scholarly journals Pore Structure Influences Gating Properties of the T-type Ca2+ Channel α1G

2003 ◽  
Vol 121 (6) ◽  
pp. 529-540 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karel Talavera ◽  
Annelies Janssens ◽  
Norbert Klugbauer ◽  
Guy Droogmans ◽  
Bernd Nilius

The selectivity filter of all known T-type Ca2+ channels is built by an arrangement of two glutamate and two aspartate residues, each one located in the P-loops of domains I–IV of the α1 subunit (EEDD locus). The mutations of the aspartate residues to glutamate induce changes in the conduction properties, enhance Cd2+ and proton affinities, and modify the activation curve of the channel. Here we further analyze the role of the selectivity filter in the gating mechanisms of T-type channels by comparing the kinetic properties of the α1G subunit (CaV3.1) to those of pore mutants containing aspartate-to-glutamate substitution in domains III (EEED) or IV (EEDE). The change of the extracellular pH induced similar effects on the activation properties of α1G and both pore mutants, indicating that the larger affinity of the mutant channels for protons is not the cause of the gating modifications. Both mutants showed alterations in several gating properties with respect to α1G, i.e., faster macroscopic inactivation in the voltage range from −10 to 50 mV, positive voltage shift and decrease in the voltage sensitivity of the time constants of activation and deactivation, decrease of the voltage sensitivity of the steady-state inactivation, and faster recovery from inactivation for long repolarization periods. Kinetic modeling suggests that aspartate-to-glutamate mutations in the EEDD locus of α1G modify the movement of the gating charges and alter the rate of several gating transitions. These changes are independent of the alterations of the selectivity properties and channel protonation.

2007 ◽  
Vol 293 (3) ◽  
pp. C906-C914 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew R. Skerritt ◽  
Donald L. Campbell

The molecular and biophysical mechanisms by which voltage-sensitive K+ (Kv)4 channels inactivate and recover from inactivation are presently unresolved. There is a general consensus, however, that Shaker-like N- and P/C-type mechanisms are likely not involved. Kv4 channels also display prominent inactivation from preactivated closed states [closed-state inactivation (CSI)], a process that appears to be absent in Shaker channels. As in Shaker channels, voltage sensitivity in Kv4 channels is thought to be conferred by positively charged residues localized to the fourth transmembrane segment (S4) of the voltage-sensing domain. To investigate the role of S4 positive charge in Kv4.3 gating transitions, we analyzed the effects of charge elimination at each positively charged arginine (R) residue by mutation to the uncharged residue alanine (A). We first demonstrated that R290A, R293A, R296A, and R302A mutants each alter basic activation characteristics consistent with positive charge removal. We then found strong evidence that recovery from inactivation is coupled to deactivation, showed that the precise location of the arginine residues within S4 plays an important role in the degree of development of CSI and recovery from CSI, and demonstrated that the development of CSI can be sequentially uncoupled from activation by R296A, specifically. Taken together, these results extend our current understanding of Kv4.3 gating transitions.


2009 ◽  
Vol 133 (4) ◽  
pp. 387-403 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mandy L. Roberts-Crowley ◽  
Ann R. Rittenhouse

Arachidonic acid (AA) inhibits the activity of several different voltage-gated Ca2+ channels by an unknown mechanism at an unknown site. The Ca2+ channel pore-forming subunit (CaVα1) is a candidate for the site of AA inhibition because T-type Ca2+ channels, which do not require accessory subunits for expression, are inhibited by AA. Here, we report the unanticipated role of accessory CaVβ subunits on the inhibition of CaV1.3b L-type (L-) current by AA. Whole cell Ba2+ currents were measured from recombinant channels expressed in human embryonic kidney 293 cells at a test potential of −10 mV from a holding potential of −90 mV. A one-minute exposure to 10 µM AA inhibited currents with β1b, β3, or β4 58, 51, or 44%, respectively, but with β2a only 31%. At a more depolarized holding potential of −60 mV, currents were inhibited to a lesser degree. These data are best explained by a simple model where AA stabilizes CaV1.3b in a deep closed-channel conformation, resulting in current inhibition. Consistent with this hypothesis, inhibition by AA occurred in the absence of test pulses, indicating that channels do not need to open to become inhibited. AA had no effect on the voltage dependence of holding potential–dependent inactivation or on recovery from inactivation regardless of CaVβ subunit. Unexpectedly, kinetic analysis revealed evidence for two populations of L-channels that exhibit willing and reluctant gating previously described for CaV2 channels. AA preferentially inhibited reluctant gating channels, revealing the accelerated kinetics of willing channels. Additionally, we discovered that the palmitoyl groups of β2a interfere with inhibition by AA. Our novel findings that the CaVβ subunit alters kinetic changes and magnitude of inhibition by AA suggest that CaVβ expression may regulate how AA modulates Ca2+-dependent processes that rely on L-channels, such as gene expression, enzyme activation, secretion, and membrane excitability.


2020 ◽  
Vol 152 (8) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tibor G. Szanto ◽  
Florina Zakany ◽  
Ferenc Papp ◽  
Zoltan Varga ◽  
Carol J. Deutsch ◽  
...  

Despite major advances in the structure determination of ion channels, the sequence of molecular rearrangements at negative membrane potentials in voltage-gated potassium channels of the Shaker family remains unknown. Four major composite gating states are documented during the gating process: closed (C), open (O), open-inactivated (OI), and closed-inactivated (CI). Although many steps in the gating cycle have been clarified experimentally, the development of steady-state inactivation at negative membrane potentials and mandatory gating transitions for recovery from inactivation have not been elucidated. In this study, we exploit the biophysical properties of Shaker-IR mutants T449A/V474C and T449A/V476C to evaluate the status of the activation and inactivation gates during steady-state inactivation and upon locking the channel open with intracellular Cd2+. We conclude that at negative membrane potentials, the gating scheme of Shaker channels can be refined in two aspects. First, the most likely pathway for the development of steady-state inactivation is C→O→OI⇌CI. Second, the OI→CI transition is a prerequisite for recovery from inactivation. These findings are in accordance with the widely accepted view that tight coupling is present between the activation and C-type inactivation gates in Shaker and underscore the role of steady-state inactivation and recovery from inactivation as determinants of excitability.


2002 ◽  
Vol 88 (2) ◽  
pp. 861-868 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven D. Buckingham ◽  
Andrew N. Spencer

Certain neurons of vertebrates are specialized for high-frequency firing. Interestingly, high-frequency firing is also seen in central neurons in basal bilateral metazoans. Recently, the role of potassium currents with rightward-shifted activation curves in producing high-frequency firing has come under scrutiny. We apply intracellular recording, patch-clamp techniques, and compartmental modeling to examine the roles of rightward-shifted potassium currents in repetitive firing and shaping of action potentials in central neurons of the flatworm, Notoplana atomata ( Phylum Platyhelminthes). The kinetic properties of potassium and sodium currents were determined from patch-clamp experiments on dissociated brain cells. To predict the effects of changing the steady-state and kinetic properties of these potassium currents, these data were incorporated into a computer model of a 30-μm spherical cell with the levels of current adjusted to approximate the values recorded in voltage-clamp experiments. The model was able to support regenerative spikes at high frequencies in response to injected current. Current-clamp recordings of cultured cells and of neurons in situ also showed evidence of very-high-frequency firing. Adjusting the ratio of inactivating to non-inactivating potassium currents had little effect upon the firing pattern of the cell or its ability to fire at high frequencies, whereas the presence of the non-inactivating current was necessary for repetitive firing. Computer simulations suggested that the rightward shift in voltage sensitivity confers a raised firing threshold, while rapid channel kinetics underlie high frequency firing, and the large activation range enhances the coding range of the cell.


2002 ◽  
Vol 72 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 93-99 ◽  
Author(s):  
Srinivas Gullapalli ◽  
Kumar V.S. Nemmani ◽  
Poduri Ramarao

1988 ◽  
Vol 255 (4) ◽  
pp. E469-E474
Author(s):  
J. P. Kile ◽  
M. S. Amoss

It has been proposed that gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) stimulates Ca2+ entry by activation of voltage-independent, receptor-mediated Ca2+ channels in the rat gonadotroph. Little work has been done on the role of calcium in GnRH-induced luteinizing hormone (LH) release in species other than the rat. Therefore, this study was done to compare the effects of agents that alter Ca2+ or Na+ entry on LH release from calf anterior pituitary primary cells in culture. GnRH (100 ng/ml), Ca2+ ionophore A23187 (2.5 microM), and the depolarizing agent ouabain (0.1-10 microM) all produced significant increases (P less than 0.05) in LH release; these effects were significantly reduced when the cells were preincubated with the organic Ca2+ channel blockers nifedipine (1-10 microM) and verapamil (1-10 microM) and with Co2+ (0.01-1 mM). The effect of ouabain was inhibited by tetrodotoxin (TTX; 1-10 nM) as well as by nifedipine at 0.1-10 microM. In contrast to its effect on rat pituitary LH release, TTX significantly inhibited GnRH-stimulated LH release at 1-100 nM. These results suggest that GnRH-induced LH release may employ Ca2+ as a second messenger in bovine gonadotrophs and support recent speculation that GnRH-induced Ca2+ mobilization may in part be voltage dependent.


Biomedicines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 493
Author(s):  
 Chung-Yu Chen ◽  
Chien-Rung Chen ◽  
Chiao-Nan Chen ◽  
Paulus S. Wang ◽  
Toby Mündel ◽  
...  

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the amphetamine effects on progesterone and estradiol production in rat granulosa cells and the underlying cellular regulatory mechanisms. Freshly dispersed rat granulosa cells were cultured with various test drugs in the presence of amphetamine, and the estradiol/progesterone production and the cytosolic cAMP level were measured. Additionally, the cytosolic-free Ca2+ concentrations ([Ca2+]i) were measured to examine the role of Ca2+ influx in the presence of amphetamine. Amphetamine in vitro inhibited both basal and porcine follicle-stimulating hormone-stimulated estradiol/progesterone release, and amphetamine significantly decreased steroidogenic enzyme activities. Adding 8-Bromo-cAMP did not recover the inhibitory effects of amphetamine on progesterone and estradiol release. H89 significantly decreased progesterone and estradiol basal release but failed to enhance a further amphetamine inhibitory effect. Amphetamine was capable of further suppressing the release of estradiol release under the presence of nifedipine. Pretreatment with the amphetamine for 2 h decreased the basal [Ca2+]i and prostaglandin F2α-stimulated increase of [Ca2+]i. Amphetamine inhibits progesterone and estradiol secretion in rat granulosa cells through a mechanism involving decreased PKA-downstream steroidogenic enzyme activity and L-type Ca2+ channels. Our current findings show that it is necessary to study the possibility of amphetamine perturbing reproduction in females.


2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jean Chemin ◽  
Tamara Timic Stamenic ◽  
Magalie Cazade ◽  
Jodie Llinares ◽  
Iulia Blesneac ◽  
...  

Abstract Cav3 / T-type Ca2+ channels are dynamically regulated by intracellular Ca2+ ions, which inhibit Cav3 availability. Here, we demonstrate that this inhibition becomes irreversible in the presence of non-hydrolysable ATP analogs, resulting in a strong hyperpolarizing shift in the steady-state inactivation of the residual Cav3 current. Importantly, the effect of these ATP analogs was prevented in the presence of intracellular BAPTA. Additional findings obtained using intracellular dialysis of inorganic phosphate and alkaline phosphatase or NaN3 treatment further support the involvement of a phosphorylation mechanism. Contrasting with Cav1 and Cav2 Ca2+ channels, the Ca2+-dependent modulation of Cav3 channels appears to be independent of calmodulin, calcineurin and endocytic pathways. Similar findings were obtained for the native T-type Ca2+ current recorded in rat thalamic neurons of the central medial nucleus. Overall, our data reveal a new Ca2+ sensitive phosphorylation-dependent mechanism regulating Cav3 channels, with potentially important physiological implications for the multiple cell functions controlled by T-type Ca2+ channels.


2018 ◽  
Vol 293 (37) ◽  
pp. 14444-14454 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edgar Garza-Lopez ◽  
Josue A. Lopez ◽  
Jussara Hagen ◽  
Ruth Sheffer ◽  
Vardiella Meiner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  

1994 ◽  
Vol 103 (4) ◽  
pp. 647-663 ◽  
Author(s):  
U Klöckner ◽  
G Isenberg

L-type Ca2+ channel currents were recorded from myocytes isolated from bovine pial and porcine coronary arteries to study the influence of changes in intracellular pH (pHi). Whole cell ICa fell when pHi was made more acidic by substituting HEPES/NaOH with CO2/bicarbonate buffer (pHo 7.4, 36 degrees C), and increased when pHi was made more alkaline by addition of 20 mM NH4Cl. Peak ICa was less pHi sensitive than late ICa (170 ms after depolarization to 0 mV). pHi-effects on single Ca2+ channel currents were studied with 110 mM BaCl2 as the charge carrier (22 degrees C, pHo 7.4). In cell-attached patches pHi was changed by extracellular NH4Cl or through the opened cell. In inside-out patches pHi was controlled through the bath. Independent of the method used the following results were obtained: (a) Single channel conductance (24 pS) and life time of the open state were not influenced by pHi (between pHi 6 and 8.4). (b) Alkaline pHi increased and acidic pHi reduced the channel availability (frequency of nonblank sweeps). (c) Alkaline pHi increased and acidic pHi reduced the frequency of late channel re-openings. The effects are discussed in terms of a deprotonation (protonation) of cytosolic binding sites that favor (prevent) the shift of the channels from a sleepy to an available state. Changes of bath pHo mimicked the pHi effects within 20 s, suggesting that protons can rapidly permeate through the surface membrane of vascular smooth muscle cells. The role of pHi in Ca2+ homeostases and vasotonus is discussed.


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