Multiple calcium channels are required for pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide-induced catecholamine secretion from bovine cultured adrenal chromaffin cells

The effects of L-, N-, P- and Q-type calcium channel antagonists and (±)-BayK-8644 on catecholamine release induced by pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP-27) were investigated in bovine cultured adrenal chromaffin cells. PACAP-27 induced the release of 4-15% of the total cellular catecholamines over 7 min, with an EC₅₀ of 20 nM and the effect approaching maximum at 100 nM. Catecholamine release was fully dependent on the presence of extracellular calcium. The dihydropyridine nitrendipine which inhibits L-type calcium channels inhibited PACAP-27-induced secretion in a concentration dependent manner with an inhibition of 20-30% at 1 μM. In contrast, (±)-BayK-8644, which prolongs the opening of L-type calcium channels produced a concentration-dependent increase in PACAP-27-induced catecholamine release with 1 μM increasing release by 40-60%. Blockade of N-type calcium channels with ω-conotoxin GVIA reduced release by 5–15%. Block of P-type channels with low concentrations of ω-agatoxin IVA (≤ 30 nM) had no significant effect on release, while higher concentrations (100-300 nM) which block Q-type channels reduced release by up to 15%. ω-Conotoxin MVIIC, an antagonist of Q-type calcium channels and also of N- and P-type channels, inhibited release in a concentration-dependent manner with a near maximum effect of 30-50% produced by 300 nM. The combination of ω-conotoxin GVIA and ω-agatoxin IVA reduced release by 40-50%. Addition of ω-conotoxin MVIIC (300 nM) to the combination of ω-conotoxin GVIA (10 nM) and ω-agatoxin IVA (100 nM) did not inhibit catecholamine release more than with ω-conotoxin GVIA and ω-agatoxin IVA alone, indicating that 100 nM ω-agatoxin IVA was sufficient to block the Q-type calcium channels. When nitrendipine was used together with ω-conotoxin GVIA, ω-agatoxin IVA and ω-conotoxin MVIIC, catecholamine release induced by 20 nM or 100 nM PACAP-27 was reduced by 70–85%. Taken together these results suggest that influx of calcium through multiple different voltage-sensitive calcium channels mediate PACAP-27-induced catecholamine release from bovine chromaffin cells, and that L-, N- and Q-channels contribute to this response. Received: 11 March / Accepted: 20 June 1997     

omega-Conotoxin GVIA and nifedipine inhibit the depolarizing action of the fungal metabolite, destruxin B on muscle from the tobacco budworm (Heliothis virescens)

Recent studies on a group of fungal metabolites, collectively called the destruxins, have suggested that these compounds activate calcium influx in insect skeletal muscle. In this study, we have investigated the sensitivity of destruxin B to the voltage-dependent calcium channel antagonists; omega-conotoxin GVIA, nifedipine, diltiazem and methoxyverapamil on skeletal muscle from the lepidopteran insect pest, tobacco budworm (Heliothis virescens). At a concentration of 1.7 microM, destruxin B caused a rapid decrease in the transmembrane resting potential. The effect of destruxin B on insect muscle was blocked by micromolar concentrations of omega-conotoxin GVIA and nifedipine but not by methoxyverapamil or diltiazem. The inhibitory activity of omega-conotoxin GVIA on invertebrate muscle tissue was surprising since this compound was previously thought to be selective to vertebrate nervous tissue. The sensitivity of the destruxin-stimulated depolarization to the two antagonists suggested that destruxin B activated a voltage-dependent calcium channel. Neuromuscular transmission was monitored in the presence of omega-conotoxin GVIA and nifedipine to investigate the physiological role of the destruxin-activated channel. Neither antagonist altered the waveform of graded action potentials produced by synaptic activation. The lack of effect of omega-conotoxin GVIA and a high dose of nifedipine could be explained by the existence of two populations of pharmacologically distinct voltage-dependent calcium channels on the muscle membrane. One population which is involved with the production of graded action potentials is insensitive to omega-conotoxin GVIA and nifedipine. The other population is activated by destruxin B and inhibited by omega-conotoxin GIVA and nifedipine.     

Effect of ω‐Conotoxin GVIA on Noradrenaline Release from Postganglionic Sympathetic Neurones in Rabbit Aorta

Abstract: The aim of the present work was to examine the effect of the selective N‐type calcium blocking agent ω‐conotoxin GVIA on stimulation‐evoked release of noradrenaline from sympathetic nerves in rabbit isolated aorta with regard to stimulation frequency, extracellular Ca²⁺ concentration, and transmitter uptake. Rings of rabbit isolated aorta were preloaded with (‐)‐³H‐noradrenaline and the fractional ³H‐overflow evoked by electrical‐field stimulation was determined by liquid scintillation spectrometry. ω‐Conotoxin GVIA (3×10^?10– 3×10^?8 M) did not alter the spontaneous ³H‐outflow. ω‐Conotoxin GVIA (3×10^?10– 3×10^?8 M) caused a slowly developing reduction of stimulation‐evoked ³H‐overflow at 1 and 30 Hz. The Emax for the ω‐conotoxin‐induced inhibition was less (70%) at 30 Hz than that (96%) seen at 1 Hz. Short‐term incubation with ω‐conotoxin GVIA caused a subsequent steady‐state inhibition. The inhibitory action of ω‐conotoxin GVIA (3×10^?10– 3×10^?9 M) was inversely related to the extracellular Ca²⁺ concentration (6.5×10^?4– 2.7×10^?3 M). Cocaine (3×10^?5 M) plus corticosterone (4×10^?5 M), neuronal and extraneuronal uptake inhibitors, respectively, did not alter the inhibitory effect of ω‐conotoxin GVIA (3×10^?9 M) on ³H‐overflow evoked by stimulation at a frequency of either 1 or 30 Hz. It is concluded that ω‐conotoxin GVIA acts on prejunctional N‐type calcium channels to inhibit stimulation‐evoked noradrenaline release from sympathetic neurone terminals in rabbit aorta. At a high frequency, another subtype calcium channel may possibly be involved. The action of ω‐conotoxin GVIA is independent of neuronal and extraneuronal uptake mechanisms for noradrenaline, but dependent on the amount of Ca²⁺ to be transported across the neurilemma from the extracellular space into the neurone.     

Role of N-type calcium channels in autonomic neurotransmission in guinea-pig isolated left atria.

1. Calcium entry via neuronal calcium channels is essential for the process of neurotransmission. We investigated the calcium channel subtypes involved in the operation of cardiac autonomic neurotransmission by examining the effects of selective calcium channel blockers on the inotropic responses to electrical field stimulation (EFS) of driven (4 Hz) guinea-pig isolated left atria. In this tissue, a previous report (Hong & Chang, 1995) found no evidence for N-type channels involved in the vagal negative inotropic response and only weak involvement in sympathetic responses. 2. The effects of cumulative concentrations of the selective N-type calcium channel blocker, omega-conotoxin GVIA (GVIA; 0.1-10 nM) and the non-selective N-, P/Q-type calcium channel blocker, omega-conotoxin MVIIC (MVIIC; 0.01-10 nM) were examined on the positive (with atropine, 1 microM present) and negative (with propranolol, 1 microM and clonidine, 1 microM present) inotropic responses to EFS (eight trains, each train four pulses per punctate stimulus). 3. GVIA caused complete inhibition of both cardiac vagal and sympathetic inotropic responses to EFS. GVIA was equipotent at inhibiting positive (pIC50 9.29+/-0.08) and negative (pIC50 9.13+/-0.17) inotropic responses. MVIIC also mediated complete inhibition of inotropic responses to EFS and was 160 and 85 fold less potent than GVIA at inhibiting positive (pIC50 7.08+/-0.10) and negative (pIC50 7.20+/-0.14) inotropic responses, respectively. MVIIC was also equipotent at inhibiting both sympathetic and vagal responses. 4. Our data demonstrates that N-type calcium channels account for all the calcium current required for cardiac autonomic neurotransmission in the guinea-pig isolated left atrium.     

Synthesis and Calcium Antagonistic Activity of 8-[N-[2-(3,4-Dimethoxyphenyl)ethyl]-β-alanyl]-5,6,7,8-tetrahydrothieno[3,2-b][1,4]thiazepine Fumarate

KT-362 is an antiarrhythmic and antihypertensive agent with vasodilating activity. Since it carries a homoveratryl group in the side chain, an obvious relation exists to the verapamil-type calcium antagonists. Replacement of the fused aromatic moiety in KT-362 with thiophene provided 8-[N-[2-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)ethyl]-β-analyl]-5,6,7,8-tetrahydrothieno[3,2-b][1,4] thiazepine ( 1 ). Compound 1 shows a negative chronotropic activity in spontaneously beating right atria (IC₅₀ = 23 μM, n = 7), and a negative inotropic effect in papillary muscles (IC₅₀ = 2.7 μM, n = 7) and left atria (IC₅₀ = 4 μM, n = 6) of the guinea-pig heart. The decrease of contractility in papillary muscles could be antagonized by increasing the extracellular calcium concentration. Compound 1 was found to affect high (IC₅₀: 70 ± 5 μM) and low (IC₅₀: 129 ± 34 μM) voltage-activated calcium channel currents as well as voltage-activated sodium channel currents (IC₅₀: 80 ± 13 μM) in chick dorsal root ganglion neurons. In addition, nicotine-induced currents were potently inhibited (IC₅₀: 6 ± 0.7 μM) in bovine chromaffin cells.     

Multiple calcium channels regulate neurotransmitter release from vagus nerve terminals in the cat bronchiole.

1. Twitch-like contractions and non-adrenergic non-cholinergic (NANC) relaxations evoked by electrical field stimulation (EFS) of the cat bronchiole were used to examine the voltage-activated calcium channels involved in excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmission in the cat bronchiole. 2. Nifedipine (50 microM), the L-type calcium channel antagonist, did not affect the twitch-like contraction and NANC relaxations. However, low concentrations of the N-type calcium channel blocker omega-conotoxin GVIA (omega-CgTX GVIA) (0.1 microM) irreversibly abolished twitch-like contractions evoked by trains of EFS 相似文献   

Fluspirilene block of N-type calcium current in NGF-differentiated PC12 cells.

1. High voltage-activated calcium currents were recorded in nerve growth factor (NGF)-differentiated PC12 cells with the whole-cell patch clamp technique. After exposure to NGF for 3-10 days the PC12 cells developed neurone-like processes and calcium currents which were pharmacologically separable into L- and N-types (defined by sensitivity to nifedipine and omega-conotoxin GVIA respectively). 2. After blocking the L-type calcium channels with nifedipine (10 microM), omega-conotoxin GVIA blocked approximately 85% of the remaining calcium current with an IC50 of 3 nM and a Hill coefficient of 1. The block by conotoxin GVIA was irreversible on the time scale of these experiments. These results suggested that the majority of the nifedipine-insensitive calcium current was N-type. 3. Fluspirilene, a substituted diphenylbutylpiperidine with potent neuroleptic properties, reversibly inhibited the N-type component in a dose-dependent manner with an IC50 of 30 nM. The Hill coefficient of the block was 0.25. The fraction of current blocked was the same at all test potentials examined (-30 to +40 mV). 4. These data indicate that the neuroleptic properties of fluspirilene may be due, at least in part, to an inhibition of neuronal N-type calcium channels. This finding raises the possibility that modulation of N-type calcium channel activity by drugs derived from substituted diphenylbutylpiperidines may provide a novel way of altering neurotransmitter release and hence brain function.     

Three-dimensional structure of human insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) determined by 1H-NMR and distance geometry

The three-dimensional structure of human insulin-like growth factor-I has been determined through a combination of NMR measurements and distance geometry calculations. A total of 320 interatomic distance constraints, including 12 related to the disulfide bridges, were used in these calculations. The resulting structure is characterized by the presence of three helical rods corresponding to the sequence regions, Ala8-Cys18, Gly42-Cys48 and Leu54-Cys61. Furthermore, a turn structure and an extended structure exist in the Gly19-Gly22 and Phe23-Asn26 regions, respectively. Neglecting the N- and C-termini, with their expectedly high degree of mobility as well as a fluctuating C-domain, the r.m.s.d. value is 1.9 Å for backbone atoms. Those of the three α-helical regions are 1.0, 0.9 and 0.8 Å, respectively, 1.8 Å being that for the total backbone atoms participating in the formation of these three helices, showing the good convergence of their spatial arrangements. The overall structure obtained here shows that the human IGF-I molecule folds into a spatial structure very similar to that of insulin in an aqueous solution.     

Calcium Channels Involved in Noradrenaline Release from Sympathetic Neurones in Rabbit Carotid Artery*

Abstract: Transmitter release from nerve terminals is dependent on the entry of Ca²⁺ through neuronal voltage‐gated calcium channels. In sympathetic neurones both N‐ and L‐type calcium channels are present. Potassium channel blockade increases Ca²⁺ entry into sympathetic neurones. We examined the participation of N‐ and L‐type calcium channels in the stimulation‐evoked release of noradrenaline from vascular sympathetic neurones. Rings of rabbit carotid artery were preincubated with [³H]‐noradrenaline. Electrical field stimulation was used to evoke ³H overflow. The selective N‐type calcium channel blocking agent ω‐conotoxin GVIA (single concentrations: 3×10^?10–10^?8 M) caused a slowly developing reduction of the stimulation‐evoked ³H overflow. At 3×10^?8 M, ω‐conotoxin GVIA caused an equilibrium block with a rapid (15 min.) onset. After 2 hr exposure to ω‐conotoxin the inhibition was steady (pIC₅₀ (‐log M): 9.43; E_max: 91%). The selective L‐type calcium blocking agents nifedipine (10^?7–10^?5 M) and nimodipine (10^?8–10^?5 M) had no effect on the stimulation‐evoked ³H overflow. The calcium channel opener Bay K 8644 (10^?6 M) likewise had no effect. The potassium channel blocking agent 4‐aminopyridine (10^?5–10^?3 M) enhanced the stimulation‐evoked ³H overflow up to 5 times. 4‐Aminopyridine (10^?4 M) did not alter the inhibitory effect of ω‐conotoxin GVIA (3×10^?8 M). In the presence of 4‐aminopyridine (10^?4 M), nifedipine (10^?5 M) and nimodipine (10^?6 M) enhanced the ³H overflow. We conclude that the stimulation‐evoked release of noradrenaline from sympathetic neurones in rabbit carotid artery is mediated by N‐type calcium channels and that L‐type channels are not involved even when potassium channels are blocked by 4‐aminopyridine.     

EFFECTS OF BRADYKININ ON [3H]-NOREPINEPHRINE RELEASE IN RAT HYPOTHALAMUS

• 1 We examined the regulatory actions of bradykinin on norepinephrine release in the hypo-thalamus of rats.
• 2 Bradykinin increased the stimulation-evoked [³H]-norepinephrine release from hypothalamic slices of Sprague-Dawley rats in a dose-dependent manner (1 Hz: S2/S1 ratio, mean ± s.e.m., control 0.868±0.016, n= 6; bradykinin 1±10^–6mol/L 1.039±0.018, n= 6, P<0.05;bradykinin3.3 ×10^–6 mol/L 1.130 ± 0.064, n= 6, P<0.05). The basal release of [³H]-norepinephrine was not affected by the peptide.
• 3 Bay K 8644, a dihydropyridine-sensitive calcium channel agonist, significantly potentiated the facilitatory effect of bradykinin on norepinephrine release, although Bay K 8644 by itself had no significant effect. By contrast, nicardipine, a dihydropyridine-sensitive calcium channel blocker, reversed the increase in norepinephrine release induced by bradykinin and Bay K 8644.
• 4 These results indicate that bradykinin may increase norepinephrine release in rat hypo-thalamus, partially mediated by interactions with dihydropyridine-sensitive calcium channels.

     

Inhibition of Endogenous Acetylcholine Release by Blockade of Voltage-dependent Calcium Channels in Enteric Neurons of the Guinea-pig Colon

Abstract— The effects on acetylcholine release from the guinea-pig colon of the N-type calcium channel blocker ω-conotoxin GVIA (ω-conotoxin), the L-type calcium channel blocker nifedipine and the putative blocker of T-type channels, flunarizine, have been investigated. Endogenous basal acetylcholine release and electrically (1 Hz, 1 ms, 450 mA)-evoked overflow in the presence of cholinesterase inhibitor were studied. ω-Conotoxin (1–10 nM) and nifedipine (0·03–3 μm ) dose-dependently inhibited basal and electrically-evoked acetylcholine release. Maximal inhibition of basal or electrically-evoked acetylcholine release was about 40% for nifedipine and about 75% for ω-conotoxin. The potency of nifedipine was inversely related to the external calcium concentration: its EC50 value in low-calcium medium (0·5 Mm ) was as low as 12 Nm . Flunarizine inhibited acetylcholine release only at concentrations higher than 0·2 μm . Our results are consistent with an involvement of N- and L-type calcium channels in the control of the endogenous acetylcholine release from the guinea-pig colon.     

THE EFFECTS OF CENTRAL ADMINISTRATION OF ω-CONOTOXIN GVIA ON CARDIOVASCULAR PARAMETERS AND AUTONOMIC REFLEXES IN CONSCIOUS RABBITS

1. The effects of central administration of ω-conotoxin GVIA (ω-CTX), an N-type calcium channel blocker, were examined in conscious rabbits implanted with lateral intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) cannulae. 2. Experiments were performed over 4 consecutive days. On day 1, the baroreceptor heart rate (induced by glyceryl trinitrate and phenylephrine) and Bezold-Jarisch like (elicited by serotonin) reflexes were measured before (0 h) and 2 h after central administration of ω-CTX (3 or 30 pmol/ kg, i.c.v.) or vehicle. On days 2–4, resting parameters and reflexes were again monitored but no further ω-CTX was administered. 3. No change in heart rate (HR) was observed in any rabbit treatment group during the experimental period. In the vehicle (n= 6) and ω-CTX 3 pmol/kg (n = 6) groups, small falls in mean arterial pressure (MAP) of 6 ± 2 and 10 ± 3 mmHg, respectively, occurred between 0 and 24 h; MAP then remained stable. Baroreceptor-heart rate reflex curve parameters did not change in either of these groups during the 4 day period. 4. Following administration of w-CTX 30 pmol/kg (n = 7), MAP decreased progressively and by 48 h had fallen by 19 ± 4 mmHg. Also at 48 h, a 20% decrease in HR range of the baroreceptor-heart rate reflex curve was seen without any change in the lower HR plateau from the 0 h control. This indicates that there was an attenuation of the sympathetically mediated upper component of the curve while the vagally mediated component was unaffected. 5. The Bezold-Jarisch like reflex-induced bradycardia, mediated by the efferent vagus nerve, was unaffected by i.c.v. administration of vehicle or either dose of ω-CTX. 6. Therefore, central administration of ω-CTX resulted in a slowly developing hypotensive response consistent with a sympatholytic action while vagally mediated reflexes were unaffected.     

Calcium Antagonism and Structure-affinity Relationships of Terfenadine,a Histamine H1 Antagonist,and Some Related Compounds

Abstract— Calcium channel affinity of terfenadine and its optical isomers was determined by the displacement of [³H]nitrendipine on rat cerebral cortex membranes. Terfenadine showed a pK_d of 6·36±0·03 whereas its R(+)-isomer (VUF4567) had a pK_d value of 6·39±0·03 and the S(–)-isomer (VUF4568) had a pK_d of 6·40 ± 0·04. The same affinity between the enantiomers suggests that the binding domain on the membrane is not sterically restricted towards the part of the molecule in which the chiral centre is present. The characteristics of terfenadine in regulating [³H]nitrendipine binding were similar to those of some other diphenyl-alkylamine type calcium antagonists. It allosterically altered the binding affinity for nitrendipine and acted at the same site linked to the calcium channel as gallopamil. A structure-affinity relationship among a group of terfenadine analogues is discussed.     

Neurotoxic aminoglycoside antibiotics are potent inhibitors of [125I]-Omega-Conotoxin GVIA binding to guinea-pig cerebral cortex membranes

Summary [¹²⁵I]-Omega-Conotoxin GVIA, a blocker of neuronal (N-type) calcium channels labelled 295 ± 121 fmol per mg protein of high affinity sites (apparent half-saturation at 1.5 to 2.5 pmol/1) in guinea-pig cerebral cortex membranes.Divalentcations (Cd²⁺ > Ni²⁺ > Co²⁺ > Ca²⁺ > Sr²⁺ = Ba²⁺ > Mg²⁺) and La³⁺ were potent inhibitors of Omega-Conotoxin GVIA binding, whereas monovalent cations (Na⁺, K⁺, Li⁺) were ineffective up to 50 mmol/1. Aminoglycosides (neomycin > gentamycin = tobramycin > streptomycin > amikacin > kanamycin) and polymyxin B also inhibited [¹²⁵¹I]-Omega-Conotoxin GVIA binding with IC₅₀ values in the molar range. All other antibiotics tested were ineffective up to 1 mmol/1. With the exception of polymyxin B, which partially inhibited the binding of the 1,4-dihydropyridine (+)-[³H]PN 200–110 and of (–)-[³H]desmethoxyverapamil, the aminoglycosides and the other antibiotics had no effect on the L-type calcium channel labelling. It is suggested, that inhibition of neurotransmitter release by aminoglycosides is mediated via blockade of the N-type calcium channel to which [¹²⁵I]-Omega-Conotoxin GVIA binds selectively in a quasi irreversible manner.Abbreviations B _max maximum capacity of binding sites - MTL maximum therapeutic level Send offprint requests to H. Glossmann     

Calcium channels involved in noradrenaline release from sympathetic neurones in rabbit carotid artery

Transmitter release from nerve terminals is dependent on the entry of Ca(2+) through neuronal voltage-gated calcium channels. In sympathetic neurones both N- and L-type calcium channels are present. Potassium channel blockade increases Ca(2+) entry into sympathetic neurones. We examined the participation of N- and L-type calcium channels in the stimulation-evoked release of noradrenaline from vascular sympathetic neurones. Rings of rabbit carotid artery were preincubated with [3H]-noradrenaline. Electrical field stimulation was used to evoke 3H overflow. The selective N-type calcium channel blocking agent omega-conotoxin GVIA (single concentrations: 3 x 10(-10)-10(-8) M) caused a slowly developing reduction of the stimulation-evoked 3H overflow. At 3 x 10(-8) M, omega-conotoxin GVIA caused an equilibrium block with a rapid (15 min.) onset. After 2 hr exposure to omega-conotoxin the inhibition was steady (pIC50 (-log M): 9.43; Emax: 91%). The selective L-type calcium blocking agents nifedipine (10(-7)-10(-5) M) and nimodipine (10(-8)-10(-5) M) had no effect on the stimulation-evoked 3H overflow. The calcium channel opener Bay K 8644 (10-6 M) likewise had no effect. The potassium channel blocking agent 4-aminopyridine (10-5-10-3 M) enhanced the stimulation-evoked 3H overflow up to 5 times. 4-Aminopyridine (10(-4) M) did not alter the inhibitory effect of omega-conotoxin GVIA (3 x 10(-8) M). In the presence of 4-aminopyridine (10(-4) M), nifedipine (10(-5) M) and nimodipine (10(-6) M) enhanced the 3H overflow. We conclude that the stimulation-evoked release of noradrenaline from sympathetic neurones in rabbit carotid artery is mediated by N-type calcium channels and that L-type channels are not involved even when potassium channels are blocked by 4-aminopyridine.     

Differential effects of calcium channel antagonists (ω-conotoxin GVIA,nifedipine, verapamil) on the electrically-evoked release of [3H]acetylcholine from the myenteric plexus,phrenic nerve and neocortex of rats

Summary Electrically-evoked release of [³H]acetylcholine from autonomic neurons (myenteric plexus), motoneurons (phrenic nerve) and the central nevous system (neocortex) was investigated in the presence and absence of the calcium channel antagonists -conotoxin GVIA, nifedipine and verapamil, whereby the same species (rat) was used in all experiments. Release of [³H]acetylcholine was measured after incubation of the tissue with [³H]choline.-Conotoxin GVIA markedly reduced (70%) the evoked release of [³H]acetylcholine from the myenteric plexus of the small intestine (IC₅₀: 0.7 nmol/l) with a similar potency at 3 and 10 Hz stimulation. An increase in the extracellular calcium concentration attenuated the inhibitory effect of -conotoxin GVIA. Release of [³H]acetylcholine from the rat neocortex was also inhibited (90%) by -conotoxin GVIA, but the potency was 19-fold lower (IC₅₀: 13 nmol/l). However, the release of [³H]acetylcholine from the phrenic nerve was not reduced by -conotoxin GVIA (100 nmol/l) at 1.8 mmol/l calcium (normal concentration), whereas -conotoxin GVIA inhibited evoked [³H]acetylcholine release by 47% at 0.9 mmol/l calcium. Neither nifedipine (0.1 and 1 mol/l) nor verapamil (0.1, 1 and 10 mol/l) modified the evoked release of [3H]acetylcholine from the myenteric plexus and the phrenic nerve.Acetylcholine release from different neurons appears to be regulated by different types of calcium channels. N-type channels play the dominant role in regulating acetylcholine release from both the myenteric plexus and the neocortex, whereas acetylcholine release from motor nerves is regulated by calcium channel(s) not yet characterized. Send offprint requests to I. Wessler at the above address     

穿孔膜片钳方法记录L型钙通道及脱氢紫堇碱对其影响的研究

目的比较全细胞膜片钳和穿孔膜片钳方法记录大鼠心室肌细胞L型钙通道电流随时间经过的变化差异,并观察脱氢紫堇碱对L型钙通道的影响。方法采用全细胞膜片钳和穿孔膜片钳方法记录急性分离的大鼠心室肌细胞L型钙通道电流。结果采用全细胞膜片钳法记录到的L型钙通道电流峰值在15 min内衰减了(34±23)%(n=10),采用穿孔膜片钳方法记录到的L型钙通道电流峰值15 min内仅衰减了(2.7±3.4)%(n=9);采用穿孔膜片钳方法能够记录到人参皂苷Re(100μmol.L-1)的抑制效应,而采用全细胞膜片钳方法产生的电流衰减几乎完全掩盖了人参皂苷Re的效应。脱氢紫堇碱(10,100μmol.L-1)能够抑制L型钙通道的电流峰值,抑制率分别为(9±7.5)%(n=5);(28.6±8.5)%(n=5)。结论穿孔膜片钳方法较全细胞膜片钳方法在对L型钙通道电流记录方面更具稳定性和准确性,脱氢紫堇碱能够浓度依赖性的抑制L型钙通道。     

Modifications of aliphatic side chain of 20(S)-ginsenoside RG3 cause an enhancement or loss of brain Na+ channel current inhibitions

A line of evidence has shown that ginsenoside Rg3 (Rg3) could be one of bioactive ligands in brain Na+ channel regulations. Rg3 exists as stereoisomer of 20(R)- or 20(S)-form. Rg3 consists of three different parts; steroid- like backbone structure, carbohydrate portion, and aliphatic side chain [-CH2CH2CH=C(CH3)2], which is coupled to the carbon-20 of backbone structure. In the previous report, we demonstrated that 20(S)- but not 20(R)-Rg3 and carbohydrate portion of Rg3 play important roles in rat brain NaV1.2 channel regulations. However, little is known about the role of aliphatic side chain coupled to the carbon-20 in brain Na+ channel regulations. In the present study, we prepared Rg3 derivatives by modifying the aliphatic side chain of Rg3, remaining with backbone structure and carbohydrate portion intact, and examined the effects of Rg3 derivatives on Na+ channel activity. We found that reduction of double bond in aliphatic side chain of Rg3 exhibited agonistic actions in Na+ channel current inhibitions by shifting concentration-response curve to leftward by three-fold, whereas deletion, hydroxylation, or oxygenation of aliphatic side chain caused an attenuation or loss of Na+ channel current inhibitions. These results provide evidences that the aliphatic side chain of Rg3 is also involved in Na+ channel regulations and further show a possibility that the aliphatic side chain of Rg3 could be the target of chemical modifications for abolishment or potentiation of Rg3 actions in Na+ channel regulations.     

Differential involvement of N-type calcium channels in transmitter release from vasoconstrictor and vasodilator neurons

1. The effects of calcium channel blockers on co-transmission from different populations of autonomic vasomotor neurons were studied on isolated segments of uterine artery and vena cava from guinea-pigs. 2. Sympathetic, noradrenergic contractions of the uterine artery (produced by 200 pulses at 1 or 10 Hz; 600 pulses at 20 Hz) were abolished by the N-type calcium channel blocker omega-conotoxin (CTX) GVIA at 1-10 nm. 3. Biphasic sympathetic contractions of the vena cava (600 pulses at 20 Hz) mediated by noradrenaline and neuropeptide Y were abolished by 10 nm CTX GVIA. 4. Neurogenic relaxations of the uterine artery (200 pulses at 10 Hz) mediated by neuronal nitric oxide and neuropeptides were reduced <50% by CTX GVIA 10-100 nm. 5. Capsaicin (3 microm) did not affect the CTX GVIA-sensitive or CTX GVIA-resistant neurogenic relaxations of the uterine artery. 6. The novel N-type blocker CTX CVID (100-300 nm), P/Q-type blockers agatoxin IVA (10-100 nm) or CTX CVIB (100 nm), the L-type blocker nifedipine (10 microm) or the 'R-type' blocker SNX-482 (100 nm), all failed to reduce CTX GVIA-resistant relaxations. The T-type channel blocker NiCl(2) (100-300 microm) reduced but did not abolish the remaining neurogenic dilations. 7. Release of different neurotransmitters from the same autonomic vasomotor axon depends on similar subtypes of calcium channels. N-type channels are responsible for transmitter release from vasoconstrictor neurons innervating a muscular artery and capacitance vein, but only partly mediate release of nitric oxide and neuropeptides from pelvic vasodilator neurons.