Extracellular localization of the benzothiazepine binding domain of L-type Ca2+ channels

To determine which side of L-type Ca2+ channels forms the benzothiazepine binding domain, we tested the effects of a membrane-impermeable, diltiazem-like, Ca2+ antagonist, SQ32,428 [(cis)-1,3,4,5-tetrahydro-4-(4-methoxyphenyl)-3-methyl-6- (trifluoromethyl)-1-[2-trimethylammonio)ethyl]-2H-1-benzazepin-2-o ne], on Ca2+ channels in smooth muscle-like cells (A7r5 cells) and skeletal muscle-like cells (differentiated BC3H1 cells). This permanently charged, quaternary benzazepine bound to the benzothiazepine-selective domain of skeletal muscle Ca2+ channels with a Ki of 1.2 +/- 0.1 microM. Extracellular application of SQ32,428 reversibly blocked whole-cell barium currents through L-type Ca2+ channels in A7r5 and BC3H1 cells with similar potencies (A7r5, IC50 = 86 microM; BC3H1, IC50 = microM). Block was fully reversible, was independent of stimulation frequency, and did not affect steady state inactivation of the channel in A7r5 cells. Intracellular dialysis of the cells with 100 microM SQ32,428 was without effect, but the same concentration of the quaternary phenylalkylamine D890 blocked channel activity from the cytoplasmic side. Our data demonstrate that the benzothiazepine binding domain of L-type Ca2+ channels binds diltiazem-like benzazepine Ca2+ antagonists and is formed by amino acid residues exposed to the extracellular channel surface.