Resolving the structure of the Ca2+ channel by photoaffinity labelling

Utilization of Photoaffinity Labeling to Investigate Binding of Microtubule Stabilizing Agents to P-Glycoprotein and β-Tubulin

Photoaffinity labeling approaches have historically been used in pharmacology to identify molecular targets. This methodology has played a pivotal role in identifying drug-binding domains and searching for novel compounds that may interact at these domains. In this review we focus on studies of microtubule stabilizing agents of natural product origin, specifically taxol (paclitaxel). Taxol and other microtubule interacting agents bind to both P-glycoprotein (ABCB1), a drug efflux pump that reduces intracellular drug accumulation, and the tubulin/microtubule system. Both binding relationships modulate drug efficacy and are of immense interest to basic and translational scientists, primarily because of their association with drug resistance for this class of molecules. We present this body of work and acknowledge its value as fundamental to understanding the mechanisms of taxol and elucidation of the taxol pharmacophore. Furthermore, we highlight the ability to multiplex photoaffinity approaches with other technologies to further enhance our understanding of pharmacologic interactions at an atomic level. Thus, photoaffinity approaches offer a relatively inexpensive and robust technique that will continue to play an important role in drug discovery for the foreseeable future.

Multidrug efflux pumps: drug binding--gates or cavity?

The role of the ATP-binding cassette ABCB1 in mediating the resistance to chemotherapy in many forms of cancer has been well established. The protein is also endogenously expressed in numerous barrier and excretory tissues, thereby regulating or impacting on drug pharmacokinetic profiles. Given these prominent roles in health and disease, a great deal of biochemical, structural and pharmacological research has been directed towards modulating its activity. Despite the effort, only a small handful of compounds have reached the later stages of clinical trials. What is responsible for this poor return on the heavy research investment? Perhaps the most significant factor is the lack of information on the location, physical features and chemical properties of the drug-binding site(s) in ABCB1. This minireview outlines the various strategies and outcomes of research efforts to pin-point the sites of interaction. The data may be assimilated into two working hypotheses to describe drug binding to ABCB1; (a) the central cavity and the (b) domain interface models.

The topography of transmembrane segment six is altered during the catalytic cycle of P-glycoprotein

Structural evidence has demonstrated that P-glycoprotein (P-gp) undergoes considerable conformational changes during catalysis, and these alterations are important in drug interaction. Knowledge of which regions in P-gp undergo conformational alterations will provide vital information to elucidate the locations of drug binding sites and the mechanism of coupling. A number of investigations have implicated transmembrane segment six (TM6) in drug-P-gp interactions, and a cysteine-scanning mutagenesis approach was directed to this segment. Introduction of cysteine residues into TM6 did not disturb basal or drug-stimulated ATPase activity per se. Under basal conditions the hydrophobic probe coumarin maleimide readily labeled all introduced cysteine residues, whereas the hydrophilic fluorescein maleimide only labeled residue Cys-343. The amphiphilic BODIPY-maleimide displayed a more complex labeling profile. The extent of labeling with coumarin maleimide did not vary during the catalytic cycle, whereas fluorescein maleimide labeling of F343C was lost after nucleotide binding or hydrolysis. BODIPY-maleimide labeling was markedly altered during the catalytic cycle and indicated that the adenosine 5'-(beta,gamma-imino)triphosphate-bound and ADP/vanadate-trapped intermediates were conformationally distinct. Our data are reconciled with a recent atomic scale model of P-gp and are consistent with a tilting of TM6 in response to nucleotide binding and ATP hydrolysis.

Communication between multiple drug binding sites on P-glycoprotein

P-glycoprotein, a member of the ATP-binding cassette transporter family, is able to confer resistance on tumors against a large number of functionally and chemically distinct cytotoxic compounds. Several recent investigations suggest that P-glycoprotein contains multiple drug binding sites rather than a single site of broad substrate specificity. In the present study, radioligand-binding techniques were used to directly characterize drug interaction sites on P-glycoprotein and how these multiple sites interact. The drugs used were classified as either 1) substrates, which are known to be transported by P-glycoprotein (e.g., vinblastine) or 2) modulators, which alter P-glycoprotein function but are not themselves transported by the protein (e.g., XR9576). Drug interactions with P-glycoprotein were either competitive, at a common site, or noncompetitive, and therefore at distinct sites. Based on these data, we can assign a minimum of four drug binding sites on P-glycoprotein. These sites fall into two categories: transport, at which translocation of drug across the membrane can occur, and regulatory sites, which modify P-glycoprotein function. Intriguingly, however, some modulators interact with P-glycoprotein at a transport site rather than a regulatory site. The pharmacological data also demonstrate that both transport and regulatory sites are able to switch between high- and low-affinity conformations. The multiple sites on P-glycoprotein display complex allosteric interactions through which interaction of drug at one site switches other sites between high- or low-affinity conformations. The data are discussed in terms of a model for the mechanism of transport by P-glycoprotein.

Iodomycin and iodipine, a structural analogue of azidopine, bind to a common domain in hamster P-glycoprotein

Both the overexpression of P-glycoprotein and the broad range of substrates of this ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter induce the phenomenon of multidrug resistance, one major cause of the failure of cancer chemotherapy in humans. This study reports that [125I]iodipine, a structural analogue of the 1,4-dihydropyridine azidopine, shares a common binding site with iodomycin, a Bolton-Hunter derivative of the anthracycline daunomycin. This binding site is different from that described for iodoarylazidoprazosin, which is presumed to share a common binding site with azidopine. Edman sequencing revealed that [125I]iodipine had photolabelled the same peptide as iodomycin and spans the primary sequence of hamster isoform pgp1 from amino acid 230 to amino acid 312.

Structural basis of drug binding to L Ca2+ channels

At least five different types of voltage-gated Ca2+ channels exist in electrically excitable mammalian cells. Only one type, the family of L-type Ca2+ channels (L channels), contains high-affinity binding domains within their alpha 1-subunits for different chemical classes of drugs (Ca2+ channel antagonists; exemplified by isradipine, verapamil and diltiazem). Their stereoselective, high-affinity binding induces block of channel-mediated Ca2+ inward currents in heart and smooth muscle, resulting in antihypertensive, cardiodepressive and antiarrhythmic effects. Amino acids involved in drug binding have recently been identified using photoaffinity labelling, chimeric alpha 1-subunits and site-directed mutagenesis. Insertion of the drug-binding amino acids enabled the transfer of drug-sensitivity into Ca2+ channels that are insensitive to Ca2+ channel antagonists ('gain-of-function' approach). In this review, Jörg Striessing and colleagues summarize the present knowledge about the molecular architecture of L channel drug-binding domains and the implications for Ca2+ channel pharmacology and drug development.

The multi-drug resistance reversal agent SR33557 and modulation of vinca alkaloid binding to P-glycoprotein by an allosteric interaction

1. The interaction of the indolizin sulfone SR33557 with the multidrug resistance P-glycoprotein (P-gp), was used to explore the nature of drug binding site(s) on this transporter. The steady-state accumulation of [3H]-vinblastine in P-gp expressing CHrB30 cells was increased by SR33557 with greater potency than verapamil. Furthermore, SR33557 potentiated the affinity of verapamil to modulate vinblastine transport when added simultaneously. 2. Verapamil elicited a 1.5 to 2.5 fold stimulation of basal ATPase activity in CHrB30 membranes, whereas SR33557 and vinblastine inhibited activity, but only at relatively high concentrations. However, SR33557 and vinblastine decreased the Vmax but not the Km for verapamil stimulation of ATPase activity. This is indicative of a non-competitive interaction, most likely at distinct sites. 3. The specific [3H]-vinblastine binding to P-gp in CHrB30 cell membranes was displaced by SR33557 with an IC50 of 8.3 +/- 4.5 nM. Moreover, SR33557 caused a 3 fold increase in the dissociation rate of vinblastine binding to P-gp indicating a negative allosteric effect on the vinca alkaloid acceptor site. 4. These results demonstrate that SR33557 interacts with a site on P-gp which is distinct from, but allosterically linked to the vinca alkaloid site. The apparent broad substrate specificity displayed by P-gp may be explained by a multiple drug binding site model.

The functional purification of P-glycoprotein is dependent on maintenance of a lipid-protein interface

P-Glycoprotein (P-gp) is a 180-kDa membrane-bound transporter which can confer the multi-drug resistance phenotype on tumor cells. We have examined the factors required to preserve activity of P-gp during its purification. The starting material for purification was plasma membranes from Chinese hamster ovary (CHrB30) cells, overexpressing P-glycoprotein. These membranes displayed drug stimulated ATPase activity (Vm = 897 +/- 55 nmol min(-1) mg(-1); Km = 1.8 +/- 0.4 mM) and high affinity binding of [3H]vinblastine (Kd = 36 +/- 5 nM; Bm = 161 +/- 11 pmol/mg). Several non-ionic detergents which readily solubilized P-glycoprotein significantly inhibited ATPase activity and drug binding at concentrations well below their respective CMC values. This inactivation was prevented by excess crude lipid mixtures, with the greatest protection afforded against dodecyl-maltoside. Furthermore, the significantly reduced binding affinity and capacity of solubilized P-gp was partly reversed by the addition of lipids. A combination of anion-exchange and hydroxyapatite chromatography were used to purify P-gp with high yield to greater than 90%. The purified, reconstituted P-gp displayed high ATPase activity (Vm = 2137 +/- 309; Km = 2.9 +/- 0.9 mM) which was stimulated by verapamil (EC50 = 3.8 +/- 0.6 microM) and inhibited by orthovanadate (3.1 +/- 0.8 microM). Pure P-gp also displayed high affinity vinblastine binding (Kd = 64 +/- 9 nM) with a capacity of 2320 +/- 192 pmol/mg. This purification scheme yields the highest P-gp activity reported to date, and indicates a dependence of function on maintaining a lipid-protein interface.

Localization of the iodomycin binding site in hamster P-glycoprotein

P-glycoprotein, the overexpression of which is a major cause for the failure of cancer chemotherapy in man, recognizes and transports a broad range of structurally unrelated amphiphilic compounds. This study reports on the localization of the binding site of P-glycoprotein for iodomycin, the Bolton-Hunter derivative of the anthracycline daunomycin. Plasma membrane vesicles isolated from multidrug-resistant Chinese hamster ovary B30 cells were photolabeled with [125I]iodomycin. After chemical cleavage behind the tryptophan residues, 125I-labeled peptides were separated by electrophoresis and high performance liquid chromatography. Edman sequencing revealed that [125I]iodomycin had been predominantly incorporated into the fragment 230-312 of isoform I of hamster P-glycoprotein. According to models based on hydropathy plots, the amino acid sequence 230-312 forms the distal part of transmembrane segment 4, the second cytoplasmic loop, and the proximal part of transmembrane segment 5 in the N-terminal half of P-glycoprotein. The binding site for iodomycin is recognized with high affinity by vinblastine and cyclosporin A.

Identification of benz(othi)azepine-binding regions within L-type calcium channel alpha1 subunits

To identify the binding domain for diltiazem-like Ca2+ antagonists on L-type Ca2+ channel alpha1 subunits we synthesized the benzazepine [3H]benziazem as a novel photoaffinity probe. [3H]Benziazem reversibly labeled the benzothiazepine (BTZ)-binding domain of partially purified skeletal muscle Ca2+ channels with high affinity (Kd = 12 nM) and photoincorporated into its binding domain with high yield (>66%). Antibody mapping of proteolytic labeled fragments revealed specific labeling of regions associated with transmembrane segments S6 in repeats III and IV. More than 50% of the labeling was found in the tryptic fragment alanine 1023-lysine 1077 containing IIIS6 together with extracellular and intracellular amino acid residues. The remaining labeling was identified in a second site comprising segment S6 in repeat IV and adjacent residues. Unlike for dihydropyridines, no labeling was observed in the connecting IIIS5-IIIS6 linker. The [3H]benziazem photolabeled regions must be in close contact to the drug molecule when bound to the channel. We propose that the determinants for high affinity BTZ binding are located within or in close proximity to segments IIIS6 and/or IVS6. Therefore the binding domain for BTZs, like for the other main classes of Ca2+ antagonists, must be located in close proximity to pore-forming regions of the channel.

Functional evidence that transmembrane 12 and the loop between transmembrane 11 and 12 form part of the drug-binding domain in P-glycoprotein encoded by MDR1

Human MDR1 encodes an ATP-binding cassette transporter, P-glycoprotein, that mediates multiple drug resistance (MDR) to antitumor agents. It has been previously shown that photoaffinity drug-labeling sites reside within, or near, the last transmembrane loop of each cassette within P-glycoprotein (transmembrane domains (TM) 5-6 and 11-12). A genetic approach was used to determine if the drug-labeling site in the second cassette contains functionally important amino acids. Since human MDR3 is 77% identical to MDR1 but does not mediate MDR, the region from TM10 to the C terminus of MDR1 was replaced with the corresponding sequences from MDR3. The resultant chimeric protein was expressed but not functional. By using progressively smaller replacements, we show that replacements limited to TM12 markedly impaired resistance to actinomycin D, vincristine, and doxorubicin, but not to colchicine. The phenotype was associated with an impaired ability to photoaffinity label the chimeric P-glycoprotein with [125I]iodoaryl azidoprazosin. In contrast, replacement of the loop between TM11 and 12 appears to create a more efficient drug pump for actinomycin D, colchicine, and doxorubicin, but not vincristine. These results suggest that, similar to voltage-gated ion channels, amino acids within and immediately N-terminal to the last transmembrane domain of P-glycoprotein compose part of the drug-binding pocket and are in close proximity to photoaffinity drug-labeling domains.

Differential interaction of glimepiride and glibenclamide with the beta-cell sulfonylurea receptor. II. Photoaffinity labeling of a 65 kDa protein by [3H]glimepiride

Glimepiride is a novel sulfonylurea for the treatment of type II-diabetic patients exhibiting different receptor binding kinetics to beta-cell membranes with 8-9-fold higher koff rate and 2.5-3-fold higher kon rate compared to glibenclamide (see accompanying paper (Müller, G. et al. (1994) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 1191, 267-277)). To elucidate the molecular basis for this differential behaviour of glimepiride and glibenclamide, direct photoaffinity labeling studies using beta-cell tumor membranes were performed. [3H]Glimepiride was specifically incorporated into a membrane polypeptide of M(r) = 65,000 under conditions, which led to predominant labeling of a 140 kDa protein by [3H]glibenclamide (Kramer, W. et al. (1988) FEBS Lett. 229, 355-359). Labeling of the 140 kDa protein by [3H]glibenclamide was inhibited by unlabeled glimepiride and, vice versa, glibenclamide inhibited labeling of the 65 kDa protein by [3H]glimepiride. The 65 kDa protein was also specifically photolabeled by the sulfonylurea [125I]35623, whereas an 4-azidobenzoyl derivative of glibenclamide, N3-[3H]33055, exclusively labeled a 33 kDa protein. Competitive Scatchard analysis of [3H]glimepiride-binding and [3H]glibenclamide-binding to RINm5F cell membranes using glibenclamide and glimepiride, respectively, as heterologous displacing compounds yielded non-linear plots. These findings may be explained by cooperative interactions between the 140 and 65 kDa sulfonylurea-binding proteins. The possibility that sulfonylureas of different structure have different access to the 140 and 65 kDa receptor proteins due to the beta-cell membrane barrier was investigated by photoaffinity labeling of solubilized beta-cell membrane proteins. Interestingly, solubilization of beta-cell tumor membranes led to a shift of specific [3H]glibenclamide binding from the 140 kDa to the 65 kDa binding protein, exclusively, and to an increased labeling of the 65 kDa protein by [3H]glimepiride. The labeling of a unique protein is in agreement with similar Kd values measured for both sulfonylureas upon solubilization of beta-cell tumor and RINm5F cell membranes (see accompanying paper). Furthermore, competitive Scatchard plots of [3H]glimepiride binding to solubilized RINm5F cell membrane proteins in the presence of glibenclamide and vice versa approximate linearity suggesting loss of cooperativity between the 140 kDa glibenclamide-binding and 65 kDa glimepiride-binding proteins upon solubilization. The physiological significance of the differential interaction of glimepiride and glibenclamide with different binding proteins was also substantiated by photoaffinity labeling of RINm5F cells leading to labeling of a 140 kDa protein by [3H]glibenclamide and of a 65 kDa protein by [3H]glimepiride.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Molecular studies of the calcium antagonist binding site on calcium channels

Currently available calcium antagonists act primarily on L-type calcium channels. Composed of 5 subunits, this ion channel is markedly more complicated than the potassium and sodium channels. Most of the data that have emerged over the past year have concerned the alpha subunit. The secondary structure of this subunit includes 4 repeating motifs; each motif contains 6 membrane-spanning helices, designated S1 through S6. The dihydropyridine (e.g., nifedipine) binding site is most likely situated primarily in motif 4 and the phenylalkylamine (e.g., verapamil) binding site is on motif 4 in an intracellular region. The benzothiazepine (e.g., diltiazem) binding site is also located on the alpha 1 subunit, but its precise location has not been determined. The transmembrane helices S5 and S6 of each motif have been proposed as the "wall" of the actual ion channel.

Molecular biology of the calcium antagonist receptor

The calcium channel plays a key role in controlling many physiological processes in the body. Drugs that block the calcium channel have proven clinically effective for the treatment of a multitude of cardiovascular disorders. The elucidation of the precise mechanism of action of these drugs involves cloning the calcium channels on which they act. Genetic manipulation of these cloned channels is beginning to reveal the binding sites for the calcium channel blocking drugs and may lead to the development of more specific agents.

Structural and functional aspects of calcium homeostasis in eukaryotic cells

The maintenance of a low cytosolic free-Ca2+ concentration, ([Ca2+]i) is a common feature of all eukaryotic cells. For this purpose a variety of mechanisms have developed during evolution to ensure the buffering of Ca2+ in the cytoplasm, its extrusion from the cell and/or its accumulation within organelles. Opening of plasma membrane channels or release of Ca2+ from intracellular pools leads to elevation of [Ca2+]i; as a result, Ca2+ binds to cytosolic proteins which translate the changes in [Ca2+]i into activation of a number of key cellular functions. The purpose of this review is to provide a comprehensive description of the structural and functional characteristics of the various components of [Ca2+]i homeostasis in eukaryotes.

The role of calcium in Chlamydomonas photomovement responses as analysed by calcium channel inhibitors

Phototaxis and light-induced stop responses in Chlamydomonas are known to be calcium dependent. We show that phototaxis is stereoselectively inhibited by dihyropyridines, verapamil, diltiazem, omega-conotoxin and pimozide, all inhibitors of slow L-type calcium channels. In contrast, the stop response in Chlamydomonas can be specifically reduced only by omega-conotoxin and pimozide. The light-regulated calcium uptake as detected by 45calcium can be completely suppressed by verapamil and omega-conotoxin but not by diltiazem or any of the dihyropyridine-type calcium channel inhibitors. We conclude that phototaxis and stop response in Chlamydomonas are regulated by three distinguishable drug receptor sites. One of them controls phototaxis and is sensitive to verapamil. The second site controls stop response and phototaxis and shows a high sensitivity to omega-conotoxin and pimozide. These two drug receptors seem to be localized in the plasma membrane and function as ion channels. In addition, calcium influences internal signal transduction from the photoreceptor to the flagella. This internal role of calcium is inhibited by the dihydropyridine binding to a dihydropyridine receptor protein. The arylazide-1,4-dihydropyridine[3H]azidopine binds with a Kd = 35 nM to a 50 kDa protein located in one of the internal cell membranes. Azidopine binding is fully reversible and can be partially inhibited by nimodipine and PN-200110. This protein is the first identified dihyropyridine receptor in an unicellular plant cell. It might serve as an internal calcium regulating channel in Chlamydomonas.

Dihydropyridine binding to the L-type Ca2+ channel in rabbit heart sarcolemma and skeletal muscle transverse-tubules: role of disulfide, sulfhydryl and phosphate groups

The dihydropyridine receptor is associated with the L-type Ca2+ channel in the cell membrane. In this study we have examined the effects of group-specific modification on dihydropyridine binding in heart sarcolemmal membranes isolated from the rabbit. Specifically, dithiothreitol and glutathione were employed to assess the possible role of disulfide (-SS-) bonds in the binding of [3H]dihydropyridines. NEM, PCMS and iodoacetamide were employed to examine the effect of blocking free sulfhydryl groups (-SH) on the binding of [3H]dihydropyridines to their receptor in heart sarcolemma. Glutathione inhibited [3H]PN200-110 binding to sarcolemmal membranes 100%, with an IC50 value of 50 microM, while DTT inhibited maximally by 75% with an IC50 value in the millimolar range. Alkylation of free sulfhydryl groups by NEM or iodoacetamide inhibited binding of [3H]PN200-110 binding in cardiac sarcolemma approx. 40-60%. Blocking of free sulfhydryl groups by PCMS completely inhibited [3H]PN200-110 binding to their receptor in sarcolemmal membranes in a dose-dependent manner with an IC50 value of 20 microM. These results suggest the involvement of disulfide bonds and free sulfhydryl groups in DHP binding to the L-type Ca2+ channel in heart muscle. We also examined the effect of membrane phosphorylation on the specific binding of the dihydropyridine [3H]nitrendipine to its receptor. Phosphorylation was studied in cardiac sarcolemmal as well as skeletal muscle transverse-tubule membranes. Phosphorylation due to endogenous protein kinase and cAMP-dependent protein kinase was without effect on [3H]nitrendipine binding in both cardiac sarcolemmal and skeletal muscle membranes. Addition of exogenous calmodulin under conditions known to promote Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent phosphorylation increased [3H]nitrendipine binding 20% with no alteration in KD in both types of membrane preparation. These results suggest a role for calmodylin in dihydropyridine binding to L-type Ca2+ channels.

A sensitive and rapid method for identification and characterization of low abundance receptors

An improved method for detection of low intensity radioligand-receptor complexes resolved by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) is described. [3H]Azidopine-labeled 1,4-dihydropyridine (DHP) receptor from skeletal muscle resolved by SDS-PAGE was transferred to nitrocellulose and cut into strips and individual slices were analyzed for radioincorporation by liquid scintillation counting. [3H]Azidopine-labeled DHP binding subunit migrated as a single entity with a mass of 170 kDa and was confirmed using conventional methods. Results were obtained within 4 h after resolution by SDS-PAGE compared to 3-40 days using conventional methods. In addition, detection of extremely low signals (less than 50 cpm/lane), otherwise overwhelmed by background noise using conventional methods, was possible due to removal of free ligand during electro-transfer to nitrocellulose. This technique offers a rapid sensitive, cost effective alternative to fluorography or other conventional gel slice analysis methods for detecting low intensity radiolabeled complexes resolved by SDS-PAGE.

Activators and inactivators of calcium channels: effects in the central nervous system

The interactions of calcium antagonists or channel activators with the different classes of calcium channel are reviewed with particular emphasis on interactions with neuronal tissue; reasons for the failure of calcium antagonists to inhibit neurotransmitter release under normal circumstances are outlined. Calcium antagonists may be protective in several pathological situations and the possibilities of protection against ischaemic damage in the central nervous system are evaluated.

Bay K8644 like activity of an antibody against a 60 kDa tubular membrane protein

Partial purification of the dihydropyridine receptor from rat skeletal muscle demonstrated mainly a 60 kDa band in SDS-polyacrylamide gel. An antibody raised against that protein behaved as a calcium channel agonist viz. Bay K8644. The affinity purified antibody, when added to cultured heart cells, increased the beat rate 40-80% depending on the titer of the antiserum. The antibody also woke up the beats of the cells previously blocked with the channel antagonist, nifedipine. Immunoblot analysis indicated that the receptor of this antibody in heart cell membrane is also a 60 kDa protein.

Calcium channels reconstituted from the skeletal muscle dihydropyridine receptor protein complex and its alpha 1 peptide subunit in lipid bilayers

In the first part of this study, we show that sDHPR and pDHPR preparations reconstituted into lipid bilayers formed on the tips of patch pipettes exhibit two divalent cation-selective conductance levels of 9 and 20 pS, similar in single-channel conductance to VSCC reported in a variety of intact preparations (see Pelzer et al. and Tsien et al. for review). The larger conductance level is similar to the VSCC identified in intact rat t-tubule membranes and described in sDHPR and pDHPR preparations, and shares many properties in common with activity from L-type VSCC. It is sensitive to augmentation by the DHP agonist (+/-)-BAY K 8644 and cAMP-dependent phosphorylation, and to block by the phenylalkylamine (+/-)-D600 and the inorganic blocker CoCl2. Its open-state probability and open times are increased upon depolarization as expected for a voltage-dependent activation process. Upon depolarization beyond the reversal potential, however, open-state probability and open times decline again. A reasonable way to explain the bell-shaped dependence of open times and open-state probability on membrane potential is to assume voltage-dependent ion-pore interactions that produce closing of the channel at strong negative and positive membrane potentials. By contrast, the smaller conductance level may be similar to the 10.6-pS t-tubule VSCC described by Rosenberg et al. and may best be compared with T-type VSCC. It is largely resistant to augmentation by (+/-)-BAY K 8644 and cAMP-dependent phosphorylation or block by (+/-)-D600, but is sensitive to block by CoCl2. Its open times and open-state probability show a sole dependence on membrane potential where depolarization increases both parameters sigmoidally from close to zero up to a saturating level. Both elementary conductance levels do not exhibit significant inactivation over a wide potential range, which may suggest that skeletal muscle VSCC inactivation is either poorly or not voltage-dependent at all. This possibility seems in agreement with bilayer recordings on reconstituted intact t-tubule membranes and voltage-clamp recordings on intact fibers. It supports the idea that the decline of Ca2+ current in intact skeletal muscle fibers may be due to Ca2+ depletion from the t-tubule system and/or to inactivation induced by Ca2+ release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum. We consistently observe two conductance levels of 9 and 20 pS, either singly, or together in the same bilayer from solubilized DHPR samples and even highly purified DHPR preparations.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Site-specific phosphorylation of the purified receptor for calcium-channel blockers by cAMP- and cGMP-dependent protein kinases, protein kinase C, calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II and casein kinase II

Five protein kinases were used to study the phosphorylation pattern of the purified skeletal muscle receptor for calcium-channel blockers (CaCB). cAMP kinase, cGMP kinase, protein kinase C, calmodulin kinase II and casein kinase II phosphorylated the 165-kDa and the 55-kDa proteins of the purified CaCB receptor. The 130/28-kDa and the 32-kDa protein of the receptor are not phosphorylated by these protein kinases. Among these protein kinases only cAMP kinase phosphorylated the 165-kDa subunit with 2-3-fold higher initial rate than the 55-kDa subunit. Casein kinase II phosphorylated the 165-kDa and the 55-kDa protein of the receptor with comparable rates. cGMP kinase, protein kinase C and calmodulin kinase II phosphorylated preferentially the 55-kDa protein. The 55-kDa protein is phosphorylated 50 times faster by cGMP kinase and protein kinase C than by calmodulin kinase II or casein kinase II and about 10 times faster by these enzymes than by cAMP kinase. Two-dimensional peptide maps of the 165-kDa subunit yielded a total of 11 phosphopeptides. Four or five peptides are phosphorylated specifically by cAMP kinase, cGMP kinase, casein kinase II and protein kinase C, whereas the other peptides are modified by several kinases. The same kinases phosphorylate 11 peptides in the 55-kDa subunit. Again, some of these peptides are modified specifically by each kinase. These results suggest that the 165-kDa and the 55-kDa subunit contain specific phosphorylation sites for cAMP kinase, cGMP kinase, casein kinase II and protein kinase C. Phosphorylation of these sites may be relevant for the in vivo function of the CaCB receptor.

Structure and function of voltage-sensitive ion channels

Voltage-sensitive ion channels mediate action potentials in electrically excitable cells and play important roles in signal transduction in other cell types. In the past several years, their protein components have been identified, isolated, and restored to functional form in the purified state. Na+ and Ca2+ channels consist of a principal transmembrane subunit, which forms the ion-conducting pore and is expressed with a variable number of associated subunits in different cell types. The principal subunits of voltage-sensitive Na+, Ca2+, and K+ channels are homologous members of a gene family. Models relating the primary structures of these principal subunits to their functional properties have been proposed, and experimental results have begun to define a functional map of these proteins. Coordinated application of biochemical, biophysical, and molecular genetic methods should lead to a clear understanding of the molecular basis of electrical excitability.

The bovine cardiac receptor for calcium channel blockers is a 195-kDa protein

The cardiac receptor for calcium channel blockers was purified from bovine microsomal membranes which contained 235 +/- 33 fmol nimodipine-binding sites/mg protein (mean +/- SEM of nine preparations). To identify the receptor during the purification 20% of its binding sites were prelabeled with (+)[3H]PN200-110. The receptor was solubilized with 0.6% digitonin and was purified to a specific density of 157 pmol/mg using a combination of ion-exchange, wheat-germ-agglutinin-Sepharose chromatography and sucrose density gradient centrifugation. In the last sucrose gradient bound (+)[3H]PN200-110 comigrated with a 195-kDa protein. ( +/-)[3H]Azidopine and [3H]ludopamil, the photoaffinity ligands for the dihydropyridine and phenylalkylamine-binding site of the calcium channel, were incorporated specifically into the 195-kDa protein. These data indicate that the bovine cardiac receptor for calcium channel blockers is a 195-kDa protein. Its molecular mass suggests that the bovine cardiac receptor differs considerably from the rabbit skeletal muscle receptor protein for calcium channel blockers.

Direct photoaffinity labeling of the putative sulfonylurea receptor in rat beta-cell tumor membranes by [3H]glibenclamide

The oral antidiabetic sulfonylurea [3H]glibenclamide specifically binds to plasma membranes from a rat beta-cell tumor indicating a receptor for sulfonylureas in these membranes. Irradiation of [3H]glibenclamide at 254 or 300 nm in the presence of albumin resulted in covalent labeling of the albumin molecule. Direct photoaffinity labeling of beta-cell membranes with [3H]glibenclamide resulted in the covalent modification of two membrane polypeptides with apparent molecular masses 140 and 33 kDa. The extent of labeling of the 140 kDa polypeptide was specifically decreased by sulfonylureas. This suggests that a membrane polypeptide of 140 kDa is a component of the sulfonylurea receptor in the beta-cell membrane.