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C Labarca

Publications and source records attributed to C Labarca.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Point mutant mice with hypersensitive alpha 4 nicotinic receptors show dopaminergic deficits and increased anxiety.

Knock-in mice were generated that harbored a leucine-to-serine mutation in the alpha4 nicotinic receptor near the gate in the channel pore. Mice with intact expression of this hypersensitive receptor display dominant neonatal lethality. These mice have a severe deficit of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra, possibly because the hypersensitive receptors are continuously activated by normal extracellular choline concentrations. A strain that retains the neo selection cassette in an intron has reduced expression of the hypersensitive receptor and is viable and fertile. The viable mice display increased anxiety, poor motor learning, excessive ambulation that is eliminated by very low levels of nicotine, and a reduction of nigrostriatal dopaminergic function upon aging. These knock-in mice provide useful insights into the pathophysiology of sustained nicotinic receptor activation and may provide a model for Parkinson's disease.

Animals↗

M2 mutations of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor increase the potency of the non-competitive inhibitor phencyclidine.

Phencyclidine (PCP) is a non-competitive inhibitor of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) with biphasic characteristics. At low and high micromolar concentrations, PCP inhibits nAChR from fetal mouse muscle, whereas at intermediate concentrations PCP does not inhibit the receptor. The present study was performed to determine whether the high and low concentration effects of PCP on mouse nAChR were due to interactions of this blocker with channel lining amino acids. In order to test this hypothesis, we examined the ability of PCP to inhibit acetylcholine-induced currents from wild-type nAChR and nAChR in which amino acid substitutions were made in the 6', 8' and 10' positions of the M2 transmembrane segments of the receptor. Fetal mouse nAChR from BC(3)H-1 cells were expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes and studied using the two-electrode voltage clamp technique. The results of this study reveal that in native fetal muscle receptor, PCP potency is not affected by membrane potential between -80 mV and -30 mV. The potency of PCP is increased by mutations in M2 6', 8', and 10' positions. This increase in potency cannot be explained merely by either changes in hydrophobicity/hydrophilicity of amino acids at these positions or by side-chain size. A model proposing extra-luminal inhibitory and regulatory sites for PCP explains the lack of voltage-dependency, the biphasic effect of PCP, and the fact that all M2 mutations increased PCP potency (by disrupting the link with the regulatory sites).

Acetylcholine↗

Expression of GIRK (Kir3.1/Kir3.4) channels in mouse fibroblast cells with and without beta1 integrins.

G protein-activated K+ channel (GIRK) subunits possess a conserved extracellular integrin-binding motif (RGD) and bind directly to beta1 integrins. We expressed GIRK1/GIRK4 channels labeled with green fluorescent protein in fibroblast cell lines expressing or lacking beta1 integrins. Neither plasma membrane localization nor agonist-evoked GIRK currents were affected by the absence of beta1 integrins or by incubation with externally applied RGD-containing peptide. Mutation of the aspartate (D) of RGD impaired currents, GIRK glycosylation, and membrane localization, but the interaction with beta1 integrins remained intact. Thus, beta1 integrins are not essential for functional GIRK expression; and the GIRK-integrin interactions involve structural elements other than the RGD motif.

Animals↗

Allosteric control of gating and kinetics at P2X(4) receptor channels.

The CNS abundantly expresses P2X receptor channels for ATP; of these the most widespread in the brain is the P2X(4) channel. We show that ivermectin (IVM) is a specific positive allosteric effector of heterologously expressed P2X(4) and possibly of heteromeric P2X(4)/P2X(6) channels, but not of P2X(2), P2X(3), P2X(2)/P2X(3,) or P2X(7) channels. In the submicromolar range (EC(50,) approximately 250 nM) the action of IVM was rapid and reversible, resulting in increased amplitude and slowed deactivation of P2X(4) channel currents evoked by ATP. IVM also markedly increased the potency of ATP and that of the normally low-potency agonist alpha, beta-methylene-ATP in a use- and voltage-independent manner without changing the ion selectivity of P2X(4) channels. Therefore, IVM evokes a potent pharmacological gain-of-function phenotype that is specific for P2X(4) channels. We also tested whether IVM could modulate endogenously expressed P2X channels in the adult trigeminal mesencephalic nucleus and hippocampal CA1 neurons. Surprisingly, IVM produced no significant effect on the fast ATP-evoked inward currents in either type of neuron, despite the fact that IVM modulated P2X(4) channels heterologously expressed in embryonic hippocampal neurons. These results suggest that homomeric P2X(4) channels are not the primary subtype of P2X receptor in the adult trigeminal mesencephalic nucleus and in hippocampal CA1 neurons.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Neuronal P2X transmitter-gated cation channels change their ion selectivity in seconds.

Fast synaptic transmission depends on the selective ionic permeability of transmitter-gated ion channels. Here we show changes in the ion selectivity of neuronal P2X transmitter-gated cation channels as a function of time (on the order of seconds) and previous ATP exposure. Heterologously expressed P2X2, P2X2/P2X3 and P2X4 channels as well as native neuronal P2X channels possess various combinations of mono- or biphasic responses and permeability changes, measured by NMDG+ and fluorescent dye. Furthermore, in P2X4 receptors, this ability to alter ion selectivity can be increased or decreased by altering an amino-acid residue thought to line the ion permeation pathway, identifying a region that governs this activity-dependent change.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

A transgenic mouse model of the slow-channel syndrome.

To investigate the effect of acetylcholine receptor (AChR) mutations on neuromuscular transmission and to develop a model for the human neuromuscular disease, the slow-channel syndrome, we generated transgenic mice with abnormal AChRs using a delta subunit with a mutation in the ion channel domain. In three transgenic lines, nerve-evoked end-plate currents and spontaneous miniature end-plate currents (MEPCs) had prolonged decay phases and MEPC amplitudes were reduced by 33%. Single nerve stimuli elicited repetitive compound muscle action potentials in vivo. Transgenic mice were abnormally sensitive to the neuromuscular blocker, curare. These observations demonstrate that we can predictably alter AChR function, synaptic responses, and muscle fiber excitation in vivo by overexpressing subunits containing well-defined mutations. Furthermore these data support the hypothesis that the electrophysiological findings in the neuromuscular disorder, the slow-channel syndrome, are due to mutant AChRs.

Animals↗

Voltage-jump relaxation kinetics for wild-type and chimeric beta subunits of neuronal nicotinic receptors.

We have studied the voltage-jump relaxation currents for a series of neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors resulting from the coexpression of wild-type and chimeric beta 4/beta 2 subunits with alpha 3 subunits in Xenopus oocytes. With acetylcholine as the agonist, the wild-type alpha 3 beta 4 receptors displayed five- to eightfold slower voltage-jump relaxations than did the wild-type alpha 3 beta 2 receptors. In both cases, the relaxations could best be described by two exponential components of approximately equal amplitudes over a wide range of [ACh]'s. Relaxation rate constants increased with [ACh] and saturated at 20- to 30-fold lower concentrations for the alpha 3 beta 2 receptor than for the alpha 3 beta 4 receptor, as observed previously for the peak steady state conductance. Furthermore, the chimeric beta 4/beta 2 subunits showed a transition in the concentration dependence of the rate constants in the region between residues 94 and 109, analogous to our previous observation with steady state conductances. However, our experiments with a series of beta-subunit chimeras did not localize residues that govern the absolute value of the kinetic parameters. Hill coefficients for the relaxations also differed from those previously measured for steady state responses. The data reinforce previous conclusions that the region between residues 94 and 109 on the beta subunit plays a role in binding agonist but also show that other regions of the receptor control gating kinetics subsequent to the binding step.

Acetylcholine↗

Channel gating governed symmetrically by conserved leucine residues in the M2 domain of nicotinic receptors.

In nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChR), as well as glycine, GABAA (gamma-aminobutyric acid), serotonin (5-HT3), and GluCl glutamate receptors, a leucine residue at the approximate midpoint of the M2 transmembrane domain (the 9' position) is conserved across most known subunits. Structural data for the nAChR suggest that the Leu 9' residues occupy a 'kink' in each of the five M2 helices and point into the closed channel; in the opening step, the M2 helices rotate so that Leu 9' side chains no longer occlude the conduction pathway. Mutation of Leu 9' to one of several other residues slows desensitization and increases sensitivity to agonist. We have exploited the alpha 2 beta gamma delta stoichiometry of muscle nAChR to express receptors with ms* = 0 to 5 Leu 9'Ser mutated subunits. Strikingly, each Leu 9'Ser mutation shifts the dose-response relation for ACh to the left by approximately 10-fold; a nAChR with ms* = 4 is 10(4)-fold more sensitive than the wild type. The results suggest that each of the five Leu 9' residues participates independently and symmetrically in a key step in the structural transition between the closed and open states.

Acetylcholine↗

A G protein-gated K channel is activated via beta 2-adrenergic receptors and G beta gamma subunits in Xenopus oocytes.

In many tissues, inwardly rectifying K channels are coupled to seven-helix receptors via the Gi/Go family of heterotrimeric G proteins. This activation proceeds at least partially via G beta gamma subunits. These experiments test the hypothesis that G beta gamma subunits activate the channel even if released from other classes of heterotrimeric G proteins. The G protein-gated K channel from rat atrium, KGA/GIRK1, was expressed in Xenopus oocytes with various receptors and G proteins. The beta 2-adrenergic receptor (beta 2AR), a Gs-linked receptor, activated large KGA currents when the alpha subunit, G alpha s, was also overexpressed. Although G alpha s augmented the coupling between beta 2AR and KGA, G alpha s also inhibited the basal, agonist-independent activity of KGA. KGA currents stimulated via beta 2AR activated, deactivated, and desensitized more slowly than currents stimulated via Gi/Go-linked receptors. There was partial occlusion between currents stimulated via beta 2AR and the m2 muscarinic receptor (a Gi/Go-linked receptor), indicating some convergence in the mechanism of activation by these two receptors. Although stimulation of beta 2AR also activates adenylyl cyclase and protein kinase A, activation of KGA via beta 2AR is not mediated by this second messenger pathway, because direct elevation of intracellular cAMP levels had no effect on KGA currents. Experiments with other coexpressed G protein alpha and beta gamma subunits showed that (a) a constitutively active G alpha s mutant did not suppress basal KGA currents and was only partially as effective as wild type G alpha s in coupling beta 2AR to KGA, and (b) beta gamma subunits increased basal KGA currents. These results reinforce present concepts that beta gamma subunits activate KGA, and also suggest that beta gamma subunits may provide a link between KGA and receptors not previously known to couple to inward rectifiers.

Animals↗

Regions of beta 2 and beta 4 responsible for differences between the steady state dose-response relationships of the alpha 3 beta 2 and alpha 3 beta 4 neuronal nicotinic receptors.

We constructed chimeras of the rat beta 2 and beta 4 neuronal nicotinic subunits to locate the regions that contribute to differences between the acetylcholine (ACh) dose-response relationships of the alpha 3 beta 2 and alpha 3 beta 4 receptors. Expressed in Xenopus oocytes, the alpha 3 beta 2 receptor displays an EC50 for ACh approximately 20-fold less than the EC50 of the alpha 3 beta 4 receptor. The apparent Hill slope (n(app)) of alpha 3 beta 2 is near one whereas the alpha 3 beta 4 receptor displays an n(app) near two. Substitutions within the first 120 residues convert the EC50 for ACh from one wild-type value to the other. Exchanging just beta 2:104-120 for the corresponding region of beta 4 shifts the EC50 of ACh dose-response relationship in the expected direction but does not completely convert the EC50 of the dose-response relationship from one wild-type value to the other. However, substitutions in the beta 2:104-120 region do account for the relative sensitivity of the alpha 3 beta 2 receptor to cytisine, tetramethylammonium, and ACh. The expression of beta 4-like (strong) cooperativity requires an extensive region of beta 4 (beta 4:1-301). Relatively short beta 2 substitutions (beta 2:104-120) can reduce cooperativity to beta 2-like values. The results suggest that amino acids within the first 120 residues of beta 2 and the corresponding region of beta 4 contribute to an agonist binding site that bridges the alpha and beta subunits in neuronal nicotinic receptors.

Acetylcholine↗

Atrial G protein-activated K+ channel: expression cloning and molecular properties.

Activity of several ion channels is controlled by heterotrimeric GTP-binding proteins (G proteins) via a membrane-delimited pathway that does not involve cytoplasmic intermediates. The best studied example is the K+ channel activated by muscarinic agonists in the atrium, which plays a crucial role in regulating the heartbeat. To enable studies of the molecular mechanisms of activation, this channel, denoted KGA, was cloned from a rat atrium cDNA library by functional coupling to coexpressed serotonin type 1A receptors in Xenopus oocytes. KGA displays regions of sequence homology to other inwardly rectifying channels as well as unique regions that may govern G-protein interaction. The expressed KGA channel is activated by serotonin 1A, muscarinic m2, and delta-opioid receptors via G proteins. KGA is activated by guanosine 5'-[gamma-thio]triphosphate in excised patches, confirming activation by a membrane-delimited pathway, and displays a conductance equal to that of the endogenous channel in atrial cells. The hypothesis that similar channels play a role in neuronal inhibition is supported by the cloning of a nearly identical channel (KGB1) from a rat brain cDNA library.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Steady states, charge movements, and rates for a cloned GABA transporter expressed in Xenopus oocytes.

Voltage-clamp analysis was applied to study the currents associated with the uptake of extracellular gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) by the cloned transporter GAT1 expressed at high efficiency in Xenopus oocytes. Steady-state GABA currents were increased at higher extracellular [GABA], [Na+], and [Cl-] and at more negative potentials. The Hill coefficient for Na+ exceeded unity, suggesting the involvement of two Na+ ions. In the absence of GABA, voltage jumps produced transient currents that behaved like capacitive charge movements; these were suppressed by the uptake inhibitor SKF-89976A, were shifted to more negative potentials at lower external [Na+] and [Cl-], and had an effective valence of 1.1 elementary charge. A turnover rate per transporter of 6-13/s at maximal [GABA] (-80 mV, 96 mM NaCl, 22 degrees C) is given both by the kinetics of voltage jump relaxations and by the ratio between the maximal GABA currents and the charge movements. These quantitative data are necessary for evaluating the roles of GAT1 in synaptic function.

Animals↗

Slow and incomplete inactivations of voltage-gated channels dominate encoding in synthetic neurons.

Electrically excitable channels were expressed in Chinese hamster ovary cells using a vaccinia virus vector system. In cells expressing rat brain IIA Na+ channels only, brief pulses (< 1 ms) of depolarizing current resulted in action potentials with a prolonged (0.5-3 s) depolarizing plateau; this plateau was caused by slow and incomplete Na+ channel inactivation. In cells expressing both Na+ and Drosophila Shaker H4 transient K+ channels, there were neuron-like action potentials. In cells with appropriate Na+/K+ current ratios, maintaining stimulation produced repetitive firing over a 10-fold range of frequencies but eventually led to "lock-up" of the potential at a positive value after several seconds of stimulation. The latter effect was due primarily to slow inactivation of the K+ currents. Numerical simulations of modified Hodgkin-Huxley equations describing these currents, using parameters from voltage-clamp kinetics studied in the same cells, accounted for most features of the voltage trajectories. The present study shows that insights into the mechanisms for generating action potentials and trains of action potentials in real excitable cells can be obtained from the analysis of synthetic excitable cells that express a controlled repertoire of ion channels.

Action Potentials↗

Mutations in M2 alter the selectivity of the mouse nicotinic acetylcholine receptor for organic and alkali metal cations.

We measured the permeability ratios (PX/PNa) of 3 wild-type, 1 hybrid, 2 subunit-deficient, and 22 mutant nicotinic receptors expressed in Xenopus oocytes for alkali metal and organic cations using shifts in the bi-ionic reversal potential of the macroscopic current. Mutations at three positions (2', 6', 10') in M2 affected ion selectivity. Mutations at position 2' (alpha Thr244, beta Gly255, gamma Thr253, delta Ser258) near the intracellular end of M2 changed the organic cation permeability ratios as much as twofold and reduced PCs/PNa and PK/PNa by 16-18%. Mutations at positions 6' and 10' increased the glycine ethyl ester/Na+ and glycine methyl ester/Na+ permeability ratios. Two subunit alterations also affected selectivity: omission of the delta subunit reduced PCs/PNa by 16%, and substitution of Xenopus delta for mouse delta increased Pguanidinium/PNa more than twofold and reduced PCs/PNa by 34% and PLi/PNa by 20%. The wild-type mouse receptor displayed a surprising interaction with the primary ammonium cations; relative permeability peaked at a chain length equal to four carbons. Analysis of the organic permeability ratios for the wild-type mouse receptor shows that (a) the diameter of the narrowest part of the pore is 8.4 A; (b) the mouse receptor departs significantly from size selectivity for monovalent organic cations; and (c) lowering the temperature reduces Pguanidinium/PNa by 38% and Pbutylammonium/PNa more than twofold. The results reinforce present views that positions -1' and 2' are the narrowest part of the pore and suggest that positions 6' and 10' align some permeant organic cations in the pore in an interaction similar to that with channel blocker, QX-222.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Tris+/Na+ permeability ratios of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors are reduced by mutations near the intracellular end of the M2 region.

Tris+/Na+ permeability ratios were measured from shifts in the biionic reversal potentials of the macroscopic ACh-induced currents for 3 wild-type (WT), 1 hybrid, 2 subunit-deficient, and 25 mutant nicotinic receptors expressed in Xenopus oocytes. At two positions near the putative intracellular end of M2, 2' (alpha Thr244, beta Gly255, gamma Thr253, delta Ser258) and -1', point mutations reduced the relative Tris+ permeability of the mouse receptor as much as threefold. Comparable mutations at several other positions had no effects on relative Tris+ permeability. Mutations in delta had a greater effect on relative Tris+ permeability than did comparable mutations in gamma; omission of the mouse delta subunit (delta 0 receptor) or replacement of mouse delta with Xenopus delta dramatically reduced relative Tris+ permeability. The WT mouse muscle receptor (alpha beta gamma delta) had a higher relative permeability to Tris+ than the wild-type Torpedo receptor. Analysis of the data show that (a) changes in the Tris+/Na+ permeability ratio produced by mutations correlate better with the hydrophobicity of the amino acid residues in M2 than with their volume; and (b) the mole-fraction dependence of the reversal potential in mixed Na+/Tris+ solutions is approximately consistent with the Goldman-Hodgkin-Katz voltage equation. The results suggest that the main ion selectivity filter for large monovalent cations in the ACh receptor channel is the region delimited by positions -1' and 2' near the intracellular end of the M2 helix.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Pharmacological and kinetic properties of alpha 4 beta 2 neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors expressed in Xenopus oocytes.

1. Co-injection of RNA synthesized from cloned neuronal acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) subunits (alpha 4 and beta 2) in Xenopus oocytes produced functional receptors. In macroscopic voltage-clamp experiments, the agonist-induced current exhibited a strong inward rectification. 2. Voltage jumps from +50 mV to more negative potentials produced relaxations of the agonist-induced current with a single exponential time course. The relaxation rate constant was only weakly voltage dependent. 3. At the single-channel level, three conductances were recorded of 12, 22 and 34 pS. Their burst durations were similar and varied only weakly with voltage (e-fold for 120 to 370 mV), consistent with the poorly voltage-dependent relaxation rate constants. However, the burst durations were less than 10 ms, or less than 1/5 the value expected from voltage-jump relaxations. 4. Hexamethonium (Hex, 0.5 to 8 microM) inhibited the agonist-induced current and produced voltage-jump relaxations characterized by a rapid conductance increase and a slower conductance decrease. Analysis of these relaxations suggested that the Hex-receptor interaction is open-channel blockade characterized by a forward binding rate of 1 x 10(7) M-1 s-1 and a dissociation rate constant of about 25 s-1. 5. For the relaxations produced by QX222, the slowest phase was a conductance increase, suggesting that the dissociation rate constant for QX222 is 10-30-fold greater than for Hex. 6. Hex but not QX222 produced an additional use-dependent blockade that was manifest during repetitive hyperpolarizing pulses. 7. With mouse muscle ACh receptors expressed in oocytes, the blockade by Hex did not depend strongly on voltage. Neither Hex nor QX222 produced appreciable use-dependent block on muscle ACh receptors. 8. Of the four conditions studied (neuronal and muscle receptors, Hex and QX222), only the blockade of the neuronal AChR by Hex is characterized by a residence time longer than the normal open time. 9. It is concluded that the modest differences in primary amino acid sequence between muscle and neuronal receptors lead to profound changes in their interactions with channels blockers.

Acetylcholine↗

Cell-specific posttranslational events affect functional expression at the plasma membrane but not tetrodotoxin sensitivity of the rat brain IIA sodium channel alpha-subunit expressed in mammalian cells.

The rat brain IIA Na+ channel alpha-subunit was expressed and studied in mammalian cells. Cells were infected with a recombinant vaccinia virus (VV) carrying the bacteriophage T7 RNA polymerase gene and were transfected with cDNA encoding the IIA Na+ channel alpha-subunit under control of a T7 promoter. Whole-cell patch-clamp recording showed that functional IIA channels were expressed efficiently (approximately 10 channels/microns2 in approximately 60% of cells) in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells and in neonatal rat ventricular myocytes but were expressed poorly in undifferentiated BC3H1 cells and failed to express in Ltk- cells. However, voltage-dependent Drosophila Shaker H4 K+ channels and Escherichia coli beta-galactosidase were expressed efficiently in all four cell types with VV vectors. Because RNA synthesis probably occurs without major differences in the cytoplasm of all infected cell types under the control of the T7 promoter and T7 polymerase, we conclude that cell type-specific expression of the Na+ channel probably reflects differences at posttranslational steps. The gating properties of the IIA Na+ currents expressed in cardiac myocytes differed from those expressed in CHO cells; most noticeably, the IIA Na+ currents displayed more rapid macroscopic inactivation when expressed in cardiac myocytes. These differences also suggest cell-specific posttranslational modifications. IIA channels were blocked by approximately 90% by 90 nM TTX when expressed either in CHO cells or in cardiac myocytes; the latter also continued to display endogenous TTX-resistant Na+ currents. Therefore, the TTX binding site of the channel is not affected by cell-specific modifications and is encoded by the primary amino acid sequence.

Animals↗

Structure of the gamma-less nicotinic acetylcholine receptor: learning from omission.

The nicotinic acetylcholine receptor can be expressed in Xenopus oocytes by injection of in vitro synthesized RNA for the alpha, beta, gamma, and delta mouse muscle subunits. However, detectable responses can also be obtained by injection of alpha, beta, and delta subunit RNA only. The receptors expressed in this case (gamma-less receptors) share many of the properties of the normal receptor, including relaxation time constants, Hill slope, and relative permeability for Na+, K+, Cs+, and Tris+. The major single-channel conductances of alpha beta gamma delta and alpha beta delta receptors are similar (34.2 +/- 2.9 and 38.5 +/- 0.6 pS, respectively) but clearly different from the major conductances seen after the combined injection of alpha beta delta mouse subunit RNA and Xenopus gamma subunit RNA. Mutations in the second transmembrane segment of the alpha and beta subunits, known to affect open time and blockade by QX-222, are equally effective in the gamma-less receptor. These data strongly suggest that the gamma-less receptor has the same pore diameter as the normal receptor and that alpha, beta, and delta subunits participate in its formation. Injection of alpha beta gamma delta well as alpha beta delta RNA produced additional subconductance states of around 25 pS. The low conductance state was sensitive to mutations introduced in the alpha or beta subunits with or without the gamma subunit, indicating that this channel did not need the gamma subunits but required at least the alpha and beta subunits to be produced. Injection of alpha beta delta and the adult-type epsilon subunit RNA gave rise to channels with conductances of 35 and 55 pS when the stoichiometry of the injection was 2:1:1:1, but only the 55-pS channel was recorded when the epsilon subunit RNA concentration was increased by 10-fold (stoichiometry of 2:1:1:10). The gamma-less receptor can thus be expressed even when the adult epsilon subunit is present. Whether gamma-less receptors are expressed at normal adult neuromuscular junctions remains unknown.

Amino Acid Sequence↗