平滑肌细胞膜的钙激活Cl^1通道

在多种平滑肌上都已发现Ｃａ＾２＋激活Ｃｌ＾－通道。胞内游离钙升高是钙激活氯通道的必要条件。多种刺激剂诱导胞内钙库释放钙而同时激活钾通道〖ＩＫ（Ｃａ）〗和氯通道〖ＩＣｌ（Ｃａ）〗。平滑肌细胞上激活ＩＣｌ（Ｃａ）的〖Ｃａ＾２＋〗ｉ阈值因动物种属和组织差异而不同。用荧光指示剂直接测定大鼠门静脉平滑肌细胞上的〖Ｃａ＾２＋〗ｉ得出激活Ｉｋ（Ｃａ）的最小〖Ｃａ＾２＋〗ｉ应大于７０～８０μｍｏｌ．Ｌ＾－１,比激     

钙拮抗剂TMB-8抑制BHQ,NE和KCl引起的培养乳牛基底动脉单个平滑肌细胞内游离钙的升高

用ＡＲＣＭＭＩＣ阳离子测定系统，测量单个细胞内游离钙浓度（［Ｃａ２＋］ｉ），研究８（Ｎ，Ｎ二乙胺）ｎ辛基３，４，５三甲氧基苯甲酸酯（ＴＭＢ８）对培养乳牛基底动脉平滑肌［Ｃａ２＋］ｉ的作用。在细胞外钙浓度为１３ｍｍｏｌ·Ｌ－１时，ＴＭＢ８（３０μｍｏｌ·Ｌ－１）可明显抑制ＢＨＱ，ＮＥ及ＫＣｌ引起［Ｃａ２＋］ｉ的升高。在细胞外钙为零＋ＥＧＴＡ０１ｍｍｏｌ·Ｌ－１时，ＴＭＢ８（１０，３０及１００μｍｏｌ·Ｌ－１）可浓度依赖性地降低静息［Ｃａ２＋］ｉ，ＴＭＢ８（３０μｍｏｌ·Ｌ－１）可几乎完全阻断ＢＨＱ及ＮＥ引起［Ｃａ２＋］ｉ的增加。研究表明ＴＭＢ８降低培养乳牛基底动脉平滑肌［Ｃａ２＋］ｉ的机制，主要是抑制肌浆网Ｃａ２＋的释放，或增加肌浆网对Ｃａ２＋的摄入，并由此间接地抑制细胞外钙的内流。     

左旋千金藤定碱对培养牛主动脉血管平滑肌细胞胞内游离Ca~(2+)的影响

目的：研究左旋千金藤定碱（ｌ－ｓｔｅｐｈｏｌｉｄｉｎｅ，ＳＰＤ）对血管平滑肌的作用。方法：采用Ｆｕｒａ－２和ＡＲ－ＣＭ－ＭＩＣ阳离子测定系统测定培养牛主动脉血管平滑肌细胞内游离钙。结果：ＳＰＤ１～１００μｍｏｌ·Ｌ－１不影响静息［Ｃａ２＋］ｉ，但可剂量依赖地抑制高Ｋ＋引起的［Ｃａ２＋］ｉ增高，其ＩＣ５０为３９．６（９５％可信限２３．４～６７．１）μｍｏｌ·Ｌ－１，但其作用弱于尼群地平；ＳＰＤ１～１００μｍｏｌ·Ｌ－１对去甲肾上腺素、血管紧张素Ⅱ、５－ＨＴ、ＡＴＰ引起的［Ｃａ２＋］ｉ增高也有明显的抑制作用；高浓度ＳＰＤ对无外钙时去甲肾上腺素引起的［Ｃａ２＋］ｉ增高也有一定的抑制作用。结论：左旋千金藤定碱对培养血管平滑肌细胞电压依赖性钙通道和受体调控性钙通道均有抑制作用；其对电压依赖性钙通道的抑制作用弱于尼群地平。     

丙泊酚抑制去甲肾上腺素诱导大鼠肺动脉平滑肌细胞内游离钙浓度升高作用的机理

用荧光分光光度法及同位素放射免疫分析法检测丙泊酚（３０－３００μｍｏｌ·Ｌ－１）影响大鼠肺动脉平滑肌细胞（ＰＡＳＭＣ）内游离钙离子浓度（［Ｃａ２＋］ｉ）与肌醇－１,４,５－三磷酸（ＩＰ３）合成作用,以探讨丙泊酚舒张肺动脉平滑肌的作用机理．结果表明,与丙泊酚共同培养７２ｈ,对ＰＡＳＭＣ［Ｃａ２＋］ｉ基础水平无明显影响,但可浓度依赖性抑制去甲肾上腺素（ＮＥ３μｍｏｌ·Ｌ－１）引起的［Ｃａ２＋］ｉ升高作用;当细胞外液无钙或存在钙通道阻滞剂维拉帕米（３０μｍｏｌ·Ｌ－１）时,丙泊酚抑制ＮＥ升高［Ｃａ２＋］ｉ作用被增强;丙泊酚还可浓度依赖性抑制ＮＥ促进ＩＰ３合成作用．结果提示丙泊酚舒张血管平滑肌作用与抑制ＩＰ３介导的细胞内钙释放密切相关．     

Effect of taurine on intracellular free calcium concentration in cultured neonatal rat heart cells

在培养的单个ＳＤ乳鼠心肌细胞，观察了牛磺酸对ＫＣｌ，去甲肾上腺素（ＮＥ）和毒毛花苷Ｇ引起的胞浆游离Ｃａ２＋浓度（［Ｃａ２＋］ｉ）变化的影响．当细胞外ＣａＣｌ２浓度为１．３ｍｍｏｌ·Ｌ－１时，牛磺酸１０，２０ｍｍｏｌ·Ｌ－１不影响心肌细胞静息［Ｃａ２＋］ｉ；但能浓度依赖性地抑制３５ｍｍｏｌ·Ｌ－１ＫＣｌ和１μｍｏｌ·Ｌ－１毒毛花苷Ｇ升高［Ｃａ２＋］ｉ的作用．１０μｍｏｌ·Ｌ－１ＮＥ在含Ｃａ２＋的缓冲液中能引起双相的［Ｃａ２＋］ｉ变化，即快速升高相和持续升高相．牛磺酸２０ｍｍｏｌ·Ｌ－１能抑制ＮＥ引起的［Ｃａ２＋］ｉ持续升高，而对快速升高相无显著影响．在无Ｃａ２＋的缓冲液中，牛磺酸不影响ＮＥ升高［Ｃａ２＋］ｉ的作用．结果提示牛磺酸可能通过减少心肌细胞电压依赖性Ｃａ２＋内流和Ｎａ＋／Ｃａ２＋交换而抑制ＫＣｌ，ＮＥ和毒毛花苷Ｇ引起的［Ｃａ２＋］ｉ升高．     

8-(N,N-Diethylamino)-n-octyl-3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoate reduced (Ca~(2 ))_i elevation induced by histamine,serotonin,and glutamate in cultured calf basilar artery smooth muscle cells

目的：研究８（Ｎ，Ｎ二乙胺）ｎ辛基３，４，５三甲氧基苯甲酸酯对培养乳牛基底动脉平滑肌［Ｃａ２＋］ｉ的作用．方法：采用ＡＲＣＭＭＩＣ阳离子测定系统，测量细胞内游离钙浓度（［Ｃａ２＋］ｉ）．结果：在细胞外钙浓度为１３ｍｍｏｌ·Ｌ－１时，ＴＭＢ８３０μｍｏｌ·Ｌ－１可明显抑制组胺，５羟色胺和谷氨酸引起的［Ｃａ２＋］ｉ的升高．在外钙为零＋依他酸０１ｍｍｏｌ·Ｌ－１时，ＴＭＢ８３０μｍｏｌ·Ｌ－１可明显降低静息［Ｃａ２＋］ｉ，ＴＭＢ８３０μｍｏｌ·Ｌ－１可几乎完全阻断组胺和５羟色胺增加［Ｃａ２＋］ｉ的作用．结论：ＴＭＢ８降低培养乳牛基底动脉平滑肌静息［Ｃａ２＋］ｉ，抑制Ｈｉｓ，５ＨＴ和Ｇｌｕ引起的［Ｃａ２＋］ｉ的增加．     

Effects of dexamethasone on intracellular Ca 2 in its sensitive cells from neonatal mouse hippocampus and cultured cortical neurogliocytes

目的：研究地塞米松（Ｄｅｘ）对神经元和胶质细胞内钙浓度（［Ｃａ２＋］ｉ）的影响．方法：Ｆｕｒａ２ＡＭ负载小鼠海马细胞（ＮＭＨＣ）和培养的胶质细胞（ＣＣＮ）．单细胞内［Ｃａ２＋］ｉ由ＡＲＣＭＭＩＣ检测系统测定．结果：Ｄｅｘ使多数ＮＭＨＣ［Ｃａ２＋］ｉ浓度依赖地迅速升高,９６个ＮＭＨＣ中仅１０％出现［Ｃａ２＋］ｉ降低．［Ｃａ２＋］ｉ升高被无镁细胞外液阻滞、被氯化镧逆转,但不受氯化锂影响．无钙Ｈａｎｋｓ液悬浮、米非司酮（Ｍｉｆ）或河毒素均可阻断Ｄｅｘ４０－９０μｍｏｌ·Ｌ－１的升［Ｃａ２＋］ｉ效应,而Ｄｅｘ２００μｍｏｌ·Ｌ－１的效应仍被保持．４０个ＣＣＮ中５０％对Ｄｅｘ产生浓度依赖的［Ｃａ２＋］ｉ升高,并被无钙或无镁的细胞外液和Ｍｉｆ预处理抑制．结论：Ｄｅｘ快速改变海马神经元和胶质细胞内［Ｃａ２＋］ｉ．［Ｃａ２＋］ｉ的这种改变是由Ｍｇ２＋和受体相关的外钙内流及高浓度Ｄｅｘ诱发的内钙释放介导的．     

Effects of hyperin on free intracellular calcium in dissociated neonatal rat brain cells

目的：研究金丝桃苷（Ｈｙｐ）对新生大鼠的脑细胞内游离钙浓度的作用．方法：分离新生大鼠的脑细胞;用钙离子荧光指示剂Ｆｕｒａ２测定静息和激动剂存在时新生鼠脑细胞内游离钙浓度．结果：在ＣａＣｌ２１３ｍｍｏｌ·Ｌ－１的Ｈａｎｋｓ液中,静息［Ｃａ２＋］ｉ为（２０８±１２）ｎｍｏｌ·Ｌ－１（ｎ＝１７）,Ｈｙｐ对静息［Ｃａ２＋］ｉ无明显影响;Ｈｙｐ１０,４０,１６０μｍｏｌ·Ｌ－１呈浓度依赖性显著抑制ＫＣｌ５０ｍｍｏｌ·Ｌ－１致［Ｃａ２＋］ｉ增高;Ｈｙｐ１６０μｍｏｌ·Ｌ－１显著抑制去甲肾上腺素１,２,４和８μｍｏｌ·Ｌ－１诱发的［Ｃａ２＋］ｉ的增高;Ｈｙｐ１６０μｍｏｌ·Ｌ－１还可显著抑制谷氨酸和５羟色胺致［Ｃａ２＋］ｉ增高．结论：Ｈｙｐ对新生大鼠脑细胞钙内流有阻滞作用．     

HEK293细胞—— 一种研究受体Ca~(2+)调控功能的理想模型

目的了解ＨＥＫ２９３细胞Ｃａ２＋代谢的生物学特性。方法用Ｆｕｒａ－２荧光探针双波长测定细胞胞浆游离Ｃａ２＋浓度（［Ｃａ２＋］ｉ）方法，观察多种能改变细胞内Ｃａ２＋代谢的药物对天然的和转染了α１Ｂ肾上腺素受体ｃＤＮＡ的ＨＥＫ２９３细胞［Ｃａ２＋］ｉ的影响。结果在含１．５ｍｍｏｌＬ－１ＣａＣｌ２的缓冲液中，ＫＣｌ５０ｍｍｏｌＬ－１和ＢａｙＫ８６４４１０μｍｏｌＬ－１不影响ＨＥＫ２９３细胞的［Ｃａ２＋］ｉ；ｃｙｃｌｏｐｉａｚｏｎｉｃａｃｉｄ（ＣＰＡ０．０１，０．１，１０μｍｏｌＬ－１）能浓度依赖性地引起ＨＥＫ２９３细胞的［Ｃａ２＋］ｉ呈双相升高，其中的Ｃａ２＋内流相不受ｎｉｆｅｄｉｐｉｎｅ（１０μｍｏｌＬ－１）的影响；但可被１ｍｍｏｌＬ－１ＮｉＳＯ４完全抑制。在无Ｃａ２＋的缓冲液中，咖啡因２０ｍｍｏｌＬ－１和ｒｙａｎｏｄｉｎｅ１μｍｏｌＬ－１均不影响ＨＥＫ２９３细胞的［Ｃａ２＋］ｉ。先用ＣＰＡ（３０μｍｏｌＬ－１）耗竭ＨＥＫα１Ｂ细胞内Ｃａ２＋贮存池后，肾上腺素１０μｍｏｌＬ－１能进一步升高［Ｃａ２＋］ｉ。在有Ｃａ２＋或无Ｃａ２＋的缓冲液中，肾上腺素均可引起ＨＥＫα１Ｂ细胞［Ｃａ２＋］ｉ升高。结论ＨＥＫ２９３细胞?     

小檗碱对培养的新生大鼠心肌细胞内游离钙含量的影响

采用Ｃａ２＋指示剂Ｆｕｒａ－２作为细胞内钙离子的荧光探针，利用ＡＲ－ＣＭ－ＭＩＣ阳离子测定系统。检测了培养新生大鼠心肌细胞内游离钙的浓度，并观察了小檗碱对去甲肾上腺素，Ｈ２Ｏ２，高Ｃａ２＋及高Ｋ＋引起细胞内钙离子浓度（［Ｃａ２＋］ｉ）变化的影响。小檗碱对心肌细胞静息［Ｃａ２＋］ｉ无明显影响，能浓度依赖地抑制去甲肾上腺素和Ｈ２Ｏ２引起的［Ｃａ２＋］ｉ的升高。小檗碱５０μｍｏｌ·Ｌ－１能抑制高Ｋ＋引起的［Ｃａ２＋］ｉ的升高，而小剂量（１－１０μｍｏｌ·Ｌ－１）则无作用。对搏动细胞，小檗碱能抑制其［Ｃａ２＋］ｉ瞬间变化的最大值，对最小值则无作用。     

Cl~-通道在内皮素-1引起的血管平滑肌细胞增殖中的作用

目的　研究Cl-通道在内皮素 1(endothelin 1,ET 1)引起的血管平滑肌细胞增殖中的作用 ,并探讨其可能的作用机制。方法　通过细胞计数和3H TdR参入实验 ,并结合fura 2 /AM荧光测定胞浆游离Ca2 + 浓度 ([Ca2 + ]i)等技术 ,观察了Cl-通道阻断剂对ET 1引起的 [Ca2 + ]i 变化及血管平滑肌细胞增殖的影响。结果　Cl-通道阻断剂DIDS可呈浓度依赖性地抑制 10nmol·L-1ET 1引起的血管平滑肌细胞增殖 ,其它Cl-通道阻断剂如IAA 94、NPPB、SITS、DPC和速尿均无此作用 ,DIDS也能抑制 10nmol·L-1ET 1引起的内流相 [Ca2 + ]i 升高 ,而对ET 1引起的Ca2 + 释放无影响 ;预先将细胞与 1μmol·L-1nifedipine作用后 ,3μmol·L-1DIDS对 10nmol·L-1ET 1引起的内流相 [Ca2 + ]i 升高及血管平滑肌细胞增殖不再有效 ,将细胞与 10 μmol·L-1SK&F96 36 5预孵后 ,DIDS却能进一步抑制ET 1的上述作用 ;3μmol·L-1DIDS对 30mmol·L-1KCl引起的胞浆[Ca2 + ]i升高无影响。结论　DIDS可通过阻断Cl-通道来抑制ET 1因促发Cl-通道开放经电压依赖性钙通道的Ca2 +内流及细胞增殖 ,DIDS敏感的Cl-通道可能在ET 1促发的Ca2 + 内流及血管平滑肌细胞增殖的调控上都起着重要的作用     

Tetrandrine inhibits Ca^2＋-activated chloride channel in cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells

INTRODUCTION Tetrandrine (Tet, 6,6',7,12-tetramethoxy-2,2'- dim-ethyl-berbaman) is a purified bis-benzylisoquinoline al-kaloid derivedfrom the root ofa Chinese herb (Stephaniatetrandra S Moore)[1,2]. It was first shown as an anti-hypertensive agent in both normal and hypertensivesubjects in 1950s[3,4]. The primary anti-hypertensiveaction of Tet is presumably due to its vasodilatoryproperty, which was confirmed both in vivo (15 mg/kg in conscious rats) and in vitro (1-100 μmol/L,effecti…     

Dynamics of Ca2+-dependent Cl- channel modulation by niflumic acid in rabbit coronary arterial myocytes

Calcium-activated chloride channels (Cl(Ca)) are crucial regulators of vascular tone by promoting a depolarizing influence on the resting membrane potential of vascular smooth muscle cells. Niflumic acid (NFA), a potent blocker of Cl(Ca) in vascular myocytes, was shown recently to cause inhibition and paradoxical stimulation of sustained calcium-activated chloride currents [I(Cl(Ca))] in rabbit pulmonary artery myocytes. The aims of the present study were to investigate whether NFA produced a similar dual effect in coronary artery smooth muscle cells and to determine the concentration-dependence and dynamics of such a phenomenon. Sustained I(Cl(Ca)) evoked by intracellular Ca(2+) clamped at 500 nM were dose-dependently inhibited by NFA (IC(50) = 159 microM) and transiently augmented in a concentration-independent manner (10 microM to 1 mM) approximately 2-fold after NFA removal. However, the time to peak and duration of NFA-enhanced I(Cl(Ca)) increased in a concentration-dependent fashion. Moreover, the rate of recovery was reduced by membrane depolarization, suggesting the involvement of a voltage-dependent step in the interaction of NFA, leading to stimulation of I(Cl(Ca)). Computer simulations derived from a kinetic model involving low (K(i) = 1.25 mM) and high (K(i) < 30 microM) affinity sites could reproduce the properties of the NFA-modulated I(Cl(Ca)) fairly well.     

Cl~-通道阻断剂对5-HT和CPA引起的兔脑椎基底动脉平滑肌细胞Ca~(2+)内流的影响

目的　在培养的兔脑椎基底动脉平滑肌细胞上观察5 HT和CPA诱导的Ca2 + 内流的特性 ,电压依赖性Ca2 + 通道 (VDC)抑制药尼莫地平 ,非电压依赖性Ca2 + 通道抑制药SK&F963 65及Cl-通道阻断剂DIDS、NPPB对两种激动剂引起 [Ca2 + ]i 反应的影响 ,以探讨脑血管平滑肌细胞中 5 HT引起Ca2 + 内流的特性、Cl-通道与Ca2 + 内流的关系。方法　采用生物荧光双波长影像分析系统瞬即测定单细胞胞质[Ca2 + ]i 技术。结果　① 5 HT和CPA均能诱导平滑肌细胞[Ca2 + ]i 呈双相升高 ,并且 5 HT诱导的Ca2 + 释放是环匹阿尼酸 (CPA)敏感Ca2 + 池的一部分 ;②尼莫地平对 5 HT和CPA触发的Ca2 + 内流无明显影响 ,而SK&F963 65可阻止二者触发的Ca2 + 内流 ;③Cl-通道阻断剂DIDS、NPPB呈浓度依赖性抑制Ca2 + 内流 ,在SK&F963 65最大限度抑制Ca2 + 内流后 ,DIDS、NPPB可进一步抑制Ca2 + 内流 ;而Ca2 +内流被DIDS、NPPB分别最大抑制后 ,SK&F963 65也可进一步抑制Ca2 + 内流。结论　 5 HT引起的Ca2 + 内流是经SK&F963 65敏感的非VDC ,其中包含Ca2 + 释放引起的Ca2 + 内流 (CRAC)成分与非CRAC成分 ,并且这两部分Ca2 +内流均与DIDS、NPPB敏感的Cl-通道开放有关     

肺动脉高压模型大鼠肺动脉平滑肌细胞内钙的改变

目的分析肺动脉高压时肺动脉平滑肌细胞Ryanod-ine受体[Ca2+]i释放功能的改变。方法腹腔注射野百合碱建立大鼠肺动脉高压模型,原代培养肺动脉平滑肌细胞,Fura-2/AM负载培养细胞,荧光测钙技术测量Ryanodine受体激动剂对[Ca2+]i变化的影响。结果10nmol.L-1Ry-anodine使对照组[Ca2+]i平均增加(93.31±12.41)nmol.L-1,使PAH组[Ca2+]i平均增加(141.71±13.59)nmol.L-1。两组样本[Ca2+]i增加的数值差异有显著性(P<0.01);10mmol.L-1Caffine使对照组[Ca2+]i平均增加(149.02±13.02)nmol.L-1,使PAH大鼠PASMC的[Ca2+]i平均增加(191.2±21.26)nmol.L-1,两组样本[Ca2+]i数值的变化差异有显著性(P<0.01)。结论肺动脉高压大鼠原代培养的肺动脉平滑肌细胞对Ryanodine受体激动剂的敏感性增强,提示肺动脉高压时Ryanodine受体释放[Ca2+]i的功能发生了异常改变。     

Ca2+-dependent K+ channels are targets for bradykinin B1 receptor ligands and for lipopolysaccharide in the rat aorta

Although rat aorta smooth muscle cells in culture constitutively express bradykinin B1 receptors, the normotensive rat aorta does not respond to the bradykinin B1 receptor agonist des-Arg9-bradykinin, whereas vessels from the spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) respond to bradykinin B1 receptor agonists with cell membrane hyperpolarization and relaxation. Bacterial lipopolysaccharide also is inactive on the normotensive rat but hyperpolarizes the SHR aorta. To determine whether this could be due to the increased intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) in the SHR, we raised [Ca2+]i in normotensive rats by treatment with thapsigargin. In the thapsigargin-treated aorta, both lipopolysaccharide and des-Arg9-bradykinin induced hyperpolarization, which was reversed by the Ca2+-dependent K+ channel inhibitor iberiotoxin and by the bradykinin B1 receptor antagonists Lys-[Leu8]-des-Arg9-bradykinin and [Leu8]-des-Arg9-bradykinin. Thus the bradykinin B1 receptor, as well as lipopolysaccharide, needs activated Ca2+-dependent K+ channels for functional expression. The two bradykinin B1 receptor inhibitors, however, have effects on Ca2+-dependent K+ channels which are not mediated by bradykinin B1 receptors.     

小檗胺对ROCC介导的血管平滑肌细胞内游离钙的影响

目的　研究小檗胺 (BA)对受体调控性Ca2 +通道介导的家兔胸主动脉血管平滑肌细胞内游离钙 ([Ca2 +]i)的影响。方法　家兔主动脉血管平滑肌以Fluo 3/AM负载 ,通过激光扫描共聚焦显微镜 (LSCM )测定 [Ca2 +]i。结果　在细胞外Ca2 +存在的条件下 ,BA 30 μmol·L-1不影响静息[Ca2 +]i;但对去甲肾上腺素 (NE) 30mmol·L-1、5 羟色胺 (5 HT) 1μmol·L-1诱导的 [Ca2 +]i 升高有明显的抑制作用。在无胞外钙时 ,对咖啡因 40mmol·L-1诱导的 [Ca2 +]i 升高没有作用。结论　BA对ROCC激活后的外钙内流有明显的抑制作用 ,对内钙释放没有影响。其作用与维拉帕米相似     

Ca2+ channel activation and membrane depolarization mediated by Cl- channels in response to noradrenaline in vascular myocytes.

1. The effects of noradrenaline (NA) were studied on vascular smooth muscle cells isolated from rat portal vein. 2. Two types of single-Ca2+ channel currents with conductances of 17 pS and 8 pS were obtained in cell-attached configuration. Bath application of NA increased the open probability of both channels during depolarizing pulses without a change of background membrane conductance. However, NA did not open Ca2+ channels when the membrane patch potential was held at -50 mV, which is about the resting potential in physiological conditions. 3. In the whole-cell configuration, studies of voltage-dependent Ca2+ channel currents showed that the peak conductance curve was not shifted to more negative potentials by NA. 4. Measurements of internal Ca(2+)-concentration ([Ca2+]i) with Indo-1 indicated that NA increased [Ca2+]i at a holding potential of -50 mV and evoked a Ca(2+)-activated Cl- current. These effects were blocked when heparin was included in the pipette solution. 5. A Cl- channel blocker without effect on Ca2+ channels (anthracene-9-carboxylic acid) inhibited the contractions of portal vein strips induced by NA in a manner similar to that produced by a Ca2+ channel inhibitor (isradipine). The NA-induced contraction was completely suppressed in the presence of ryanodine which depletes intracellular Ca2+ stores. 6. The present study suggests that activation of Cl- channels by Ca2+ release produces a membrane depolarization which is a prerequisite for enhanced opening of voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels in response to NA in venous smooth muscle.     

4-aminopyridine affects rat arterial smooth muscle BK(Ca) currents by changing intracellular pH

The hypothesis whether or not 4-AP can affect vascular smooth muscle BK(Ca) currents was tested using the patch-clamp technique, pH- and calcium-fluorimetry, and freshly isolated rat arterial smooth muscle cells. Application of 4-AP reversibly inhibited BK(Ca) currents at an intracellular calcium ([Ca](i)) of 250 nM with a half-block of 2. 5 mM at +50 mV. The presence of 2 microM thapsigargin, 10 microM heparin, and 10 microM ryanodine did not alter the effect of 4-AP on BK(Ca) currents at [Ca](i) 250 nM. At [Ca](i)<100 nM 4-AP did not inhibit BK(Ca) currents. Application of 4-AP to the intracellular or extracellular side of excised BK(Ca) channels did not alter channel activity or channel amplitude. Replacement of the pH-sensitive calcium buffer EGTA by the pH-insensitive calcium buffer BAPTA in the intracellular solution turned the 4-AP-induced inhibition of BK(Ca) currents into a stimulation at [Ca](i) 250 nM. Application of 4-AP to single cells increased intracellular pH, which was accompanied by a reduction of [Ca](i) in EGTA-loaded cells and a stable [Ca](i) in BAPTA-loaded cells. Thus, these results suggest that in isolated vascular smooth muscle cells at [Ca](i)>100 nM 4-AP affects BK(Ca) currents via an alteration of intracellular pH.     

TRPC6

TRPC6 is a Ca(2+)-permeable non-selective cation channel expressed in brain, smooth muscle containing tissues and kidney, as well as in immune and blood cells. Channel homomers heterologously expressed have a characteristic doubly rectifying current-voltage relationship and are six times more permeable for Ca2+ than for Na+. In smooth muscle tissues, however, Na+ influx and activation of voltage-gated calcium channels by membrane depolarization rather than Ca2+ elevation by TRPC6 channels is the driving force for contraction. TRPC6 channels are directly activated by the second messenger diacylglycerol (DAG) and regulated by specific tyrosine or serine phosphorylation. Extracellular Ca2+ has inhibitory effects, while Ca2+/calmodulin acting from the intracellular side has potentiator effects on channel activity. Given its specific expression, TRPC6 is likely to play a number of physiological roles. Studies with TRPC6(-/-) mice suggest a role for the channel in the regulation of vascular and pulmonary smooth muscle contraction. TRPC6 was identified as an essential component of the slit diaphragm architecture of kidney podocytes. Other functions in immune and blood cells, as well as in brain and in smooth muscle-containing tissues such as stomach, colon and myometrium, remain elusive.