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The brain ryanodine receptor: a caffeine-sensitive calcium release channel
P S McPherson1, Y K Kim, H Valdivia
1Program in Neuroscience, University of Iowa College of Medicine, Iowa City 52242.
Neuron
|July 1, 1991
Summary
Neurons utilize caffeine-sensitive calcium (Ca2+) release channels for crucial processes. The brain ryanodine receptor acts as this distinct channel, distinct from IP3 receptors.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cell Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Intracellular calcium (Ca2+) release is vital for neuronal function.
- Evidence suggests caffeine-sensitive Ca2+ pools exist, separate from inositol 1,4,5,-trisphosphate (IP3)-gated pools.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify the molecular identity of caffeine-sensitive Ca2+ release channels in the brain.
- To characterize the properties of this novel brain Ca2+ release channel.
Main Methods:
- Purification of the brain ryanodine receptor.
- Biochemical characterization including [3H]ryanodine binding assays.
- Protein subunit analysis using antibodies.
Main Results:
- The brain ryanodine receptor was purified 6700-fold while maintaining ryanodine binding affinity.
- The purified receptor is a homotetramer of ~500 kDa subunits.
- These subunits are immunologically related to skeletal and cardiac ryanodine receptors.
Conclusions:
- The brain ryanodine receptor functions as a caffeine- and ryanodine-sensitive Ca2+ release channel.
- This receptor is distinct from the brain inositol 1,4,5,-trisphosphate (IP3) receptor.
- The brain ryanodine receptor is the probable gating mechanism for neuronal caffeine-sensitive Ca2+ pools.