Ducky mouse phenotype of epilepsy and ataxia is associated with mutations in the Cacna2d2 gene and decreased calcium channel current in cerebellar Purkinje cells

The mouse mutant ducky, a model for absence epilepsy, is characterized by spike-wave seizures and ataxia. The ducky gene was mapped previously to distal mouse chromosome 9. High-resolution genetic and physical mapping has resulted in the identification of the Cacna2d2 gene encoding the alpha2delta2 voltage-dependent calcium channel subunit. Mutations in Cacna2d2 were found to underlie the ducky phenotype in the original ducky (du) strain and in a newly identified strain (du(2J)). Both mutations are predicted to result in loss of the full-length alpha2delta2 protein. Functional analysis shows that the alpha2delta2 subunit increases the maximum conductance of the alpha1A/beta4 channel combination when coexpressed in vitro in Xenopus oocytes. The Ca(2+) channel current in acutely dissociated du/du cerebellar Purkinje cells was reduced, with no change in single-channel conductance. In contrast, no effect on Ca(2+) channel current was seen in cerebellar granule cells, results consistent with the high level of expression of the Cacna2d2 gene in Purkinje, but not granule, neurons. Our observations document the first mammalian alpha2delta mutation and complete the association of each of the major classes of voltage-dependent Ca(2+) channel subunits with a phenotype of ataxia and epilepsy in the mouse.

Acidic motif responsible for plasma membrane association of the voltage-dependent calcium channel beta1b subunit

Voltage-dependent calcium channels consist of a pore-forming transmembrane alpha1-subunit, which is known to associate with a number of accessory subunits, including alpha2-delta- and beta-subunits. The beta-subunits, of which four have been identified (beta1-4), are intracellular proteins that have marked effects on calcium channel trafficking and function. In a previous study, we observed that the beta1b-subunit showed selective plasma membrane association when expressed alone in COS7 cells, whereas beta3 and beta4 did not. In this study, we have examined the basis for this, and have identified, by making chimeric beta-subunits, that the C-terminal region, which shows most diversity between beta-subunits, of beta1b is responsible for its plasma membrane association. Furthermore we have identified, by deletion mutations, an 11-amino acid motif present in the C terminus of beta1b but not in beta3 (amino acids 547-556 of beta1b, WEEEEDYEEE), which when deleted, reduces membrane association of beta1b. Future research aims to identify what is binding to this sequence in beta1b to promote membrane association of this calcium channel subunit. It is possible that such membrane association is important for the selective localization or clustering of particular calcium channels with which beta1b is associated.

Zinc ions block rectifier potassium channels and calcium activated potassium channels at the frog motor nerve endings

The effect of Zn2+ on presynaptic currents was investigated on frog cutaneous pectoris nerve-muscle preparations. Nerve terminal spikes were recorded with extracellular electrodes placed in the perineurial sheaths of motor nerves. Zinc ions reversibly suppressed the component of the waveform associated with K+ currents--unmasking an inward current at the terminal--and induced repetitive firing when were applied to preparations perfused with calcium containing solutions. In experiments in which delayed rectifier channels were blocked by 3,4-diaminopyridine, Zn2+ caused a prolonged and reversible inward current associated with a slight decrease in the peak calcium current generated by 3,4-diaminopyridine. Zinc ions abolished the plateau calcium current produced by the simultaneous action of 3,4-diaminopyridine and tetraethylammonium. Finally, in all the preparations in which the exposure to Zn2+ was prolonged it was observed a dramatic and irreversible reduction of the presynaptic currents. These results suggest that Zn2+ has, at least, four different effects on presynaptic currents: (1) blockade of delayed rectifier potassium currents, (2) blockade of calcium-activated potassium currents, (3) blockade of calcium currents and (4) a delayed and irreversible disruption of all ionic conductances of the terminal.