Endothelin activates the dihydropyridine-sensitive, voltage-dependent Ca2+ channel in vascular smooth muscle. |
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| Authors: | K Goto Y Kasuya N Matsuki Y Takuwa H Kurihara T Ishikawa S Kimura M Yanagisawa T Masaki |
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| Affiliation: | Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan. |
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| Abstract: | ![]()
Endothelin is a potent endothelium-derived vasoconstrictor peptide recently characterized from porcine and human vascular endothelial cells. Here we provide evidence that endothelin activates the dihydropyridine-sensitive, voltage-dependent Ca2+ channel in porcine coronary artery smooth muscle. The vasoconstrictor action of endothelin is efficiently antagonized by low doses of the dihydropyridine Ca2+-channel blocker nicardipine. Endothelin augments the Ca2+-induced contraction in a high-K+ depolarizing solution, markedly enhances high-threshold Ca2+-channel current on the whole-cell patch clamp recording, and causes a sustained increase in the intracellular Ca2+ that is largely dependent on extracellular Ca2+. These findings suggest that endothelin exerts its vasoconstrictor effect by either directly or indirectly activating the voltage-dependent Ca2+ channel. |
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