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Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 281: H1532-H1544, 2001;
0363-6135/01 $5.00
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Vol. 281, Issue 4, H1532-H1544, October 2001

Phosphorylation-dependent modulation of cardiac calcium current by intracellular free magnesium

Siegried Pelzer, Chicuong La, and Dieter J. Pelzer

Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada B3H 4H7


    ABSTRACT
TOP
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION
MATERIALS AND METHODS
RESULTS
DISCUSSION
REFERENCES

We compared the effects of cytosolic free magnesium (Mg<UP><SUB>i</SUB><SUP>2+</SUP></UP>) on L-type Ca2+ current (ICa,L) in patch-clamped guinea pig ventricular cardiomyocytes under basal conditions, after inhibition of protein phosphorylation, and after stimulation of cAMP-mediated phosphorylation. Basal ICa,L density displayed a bimodal dependence on the concentration of Mg<UP><SUB>i</SUB><SUP>2+</SUP></UP> ([Mg2+]i; 10-6-10-2 M), which changed significantly as cell dialysis progressed due to a pronounced and long-lasting rundown of ICa,L in low-Mg2+ dialysates. Ten minutes after patch breakthrough, ICa,L density (at +10 mV) in Mg<UP><SUB>i</SUB><SUP>2+</SUP></UP>-depleted cells ([Mg2+]i ~1 µM) was elevated, increased to a maximum at ~20 µM [Mg2+]i, and declined steeply at higher [Mg2+]i. Treatment with the broad-spectrum protein kinase inhibitor K252a (10 µM) reduced ICa,L density and abolished these effects of Mg<UP><SUB>i</SUB><SUP>2+</SUP></UP> except for a negative shift of ICa,L-voltage relations with increasing [Mg2+]i. Maximal stimulation of cAMP-mediated phosphorylation occluded the Mg<UP><SUB>i</SUB><SUP>2+</SUP></UP>-induced stimulation of ICa,L and prevented inhibitory effects of the ion at [Mg2+]i <1 mM but not at higher concentrations. These results show that the modulation of ICa,L by Mg<UP><SUB>i</SUB><SUP>2+</SUP></UP> requires protein kinase activity and likely originates from interactions of the ion with proteins involved in the regulation of protein phosphorylation/dephosphorylation. Stimulatory effects of Mg<UP><SUB>i</SUB><SUP>2+</SUP></UP> on ICa,L seem to increase the cAMP-mediated phosphorylation of Ca2+ channels, whereas inhibitory effects of Mg<UP><SUB>i</SUB><SUP>2+</SUP></UP> appear to curtail and/or reverse cAMP-mediated phosphorylation.

whole cell patch-clamp recording; guinea pig ventricular cardiomyocytes; cAMP signaling


    INTRODUCTION
TOP
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION
MATERIALS AND METHODS
RESULTS
DISCUSSION
REFERENCES

MG2+ is the major divalent cation present in the cytoplasm and plays a fundamental role in cell function. Bound to ATP, the ion is required in reactions involving the transfer of phosphate groups, but there is also evidence indicating a regulatory role of free intracellular Mg2+ (Mg<UP><SUB>i</SUB><SUP>2+</SUP></UP>). In most vertebrates, the concentration of Mg<UP><SUB>i</SUB><SUP>2+</SUP></UP> ([Mg2+]i) appears to be between 0.3 and 1 mM in the myocardium (cf. Refs. 3, 16, and 30). Changes of [Mg2+]i within this concentration range affect a wide array of cardiac functions, including the activity of L-type Ca2+ channels (2, 30-33), the release of Ca2+ by the sarcoplasmic reticulum (cf. Refs. 8 and 15), and the Ca2+ sensitivity of the contractile apparatus (5).

In regard to the effects of Mg<UP><SUB>i</SUB><SUP>2+</SUP></UP> on cardiac L-type Ca2+ current (ICa,L), both inhibition and stimulation have been observed depending on the experimental conditions. Single channel studies show that Mg2+ binds to cation-binding sites in the conducting path of the channel pore exhibiting characteristics of both a weak blocker and permeator (cf. Ref. 11). A prominent inhibition of ICa,L by Mg<UP><SUB>i</SUB><SUP>2+</SUP></UP> in frog (29, 31-33) and mammalian (1) cardiomyocytes persisted after stimulation (1, 29) or inhibition (31) of cAMP-mediated phosphorylation and was attributed to a direct interaction of the ion with Ca2+ channel protein. Two reports describe the stimulation of ICa,L by Mg<UP><SUB>i</SUB><SUP>2+</SUP></UP> at concentrations in the low micromolar range. Yamaoka and Seyama (Ref. 31; Fig. 5B) observed a stimulation of ICa,L by [Mg2+]i in frog cardiomyocytes when the concentration of intracellular calcium ([Ca2+]i) was elevated (1 µM) but not when [Ca2+]i was 10 nM. Mg<UP><SUB>i</SUB><SUP>2+</SUP></UP>-induced stimulation of ICa,L in mammalian cardiomyocytes required the presence of ATP but seemed unrelated to protein phosphorylation (19).

However, Mg<UP><SUB>i</SUB><SUP>2+</SUP></UP> also regulates the activity of several enzymes that promote or impede cAMP-mediated phosphorylation, one of the main regulatory events experienced by L-type Ca2+ channels (e.g., Ref. 13). For example, Mg2+ is essential for the synthesis of cAMP at the catalytic site of adenylyl cyclase (AC), stimulates the basal activity of cardiac AC (e.g., Refs. 21-23, and 28), and increases the sensitivity of AC to hormone stimulation (23). On the other hand, the ion is involved in the degradation of cAMP by phosphodiesterases (PDEs), which require Mg2+ for activity (e.g., Ref. 9) and curtails protein phosphorylation via Mg2+-activated protein phosphatase-2C (PP2C; e.g., Ref. 14).

The objective of the present study was to assess whether the effects of Mg<UP><SUB>i</SUB><SUP>2+</SUP></UP> on phosphorylation/dephosphorylation processes contribute to the Mg<UP><SUB>i</SUB><SUP>2+</SUP></UP> dependence of ICa,L in mammalian cardiomyocytes. The whole cell patch-clamp technique was used to measure ICa,L density and to dialyze cells with solutions containing various concentrations of free Mg2+ while keeping the concentration of free Ca2+ constant (180 nM) and providing a sufficient supply of ATP-bound Mg2+. Here, we report that changes in [Mg2+]i affect ICa,L in a complex manner. Basal ICa,L density increased when [Mg2+]i increased from 1 to 17 µM and decreased at higher [Mg2+]i. The broad-spectrum protein kinase inhibitor K252a diminished ICa,L density and abolished all regulatory effects of Mg<UP><SUB>i</SUB><SUP>2+</SUP></UP> except for a Mg<UP><SUB>i</SUB><SUP>2+</SUP></UP>-induced negative shift of ICa,L-voltage relations. Maximal cAMP-mediated phosphorylation of the Ca2+ channel occluded stimulatory effects of the ion and diminished the sensitivity of ICa,L to inhibition by Mg<UP><SUB>i</SUB><SUP>2+</SUP></UP>. These results show that the modulation of ICa,L by Mg2+ requires protein kinase activity. Stimulatory effects of Mg<UP><SUB>i</SUB><SUP>2+</SUP></UP> appear to result from an increase in the cAMP-mediated phosphorylation of Ca2+ channels; inhibitory actions of Mg<UP><SUB>i</SUB><SUP>2+</SUP></UP> appear to curtail and/or reverse cAMP-dependent phosphorylation. We found no evidence for significant effects of Mg<UP><SUB>i</SUB><SUP>2+</SUP></UP> that could be attributed to direct interactions of Mg<UP><SUB>i</SUB><SUP>2+</SUP></UP> with Ca2+ channel protein.


    MATERIALS AND METHODS
TOP
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION
MATERIALS AND METHODS
RESULTS
DISCUSSION
REFERENCES

In accordance with national and local regulations on animal experimentation, guinea pigs (300-600 g) of either sex were killed by cervical dislocation. The heart was quickly removed, and the ascending aorta was cannulated. Single ventricular myocytes were isolated by an enzymatic dissociation procedure previously described in detail (10). Isolated myocytes were stored in Kraftbrühe ("KB medium") (see Ref. 34 for composition) at room temperature before experiments. For experimental recordings, isolated cells were transferred into a superfusion chamber positioned on top of an inverted microscope stage (Olympus IMT-2). Once the myocytes had adhered to the glass bottom of the chamber, they were superfused with control Tyrode solution containing (in mM) 140 NaCl, 5.4 KCl, 1.8 CaCl2, 1.0 MgCl2, 10 HEPES, and 10 glucose (pH 7.4 with NaOH). After 5 min, the superfusate was changed to K+-free saline (KCl replaced by CsCl). After gigaseal formation and patch breakthrough, cells were dialyzed via the patch pipette with a K+-free solution containing (in mM) 50 CsCl, 110 cesium aspartate, 10 HEPES, 10 1,2-bis(2-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid (BAPTA) or 20 BAPTA-20 EGTA, and 4 Na2ATP (pH 7.2 with CsOH). Free Ca2+ and free Mg2+ were adjusted to the desired concentrations by adding the appropriate amounts of MgCl2 and CaCl2 [free Ca2+ and free Mg2+ were calculated as described by Schoenmakers and colleagues (27)]. MgATP was provided with the use of ATP as a high-affinity Mg2+ buffer. To obtain 1 µM free Mg2+, a total of >30 µM of Mg2+ was required, most of which is bound to ATP. The concentration of free Ca2+ was 180 nM or, for experiments with cAMP-loaded myocytes, 90 nM. No attempts were made to exchange dialysates during individual experiments.

The voltage clamp was applied with an EPC9 amplifier (Heka; Lambrecht/Pfalz, Germany; pipette resistance 1.2-3 MOmega when immersed in control Tyrode solution) using the whole cell configuration of the patch-clamp technique (7). ICa,L was elicited by step depolarizations from -80 to +10 mV applied at 0.03 Hz (or 0.1 Hz during the measurement of ICa,L-voltage relations). Na+ current was minimized by 50-ms prepulses to -40 mV and the presence of 100 µM tetrodotoxin or 0.2 mM 4,4'-diisothiocyanatostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid (12) in the superfusate. Cell capacitance was monitored and updated with each depolarizing pulse. Current was recorded at a bandwidth of 2-10 kHz using Pulse (version 8.21, Instrutech; Elmont, NY) and analyzed using PulseFit (version 8.21, Instrutech) on an IBM PC. All experiments were performed at 22 ± 1°C. The experimental data are given as means ± SE; n is the number of cells. Statistical significance was assessed with an unpaired two-tailed t-test.

All biochemicals were reagent to analytic grade from Calbiochem (San Diego, CA), Research Biochemicals International (Natick, MA), and Sigma (St. Louis, MO). Forskolin (10 mM stock in DMSO), isobutyl-methyl-xanthine (IBMX; 20 mM stock in DMSO), and K252a (10 mM stock in DMSO) were added to the superfusate before the experiment. DMSO at the concentrations used (<0.1%) had no effect on ICa,L.


    RESULTS
TOP
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION
MATERIALS AND METHODS
RESULTS
DISCUSSION
REFERENCES

The experimental results are presented under three subheadings according to the three different experimental conditions used here. We will start with a description of the Mg<UP><SUB>i</SUB><SUP>2+</SUP></UP> dependence of ICa,L under basal conditions and provide evidence for the stimulatory and inhibitory effects of the ion. We will then present data showing that most regulatory effects of Mg<UP><SUB>i</SUB><SUP>2+</SUP></UP> are occluded when protein phosphorylation is inhibited. Finally, we will illustrate that the stimulation of cAMP-mediated phosphorylation occludes the stimulation of ICa,L by Mg<UP><SUB>i</SUB><SUP>2+</SUP></UP> and decreases the sensitivity of ICa,L to inhibitory effects of Mg<UP><SUB>i</SUB><SUP>2+</SUP></UP>.

Mg<UP><SUB>i</SUB><SUP>2<UP>+</UP></SUP></UP> dependence of basal ICa,L. Figure 1 shows the recordings of ICa,L (left) and time diaries of ICa,L density (right) during cell dialysis with solution containing five different concentrations of free Mg2+ ranging from 1 µM to 10 mM. ICa,L density shortly after patch breakthough was usually between -5 and -6 pA/pF. With dialysate concentrations of free Mg2+ ~1 mM, a concentration close to the [Mg2+]i in isolated guinea pig ventricular myocytes (3), ICa,L declined with time. This phenomenon, known as rundown, is commonly observed during whole cell recordings of ICa,L using the patch-clamp technique and is likely caused by a combination of many factors resulting from the change in the intracellular environment during cell dialysis (cf. Ref. 13). Typically, ICa,L rundown was most noticeable early in dialysis. In the myocyte dialyzed with 1.1 mM Mg2+ solution, ICa,L declined by ~25% within 10 min, which accounted for 95% of total rundown during the 30-min observation period. When higher dialysate concentrations of free Mg2+ were used to increase [Mg2+]i, ICa,L declined faster and to a larger extent. In the example cell dialyzed with 10 mM Mg2+ solution, ICa,L decreased by ~40% within 5 min.


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Fig. 1.   Comparison of L-type Ca2+ current (ICa,L) in guinea pig ventricular cardiomyocytes during dialysis with solution containing different concentrations of cytosolic free Mg2+ (Mg<UP><SUB>i</SUB><SUP>2+</SUP></UP>) ranging from 1 µM to 10 mM. Left: sample currents; right: time diaries of ICa,L density at a test potential of +10 mV. Time 0 represents the moment of patch breakthrough and the start of cell dialysis. Filled symbols (1-5) in each time course correspond to sample currents.

ICa,L time diaries were quite different when low dialysate concentrations of free Mg2+ (<= 100 µM) were used to decrease [Mg2+]i. Typically, an increase in ICa,L density for 5-8 min after patch breakthrough was followed by a long period of rundown before the current finally stabilized at >= 20 min. The increase in ICa,L was most pronounced with solution containing ~20 µM Mg2+. In the myocytes shown, ICa,L density recorded after 5 min of dialysis with 1, 17, and 82 µM Mg2+ solution exceeded that in 1.1 mM Mg2+ dialysate by 2.7, 3.2, and 1.6 times, respectively (compare sample currents 2). With 1 and 82 µM Mg2+ solution, the initial increase in ICa,L was completely occluded by the following rundown. In contrast, ICa,L with 17 µM dialysate Mg2+ stabilized after >20 min at a significantly elevated level (compare sample currents 4 and 5, for a summary see Fig. 3).

We next examined the possible effects of Mg<UP><SUB>i</SUB><SUP>2+</SUP></UP> on the voltage dependence of ICa,L. Mg2+ is a weak blocker of the Ca2+ channel (11) and, being the major divalent cation present in the cytoplasm, might also affect the potential drop across the membrane by shielding negative charges fixed at the cytoplasmic side of the membrane. Figure 2 shows example currents recorded at -10, +10, and +30 mV (left) and corresponding ICa,L-voltage relations (right) at five different [Mg2+]i ranging from 1 µM (Fig. 2A) to 10 mM (Fig. 2E). The data were collected after extensive cell dialysis (>= 28 min), when ICa,L had reached a steady state (see Fig. 1). Typical bell-shaped ICa,L-voltage relations were observed at all [Mg2+]i. However, at concentrations >100 µM, increasing [Mg2+]i seemingly caused a progressive negative shift of the potential eliciting maximal inward current (Vmax; arrows in Fig. 2, right) from Vmax = 13 ± 1 mV with 82 µM [Mg2+]i (n = 5; Fig. 2C) to Vmax = 1 ± 1 mV with 10 mM [Mg2+]i (n = 4; Fig. 2E). ICa,L density at Vmax was similar with 1 µM, 82 µM, and 1.1 mM [Mg2+]i (compare Fig. 2, A, C, and D) and somewhat (~25%) smaller with 10 mM [Mg2+]i (Fig. 2E). With 17 µM [Mg2+]i (Fig. 2B), ICa,L was considerably larger in size, and the ICa,L-voltage relation peaked at a less positive potential than with 1 µM [Mg2+]i (Fig. 2A) or 82 µM [Mg2+]i (Fig. 2C). This negative shift appears to be unrelated to the leftward shift of Vmax at higher [Mg2+]i and seems to be associated with the mechanism causing the elevation of ICa,L (see below).


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Fig. 2.   Voltage dependence of ICa,L with different concentrations of Mg<UP><SUB>i</SUB><SUP>2+</SUP></UP> ([Mg2+]i) ranging from 1 µM to 10 mM [1 µM (A), 17 µM (B), 82 µM (C), 1.1 mM (D), and 10 mM (E)]. Left: original currents recorded at test potentials (Vm) of -10 mV (), +10 mV (), and +30 mV (black-lozenge ) after >28 min of cell dialysis. Right: corresponding complete ICa,L-voltage relations. Each point represents the average ICa,L density measured in 3-6 cells. Where error bars are absent, they are smaller than the symbol size. Arrows indicate the average potential eliciting maximal inward current (Vmax) obtained from Spline approximations of the ICa,L-voltage relations (Origin 4.0, Microcal Software). Vmax was 16 ± 1 mV (A), 6 ± 1 mV (B), 13 ± 1 mV (C), 8 ± 1 mV (D), and 1 ± 1 mV (E).

The data summarized in Fig. 3 illustrate the Mg<UP><SUB>i</SUB><SUP>2+</SUP></UP> dependence of basal ICa,L. All ICa,L densities shown are average values measured from 5-13 myocytes. Figure 3A depicts changes in the relation between ICa,L at +10 mV and [Mg2+]i during cell dialysis. Shown are the ICa,L densities measured after 10 min of cell dialysis, a time when we expect dialysis with the low-molecular-weight compounds contained in our pipette solution to be complete, and ICa,L densities after extensive cell dialysis (>= 28 min), when ICa,L had reached a steady state at all [Mg2+]i (see Fig. 1). At millimolar [Mg2+]i, ICa,L densities were similar at both times and decreased with increasing [Mg2+]i; at submillimolar [Mg2+]i, cell dialysis altered the Mg<UP><SUB>i</SUB><SUP>2+</SUP></UP> dependence of ICa,L significantly. Ten minutes after patch breakthrough, ICa,L density with 1 µM [Mg2+]i was elevated (1.8 times larger than with 1 mM [Mg2+]i), increased to a maximum at 17 µM [Mg2+]i, and decreased steeply at higher [Mg2+]i, suggesting that Mg<UP><SUB>i</SUB><SUP>2+</SUP></UP> exerts both stimulatory and inhibitory actions on ICa,L. After >= 28 min of dialysis, ICa,L densities in 1 µM and 1 mM [Mg2+]i were similar, and bimodal changes of ICa,L density occurred only in a small concentration window around 20 µM [Mg2+]i. Apparently, much of the inhibitory action of Mg<UP><SUB>i</SUB><SUP>2+</SUP></UP> had been masked by the decline of ICa,L at low [Mg2+]i with progressing cell dialysis (see Fig. 1). The stimulatory effect of Mg<UP><SUB>i</SUB><SUP>2+</SUP></UP> appeared to be little altered by cell dialysis. After 10 min of dialysis, ICa,L density in 17 µM [Mg2+]i exceeded that in 1 µM [Mg2+]i by 3.0 ± 1.0 pA/pF (n = 13 for ICa,L in 17 µM [Mg2+]i and n = 7 for ICa,L in 1 µM [Mg2+]i); after >= 28 min of dialysis, the elevation in ICa,L density was of similar size, 3.8 ± 0.7 pA/pF (n = 6 for ICa,L in 17 µM [Mg2+]i and n = 3 for ICa,L in 1 µM [Mg2+]i).


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Fig. 3.   Concentration dependence of ICa,L on [Mg2+]i after different times of cell dialysis (A) and at different test potentials (B). A: ICa,L density at a test potential of +10 mV measured after 10 min () and 30 min of cell dialysis (black-triangle). Points represent the mean of n = 5-13 cells. ICa,L densities measured with GTP (200 µM)-containing dialysates after 10 min (open circle ) and 30 min (triangle ) of cell dialysis are also shown. Points represent the mean of n = 3 cells. B: ICa,L density after 30 min of cell dialysis at test potentials of -10, +30, and +50 mV (filled symbols) and in GTP-containing dialysates (open symbols). Each point represents the mean of n = 3-6 cells. Where error bars are absent, they are smaller than the symbol size.

Both stimulatory and inhibitory effects of Mg<UP><SUB>i</SUB><SUP>2+</SUP></UP> were also apparent at other test potentials (see Fig. 3B). The stimulatory action of Mg<UP><SUB>i</SUB><SUP>2+</SUP></UP> appeared to be reduced with increasing test potentials. A comparison of the ICa,L densities measured in 1 and 17 µM [Mg2+]i shows that ICa,L density at -10 mV increased by 3.7-fold compared with 2.3-, 1.6-, 1.5-, and 1.4-fold at 0, +10, +30 and +50 mV (compare Fig. 2, A and B), respectively. Also noticeable, particularly at millimolar [Mg2+]i, was the tendency of ICa,L to decrease with increasing [Mg2+]i at positive potentials but to increase at -10 mV, which is in keeping with the Mg<UP><SUB>i</SUB><SUP>2+</SUP></UP>-induced leftward shift of ICa,L-voltage relations (see Fig. 2).

It is worth noting that these experiments were conducted in GTP-free dialysates to discourage the activation of G proteins, which are Mg2+ dependent and affect the activity of cardiac Ca2+ channels in a complex fashion (cf. Ref. 13). ICa,L densities in GTP-containing dialysates were similar at 1 mM [Mg2+]i but were significantly lower than in GTP-free dialysates at 17 µM [Mg2+]i (open symbols in Fig. 3, A and B).

These data show that Mg<UP><SUB>i</SUB><SUP>2+</SUP></UP> affects basal ICa,L in a complex manner, which comprises both stimulatory and inhibitory mechanisms. Stimulatory effects of Mg<UP><SUB>i</SUB><SUP>2+</SUP></UP> prevail at low (<20 µM) [Mg2+]i. They appear to be little altered by cell dialysis and enhanced at negative potentials. Inhibitory effects of Mg<UP><SUB>i</SUB><SUP>2+</SUP></UP> become predominant at [Mg2+]i >20 µM. However, they are masked by the rundown of ICa,L as cell dialysis progresses. Furthermore, the regulatory effects of Mg<UP><SUB>i</SUB><SUP>2+</SUP></UP> appear to depend on the cellular concentration of GTP.

Mg<UP><SUB>i</SUB><SUP>2<UP>+</UP></SUP></UP> dependence of ICa,L after protein kinase inhibition. Possible targets for interactions with Mg2+ are the Ca2+ channel itself as well as several systems involved in the regulation of protein phosphorylation. To separate phosphorylation-related effects from direct effects of Mg<UP><SUB>i</SUB><SUP>2+</SUP></UP> on ICa,L, we used the nonhydrolyzable ATP analog K252a. This compound abolishes the enzymatic activity of a wide array of kinases including protein kinase A (PKA), Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II, and protein kinase C, all of which contribute to the regulation of cardiac ICa,L (e.g., Ref. 13). Figure 4 illustrates sample ICa,L records (left) and time diaries of ICa,L density (right) recorded from K252a-treated myocytes. Regardless of the concentration of free Mg2+ in the dialysate, which ranged from 1 µM (Fig. 4A) to 5 mM (Fig. 4D), ICa,L density at a test potential of +10 mV immediately after patch breakthrough was considerably lower than under basal conditions (around -3 pA/pF) and changed little during cell dialysis.


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Fig. 4.   Comparison of ICa,L in K252a-treated myocytes during dialysis with solution containing 1 µM (A), 17 µM (B), 1 mM (C), and 5 mM (D) Mg<UP><SUB>i</SUB><SUP>2+</SUP></UP>. Illustrated are sample currents (left) and time diaries of ICa,L density (right) recorded from myocytes that were preincubated for 10-20 min and subsequently superfused with 10 µM K252a solution. The test potential was +10 mV. Time 0 represents the moment of patch breakthrough and the start of cell dialysis. Filled symbols (1-4) in each time course correspond to the sample currents shown.

The voltage dependence of ICa,L in K252a-treated cells (Fig. 5) was determined under steady-state conditions after >= 28 min of cell dialysis. Again, all ICa,L-voltage relations had the typical bell shape, and increasing [Mg2+]i from 1 µM (Fig. 5A) to 5 mM (Fig. 5D) caused a progressive negative shift of Vmax (arrows in Fig. 5, right). With 17 µM [Mg2+]i, Vmax was similar to that observed with 1 µM [Mg2+]i (compare Fig. 5, A and B) but significantly more positive (P = 0.0001) than under basal conditions (compare Figs. 2B and 5B). K252a seemingly abolished the leftward shift in the voltage dependence of basal ICa,L at 17 µM [Mg2+]i, suggesting that this leftward shift requires protein kinase activity.


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Fig. 5.   Voltage dependence of ICa,L in K252a-treated myocytes with different [Mg2+]i ranging from 1 µM to 5 mM [1 µM (A), 17 µM (B), 1 mM (C), and 5 mM (D)]. Left: original currents recorded at test potentials (Vm) of -10 mV (), +10 mV (), and +30 mV (black-lozenge ) after 30 min of cell dialysis. Right: corresponding complete ICa,L-voltage relations. Each point represents the average ICa,L density measured in 3-6 cells. Where error bars are absent, they are smaller than the symbol size. Arrows indicate Vmax, which was 18 ± 2 mV (A), 17 ± 1 mV (B), 11 ± 1 mV (C), and 6 ± 1 mV (D).

The data shown in Fig. 6 summarize the Mg<UP><SUB>i</SUB><SUP>2+</SUP></UP>-dependence of ICa,L in K252a-treated myocytes. ICa,L densities at +10 mV were similar after 10 min and after >= 28 min of cell dialysis (Fig. 6A) and were unaffected by changes in [Mg2+]i between 1 µM and 5 mM. ICa,L at +30 and +50 mV (Fig. 6B) decreased with increasing [Mg2+]i; at -10 mV, ICa,L increased at higher [Mg2+]i. These changes are explicable as a result of the Mg<UP><SUB>i</SUB><SUP>2+</SUP></UP>-induced negative shift of the voltage dependence of ICa,L (see Fig. 5).


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Fig. 6.   Concentration dependence of ICa,L on [Mg2+]i in K252a-treated myocytes measured after different times of cell dialysis (A) and at different test potentials (B). A: ICa,L density measured at a test potential of +10 mV after 10 min () and 30 min of cell dialysis (open circle ). Points represent the mean of n = 4-6 cells. B: ICa,L density after 30 min of cell dialysis at test potentials of -10, +30, and +50 mV. Each point represents the mean of n = 3-6 cells. Where error bars are absent, they are smaller than the symbol size.

These data show that the inhibition of protein phosphorylation with K252a reduced ICa,L density and rendered the remaining current unresponsive to the modulatory effects of Mg<UP><SUB>i</SUB><SUP>2+</SUP></UP>. The only significant effect of Mg<UP><SUB>i</SUB><SUP>2+</SUP></UP> on the permeation of Ca2+ through unphosphorylated Ca2+ channels is a negative shift of ICa,L-voltage relations, which could be explained by the screening of intracellular negative surface charges by Mg<UP><SUB>i</SUB><SUP>2+</SUP></UP>.

It is also worth noting that there was no detectable ICa,L rundown in K252a-treated cells (see Fig. 4). Hence, one has to assume that the rundown of ICa,L under basal conditions (see Fig. 1) results from a decline in the activity of phosphorylated Ca2+ channels contributing to basal ICa,L and/or that the processes causing rundown require protein kinase activity.

Effects of Mg2+ on ICa,L in cAMP-loaded myocytes. We have previously shown (35) that bath application of the AC activator forskolin together with the PDE inhibitor IBMX elevates cAMP sufficiently to maximally stimulate the cAMP-mediated phosphorylation of Ca2+ channels. Figure 7 shows typical ICa,L records (left) and time diaries of ICa,L density (right) recorded with different concentrations of dialysate Mg2+. Shortly after patch breakthrough, ICa,L density at +10 mV was usually in the range of -25 to -35 pA/pF. With 1.1 mM Mg2+ dialysate (see Fig. 7D), typically an increase in ICa,L during the first 5-7 min of dialysis was followed by rundown that lasted for the entire 30-min observation period. Considering that the predialysis [Mg2+]i in guinea pig ventricular myocytes is ~1 mM (3), cell dialysis is unlikely to cause a significant change in [Mg2+]i. Hence, one must assume that the initial increase in ICa,L is not related to a change in [Mg2+]i. It is more likely that the initial increase in ICa,L represents relief from Ca2+-induced inhibition of ICa,L due to the reduction of [Ca2+]i from a possibly elevated predialysis level to 90 nM, the dialysate concentration of Ca2+ used in all experiments with cAMP-loaded cells. Similar ICa,L time diaries were seen when submillimolar concentrations of free Mg2+ were used to decrease [Mg2+]i (Figs. 7, A-C). When [Mg2+]i was increased to concentrations in the millimolar range, ICa,L declined throughout the entire observation period but most noticeably during early dialysis (Fig. 7E). Note that, although Mg2+ is an essential cofactor for the phosphate transfer by PKA, the reduction of free dialysate Mg2+ to concentrations as low as 1 µM did not seem to hamper the cAMP-mediated phosphorylation of Ca2+ channels.


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Fig. 7.   Comparison of ICa,L in cAMP-loaded myocytes during dialysis with 1 µM (A), 17 µM (B), 82 µM (C), 1.1 mM (D) and 12.8 mM (E) Mg2+ solution. Sample currents (left) and time diaries of ICa,L density (right) were recorded at a test potential of +10 mV from myocytes preincubated for 10-20 min and superfused with solution containing 10 µM forskolin and 50 µM isobutyl-methyl-xanthine. Time 0 represents the moment of patch breakthrough and the start of cell dialysis. Filled symbols (1-5) in each time course correspond to the sample currents.

The voltage dependence of ICa,L in cAMP-loaded myocytes is illustrated in Fig. 8. Sample records of ICa,L at different membrane potentials (left) and ICa,L-voltage relations (right) were measured after 30 min of dialysis with [Mg2+]i ranging from 1 µM (Fig. 8A) to 12.8 mM (Fig. 8E). All ICa,L-voltage relations were bell shaped, with Vmax (indicated by arrows) clustering between -4 and +1 mV. At all [Mg2+]i, Vmax was significantly less positive than under basal conditions (see Fig. 2) or in K252a-treated cells (see Fig. 5). This confirms observations by others (cf. Ref. 13) that cAMP-mediated phosphorylation shifts the voltage dependence of the Ca2+ channel to more negative potentials.


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Fig. 8.   Voltage dependence of cAMP-upregulated ICa,L at different [Mg2+]i ranging from 1 µM to 12.8 mM [1 µM (A), 17 µM (B), 82 µM (C), 1.1 mM (D), and 12.8 mM (E)]. Left: original currents recorded at test potentials (Vm) of -10 mV (), +10 mV (), and +30 mV (black-lozenge ) after 30 min of cell dialysis. Right: corresponding complete ICa,L-voltage relations. Each point represents the average ICa,L density measured in 2-5 cells. Where error bars are absent, they are smaller than the symbol size. Arrows indicate Vmax, which was -3 ± 1 mV (A), -3 ± 1 mV (B), -4 ± 1 mV (C), -2 ± 2 mV (D), and 1 ± 1 mV (E).

Figure 9 summarizes the dependence of ICa,L on [Mg2+]i in cAMP-loaded cells. The ICa,L-[Mg2+]i relations shown in Fig. 9A were determined at +10 mV after 10 and 30 min of cell dialysis. At both times, cAMP-upregulated ICa,L was unresponsive to variations of [Mg2+]i between 1 µM and 1 mM; increasing [Mg2+]i in the millimolar range caused a large decrease in ICa,L density. ICa,L at -10 mV displayed a very similar dependence on [Mg2+]i (see Fig. 9B). Although at more positive test potentials a decline of ICa,L density at submillimolar [Mg2+]i was noticeable, the stimulation of cAMP-mediated phosphorylation appears to confer considerable protection against the inhibitory effects of Mg<UP><SUB>i</SUB><SUP>2+</SUP></UP> on ICa,L seen under basal conditions (see Fig. 3).


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Fig. 9.   [Mg2+]i-dependence of cAMP-upregulated ICa,L measured after different times of cell dialysis (A) and at different test potentials (B). A: ICa,L density measured at a test potential of +10 mV after 10 min () and 30 min of cell dialysis (open circle ). Points represent the mean of n = 4-6 cells. B: ICa,L density after 30 min of cell dialysis at test potentials of -10, +30, and +50 mV. Each point represents the mean of n = 2-6 cells. Where error bars are absent, they are smaller than the symbol size.

These data show that the Mg<UP><SUB>i</SUB><SUP>2+</SUP></UP> dependence of ICa,L under basal conditions and in cAMP-loaded cells differs considerably in several respects. In cAMP-loaded cells, the stimulatory effects of Mg<UP><SUB>i</SUB><SUP>2+</SUP></UP> were occluded, whereas the inhibitory effects of Mg<UP><SUB>i</SUB><SUP>2+</SUP></UP> occurred only at millimolar concentrations of the ion (compare Figs. 3 and 9). Other than under basal conditions or in K252a-treated cells, in cAMP-loaded cells there was no clear effect of [Mg2+]i on the voltage dependence of ICa,L (compare Figs. 2, 5, and 7). Furthermore, in cAMP-loaded cells, ICa,L declined even after prolonged cell dialysis. This is in keeping with the observation that the rundown of single channel current in excised patches is significantly slowed down in the presence of compounds that promote the cAMP-mediated phosphorylation of the Ca2+ channel (cf. Ref. 13). Hence, one would expect that after the stimulation of cAMP-mediated phosphorylation, the rundown of ICa,L is prolonged.


    DISCUSSION
TOP
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION
MATERIALS AND METHODS
RESULTS
DISCUSSION
REFERENCES

The experiments described in this study confirm the importance of Mg<UP><SUB>i</SUB><SUP>2+</SUP></UP> in the regulation of Ca2+ influx via L-type Ca2+ channels in mammalian cardiomyocytes. Evidence is provided that Mg<UP><SUB>i</SUB><SUP>2+</SUP></UP> has a dual stimulatory and inhibitory action on ICa,L. Additional experimental data demonstrate that the inhibition of protein phosphorylation prevents both stimulatory and inhibitory effects of Mg<UP><SUB>i</SUB><SUP>2+</SUP></UP> on ICa,L. Finally, it is shown that the stimulation of cAMP-mediated phosphorylation occludes the stimulation of ICa,L by Mg<UP><SUB>i</SUB><SUP>2+</SUP></UP> and diminishes the sensitivity of ICa,L to inhibition by Mg<UP><SUB>i</SUB><SUP>2+</SUP></UP>. These results strongly suggest that the modulation of ICa,L by Mg<UP><SUB>i</SUB><SUP>2+</SUP></UP> originates from effects of Mg<UP><SUB>i</SUB><SUP>2+</SUP></UP> on enzymes that regulate protein phosphorylation and, in particular, the cAMP-mediated phosphorylation of the Ca2+ channel.

Inhibitory effects of Mg<UP><SUB>i</SUB><SUP>2<UP>+</UP></SUP></UP>. In the absence of neuronal or hormonal stimuli, the main regulatory influence of Mg<UP><SUB>i</SUB><SUP>2+</SUP></UP> on cardiac L-type Ca2+ channels seems to be inhibitory (see Fig. 3). Our data possibly underestimate the full extent to which Mg<UP><SUB>i</SUB><SUP>2+</SUP></UP> curtails basal ICa,L in intact cardiomyocytes, because the inhibitory effects of Mg<UP><SUB>i</SUB><SUP>2+</SUP></UP> target an increment of ICa,L that declines during cell dialysis (see Figs. 1 and 3A). For example, after 10 min of cell dialysis, a time when the initial increase of ICa,L in low-Mg2+ dialysates had already been overcome by subsequent long-lasting depression, ICa,L in 1 µM [Mg2+]i was still about two times larger than at 1 mM [Mg2+]i. Only 5 min earlier (see Fig. 1), ICa,L in 1 µM [Mg2+]i had exceeded that at 1 mM [Mg2+]i by about three times.

In intact frog cardiomyocytes, submillimolar concentrations of Mg<UP><SUB>i</SUB><SUP>2+</SUP></UP> affected the open probability but not the conductance of the Ca2+ channel (31, 33). Channel gating in Mg2+-depleted cardiomyocytes strongly resembled that of phoshorylated Ca2+ channels, and an increase in [Mg2+]i progressively shifted gating from a "willing" into a "reluctant" mode. Two mechanisms that have been associated with such a mode shift are Ca2+-induced inhibition and dephosphorylation of Ca2+ channels (e.g., Ref. 13). Because the effect of Mg<UP><SUB>i</SUB><SUP>2+</SUP></UP> persisted in the presence of a "death brew" (31), which prevents phosphorylation by depleting the cell of ATP, the inhibitory action of Mg<UP><SUB>i</SUB><SUP>2+</SUP></UP> appeared to be unrelated to phosphorylation processes and was attributed to the binding of Mg2+ to the regulatory Ca2+-binding site, which is involved in the Ca2+-induced inhibition of ICa,L (31). We found no evidence for a significant contribution of this mechanism to the inhibitory effects of Mg<UP><SUB>i</SUB><SUP>2+</SUP></UP> on ICa,L. In our hands, the inhibitory effects of the ion were occluded by the inhibition of protein phosphorylation with K252a (see Figs. 4-6); in contrast, free Ca2+-induced inhibition of ICa,L persisted in the presence of K252a (34). The recent finding that Ca2+-induced inhibition of ICa,L likely results from Ca2+ binding to a channel-associated calmodulin (36) rather than to a regulatory site at the Ca2+ channel protein also argues against the hypothesis that Mg<UP><SUB>i</SUB><SUP>2+</SUP></UP> could cause inhibition of the Ca2+ channel in a Ca2+-analog manner. Although the ion binds to calmodulin, Mg2+ binding does not appear to induce the conformational changes required for the interaction of calmodulin with target peptides (cf. Ref. 17).

An alternative explanation for the inhibitory effects of Mg<UP><SUB>i</SUB><SUP>2+</SUP></UP> is that in Mg<UP><SUB>i</SUB><SUP>2+</SUP></UP>-depleted cells, a considerable number of Ca2+ channels are phosphorylated. Judging from the differences in ICa,L density under basal conditions and in the presence of K252a (compare filled circles in Figs. 3A and 6A), phosphorylated channels appear to carry >75% of basal ICa,L in Mg2+-depleted cells but 40% or less at millimolar [Mg2+]i. With increasing [Mg2+]i, the contribution of current through phosphorylated Ca2+channels to whole cell ICa,L declined either because Mg<UP><SUB>i</SUB><SUP>2+</SUP></UP> selectively inhibits current flowing through phosphorylated Ca2+ channels or because Mg<UP><SUB>i</SUB><SUP>2+</SUP></UP> reduces the number of phosphorylated channels that contribute to ICa,L. Our results argue against an inhibitory action of Mg<UP><SUB>i</SUB><SUP>2+</SUP></UP> on current flow through phosphorylated Ca2+ channels, because, in this case, the inhibitory effect of Mg2+ should become more pronounced when Ca2+ channel phosphorylation is stimulated and a larger number of phosphorylated Ca2+ channels contributes to whole cell ICa,L. On the contrary, the stimulation of cAMP-mediated phosphorylation decreased the sensitivity of ICa,L to inhibition by Mg<UP><SUB>i</SUB><SUP>2+</SUP></UP> (compare Figs. 3A and 9A). This suggests that Mg<UP><SUB>i</SUB><SUP>2+</SUP></UP> activates enzymes that curtail and/or reverse the phosphate transfer by PKA, thereby reducing the number of phosphorylated Ca2+ channels contributing to ICa,L. Although the nature of these enzymes remains to be determined, there are several likely candidates. For example, all PDEs are Mg2+ dependent, (e.g., Ref. 9). Because some cAMP-specific PDEs [such as PDE3 (e.g., Ref. 18) or PDE4 (20)] have affinities for Mg2+ in the low micromolar concentration range, the inhibitory effects of Mg<UP><SUB>i</SUB><SUP>2+</SUP></UP> on basal ICa,L could reflect the Mg2+-activation of PDEs. Alternatively, the activation of the Mg2+-dependent PP2C (cf. Ref. 14) could curtail Ca2+ channel phosphorylation. However, PP2C activity, at least in cell free preparations, requires millimolar concentrations of Mg2+ (4), and one would expect this mechanism to contribute to the reduction of ICa,L at higher [Mg2+]i. Indeed, the inhibition of ICa,L in frog cardiomyocytes by Mg<UP><SUB>i</SUB><SUP>2+</SUP></UP> at concentrations between 0.3 and 3 mM appeared to result either from a direct action of Mg<UP><SUB>i</SUB><SUP>2+</SUP></UP> on the Ca2+ channel or from channel dephosphorylation due to increasing phosphatase activity (30).

Stimulatory effects of Mg<UP><SUB>i</SUB><SUP>2<UP>+</UP></SUP></UP>. At very low [Mg2+]i (<20 µM), the predominant action of Mg<UP><SUB>i</SUB><SUP>2+</SUP></UP> on ICa,L was stimulatory (see Fig. 3), suggesting that the underlying mechanism(s) have an even higher affinity for Mg<UP><SUB>i</SUB><SUP>2+</SUP></UP> than the inhibitory mechanism(s), which prevail at higher [Mg2+]i. Considering that the increase in [Mg2+]i from 1 to 17 µM was accompanied by a similar (~3-4 pA) increase in ICa,L density after 10 and 30 min of cell dialysis (see Fig. 3A), the sensitivity of Ca2+ channels to stimulation by Mg<UP><SUB>i</SUB><SUP>2+</SUP></UP> appears to be preserved during cell dialysis and unrelated to the overall density of ICa,L, which declined considerably.

The stimulatory action of Mg<UP><SUB>i</SUB><SUP>2+</SUP></UP> was abolished in cells treated with the broad-spectrum protein kinase inhibitor K252a (see Fig. 6). This strongly suggests that the stimulation of ICa,L requires protein kinase activity and likely results from interactions of Mg<UP><SUB>i</SUB><SUP>2+</SUP></UP> with proteins involved in phosphorylation/dephosphorylation. The occlusion of Mg<UP><SUB>i</SUB><SUP>2+</SUP></UP>-induced stimulation after maximal stimulation of cAMP-mediated phosphorylation (see Fig. 9) indicates that stimulatory low Mg<UP><SUB>i</SUB><SUP>2+</SUP></UP> increases the cAMP-mediated phosphorylation of Ca2+ channels. In line with this hypothesis is that stimulation by Mg<UP><SUB>i</SUB><SUP>2+</SUP></UP> was associated with a leftward shift in the voltage dependence of ICa,L at 17 µM (see Fig. 2), which reflects that the stimulatory action of Mg<UP><SUB>i</SUB><SUP>2+</SUP></UP> was potential dependent and most pronounced at negative membrane potentials (see Fig. 3B), where cAMP-mediated phosphorylation has the largest impact on the open probability of Ca2+ channels (e.g., Ref. 13). Also in agreement with this hypothesis is that the Mg<UP><SUB>i</SUB><SUP>2+</SUP></UP>- induced stimulation of ICa,L was reversed by Mg<UP><SUB>i</SUB><SUP>2+</SUP></UP>-dependent inhibitory mechanisms, which appear to curtail or reverse the cAMP-mediated phosphorylation of the Ca2+ channel (see above). The nature of the Mg<UP><SUB>i</SUB><SUP>2+</SUP></UP>-dependent proteins involved in the stimulation of ICa,L remains to be determined. One possible target for Mg<UP><SUB>i</SUB><SUP>2+</SUP></UP> is AC. Mg2+ is required for the synthesis of cAMP at the catalytic site of the enzyme and stimulates the basal enzymatic activity of cardiac AC in cell-free preparations (21, 23, 28); however, these processes occur at much higher concentrations than the concentrations of Mg<UP><SUB>i</SUB><SUP>2+</SUP></UP> that caused a sizable stimulation of ICa,L. For example, Steinberg et al. (28) reported an apparent activation constant for Mg<UP><SUB>i</SUB><SUP>2+</SUP></UP> of 1.5 mM. Hence, one has to assume that either the affinity for Mg2+ of AC is considerably reduced in cell-free preparations or that another Mg2+-dependent process increases the cAMP-mediated stimulation of Ca2+ channels. The possibility that AC activity is stimulated by a Mg2+-induced activation of Gs protein is unlikely because the activation of G proteins in GTP-containing dialysates decreased ICa,L density at 17 µM [Mg2+]i (see Fig. 3).

Modulation of basal Ca2+ channel activity by cAMP and Mg<UP><SUB><UP>i</UP></SUB><SUP><UP>2+</UP></SUP></UP>. Considering that ICa,L densities under basal conditions were noticeably higher than in K252a-treated myocytes (compare Figs. 3 and 6), one has to assume that under basal conditions, phosphorylation processes maintain Ca2+ channel activity and Ca2+ entry at an elevated level. An important consequence of this arrangement is that it enables heart cells not only to increase but also to decrease Ca2+ entry when receiving appropriate extrinsic signals. The gain heart cells provide for extrinsic and, in particular, for inhibitory signals appears to be strongly dependent on [Mg2+]i. For example, in Mg2+-depleted cells (1-10 µM [Mg2+]i), extrinsic signals that reduce the activity of cardiac kinases and/or promote dephosphorylation can diminish Ca2+ entry up to threefold (compare Figs. 3A and 6A). At 17 µM [Mg2+]i, the gain for inhibitory signals is even higher due to the prevailing stimulatory effects of Mg2+ but decreases at higher [Mg2+]i, where the inhibitory effects of the ion dominate so that at 1 mM [Mg2+]i, inhibitory extrinsic signals can reduce ICa,L by not more than ~50%. Our results suggest that these effects of Mg2+ reflect changes in the cAMP-mediated phosphorylation of Ca2+ channels (see above) and that they originate from interactions of Mg2+ with proteins involved in cAMP signaling rather than from direct interactions of the ion with the Ca2+ channel protein. Important questions that arise from these observations are whether heart cells can indeed tune their sensitivity to regulation by sympathetic and parasympathetic stimuli and whether they utilize Mg2+ for this purpose.

Although the Mg2+-induced changes in ICa,L density can be reasonably well explained with Mg2+-induced changes in the activity of AC, PDEs, and possibly PP2C, one has to keep in mind that G proteins, which regulate the activity of most of these enzymes, are also Mg2+ dependent. In the GTP-free dialysates we used in this study, G protein activity is likely discouraged. In GTP-containing dialysates, ICa,L density was similar at 1 mM [Mg2+]i but significantly reduced at 17 µM [Mg2+]i (see Fig. 3). Considering that at low [Mg2+]i the presence of GTP facilitates mainly the activation of Gi and Go proteins, which have a higher affinity for Mg2+ than Gs (6), a possible explanation for the reduction of ICa,L at low [Mg2+]i is that Gi-mediated inhibition of AC reduces Ca2+ channel phosphorylation. Indeed, Gi protein activation with acetylcholine caused a similar reduction of ICa,L density (data not shown).

Effects of Mg<UP><SUB>i</SUB><SUP>2<UP>+</UP></SUP></UP> on unphosphorylated Ca2+ channels. Several actions of Mg2+ are expected to affect the current through unphosphorylated Ca2+ channels. Thorough single channel studies (cf. Ref. 11) show that Mg2+ binds to cation-binding sites in the conducting pore of the Ca2+ channel, exhibiting characteristics of both a weak blocker and a weak permeator. We found the currents through unphosphorylated Ca2+ channels to be remarkably insensitive to the regulatory effects of Mg<UP><SUB>i</SUB><SUP>2+</SUP></UP>. When the phosphorylation-related effects of Mg<UP><SUB>i</SUB><SUP>2+</SUP></UP> were suppressed, the most significant effect of Mg<UP><SUB>i</SUB><SUP>2+</SUP></UP> was a progressive leftward shift of the ICa,L-voltage relation with increasing [Mg2+]i with minimal alteration of the shape of the ICa,L-voltage relation (see Fig. 5). This argues against significant direct channel block by Mg<UP><SUB>i</SUB><SUP>2+</SUP></UP>, which should reduce ICa,L in a potential-dependent manner and, under the experimental conditions used here, most prominently at positive membrane potentials. A possible explanation for the effects of Mg<UP><SUB>i</SUB><SUP>2+</SUP></UP> on unphosphorylated Ca2+ channels is that Mg<UP><SUB>i</SUB><SUP>2+</SUP></UP> screens intracellular negative membrane charges, thereby reducing the voltage drop across the membrane that is experienced by the Ca2+ channel. This would also explain why Mg<UP><SUB>i</SUB><SUP>2+</SUP></UP> caused a similar leftward shift of Vmax at [Mg2+]i >100 µM under basal conditions (see Fig. 2) but not in cAMP-loaded cells (see Fig. 8), where Ca2+, entering the cells in much higher amounts (compare Figs. 3 and 9), can be expected to occupy a large fraction of the negative sites at the intracellular side of the membrane, thus either preventing the binding of Mg2+ or rendering additional binding of Mg2+ inconsequential.

In conclusion, changes in [Mg2+]i affect cardiac ICa,L in a complex fashion, comprising both stimulatory and inhibitory effects. Our results strongly suggest that these effects originate from interactions of Mg2+ with enzymes involved in the regulation of protein phosphorylation/dephosphorylation rather than from direct interactions of Mg2+ with the Ca2+ channel protein.

The stimulatory effects of Mg<UP><SUB>i</SUB><SUP>2+</SUP></UP> on ICa,L appear to increase the cAMP-mediated phosphorylation of the Ca2+ channel. The inhibitory effects of Mg<UP><SUB>i</SUB><SUP>2+</SUP></UP> seem to curtail the cAMP-mediated phosphorylation of the Ca2+ channel, possibly by activating PDEs and/or protein phosphatases.

An important question is the physiological relevance of the regulatory effects of submillimolar concentration of free Mg<UP><SUB>i</SUB><SUP>2+</SUP></UP> on cardiac ICa,L. There is considerable evidence supporting the hypothesis that [Mg2+]i may change under physiological conditions via Mg2+ transport across the sarcolemma and/or via intracellular redistribution (e.g., Ref. 16). For example, beta -agonists and other interventions that increase cAMP cause a large Mg2+ efflux from cells, whereas the activation of protein kinase C induces Mg2+ uptake in the same order of magnitude (e.g., Refs. 25 and 26). Although it is presently unclear to which extent these fluxes change the cytoplasmic concentration of free Mg2+, it can be assumed that they cause considerable changes in the concentration of free Mg2+ in the diffusion-restricted submembrane space, where the enzymes controlling cAMP signaling to the Ca2+ channel appear to be located in microdomains within macromolecular distances of the Ca2+ channel pore (cf. Ref. 35). Our results suggest that the activity of these enzymes enhances Ca2+ channel activity and Ca2+ entry under basal condition and that small changes in the concentration of Mg<UP><SUB>i</SUB><SUP>2+</SUP></UP> alter the activity of some of these enzymes sufficiently to cause profound changes in ICa,L. This suggests that Mg2+ may be the third player in a signaling network that interrelates the systems regulating the concentrations of Ca2+ and cAMP in heart cells.


    ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

We thank Darren Cole for technical assistance and Brian Hoyt for computer support.


    FOOTNOTES

This work was supported by grants from the Heart and Stroke Foundations of Nova Scotia (to D. J. Pelzer) and New Brunswick (to S. Pelzer).

Address for reprint requests and other correspondence: D. J. Pelzer, Dept. of Physiology and Biophysics, Dalhousie University, Faculty of Medicine, Sir Charles Tupper Medical Bldg., Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada B3H 4H7 (E-mail: dpelzer{at}is.dal.ca).

The costs of publication of this article were defrayed in part by the payment of page charges. The article must therefore be hereby marked "advertisement" in accordance with 18 U.S.C. Section 1734 solely to indicate this fact.

Received 4 August 2000; accepted in final form 21 June 2001.


    REFERENCES
TOP
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION
MATERIALS AND METHODS
RESULTS
DISCUSSION
REFERENCES

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Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 281(4):H1532-H1544
0363-6135/01 $5.00 Copyright © 2001 the American Physiological Society



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