Ca2+ channels play essential roles. We have characterised which types of Ca2+ current are present in melanotropes of the amphibian Xenopus laevis, using whole-cell, voltage-clamp, patch-clamp experiments and specific blockers of the various current types. Running an activation current,voltage relationship protocol from a holding potential (HP) of ,80 mV/or ,110 mV, shows that Xenopus melanotropes possess only high-voltage activated (HVA) Ca2+ currents. Steady-state inactivation protocols reveal that no inactivation occurs at ,80 mV, whereas 30% of the current is inactivated at ,30 mV. We determined the contribution of individual channel types to the total HVA Ca2+ current, examining the effect of each channel blocker at an HP of ,80 mV and ,30 mV. At ,80 mV, ,-conotoxin GVIA, ,-agatoxin IVA, nifedipine and SNX-482 inhibit Ca2+ currents by 21.8 ± 4.1%, 26.1 ± 3.1%, 24.2 ± 2.4% and 17.9 ± 4.7%, respectively. At ,30 mV, ,-conotoxin GVIA, nifedipine and ,-agatoxin IVA inhibit Ca2+ currents by 33.8 ± 3.0, 24.2 ± 2.6 and 16.0 ± 2.8%, respectively, demonstrating that these blockers substantially inhibit part of the Ca2+ current, independently from the HP. We have previously demonstrated that ,-conotoxin GVIA can block Ca2+ oscillations and steps. We now show that nifedipine and ,-agatoxin IVA do not affect the intracellular Ca2+ dynamics, whereas SNX-482 reduces the Ca2+ step amplitude. We conclude that Xenopus melanotrope cells express all four major types of HVA Ca2+ channel, as well as the resulting currents, but no low-voltage activated channels. The results provide the basis for future studies on the complex regulation of channel-mediated Ca2+ influxes into this neuroendocrine cell type as a function of its role in the animal's adaptation to external challenges. [source] Ataxic mutant mice with defects in Ca2+ channel ,1A subunit gene: morphological and functional abnormalities in cerebellar cortical neuronsCONGENITAL ANOMALIES, Issue 2 2000Kazuhiko Sawada ABSTRACT This review summarizes recent studies in the morphological and functional abnormalities of cerebella in three ataxic mutant mice, i.e. tottering mouse, leaner mouse, and rolling mouse Nagoya (RMN). These mutants carry mutations in the Ca2+ channel ,1A subunit gene, and become useful models for human neurological diseases such as episodic ataxia type-2, familial hemiplegic migraine, and spinocerebellar ataxia type-6. All three mutants exhibited altered morphology of the Purkinje cells, ectopic synaptic contacts between granule cell axons (parallel fibers) and Purkinje cell dendritic spines and abnormal expression of tyrosine hydroxylase in Purkinje cells. In leaner mice, Purkinje cell loss was observed in alternating sagittal compartments of the cerebellar cortex corresponding to the Zebrin II-negative zones. The mutated Ca2+ channel ,1A subunit was highly expressed in granule and Purkinje cells, and the P-type Ca2+ currents in Purkinje cells were selectively reduced in the mutant mice. Therefore, we concluded that altered Ca2+ currents through the mutated Ca2+ channel ,1A subunit might be involved in the functional and morphological abnormalities in granule and Purkinje cells, and might result in expressions of behavioral phenotypes including ataxia. Increased levels of corticotropin-releasing factor and cholecystokinin in some climbing and mossy fibers were observed in RMN. These neuropeptides modulated the excitability of granule and Purkinje cells, indicating the possible expression of ataxic symptoms. [source] Monogenic migraine syndromes highlight novel drug targetsDRUG DEVELOPMENT RESEARCH, Issue 7 2007J. Jay Gargus Abstract In the post-genomic era, the paradigm for drug discovery has changed, as every gene may become a potential target. Genetic diseases provide a special window into gene target selection. This approach is being applied to migraine making use of the genes and mutations causing familial hemiplegic migraine (FHM). FHM is caused by missense mutations in CACNA1A, altering a neuronal P/Q Ca2+ channel, in ATP1A2, altering ,2 Na,K-ATPase, and in SCN1A, altering a neuronal sodium channel. These genes provide insights into migraine pathogenesis that likely extend to other forms of migraine as well. Since the three FHM genes are only co-expressed in neurons, FHM is a neuronal, not a vascular, disease and because they all encode ion transport proteins, FHM is a neuronal channelopathy,meaning meta-stable neuronal hyperexcitability is the substrate of migraine, much as it is for genetic epilepsy syndromes. This similarity is reinforced, since different mutations of all three FHM genes can produce seizure syndromes. This has implications for drug discovery in that seizure medications already known to modulate the FHM channel mechanisms warrant more targeted development, and that drugs targeted to vascular headaches, such as the historically effective triptans, or experimental botulinum toxin, may well work by similar nonvascular mechanisms. Finally, in model neurogenetic systems such as Caenorhabditis elegans, the FHM genes also provide both a comprehensive means to discover all genes involved in their signaling pathway,genes potentially involved in common forms of the disease, and an in vivo whole animal means to screen rapidly for novel therapeutics. Drug Dev Res 68:432,440, 2007. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Thymol analogues with antioxidant and L-type calcium current inhibitory activityDRUG DEVELOPMENT RESEARCH, Issue 4 2005Ai-Yu Shen Abstract Thymol is a natural product, which has antioxidant activity. 4-Morpholinomethyl-2-isopropyl-5-methylphenol (THMO), and 4-Pyrrolidinomethyl-2-isopropyl- 5-methylphenol (THPY) were synthesized by reacting thymol with formaldehyde and, respectively, morpholine or pyrrolidine. Since there is a relationship between the antioxidative status and incidence of human disease, anti-superoxidation, free radical scavenger activity, and anti-lipid peroxidation of the thymol analogues were determined by xanthine oxidase inhibition, cytochrome C system with superoxide anion releasing with formyl-Met-Leu-Phe (fMLP)/cytochalasin (CB) or phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) activating pathway in human neutrophils. All compounds studied had antioxidant activity. Mannich bases derived from thymol were generally found to be more potent compounds than thymol. THMO demonstrated the greatest antioxidant activity with IC50 values for xanthine oxidase inhibition and anti-lipid peroxidation being 21±2.78 and 61.29±5.83 µM, respectively. Moreover, since oxidative stress by free radical regulates the activity of L-type Ca2+ channel, the whole-cell configuration of the patch-clamp technique was used to investigate the effect of THMO upon ionic currents within NG108-15 cells. THMO (10 µM) suppressed the peak amplitude of L-type Ca2+ inward current (ICa,L), indicating that the antioxidative potential of the thymol analogues might be related to calcium current inhibition. The present studies suggest that THMO-dependent antioxidant and calcium ion current inhibition activity may be useful in treating free radical-related disorders. Drug Dev Res 64:195,202, 2005. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Abnormal Excitability of Hippocampal CA3 Neurons in Noda Epileptic Rat (NER): Alteration of Seizure with AgingEPILEPSIA, Issue 2000Ryosuke Hanaya Purpose: Noda epileptic rat (NER), a mutant found in thc colony of Crj:Wistar rats, spontaneously shows tonic-clonic convulsions approximately once every 30 hours from 8,16 weeks of age. A long-lasting dcpolarization shift accompanied by repetitivc firings are observed in hippocampal CA3 pyramidal neurons of NER with seizures. Using hippocampal slice preparations of NER, the present electrophysiologi- cal study was performed to elucidate whether this abnormal firing in CA3 neurons developed with age and if abnormality of Ca2+ channel was involved. Methods: Hippocampal slices (40Opm) werc prepared from NER and normal Wistar rats (age; 4,29 weeks). A single rectangular pulse stimulus composed of 0.1-ms duration was delivered to the mossy fibers every 5 seconds though a bipolar electrode placed in the granular cell layer of the dentate gyrus. Intracellular recording was made from the CA3 pyramidal cell using a microelectrode containing 3M KCI intracellular recordings. A Ca2+ spike was elicited by applying a depolarizing pulse (InA, 120ms) in the cell through the recording electrode under a blockadc of Na+ and K+ channels using 1 pM tetrodotoxin and I 0mM tctraethylammonium added to the artificial CSF, respectivcly. Nicardipine (I-IOOnM), a Ca2+ channel blocker, was applicd to the bath. Results: Thirty-seven slices from I9 NER and 6 slices from 4 normal Wishe rats were used. There were no obvious changes in the resting membrane potentials of CA3 neurons between NER and Wistar rats tested. When a single stimulus was delivered to the mossy fibers, a long-lasting depolarization shift accompanied by repetitive firings followed by after-hyperpolarization werc also obtained i n hippocampal CA3 neurons of young NER (4,5 weeks of age) before occurrence of any seizurcs, although the depolarization shift in younger NER was shorter than that in NER aged more than 6 weeks. These abnormal firings werc evokcd in 58% and 30% of all CA3 neurons tested in the younger and mature NER (6,1 5 weeks of age), respectively. Furthermore, abnormal firing was not elicited in NER aged after I6 weeks. Agc-matched Wistar rats showed only single action potentials without any depolarization shift with single mossy fiber stimulation. Bath application of nicardipine (IOnM) inhibited this long-lasting depolarization shift and the accompanying repetitive firing followed by afterhypcrpolarization without affecting the first spike induced by mossy fiber stimulations. Furthermore, nicai-dipine (IOnM) inhibited the Ca2+ spikes elicited by applying a depolarizing pulse in the neurons of NER with seizures, although a higher dose (100nM) did not affect those in Wistar rats. Conclusions: These findings indicate that abnormal excitability of the NER CA3 pyramidal neurons is probably due to abnormality in the Ca2+ channcls. The abnorinal excitability was observed in NER at an age when tonic-clonic convulsions were not detected, suggesting that thc hippocampus may probably scrve as an epileptogenic focus in younger NER and the seizure impulses originating i n this area are transinittcd to the new other seizurc foci in mature NER. [source] Proteolytic cleavage of the voltage-gated Ca2+ channel ,2, subunit: structural and functional featuresEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE, Issue 6 2007Arturo Andrade Abstract By mediating depolarization-induced Ca2+ influx, high-voltage-activated Ca2+ channels control a variety of cellular events. These heteromultimeric proteins are composed of an ion-conducting (,1) and three auxiliary (,2,, , and ,) subunits. The ,2, subunit enhances the trafficking of the channel complex to the cell surface and increases channel open probability. To exert these effects, ,2, must undergo important post-translational modifications, including a proteolytic cleavage that separates the extracellular ,2 from its transmembrane , domain. After this proteolysis both domains remain linked by disulfide bonds. In spite of its central role in determining the final conformation of the fully mature ,2,, almost nothing is known about the physiological implications of this structural modification. In the current report, by using site-directed mutagenesis, the proteolytic site of ,2, was mapped to amino acid residues Arg-941 and Val-946. Substitution of these residues renders the protein insensitive to proteolytic cleavage as evidenced by the lack of molecular weight shift upon treatment with a disulfide-reducing agent. Interestingly, these mutations significantly decreased whole-cell patch-clamp currents without affecting the voltage dependence or kinetics of the channels, suggesting a reduction in the number of channels targeted to the plasma membrane. [source] The Drosophila cacts2 mutation reduces presynaptic Ca2+ entry and defines an important element in Cav2.1 channel inactivationEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE, Issue 12 2006G. T. Macleod Abstract Voltage-gated Ca2+ channels in nerve terminals open in response to action potentials and admit Ca2+, the trigger for neurotransmitter release. The cacophony gene encodes the primary presynaptic voltage-gated Ca2+ channel in Drosophila motor-nerve terminals. The cacts2 mutant allele of cacophony is associated with paralysis and reduced neurotransmission at non-permissive temperatures but the basis for the neurotransmission deficit has not been established. The cacts2 mutation occurs in the cytoplasmic carboxyl tail of the ,1 -subunit, not within the pore-forming trans-membrane domains, making it difficult to predict the mutation's impact. We applied a Ca2+ -imaging technique at motor-nerve terminals of mutant larvae to test the hypothesis that the neurotransmission deficit is a result of impaired Ca2+ entry. Presynaptic Ca2+ signals evoked by single and multiple action potentials showed a temperature-dependent reduction. The amplitude of the reduction was sufficient to account for the neurotransmission deficit, indicating that the site of the cacts2 mutation plays a role in Ca2+ channel activity. As the mutation occurs in a motif conserved in mammalian high-voltage-activated Ca2+ channels, we used a heterologous expression system to probe the effect of this mutation on channel function. The mutation was introduced into rat Cav2.1 channels expressed in human embryonic kidney cells. Patch-clamp analysis of mutant channels at the physiological temperature of 37 °C showed much faster inactivation rates than for wild-type channels, demonstrating that the integrity of this motif is critical for normal Cav2.1 channel inactivation. [source] Blocking the R-type (Cav2.3) Ca2+ channel enhanced morphine analgesia and reduced morphine toleranceEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE, Issue 12 2004Kazuaki Yokoyama Abstract Morphine is the drug of choice to treat intractable pain, although prolonged administration often causes undesirable side-effects including analgesic tolerance. It is speculated that voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels (VDCCs) play a key role in morphine analgesia and tolerance. To examine the subtype specificity of VDCCs in these processes, we analysed mice lacking N-type (Cav2.2) or R-type (Cav2.3) VDCCs. Systemic morphine administration or exposure to warm water swim-stress, known to induce endogenous opioid release, resulted in greater analgesia in Cav2.3,/, mice than in controls. Moreover, Cav2.3,/, mice showed resistance to morphine tolerance. In contrast, Cav2.2,/, mice showed similar levels of analgesia and tolerance to control mice. Intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) but not intrathecal (i.t.) administration of morphine reproduced the result of systemic morphine in Cav2.3,/, mice. Furthermore, i.c.v. administration of an R-type channel blocker potentiated morphine analgesia in wild-type mice. Thus, the inhibition of R-type Ca2+ current could lead to high-efficiency opioid therapy without tolerance. [source] Voltage-dependent ebselen and diorganochalcogenides inhibition of 45Ca2+ influx into brain synaptosomesJOURNAL OF BIOCHEMICAL AND MOLECULAR TOXICOLOGY, Issue 3 2003M. B. Moretto Abstract By mediating the Ca2+ influx, Ca2+ channels play a central role in neurotransmission. Chemical agents that potentially interfere with Ca2+ homeostasis are potential toxic agents. In the present investigation, changes in Ca2+ influx into synaptosomes by organic forms of selenium and tellurium were examined under nondepolarizing and depolarizing conditions induced by high KCl concentration (135 mM) or by 4-aminopyridine (4-AP). Under nondepolarizing conditions, ebselen (400 ,M) increased Ca2+ influx; diphenyl ditelluride (40,400 ,M) decreased Ca2+ in all concentrations tested; and diphenyl diselenide decreased Ca2+ influx at 40 and 100 ,M, but had no effect at 400 ,M. In the presence of KCl as depolarizing agent, ebselen and diphenyl ditelluride decreased Ca2+ influx in a linear fashion. In contrast, diphenyl diselenide did not modify Ca2+ influx into isolated nerve terminals. In the presence of 4-AP (3 mM) as depolarizing agent, ebselen (400 ,M) caused a significant increase, whereas diphenyl diselenide and diphenyl ditelluride inhibited Ca2+ influx into synaptosomes. The results can be explained by the fact that the mechanism through which 4-AP and high K+ induced elevation of intracellular Ca2+ is not exactly coincident. The mechanism by which diphenyl ditelluride and ebselen interact with Ca2+ channel is unknown, but may be related to reactivity with critical sulfhydryl groups in the protein complex. The results of the present study indicate that the effects of organochalcogenides were rather complex depending on the condition and the depolarizing agent used. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biochem Mol Toxicol 17:154,160, 2003; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/jbt.10073 [source] Calcium Channel TRPV6 Is Involved in Murine Maternal,Fetal Calcium Transport,,JOURNAL OF BONE AND MINERAL RESEARCH, Issue 8 2008Yoshiro Suzuki Abstract Maternal,fetal calcium (Ca2+) transport is crucial for fetal Ca2+ homeostasis and bone mineralization. In this study, the physiological significance of the transient receptor potential, vanilloid 6 (TRPV6) Ca2+ channel in maternal,fetal Ca2+ transport was investigated using Trpv6 knockout mice. The Ca2+ concentration in fetal blood and amniotic fluid was significantly lower in Trpv6 knockout fetuses than in wildtypes. The transport activity of radioactive Ca2+ (45Ca) from mother to fetuses was 40% lower in Trpv6 knockout fetuses than in wildtypes. The ash weight was also lower in Trpv6 knockout fetuses compared with wildtype fetuses. TRPV6 mRNA and protein were mainly localized in intraplacental yolk sac and the visceral layer of extraplacental yolk sac, which are thought to be the places for maternal,fetal Ca2+ transport in mice. These expression sites were co-localized with calbindin D9K in the yolk sac. In wildtype mice, placental TRPV6 mRNA increased 14-fold during the last 4 days of gestation, which coincides with fetal bone mineralization. These results provide the first in vivo evidence that TRPV6 is involved in maternal,fetal Ca2+ transport. We propose that TRPV6 functions as a Ca2+ entry pathway, which is critical for fetal Ca2+ homeostasis. [source] The L-Type Ca2+ and KATP Channels May Contribute to Pacing-Induced Protection Against Anoxia-Reoxygenation in the Embryonic Heart ModelJOURNAL OF CARDIOVASCULAR ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY, Issue 11 2008PHILIPPE BRUCHEZ M.D. Aims: The L-type Ca2+ channel, the sarcolemmal (sarcKATP), and mitochondrial KATP (mitoKATP) channels are involved in myocardial preconditioning. We aimed at determining to what extent these channels can also participate in pacing-induced cardioprotection. Methods: Hearts of 4-day-old chick embryos were paced in ovo during 12 hour using asynchronous intermittent ventricular stimulation at 110% of the intrinsic rate. Sham operated and paced hearts were then submitted in vitro to anoxia (30 minutes) and reoxygenation (60 minutes). These hearts were exposed to L-type Ca2+ channel agonist Bay-K-8644 (BAY-K) or blocker verapamil, nonselective KATP channel antagonist glibenclamide (GLIB), mitoKATP channel agonist diazoxide (DIAZO), or antagonist 5-hydroxydecanoate. Electrocardiogram, electromechanical delay (EMD) reflecting excitation-contraction (E-C) coupling, and contractility were determined. Results: Under normoxia, heart rate, QT duration, conduction, EMD, and ventricular shortening were similar in sham and paced hearts. During reoxygenation, arrhythmias ceased earlier and ventricular EMD recovered faster in paced hearts than in sham hearts. In sham hearts, BAY-K (but not verapamil), DIAZO (but not 5-hydroxydecanoate) or GLIB accelerated recovery of ventricular EMD, reproducing the pacing-induced protection. By contrast, none of these agents further ameliorated recovery of the paced hearts. Conclusion: The protective effect of chronic asynchronous pacing at near physiological rate on ventricular E-C coupling appears to be associated with subtle activation of L-type Ca2+ channel, inhibition of sarcKATP channel, and/or opening of mitoKATP channel. [source] Atrial Fibrillation in the Goat Induces Changes in Monophasic Action Potential and mRNA Expression of Ion Channels Involved in RepolarizationJOURNAL OF CARDIOVASCULAR ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY, Issue 11 2000HUUB M.W. VAN DER VELDEN PH.D. MAP Changes and Ion Channel Expression in Goat AF. Introduction: Sustained atrial fibrillation (AF) is characterized by a marked shortening of the atrial effective refractory period (AKRP) and a decrease or reversal of its physiolonic adaptation to heart rate. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether the AF-induced changes in AKKP in the goat are associated with changes in the atrial monophasic action potential (MAP) and whether an abnormal expression of specific ion channels underlies such changes. Methods and Results: Following thoracotomy, MAPs were recorded from the free wall of the right atrium hoth before induction of AF (control) and after cardioversion of sustained AF (>2 months) in chronically instrumented goats. In control goats. MAP duration at 80% repolarization (MAPD80) shortened (P < 0.01) from 132 ± 4 msec during slow pacing (400-msec interval) to 86 ± 10 msec during fast pacing (180 msec). After cardioversion of sustained AF, the MAPD80, during slow pacing was as short as 67 ± 5 msec (electrical remodeling). Increasing the pacing rate resulted in prolongation (P = 0.02) of the MAPD80 to 91 ± 6 msec. Also. MAPD20 (20% repolarization) shortened (P = 0.05) from 32 ± 4 msec (400 msec) to 14 ± 7 msec (180 msec) in the control goats, whereas it prolonged (P = 0.03) from 20 ± 3 msec (400 msec) to 33 ± 5 msec (180 msec) in sustained AF, mRNA expression of the L-type Ca2+ channel ,1c gene and Kv1.5 potassium channel gene, which underlie Ica, and Ikur respectively, was reduced in sustained.AF compared with sinus rhythm hy 32% (P = 0.01) and 45% (P < 0.01). respectively. No significant changes were found in the mRNA levels of the rapid Na+ channel, the Na+/Ca2+ exchanger, or the Kv4.2/4.3 channels responsible for I10. Conclusion: AF-induced electrical remodeling in the goat comprises shortening of MAPD and reversal of its physiologic rate adaptation. Changes in the time course of reploarization of the action potential are associated with changes in mRNA expression of the , subunit genes of the L.-type Ca2+ channel and the Kvl.5 potassium channel. [source] Effect of Chronic Stress and Mifepristone Treatment on Voltage-Dependent Ca2+ Currents in Rat Hippocampal Dentate GyrusJOURNAL OF NEUROENDOCRINOLOGY, Issue 10 2006N. G. Van Gemert Chronic unpredictable stress affects many properties in rat brain. In the dentate gyrus, among other things, increased mRNA expression of the Ca2+ channel ,1C subunit has been found after 21 days of unpredictable stress in combination with acute corticosterone application (100 nM). In the present study, we examined: (i) whether these changes in expression are accompanied by altered Ca2+ currents in rat dentate granule cells recorded on day 22 and (ii) whether treatment with the glucocorticoid receptor antagonist mifepristone during the last 4 days of the stress protocol normalises the putative stress-induced effects. Three weeks of unpredictable stress did not affect Ca2+ current amplitude in dentate granule cells under basal conditions (i.e. after incubation with vehicle solution). However, the sustained Ca2+ current component (which largely depends on the ,1C subunit) was significantly increased in amplitude after chronic stress when slices had been treated with corticosterone 1,4 h before recording. These findings suggest that dentate granule cells are exposed to an increased calcium load after exposure to an acute stressor when they have a history of chronic stress, potentially leading to increased vulnerability of the cells. The present results are in line with the molecular data on Ca2+ channel ,1C subunit expression. A significant three-way interaction between chronic stress, corticosterone application and mifepristone treatment was found, indicating that the combined effect of stress and corticosterone depends on mifepristone cotreatment. Interestingly, current density (defined as total current divided by capacitance) did not differ between the groups. This indicates that the observed changes in Ca2+ current amplitude could be attributable to changes in cell size. [source] Melanotrope Cells of Xenopus laevis Express Multiple Types of High-Voltage-Activated Ca2+ ChannelsJOURNAL OF NEUROENDOCRINOLOGY, Issue 1 2005H.-Y. Zhang Abstract Pituitary melanotrope cells are neuroendocrine signal transducing cells that translate physiological stimuli into adaptive hormonal responses. In this translation process, Ca2+ channels play essential roles. We have characterised which types of Ca2+ current are present in melanotropes of the amphibian Xenopus laevis, using whole-cell, voltage-clamp, patch-clamp experiments and specific blockers of the various current types. Running an activation current,voltage relationship protocol from a holding potential (HP) of ,80 mV/or ,110 mV, shows that Xenopus melanotropes possess only high-voltage activated (HVA) Ca2+ currents. Steady-state inactivation protocols reveal that no inactivation occurs at ,80 mV, whereas 30% of the current is inactivated at ,30 mV. We determined the contribution of individual channel types to the total HVA Ca2+ current, examining the effect of each channel blocker at an HP of ,80 mV and ,30 mV. At ,80 mV, ,-conotoxin GVIA, ,-agatoxin IVA, nifedipine and SNX-482 inhibit Ca2+ currents by 21.8 ± 4.1%, 26.1 ± 3.1%, 24.2 ± 2.4% and 17.9 ± 4.7%, respectively. At ,30 mV, ,-conotoxin GVIA, nifedipine and ,-agatoxin IVA inhibit Ca2+ currents by 33.8 ± 3.0, 24.2 ± 2.6 and 16.0 ± 2.8%, respectively, demonstrating that these blockers substantially inhibit part of the Ca2+ current, independently from the HP. We have previously demonstrated that ,-conotoxin GVIA can block Ca2+ oscillations and steps. We now show that nifedipine and ,-agatoxin IVA do not affect the intracellular Ca2+ dynamics, whereas SNX-482 reduces the Ca2+ step amplitude. We conclude that Xenopus melanotrope cells express all four major types of HVA Ca2+ channel, as well as the resulting currents, but no low-voltage activated channels. The results provide the basis for future studies on the complex regulation of channel-mediated Ca2+ influxes into this neuroendocrine cell type as a function of its role in the animal's adaptation to external challenges. [source] Ca2+ mobilization mediated by transient receptor potential canonical 3 is associated with thrombin-induced morphological changes in 1321N1 human astrocytoma cellsJOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE RESEARCH, Issue 12 2008Kenji Nakao Abstract Activated astrocytes show various patterns of Ca2+ mobilization under pathological conditions. In the present study we revealed a novel function of astrocytic Ca2+ dynamics through investigation of thrombin-induced unique Ca2+ entry. Using 1321N1 human astrocytoma cells, which have been shown to be a good model for detecting morphological dynamics, we observed rapid retraction of bipolar protrusions that were reversibly evoked by 0.03,3 U/mL thrombin. Morphological changes were predominantly dependent on a specific thrombin receptor subtype, proteinase-activated receptor 1 (PAR-1). In parallel, Fura-2 imaging of intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) showed that thrombin induced heterogeneous Ca2+ responses with asynchronous repetitive peaks. These oscillations were found to be a result of repetitive Ca2+ release from intracellular stores, followed by refilling of Ca2+ from the extracellular region without a direct [Ca2+]i increase. Pharmacological manipulation with BAPTA-AM, cyclopiazonic acid, and 2-aminoethoxydiphenyl borate indicated that Ca2+ mobilization was involved in thrombin-induced morphological changes. We further addressed the role of Ca2+ entry using small interfering RNA (siRNA) for transient receptor potential canonical 3 (TRPC3). As a result, both thrombin-induced morphological changes and oscillatory Ca2+ responses were significantly attenuated in siRNA-transfected cells. Inhibition of TRPC3 with pyrazole-3 also provided support for the contribution of Ca2+ influx. Moreover, TRPC3-mediated Ca2+ dynamics regulated thrombin-induced phosphorylation of myosin light chain 2. These results suggest a novel function of astrocytic Ca2+ dynamics, including Ca2+ entry, in the pathophysiological effects of PAR-1-mediated astrocytic activation. TRPC3 forms a functional Ca2+ channel and might modulate astrocytic activation in response to brain hemorrhaging. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Inhibition of oxotremorine-induced desensitization of guinea-pig ileal longitudinal muscle in Ca2+ -free conditionsJOURNAL OF PHARMACY AND PHARMACOLOGY: AN INTERNATI ONAL JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCE, Issue 2 2001Shuhei Horio The aim of this study was to investigate the differences between oxotremorine-induced and acetylcholine (ACh)-induced desensitization, particularly under Ca2+ -free conditions, in guinea-pig ileal longitudinal muscle, and to elucidate the different mechanisms of desensitization that might exist between these two muscarinic agonists. Pretreatment of the tissue with 10,7 , 10,5 M oxotremorine (desensitizing treatment) in normal Tyrode solution caused desensitization of the responses to ACh, as did the desensitizing treatment with ACh. However, Ca2+ -free conditions significantly reduced oxotremorine-induced desensitization, contrary to the previous findings that Ca2+ -free conditions enhanced ACh-induced desensitization. The desensitizing treatment with oxotremorine caused suppression of the responses to high K+ (tonic phase), as did the ACh treatment. Ca2+ -free conditions removed this suppression, whereas this condition enhanced ACh-induced suppression of the K+ response. A protein kinase C inhibitor, 1-(5-isoquinolinesulfonyl)-2-methylpiperazine (10,4 M) had no effect on oxotremorine-induced desensitization of the ACh response. The results suggest that a voltage-gated Ca2+ channel was involved in oxotremorine-induced desensitization, as in ACh-induced desensitization, but that the process of inactivation of Ca2+ channels was different between oxotremorine and ACh, and that oxotremorine-induced desensitization was due not only to Ca2+ channel, but also to other unknown factors. Protein kinase C did not participate in oxotremorine-induced desensitization. [source] Nitric oxide-induced biphasic mechanism of vascular relaxation via dephosphorylation of CPI-17 and MYPT1THE JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY, Issue 14 2009Toshio Kitazawa Nitric oxide (NO) from endothelium is a major mediator of vasodilatation through cGMP/PKG signals that lead to a decrease in Ca2+ concentration. In addition, NO-mediated signals trigger an increase in myosin light chain phosphatase (MLCP) activity. To evaluate the mechanism of NO-induced relaxation through MLCP deinhibition, we compared time-dependent changes in Ca2+, myosin light chain (MLC) phosphorylation and contraction to changes in phosphorylation levels of CPI-17 at Thr38, RhoA at Ser188, and MYPT1 at Ser695, Thr696 and Thr853 in response to sodium nitroprusside (SNP)-induced relaxation in denuded rabbit femoral artery. During phenylephrine (PE)-induced contraction, SNP reduced CPI-17 phosphorylation to a minimal value within 15 s, in parallel with decreases in Ca2+ and MLC phosphorylation, followed by a reduction of contractile force having a latency period of about 15 s. MYPT1 phosphorylation at Ser695, the PKG-target site, increased concurrently with relaxation. Phosphorylation of RhoA, MYPT1 Thr696 and Thr853 differed significantly at 5 min but not within 1 min of SNP exposure. Inhibition of Ca2+ release delayed SNP-induced relaxation while inhibition of Ca2+ channel, BKCa channel or phosphodiesterase-5 did not. Pretreatment of resting artery with SNP suppressed an increase in Ca2+, contractile force and phosphorylation of MLC, CPI-17, MYPT1 Thr696 and Thr853 at 10 s after PE stimulation, but had no effect on phorbol ester-induced CPI-17 phosphorylation. Together, these results suggest that NO production suppresses Ca2+ release, which causes an inactivation of PKC and rapid CPI-17 dephosphorylation as well as MLCK inactivation, resulting in rapid MLC dephosphorylation and relaxation. [source] A model of thalamocortical relay cellsTHE JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY, Issue 3 2005Paul A. Rhodes It is well established that the main intrinsic electrophysiological properties of thalamocortical relay cells, production of a low threshold burst upon release from hyperpolarized potential and production of a train of single spikes following stimulation from depolarized potentials, can be readily modelled using a single compartment. There is, however, another less well explored intrinsic electrophysiological characteristic of relay cells for which models have not yet accounted: at somatic potentials near spike threshold, relay cells produce a fast ragged high threshold oscillation in somatic voltage. Optical [Ca2+] imaging and pharmacological tests indicate that this oscillation correlates with a high threshold Ca2+ current in the dendrites. Here we present the development of a new compartment model of the thalamic relay cell guided by the simultaneous constraints that it must produce the familiar regular spiking relay mode and low threshold rebound bursts which characterize these cells, as well as the less-studied fast oscillation occurring at near-threshold somatic potentials. We arrive at a model cell which is capable of the production of isolated high threshold Ca2+ spikes in distal branch segments, driven by a rapidly inactivating intermediate threshold Ca2+ channel. Further, the model produces the low threshold spike behaviour of the relay cell without requiring high T-current density in the distal dendritic segments. The results thus support a new picture of the dendritic tree of relay cells which may have implications for the manner in which thalamic relay cells integrate descending input from the cortex. [source] Molecular determinants of inactivation in voltage-gated Ca2+ channelsTHE JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY, Issue 2 2000Steffen Hering Evolution has created a large family of different classes of voltage-gated Ca2+ channels and a variety of additional splice variants with different inactivation properties. Inactivation controls the amount of Ca2+ entry during an action potential and is, therefore, believed to play an important role in tissue-specific Ca2+ signalling. Furthermore, mutations in a neuronal Ca2+ channel (Cav2.1) that are associated with the aetiology of neurological disorders such as familial hemiplegic migraine and ataxia cause significant changes in the process of channel inactivation. Ca2+ channels of a given subtype may inactivate by three different conformational changes: a fast and a slow voltage-dependent inactivation process and in some channel types by an additional Ca2+ -dependent inactivation mechanism. Inactivation kinetics of Ca2+ channels are determined by the intrinsic properties of their pore-forming ,1 -subunits and by interactions with other channel subunits. This review focuses on structural determinants of Ca2+ channel inactivation in different parts of Ca2+ channel ,1 -subunits, including pore-forming transmembrane segments and loops, intracellular domain linkers and the carboxyl terminus. Inactivation is also affected by the interaction of the ,1 -subunits with auxiliary ,-subunits and intracellular regulator proteins. The evidence shows that pore-forming S6 segments and conformational changes in extra- (pore loop) and intracellular linkers connected to pore-forming segments may play a principal role in the modulation of Ca2+ channel inactivation. Structural concepts of Ca2+ channel inactivation are discussed. [source] Identification of a putative voltage-gated Ca2+ channel as a key regulator of elicitor-induced hypersensitive cell death and mitogen-activated protein kinase activation in riceTHE PLANT JOURNAL, Issue 6 2005Takamitsu Kurusu Summary Elicitor-triggered transient membrane potential changes and Ca2+ influx through the plasma membrane are thought to be important during defense signaling in plants. However, the molecular bases for the Ca2+ influx and its regulation remain largely unknown. Here we tested effects of overexpression as well as retrotransposon (Tos17)-insertional mutagenesis of the rice two-pore channel 1 (OsTPC1), a putative voltage-gated Ca2+ -permeable channel, on a proteinaceous fungal elicitor-induced defense responses in rice cells. The overexpressor showed enhanced sensitivity to the elicitor to induce oxidative burst, activation of a mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), OsMPK2, as well as hypersensitive cell death. On the contrary, a series of defense responses including the cell death and activation of the MAPK were severely suppressed in the insertional mutant, which was complemented by overexpression of the wild-type gene. These results suggest that the putative Ca2+ -permeable channel determines sensitivity to the elicitor and plays a role as a key regulator of elicitor-induced defense responses, activation of MAPK cascade and hypersensitive cell death. [source] Electrophysiological and Neurochemical Evidence for Voltage-Dependent Ca2+ Channel Blockade by a Novel Neuroprotective Agent NS-7,BASIC AND CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY & TOXICOLOGY, Issue 3 2001Michiko Oka In rat dorsal root ganglion neurones, NS-7 (0.3,100 ,M) inhibited the whole-cell Ba2+ currents (IBa) in a voltage-dependent manner, in which the compound more potently blocked the IBa elicited from the holding potential of ,40 mV than that induced from ,80 mV. In slices of rat cerebral cortex, KCl-evoked nitric oxide synthesis was markedly inhibited by ,-conotoxin GVIA and ,-agatoxin IVA, but only slightly attenuated by nifedipine, suggesting that the response is mediated predominantly through activation of N-type and P/Q-type Ca2+ channels. NS-7 (1,100 ,M) inhibited the KCl-stimulated nitric oxide synthesis in a manner dependent on the intensity of the depolarizing stimuli. Moreover, weak but significant inhibitory effect of NS-7 was observed even after wash-out. Similar voltage-dependent inhibition of the KCl response was observed by a limited concentration (10 ,M) of verapamil. These findings indicate that NS-7 in several concentrations blocks Ca2+ channel in a voltage-dependent manner. [source] Oxidative Burst in Suspension Culture of Taxus cuspidataInduced by a Laminar Shear Stress in Short-TermBIOTECHNOLOGY PROGRESS, Issue 2 2004Rong-Bin Han Generation of active oxidative species induced by shear stress in suspension cultures of Taxus cuspidata was investigated in a Couette-type shear reactor. It was found that T. cuspidata cells respond to a shear rate of 95 s,1 with oxidative bursts. Their triphasic characteristics in 6 h were similar in both intracellular H2O2 production and extracellular O2,, production. Additionally, inhibition studies with diphenylene iodonium and azide suggested that the key enzyme responsible for oxidative bursts under the shear rate of 95 s,1 is primarily NADPH oxidase and the contribution of peroxidase for oxidative bursts was less. Investigation of the relationship between active oxidative species and defense responses induced by the shear stress indicated that the O2,, burst may account for the change of membrane permeability, and the H2O2 burst plays an important role in inducing secondary metabolites such as the activation of phenylalanine ammonia lyase enzyme and phenolic accumulation. Furthermore, oxidative bursts elicited by the shear rate of 95 s,1 were suppressed by treatment with suramin, nifedipine, and neomycin prior to the shear stress treatment, suggesting that G-protein, Ca2+ channel, and phospholipase C are involved in the signal pathway for oxidative bursts induced by the shear stress. A model is proposed to explain the oxidative burst in cultured T. cuspidata cells challenged with the shear stress. [source] A comparison of Ca2+ channel blocking mode between gabapentin and verapamil: implication for protection against hypoxic injury in rat cerebrocortical slicesBRITISH JOURNAL OF PHARMACOLOGY, Issue 2 2003Michiko Oka The mode of Ca2+ channel blocking by gabapentin [1-(aminomethyl)cyclohexane acetic acid] was compared to those of other Ca2+ channel blockers, and the potential role of Ca2+ channel antagonists in providing protection against hypoxic injury was subsequently investigated in rat cerebrocortical slices. mRNA for the ,2, subunits of Ca2+ channels was found in rat cerebral cortex. Nitric oxide (NO) synthesis estimated from cGMP formation was enhanced by KCl stimulation, which was mediated primarily by the activation of N- and P/Q-type Ca2+ channels. Gabapentin blocked both types of Ca2+ channels, and preferentially reversed the response to 30 mM K+ stimulation compared with 50 mM K+ stimulation. In contrast, verapamil preferentially inhibited the response to depolarization by the higher concentration (50 mM) of K+. Gabapentin inhibited KCl-induced elevation of intracellular Ca2+ in primary neuronal culture. Hypoxic injury was induced in cerebrocortical slices by oxygen deprivation in the absence (severe injury) or presence of 3 mM glucose (mild injury). Gabapentin preferentially inhibited mild injury, while verapamil suppressed only severe injury. , -Conotoxin GVIA (, -CTX) and , -agatoxin IVA (, -Aga) were effective in both models. NO synthesis was enhanced in a manner dependent on the severity of hypoxic insults. Gabapentin reversed the NO synthesis induced by mild insults, while verapamil inhibited that elicited by severe insults. , -CTX and , -Aga were effective in both the cases. Therefore, the data suggest that gabapentin and verapamil cause activity-dependent Ca2+ channel blocking by different mechanisms, which are associated with their cerebroprotective actions and are dependent on the severity of hypoxic insults. British Journal of Pharmacology (2003) 139, 435,443. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0705246 [source] Characterization of G proteins involved in activation of nonselective cation channels by endothelinB receptorBRITISH JOURNAL OF PHARMACOLOGY, Issue 7 2002Yoshifumi Kawanabe We recently demonstrated that endothelin-1 (ET-1) activates two types of Ca2+ -permeable nonselective cation channels (NSCC-1 and NSCC-2) in Chinese hamster ovary cells expressing endothelinB receptors (CHO-ETBR) that couple with Gq and Gi. The purpose of the present study was to identify the G proteins involved in the activation of these Ca2+ channels by ET-1. For this purpose, we constructed CHO cells expressing an unpalmitoylated (Cys402Cys403 Cys405,Ser402Ser403Ser405) ETBR (CHO-SerETBR) and ETBR truncated at the cytoplasmic tail downstream of Cys403 (CHO-ETBR,403). Based on the data obtained from actin stress fibre formation, CHO-ETBR couple with G13. Therefore, CHO-ETBR couple with Gq, Gi and G13. CHO-SerETBR and CHO-ETBR,403 couple with G13 and Gq, respectively. ET-1 activated NSCC-1 in CHO-ETBR preincubated with phospholipase C (PLC) inhibitor, U73122, and in CHO-SerETBR. On the other hand, ET-1 failed to activate Ca2+ channels in CHO-ETBR,403. Microinjection of dominant negative mutants of G13 (G13G225A) abolished activation of NSCC-1 and NSCC-2 in CHO-ETBR and that of NSCC-1 in CHO-SerETBR. Y-27632, a specific Rho-associated kinase (ROCK) inhibitor, did not affect the ET-1-induced transient and sustained increase in [Ca2+]i in CHO-ETBR. These results indicate that (1) the cytoplasmic tail downstream of the palmitoylation sites of ETBR, but not the palmitoylation site itself, is essential for coupling with G13, (2) the activation mechanism of each Ca2+ channel by ET-1 is different in CHO-ETBR. NSCC-1 activation depends on G13 -dependent cascade, and NSCC-2 activation depends on both Gq/PLC- and G13 -dependent cascades. Moreover, ROCK-dependent cascade is not involved in the activation of these channels. British Journal of Pharmacology (2002) 136, 1015,1022. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0704805 [source] F90927: A New Member in the Class of Cardioactive SteroidsCARDIOVASCULAR THERAPEUTICS, Issue 3 2007Markus Keller ABSTRACT F90927 is a newly developed cardioactive drug with a steroid-like structure. It acts directly and agonistically on the cardiac L-type Ca2+ channel by shifting its voltage-dependent activation toward more negative potentials. This leads to an increased influx of Ca2+ and, therefore, to a stronger contraction; however, no arrhythmias occur. Calcium current stimulation can already be observed at nanomolar concentrations, but higher concentrations of F90927 elevate intracellular Ca2+ concentration, causing a reduction of the myocardial compliance and an increased diastolic blood pressure. Vessels also react to F90927 and contract in its presence. Binding of F90927 with the L-type Ca2+ channel presumably occurs in the vicinity of the transmembrane domains III and IV of the ,1 subunit. F90927 exhibits no use dependence and interacts with Ca2+ channel inhibitors of all three known classes of channel modulators (dihydropyridines, phenylalkylamines, and benzothiazepines), suggesting that it is a member of a new class of Ca2+ channel modulators. Due to its adverse effects on blood pressure and vessel contraction, F90927 is not an ideal drug candidate. It has, however, some unique properties, which makes it a promising tool to study the function of the L-type Ca2+ channel. [source] Cross-talk between L-type Ca2+ channels and mitochondriaCLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL PHARMACOLOGY AND PHYSIOLOGY, Issue 2 2010Helena M Viola Summary 1. Calcium is necessary for myocardial function, including contraction and maintenance of cardiac output. Calcium is also necessary for myocardial energetics and production of ATP by mitochondria, but the mechanisms for calcium regulation by mitochondria are still not fully resolved. 2. The cytoskeleton plays an important role in maintaining a cell's integrity. It is now recognized that cytoskeletal proteins can also assist in the transmission of signals from the plasma membrane to intracellular organelles. Cytoskeletal proteins can regulate the function of the L-type Ca2+ channel and alter intracellular calcium homeostasis. 3. Recent evidence suggests that calcium influx through the L-type Ca2+ channel is sufficient to alter a number of mitochondrial functional parameters, including superoxide production, NADH production and metabolic activity, assessed as the formation of formazan from tetrazolium salt. This occurs in a calcium-dependent manner. 4. Activation of the L-type Ca2+ channel also alters mitochondrial membrane potential in a calcium-independent manner and this is assisted by movement of the auxiliary ,2 -subunit through F-actin filaments. 5. Because the L-type Ca2+ channel is the initiator of contraction, a functional coupling between the channels and mitochondria may assist in meeting myocardial energy demand on a beat-to-beat basis. [source] Modulation of calcium signalling by intracellular organelles seen with targeted aequorinsACTA PHYSIOLOGICA, Issue 1 2009M. T. Alonso Abstract The cytosolic Ca2+ signals that trigger cell responses occur either as localized domains of high Ca2+ concentration or as propagating Ca2+ waves. Cytoplasmic organelles, taking up or releasing Ca2+ to the cytosol, shape the cytosolic signals. On the other hand, Ca2+ concentration inside organelles is also important in physiology and pathophysiology. Comprehensive study of these matters requires to measure [Ca2+] inside organelles and at the relevant cytosolic domains. Aequorins, the best-known chemiluminescent Ca2+ probes, are excellent for this end as they do not require stressing illumination, have a large dynamic range and a sharp Ca2+ -dependence, can be targeted to the appropriate location and engineered to have the proper Ca2+ affinity. Using this methodology, we have evidenced the existence in chromaffin cells of functional units composed by three closely interrelated elements: (1) plasma membrane Ca2+ channels, (2) subplasmalemmal endoplasmic reticulum and (3) mitochondria. These Ca2+ -signalling triads optimize Ca2+ microdomains for secretion and prevent propagation of the Ca2+ wave towards the cell core. Oscillatory cytosolic Ca2+ signals originate also oscillations of mitochondrial Ca2+ in several cell types. The nuclear envelope slows down the propagation of the Ca2+ wave to the nucleus and filters high frequencies. On the other hand, inositol-trisphosphate may produce direct release of Ca2+ to the nucleoplasm in GH3 pituitary cells, thus providing mechanisms for selective nuclear signalling. Aequorins emitting at different wavelengths, prepared by fusion either with green or red fluorescent protein, permit simultaneous and independent monitorization of the Ca2+ signals in different subcellular domains within the same cell. [source] Calcium handling in afferent arteriolesACTA PHYSIOLOGICA, Issue 4 2004M. Salomonsson Abstract The cytosolic intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) is a major determining factor in the vascular smooth muscle tone. In the afferent arteriole it has been shown that agonists utilizing G-protein coupled receptors recruit Ca2+ via release from intracellular stores and entry via pathways in the plasma membrane. The relative importances of entry vs. mobilization seem to differ between different agonists, species and preparations. The entry pathway might include different types of voltage sensitive Ca2+ channels located in the plasmalemma such as dihydropyridine sensitive L-type channels, T-type channels and P/Q channels. A role for non-voltage sensitive entry pathways has also been suggested. The importance of voltage sensitive Ca2+ channels in the control of the tone of the afferent arteriole (and thus in the control of renal function and whole body control of extracellular fluid volume and blood pressure) sheds light on the control of the membrane potential of afferent arteriolar smooth muscle cells. Thus, K+ and Cl, channels are of importance in their role as major determinants of membrane potential. Some studies suggest a role for calcium-activated chloride (ClCa) channels in the renal vasoconstriction elicited by agonists. Other investigators have found evidence for several types of K+ channels in the regulation of the afferent arteriolar tone. The available literature in this field regarding afferent arterioles is, however, relatively sparse and not conclusive. This review is an attempt to summarize the results obtained by others and ourselves in the field of agonist induced afferent arteriolar Ca2+ recruitment, with special emphasis on the control of voltage sensitive Ca2+ entry. Outline of the Manuscript: This manuscript is structured as follows: it begins with an introduction where the general role for [Ca2+]i as a key factor in the regulation of the tone of vascular smooth muscles (VSMC) is detailed. In this section there is an emphasis is on observations that could be attributed to afferent arteriolar function. We then investigate the literature and describe our results regarding the relative roles for Ca2+ entry and intracellular release in afferent arterioles in response to vasoactive agents, with the focus on noradrenalin (NA) and angiotensin II (Ang II). Finally, we examine the role of ion channels (i.e. K+ and Cl, channels) for the membrane potential, and thus activation of voltage sensitive Ca2+ channels. [source] Homocysteine enhances cardiac neural crest cell attachment in vitro by increasing intracellular calcium levelsDEVELOPMENTAL DYNAMICS, Issue 8 2008David J. Heidenreich Abstract Elevated homocysteine (Hcys) increases the risk of neurocristopathies. Previous studies show Hcys inhibits neural crest (NC) cell migration in vivo. However, the mechanisms responsible for this effect are unknown. Here, we evaluated the effect of Hcys on NC cell attachment in vitro and determined if any of the effects were due to altered Ca2+ signaling. We found Hcys enhanced NC cell attachment in a dose and substrate-dependent manner. Ionomycin mimicked the effect of Hcys while BAPTA-AM and 2-APB blocked the effect of Hcys on NC attachment. In contrast, inhibitors of plasma membrane Ca2+ channels had no effect on NC attachment. Hcys also increased the emission of the intracellular Ca2+ -sensitive probe, Fluo-4. These results show Hcys alters NC attachment by triggering an increase in intracellular Ca2+ possibly by generating inositol triphosphate. Hence, the teratogenic effect ascribed to Hcys may be due to perturbation of intracellular Ca2+ signaling. Developmental Dynamics 237:2117,2128, 2008. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||