Native-type DHP-sensitive calcium channel currents are produced by cloned rat aortic smooth muscle and cardiac α1subunits expressed inXenopus laevisooeytes and are regulated by α2- and β-subunits

Native tissue-like L-type voltage-dependent calcium channels (L-VDCC's) were expressed by in vitro transcribed cRNA injection of rat aorta or rabbit cardiac alpha 1 subunit into Xenopus laevis oocytes. Co-injection of VSM-alpha 1 with the cloned skeletal muscle beta-subunit (SK-beta) of the L-type VDCC significantly increased the expressed peak current amplitude without significant changes in kinetics. Similar results were obtained by co-injection of cardiac alpha 1 (DSHT-alpha 1) the cloned skeletal alpha 2-subunit (SK-alpha 2) or with SK-beta. The oocytes co-expressing cRNA's retained L-type VDCC pharmacology.

Functional coupling between 'R-type' Ca2+ channels and insulin secretion in the insulinoma cell line INS-1

Among voltage-gated Ca2+ channels the non-dihydropyridine-sensitive alpha1E subunit is functionally less well characterized than the structurally related alpha1A (omega-agatoxin-IVA sensitive, P- /Q-type) and alpha1B (omega-conotoxin-GVIA sensitive, N-type) subunits. In the rat insulinoma cell line, INS-1, a tissue-specific splice variant of alpha1E (alpha1Ee) has been characterized at the mRNA and protein levels, suggesting that INS-1 cells are a suitable model for investigating the function of alpha1Ee. In alpha1E-transfected human embryonic kidney (HEK-293) cells the alpha1E-selective peptide antagonist SNX-482 (100 nM) reduces alpha1Ed- and alpha1Ee-induced Ba2+ inward currents in the absence and presence of the auxiliary subunits beta3 and alpha2delta-2 by more than 80%. The inhibition is fast and only partially reversible. No effect of SNX-482 was detected on the recombinant T-type Ca2+ channel subunits alpha1G, alpha1H, and alpha1I showing that the toxin from the venom of Hysterocrates gigas is useful as an alpha1E-selective antagonist. After blocking known components of Ca2+ channel inward current in INS-1 cells by 2 microM (+/-)-isradipine plus 0.5 microM omega-conotoxin-MVIIC, the remaining current is reduced by 100 nM SNX-482 from -12.4 +/- 1.2 pA/pF to -7.6 +/- 0.5 pA/pF (n = 9). Furthermore, in INS-1 cells, glucose- and KCl-induced insulin release are reduced by SNX-482 in a dose-dependent manner leading to the conclusion that alpha1E, in addition to L-type and non-L-type (alpha1A-mediated) Ca2+ currents, is involved in Ca2+ dependent insulin secretion of INS-1 cells.

Comparison of the Ca2 + currents induced by expression of three cloned alpha1 subunits, alpha1G, alpha1H and alpha1I, of low-voltage-activated T-type Ca2 + channels

Expression of rat alpha1G, human alpha1H and rat alpha1I subunits of voltage-activated Ca2 + channels in HEK-293 cells yields robust Ca2 + inward currents with 1.25 mM Ca2 + as the charge carrier. Both similarities and marked differences are found between their biophysical properties. Currents induced by expression of alpha1G show the fastest activation and inactivation kinetics. The alpha1H and alpha1I currents activate and inactivate up to 1.5- and 5-fold slower, respectively. No differences in the voltage dependence of steady state inactivation are detected. Currents induced by expression of alpha1G and alpha1H deactivate with time constants of up to 6 ms at a test potential of - 80 mV, but currents induced by alpha1I deactivate about three-fold faster. Recovery from short-term inactivation is more than three-fold slower for currents induced by alpha1H and alpha1I in comparison to alpha1G. In contrast to these characteristics, reactivation after long-term inactivation was fastest for currents arising from expression of alpha1I and slowest in cells expressing alpha1H calcium channels. The calcium inward current induced by expression of alpha1I is increased by positive prepulses while currents induced by alpha1H and alpha1G show little ( < 5%) or no facilitation. The data thus provide a characteristic fingerprint of each channel's activity, which may allow correlation of the alpha1G, alpha1H and alpha1I induced currents with their in vivo counterparts.

Immunohistochemical detection of alpha1E voltage-gated Ca(2+) channel isoforms in cerebellum, INS-1 cells, and neuroendocrine cells of the digestive system

Polyclonal antibodies were raised against a common and a specific epitope present only in longer alpha1E isoforms of voltage-gated Ca(2+) channels, yielding an "anti-E-com" and an "anti-E-spec" serum, respectively. The specificity of both sera was established by immunocytochemistry and immunoblotting using stably transfected HEK-293 cells or membrane proteins derived from them. Cells from the insulinoma cell line INS-1, tissue sections from cerebellum, and representative regions of gastrointestinal tract were stained immunocytochemically. INS-1 cells expressed an alpha1E splice variant with a longer carboxy terminus, the so-called alpha1Ee isoform. Similarily, in rat cerebellum, which was used as a reference system, the anti-E-spec serum stained somata and dendrites of Purkinje cells. Only faint staining was seen throughout the cerebellar granule cell layer. After prolonged incubation times, neurons of the molecular layer were stained by anti-E-com, suggesting that a shorter alpha1E isoform is expressed at a lower protein density. In human gastrointestinal tract, endocrine cells of the antral mucosa (stomach), small and large intestine, and islets of Langerhans were stained by the anti-E-spec serum. In addition, staining by the anti-E-spec serum was observed in Paneth cells and in the smooth muscle cell layer of the lamina muscularis mucosae. We conclude that the longer alpha1Ee isoform is expressed in neuroendocrine cells of the digestive system and that, in pancreas, alpha1Ee expression is restricted to the neuroendocrine part, the islets of Langerhans. alpha1E therefore appears to be a common voltage-gated Ca(2+) channel linked to neuroendocrine and related systems of the body.

Isoforms of alpha1E voltage-gated calcium channels in rat cerebellar granule cells--detection of major calcium channel alpha1-transcripts by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction

In primary cultures of rat cerebellar granule cells, transcripts of voltage-gated Ca2+ channels have been amplified by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and identified by sequencing of subcloned polymerase chain reaction products. In these neurons cultured for six to eight days in vitro, fragments of the three major transcripts alpha1C, alpha1A, and alpha1E are detected using degenerated oligonucleotide primer pairs under highly stringent conditions. Whole-cell Ca2+ current recordings from six to eight days in vitro granule cells show that most of the current is due to L-type (25%), P-type (33%) and R-type (30%) Ca2+ channels. These data support the correlation between alpha1A and P-type Ca2+ channels (G1) and between alpha1E and R-type channels (G2 and G3). By including specific primer pairs for alpha1E the complimentary DNA fragments of indicative regions of alpha1E isoforms are amplified corresponding to the three most variable regions of alpha1E, the 5'-end, the II/III-loop, and the central part of the 3'-end. Although the complementary DNA fragments of the 5'-end of rat alpha1E yield a uniform reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction product, its structure is unusual in the sense that it is longer than in the cloned rat alpha1E complementary DNA. It corresponds to the alpha1E isoform reported for mouse and human brain and is also expressed in cerebellum and cerebrum of rat brain as the major or maybe even the only variant of alpha1E. While fragments of a new rat alpha1E isoform are amplified from the 5'-end, three known fragments of the II/III-loop and two known isoforms homologue to the 3'-coding region are detected, which in the last case are discriminated by a 129 base pair insertion. The shift of the alpha1E expression from a pattern seen in cerebellum (alpha1Ee) to a pattern identified in other regions of the brain (alpha1E-3) is discussed. These data show that: (i) alpha1E is expressed in rat brain as a structural homologue to the mouse and human alpha1E; and (ii) rat cerebellar granule cells in primary culture express a set of alpha1E isoforms, containing two different sized carboxy termini. Since no new transcripts of high-voltage-activated Ca2+ channels genes are identified using degenerate oligonucleotide primer pairs, the two isoforms differentiated by the 129 base pair insertion might correspond to the two R-type channels, G2 and G3, characterized in these neurons. Functional studies including recombinant cells with the different proposed isoforms should provide more evidence for this conclusion.

Cloning and expression of a novel member of the low voltage-activated T-type calcium channel family

Low voltage-activated Ca2+ channels play important roles in pacing neuronal firing and producing network oscillations, such as those that occur during sleep and epilepsy. Here we describe the cloning and expression of the third member of the T-type family, alpha1I or CavT.3, from rat brain. Northern analysis indicated that it is predominantly expressed in brain. Expression of the cloned channel in either Xenopus oocytes or stably transfected human embryonic kidney-293 cells revealed novel gating properties. We compared these electrophysiological properties to those of the cloned T-type channels alpha1G and alpha1H and to the high voltage-activated channels formed by alpha1Ebeta3. The alpha1I channels opened after small depolarizations of the membrane similar to alpha1G and alpha1H but at more depolarized potentials. The kinetics of activation and inactivation were dramatically slower, which allows the channel to act as a Ca2+ injector. In oocytes, the kinetics were even slower, suggesting that components of the expression system modulate its gating properties. Steady-state inactivation occurred at higher potentials than any of the other T channels, endowing the channel with a substantial window current. The alpha1I channel could still be classified as T-type by virtue of its criss-crossing kinetics, its slow deactivation (tail current), and its small (11 pS) conductance in 110 mM Ba2+ solutions. Based on its brain distribution and novel gating properties, we suggest that alpha1I plays important roles in determining the electroresponsiveness of neurons, and hence, may be a novel drug target.

New isoform of the neuronal Ca2+ channel alpha1E subunit in islets of Langerhans and kidney--distribution of voltage-gated Ca2+ channel alpha1 subunits in cell lines and tissues

The expression of Ca2+ channel alpha1E isoforms has been analyzed in different cell lines, embryoid bodies and tissues. The comparison of the different cloned alpha1E cDNA sequences led to the prediction of alpha1E splice variants. Transcripts of two cloned alpha1E isoforms, which are discriminated by a carboxy terminal 129-bp sequence, have been detected in different cell lines and tissues. Transcripts of the shorter alpha1E isoform have been assigned to the rat cerebrum and to neuron-like cells from in vitro, differentiated embryonic stem cells. The shorter isoform is the major transcript amplified from total RNA by reverse transcription (RT)-PCR and visualized on the protein level by Western blotting with common and isoform-specific antibodies. Transcripts of the longer alpha1E isoform have been identified in mouse, rat and human cerebellum, in in vitro, differentiated embryoid bodies, in the insulinoma cell lines INS-1 (rat) and betaTC-3 (mouse), in the pituitary cell line AtT-20 (mouse) when grown in 5 mM glucose, and in islets of Langerhans (rat) and kidney (rat and human). The detection of different isoforms of alpha1E in cell lines and tissues shows that the wide expression of alpha1E has to be specified by identifying the corresponding isoforms in each tissue. In islets of Langerhans and in kidney, a distinct isoform called alpha1Ee has been determined by RT-PCR, while in cerebellum a set of different alpha1E structures has been detected, which might reflect the functional heterogeneity of cerebellar neurons. The tissue-specific expression of different isoforms might be related to specific functions, which are not yet known, but the expression of the new isoform alpha1Ee in islets of Langerhans and kidney leads to the suggestion that alpha1E might be involved in the modulation of the Ca2+-mediated hormone secretion.

cAMP-dependent phosphorylation sites and macroscopic activity of recombinant cardiac L-type calcium channels

The involvement of cAMP-dependent phosphorylation sites in establishing the basal activity of cardiac L-type Ca2+ channels was studied in HEK 293 cells transiently cotransfected with mutants of the human cardiac alpha1 and accessory subunits. Systematic individual or combined elimination of high consensus protein kinase A (PKA) sites, by serine to alanine substitutions at the amino and carboxyl termini of the alpha1 subunit, resulted in Ca2+ channel currents indistinguishable from those of wild type channels. Dihydropyridine (DHP)-binding characteristics were also unaltered. To explore the possible involvement of nonconsensus sites, deletion mutants were used. Carboxyl-terminal truncations of the alpha1 subunit distal to residue 1597 resulted in increased channel expression and current amplitudes. Modulation of PKA activity in cells transfected with the wild type channel or any of the mutants did not alter Ca2+ channel functions suggesting that cardiac Ca2+ channels expressed in these cells behave, in terms of lack of PKA control, like Ca2+ channels of smooth muscle cells.

Structural diversity of the voltage-dependent Ca2+ channel alpha1E-subunit

Voltage-operated Ca2+ channels are heteromultimeric proteins. Their structural diversity is caused by several genes encoding homologous subunits and by alternative splicing of single transcripts. Isoforms of alpha1 subunits, which contain the ion conducting pore, have been deduced from each of the six cDNA sequences cloned so far from different species. The isoforms predicted for the alpha1E subunit are structurally related to the primary sequence of the amino terminus, the centre of the subunit (II-III loop), and the carboxy terminus. Mouse and human alpha1E transcripts have been analysed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and by sequencing of amplified fragments. For the II-III loop three different alpha1E cDNA fragments are amplified from mouse and human brain, showing that isoforms originally predicted from sequence alignment of different species are expressed in a single one. Both predicted alpha1E cDNA fragments of the carboxy terminus are identified in vivo. Two different alpha1E constructs, referring to the major structural difference in the carboxy terminus, were stably transfected in HEK293 cells. The biophysical properties of these cells were compared in order to evaluate the importance in vitro of the carboxy terminal insertion found in vivo. The wild-type alpha1E subunit showed properties, typical for a high-voltage activated Ca2+ channel. The deletion of 43 amino acid residues at the carboxy terminus does not cause significant differences in the current density and the basic biophysical properties. However, a functional difference is suggested, as in embryonic stem cells, differentiated in vitro to neuronal cells, the pattern of transcripts indicative for different alpha1E isoforms changes during development. In human cerebellum the longer alpha1E isoform is expressed predominantly. Although, it has not been possible to assign functional differences to the two alpha1E constructs tested in vitro, the expression pattern of the structurally related isoforms may have functional importance in vivo.

Properties of three COOH-terminal splice variants of a human cardiac L-type Ca2+-channel alpha1-subunit

There is growing evidence for diversity of cardiac-type (class C) voltage-dependent calcium-channel alpha1-subunits arising from the alternative splicing of a primary transcript. In this study, we show the existence of carboxy-terminal variability in the human cardiac alpha1-gene by genomic cloning. We found that the genomic DNA segment encoding the COOH-terminal tail of the protein is composed of nine invariable and two alternative exons. The alternative utilization of these latter two exons gives rise to the formation of three message variants for this region. Reverse transcription followed by polymerase chain reaction and radioanalytic quantitation of the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction products showed significant variations in the distribution of these isoforms (hHt alpha1, rHt alpha1, fHt alpha1) in distinct parts of the heart, the aorta, and fibroblasts. Expression of the three alpha1-isoforms in Xenopus oocytes or in HEK-293 cells and analysis of the kinetics and voltage dependence of the induced calcium-channel currents revealed only insignificant differences in the behavior of these isoforms. When the alpha1-isoforms were coexpressed with a human beta-subunit, no alpha1-specific divergences were observed, but the effects of beta-subunit coexpression on alpha1-isoform biophysical properties were confirmed. The differential abundance of the three isoforms and the influence of an accessory subunit are of potential physiological significance.

Inhibition of cloned human L-type cardiac calcium channels by 2,3-butanedione monoxime does not require PKA-dependent phosphorylation sites

The oxime derivative 2,3-butanedione monoxime (BDM) is used as an inorganic phosphatase to probe the phosphorylation state of many cellular proteins including the L-type calcium channel in various tissues. We used BDM further to shed light on the controversy surrounding direct phosphorylation of the L-type Ca2+ channel. We employed a recombinant system that utilizes HEK 293 cells expressing wild type and mutant human heart calcium channels. BDM reversibly reduced the calcium channel current induced by expression of the wild type channel in a concentration-dependent manner with an apparent IC50 value of 15.3 mM. Deletion of part of the carboxyl terminus of the alpha 1 subunit, which contains one putative protein kinase A site, or mutating all of the protein kinase A consensus sites of the pore forming subunit, did not significantly change the apparent IC50 value or alter in any other way the blocking effect of BDM on the expressed currents. Our data suggest that BDM produces reversible modifications of the cardiac calcium channel protein leading to an expected reduction in the amplitude of the expressed currents, but the site of action must be different from that of the consensus sites for protein kinase A dependent phosphorylation.

Molecular studies of the asymmetric pore structure of the human cardiac voltage- dependent Ca2+ channel. Conserved residue, Glu-1086, regulates proton-dependent ion permeation

Proton transfer to calcium channels results in rapid fluctuations between two non-zero conductance levels when the current is carried by monovalent cations. A combination of site-directed mutagenesis and single-channel recording techniques were used to identify the unique proton acceptor site as Glu-1086, a conserved glutamate residue located in the S5-S6 linker of motif III of calcium channels. Glu-1086 is part of an array of four glutamate residues in the pore-lining region of the channel conferring the high selectivity of calcium channels. Titration of Glu-1086 yielded a pKa value of 7.91 which is different from that expected for a free glutamic acid side-chain carboxyl. Proposed electrostatic interactions between charged nearby residues can account only in part for this phenomenon since individual elimination of the other three glutamate residues only slightly decreased the pKa of Glu-1086. These data, in addition to identifying the proton acceptor site, provide evidence for the influence of the microenvironment in forming the asymmetry of the conducting pathway of calcium channels.

Lack of involvement of protein kinase A phosphorylation in voltage-dependent facilitation of the activity of human cardiac L-type calcium channels

Phosphorylation by protein kinase A is thought to be involved in voltage-dependent facilitation of calcium channels. Here we have shown that the subunit complex of a cloned human cardiac calcium channel, expressed in Xenopus oocytes, responds to voltage-dependent facilitation by an approximately 50% increase of the calcium channel peak current. The removal of all protein kinase A consensus sequences by site-directed mutagenesis decreased but did not eliminate the response to prepulse facilitation. Moreover, Rp-cAMP-S, an inhibitor of protein kinase A, could not prevent facilitation of the wild-type calcium channel currents. Similarly, AMP-PNP a nonhydrolyzable analog of ATP, while significantly decreasing the whole-cell current amplitude, failed to reduce the response to double-pulse facilitation. Therefore, we conclude that the voltage-dependent facilitation of cloned calcium channel currents is not due to enhancement of phosphorylation, but probably to some type of voltage-induced conformational change in the channel.

Involvement of the carboxyl-terminal region of the alpha 1 subunit in voltage-dependent inactivation of cardiac calcium channels

Intracellular application of proteases increases cardiac calcium current to a level similar to beta-adrenergic stimulation. Using transiently transfected HEK 293 cells, we studied the molecular mechanism underlying calcium channel stimulation by proteolytic treatment. Perfusion of HEK cells, coexpressing the human cardiac (hHT) alpha 1, alpha 2, and beta 3 subunits, with 1 mg/ml of trypsin or carboxypeptidase A, increased the peak amplitude of the calcium channel current 3-4-fold without affecting the voltage dependence. Similar results were obtained in HEK cells cotransfected with hHT alpha 1 and alpha 2 or with alpha 1 alone, suggesting that modification of the alpha 1 subunit itself is responsible for the current enhancement by proteolysis. To further characterize the modification of the alpha 1 subunit by trypsin, we expressed a deletion mutant in which part of the carboxyl-terminal tail up to amino acid 1673 was removed. The expressed calcium channel currents no longer responded to intracellular application of the proteases; however, a 3-fold higher current density as well as faster inactivation compared with the wild type was observed. The results provide evidence that a specific region of the carboxyl-terminal tail of the cardiac alpha 1 subunit is an important regulatory segment that may serve as a critical component of the gating machinery that influences both inactivation properties as well as channel availability.

Functional properties and substrate specificity of the cloned L-glutamate/L-aspartate transporter GLAST-1 from rat brain expressed in Xenopus oocytes

The rat brain L-glutamate/L-aspartate transporter GLAST-1 is a member of a family of Na(+)-dependent high-affinity L-glutamate transporters proposed to be involved in the termination and modulation of excitatory neurotransmitter signals. Application of electrophysiological and radiotracer techniques on Xenopus oocytes expressing cloned GLAST-1 revealed that the apparent Km value of the transporter for L-glutamate and Na+ ions did not depend on voltage while the maximal transport rate increased with more negative potentials, indicative of a low-field access channel. The apparent Km value of the transporter for L-glutamate depends on the Na+ concentration, suggesting that substrate and ions are transported by GLAST-1 in a simultaneous manner. All of the L-glutamate uptake blockers tested either were substrates or did not affect the current induced by L-glutamate. The changes in the amplitude of the current induced by simultaneous application of two substrates can be interpreted by a competition for one binding site.

Calcium channel current of vascular smooth muscle cells: extracellular protons modulate gating and single channel conductance

Modulation of L-type Ca2+ channel current by extracellular pH (pHo) was studied in vascular smooth muscle cells from bovine pial and porcine coronary arteries. Relative to pH 7.4, alkaline pH reversibly increased and acidic pH reduced ICa. The efficacy of pHo in modulating ICa was reduced when the concentration of the charge carrier was elevated ([Ca2+]o or [Ba2+]o varied between 2 and 110 mM). Analysis of whole cell and single Ca2+ channel currents suggested that more acidic pHo values shift the voltage-dependent gating (approximately 15 mV per pH-unit) and reduce the single Ca2+ channel conductance gCa due to screening of negative surface charges. pHo effects on gCa depended on the pipette [Ba2+] ([Ba2+]p), pK*, the pH providing 50% of saturating conductance, increased with [Ba2+]p according to pK* = 2.7-2.log ([Ba2+]p) suggesting that protons and Ba2+ ions complete for a binding site that modulates gCa. The above mechanisms are discussed in respect to their importance for Ca2+ influx and vasotonus.

Intracellular pH modulates the availability of vascular L-type Ca2+ channels

L-type Ca2+ channel currents were recorded from myocytes isolated from bovine pial and porcine coronary arteries to study the influence of changes in intracellular pH (pHi). Whole cell ICa fell when pHi was made more acidic by substituting HEPES/NaOH with CO2/bicarbonate buffer (pHo 7.4, 36 degrees C), and increased when pHi was made more alkaline by addition of 20 mM NH4Cl. Peak ICa was less pHi sensitive than late ICa (170 ms after depolarization to 0 mV). pHi-effects on single Ca2+ channel currents were studied with 110 mM BaCl2 as the charge carrier (22 degrees C, pHo 7.4). In cell-attached patches pHi was changed by extracellular NH4Cl or through the opened cell. In inside-out patches pHi was controlled through the bath. Independent of the method used the following results were obtained: (a) Single channel conductance (24 pS) and life time of the open state were not influenced by pHi (between pHi 6 and 8.4). (b) Alkaline pHi increased and acidic pHi reduced the channel availability (frequency of nonblank sweeps). (c) Alkaline pHi increased and acidic pHi reduced the frequency of late channel re-openings. The effects are discussed in terms of a deprotonation (protonation) of cytosolic binding sites that favor (prevent) the shift of the channels from a sleepy to an available state. Changes of bath pHo mimicked the pHi effects within 20 s, suggesting that protons can rapidly permeate through the surface membrane of vascular smooth muscle cells. The role of pHi in Ca2+ homeostases and vasotonus is discussed.

Intracellular calcium ions activate a low-conductance chloride channel in smooth-muscle cells isolated from human mesenteric artery

Calcium-activated chloride currents were studied by the patch-clamp technique in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) isolated from human mesenteric arteries. Bath application of 20 mM caffeine caused the cell membrane to depolarize by a calcium-activated inward current that peaked to -654 +/- 230 pA (holding potential -50 mV). Cell-attached, at the same time inwardly directed single-channel currents were detected with an amplitude of -0.22 pA. In open-cell-attached patches channel activity was triggered by elevating [Ca2+]i to 10 microM. At -60 mV the mean amplitude of the current was -0.24 pA and the mean open time of the channels was 28 ms. Plotting the amplitude of the current versus the test potential yielded a single-channel conductance of 2.8 +/- 0.5 pS. The currents disappeared when [Cl-] was reduced from 150 mM to 5 mM at the cytosolic side of the inside-out patch at a holding potential of -60 mV (calculated reversal potential -58 mV) suggesting that the calcium-activated current was a chloride current. This suggests that, in human mesenteric VSMC, elevation of [Ca2+]i activates a low-conductance chloride channel, which may mediate the agonist-induced depolarization of the cell membrane.

Electrogenic L-glutamate uptake in Xenopus laevis oocytes expressing a cloned rat brain L-glutamate/L-aspartate transporter (GLAST-1)

The transport of L-glutamate into Xenopus laevis oocytes expressing the cloned L-glutamate/L-aspartate transporter (GLAST-1) from rat brain was studied using the voltage clamp technique. At a holding potential of -90 mV, a bath application of 100 microM L-glutamate induced an inward current (IGLAST) with an amplitude ranging from -5 to -30 nA. IGLAST did not require extracellular Ca2+, Mg2+, or Cl-, was larger at negative potentials, and did not reverse up to +80 mV. The current was dependent on external L-glutamate and Na+ with half-maximal amplitudes at 11 microM L-glutamate and 41 mM Na+. IGLAST saturated at 100 microM L-glutamate and 80 mM Na+. The Hill coefficient for Na+ and L-glutamate was 3.3 and 1.3, respectively, suggesting that 3 Na+ accompany the transport of 1 L-glutamate molecule. At low [Na+]o, IGLAST was enhanced by reducing [K+]o, an indication for the countertransport of K+. Reducing external pH from 7.4 to 6.0 did not change the amplitude of IGLAST. This argues against a glutamate/proton cotransport. The results provide evidence for GLAST-1 carrying out a high affinity, sodium-dependent L-glutamate transport with a proposed stoichiometry of 3 Na+, 1 L-glutamate-/1 K+.

Cloning, chromosomal localization, and functional expression of the alpha 1 subunit of the L-type voltage-dependent calcium channel from normal human heart

A unique structural variant of the cardiac L-type voltage-dependent calcium channel alpha 1 subunit cDNA was isolated from libraries derived from normal human heart mRNA. The deduced amino acid sequence shows significant homology to other calcium channel alpha 1 subunits. However, differences from the rabbit heart alpha 1 include a shortened N-terminus, a unique C-terminal insertion, and both forms of an alternatively spliced motif IV S3 region. The shortened N-terminus provides optimal access to consensus sequences thought to facilitate translation. Northern blot analysis revealed a single hybridizing mRNA species of 9.4 kb. The gene for the human heart alpha 1 subunit was localized specifically to the distal region of chromosome 12p13. The cloned alpha 1 subunit was expressed in Xenopus oocytes and single-channel analyses revealed native-like pharmacology and channel properties.

Beta-subunit expression is required for cAMP-dependent increase of cloned cardiac and vascular calcium channel currents

In contrast to vascular smooth muscle (VSM), cAMP-dependent phosphorylation increases L-type voltage dependent Ca(2+)-channel (L-VDCC) activity in heart. To investigate whether this difference depends on the tissue-specific alpha 1-subunit of the L-VDCC or its regulation by other subunits, we used a Xenopus laevis oocyte expression system. Injection of cAMP into oocytes expressing cardiac alpha 1 or VSM alpha 1 alone had no effect on L-VDCC activity. However, cAMP increased L-VDCC activity 2-fold in oocytes co-expressing cardiac alpha 1 or VSM alpha 1 with the skeletal muscle beta-subunit. These results suggest that the presence of the beta-subunit is required for cAMP-mediated increase of L-VDCC activity and that the characteristics of tissue-specific beta-subunits may explain differential regulation of L-VDCC activity.

ATP suppresses activity of Ca(2+)-activated K+ channels by Ca2+ chelation

Ca(2+)-activated maxi K+ channels were studied in inside-out patches from smooth muscle cells isolated from either porcine coronary arteries or guinea-pig urinary bladder. As described by Groschner et al. (Pfügers Arch 417:517, 1990), channel activity (NPo) was stimulated by 3 microM [Ca2+]c (1 mM Ca-EGTA adjusted to a calculated pCa of 5.5) and was suppressed by the addition of 1 mM Na2ATP. The following results suggest that suppression of NPo by Na2ATP is due to Ca2+ chelation and hence reduction of [Ca2+]c and reduced Ca2+ activation of the channel. The effect was absent when Mg ATP was used instead of Na2ATP. The effect was diminished by increasing the [EGTA] from 1 to 10 mM. The effect was absent when [Ca2+]c was buffered with 10 mM HDTA (apparent pKCa 5.58) instead of EGTA (pKCa 6.8). A Ca(2+)-sensitive electrode system indicated that 1 mM Na2ATP reduced [Ca2+]c in 1 mM Ca-EGTA from 3 microM to 1.4 microM. Na2ATP, Na2GTP, Li4AMP-PNP and NaADP reduced measured [Ca2+]c in parallel with their suppression of NPo. After the Na2ATP-induced reduction of [Ca2+]c was re-adjusted by adding either CaCl2 or MgCl2, the effect of Na2ATP on NPo disappeared. In vivo, intracellular [Mg2+] exceeds free [ATP4-], hence ATP modulation of maxi K+ channels due to Ca2+ chelation is without biological relevance.

Myocytes isolated from porcine coronary arteries: reduction of currents through L-type Ca-channels by verapamil-type Ca-antagonists

Myocytes were enzymatically isolated from large epicardial arteries of the pig. In the cell attached configuration, we studied currents through L-type Ca-channels. At 22 degrees C, open channel conductance was 9 pS with 110 mM Ca2+ and 24 pS with 110 mM Ba2+ as charge carrier. According to the life time of the open state, 2 'modes' of gating are distinguished; mode 1 contributed time constants shorter than 1 ms, mode 2 those longer than 6 ms to the open time distribution. Mode 2 openings appeared spontaneously, more frequently with Ba2+ than with Ca2+ as charge carrier. The Ca-agonist Bay K 8644 (0.5 microM) facilitated the appearance of mode 2. Bath application of the phenylalkylamine D600 (1 microM) did not change the gating modes, but it reduced the channel openness by increasing the percentage of blank records. With whole cell recordings, we studied reduction of ICa by 1 microM D 600 at 3.6 mM [Ca2+] and 35 degrees C. At a holding potential of -45 mV, D 600 induced an 'initial block' of 35% (10% at -65 mV). Upon repetitive 1 Hz pulsing (170 ms to 0 mV) an additional, 'use-dependent' block developed with time. More negative holding potentials attenuated reduction of ICa by D 600, hyperpolarizations to -100 mV had an 'unblocking' effect. In regard to reduction of ICa, we compared the partially uncharged D 600 (membrane permeable) with the completely charged compound D 890 (membrane impermeable). When applied with the bath, 1 or 10 microM D 600 reduced ICa dose-dependently whereas D 890 was ineffective. When D 890 was applied via the patch electrode to the cytosol, it reduced ICa. We discuss that D 600 enters the cell in the uncharged lipid soluble form and reaches form the inside its receptor associated with the Ca-channel.

Endothelin depolarizes myocytes from porcine coronary and human mesenteric arteries through a Ca-activated chloride current

The effect of endothelin (ET) on membrane potential and current was studied in myocytes isolated from porcine coronary or from human mesenteric arteries at 3.6 mM extracellular Ca2+ concentration and 37 degrees C. ET (1-100 nM) induced cell shortening and membrane depolarization from a resting potential of -50 mV to about -15 mV. Ca currents (ICa, L-type) were transiently reduced by ET. At -50 mV, ET induced an inward current that peaked within 2 s and fell within 10 s to a sustained level. The current could be enlarged by reducing bath extracellular Cl- ion concentration, but removal of extracellular Na+ ions had no effect. The voltage dependence suggests that the ET-induced current is a Cl current (ICl) at potentials negative to -30 mV; at more positive potentials K currents (IK,Ca) are superimposed. The effects of ET on ICa, ICl, IK,Ca and contraction were prevented by intracellular Ca chelators, suggesting a Ca-dependent activation mechanism. The ET effects were abolished by pretreatment with 20 mM caffeine or prior cell-dialysis with heparin [thought to block inositol triphosphate-induced sarcoplasmic reticular Ca release]. The results suggest that ET releases Ca from the SR through a phosphoinositol response and that the released Ca acts as second messenger in modulating the membrane currents.

Carbon monoxide inhibits depolarization-induced Ca rise and increases cyclic GMP in visceral smooth muscle cells

Monocytes were isolated from the urinary bladder of the guinea-pig. By means of the voltage clamp technique, whole cells were depolarized from -65 to +10 mV in order to increase the intracellular calcium concentration [Ca2+]i and to monitor this increase by means of the calcium activated potassium current IK.Ca. Superfusion of the cells with carbon monoxide-containing solutions for 2 min inhibited the signal to about 50% of the control suggesting depression of the depolarization-induced increase in [Ca2+]i. The CO-mediated inhibition of IK.Ca was partially reversed by wash-off of CO; flashes of high light intensity accelerated the rate of recovery. Sodium nitroprusside (0.01-1 mM) depressed the depolarization-induced increase in [Ca2+]i similar to CO. In multicellular preparations of the urinary bladder, CO-containing media were shown to increase the cGMP concentration by a factor of 2 in the absence and by a factor of 3 in the presence of 1 mM of the phosphodiesterase inhibitor 3-isobutyl-1-methyl-xanthine (IBMX). According to our previous work, CO binds to and activates soluble guanylate cyclase [Brüne B and Ullrich V, Mol Pharmacol 32: 497-504, 1987; Utz J and Ullrich V, Naunyn Schmiedebergs Arch Pharmacol 337 (Suppl): 299, 1988] and the rise in cGMP could thus effect [Ca2+]i by still unknown mechanisms.

L-type Ca-channels: similar Q10 of Ca-, Ba- and Na-conductance points to the importance of ion-channel interaction

The temperature-dependence of currents through L-type Ca-channels was studied in myocytes isolated from the urinary bladder of the guinea pig. Currents were measured at 22 degrees C and 35 degrees C with Ca-, Ba- and Na-ions as charge carrier. The higher temperature increased the open channel conductance for Ca-ions from 8.5 to 16 pS (Q10 = 1.63 +/- 0.07, mean +/- S.D.), for Ba-ions from 24 to 43 pS (Q10 = 1.55 +/- 0.06), and for Na-ions (pH 9) from 74 to 131 pS (Q10 of 1.55 +/- 0.09). The differences in the Q10's are not significant, the activation energy approximates a common high value of 34.8 +/- 2.5 kJ/mol. A three barrier model with intra-channel binding predicts high Q10's for Ca and Ba but not for Na. To fit the results we postulate that the temperature-dependence reflects multiple ion-channel interactions within a central permeability barrier, e.g. polar groups substituting part of the ionic water shell.

The dihydropyridine niguldipine modulates calcium and potassium currents in vascular smooth muscle cells

1. Vascular smooth muscle cells were isolated from the portal vein and from pial vessels of the cow. They were voltage-clamped with a single patch electrode technique (whole cell recording) in order to analyse the effects of niguldipine on ionic membrane currents. Due to adsorption of niguldipine to plastic and glass, the effective concentrations are lower than the nominal concentrations by a factor of about 3. 2. Niguldipine reduced Ca-currents (ICa of the L-type, voltage operated) at nominal concentrations greater than 0.1 microM up to a complete block at 1 microM (50% block at 0.4 microM). Nominal concentrations between 50 and 200 nM facilitated ICa ('Ca-agonistic effect'). The Ca-agonistic effects of niguldipine showed modest use- but strong voltage-dependence. 3. Niguldipine increased the outward currents at nominal concentrations greater than 10 nM. The extra outward currents reversed at -85 mV, the result suggesting that niguldipine had increased potassium currents, IK. Maximal facilitation of IK by niguldipine was about 400% and was obtained at 1 microM, half-maximal facilitation was obtained with a nominal concentration of 20 nM. 4. Both reduction of ICa and facilitation of IK may contribute to vasodilatation by niguldipine. Due to its greater sensitivity, the effects on IK may dominate.

Pharmacological modulation of calcium and potassium channels in isolated vascular smooth muscle cells

Calcium antagonists relax vascular smooth muscle cells (VSM) by decreasing Ca-influx and intracellular Ca-load. In isolated VSM, Ca-influx was measured as Ca-current by the voltage clamp technique applied to a patch of membrane (single-channel current) or to the whole cell (whole-cell current ICa). Gallopamil exerted Ca-antagonism mostly by reducing channel availability, i.e. the probability that the Ca-channel opens upon depolarization. Whole-cell-Ca-currents revealed prominent frequency dependence, i.e. reduction of ICa increased with the number of depolarizations. In addition, the gallopamil effect was voltage-dependent such that depolarized myocytes were more sensitive than hyperpolarized cells. The dihydropyridine nitrendipine abbreviated the life time which the Ca-channel stood in the open state and it hindered the channel to re-open again. Reduction of availability was found only after a prolonged application. In whole cell ICa, nitrendipine accelerated the inactivation time course. The Ca-antagonistic effect was voltage-dependent but not frequency-dependent. Potassium agonists are supposed to activate K-channels thereby hyperpolarizing the membrane, hyperpolarization shuts off the Ca-channels and thereby reduces Ca-influx. The K-agonists cromakalim, (+) niguldipine and diazoxide activated the Ca-dependent maxi K-channel (inside-out patches studied at [Ca2+]c of 50 nmol/l or 500 nmol/l. They increased the open probability mainly by decreasing the long closures between the channel openings. The K-agonists can repolarize the cell once it excited and suppress further excitability.

Ca-antagonistic effects of adenosine in guinea pig atrial cells

In atrial myocytes of the guinea pig, the effects of adenosine (Ado) and acetylcholine (ACh) on Ca currents (ICa) were investigated with the patch-electrode whole cell clamp technique. ICa was dissected from net currents by blocking K currents (IK) with intra- and extracellular Cs ions. ICa was considered as "basal" ICa, since it was not prestimulated by beta-agonists (isoproterenol). T-channel Ca currents were insensitive to Ado or ACh. The antagonism of L-channel Ca currents was maximal with 10 microM Ado or 3 microM ACh, which reduced basal ICa by 35%. From the concentration dependence, a dissociation constant (KD) value of 1.1 microM Ado and a Hill coefficient of -3 were obtained. Ado and ACh were not additive but saturative in reducing basal ICa. Reduction of basal ICa did not modify inactivation time-course, steady-state activation or inactivation, suggesting that Ado reduces the number of functional Ca channels. In myocytes with unblocked IK (KCl electrodes), 3 microM Ado (1 microM ACh) reduced ICa by 30% but increased IK by 300%. It is concluded that the K-agonistic rather than the Ca-antagonistic effect accounts for hyperpolarization as well as for most of the shortening of the action potential and the negative inotropy.

The alpha subunit of the GTP binding protein activates muscarinic potassium channels of the atrium

It has been debated whether the potassium channel of the atrium is activated by the alpha subunit or by the beta gamma subunits of guanine nucleotide binding (G) proteins, which dissociate on activation with guanosine triphosphate (GTP). Therefore, the channel-activating effectiveness of these subunits on isolated guinea pig atrial cells was tested. The activated alpha K subunit from human erythrocytes activated the channel in subpicomolar concentrations. The beta gamma dimer from bovine brain activated the channel in nanomolar concentrations. These results support the view that, physiologically, the alpha subunit activates the channel.

Calmodulin antagonists depress calcium and potassium currents in ventricular and vascular myocytes

Myocytes isolated from guinea pig ventricles or bovine portal veins were voltage clamped with a single patch electrode. The calmodulin antagonists (CaM-A) calmidazolium, trifluoperazine (TFP), and chlorpromazine acted as Ca antagonists; they reduced the calcium inward current ICa in a voltage- and use-dependent way. For ventricular myocytes, 50% effective concentration (EC50) of calmidazolium was 1 microM, and the EC50 for TFP was 2.5 microM. For vascular myocytes, these numbers were 0.3 and 1 microM, respectively. CaM-A moderately retarded the inactivation time course and shifted the ICa availability curve to more negative potentials. CaM-A were not selective Ca antagonists; other membrane currents such as sodium currents and inwardly and delayed potassium currents were reduced as well (EC50 between 5 and 10 microM). It is unlikely that the above effects require binding of CaM-A to Ca-calmodulin, since reduction of ICa or potassium current (IK) was not modified when 1) the cells were loaded with 100 microM exogenous calmodulin or 2) Ca ions were removed from the extra- and intracellular space. Instead, the unspecific reduction of membrane currents may result from a change in the lipids of the sarcolemma into which CaM-A partition and accumulate.

Tiapamil reduces the calcium inward current of isolated smooth muscle cells. Dependence on holding potential and pulse frequency

The calcium currents (ICa) of isolated smooth muscle cells (urinary bladder of the guinea-pig) were analyzed at 35 degrees C and 3.6 mM [Ca]0. The whole cells were voltage-clamped with a single patch electrode which was filled with 150 mM CsCl in order to block potassium outward currents. Tiapamil reduced ICa at concentrations between 1 microM (threshold) and 0.5 mM (complete block). Administration of 10 microM tiapamil at rest reduced ICa by 10% ('initial block'). Repetitive depolarizations (140 ms long pulses to -5 mV, applied at 1 Hz) reduced ICa further in a beat-to-beat fashion. This 'conditioned block' developed with a faster time course and to a greater extent when the stimulation frequency was increased and when the holding potentials were set to more positive levels. Reduction of ICa by tiapamil was facilitated by more positive and attenuated by more negative holding potentials. The influence of holding potential and pulse frequency on the tiapamil effect is discussed in terms of the 'modulated receptor hypothesis'.

Action potentials and net membrane currents of isolated smooth muscle cells (urinary bladder of the guinea-pig)

Cells were isolated by incubating chunks of tissue from the urinary bladder of the guinea-pig in a high potassium, low chloride medium containing 0.2 mM calcium plus the enzymes collagenase and pronase. After isolation, the cells were superfused with a physiological salt solution (PSS) containing 150 mM NaCl, 3.6 mM CaCl2 and 5.4 mM KCl (35 degrees C). Patch electrodes filled with an isotonic KCl-solution were used for whole cell recordings. With a single electrode voltage clamp we measured a capacitance of 50 +/- 5 pF per cell, an input resistance of 200 +/- 25 kOhm X cm2 and a series resistance of 44 +/- 4 Ohm X cm2. The cells had resting potentials of -52 +/- 2 mV. They did not beat spontaneously but responded to stimuli with single action potentials (APs) which rose from the threshold (-38 mV) with a maximal rate of 6.5 +/- 1.8 V/s to an overshoot of 22 +/- 3 mV. The AP lasted for 36 +/- 4 ms (measured between threshold and -40 mV). Continuous cathodal current produced repetitive activity, a pacemaker depolarization followed the AP and preceded the next upstroke. Net membrane currents evoked by clamp steps to positive potentials were composed of an inward and an outward component. The inward component generating the upstroke of the AP was carried by Ca ions (iCa, Klöckner and Isenberg 1985). The repolarization resulted from a potassium outward current iK. Ca-channel blockers (5 mM NiCl2) reduced iK suggesting that (part of) iK was Ca-activated. iK rose within about 100 ms to a peak of 40-200 muA/cm2 from which it inactivated slowly and incompletely. The inactivating iK followed a bell-shaped voltage-dependence, the noninactivating iK an outwardly rectifying one. Both parts had similar steady state inactivation curves with a half maximal inactivation potential at -36 mV and a slope of 9 mV. Repolarization to -50 mV induced outward tail currents which reversed polarity at -85 mV (the calculated potassium equilibrium potential). The amplitude and the time course of the envelope of the tail currents varied in proportion to iK during the prestep. Thus, the tail current is suggested to reflect the turning off of a potassium conductance which had been activated during the prepulse. iK was largely reduced but not blocked by 20 or 150 mM tetraethylammonium (TEA). TEA did not significantly change the resting potential, but it prolonged the AP and facilitated upstroke and overshoot.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Ca-tolerant guinea-pig ventricular myocytes as isolated by pronase in the presence of 250 microM free calcium

A new method to isolate adult cardiocytes with pronase in the presence of 250 microM free calcium was developed. Ultrastructural and electrophysiological properties of these cells were investigated. It is shown that by this method normal calcium-tolerant cells can be obtained.

Glycocalyx is not required for show inward calcium current in isolated rat heart myocytes

The importance of the slow inward calcium current (Isi) in the excitation-contration coupling process of cardiac muscle is well documented. The current can be attributed mainly to a calcium translocation from the extracellular space into the cell or a subsarcolemmal compartment of it. Isi has been suggested to have its source in and to be controlled by the surface coat of the sarcolemma (glycocalyx). The glycocalyx is destroyed in myocytes dissociated from adult heart tissue with solutions containing low calcium, collagenase and hyaluronidase (Fig. 1). By comparing the Isi data obtained in isolated myocytes with those reported for trabeculae or papillary muscles, we have now obtained evidence suggesting that the glycocalyx is not important in the genesis of Isi.