Pharmacological properties of TRPM3 isoforms are determined by the length of the pore loop.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Transient receptor potential melastatin 3 (TRPM3) is a non-selective cation channel that plays a pivotal role in the peripheral nervous system as a transducer of painful heat signals. Alternative splicing gives rise to several TRPM3 variants. The functional consequences of these splice isoforms are poorly understood. Here, the pharmacological properties of TRPM3 variants arising from alternative splicing in the pore-forming region were compared. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: Calcium microfluorimetry and patch clamp recordings were used to compare the properties of heterologously expressed TRPM3α1 (long pore variant) and TRPM3α2-α6 (short pore variants). Furthermore, site-directed mutagenesis was done to investigate the influence of the length of the pore loop on the channel function. KEY RESULTS: All short pore loop TRPM3α variants (TRPM3α2-α6) were activated by the neurosteroid pregnenolone sulphate (PS) and by nifedipine, whereas the long pore loop variant TRPM3α1 was insensitive to either compound. In contrast, TRPM3α1 was robustly activated by clotrimazole, a compound that does not directly activate the short pore variants but potentiates their responses to PS. Clotrimazole-activated TRPM3α1 currents were largely insensitive to established TRPM3α2 antagonists and were only partially inhibited upon activation of the µ opioid receptor. Finally, by creating a set of mutant channels with pore loops of intermediate length, we showed that the length of the pore loop dictates differential channel activation by PS and clotrimazole. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS: Alternative splicing in the pore-forming region of TRPM3 defines the channel's pharmacological properties, which depend critically on the length of the pore-forming loop. LINKED ARTICLES: This article is part of a themed issue on Structure Guided Pharmacology of Membrane Proteins (BJP 75th Anniversary). To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v179.14/issuetoc.

Control of Insulin Release by Transient Receptor Potential Melastatin 3 (TRPM3) Ion Channels.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The release of insulin in response to increased levels of glucose in the blood strongly depends on Ca2+ influx into pancreatic beta cells by the opening of voltage-gated Ca2+ channels. Transient Receptor Potential Melastatin 3 proteins build Ca2+ permeable, non-selective cation channels serving as pain sensors of noxious heat in the peripheral nervous system. TRPM3 channels are also strongly expressed in pancreatic beta cells that respond to the TRPM3 agonist pregnenolone sulfate with Ca2+ influx and increased insulin release. Therefore, we hypothesized that in beta cells TRPM3 channels may contribute to pregnenolone sulfate- as well as to glucose-induced insulin release. METHODS: We used INS-1 cells as a beta cell model in which we analysed the occurrence of TRPM3 isoformes by immunoprecipitation and western blotting and by cloning of RT-PCR amplified cDNA fragments. We applied pharmacological as well as CRISPR/Cas9-based strategies to analyse the interplay of TRPM3 and voltage-gated Ca2+ channels in imaging experiments (FMP, Fura-2) and electrophysiological recordings. In immunoassays, we examined the contribution of TRPM3 channels to pregnenolone sulfate- and glucose-induced insulin release. To confirm our findings, we generated beta cell-specific Trpm3-deficient mice and compared their glucose clearance with the wild type in glucose tolerance tests. RESULTS: TRPM3 channels triggered the activity of voltage-gated Ca2+ channels and both channels together contributed to insulin release after TRPM3 activation. Trpm3-deficient INS-1 cells lacked pregnenolone sulfate-induced Ca2+ signals just like the pregnenolone sulfate-induced insulin release. Both, glucose-induced Ca2+ signals and the glucose-induced insulin release were strongly reduced. Accordingly, Trpm3-deficient mice displayed an impaired decrease of the blood sugar concentration after intraperitoneal or oral administration of glucose. CONCLUSION: The present study suggests an important role for TRPM3 channels in the control of glucose-dependent insulin release.

Protein Kinase CK2 Controls CaV2.1-Dependent Calcium Currents and Insulin Release in Pancreatic ß-Cells.

The regulation of insulin biosynthesis and secretion in pancreatic ß-cells is essential for glucose homeostasis in humans. Previous findings point to the highly conserved, ubiquitously expressed serine/threonine kinase CK2 as having a negative regulatory impact on this regulation. In the cell culture model of rat pancreatic ß-cells INS-1, insulin secretion is enhanced after CK2 inhibition. This enhancement is preceded by a rise in the cytosolic Ca2+ concentration. Here, we identified the serine residues S2362 and S2364 of the voltage-dependent calcium channel CaV2.1 as targets of CK2 phosphorylation. Furthermore, co-immunoprecipitation experiments revealed that CaV2.1 binds to CK2 in vitro and in vivo. CaV2.1 knockdown experiments showed that the increase in the intracellular Ca2+ concentration, followed by an enhanced insulin secretion upon CK2 inhibition, is due to a Ca2+ influx through CaV2.1 channels. In summary, our results point to a modulating role of CK2 in the CaV2.1-mediated exocytosis of insulin.

Transient receptor potential A1 channels regulate epithelial cell barriers formed by MDCK cells.

Transient receptor potential A1 channels are well-known as chemosensors in neuronal cells. However, recent studies also point to non-neuronal functions in epithelia. Here, we show that TRPA1 channels are expressed in epithelial MDCK II cells and contribute to Ca(2+) influx and whole-cell currents after stimulation with AITC. Stimulation of TRPA1 channels induced an immediate reduction of the transepithelial resistance of MDCK II cell layers that was blocked by the TRPA1 antagonist HC-030031. The present data provide strong evidence for a new role of TRPA1 channels in regulating the tightness of epithelial cell barriers.

TRPC5 is a Ca2+-activated channel functionally coupled to Ca2+-selective ion channels.

TRPC5 forms non-selective cation channels. Here we studied the role of internal Ca(2+) in the activation of murine TRPC5 heterologously expressed in human embryonic kidney cells. Cell dialysis with various Ca(2+) concentrations (Ca(2+)(i)) revealed a dose-dependent activation of TRPC5 channels by internal Ca(2+) with EC(50) of 635.1 and 358.2 nm at negative and positive membrane potentials, respectively. Stepwise increases of Ca(2+)(i) induced by photolysis of caged Ca(2+) showed that the Ca(2+) activation of TRPC5 channels follows a rapid exponential time course with a time constant of 8.6 +/- 0.2 ms at Ca(2+)(i) below 10 microM, suggesting that the action of internal Ca(2+) is a primary mechanism in the activation of TRPC5 channels. A second slow activation phase with a time to peak of 1.4 +/- 0.1 s was also observed at Ca(2+)(i) above 10 microM. In support of a Ca(2+)-activation mechanism, the thapsigargin-induced release of Ca(2+) from internal stores activated TRPC5 channels transiently, and the subsequent Ca(2+) entry produced a sustained TRPC5 activation, which in turn supported a long-lasting membrane depolarization. By co-expressing STIM1 plus ORAI1 or the alpha(1)C and beta(2) subunits of L-type Ca(2+) channels, we found that Ca(2+) entry through either calcium-release-activated-calcium or voltage-dependent Ca(2+) channels is sufficient for TRPC5 channel activation. The Ca(2+) entry activated TRPC5 channels under buffering of internal Ca(2+) with EGTA but not with BAPTA. Our data support the hypothesis that TRPC5 forms Ca(2+)-activated cation channels that are functionally coupled to Ca(2+)-selective ion channels through local Ca(2+) increases beneath the plasma membrane.

ONO-54918-07, a stable prostacyclin analogue, mimics the effect of prostaglandin PGE1 on NG108-15 cells.

The aim of this study was to explore the effect of 0NO-54918-07, a stable prostacyclin analogue, on the current-voltage (IV) curve and the intracellular Ca2+ concentration [Ca2+]i of NG108-15 neuroblastoma x glioma hybrid cells. The IV curve was measured with ramp pulses from -70 to 0 mV, and [Ca2+]i was determined with Fura 2. Bath application of 0.2 muM ONO-54918-07 reversibly increased the holding current at -70 mV by -81.1 +/- 14.8 pA (mean +/- SEM, n = 35) and the slope of the IV curve between -70 and -50 mV by the factor 2.24 +/- 0.24. The effect of 0.2 microM prostaglandin PGE1 was similar (DeltaI (hold) = -96.1 +/- 29.9 pA, g/g (control) = 2.72 +/- 0.44, n = 9). ONO-54918-07 concentrations of 0.04, 2 and 6 microM were also effective. From the dose-response curve, the concentration for the half maximal effect was obtained as 0.054 microM. When cells did not respond to ONO-54918-07, an effect could sometimes be elicited by a ramp pulse or by a second ONO-54918-07 application 30-50 min after the first. The effect of ONO-54918-07 was not affected by pre-treatment with the EP1 antagonists ONO-8713 or SC-51089. However, a 14-40 min pre-treatment with 1 microM RO3244794, a selective prostacyclin receptor (IP) antagonist, abolished the effect of 0.2 microM PGE1. The effect of 0.2 microM ONO-54918-07 vanished completely in the presence of 5 microM RO32446794. ONO-54918-07 and PGE1 produced a slow increase in [Ca2+]i that lasted at least 6 min. Delta[Ca2+]i induced by both substances reached approximately 12% of the peak Delta[Ca2+]i induced by application of bradykinin. In only a few cells, PGE1 produced a brief, transient rise of [Ca2+]i. Using reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction, a prominent expression of the IP was detected in NG108-15 cells. It is concluded that ONO-54918-07 mimics the effect of PGE1, supporting the notion that the PGE1 effect on NG108-15 cells is mediated by IP receptors.

Primary structure, chromosomal localization and expression in immune cells of the murine ORAI and STIM genes.

Recently ORAI and STIM proteins were identified as components of the CRAC channel and the endoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+) sensor, respectively. The ORAI proteins share a predicted structure that includes four transmembrane domains with intracellular N- and C-termini. They share structural similarity with proteins of the tetraspanin superfamily which includes the gamma subunits of voltage-activated Ca(2+) channels (CaVgamma), the transmembrane AMPA regulatory proteins (TARPs), the claudins and the tumor-associated membrane proteins (TMPs). The mouse genome contains four genes which encode the ORAI1, ORAI2 and ORAI3 proteins and two genes which encode the type I single-pass transmembrane STIM1 and STIM2 proteins. ORAI2 transcripts are present in primary cortical neurons and ORAI1, 2, 3 and STIM1, 2 expression is readily detectable in CD3+/CD4+-, CD3+/CD8+-, and CD19+-lymphocytes as well as in mast cells from mouse.

Murine ORAI2 splice variants form functional Ca2+ release-activated Ca2+ (CRAC) channels.

The stimulation of membrane receptors coupled to the phopholipase C pathway leads to activation of the Ca(2+) release-activated Ca(2+) (CRAC) channels. Recent evidence indicates that ORAI1 is an essential pore subunit of CRAC channels. STIM1 is additionally required for CRAC channel activation. The present study focuses on the genomic organization, tissue expression pattern, and functional properties of the murine ORAI2. Additionally, we report the cloning of the murine ORAI1, ORAI3, and STIM1. Two chromosomal loci were identified for the murine orai2 gene, one containing an intronless gene and a second locus that gives rise to the splice variants ORAI2 long (ORAI2L) and ORAI2 short (ORAI2S). Northern blots revealed a prominent expression of the ORAI2 variants in the brain, lung, spleen, and intestine, while ORAI1, ORAI3, and STIM1 appeared to be near ubiquitously expressed in mice tissues. Specific antibodies detected ORAI2 in RBL 2H3 but not in HEK 293 cells, whereas both cell lines appeared to express ORAI1 and STIM1 proteins. Co-expression experiments with STIM1 and either ORAI1 or ORAI2 variants showed that ORAI2L and ORAI2S enhanced substantially CRAC current densities in HEK 293 but were ineffective in RBL 2H3 cells, whereas ORAI1 strongly amplified CRAC currents in both cell lines. Thus, the capability of ORAI2 variants to form CRAC channels depends strongly on the cell background. Additionally, CRAC channels formed by ORAI2S were strongly sensitive to inactivation by internal Ca(2+). When co-expressed with STIM1 and ORAI1, ORAI2S apparently plays a negative dominant role in the formation of CRAC channels.