Differential interactions of Na+ channel toxins with T-type Ca2+ channels

Ca2+ entry through NaV channels generates submillisecond axonal Ca2+ signaling

Calcium ions (Ca²⁺) are essential for many cellular signaling mechanisms and enter the cytosol mostly through voltage-gated calcium channels. Here, using high-speed Ca²⁺ imaging up to 20 kHz in the rat layer five pyramidal neuron axon we found that activity-dependent intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca²⁺]_i) in the axonal initial segment was only partially dependent on voltage-gated calcium channels. Instead, [Ca²⁺]_i changes were sensitive to the specific voltage-gated sodium (Na_V) channel blocker tetrodotoxin. Consistent with the conjecture that Ca²⁺ enters through the Na_V channel pore, the optically resolved I_Ca in the axon initial segment overlapped with the activation kinetics of Na_V channels and heterologous expression of Na_V1.2 in HEK-293 cells revealed a tetrodotoxin-sensitive [Ca²⁺]_i rise. Finally, computational simulations predicted that axonal [Ca²⁺]_i transients reflect a 0.4% Ca²⁺ conductivity of Na_V channels. The findings indicate that Ca²⁺ permeation through Na_V channels provides a submillisecond rapid entry route in Na_V-enriched domains of mammalian axons.

Nerve cells communicate using tiny electrical impulses called action potentials. Special proteins termed ion channels produce these electric signals by allowing specific charged particles, or ions, to pass in or out of cells across its membrane. When a nerve cell ‘fires’ an action potential, specific ion channels briefly open to let in a surge of positively charged ions which electrify the cell. Action potentials begin in the same place in each nerve cell, at an area called the axon initial segment. The large number of sodium channels at this site kick-start the influx of positively charged sodium ions ensuring that every action potential starts from the same place.

Previous research has shown that, when action potentials begin, the concentration of calcium ions at the axon initial segment also increases, but it was not clear which ion channels were responsible for this entry of calcium. Channels that are selective for calcium ions are the prime candidates for this process. However, research in squid nerve cells gave rise to an unexpected idea by suggesting that sodium channels may not exclusively let in sodium but also allow some calcium ions to pass through. Hanemaaijer, Popovic et al. therefore wanted to test the routes that calcium ions take and see whether the sodium channels in mammalian nerve cells are also permeable to calcium.

Experiments using fluorescent dyes to track the concentration of calcium in rat and human nerve cells showed that calcium ions accumulated at the axon initial segment when action potentials fired. Most of this increase in calcium could be stopped by treating the neurons with a toxin that prevents sodium channels from opening. Electrical manipulations of the cells revealed that, in this context, the calcium ions were effectively behaving like sodium ions. Human kidney cells were then engineered to produce the sodium channel protein. This confirmed that calcium and sodium ions were indeed both passing through the same channel.

These results shed new light on the relationship between calcium ions and sodium channels within the mammalian nervous system and that this interplay occurs at the axon initial segment of the cell. Genetic mutations that ‘nudge’ sodium channels towards favoring calcium entry are also found in patients with autism spectrum disorders, and so this new finding may contribute to our understanding of these conditions.

Neurobiology and therapeutic utility of neurotoxins targeting postsynaptic mechanisms of neuromuscular transmission

The neuromuscular junction (NMJ) is the principal site for the translation of motor neurochemical signals to muscle activity. Therefore, the release and sensing machinery of acetylcholine (ACh) along with muscle contraction are two of the main targets of natural toxins and pathogens, causing paralysis. Given pharmacology and medical advances, the active ingredients of toxins that target postsynaptic mechanisms have become of major interest, showing promise as drug leads. Herein, we review key facets of prevalent toxins modulating the mechanisms of ACh sensing and generation of the postsynaptic response, with muscle contraction. We consider the correlation between their outstanding selectivity and potency plus effects on motor function, and discuss emerging data advocating their usage for the development of therapies alleviating neuromuscular dysfunction.

Regional differences in the expression of tetrodotoxin-sensitive inward Ca2+ and outward Cs+/K+ currents in mouse and human ventricles

Tetrodotoxin (TTX) sensitive inward Ca²⁺ currents, I_Ca(TTX), have been identified in cardiac myocytes from several species, although it is unclear if I_Ca(TTX) is expressed in all cardiac cell types, and if I_Ca(TTX) reflects Ca²⁺ entry through the main, Nav1.5-encoded, cardiac Na⁺ (Nav) channels. To address these questions, recordings were obtained with 2 mm Ca²⁺ and 0 mm Na⁺ in the bath and 120 mm Cs⁺ in the pipettes from myocytes isolated from adult mouse interventricular septum (IVS), left ventricular (LV) endocardium, apex, and epicardium and from human LV endocardium and epicardium. On membrane depolarizations from a holding potential of −100 mV, I_Ca(TTX) was identified in mouse IVS and LV endocardial myocytes and in human LV endocardial myocytes, whereas only TTX-sensitive outward Cs⁺/K⁺ currents were observed in mouse LV apex and epicardial myocytes and human LV epicardial myocytes. The inward Ca²⁺, but not the outward Cs⁺/K⁺, currents were blocked by mm concentrations of MTSEA, a selective blocker of cardiac Nav1.5-encoded Na⁺ channels. In addition, in Nav1.5-expressing tsA-201 cells, I_Ca(TTX) was observed in 3 (of 20) cells, and TTX-sensitive outward Cs⁺/K⁺ currents were observed in the other (17) cells. The time- and voltage-dependent properties of the TTX-sensitive inward Ca²⁺ and outward Cs⁺/K⁺ currents recorded in Nav1.5-expressing tsA-201 were indistinguishable from native currents in mouse and human cardiac myocytes. Overall, the results presented here suggest marked regional, cell type-specific, differences in the relative ion selectivity, and likely the molecular architecture, of native SCN5A-/Scn5a- (Nav1.5-) encoded cardiac Na⁺ channels in mouse and human ventricles.

Basal late sodium current is a significant contributor to the duration of action potential of guinea pig ventricular myocytes

In cardiac myocytes, an enhancement of late sodium current (I_NaL) under pathological conditions is known to cause prolongation of action potential duration (APD). This study investigated the contribution of I_NaL under basal, physiological conditions to the APD Whole-cell I_NaL and the APD of ventricular myocytes isolated from healthy adult guinea pigs were measured at 36°C. The I_NaL inhibitor GS967 or TTX was applied to block I_NaL The amplitude of basal I_NaL and the APD at 50% repolarization in myocytes stimulated at a frequency of 0.17 Hz were -0.24 ± 0.02 pA/pF and 229 ± 6 msec, respectively. GS967 (0.01-1 μmol/L) concentration dependently reduced the basal I_NaL by 18 ± 3-82 ± 4%. At the same concentrations, GS967 shortened the APD by 9 ± 2 to 25 ± 1%. Similarly, TTX at 0.1-10 μmol/L decreased the basal I_NaL by 13 ± 1-94 ± 1% and APD by 8 ± 1-31 ± 2%. There was a close correlation (R² = 0.958) between the percentage inhibition of I_NaL and the percentage shortening of APD caused by either GS967 or TTX MTSEA (methanethiosulfonate ethylammonium, 2 mmol/L), a Na_V1.5 channel blocker, reduced the I_NaL by 90 ± 5%, suggesting that the Na_V1.5 channel isoform is the major contributor to the basal I_NaL KN-93 (10 μmol/L) and AIP (2 μmol/L), blockers of CaMKII, moderately reduced the basal I_NaL Thus, this study provides strong evidence that basal endogenous I_NaL is a significant contributor to the APD of cardiac myocytes. In addition, the basal I_NaL of guinea pig ventricular myocytes is mainly generated from Na_V1.5 channel isoform and is regulated by CaMKII.

Genetic risk between the CACNA1I gene and schizophrenia in Chinese Uygur population

Background

Schizophrenia (SCZ) is a common mental disorder with high heritability, and genetic factors play a major role in the pathogenesis. Recent researches indicated that the CACNA1I involved in calcium channels probably affect the potential pathogenesis of SCZ.

Results

In this study, we attempted to investigate whether the CACNA1I gene contributes the risk to SCZ in the Uighur Chinese population, and performed a case-control study involving 985 patient samples and 1218 normal controls to analyze nine SNPs within the CACNA1I gene. Among these sites, six SNPs were significantly associated with SCZ in the allele distribution: rs132575 (adjusted P_allele = 0.039, OR = 1.159), rs713860 (adjusted P_allele = 0.039, OR = 0.792), rs738168 (adjusted P_allele = 0.039, OR = 0.785), rs136805 (adjusted P_allele = 0.014, OR = 1.212), rs5757760 (adjusted P_allele = 0.042, OR = 0.873) and rs5750871 (adjusted P_allele = 0.039, OR = 0.859). In addition, two SNPs turned to be risk factors for SCZ not only in the allele distribution, but also in the genotype distribution: rs132575 (adjusted P_genotype = 0.037) and rs136805 (adjusted P_genotype = 0.037).

Conclusions

Overall, the present study provided evidence that significant association exists between the CACNA1I gene and SCZ in the Uighur Chinese population, subsequent validation of functional analysis and genetic association studies are needed to further extend this study.

Tetrodotoxin-sensitive Ca2+ Currents, but No T-type Currents in Normal, Hypertrophied, and Failing Mouse Cardiomyocytes

AIMS

To obtain functional evidence that ICa,T is involved in the pathogenesis of cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure. We unexpectedly identified ICa(TTX) rather than ICa,T, therefore, we adjusted our aim to encompass these findings.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We investigated (1) Cav3.1 (α1G) transgenic (Tg) mice compared with nontransgenic (tTA-Ntg); (2) Cav3.1-deficient mice (Cav3.1) compared with wild type (Wt) after chemically and surgically induced cardiac remodeling; and (3) spontaneous hypertensive rats and thoracic aortic constriction (TAC) rats. Whole-cell patch-clamp technique was used to measure ICa in ventricular myocytes. Cav3.1-Tg expressed ICa,T (-18.35 ± 1.02 pA/pF at -40 mV) without signs of compromised cardiac function. While we failed to detect ICa,T after hypertrophic stimuli, instead we demonstrated that both Wt and Cav3.1 mouse exhibit ICa(TTX). Using TAC rats, only 2 of 24 VMs showed ICa,T under our experimental conditions. Without TTX, ICa(TTX) occurred in VMs from Wt, spontaneous hypertensive rats, and TAC rats also.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings demonstrate for the first time that mouse VMs express ICa(TTX). We suggest that future studies should take into consideration the measuring conditions when interpreting ICa,T reappearance in ventricular myocytes in response to hypertrophic stress. Contamination with ICa(TTX) could possibly confuse the relevance of the data.

T-type calcium channel blockers as neuroprotective agents

T-type calcium channels are expressed in many diverse tissues, including neuronal, cardiovascular, and endocrine. T-type calcium channels are known to play roles in the development, maintenance, and repair of these tissues but have also been implicated in disease when not properly regulated. Calcium channel blockers have been developed to treat various diseases and their use clinically is widespread due to both their efficacy as well as their safety. Aside from their established clinical applications, recent studies have suggested neuroprotective effects of T-type calcium channel blockers. Many of the current T-type calcium channel blockers could act on other molecular targets besides T-type calcium channels making it uncertain whether their neuroprotective effects are solely due to blocking of T-type calcium channels. In this review, we discuss these drugs as well as newly developed chemical compounds that are designed to be more selective for T-type calcium channels. We review in vitro and in vivo evidence of neuroprotective effects by these T-type calcium channel blockers. We conclude by discussing possible molecular mechanisms underlying the neuroprotective effects by T-type calcium channel blockers.

The molecular mystique of tetrodotoxin

In many respects tetrodotoxin (TTX) is the quintessential natural toxin. It is unequivocally toxic to mammals with LD(50) values for mice in the range of 10 μg/kg (intraperitoneal), 16 μg/kg (subcutaneous), and 332 μg/kg (oral) (Kao, 1966). Its biothreat status is recognized by its listing as a "Select Agent" by the US Department of Health and Human Services which includes regulated agents "determined to have the potential to pose a severe threat to both human and animal health" (http://www.selectagents.gov/). It has a well-defined cellular target (i.e., NaV channels) and pharmacological mode of action (i.e., block of nerve and muscle action potentials), and it is an indispensable chemical tool in neuroscience. It is widely distributed in marine and terrestrial ecosystems where it plays a role in the chemical ecology of predator-prey relationships and drives evolutionary selection of TTX-resistance (Hanifin, 2010; Williams, 2010; Zimmer and Ferrer, 2007). Lastly, TTX has acquired a certain mystique in scientific lore attributable to many fascinating aspects of its natural history and molecular interactions as presented in selected summary below. Additional information may be found in other excellent reviews (Fozzard and Lipkind, 2010; Kao, 1966; Lee and Ruben, 2008; Narahashi, 2001, 2008).

Elevated circulating levels of copper and nickel are found in elderly subjects with left ventricular hypertrophy

Identified risk factors for left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) are hypertension, diabetes and obesity. However, since these risk factors only explain a part of the variation in left ventricular mass, we investigated if trace and heavy metals might also play a role in LVH. In the Prospective Investigation of the Vasculature in Uppsala Seniors (PIVUS) study, left ventricular mass index (LVMI) and relative wall thickness (RWT) were determined by echocardiography together with eleven different trace and heavy metals in 993 subjects aged 70 years. Only copper levels were significantly related to LVMI following adjustment for sex, blood pressure, antihypertensive treatment, diabetes and body mass index (BMI) (p<0.0001). However, both copper (Cu) and nickel (Ni) were related to RWT following adjustment (p<0.0001). When divided into four geometric groups, both Cu and Ni were elevated in subjects with concentric remodelling and concentric LVH, but not in those with eccentric hypertrophy, when compared to subjects with a normal left ventricle. No relationships were found for zinc, aluminium, manganese, molybdenum, mercury, lead, cadmium, cobalt or chromium. Elevated levels of copper and nickel are found in elderly subjects with LVH, especially of the concentric type, following adjustment for known risk factors for LVH.

A mathematical model of action potentials of mouse sinoatrial node cells with molecular bases

Genetically modified mice are popular experimental models for studying the molecular bases and mechanisms of cardiac arrhythmia. A postgenome challenge is to classify the functional roles of genes in cardiac function. To unveil the functional role of various genetic isoforms of ion channels in generating cardiac pacemaking action potentials (APs), a mathematical model for spontaneous APs of mouse sinoatrial node (SAN) cells was developed. The model takes into account the biophysical properties of membrane ionic currents and intracellular mechanisms contributing to spontaneous mouse SAN APs. The model was validated by its ability to reproduce the physiological exceptionally short APs and high pacing rates of mouse SAN cells. The functional roles of individual membrane currents were evaluated by blocking their coding channels. The roles of intracellular Ca²⁺-handling mechanisms on cardiac pacemaking were also investigated in the model. The robustness of model pacemaking behavior was evaluated by means of one- and two-parameter analyses in wide parameter value ranges. This model provides a predictive tool for cellular level outcomes of electrophysiological experiments. It forms the basis for future model development and further studies into complex pacemaking mechanisms as more quantitative experimental data become available.

Transient receptor potential melastatin 4 inhibition prevents lipopolysaccharide-induced endothelial cell death

AIMS

Endothelial dysfunction is decisive in the progression of cardiovascular diseases. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS)-mediated endothelial cell death is a main feature observed in inflammation secondary to endotoxaemia, emerging as a leading cause of death among critically ill patients in intensive care units. However, the molecular mechanism underlying LPS-induced endothelial cell death is not well understood. Transient receptor protein melastatin 4 (TRPM4) is an ion channel associated with cell death that is expressed in endothelium and modulated by ROS. Here, we investigate the role of TRPM4 in LPS-induced endothelial cell death, testing whether suppression of the expression of TRPM4 confers endothelial cell resistance to LPS challenge.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Using primary cultures of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC), we demonstrate that TRPM4 is critically involved in LPS-induced endothelial cell death. HUVEC exposed to LPS results in Na(+)-dependent cell death. Pharmacological inhibition of TRPM4 with 9-phenanthrol or glibenclamide protects endothelium against LPS exposure for 48 h. Furthermore, TRPM4-like currents increase in cells pre-treated with LPS and inhibited with glibenclamide. Of note, suppression of TRPM4 expression by siRNA or suppression of its activity in a dominant negative mutant is effective in decreasing LPS-induced endothelial cell death when cells are exposed to LPS for 24-30 h.

CONCLUSION

TRPM4 is critically involved in LPS-induced endothelial cell death. These results demonstrate that either pharmacological inhibition of TRPM4, suppression of TRPM4 expression, or inhibition of TRPM4 activity are able to protect endothelium against LPS injury. These results are useful in sepsis drug design and development of new strategies for sepsis therapy.

The tetrodotoxin binding site is within the outer vestibule of the sodium channel

Tetrodotoxin and saxitoxin are small, compact asymmetrical marine toxins that block voltage-gated Na channels with high affinity and specificity. They enter the channel pore’s outer vestibule and bind to multiple residues that control permeation. Radiolabeled toxins were key contributors to channel protein purification and subsequent cloning. They also helped identify critical structural elements called P loops. Spacial organization of their mutation-identified interaction sites in molecular models has generated a molecular image of the TTX binding site in the outer vestibule and the critical permeation and selectivity features of this region. One site in the channel’s domain I P loop determines affinity differences in mammalian isoforms.