A diacylglycerol analogue reduces neuronal calcium currents independently of protein kinase C activation

Philip Hockberger, Mauro Toselli, Dieter Swandulla*, H. Dieter Lux

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

127 Scopus citations

Abstract

DIACYLGLYCEROL analogues (for example 1,2-oleoylacetyl-glycerol, OAG) and phorbol esters are activators of protein kinase C, and have been widely used to study the function of this enzyme in both intact cells and cell-free preparations1,2. Electrophysiological studies have shown that these activators can either depress3-6 or increase Ca2+ currents7-9, or decrease K+ currents10,11 when applied outside the cell. It has been assumed that these effects are mediated by protein kinase C activation. Here we report that micromolar levels of OAG and phorbol esters depress Ca2+ currents in chick sensory neurons independently of their effect as activators of protein kinase C. The depression of the Ca2+ current is rapid and is unaffected by intracellular application of the protein kinase C inhibitors staurosporin, sphingosine and H-712. Furthermore, the activators were ineffective when applied intracellularly, indicating that their site of action is on the outside of the membrane.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)340-342
Number of pages3
JournalNature
Volume338
Issue number6213
DOIs
StatePublished - 1989

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General

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