Modulation of [³H]dihydropyridine receptors by activation of protein kinase C in chick muscle cells

Modulation of ion channels is an essential step for understanding the regulation of cellular functions. 1,4-Dihydropyridines (nitrendepine, nifedipine, PN 200-110, etc.) are potent inhibitors of voltage-dependent calcium channels and are important therapeutic agents in the treatment of various cardiovascular disorders such as angina and cardiac arrhythmias. In this work a new procedure is employed to determine the density of surface dihydropyridine receptors in contracting muscle cells in culture. Activation of endogenous protein kinase C (the Ca²⁺/phospholipid-dependent enzyme) by the tumor promoter phorbol-12-myristate or 1-oleoyl-2-acetylglycerol enhanced the number of dihydropyridine receptors without significant change in the receptor affinity. The increase in the number of receptors was associated with stimulation of the dihydropyridine-sensitive ⁴⁵Ca uptake as well as activation of protein kinase C in myotubes treated with phorbol esters. These data strongly suggest that activation of protein kinase C promotes the appearance of dihydropyridine receptors in the plasma membrane.