Contribution of calcium-dependent facilitation to synaptic plasticity revealed by migraine mutations in the P/Q-type calcium channel

The dynamics, computational power, and strength of neural circuits are essential for encoding and processing information in the CNS and rely on short and long forms of synaptic plasticity. In a model system, residual calcium (Ca(2+)) in presynaptic terminals can act through neuronal Ca(2+) sensor proteins to cause Ca(2+)-dependent facilitation (CDF) of P/Q-type channels and induce short-term synaptic facilitation. However, whether this is a general mechanism of plasticity at intact central synapses and whether mutations associated with human disease affect this process have not been described to our knowledge. In this report, we find that, in both exogenous and native preparations, gain-of-function missense mutations underlying Familial Hemiplegic Migraine type 1 (FHM-1) occlude CDF of P/Q-type Ca(2+) channels. In FHM-1 mutant mice, the alteration of P/Q-type channel CDF correlates with reduced short-term synaptic facilitation at cerebellar parallel fiber-to-Purkinje cell synapses. Two-photon imaging suggests that P/Q-type channels at parallel fiber terminals in FHM-1 mice are in a basally facilitated state. Overall, the results provide evidence that FHM-1 mutations directly affect both P/Q-type channel CDF and synaptic plasticity and that together likely contribute toward the pathophysiology underlying FHM-1. The findings also suggest that P/Q-type channel CDF is an important mechanism required for normal synaptic plasticity at a fast synapse in the mammalian CNS.     

钙通道和Na+/H+交换在表皮生长因子促肝癌细胞生长中的作用

目的许多生长因子如表皮生长因子(EGF),与肿瘤的发生密切相关.EGF与表皮生长因子受体(EGFR)结合,通过一系列的信息传导,导致肝癌细胞的增生.但受体后的信息传导机制尚不清楚.本实验探讨酪氨酸激酶、蛋白激酶C、Na+/H+交换、钙调蛋白和电压依赖性钙通道在EGF促肝癌细胞生长中的作用.方法本研究于无血清RPMI1640中培养肝癌细胞SMMC7721,采用3H-Thymidine(3H-TdR)掺入的方法,检测肝癌细胞DNA合成速率,研究酪氨酸激酶、蛋白激酶C、Na+/H+交换、钙调蛋白和电压依赖性钙通道在EGF促肝癌细脆生长中的作用.结果EGF 10-9M对肝癌细脆的生长有极显著促进作用,与对照组比较差异有显著意义(P＜0.05),酪氮酸激酶阻滞剂Genistein对EGF的促肝癌细胞生长作用具有极显著抑制作用(P＜0.001).钙调蛋白阻滞剂W-7、蛋白激酶C阻滞剂H-7和Na+/H+交换阻滞剂amiloride对EGF的促肝癌细胞生长作用具有显著抑制作用(P＜0.001,P＜0.01,P＜0.05),而对基础状态细胞的3H-TdR掺入值无显著影响(P＞0.05).电压依赖性钙通道阻滞剂Varapamil对BGF的促肝癌细胞生长作用无显著抑制作用(P＞0.05),对基础状态细胞的3H-TdR掺入值亦无显著影响(P＞0.05).结论结果显示,酪氨酸激酶、蛋白激酶C、Na+/H+交换及依赖钙-钙调蛋白途径在BGF的作用中起关键作用.电压依赖性钙通道与EGF的作用无关.     

Depression of Ca2+/calmodulin‐dependent protein kinase II in dorsal root ganglion neurons after spinal nerve ligation

The enzyme calcium/calmodulin‐dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) is associated with memory and its α isoform is critical for development of activity‐induced synaptic changes. Therefore, we hypothesized that CaMKII is involved in altered function of dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons after neuronal injury. To test this hypothesis, Sprague–Dawley rats were made hyperalgesic by L5 and L6 spinal nerve ligation (SNL), and changes in total phosphorylated and unphosphorylated CaMKII (tCaMKII) and phosphorylated form of its α isoform (pCaMKIIα) were analyzed using immunochemistry in different subpopulations of DRG. SNL did not induce any changes in tCaMKII between experimental groups, while the overall percentage of pCaMKIIα‐positive neurons in injured L5 DRG SNL (24.8%) decreased significantly when compared to control (41.7%). SNL did not change the percentage of pCaMKIIα/N52 colabeled neurons but decreased the percentage of N52‐negative nonmyelinated neurons that expressed pCaMKIIα from 27% in control animals to 11% after axotomy. We also observed a significant decrease in the percentage of small nonpeptidergic neurons labeled with IB4 (37.6% in control vs. 4.0% in L5 SNL DRG), as well as a decrease in the percentage of pCaMKIIα/IB4 colabeled neurons in injured L5 DRGs (27% in control vs. 1% in L5 DRG of SNL group). Our results show that reduction in pCaMKIIα levels following peripheral injury is due to the loss of IB4‐positive neurons. These results indicate that diminished afferent activity after axotomy may lead to decreased phosphorylation of CaMKIIα. J. Comp. Neurol. 518:64–74, 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Structure of the complex of a mitotic kinesin with its calcium binding regulator

Much of the transport, tension, and movement in mitosis depends on kinesins, the ATP-powered microtubule-based motors. We report the crystal structure of a kinesin complex, the mitotic kinesin KCBP bound to its principal regulator KIC. Shown to be a Ca²⁺ sensor, KIC works as an allosteric trap. Extensive intermolecular interactions with KIC stabilize kinesin in its ADP-bound conformation. A critical component of the kinesin motile mechanism, called the neck mimic, switches its association from kinesin to KIC, stalling the motor. KIC denies access of the motor to its track by steric interference. Two major features of this regulation, allosteric trapping and steric blocking, are likely to be general for all kinesins.     

唑来膦酸对破骨细胞分化中钙调蛋白､钙调磷酸酶表达的影响

目的:探讨唑来膦酸(zoledronate,ZOL)对破骨细胞分化中钙调蛋白(calmodulin)和钙调磷酸酶(calcineurin)基因表达的影响?方法:小鼠RAW264.7细胞分为A?B两组,均用100 ng/mL核因子κB受体激活蛋白配体(RANKL)诱导4 d;B组细胞在RANKL 诱导第2天加入1×10-6 mol/L ZOL处理48 h?RANKL 诱导4 d后收获细胞,检测破骨细胞生成及calmodulin?calcineurin基因表达情况?结果:B组多核破骨细胞数?吸收陷窝数目及面积分别为(8.8 ± 2.3)个?(6.7 ± 1.2)个和(997.1 ± 14.8)μm2,均显著低于A组的(19.7 ± 2.9)个?(13.3 ± 1.5)个和(1 676.9 ± 24.9) μm2(P < 0.01)?B组calmodulin mRNA及蛋白水平较A组分别降低了51.0%和78.7%(P < 0.05),calcineurin则分别下降了37.0%和69.5%(P < 0.01)?免疫荧光细胞化学显示,B组calmodulin?calcineurin的荧光强度较A组也明显下降?结论:ZOL可显著抑制破骨细胞生成,并下调破骨细胞分化中calmodulin和calcineurin的mRNA和蛋白水平,而calmodulin?calcineurin可能参与了ZOL对破骨细胞形成和功能的抑制?     

Signaling mechanisms of down-regulation of voltage-activated Ca2+ channels by transient receptor potential vanilloid type 1 stimulation with olvanil in primary sensory neurons

Olvanil ((N-vanillyl)-9-oleamide), a non-pungent transient receptor potential vanilloid type 1 agonist, desensitizes nociceptors and alleviates pain. But its molecular targets and signaling mechanisms are little known. Calcium influx through voltage-activated Ca(2+) channels plays an important role in neurotransmitter release and synaptic transmission. Here we determined the effect of olvanil on voltage-activated Ca(2+) channel currents and the signaling pathways in primary sensory neurons. Whole-cell voltage-clamp recordings were performed in acutely isolated rat dorsal root ganglion neurons. Olvanil (1 microM) elicited a delayed but sustained inward current, and caused a profound inhibition (approximately 60%) of N-, P/Q-, L-, and R-type voltage-activated Ca(2+) channel current. Pretreatment with a specific transient receptor potential vanilloid type 1 antagonist or intracellular application of 1,2-bis(2-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid abolished the inhibitory effect of olvanil on voltage-activated Ca(2+) channel current. Calmodulin antagonists (ophiobolin-A and calmodulin inhibitory peptide) largely blocked the effect of olvanil and capsaicin on voltage-activated Ca(2+) channel current. Furthermore, calcineurin (protein phosphatase 2B) inhibitors (deltamethrin and FK-506) eliminated the effect of olvanil on voltage-activated Ca(2+) channel current. Notably, 1,2-bis(2-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid, calmodulin antagonists, and calcineurin inhibitors each alone significantly increased the amplitude of voltage-activated Ca(2+) channel current. In addition, double immunofluorescence labeling revealed that olvanil induced a rapid internalization of Ca(V)2.2 immunoreactivity from the membrane surface of dorsal root ganglion neurons. Collectively, this study suggests that stimulation of non-pungent transient receptor potential vanilloid type 1 inhibits voltage-activated Ca(2+) channels through a biochemical pathway involving intracellular Ca(2+)-calmodulin and calcineurin in nociceptive neurons. This new information is important for our understanding of the signaling mechanisms of desensitization of nociceptors by transient receptor potential vanilloid type 1 analogues and the feedback regulation of intracellular Ca(2+) and voltage-activated Ca(2+) channels in nociceptive sensory neurons.     

Effect of chlorpromazine on kinetics of injected monoclonal antibody in MoAb-induced glomerular injury.

The effect of chlorpromazine, one of several calmodulin antagonists that inhibit cytoskeletal movement, on the local kinetics of injected proteinuria-inducing MoAb 5-1-6 was examined to test the hypothesis that proteinuria is inhibited if the antigen recognized by MoAb 5-1-6 or injected MoAb remains on the surface of epithelial foot processes. MoAb 5-1-6 was injected into both chlorpromazine-treated (5 mg/100 g body weight) and untreated rats. As a positive control for the chlorpromazine treatment, anti-Fx1A serum was also injected into other chlorpromazine-treated and untreated rats. Chlorpromazine inhibited neither the change in localization of injected MoAb 5-1-6 nor proteinuria, although it showed an inhibitory effect on redistribution of immune complex and the fixation of complement in passive Heymann glomerulonephritis induced by injection of anti-Fx1A serum. We conclude that the kinetics of bound MoAb 5-1-6 are regulated by a system different from that operating in passive Heymann glomerulonephritis.