• Animal cells and systems
• /
• v.15 no.2
• /
• pp.131-138
• /
• 2011

Redox regulation is one of the ubiquitous mechanisms to modulate ion channels. We here investigated how 5,5'-dithio-bis (2-nitrobenzoic acid), a cysteine specific oxidizing reagent, modulates $Ca_v3.1$ and $Ca_v3.2$ T-type $Ca^{2+}$ channels expressed in Xenopus oocytes. Application of the reagent inhibited $Ca_v3.1$ and $Ca_v3.2$ currents in a dose-dependent manner. The oxidizing reagent (1 mM) reduced the peak amplitude of $Ca_v3.1$ and $Ca_v3.2$ currents by ~50% over 2-3 minutes and the decreased currents were fully recovered upon washout of it. The reagent slowed the activation and inactivation kinetics of $Ca_v3.1$, $Ca_v3.2$, and $Ca_v3.3$ channel currents. Notably, the reagent positively shifted both activation and steady-state inactivation curves of $Ca_v3.1$, while it did not those of $Ca_v3.2$. Utilizing chimeric channels from $Ca_v3.1$ and $Ca_v3.2$, we localized the domains III and IV of $Ca_v3.1$ responsible for the positive shifts of channel activation and steady-state inactivation. These findings provide hints relevant to the electrophysiological and molecular mechanisms accounting for the oxidative regulation of T-type channels.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
• /
• v.31 no.2
• /
• pp.45-51
• /
• 2006

R-type($Ca_v2.3$) calcium channel contributes to pain sensation in peripheral sensory neurons. Six isoforms of $Ca_v2.3$ that result from combinations of presence or deletion of three inserts(insert I and insert in the II-III loop, and insert III in N-terminal regions) have been demonstrated to be present in different mammalian tissues. However, the molecular basis of $Ca_v2.3$ in trigeminal ganglion(TG) neurons is not known. In the present study, we determined which isoforms of $Ca_v2.3$ are expressed in rat TG neurons using the RT-PCR analysis. Whole tissue RT-PCR analyses revealed that only two isoforms, $Ca_v2.3a$ and $Ca_v2.3e$, were present in TG neurons. From single-cell RT-PCR, we found that $Ca_v2.3e$ rather than $Ca_v2.3a$ was the major isoform expressed in TG neurons, and $Ca_v2.3e$ was preferentially detected in small-sized neurons that express nociceptive marker, transient receptor potential vanilloid 1(TRPV1). Our results suggest that $Ca_v2.3e$ in trigeminal neurons may be a potential target for the pain treatment.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
• /
• v.14 no.1
• /
• pp.45-49
• /
• 2010

R-type $Ca_v2.3$ high voltage-activated $Ca^{2+}$ channels in peripheral sensory neurons contribute to pain transmission. Recently we have demonstrated that, among the six $Ca_v2.3$ isoforms ($Ca_v2.3a{\sim}Ca_v2.3e$), the $Ca_v2.3e$ isoform is primarily expressed in trigeminal ganglion (TG) nociceptive neurons. In the present study, we further investigated expression patterns of $Ca_v2.3$ isoforms in the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons. As in TG neurons, whole tissue RT-PCR analyses revealed the presence of two isoforms, $Ca_v2.3a$ and $Ca_v2.3e$, in DRG neurons. Single-cell RT-PCR detected the expression of $Ca_v2.3e$ mRNA in 20% (n=14/70) of DRG neurons, relative to $Ca_v2.3a$ expression in 2.8% (n=2/70) of DRG neurons. $Ca_v2.3e$ mRNA was mainly detected in small-sized neurons (n=12/14), but in only a few medium-sized neurons (n=2/14) and not in large-sized neurons, indicating the prominence of $Ca_v2.3e$ in nociceptive DRG neurons. Moreover, $Ca_v2.3e$ was preferentially expressed in tyrosine-kinase A (trkA)-positive, isolectin B4 (IB4)-negative and transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1)-positive neurons. These results suggest that $Ca_v2.3e$ may be the main R-type $Ca^{2+}$ channel isoform in nociceptive DRG neurons and thereby a potential target for pain treatment, not only in the trigeminal system but also in the spinal system.

• Molecules and Cells
• /
• v.39 no.4
• /
• pp.322-329
• /
• 2016

Voltage-gated $Ca^{2+}$ ($Ca_V$) channels are dynamically modulated by Gprotein-coupled receptors (GPCR). The $M_1$ muscarinic receptor stimulation is known to enhance $Ca_V2.3$ channel gating through the activation of protein kinase C (PKC). Here, we found that $M_1$ receptors also inhibit $Ca_V2.3$ currents when the channels are fully activated by PKC. In whole-cell configuration, the application of phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), a PKC activator, potentiated $Ca_V2.3$ currents by ~two-fold. After the PMA-induced potentiation, stimulation of $M_1$ receptors decreased the $Ca_V2.3$ currents by $52{\pm}8%$. We examined whether the depletion of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate ($PI(4,5)P_2$) is responsible for the muscarinic suppression of $Ca_V2.3$ currents by using two methods: the Danio rerio voltage-sensing phosphatase (Dr-VSP) system and the rapamycin-induced translocatable pseudojanin (PJ) system. First, dephosphorylation of $PI(4,5)P_2$ to phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate (PI(4)P) by Dr-VSP significantly suppressed $Ca_V2.3$ currents, by $53{\pm}3%$. Next, dephosphorylation of both PI(4)P and $PI(4,5)P_2$ to PI by PJ translocation further decreased the current by up to $66{\pm}3%$. The results suggest that $Ca_V2.3$ currents are modulated by the $M_1$ receptor in a dual mode-that is, potentiation through the activation of PKC and suppression by the depletion of membrane $PI(4,5)P_2$. Our results also suggest that there is rapid turnover between PI(4)P and $PI(4,5)P_2$ in the plasma membrane.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.18 no.2
• /
• pp.365-368
• /
• 2008

Calcium entry through $Ca_v3.2Ca^{2+}$ channels plays essential roles for various physiological events including thalamic oscillation, muscle contraction, hormone secretion, and sperm acrosomal reaction. In this study, we examined how protein tyrosine phosphatases or protein tyrosine kinases affect $Ca_v3.2Ca^{2+}$ channels reconstituted in Xenopus oocytes. We found that $Ca_v3.2$ channel activity was reduced by 25% in response to phenylarsine oxide (tyrosine phosphatase inhibitor), whereas it was augmented by 19% in response to Tyr A47 or herbimycin A (tyrosine kinase inhibitors). However, other biophysical properties of $Ca_v3.2$ currents were not significantly changed by the drugs. These results imply that $Ca_v3.2$ channel activity is capable of being increased by activation of tyrosine phosphatases, but is decreased by activation of tyrosine kinases.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Telematics and Electronics D
• /
• v.36D no.10
• /
• pp.31-36
• /
• 1999

The $CaSiN_2:Eu$ and $CaSiN_2:Tb$ phosphors were synthesized and analyzed to develop new nitride compound phosphors. $Ca_3N_2$, $Si_3N_4$ and $EuF_3$(or $TbF_3$) powders were mixed, cold-pressed, and sintered to synthesize $CaSiN_2:Eu$ and $CaSiN_2:Tb$ phosphors. Photoluminescence(PL) and electroluminescence(EL) characteristics of the synthesized phosphors were measured and found to be similar to general emission spectra of 뗘 and Tb ion, respecticely. Threshold voltage($V_{th)$) and luminance of the $CaSiN_2:Eu$ TFEL device fabricated by sputtering were 90 V and 1.62 $cd/m^2$ at 280 V, respectively. The charge-voltage(Q-V) and transferred charge-phosphor field($Q_t-F_p$) characteristics of the TFEL devices were also measured.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
• /
• v.3 no.2
• /
• pp.199-205
• /
• 1999

Vibrio vulnificus cytolysin caused platelet cytolysis and increased intracellular calcium concentration $([Ca^{2+}]_i)$ of rat platelets in a concentration-dependent manner. In the presence of V. vulnificus cytolysin (3 HU/ml), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity was increased from $1.3{\pm}0.4%$ of control to $64.3{\pm}3.4%$ in platelet suspension buffer. In $Ca^{2+}-free$ platelet suspension buffer, however, V. vulnificus cytolysin did not induce $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ increase and LDH release. Addition of EGTA (2 mM) to suspension buffer after the initial $Ca^{2+}$ influx reversed $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ to the control level. However, a $Ca^{2+}$ channel blocker verapamil $(20\;{\mu}M)$ or mefenamic acid $(20\;{\mu}M)$ did not inhibit V. vulnificus cytolysin-induced $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ increase and LDH release. Divalent cations such as $Co^{2+},\;Cd^{2+}\;or\;Mn^{2+}$ (2 mM each) also did not alter V. vulnificus cytolysin-induced $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ increase and LDH release. V. vulnificus cytolysin (3 HU/ml)-induced calcium influx was completely blocked by lanthanum (2 mM). Lanthanum (2 mM) also completely blocked V. vulnificus cytolysin (3 HU/ml)-induced LDH release. Osmotic protectants such as, raffinose, sucrose or PEG600 (50 mM each) did not inhibit the lytic activity of V. vulnificus cytolysin. In conclusion, lanthanum sensitive $Ca^{2+}$ influx plays a significant role in Vibrio vulnificus cytolysin-induced platelet cytolysis and thrombocytopenia in V. vulnificus infection.

• Journal of the Korean Chemical Society
• /
• v.53 no.3
• /
• pp.272-278
• /
• 2009

The optimized structures and vibrational frequencies for $Ca^+-(CO)_n$ and $Ca^+-(CO_2)_n$ (n=1,2) complexes were calculated with MP2 and B3LYP methods employing 6-311++G(2d,p) basis sets. Also the binding energies were investigated for all complexes to compare the stabilities. For $Ca^+-(CO)_n$ C-bonded complexes are more stable than O-bonded complexes. Two stable conformations, linear and $C_{2v}$ form, are possible for $Ca^+-(CO)_2$ complexes and the $C_{2v}$ form is more stable than the linear form. $Ca^+-(CO_2)_2$ also has two possible conformations and linear form has slightly lower energy than $C_{2v}$ form.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
• /
• v.31 no.6
• /
• pp.688-696
• /
• 2020

Petroleum coke (petcoke) is widely used, next to coal, as a gasification feedstock. In gasification processes, the viscosity of the ash and the formation of crystalline phases must be understood to ensure the continuous removal of slag. This study investigates the effect of CaO and V2O3 on petcoke slag viscosity. The viscosity of the molten slag was measured in the temperature range of 1100~1600 ℃ while varying the concentration of each component. The crystalline phases formed in a cooled slag were examined. The most slag samples tested in this study exhibited crystalline slag behavior. The increased CaO concentration resulted in a lower viscosity and a lower Tcv. The viscosity behavior changed from the glassy to crystalline slag and also showed a higher Tcv as the concentration of V2O3 increases. Most slag samples showed different crystalline phases from top to bottom. Anorthites and Ca-V phases were observed in the top and middle section, while the bottom section mainly showed V2O3 and anorthite. The vanadium in the ash forms Ca-V and V-Fe phases and also remains in molten slag. A low melting Ca-V phase can contribute to lowering the viscosity.

• Animal cells and systems
• /
• v.12 no.3
• /
• pp.137-141
• /
• 2008

Molecular cloning revealed the three isoforms($Ca_v3.1,\;Ca_v3.2,\;and\;Ca_v3.3$) of the T-type calcium channel subfamily. Expression studies exhibited their distinctive electrophysiological and pharmacological properties, accounting for diverse properties of T-type calcium channel currents previously characterized from isolated cells. However, electrophysiological properties of ion channels have shown to be more diversified by their splice variants. We here searched splice variants of rat $Ca_v3.1$ T-type channel by reverse-transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR) to further explore diversity of $Ca_v3.1$. Interestingly, analyses of cloned RT-PCR products displayed that there were at least four splicing variants of rat $Ca_v3.1$ in the loop connecting repeats III and IV. Southern blot analyses indicated that the predominantly detected variant in brain was $Ca_v3.1a$(492 bp), which were rarely detected in most of peripheral tissues. Other two variants($Ca_v3.1c$, 546 bp; $Ca_v3.1d$, 525 bp) were detected in most of the tissues examined. The smallest isoform($Ca_v3.1b$, 471 bp) was rarely detected all the tissues. Electrophysiological characterization of the splicing variants indicated that the splice variants differ in inactivation kinetics and the voltage dependence of activation and inactivation as well.