Involvement of A pertussis Toxin Sensitive G-Protein in the Inhibition of Inwardly Rectifying K Currents by Platelet-Activating Factor in Guinea-Pig Atrial Cardiomyocytes

Platelet-activating factor (PAF) inhibits single inwardly rectifying K(+) channels in guinea-pig ventricular cells. There is currently little information as to the mechanism by which these channels are modulated. The effect of PAF on quasi steady-state inwardly rectifying K(+) currents (presumably of the I(K1) type) of auricular, atrial and ventricular cardiomyocytes from guinea-pig were studied. Applying the patch-clamp technique in the whole-cell configuration, PAF (10 nM) reduced the K(+) currents in all three cell types. The inhibitory effect of PAF occurred within seconds and was reversible upon wash-out. It was almost completely abolished by the PAF receptor antagonist BN 50730. Intracellular infusion of atrial cells with guanine 5'-(beta-thio)diphosphate (GDPS) or pretreatment of cells with pertussis toxin abolished the PAF dependent reduction of the currents. Neither extracellularly applied isoproterenol nor intracellularly applied adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cyclic AMP) attenuated the PAF effect. In multicellular preparations of auricles, PAF (10 nM) induced arrhythmias. The arrhythmogenic activity was also reduced by BN 50730. The data indicate that activated PAF receptors inhibit inwardly rectifying K(+) currents via a pertussis toxin sensitive G-protein without involvement of a cyclic AMP-dependent step. Since I(K1) is a major component in stabilizing the resting membrane potential, the observed inhibition of this type of channel could play an important role in PAF dependent arrhythmogenesis in guinea-pig heart.     

Developmental expression of a functional TASK-1 2P domain K+ channel in embryonic chick heart

Background

Background K⁺ channels are the principal determinants of the resting membrane potential (RMP) in cardiac myocytes and thus, influence the magnitude and time course of the action potential (AP).

Methods

RT-PCR and in situ hybridization are used to study the distribution of TASK-1 and whole-cell patch clamp technique is employed to determine the functional expression of TASK-1 in embryonic chick heart.

Results

Chicken TASK-1 was expressed in the early tubular heart, then substantially decreased in the ventricles by embryonic day 5 (ED5), but remained relatively high in ED5 and ED11 atria. Unlike TASK-1, TASK-3 was uniformly expressed in heart at all developmental stages. In situ hybridization studies further revealed that TASK-1 was expressed throughout myocardium at Hamilton-Hamburger stages 11 and 18 (S11 &; S18) heart. In ED11 heart, TASK-1 expression was more restricted to atria. Consistent with TASK-1 expression data, patch clamp studies indicated that there was little TASK-1 current, as measured by the difference currents between pH 8.4 and pH 7.4, in ED5 and ED11 ventricular myocytes. However, TASK-1 current was present in the early embryonic heart and ED11 atrial myocytes. TASK-1 currents were also identified as 3 μM anandamide-sensitive currents. 3 μM anandamide reduced TASK-1 currents by about 58% in ED11 atrial myocytes. Zn²⁺ (100 μM) which selectively inhibits TASK-3 channel at this concentration had no effect on TASK currents. In ED11 ventricle where TASK-1 expression was down-regulated, I_K1 was about 5 times greater than in ED11 atrial myocytes.

Conclusion

Functional TASK-1 channels are differentially expressed in the developing chick heart and TASK-1 channels contribute to background K⁺ conductance in the early tubular embryonic heart and in atria. TASK-1 channels act as a contributor to background K⁺ current to modulate the cardiac excitability in the embryonic heart that expresses little I_K1.     

Inhibition of the cardiac inward rectifier potassium currents by KB-R7943

KB-R7943 (2-[2-[4-(4-nitrobenzyloxy)phenyl]ethyl]isothiourea) was developed as a specific inhibitor of the sarcolemmal sodium–calcium exchanger (NCX) with potential experimental and therapeutic use. However, KB-R7943 is shown to be a potent blocker of several ion currents including inward and delayed rectifier K⁺ currents of cardiomyocytes. To further characterize KB-R7943 as a blocker of the cardiac inward rectifiers we compared KB-R7943 sensitivity of the background inward rectifier (I_K1) and the carbacholine-induced inward rectifier (I_KACh) currents in mammalian (Rattus norvegicus; rat) and fish (Carassius carassius; crucian carp) cardiac myocytes. The basal I_K1 of ventricular myocytes was blocked with apparent IC50-values of 4.6 × 10^− 6 M and 3.5 × 10^− 6 M for rat and fish, respectively. I_KACh was almost an order of magnitude more sensitive to KB-R7943 than I_K1 with IC₅₀-values of 6.2 × 10^− 7 M for rat and 2.5 × 10^− 7 M for fish. The fish cardiac NCX current was half-maximally blocked at the concentration of 1.9–3 × 10^− 6 M in both forward and reversed mode of operation. Thus, the sensitivity of three cardiac currents to KB-R7943 block increases in the order I_K1 ~ I_NCX < I_KACh. Therefore, the ability of KB-R7943 to block inward rectifier potassium currents, in particular I_KACh, should be taken into account when interpreting the data with this inhibitor from in vivo and in vitro experiments in both mammalian and fish models.     

Use of the cell-attached patch clamp technique to examine regulation of single cardiac K channels by cyclic GMP

Cyclic nucleotides play a central role in the modulation of ion channels in a variety of tissues, including the heart. In order to determine the possible role of cyclic GMP (cGMP) in the regulation of the background K channel activity of cardiac cells, the effect of 8-Br-cGMP on the inwardly-rectifying K channels of cultured ventricular myocytes from embryonic chick hearts was examined. 8-Br-cGMP (10^-4 to 10^-3 M) inhibited these single channel currents within 3 to 10 min. Spontaneous recovery of the currents occurred with prolonged ( 15 min) exposure to 8-Br-cGMP, but this recovery was accompanied by altered channel behavior. Thus, a new long-lasting open state of the channel appeared, in addition to the open state observed prior to 8-Br-cGMP addition. Superfusion of the cells with the muscarinic agonist carbamylcholine (10^-5 M) also resulted in inhibition of the currents, which suggests that the cGMP-mediated inhibition of these channels may occur under physiological conditions. Thus, it appears that cGMP may be an important modulator of the background K conductance (and excitability) of cardiac cells.     

The Venom of Ornithoctonus huwena affect the electrophysiological stability of neonatal rat ventricular myocytes by inhibiting sodium,potassium and calcium current

Spider venoms are known to contain various toxins that are used as an effective means to capture their prey or to defend themselves against predators. An investigation of the properties of Ornithoctonus huwena (O.huwena) crude venom found that the venom can block neuromuscular transmission of isolated mouse phrenic nerve-diaphragm and sciatic nerve-sartorius preparations. However, little is known about its electrophysiological effects on cardiac myocytes. In this study, electrophysiological activities of ventricular myocytes were detected by 100 μg/mL venom of O.huwena, and whole cell patch-clamp technique was used to study the acute effects of the venom on action potential (AP), sodium current (I_Na), potassium currents (I_Kr, I_Ks, I_to1 and I_K1) and L-type calcium current (I_CaL). The results indicated that the venom prolongs APD₉₀ in a frequency-dependent manner in isolated neonatal rat ventricular myocytes. 100 μg/mL venom inhibited 72.3 ± 3.6% I_Na current, 58.3 ± 4.2% summit current and 54 ± 6.1% the end current of I_Kr, and 65 ± 3.3% I_CaL current, yet, didn't have obvious effect on I_Ks, I_to1 and I_K1 currents. In conclusion, the O.huwena venom represented a multifaceted pharmacological profile. It contains abundant of cardiac channel antagonists and might be valuable tools for investigation of both channels and anti- arrhythmic therapy development.     

Block of the background K(+) channel TASK-1 contributes to arrhythmogenic effects of platelet-activating factor

Platelet-activating factor (PAF), an inflammatory phospholipid, induces ventricular arrhythmia via an unknown ionic mechanism. We can now link PAF-mediated cardiac electrophysiological effects to inhibition of a two-pore domain K(+) channel [TWIK-related acid-sensitive K(+) background channel (TASK-1)]. Superfusion of carbamyl-PAF (C-PAF), a stable analog of PAF, over murine ventricular myocytes causes abnormal automaticity, plateau phase arrest of the action potential, and early afterdepolarizations in paced and quiescent cells from wild-type but not PAF receptor knockout mice. C-PAF-dependent currents are insensitive to Cs(+) and are outwardly rectifying with biophysical properties consistent with a K(+)-selective channel. The current is blocked by TASK-1 inhibitors, including protons, Ba(2+), Zn(2+), and methanandamide, a stable analog of the endogenous lipid ligand of cannabinoid receptors. In addition, when TASK-1 is expressed in CHO cells that express an endogenous PAF receptor, superfusion of C-PAF decreases the expressed current. Like C-PAF, methanandamide evoked spontaneous activity in quiescent myocytes. C-PAF- and methanandamide-sensitive currents are blocked by a specific protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor, implying overlapping signaling pathways. In conclusion, C-PAF blocks TASK-1 or a closely related channel, the effect is PKC dependent, and the inhibition alters the electrical activity of myocytes in ways that would be arrhythmogenic in the intact heart.     

Characteristics of paxilline-sensitive calcium-dependent potassium current in isolated intestine myocytes

An inward current in smooth muscle cells (SMCs) of the taenia coli is known to be transferred via potassium channels and nonselective cation channels. The outward current is of a potassium nature and includes several components, Ca-dependent potassium current (I _K(Ca)) and delayed rectifying potassium current (I _K(V)) in particular. Applications of 100 nM paxilline to SMCs of the guinea-pig taenia coli suppressed considerably the outward current and decreased its oscillations; the effect of paxilline reached its maximum in 2 to 3 min from the beginning of application. Analysis of the current-voltage (I-V) relationship observed under conditions of such applications showed that the paxilline-sensitive current is highly dependent on the intracellular Ca²⁺ concentration; a change in the I-V slope within a segment of the maximum activation of the calcium current is indicative of this peculiarity. Application of paxilline against the background of the action of 1 mM tetraethylammonium (a nonselective blocker of potassium channels) evoked no additional suppression of the outward current. In most cells, we observed spontaneous outward currents (SOCs). Application of 100 nM paxilline nearly completely blocked high-amplitude SOCs (>10 pA) formed due to activation of big-conductance Ca-dependent potassium channels. At the same time, the frequency of small-amplitude SOCs (<10 pA) practically did not change. Thus, according to the pharmacological and time characteristics, voltage dependence, and sensitivity to the intracellular Ca²⁺ concentration, we identified a voltage-operated paxilline-sensitive component in I _K(Ca) that is transferred via big-conductance Ca-dependent potassium channels. Neirofiziologiya/Neurophysiology, Vol. 39, No. 3, pp. 201–207, May–June, 2007.     

Cardiac ion channel current modulation by the CFTR inhibitor GlyH-101

The role in the heart of the cardiac isoform of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR), which underlies a protein kinase A-dependent Cl⁻ current (I_Cl.PKA) in cardiomyocytes, remains unclear. The identification of a CFTR-selective inhibitor would provide an important tool for the investigation of the contribution of CFTR to cardiac electrophysiology. GlyH-101 is a glycine hydrazide that has recently been shown to block CFTR channels but its effects on cardiomyocytes are unknown. Here the action of GlyH-101 on cardiac I_Cl.PKA and on other ion currents has been established. Whole-cell patch-clamp recordings were made from rabbit isolated ventricular myocytes. GlyH-101 blocked I_Cl.PKA in a concentration- and voltage-dependent fashion (IC₅₀ at +100 mV = 0.3 ± 1.5 μM and at −100 mV = 5.1 ± 1.3 μM). Woodhull analysis suggested that GlyH-101 blocks the open pore of cardiac CFTR channels at an electrical distance of 0.15 ± 0.03 from the external membrane surface. A concentration of GlyH-101 maximally effective against I_Cl.PKA (30 μM) was tested on other cardiac ion currents. Inward current at −120 mV, comprised predominantly of the inward-rectifier background K⁺ current, I_K1, was reduced by ∼43% (n = 5). Under selective recording conditions, the Na⁺ current (I_Na) was markedly inhibited by GlyH-101 over the entire voltage range (with a fractional block at −40 mV of ∼82%; n = 8). GlyH-101 also produced a voltage-dependent inhibition of L-type Ca²⁺ channel current (I_Ca,L); fractional block at +10 mV of ∼49% and of ∼28% at −10 mV; n = 11, with a ∼−3 mV shift in the voltage-dependence of I_Ca,L activation. Thus, this study demonstrates for the first time that GlyH-101 blocks cardiac I_Cl.PKA channels in a similar fashion to that reported for recombinant CFTR. However, inhibition of other cardiac conductances may limit its use as a CFTR-selective blocker in the heart.     

hERG1 channel activators: A new anti-arrhythmic principle

The cardiac action potential is the result of an orchestrated function of a number of different ion channels. Action potential repolarisation in humans relies on three potassium current components named I_Kr, I_Ks and I_K1 with party overlapping functions. The ion channel α-subunits conducting these currents are hERG1 (Kv11.1), KCNQ1 (Kv7.1) and Kir2.1. Loss-of-function in any of these currents can result in long QT syndrome. Long QT is a pro-arrhythmic disease with increased risk of developing lethal ventricular arrhythmias such as Torsade de Pointes and ventricular fibrillation. In addition to congenital long QT, acquired long QT can also constitute a safety risk. Especially unintended inhibition of the hERG1 channel constitutes a major concern in the development of new drugs. Based on this knowledge is has been speculated whether activation of the hERG1 channel could be anti-arrhythmic and thereby constitute a new principle in treatment of cardiac arrhythmogenic disorders. The first hERG1 channel agonist was reported in 2005 and a limited number of such compounds are now available. In the present text we review results obtained by hERG1 channel activation in a number of cardiac relevant settings from in vitro to in vivo. It is demonstrated how the principle of hERG1 channel activation under certain circumstances can constitute a new anti-arrhythmogenic principle. Finally, important conceptual differences between the short QT syndrome and the hERG1 channel activation, are evaluated.     

Contribution of BKCa-Channel Activity in Human Cardiac Fibroblasts to Electrical Coupling of Cardiomyocytes-Fibroblasts

Cardiac fibroblasts are involved in the maintenance of myocardial tissue structure. However, little is known about ion currents in human cardiac fibroblasts. It has been recently reported that cardiac fibroblasts can interact electrically with cardiomyocytes through gap junctions. Ca²⁺-activated K⁺ currents (I _K[Ca]) of cultured human cardiac fibroblasts were characterized in this study. In whole-cell configuration, depolarizing pulses evoked I _K(Ca) in an outward rectification in these cells, the amplitude of which was suppressed by paxilline (1 μM) or iberiotoxin (200 nM). A large-conductance, Ca²⁺-activated K⁺ (BK_Ca) channel with single-channel conductance of 162 ± 8 pS was also observed in human cardiac fibroblasts. Western blot analysis revealed the presence of α-subunit of BK_Ca channels. The dynamic Luo-Rudy model was applied to predict cell behavior during direct electrical coupling of cardiomyocytes and cardiac fibroblasts. In the simulation, electrically coupled cardiac fibroblasts also exhibited action potential; however, they were electrically inert with no gap-junctional coupling. The simulation predicts that changes in gap junction coupling conductance can influence the configuration of cardiac action potential and cardiomyocyte excitability. I _k(Ca) can be elicited by simulated action potential waveforms of cardiac fibroblasts when they are electrically coupled to cardiomyocytes. This study demonstrates that a BK_Ca channel is functionally expressed in human cardiac fibroblasts. The activity of these BK_Ca channels present in human cardiac fibroblasts may contribute to the functional activities of heart cells through transfer of electrical signals between these two cell types.     

KCNE variants reveal a critical role of the beta subunit carboxyl terminus in PKA-dependent regulation of the IKs potassium channel

Co-assembly of KCNQ1 with different accessory, or beta, subunits that are members of the KCNE family results in potassium (K⁺) channels that conduct functionally distinct currents. The alpha subunit KCNQ1 conducts a slowly-activated delayed rectifier K⁺ current (I_Ks), a major contributor to cardiac repolarization, when co-assembled with KCNE1 and channels that favor the open state when co-assembled with either KCNE2 or KCNE3. In the heart, stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system enhances I_Ks. A macromolecular signaling complex of the I_Ks channel including the targeting protein Yotiao coordinates up- or down- regulation of channel activity by protein kinase A (PKA) phosphorylation and dephosphorylation of molecules in the complex. β-adrenergic receptor mediated I_Ks up-regulation, a functional consequence of PKA phosphorylation of the KCNQ1 amino terminus (N-T), requires co-expression of KCNQ1/Yotiao with KCNE1. Here, we report that co-expression of KCNE2, like KCNE1, confers a functional channel response to KCNQ1 phosphorylation, but co-expression of KCNE3 does not. Amino acid sequence comparison among the KCNE peptides, and KCNE1 truncation experiments, reveal a segment of the predicted intracellular KCNE1 carboxyl terminus (C-T) that is necessary for functional transduction of PKA phosphorylated KCNQ1. Moreover, chimera analysis reveals a region of KCNE1 sufficient to confer cAMP-dependent functional regulation upon the KCNQ1_KCNE3_Yotiao channel. The property of specific beta subunits to transduce post-translational regulation of alpha subunits of ion channels adds another dimension to our understanding molecular mechanisms underlying the diversity of regulation of native K⁺ channels.     

Sodium Metabisulfite Modulation of Potassium Channels in Pain-Sensing Dorsal Root Ganglion Neurons

The effects of sodium metabisulfite (SMB), a general food preservative, on potassium currents in rat dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons were investigated using the whole-cell patch-clamp technique. SMB increased the amplitudes of both transient outward potassium currents and delayed rectifier potassium current in concentration- and voltage-dependent manner. The transient outward potassium currents (TOCs) include a fast inactivating (A-current or I _A) current and a slow inactivating (D-current or I _D) current. SMB majorly increased I_A, and I_D was little affected. SMB did not affect the activation process of transient outward currents (TOCs), but the inactivation curve of TOCs was shifted to more positive potentials. The inactivation time constants of TOCs were also increased by SMB. For delayed rectifier potassium current (I _K), SMB shifted the activation curve to hyperpolarizing direction. SMB differently affected TOCs and I _K, its effects major on A-type K⁺ channels, which play a role in adjusting pain sensitivity in response to peripheral redox conditions. SMB did not increase TOCs and I _K when adding DTT in pipette solution. These results suggested that SMB might oxidize potassium channels, which relate to adjusting pain sensitivity in pain-sensing DRG neurons.     

K+ channels of stomatal guard cells: bimodal control of the K+ inward-rectifier evoked by auxin

The influence of the auxins indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and 1-napthylene acetic acid (NAA) on K⁺ channels and their control was examined in stomatal guard cells of Vicia faba L. Intact guard cells were impaled with multibarrelled microelectrodes to record membrane potentials and to monitor K⁺ channel currents under voltage clamp during exposures to 0.1–100 µM IAA and NAA. Following impalements, challenge with either IAA or NAA in the presence of 10 mM KCl resulted in the concerted modulation of at least four different currents with distinct kinetic characteristics and concentration dependencies. Equivalent concentrations of benzoic acid were wholly without effect. Most striking, current carried by inward-rectifying K⁺ channels (I_K,in) exhibited a bimodal response to both IAA and NAA which was reversed on washing the auxins from the bathing medium. The steady-state current was augmented 1.3- to 2-fold at concentrations between 0.1 and 10 µM and antagonized at concentrations near 30 µM and above. Auxin agonism of I_K,in was time- and voltage-independent. By contrast, I_K,in inactivation at the higher auxin concentrations was marked by a voltage-dependence and slowing of the kinetics for current activation. Inactivation of I_K,in by the auxins was relieved when cytoplasmic pH (pH_i) was clamped near 7.0 in the presence of 30 mM Na⁺-butyrate. In addition to the control of I_K,in, current carried by a second class of (outward-rectifying) K⁺ channels rose in a monotonic and largely voltage-independent manner with auxin concentrations about 10 µM and above, and IAA and NAA also activated an inward-going current with a voltage dependence characteristic of guard cell anion channels. Further changes in background current were consistent with a limited activation of the H⁺-ATPase. Over the concentration range examined, the auxins evoked membrane hyperpolarizations and depolarizations of up to ±12–19 mV, depending on the free-running membrane potential prevailing before auxin additions. Prolonging exposures to 100 µM auxin beyond 3–5 min frequently elicited rapid transitions to voltages near E_K as well as regenerative action potentials. However, in every case the voltage response was a predictable consequence of auxin action on the K⁺ channels and, at 100 µM auxin, on the anion current. These results demonstrate a control of K⁺ channel activity by auxin, consistent with the roles of these channels in mediating K⁺ flux for stomatal movements; the data associate a bimodal characteristic with the activity of I_K,in, implicating pH_i as a putative intermediate in its control, and offer strong evidence for a multiplicity of signal cascades evoked by auxin; finally, they highlight a coordinate modulation of transport activities by auxin, thereby drawing a close analogy to the pattern of stimulus-response coupling in abscisic acid.     

Inhibitory Effects of Honokiol on the Voltage-Gated Potassium Channels in Freshly Isolated Mouse Dorsal Root Ganglion Neurons

Voltage-gated potassium (K_V) currents, subdivided into rapidly inactivating A-type currents (I _A) and slowly inactivating delayed rectifier currents (I _K), play a fundamental role in modulating pain by controlling neuronal excitability. The effects of Honokiol (Hon), a natural biphenolic compound derived from Magnolia officinalis, on K_V currents were investigated in freshly isolated mouse dorsal root ganglion neurons using the whole-cell patch clamp technique. Results showed that Hon inhibited I _A and I _K in concentration-dependent manner. The IC₅₀ values for block of I _A and I _K were 30.5 and 25.7 µM, respectively. Hon (30 µM) shifted the steady-state activation curves of I _A and I _K to positive potentials by 17.6 and 16.7 mV, whereas inactivation and recovery from the inactivated state of I _A were unaffected. These results suggest that Hon preferentially interacts with the active states of the I _A and I _K channels, and has no effect on the resting state and inactivated state of the I _A channel. Blockade on K⁺ channels by Hon may contribute to its antinociceptive effect, especially anti-inflammatory pain.

     

Single-Channel Characteristics of Wild-Type IKs Channels and Channels formed with Two MinK Mutants that Cause Long QT Syndrome

I_Ks channels are voltage dependent and K⁺ selective. They influence cardiac action potential duration through their contribution to myocyte repolarization. Assembled from minK and KvLQT1 subunits, I_Ks channels are notable for a heteromeric ion conduction pathway in which both subunit types contribute to pore formation. This study was undertaken to assess the effects of minK on pore function. We first characterized the properties of wild-type human I_Ks channels and channels formed only of KvLQT1 subunits. Channels were expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes or Chinese hamster ovary cells and currents recorded in excised membrane patches or whole-cell mode. Unitary conductance estimates were dependent on bandwidth due to rapid channel “flicker.” At 25 kHz in symmetrical 100-mM KCl, the single-channel conductance of I_Ks channels was ∼16 pS (corresponding to ∼0.8 pA at 50 mV) as judged by noise-variance analysis; this was fourfold greater than the estimated conductance of homomeric KvLQT1 channels. Mutant I_Ks channels formed with D76N and S74L minK subunits are associated with long QT syndrome. When compared with wild type, mutant channels showed lower unitary currents and diminished open probabilities with only minor changes in ion permeabilities. Apparently, the mutations altered single-channel currents at a site in the pore distinct from the ion selectivity apparatus. Patients carrying these mutant minK genes are expected to manifest decreased K⁺ flux through I_Ks channels due to lowered single-channel conductance and altered gating.     

Regulation of Cardiac Inward Rectifier Potassium Current (IK1) by Synapse-associated Protein-97

Synapse-associated protein-97 (SAP97) is a membrane-associated guanylate kinase scaffolding protein expressed in cardiomyocytes. SAP97 has been shown to associate and modulate voltage-gated potassium (Kv) channel function. In contrast to Kv channels, little information is available on interactions involving SAP97 and inward rectifier potassium (Kir2.x) channels that underlie the classical inward rectifier current, I_K1. To investigate the functional effects of silencing SAP97 on I_K1 in adult rat ventricular myocytes, SAP97 was silenced using an adenoviral short hairpin RNA vector. Western blot analysis showed that SAP97 was silenced by ∼85% on day 3 post-infection. Immunostaining showed that Kir2.1 and Kir2.2 co-localize with SAP97. Co-immunoprecipitation (co-IP) results demonstrated that Kir2.x channels associate with SAP97. Voltage clamp experiments showed that silencing SAP97 reduced I_K1 whole cell density by ∼55%. I_K1 density at −100 mV was −1.45 ± 0.15 pA/picofarads (n = 6) in SAP97-silenced cells as compared with −3.03 ± 0.37 pA/picofarads (n = 5) in control cells. Unitary conductance properties of I_K1 were unaffected by SAP97 silencing. The major mechanism for the reduction of I_K1 density appears to be a decrease in Kir2.x channel abundance. Furthermore, SAP97 silencing impaired I_K1 regulation by β₁-adrenergic receptor (β1-AR) stimulation. In control, isoproterenol reduced I_K1 amplitude by ∼75%, an effect that was blunted following SAP97 silencing. Our co-IP data show that β1-AR associates with SAP97 and Kir2.1 and also that Kir2.1 co-IPs with protein kinase A and β1-AR. SAP97 immunolocalizes with protein kinase A and β1-AR in the cardiac myocytes. Our results suggest that in cardiac myocytes SAP97 regulates surface expression of channels underlying I_K1, as well as assembles a signaling complex involved in β1-AR regulation of I_K1.     

Identification and functional characterization of zebrafish K2P10.1 (TREK2) two-pore-domain K+ channels

Two-pore-domain potassium (K_2P) channels mediate K⁺ background currents that stabilize the resting membrane potential and contribute to repolarization of action potentials in excitable cells. The functional significance of K_2P currents in cardiac electrophysiology remains poorly understood. Danio rerio (zebrafish) may be utilized to elucidate the role of cardiac K_2P channels in vivo. The aim of this work was to identify and functionally characterize a zebrafish otholog of the human K_2P10.1 channel. K_2P10.1 orthologs in the D. rerio genome were identified by database analysis, and the full zK_2P10.1 coding sequence was amplified from zebrafish cDNA. Human and zebrafish K_2P10.1 proteins share 61% identity. High degrees of conservation were observed in protein domains relevant for structural integrity and regulation. K_2P10.1 channels were heterologously expressed in Xenopus oocytes, and currents were recorded using two-electrode voltage clamp electrophysiology. Human and zebrafish channels mediated K⁺ selective background currents leading to membrane hyperpolarization. Arachidonic acid, an activator of hK_2P10.1, induced robust activation of zK_2P10.1. Activity of both channels was reduced by protein kinase C. Similar to its human counterpart, zK_2P10.1 was inhibited by the antiarrhythmic drug amiodarone. In summary, zebrafish harbor K_2P10.1 two-pore-domain K⁺ channels that exhibit structural and functional properties largely similar to human K_2P10.1. We conclude that the zebrafish represents a valid model to study K_2P10.1 function in vivo.     

Ginseng Gintonin Activates the Human Cardiac Delayed Rectifier K+ Channel: Involvement of Ca2+/Calmodulin Binding Sites

Gintonin, a novel, ginseng-derived G protein-coupled lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) receptor ligand, elicits [Ca²⁺]_i transients in neuronal and non-neuronal cells via pertussis toxin-sensitive and pertussis toxin-insensitive G proteins. The slowly activating delayed rectifier K⁺ (I_Ks) channel is a cardiac K⁺ channel composed of KCNQ1 and KCNE1 subunits. The C terminus of the KCNQ1 channel protein has two calmodulin-binding sites that are involved in regulating I_Ks channels. In this study, we investigated the molecular mechanisms of gintonin-mediated activation of human I_Ks channel activity by expressing human I_Ks channels in Xenopus oocytes. We found that gintonin enhances I_Ks channel currents in concentration- and voltage-dependent manners. The EC₅₀ for the I_Ks channel was 0.05 ± 0.01 μg/ml. Gintonin-mediated activation of the I_Ks channels was blocked by an LPA1/3 receptor antagonist, an active phospholipase C inhibitor, an IP₃ receptor antagonist, and the calcium chelator BAPTA. Gintonin-mediated activation of both the I_Ks channel was also blocked by the calmodulin (CaM) blocker calmidazolium. Mutations in the KCNQ1 [Ca²⁺]_i/CaM-binding IQ motif sites (S373P, W392R, or R539W)blocked the action of gintonin on I_Ks channel. However, gintonin had no effect on hERG K⁺ channel activity. These results show that gintonin-mediated enhancement of I_Ks channel currents is achieved through binding of the [Ca²⁺]_i/CaM complex to the C terminus of KCNQ1 subunit.     

Basolateral K channel activated by carbachol in the epithelial cell line T84

Cholinergic stimulation of chloride secretion involves the activation of a basolateral membrane potassium conductance, which maintains the electrical gradient favoring apical Cl efflux and allows K to recycle at the basolateral membrane. We have used transepithelial short-circuit current (I _SC), fluorescence imaging, and patch clamp studies to identify and characterize the K channel that mediates this response in T₈₄ cells. Carbachol had little effect on I _SC when added alone but produced large, transient currents if added to monolayers prestimulated with cAMP. cAMP also enhanced the subsequent I _SC response to calcium ionophores. Carbachol (100 m) transiently elevated intracellular free calcium ([Ca²⁺] _i ) by 3-fold in confluent cells cultured on glass coverslips with a time course resembling the I _sc response of confluent monolayers that had been grown on porous supports. In parallel patch clamp experiments, carbachol activated an inwardly rectifying potassium channel on the basolateral aspect of polarized monolayers which had been dissected from porous culture supports. The same channel was transiently activated on the surface of subconfluent monolayers during stimulation by carbachol. Activation was more prolonged when cells were exposed to calcium ionophores. The conductance of the inward rectifier in cell-attached patches was 55 pS near the resting membrane potential (–54 mV) with pipette solution containing 150 mm KCl (37°C). This rectification persisted when patches were bathed in symmetrical 150 mm KCl solutions. The selectivity sequence was 1 K > 0.88 Rb > 0.18 Na Cs based on permeability ratios under bi-ionic conditions. The channel exhibited fast block by external sodium ions, was weakly inhibited by external TEA, was relatively insensitive to charybdotoxin, kaliotoxin, 4-aminopyridine and quinidine, and was unaffected by external 10 mm barium. It is referred to as the K_BIC channel based on its most distinctive properties (Ba-insensitive, inwardly rectifying, Ca-activated). Like single K_BIC channels, the carbachol-stimulated I _SC was relatively insensitive to several blockers on the basolateral side and was unaffected by barium. These comparisons between the properties of the macroscopic current and single channels suggest that the K_BIC channel mediates basolateral membrane K conductance in T₈₄ cell monolayers during stimulation by cholinergic secretagogues.We thank Dr. Marcel Crest (Laboratoire de Neurobiologie, CNRS, Marseille) for providing a sample of kaliotoxin. This work was supported by the Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and the Respiratory Health Network of Centres of Excellence. J.W.H. is a Chercheur-Boursier of the Fonds de la recherche en santé du Québec.