Enhancement by muscarinic agonists of a high voltage-activated Ca2+ current via phosphorylation in a snail neuron

Involvement of protein kinase C and IP3-mediated Ca2+ release in activity modulation by paraoxon in snail neurons

We have previously reported that paraoxon, an organophosphate compound, at submicromolar concentrations effectively suppresses Ca2+ action potentials and modulates the activity of snail neurons. This effect was unrelated to acetylcholinesterase inhibition but was found to involve the direct or indirect modulation of ion channels [Vatanparast, J., Janahmadi, M., Asgari, A.R., Sepehri, H., Haeri-Rohani, A., 2006a. Paraoxon suppresses Ca2+ action potential and afterhyperpolarization in snail neurons: Relevance to the hyperexcitability induction. Brain Res. 1083 (1), 110-117]. In the present work, the interaction of paraoxon with protein kinase C (PKC) and inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3)-mediated Ca2+ release, on the modulation of Ca2+ action potentials and neuronal activity was investigated. Phorbol 12, 13 dibutyrate (PdBu), the activator of PKC, suppressed afterhyperpolarization and increased the activity of snail neurons without any significant effect on the Ca2+ action potential duration. Pretreatment with PKC activator attenuated the suppressing effect of paraoxon on the duration of Ca2+ action potentials. Staurosporine, a selective blocker of PKC, did not block the effect of paraoxon on Ca2+ action potential suppression and hyperexcitability induction. Our findings did not support the involvement PKC in the paraoxon induced Ca2+ action potential suppression and neuronal activity modulation, although activation of this protein kinase could attenuate some effects of paraoxon. Pretreatment with 8-(N,N-diethylamino)octyl-3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoate hydrochloride (TMB-8), an antagonist of IP3-mediated Ca2+ release, abolished the secondary silencing effect of paraoxon, which is observed after primary paraoxon-induced hyperexcitability. It was concluded that slow activation of intracellular cascades by paraoxon could induce an IP3 mediated Ca2+ release from intracellular stores and participate to its secondary silencing effect by mechanisms dependent on intracellular calcium homeostasis.

A protein phosphatase is involved in the cholinergic suppression of the Ca(2+)-activated K(+) current sI(AHP) in hippocampal pyramidal neurons

The slow calcium-activated potassium current sI(AHP) underlies spike-frequency adaptation and has a substantial impact on the excitability of hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons. Among other neuromodulatory substances, sI(AHP) is modulated by acetylcholine acting via muscarinic receptors. The second-messenger systems mediating the suppression of sI(AHP) by muscarinic agonists are largely unknown. Both protein kinase C and A do not seem to be involved, whereas calcium calmodulin kinase II has been shown to take part in the muscarinic action on sI(AHP). We re-examined the mechanism of action of muscarinic agonists on sI(AHP) combining whole-cell recordings with the use of specific inhibitors or activators of putative constituents of the muscarinic pathway. Our results suggest that activation of muscarinic receptors reduces sI(AHP) in a G-protein-mediated and phospholipase C-independent manner. Furthermore, we obtained evidence for the involvement of the cGMP-cGK pathway and of a protein phosphatase in the cholinergic suppression of sI(AHP), whereas release of Ca(2+) from IP(3)-sensitive stores seems to be relevant neither for maintenance nor for modulation of sI(AHP).

Effects of serine/threonine protein phosphatases on ion channels in excitable membranes

This review deals with the influence of serine/threonine-specific protein phosphatases on the function of ion channels in the plasma membrane of excitable tissues. Particular focus is given to developments of the past decade. Most of the electrophysiological experiments have been performed with protein phosphatase inhibitors. Therefore, a synopsis is required incorporating issues from biochemistry, pharmacology, and electrophysiology. First, we summarize the structural and biochemical properties of protein phosphatase (types 1, 2A, 2B, 2C, and 3-7) catalytic subunits and their regulatory subunits. Then the available pharmacological tools (protein inhibitors, nonprotein inhibitors, and activators) are introduced. The use of these inhibitors is discussed based on their biochemical selectivity and a number of methodological caveats. The next section reviews the effects of these tools on various classes of ion channels (i.e., voltage-gated Ca(2+) and Na(+) channels, various K(+) channels, ligand-gated channels, and anion channels). We delineate in which cases a direct interaction between a protein phosphatase and a given channel has been proven and where a more complex regulation is likely involved. Finally, we present ideas for future research and possible pathophysiological implications.

Neurotoxic and synaptic effects of okadaic acid, an inhibitor of protein phosphatases

Protein phosphorylation and dephosphorylation reactions, catalyzed by kinases and phosphatases, are involved in the regulation of a wide variety of physiological processes. In the nervous system, such reactions seem to modulate the function of several proteins crucial in synaptic transmission, including voltage-gated and ligand-gated channels, neurotransmitter release, and neurotransmitter transporters. On the other hand, hyperphosphorylation of certain cytoskeletal proteins or receptors may lead to neuronal death. In the present work we review the neurotoxic effect of okadaic acid (OKA), a potent and specific inhibitor of the serine/threonine protein phosphatases 1 and 2A, as well as its action on synaptic function. We analyze recent findings demonstrating that the microinjection of OKA in rat hippocampus induces neuronal stress, hyperexcitation and neurodegeneration, and discuss their possible relationships to alterations of protein phosphorylation-dephosphorylation observed in Alzheimer's disease brain. These results suggest that protein hyperphosphorylation due to inhibition of phosphatases in vivo induces neuronal stress and subsequent neurodegeneration.

Voltage- and calcium-dependent inactivation of calcium channels in Lymnaea neurons

Ca(2+) channel inactivation in the neurons of the freshwater snail, Lymnaea stagnalis, was studied using patch-clamp techniques. In the presence of a high concentration of intracellular Ca(2+) buffer (5 mM EGTA), the inactivation of these Ca(2+) channels is entirely voltage dependent; it is not influenced by the identity of the permeant divalent ions or the amount of extracellular Ca(2+) influx, or reduced by higher levels of intracellular Ca(2+) buffering. Inactivation measured under these conditions, despite being independent of Ca(2+) influx, has a bell-shaped voltage dependence, which has often been considered a hallmark of Ca(2+)-dependent inactivation. Ca(2+)-dependent inactivation does occur in Lymnaea neurons, when the concentration of the intracellular Ca(2+) buffer is lowered to 0.1 mM EGTA. However, the magnitude of Ca(2+)-dependent inactivation does not increase linearly with Ca(2+) influx, but saturates for relatively small amounts of Ca(2+) influx. Recovery from inactivation at negative potentials is biexponential and has the same time constants in the presence of different intracellular concentrations of EGTA. However, the amplitude of the slow component is selectively enhanced by a decrease in intracellular EGTA, thus slowing the overall rate of recovery. The ability of 5 mM EGTA to completely suppress Ca(2+)-dependent inactivation suggests that the Ca(2+) binding site is at some distance from the channel protein itself. No evidence was found of a role for serine/threonine phosphorylation in Ca(2+) channel inactivation. Cytochalasin B, a microfilament disrupter, was found to greatly enhance the amount of Ca(2+) channel inactivation, but the involvement of actin filaments in this effect of cytochalasin B on Ca(2+) channel inactivation could not be verified using other pharmacological compounds. Thus, the mechanism of Ca(2+)-dependent inactivation in these neurons remains unknown, but appears to differ from those proposed for mammalian L-type Ca(2+) channels.

Modulation of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor activity in submucous neurons by intracellular messengers

The effects on acetylcholine-induced membrane currents (ACh currents), produced by agents known to modify the activity of intracellular messengers, were studied in the neurons of the guinea-pig ileum submucous plexus (SMP) using a whole-cell patch clamp recording method. The ACh currents were not affected by forskolin, the adenylate cyclase activator, regardless of whether or not ATP and GTP were present in the intracellular solution, and by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate, the protein kinase C activator. The ACh currents were strongly suppressed by thapsigargin, the microsomal calcium ATPase inhibitor, and genistein, the tyrosine protein kinase inhibitor. They were also suppressed by 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine, the cyclic-AMP phosphodiesterase inhibitor, regardless of the presence of forskolin in the extracellular solution and ATP and GTP in the intracellular solution. In addition, the currents were suppressed by activation of P2 purinoceptors with ATP, which could not be explained by a direct effect of ATP on nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs). Reactive blue 2, the P2y purinoceptor antagonist, did not abolish inhibition of the ACh current by ATP. Alpha,beta-Imido-ATP and adenosine caused no membrane current responses and did not influence the ACh currents. These results suggest that the activity of the nAChRs in the SMP neurons is strongly suppressed by raised intracellular Ca2+ level, without involvement of protein kinases A and C, and may involve the participation of tyrosine kinase. The activity of nAChRs is also influenced by the activity of P2 purinoceptors; the mechanisms responsible for this influence are not yet clear. So, the activity of the SMP neuronal nAChRs is relatively independent on the intracellular signaling known to influence many other groups of transmitter-gated receptors of neuronal membrane.

Trifluoperazine enhancement of Ca2+-dependent inactivation of L-type Ca2+ currents in Helix aspersa neurons

The effects of trifluoperazine hydrochloride (TFP), a calmodulin antagonist, on L-type Ca2+ currents (L-type ICa2+) and their Ca(2+)-dependent inactivation, were studied in identified Helix aspersa neurons, using two microelectrode voltage clamp. Changes in [Ca2+]i were measured in unclamped fura-2 loaded neurons. Bath applied TFP produced a reversible and dose-dependent reduction in amplitude of L-type ICa2+ (IC50 = 28 microM). Using a double-pulse protocol, we found that TFP enhances the efficacy of Ca(2+)-dependent inactivation of L-type ICa2+. Trifluoperazine sulfoxide (50 microM), a TFP derivative with low calmodulin-antagonist activity, did not have any effects on either amplitude or inactivation of L-type ICa2+. TFP (20 microM) increased basal [Ca2+]i from 147 +/- 37 nM to 650 +/- 40 nM (N = 7). The increase in [Ca2+]i was prevented by removal of external Ca2+ and curtailed by depletion of caffeine-sensitive intracellular Ca2+ stores. Since TFP may also block protein kinase C (PKC), we tested the effect of a PKC activator (12-C-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate) on L-type Ca2+ currents. This compound produced an increase in L-type ICa2+ without enhancing Ca(2+)-dependent inactivation. The results show that 1) TFP reduces L-type ICa2+ while enhancing the efficacy of Ca(2+)-dependent inactivation. 2) TFP produces an increase in basal [Ca2+]i which may contribute to the enhancement of Ca(2+)-dependent inactivation. 3) PKC up-regulates L-type ICa2+ without altering the efficacy of Ca(2+)-dependent inactivation. 4) The TFP effects cannot be attributed to its action as PKC blocker.

Voltage gated calcium channels in molluscs: classification, Ca2+ dependent inactivation, modulation and functional roles

Molluscan neurons and muscle cells express transient (T-type like) and sustained LVA calcium channels, as well as transient and sustained HVA channels. In addition weakly voltage sensitive calcium channels are observed. In a number of cases toxin or dihydropyridine sensitivity justifies classification of the HVA currents in L, N or P-type categories. In many cases, however, pharmacological characterization is still preliminary. Characterization of novel toxins from molluscivorous Conus snails may facilitate classification of molluscan calcium channels. Molluscan preparations have been very useful to study calcium dependent inactivation of calcium channels. Proposed mechanisms explain calcium dependent inactivation through direct interaction of Ca2+ with the channel, through dephosphorylation by calcium dependent phosphatases or through calcium dependent disruption of connections with the cytoskeleton. Transmitter modulation operating through various second messenger mediated pathways is well documented. In general, phosphorylation through PKA, cGMP dependent PK or PKC facilitates the calcium channels, while putative direct G-protein action inhibits the channels. Ca2+ and cGMP may inhibit the channels through activation of phosphodiesterases or phosphatases. Detailed evidence has been provided on the role of sustained LVA channels in pacemaking and the generation of firing patterns, and on the role of HVA channels in the dynamic changes in action potentials during spiking, the regulation of the release of transmitters and hormones, and the regulation of growth cone behavior and neurite outgrowth. The accessibility of molluscan preparations (e.g. the squid giant synapse for excitation release studies, Helisoma B5 neuron for neurite and synapse formation) and the large body of knowledge on electrophysiological properties and functional connections of identified molluscan neurons (e.g. sensory neurons, R15, egg laying hormone producing cells, etc.) creates valuable opportunities to increase the insight into the functional roles of calcium channels.