scholarly journals Calcium channel current of vascular smooth muscle cells: extracellular protons modulate gating and single channel conductance.

1994 ◽  
Vol 103 (4) ◽  
pp. 665-678 ◽  
Author(s):  
U Klöckner ◽  
G Isenberg

Modulation of L-type Ca2+ channel current by extracellular pH (pHo) was studied in vascular smooth muscle cells from bovine pial and porcine coronary arteries. Relative to pH 7.4, alkaline pH reversibly increased and acidic pH reduced ICa. The efficacy of pHo in modulating ICa was reduced when the concentration of the charge carrier was elevated ([Ca2+]o or [Ba2+]o varied between 2 and 110 mM). Analysis of whole cell and single Ca2+ channel currents suggested that more acidic pHo values shift the voltage-dependent gating (approximately 15 mV per pH-unit) and reduce the single Ca2+ channel conductance gCa due to screening of negative surface charges. pHo effects on gCa depended on the pipette [Ba2+] ([Ba2+]p), pK*, the pH providing 50% of saturating conductance, increased with [Ba2+]p according to pK* = 2.7-2.log ([Ba2+]p) suggesting that protons and Ba2+ ions complete for a binding site that modulates gCa. The above mechanisms are discussed in respect to their importance for Ca2+ influx and vasotonus.

2000 ◽  
Vol 278 (3) ◽  
pp. H714-H722 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rui Wang ◽  
Yuejin Wu ◽  
Guanghua Tang ◽  
Lingyun Wu ◽  
Salma Toma Hanna

Vascular complications of diabetes are associated with abnormal Ca2+ handling by vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs) in which the alteration in L-type voltage-dependent Ca2+ channel (VDCC) currents may play an important role. In the present study, the characteristics of L-type VDCC currents in tail artery SMCs from streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats were examined. The densities, but not the voltage dependence, of L-type VDCC currents were reduced as diabetes progressed from 1 wk to 3 mo. The inhibitory effect of dibutyryl-cAMP on L-type VDCC currents was greater in diabetic SMCs than in age-matched control cells ( P < 0.01). Both the stimulatory effect of BAY K 8644 and the inhibitory effect of nifedipine on L-type VDCC currents were significantly enhanced in diabetic cells. The diabetes-related abnormalities in L-type VDCC currents were mimicked by culturing SMCs with a high concentration of glucose. Our results suggest that the properties of L-type VDCC in diabetic vascular SMCs were significantly altered, partially related to the increased L-type VDCC sensitivity to cAMP and hyperglycemia.


1992 ◽  
Vol 262 (4) ◽  
pp. C1083-C1088 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. J. Davis ◽  
J. A. Donovitz ◽  
J. D. Hood

Mechanosensitive ion channels may play a key role in transducing vascular smooth muscle (VSM) stretch into active force development. To test this hypothesis, we recorded single-channel and macroscopic currents during mechanical stimulation of enzymatically dispersed vascular smooth muscle cells. Patch pipette suction activated a nonselective cation channel that was permeable to K+, Na+, and Ca2+. Whole cell stretch was accomplished using two patch-type micropipettes attached to the cell ends with suction. Stretch elicited a sustained depolarization with a magnitude similar to that observed in pressurized arteries. Under whole cell voltage clamp, stretch activated an inward current with a reversal potential near -15 mV. In another series of experiments, whole cell stretch failed to modify the current-voltage relationship for voltage-gated calcium currents. Thus, in VSM, both single-channel and whole cell data are consistent with activation of a nonselective cation channel by stretch. This mechanism may, in part, account for pressure-induced activation of intact blood vessels.


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