Characterization of a voltage-dependent L-type calcium channel from rabbit and turtle brain

The binding of [3H]nitrendipine to membrane preparation from turtle and rabbit brain was studied. A single population of [3H]nitrendipine binding sites was detected in both species. [3H]nitrendipine bound with high affinity to brain membrane from both rabbit and turtle, revealing a significant population of binding sites (K(D) values of 0.55 +/- 0.05 nM and 0.56 +/- 0.04 nM and Bmax values of 122 +/- 11 and 275 +/- 18 fmol/mg of protein, respectively). Displacement studies showed a similar order of potency of various unlabeled ligands against [3H]nitrendipine both in rabbit or in turtle: nitrendipine > nifedipine >or= nicardipine >> verapamil >or= diltiazem. Our results show that a two fold increment of [3H]nitrendipine binding sites exists in the turtle brain respect to the rabbit.