自发性高血压大鼠和Wistar大鼠脑动脉平滑肌细胞膜电流的比较

目的:探讨自发性高血压大鼠(SHR)和Wistar大鼠脑动脉(BA)平滑肌细胞膜电流的异同。方法:应用全细胞膜片钳技术研究SHR和Wistar大鼠BA平滑肌细胞在电流密度、电流组成以及自发性瞬时外向K+电流(STOCs)特性的异同。结果:①当指令电压为0、+20、+40和+60mV时,SHR与Wistar大鼠BA平滑肌细胞间电流密度存在统计学差异(P<0.01)。②SHR与Wistar大鼠BA平滑肌细胞膜电流都对1 mmol/L电压依赖的K+通道(Kv)阻断剂4AP和1 mmol/L大电导Ca2+激活K+通道(BKCa)阻断剂TEA敏感。③SHR的STOCs发放频率和电流幅度都远大于Wistar大鼠。1 mmol/LTEA基本完全阻断STOCs通道电流,而4-AP对STOCs没有影响。结论:SHR和Wistar大鼠脑动脉平滑肌细胞的电流密度存在差异,两种平滑肌细胞外向电流都由BKCa和Kv通道组成。SHR大鼠平滑肌细胞更易诱发由BKCa通道介导的STOCs。     

18β-甘草次酸抑制微动脉平滑肌细胞外向电流

本文旨在观察18β-甘草次酸(18β-glycyrrhetinic acid,18βGA)对微动脉平滑肌细胞膜电流的影响。分离出豚鼠小脑前下动脉(anterior inferior cerebellar artery,AICA)和肠系膜动脉(mesenteric artery,MA)后,用酶消化法制备单个血管平滑肌细胞(vascular smooth muscle cells,VSMCs),应用全细胞膜片钳技术记录平滑肌细胞外向电流的变化。结果显示:(1)1mmol/L4氨基吡啶(4-aminopyridine,4-AP)和1mmol/L tetraethylammonium(TEA)都可以部分抑制微动脉平滑肌细胞的外向电流。(2)18βGA电压和浓度依赖性地抑制微动脉平滑肌细胞外向电流。18βGA主要抑制0～+40mV电压区间的激活电流,其中对+40mV激活电流的抑制作用最强。10、30和100μmol/L18βGA对AICA平滑肌细胞外向电流(+40mV)的抑制率分别为(25.3±7.1)%、(43.1±10.4)%和(68.4±3.9)%,对MA平滑肌细胞外向电流(+40mV)的抑制率分别为(13.2±...     

大黄素增加BK_(Ca)通道β_1亚基表达介导自发性高血压大鼠脑基底动脉舒张

本文旨在研究大黄素干预后自发性高血压大鼠(spontaneously hypertensive rat,SHR)脑基底动脉平滑肌细胞BKCa通道电生理特性和表达的变化。在使用大黄素干预处理前后,用尾动脉测压仪观察血压变化,用全细胞膜片钳记录技术观察SHR脑基底动脉平滑肌细胞BKCa通道电流的变化,用免疫组织化学染色和Western Blot观察平滑肌细胞BKCa通道表达变化。结果显示,大黄素干预后,SHR血压由(223±16)mmHg显著降低至(127±12)mmHg(P0.01),与Wistar大鼠相比没有统计学差异。大黄素显著增加SHR平滑肌细胞外向电流(P0.05),该增强作用可被BKCa通道特异性阻断剂IbTX所阻断。大黄素干预后SHR基底动脉平滑肌BKCa通道β1亚基表达明显上调(P0.01)。以上结果提示,大黄素可能通过增加BKCa通道β1亚基表达,增强BKCa通道介导的外向电流,从而发挥舒张SHR脑基底动脉的作用。     

18β-甘草次酸对Wistar大鼠脑微动脉平滑肌细胞间缝隙连接的影响

目的：探讨18β-甘草次酸对Wistar大鼠脑微动脉平滑肌细胞间缝隙连接的影响,为寻求强效和可逆的缝隙连接阻断剂提供实验依据。方法：去除脑微动脉段外层结缔组织后,应用全细胞膜片钳技术,观察不同种类的缝隙连接阻断剂对Wistar大鼠脑微动脉段上平滑肌细胞膜电容（Cinput）、膜电导（Ginput）和膜电阻（Rinput）的影响。结果：（1）Wistar大鼠脑微动脉段上平滑肌细胞Cinput高于消化分离的单个平滑肌细胞。（2）18β-甘草次酸（18pGA）能浓度依赖性的抑制Wistar大鼠脑动脉平滑肌细胞间的缝隙连接,IC50分别为2．0μM。当18βGA100μM时,Wistar大鼠脑微动脉段上平滑肌细胞的Cinput、Ginput或Rinput与单个平滑肌细胞十分接近。结论：1813GA可以浓度依赖性的抑制Wistar大鼠脑微动脉平滑肌细胞间缝隙连接。     

大鼠肺动脉平滑肌细胞钙激活氯通道电流的电生理检测

目的：研究大鼠肺动脉平滑肌细胞钙激活氯通道电流的电生理特性。方法：膜片钳全细胞和膜内向外记录模式检测大鼠肺动脉平滑肌细胞上钙激活氯通道全细胞电流和单通道电流。结果：大鼠肺动脉平滑肌细胞记录到稳定的钙激活氯通道电流（ICl（Ca））;ICl（Ca）表现出典型的外向整流特性和电压时间依赖性激活。结论：大鼠肺动脉平滑肌细胞膜上存在电压、时间依赖性氯通道电流,钙激活氯通道通过促进肺动脉平滑肌细胞去极化而成为调节肺动脉特性的关键调节因子。     

急性缺氧增强豚鼠小脑前下动脉平滑肌细胞外向电流并抑制缝隙连接

本文旨在研究急性缺氧对微动脉血管平滑肌细胞(vascular smooth muscle cells,VSMCs)膜电生理特性的影响。分离出豚鼠小脑前下动脉(anterior inferior cerebellar artery,AICA)段,胶原酶A消化后用显微镊去除微动脉外层结缔组织,然后给予无糖低氧的灌流液,同时应用全细胞膜片钳技术观察VSMCs膜电流的变化。结果显示:(1)当钳制电压在40mV时,急性缺氧引起一个反应幅度为(36.4±9.2)pA的外向电流,细胞静息膜电位从(33.2±1.9)mV超极化到(38.4±1.5)mV。急性缺氧电压依赖性地增强VSMCs外向电流,主要增强0～+40mV电压区间的激活电流幅度,+40mV激活电流幅度从(650±113)pA增加到(1900±197)pA。背景灌流K+通道阻断剂tetraethylammonium(TEA,1mmol/L)后,急性缺氧对VSMCs外向电流的增强作用显著减小。(2)急性缺氧使AICA上VSMCs的细胞膜电阻(R input)从(234±63)MΩ增加到(1211±201)MΩ,细胞膜电容(C input)从(279.3±83.2)p...     

SO_2对胸主动脉血管平滑肌细胞钾离子通道的影响

为了探讨二氧化硫(SO2)引起大鼠血管平滑肌的降压机制,采用急性酶分离法分离大鼠单个血管平滑肌细胞,运用全细胞膜片钳技术记录平滑肌细胞外向钾电流(IKv),观察SO2及其衍生物对平滑肌细胞膜钾电流的作用,从离子通道角度研究SO2对血压的影响。结果发现:SO2衍生物可使外向IKv显著增大,10μmol/L SO2衍生物可使电流-电压曲线(I-V曲线)显著上移,即增大IKv,且呈一定的电压依赖性,并且,SO2衍生物可使IKv增大呈现出剂量-效应关系。当使用5 mmol/L 4-氨基吡啶(4-AP)抑制IKv后,加入10μmol/L SO2衍生物,IKv有一定程度增加。TEA能抑制SO2衍生物对IKv的增大效应。10μmol/L SO2衍生物可使IKv的激活曲线显著向超极化方向移动,但并不影响其斜率因子。说明SO2衍生物作用于血管平滑肌细胞,可引起外向钾电流幅度增大,使钾电流提前激活,这是SO2及其衍生物降压的作用机制之一;TEA、4-AP对SO2衍生物引起的血管平滑肌细胞钾电流的增大具有拮抗作用。     

胞外pH降低对肺动脉平滑肌细胞膜上电压门控性钾通道的调节

目的：观察pH对大鼠肺动脉平滑肌细胞（PASMCs）钾电流的调控作用并探讨其机制。方法：用全细胞膜片钳技术记录在正常细胞外液和不同pH的灌流液中,PASMCs膜上电压门控性钾电流大小（Ikv）,并分析了其电生理学特性的改变。结果：①胞外pH降低可快速可逆性抑制Ikv。,与对照相比（pH7.4）,pH值为7.0、6.5、6.0时,＋60mV处的峰电流的抑制率分别为：16.93％±2.47％、33.03％±2.13％、41.59％±6.53％,电流一电压关系曲线右下移。②胞外pH为7.0、6.5、6.0时,使电压依赖性Gk-Em向去极化方向移动。同时使半激活电压增加。结论：在缺氧所致缺氧性肺血管收缩反应（HPV）的发生中,胞外pH的降低可参与对Ikv的调节,从而使细胞膜去极化,Ikv减小电压门控钙通道打开,平滑肌细胞收缩,这可能是缺氧导致HPV的机制之一。     

钙激活性氯离子通道的电生理研究

目的:研究大鼠肺动脉平滑肌细胞上钙激活性氯离子通道的电流、电压电流关系等电生理特性.方法:采用急性酶分离法(胶原酶Ⅰ型和木瓜蛋白酶)分离出单个肺动脉平滑肌细胞,应用膜片钳技术,测定各组大鼠肺动脉平滑肌细胞上钙激活性氯离子通道电流和电压电流.结果:急性酶分离法能成功分离出适用于膜片钳记录的单个大鼠肺动脉平滑肌细胞,并测到稳定的钙激活性氯离子通道电流,该电流表现出时间、电压及钙离子依赖性,并呈外向整流特征.结论:大鼠肺动脉平滑肌细胞的钙激活氯离子通道具有时间依赖性、钙离子依赖性和电压依赖性,并具有外向整流特征.     

肾性高血压大鼠肺动脉平滑肌细胞钾通道的研究

目的:观察肾性高血压大鼠(RHR)肺动脉平滑肌细胞膜电容(Em)、膜电流(I)、电流密度(pA/pF)、膜电位和I-V曲线的变化及盐酸埃他卡林对正常血压及肾性高血压大鼠肺动脉平滑肌钾通道的影响。方法:用内径为0.2~0.3 mm的银夹夹住大鼠左肾肾动脉起始部,制成两肾一夹RHR模型,血压以无创性套尾法测量。急性分离大鼠肺内动脉平滑肌细胞,用全细胞记录技术记录细胞钾电流、膜电容并计算电流密度。结果:RHR肺动脉平滑肌细胞膜电容均值为(3.43±1.16)pF,比正常血压大鼠(NTR,4.98±0.62pF)降低31.1%;钾电流值为(0.54±0.26)nA,比正常大鼠(1.70±0.67nA)降低68.2%;电流密度值为(180±90)pA/pF,比正常大鼠(350±80 pA/pF)降低48.6%;膜电位为(-26.96±7.23)mV,比正常大鼠(-27.66±7.1 mV)降低2.5%。盐酸埃他卡林在0.1-100μmol.L-1浓度下,可显著增强正常血压大鼠动脉平滑肌钾电流;在1.0-100μmol.L-1浓度下,可显著增强肾性高血压大鼠动脉平滑肌钾电流。结论:RHR的膜电容、膜电流、电流密度比正常血压大鼠低,I-V曲线下移。盐酸埃他卡林对正常血压大鼠及肾性高血压大鼠动脉平滑肌钾电流都有增强作用。     

18β-glycyrrhetinic acid inhibits outward current of vascular smooth muscle cells of arterioles

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of 18β-glycyrrhetinic acid (18βGA) on the membrane current of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) in arteriole. Guinea pig anterior inferior cerebellar artery (AICA) and mesenteric artery (MA) were isolated, and single VSMCs were harvested using digestion with papain and collagenase IA. Outward currents of the VSMCs were recorded by whole-cell patch clamp technique. Results were shown as below: (1) 1 mmol/L 4-AP and 1 mmol/L TEA both could partially inhibit the whole-cell current of VSMCs in arterioles. (2) 18βGA inhibited the outward current of VSMCs in a concentration-dependent manner. The inhibitory rates of 10, 30 and 100 μmol/L 18βGA on the membrane current of VSMCs (+40 mV) were (25.3 ± 7.1)%, (43.1 ± 10.4)% and (68.4 ± 3.9)% respectively in AICA, and (13.2 ± 5.6)%, (34.2 ± 4.0)% and (59.3 ± 7.3)% respectively in MA. There was no significant difference between the inhibitory effects of 18βGA on AICA and MA. 18βGA also inhibited the outward current of VSMCs in a voltage-dependent manner. 18βGA induced a more pronounced inhibition of the outward current from 0 to +40 mV, especially at +40 mV. (3) With the pretreatment of 10 mmol/L TEA, the inhibitory effect of 18βGA on the membrane current of VSMCs was significantly abolished. These results suggest that the outward current of VSMCs in arterioles is mediated by voltage-dependent K(+) channels (K(v)) and big conductance calcium-activated K(+) channels (BK(Ca)), which can be inhibited by 18βGA in concentration- and voltage-dependent way.     

Parathyroid hypertensive factor inhibits voltage-gated K+ channels in vascular smooth muscle cells

Parathyroid hypertensive factor (PHF) has been implicated in regulation of vascular smooth muscle tone and pathogenesis of several forms of hypertension. Earlier studies have suggested that PHF enhances the actions of other vasoconstrictors, while it has no in vitro vasoconstrictor property of its own. PHF was previously found to enhance the L-type Ca channel currents and intracellular Ca responses to depolarization in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). The present study examined whether PHF might act on K channels in the plasma membrane of VSMCs. Primary cultured VSMCs from rat tail artery were used. The whole-cell version of the patch-clamp technique was used under conditions in which there was no contribution of Ca-activated K channels to the outward current. Both purified and semipurified PHF inhibited the delayed rectifier type potassium current in a dose-dependent manner. The effect was time dependent and was first significantly different from the control current after 30 min. The inhibition of the delayed rectifier K channel was associated with a time-dependent decrease in the resting membrane potential. Therefore, PHF may alter VSMC cellular Ca responses by reducing the membrane potential to a level closer to the activation potential of Ca channels.     

Vascular smooth muscle cells direct extracellular dysregulation in aortic stiffening of hypertensive rats

Aortic stiffening is an independent risk factor that underlies cardiovascular morbidity in the elderly. We have previously shown that intrinsic mechanical properties of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) play a key role in aortic stiffening in both aging and hypertension. Here, we test the hypothesis that VSMCs also contribute to aortic stiffening through their extracellular effects. Aortic stiffening was confirmed in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) vs. Wistar‐Kyoto (WKY) rats in vivo by echocardiography and ex vivo by isometric force measurements in isolated de‐endothelized aortic vessel segments. Vascular smooth muscle cells were isolated from thoracic aorta and embedded in a collagen I matrix in an in vitro 3D model to form reconstituted vessels. Reconstituted vessel segments made with SHR VSMCs were significantly stiffer than vessels made with WKY VSMCs. SHR VSMCs in the reconstituted vessels exhibited different morphologies and diminished adaptability to stretch compared to WKY VSMCs, implying dual effects on both static and dynamic stiffness. SHR VSMCs increased the synthesis of collagen and induced collagen fibril disorganization in reconstituted vessels. Mechanistically, compared to WKY VSMCs, SHR VSMCs exhibited an increase in the levels of active integrin β1‐ and bone morphogenetic protein 1 (BMP1)‐mediated proteolytic cleavage of lysyl oxidase (LOX). These VSMC‐induced alterations in the SHR were attenuated by an inhibitor of serum response factor (SRF)/myocardin. Therefore, SHR VSMCs exhibit extracellular dysregulation through modulating integrin β1 and BMP1/LOX via SRF/myocardin signaling in aortic stiffening.     

The effects of external pH on calcium channel currents in bullfrog sympathetic neurons.

We have investigated the effects of external pH (pHo) on whole-cell calcium channel currents in bullfrog sympathetic neurons. The peak inward current increased at alkaline pHo and decreased at acidic pHo. We used tail currents to distinguish effects of pHo on channel gating and permeation. There were large shifts in the voltage dependence of channel activation (approximately 40 mV between pHo and 9.0 and pHo 5.6), which could be explained by binding of H+ to surface charge according to Gouy-Chapman theory. To examine the effects of pHo on permeation, we measured tail currents at 0 mV, following steps to + 120 mV to maximally activate the channels. Unlike most previous studies, we found only a approximately 10% reduction in channel conductance from pHo 9.0 to pHo 6.4, despite a approximately 25 mV shift of channel activation. At lower pHo the channel conductance did decrease, which could be described by binding of H+ to a site with pKa = 5.1. In some cells, there was a separate slow decrease in conductance at low pHo, possibly because of changes in internal pH. These results suggest that changes in current at pHo > 6.4 result primarily from a shift in the voltage dependence of channel activation. A H(+)-binding site can explain a rapid decrease in channel conductance at lower pHo. The surface charge affecting gating has little effect on the local ion concentration near the pore, or on the channel conductance.     

Aspirin-induced AMP-activated protein kinase activation regulates the proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells from spontaneously hypertensive rats

Acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin), used to reduce risk of cardiovascular disease, plays an important role in the regulation of cellular proliferation. However, mechanisms responsible for aspirin-induced growth inhibition are not fully understood. Here, we investigated whether aspirin may exert therapeutic effects via AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activation in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) from wistar kyoto rats (WKY) and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Aspirin increased AMPK and acetyl-CoA carboxylase phosphorylation in a time- and dose-dependent manner in VSMCs from WKY and SHR, but with greater efficacy in SHR. In SHR, a low basal phosphorylation status of AMPK resulted in increased VSMC proliferation and aspirin-induced AMPK phosphorylation inhibited proliferation of VSMCs. Compound C, an AMPK inhibitor, and AMPK siRNA reduced the aspirin-mediated inhibition of VSMC proliferation, this effect was more pronounced in SHR than in WKY. In VSMCs from SHR, aspirin increased p53 and p21 expression and inhibited the expression of cell cycle associated proteins, such as p-Rb, cyclin D, and cyclin E. These results indicate that in SHR VSMCs aspirin exerts anti-proliferative effects through the induction of AMPK phosphorylation.     

Dimethylarginine dimethylaminohydrolase-1 mediates inhibitory effect of interleukin-10 on angiotensin II-induced hypertensive effects in vascular smooth muscle cells of spontaneously hypertensive rats

In hypertension studies, anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-10 (IL-10) has been shown to prevent angiotensin II (Ang II)-induced vasoconstriction and regulate vascular function by down-regulating pro-inflammatory cytokine and superoxide production in vascular cells. However, little is known about the mechanism behind the down-regulatory effect of IL-10 on Ang II-induced hypertensive mediators. In this study, we demonstrated the effects of IL-10 on expression of dimethylarginine dimethylaminohydrolase (DDAH)-1, a regulator of NO bioavailability, as well as the down-regulatory mechanism of action of IL-10 in relation to Ang II-induced hypertensive mediator expression and cell proliferation in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) from spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). IL-10 increased DDAH-1 but not DDAH-2 expression and increased DDAH activity. Additionally, IL-10 attenuated Ang II-induced DDAH-1 inhibition in SHR VSMCs. Increased DDAH activity due to IL-10 was mediated mainly through Ang II subtype II receptor (AT₂ R) and AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activation. DDAH-1 induced by IL-10 partially mediated the inhibitory action of IL-10 on Ang II-induced 12-lipoxygenase (LO) and endothelin (ET)-1 expression in SHR VSMCs. In addition, the inhibitory effect of IL-10 on proliferation of Ang II-induced VSMCs was mediated partially via DDAH-1 activity. These results suggest that DDAH-1 plays a potentially important role in the anti-hypertensive activity of IL-10 during Ang II-induced hypertension.     

Electrophysiological demonstration of voltage- activated H+ channels in bovine articular chondrocytes.

Matrix synthesis by articular chondrocytes is sensitive to changes in intracellular pH (pH(i)), so characterising the membrane transport pathways that determine pH(i) is important for understanding how chondrocytes regulate the turnover of cartilage matrix. In the present study, the whole-cell patch-clamp technique has been employed to demonstrate the operation of voltage-activated H(+) channels (VAHC) in bovine articular chondrocytes. Using solutions designed to minimise the contribution of ions other than H(+), the application of step voltage-protocols elicited whole-cell currents. These currents were slow activating, observed only in the outward direction, dependent on both extracellular pH (pH(o)) and pH(i), and inhibited by Zn(2+). The reversal potential values, measured by tail current analysis, over a range of different pHo and pHi values, were in good agreement with predicted values for membrane channels having a high selectivity for protons. The results presented here are consistent with the operation of VAHC in articular chondrocytes.     

睫状体色素上皮细胞容积激活性氯电流

为研究睫状体色素上皮 (pigmentedciliaryepithelial,PCE)细胞容积激活性Cl-电流的特性 ,用膜片箝全细胞记录技术记录了猪的低渗液诱发的容积激活性Cl-电流。此电流外向占优势 ,几乎没有时间依赖性失活 ,电流 电压曲线显示此电流反转电位 (- 6 3± 0 5mV)很接近氯离子平衡电位的计算值 (ECl=0mV)。电流的激活依赖于细胞内ATP ,细胞外ATP抑制外向电流和内向电流 ,但外向电流抑制率大于内向电流抑制率 (92 %比 74% ,P <0 0 1)。氯离子通道阻断剂tamoxifen抑制外向电流和内向电流 ,两个抑制率几乎相等 (85 %比 87% ,P >0 0 5 )。此电流特性与其他类型细胞的P糖蛋白相关电流很相似。结果提示PCE细胞容积激活性Cl-电流的形成可能与P糖蛋白有关     

Plasticity of pre- and postsynaptic GABAB receptor function in the paraventricular nucleus in spontaneously hypertensive rats

GABA(B) receptor function is upregulated in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of the hypothalamus in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), but it is unclear whether this upregulation occurs pre- or postsynaptically. We therefore determined pre- and postsynaptic GABA(B) receptor function in retrogradely labeled spinally projecting PVN neurons using whole cell patch-clamp recording in brain slices in SHR and Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats. Bath application of the GABA(B) receptor agonist baclofen significantly decreased the spontaneous firing activity of labeled PVN neurons in both SHR and WKY rats. However, the magnitude of reduction in the firing rate was significantly greater in SHR than in WKY rats. Furthermore, baclofen produced larger membrane hyperpolarization and outward currents in labeled PVN neurons in SHR than in WKY rats. The baclofen-induced current was abolished by either including G protein inhibitor GDPbetaS in the pipette solution or bath application of the GABA(B) receptor antagonist in both SHR and WKY rats. Blocking N-methyl-d-aspartic acid receptors had no significant effect on baclofen-elicited outward currents in SHR. In addition, baclofen caused significantly greater inhibition of glutamatergic excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs) in labeled PVN neurons in brain slices from SHR than WKY rats. By contrast, baclofen produced significantly less inhibition of GABAergic inhibitory postsynaptic currents (IPSCs) in labeled PVN neurons in SHR than in WKY rats. Although microinjection of the GABA(B) antagonist into the PVN increases sympathetic vasomotor tone in SHR, the GABA(B) antagonist did not affect EPSCs and IPSCs of the PVN neurons in vitro. These findings suggest that postsynaptic GABA(B) receptor function is upregulated in PVN presympathetic neurons in SHR. Whereas presynaptic GABA(B) receptor control of glutamatergic synaptic inputs is enhanced, presynaptic GABA(B) receptor control of GABAergic inputs in the PVN is attenuated in SHR. Changes in both pre- and postsynaptic GABA(B) receptors in the PVN may contribute to the control of sympathetic outflow in hypertension.     

Proton and zinc effects on HERG currents.

The proton and Zn2+ effects on the human ether-a-go-go related gene (HERG) channels were studied after expression in Xenopus oocytes and stable transfection in the mammalian L929 cell line. Experiments were carried out using the two-electrode voltage clamp at room temperature (oocytes) or the whole-cell patch clamp technique at 35 degrees C (L929 cells). In oocytes, during moderate extracellular acidification (pHo = 6.4), current activation was not shifted on the voltage axis, the time course of current activation was unchanged, but tail current deactivation was dramatically accelerated. At pHo < 6.4, in addition to accelerating deactivation, the time course of activation was slower and the midpoint voltage of current activation was shifted to more positive values. Protons and Zn2+ accelerated the kinetics of deactivation with apparent Kd values about one order of magnitude lower than for tail current inhibition. For protons, the Kd values for the effect on tail current amplitude versus kinetics were, respectively, 1.8 microM (pKa = 5.8) and 0.1 microM (pKa = 7.0). In the presence of Zn2+, the corresponding Kd values were, respectively, 1.2 mM and 169 microM. In L929 cells, acidification to pHo = 6.4 did not shift the midpoint voltage of current activation and had no effect on the time course of current activation. Furthermore, the onset and recovery of inactivation were not affected. However, the acidification significantly accelerated tail current deactivation. We conclude that protons and Zn2+ directly interact with HERG channels and that the interaction results, preferentially, in the regulation of channel deactivation mechanism.