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Leybaert L, De Smet MA, Lissoni A, Allewaert R, Roderick HL, Bultynck G, Delmar M, Sipido KR, Witschas K. Connexin hemichannels as candidate targets for cardioprotective and anti-arrhythmic treatments. J Clin Invest 2023; 133:168117. [PMID: 36919695 PMCID: PMC10014111 DOI: 10.1172/jci168117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Connexins are crucial cardiac proteins that form hemichannels and gap junctions. Gap junctions are responsible for the propagation of electrical and chemical signals between myocardial cells and cells of the specialized conduction system in order to synchronize the cardiac cycle and steer cardiac pump function. Gap junctions are normally open, while hemichannels are closed, but pathological circumstances may close gap junctions and open hemichannels, thereby perturbing cardiac function and homeostasis. Current evidence demonstrates an emerging role of hemichannels in myocardial ischemia and arrhythmia, and tools are now available to selectively inhibit hemichannels without inhibiting gap junctions as well as to stimulate hemichannel incorporation into gap junctions. We review available experimental evidence for hemichannel contributions to cellular pro-arrhythmic events in ventricular and atrial cardiomyocytes, and link these to insights at the level of molecular control of connexin-43-based hemichannel opening. We conclude that a double-edged approach of both preventing hemichannel opening and preserving gap junctional function will be key for further research and development of new connexin-based experimental approaches for treating heart disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luc Leybaert
- Physiology Group, Department of Basic and Applied Medical Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Maarten Aj De Smet
- Physiology Group, Department of Basic and Applied Medical Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Alessio Lissoni
- Physiology Group, Department of Basic and Applied Medical Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Rosalie Allewaert
- Physiology Group, Department of Basic and Applied Medical Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - H Llewelyn Roderick
- Laboratory of Experimental Cardiology, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, and
| | - Geert Bultynck
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Signaling, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Mario Delmar
- Leon H. Charney Division of Cardiology, School of Medicine, New York University, New York, USA
| | - Karin R Sipido
- Laboratory of Experimental Cardiology, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, and
| | - Katja Witschas
- Physiology Group, Department of Basic and Applied Medical Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
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2
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De Smet MA, Lissoni A, Nezlobinsky T, Wang N, Dries E, Pérez-Hernández M, Lin X, Amoni M, Vervliet T, Witschas K, Rothenberg E, Bultynck G, Schulz R, Panfilov AV, Delmar M, Sipido KR, Leybaert L. Cx43 hemichannel microdomain signaling at the intercalated disc enhances cardiac excitability. J Clin Invest 2021; 131:137752. [PMID: 33621213 DOI: 10.1172/jci137752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2020] [Accepted: 02/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Cx43, a major cardiac connexin, forms precursor hemichannels that accrue at the intercalated disc to assemble as gap junctions. While gap junctions are crucial for electrical conduction in the heart, little is known about the potential roles of hemichannels. Recent evidence suggests that inhibiting Cx43 hemichannel opening with Gap19 has antiarrhythmic effects. Here, we used multiple electrophysiology, imaging, and super-resolution techniques to understand and define the conditions underlying Cx43 hemichannel activation in ventricular cardiomyocytes, their contribution to diastolic Ca2+ release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum, and their impact on electrical stability. We showed that Cx43 hemichannels were activated during diastolic Ca2+ release in single ventricular cardiomyocytes and cardiomyocyte cell pairs from mice and pigs. This activation involved Cx43 hemichannel Ca2+ entry and coupling to Ca2+ release microdomains at the intercalated disc, resulting in enhanced Ca2+ dynamics. Hemichannel opening furthermore contributed to delayed afterdepolarizations and triggered action potentials. In single cardiomyocytes, cardiomyocyte cell pairs, and arterially perfused tissue wedges from failing human hearts, increased hemichannel activity contributed to electrical instability compared with nonfailing rejected donor hearts. We conclude that microdomain coupling between Cx43 hemichannels and Ca2+ release is a potentially novel, targetable mechanism of cardiac arrhythmogenesis in heart failure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maarten Aj De Smet
- Physiology Group, Department of Basic and Applied Medical Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.,Experimental Cardiology, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Department of Internal Medicine and
| | - Alessio Lissoni
- Physiology Group, Department of Basic and Applied Medical Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Timur Nezlobinsky
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.,Laboratory of Computational Biology and Medicine, Ural Federal University, Ekaterinburg, Russia
| | - Nan Wang
- Physiology Group, Department of Basic and Applied Medical Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Eef Dries
- Experimental Cardiology, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Marta Pérez-Hernández
- Leon H. Charney Division of Cardiology, School of Medicine, New York University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Xianming Lin
- Leon H. Charney Division of Cardiology, School of Medicine, New York University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Matthew Amoni
- Experimental Cardiology, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Tim Vervliet
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Signaling, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Katja Witschas
- Physiology Group, Department of Basic and Applied Medical Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Eli Rothenberg
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, School of Medicine, New York University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Geert Bultynck
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Signaling, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Rainer Schulz
- Physiologisches Institut, Justus-Liebig-Universität, Giessen, Germany
| | - Alexander V Panfilov
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.,Laboratory of Computational Biology and Medicine, Ural Federal University, Ekaterinburg, Russia.,Arrhythmia Department, Almazov National Medical Research Centre, Saint Petersburg, Russia
| | - Mario Delmar
- Leon H. Charney Division of Cardiology, School of Medicine, New York University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Karin R Sipido
- Experimental Cardiology, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Luc Leybaert
- Physiology Group, Department of Basic and Applied Medical Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
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3
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Bazal P, Gea A, Navarro AM, Salas-Salvadó J, Corella D, Alonso-Gómez A, Fitó M, Muñoz-Bravo C, Estruch R, Fiol M, Lapetra J, Serra-Majem L, Ros E, Rekondo J, Muñoz MA, Basora J, Sorlí JV, Toledo E, Martínez-González MA, Ruiz-Canela M. Caffeinated coffee consumption and risk of atrial fibrillation in two Spanish cohorts. Eur J Prev Cardiol 2020; 28:648-657. [PMID: 32131628 DOI: 10.1177/2047487320909065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2019] [Accepted: 02/05/2020] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
AIMS The association between caffeinated coffee consumption and atrial fibrillation remains unclear. Recent studies suggest an inverse association only between a moderate caffeinated coffee consumption and atrial fibrillation, but others have reported no association. The aim of our study was to prospectively assess the association between caffeinated coffee consumption and atrial fibrillation in two Spanish cohorts, one of adults from a general population and another of elderly participants at high cardiovascular risk. METHODS AND RESULTS We included 18,983 and 6479 participants from the 'Seguimiento Universidad de Navarra' (SUN) and 'Prevención con Dieta Mediterránea' (PREDIMED) cohorts, respectively. Participants were classified according to their caffeinated coffee consumption in three groups: ≤3 cups/month, 1-7 cups/week, and >1 cup/day. We identified 97 atrial fibrillation cases after a median follow-up of 10.3 years (interquartile range 6.5-13.5), in the SUN cohort and 250 cases after 4.4 years median follow-up (interquartile range 2.8-5.8) in the PREDIMED study. No significant associations were observed in the SUN cohort although a J-shaped association was suggested. A significant inverse association between the intermediate category of caffeinated coffee consumption (1-7 cups/week) and atrial fibrillation was observed in PREDIMED participants with a multivariable-adjusted hazard ratio = 0.53 (95% confidence interval 0.36-0.79) when compared with participants who did not consume caffeinated coffee or did it only occasionally. No association was found for higher levels of caffeinated coffee consumption (>1 cup per day), hazard ratio = 0.79 (95% confidence interval 0.49-1.28). In the meta-analysis of both PREDIMED and SUN studies, the hazard ratio for intermediate consumption of caffeinated coffee was 0.60 (95% confidence interval 0.44-0.82) without evidence of heterogeneity. Similar findings were found for the association between caffeine intake and atrial fibrillation risk. CONCLUSION Intermediate levels of caffeinated coffee consumption (1-7 cups/week) were associated with a reduction in atrial fibrillation risk in two prospective Mediterranean cohorts.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Bazal
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of Navarra, Spain.,Servicio Navarro de Salud-Osasunbidea, Spain
| | - A Gea
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of Navarra, Spain.,CIBER Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBEROBN), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Spain
| | - A M Navarro
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of Navarra, Spain.,Servicio Navarro de Salud-Osasunbidea, Spain
| | - J Salas-Salvadó
- CIBER Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBEROBN), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Spain.,Departament de Bioquímica i Biotecnologia, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Unitat de Nutriciœ Humana, Hospital Universitari San Joan de Reus, Institut d'Investigació Pere Virgili (IISPV), Spain
| | - D Corella
- CIBER Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBEROBN), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Spain.,Department of Preventive Medicine, University of Valencia, Spain
| | - A Alonso-Gómez
- CIBER Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBEROBN), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Spain.,Department of Cardiology, University Hospital Araba, Spain
| | - M Fitó
- CIBER Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBEROBN), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Spain.,Cardiovascular Risk and Nutrition (Regicor Study Group), Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute (IMIM), Spain
| | - C Muñoz-Bravo
- Department of Public Health, University of Malaga, Spain
| | - R Estruch
- CIBER Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBEROBN), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Spain.,Department of Internal Medicine, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques, August Pi i Sunyer Hospital Clinic, University of Barcelona, Spain
| | - M Fiol
- CIBER Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBEROBN), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Spain.,Illes Balears Health Research Institute (IdISBa), Spain
| | - J Lapetra
- CIBER Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBEROBN), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Spain.,Department of Family Medicine, Research Unit, Distrito Sanitario Atención Primaria de Sevilla, Spain
| | - L Serra-Majem
- CIBER Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBEROBN), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Spain.,Research Institute of Biomedical and Health Sciences (IUIBS), University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and CHUIMI Canarian Health Service, Spain
| | - E Ros
- CIBER Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBEROBN), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Spain.,Endocrinology and Nutrition Service, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi Sunyer, Hospital Clinic, Spain
| | - J Rekondo
- CIBER Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBEROBN), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Spain.,Department of Cardiology, University Hospital Araba, Spain
| | - M A Muñoz
- Gerència Territorial de Barcelona, Institut Català de la Salut, Spain.,Fundació Institut Universitari per a la Recerca a l'Atenció Primària de Salut Jordi Gol i Gurina (IDIAPJGol), Spain
| | - J Basora
- Departament de Bioquímica i Biotecnologia, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Unitat de Nutriciœ Humana, Hospital Universitari San Joan de Reus, Institut d'Investigació Pere Virgili (IISPV), Spain
| | - J V Sorlí
- CIBER Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBEROBN), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Spain.,Department of Preventive Medicine, University of Valencia, Spain
| | - E Toledo
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of Navarra, Spain.,CIBER Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBEROBN), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Spain
| | - M A Martínez-González
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of Navarra, Spain.,CIBER Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBEROBN), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Spain.,Department of Nutrition, Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, USA
| | - M Ruiz-Canela
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of Navarra, Spain.,CIBER Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBEROBN), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Spain
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4
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Lissoni A, Hulpiau P, Martins-Marques T, Wang N, Bultynck G, Schulz R, Witschas K, Girao H, De Smet M, Leybaert L. RyR2 regulates Cx43 hemichannel intracellular Ca2+-dependent activation in cardiomyocytes. Cardiovasc Res 2019; 117:123-136. [PMID: 31841141 DOI: 10.1093/cvr/cvz340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2019] [Revised: 11/14/2019] [Accepted: 12/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
AIMS Connexin-based gap junctions are crucial for electrical communication in the heart; they are each composed of two docked hemichannels (HCs), supplied as unpaired channels via the sarcolemma. When open, an unpaired HC forms a large pore, high-conductance and Ca2+-permeable membrane shunt pathway that may disturb cardiomyocyte function. HCs composed of connexin 43 (Cx43), a major cardiac connexin, can be opened by electrical stimulation but only by very positive membrane potentials. Here, we investigated the activation of Cx43 HCs in murine ventricular cardiomyocytes voltage-clamped at -70 mV. METHODS AND RESULTS Using whole-cell patch-clamp, co-immunoprecipitation, western blot analysis, immunocytochemistry, proximity ligation assays, and protein docking studies, we found that stimulation of ryanodine receptors (RyRs) triggered unitary currents with a single-channel conductance of ∼220 pS, which were strongly reduced by Cx43 knockdown. Recordings under Ca2+-clamp conditions showed that both RyR activation and intracellular Ca2+ elevation were necessary for HC opening. Proximity ligation studies indicated close Cx43-RyR2 apposition (<40 nm), and both proteins co-immunoprecipitated indicating physical interaction. Molecular modelling suggested a strongly conserved RyR-mimicking peptide sequence (RyRHCIp), which inhibited RyR/Ca2+ HC activation but not voltage-triggered activation. The peptide also slowed down action potential repolarization. Interestingly, alterations in the concerned RyR sequence are known to be associated with primary familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. CONCLUSION Our results demonstrate that Cx43 HCs are intimately linked to RyRs, allowing them to open at negative diastolic membrane potential in response to RyR activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessio Lissoni
- Department of Basic and Applied Medical Sciences-Physiology Group, Ghent University, Ghent 9000, Belgium
| | - Paco Hulpiau
- Department of Bio-Medical Sciences, HOWEST University of Applied Sciences (Hogeschool West-Vlaanderen), Bruges, Belgium
| | - Tânia Martins-Marques
- Coimbra Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research (iCBR), Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, 3000-354 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Nan Wang
- Department of Basic and Applied Medical Sciences-Physiology Group, Ghent University, Ghent 9000, Belgium
| | - Geert Bultynck
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Signaling, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Rainer Schulz
- Institut für Physiologie, JustusLiebig Universität Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Katja Witschas
- Department of Basic and Applied Medical Sciences-Physiology Group, Ghent University, Ghent 9000, Belgium
| | - Henrique Girao
- Coimbra Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research (iCBR), Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, 3000-354 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Maarten De Smet
- Department of Basic and Applied Medical Sciences-Physiology Group, Ghent University, Ghent 9000, Belgium
| | - Luc Leybaert
- Department of Basic and Applied Medical Sciences-Physiology Group, Ghent University, Ghent 9000, Belgium
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5
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Kienitz MC, Bender K, Dermietzel R, Pott L, Zoidl G. Pannexin 1 constitutes the large conductance cation channel of cardiac myocytes. J Biol Chem 2010; 286:290-8. [PMID: 21041301 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m110.163477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
A large conductance (∼300 picosiemens) channel (LCC) of unknown molecular identity, activated by Ca(2+) release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum, particularly when augmented by caffeine, has been described previously in isolated cardiac myocytes. A potential candidate for this channel is pannexin 1 (Panx1), which has been shown to form large ion channels when expressed in Xenopus oocytes and mammalian cells. Panx1 function is implicated in ATP-mediated auto-/paracrine signaling, and a crucial role in several cell death pathways has been suggested. Here, we demonstrate that after culturing for 4 days LCC activity is no longer detected in myocytes but can be rescued by adenoviral gene transfer of Panx1. Endogenous LCCs and those related to expression of Panx1 share key pharmacological properties previously used for identifying and characterizing Panx1 channels. These data demonstrate that Panx1 constitutes the LCC of cardiac myocytes. Sporadic openings of single Panx1 channels in the absence of Ca(2+) release can trigger action potentials, suggesting that Panx1 channels potentially promote arrhythmogenic activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie-Cecile Kienitz
- Department of Cellular Physiology, Ruhr-University Bochum, 44780 Bochum, Germany.
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6
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Affiliation(s)
- Noelle N. Gronroos
- Division of Epidemiology and Community Health, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota
| | - Alvaro Alonso
- Division of Epidemiology and Community Health, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota
- Division of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, School of Medicine, University of Navarra
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7
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Abstract
The versatility of Ca(2+) as an intracellular messenger derives largely from the spatial organization of cytosolic Ca(2+) signals, most of which are generated by regulated openings of Ca(2+)-permeable channels. Most Ca(2+) channels are expressed in the plasma membrane (PM). Others, including the almost ubiquitous inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptors (IP(3)R) and their relatives, the ryanodine receptors (RyR), are predominantly expressed in membranes of the sarcoplasmic or endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Targeting of these channels to appropriate destinations underpins their ability to generate spatially organized Ca(2+) signals. All Ca(2+) channels begin life in the cytosol, and the vast majority are then functionally assembled in the ER, where they may either remain or be dispatched to other membranes. Here, by means of selective examples, we review two issues related to this trafficking of Ca(2+) channels via the ER. How do cells avoid wayward activity of Ca(2+) channels in transit as they pass from the ER via other membranes to their final destination? How and why do some cells express small numbers of the archetypal intracellular Ca(2+) channels, IP(3)R and RyR, in the PM?
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Affiliation(s)
- Colin W Taylor
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1PD, UK.
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8
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Rosker C, Meur G, Taylor EJA, Taylor CW. Functional ryanodine receptors in the plasma membrane of RINm5F pancreatic beta-cells. J Biol Chem 2008; 284:5186-94. [PMID: 19116207 PMCID: PMC2643496 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m805587200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Ryanodine receptors (RyR) are Ca2+ channels that mediate
Ca2+ release from intracellular stores in response to diverse
intracellular signals. In RINm5F insulinoma cells, caffeine, and
4-chloro-m-cresol (4CmC), agonists of RyR, stimulated Ca2+
entry that was independent of store-operated Ca2+ entry, and
blocked by prior incubation with a concentration of ryanodine that inactivates
RyR. Patch-clamp recording identified small numbers of large-conductance
(γK = 169 pS) cation channels that were activated by
caffeine, 4CmC or low concentrations of ryanodine. Similar channels were
detected in rat pancreatic β-cells. In RINm5F cells, the channels were
blocked by cytosolic, but not extracellular, ruthenium red. Subcellular
fractionation showed that type 3 IP3 receptors (IP3R3)
were expressed predominantly in endoplasmic reticulum, whereas RyR2 were
present also in plasma membrane fractions. Using RNAi selectively to reduce
expression of RyR1, RyR2, or IP3R3, we showed that RyR2 mediates
both the Ca2+ entry and the plasma membrane currents evoked by
agonists of RyR. We conclude that small numbers of RyR2 are selectively
expressed in the plasma membrane of RINm5F pancreatic β-cells, where they
mediate Ca2+ entry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Rosker
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1PD, United Kingdom
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