title: L-type Ca2+ channels in fetal and adult ovine cerebral arteries.
abstract: Recently, we reported that, whereas in cerebral arteries of the adult a majority of norepinephrine (NE)-induced increase in intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) comes from release of the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+ stores, in the fetus the SR Ca2+ stores are relatively small, and NE-induced increase in [Ca2+]i results mainly from activation of plasma membrane L-type Ca2+ channels (20). In an effort to establish further the role of L-type Ca2+ channels in the developing cerebral arteries, we tested the hypothesis that, in the fetus, increased reliance on plasmalemmal L-type Ca2+ channels is mediated, in part, by increased L-type Ca2+ channel density. We used 3H-labeled (+)isopropyl-4-(2,1,3-benzoxadiazol-4-y1)-1,4-dihydro-(2,6-dimethyl-5-methoxycarbonyl)pyridine-3-carboxylate (PN200-110, isradipine) to measure L-type Ca2+ channel density (Bmax) in the cerebral arteries, common carotid artery (CCA), and descending aortae of fetal (approximately 140 gestation days), newborn (7-10 days), and adult sheep. In the cerebral and common carotid arteries, B(max) values (fmol/mg protein) of fetuses and newborns were significantly greater than those of adults. Western immunoblotting assay also revealed that the density of L-type Ca2+ channel protein in the cerebral arteries and CCA was about twofold greater in the fetus than the adult. Finally, compared with the adult, fetal cerebral arteries demonstrated a significantly greater maximum tension and [Ca2+]i in response to stimulation with the L-type Ca2+ channel agonist Bay K 8644. In addition, Bay K 8644-stimulated fetal vessels demonstrated a maximal tension and [Ca2+]i similar to that observed in response to stimulation with 10(-4) NE. These results support the idea that fetal cerebrovascular smooth muscle relies more on extracellular Ca2+ and L-type Ca2+ channels for contraction than does the adult and that this increased reliance is mediated, in part, by greater L-type Ca2+ channel density. This may have important implications in the regulation of cerebral blood flow in the developing organism.
authors.affiliation: Center for Perinatal Biology, Department of Physiology/Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, California 92350, USA.
authors.forename: Arlin B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Blood
authors.forename: Yu
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: Wen
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Long
authors.forename: Lubo
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Lawrence D
authors.initials: LD
authors.lastname: Longo
mesh_terms: D001498:3-Pyridinecarboxylic acid, 1,4-dihydro-2,6-dimethyl-5-nitro-4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)-, Methyl ester / Q000494:pharmacology; D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D001011:Aorta / Q000737:chemistry / Q000196:embryology / Q000502:physiology; D002118:Calcium / Q000097:blood; D002120:Calcium Channel Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000494:pharmacology; D020746:Calcium Channels, L-Type / Q000032:analysis*; D002536:Cerebral Arteries / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000196:embryology / Q000502:physiology; D002560:Cerebrovascular Circulation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D015151:Immunoblotting; D017275:Isradipine / Q000494:pharmacology; D009131:Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000494:pharmacology; D011869:Radioligand Assay; D012756:Sheep; D014316:Tritium; D014661:Vasoconstriction / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D014662:Vasoconstrictor Agents / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D002120:Calcium Channel Agonists; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D020746:Calcium Channels, L-Type; D014662:Vasoconstrictor Agents; D014316:Tritium; D001498:3-Pyridinecarboxylic acid, 1,4-dihydro-2,6-dimethyl-5-nitro-4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)-, Methyl ester; D002118:Calcium; D009638:Norepinephrine; D017275:Isradipine