title: Ni2+ block of CaV3.1 (alpha1G) T-type calcium channels.
abstract: Ni(2+) inhibits current through calcium channels, in part by blocking the pore, but Ni(2+) may also allosterically affect channel activity via sites outside the permeation pathway. As a test for pore blockade, we examined whether the effect of Ni(2+) on Ca(V)3.1 is affected by permeant ions. We find two components to block by Ni(2+), a rapid block with little voltage dependence, and a slow block most visible as accelerated tail currents. Rapid block is weaker for outward vs. inward currents (apparent K(d) = 3 vs. 1 mM Ni(2+), with 2 mM Ca(2+) or Ba(2+)) and is reduced at high permeant ion concentration (110 vs. 2 mM Ca(2+) or Ba(2+)). Slow block depends both on the concentration and on the identity of the permeant ion (Ca(2+) vs. Ba(2+) vs. Na(+)). Slow block is 2-3x faster in Ba(2+) than in Ca(2+) (2 or 110 mM), and is approximately 10x faster with 2 vs. 110 mM Ca(2+) or Ba(2+). Slow block is orders of magnitude slower than the diffusion limit, except in the nominal absence of divalent cations ( approximately 3 muM Ca(2+)). We conclude that both fast and slow block of Ca(V)3.1 by Ni(2+) are most consistent with occlusion of the pore. The exit rate of Ni(2+) for slow block is reduced at high Ni(2+) concentrations, suggesting that the site responsible for fast block can "lock in" slow block by Ni(2+), at a site located deeper within the pore. In contrast to the complex pore block observed for Ca(V)3.1, inhibition of Ca(V)3.2 by Ni(2+) was essentially independent of voltage, and was similar in 2 mM Ca(2+) vs. Ba(2+), consistent with inhibition by a different mechanism, at a site outside the pore.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA.
authors.forename: Carlos A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Obejero-Paz
authors.forename: I Patrick
authors.initials: IP
authors.lastname: Gray
authors.forename: Stephen W
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Jones
mesh_terms: D001464:Barium / Q000494:pharmacology; D002118:Calcium / Q000494:pharmacology; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000494:pharmacology*; D020747:Calcium Channels, T-Type / Q000378:metabolism*; D002460:Cell Line; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D015640:Ion Channel Gating; D008564:Membrane Potentials / Q000187:drug effects; D009532:Nickel / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: C121855:CACNA1G protein, human; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D020747:Calcium Channels, T-Type; D001464:Barium; D009532:Nickel; D002118:Calcium