Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UNIPROT:P06889 (Mol)
 630,302 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

In the corpora allata (CA) of the adult male loreyi leafworm, Mythimna loreyi, juvenile hormone acid (JHA) biosynthesis and release show a dose dependence on extracellular Ca(2+) concentration. Maxima are obtained with Ca(2+) concentrations of 2-10 mM, and synthesis and release are significantly inhibited under a Ca(2+)-free condition. The Ca(2+)-free inhibition of JHA release can be reversed by returning the glands to medium at 5 mM Ca(2+). The cytosolic free Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+)](i)), which was measured with fura-2, in individual CA cells also shows a dose dependence on extracellular Ca(2+) concentration, with significant [Ca(2+)](i) depression being observed in the absence of extracellular Ca(2+). High K(+) significantly increases the JHA release and causes a transient [Ca(2+)](i) increase within seconds in CA cells. High-K(+)-stimulated JHA release is partially inhibited by the benzothiazepine (BTZ)-, dihydropyridine (DHP)- and phenylalkylamine (PAA)-sensitive L-type voltage-dependent calcium channel (VDCC) antagonists diltiazem, nifedipine and verapamil, respectively; by the N- and P/Q-type VDCC antagonist omega-conotoxin (omega-CgTx) MVIIC; and by the T-type VDCC antagonist amiloride. The N-type antagonist omega-CgTx GVIA is the most potent in inhibiting the high-K(+)-stimulated JHA release. No inhibitory effect is shown by the P-type antagonist omega-agatoxin TK (omega-Aga TK). The high-K(+)-induced transient [Ca(2+)](i) increase is largely inhibited by the L-type antagonists (diltiazem, nifedipine, verapamil), by the N- and P/Q-type antagonist omega-CgTx MVIIC and by the T-type antagonist amiloride, and is totally inhibited by the N-type antagonist omega-CgTx GVIA. No inhibitory effect is shown by the P-type antagonist omega-Aga TK. We hypothesize that L-type, N-type and T-type VDCCs may be involved to different degrees in the high-K(+)-stimulated JHA release and transient [Ca(2+)](i) increase in the individual CA cells of the adult male M. loreyi, and that the N-type VDCCs may play important roles in these cellular events.
Insect Biochem Mol Biol 2002 May
PMID:Voltage-dependent calcium channels in the corpora allata of the adult male loreyi leafworm, Mythimna loreyi. 1189 Nov 31

KP4 is a virally encoded fungal toxin secreted by the P4 killer strain of Ustilago maydis. Previous studies demonstrated that this toxin inhibits growth of the target fungal cells by blocking calcium uptake rather than forming channels, as had been suggested previously. Unexpectedly, this toxin was also shown to inhibit voltage-gated calcium channel activity in mammalian cells. We used whole-cell patch-clamp techniques to further characterize this activity against mammalian cells. KP4 is shown to specifically block L-type calcium channels with weak voltage dependence to the block. Because KP4 activity is abrogated by calcium, KP4 probably binds competitively with calcium to the channel exterior. Finally, it is shown that chemical reagents that modify lysine residues reduce KP4 activity in both patch-clamp experiments on mammalian cells and in fungal killing assays. Because the only lysine residue is K42, this residue seems to be crucial for both mammalian and fungal channel activity. Our results defining the type of mammalian channel affected by this fungal toxin further support our contention that KP4 inhibits fungal growth by blocking transmembrane calcium flux through fungal calcium channels, and imply a high degree of structural homology between these fungal and mammalian calcium channels.
Mol Pharmacol 2002 Apr
PMID:The virally encoded fungal toxin KP4 specifically blocks L-type voltage-gated calcium channels. 1190 Dec 34

The expression of the N-type voltage-gated calcium channel alpha1B gene is restricted to neurons by a 5'-upstream region (-3992 to -1788) that contains negative regulatory element(s) that are active in non-neuronal cells. A 39 bp DNA element, which is repeated nine times in a head-to-tail fashion, was found within the same region. To examine whether this direct repeat (DR) may function as a negatively acting cis-regulatory element, several fusion plasmids, DR-110alpha1BLUC (1X), DR-SV40LUC (IX, 2X), in which one or two copies of the DR fragment were subcloned upstream of the homologous and heterologous promoters, were transiently transfected into HeLa and NS20Y cells. The promoter activity of DR-110alpha1BLUC (1X) decreased to approximately 17% of the 110alph(a1B)LUC construct in HeLa cells. The expression of the DR-SV40LUC (1X) and DR-SV40LUC (2X) plasmids was also reduced to 50 to 23% of the levels that were observed in the pGL2-Promoter in the same cells. However, no repression of the DR constructs was observed in NS20Y cells. An electrophoretic mobility shift assay showed that two DR-specific complexes were detected in HeLa cells, but not in NS20Y cells. In addition, Southwestern blotting revealed the presence of approximately 33 and 43 kDa proteins in HeLa cells. Overall, these results suggest that a 39 bp DNA element might act as repressor in non-neuron cells through the specific interactions of the DNA-proteins.
Mol Cells 2002 Apr 30
PMID:A direct repeat of N-type Ca2+ channel alpha1B gene functions as a negative regulatory element in HeLa cells. 1201 59

Short-term ethanol challenge results in the reduction of peptide hormone release from the rat neurohypophysis. However, rats that have been maintained on an ethanol-containing diet for 3 to 4 weeks exhibit tolerance to this effect. Mechanistic underpinnings of this tolerance were probed by examining four ion channel conductances critical for neurohormone release. The voltage-gated L-type calcium channel and the functionally linked calcium-activated BK channel represent a functional dyad. Although these channels show opposite drug responses in the naive terminal (i.e., the L-type Ca2+ channel is inhibited whereas the BK channel is potentiated), the effect of long-term alcohol exposure is to decrease sensitivity to the short-term administration of drug in both instances. In addition to the shift in sensitivity, current density increased for the L-type Ca2+ current and decreased for the BK current, consistent with a compensatory change. Sensitivity to alcohol was also altered for two other channel types studied. Inhibition of the voltage-gated transient Ca2+ current was lessened after long-term treatment. I(A,) which is not sensitive to the drug at clinically relevant concentrations in terminals from the naive rat, acquires sensitivity after long-term exposure, representing a potentially novel type of tolerance. However, neither the transient Ca2+ current nor I(A) shows a change in current density, demonstrating the selectivity of this aspect of tolerance. Overall, these results demonstrate that channel plasticity can explain at least a portion of the behavioral tolerance resulting from changes in sensitivity of peptide hormone release. Furthermore, they suggest that an understanding of tolerance requires the examination of dynamically coupled channel populations.
Mol Pharmacol 2002 Jul
PMID:Integrated channel plasticity contributes to alcohol tolerance in neurohypophysial terminals. 1206 64

Equinatoxin II (EqT II) is a basic, cardiotoxic polypeptide. The vasoconstrictory effect of the toxin on isolated porcine coronary arteries was diminished by nicardipine, an L-type calcium channel antagonist. A comparison was made of the effects of EqT II alone and EqT II in the presence of nicardipine on the coronary flow in porcine and rat hearts isolated according to Langendorff's method. In both models EqT II decreased coronary flow in a dose-dependent manner and there were no statistically significant differences between the two models (p>0.05). However, 1 M nicardipine diminished the effects of EqT II on coronary flow in isolated porcine hearts more than in isolated rat hearts (p<0.05). The results suggest that the activation of L-type calcium channels is one of the mechanisms involved in the lowering of coronary flow induced by EqT II.
Cell Mol Biol Lett 2002
PMID:Nicardipine diminished equinatoxin II-induced decrease of coronary flow in isolated rat and pig hearts. 1209 84

The voltage-gated calcium channel is composed of a pore-forming alpha(1) subunit and several regulatory subunits: alpha(2)delta, beta, and gamma. We report here the identification of a novel alpha(2)delta subunit, alpha(2)delta-4, from the expressed sequence tag database followed by its cloning and characterization. The novel alpha(2)delta-4 subunit gene contains 39 exons spanning about 130 kilobases and is co-localized with the CHCNA1C gene (alpha(1C) subunit) on human chromosome 12p13.3. Alternative splicing of the alpha(2)delta-4 gene gives rise to four potential variants, a through d. The open reading frame of human alpha(2)delta-4a is composed of 3363 base pairs encoding a protein with 1120 residues and a calculated molecular mass of 126 kDa. The alpha(2)delta-4a subunit shares 30, 32, and 61% identity with the human calcium channel alpha(2)delta-1, alpha(2)delta-2, and alpha(2)delta-3 subunits, respectively. Primary sequence comparison suggests that alpha(2)delta-4 lacks the gabapentin binding motifs characterized for alpha(2)delta-1 and alpha(2)delta-2; this was confirmed by a [(3)H]gabapentin-binding assay. In human embryonic kidney 293 cells, the alpha(2)delta-4 subunit associated with Ca(V)1.2 and beta(3) subunits and significantly increased Ca(V)1.2/beta(3)-mediated Ca(2+) influx. Immunohistochemical study revealed that the alpha(2)delta-4 subunit has limited distribution in special cell types of the pituitary, adrenal gland, colon, and fetal liver. Whether the alpha(2)delta-4 subunit plays a distinct physiological role in select endocrine tissues remains to be demonstrated.
Mol Pharmacol 2002 Sep
PMID:Molecular cloning and characterization of the human voltage-gated calcium channel alpha(2)delta-4 subunit. 1218 24

The G protein specificity of multiple signaling pathways of the dopamine-D2S (short form) receptor was investigated in GH4ZR7 lactotroph cells. Activation of the dopamine-D2S receptor inhibited forskolin-induced cAMP production, reduced BayK8644- activated calcium influx, and blocked TRH-mediated p42/p44 MAPK phosphorylation. These actions were blocked by pretreatment with pertussis toxin (PTX), indicating mediation by G(i/o) proteins. D2S stimulation also decreased TRH-induced MAPK/ERK kinase phosphorylation. TRH induced c-Raf but not B-Raf activation, and the D2S receptor inhibited both TRH-induced c-Raf and basal B-Raf kinase activity. After PTX treatment, D2S receptor signaling was rescued in cells stably transfected with individual PTX-insensitive Galpha mutants. Inhibition of adenylyl cyclase was partly rescued by Galpha(i)2 or Galpha(i)3, but Galpha(o) alone completely reconstituted D2S-mediated inhibition of BayK8644-induced L-type calcium channel activation. Galpha(o) and Galpha(i)3 were the main components involved in D2S-mediated p42/44 MAPK inhibition. In cells transfected with the carboxyl-terminal domain of G protein receptor kinase to inhibit Gbetagamma signaling, only D2S-mediated inhibition of calcium influx was blocked, but not inhibition of adenylyl cyclase or MAPK. These results indicate that the dopamine-D2S receptor couples to distinct G(i/o) proteins, depending on the pathway addressed, and suggest a novel Galpha(i)3/Galpha(o)-dependent inhibition of MAPK mediated by c-Raf and B-Raf-dependent inhibition of MAPK/ERK kinase.
Mol Endocrinol 2002 Oct
PMID:Dopamine-D2S receptor inhibition of calcium influx, adenylyl cyclase, and mitogen-activated protein kinase in pituitary cells: distinct Galpha and Gbetagamma requirements. 1235 3

Calcium currents through the L-type voltage-sensitive calcium channel (L-VSCC) are increased in neurons of area CA1 of the hippocampus in aged rats and rabbits. Furthermore, increases in mRNA for the pore forming subunit alpha(1D) (Ca(v)1.3) have been observed in the hippocampus of aged rats. We have studied the protein expression of the two pore forming subunits, alpha(1C) (Ca(v)1.2) and alpha(1D), of L-VSCCs in the hippocampus of young and aged rats. Here we report selective age-related changes in expression of alpha(1D) in the hippocampus. Specifically, we find that alpha(1D) protein is increased in area CA1 of aged rats while it is decreased in area CA3. Our data suggest that the altered calcium currents seen in aged animals may be due, at least in part, to alterations in the expression of the alpha(1D) subunit of the L-type calcium channel. These findings contribute to our understanding of the mechanisms responsible for changes in calcium homeostasis during aging.
Brain Res Mol Brain Res 2002 Nov 15
PMID:Regionally selective alterations in expression of the alpha(1D) subunit (Ca(v)1.3) of L-type calcium channels in the hippocampus of aged rats. 1242 41

1. We have previously reported that atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) decreases neuronal norepinephrine (NE) release. The mechanism that mediates NE release from presynaptic membrane to synaptic cleft is a strongly calcium-dependent process. The modulator effect of ANF may be related to modifications in calcium influx at the presynaptic nerve ending by interaction with voltage-operated calcium channels (VOCCs). 2. On this basis we investigated the effects of ANF on K+-induced 45Ca2+ uptake and evoked neuronal NE release in the presence of specific L-, N-, and P/Q-type calcium channel blockers in the rat hypothalamus. 3. Results showed that ANF inhibited K+-induced 45Ca2+ uptake in a concentration-dependent fashion. Concentration-response curves to VOCC blockers nifedipine (NFD, L-type channel blocker), omega-conotoxin GVIA (CTX, N-type channel blocker), and omega-agatoxin IVA (AGA, P/Q-type channel blocker) showed that all the blockers decreased NE release. Incubation of ANF plus NFD showed an additive effect as compared to NFD or ANF alone. However, when the hypothalamic tissue was incubated in the presence of ANF plus CTX or AGA there were no differences in neuronal NE release as compared to calcium channel blockers or ANF alone. 4. These results suggest that ANF decreases NE release by an L-type calcium channel independent mechanism by inhibiting N- and/or P/Q-type calcium channels at the neuronal presynaptic level. Thus, ANF modulates neuronal NE release through different mechanisms involving presynaptic calcium channel inhibition.
Cell Mol Neurobiol 2002 Dec
PMID:Atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) effects on L-, N-, and P/Q-type voltage-operated calcium channels. 1258 94

To test the hypothesis that mutated beta2-subunits of the L-type calcium channel could serve as a decoy and interdict calcium channel trafficking and function, we engineered a beta2 subunit that contained the beta interaction domain for alpha1c subunit interaction, but lacked N- and C-terminal domains that might be essential for sarcolemmal localization. An adenoviral vector was constructed containing the gene for the beta-interaction domain (BID) fused to green fluorescence protein (GFP), using a vector containing only GFP as control. Freshly plated, dissociated adult rat myocytes were infected and expression and function were assessed at 60 h. Fluorescence microscopy confirmed GFP expression; immunoblot analysis confirmed dose-dependent GFP-BID expression. Mechanical properties of adult rat ventricular myocytes were evaluated using a video edge-detection system. Contractility analysis (optical/video, field stimulation) demonstrated that contracting cells decreased from 60 to 2%. Contractile amplitude (percent shortening) decreases significantly from 5.6 vs. 2.4% with no change in time to peak twitch. Recombinant adenovirus overexpressing mutated beta2 subunits in adult mammalian myocytes can markedly alter excitation-contraction coupling. This paradigm may offer new approaches to understanding and modulating EC coupling.
Mol Cell Biochem 2003 Jan
PMID:Decoy calcium channel beta subunits modulate contractile function in myocytes. 1261 59


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