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The molecular identity of Ca channel α1-subunits expressed in rat sympathetic neurons

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Abstract

Much of our understanding of the mechanisms of the gating, modulation, and function of neuronal Ca channels has its origins in investigations of sympathetic neurons. In this article, we use molecular analyses to identify the three Ca channel α1-subunits that are the likely counter-parts to the pharmacologically defined: ω-Conotoxin GVIA-sensitive N-type; dihydropyridine-sensitive L-type, and ω-Conotoxin GVIA-insensitive, dihydropyridine-insensitive Ca channel currents observed in sympathetic neurons. With a combination of degenerate and exact primers, small regions of Ca channel α1-subunit sequences were amplified by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Although all five Ca channel α1-subunit genes were expressed in rat sympathetic ganglia, α1B −, α1D −, and α1E-derived cDNAs were the dominant species. No novel Ca channel α1-sequences were identified in the regions selected for amplification, and we conclude that α1B, α1D, and α1E likely encode, respectively, N-type, L-type, and non-N/non-L-type channel currents of rat sympathetic neurons. In addition, we show that Ca channel β2 −, β3 −, and β4-subunit sequences are strongly represented in sympathetic ganglia. The results of this study also suggest that α1D, and not α1C, regulates Ca influx through dihydropyridine-sensitive Ca channel currents.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neuroscience, Brown University, 02912, Providence, RI

    Charles Harris & Diane Lipscombe

  2. Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Biotechnology, Brown University, 02912, Providence, RI

    Zhixin Lin

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  1. Zhixin Lin
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  2. Charles Harris
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  3. Diane Lipscombe
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Lin, Z., Harris, C. & Lipscombe, D. The molecular identity of Ca channel α1-subunits expressed in rat sympathetic neurons. J Mol Neurosci 7, 257–267 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02737063

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02737063

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