title: R-type calcium channel involved in endothelin-1-induced contraction of rabbit aorta.
abstract: The mechanism of Ca2+ mobilization induced by endothelin-1 (ET-1) and the receptor subtype responsible for this effect were examined in the rabbit aorta. We have used preparations with intact and denuded endothelium. Experiments were designed to measure both Fura-2-[Ca]i fluorescence and contractile tension simultaneously. In both preparations, ET-1 (10(-10) to 10(-7) M) induced contractions and increases of the fluorescence ratio in a concentration-dependent manner. ET-1-induced contractions and elevations of [Ca]i were blocked by the dual L- and R-type calcium-channel blocker (-)PN200 110 (10(-6) M), whereas nifedipine (10(-6) M) affected only the latter parameter. BQ-123, a selective ET(A) receptor antagonist, almost totally blocked the ET-1-induced contraction and elevation of [Ca]i. Our results illustrate the activation of the R-type calcium channel by ET-1 on the smooth muscle and on the endothelium rabbit aorta. This effect of ET-1 on the R-type calcium channel is mediated by ET(A) and ETB receptor stimulation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada.
authors.forename: M T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Benchekroun
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Gros-Louis
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bkaily
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: D'Orleans-Juste
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001013:Aorta, Thoracic / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D015220:Calcium Channels / Q000502:physiology*; D016232:Endothelins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D017275:Isradipine / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D009543:Nifedipine / Q000494:pharmacology; D011817:Rabbits; D017466:Receptors, Endothelin / Q000502:physiology; D014661:Vasoconstriction / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D015220:Calcium Channels; D016232:Endothelins; D017466:Receptors, Endothelin; D009543:Nifedipine; D017275:Isradipine