Signaling role of the voltage-gated calcium channel as the molecular on/off-switch of secretion

β-Subunit of the voltage-gated Ca2+ channel Cav1.2 drives signaling to the nucleus via H-Ras

Depolarization-induced signaling to the nucleus by the L-type voltage-gated calcium channel Cav1.2 is widely assumed to proceed by elevating intracellular calcium. The apparent lack of quantitative correlation between Ca²⁺ influx and gene activation suggests an alternative activation pathway. Here, we demonstrate that membrane depolarization of HEK293 cells transfected with α₁1.2/β2b/α2δ subunits (Cav1.2) triggers c-Fos and MeCP2 activation via the Ras/ERK/CREB pathway. Nuclear signaling is lost either by absence of the intracellular β2 subunit or by transfecting the cells with the channel mutant α₁1.2^W440A/β2b/α2δ, a mutation that disrupts the interaction between α₁1.2 and β2 subunits. Pulldown assays in neuronal SH-SY5Y cells and in vitro binding of recombinant H-Ras and β2 confirmed the importance of the intracellular β2 subunit for depolarization-induced gene activation. Using a Ca²⁺-impermeable mutant channel α₁1.2^L745P/β2b/α2δ or disrupting Ca²⁺/calmodulin binding to the channel using the channel mutant α₁1.2^I1624A/β2b/α2δ, we demonstrate that depolarization-induced c-Fos and MeCP2 activation does not depend on Ca²⁺ transport by the channel. Thus, in contrast to the paradigm that elevated intracellular Ca²⁺ drives nuclear signaling, we show that Cav1.2-triggered c-Fos or MeCP2 is dependent on extracellular Ca²⁺ and Ca²⁺ occupancy of the open channel pore, but is Ca²⁺-influx independent. An indispensable β-subunit interaction with H-Ras, which is triggered by conformational changes at α₁1.2 independently of Ca²⁺ flux, brings to light a master regulatory role of β2 in transcriptional activation via the ERK/CREB pathway. This mode of H-Ras activation could have broad implications for understanding the coupling of membrane depolarization to the rapid induction of gene transcription.

Growth differentiation factor-15 promotes glutamate release in medial prefrontal cortex of mice through upregulation of T-type calcium channels

Growth differentiation factor-15 (GDF-15) has been implicated in ischemic brain injury and synapse development, but its involvement in modulating neuronal excitability and synaptic transmission remain poorly understood. In this study, we investigated the effects of GDF-15 on non-evoked miniature excitatory post-synaptic currents (mEPSCs) and neurotransmitter release in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) in mice. Incubation of mPFC slices with GDF-15 for 60 min significantly increased the frequency of mEPSCs without effect on their amplitude. GDF-15 also significantly elevated presynaptic glutamate release, as shown by HPLC. These effects were blocked by dual TGF-β type I receptor (TβRI) and TGF-β type II receptor (TβRII) antagonists, but not by a TβRI antagonist alone. Meanwhile, GDF-15 enhanced pERK level, and inhibition of MAPK/ERK activity attenuated the GDF-15-induced increases in mEPSC and glutamate release. Blocking T-type calcium channels reduced the GDF-15 induced up-regulation of synaptic transmission. Membrane-protein extraction and use of an intracellular protein-transport inhibitor showed that GDF-15 promoted Ca_V3.1 and Ca_V3.3 α-subunit expression by trafficking to the membrane. These results confirm previous findings in cerebellar granule neurons, in which GDF-15 induces its neurobiological effects via TβRII and activation of the ERK pathway, providing novel insights into the mechanism of GDF-15 function in cortical neurons.

Intra-membrane signaling between the voltage-gated Ca2+-channel and cysteine residues of syntaxin 1A coordinates synchronous release

The interaction of syntaxin 1A (Sx1A) with voltage-gated calcium channels (VGCC) is required for depolarization-evoked release. However, it is unclear how the signal is transferred from the channel to the exocytotic machinery and whether assembly of Sx1A and the calcium channel is conformationally linked to triggering synchronous release. Here we demonstrate that depolarization-evoked catecholamine release was decreased in chromaffin cells infected with semliki forest viral vectors encoding Sx1A mutants, Sx1A^C271V, or Sx1A^C272V, or by direct oxidation of these Sx1A transmembrane (TM) cysteine residues. Mutating or oxidizing these highly conserved Sx1A Cys271 and Cys272 equally disrupted the Sx1A interaction with the channel. The results highlight the functional link between the VGCC and the exocytotic machinery, and attribute the redox sensitivity of the release process to the Sx1A TM C271 and C272. This unique intra-membrane signal-transduction pathway enables fast signaling, and triggers synchronous release by conformational-coupling of the channel with Sx1A.

T-type calcium channels blockers as new tools in cancer therapies

T-type calcium channels are involved in a multitude of cellular processes, both physiological and pathological, including cancer. T-type channels are also often aberrantly expressed in different human cancers and participate in the regulation of cell cycle progression, proliferation, migration, and survival. Here, we review the recent literature and discuss the controversies, supporting the role of T-type Ca(2+) channels in cancer cells and the proposed use of channels blockers as anticancer agents. A growing number of reports show that pharmacological inhibition or RNAi-mediated downregulation of T-type channels leads to inhibition of cancer cell proliferation and increased cancer cell death. In addition to a single agent activity, experimental results demonstrate that T-type channel blockers enhance the anticancer effects of conventional radio- and chemotherapy. At present, the detailed biological mechanism(s) underlying the anticancer activity of these channel blockers is not fully understood. Recent findings and ideas summarized here identify T-type Ca(2+) channels as a molecular target for anticancer therapy and offer new directions for the design of novel therapeutic strategies employing channels blockers. Physiological relevance: T-type calcium channels are often aberrantly expressed or deregulated in cancer cells, supporting their proliferation, survival, and resistance to treatment; therefore, T-type Ca(2+) channels could be attractive molecular targets for anticancer therapy.

Voltage-gated calcium channels function as Ca2+-activated signaling receptors

Voltage-gated calcium channels (VGCCs) are transmembrane cell surface proteins responsible for multifunctional signals. In response to voltage, VGCCs trigger synaptic transmission, drive muscle contraction, and regulate gene expression. Voltage perturbations open VGCCs enabling Ca(2+) binding to the low affinity Ca(2+) binding site of the channel pore. Subsequent to permeation, Ca(2+) targets selective proteins to activate diverse signaling pathways. It is becoming apparent that the Ca(2+)-bound channel triggers secretion in excitable cells and drives contraction in cardiomyocytes prior to Ca(2+) permeation. Here, I highlight recent data implicating receptor-like function of the Ca(2+)-bound channel in converting external Ca(2+) into an intracellular signal. The two sequential mechanistic perspectives of VGCC function are discussed in the context of the prevailing and long-standing current models of depolarization-evoked secretion and cardiac contraction.

Voltage-driven Ca(2+) binding at the L-type Ca(2+) channel triggers cardiac excitation-contraction coupling prior to Ca(2+) influx

The activation of the ryanodine Ca(2+) release channels (RyR2) by the entry of Ca(2+) through the L-type Ca(2+) channels (Cav1.2) is believed to be the primary mechanism of excitation-contraction (EC) coupling in cardiac cells. This proposed mechanism of Ca(2+)-induced Ca(2+) release (CICR) cannot fully account for the lack of a termination signal for this positive feedback process. Using Cav1.2 channel mutants, we demonstrate that the Ca(2+)-impermeable α(1)1.2/L775P/T1066Y mutant introduced through lentiviral infection into neonate cardiomyocytes triggers Ca(2+) transients in a manner independent of Ca(2+) influx. In contrast, the α(1)1.2/L775P/T1066Y/4A mutant, in which the Ca(2+)-binding site of the channel was destroyed, supports neither the spontaneous nor the electrically evoked contractions. Ca(2+) bound at the channel selectivity filter appears to initiate a signal that is conveyed directly from the channel pore to RyR2, triggering contraction of cardiomyocytes prior to Ca(2+) influx. Thus, RyR2 is activated in response to a conformational change in the L-type channel during membrane depolarization and not through interaction with Ca(2+) ions diffusing in the junctional gap space. Accordingly, termination of the RyR2 activity is achieved when the signal stops upon the return of the L-channel to the resting state. We propose a new model in which the physical link between Cav1.2 and RyR2 allows propagation of a conformational change induced at the open pore of the channel to directly activate RyR2. These results highlight Cav1.2 as a signaling protein and provide a mechanism for terminating the release of Ca(2+) from RyR2 through protein-protein interactions. In this model, the L-type channel is a master regulator of both initiation and termination of EC coupling in neonate cardiomyocytes.

How do T-type calcium channels control low-threshold exocytosis?

Low-voltage-activated T-type calcium channels act as a major pathway for calcium entry near the resting membrane potential in a wide range of neuronal cell types. Several reports have uncovered an unrecognized feature of T-type channels in the control of vesicular neurotransmitter and hormone release, a process so far thought to be mediated exclusively by high-voltage-activated calcium channels. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms linking T-type calcium channels to vesicular exocytosis have remained enigmatic. In a recent study, we have reported that Ca(v)3.2 T-type channel forms a signaling complex with the neuronal Q-SNARE syntaxin-1A and SNAP-25. This interaction that relies on specific Ca(v)3.2 molecular determinants, not only modulates T-type channel activity, but was also found essential to support low-threshold exocytosis upon Ca(v)3.2 channel expression in MPC 9/3L-AH chromaffin cells. Overall, we have indentified an unrecognized regulation pathway of T-type calcium channels by SNARE proteins, and proposed the first molecular mechanism by which T-type channels could mediate low-threshold exocytosis.

Control of low-threshold exocytosis by T-type calcium channels

Low-voltage-activated (LVA) T-type Ca²⁺ channels differ from their high-voltage-activated (HVA) homologues by unique biophysical properties. Hence, whereas HVA channels convert action potentials into intracellular Ca²⁺ elevations, T-type channels control Ca²⁺ entry during small depolarizations around the resting membrane potential. They play an important role in electrical activities by generating low-threshold burst discharges that occur during various physiological and pathological forms of neuronal rhythmogenesis. In addition, they mediate a previously unrecognized function in the control of synaptic transmission where they directly trigger the release of neurotransmitters at rest. In this review, we summarize our present knowledge of the role of T-type Ca²⁺ channels in vesicular exocytosis, and emphasize the critical importance of localizing the exocytosis machinery close to the Ca²⁺ source for reliable synaptic transmission. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Calcium channels.

Regulation of voltage-gated calcium channels by synaptic proteins

Calcium entry through neuronal voltage-gated calcium channels into presynaptic nerve terminal is a key step in synaptic exocytosis. In order to receive the calcium signal and trigger fast, efficient and spatially delimited neurotransmitter release, the vesicle-docking/release machinery must be located near the calcium source. In many cases, this close localization is achieved by a direct interaction of several members of the vesicle release machinery with the calcium channels. In turn, the binding of synaptic proteins to presynaptic calcium channels modulates channel activity to provide fine control over calcium entry, and thus modulates synaptic strength. In this chapter we summarize our present knowledge of the molecular mechanisms by which synaptic proteins regulate presynaptic calcium channel activity.

An inhibitory effect of extracellular Ca2+ on Ca2+-dependent exocytosis

Aim

Neurotransmitter release is elicited by an elevation of intracellular Ca²⁺ concentration ([Ca²⁺]_i). The action potential triggers Ca²⁺ influx through Ca²⁺ channels which causes local changes of [Ca²⁺]_i for vesicle release. However, any direct role of extracellular Ca²⁺ (besides Ca²⁺ influx) on Ca²⁺-dependent exocytosis remains elusive. Here we set out to investigate this possibility on rat dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons and chromaffin cells, widely used models for studying vesicle exocytosis.

Results

Using photolysis of caged Ca²⁺ and caffeine-induced release of stored Ca²⁺, we found that extracellular Ca²⁺ inhibited exocytosis following moderate [Ca²⁺]_i rises (2–3 µM). The IC₅₀ for extracellular Ca²⁺ inhibition of exocytosis (ECIE) was 1.38 mM and a physiological reduction (∼30%) of extracellular Ca²⁺ concentration ([Ca²⁺]_o) significantly increased the evoked exocytosis. At the single vesicle level, quantal size and release frequency were also altered by physiological [Ca²⁺]_o. The calcimimetics Mg²⁺, Cd²⁺, G418, and neomycin all inhibited exocytosis. The extracellular Ca²⁺-sensing receptor (CaSR) was not involved because specific drugs and knockdown of CaSR in DRG neurons did not affect ECIE.

Conclusion/Significance

As an extension of the classic Ca²⁺ hypothesis of synaptic release, physiological levels of extracellular Ca²⁺ play dual roles in evoked exocytosis by providing a source of Ca²⁺ influx, and by directly regulating quantal size and release probability in neuronal cells.

Bidirectional insulin granule turnover in the submembrane space during K(+) depolarization-induced secretion

Like primary mouse islets, MIN6 pseudoislets responded to the depolarization by 40 mm KCl and the resulting increase in the free cytosolic Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+) ](i) ) with a massive increase in insulin secretion, whereas 15 mm KCl had little effect in spite of a clear increase in [Ca(2+) ](i) . Analysis of insulin-enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP)-labeled granules in MIN6 cells by total internal reflection fluorescence (TIRF) microscopy showed that 40 mm KCl increased the number of short-term resident granules (<1 second presence in the submembrane space), while the total granule number and the number of long-term resident granules decreased. The rates of granule arrival at and departure from the submembrane space changed in parallel and were two orders of magnitude higher than the release rates, suggesting a back-and-forth movement of the granules as the primary determinant of the submembrane granule number. The effect of 15 mm KCl resembled that of 40 mm but did not achieve significance. Both 15 and 40 mm KCl evoked a [Ca(2+) ](i) increase, which was antagonized by 10 µm nifedipine. Nifedipine also antagonized the effect on secretion and on granule number and mobility. In conclusion, during KCl depolarization L-type Ca(2+) channels seem to regulate two processes, insulin granule turnover in the submembrane space and granule exocytosis.

The voltage dependence of gating currents of the neuronal CA(v)3.3 channel is determined by the gating brake in the I-II loop

Low-voltage-activated Ca(v)3 Ca(2+) channels have an activation threshold around -60 mV, which is lower than the activation threshold of other voltage-dependent calcium channels (VDCCs). The kinetics of their activation at membrane voltages just above the activation threshold is much slower than the activation kinetics of other VDCCs. It was demonstrated recently that the intracellular loop connecting repeats I and II of all three Ca(v)3 channels contains a so-called gating brake. Disruption of this brake yields channels that activate at even more hyperpolarized potentials with significantly accelerated kinetics. We have compared gating of a wild-type Ca(v)3.3 channel and a mutated ID12 channel, in which the putative gating brake at the proximal part of the I-II loop was removed. Voltage dependence of the gating current activation was shifted by 34.6 mV towards more hyperpolarized potentials in ID12 channel. ON-charge movement was significantly faster in the ID12 channel, while the kinetics of the off-charge was not altered by the mutation. We conclude that the putative gating brake in I-II loop hinders not only the opening of the conducting pore but also the activating movement of voltage-sensing S4 segments, stabilizing the channel in its closed state.

In vitro findings of alterations in intracellular calcium homeostasis in schizophrenia

The pathogenesis of schizophrenia involves several complex cellular mechanisms and is not well understood. Recent research has demonstrated an association between primary disturbances characteristic of the disease, including altered dopaminergic and glutamatergic neurotransmission, and impairments in neuronal calcium (Ca(2+)) homeostasis and signaling. Emerging Ca(2+) hypothesis links and unifies various cellular processes involved in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia and suggests a central role of dysregulation of Ca(2+) homeostasis in the etiology of the disease. This review explores the in vitro data on Ca(2+) homeostasis and signaling in schizophrenia. Major limitation in this research is the lack of schizophrenia markers and validated disease models. As indicated in this review, one way to overcome these limitations may be analyses of Ca(2+) signalosomes in peripheral cells from schizophrenia patients. Validation of animal models of schizophrenia may permit the application of advanced Ca(2+) imaging techniques in living animals.

Biomarkers of human oocyte developmental competence expressed in cumulus cells before ICSI: a preliminary study

PURPOSE

To identify reliable genomic biomarkers expressed in cumulus cells that accurately and non-invasively predict the oocyte developmental competence and reinforce the already used morphological criteria.

METHODS

Eight consenting patients were selected for ovarian stimulation and ICSI procedures. Cumulus-oocyte complexes were transvaginally punctured and individually selected based on both good morphological criteria and high zona pellucida birefringence. Following ICSI, two 3-day embryos per patient were transferred. Pregnancy outcome was recorded and proven implantation was thereafter confirmed. Differential gene expression was assessed using two microarray platforms. Further real-time PCR validation, Ingenuity pathways analysis and intra-patient analysis were performed on 17 selected candidates.

RESULTS

Seven genes were differentially (p ≤ 0.05) associated to successful pregnancy and implantation. These biomarkers could be used to predict the oocyte developmental competence.

CONCLUSIONS

These genomic markers are a powerful reinforcement of morphological approaches of oocyte selection. Their large-scale validation could increase pregnancy outcome and single embryo transfer efficiency.