title: A new type of Ca(2+) channel blocker that targets Ca(2+) sensors and prevents Ca(2+)-mediated apoptosis.
abstract: Calmodulin (CaM), as well as other Ca(2+) binding motifs (i.e., EF hands), have been demonstrated to be Ca(2+) sensors for several ion channel types, usually resulting in an inactivation in a negative feedback manner. This provides a novel target for the regulation of such channels. We have designed peptides that interact with EF hands of CaM in a specific and productive manner. Here we have examined whether these peptides block certain Ca(2+)-permeant channels and inhibit biological activity that is dependent on the influx of Ca(2+). We found that these peptides are able to enter the cell and directly, as well as indirectly (through CaM), block the activity of glutamate receptor channels in cultured neocortical neurons and a nonselective cation channel in Jurkat T cells that is activated by HIV-1 gp120. As a consequence, apoptosis mediated by an influx of Ca(2+) through these channels was also dose-dependently inhibited by these novel peptides. Thus, this new type of Ca(2+) channel blocker may have utility in controlling apoptosis due to HIV infection or neuronal loss due to ischemia.
authors.affiliation: University of Alabama at Birmingham, Department of Physiology and Biophysics, 35294, USA.
authors.forename: M K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Manion
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Su
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Villain
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Blalock
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D001693:Biological Transport, Active; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism*; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000737:chemistry / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D020013:Calcium Signaling / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D015195:Drug Design; D006801:Humans; D019169:Jurkat Cells; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D009842:Oligopeptides / Q000737:chemistry / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D017470:Receptors, Glutamate / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D009842:Oligopeptides; D017470:Receptors, Glutamate; C412708:calcium-like peptide CALP1; C412709:calcium-like peptide CALP3; D002118:Calcium