Patent Grant
7179895
The present invention relates to novel calcium channel α2δ-2 and α2δ-3 DNA and protein compositions, and to the expression of these compositions in cell lines for use in evaluating calcium channel function and in screening for agonists/antagonists for these channels.
Voltage-gated calcium channels are a heterogeneous family of membrane proteins, which respond to depolarization by opening a calcium-selective pore through the plasma membrane. The influx of calcium into cells mediates a wide variety of cellular and physiological responses including excitation-contraction coupling, hormone secretion and gene expression. In neurons, calcium entry directly affects membrane potential and contributes to electrical properties such as excitability, repetitive firing patterns and pacemaker activity. Calcium entry further affects neuronal function by directly regulating calcium-dependent ion channels and modulating the activity of enzymes such as protein kinase C and calcium-dependent calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II. Furthermore, an increase in calcium concentration at the presynaptic nerve terminal triggers the release of neurotransmitters. Calcium entry also plays a role in neurite outgrowth and growth cone migration in developing neurons and is implicated in long-term changes in neuronal activity. In addition to the variety of normal physiological functions mediated by calcium channels, they are also implicated in a number of human disorders. Recently, mutations identified in human and mouse calcium channel genes were found to account for several disorders including, familial hemiplegic migraine, episodic ataxia type 2, cerebellar ataxia, absence epilepsy and seizures. (See, for example, Fletcher, C. F., et al., Cell (1996) 87:607–617; Burgess, D. L., et al., Cell (1997) 88:385–392; Ophoff, R. A., et al., Cell (1996) 87:543–552; Zhuchenko, O., et al., Nature Genetics (1997) 15:62–69. The clinical treatment of some disorders has been aided by the development of therapeutic calcium channel modulators or blockers. Janis, R. J. and Triggle, D. J. (1991) in Calcium Channels: Their Properties, Functions, Regulation and Clinical Relevance, CRC Press, London).
Native calcium channels are classified by their electrophysiological and pharmacological properties as either high voltage-activated (L, N, P, and Q types) or low voltage-activated channels (T-type). R-type channels have biophysical properties similar to both high and low voltage-activated channels. (For reviews see McCleskey, E. W. and Schroeder, J. E., Curr. Topics Membr. (1991) 39:295–326, and Dunlap, K., et al., Trends Neurosci. (1995) 18:89–98.) T-type channels are a broad class of molecules that transiently activate at negative potentials and are highly sensitive to changes in resting potential. The L, N, P and Q-type channels activate at more positive potentials and display diverse kinetics and voltage-dependent properties. There is some overlap in biophysical properties among the high voltage-activated channels, consequently pharmacological profiles are useful to further distinguish them. L-type channels are sensitive to dihydropyridine (DHP) blockers, N-type channels are blocked by the Conus geographus peptide toxin, ω-conotoxin GVIA, and P-type channels are blocked by the peptide ω-agatoxin IVA from the venom of the funnel web spider, Agelenopsis aperta. A fourth type of high voltage-activated Ca2+ channel (Q-type) has been described, although whether the Q- and P-type channels are distinct molecular entities is controversial. Conductance measurements of several types of calcium channels have not always fallen neatly into any of the above classes and there is variability of properties even within a class, suggesting that additional calcium channels subtypes remain to be classified.
Biochemical analyses show that neuronal calcium channels are heterooligomeric complexes consisting of three distinct subunits (α1, α2δ and β) (reviewed by De Waard, M., et al., in Ion Channels, Volume 4, (1997) edited by Narahashi, T., Plenum Press, New York). The α1 subunit is the major pore-forming subunit and contains the voltage sensor and binding sites for calcium channel blockers. The mainly extracellular α2 is disulphide-linked to the transmembrane δ subunit and both are derived from the same gene and are proteolytically cleaved in vivo. The β subunit is a non-glycosylated, hydrophilic protein with a high affinity of binding to a cytoplasmic region of the α1 subunit. A fourth subunit, γ, is unique to L-type calcium channels expressed in skeletal muscle T-tubules. The isolation and characterization of γ-subunit-encoding cDNA's is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,386,025, which is incorporated herein by reference.
The DNA's encoding the amino acid sequences of seven different types of α1 subunits (α1A, α1B, α1C, α1D, α1E, α1F and α1S) and four types of β subunits (β1, β2, β3 and β4) have been cloned. (Reviewed in Stea, A., et al., “Voltage-gated calcium channels” in Handbook of Receptors and Channels (1994) Edited by R. A. North, CRC Press). PCT Patent Publication WO 95/04144, which is incorporated herein by reference, discloses the sequence and expression of α1E calcium channel subunits.
In some expression systems the a, subunits alone can form functional calcium channels although their electrophysiological and pharmacological properties can be differentially modulated by coexpression with any of the four β subunits. Until recently, the reported modulatory affects of β subunit coexpression were to mainly alter kinetic and voltage-dependent properties. It has now been shown that β subunits also play crucial roles in modulating channel activity by protein kinase A, protein kinase C and direct G-protein interaction. (Bourinet, E., et al., EMBO J. (1994)13:5032–5039; Stea, A., etal., Neuron (1995) 15:929–940; Bourinet, E., et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. (USA) (1996) 93:1486–1491.)
The α2δ subunits comprise at least four types encoded by different genes. The first subunit identified was α2δ-1 from rabbit skeletal muscle (Ellis, et al., Science (1988) 241:1661–1664). Five tissue-specific splice variants exist (Angelotti, T. and Hofmann, F., FEBS Lett. (1996) 397:331–337). α2δ-2, -3 and -4 have been identified recently in human and mouse (Klugbauer, N., et al., J. Neuroscience (1999) 19:684–691; Qin, N., et al., Mol. Pharmacol. (2002) 62:485–496). These α2δ subunits share 30% to 56% amino acid identity with the α2δ-1 subunit as well as several structural motifs, such as similar hydrophobicity profiles, glycosylation sites and cysteine residues. α2δ-1 and α2δ-2 subunits are expressed in many tissues including the brain and heart, while α2δ-3 is found only in the brain (Klugbauer, et al., 1999 (supra)). A recent report showed that IGF-1 stimulates α2δ-3 expression in cultured rat atrial myocytes. (Chu, P.-J., J. Mol. Cell. Cardiology (2003) 35:207–215.) The α2δ-4 subunit is distributed in certain cell types of the pituitary, adrenal gland, colon and fetal liver (Qin, et al., 2002 (supra)).
A number of physiological roles have been proposed for the α2δ-2 subunit, including acting as a tumor suppressor gene, and a mutation in the mouse homolog, resulting in a truncated α2δ-2 has been identified as a contributing factor to the ducky epileptic phenotype (Gao, B., et al., J. Biol. Chem. (2000) 275:12237–12242; Brodbeck, J., et al., J. Biol. Chem. (2002) 277:7684–7693). The antiepileptic gabapentin binds to the α2δ-1 and -2 subunits, but not to α2δ-3 (Marais, E., et al., Molec. Pharmacol. (2001) 59:1243–1248).
α2δ-1 increases the current density of calcium channels by increasing the amount of functional channel at the cell surface and enhances dihydropyridine binding to L-type channels and ω-conotoxin GVIA to N-type channels (Brust, P. F., et al., Neuropharmacology (1993) 32:1089–1102; Felix, R., et al., J. Neurosci. (1997) 17:6884–6891). α2δ-2 and α2δ-3 significantly enhance and modulate the Ca2+ current through a number of HVA and LVA channels (Klugbauer, et al. (1999) (supra); Gao, et al. (2000) (supra); Hobom, M., et al., Eur. J. Neurosci. (2000) 12:1217–1226).
Recently, the molecular cloning of α2δ-2 and α2δ-3 subunits from rat atria was reported. (Chu, P-.J., et al., 2003 (supra)). Cloning of rat α2δ-2 and α2δ-3 subunits from rat brain tissue has not been previously disclosed.
The materials and methods of the present invention add to the repertoire of rat α2δ-2 and α2δ-3 calcium channel subunits previously known. Also provided are cell lines that express the novel calcium channels of the invention. These cells may be used for identifying compounds capable of acting as agonists or antagonists to the calcium channels.
Thus, in one aspect, the invention is directed to isolated nucleic acid molecules which contain a nucleotide sequence that encodes a protein having the amino acid sequence that is shown in SEQ. ID. NO:3, 6, 9 or 11, or a functional portion thereof. In another aspect, the invention relates to the α2δ-2 and α2δ-3 subunits themselves in isolated form that have an amino acid sequence that is shown in SEQ. ID. NO:3, 6, 9 or 11, or fragment of said sequence which retains the activity of this subunit. The invention is also directed to recombinant materials and methods for production of these proteins and displaying them on cells. When displayed on cells which also produce, contain and display at least an α1 subunit, the α2δ-2 and α2δ-3 subunits of the invention in combination with the a, subunit provide active calcium ion channels which can be used to identify agonists and antagonists of calcium ion channel activity.
In other aspects, the invention is directed to nucleic acid probes that are specific for the particular α2δ-2 and α2δ-3 subunit mRNA's of the invention which permit the detection of expressed mRNA encoding the α2δ-2 or α2δ-3 protein. In addition, antibodies which are immunospecific for the particular α2δ-2 and α2δ-3 proteins of the invention can be used to map the distribution of the protein in cells and tissues.
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The present invention provides amino acid sequences for novel rat calcium channel α2δ-2 and α2δ-3 subunits, as well as nucleic acid sequences which encode these subunits. As described in the Background section above, it is understood that α2δ subunits alone do not mediate transport calcium across the cellular membrane; however, they increase the current density of calcium channels by increasing the amount of functional channel at the cell surface and enhancing binding of certain ligands. Typically, the α2δ subunits require the presence of an α1 subunit, and are preferably expressed or assessed in the additional presence of β type subunits. If the α1 subunit employed is from an L-type channel, the additional presence of a γ subunit is also desirable.
As described in the Background section above, there appear to be four specific types of this subunit, α2δ-1, α2δ-2, α2δ-3 and α2δ-4. While in their native expression, each of these types may preferentially be associated with a particular class of calcium ion channel (e.g., L, P/Q, N, T and the like), each of these subunits is functional when in association with any α1 subunit with the optional addition of any type of β subunit. Although the text herein refers to α2δ because this is the protein encoded by a single gene, the encoded protein is hydrolyzed after translation into the α2 and δ portions; the α2 portion is mostly extracellular and is disulfide linked to the δ subunit which remains in the cell membrane. By “functional α2δ subunit” is meant the entire amino acid sequence encoded by the gene or any portion thereof which, when associated with an α1 subunit and optionally a β subunit enhances the density of current flow in the calcium ion channel thus created. Thus, is it understood that small numbers of amino acids, e.g., 10–15 or 20 amino acids might be removed from each of the α2 and/or δ portions while the remainder of the sequence retains functionality as described above. Thus, a “functional portion of the α2δ subunit” refers to these truncated forms.
A compound, such as a nucleic acid molecule or a protein is referred to as “isolated” when it is removed from its natural environment. It may or may not be pure. “Isolated” simply means that the molecule is in a context where it is not found in nature. For example, a nucleic acid comprising a particular nucleotide sequence is “isolated” when contained in a recombinant DNA molecule coupled to additional nucleotide sequences with which it is not normally associated. Similarly, the “protein” is isolated when it is not in the context of its native cell. “Isolated” α2δ-2 and α2δ-3 subunits, for example, are frequently found in the context of a displayed calcium ion channel in a heterologous cell which has been modified to produce this protein.
Although in some instances, an α1 subunit displayed at a cellular surface may be functional at some level in the absence of additional subunit types, the presence of the α2δ subunit greatly enhances the current density when the channel is activated. Accordingly, the production of α2δ-2 and/or α2δ-3 subunits for display on cells which also display at least α1 subunits is important for use in screening assays to identify compounds that modulate the activity of the calcium ion channel.
The particular α2δ-2 and α2δ-3 subunits that constitute the present invention were isolated and identified from rat brain. The amino acid sequence set forth as SEQ. ID. NO:3 is an α2δ-2 calcium channel subunit which is present in rat brain. SEQ. ID. NO:3 is 1,150 amino acids in length and has a molecular weight of 130 kDa. It is encoded by a nucleotide sequence containing 3,450 base pairs (bp) which is contained in the 4,993 bp sequence shown as SEQ. ID. NO:2. A full-length cDNA clone of 4,993 bp was constructed using a PCR fragment of 556 bp amplified from brain total RNA and a 4,507 bp fragment obtained from a brain cDNA library.
There is 95.5% and 90.5% nucleotide sequence identity of the rat α2δ-2 cDNA coding region compared to that of the mouse and human α2δ-2 subunits, respectively. A conceptual translation of the cDNA sequence shows that the rat α2δ-2 amino acid sequence shares 97.9% and 95.7% identity compared to the mouse and human α2δ-2 subunits, respectively.
It will be appreciated that polymorphic variations may be made or may exist in the α2δ-2 and α2δ-3 DNA of some individuals leading to minor deviations in the DNA or amino acids sequences from those shown which do not lead to any substantial alteration in the function of the calcium channel. Such variants, including variations that lead to substitutions of amino acids having similar properties are considered to be within the scope of the present invention.
An examination of the nucleotide sequence contained in SEQ. ID. NO:2 shows a Kozak consensus translation initiation sequence at the second start (AUG) codon. The encoded protein is predicted to have six N-glycosylated asparagines and a hydrophobicity profile similar to that of the rat α2δ-1 subunit. There are 15 conserved cysteine residues in the rat α2δ-2 protein, which correspond to those in the other mammalian α2δ-2 proteins.
The α2δ-2 subunit of SEQ. ID. NO:3 is 98.5% identical to the rat atrial α2δ-2 subunit previously described (Accession Number AF486277, SEQ. ID. NO:1). See
The amino acid sequence set forth as SEQ ID NO:11 is an α2δ-2 calcium channel variant which is present in rat brain. Without being bound by theory, this α2δ-2 subunit appears to be a splice variant of the α2δ-2 subunit of SEQ ID NO:3. The rat α2δ-2 variant nucleotide sequence (SEQ ID NO:10) contains an insertion of 21 bases in comparison to the α2δ-2 subunit nucleotide sequence SEQ ID NO:2. The insertion is found at nucleotides 1,994 to 2,014 in SEQ ID NO:10 (see nucleotides underlined and in bold in SEQ ID NO:10 sequence below).
The variant brain α2δ-2 subunit contains an insertion of eight amino acids, LIPSKLKD (SEQ ID NO:7) at residues 665–672 in comparison to the α2δ-2 subunit SEQ ID NO:3 (see amino acids underlined and in bold in SEQ ID NO:11 sequence below). This rat brain α2δ-2 subunit variant protein sequence is 99.2% identical to the rat atrial α2δ-2 subunit previously described (AF486277, SEQ ID NO:1).
This eight amino acid insertion is also found in the rat atrial α2δ-2 subunit (see SEQ ID NO:1). The variant brain α2δ-2 subunit is also expressed in human and mouse brain.
The amino acid sequence set forth as SEQ. ID. NO:6 is an α2δ-3 calcium channel subunit which is present in rat brain. SEQ. ID. NO:6 is 1,091 amino acids in length and has a molecular weight of 123 kDa. It is encoded by a nucleotide sequence containing 3,273 bp which is contained in the 3,598 bp sequence shown in SEQ. ID. NO:5. A full-length cDNA clone of 3,598 bp was constructed using a PCR fragment of 1,618 bp amplified from rat brain total RNA and a 1,981 bp fragment isolated from a rat brain cDNA library.
An examination of the encoded protein in SEQ. ID. NO:6 shows a signal peptide cleavage site between residues 33 and 34, VRS-EQ. There are also four highly predictable N-glycosylation sites and 19 conserved cysteine residues between the rat, mouse and human protein sequences.
The rat brain α2δ-3 DNA sequence has 86.5% and 95.9% identity to the human and mouse α2δ-3 sequences, respectively. A conceptual translation of the cDNA sequence shows that the rat α2δ-3 amino acid sequence shares 89.5% and 99.2% identity compared to the human and mouse, respectively.
The rat brain α2δ-3 subunit cDNA sequence of SEQ. ID. NO:5 and protein sequence of SEQ. ID. NO:6 is 91.0% and 99.4%, respectively, identical to that of the rat atrial α2δ-3 subunit previously described (AF486278, SEQ. ID. NO:4). See
The amino acid sequence set forth as SEQ. ID. NO:9 is an α2δ-3 calcium channel subunit variant which is present in rat brain. Without being bound by theory, this α2δ-3 subunit appears to be a splice variant of the full-length α2δ-3 subunit. This variant α2δ-3 sequence contains a 142 amino acid deletion of amino acid residues 817–958 in comparison to the full-length α2δ-3 amino acid sequence (SEQ. ID. NO:6). This rat brain α2δ-3 subunit variant protein sequence is 86% identical to the rat atrial α2δ-3 subunit previously described (AF486278, SEQ. ID. NO:4). See
Both the full-length and variant brain α2δ-3 subunits contain an insertion of six amino acids, LPQAQK (SEQ ID NO:22), in comparison to the atrial α2δ-3 subunit. Both human and mouse subunits contain the identical six residue sequence found in rat brain α2δ-3. The full-length brain α2δ-3 subunit also contains a single residue change in comparison to the atrial α2δ-3 subunit.
When the α2δ protein is displayed on cells in the presence of or coexpressed with the α1 subunit of any calcium ion channel and optionally as well, a β subunit, the resulting cells are useful in identifying compounds that modulate the activity of the channel. The nature of the channel is effectively determined by the nature of the α1 subunit but, in all cases, the α2δ subunit enhances current flux so that a more accurate measurement can be made. A malfunction of calcium ion channels is associated with a number of conditions; depending on the nature of the channel. For example, defects in calcium channels are associated with conditions including, but not limited to: epilepsy, migraine, ataxia, schizophrenia, hypertension, arrhythmia, angina, depression, small lung carcinoma, Lambert-Eaton syndrome.
Compounds identified that agonize or antagonize the various calcium ion channels are thus suitable drug candidates for treatment of these conditions. It is understood that not all agonists and antagonists thus identified will ultimately become successful drugs; however, the identification of a subpopulation of the millions of molecules that would otherwise be candidates represents a giant step toward development of a suitable drug.
While the required display of the calcium ion channels which include the α2δ subunits of the invention may be effected in a variety of animal cells, exemplary cells include Xenopus oocytes or mammalian cells such as human embryonic kidney (HEK 293) cells as described in PCT Publication No. WO 96/39512, incorporated herein by reference, and Ltk cells as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,386,025, incorporated herein by reference. Transfection into host cells is accomplished by, for example, microinjection, lipofection, electroporation, calcium phosphate (glycerol shock) or particle-mediated gene transfer.
Mammalian cell lines stably expressing rat brain α2δ-2 or α2δ-3 calcium channels are, for example, prepared by transfecting an expression vector containing the α2δ-2 calcium channel cDNA or the α2δ-3 calcium channel cDNA into mammalian cells, such as HEK 293 cells, and selecting for cells containing the expression vector, for example, by selecting for the antibiotic resistance encoded by the expression vector, for example, pBK-RSV or pcDNA with a selectable marker (Invitrogen, San Diego, Calif.). The vectors are transfected into HEK 293 cells by calcium phosphate coprecipitation or lipofection or electroporation or any other method according to well known procedures (Methods in Enzymologzy Volume 185, “Gene Expression Technology” (1990) Edited by Goeddel, D. V.). The rat brain α2δ-2 or α2δ-3 calcium channel subunit cDNA expression vector may be transfected alone, or in combination with other rat, human or other mammalian or other animal calcium channel subunit cDNA's, such as the α1B and β1b subunit cDNA's, either in a similar expression vector or other type of vector using different selectable markers. Transfected cells are typically incubated for 4–16 hours under transfection conditions at 37° C., 5% CO2, then placed in nonselective medium for an additional 24 hours. The cells are trypsinized and plated at low density in selective medium containing, for example, Geneticin (G418) between 600 to 800 μg/ml or Zeocin between 25–200 μg/ml, depending upon the particular vector. After 10–16 days in selective medium, cells that are resistant to G418 or zeocin grow as visible colonies and isolated colonies are harvested by the pipet technique or using standard cloning rings. Isolated cell colonies are then expanded to make frozen stocks of cells and to determine the level of rat α2δ-2 or α2δ-3 subunit expression. Southern blotting can be used to detect the integration of the subunit nucleotide sequence into the cell genome, the presence of the plasmid episomally, and the number of copies present. Rat α2δ-2 and α2δ-3 expression levels for the cell lines are determined using standard gene expression methods such as Northern blotting, RNase protection, reverse-transcriptase PCR, and Western blotting.
The functional detection of calcium channels containing the rat α2δ-2 or α2δ-3 subunit of the invention in stably transfected cells can be examined electrophysiologically, such as by whole cell patch clamp or single channel analysis, as described herein, for example. Other means of detecting functional calcium channels include the use of radiolabeled 45Ca uptake, or fluorescence spectroscopy using calcium sensitive dyes, such as FURA-2.
The resulting cell lines expressing functional calcium channels comprising the α2δ subunit of the invention and at least an α1 subunit can then be used as test compounds for pharmacological activity with respect to these calcium channels as set forth above.
Compounds to be tested as agonists or antagonists of the calcium channels are combined with cells that are stably or transiently transformed with a cDNA sequence encoding the rat α2δ-2 or the α2δ-3 subunit of the invention with α1 and, optionally, β subunits and monitored for pharmacological activity, if any, with respect to these calcium channels. Thus, the cell lines are useful for screening compounds for pharmaceutical utility.
Such screening can be carried out using several available methods for evaluation of the interaction, if any, between the test compound and the calcium channel. One such method involves the binding of radiolabeled agents that interact with the calcium channel and subsequent analysis of equilibrium binding measurements including, but not limited to, on rates, off rates, Kd values and competitive binding by other molecules. Another method involves screening for the effects of compounds by electrophysiological assay whereby individual cells are impaled with a microelectrode and currents through the calcium channel are recorded before and after application of the compound of interest. Another method, high-throughput spectro-photometric assay, utilizes loading the cell lines with a fluorescent dye sensitive to intracellular calcium concentration and subsequent examination of the effects of compounds on the ability of depolarization by potassium chloride or other means to alter intracellular calcium levels.
Compounds that are found to modulate the calcium ion channels, wherein the rat α2δ-2 or the α2δ-3 subunit of the invention is used to enhance the signal, and thereby increase the accuracy and reproducibility of results, are useful in treating conditions associated with defects in performance of these channels. The nature of these conditions depends on the type of calcium ion channel involved; but since the α2δ subunit of the invention enhances the signal for all types of calcium ion channels, it is useful in detecting compounds for a wide variety of conditions. Defects in calcium channels are associated with conditions including, but not limited to: epilepsy, migraine, ataxia, schizophrenia, hypertension, arrhythmia, angina, depression, small lung carcinoma, Lambert-Eaton syndrome.
Detection of Calcium Ion Channel Expression
Expression of the α2δ-2 and α2δ-3 subunits of the invention, and of calcium ion channels that contain the α2δ subunits of the invention, can be detected at the mRNA or protein level. Accordingly, in some embodiments, methods of the invention involve assaying biological samples for the presence, absence and/or level of the α2δ-2 or α2δ-3 subunit probe target of the invention, such as rat brain α2δ-2 or α2δ-3 subunit RNA and/or rat brain α2δ-2 or α2δ-3 subunit polypeptide.
It will be readily apparent upon reading of the present specification that the expression detection assays can be conducted as, or modified to be conducted as, in vitro or in vivo assays, and may be either cell-free (e.g., in vitro binding assays using polynucleotides isolated from or produced from nucleic acid of a biological sample) or cell-based (e.g., screening of whole cells for expressing the α2δ-2 and α2δ-3 subunits of the invention). In general, all assays are conducted under conditions, and for a period of time, sufficient to allow for specific binding of a rat brain α2δ-2 or α2δ-3 subunit-specific probe (e.g., nucleic acid probe, antibody probe) to a rat brain δ2δ-2 and/or α2δ-3 subunit probe target, e.g., to provide for detection of rat brain α2δ-2 and/or α2δ-3 subunit probe target at a detectable level above background. The assays can include various positive and/or negative controls, the nature of which will be readily apparent to the ordinarily skilled artisan upon reading the present specification.
Any suitable qualitative or quantitative methods known in the art for detecting specific α2δ-2 and α2δ-3 mRNA's can be used to detect or quantitate expression of the α2δ-2 and α2δ-3 mRNA of the invention. For example, rat brain α2δ-2 and α2δ-3 mRNA in cells can be measured by various techniques known in the art including, but not limited to, S1 nuclease analysis, ribonuclease protection assay, primer extension assay, RNA blot analysis (e.g., northern and/or slot blot hybridization) and amplification techniques including reverse transcriptase-PCR (RT-PCR). In addition, expression can be assessed in histological assays, for example the α2δ-2 and/or α2δ-3 RNA of the invention can be detected by in situ hybridization in tissue sections, using methods that detect single base pair differences between hybridizing nucleic acid and other methods well known in the art.
Typically northern blot of total mRNA or fractionated RNA or RT-PCR are employed. The northern blot or RT-PCR product is probed under conditions of high stringency with a fragment of SEQ. ID. NO:2, 5, 8 or 10, or the complement thereof, whichever is appropriate. Typically, the probes contain at least 12 consecutive nucleotides derived from SEQ. ID. NO:2, 5, 8 or 10, or the complement thereof. Conditions of high stringency are defined as wash conditions of 1×SSC, 0.1 SDS, and 60° C. When mRNA encoding the α2δ subunits of the invention is present, its presence and amount can thus be detected.
To differentially detect the rat brain α2δ-2 and α2δ-3 mRNA's of the invention from their rat atrial counterparts (and likely other α2δ mRNA's), probes containing nucleotide sequences which encode the polypeptide regions which differ between the α2δ-2 and α2δ-3 proteins of the invention and those known in the art may be used. For example, to specifically detect rat brain α2δ-2 mRNA from rat atrial α2δ-2 mRNA, a probe can be used which contains the nucleotide sequence that flanks and includes base pairs 2,015–2,021 of SEQ ID NO:2, for example, a probe containing base pairs 2,011–2,023 of SEQ. ID. NO:2. To specifically detect rat brain α2δ-2 variant mRNA from rat brain α2δ-2 mRNA for SEQ ID NO:3 and from rat atrial α2δ-2 mRNA, a probe can be used which contains the nucleotide sequence that flanks and includes base pairs 1,994 to 2,014 of SEQ ID NO:10 in conjunction a second probe which detects the sequence differences between brain and atrial α2δ-2, as indicated, for example, in
Nucleic acid probes can be prepared using routine methods, including automated oligonucleotide synthetic methods. For use of such probes, the biological sample to be analyzed may be treated, if desired, to extract the RNA contained therein. The resulting RNA from the sample may be subjected to gel electrophoresis or other size separation techniques; alternatively, the RNA sample may be dot blotted without size separation. The probes are usually labeled with a detectable label. Suitable labels, and methods for labeling probes are known in the art, and include, for example, radioactive labels incorporated by nick translation or kinasing, biotin, fluorescent probes, and chemiluminescent probes. The RNA extracted from the sample is then treated with the labeled probe under hybridization conditions of suitable stringencies.
In addition to detecting mRNA production, the probes of the invention, as described above, can be used to recover nucleotide sequences encoding α2δ-2 and α2δ-3 subunits from other animals. The probes may be used with respect to cDNA libraries or genomic libraries derived from other species, and are tested for hybridization under the high stringency conditions described above.
In one embodiment, the invention features methods for detecting expression of rat brain α2δ-2 and/or α2δ-3 subunits through detection of the α2δ-2 and/or α2δ-3 polypeptides in a biological sample. Polypeptide-based detection can be accomplished by use of an antibody (including antigen-binding antibody fragments) or a receptor (including ligand-binding receptor fragments) that specifically binds the target α2δ-2 and/or α2δ-3 polypeptides (e.g., an anti-rat brain α2δ-2 polypeptide antibody and anti-rat brain α2δ-3 polypeptide antibody). For example, the presence of target α2δ-2 and/or α2δ-3 polypeptides in a sample can be determined using a target α2δ-2 and/or α2δ-3-specific probe using various techniques known in the art including, but not limited to, quantitative immunoassays, such as, radioimmunoassay, immunofluorescent assay, enzyme immunoassay, chemiluminescent assay, ELISA, western blot assay, immunocytochemistry assay or immunohistochemistry assay.
For detection at the protein level, it is convenient to produce antibodies to α2δ-2 and α2δ-3 proteins of the invention. The antibodies are immunospecific to these proteins if they immunoreact detectably more strongly to the α2δ-2 and α2δ-3 subunits of the invention as compared to other proteins, including α2δ-2 and α2δ-3 proteins of the prior art. The antibodies may be polyclonal, monoclonal, single-chain recombinant, and the like. Methods for preparation of such antibodies, including antibodies designed to be compatible with individual species such as humanized antibodies are well known. It is also understood that the term “antibodies” includes immunospecific fragments thereof, such as Fab, Fab′, and the like. As mentioned above, single-chain Fv antibodies also represent useful fragments. The rat brain α2δ-2, α2δ-3 full length and α2δ-3 variant proteins can also be distinguished from each other by differences in molecular weight.
To differentially detect the rat brain α2δ-2 and α2δ-3 proteins of the invention from their rat atrial counterparts (and likely other α2δ proteins), antibodies specific to the polypeptide regions in which the α2δ-2 and α2δ-3 proteins of the invention differ from those known in the art can be produced. For example, to specifically detect rat brain α2δ-2 protein, an antibody can be produced to the polypeptide region that flanks and includes amino acids 664–666, such as a polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence from about 660 to about 670 of SEQ. ID. NO:3. To specifically detect rat brain α2δ-3 protein from rat atrial α2δ-3 protein, an antibody can be produced to the polypeptide region that flanks and includes amino acids 461 to 466, such as a polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence from about 457 to about 470 of SEQ. ID. NO:6.
To differentiate between rat brain α2δ-3 full-length protein (SEQ. ID. NO:6) and the α2δ-3 variant (SEQ. ID. NO:9), antibodies can be produced directed to a portion of the full-length protein missing from the variant, for example from about amino acid 817 to about amino acid 958 of SEQ. ID. NO:6. Such an antibody would likely also distinguish between the rat atrial α2δ-3 full-length protein (SEQ. ID. NO:4) and the rat brain α2δ-3 variant (SEQ. ID. NO:9). In addition, or alternatively, to specifically detect the rat brain α2δ-3 variant (SEQ. ID. NO:9), antibodies can be generated directed to a polypeptide spanning the portion missing relative to the full-length protein. For example, an antibody specific for a polypeptide that includes amino acids flanking amino acids 816 and 817 of SEQ. ID. NO:9, such as a polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence from about 810 to about 824 of SEQ. ID. NO:9, would allow specific detection of the α2α-3 variant polypeptide.
A combination of antibodies may also be used to identify and/or quantitate the α2δ-3 variant from the full length α2δ-3 polypeptide. In such a case, one antibody which recognizes the shared portion of the two polypeptides, i.e., a section of the N-terminal portion from amino acid 1 to about amino acid 817, and the other antibody which recognizes the portion of the full-length protein missing from the variant, for example from about amino acid 817 to about amino acid 958 of SEQ. ID. NO:6, can be used. Detection of differences in binding of the two antibodies could be used to distinguish rat brain α2δ-3 full length from rat brain α2δ-3 variant.
These antibodies can be used to detect the production of any calcium channel which includes the α2δ calcium ion channels on histological sections or tissue extracts. Expression and display on recombinant cells can also be detected using these antibodies. Standard methods for labeling and detecting the antibody complexes are employed.
Complexes formed comprising the α2δ-2 or α2δ-3 polypeptides of the invention and the anti-α2δ-2 or α2δ-3 subunit antibody are detected by any of a number of known techniques, depending on the format. The antibody in the immunoassays for detection of the α2δ-2 and α2δ-3 polypeptides of the invention may be provided on a support (e.g., solid or semi-solid); alternatively, the polypeptides in the sample can be immobilized on a support. Examples of supports that can be used are nitrocellulose (e.g., in membrane or microtiter well form), polyvinyl chloride (e.g., in sheets or microtiter wells), polystyrene latex (e.g., in beads or microtiter plates), polyvinylidene fluoride, diazotized paper, nylon membranes, activated beads, and Protein A beads. Bead-based supports are generally more useful for immobilization of the antibody in the assay.
In one embodiment, the biological sample contains cells (i.e., whole cells) and detection is by reacting the sample with labeled antibodies, performed in accordance with conventional methods. In general, antibodies that specifically bind a α2δ-2 or α2δ-3 polypeptide of the invention are added to a sample, and incubated for a period of time sufficient to allow binding to the epitope, usually at least about 10 minutes. The antibody can be detectably labeled for direct detection (e.g., using radioisotopes, enzymes, fluorescers, chemiluminescers, and the like), or can be used in conjunction with a second stage antibody or reagent to detect binding (e.g., biotin with horseradish peroxidase-conjugated avidin, a secondary antibody conjugated to a fluorescent compound, e.g., fluorescein, rhodamine, Texas red, and others). The absence or presence of antibody binding can be determined by various methods, including, but not limited to, flow cytometry of dissociated cells, microscopy, radiography, and scintillation counting. Any suitable alternative methods of qualitative or quantitative detection of levels or amounts of differentially expressed polypeptide can be used, for example ELISA, Western blot, immunoprecipitation, radioimmunoassay, and the like.
The following examples are offered to illustrate but not to limit the invention.
Novel α2δ-2 subunits of the invention were identified using RT-PCR of rat brain total RNA and screening of a rat brain cDNA library. Screening of the cDNA library followed standard methods and included infecting bacteria with recombinant lambda phage and immobilizing lambda DNA on to nylon filters (Hybond-N, Amersham Pharmacia biotech).
A rat α2δ-2 cDNA probe of 313 bp (1,368–1,680) was amplified from rat brain total RNA using One-Step RT-PCR (Superscript, Invitrogen) with primers designed to conserved regions of the mouse and human α2δ-2 genes as follows:
The resulting probe was radiolabeled with [α32P] dCTP using the Multi-Prime DNA labeling System (Amersham) and the free α32P removed using a Centri Spin-20 column (Princeton Separations). Approximately 300,000 plaque forming units (pfus) were screened with the radiolabeled probe using moderate hybridization (55° C.) in Church and Gilbert's solution and moderate to high wash conditions (55° C., 0.2×SSC/0.1% SDS). Bacteriophage that hybridized to the rat α2δ-2 radiolabeled probe were detected by exposing the membranes to autoradiography. Positive clones were purified by sequential rounds of screening and the phagemid cDNA (pBluescript SK+) isolated by in vivo excision using the ExAssist helper phage with SOLR Strain E. coli according to the manufacturer's instructions (Stratagene).
Ten positive clones were sequenced and found to contain cDNA fragments of the rat α2δ-2 subunit (4.0 Kb >). Two clones were completely sequenced of which one clone, rat library clone 11-1-2, contained a sequence of 4,507 base pairs (bp). This clone was missing 487 bp of the 5′ open reading frame (ORF). In order to obtain the 5′ end of the rat α2δ-2 cDNA, antisense primers were made to the rat α2δ-2 sequence and sense primers were designed to consensus sequence of the human and mouse subunits.
Primer 591R: 5′-GCTCCTCGATGAAGTCCAGCCTTA-3′ (SEQ ID NO:14), was used in the reverse transcriptase (RT) reaction of rat brain total RNA (60° C., 90 min). A 561 bp 5′ fragment of the rat α2δ-2 mRNA, including 24 base pairs of the 5′ untranslated sequence, was amplified using PCR from the RT reaction using Hot Star Taq plus Q-solution (Qiagen) with a sense primer designed to the human and mouse 5′ UTR sequence:
and an antisense primer to the rat α2δ-2 library clone.
The α2δ-2 PCR fragment was subsequently inserted into pGEM-T (Promega). In order to make a full-length rat α2δ-2 cDNA, subunit primers were designed with the restriction enzyme sites, Hind III (F-5:5′-GCGAAGCTTGAAACATGGCGGTGC-3′ (SEQ ID NO:16)), which removes the first AUG, and BamH I
The PCR was done using Pfu (Stratagene) and the cDNA products were cloned into pGEM-T. The full-length rat α2δ-2 sequence was constructed in the mammalian expression vector pBK-RSV (-lac p) using a three way ligation of the Hind III/BamH I 5′ PCR fragment and the BamH I/Xba 1 region of the rat library clone 11-1-2.
The full-length rat brain α2δ-2 cDNA clone has the nucleic acid SEQ. ID. NO:2: Full-length rat brain α2δ-2 calcium channel subunit nucleotide sequence (SEQ. ID. NO:2)
and the deduced amino acid sequence of rat brain α2δ-2 cDNA is SEQ. ID. NO:3.
Translated rat brain α2δ-2 amino acid sequence (SEQ. ID. NO:3):
The rat brain α2δ-2 variant cDNA clone was also identified and has SEQ ID NO:10: Rat brain α2δ-2 variant calcium channel subunit nucleotide sequence (SEQ. ID. NO:10)
CAGCAAACTG AAGG
ATTTTG AGTTCCTGCT CCCCAGCAGC TTTGAGTCTG AAGGACATGT
and the deduced amino acid sequence of rat brain α2δ-2 variant is SEQ ID NO:11.
Translated rat brain α2δ-2 variant amino acid (SEQ ID NO:11):
A. Transient Transfection in Mammalian Cells
Human embryonic kidney cells, HEK 293 (ATCC# CRL 1573) or HEK 293 tsA 201, were grown in standard DMEM medium supplemented with 4 mM glutamine and 10% fetal bovine serum. The rat α2δ-2 construct was transfected into HEK 293 or HEK 293 tsA 201 cells with equimolar concentration of the subunits α1B (N-type calcium channel) and β1b, using lipofectamine (Gibco/Invitrogen) according to the manufacturer's instructions. pEGFP was included in the transfected cDNA at 3–5 times less the molar concentration to detect transfected cells and to determine the efficiency of transfection. Transfected cells were incubated at 37° C., 5% CO2, for 6–24 hours and then placed at 29° C., 5% CO2.
After an incubation period of 24 to 72 hours, the culture medium was removed and replaced with an external recording solution containing (in mM) 5 BaCl, 129 CsCl, 1 MgCl2, 10 HEPES, 10 glucose, pH 7.4 with CsOH. Whole-cell patch clamp recordings were made with an Axopatch 200B amplifier (Axon Instruments, USA). Recording electrodes with typical resistances of 4–8 MΩ were backfilled with (in mM) 108 caesium-methansulfonate, 2 MgCl2, 10 HEPES, 11 EGTA, 2 ATP, pH 7.2 with some CsOH. To create command potentials and acquire data, Clampex 8.2 software (Axon Instruments, USA) and a Digidata 1322A A/D converter interface (Axon Instruments, USA) were used. Currents were elicited at test potential of +20 mV (50 ms duration) from a holding potential of −80 mV. Leak and capacitance currents were subtracted on-line with a standard P/4 protocol. Evoked currents were filtered by a low-pass Bessel filter set at 1 kHz. Signals were acquired at 2.02 kHz and analyzed offline using pClamp 8.2 (Axon Instruments, USA) and Origin (OriginLab Corporation, USA) software. The effects of coexpressing the rat α2δ-2 auxiliary subunit of Example 1 with the rat α1B+β1b calcium channel subunits were tested by comparing average current density (Ipeak/cell capacitance) with and without α2δ-2.
Mean current density was recorded for 4 cells transfected with rat α1B+β1b only and for 7 cells that were also cotransfected with rat brain α2δ-2 subunit. The rat α1B+β1b current density was increased by ˜4 fold from −7.2±2.3 pA/pF to −30.0±4.1 pA/pF when coexpressed with the rat brain α2δ-2 subunit. P=0.01, Student's unpaired t-test. Values are the mean±S.E.M (
B. Transient Transfection in Xenopus Oocytes
Stage V and VI Xenopus oocytes are prepared as described by Dascal, et al., Science (1986) 231:1147–1150. After enzymatic dissociation with collagenase, oocyte nuclei are microinjected with the rat α2δ-2 subunit cDNA expression vector construct (approximately 10 ng DNA per nucleus) using a Drummond nanoject apparatus, alone, or in combination with other rat, human or other mammalian or animal calcium channel subunit cDNA's, such as the α1 and β1b subunit cDNA. After incubation from 48 to 96 hours macroscopic currents are recorded using a standard two microelectrode voltage-clamp (Axoclamp 2A, Axon Instruments, Burlingame, Calif.) in a bathing medium containing (in mM): 40 Ba(OH)2, 25 TEA-OH, 25 NaOH, 2 CsOH, 5 HEPES (pH titrated to 7.3 with methan-sulfonic acid). Pipettes of typical resistance ranging from 0.5 to 1.5 mΩ are filled with 2.8M CsCl, 0.2M CsOH, 10 mM HEPES, 10 mM BAPTA free acid. Endogenous Ca (and Ba)—activated Cl currents are suppressed by systematically injecting 10–30 nl of a solution containing 100 mM BAPTA-free acid, 10 mM HEPES (pH titrated to 7.2 with CsOH) using a third pipette connected to a pneumatic injector. Leak currents and capacitive transients are subtracted using a standard P/5 procedure.
Mammalian cell lines stably expressing the rat brain α2δ-2 calcium channel were made by transfecting an expression vector containing the α2δ-2 calcium channel cDNA plus the rat β1b cDNA into HEK 293F cells, and selecting for cells resistant to Zeocin. Briefly, the full-length rat α2δ-2 subunit cDNA (clone 27) was excised from the pBK-RSV vector by digestion with Hind III followed by treatment with the Klenow fragment of DNA polymerase I to generate a blunt end and subsequent digestion with Kpn I. The mammalian expression vector pBud CE 4 rat β1b clone 3 was digested with Not I followed by Klenow treatment and digestion with Kpn I. The rat α2δ-2 fragment was ligated (blunt/sticky) into pBud CE4 rat β1b to give a final construct pBud rat α2δ-2/rat β1b clone 3. Prior to making stable cell lines expressing the two subunits, the expression and activity of the subunits were tested by transient transfection and patch clamp analysis (see protocol Example 2). The pBud rat α2δ-2/rat β1b construct was linearized with Pvu I and transfected into HEK 293F cells using lipofectamine. The transfected cells are incubated for 16 hours at 37° C., 5% CO2, then placed in nonselective medium for an additional 24 hours. The cells were trypsinized and plated at low density in selective medium containing Zeocin at 250 μg/ml. After 14–16 days in selective medium, cells that were resistant to Zeocin grew as visible colonies which were harvested by the pipet technique. Cell colonies were expanded to make frozen stocks of cells and to determine the level of rat α2δ-2 subunit expression. Rat α2δ-2 subunit expression levels for the cell lines were determined by Northern blotting and reverse-transcriptase PCR. Detection of functional calcium channels containing the rat α2δ-2 subunit in stably transfected cells is examined electrophysiologically, such as by whole cell patch clamp or single channel analysis (see above). Other means of detecting functional calcium channels include the use of radiolabeled 45Ca uptake, or fluorescence spectroscopy using calcium sensitive dyes such as FURA-2.
Novel α2δ-3 subunits of the invention were identified using RT-PCR of rat brain total RNA and by screening a rat brain cDNA library. Screening of the cDNA library followed standard methods and included infecting bacteria with recombinant lambda phage and immobilizing lambda DNA onto nylon filters (Hybond-N, Amersham Pharmacia Biotech).
A rat α2δ-3 cDNA probe of 470 bp (1789–2258) was amplified from rat brain total RNA using One-Step RT-PCR (Superscript, Invitrogen) with primers designed to a conserved region of the mouse and human α2δ-3 genes as follows:
The resulting rat α2δ-3 PCR product was ligated into pGEM-T easy (Promega) (clone 1) and sequenced. The rat α2δ-3 cDNA fragment was excised from the pGEM vector with Not I and radiolabeled with [α32P] dCTP using the Multi-Prime DNA Labeling System (Amersham). Free α32P dCTP was removed by passage through a Centri Spin-20 column (Princeton Separations). Approximately 300,000 plaque forming units (pfus) were screened with the radiolabeled probe using moderate hybridization (55° C.) in Church and Gilbert's solution and a final high stringency wash condition of 0.2×SSC/0.1% SDS (60° C., 30 min). Bacteriophage that hybridized to the rat α2δ-3 radiolabeled probe were purified by sequential rounds of screening and the phagemid cDNA (pBluescript SK+) isolated by in vivo excision using the ExAssist helper phage with SOLAR Strain E. coli according to the manufacturer's instructions (Stratagene).
Four positive clones were purified by excision, sequenced and found to contain cDNA fragments of the rat α2δ-3 mRNA. Two different size cDNA fragments were obtained, two of 1,625 bp and two of 1,407 bp, of which one clone from each size was completely sequenced. Both clones were missing approximately 1,500 bp of 5′ ORF. Clone 7-2-1-4 (1,625 bp) had more 5′ region, but truncated approximately 70 bp before the stop codon. Clone 7-3-1-1 (1,407 bp) starts at 1,766 bp and includes the stop signal and a portion of the 3′ UTR, but is missing approximately 426 bp (2,451–2,877) of coding sequence in the 3′ region of rat α2δ-3 mRNA. Translation of clone 7-3-1-1 into the protein sequence revealed that this clone is a splice variant with a deletion of 142 amino acids (
was made to the rat brain α2δ-3 cDNA and a sense primer to the rat atrial α2δ-3 cDNA sequence (AF486278, SEQ. ID. NO:4):
and used in One-Step RT-PCR to amplify a 2,018 bp cDNA fragment.
The PCR products were cloned into pGEM-T easy and two clones were completely sequenced and identified to be rat α2δ-3. These clones extended from the start codon (ATG) to position 2,018 bp. A full-length rat α2δ-3 cDNA was constructed using the PCR 5′ fragment (clone 1) and the two clones 7-2-1-4 and 7-3-1-1. Clone 1 was digested with Not I/Sac I and the lambda clone 7-2-1-4 digested with Sac I/Kpn I. These two cDNA fragments were three way ligated into pBK/RSV at the Not I/Kpn I sites. The full-length rat α2δ-3 cDNA was constructed in the mammalian expression vector pBud CE4 (Not I/Kpn I) using a three way ligation of a Not I/Ban I digested fragment of pBK/RSV clone 1/7-2-1-4 (Ban I cuts at position 3,087 in the cDNA) and a Ban I/Kpn I digested fragment of clone 7-3-1-1.
The full-length rat brain α2δ-3 cDNA clone (clone 1/7-2-1-4) has SEQ. ID. NO:5: Full-length rat brain α2δ-3 calcium channel subunit nucleotide sequence (SEQ. ID. NO:5)
and the deduced amino acid sequence of full-length rat brain α2δ-3 subunit is SEQ. ID. NO:6.
Translated full-length rat brain α2δ-3 amino acid sequence (SEQ. ID. NO:6)
The rat brain α2δ-3 truncated variant cDNA clone (clone 1/7-3-1-1) has SEQ. ID. NO:8: Truncated rat brain α2δ-3 variant calcium channel subunit nucleotide sequence (SEQ ID NO:8)
and the deduced amino acid sequence of rat brain α2δ-3 truncated variant is SEQ. ID. NO:9:
Translated rat brain α2δ-3 variant amino acid sequence (SEQ. ID. NO:9)
The whole-cell patch clamp recording technique used is as described in Example 2 to screen for calcium channel blockers. Test compounds are added daily to the extracellular recording solution from a stock concentration of 1 mM (in DMSO) for each experiment. Compounds are then applied directly onto the HEK cells by means of a custom-made gravity-driven perfusion system, which changes the solution around the cell in less than 1 s. Differences in the mean peak current densities in the absence and presence of compounds are measured to estimate the concentration of compound required to occupy 50% of the channels (Kd). The Kd is estimated using the equation Kd=a[drug]/1−a.
This application claims benefit of U.S. provisional application No. 60/497,096 filed 22 Aug. 2003. The contents of this document is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Name | Date | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5386025 | Jay et al. | Jan 1995 | A |
| 6441156 | Lerman et al. | Aug 2002 | B1 |
| Number | Date | Country |
|---|---|---|
| WO 9504144 | Feb 1995 | WO |
| WO 9639512 | Dec 1996 | WO |
| WO-0119870 | Mar 2001 | WO |
| WO-03062401 | Jul 2003 | WO |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20050095678 A1 | May 2005 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60497096 | Aug 2003 | US |
