scholarly journals Design of a functional calcium channel protein: Inferences about an ion channel-forming motif derived from the primary structure of voltage-gated calcium channels

1993 ◽  
Vol 2 (11) ◽  
pp. 1918-1930 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne Grove ◽  
John M. Tomich ◽  
Takeo Iwamoto ◽  
Mauricio Montal
2019 ◽  
Vol 216 (5) ◽  
pp. 250-253 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul J. Harrison ◽  
Elizabeth M. Tunbridge ◽  
Annette C. Dolphin ◽  
Jeremy Hall

SummaryWe reappraise the psychiatric potential of calcium channel blockers (CCBs). First, voltage-gated calcium channels are risk genes for several disorders. Second, use of CCBs is associated with altered psychiatric risks and outcomes. Third, research shows there is an opportunity for brain-selective CCBs, which are better suited to psychiatric indications.


2017 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 208-214 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jamal Adiban ◽  
Yousef Jamali ◽  
Hashem Rafii-Tabar

Ca2+ion binds tightly to the center of the selectivity filter of voltage-gated calcium channels.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claudio Graziano ◽  
Patrick Despang ◽  
Flavia Palombo ◽  
Giulia Severi ◽  
Annio Posar ◽  
...  

Abstract BackgroundDiagnostic yield in patients with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has improved over the last years, thanks to the introduction of whole genome arrays and next generation sequencing, but etiology is still unknown for the majority of cases. Among distinct cellular pathways, evidence implicating dysregulation of cellular calcium homeostasis in ASD pathogenesis has been accumulating, and specific mutations in voltage-gated calcium channels found in patients with autism were shown to be functionally relevant.MethodsWhole exome sequencing and Sanger sequencing were performed to identify and confirm variants in a girl with ASD, global developmental delay and precocious puberty, born of first-degree cousins. Site-directed mutagenesis was used to generate a human CaVβ2d calcium channel subunit carrying a CACNB2 mutation. Whole-cell patch-clamp recordings were performed to reveal functional effects of mutant CaVβ2d on Ba2+-currents mediated by L-type (CaV1.2) calcium channels in transiently transfected HEK-293 cells.ResultsIn an ASD patient, we identified a rare homozygous variant (p.Arg70Cys) in the CACNB2 gene coding for the auxiliary CaVβ2subunit of voltage-gated calcium channels. In a recombinant system, the CaVβ2 variant, which was not previously associated to ASD, was found to alter CaV1.2 calcium channel function by significantly affecting activation and inactivation of whole-cell Ba2+-currents.LimitationsAlthough the evidence of CACNB2 involvement in ASD is slowly accumulating, the number of reported patients is very limited. Deep clinical phenotyping and functional studies in larger sets of subjects will be instrumental to fully understand the penetrance and outcome of CACNB2 variants.ConclusionsThe p.Arg70Cys variant in CACNB2 shows functional consequences similar to other ASD-associated CaVβ2 mutations. These results support the idea of CACNB2 variations contributing to the development of ASD and hint to a rare form of Mendelian recessive autism with possible specific comorbidities.


1991 ◽  
Vol 71 (3) ◽  
pp. 1062-1069 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Shirahata ◽  
R. S. Fitzgerald

The hypothesis that the entry of extracellular calcium ions into some compartment, quite possibly the type I cells, through voltage-gated calcium channels (VGCC) is essential for hypoxic chemotransduction in the cat carotid body was tested using an in situ perfusion technique. The neural output of the carotid body of anesthetized, paralyzed, and artificially ventilated cats in response to perfusions with Krebs-Ringer bicarbonate solution (KRB), calcium-free KRB, KRB containing calcium channel blockers, or KRB containing BAY K 8644 was recorded. Selective perfusion of the carotid body with hypoxic calcium-free KRB significantly decreased carotid chemoreceptor activity, suggesting that extracellular calcium is essential for hypoxic chemotransduction. Selective perfusion of the carotid body with hypoxic KRB containing verapamil (10–100 microM), diltiazem (10–100 microM), or nifedipine (10–100 microM) dose dependently attenuated the increase in chemoreceptor activity produced by hypoxia, suggesting that VGCC need to be activated for hypoxic chemotransduction. The carotid body response to hyperoxic KRB containing the calcium channel agonist BAY K 8644 (10 microM) was 267 +/- 87% of hyperoxic control KRB, suggesting that an enhanced influx of calcium ions through VGCC stimulates carotid chemoreceptor activity. Selective perfusion of the carotid body with severely hypoxic KRB containing BAY K 8644 did not increase chemoreceptor activity above that produced by severe hypoxia alone. This suggests that severe hypoxia increases intracellular calcium in some compartment of the carotid body to achieve stimulatory maximum response and that further increase in intracellular calcium does not produce further elevation of neural activity.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laurin Heinrich ◽  
Stefanie Ryglewski

AbstractVoltage gated calcium channels (VGCCs) regulate neuronal excitability and translate activity into calcium dependent intracellular signaling. The pore forming α1 subunit of high voltage activated (HVA) VGCCs operates not in isolation but associates with α2δ accessory subunits. α2δ subunits can affect calcium channel biophysical properties, surfacing, localization and transport, but their in vivo functions are incompletely understood. In vertebrates, it is largely unknown whether different combinations of the four α2δ and the 7 α1 subunits mediate different or partially redundant functions or whether different α1/α2δ combinations regulate different aspects of VGCC function. This study capitalizes on the relatively simpler situation in the Drosophila genetic model that contains only two genes for HVA calcium channels, one Cav1 homolog and one Cav2 homolog, both with well-described functions in different compartments of identified motoneurons. We find that both dα2δ1 and dα2δ3 (stj) are broadly but differently expressed in the nervous system. Both are expressed in motoneurons, but with differential subcellular localization. Functional analysis reveals that dα2δ3 is required for normal Cav1 and Cav2 current amplitudes and for correct Cav2 channel function in all neuronal compartments, axon terminal, axon, and somatodendritic domain. By contrast, dα2δ1 does not affect Cav1 or Cav2 current amplitudes or presynaptic function, but it is required for correct Cav2 channel allocation to the axonal versus the dendritic domain. Therefore, different α2δ subunits are required in the same neurons to precisely regulate distinctly different functions of HVA calcium channels, which is in accord with specific α2δ mutations causing different brain diseases.Significance StatementCalcium influx through the pore forming α1-subunit of voltage gated calcium channels serves essential neuronal functions, such as synaptic vesicle release, control of action potential shape and frequencies, synaptic input computations, and transcriptional control. Localization and function of α1-calcium channel subunits depend on interactions with α2δ accessory subunits. Here we present in vivo analysis of Drosophila motoneurons revealing that different α2δ subunits independently regulate distinctly different aspects of calcium channel function in the same neuron, such as current amplitude and dendritic versus axonal channel localization. Our findings start unraveling how different α1/α2δ combinations regulate functional calcium channel diversity in different sub-neuronal compartments, and may provide an entry point toward understanding how mutations of different α2δ genes underlie brain diseases.


2021 ◽  
Vol 03 (03) ◽  
pp. 48-55
Author(s):  
Khoshimov N.N. ◽  

The manuscript shows a short data used using fluorescent probes to study the effect of polyphenol PС-7 on changes in the dynamics of intracellular Ca2+ content in rat brain synaptosomes, depending on the site of glutamate binding on calcium channels by a specific mediator with glutamate. To measure the amount of cytosolic Ca2+ synaptosomes, we calculated using the Grinkevich equation. It has been shown that polyphenol PС-7 binds to the β1-subunit of the voltage-gated calcium channel and allosterically changes its conformation so that the conductivity for Ca2+ ions increases through the channel, the blocking effect of polyphenol PС-7 can be explained by its binding to voltage-gated calcium channels and activating them.


2018 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
pp. 239821281879480 ◽  
Author(s):  
Annette C. Dolphin

This review will first describe the importance of Ca2+ entry for function of excitable cells, and the subsequent discovery of voltage-activated calcium conductances in these cells. This finding was rapidly followed by the identification of multiple subtypes of calcium conductance in different tissues. These were initially termed low- and high-voltage activated currents, but were then further subdivided into L-, N-, PQ-, R- and T-type calcium currents on the basis of differing pharmacology, voltage-dependent and kinetic properties, and single channel conductance. Purification of skeletal muscle calcium channels allowed the molecular identification of the pore-forming and auxiliary α2δ, β and ϒ subunits present in these calcium channel complexes. These advances then led to the cloning of the different subunits, which permitted molecular characterisation, to match the cloned channels with physiological function. Studies with knockout and other mutant mice then allowed further investigation of physiological and pathophysiological roles of calcium channels. In terms of pharmacology, cardiovascular L-type channels are targets for the widely used antihypertensive 1,4-dihydropyridines and other calcium channel blockers, N-type channels are a drug target in pain, and α2δ-1 is the therapeutic target of the gabapentinoid drugs, used in neuropathic pain. Recent structural advances have allowed a deeper understanding of Ca2+ permeation through the channel pore and the structure of both the pore-forming and auxiliary subunits. Voltage-gated calcium channels are subject to multiple pathways of modulation by G-protein and second messenger regulation. Furthermore, their trafficking pathways, subcellular localisation and functional specificity are the subjects of active investigation.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document