Search results for "Calcium channels"

Modulation of adrenergic responses of human vas deferens by K+ channel inhibitors.

2010

Objectives The present study was designed to evaluate the role of K + channels in the adrenergic responses of human vas deferens as well as the intervention of dihydropyridine-sensitive Ca 2+ channels on modulation of adrenergic responses by K + channel inhibitors. Methods Ring segments of the epididymal part of the vas deferens were taken from 32 elective vasectomies and mounted in organ baths for isometric recording of tension. We then studied the effects of K + channel blockers on neurogenic and norepinephrine-induced contractile responses. Results Addition of tetraethylammonium (TEA, 10 −3 M), a nonspecific K + channel blocker, or charybdotoxin (10 −7 M), a nonselective inhibitor of lar…

Contractile Response of Human Omental Arteries to Endothelin

1992

Abstract The effects of endothelin have been studied in isolated arterial segments (0·8–1 mm in external diam.) of human omental arteries obtained during the course of abdominal operations (15 patients, 7 men and 8 women). Paired segments, one normal and the other de-endothelized, were mounted for isometric recording of tension in organ baths. Endothelin produced concentration-dependent contractions with an EC50 value of 5·4 × 10−9  m. Removal of endothelium did not affect significantly endothelin-induced contractions (EC50, 6·7 × 10−9  m). Removal of extracellular calcium or addition of the calcium channel blocker nicardipine (10−6  m) diminished but did not abolish responses to endothelin…

Opposite vascular activity of (R)-apomorphine and its oxidised derivatives. Endothelium-dependent vasoconstriction induced by the auto-oxidation meta…

2003

We have synthetised a series of oxidised apomorphine derivatives (orto and para quinones 2-5), in order to analyse their vascular activity. We have performed radioligand binding assays on rat cortical membranes and functional studies on rat aortic rings. Instead the relaxant activity exhibited by (R)-apomorphine, o-quinones 2, 4, show contractile activity dependent on endothelium in rat aortic rings. Compound 2, the main metabolite of (R)-apomorphine auto-oxidation, was the product which showed enhanced contractile activity by a complex mechanism related to activation of Ca(2+) channels through release and/or inhibition of endothelial factors. Moreover, this compound disrupts the endothelia…

Vascular Activity of (-)-Anonaine, (-)-Roemerine and (-)-Pukateine, Three Natural 6a(R)-1,2-Methylenedioxyaporphines with Different Affinities for α1…

2004

We have studied the mechanism of action of three 6a( R)-1,2-methylenedioxyaporphines as vasorelaxant compounds. The alkaloids assayed showed different affinities for the three human cloned alpha (1)-adrenoceptor (AR) subtypes stably expressed in rat-1 fibroblasts, showing lower affinity for alpha(1B)-AR with regard to the alpha(1A)- or alpha(1D)-subtypes. These three natural compounds are more potent inhibitors of [ (3)H]-prazosin binding than of [ (3)H]-diltiazem binding to rat cerebral cortical membranes. As all these alkaloids inhibited noradrenaline (NA)-induced [ (3)H]-inositol phosphate formation in cerebral cortex and rat tail artery, they may be safely viewed as alpha (1)-AR antagon…

MS4A12 is a colon-selective store-operated calcium channel promoting malignant cell processes.

2008

AbstractUsing a data mining approach for the discovery of new targets for antibody therapy of colon cancer, we identified MS4A12, a sequence homologue of CD20. We show that MS4A12 is a cell surface protein. Expression analysis and immunohistochemistry revealed MS4A12 to be a colonic epithelial cell lineage gene confined to the apical membrane of colonocytes with strict transcriptional repression in all other normal tissue types. Expression is maintained upon malignant transformation in 63% of colon cancers. Ca2+ flux analyses disclosed that MS4A12 is a novel component of store-operated Ca2+ entry in intestinal cells. Using RNAi-mediated gene silencing, we show that loss of MS4A12 in LoVo co…

Postsynaptic Secretion of BDNF and NT-3 from Hippocampal Neurons Depends on Calcium–Calmodulin Kinase II Signaling and Proceeds via Delayed Fusion Po…

2007

The mammalian neurotrophins (NTs) NGF, BDNF, NT-3, and NT-4 constitute a family of secreted neuronal growth factors. In addition, NTs are implicated in several forms of activity-dependent synaptic plasticity. Although synaptic secretion of NTs has been described, the intracellular signaling cascades that regulate synaptic secretion of NTs are far from being understood. Analysis of NT secretion at the subcellular level is thus required to resolve the role of presynaptic and postsynaptic NT secretion for synaptic plasticity. Here, we transfected cultures of dissociated rat hippocampal neurons with green fluorescent protein-tagged versions of BDNF and NT-3, respectively, and identified NT vesi…

The plasma membrane channel ORAI1 mediates detrimental calcium influx caused by endogenous oxidative stress.

2013

The mouse hippocampal cell line HT22 is an excellent model for studying the consequences of endogenous oxidative stress. Addition of extracellular glutamate depletes the cells of glutathione (GSH) by blocking the glutamate-cystine antiporter system x(c)(-). GSH is the main antioxidant in neurons and its depletion induces a well-defined program of cell death called oxytosis, which is probably synonymous with the iron-dependent form of non-apoptotic cell death termed ferroptosis. Oxytosis is characterized by an increase of reactive oxygen species and a strong calcium influx preceding cell death. We found a significant reduction in store-operated calcium entry (SOCE) in glutamate-resistant HT2…

The electrophysiology of adenosine in the mammalian central nervous system

1991

Adaptive Mechanisms of Somatostatin-Positive Interneurons after Traumatic Brain Injury through a Switch of α Subunits in L-Type Voltage-Gated Calcium…

2021

Abstract Unilateral traumatic brain injury (TBI) causes cortical dysfunctions spreading to the primarily undamaged hemisphere. This phenomenon, called transhemispheric diaschisis, is mediated by an imbalance of glutamatergic versus GABAergic neurotransmission. This study investigated the role of GABAergic, somatostatin-positive (SST) interneurons in the contralateral hemisphere 72 h after unilateral TBI. The brain injury was induced to the primary motor/somatosensory cortex of glutamate decarboxylase 67–green fluorescent protein (GAD67-GFP) knock-in mice at postnatal days 19–21 under anesthesia in vivo. Single GFP+ interneurons of the undamaged, contralateral cortex were isolated by fluores…

Evaluation and synthesis of 7-arylhydroxymethyltriazolopyridines as potential cardiovascular agents

2002

7-Arylhydroxymethyltriazolopyridines 3a-c and 4a-d were synthesized by regioselective lithiation of [1,2,3]triazolo[1,5-a]pyridines 1 and 2 and subsequent trapping of the 7-lithioderivatives formed using aryl aldehydes as electrophiles. The structural relationship between compounds 3a-c and 4a-d and arylethanolamines suggested their consideration as potential cardiovascular agents. A preliminary evaluation as vascular smooth muscle relaxants was carried out. These compounds did not act as α1-adrenoceptor antagonists and were unable to block calcium entry through voltage-dependent calcium channels. Abarca Gonzalez, Belen, Belen.Abarca@uv.es ; Ballesteros Campos, Rafael, Rafael.Ballesteros@uv…