Molecular and immunohistochemical studies in expression of voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels in dorsal root ganglia from streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice.

Abstract

We have recently demonstrated that intrathecal injection of a selective P/Q-type blocker of the voltage-dependent Ca(2+) channels (VDCCs) significantly inhibited the mechanical hyperalgesia in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic mice, its antinociceptive effect being greater than in controls. In this study, to further clarify the underlying mechanism of the STZ-induced hyperalgesia, we investigated the expression level of the VDCC alpha1A and alpha1B subunits in the dorsal root ganglia (DRGs) and the dorsal spinal cord under this hyperalgesia. Real-time PCR analysis showed mRNA expression of alpha1A (P/Q-type), but not alpha1B (N-type), was significantly increased in the DRGs from the STZ-induced diabetic mice. On the other hand, gene expression of both alpha1 subunits was not changed in the dorsal part of the spinal cord. In diabetic DRG neurons, the number of large nerve cells was significantly reduced, whereas small neurons were significantly increased. Immunohistochemical study demonstrated the alpha1A-positive neurons, but not alpha1B-positive neurons, increased significantly greater in diabetic DRGs than in control in all cell size. These results indicate that an alteration in expression of P/Q-type VDCCs, especially in the small and medium-diameter primary afferent fibers, in pain pathways ascending input to the spinal cord may be involved in hypersensitivity in STZ-induced diabetes.

• Authors: Mariko Umeda, Tsuyako Ohkubo, Jun Ono, Tadaoki Fukuizumi, Kenji Kitamura
• Journal: Life sciences (Life Sci) Vol. 79 Issue 21 Pg. 1995-2000 (Oct 19 2006) ISSN: 0024-3205 [Print] Netherlands
• PMID: 16857213 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Cacna1b protein, mouse
• Calcium Channels, N-Type
• Calcium Channels, P-Type
• Calcium Channels, Q-Type
• voltage-dependent calcium channel (P-Q type)

Topics

• Animals
• Calcium Channels, N-Type (biosynthesis)
• Calcium Channels, P-Type (biosynthesis)
• Calcium Channels, Q-Type (biosynthesis)
• Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental (complications, metabolism)
• Ganglia, Spinal (metabolism)
• Hyperalgesia (etiology, metabolism)
• Immunohistochemistry
• Male
• Mice
• Mice, Inbred Strains
• Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction