Signaling pathway underlying stimulation of L-type Ca2+ channels in rabbit portal vein myocytes by recombinant Gβγ subunits

In previous studies, we (Callaghan B, Koh SD, and Keef KD, Circ Res 94: 626–633, 2004) have shown that voltage-dependent L-type Ca2+ channels (Cav) in portal vein myocytes are enhanced when muscarinic M2 receptors are activated with ACh. Current stimulation was coupled to the G protein subunit Gβγ along with the downstream mediators phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K), protein kinase C (PKC), and c-Src. The present study was designed to determine whether the same second messenger pathway could be identified when exogenous recombinant Gβγ subunits are introduced into cells. Smooth muscle myocytes were freshly isolated from rabbit portal vein, and Cav currents were recorded by using the patch-clamp technique. Dialysis of cells with recombinant Gβγ (50 nM) significantly increased Cav currents (141%). Nifedipine (1 μM) reduced both control and stimulated currents by ∼90%. The enhancement of current by Gβγ was equivalent to that produced by ACh (142%), whereas the PKC activator phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate (PdBu) gave rise to greater current stimulation (192%). Current stimulation with Gβγ, ACh, and PdBu were not associated with changes in the voltage dependence of activation or inactivation. The PI3K inhibitor LY-294002 (20 μM) reduced peak currents by 32% in cells dialyzed with Gβγ, whereas the inactive analog LY-303511 resulted in a small but significant reduction in current (12%). The c-Src inhibitor PP2 (1 μM) also significantly reduced currents (34%), whereas the inactive analog PP3 was without effect. These data provide further evidence for the hypothesis that Gβγ leads to stimulation of Cav currents in rabbit portal vein myocytes via a signaling pathway that includes PI3K, PKC, and c-Src.