title: Alpha 1D L-type Ca(2+)-channel currents: inhibition by a beta-adrenergic agonist and pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) in rat pinealocytes.
abstract: In this study the subunits of the dihydropyridine-sensitive L-type Ca2+ channels (L-channels) expressed in rat pinealocytes were characterized using reverse transcription (RT)-PCR analysis, and the modulation of these channels by adrenergic agonists and by pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) was studied using the patch-clamp technique. RT-PCR analysis showed that rat pinealocytes expressed alpha 1D, alpha 2b, beta 2, and beta 4 Ca(2+)-channel subunit mRNAs. Other alpha 1 subunit transcripts were either not expressed or present at very low levels, indicating that the pinealocytes express predominantly alpha 1D L-channels. Electrophysiological studies confirmed that the pineal expressed a single population of L-channels. The L-channel currents were inhibited by two agonists that elevate cyclic AMP: the beta-adrenergic agonist isoproterenol and PACAP. Similar inhibition was observed with a cyclic AMP analogue, 8-bromo-cyclic AMP. The presence of a cyclic AMP antagonist, Rp-adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphorothioate, blocked the inhibition by isoproterenol and PACAP. Norepinephrine, a mixed alpha- and beta-adrenergic agonist, also inhibited the L-channel currents, but the inhibition was smaller. The smaller inhibition by norepinephrine was secondary to the simultaneous activation of alpha- and beta-adrenergic receptors. These results indicate that (a) pinealocytes express predominantly alpha 1D L-channels, and (b) the beta-adrenergic agonist isoproterenol and PACAP inhibit the L-channel currents through elevation of cyclic AMP. However, an alpha-adrenergic-mediated mechanism also appears to be involved in the effect of norepinephrine on the L-channel currents.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada.
authors.forename: C L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Chik
authors.forename: Q Y
authors.initials: QY
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: D C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Klein
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zylka
authors.forename: D S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Chin
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Karpinski
authors.forename: A K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Ho
mesh_terms: D015124:8-Bromo Cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate / Q000494:pharmacology; D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015220:Calcium Channels / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D000242:Cyclic AMP / Q000502:physiology; D004553:Electric Conductivity; D004594:Electrophysiology; D007545:Isoproterenol / Q000494:pharmacology; D009479:Neuropeptides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000494:pharmacology; D010870:Pineal Gland / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D051219:Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Polypeptide; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
chemical_list: C495403:Adcyap1 protein, rat; D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D015220:Calcium Channels; D009479:Neuropeptides; D051219:Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Polypeptide; D015124:8-Bromo Cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate; D000242:Cyclic AMP; D007545:Isoproterenol; D009638:Norepinephrine