Characterization of three types of calcium channel in the luminal membrane of the distal nephron

We previously reported a dual kinetics of Ca2+transport by the distal tubule luminal membrane of the kidney, suggesting the presence of several types of channels. To better characterize these channels, we examined the effects of specific inhibitors (i.e., diltiazem, an L-type channel; ω-conotoxin MVIIC, a P/Q-type channel; and mibefradil, a T-type channel antagonist) on 0.1 and 0.5 mM Ca2+uptake by rabbit nephron luminal membranes. None of these inhibitors influenced Ca2+uptake by the proximal tubule membranes. In contrast, in the absence of sodium (Na+), the three channel antagonists decreased Ca2+transport by the distal membranes, and their action depended on the substrate concentrations: 50 µM diltiazem decreased 0.1 mM Ca2+uptake from 0.65 ± 0.07 to 0.48 ± 0.06 pmol·µg–1·10 s–1(P < 0.05) without influencing 0.5 mM Ca2+transport, whereas 100 nM ω-conotoxin MVIIC decreased 0.5 mM Ca2+uptake from 1.02 ± 0.05 to 0.90 ± 0.05 pmol·µg–1·10 s–1(P < 0.02) and 1 µM mibefradil decreased it from 1.13 ± 0.09 to 0.94 ± 0.09 pmol·µg–1·10 s–1(P < 0.05); the latter two inhibitors left 0.1 mM Ca2+transport unchanged. Diltiazem decreased the Vmaxof the high-affinity channels, whereas ω-conotoxin MVIIC and mibefradil influenced exclusively the Vmaxof the low-affinity channels. These results not only confirm that the distal luminal membrane is the site of Ca2+channels, but they suggest that these channels belong to the L, P/Q, and T types.Key words: renal calcium transport, calcium channels, diltiazem, mibefradil, ω-conotoxin.

New colorimetric and fluorometric chemosensor based on a cationic polythiophene derivative for iodide-specific detection

Electrostatic interactions between anions and a new water-soluble, cationic, affinitychromic poly(3-alkoxy-4-methylthiophene) derivative provide a new tool for a selective optical detection method (colorimetric or fluorometric) for iodide ions.

A versatile approach to affinitychromic polythiophenes

The preparation of both postfunctionalizable and chromic poly[3-(N-succinimido-p-phenylcarboxylate(tetraethoxy)oxy)-4-methylthiophene] is reported. The N-hydroxysuccinimide ester side group can easily react with different amine-bearing molecules in the solid state to yield a library of new polythiophene derivatives. The resulting polymers can be dissolved in various solvents, and interactions between the side chains (ligands) and different analytes (targets) can be detected from modifications of both the side-chain and the backbone conformations resulting in important color changes (i.e., affinitychromism). This colorimetric polymeric transducer could therefore lead to highly valuable, versatile, and inexpensive tools for highthroughput screening and drug discovery.