Opposite Effects of a Single IIIS5 Mutation on Phenylalkylamine and Dihydropyridine Interaction with L-type Ca2+ Channels

Molecular, immunological, and physiological evidences of a sphingosine-activated plasma membrane Ca2+-channel in Trypanosoma equiperdum

The hemoparasite Trypanosoma equiperdum belongs to the Trypanozoon subgenus and includes several species that are pathogenic to animals and humans in tropical and subtropical areas across the world. As with all eukaryotic organisms, Ca2+ is essential for these parasites to perform cellular processes thus ensuring their survival across their life cycle. Despite the established paradigm to study proteins related to Ca2+ homeostasis as potential drug targets, so far little is known about Ca2+ entry into trypanosomes. Therefore, in the present study, the presence of a plasma membrane Ca2+-channel in T. equiperdum (TeCC), activated by sphingosine and inhibited by verapamil, is described. The TeCC was cloned and analyzed using bioinformatic resources, which confirmed the presence of several domains, motifs, and a topology similar to the Ca2+ channels found in higher eukaryotes. Biochemical and confocal microscopy assays using antibodies raised against an internal region of human L-type Ca2+ channels indicate the presence of a protein with similar predicted molar mass to the sequence analyzed, located at the plasma membrane of T. equiperdum. Physiological assays based on Fura-2 signals and Mn2+ quenching performed on whole parasites showed a unidirectional Ca2+ entry, which is activated by sphingosine and blocked by verapamil, with the distinctive feature of insensitivity to nifedipine and Bay K 8644. This suggests a second Ca2+ entry for T. equiperdum, different from the store-operated Ca2+ entry (SOCE) previously described. Moreover, the evidence presented here for the TeCC indicates molecular and pharmacological differences with their mammal counterparts, which deserve further studies to evaluate the potential of this channel as a drug target.

Phenylalkylamines in calcium channels: computational analysis of experimental structures

Experimental 3D structures of calcium channels with phenylalkylamines (PAAs) provide basis for further analysis of atomic mechanisms of these important cardiovascular drugs. In the crystal structure of the engineered calcium channel CavAb with Br-verapamil and in the cryo-EM structure of the Cav1.1 channel with verapamil, the ligands bind in the inner pore. However, there are significant differences between these structures. In the crystal structure the ligand ammonium group is much closer to the ion in the selectivity-filter region Site 3, which is most proximal to the inner pore, than in the cryo-EM structure. Here we used Monte Carlo energy minimizations to dock PAAs in calcium channels. Our computations suggest that in the crystal structure Site 3 is occupied by a water molecule rather than by a calcium ion. Analysis of the published electron density map does not rule out this possibility. In the cryo-EM structures the ammonium group of verapamil is shifted from the calcium ion in Site 3 either along the pore axis, towards the cytoplasm or away from the axis. Our unbiased docking reproduced these binding modes. However, in the cryo-EM structures detergent and lipid molecules interact with verapamil. When we removed these molecules, the nitrile group of verapamil bound to the calcium ion in Site 3. Models of Cav1.2 with different PAAs suggest similar binding modes and direct contacts of the ligands electronegative atoms with the calcium ion in Site 3. Such interactions explain paradoxes in structure-activity relationships of PAAs.

CaV1.3 L-type Ca2+ channel contributes to the heartbeat by generating a dihydropyridine-sensitive persistent Na+ current

The spontaneous activity of sinoatrial node (SAN) pacemaker cells is generated by a functional interplay between the activity of ionic currents of the plasma membrane and intracellular Ca²⁺ dynamics. The molecular correlate of a dihydropyridine (DHP)-sensitive sustained inward Na⁺ current (I_st), a key player in SAN automaticity, is still unknown. Here we show that I_st and the L-type Ca²⁺ current (I_Ca,L) share Ca_V1.3 as a common molecular determinant. Patch-clamp recordings of mouse SAN cells showed that I_st is activated in the diastolic depolarization range, and displays Na⁺ permeability and minimal inactivation and sensitivity to I_Ca,L activators and blockers. Both Ca_V1.3-mediated I_Ca,L and I_st were abolished in Ca_V1.3-deficient (Ca_V1.3^−/−) SAN cells but the Ca_V1.2-mediated I_Ca,L current component was preserved. In SAN cells isolated from mice expressing DHP-insensitive Ca_V1.2 channels (Ca_V1.2^DHP−/−), I_st and Ca_V1.3-mediated I_Ca,L displayed overlapping sensitivity and concentration–response relationships to the DHP blocker nifedipine. Consistent with the hypothesis that Ca_V1.3 rather than Ca_V1.2 underlies I_st, a considerable fraction of I_Ca,L was resistant to nifedipine inhibition in Ca_V1.2^DHP−/− SAN cells. These findings identify Ca_V1.3 channels as essential molecular components of the voltage-dependent, DHP-sensitive I_st Na⁺ current in the SAN.

Cav1.2 and Cav1.3 L-type calcium channels operate in a similar voltage range but show different coupling to Ca(2+)-dependent conductances in hippocampal neurons

In the central nervous system, L-type voltage-gated calcium channels (LTCCs) come in two isoforms, namely Cav1.2 and Cav1.3 channels. It has been shown previously that these channels differ in biophysical properties, in subcellular localization, and in the coupling to the gene transcription machinery. In previous work on rat hippocampal neurons we have identified an excitatory cation conductance and an inhibitory potassium conductance as important LTCC coupling partners. Notably, a stimulus-dependent interplay of LTCC-mediated Ca(2+) influx and activation of these Ca(2+)-dependent conductances was found to give rise to characteristic voltage responses. However, the contribution of Cav1.2 and Cav1.3 to these voltage responses remained unknown. Hence, the relative contribution of the LTCC isoforms therein was the focus of the current study on hippocampal neurons derived from genetically modified mice, which either lack a LTCC isoform (Cav1.3 knockout mice) or express a dihydropyridine-insensitive LTCC isoform (Cav1.2DHP(-)-knockin mice). We identified common and alternate ion channel couplings of Cav1.2 and Cav1.3 channels. Whereas hyperpolarizing Ca(2+)-dependent conductances were coupled to both Cav1.2 and Cav1.3 channels, an afterdepolarizing potential was only induced by the activity of Cav1.2 channels. Unexpectedly, the activity of Cav1.2 channels was found at relatively hyperpolarized membrane voltages. Our data add important information about the differences between Cav1.2 and Cav1.3 channels that furthers our understanding of the physiological and pathophysiological neuronal roles of these calcium channels. Moreover, our findings suggest that Cav1.3 knockout mice together with Cav1.2DHP(-)-knockin mice provide valuable models for future investigation of hippocampal LTCC-dependent afterdepolarizations.

Understanding alternative splicing of Cav1.2 calcium channels for a new approach towards individualized medicine

Calcium channel blockers (CCBs) are widely used to treat cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension, angina pectoris, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, and supraventricular tachycardia. CCBs selectively inhibit the inward flow of calcium ions through voltage-gated calcium channels, particularly Ca_v1.2, that are expressed in the cardiovascular system. Changes to the molecular structure of Ca_v1.2 channels could affect sensitivity of the channels to blockade by CCBs. Recently, extensive alternative splicing was found in Ca_v1.2 channels that generated wide phenotypic variations. Cardiac and smooth muscles express slightly different, but functionally important Ca_v1.2 splice variants. Alternative splicing could also modulate the gating properties of the channels and giving rise to different responses to inhibition by CCBs. Importantly, alternative splicing of Ca_v1.2 channels may play an important role to influence the outcome of many cardiovascular disorders. Therefore, the understanding of how alternative splicing impacts Ca_v1.2 channels pharmacology in various diseases and different organs may provide the possibility for individualized therapy with minimal side effects.

Structural model for phenylalkylamine binding to L-type calcium channels

Phenylalkylamines (PAAs), a major class of L-type calcium channel (LTCC) blockers, have two aromatic rings connected by a flexible chain with a nitrile substituent. Structural aspects of ligand-channel interactions remain unclear. We have built a KvAP-based model of LTCC and used Monte Carlo energy minimizations to dock devapamil, verapamil, gallopamil, and other PAAs. The PAA-LTCC models have the following common features: (i) the meta-methoxy group in ring A, which is proximal to the nitrile group, accepts an H-bond from a PAA-sensing Tyr_IIIS6; (ii) the meta-methoxy group in ring B accepts an H-bond from a PAA-sensing Tyr_IVS6; (iii) the ammonium group is stabilized at the focus of P-helices; and (iv) the nitrile group binds to a Ca(2+) ion coordinated by the selectivity filter glutamates in repeats III and IV. The latter feature can explain Ca(2+) potentiation of PAA action and the presence of an electronegative atom at a similar position of potent PAA analogs. Tyr substitution of a Thr in IIIS5 is known to enhance action of devapamil and verapamil. Our models predict that the para-methoxy group in ring A of devapamil and verapamil accepts an H-bond from this engineered Tyr. The model explains structure-activity relationships of PAAs, effects of LTCC mutations on PAA potency, data on PAA access to LTCC, and Ca(2+) potentiation of PAA action. Common and class-specific aspects of action of PAAs, dihydropyridines, and benzothiazepines are discussed in view of the repeat interface concept.

Role of voltage-gated L-type Ca2+ channel isoforms for brain function

Voltage-gated LTCCs (L-type Ca2+ channels) are established drug targets for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. LTCCs are also expressed outside the cardiovascular system. In the brain, LTCCs control synaptic plasticity in neurons, and DHP (dihydropyridine) LTCC blockers such as nifedipine modulate brain function (such as fear memory extinction and depression-like behaviour). Voltage-sensitive Ca2+ channels Cav1.2 and Cav1.3 are the predominant brain LTCCs. As DHPs and other classes of organic LTCC blockers inhibit both isoforms, their pharmacological distinction is impossible and their individual contributions to defined brain functions remain largely unknown. Here, we summarize our recent experiments with two genetically modified mouse strains, which we generated to explore the individual biophysical features of Cav1.2 and Cav1.3 LTCCs and to determine their relative contributions to various physiological peripheral and neuronal functions. The results described here also allow predictions about the pharmacotherapeutic potential of isoform-selective LTCC modulators.