title: Characterization of voltage-sensitive calcium channels in growth plate chondrocytes.
abstract: Growth plate chondrocytes (GPCs), cells integrally involved with the process of endochondral bone formation, facilitate Ca2+ infux to provide a source of ion for processes such as Ca2+ signaling and matrix vesicle loading. We hypothesize that this Ca2+ entry into GPCs is achieved through the action of voltage-sensitive Ca2+ channels. This hypothesis was tested by measuring intracellular [Ca2+] changes in fura 2-loaded GPCs that were depolarized by challenge with a K(+)-containing medium. KCl doses between 55 and 95 mM evoked significant Ca2+ responses that were blocked by addition of extracellular EGTA. The Ca2+ response evoked by 95 mM K+ was insensitive to 100 microM doses of nifedipine or nitrendipine, ruling out L-type channel involvement. This finding was corroborated by the observation that 10 microM BAY K 8644 did not activate a Ca2+ response of its own. However, 10 microM Cd2+ significantly inhibited the 95 mM Ks(+)-evoked effects, suggesting N-type channel activity. Use of 1 microM Ni+ in an attempt to block possible T-type channel activity caused nonspecific cellular effects, precluding pharmacological assessment of a possible T-type channel activity. These data (i) provide the first direct evidence for voltage-sensitive Ca2+ channel activity in GPCs and (ii) suggest at least partial facilitation of that activity through N type channels.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, New York 14642, USA. zuscikm@cesmtp.ccf.org
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Zuscik
authors.forename: T E
authors.initials: TE
authors.lastname: Gunter
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Puzas
authors.forename: R N
authors.initials: RN
authors.lastname: Rosier
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002104:Cadmium / Q000494:pharmacology; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000494:pharmacology; D015220:Calcium Channels / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002645:Chickens; D004095:Dihydropyridines / Q000494:pharmacology; D006132:Growth Plate / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D017136:Ion Transport / Q000187:drug effects; D008564:Membrane Potentials; D011188:Potassium / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D015220:Calcium Channels; D004095:Dihydropyridines; D002104:Cadmium; C038806:1,4-dihydropyridine; D011188:Potassium; D002118:Calcium