[${\alpha}-Adrenergic$ and Cholinergic Receptor Agonists Modulate Voltage-Gated $Ca^{2+}$ Channels

We investigated the effect of ${\alpha}-adrenergic$ and cholinergic receptor agonists on $Ca^{2+}$ current in adult rat trigeminal ganglion neurons using whole-cell patch clamp methods. The application of acetylcholine, carbachol, and oxotremorine ($50\;{\mu}M\;each$) produced a rapid and reversible reduction of the $Ca^{2+}$ current by $17{\pm}6%,\;19{\pm}3%,\;and\;18{\pm}4%$, respectively. Atropine, a muscarinic antagonist, blocked carbachol- induced $Ca^{2+}$ current inhibition to $3{\pm}1%$. Norepinephrine ($50\;{\mu}M$) reduced $Ca^{2+}$ current by $18{\pm}2%$, while clonidine ($50\;{\mu}M$), an ${\alpha}2-adrenergic$ receptor agonist, inhibited $Ca^{2+}$ current by only $4{\pm}1%$. Yohimbine, an ${\alpha}2-adrenergic$ receptor antagonist, did not block the inhibitory effect of norepinephrine on $Ca^{2+}$ current, whereas prazosin, an ${\alpha}1-adrenergic$ receptor antagonist, attenuated the inhibitory effect of norepinephrine on $Ca^{2+}$ current to $6{\pm}1%$. This pharmacology contrasts with ${\alpha}2-adrenergic$ receptor modulation of $Ca^{2+}$ channels in rat sympathetic neurons, which is sensitive to clonidine and blocked by yohimbine. Our data suggest that the modulation of voltage dependent $Ca^{2+}$ channel by norepinephrine is mediated via an α1-adrenergic receptor. Pretreatment with pertussis toxin (250 ng/ml) for 16 h greatly reduced norepinephrine- and carbachol-induced $Ca^{2+}$ current inhibition from $17{\pm}3%\;and\;18{\pm}3%\;to\;2{\pm}1%\;and\;2{\pm}1%$, respectively. These results demonstrate that norepinephrine, through an ${\alpha}1-adrenergic$ receptor, and carbachol, through a muscarinic receptor, inhibit $Ca^{2+}$ currents in adult rat trigeminal ganglion neurons via pertussis toxin sensitive GTP-binding proteins.