Structure of calcium channels

Benzothiazepine binding domain of purified L-type calcium channels: direct labeling using a novel fluorescent diltiazem analogue

We have synthesized a series of N-propylamino-substituted benzazepinones (NPSBs) as specific probes for the benzothiazepinone (BTZ) binding domain of muscle L-type calcium channels (LTCCs). NPSBs were identified which possess high affinity for the channel after purification. We synthesized a fluorescent NPSB, DMBODIPY-BAZ, as the first benz(othi)azepinone derivative known to reversibly label partially purified LTCCs. DMBODIPY-BAZ binds to the partially purified channel with high affinity (Kd = 25 nM, Bmax = 580 pmol/mg of protein). Fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) occurred between tryptophan residues of the channel protein and the DMBODIPY fluorophore upon specific drug binding. FRET was exploited to allow highly time-resolved detection of specific drug binding kinetics. We found that the dissociation half-life (t1/2) of DMBODIPY-BAZ decreased with the concentration of an unlabeled competitor, which indicates ligand-induced accelerated dissociation. In contrast, t1/2 was concentration-dependently increased by the dihydropyridine (DHP) (+)-isradipine. These kinetic properties of DMBODIPY-BAZ indicate that a high-affinity BTZ binding domain also exists on purified LTCCs. NPSBs represent novel tools to provide further insight into the molecular pharmacology of the BTZ binding domain on LTCCs.

Identification of a novel calcium antagonist binding site in rat brain by SR 33557

1. In K(+)-depolarized taenia preparations from guinea-pig caecum SR 33557 was a potent antagonist of Ca(2+)-induced contractions and antagonized the effect of the calcium channel activator Bay K 8644. 2. SR 33557 displayed high affinity (pKi 9.54 +/- 0.04, nH 1.01) for the [3H]-(+/-)-PN 200-110 binding site in rat cerebral cortex membranes. In the presence of 5 mM Ca2+ this affinity was reduced (pKi 8.82 +/- 0.01, nH 1.05) whilst the affinity of nitrendipine was unaffected by this concentration of Ca2+. 3. Saturation binding experiments in rat cerebral cortex carried out in the absence and presence of SR 33557 (0.1-1.0 nM) indicated an apparently competitive interaction at the dihydropyridine site, in that SR 33557 reduced the KD of [3H]-(+/-)-PN 200-110 binding without any effect on Bmax. In kinetic experiments, the rate of dissociation of [3H]-(+/-)-PN 200-110 from rat cerebral cortex was unchanged in the presence of SR 33557 (5 nM). 4. D-cis-diltiazem fully reversed the inhibition [3H]-nitrendipine binding to rat cerebral cortex produced by SR 33557 indicating the site of action of SR 33557 to be distinct from the dihydropyridine (DHP) binding site. 5. Saturation analysis indicated that [3H]-SR 33557 (0.01-0.8 nM) labelled a single class of binding sites in rat cerebral cortex membranes with high affinity (KD 0.12 +/- 0.01, Bmax 222 +/- 20 fmol mg-1 protein), although kinetic data indicated the existence of negative cooperativity between the binding sites. 6.In competition studies, a variety of different calcium antagonists displayed similar affinity for [3H]-SR 33557 and [3H]-(+/-)-PN 200-110 sites. The [3H]-SR 33557 site was sensitive to the inhibitory effect of divalent cations. The affinity of Cd2+ was 0.026 +/- 0.015 mM and the rank order of affinity was Cd2+ >Ca2+ >Mn2+ >Mg2+ >Na+.7. We propose that SR 33557 labels a distinct site in rat cerebral cortex. The coupling between the SR 33557 and DHP site appears to be very close, resulting in apparently competitive interactions in some experimental protocols but can be revealed as negatively allosteric in other circumstances.

In vivo labeling of L-type Ca2+ channels by fluorescent dihydropyridines: evidence for a functional, extracellular heparin-binding site

We have synthesized and characterized fluorescently labeled dihydropyridines (DHPs) as probes for L-type Ca2+ channels. Racemic as well as (+)- and (-)-1,4-dihydro- 2,6-dimethyl-4-(2-trifluoromethylphenyl)-3,5-pyridinecarboxylic acid 2-(aminoethyl)ethyl ester hydrochlorides were coupled to boron dipyrromethane (Bodipy) derivatives. (4,4-Difluoro-5,7-dimethyl-4-bora-3a,4a-diaza)-3- (s-indacene)propionic acid (DMBodipy)-DHP and (4,4-difluoro-7-styryl-4-bora-3a,4a-diaza)-3-(s-indacene+ ++)propionic acid (STBodipy)-DHP have Kd values in the nanomolar range for membrane-bound or partially purified skeletal muscle and for neuronal L-type Ca2+ channels. (-)- and (+)-STBodipy-DHPs block 45Ca2+ uptake through L-type Ca2+ channels into GH3 cells with IC50 values of 14.8 and 562 nM, respectively. The measurement of bound fluorescence after removal of free DMBodipy-DHP with charcoal shows that the probes can substitute for radioactive ligands to study the properties (equilibrium binding, kinetics, allosteric regulation) of partially purified L-type Ca2+ channels from skeletal muscle. L-type Ca2+ channels on GH3 cells were steroselectively visualized by using the optical enantiomers of STBodipy-DHP. Heparin inhibited GH3 cell labeling by (-)-STBodipy-DHP with an IC50 value of 9.7 micrograms/ml and blocked L-type Ca(2+)-channel-mediated 45Ca2+ uptake with an IC50 value of 32 micrograms/ml. These findings argue for an extracellular orientation of the heparin-binding domain of the Ca2+ channel that is coupled to the DHP receptor.

Presence of a novel influx pathway for Mg2+ in MDCK cells

Basal free Mg2+ concentration was 0.49 +/- 0.03 mM in normal single Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells as measured by fluorescence with the aid of mag-fura-2. Accordingly, Mg2+ may enter the cell down a transmembrane electrical gradient. The present study describes some aspects of Mg2+ entry into the established MDCK cell line. MDCK cells were Mg2(+)-depleted (0.26 +/- 0.01 mM) by culturing in Mg2(+)-free media for 16-20 h. Cells were subsequently exposed to 5 mM MgCl2, and intracellular Mg2+ concentration ([Mg2+]i) was monitored with fluorescence. [Mg2+]i returned to normal basal levels, 0.56 +/- 0.05 mM, with a refill rate of 272 +/- 39 nM/s, n = 4. Mg2+ entry was not changed by 5.0 mM external Ca2+ but was completely inhibited with 5.0 mM La3+. Intracellular Ca2+ concentration was not altered by Mg2+ depletion or during Mg2+ repletion. Mg2+ uptake was inhibited by verapamil (0 +/- 27 nM/s, n = 3), was inhibited less so by diltiazem (141 +/- 34 nM/s, n = 3), and was not affected by nifedipine (300 +/- 53 nM/s, n = 6). These inhibitors were fully reversible on removal, and [Mg2+]i returned to normal levels. These data indicate the presence of a unique Mg2+ entry pathway in MDCK cells that may be important in Mg2+ homeostasis. The model of Mg2+ refill into Mg2(+)-depleted cells may be useful in other cell types.