Sodium action potentials induced by calcium chelation in rat uterine smooth muscle

Monovalent cation and L-type Ca2+ channels participate in calcium paradox-like phenomenon in rabbit aortic smooth muscle cells

1. The effects of removal of extracellular divalent cations (experimental calcium paradox conditions) were studied on the whole-cell current in freshly isolated smooth muscle cells (SMCs), and on contraction in rabbit aortic rings. 2. Aortic rings treated for 30-60 min with extracellular Ca2+- and Mg2+-free solution contracted following readmission of extracellular Ca2+, even in the presence of nifedipine. 3. In isolated SMCs, the removal of extracellular Ca2+ and Mg2+ induced a non-inactivating whole-cell inward current and membrane depolarization. This current was a monovalent cation (MC) current which reversed at around 0 mV and conducted K+ >= Cs+ > Na+ > Li+. Extracellular divalent cations (Ca2+, Mg2+, Ba2+, Mn2+ and Ni2+) inhibited MC current. 4. Using noise analysis of the whole-cell MC current, the single MC channel conductance was estimated to be < 450 fS. 5. MC current was insensitive to nifedipine, TEA, 4-aminopyridine, SK&F 96365 and S-nitroso-N-acetyl-penicillamine (SNAP), but was decreased by amiloride and low pH. 6. When EGTA was present in Ca2+- and Mg2+-free solution, a significant nifedipine-sensitive Na+ current through L-type Ca2+ channels developed in addition to MC current. 7. It is concluded that upon the removal of extracellular Ca2+ and Mg2+ from resting SMCs, an inward MC current develops allowing Na+ influx and causing SMC depolarization which could be the important steps leading to vessel contraction upon Ca2+ readmission. Addition of EGTA to Ca2+- and Mg2+-free solution greatly potentiates Na+ influx and vessel contraction by allowing additional Na+ influx through L-type Ca2+ channels which are activated presumably by MC current-induced depolarization.

Veratridine-enhanced persistent sodium current induces bursting in CA1 pyramidal neurons

The mechanism of veratridine-induced bursting activity was studied in rat hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons. Veratridine (0.1-0.3 microM) induces bursting in previously normal pyramidal neurons. The current-voltage curves of untreated neurons show a slight deviation from the linear Ohmic relation; this deviation is known as the "depolarizing rectification". Veratridine markedly accentuates the depolarizing rectification so that a zero slope or negative slope appears in the current-voltage curve of these neurons. Both the veratridine-induced bursting activity and negative slope resistance are blocked by small concentrations of tetrodotoxin or by raising the calcium concentration of the superfusion medium. Under single-electrode voltage clamping, a subthreshold persistent (slowly inactivating) sodium current, which can be recorded in untreated neurons, is found to be enhanced in the veratridine-treated neurons. This current is thought to be responsible for the slow depolarizing phase of bursting activity and the development of negative slope resistance in the current-voltage relationship. The present results demonstrate that veratridine enhances the slowly inactivating sodium current, leading to the development of negative slope resistance and induction of bursting in rat hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons.

Modulation of [3H]dihydropyridine binding by activation of protein kinase C in vascular smooth muscle

The influence of noradrenaline and protein kinase C modulators on (+)-[3H]isradipine binding to voltage-dependent calcium channels has been studied in membranes of equine portal vein smooth muscle and intact strips isolated from rat portal vein. Specific (+)-[3H]isradipine binding to intact strips was increased by noradrenaline, a combination of aluminium and fluoride, and phorbol esters. The increase in isradipine binding induced by noradrenaline was inhibited by 1 microM prazosin while that induced by phorbol esters was inhibited by H7 (a protein kinase C inhibitor). In strips pretreated 6 h with 10 micrograms.ml-1 pertussis toxin, the noradrenaline-induced increase in isradipine binding was unchanged. In contrast, isradipine binding to membranes was unaffected by noradrenaline or GTP-gamma-S. Only phorbol esters had a stimulatory effect on isradipine binding when membranes were incubated in a medium containing 10 microM ATP and 5 mM Mg2+. Scatchard plot analysis reveals that the stimulation of isradipine binding by both noradrenaline and phorbol esters appears to result from a decrease in KD rather than an effect on the maximal binding capacity. Contractions evoked by noradrenaline were concentration-dependently depressed by isradipine. About 30% of the response was resistant to inhibition, while KCl-induced contractions were completely blocked. However, noradrenaline-induced contractions were more sensitive to isradipine inhibition than were KCl-induced contractions. These results suggest that activation of protein kinase C modulates isradipine binding to voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels independently of a separate modulation by membrane depolarization.

Ionic basis of pacemaker generation in dog colonic smooth muscle

1. The ionic basis of the slow waves in the circular muscle of the dog colon, in particular the ionic conductances involved in their initiation, were investigated by measuring intracellular electrical activity in the Abe-Tomita-type chamber for voltage control. 2. The depolarization that initiates the slow wave activity could be evoked by an increase in inward current and/or by a block of outward current. According to previous work, inward current could be carried by Na+, Cl-, and Ca2+ ions; K+ ions would carry outward current. 3. The Na+ channel blocker tetrodotoxin (5 x 10(-7) M) did not affect the slow wave amplitude nor its rate of rise. After omission of Na+, by replacing Na+ with N-methyl-D-glucamine, large slow waves continued to develop although some changes in slow wave characteristics occurred. 4. Replacement of 91% of the Cl- by isethionate decreased the slow wave frequency and increased the slow wave amplitude. However, NaCl substitution by sucrose increased the slow wave frequency and decreased the slow wave amplitude. 5. Slow wave activity continued to develop after blockade of Ca2+ influx by D600 (10(-6) M) or CoCl2 (1-3 mM). D600 and Co2+ did not affect the membrane potential but reduced the slow wave amplitude and abolished the plateau potential. Slow waves were abolished after omission of extracellular Ca2+ (plus 1 mM-EGTA). This suggests that Ca2+ influx is probably not necessary but extracellular presence of Ca2+ ions is indispensible for the slow wave generation. 6. The combination of 0 Na+, Li+ HEPES solution, by replacing Na+ with Li+, plus D600 depolarized the cells (up to approximately -40 mV) and abolished slow wave activity. This effect was voltage dependent since repolarization caused slow waves to return. 7. Abolition of the slow wave activity was also obtained by current-induced depolarization to approximately -40 mV. However, during high-K+-induced depolarization (to approximately -40 mV) high amplitude (16 mV) slow waves were still present, slowing that the voltage dependence of the slow waves was shifted positively. This effect probably occurs due to modification by extracellular K+ of a voltage-dependent K+ conductance, which would suggest that a K+ conductance is involved in slow wave generation. 8. In conclusion, slow waves are generated by cyclic membrane conductance changes, which are dependent on the presence of extracellular Ca2+ ions and on the membrane potential. Our data are consistent with the hypothesis that slow waves are initiated by the blockade of a K+ conductance.

Ionic currents of smooth muscle cells isolated from the ctenophore Mnemiopsis

The ionic currents of smooth muscle cells isolated from the ctenophore Mnemiopsis were examined by using conventional two-electrode voltage clamp and whole-cell patch clamping methods. Several separable currents were identified. These include: (1) a transient and (2) a steady-state voltage-activated inward current; both are tetrodotoxin (TTX) and saxitoxin (STX) insensitive, partly reduced by decreasing external Ca2+ or Na+ or by addition of 5 mM Co2+, D-600 or verapamil and are totally blocked with 5 mM Cd2+; (3) an early, transient, cation-dependent, outward K+ current (IKCa/Na); (4) a transient, voltage-activated, outward K+ current provisionally identified as IA; (5) a delayed, steady-state, voltage-activated outward K+ current (IK) and (6) a late, transient, outward K+ current which is blocked by Cd2+ and evident only during long voltage pulses. Despite their phylogenic origin, most of these currents are similar to currents identified in many vertebrate smooth and cardiac muscle preparations, and other excitable cells in higher animals.

The calcium channel current of pregnant rat single myometrial cells in short-term primary culture

1. The passive and active electrical properties of pregnant rat single myometrial cells in short-term primary culture were analysed using a single-electrode voltage or current clamp. 2. Action potentials and membrane currents were recorded in the presence of tetraethylammonium chloride and 4-aminopyridine (10 mM each) and with Cs+ solution (4 M) in the microelectrode. 3. The voltage dependence, the action of Ca2+ antagonists and the effects of Sr2+ or Ba2+ substitution were studied. The peak Ca2+ current density was in the range 15-20 microA/cm2 in 10 mM-Ca2+ solution. 4. According to both measurement of the reversal potential of Ca2+ channel currents and comparison of the inward currents after correction for changing surface charge, the relative selectivity sequence of the Ca2+ channel for divalent cations was Ca2+ greater than Sr2+ = Ba2+. 5. The decay of Ca2+ channel current during a maintained depolarization was slowed when external Ca2+ was replaced by Sr2+ or Ba2+. The decay reflected an inactivation of Ca2+ channel conductance, as assessed by the decreased amplitude of inward tail currents following progressively longer depolarizations and the stable value of the reversal potential when Ca2+ channel current was increased during conditioning pulses. 6. Voltage-dependent inactivation was illustrated by inactivation of outward Ca2+ channel current due to K+ and/or Cs+ efflux with external Ba2+ or in the absence of any permeant divalent cation. 7. The relationship between inactivation and the intracellular Ca2+ concentration was assessed by a double-pulse method. Conditioning pulses that produced maximal Ca2+ current induced maximal inactivation; with stronger depolarizations, inactivation decreased but was not completely prevented at the expected Ca2+ reversal potential. Increasing the amount of Ca2+ entering the cell during the pre-pulse reduced both amplitude and kinetics of test Ca2+ currents. These results were not observed with Ba2+ as the charge carrier. 8. Ca2+ channel current inactivation was best fitted by a two-exponential function. The fast time constant of inactivation was larger in Ba2+ solution than in Ca2+ solution but both time constants showed little variation with membrane potential. The slow time constants of inactivation were steeply voltage dependent.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Selectivity of calcium channels in rat uterine smooth muscle: interactions between sodium, calcium and barium ions

1. Action potentials and membrane currents were recorded by means of a double sucrose-gap technique from Cs-loaded strips from pregnant rats superfused in Ca-free EGTA-containing solutions. 2. When external Ca was reduced below 1 microM in the presence of 1 mM-EGTA, step depolarizations from a holding potential close to the normal resting potential produced tetrodotoxin-resistant inward currents. These currents were suppressed after removal of external Na and blocked by a variety of Ca-channel blockers such as Mn, Co, Ni and nifedipine. 3. Inactivation of the inward Na current was studied using a double-pulse protocol. The degree of inactivation of the Na current was almost maximal for depolarizations of +50 mV. Application of stronger depolarizations did not significantly increase it and had no effect on recovery from inactivation. Similarly, increasing the duration of the conditioning pulse from 30 to 250 ms had no further effect on both amplitude and kinetics of the Na current. These results suggest that the Na current inactivation reflects a pure voltage-dependent mechanism. 4. The effects of external Ca were studied over a 10(9)-fold range in concentration. When external Ca was gradually increased from 1 nM to 1 microM, the inward Na current was reduced and finally abolished. As the external Ca was increased over 0.5 mM, inward current reappeared and increased as Ca became the charge carrier. 5. When Na was the charge carrier, external Ca was the most effective divalent cation in blocking the Ca channel with a half-blockage concentration of 0.1 microM. Addition of millimolar concentrations of Ca and Sr also reduced the Ba current while adding Ba to Ca-containing solution produced no increase in current. 6. Membrane currents in solutions containing both Ba and Ca ions were less than in solutions containing either Ca or Ba at the same concentration, suggesting that Ca channels are single-file multi-ion pores. 7. We conclude that the selectivity of uterine Ca channels depends on the presence of external Ca. In the absence of Ca, these channels become permeable to other divalent (Ba and Sr) and monovalent (Na) cations.

Sodium conductance in calcium channels of guinea-pig ventricular cells induced by removal of external calcium ions

An inward current characterized by a slow inactivation, was induced when the extracellular Ca2+ concentration was reduced by EGTA. It was suppressed by replacing external Na+ with Tris+ or by D-600, increased by epinephrine, and was not affected by TTX. These findings suggest that this current is carried by Na+ ions through the Ca channels. The Na current decreased in amplitude as the concentration of external divalent cations was elevated. Blocking the Na current by divalent cations could be approximated by a bimolecular interaction between divalent cation and channel, with a dissociation constant of 1.2 microM for Ca2+ and 60 microM for Mg2+. Single channel currents were recorded in the cell-attached configuration. With a pipette solution of pCa = 7.5 or pCa greater than 8, the single channel I - V relationship was linear and the slope conductance was 70-75 pS. For 40 mV depolarizations from the resting potential, unitary currents were smaller at pCa = 6 than at pCa = 7.5. However, single channel events, which were observed after the repolarizing step to the resting potential, were much the same amplitude. The open time histogram was fitted with a single exponential having a time constant of 1.9 ms at around -40 mV (pCa greater than 8, with 5 microM Bay K 8644 in the bath solution), which was decreased with increasing the Ca2+ concentration in the pipette solution. Noise power spectra of patch currents at pCa = 6 revealed a high-frequency component at around 1500 Hz. These results suggest that Ca binding to the sites with a high affinity for Ca2+ blocks the Na conductance in Ca channels. Reduction of the unitary current at higher concentrations of Ca2+ might be attributed to a rapid block by Ca2+.

Inactivation of calcium channel current in rat uterine smooth muscle: evidence for calcium- and voltage-mediated mechanisms

Ca channel currents were recorded in Cs-loaded myometrial strips from pregnant rats after addition of tetraethylammonium chloride and 4-aminopyridine (10 mM each) by means of a double sucrose-gap technique. During a depolarizing pulse, the decay of Ca channel current was slowed down when external Ca was replaced by Ba or Sr. This decay represented an inactivation phenomenon, as assessed by the decreased amplitude of inward tail currents following progressively longer depolarizations, the absence of shift in peak conductance curves against membrane potential, and the stable value of the reversal potential when Ba current was increased during conditioning pulses. Inactivation of Ca and Ba currents through Ca channels was studied using the double-pulse method. Conditioning pulses that produced maximal Ca current induced maximal inactivation; with stronger depolarizations, inactivation decreased but was not completely prevented at the expected Ca reversal potential. Increasing the amount of Ca entering the cell during the pre-pulse reduced both amplitude and kinetics of test Ca currents. These results were not observed with Ba as charge carrier suggesting the participation of different mechanisms in inactivation. With Ca as charge carrier, increasing the external Ca speeded the rate of inactivation. This was not observed with Ba outside. Addition of Co (2.5 mM) reduced the amplitude of both Ca and Ba currents but slowed the inactivation of only the Ca current. Recovery from inactivation was described as a two-exponential process only when the conditioning pulse elicited a Ca inward current. In all other cases, recovery from inactivation was represented as a single exponential curve. It is suggested that inactivation of Ca channels in rat uterine smooth muscle is mediated by both internal Ca-dependent and potential-dependent mechanisms.

Forskolin effects on longitudinal myometrial strips from the pregnant rat: relationship with membrane potential and cyclic AMP

The effects of forskolin on tension, membrane potential and cyclic AMP accumulation were studied in longitudinal myometrial strips from pregnant rats. 0.1 microM forskolin reduced the amplitude of spontaneous contractions by decreasing the frequency of action potential discharge without a change in resting potential or cyclic AMP accumulation. Forskolin, 1.0 microM, abolished contractions and action potentials, hyperpolarized the membrane and increased cyclic AMP accumulation. Ouabain, 1 mM, depolarized the muscle and increased resting tension. Ouabain reduced potential change produced by forskolin but did not prevent the relaxation or cAMP accumulation. Therefore changes in membrane potential are not prerequisite for the inhibitory actions of forskolin. The cyclic AMP-related relaxation may result primarily from intracellular events that remove calcium from the contractile elements.

Electrophysiological characterization of single pregnant rat myometrial cells in short-term primary culture

Smooth muscle cells were isolated from the longitudinal layer of pregnant rat myometrium (18-19 days) and studied either freshly dissociated or during short-term primary culture (until 30 h) using intracellular microelectrode techniques and direct microscopic observation. The isolated myometrial cells excluded trypan blue vital stain and could repetitively contract in response to various stimuli. Electrophysiological studies at 37 degrees C showed normal resting potential (-54.5 +/- 7.5 mV, n = 71). Action potentials with overshoot (+7.8 +/- 4.6 mV, n = 71) could be elicited by intracellular stimulation. Moreover, the membrane potential was largely dependent on the external K+ concentration. The action potential was suppressed in a Ca2+-free solution [with 0.1 mM ethyleneglycol-bis(beta-aminoethylether)-N,N'-tetraacetic acid], and the overshoot amplitude was clearly Ca2+ dependent. The action potential was inhibited by Mn2+ ions (1 mM), Co2+ ions (1 mM), and D 600 (1 microM) but was unaffected by tetrodotoxin (2 microM) and external Na+ removal. Tetraethylammonium chloride (TEA, 10 mM) and 4-aminopyridine (4-AP, 10 mM) increased both overshoot amplitude and duration of the electrical responses. When the cell surface area was measured with light microscopy, the mean specific membrane resistance was 14.8 +/- 4.6 k omega . cm2 (n = 14), and the mean specific membrane capacitance was 2.3 +/- 0.7 microF/cm2 (n = 14). Outward-going rectification was consistently observed in all cells examined. This was either inhibited by TEA and 4-AP (10 mM each) or reduced in the presence of 1 mM Mn2+.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Maintained contractions of rat uterine smooth muscle incubated in a Ca2+-free solution

The effects of acetylcholine (10(-4) M), prostaglandin E2 (10(-6) M), vanadate (5 X 10(-4) M) and fluoride (10(-2) M) have been studied on the mechanical and electrical activities of rat myometrial strips perfused in Ca2+-free EGTA-containing solutions. All four substances produced maintained contractions which could be initiated repeatedly after exposure to Ca2+-free solution for more than 1 h, without a significant decrease. The largest contractions were obtained with vanadate and the smallest ones with acetylcholine. The tension was usually 7-30% of the control contraction triggered by an action potential in Ca2+ containing solution. Maintained contractions induced by fluoride were unaffected by isoprenaline while those induced by acetylcholine, prostaglandin E2 and vanadate were completely relaxed. Prostaglandin E2- and vanadate-induced contractions were slightly reduced by Na+ removal or by adding Ca2+ antagonists. In contrast, contractions induced by acetylcholine were suppressed in Na+-free solution and largely inhibited in the presence of Ca2+ antagonists. The depolarization induced by acetylcholine in Ca2+-free solution was strongly dependent on the external Na+ concentration. The relationship between the size of the acetylcholine-induced depolarization and the membrane potential (shifted by constant currents) was linear, giving an apparent reversal potential for acetylcholine close to zero potential. In Ca-free solutions and in the presence of atropine, Na+ action potentials of long duration can be evoked which produced contractions of the same order of magnitude as those initiated by acetylcholine-induced depolarizations. 7 These results are consistent with the hypothesis that the maintained contractions in Ca2+-free solutions induced by several stimulants could be related to Ca2+-independent mechanisms (fluoride) or Ca2+ release from an intracellular store. This latter mechanism would include both pharmacomechanical (prostaglandin E2, vanadate) and electromechanical (acetylcholine) coupling.

Anomalous stabilizing action of Ca on sphincter smooth muscle of the rat iris

This paper concerns the first measurement of spontaneous electrical activity in the smooth muscle cells of the mammalian iris sphincter. Although the membrane potential was quite stable, at - 59 mV, under physiological conditions in vitro, bursts of rhythmic electrical activity occurred when barium was substituted for all of the calcium in the medium (Ba-Krebs' solution). These bursts consisted initially of spike potentials, but these were followed by a long-lasting depolarization. Although the amplitude of the spike potentials did not decrease even when the external Na concentration was lowered to 25 mM, addition of a small amount of Ca (greater than 0.3 mM) to the Ba-Krebs' depressed the rhythmic contractions which followed the cessation of the spike potentials. Strontium also depressed the rhythmicity but to a lesser extent. These results show that the smooth muscle of the rat iris sphincter has an ability to generate spike potentials, and that the properties of the latter differ from those observed in other smooth muscles; i.e. the activity is suppressed by Ca ions at far lower concentrations than those in the physiological environment. This anomalous effect is presumably due to the stabilizing action of Ca.

Comparison of pinaverium bromide, manganese chloride and D600 effects on electrical and mechanical activities in rat uterine smooth muscle

The effects of pinaverium bromide, were compared with those of D600 and manganese chloride (Mn), on membrane potentials, ionic currents and isometric contractions in uterine smooth muscle strips from pregnant rats. Pinaverium bromide (10(-7) - 10(-6) M) depressed twitch contractions and K-contractures within 15-20 min while D600 (2 X 10(-6) M) and Mn (10(-3) M) abolished both contractions. D600 and pinaverium bromide were more potent inhibitors in K-depolarized preparations than in polarized tissues. At a supramaximal dose (10(-5) M), pinaverium bromide decreased the rate of rise, amplitude, and rate of repolarization of the action potential, and prolonged the potential duration. The inward Ca current was depressed and the reduction in Cai was responsible for the decrease in K current. Pinaverium bromide (10(-5) M) depressed the myometrial contractions induced in Ca-free solution by acetylcholine (10(-4) M) and by prolonged membrane depolarizations. Mn (2.5 X 10(-3) M) only reduced the Ach-induced contraction and D600 (10(-5) M) had no effect on intracellular Ca stores. The results indicate that pinaverium bromide has Ca channel blocking properties similar to those of currently used Ca antagonists; it may also exert an effect to depress contractions supported by intracellular Ca release.

Contractions of rat uterine smooth muscle induced by acetylcholine and angiotensin II in Ca2+-free medium

The effects of acetylcholine (ACh, 10(-4)M) and angiotensin II (Ang II, 10(-6) M) have been studied on the mechanical and electrical activities of rat myometrial strips perfused in Ca2+-free EGTA-containing solutions. Both ACh and Ang II produced transient contractions, the amplitude of which can be taken as a measurement of the amount of Ca2+ present in a drug-sensitive Ca2+ store. The degree of filling of this store depended on the external Ca2+ concentration, and on the presence of contractile responses during the Ca2+ loading period. The existence of two pathways (either direct or transcytoplasmic) is suggested for Ca2+ uptake into the internal Ca2+ store. The rate of filling of the Ca2+ store in 2.1 mM-Ca2+-containing solution was faster (time to half-maximal response, t 1/2 = 29 +/- 2.2 s, n = 4) than the rate of depletion in Ca2+-free solution (t 1/2 = 3 +/- 0.3 min, n = 3). The gradual depletion of this store was much slower at 18 degrees C than at 35 degrees C, and in the presence of vanadate which is known to inhibit Ca2+-ATPases. Methoxyverapamil (D600, 10(-6)-10(-5) M) had no appreciable effect on the direct Ca2+ uptake or on the release of Ca2+ from the store by ACh and Ang II. Mn2+ (10(-3) M) completely inhibited the direct pathway to the internal Ca2+ store and also reduced the release of Ca2+. ACh and Ang II induced repetitive depolarizations close to zero potential which did not parallel the transient contractions as a function of the time of perfusion in Ca2+-free solution. Applications of 2 mM EGTA, 135 mM K+ or Ca2+ antagonists which suppressed or reduced the drug-induced depolarizations did not affect appreciably the drug-induced contractions. These results suggest that myometrial cells have an intracellular Ca2+ store sensitive to different stimulus substances. This store is not affected by depolarization of the plasma membrane and is certainly different from that described in voltage-clamp experiments.