title: Role of Cav1.2 L-type Ca2+ channels in vascular tone: effects of nifedipine and Mg2+.
abstract: Ca(2+) entry via L-type voltage-gated Ca(2+) channels (LVGCs) is a key factor in generating myogenic tone (MT), as dihydropyridines (DHPs) and other LVGC blockers, including Mg(2+), markedly reduce MT. Recent reports suggest, however, that elevated external Mg(2+) concentration and DHPs may also inhibit other Ca(2+)-entry pathways. Here, we explore the contribution of LVGCs to MT in intact, pressurized mesenteric small arteries using mutant mice (DHP(R/R)) expressing functional but DHP-insensitive Ca(v)1.2 channels. In wild-type (WT), but not DHP(R/R), mouse arteries, nifedipine (0.3-1.0 microM) markedly reduced MT and vasoconstriction induced by high external K(+) concentrations ([K(+)](o)), a measure of LVGC-mediated Ca(2+) entry. Blocking MT and high [K(+)](o)-induced vasoconstriction by <1 microM nifedipine in WT but not in DHP(R/R) arteries implies that Ca(2+) entry via Ca(v)1.2 LVGCs is obligatory for MT and that nifedipine inhibits MT exclusively by blocking LVGCs. We also examined the effects of Mg(2+) on MT and LVGCs. High external Mg(2+) concentration (10 mM) blocked MT, slowed the high [K(+)](o)-induced vasoconstrictions, and decreased their amplitude in WT and DHP(R/R) arteries. To verify that these effects of Mg(2+) are due to block of LVGCs, we characterized the effects of extracellular and intracellular Mg(2+) on LVGC currents in isolated mesenteric artery myocytes. DHP-sensitive LVGC currents are inhibited by both external and internal Mg(2+). The results indicate that Mg(2+) relaxes MT by inhibiting Ca(2+) influx through LVGCs. These data provide new information about the central role of Ca(v)1.2 LVGCs in generating and maintaining MT in mouse mesenteric small arteries.
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Physiology, Univ. of Maryland School of Medicine, 655 W. Baltimore St., Baltimore, MD 21201, USA.
authors.forename: Jin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Berra-Romani
authors.forename: Martina J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Sinnegger-Brauns
authors.forename: Jõrg
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Striessnig
authors.forename: Mordecai P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Blaustein
authors.forename: Donald R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Matteson
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000008:administration & dosage; D020746:Calcium Channels, L-Type / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D015640:Ion Channel Gating / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D008274:Magnesium / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008297:Male; D008638:Mesenteric Arteries / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D009131:Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D032383:Myocytes, Cardiac / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D009543:Nifedipine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D014661:Vasoconstriction / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D020746:Calcium Channels, L-Type; C419385:L-type calcium channel alpha(1C); D008274:Magnesium; D009543:Nifedipine