Comparison of the effects of divalent cations on the noradrenaline-evoked cation current in rabbit portal vein smooth muscle cells

Multiple regulation by calcium of murine homologues of transient receptor potential proteins TRPC6 and TRPC7 expressed in HEK293 cells

We investigated, by using the patch clamp technique, Ca2+-mediated regulation of heterologously expressed TRPC6 and TRPC7 proteins in HEK293 cells, two closely related homologues of the transient receptor potential (TRP) family and molecular candidates for native receptor-operated Ca2+ entry channels. With nystatin-perforated recording, the magnitude and time courses of activation and inactivation of carbachol (CCh; 100 microM)-activated TRPC6 currents (I(TRPC6)) were enhanced and accelerated, respectively, by extracellular Ca2+ (Ca2+(o)) whether it was continuously present or applied after receptor stimulation. In contrast, Ca2+(o) solely inhibited TRPC7 currents (I(TRPC7)). Vigorous buffering of intracellular Ca2+ (Ca2+(i)) under conventional whole-cell clamp abolished the slow potentiating (i.e. accelerated activation) and inactivating effects of Ca2+(o), disclosing fast potentiation (EC50: approximately 0.4 mM) and inhibition (IC50: approximately 4 mM) of I(TRPC6) and fast inhibition (IC50: approximately 0.4 mM) of I(TRPC7). This inhibition of I(TRPC6) and I(TRPC7) seems to be associated with voltage-dependent reductions of unitary conductance and open probability at the single channel level, whereas the potentiation of I(TRPC6) showed little voltage dependence and was mimicked by Sr2+ but not Ba2+. The activation process of I(TRPC6) or its acceleration by Ca2+(o) probably involves phosphorylation by calmodulin (CaM)-dependent kinase II (CaMKII), as pretreatment with calmidazolium (3 microM), coexpression of Ca2+-insensitive mutant CaM, and intracellular perfusion of the non-hydrolysable ATP analogue AMP-PNP and a CaMKII-specific inhibitory peptide all effectively prevented channel activation. However, this was not observed for TRPC7. Instead, single CCh-activated TRPC7 channel activity was concentration-dependently suppressed by nanomolar Ca2+(i) via CaM and conversely enhanced by IP3. In addition, the inactivation time course of I(TRPC6) was significantly retarded by pharmacological inhibition of protein kinase C (PKC). These results collectively suggest that TRPC6 and 7 channels are multiply regulated by Ca2+ from both sides of the membrane through differential Ca2+-CaM-dependent and -independent mechanisms.

Non-selective cationic channels of smooth muscle and the mammalian homologues of Drosophila TRP

Throughout the body there are smooth muscle cells controlling a myriad of tubes and reservoirs. The cells show enormous diversity and complexity compounded by a plasticity that is critical in physiology and disease. Over the past quarter of a century we have seen that smooth muscle cells contain--as part of a gamut of ion-handling mechanisms--a family of cationic channels with significant permeability to calcium, potassium and sodium. Several of these channels are sensors of calcium store depletion, G-protein-coupled receptor activation, membrane stretch, intracellular Ca2+, pH, phospholipid signals and other factors. Progress in understanding the channels has, however, been hampered by a paucity of specific pharmacological agents and difficulty in identifying the underlying genes. In this review we summarize current knowledge of these smooth muscle cationic channels and evaluate the hypothesis that the underlying genes are homologues of Drosophila TRP (transient receptor potential). Direct evidence exists for roles of TRPC1, TRPC4/5, TRPC6, TRPV2, TRPP1 and TRPP2, and more are likely to be added soon. Some of these TRP proteins respond to a multiplicity of activation signals--promiscuity of gating that could enable a variety of context-dependent functions. We would seem to be witnessing the first phase of the molecular delineation of these cationic channels, something that should prove a leap forward for strategies aimed at developing new selective pharmacological agents and understanding the activation mechanisms and functions of these channels in physiological systems.

The developing relationship between receptor-operated and store-operated calcium channels in smooth muscle

Contraction of smooth muscle is initiated, and to a lesser extent maintained, by a rise in the concentration of free calcium in the cell cytoplasm ([Ca(2+)](i)). This activator calcium can originate from two intimately linked sources--the extracellular space and intracellular stores, most notably the sarcoplasmic reticulum. Smooth muscle contraction activated by excitatory neurotransmitters or hormones usually involves a combination of calcium release and calcium entry. The latter occurs through a variety of calcium permeable ion channels in the sarcolemma membrane. The best-characterized calcium entry pathway utilizes voltage-operated calcium channels (VOCCs). However, also present are several types of calcium-permeable channels which are non-voltage-gated, including the so-called receptor-operated calcium channels (ROCCs), activated by agonists acting on a range of G-protein-coupled receptors, and store-operated calcium channels (SOCCs), activated by depletion of the calcium stores within the sarcoplasmic reticulum. In this article we will review the electrophysiological, functional and pharmacological properties of ROCCs and SOCCs in smooth muscle and highlight emerging evidence that suggests that the two channel types may be closely related, being formed from proteins of the Transient Receptor Potential Channel (TRPC) family.

The effect of external divalent cations on spontaneous non-selective cation channel currents in rabbit portal vein myocytes

1. The effects of external divalent cations on spontaneous single non-selective cation channel currents were studied in outside-out patches from rabbit portal vein smooth muscle cells in K+-free conditions. 2. In an external medium containing 1.5 mM Ca2+ (Ca2+o) the majority of spontaneous channel currents had a unitary conductance of 23 pS, reversal potential (Vr) of +10 mV and a low open probability (Po) at negative patch potentials. Some channels opened to a lower conductance state of about 13 pS suggesting that the cation channels have two conductance states. Open time and burst duration distributions could both be described by two exponentials with time constants of about of 1 ms and 7 ms for open times and 3 ms and 16 ms for burst durations. 3. In 0 Ca2+o the majority of spontaneous cation channels had a unitary conductance of 13 pS and Vr was shifted to +4 mV. Moreover the longer open time and longer burst duration time constants were both reduced to approximately half the values in 1.5 mM Ca2+o. 4. Compared to 0 Ca2+o the single channel currents in 3 microM and 100 microM Ca2+o had a 5- to 6-fold increase in Po which was accompanied by increases in both open times and burst durations. In 3 microM and 100 microM Ca2+o the unitary conductance of the single channel currents was between 22 and 26 pS. 5. At positive membrane potentials the single channel currents had an increased Po compared to negative potentials which was associated with increased open times and burst durations but these values were similar in 3 microM, 100 microM and 1.5 mM Ca2+o. 6. In 1.5 mM Sr2+o and 1.5 mM Ba2+o channels opened to the higher conductance state of about 22-25 pS and had a 3- to 7-fold greater Po than in 0 Ca2+o. 7. In conclusion, external divalent cations have marked effects on the unitary conductance and kinetic behaviour of non-selective cation channels in rabbit portal vein smooth muscle cells.

Comparison of spontaneous and noradrenaline-evoked non-selective cation channels in rabbit portal vein myocytes

The properties of non-selective cation channels were studied in rabbit portal vein smooth muscle cells in K+-free conditions with patch pipette techniques. In about 45 % of isolated outside-out patches spontaneous channel currents with a unitary conductance of 23 pS were observed. The reversal potential was +11 mV which was shifted to more negative values and the unitary conductance was reduced when part of the external Na+ was replaced by Tris. At negative potentials the probability of opening (Po) was low and the open time distributions were described by two exponentials with time constants of about 1 and 7 ms. At positive potentials Po and the longer mean open time were greatly increased. The channel exhibited bursting behaviour and the burst duration distributions were described by two exponentials with time constants of about 3 and 15 ms. At positive potentials the longer burst duration was increased substantially. Application of noradrenaline and the diacylglycerol analogue 1-oleoyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycerol (OAG) to the external membrane of quiescent patches evoked single-channel activity with a unitary conductance of about 23 pS and with similar kinetic behaviour to that of the spontaneous channel currents. In conclusion, noradrenaline and OAG activate non-selective cation channel currents in excised patches of rabbit portal vein myocytes with a unitary conductance and kinetic properties that are similar to those of spontaneous channel currents. These channels have two open states and exhibit bursting behaviour. It is suggested that these channels underlie the whole-cell currents evoked by noradrenaline and OAG.