Augmentation of cardiac calcium current by flash photolysis of intracellular caged-Ca2+ molecules (original) (raw)

Nature volume 341, pages 65–68 (1989)Cite this article

Abstract

THE entry of calcium ions into cells through voltage-activated Ca2+ channels in the plasma membrane triggers many important cellular processes. The activity of these channels is regulated by several hormones and neuretransmitters, as well as intracellular messengers such as Ca2+ itself (for examples, see refs 1–9). In cardiac muscle, myoplasmic Ca2+ has been proposed to potentiate Ca2+ influx1,7–9, although a direct effect of Ca2+ on these channels has not yet been demonstrated. Photosensitive 'caged-Ca2+ molecules such as nitr-5, however, provide powerful tools for investigating possible regulatory roles of Ca2+ on the functioning of Ca2+ channels10,11. Because its affinity for Ca2+ is reduced by irradiation, nitr-5 can be loaded into cells and induced to release Ca2+ with a flash of light10. By using this technique we found that the elevation of intracellular Ca2+ concentration directly augmented Ca2+-channel currents in isolated cardiac muscle cells from both frog and guinea pig. The time course of the current potentiation was similar to that seen with β-adrenergic stimulation. Thus Ca2+ may work through a similar pathway, involving phosphorylation of a regulatory Ca2+-channel protein. This mechanism is probably important for the accumulation of Ca2+ and the amplification of the contractile response in cardiac muscle, and may have a role in other excitable cells.

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Author notes

  1. P. Charnet and J. Nargeot: Centre des Recherches de Biochimie Macromoléculaire, CNRS UPR 41 et INSERM U249, Université de Montpellier I, Route de Mende, 34033 Montpellier, France

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pharmacology, United Medical and Dental Schools, St Thomas's Hospital, Lambeth Palace Road, London, SE1 7EH, UK
    A. M. Gurney, P. Charnet, J. M. Pye & J. Nargeot

Authors

  1. A. M. Gurney
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  2. P. Charnet
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  3. J. M. Pye
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  4. J. Nargeot
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Gurney, A., Charnet, P., Pye, J. et al. Augmentation of cardiac calcium current by flash photolysis of intracellular caged-Ca2+ molecules.Nature 341, 65–68 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1038/341065a0

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