title: Ca-channel currents in isolated frog ventricular cells are increased by thrombin.
abstract: Effects of the proteolytic enzyme thrombin in the modulation of cardiac Ca-channel currents were examined in single ventricular cells from frog myocardium, using the whole-cell voltage clamp technique (1). Application of 3.8 . 10(-9) M thrombin to the bath increased the peak of the Ca-channel current by 84 +/- 35% (8 cells). Hirudin (31.10(-9)M), a specific thrombin inhibitor, blocked the thrombin-induced increase of this current. The increase in the current can be made responsible for the measured positive inotropic effects on frog heart of thrombin.
authors.affiliation: Julius Bernstein Institute of Physiology, Martin Luther University, Halle, GDR.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Albitz
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Markwardt
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Franke
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Nilius
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015220:Calcium Channels / Q000187:drug effects*; D006352:Heart Ventricles; D006629:Hirudins / Q000494:pharmacology; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D009206:Myocardium / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D011893:Rana esculenta; D013917:Thrombin / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D015220:Calcium Channels; D006629:Hirudins; D013917:Thrombin