Photoaffinity-labelling of the calcium-channel-associated 1,4-dihydropyridine and phenylalkylamine receptor in guinea-pig hippocampus. A 195 kDa polypeptide carries both drug receptors and has similarities to the alpha 1 subunit of the purified skeletal-muscle calcium channel

High affinity interaction of mibefradil with voltage-gated calcium and sodium channels

Mibefradil is a novel Ca(2+) antagonist which blocks both high-voltage activated and low voltage-activated Ca(2+) channels. Although L-type Ca(2+) channel block was demonstrated in functional experiments its molecular interaction with the channel has not yet been studied. We therefore investigated the binding of [(3)H]-mibefradil and a series of mibefradil analogues to L-type Ca(2+) channels in different tissues. [(3)H]-Mibefradil labelled a single class of high affinity sites on skeletal muscle L-type Ca(2+) channels (K(D) of 2.5+/-0.4 nM, B(max)=56.4+/-2.3 pmol mg(-1) of protein). Mibefradil (and a series of analogues) partially inhibited (+)-[(3)H]-isradipine binding to skeletal muscle membranes but stimulated binding to brain L-type Ca(2+) channels and alpha1C-subunits expressed in tsA201 cells indicating a tissue-specific, non-competitive interaction between the dihydropyridine and mibefradil binding domain. [(3)H]-Mibefradil also labelled a heterogenous population of high affinity sites in rabbit brain which was inhibited by a series of nonspecific Ca(2+) and Na(+)-channel blockers. Mibefradil and its analogue RO40-6040 had high affinity for neuronal voltage-gated Na(+)-channels as confirmed in binding (apparent K(i) values of 17 and 1.0 nM, respectively) and functional experiments (40% use-dependent inhibition of Na(+)-channel current by 1 microM mibefradil in GH3 cells). Our data demonstrate that mibefradil binds to voltage-gated L-type Ca(2+) channels with very high affinity and is also a potent blocker of voltage-gated neuronal Na(+)-channels. More lipophilic mibefradil analogues may possess neuroprotective properties like other nonselective Ca(2+)-/Na(+)-channel blockers.

Molecular basis of drug interaction with L-type Ca2+ channels

Different types of voltage-gated Ca2+ channels exist in the plasma membrane of electrically excitable cells. By controlling depolarization-induced Ca2+ entry into cells they serve important physiological functions, such as excitation-contraction coupling, neurotransmitter and hormone secretion, and neuronal plasticity. Their function is fine-tuned by a variety of modulators, such as enzymes and G-proteins. Block of so-called L-type Ca2+ channels by drugs is exploited as a therapeutic principle to treat cardiovascular disorders, such as hypertension. More recently, block of so-called non-L-type Ca2+ channels was found to exert therapeutic effects in the treatment of severe pain and ischemic stroke. As the subunits of different Ca2+ channel types have been cloned, the modulatory sites for enzymes, G-proteins, and drugs can now be determined using molecular engineering and heterologous expression. Here we summarize recent work that has allowed us to determine the sites of action of L-type Ca2+ channel modulators. Together with previous biochemical, electrophysiological, and drug binding data these results provide exciting insight into the molecular pharmacology of this voltage-gated Ca2+ channel family.

Purified omega-conotoxin GVIA receptor of rat brain resembles a dihydropyridine-sensitive L-type calcium channel

The omega-conotoxin GVIA (CTX) receptor has been purified 1900-fold to apparent homogeneity by monitoring both reversible binding of 125I-labeled CTX (125I-CTX) and photoincorporation of N-hydroxysuccinimidyl-4-azidobenzoate-125I-CTX (HSA-125I-CTX). Photoincorporation of HSA-125I-CTX into a 230-kDa protein exhibits a pharmacologic and chromatographic profile indicating that the 230-kDa protein is the CTX-binding subunit of the receptor. The pharmacologic specificity of 125I-CTX binding to the purified CTX receptor closely resembles that of the native membrane-bound form with respect to sensitivity towards CTX (Kd = 32 pM) and other peptide toxin antagonists. The purified CTX receptor comprises the 230-kDa protein (alpha 1) and four additional proteins with apparent molecular masses of 140 (alpha 2), 110, 70 (beta 2), and 60 (beta 1) kDa. This subunit structure closely resembles that of the 1,4-dihydropyridine-sensitive L-type calcium channel.

The high affinity receptor for omega-conotoxin represents calcium channels different from those sensitive to dihydropyridines in mammalian brain

A monoclonal antibody recognizing the alpha 2 delta complex of the dihydropyridine (DHP)-sensitive calcium channel of skeletal muscle immunoprecipitated most of the DHP receptor solubilized from bovine and rabbit brains, and bovine cardiac muscle. However, it did not significantly immunoprecipitate the high affinity omega-conotoxin receptor solubilized from these brains. These results indicate that the DHP receptor and the high affinity omega-conotoxin receptor are different molecules in mammalian brain.

Subunit structure and localization of dihydropyridine-sensitive calcium channels in mammalian brain, spinal cord, and retina

Monoclonal antibodies that recognize the alpha 2 delta subunits of calcium channels from skeletal muscle immunoprecipitate a complex of alpha 1, alpha 2 delta, beta, and gamma subunits. They also immunoprecipitate 64% of rabbit brain dihydropyridine-sensitive calcium channels. Iodination of partially purified brain calcium channels followed by immunoprecipitation reveals alpha 1-, alpha 2 delta-, and beta-like subunits that have apparent molecular masses of 175, 142, and 57 kd, respectively. A polypeptide of 100 kd is also specifically immunoprecipitated. Immunocytochemical studies identify dihydropyridine-sensitive calcium channels in neuronal somata and proximal dendrites in rat brain, spinal cord, and retina. Staining of many neuronal somata is uneven, revealing relatively high densities of dihydropyridine-sensitive calcium channels at the base of major dendrites. L-type calcium channels in this location may serve to mediate long-lasting increases in intracellular calcium in the cell body in response to excitatory inputs to the dendrites.

(+)-Niguldipine binds with very high affinity to Ca2+ channels and to a subtype of alpha 1-adrenoceptors

The enantiomers of the 1,4-dihydropyridine (DHP) niguldipine (3-methyl-5-[3-(4,4-diphenyl-1-piperidinyl)-propyl]- 1,4-dihydro-2,6-dimethyl-4-(3-nitrophenyl)-pyridine-3,5-dicarboxylate- hydrochloride) were investigated with respect to their interaction with 1,4-DHP receptors on L-type Ca2+ channels and alpha-adrenoceptors. The Ki values for niguldipine were dependent on the membrane protein concentrations in the radioligand binding assay. 'True' Ki values (at extrapolated 'zero' membrane protein) were determined with guinea-pig membranes for (+)-niguldipine and were found to be 85 pmol/l for the 1,4-DHP receptor of skeletal muscle, 140 pmol/l for that of brain and 45 pmol/l for that of heart. (-)-Niguldipine was approximately 40 times less potent. (+)-Niguldipine (Ki: 78 nmol/l) and (-)-niguldipine (Ki: 58 nmol/l) bound with approximately equal affinity to the alpha 1-adrenoceptors ('alpha 1B') in liver cell membranes. The (+)-niguldipine alpha 1-adrenoceptor inhibition data for rat brain cortex membranes were better fitted by a two-site model. The high-affinity component ('alpha 1A') had a Ki value of 52 pmol/l in competition experiments with [3H]prazosin. The low-affinity site (alpha 1B) had 200- to 600-fold less affinity. (-)-Niguldipine was greater than 40-fold less potent at alpha 1A- but was nearly equipotent to the (+)enantiomer at alpha 1B-sites. (+)-Niguldipine was the most selective compound for discriminating alpha 1A- from alpha 1B-adrenoceptors and is a novel prototype for 1,4-DHPs which bind with nearly equal affinity to skeletal muscle and brain or heart 1,4-DHP receptors.

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.

Evidence for a distinct Ca2+ antagonist receptor for the novel benzothiazinone compound HOE 166

The pharmacological and binding properties of the novel enantiomerically pure benzothiazinone (R)-(+)-3,4-dihydro-2-isopropyl-4-methyl-2-[2-[4-[4-[2-(3,4,5-tri- methoxyphenyl)-ethyl]-piperazinyl]-butoxyl-phenyl]-2H-1,4- benzothiazine-3-one dihydrochloride (HOE 166), are described. HOE 166 stereoselectively inhibited KCl-but not noradrenaline-induced contractions of guinea-pig pulmonary arteries, rabbit aorta, rat mesenteric artery preparations and k-strophantin-induced enhancement of guinea-pig papillary muscle contraction in a dose-dependent manner. KCl-induced smooth muscle contraction was inhibited by HOE 166 with IC50-values of approximately 70 nM (5-11 times less potent than nifedipine, 2-16 times more potent than verapamil), the respective S-(-)-enantiomer being approximately 10-fold less potent. HOE 166 decreased the upstroke velocity of the slow action potential in partially depolarized guinea-pig papillary muscle at similar concentrations than nifedipine. To investigate possible interactions with the calcium channel, HOE 166 and its S-(-)-enantiomer were characterized by radioligand binding studies in heart, brain and skeletal muscle transverse-tubule membranes. HOE 166 was a 4-15 times more potent inhibitor of reversible (+)-[3H]PN200-110, (-)-[3H]desmethoxyverapamil and d-cis [3H]diltiazem binding compared to its pharmacologically less active (S)-(-)-enantiomer, with IC50 values in the low nanomolar range. Extensive equilibrium and kinetic studies suggest that HOE 166 exerts its Ca2+-antagonistic effect by binding to a Ca2+-channel-associated drug receptor which is distinct from the 1,4-dihydropyridine, phenylalkylamine or benzothiazepine-selective domain. This HOE 166-selective site is, however, allosterically linked to the other sites of the Ca2+ antagonist receptor complex. We conclude that HOE 166 is a novel calcium antagonist.