omega-Agatoxin IVA blocks nicotinic receptor channels in bovine chromaffin cells

Granja, Ricardo; Fernández-Fernández, José Manuel, 1967-; Izaguirre, Victor; González García, Carmen; Ceña, Valentin

doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0014-5793(95)00149-4

omega-Agatoxin IVA blocks nicotinic receptor channels in bovine chromaffin cells

Citació

Granja R, Fernández-Fernández JM, Izaguirre V, González-García C, Ceña V. omega-Agatoxin IVA blocks nicotinic receptor channels in bovine chromaffin cells. FEBS letters. 1995;362(1):15-8. DOI: 10.1016/0014-5793(95)00149-4

Resum

We have studied the contribution of P-type voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels to both catacholamine (CA) and ATP secretion from bovine chromaffin cells induced by high K+ or nicotine using omega-agatoxin IVA, a selective blocker of P-type voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels. We found that high K+ (75 mM) induced the release of about 13% of norepinephrine, 5% epinephrine and 11% ATP, and that omega-agatoxin (100 nM) did not affect this secretion. However, both nicotine-induced CA and ATP secretion were significantly blocked (about 50%) by omega-agatoxin IVA (100 nM). In addition, this toxin also reversibly blocked (about 70%) the inward current induced by nicotine in bovine chromaffin cells. The results suggest that, besides its known action of blocking P-type voltage-dependent channels, omega-agatoxin is a potent and reversible blocker of the nicotinic receptor channel in chromaffin cells, and that this action would explain the blockade of nicotine-induced secretion.