Differential expression of T- and L-type voltage-dependent calcium channels in renal resistance vessels

The distribution of voltage-dependent calcium channels in kidney pre- and postglomerular resistance vessels was determined at the molecular and functional levels. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analysis of microdissected rat preglomerular vessels and cultured smooth muscle cells showed coexpression of mRNAs for T-type subunits (Ca(v)3.1, Ca(v)3.2) and for an L-type subunit (Ca(v)1.2). The same expression pattern was observed in juxtamedullary efferent arterioles and outer medullary vasa recta. No calcium channel messages were detected in cortical efferent arterioles. Ca(v)1.2 protein was demonstrated by immunochemical labeling or rat preglomerular vasculature and juxtamedullary efferent arterioles and vasa recta. Cortical efferent arterioles were not immunopositive. Recordings of intracellular calcium concentration with digital fluorescence imaging microscopy showed a significant increase of calcium in response to K+ (100 mmol/L) in isolated afferent arterioles (140 +/- 25%) and in juxtamedullary efferent arterioles (118 +/- 21%). These calcium responses were attenuated by the L-type antagonist calciseptine and by the T-type antagonist mibefradil. Intracellular calcium increased in response to K+ in cortical efferent arterioles (21 +/- 9%). Mibefradil and nickel concentration dependently blocked K+-induced contraction of perfused rabbit afferent arterioles. Calciseptine blocked the contraction mediated by K+ (EC50 8 X 10(-14)). S-(-)-Bay K 8644 had no effect on vascular diameter in the afferent arteriole. We conclude that voltage-dependent L- and T-type calcium channels are expressed and of functional significance in renal cortical preglomerular vessels, in juxtamedullary efferent arterioles, and in outer medullary vasa recta, but not in cortical efferent arterioles.