Heterogeneity of conductance states in calcium channels of skeletal muscle

The beta1a subunit regulates the functional properties of adult frog and mouse L-type Ca2+ channels of skeletal muscle

The beta(1a) subunit, one of the auxiliary subunits of Ca(V)1.1 channels, was expressed in COS-1 cells, purified by electroelution and electrodialysis techniques and identified by Western blot using monoclonal antibodies. The purified beta(1a) subunit strongly interacted in vitro with the alpha interaction domain (AID) of Ca(V)1.1 channels. The actions of the purified beta(1a) subunit on Ca(V)1.1 channel currents were assessed in whole cell voltage clamp experiments performed in vesicles derived from frog and mouse adult skeletal muscle plasma membranes. L-type inward currents were recorded in solutions containing Ba(2+) (I(Ba)). Values of peak I(Ba) were doubled by the beta(1a) subunit in frog and mouse muscle vesicles and the amplitude of the slow component of tail currents was greatly increased. The actions of the beta(1a) subunit on Ca(V)1.1 channel currents reached a steady state within 20 min. The beta(1a) subunit had no effect on the time courses of activation or inactivation of I(Ba) or shifted the current-voltage relation. Non-linear capacitive currents were recorded in solutions that contained mostly impermeant ions. Charge movement depended on voltage with average Boltzmann parameters: Q(max) = 28.0 +/- 6.6 nC microF(-1), V = -58.0 +/- 2.0 mV and k = 15.3 +/- 1.1 mV (n = 24). In the presence of the beta(1a) subunit, these parameters remained unchanged: Q(max) = 29.8 +/- 3.5 nC microF(-1), V = -54.5 +/- 2.2 mV and k = 16.4 +/- 1.3 mV (n = 21). Overall, the work describes a novel preparation to explore in situ the role of the beta(1a) subunit on the function of adult Ca(V)1.1 channels.

Permeant ion binding affinity in subconductance states of an L-type Ca2+ channel expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes

1. The relationship between single-channel conductance and ion binding affinity in Ca2+ channels was investigated by measuring differences in the apparent binding affinity (K'D) for Ca2+ among naturally occurring conductance states of an L-type (alpha1C) Ca2+ channel heterologously expressed in Xenopus oocytes. Using cell-attached patch recordings, three or more conductance levels were observed when Ca2+, Ba2+ or Li+ was used as the permeating ion. 2. With Li+ as the charge carrier, low concentrations of Ca2+ (0.1-3.0 microM) produced discrete blocking events in all conductance states. Measurements of open and blocked times as a function of Ca2+ concentration were used to calculate rates of block and unblock. 3. K'D was calculated for three of the conductance levels. Binding affinity for Ca2+ increased as conductance decreased (K'D: large = 7.5 microM, medium = 4.0 microM, small = 2.7 microM). The lower K'D values of the smaller conductance states arose from a combination of larger on-rates and smaller off-rates. 4. These results imply that permeant ions such as Ca2+ have both easier access to, and longer dwell time in, the Ca2+ binding locus in the pore when the channel opens to a subconductance level as compared to the fully open level. 5. The difference in K'D between the large and small conductance levels corresponds to a small difference in the free energy of binding, DeltaDeltaG approximately 1kBT, where kB is Boltzmann's constant and T is absolute temperature (kelvin). Nonetheless, an Eyring model of Ca2+ channel permeation incorporating the state-specific on- and off-rate constants for Ca2+ was able to reproduce the large difference in channel conductance, indicating that small differences in binding energy may be able to account for large differences in amplitude between conductance states.

Four conductance levels of cloned cardiac L-type Ca2+ channel alpha1 and alpha1/beta subunits

Formation of single channel subconductance is one of the unique characteristics of the L-type Ca2+ channel. Although alpha1 subunit exhibits a primary function of the channel, it remains uncertain whether alpha1 subunit alone is able to produce subconductance. We tested this by studying single channel currents of cloned cardiac alpha1 subunit expressed in Chinese hamster fibroblast cells, with/without coexpression of cardiac beta subunit. The alpha1 subunit exhibited four distinct levels of conductance (22.7, 14.3, 6.2 and 3.2 pS). Coexpression of beta subunit significantly increased the number of openings in all four levels of conductance without changing the conductance values.

Effects of divalent cations, protons and calmidazolium at the rat P2X7 receptor

The P2X7 receptor is a uniquely bifunctional molecule through which ATP can open a small cationic channel typical of ionotropic receptors and also induce a large pore permeable to high molecular weight molecules (> 600 Da). Activation of this large pore can lead to cell lysis within 1-2 min. We asked whether pharmacological differences existed between the cationic channel and the cell permeabilizing pore by measuring whole-cell currents and uptake of a propidium dye (YO-PRO; Mw 629) in HEK293 cells stably expressing the rat P2X7 receptor, and comparing the actions of divalent cations and protons in these two assays. Currents in response to 2'-3'-(O)-(4-benzoyl benzoyl) ATP (BzATP, 30 microM) were inhibited by extracellular calcium, magnesium, zinc, copper and protons with half-maximal inhibitory concentrations (IC50) of 2.9 mM, 0.5 mM, 11 microM, 0.5 microM and 0.4 microM, respectively. The inhibition was voltage independent in each case. YO-PRO uptake induced by BzATP was also inhibited with similar IC50 values. The rank order of potency of a range of divalents was Cu2+ > Cd2+ = Zn2+ > Ni2+ >> Mg2+ = Co2+ > Mn2+ > Ca2+ = Ba2+ >> Sr2+. These results suggest that these divalent cations and protons all act primarily as allosteric modulators to alter the affinity of ATP binding to the P2X7 receptor. In contrast, extracellular (but not intracellular) calmidazolium inhibited the BzATP-evoked current by up to 90% (IC50 = 15 nM) but had no effect on YO-PRO uptake. Thus, calmidazolium can block activation of the ionic channel but this does not prevent the formation of the large permeabilizing pore.

Effect of intracellular calcium on ATP-activated, GTP-dependent calcium channels in rat macrophages

1. In order to study the effect of intracellular free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) on the activity of ATP-activated, GTP-dependent Ca2+ channels in rat macrophages, experiments were performed using the inside-out configuration of the patch-clamp technique. 2. Channel activity was observed in the cell-attached mode when 100 microM ATP was added to the pipette solution containing 105 mM Ba2+, but it disappeared rapidly after patch excision. The activity could be restored by the application of 100 microM GTP or GTP gamma S onto the internal surface of the plasma membrane. 3. The properties of the GTP gamma S-evoked channels are identical to those of channels activated by extracellular application of ATP. The channels exhibited four current sublevels with conductances of about 3.5, 7, 10 and 15 pS when 105 mM Ba2+ was the only permeant cation. The extrapolated reversal potentials were similar for all the sublevels and averaged about +40 mV. 4. Elevation of [Ca2+]i within the range 0.01-1 microM resulted in a decrease in mean inward current. The half-maximal value of the mean current was about 0.08 microM. 5. This decreases in mean current resulted from a redistribution of sublevel occupancies: the 1st sublevel tended to be come more abundant with elevation of [Ca2+]i, while the relative weights of the high-conductance 3rd and 4th sublevels decreased. 6. The open-channel current fell with an increase in [Ca2+]i as quickly as the mean current did, indicating that the sublevel redistribution alone is sufficient to produce the revealed decrease in net inward current. 7. It is concluded that [Ca2+]i elevation does not fix the channel in a closed state but rather decreases the ability of the channel to operate in high-conductance states.

Enhanced dihydropyridine receptor channel activity in the presence of ryanodine receptor

Excitation-contraction coupling in skeletal muscle involves a voltage sensor in the plasma membrane which, in response to depolarization, causes an intracellular calcium-release channel to open. The skeletal isoform of the ryanodine receptor (RyR-1) functions as the Ca2+-release channel and the dihydropyridine receptor (DHPR) functions as the voltage sensor and also as an L-type Ca2+ channel. Here we examine the possibility that there is a retrograde signal from RyR-1 to the DHPR, using myotubes from mice homozygous for a disrupted RyR-1 gene (dyspedic mice). As expected, we find that there is no excitation-contraction coupling in dyspedic myotubes, but we also find that they have a roughly 30-fold reduction in L-type Ca2+-current density. Injection of dyspedic myotubes with RyR-1 complementary DNA restores excitation-contraction coupling and causes the density of L-type Ca2+ current to rise towards normal. Despite the differences in Ca2+-current magnitude, measurements of charge movement indicate that the density of DHPRs is similar in dyspedic and RyR-1-expressing myotubes. Our results support the possibility of a retrograde signal by which RyR-1 enhances the function of DHPRs as Ca2+ channels.

Triple-barrel organization of ENaC, a cloned epithelial Na+ channel

A cloned rat epithelial Na+ channel (rENaC) was studied in planar lipid bilayers. Two forms of the channel were examined: channels produced by the alpha subunit alone and those formed by alpha, beta, and gamma subunits. The protein was derived from two sources: either from in vitro translation reaction followed by Sephadex column purification or from heterologous expression in Xenopus oocytes and isolation of plasma membranes. We found that either alpha-rENaC alone or alpha- in combination with beta- and gamma-rENaC, produced highly Na(+)-selective (PNa/PK = 10), amiloride-sensitive (Kamili = 170 nM), and mechanosensitive cation channels in planar bilayers. alpha-rENaC displayed a complicated gating mechanism: there was a nearly constitutively open 13-picosiemens (pS) state and a second 40-pS level that was achieved from the 13-pS level by a 26-pS transition. alpha-, beta-, gamma-rENaC showed primarily the 13-pS level. alpha-rENaC and alpha,beta,gamma-rENaC channels studied by patch clamp displayed the same gating pattern, albeit with > 2-fold lowered conductance levels, i.e. 6 and 18 pS, respectively. Upon treatment of either channel with the sulfhydryl reducing agent dithiothreitol, both channels fluctuated among three independent 13-pS sublevels. Bathing each channel with a high salt solution (1.5 M NaCl) produced stochastic openings of 19 and 38 pS in magnitude between all three conductance levels. Different combinations of alpha-, beta-, and gamma-rENaC in the reconstitution mixture did not produce channels of intermediate conductance levels. These findings suggest that functional ENaC is composed of three identical conducting elements and that their gating is concerted.

Structural and functional diversity of voltage-activated calcium channels

Data gathered from the expression of cDNAs that encode the subunits of voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels have demonstrated important structural and functional similarities among these channels. Despite these convergences, there are also significant differences in the nature and functional importance of subunit-subunit and protein-Ca2+ channel interactions. There is evidence demonstrating that the functional differences between Ca2+ channel subtypes is due to several factors, including the expression of distinct alpha 1 subunit proteins, the selective association of structural subunits and modulatory proteins, and differences in posttranslational processing and cell regulation. We summarize several avenues of research that should provide significant clues about the structural features involved in the biophysical and functional diversity of voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels.

Voltage-dependent inactivation in a cardiac-skeletal chimeric calcium channel

The loci for inactivation in calcium channel proteins are unknown. Mechanisms for inactivation may be distributed across Ca2+ channel subunits and appear to be complex, multiple and interacting. We took advantage of the properties of chimeras, constructed between cardiac (H4) and skeletal muscle (Sk4) calcium channel alpha 1 subunits to study the molecular mechanism of inactivation in L-type calcium channels. Sk1H3, a chimeric construct of these two L-type calcium channels, was expressed in Xenopus oocytes in the absence of auxiliary subunits. Sk1H3 incorporated repeat I from skeletal muscle alpha 1 and repeats II, III, IV from heart alpha 1 subunit. Sk1H3 inactivated faster (tau = 300 ms) and more fully than the wild-type H4 with Ba2+ ions as the charge carrier. Thus, inactivation of Sk1H3 was 90% complete after a 5-s conditioning pulse at +20 mV while inactivation of H4 was only 37% complete. Sk1H3 inactivation also developed at more negative potentials with E0.5 = -15 mV as compared to E0.5 = -5 mV for H4. In the presence of external calcium ions, the extent of inactivation significantly increased from 37 to 83% for H4 while inactivation of Sk1H3 was only slightly increased. Inactivation with Ba2+ as the charge carrier was confirmed at the single- channel level where averaged single-channel ensembles showed a similar rate of inactivation. Collectively, these observations demonstrate that Sk1H3 inactivation appears to have a prominent voltage-dependent component. Whether Sk1H3 inactivation involves interactions within repeat I alone or interactions between repeat I and site(s) located in the three other repeats of the alpha 1 subunit has yet to be determined.

Single calcium channel behavior in native skeletal muscle

The purpose of this study was to use whole-cell and cell-attached patches of cultured skeletal muscle myotubes to study the macroscopic and unitary behavior of voltage-dependent calcium channels under similar conditions. With 110 mM BaCl2 as the charge carrier, two types of calcium channels with markedly different single-channel and macroscopic properties were found. One class was DHP-insensitive, had a single-channel conductance of approximately 9 pS, yielded ensembles that displayed an activation threshold near -40 mV, and activated and inactivated rapidly in a voltage-dependent manner (T current). The second class could only be well resolved in the presence of the DHP agonist Bay K 8644 (5 microM) and had a single-channel conductance of approximately 14 pS (L current). The 14-pS channel produced ensembles exhibiting a threshold of approximately -10 mV that activated slowly (tau act approximately 20 ms) and displayed little inactivation. Moreover, the DHP antagonist, (+)-PN 200-110 (10 microM), greatly increased the percentage of null sweeps seen with the 14-pS channel. The open probability versus voltage relationship of the 14-pS channel was fitted by a Boltzmann distribution with a VP0.5 = 6.2 mV and kp = 5.3 mV. L current recorded from whole-cell experiments in the presence of 110 mM BaCl2 + 5 microM Bay K 8644 displayed similar time- and voltage-dependent properties as ensembles of the 14-pS channel. Thus, these data are the first comparison under similar conditions of the single-channel and macroscopic properties of T current and L current in native skeletal muscle, and identify the 9- and 14-pS channels as the single-channel correlates of T current and L current, respectively.

Distinct electric potentials in soma and neurite membranes

Structurally similar voltage-dependent ion channels may behave differently in different locations along the surface of a neuron. A possible reason could be that channels experience nonuniform electrical potentials along the plasmalemma. Here, we map the electrical potentials along the membrane of differentiated N1E-115 neuroblastoma cells with a potential-sensitive dye. We find that the intramembrane potential gradient is indeed more positive in the membranes of neurites than in the membranes of somata. This is not attributable to differences in ion conductances or surface charge densities between the membranes of neurites and somata; instead, it can be explained by differences in lipid composition. The spatial variation in intramembrane electrical potential may help account for electrophysiological and functional differences between neurites and somata.

A geometric sequence that accurately describes allowed multiple conductance levels of ion channels: the "three-halves (3/2) rule"

Ion channels can express multiple conductance levels that are not integer multiples of some unitary conductance, and that interconvert among one another. We report here that for 26 different types of multiple conductance channels, all allowed conductance levels can be calculated accurately using the geometric sequence gn = g(o) (3/2)n, where gn is a conductance level and n is an integer > or = 0. We refer to this relationship as the "3/2 Rule," because the value of any term in the sequence of conductances (gn) can be calculated as 3/2 times the value of the preceding term (gn-1). The experimentally determined average value for "3/2" is 1.491 +/- 0.095 (sample size = 37, average +/- SD). We also verify the choice of a 3/2 ratio on the basis of error analysis over the range of ratio values between 1.1 and 2.0. In an independent analysis using Marquardt's algorithm, we further verified the 3/2 ratio and the assignment of specific conductances to specific terms in the geometric sequence. Thus, irrespective of the open time probability, the allowed conductance levels of these channels can be described accurately to within approximately 6%. We anticipate that the "3/2 Rule" will simplify description of multiple conductance channels in a wide variety of biological systems and provide an organizing principle for channel heterogeneity and differential effects of channel blockers.

Simultaneous expression of cardiac and skeletal muscle isoforms of the L-type Ca2+ channel in a rat heart muscle cell line

1. We have investigated the identity of the L-type Ca2+ channels present in the H9c2 myoblast line derived from embryonic rat ventricle. To this end, we characterized macroscopic and unitary Ba2+ currents through Ca2+ channels, and looked for specific genetic messages encoding different L-type Ca2+ channel isoforms. 2. The macroscopic Ba2+ current (recorded in 10 mM BaCl2) revealed two components with different time courses of activation. The fast component (IBa,fast) activates with a time constant of 23 +/- 12 ms (at +10 mV), while the slow component activates with a time constant of 125 +/- 12 ms (at +10 mV). 3. Single-channel recordings revealed the presence of two independent channels with conductance values of 11 and 25 pS (in 70 mM Ba2+). These values are identical to those reported previously for skeletal muscle and cardiac Ca2+ channels, respectively. 4. The mean ensemble current from the 11 pS channel reproduced the time course of the slow component observed at the macroscopic level, while the 25 pS ensemble time course paralleled that of the fast component. 5. Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with alpha 1-isoform-specific primers revealed the presence of two distinct transcripts in H9c2 cells. The sequences of the PCR products showed a high degree of homology with the corresponding segments of the rabbit cardiac and skeletal muscle L-type Ca2+ channel isoforms. Adult rat skeletal and cardiac muscle expressed only one type of transcript. 6. H9c2 cells appear to be unique in that they simultaneously express both skeletal muscle and cardiac isoforms of the L-type Ca2+ channel alpha 1-subunit. Thus, the H9c2 cell line may prove to be useful when studying the regulation of subtype-specific Ca2+ channel gene expression.

Kinetic properties of skeletal-muscle-like high-threshold calcium currents in a non-fusing muscle cell line

Macroscopic kinetics and single-channel properties of skeletal-muscle-type calcium currents were studied in the non-fusing, clonal muscle cell line, BC3H1. Slowly activating, dihydropyridine(DHP)-sensitive currents, associated with T-tubular DHP receptors and ion channels, could be isolated from rapidly activating, DHP-resistant currents. Description of macroscopic current activation kinetics required only a brief delay term (tau o <1 ms), two ascending exponential terms with voltage-dependent time constants (2 < tau 1 > 20 ms and 10 < tau 2 < 200 ms), and a single exponential decay term (0.5 < tau 3 < or = 5 s). Steady-state activation voltage dependence required description by two Boltzmann distribution terms with V 1/2 and slope factors differing by 20 mV and 3.5- to 4-fold respectively. These two distributions were correlated with the steady-state voltage dependence of the two ascending kinetic terms described by tau 1 and tau 2 respectively. Rundown of the DHP-sensitive slow current was correlated with a negative shift in the voltage dependence of current decay (tau 3). Three conductance levels (4.5 pS, 8 pS and 12 pS) were detected in single-channel records, two of which (the 8-pS and 12-pS events) were prolonged by BayK8644 and thus associated with DHP-sensitive single-channel events. Description of single-channel open time distributions required a minimum of two exponential terms (2.5 +/- 0.9 ms and 10.3 +/- 5.4 ms at -10 mV). Slow transitions among closed states results in biexponential latency-to-first-event distributions (47 +/- 12 ms and 470 +/- 123 ms at -10 mV).

Characteristics of calcium channels responsible for voltage-activated calcium entry in rat cerebellar granule cells

The properties and characteristics of calcium channel openings in cerebellar granule cells were analysed by the cell-attached patch-clamp technique. At depolarized potentials, with 110 mM Ba2+ as the divalent charge carrier, 36% of the patches displayed activity that consisted of elementary events whose amplitude ranged from -0.3 to -1.75 pA at 0 mV, giving rise to a high threshold current. In this population of events at least four different types of channel openings were identified by their distinct biophysical and pharmacological properties. Two types of channel openings, with conductances around 24 and 7 pS, had similar characteristics in that both opened following two modes of gating characterized by brief (approximately 2 ms) and longer openings (approximately 8 ms) and both were sensitive to dihydropyridines. A further type of channel opening, with a conductance around 11 pS gated mainly with brief openings (approximately 1 ms), was shown to be insensitive to dihydropyridines but was undetectable in recordings from the cells that had been treated with omega-conotoxin. The last type of event was revealed after treatment of the cell with nicardipine or nifedipine and omega-conotoxin. The corresponding channel had a conductance of 19 pS and opened in one dominant mode characterized by brief openings (approximately 1 ms). The data obtained on single-channel activity of cerebellar granule cells are compared with the properties of the total current recorded in whole-cell conditions.

Pharmacology of the SV channel in the vacuolar membrane of Chenopodium rubrum suspension cells

Single channel performance and deactivation currents have been analyzed in the presence of cation channel blockers to reveal pharmacological properties of the slow-activating (SV) cation-selective ion channel in the vacuolar membrane (tonoplast) isolated from suspension cells of Chenopodium rubrum L. At a holding potential of -100 mV, the SV channel showed half-maximal inhibition with 20 mM tetraethylammonium (TEA), 7 microM 9-amino-acridine, 6 microM (+)-tubocurarine, 300 nM quinacrine, and 35 microM quinine, respectively. The SV channel is also blocked by charybdotoxin (20 nM at -80 mV) but not by apamine. 9-Amino-acridine, (+)-tubocurarine and quinacrine act in a voltage-dependent fashion, binding to the open channel and to different sites along the transmembrane voltage profile according to Woodhull (J. Gen. Physiol. 61:687-708, 1973). No binding site could be specified for charybdotoxin, which binds to the closed channel, and for quinine. Except for quinine, all tested blockers were effective only if added to the cytoplasmic side of the tonoplast. A structural relationship between the SV channel and Maxi-K channels in animal systems is inferred.

The action of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis immunoglobulins on mammalian single skeletal muscle Ca2+ channels

1. The planar phospholipid bilayer technique was used to study the T-tubule skeletal muscle dihydropyridine (DHP)-sensitive calcium (Ca2+) channel. To improve the signal-to-noise ratio, Ca2+ channel activity was recorded using both 800-50 and 500-50 mM NaCl gradients. 2. Ca2+ channels were characterized by their cation selectivity and pharmacological profile. The mean open time for channels identified by these techniques was increased by the DHP agonist Bay K 8644 (2 microM), while it was decreased by the DHP antagonist nifedipine (5 microM). Nifedipine also reduced Ca2+ channel amplitude levels. 3. Immunoglobulins G (IgG) from three amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients (n = 14 experiments), one myasthenia gravis (MG) patient (n = 3 experiments) and one healthy individual (n = 4 experiments), were tested on Ca2+ channel activity at a final concentration of 3 mg/ml. 4. Channel mean open time, mean closed time and time integral for the current were not modified by normal IgG (n = 4 experiments). Similarly, MG IgG did not reduce channel activity (n = 3 experiments). 5. ALS IgG reduced the mean open time of DHP-sensitive Ca2+ channel activity in twelve out of fourteen experiments. In addition, in five out of twelve experiments, ALS IgG stabilized the channel to a smaller amplitude level. 6. ALS IgG reduced Ca2+ channel activity in a side-selective fashion, probably corresponding to the external side of the channel. 7. These results suggest that ALS IgG action on DHP-sensitive Ca2+ channels is not mediated by second messengers, thus favouring a direct mechanism for interaction with the DHP receptor complex.

S-100ab increases Ca2+ release in purified sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles of frog skeletal muscle

The S-100ab protein, a mixed isoform member of the S-100 family, stimulates Ca(2+)-induced Ca(2+)-release from sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles purified from frog skeletal muscle cells. The effects of S-100ab appear to be specific and result from its peculiar characteristics rather than the fact that it is a calcium-binding protein. Moreover, the addition of S-100ab to the solution completely abolished the inhibition provoked when Ruthenium Red was added alone. Experiments that added labelled Ryanodine with and without S-100 indicated that the protein diminished the affinity of the alkaloid at its receptor site.

Background calcium permeable channels in glomerulosa cells from adrenal gland

The cell-attached recording mode of the patch-clamp technique was used to study Ca2+ permeable background currents of glomerulosa cells from rat and bovine adrenal gland. With a pipette filled with 110 mM BaCl2 or 90 mM CaCl2, three different types of unitary currents were detected. The B1 channel demonstrates a nonlinear I-V curve. The conductances are 4 and 7 pS at -40 and -70 mV, respectively. The curve of the opening probability vs. membrane potential is bell shaped with its maximum at -70 mV. The B2 channel has a conductance of 6 pS, while the B3 channel shows a nonlinear I-V relationship with conductances close to 17 and 10 pS at HPs of -60 and -20 mV. The three types of currents are insensitive to dihydropyridines. We suggest that these background currents could be responsible for the basal calcium influx and aldosterone secretion previously observed in nonstimulated glomerulosa cells.

Voltage-gated Ca entry in isolated bovine capillary endothelial cells: evidence of a new type of BAY K 8644-sensitive channel

Isolated bovine capillary endothelial cells have been examined for voltage-dependent Ca entry. All cells displayed a low threshold activity, with the main characteristics of a T-type transient current, when examined using whole-cell recording for activation and inactivation and cell-attached conditions or inside-out patches for the elementary conductance (8 pS). 25% of the cells displayed an additional sustained current in 5 mM CaCl2 above -40 mV, which was enhanced by application of BAY K 8644, but almost insensitive to superfusion with nicardipine. Two types of channels (2.8 and 21 pS, in 110 mM BaCl2) were shown to have a BAY K 8644 sensitivity. The large conductance channels were L-type channels. The smaller events were elicited at more hyperpolarized potentials (by some 30 mV). Their mean open time was 16 ms in control conditions. In presence of BAY K 8644, additional long open times were observed (up to 100 ms as compared to 7.8 ms for the time constants of the slow mode of the L-type channel). We refer to these channels as SB channels: of small conductance and sensitive to BAY K 8644. In the presence of nicardipine, SB channels are not noticeably modified, in contrast to the L-type openings which are abolished. Also, SB open times are close to control values when nicardipine is added after a BAY K 8644 application. We suggest that, at physiological concentrations of divalent ions, an SB-type activity is elicited above -40 mV which generates the low threshold sustained current.

L-type calcium channels, potassium channels, and novel nonspecific cation channels in a clonal muscle cell line derived from embryonic rat ventricle

We have characterized the membrane currents in the H9c2 clonal muscle cell line derived from embryonic rat ventricle. These cells, established by selective serial passage and clonal proliferation, have been found by Hescheler and coworkers to express dihydropyridine-sensitive calcium channels that respond to beta-adrenergic stimulation. We have investigated the macroscopic and elementary currents in these cells by using standard patch-clamp methods. In cells that are kept confluent for 3-4 weeks, we have confirmed the expression of L-type calcium channels and additionally establish that the unitary conductance of many, but not all, of these channels (25 pS in 70 mM barium) is equal to that of cardiac rather than skeletal muscle. When the cells are proliferating rapidly, calcium channels are sparse or absent, but at least two distinct potassium channels and a nonspecific cation channel are observed. The nonspecific channel exhibits a conductance of 30 pS in physiological saline and conducts sodium, potassium, and calcium with nearly equal efficacy. Several unusual properties distinguish this nonspecific channel from others described previously. Gating is voltage dependent, with slow activation and marked increases in open probability at positive potentials. Unlike voltage, activation and marked increases in open probability at positive potentials. Unlike voltage, changes in [Ca2+] or in membrane stretch do not noticeably influence activity. In conclusion, our work and that of Hescheler et al indicate that H9c2 cells are potentially valuable surrogates for the investigation of ion channel regulation and muscular gene expression.

Dihydropyridine receptors are primarily functional L-type calcium channels in rabbit ventricular myocytes

We measured [3H]PN200-110 binding and patch-clamp currents in rabbit ventricular myocytes to determine if there is a disparity between the density of dihydropyridine-specific receptors and functional L-type calcium channels, as has been reported for skeletal muscle. The dihydropyridine receptor density was 74.7 +/- 4.2 fmol/mg protein (mean +/- SEM, Kd = 1.73 +/- 0.29 nM, n = 6) in ventricular homogenates and 147 +/- 6 fmol/mg protein (Kd = 1.15 +/- 0.16 nM, n = 4) in myocytes. Ventricular homogenates contained 121 +/- 9 mg protein/g wet wt (n = 7). These values were used to calculate a dihydropyridine receptor density of 12.9 dihydropyridine sites/micron2 for ventricular homogenates and 14.8 dihydropyridine sites/micron2 for myocytes. The number of functional L-type calcium channels (N) was calculated from measurements of whole-cell current (I), single-channel current (i), and open probability (po), where N = I/(i x po). We measured sodium current through calcium channels (I(ns)) to avoid calcium-induced inactivation. Whole-cell (I(ns)) and single-channel (i(ns) and po) measurements were obtained under similar ionic conditions at a test potential of -20 mV. In six cells, the peak I(ns) was approximately 105 pA/pF. The single-channel conductance was 40.8 +/- 2.6 pS (n = 12), and i(ns) at -20 mV was 1.96 pA. The mean po at -20 mV was 0.030 +/- 0.002 in 16 patches in which only a single channel was evident. The calculated density of functional L-type calcium channels was approximately 18 channels/micron2.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Dihydropyridine-sensitive skeletal muscle Ca channels in polarized planar bilayers. 1. Kinetics and voltage dependence of gating

Rabbit skeletal muscle transverse tubule (T) membranes were fused with planar bilayers. Ca channel activity was studied with a "cellular" approach, using solutions that were closer to physiological than in previous studies, including asymmetric extracellular divalent ions as current carriers. The bilayer was kept polarized at -80 mV and depolarizing pulses were applied under voltage clamp. Upon depolarization the channels opened in a steeply voltage-dependent manner, and closed rapidly at the end of the pulses. The activity was characterized at the single-channel level and on macroscopic ensemble averages of test-minus-control records, using as controls the null sweeps. The open channel events had one predominant current corresponding to a conductance of 9 pS (100 mM Ba2+). The open time histogram was fitted with two exponentials, with time constants of 5.8 and 30 ms (23 degrees C). Both types of events were virtually absent at -80 mV. The average open probability (fractional open time) increased sigmoidally from 0 to a saturation level of 0.08, following a Boltzmann function centered at -25 mV and with a steepness factor of 7 mV. Ensemble averages of test-minus-control currents showed a sigmoidal activation followed by inactivation during the pulse and deactivation (closing) after the pulse. The ON time course was well fitted with "m3h" kinetics, with tau m = 120 ms and tau h = 1.2 s. Deactivation was exponential with tau = 8 ms. This study demonstrates a technique for obtaining Ca channel events in lipid bilayers that are strictly voltage dependent and exhibit most of the features of the macroscopic ICa. The technique provides a useful approach for further characterization of channel properties, as exemplified in the accompanying paper, that describes the consequences on channel properties of phosphorylation by cAMP dependent protein kinase.

Langmuir-Blodgett monolayer films of bacterial photosynthetic membranes and isolated reaction centers: preparation, spectrophotometric and electrochemical characterization

The Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) film technique has been successfully applied to the construction of stable and photo-active films of chromatophore membranes and isolated reaction centers from two species of photosynthetic bacteria, Rhodobacter sphaeroides and Rhodopseudomonas viridis. LB films of these preparations were characterized at the air/water interface through compression isotherms and film stabilities. Films deposited on glass slides were analyzed by spectrophotometric and redox potentiometric techniques. The results obtained indicate that the in vivo properties of the photosynthetic apparatus in the deposited films are essentially unchanged. Furthermore, the pigments and redox cofactors in the films are highly oriented and offer a unique opportunity for structural and functional studies of the kind described in the accompanying paper (Biochim. Biophys. Acta 1057 (1991) 258-272).

Voltage-dependent inactivation of T-tubular skeletal calcium channels in planar lipid bilayers

Single-channel properties of dihydropyridine (DHP)-sensitive calcium channels isolated from transverse tubular (T-tube) membrane of skeletal muscle were explored. Single-channel activity was recorded in planar lipid bilayers after fusion of highly purified rabbit T-tube microsomes. Two populations of DHP-sensitive calcium channels were identified. One type of channel (noninactivating) was active (2 microM +/- Bay K 8644) at steady-state membrane potentials and has been studied in other laboratories. The second type of channel (inactivating) was transiently activated during voltage pulses and had a very low open probability (Po) at steady-state membrane potentials. Inactivating channel activity was observed in 47.3% of the experiments (n = 84 bilayers). The nonstationary kinetics of this channel was determined using a standard voltage pulse (HP = -50 mV, pulse to 0 mV). The time constant (tau) of channel activation was 23 ms. During the mV). The time constant (tau) of channel activation was 23 ms. During the pulse, channel activity decayed (inactivated) with a tau of 3.7 s. Noninactivating single-channel activity was well described by a model with two open and two closed states. Inactivating channel activity was described by the same model with the addition of an inactivated state as proposed for cardiac muscle. The single-channel properties were compared with the kinetics of DHP-sensitive inward calcium currents (ICa) measured at the cellular level. Our results support the hypothesis that voltage-dependent inactivation of single DHP-sensitive channels contributes to the decay of ICa.

Multiple conductance levels of the dihydropyridine-sensitive calcium channel in GH3 cells

Calcium channels in GH3 cells exhibit at least five conductance levels when examined in cell-attached or outside-out patches. These channels resemble the high threshold Ca2+ current in their range of activation and inactivation, and in their sensitivity to dihydropyridines (DHP). Mean open times for the five levels were brief (less than 1 msec) in control solutions but increased in the presence of BAY K 8644. In 100 mM Ba2+ and BAY K 8644, the five predominant slope conductances were 8-9, 12-13, 16-18, 23-24, and 28 pS. The present study is the first report of multiple levels of the DHP-sensitive Ca2+ channel occurring with high frequency in native membranes. The range of conductance levels that we observed encompasses the range of conductances found for two other different types of Ca2+ channels and indicates that unit conductance should be used with caution as a distinguishing characteristic for identification of different channel types.

Ca2+ release by inositol-trisphosphorothioate in isolated triads of rabbit skeletal muscle

The effectiveness of the nonmetabolizable second messenger analogue DL-myo-inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphorothioate (IPS3) described by Cooke, A. M., R. Gigg, and B. V. L. Potter, (1987b. Jour. Chem. Soc. Chem. Commun. 1525-1526.) was examined in triads purified from rabbit skeletal muscle. A Ca2+ electrode uptake-release assay was used to determine the size and sensitivity of the IPS3-releasable pool of Ca2+ in isolated triads. Uptake was initiated by 1 mM MgATP, pCa 5.8, pH 7.5 Release was initiated when the free Ca2+ had lowered to pCa approximately 7. We found that 5-25 microM myo-inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3), and separately IPS3, consistently released 5-20% of the Ca2+ pool actively loaded into triads. Single channel recording was used to determine if ryanodine receptor Ca2+ release channels were affected by IPS3 at the same myoplasmic Ca2+ and IPS3 concentrations. Open probability of ryanodine receptor Ca2+ release channels was monitored in triads fused to bilayers over long periods (200 s) in the absence and following addition of 30 microM IPS3 to the same channel. At myoplasmic pCa approximately 7, IPS3 had no effect in the absence of MgATP (Po = 0.0094 +/- 0.001 in control and Po = 0.01 +/- 0.006 after IPS3) and slightly increased activity in the presence of 1 mM MgATP (Po = 0.024 +/- 0.03 in control and Po = 0.05 +/- 0.03 after IPS3). Equally small effects were observed at higher myoplasmic Ca2+. The onset of channel activation by IPS3 or IP3 was slow, on the time scale 20-60 s. We suggest that in isolated triads of rabbit skeletal muscle, IP3-induced release of stored Ca2+ is probably not mediated by the opening of Ca2+ release channels.

Internal and external effects of dihydropyridines in the calcium channel of skeletal muscle

The agonist effect of the dihydropyridine (DHP) (-)Bay K 8644 and the inhibitory effects of nine antagonist DHPs were studied at a constant membrane potential of 0 mV in Ca channels of skeletal muscle transverse tubules incorporated into planar lipid bilayers. Four phenylalkylamines (verapamil, D600, D575, and D890) and d-cis-diltiazem were also tested. In Ca channels activated by 1 microM Bay K 8644, the antagonists nifedipine, nitrendipine, PN200-110, nimodipine, and pure enantiomer antagonists (+)nimodipine, (-)nimodipine, (+)Bay K 8644, inhibited activity in the concentration range of 10 nM to 10 microM. Effective doses (ED50) were 2 to 10 times higher when HDPs were added to the internal side than when added to the external side. This sidedness arises from different structure-activity relationships for DHPs on both sides of the Ca channel since the ranking potency of DHPs is PN200-110 greater than (-)nimodipine greater than nifedipine approximately S207-180 on the external side while PN200-110 greater than S207-180 greater than nifedipine approximately (-)nimodipine on the internal side. A comparison of ED50's for inhibition of single channels by DHPs added to the external side and ED50's for displacement of [3H]PN200-110 bound to the DHP receptor, revealed a good quantitative agreement. However, internal ED50's of channels were consistently higher than radioligand binding affinities by up to two orders of magnitude. Evidently, Ca channels of skeletal muscle are functionally coupled to two DHP receptor sites on opposite sides of the membrane.

[3H]PN200-110 and [3H]ryanodine binding and reconstitution of ion channel activity with skeletal muscle membranes

Skeletal muscle membranes derived either from the tubular (T) network or from the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) were characterized with respect to the binding of the dihydropyridine, [3H]PN200-110, and the alkaloid, [3H]ryanodine; polypeptide composition; and ion channel activity. Conditions for optimizing the binding of these radioligands are discussed. A bilayer pulsing technique is described and is used to examine the channels present in these membranes. Fusion of T-tubule membranes into bilayers revealed the presence of chloride channels and dihydropyridine-sensitive calcium channels with three distinct conductances. The dihydropyridine-sensitive channels were further characterized with respect to their voltage dependence. Pulsing experiments indicated that two different populations of dihydropyridine-sensitive channels existed. Fusion of heavy SR vesicles revealed three different ion channels; the putative calcium release channel, a potassium channel, and a chloride channel. Thus, this fractionation procedure provides T-tubules and SR membranes which, with radioligand binding and single channel recording techniques, provide a useful tool to study the characteristics of skeletal muscle ion channels and their possible role in excitation-contraction coupling.

Barium- and calcium-permeable channels open at negative membrane potentials in rat ventricular myocytes

Ca2+- and Ba2+-permeable channel activity from adult rat ventricular myocytes, spontaneously appeared in the three single-channel recording configurations: cell-attached, and excised inside-out or outside-out membrane patches. Single-channel activity was recorded at steady-state applied membrane potentials including the entire range of physiologic values, and displayed no "rundown" in excised patches. This activity occurred in irregular bursts separated by quiescent periods of 5 to 20 min in cell-attached membrane patches, whereas in excised patch experiments, this period was reduced to 2 to 10 min. During activity, a variety of kinetic behaviors could be observed with more or less complex gating patterns. Three conductance levels: 22, 45 and 78 pS were routinely observed in the same excised membrane patch, sometimes combining to give a larger level. These channels were significantly permeable to divalent cations and showed little or no permeability to potassium or sodium ions. The inorganic blockers of voltage-gated Ca channels, cobalt (2 mM), cadmium (0.5 mM) or nickel (3 mM), had no apparent effect on these spontaneous unitary currents carried by barium ions. Under 10(5) M Bay K 8644 or nitrendipine, the activity was clearly increased in about half of the tested excised inside-out membrane patches. Both dihydropyridines enhanced openings of the larger conductance level, which was only very occasionally seen under control conditions. When the single-channel activity became sustained under 5 x 10(-6) M Bay K 8644, it was possible to calculate the mean unitary current at different membrane potentials and show that the mean current value increased with membrane potential.

Chloride current activated by cyclic AMP and parathyroid hormone in rat osteoblasts

In primary cultures of rat osteoblasts, studied with the whole-cell configuration of the patch-clamp technique, 8-bromo-cyclic AMP (8BrcAMP) forskolin (FS) and 1-34 parathyroid hormone (PTH) were shown to activate a Cl conductance. This conductance shows a pronounced outward rectification, even with symmetrical Cl concentrations. It is blocked partially and reversibly by 4,4'-diisothiocyanatostilbene 2,2'-disulfonic acid (DIDS) or diphenylcarboxylate (DPC). The blockade induced by DIDS is time- and voltage-dependent. The Cl responses to FS and PTH develop slowly, after a delay of several seconds and are very slowly reversible. These responses were observed only in a fraction of the cells tested and their detection was favoured by cell dialysis. This Cl current should be taken into account for studying possible modulations of the voltage-gated Ca currents of osteoblasts. It is suggested that its physiological role may be related to the well-known morphological changes induced by PTH in osteoblasts. The cyclic AMP-sensitivity, the outward rectification and the sensitivity to dialysis of this Cl current are reminiscent of the properties of the cystic fibrosis-sensitive Cl channels of epithelial cells.

Primary structure of the beta subunit of the DHP-sensitive calcium channel from skeletal muscle

Complementary DNAs for the beta subunit of the dihydropyridine-sensitive calcium channel of rabbit skeletal muscle were isolated on the basis of peptide sequences derived from the purified protein. The deduced primary structure is without homology to other known protein sequences and is consistent with the beta subunit being a peripheral membrane protein associated with the cytoplasmic aspect of the sarcolemma. The protein contains sites that might be expected to be preferentially phosphorylated by protein kinase C and guanosine 3',5'-monophosphate-dependent protein kinase. A messenger RNA for this protein appears to be expressed in brain.

Low-conductance states of K+ channels in adult mouse skeletal muscle

Single-channel currents were recorded from Ca2+-activated or ATP-sensitive K+ channels in inside-out membrane patches excised from isolated mouse toe muscles. In addition to the closed and fully open configurations, both types of channels may exhibit several intermediate low-conductance states which are clustered near multiples of elementary conductance units. The units are 1/8 or 1/6 of the channel conductance for Ca2+-activated channels and 1/4 or 1/3 for ATP-sensitive channels. Normally, low-conductance states are rare, but they occur more frequently directly after patch excision. An increased probability of low-conductance states of ATP-sensitive K+ channels was also observed in the presence and during washout of the internal channel blocker adenine. The results suggest that Ca2+-activated and ATP-sensitive K+ channels are composed of several membrane pores with strong positive cooperativity among the elementary conductance units.

Nonmodal gating of cardiac calcium channels as revealed by dihydropyridines

The hypothesis that dihydropyridine (DHP)-sensitive calcium channels have three distinct modes of gating has been examined. The major prediction is that the relative frequencies among modes depend on DHP concentration while the kinetics within a mode do not. We tested this by studying whole-cell and single-channel calcium currents in neonatal rat and adult guinea pig cardiac myocytes in different concentrations of several DHPs. In the absence of DHPs calcium currents declined with time but the kinetics, which are the focus of this study, were unchanged. Open-time frequency distributions had insignificant numbers of prolonged openings and were well fit by single tau's. Agonist DHP stereoisomers produced concentration-dependent changes in whole-cell tail current tau's. The frequency distribution of single calcium channel current open times became biexponential and the tau's were concentration dependent. The average number of openings per trace of channels with customary open times increased with increases in DHP concentration. Latencies to first opening for the customary openings and for prolonged openings were shorter in the presence of DHPs. A second larger conductance is another important feature of DHP-bound single calcium channels. Thus DHPs not only caused prolonged openings; they produced numerous changes in the kinetics of customary openings and increased channel conductance. It follows that these effects of DHPs do not support the hypothesis of modal gating of calcium channels. The mode model is not the only model excluded by the results; models in which DHPs are allowed to act only or mainly on open states are excluded, as are models in which the effects are restricted to inactivated states. We suggest a different type of model in which cooperative binding of DHPs at two sites produces the essential changes in kinetics and conductance.

Dihydropyridine inhibition of single calcium channels and contraction in rabbit mesenteric artery depends on voltage

1. The effects of membrane potential and the dihydropyridine calcium channel inhibitor, nisoldipine, on single calcium channels in the presence of Bay K 8644 and contraction in the presence and absence of Bay K 8644 were examined in the rabbit mesenteric artery. 2. Membrane depolarization decreased the peak average single calcium channel current that could be elicited by a test pulse to 0 mV. The steady-state inactivation relationship could be described by the Boltzmann equation, [1 + exp[Vm-V0.5)/k)]-1, with a steepness factor, k, of 7.1 mV. Nisoldipine shifted the steady-state inactivation curve to more negative potentials by increasing the fraction of test pulses without openings. 3. The degree of nisoldipine inhibition of average single calcium channel currents increased with membrane depolarization. Depolarization of the holding potential from -100 to -55 mV decreased the concentration of nisoldipine needed for 50% inhibition (Kapp) from 12.1 to 1.9 nM in the presence of 1 microM-Bay K 8644. 4. Membrane depolarization by external potassium (K+) of the intact artery in the presence of nisoldipine decreased contractions evoked by depolarizing test pulses. The relationship between membrane potential and contraction could be empirically described by the Boltzmann equation, with a steepness factor, k, of 7.1 mV. Increasing the nisoldipine concentration from 0.25 to 2.0 nM shifted the mid-point of this relationship from -20.5 to -33.0 mV, without affecting the steepness factor. 5. Nisoldipine inhibition of contraction increased with membrane depolarization. Membrane depolarization from -68.6 to -30.0 mV decreased the Kapp of nisoldipine for contractions from 3.02 to 0.69 nM. Bay K 8644 (1 microM) elevated Kapp about 9.3-fold at 5 mM-K+. In the presence of Bay K 8644, membrane depolarization from -68.6 to -30.0 mV reduced Kapp from 28.4 to 4.0 nM. 6. In the presence of nisoldipine, the effect of membrane depolarization on the time course of development of inhibition was examined. In 3 nM-nisoldipine, after membrane depolarization with 20 mM-K+, the time course of development of inhibition of force could be described by a single exponential with a time constant of 16.5 min. Membrane depolarization to a more positive potential accelerated the development of inhibition. 7. The results were interpreted by a model in which nisoldipine binds with higher affinity to the inactivated state than to the resting state of calcium channels in the mesenteric artery. The approach presented here can be used to estimate the properties of steady-state calcium channel inactivation and dihydropyridine interactions in smooth muscle cells in the intact artery under physiological conditions.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Single channel characteristics of a high conductance anion channel in "sarcoballs"

Previously undescribed high conductance single anion channels from frog skeletal muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) were studied in native membrane using the "sarcoball" technique (Stein and Palade, 1988). Excised inside-out patches recorded in symmetrical 200 mM TrisCl show the conductance of the channel's predominant state was 505 +/- 25 pS (n = 35). From reversal potentials, the Pcl/PK ratio was 45. The slope conductance vs. Cl- ion concentration curve saturates at 617 pS, with K0.5 estimated at 77 mM. The steady-state open probability (Po) vs. holding potential relationship produces a bell-shaped curve, with Po values reaching a maximum near 1.0 at 0 mV, and falling off to 0.05 at +/- 25 mV. Kinetic analysis of the voltage dependence reveals that while open time constants are decreased somewhat by increases in potential, the largest effect is an increase in long closed times. Despite the channel's high conductance, it maintains a moderate selectivity for smaller anions, but will not pass larger anions such as gluconate, as determined by reversal-potential shifts. At least two substates different from the main open level are distinguishable. These properties are unlike those described for mitochondrial voltage-dependent anion channels or skeletal muscle surface membrane Cl channels and since SR Ca channels are present in equally high density in sarcoball patches, we propose these sarcoball anion channels originate from the SR. Preliminary experiments recording currents from frog SR anion channels fused into liposomes indicate that either biochemical isolation and/or alterations in lipid environment greatly decrease the channel's voltage sensitivity. These results help underline the potential significance of using sarcoballs to study SR channels. The steep voltage sensitivity of the sarcoball anion channel suggests that it could be more actively involved in the regulation of Ca2+ transport by the SR.

Multiple conductance states of the purified calcium release channel complex from skeletal sarcoplasmic reticulum

The CHAPS-solubilized and purified 30S ryanodine receptor protein complex from skeletal sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) was incorporated into planar lipid bilayers. The resulting electrical activity displayed similar responses to agents such as Ca2+, ATP, ryanodine, or caffeine as the native Ca2+ release channel, confirming the identification of the 30S complex as the Ca2+ release channel. The purified channel was permeable to monovalent ions such as Na+, with the permeability ratio PCa/PNa approximately 5, and was highly selective for cations over anions. The purified channel also showed at least four distinct conductance levels for both Na+ and Ca2+ conducting ions, with the major subconducting level in NaCl buffers possessing half the conductance value of the main conductance state. These levels may be produced by intrinsic subconductances present within the channel oligomer. Several of these conductances may be cooperatively coupled to produce the characteristic 100 +/- 10 pS unitary Ca2+ conductance of the native channel.

Inhibition of dihydropyridine-sensitive calcium channels by the plant alkaloid ryanodine

At micromolar concentrations, ryanodine interacts with the dihydropyridine receptor of rabbit skeletal muscle transverse tubules. Ryanodine displaces specifically bound [3H]PN200-110 with an apparent inhibition constant of approx. 95 microM and inhibits dihydropyridine-sensitive calcium channels in the same preparation with an IC50 of approx. 45 microM. These concentrations of ryanodine are approximately three orders of magnitude higher than those required to saturate binding of the alkaloid to the ryanodine receptor of sarcoplasmic reticulum and to open the calcium release channel of sarcoplasmic reticulum (i.e. 20 nM (1988) J. Gen. Physiol. 92, 1-26). Thus at sufficiently high dose, ryanodine may affect SR as well as plasma membrane Ca permeabilities.

Site-specific phosphorylation of the purified receptor for calcium-channel blockers by cAMP- and cGMP-dependent protein kinases, protein kinase C, calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II and casein kinase II

Five protein kinases were used to study the phosphorylation pattern of the purified skeletal muscle receptor for calcium-channel blockers (CaCB). cAMP kinase, cGMP kinase, protein kinase C, calmodulin kinase II and casein kinase II phosphorylated the 165-kDa and the 55-kDa proteins of the purified CaCB receptor. The 130/28-kDa and the 32-kDa protein of the receptor are not phosphorylated by these protein kinases. Among these protein kinases only cAMP kinase phosphorylated the 165-kDa subunit with 2-3-fold higher initial rate than the 55-kDa subunit. Casein kinase II phosphorylated the 165-kDa and the 55-kDa protein of the receptor with comparable rates. cGMP kinase, protein kinase C and calmodulin kinase II phosphorylated preferentially the 55-kDa protein. The 55-kDa protein is phosphorylated 50 times faster by cGMP kinase and protein kinase C than by calmodulin kinase II or casein kinase II and about 10 times faster by these enzymes than by cAMP kinase. Two-dimensional peptide maps of the 165-kDa subunit yielded a total of 11 phosphopeptides. Four or five peptides are phosphorylated specifically by cAMP kinase, cGMP kinase, casein kinase II and protein kinase C, whereas the other peptides are modified by several kinases. The same kinases phosphorylate 11 peptides in the 55-kDa subunit. Again, some of these peptides are modified specifically by each kinase. These results suggest that the 165-kDa and the 55-kDa subunit contain specific phosphorylation sites for cAMP kinase, cGMP kinase, casein kinase II and protein kinase C. Phosphorylation of these sites may be relevant for the in vivo function of the CaCB receptor.

Opening of dihydropyridine calcium channels in skeletal muscle membranes by inositol trisphosphate

In many non-muscle cells, D-inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (InsP3) has been shown to release Ca2+ from intracellular stores, presumably from the endoplasmic reticulum. It is thought to be a ubiquitous second messenger that is produced in, and released from, the plasma membrane in response to extracellular receptor stimulation. By analogy, InsP3 in muscle cells has been postulated to open calcium channels in the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) membrane, which is the intracellular Ca2+ store that releases Ca2+ during muscle contraction. We report here that InsP3 may have a second site of action. We show that InsP3 opens dihydropyridine-sensitive Ca2+ channels in a vesicular preparation of rabbit skeletal muscle transverse tubules. InsP3-activated channels and channels activated by a dihydropyridine agonist in the same preparation have similar slope conductance and extrapolated reversal potential and are blocked by a dihydropyridine antagonist. This suggests that in skeletal muscle, InsP3 can modulate Ca2+ channels of transverse tubules from plasma membrane, in contrast to the previous suggestion that the functional locus of InsP3 is exclusively in the sarcoplasmic reticulum membrane.