Developmental changes in long-opening behavior of L-type Ca2+ channels in embryonic chick heart cells

Lessons from the heart: mirroring electrophysiological characteristics during cardiac development to in vitro differentiation of stem cell derived cardiomyocytes

The ability of human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) to differentiate into any cell type of the three germ layers makes them a very promising cell source for multiple purposes, including regenerative medicine, drug discovery, and as a model to study disease mechanisms and progression. One of the first specialized cell types to be generated from hPSC was cardiomyocytes (CM), and differentiation protocols have evolved over the years and now allow for robust and large-scale production of hPSC-CM. Still, scientists are struggling to achieve the same, mainly ventricular, phenotype of the hPSC-CM in vitro as their adult counterpart in vivo. In vitro generated cardiomyocytes are generally described as fetal-like rather than adult. In this review, we compare the in vivo development of cardiomyocytes to the in vitro differentiation of hPSC into CM with focus on electrophysiology, structure and contractility. Furthermore, known epigenetic changes underlying the differences between adult human CM and CM differentiated from pluripotent stem cells are described. This should provide the reader with an extensive overview of the current status of human stem cell-derived cardiomyocyte phenotype and function. Additionally, the reader will gain insight into the underlying signaling pathways and mechanisms responsible for cardiomyocyte development.

Circadian profiles in the embryonic chick heart: L-type voltage-gated calcium channels and signaling pathways

Circadian clocks exist in the heart tissue and modulate multiple physiological events, from cardiac metabolism to contractile function and expression of circadian oscillator and metabolic-related genes. Ample evidence has demonstrated that there are endogenous circadian oscillators in adult mammalian cardiomyocytes. However, mammalian embryos cannot be entrained independently to light-dark (LD) cycles in vivo without any maternal influence, but circadian genes are well expressed and able to oscillate in embryonic stages. The authors took advantage of using chick embryos that are independent of maternal influences to investigate whether embryonic hearts could be entrained under LD cycles in ovo. The authors found circadian regulation of L-type voltage-gated calcium channels (L-VGCCs), the ion channels responsible for the production of cardiac muscle contraction in embryonic chick hearts. The mRNA levels and protein expression of VGCCα1C and VGCCα1D are under circadian control, and the average L-VGCC current density is significantly larger when cardiomyocytes are recorded during the night than day. The phosphorylation states of several kinases involved in insulin signaling and cardiac metabolism, including extracellular signal-regulated kinase (Erk), stress-activated protein kinase (p38), protein kinase B (Akt), and glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β), are also under circadian control. Both Erk and p38 have been implicated in regulating cardiac contractility and in the development of various pathological states, such as cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure. Even though both Erk and phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)-Akt signaling pathways participate in complex cellular processes regarding physiological or pathological states of cardiomyocytes, the circadian oscillators in the heart regulate these pathways independently, and both pathways contribute to the circadian regulation of L-VGCCs.

Rhythmic expression of microRNA-26a regulates the L-type voltage-gated calcium channel alpha1C subunit in chicken cone photoreceptors

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) modulate gene expression by degrading or inhibiting translation of messenger RNAs (mRNAs). Here, we demonstrated that chicken microRNA-26a (gga-mir-26a) is a key posttranscriptional regulator of photoreceptor L-type voltage-gated calcium channel alpha1C subunit (L-VGCCalpha1C) expression, and its own expression has a diurnal rhythm, thereby explaining the rhythmic nature of L-VGCCalpha1Cs. Circadian oscillators in retinal photoreceptors provide a mechanism that allows photoreceptors to anticipate daily illumination changes. In photoreceptors, L-VGCC activities are under circadian control, which are higher at night and lower during the day. Interestingly, the mRNA level of VGCCalpha1D oscillates, but those for VGCCalpha1C do not. However, the protein expression of both VGCCalpha1C and alpha1D are higher at night in cone photoreceptors. The underlying mechanism regulating L-VGCCalpha1C protein expression was not clear until now. In vitro targeting reporter assays verified that gga-mir-26a specifically targeted the L-VGCCalpha1C 3'-untranslated region, and gga-mir-26a expression in the retina peaked during the day. After transfection with gga-mir-26a, L-VGCCalpha1C protein expression and L-VGCC current density decreased. Therefore, the rhythmic expression of gga-mir-26a regulated the protein expression of the L-VGCCalpha1C subunit. Additionally, both CLOCK (circadian locomoter output cycles kaput) and CREB (cAMP-response element-binding protein-1) activated gga-mir-26a expression in vitro. This result implies that gga-mir-26a might be a downstream target of circadian oscillators. Our work has uncovered new functional roles for miRNAs in the regulation of circadian rhythms in cone photoreceptors. Circadian regulated miRNAs could serve as the link between the core oscillator and output signaling that further govern biological functions.

Muscarinic receptor subtypes mediating positive and negative inotropy in the developing chick ventricle

The inotropic response to muscarinic receptor stimulation of isolated chick ventricular myocardium was examined at various developmental stages, and the receptor subtype involved was pharmacologically characterized. In embryonic chick ventricles, carbachol (CCh) produced positive inotropy at micromolar concentrations. In hatched chick ventricles, CCh produced negative inotropy at nanomolar concentrations. Neither positive nor negative inotropy was observed in the 19 - 21-day-old embryos. Both positive and negative inotropy were also observed with acetylcholine and oxotremoline-M. The CCh-induced positive inotropy in 7 - 9-day-old embryonic ventricles and the negative inotropy in 1 - 3-day-old hatched chick ventricles were antagonized by muscarinic receptor antagonists; pA(2) values for the positive and negative responses of pirenzepine were 7.5 and 7.2, those of AF-DX116 (11-[(2-[(diethylamino)methyl]-1-piperidinyl)acetyl]-5,11-dihydro-6H-pyrido[2,3-b][1,4] benzodiazepine-6-one) were 6.8 and 6.9, those of 4-diphenylacetoxy-N-methylpiperidine (4-DAMP) were 9.0 and 8.5, and those of himbacine were 7.0 and 8.0, respectively. CCh had no effect on action potential configuration. In conclusion, the positive inotropy is most likely mediated by muscarinic M(1) receptors and the negative inotropy is mostly likely mediated by muscarinic M(4) receptors.

Developmental regulation of intracellular calcium transients during cardiomyocyte differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells

AIM

To investigate the developmental regulation of intracellular Ca2+ transients, an essential event in excitation-contraction coupling, during cardiomyocyte differentiation.

METHODS

Using the embryonic stem (ES) cell in vitro differentiation system and pharmacological intervention, we investigated the molecular and functional regulation of Ca2+ handling proteins on the Ca2+ transients at early, intermediate and later differentiation stages of ES cell-derived cardiomyocytes (ESCM).

RESULTS

Nifedipine, a selective antagonist of L-type Ca2+ channels, totally blocked Ca2+ transients even in the condition of field-electric stimulation in ESCM at three differentiation stages. The Ca2+ transients of ESCM were also inhibited by both ryanodine [an inhibitor of ryanodine receptors (RyRs)] and 2-aminoethoxydipheylborate [2-APB, an inhibitor of inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate receptors (IP3Rs)]. The inhibitory effect of ryanodine increased with the time of differentiation, while the effect of 2-APB decreased with the differentiation. Thapsigargin, an inhibitor of SR Ca2+-pump ATPase, inhibited Ca2+ transients equally at three differentiation stages that matched the expression profile. Na+ free solution, which inhibits Na+-Ca2+ exchanger (NCX) to extrude Ca2+ from cytosol, did not affect the amplitude of Ca2+ transients of ESCM until the latter differentiation stage, but it significantly enhanced the basal Ca2+ concentration.

CONCLUSION

The Ca2+ transients in ESCM depend on both the sarcolemmal Ca2+ entry via L-type Ca2+ channels and the SR Ca2+ release from RyRs and IP3Rs even at the early differentiation stage; but NCX seems not to regulate the peak of Ca2+ transients until the latter differentiation stage.

L-type Ca2+channel function in the avian embryonic heart after cardiac neural crest ablation

In avian and mammalian embryos, surgical ablation or severely reduced migration of the cardiac neural crest leads to a failure of outflow tract septation known as persistent truncus arteriosus (PTA) and leads to embryo lethality due partly to impaired excitation-contraction coupling stemming primarily from a reduction in the L-type Ca2+current ( ICa,L). Decreased ICa,Loccurs without a corresponding reduction in the α1-subunit of the Ca2+channel. We hypothesize that decreased ICa,Lis due to reduced function at the single channel level. The cell-attached patch clamp with Na+as the charge carrier was used to examine single Ca2+channel activity in myocytes from normal hearts from sham-operated embryos and from hearts diagnosed with PTA at embryonic days (ED) 11 and 15 after laser ablation of the cardiac neural crest. In normal hearts, the number of single channel events per 200-ms depolarization and the mean open channel probability ( Po) was 1.89 ± 0.17 and 0.067 ± 0.008 for ED11 and 1.14 ± 0.17 and 0.044 ± 0.005 for ED15, respectively. These values represent a normal reduction in channel function and ICa,Lobserved with development. However, the number of single channel events was significantly reduced in hearts with PTA at both ED11 and ED15 (71% and 47%, respectively) with a corresponding reduction in Po(75% and 43%). The open time frequency histograms were best fitted by single exponentials with similar decay constants (τ ≅ 4.5 ms) except for the sham operated at ED15 (τ = 3.4 ms). These results indicate that the cardiac neural crest influences the development of myocardial Ca2+channels.

Single-channel activity of L-type Ca2+ channels reconstituted with the beta2c subunit cloned from the rat heart

We recently cloned the beta(2c) subunit of the L-type Ca(2+) channel as a functional type of beta subunit from the rat heart. In order to clarify the contribution of the beta(2c) subunit to native Ca(2+) channel function, we investigated the single-channel properties of Ca(2+) channels reconstituted with beta(2a) or beta(2c) subunits and compared them with the properties of native channels. In contrast to the Ca(2+) channel with beta(2a) subunit, long-lasting closings were dominant in the Ca(2+) channel with beta(2c) subunit and the native channel. The ensemble-averaged current of the cells with beta(2c) subunits was comparable to that of the native cardiomyocytes. Many high P(o) sweeps (mode 2) were observed in the cells with beta(2a) subunits, while only a few high P(o) sweeps were observed in the cells with beta(2c) subunits and the native cells. These findings suggest that the beta(2c) subunit is one of the functional beta subunits in the rat heart.

Calcium buffering and excitation-contraction coupling in developing avian myocardium

This report provides a detailed analysis of developmental changes in cytoplasmic free calcium (Ca(2+)) buffering and excitation-contraction coupling in embryonic chick ventricular myocytes. The peak magnitude of field-stimulated Ca(2+) transients declined by 41% between embryonic day (ED) 5 and 15, with most of the decline occurring between ED5 and 11. This was due primarily to a decrease in Ca(2+) currents. Sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca(2+) content increased 14-fold from ED5 to 15. Ca(2+) transients in voltage-clamped myocytes after blockade of SR function permitted computation of the fast Ca buffer power of the cytosol as expressed as generalized values of B(max) and K(D). B(max) rose with development whereas K(D) did not change significantly. The computed SR Ca(2+) contribution to the Ca(2+) transient and gain factor for Ca(2+)-induced Ca(2+) release increased markedly between ED5 and 11 and slightly thereafter. These results paralleled the maturation of SR and peripheral couplings reported by others and demonstrated a strong relationship between structure and function in development of excitation-contraction coupling. Modeling of buffer power from estimates of the major cytosolic Ca binding moieties yielded a B(max) and K(D) in reasonable agreement with experiment. From ED5 to 15, troponin C was the major Ca(2+) binding moiety, followed by SR and calmodulin.

Ion concentration-dependence of rat cardiac unitary L-type calcium channel conductance

Little is known about the native properties of unitary cardiac L-type calcium currents (i(Ca)) measured with physiological calcium (Ca) ion concentration, and their role in excitation-contraction (E-C) coupling. Our goal was to chart the concentration-dependence of unitary conductance (gamma) to physiological Ca concentration and compare it to barium ion (Ba) conductance in the absence of agonists. In isolated, K-depolarized rat myocytes, i(Ca) amplitudes were measured using cell-attached patches with 2 to 70 mM Ca or 2 to 105 mM Ba in the pipette. At 0 mV, 2 mM of Ca produced 0.12 pA, and 2 mM of Ba produced 0.19 pA unitary currents. Unitary conductance was described by a Langmuir isotherm relationship with a maximum gammaCa of 5.3 +/- 0.2 pS (n = 15), and gammaBa of 15 +/- 1 pS (n = 27). The concentration producing half-maximal gamma, Kd(gamma), was not different between Ca (1.7 +/- 0.3 mM) and Ba (1.9 +/- 0.4 mM). We found that quasi-physiological concentrations of Ca produced currents that were as easily resolvable as those obtained with the traditionally used higher concentrations. This study leads to future work on the molecular basis of E-C coupling with a physiological concentration of Ca ions permeating the Ca channel.

Functional characteristics of ES cell-derived cardiac precursor cells identified by tissue-specific expression of the green fluorescent protein

In contrast to terminally differentiated cardiomyocytes, relatively little is known about the characteristics of mammalian cardiac cells before the initiation of spontaneous contractions (precursor cells). Functional studies on these cells have so far been impossible because murine embryos of the corresponding stage are very small, and cardiac precursor cells cannot be identified because of the lack of cross striation and spontaneous contractions. In the present study, we have used the murine embryonic stem (ES, D3 cell line) cell system for the in vitro differentiation of cardiomyocytes. To identify the cardiac precursor cells, we have generated stably transfected ES cells with a vector containing the gene of the green fluorescent protein (GFP) under control of the cardiac alpha-actin promoter. First, fluorescent areas in ES cell-derived cell aggregates (embryoid bodies [EBs]) were detected 2 d before the initiation of contractions. Since Ca2+ homeostasis plays a key role in cardiac function, we investigated how Ca2+ channels and Ca2+ release sites were built up in these GFP-labeled cardiac precursor cells and early stage cardiomyocytes. Patch clamp and Ca2+ imaging experiments proved the functional expression of the L-type Ca2+ current (ICa) starting from day 7 of EB development. On day 7, using 10 mM Ca2+ as charge carrier, ICa was expressed at very low densities 4 pA/pF. The biophysical and pharmacological properties of ICa proved similar to terminally differentiated cardiomyocytes. In cardiac precursor cells, ICa was found to be already under control of cAMP-dependent phosphorylation since intracellular infusion of the catalytic subunit of protein kinase A resulted in a 1.7-fold stimulation. The adenylyl cyclase activator forskolin was without effect. IP3-sensitive intracellular Ca2+ stores and Ca2+-ATPases are present during all stages of differentiation in both GFP-positive and GFP-negative cells. Functional ryanodine-sensitive Ca2+ stores, detected by caffeine-induced Ca2+ release, appeared in most GFP-positive cells 1-2 d after ICa. Coexpression of both ICa and ryanodine-sensitive Ca2+ stores at day 10 of development coincided with the beginning of spontaneous contractions in most EBs. Thus, the functional expression of voltage-dependent L-type Ca2+ channel (VDCC) is a hallmark of early cardiomyogenesis, whereas IP3 receptors and sarcoplasmic Ca2+-ATPases are expressed before the initiation of cardiomyogenesis. Interestingly, the functional expression of ryanodine receptors/sensitive stores is delayed as compared with VDCC.

"Physiological genomics": mutant screens in zebrafish

Large-scale mutagenesis screens have proved essential in the search for genes that are important to development in the fly, worm, and yeast. Here we present the power of large-scale screening in a vertebrate, the zebrafish Danio rerio, and propose the use of this genetic system to address fundamental questions of vertebrate developmental physiology. As an example, we focus on zebrafish mutations that reveal single genes essential for normal development of the cardiovascular system. These single gene mutations disrupt specific aspects of rate, rhythm, conduction, or contractility of the developing heart.

Effects of verapamil and ryanodine on activity of the embryonic chick heart during anoxia and reoxygenation

Perturbations of the trans-sarcolemmal and sarcoplasmic Ca2+ transport contribute to the abnormal myocardial activity provoked by anoxia and reoxygenation. Whether Ca2+ pools of the extracellular compartment and sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) are involved to the same extent in the dysfunction of the anoxic-reoxygenated immature heart has not been investigated. Spontaneously contracting hearts isolated from 4-day-old chick embryos were submitted to repeated anoxia (1 min) followed by reoxygenation (5 min). Heart rate, atrioventricular propagation velocity, ventricular shortening, velocities of contraction and relaxation, and incidence of arrhythmias were studied, recorded continuously. Addition of verapamil (10 nM), which blocks selectively sarcolemmal L-type Ca2+ channels, was expected to protect against excessive entry of extracellular Ca2+, whereas addition of ryanodine (10 nM), which opens the SR Ca2+ release channel, was expected to increase cytosolic Ca2+ concentration. Verapamil (a) had no dromotropic effect by contrast to adult heart, (b) attenuated ventricular contracture induced by repeated anoxia, (c) shortened cardioplegia induced by reoxygenation, and (d) had remarkable antiarrhythmic properties during reoxygenation specially. On the other hand, ryanodine potentiated markedly arrhythmias both during anoxia and at reoxygenation. Thus despite its immaturity, the SR seems to be functional early in the developing chick heart and involved in the reversible dysfunction induced by anoxia-reoxygenation. Moreover, Ca2+ entry through L-type channels appears to worsen arrhythmias especially during reoxygenation. These findings show that the Ca2+-handling systems involved in irregular activity in immature heart, such as the embryonic chick heart, may differ from those in the adult.

Single-channel properties of L-type calcium channels from failing human ventricle

OBJECTIVE

The aim of our study was to analyse the single-channel properties of L-type calcium channels from failing human heart and to compare them to the respective animal data. Furthermore, we intended to evaluate the feasibility of future single-channel studies on the role of calcium channels in the pathophysiology of heart failure.

METHODS

Single L-type calcium channels were recorded in ventricular myocytes from explanted failing human heart, using the cell-attached configuration of the patch-clamp technique.

RESULTS

One or more successful registrations of calcium channels could be obtained in 11 of 19 cell isolations. Determination of single-channel conductance yielded a mean value of 16.6 +/- 1.2 pS (70 mM Ba2+ as the charge carrier) under control conditions and 23.7 +/- 2.8 pS in presence of the calcium-channel agonist FPL 64176. The rapid gating process could be described by a C<-->C<-->O gating scheme. Slow gating analysis revealed a highly significant clustering of active and non-active sweeps.

CONCLUSION

Single-channel measurements of L-type calcium channels in human failing ventricle are feasible and reproducible despite the varying patient characteristics. Their channel properties are qualitatively comparable to those found in other mammals. Whether there are quantitative differences due to the underlying heart failure can be elucidated in further studies.

Development of mechanisms regulating intracellular Ca2+ concentration in cardiac muscle cells of early chick embryos

The development of mechanisms for the regulation of intracellular-free calcium ion concentration ([Ca2+]i) was investigated in precardiac mesodermal cells (PMC) and cardiac muscle cells (CMC) from early chick embryos by microfluorometry using a Ca2+-sensitive fluorescent probe, fura-2, and transmission electron microscopy. Microfluorometry indicated that two types of regulatory mechanisms, involving the dihydropyridine receptor (DHPR) and the ryanodine receptor (RYR), are present in CMC when the heartbeat begins at the 8-9 somite stages. Nifedipine completely suppressed the beating of hearts isolated from embryos on Days 1.5 and 2. Ryanodine had no effect on the beating of hearts isolated from embryos on Day 1.5, though it completely suppressed beating in hearts from Embryonic Day 2. Microfluorometry revealed that a change occurred in the Ca2+-regulating mechanisms of CMC on Day 2. Transmission electron microscopy showed the appearance in CMC, also on Day 2, of peripheral couplings with feet structures, and SR adjacent to the Z-line of myofibrils. These findings suggest that the calcium-induced calcium-release (CICR) mechanism appears in the CMC of the chick on the second day of embryonic development.

Calcium homeostasis and control of contractility in the developing heart

The Ca2+ concentration within the myocyte is an important determinant of myocardial contractility. Substantial changes in the cellular processes responsible for transport of Ca2+ ions across the sarcolemmal and sarcoplasmic reticulum membranes occur during maturation of the heart. In this article, the mechanisms underlying these changes and their impact on myocardial performance are discussed in detail.

The heart and development

The perspective from which the developing heart is viewed can lead to differing conclusions about the effects of development on cardiac function. The hearts of the embryo, fetus and adult, viewed from a global perspective, sustain the circulation through the same basic mechanisms of developing pressure and ejecting blood. The failure of the embryonic heart to perform these tasks results in growth failure, edema, and embryonic death, just as in the infant and adult such failure results in premature death. Furthermore, from the viewpoint of gross anatomy, following embryonic morphogenesis, the developing and adult hearts appear in general to be structurally similar, differing only in size and mass. However, a closer view shows, in the molecular and structural makeup of the myocardium, richly complex changes that can modulate the basic physiological properties of the cardiac myocyte. This article focuses on how these changes and the effects of birth and development alter ventricular function.

Regulation of the slow Ca++ channels of myocardial cells

Contraction of the heart is regulated by a number of mechanisms, such as neurotransmitters, hormones, autacoids, pH, intracellular ATP, and Ca++ ions. These actions are mediated, at least in part, by actions on the sarcolemmal slow (L-type) Ca++ channels, exerted directly or indirectly. The major mechanisms for the regulation of the slow Ca++ channels of myocardial cells includes the following. cAMP/PK-A phosphorylation stimulates the slow Ca++ channel activity, whereas cGMP/PK-G phosphorylation inhibits. DAG/PK-C phosphorylation and tyrosine kinase phosphorylation are suggested to stimulate the slow Ca++ channel activity. Intracellular application of Gs alpha protein increases the slow Ca++ currents (ICa(L)). Lowering of intracellular ATP inhibits ICa(L). Acidosis and increase in [Ca]i inhibits ICa(L). A number of changes in the Ca++ channels also occur during development and aging. Thus, it appears that the slow Ca++ channel is a complex structure, including perhaps several associated regulatory proteins, which can be regulated by a number of extrinsic and intrinsic factors, and thereby control can be exercised over the force of contraction of the heart.

L-type calcium current in pediatric and adult human atrial myocytes: evidence for developmental changes in channel inactivation

Animal studies have documented the presence of marked, species-dependent, developmental changes in the properties of the L-type calcium current in cardiac myocytes. In an effort to understand the postnatal changes which occur in the calcium current in human heart, we characterized the calcium current in atrial myocytes isolated from 17 pediatric and older children (ages 3 d to 14 y) and 12 adult (ages 43-79 y) human hearts using the whole-cell patch clamp technique. In contrast to animal models, we found no evidence for age-related changes in calcium current density, steady-state inactivation, or kinetics of recovery from inactivation, suggesting that, in human atrium, calcium channels are in many aspects functionally mature at the time of birth. However, statistically significant differences were found in the kinetics of calcium current inactivation, with calcium current measured in cells isolated from pediatric human atria inactivating approximately 2-fold faster than cells isolated from adult hearts. These results suggest a possible role for age-related changes in calcium current inactivation in the shortened action potential duration observed in pediatric compared with adult human atrium.

Role of the steady-state Na+ channel current in pacemaker depolarizations in young embryonic chick ventricular myocytes

To assess the age-related changes in kinetic properties of the cardiac Na+ channel, whole-cell voltage-clamp (v-c) experiments were conducted using 3-, 10- and 17-day-old embryonic chick ventricular heart cells. In line with the first-order kinetic model, kinetic parameters for the activation and inactivation of the channel were determined from the v-c results. Simulation studies using kinetic parameters so determined have reproduced the current-voltage relations and the steady-state inactivation characteristics observed in cells in the three age groups. The rate of depolarization of the simulated action potentials was also comparable to that experimentally recorded. In conclusion, the steady-state Na+ conductance can play a significant role in the automatic depolarizations observed in young embryonic ventricular cells.

Voltage-dependence of Ca2+ agonist effect of YC-170 on cardiac L-type Ca2+ channels

1. We investigated the voltage-dependence of the agonist actions of YC-170, a dihydropyridine (DHP) derivative, on cardiac L-type Ca2+ channels in rabbit ventricular cells, using the patch clamp technique. The characteristics of YC-170 were compared with those of other DHP Ca2+ agonists (Bay K 8644, CGP 28392). Ca2+ channel activities were elicited by depolarizing pulses to 0 mV from a holding potential (HP) of either -80 mV or -40 mV. 2. YC-170 (10 microM) increased Ca2+ channel activities when HP was set at -80 mV. However, decreasing HP to -40 mV abolished the agonist action. The agonist effect of Bay K 8644 (1 microM) on Ca2+ channels was elicited to the same extent at either HP. CGP 28392 (10 microM) also increased Ca2+ channel activities at both HPs, but its agonist effect was significantly larger at an HP of -80 mV than at -40 mV. 3. All of the three DHP Ca2+agonists prolonged open times of Ca2+ channels, but the prolongation did not correspond to the voltage-dependence of Ca2+ agonist effects of the three DHPs. 4. YC-170 markedly reduced the closed time of the Ca2+ channel when the HP was at -80 mV, but prolonged it at HP of -40 mV. Bay K 8644 reduced closed times at an HP of -80 mV. At an HP of -40 mV, Bay K 8644 slightly reduced closed times. CGP 28392 reduced closed times at an HP of -80 mV and prolonged those at an HP of -40 mV. Thus the voltage-dependence of the agonist effects of these agents was in good agreement with the voltage-dependence of changes in closed times of Ca2+ channel. 5. Two mechanisms may be involved in the agonist action of YC-170; a prolongation of open times, and a reduction of closed times of Ca2+ channels, i.e. an increase in reopening. The former mechanism is not dependent on Hp and the latter mechanism is highly dependent on HP. Thus, the voltage-dependence of the agonist action may be attributed to the voltage-dependence of their enhancing effect on reopening of Ca2+ channels.

Long openings of calcium channels in fetal rat ventricular cardiomyocytes

Whole-cell and single-channel Ca2+ currents (ICa) of single fetal (12-18 days) and neonatal (1-10 d) rat ventricular myocytes were recorded using patch clamp techniques. Whole-cell ICa density increased markedly during the fetal period and remained almost constant during the neonatal period. In cell-attached patch recordings (with 110 mM Ba2+ in the pipette), the L-type Ca2+ channels, observed on both fetal d-12 and neonatal d 5, had the same conductance (23 pS). On fetal d-12, many relatively long openings were observed in addition to brief openings, whereas on neonatal d-5, long openings were less observed and brief openings dominated. Therefore, long openings of the Ca2+ channels occur in early development in rat heart cells, similar to that reported for chick hearts [7, 8]. The increase of the whole-cell current amplitude observed during development may be due to an increase in available channel number.

Regulation of slow calcium channels of myocardial cells and vascular smooth muscle cells by cyclic nucleotides and phosphorylation

The slow Ca2+ channels (L-type) of the heart are stimulated by cAMP. Elevation of cAMP produces a very rapid increase in number of slow channels available for voltage activation during excitation. The probability of a Ca2+ channel opening and the mean open time of the channel are increased. Therefore, any agent that increases the cAMP level of the myocardial cell will tend to potentiate ICa, Ca2+ influx, and contraction. The action of cAMP is mediated by PK-A and phosphorylation of the slow Ca2+ channel protein or an associated regulatory protein (stimulatory type). The myocardial slow Ca2+ channels are also regulated by cGMP, in a manner that is opposite or antagonistic to that of cAMP. We have demonstrated this at both the macroscopic level (whole-cell voltage clamp) and the single-channel level. The effect of cGMP is mediated by PK-G and phosphorylation of a protein, as for example, a regulatory protein (inhibitory-type) associated with the Ca2+ channel. Introduction of PK-G intracellularly causes a relatively rapid inhibition of ICa(L) in both chick and rat heart cells. Such inhibition occurs for both the basal and stimulated ICa(L). In addition, the cGMP/PK-G system was reported to stimulate a phosphatase that dephosphorylates the Ca2+ channel. In addition to the slower indirect pathway--exerted via cAMP/PK-A--there is a faster more-direct pathway for ICa(L) stimulation by the beta-adrenergic receptor. This latter pathway involves direct modulation of the channel activity by the alpha subunit (alpha s*) of the Gs-protein. In vascular smooth muscle cells the two pathways (direct and indirect) also appear to be present, although the indirect pathway produces inhibition of ICa(L). PK-C and calmodulin-PK also may play roles in regulation of the myocardial slow Ca2+ channels. Both of these protein kinases stimulate the activity of these channels. Thus, it appears that the slow Ca2+ channel is a complex structure, including perhaps several associated regulatory proteins, which can be regulated by a number of factors intrinsic and extrinsic to the cell, and thereby control can be exercised over the force of contraction of the heart.

Quantification of two splicing events in the L-type calcium channel alpha-1 subunit of intestinal smooth muscle and other tissues

cDNA fragments encoding a representative region of the L-type calcium channel alpha-1 subunit of rabbit intestine smooth muscle were amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The nucleotide sequences of these intestine clones shared a high similarity with aorta, lung and heart calcium channels. However, in the extracellular loop between the third and fourth segments of domain IV and in the transmembrane IVS3 segment itself, we observed primary sequence variations corresponding to alternative splicing phenomenons. Since structural differences of L-type calcium channel alpha-1 subunits could result in functional variations, the respective expression frequency of these isoforms was determined in various tissues and species, and in the embryonic A7r5 cell line. The ontogeny of these splicing events was also examined from tissues of different ages. From this quantitative study, carried out by PCR of reverse-transcribed mRNA, it clearly appears that the observed splicing processes in the IVS3-IVS4 region are not only tissue-dependent but also regulated during development.

Cyclic GMP regulation of calcium slow channels in cardiac muscle and vascular smooth muscle cells

The effects of cAMP and cGMP on the slow Ca2+ channels in cardiac muscle, VSM, and skeletal muscle fibers are summarized in Table V. As shown, in cardiac muscle, cAMP stimulates and cGMP inhibits. In VSM, both cAMP and cGMP inhibit. In skeletal muscle, both cAMP and cGMP stimulate.