ISSN:
1432-2013
Keywords:
Key words Ca2+ channels
;
Exocytosis
;
Chromaffin cells
;
Catecholamine release
;
ω-toxins
;
Furnidipine
;
Lubeluzole
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Abstract This study uses a new strategy to investigate the hypothesis that, of the various Ca2+ channels expressed by a neurosecretory cell, a given channel subtype is coupled more tightly to the exocytotic apparatus than others. The approach is based on the prediction that the degree of inhibition of the secretory response by various Ca2+ channel blockers will differ at low (0.5 mM) and high (5 mM) extracellular Ca2+ concentrations ([Ca2+]o). So, at low [Ca2+]o the K+-evoked catecholamine release from superfused bovine chromaffin cells was depressed 60–70% by 2 μM ω-agatoxin IVA (P/Q-type Ca2+ channel blockade), by 3 μM ω-conotoxin MVIIC (N/P/Q-type Ca2+ channel blockade), or by 3 μM lubeluzole (N/P/Q-type Ca2+ channel blockade); in high [Ca2+]o these blockers inhibited the responses by only 20–35%. At 1–3 μM ω-conotoxin GVIA (N-type Ca2+ channel blockade) or 3 μM furnidipine (L-type Ca2+ channel blockade), secretion was inhibited by 30 and 50%, respectively; such inhibitory effects were similar in low or high [Ca2+]o. Combined furnidipine plus ω-conotoxin MVIIC, ω-agatoxin IVA or ω-conotoxin GVIA exhibited additive blocking effects at both Ca2+ concentrations. The results suggest that Q-type Ca2+ channels are coupled more tightly to exocytotic active sites, as compared to L-type channels. This hypothesis if founded in the fact that external Ca2+ that enters the cell through a Ca2+ channel located near to chromaffin vesicles will saturate the K+ secretory response at both [Ca2+]o, i.e. 0.5 mM and 5 mM. In contrast, Ca2+ ions entering through more distant channels will be sequestered by intracellular buffers and, thus, will not saturate the secretory machinery at lower [Ca2+]o.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s004240050541
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