• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.11 no.5
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• pp.227-231
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• 2007

The classic type of transient receptor potential channel(TRPC) is a molecular candidate for $Ca^{2+}$-permeable cation channel in mammalian cells. TRPC5 is rapidly desensitized after activation by G protein-coupled receptor. Herein we report the effect of dimethyl sulfoxide(DMSO) on the desensitization of TRPC5. TRPC5 was initially activated by muscarinic stimulation with $50{\mu}M$ carbachol(CCh) and then decayed rapidly even in the presence of CCh(desensitization). DMSO in the pipette solution slowed the rate of this desensitization. Under the control conditions, TRPC5 current spontaneously declined to $6{\pm}1%$ of the initial peak amplitude 60 sec after CCh application and to $1{\pm}0.5%$ after 120 sec. But, in the presence of 0.01%, 0.1% and 1% DMSO, TRPC5 current spontaneously declined to $55{\pm}2%,\;68{\pm}1%\;and\;100{\pm}0.2%$ of the initial peak amplitude 60 sec after CCh application and to $38{\pm}2%,\;61{\pm}1%\;and\;100{\pm}1%$ after 120 see, respectively. The results suggest that DMSO can internally attenuate the desensitization of TRPC5 current through unknown mechanisms that remain to be elucidated.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.215-224
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• 1994

The presence of a calcium current $(i_{Ca^{2+}})$ passed via a specific channel was examined in the unfertilized hamster egg using the whole-cell voltage clamp technique. Pure inward current was isolated using a $Ca^{2+}-rich$ pipette solution containing 10 mM TEA. This current was independent of external $Na^+$ and was highly sensitive to the $Ca^{2+}$ concentration in the bathing solution, indicating that the inward current is carried by $Ca^{2+}$. The maximal amplitude was $-4.12{\pm}0.58nA\;(n=12)$ with 10mM $Ca^{2+}$ at -3OmV from a holding potential of -8OmV. This current reached its maximum within 20ms beyond -3OmV and decayed rapidly with an inactivation time constant $({\tau})$ of 15ms. Activation and inactivation of this $i_{Ca^{2+}}$ was steeply dependent on the membrane potential. The $i_{Ca^{2+}}$ began to activate at the lower voltage of -55 mV and reached its peak at -35 mV, being completely inactivated at potentials more positive than -40 mV. These result suggest that $i_{Ca^{2+}}$ in hamster eggs passes through channels with electrical properties similar to low voltage-activated T-type channels. Other results from the present study support this suggestion; First, the inhibitory effect of $Ni^{2+}\;(IC_{50}=13.7\;{\mu}M)$ was more potent than $Cd^{2+}\;(IC_{50}=123\;{\mu}M)$. Second, $Ba^{2+}$ conductance was equal to or below that of $Ca^{2+}$. Third, $i_{Ca^{2+}}$ in hamster eggs was relatively insensitive to nifedipine $(IC_{50}=96.6\;{\mu}M)$, known to be a specific t-type blocker. The physiological role of $i_{Ca^{2+}}$ in the unfertilized hamster eggs remains unclear. Analysis from steady-state inactivation activation curves reveals that only a small amount of this current will pass in the voltage range $(-70{\sim}-30\;mV)$ which partially overlaps with the resting membrane potential. This current has the property that it can be easily activated by a weak depolarization, thus it may trigger a certain kind of a intracellular event following fertilization which may cause oscillations in the membrane potential.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.217-220
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• 2006

The effects of $(1R,9S)-\beta-hydrastine$ hydrochloride (BHSH) on $Ca^{2+}$ transport in rat pheochromocytoma PC12 cells were investigated. In the presence of external $Ca^{2+}$, BHSH at $100{\mu}M$ inhibited $K^+$ (56mM)-induced dopamine release, and $K^+-induced$ $Ca^{2+}$ influx and a sustained rise of $[Ca^{2+}]_i$. In addition, BHSH at 100 f.!M reduced the sustained rise of $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ elicited by 20 mM caffeine, but not by $1{\mu}M$ thapsigargin, in presence of external $Ca^{2+}$. These results suggest that BHSH inhibited $K^+-induced$ dopamine release and $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ influx, and store-operated $Ca^{2+}$ channels activated by caffeine, but not by thapsigargin, in PC12 cells.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.120-128
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• 2003

Alternative medicines such as herbal products are increasingly being used for preventive and therapeutic purposes. Ginseng is the best known and most popular herbal medicine used worldwide. In spite of some beneficial effects of ginseng on the nervous system, little scientific evidence shows at the cellular level. In the present study, I have examined the direct modulation of ginseng total saponins and individual ginsenosides on the activation of $Ca^{2+}$ channels and NMDA-gated channels in cultured rat dorsal root ganglion (DRG) and hippocampal neurons, respectively. In DRG neurons, application of ginseng total saponins suppressed high-voltage-activated $Ca^{2+}$ channel currents and ginsenoside Rg$_3$, among the 11 ginsenosides tested, produced the strongest inhibition on $Ca^{2+}$ channel currents. Occlusion experiments using selective $Ca^{2+}$ channel blockers revealed that ginsenoside Rg$_3$ could modulate L-, N-, and P/Q-type currents. In addition, ginsenoside Rg$_3$ also proved to be an active component of ginseng actions on NMDA receptors in cultured hippocampal neurons. Application of ginsenoside Rg$_3$ suppressed NMDA-induced [Ca$^{2+}$]$_{i}$ increase and -gated channels using fura-2-based digital imaging and patch-clamp techniques, respectively. These results suggest that the modulation of $Ca^{2+}$ channels and NMDA receptors by ginsenoside Rg$_3$ could be part of the pharmacological basis of ginseng actions in the peripheral and central nervous systems.ous systems.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.293-303
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• 1990

The contractile action of barium $(Ba^{2+})$ was investigated in the arterial strip of rabbit renal artery. The helical strip of isolated renal artery was immersed in the Tris-buffered Tyrode's solution equilibrated with 100% $O_2$ at $37^{\circ}C$ and its isometric tension was measured. $Ba^{2+}-induced$ contraction of arterial strip was dose-dependent and its maximal tension corresponded to $92.1{\pm}4.5%$ of tension by $K^+(100\;mM)$. $Ba^{2+}-induced$ contraction did not show the tachyphylactic phenomenon in the normal Tyrode's solution. $Ba^{2+}$ induced the tonic contraction in the $Ca^{2+}-free$ tyrode's solution and that was increased by the extracellula addition of $Ca^{2+}$. During the repeated exposure of the same dose of $Ba^{2+}\;(10\;mM)$ in the $Ca^{2+}-free$ Tyrode's solution, $Ba^{2+}-induced$ contraction was progressively decreased. Even though the intracellular NE-and caffeine-sensitive $Ca^{2+}$ was depleted, $Ba^{2+}$ induced the tonic contraction. After the pretreatment of lanthnum or verapamil, $Ba^{2+}$ did not induce contraction. $Ba^{2+}-induced$contraction was suppressed by extracellular $K^+$ in the normal Tyrode's solution and that was dependent on $K^+$ concentration. Suppressive effect of $K^+\;(14\;mM)$ on the $Ba^{2+}-induced$ contraction was also dependent on the intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ concentration. From the above resuts, it is suggested that $Ba^{2+}$ activate indirectly the contractile process by promoting the mobilization of intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ and the influx of extracellular $Ca^{2+}$. It is also suggested that action of $Ba^{2+}$ on the $Ca^{2+}-activated$ $K^+$ channel can result in the depolarization of cell membrane in the rabbit renal artery.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.4 no.6
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• pp.427-437
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• 2000

The early studies of cardiac and smooth muscle cells provided evidence for two different calcium channels, the L-type (also called high-voltage activated [HVA]) and T-type (low-voltage activated [LVA]). These calcium channels provided calcium for muscle contractions and pace-making activities. As might be expected, the number of different calcium channels increased when researchers studied neurons and the identification of the neuronal calcium channels has proven to be much more difficult than with the muscle calcium channels. There are two reasons for this difficulty; (1) a larger number of different calcium channels in neurons and (2) many of the different calcium channels have similar kinetic properties. This review uses the N-type calcium channel to illustrate the difficulties in identifying and characterizing calcium channels in neurons. It shows that the discovery of toxins that can specifically block single calcium channel types has made it possible to easily and rapidly discern the physiological roles of the different calcium channels in the neuron, Without these toxins it is unlikely that progress would have been as rapid.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.151-156
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• 1986

There are some evidence for the presence of more than one type of calcium channels. To investigate whether organic calcium antagonist sensitive calcium channels exist in the isolated sarcolemmal membrane, we prepared high KCl-loaded sarcolemmal vesicle from the procine small instine, and induced calcium transport by high $K^+$ concentration or by electrical stimulation after preincubation of KCl-loaded vesicle in the low potassium solution. Calcium transport induced by high $K^+$ concentration (84.7mM) was significantly increased (p<0.05), compared with that by low $K^+$ concentration (2.08 mM), and not inhibited by diltiazem $(10^{-6}\;M)$. Calcium transport was inactivated with time. By continuous electrical stimulation (3V, 15Hz, 25m see), calcium transport was markedly increased, and inhibited significantly by dilltiazem $(10^{-6}\;M)$ and nifedipine $(10^{-6}\;M)$ (p<0.005), compared with the value of control without electrical stimulation. Calcium transport by electrical stimulation was not inactivated with time for at least 2 min. From these results, it was concluded that there was organic calcium antagonist sensitive channel in the isolated intestinal sarcolemma membrane, which was activated by electrical stimulation.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.139-146
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• 2001

L-type $Ca^{2+}$ channels play an important role in regulating cytosolic $Ca^{2+}$ and thereby regulating hormone secretions in neuroendocrine cells. Since hormone secretions are also regulated by various kinds of protein kinases, we investigated the role of some kinase activators and inhibitors in the regulation of the L-type $Ca^{2+}$ channel currents in rat pituitary $GH_3$ cells using the patch-clamp technique. Phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate (PDBu), a protein kinase C (PKC) activator, and vanadate, a protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTP) inhibitor, increased the $Ba^{2+}$ current through the L-type $Ca^{2+}$ channels. In contrast, bisindolylmaleimide I (BIM I), a PKC inhibitor, and genistein, a protein tyrosine kinase (PTK) inhibitor, suppressed the $Ba^{2+}$ currents. Forskolin, an adenylate cyclase activator, and isobutyl methylxanthine (IBMX), a non-specific phosphodiesterase inhibitor, reduced $Ba^{2+}$ currents. The above results show that the L-type $Ca^{2+}$ channels are activated by PKC and PTK, and inhibited by elevation of cyclic nucleotides such as cAMP. From these results, it is suggested that the regulation of hormone secretion by various kinase activity in $GH_3$ cells may be attributable, at least in part, to their effect on L-type $Ca^{2+}$ channels.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.69-75
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• 2015

Purpose: Salivary fluid formation is primarily driven by Ca2+-activated, apical efflux of chloride into the lumen of the salivary acinus. The anoctamin1 protein is an anion channel with properties resembling the endogenous calcium-activated chloride channels. In order to better understand the role of anoctamin proteins in salivary exocrine secretion, the expression of the ten members of the anoctamin gene family in the mouse submandibular gland was studied. Methods: Total RNA extracted from mouse submandibular salivary glands was reverse transcribed using primer pairs to amplify the full-length coding regions of each anoctamin gene and was subcloned into plasmid vectors for DNA sequencing. Alternative splice variants were also screened by polymerase chain reaction using primer pairs that amplified six overlapping regions of the complementary DNA of each anoctamin gene, spanning multiple exons. Results: Multiple anoctamin transcripts were found in the mouse submandibular salivary gland, including full-length transcripts of anoctamin1, anoctamin3, anoctamin4, anoctamin5, anoctamin6, anoctamin9, and anoctamin10. Exon-skipping splicing in the N-terminal exons of the anoctamins1, anoctamin5, and anoctamin6 genes resulted in multiple alternative splice variants. No expression of anoctamin2, anoctamin7, or anoctamin8 was found. Conclusions: The predominant anoctamin transcript expressed in the mouse submandibular gland is anoctamin1ac. The chloride channel protein produced by anoctamin1ac is likely responsible for the $Ca^{2+}$-activated chloride efflux, which is the rate-limiting step in salivary exocrine secretion.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.9 no.5
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• pp.269-273
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• 2005

In horizontal cells (HCs) that were freshly dissociated from goldfish retina, two types of voltagedependent calcium currents ($I_{Ca}$) were recorded using a patch-clamping configuration: a transient type current and a sustained type current. The cell was held at -40 mV, and the prepulse step of -90 mV was applied before command pulse between -65 and +55 mV. The transient $Ca^{2+}$ current was activated by depolarization to around -50 mV from a prepulse voltage of -90 mV lasting at least 400 ms and reached a maximal value near -25 mV. On the other hand, the sustained $Ca^{2+}$ current was induced by pre-inactivation for less than 10 ms duration. Its activation started near -10 mV and peaked at +20 mV. $Co^{2+}$ (2 mM) suppressed both of these two components, but nifedipine ($20{\mu}M$), L-type $Ca^{2+}$ channel antagonist, blocked only the sustained current. Based on the activation voltage and the pharmacolog$I_{Ca}$l specificity, the sustained current appears to be similar to L-type $I_{Ca}$ and the transient type to T-type $I_{Ca}$. This study is the first to confirm that transient type $I_{Ca}$ together with the sustained one is present in HCs dissociated from goldfish retina.