title: Characterization of dihydropyridine-sensitive calcium channels in rat brain synaptosomes.
abstract: We examined the effects of dihydropyridine Ca2+-channel agonists on synaptosomal voltage-dependent Ca2+ entry and endogenous dopamine release. The (-) isomer of Bay K 8644 and the (+) isomer of Sandoz compound 202-791 were 100-1000 times more potent than their respective opposite enantiomers in enhancing Ca2+ uptake and dopamine release from striatal synaptosomes. The active isomer of each of these compounds increased Ca2+ entry and dopamine release to the same extent at a concentration of 1 nM. Fast-phase Ca2+ entry into synaptosomes isolated from cerebellum, cortex, and hippocampus was sensitive to nanomolar concentrations of Bay K 8644. No effect of Bay K 8644 was observed in synaptosomes isolated from brainstem. Bay K 8644 increased synaptosomal Ca2+ uptake and endogenous dopamine release from striatal synaptosomes only during the initial seconds of KCl-induced depolarization. The greatest increase was observed during the first second of depolarization. No effect was observed after greater than or equal to 5 sec of depolarization. Bay K 8644 did not alter Ca2+ uptake or dopamine release under resting conditions (5 mM KCl) or in response to KCl at greater than 15 mM. The activity of Bay K 8644 was also attenuated by lowering the concentrations of divalent cations in the incubation medium. Agonist activity was observed at Mg2+ concentrations greater than 500 microM (Ca2+ held at 100 microM) and Ca2+ concentrations greater than 100 microM (Mg2+ held at 1000 microM). These results suggest that the Ca2+ channels present in synaptosomes are sensitive to nanomolar concentrations of dihydropyridine agonists under a narrow range of experimental conditions.
authors: Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of Texas, Austin 78712.
authors: J J
authors: JJ
authors: Woodward
authors: M E
authors: ME
authors: Cook
authors: S W
authors: SW
authors: Leslie
mesh_terms: D001498:3-Pyridinecarboxylic acid, 1,4-dihydro-2,6-dimethyl-5-nitro-4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)-, Methyl ester / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism; D002118:Calcium / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D002499:Centrifugation, Density Gradient; D004095:Dihydropyridines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004298:Dopamine / Q000378:metabolism; D007473:Ion Channels / Q000187:drug effects*; D011189:Potassium Chloride / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D013574:Synaptosomes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D004095:Dihydropyridines; D007473:Ion Channels; D011189:Potassium Chloride; D001498:3-Pyridinecarboxylic acid, 1,4-dihydro-2,6-dimethyl-5-nitro-4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)-, Methyl ester; D002118:Calcium; D004298:Dopamine