Calpain and calpastatin levels in different organs of the rabbit

Developmental Expression Patterns of KCC2 and Functionally Associated Molecules in the Human Brain

Work on rodents demonstrated that steep upregulation of KCC2, a neuron-specific Cl- extruder of cation-chloride cotransporter (CCC) family, commences in supraspinal structures at around birth, leading to establishment of hyperpolarizing GABAergic responses. We describe spatiotemporal expression profiles of the entire CCC family in human brain. KCC2 mRNA was observed already at 10th postconceptional week (PCW) in amygdala, cerebellum, and thalamus. KCC2-immunoreactive (KCC2-ir) neurons were abundant in subplate at 18 PCW. By 25 PCW, numerous subplate and cortical plate neurons became KCC2-ir. The mRNA expression profiles of α- and β-isoforms of Na-K ATPase, which fuels cation-chloride cotransport, as well of tropomyosin receptor kinase B (TrkB), which promotes developmental upregulation of KCC2, were consistent with data from studies on rodents about their interactions with KCC2. Thus, in human brain, expression of KCC2 and its functionally associated proteins begins in early fetal period. Our work facilitates translation of results on CCC functions from animal studies to human and refutes the view that poor efficacy of anticonvulsants in the term human neonate is attributable to the lack of KCC2. We propose that perinatally low threshold for activation of Ca2+-dependent protease calpain renders neonates susceptible to downregulation of KCC2 by traumatic events, such as perinatal hypoxia ischemia.

Action of calpastatin in prevention of cardiac L-type Ca2+ channel run-down cannot be mimicked by synthetic calpain inhibitors

Activity of L-type Ca2+ channels in a membrane patch disappears rapidly when the patch is excised from the cell into an artificial solution. This channel run-down observed in isolated membrane patches can however, be prevented by application of calpastatin, an endogenous protease inhibitor, and ATP. The high specificity of calpastatin for the protease calpain would clearly point to a participation of calpain activity in the run-down of Ca2+ channels. In an attempt to examine a possible involvement of calpain, three synthetic and rather specific calpain inhibitors were substituted for calpastatin. One of these inhibitors chosen for its membrane permeability in addition allowed calpain activity to be inhibited even before patch excision. The potency of these compounds in inhibiting calpain, specifically mu- and m-calpain, was first determined in a biochemical assay and then compared with their efficacy in preventing Ca2+ channel run-down. Surprisingly, calpastatin was least effective in calpain inhibition but by far the most potent in prevention of Ca2+ channel run-down. In addition run-down of Ca2+ channel activity was examined for its reversibility, which would not be expected upon involvement of a proteolytic process. However, Ca2+ channel activity clearly recovered after run-down by application of calpastatin. In contrast, synthetic calpain inhibitors were unable to reverse Ca2+ channel run-down. These results indicate that proteolysis might only be partially responsible for channel run-down and suggest an as yet unidentified function for calpastatin beyond its inhibitory action on calpain in the regulation of Ca2+ channel activity.

The role of reversible phosphorylation in the hormonal control of phenylalanine hydroxylase in isolated rat proximal kidney tubules

Reversible phosphorylation is the major mechanism underlying the short-term hormonal control of phenylalanine hydroxylase activity in the liver. We report here, for the first time, the impact of a range of hormonal effectors on both the phosphorylation state and enzymic activity of phenylalanine hydroxylase present in isolated rat proximal kidney tubules. The most potent stimulator of enzyme phosphorylation was found to be parathyroid hormone, which is known to stimulate the production of cyclic AMP in proximal-tubule cells. In addition, adrenergic amines also stimulated enzyme phosphorylation, although to a lesser extent, through interaction with a mixed alpha 1 and beta receptor population.

Activity of cardiac L-type Ca2+ channels is sensitive to cytoplasmic calcium

Ca(2+)-induced inactivation of L-type Ca2+ channels is proposed as an important negative feedback mechanism regulating Ca2+ entry. Here, for the first time, evidence for modification of heart L-type Ca2+ channel activity by cytoplasmic calcium is provided from excised inside-out membrane patches. Ba2+ currents through cardiac L-type Ca2+ channels exhibited only modest inactivation in the absence of cytoplasmic Ca2+. Elevation of cytoplasmic Ca2+ to micromolar concentrations strikingly affected L-type Ca2+ channel activity as evaluated from ensemble average Ba2+ currents. Inactivation was markedly increased concomitant with a reduction of peak inward current, which was almost completely eliminated at about 15 microM cytoplasmic Ca2+ concentration. Half maximal suppression of Ba2+ currents was observed at 2.3 microM Ca2+. The observed modifications of L-type Ca2+ channel activity show that cytoplasmic Ca2+ induces channel closure. Below 4 microM Ca2+, channels can be reversibly reactivated during repetitive depolarizations, while at high Ca2+ concentrations (approximately 15 microM) most Ca2+ channels reside in a closed state. This may allow for a delicate regulation of Ca2+ entry, and consequently of heart contraction.