title: I(ARC), a novel arachidonate-regulated, noncapacitative Ca(2+) entry channel.
abstract: Along with the inositol trisphosphate-induced release of stored Ca(2+), a receptor-enhanced entry of Ca(2+) is a critical component of intracellular Ca(2+) signals generated by agonists acting at receptors coupled to the activation of phospholipase C. Although the simple emptying of the intracellular Ca(2+) stores is known to be capable of activating Ca(2+) entry via the so-called "capacitative" mechanism, recent evidence suggests that Ca(2+) entry at physiological agonist concentrations, where oscillatory Ca(2+) signals are typically observed, does not conform to such a model. Instead, a noncapacitative Ca(2+) entry pathway regulated by arachidonic acid appears to be responsible for Ca(2+) entry under these conditions. Using whole-cell patch clamp techniques we demonstrate that low concentrations of arachidonic acid activate a Ca(2+)-selective current that is superficially similar to the store-operated current I(CRAC), but which also demonstrates certain distinct features. We have named this novel current I(ARC) (for arachidonate-regulated calcium current). Importantly, I(ARC) can be readily activated in cells whose Ca(2+) stores have been maximally depleted. I(ARC) represents a novel Ca(2+) entry pathway that is entirely separate from those activated by store depletion and is specifically activated at physiological levels of stimulation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York 14642, USA.
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Mignen
authors.forename: T J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Shuttleworth
mesh_terms: D016718:Arachidonic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism*; D002120:Calcium Channel Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015220:Calcium Channels / Q000378:metabolism*; D002460:Cell Line; D006801:Humans; D017136:Ion Transport; D008564:Membrane Potentials
chemical_list: D002120:Calcium Channel Agonists; D015220:Calcium Channels; D016718:Arachidonic Acid; D002118:Calcium