Single channel activity of the ryanodine receptor calcium release channel is modulated by FK-506

ATP-sensitive voltage- and calcium-dependent chloride channels in sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles from rabbit skeletal muscle

Chloride channels in the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) are thought to play an essential role in excitation-contraction (E-C) coupling by balancing charge movement during calcium release and uptake. In this study the nucleotide-sensitivity of Cl- channels in the SR from rabbit skeletal muscle was investigated using the lipid bilayer technique. Two distinct ATP-sensitive Cl- channels that differ in their conductance and kinetic properties and in the mechanism of ATP-induced channel inhibition were observed. The first, a nonfrequent 150 pS channel was inhibited by trans (luminal) ATP, and the second, a common 75 pS small chloride (SCl) channel was inhibited by cis (cytoplasmic) ATP. In the case of the SCl channel the ATP-induced reversible decline in the values of current (maximal current amplitude, Imax and integral current, I') and kinetic parameters (frequency of opening FO, probability of the channel being open PO, mean open TO and closed Tc times) show a nonspecific block of the voltage- and Ca2+-dependent SCl channel. ATP was a more potent blocker from the cytoplasmic side than from the luminal side of the channel. The SCl channel block was not due to Ca2+ chelation by ATP, nor to phosphorylation of the channel protein. The inhibitory action of ATP was mimicked by the nonhydrolyzable analogue adenylylimidodiphosphate (AMP-PNP) in the absence of Mg2+. The inhibitory potency of the adenine nucleotides was charge dependent in the following order ATP4- > ADP3- > > > AMP2-. The data suggest that ATP-induced effects are mediated via an open channel block mechanism. Modulation of the SCl channel by [ATP]cis and [Ca2+]cis indicates that (i) this channel senses the bioenergetic state of the muscle fiber and (ii) it is linked to the ATP-dependent cycling of the Ca2+ between the SR and the sarcoplasm.

Single-channel kinetics, inactivation, and spatial distribution of inositol trisphosphate (IP3) receptors in Xenopus oocyte nucleus

Single-channel properties of the Xenopus inositol trisphosphate receptor (IP3R) ion channel were examined by patch clamp electrophysiology of the outer nuclear membrane of isolated oocyte nuclei. With 140 mM K+ as the charge carrier (cytoplasmic [IP3] = 10 microM, free [Ca2+] = 200 nM), the IP3R exhibited four and possibly five conductance states. The conductance of the most-frequently observed state M was 113 pS around 0 mV and approximately 300 pS at 60 mV. The channel was frequently observed with high open probability (mean P(o) = 0.4 at 20 mV). Dwell time distribution analysis revealed at least two kinetic states of M with time constants tau < 5 ms and approximately 20 ms; and at least three closed states with tau approximately 1 ms, approximately 10 ms, and >1 s. Higher cytoplasmic potential increased the relative frequency and tau of the longest closed state. A novel "flicker" kinetic mode was observed, in which the channel alternated rapidly between two new conductance states: F1 and F2. The relative occupation probability of the flicker states exhibited voltage dependence described by a Boltzmann distribution corresponding to 1.33 electron charges moving across the entire electric field during F1 to F2 transitions. Channel run-down or inactivation (tau approximately 30 s) was consistently observed in the continuous presence of IP3 and the absence of change in [Ca2+]. Some (approximately 10%) channel disappearances could be reversed by an increase in voltage before irreversible inactivation. A model for voltage-dependent channel gating is proposed in which one mechanism controls channel opening in both the normal and flicker modes, whereas a separate independent mechanism generates flicker activity and voltage-reversible inactivation. Mapping of functional channels indicates that the IP3R tends to aggregate into microscopic (<1 microm) as well as macroscopic (approximately 10 microm) clusters. Ca2+-independent inactivation of IP3R and channel clustering may contribute to complex [Ca2+] signals in cells.

Ryanodine receptors from rabbit skeletal muscle are reversibly activated by rapamycin

In this report we demonstrate that the immunosuppressive drug, rapamycin, can reversibly activate the skeletal muscle ryanodine receptor calcium release channel (RyR) in terminal cisternae vesicles incorporated into planar lipid bilayers. This reveals a second mechanism of activation of RyRs by rapamycin. Irreversible channel activation and openings to subconductance levels are seen when rapamycin forms a complex with and removes the tightly bound 12 kDa FK506-binding protein (FKBP12) from the RyR. We show here that micromolar rapamycin activates RyRs which were previously 'stripped' of > 95% of their FKBP12s. Rapamycin caused a 6-fold increase in mean current, which was largely reversible, but no increase in the fraction of openings to subconductance levels. Therefore native RyRs, stripped of FKBP12, are directly activated by the macrocyclic lactone, rapamycin.

Subconductance states in single-channel activity of skeletal muscle ryanodine receptors after removal of FKBP12

FKBP12 was removed from ryanodine receptors (RyRs) by incubation of rabbit skeletal muscle terminal cisternae membranes with rapamycin. The extent of FKBP12 removal was estimated by immunostaining Western blots of terminal cisternae proteins. Single FKBP12-depleted RyR channels, incorporated into planar lipid bilayers, were modulated by Ca2+, ATP, ryanodine, and ruthenium red in the cis chamber and opened frequently to the normal maximum conductance of approximately 230 pS and to substate levels of approximately 0.25, approximately 0.5, and approximately 0.75 of the maximum conductance. Substate activity was rarely seen in native RyRs. Ryanodine did not after the number of conductance levels in FKBP12-depleted channels, but, at a membrane potential of +40 mV, reduced both the maximum and the substate conductances by approximately 50%. FKBP12-stripped channels were activated by a 10-fold-lower [Ca2+] and inhibited by a 10-fold-higher [Ca2+], than RyRs from control-incubated and native terminal cisternae vesicles. The open probability (Po) of these FKBP12-deficient channels was greater than that of control channels at 0.1 microM and 1 mM cis Ca2+ but no different at 10 microM cis Ca2+, where channels showed maximal Ca2+ activation. The approximately 0.25 substate was less sensitive than the maximum conductance to inhibition by Ca2+ and was the dominant level in channels inhibited by 1 mM cis Ca2+. The results show that FKBP12 coordinates the gating of channel activity in control and ryanodine-modified RyRs.

A redox O2 sensor modulates the SR Ca2+ countercurrent through voltage- and Ca(2+)-dependent Cl- channels

The activity of a relatively small Cl- (SCl) channel in the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) vesicles of rabbit skeletal muscle was preserved following their reconstitution into lipid bilayer. Reducing PO2 from approximately 150 to < 1 Torr in the cis-side (cytosolic) reversibly inhibited the channel activity within 2 min. The modulatory effects, deduced from reduction in Cl- current levels and in kinetic parameters of channel activation, in normoxic (PO2 approximately 150 Torr) and hypoxic (low PO2 < 1 Torr) solutions were mimicked by oxidizing and reducing agents, respectively. Cl- current transitions to the main open conductance state were increased by 100 microM of the specific sulfhydryl (SH)-oxidizing agent 4,4'-dithiodipyridine and inhibited by the SH-reducing agent glutathione (GSH) with a Hill coefficient of 8 and inhibition constant of approximately 3.1 mM. The inhibitory effects of 5 mM [GSH]cis were prevented by prior addition of 1 mM iodoacetamide, an alkylating agent, to the cytosolic side of the channel. These findings suggest that an SH-dependent mechanism (redox couple, e.g., reduced/oxidized glutathione) could be involved in the gating of the SCl channel in such a way that SH oxidation (GSSH) favors the open state of the channel, and SH reduction (GSH), which mimics the inhibitory action of low PO2, favors the closed state.

Effects of FK-506 on contraction and Ca2+ transients in rat cardiac myocytes

FK-506 binding protein (FKBP) has been reported to be closely associated with the ryanodine receptor in skeletal and cardiac muscle and to modulate sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+ release channel gating in isolated channels. FK-506 can inhibit the activity of FKBP, thereby reversing its effects on SR Ca2+ release. We investigated the function of FKBP during normal contractions and Ca2+ transients in intact rat ventricular myocytes loaded with fluorescent Ca2+ indicators. FK-506 significantly increased steady state twitch Ca2+ transients and contraction amplitudes even under conditions in which the SR Ca2+ load and Ca2+ current were unaltered, suggesting that FK-506 increases the fraction of SR Ca2+ released during excitation-contraction (E-C) coupling. Action potentials were somewhat prolonged, consistent with the larger Ca2+ transients causing greater inward Na(+)-Ca2+ exchange current. FK-506 did not affect SR Ca2+ uptake but modestly decreased Ca2+ extrusion via Na(+)-Ca2+ exchange in intact cells (although no effect on Na(+)-Ca2+ exchange was seen in sarcolemmal vesicles). In most cells, FK-506 caused an increase in SR Ca2+ content during steady state stimulation, as assessed by caffeine-induced contractures. This was probably due to the inhibition of Ca2+ efflux via Na(+)-Ca2+ exchange. FK-506 also accelerated the rest decay of SR Ca2+ content and increased the frequency of resting Ca2+ sparks about fourfold. The increase in frequency of these basic Ca2+ release events was not associated with changes in the amplitude or duration of the Ca2+ sparks. We conclude that FK-506 increases the fraction of SR Ca2+ released during normal twitches and enhances the rate of SR Ca2+ release during rest. FK-506 also inhibits Na(+)-Ca2+ exchange, although this effect may be indirect. These effects are consistent with an important SR-stabilizing effect of FKBP in intact rat ventricular myocytes.

Molecular cogs in machina carnis

1. This review explores the complexity of skeletal muscle function mainly from the perspective of work performed by the author over the past two decades.

Selective binding of FKBP12.6 by the cardiac ryanodine receptor

The calcium release channels (CRC)/ryanodine receptors of skeletal (Sk) and cardiac (C) muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) are hetero-oligomeric complexes with the structural formulas (ryanodine recepter (RyR)1 protomer)4(FKBP12)4 and (RyR2 protomer)4(FKBP12.6)4, respectively, where FKBP12 and FKBP12.6 are isoforms of the 12-kDa receptor for the immunosuppressant drug FK506. The sequence similarity between the RyR protomers and FKBP12 isoforms is 63 and 85%, respectively. Using 35S-labeled FKBP12 and 35S-labeled FKBP12.6 as probes to study the interaction with CRC, we find that: 1) analogous to its action in skeletal muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum (SkMSR), FK506 (or analog FK590) dissociates FKBP12.6 from CSR; 2) both FKBP isoforms bind to FKBP-stripped SkMSR and exchange with endogenously bound FKBP12 of SkMSR; and 3) by contrast, only FKBP12. 6 exchanges with endogenously bound FKBP12.6 or rebinds to FKBP-stripped CSR. This selective binding appears to explain why the cardiac CRC is isolated as a complex with FKBP12.6, whereas the skeletal muscle CRC is isolated as a complex with FKBP12, although only FKBP12 is detectable in the myoplasm of both muscle types. Also, in contrast to the activation of the channel by removal of FKBP from skeletal muscle, no activation is detected in CRC activity in FKBP-stripped CSR. This differential action of FKBP may reflect a fundamental difference in the modulation of excitation-contraction coupling in heart versus skeletal muscle.

Ligand-gated calcium channels inside and out

Calcium release from intracellular stores occurs through two types of channels associated with intracellular membranes, namely, the ryanodine receptor and the inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor. Recently, it has been shown that these channels are regulated by allosteric mechanisms and associated proteins. Release of intracellular calcium induces the opening of calcium-permeable channels on the plasma membrane. Current work has focused on the molecular and functional characterization of these channels which have been identified as store-operated channels or calcium release activated channels.

Effects of FK506 and rapamycin on excitation-contraction coupling in skeletal muscle fibres of the rat

1. The effects of the immunosuppressants FK506 and rapamycin were examined in mechanically skinned skeletal muscle fibres of rat in order to determine whether the FK506-binding protein plays a role in the coupling between the voltage sensors and the Ca2+ release channels. 2. Both FK506 (1 microM) and rapamycin (1 microM) rapidly and reversibly potentiated Ca2+ release evoked by either depolarization of the transverse tubular system or caffeine application, suggesting a direct effect of the agents on the Ca2+ release channels. 3. In addition, repeated depolarizations in the presence of either FK506 (1 microM) or rapamycin (1 microM) caused irreversible loss of depolarization-induced Ca2+ release, without preventing direct activation of the Ca2+ release channels by caffeine or low [Mg2+]. If a fibre was exposed to either immunosuppressant for a similar period (10 min) without stimulation, or if the voltage sensors were kept inactivated, there was little if any loss of coupling. 4. The loss of coupling was faster at higher drug concentrations, with 20 microM rapamycin causing 50% inhibition in 7-8 min without stimulation; this was further accelerated by repeated depolarizations in the presence of the drug, but was not noticeably altered by direct activation of the release channels by repeated exposure to caffeine. The irreversible loss of coupling indicates that the FK506-binding protein may play a vital role in enabling the voltage sensors to activate the Ca2+ release channels.

Effects of rapamycin on ryanodine receptor/Ca(2+)-release channels from cardiac muscle

Ryanodine receptors (RyRs) are intracellular channels that regulate the release of Ca2+ from the endoplasmic reticulum of many cell types. The RyRs are physically associated with FK506-binding proteins (FKBPs); immunophilins, with cis-trans peptidyl-prolyl isomerase activity. FKBP12 copurifies with RyR1 (skeletal isoform) and modulates its gating. A different form of FKBP with a slightly higher molecular weight copurifies with RyR2 (cardiac isoform). Previous studies have demonstrated that FKBP stablizes gating of the skeletal Ca(2+)-release channel. In the present study, we measured the activity of cardiac RyRs incorporated into planar lipid bilayers to show that rapamycin, a drug that inhibits the prolyl isomerase activity of FKBP and dissociates FKBP from the RyR, increases the open probability and reduces the current amplitude of cardiac muscle Ca(2+)-release channels. These experiments show for the first time that submicromolar concentrations of rapamycin can alter channel function. Our results provide support for the hypotheses that FKBP functionally associates with the RyR and that the immunosuppressant drug, rapamycin, alters the function of both cardiac and skeletal muscle isoforms of the Ca(2+)-release channel. Our findings suggest that FKBP-dependent modulation of channel function may be generally applicable to all members of the intracellular Ca(2+)-release channel family and that FKBPs may play important regulatory roles in many cell processes, ranging from long-term depression in neurons to contractility in cardiomyocytes.

A calcium-activated chloride channel in sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles from rabbit skeletal muscle

A Ca(2+)-activated Cl- channel is described in sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) enriched vesicles of skeletal muscle incorporated into lipid bilayers. Small chloride (SCl) channels (n = 20) were rapidly and reversibly activated when cis- (cytoplasmic) [Ca2+] was increased above 10(-7) M, with trans-(luminal) [Ca2+] at either 10(-3) or 10(-7) M. The open probability of single channels increased from zero when cis-[Ca2+] was 10(-7) M to 0.61 +/- 0.12 when [Ca2+] was 10(-4) M. High- and low-conductance levels in single-channel activity were activated at different cis-[Ca2+]. Channel openings to the maximum conductance, 65-75 pS (250/50 mM Cl-, cis/ trans), were active when cis-[Ca2+] was increased above 5 x 10(-6) M. In contrast to the maximum conductance, channel openings to submaximal levels between 5 and 40 pS were activated at a lower cis-[Ca2+] and dominated channel activity between 5 x 10(-7) and 5 x 10(-6) M. Activation of SCl channels was Ca2+ specific and not reproduced by cytoplasmic Mg2+ concentrations of 10(-3) M. We suggest that the SCl channel arises in the SR membrane. The Ca2+ dependence of this channel implies that it is active at [Ca2+] achieved during muscle contraction.

Characteristics of two types of chloride channel in sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles from rabbit skeletal muscle

A comparison is made of two types of chloride-selective channel in skeletal muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) vesicles incorporated into lipid bilayers. The I/V relationships of both channels, in 250/50 mM Cl- (cis/trans), were linear between -20 and +60 mV (cis potential,) reversed near Ecl and had slope conductances of approximately 250 pS for the big chloride (BCl) channel and approximately 70 pS for the novel, small chloride (SCl) channel. The protein composition of vesicles indicated that both channels originated from longitudinal SR and terminal cisternae. BCl and SCl channels responded differently to cis SO4(2-) (30-70 mM), 4,4'-diisothiocyanatostilbene 2,2'-disulfonic acid (8-80 microM) and to bilayer potential. The BCl channel open probability was high at all potentials, whereas SCl channels exhibited time-dependent activation and inactivation at negative potentials and deactivation at positive potentials. The duration and frequency of SCl channel openings were minimal at positive potentials and maximal at -40 mV, and were stationary during periods of activity. A substate analysis was performed using the Hidden Markov Model (S. H. Chung, J. B. Moore, L. Xia, L. S. Premkumar, and P. W. Gage, 1990, Phil. Trans. R. Soc. Lond. B., 329:265-285) and the algorithm EVPROC (evaluated here). SCl channels exhibited transitions between 5 and 7 conductance levels. BCl channels had 7-13 predominant levels plus many more short-lived substates. SCl channels have not been described in previous reports of Cl- channels in skeletal muscle SR.

Rectification of skeletal muscle ryanodine receptor mediated by FK506 binding protein

The cytosolic receptor for immunosuppressant drugs, FK506 binding protein (FKBP12), maintains a tight association with ryanodine receptors of sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) membrane in skeletal muscle. The interaction between FKBP12 and ryanodine receptors resulted in distinct rectification of the Ca release channel. The endogenous FKBP-bound Ca release channel conducted current unidirectionally from SR lumen to myoplasm; in the opposite direction, the channel deactivated with fast kinetics. The binding of FKBP12 is likely to alter subunit interactions within the ryanodine receptor complex, as revealed by changes in conductance states of the channel. Both on- and off-rates of FKBP12 binding to the ryanodine receptor showed clear dependence on the membrane potential, suggesting that the binding sites of FKBP12 reside in or near the conduction pore of the Ca release channel. Rectification of the Ca release channel would prevent counter-current flow during the rapid release of Ca from SR membrane, and thus may serve as a negative feedback mechanism that participates in the process of muscle excitation-contraction coupling.

Functional properties of intracellular calcium-release channels

Two major classes of intracellular calcium-release channels have been identified, the ryanodine receptor and the inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor. These channels are the largest ion channels identified to date. Recent studies have established that approximately 90% of each of these proteins protrudes into the cytoplasm, presumably exposing many regulatory sites on the channel and allowing functional interactions with other cytoplasmic proteins. Current work is aimed at understanding the molecular mechanisms and cellular roles of these regulatory processes.

Calcium signaling in neurons: molecular mechanisms and cellular consequences

Neuronal activity can lead to marked increases in the concentration of cytosolic calcium, which then functions as a second messenger that mediates a wide range of cellular responses. Calcium binds to calmodulin and stimulates the activity of a variety of enzymes, including calcium-calmodulin kinases and calcium-sensitive adenylate cyclases. These enzymes transduce the calcium signal and effect short-term biological responses, such as the modification of synaptic proteins and long-lasting neuronal responses that require changes in gene expression. Recent studies of calcium signal-transduction mechanisms have revealed that, depending on the route of entry into a neuron, calcium differentially affects processes that are central to the development and plasticity of the nervous system, including activity-dependent cell survival, modulation of synaptic strength, and calcium-mediated cell death.