title: Inhibition of calcineurin inhibits the desensitization of capsaicin-evoked currents in cultured dorsal root ganglion neurones from adult rats.
abstract: Capsaicin activates a non-specific cation conductance in mammalian sensory neurones. If capsaicin is applied continuously or repeatedly then there is a progressive decline in responsiveness. We have studied the mechanism of this desensitization using electrophysiological methods in cultured dorsal root ganglion neurones from adult rats. The rate of desensitization of capsaicin-induced responses is partly dependent on the extracellular calcium concentration and is slower when extracellular calcium is reduced. Desensitization is strongly inhibited by intracellular application of the calcium chelator 1,2-bis(2-aminophenoxy)ethane-N, N, N',N'-tetraacetic acid (BAPTA). These data suggest that desensitization is due to a rapid rise in intracellular calcium levels which occurs when capsaicin-sensitive ion channels are activated. Desensitization is not reduced by the non-specific protein kinase inhibitors H7 or staurosporine or by okadaic acid, a selective inhibitor of protein phosphatases 1 and 2A. Desensitization is greatly reduced by cyclosporin A complexed to cyclophilin, which is a specific inhibitor of protein phoshatase 2B (calcineurin). A mechanism for desensitization of capsaicin responsiveness is proposed whereby the evoked rise in calcium activates calcineurin leading to dephosphorylation and desensitization of the capsaicin-sensitive ion channels.
authors.affiliation: Sandoz Institute for Medical Research, 5 Gower Pl, London WC1E 6BN, UK.
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Docherty
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Yeats
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bevan
authors.forename: H W
authors.initials: HW
authors.lastname: Boddeke
mesh_terms: D019307:1-(5-Isoquinolinesulfonyl)-2-Methylpiperazine / Q000494:pharmacology; D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D019703:Calcineurin; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D002148:Calmodulin-Binding Proteins / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000502:physiology; D002211:Capsaicin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002614:Chelating Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D016572:Cyclosporine / Q000494:pharmacology; D004351:Drug Resistance; D004533:Egtazic Acid / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000494:pharmacology; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D005071:Evoked Potentials / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D005727:Ganglia, Spinal / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology*; D015640:Ion Channel Gating; D007473:Ion Channels / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D008024:Ligands; D010749:Phosphoprotein Phosphatases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000502:physiology; D010766:Phosphorylation; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors; D051381:Rats
chemical_list: D002148:Calmodulin-Binding Proteins; D002614:Chelating Agents; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D007473:Ion Channels; D008024:Ligands; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors; D004533:Egtazic Acid; D016572:Cyclosporine; D019307:1-(5-Isoquinolinesulfonyl)-2-Methylpiperazine; D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate; D019703:Calcineurin; D010749:Phosphoprotein Phosphatases; C025603:1,2-bis(2-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid; D002211:Capsaicin; D002118:Calcium