血管平滑肌细胞上的自发内向阳离子通道

采用膜片箝技术的细胞贴附式（ｃｅｌ－ａｔａｃｈｅｄ）,在酶法分离的大鼠尾动脉平滑肌细胞上记录到一种自发的内向阳离子通道。结果发现：１、在实验条件下（池子液：Ｋｒｅｂｓ,电极液：高钾）,该通道电导为２６．５±４．１ｐＳ,且具有明显的电压依赖、时间依赖和Ｃａ２＋依赖的特性;２、该电流具有极显著的内向整流特性;３、离子替换实验表明,该通道对Ｎａ＋和Ｋ＋具有很好的通透性,对Ｃｌ－的通透则很差;４、胞外加入４－ＡＰ（２ｍｍｏｌ／Ｌ或５ｍｍｏｌ／Ｌ）,ＢａＣｌ２（１ｍｍｏｌ／Ｌ）和ＣｓＣｌ（２０ｍｍｏｌ／Ｌ）均不能抑制该电流;５、内向阳离子电流可与Ｃａ２＋－激活Ｋ＋电流在同一细胞上交替活动,提示这两种电流可能在调控平滑肌细胞的基本活动方面起关键作用。     

细胞外Mn^2＋对内向整流钾通道（IRK1）的阻断作用

目的和方法：采用双微电极电压钳（ＴＥＶ）法研究细胞外Ｍｎ＾２＋对非洲爪蟾卵母细胞表达的内向整流钾通道（ＩＲＫ１）的阻断作用。结果：细胞外Ｍｎ＾２＋浓度分别为１、１．２５、２．５、５、１０和２０ｍｍｏｌ／Ｌ,Ｋ＾＋浓度为９０ｍｍｏｌ／Ｌ,可见Ｍｎ＾２＋对ＩＲＫ１的瞬间电流（旋加电压后２ｍｓ）具有Ｍｎ＾２＋浓度依赖性和电压依赖性阻断作用;细胞外加Ｍｎ＾２＋浓度较高时强;细胞外Ｋ＾＋浓度为９０ｍｍｏｌ／     

小鼠腹腔巨噬细胞不完全失活的外向K~+电流的基本特性

采用膜片钳技术以全细胞方式在小鼠腹腔渗出巨噬细胞（ＰＥＭ）中记录到一种不完全失活的外向Ｋ＋电流（Ｉｏ）,该电流在膜电位正于－１０ｍＶ时激活,对Ｋ＋具有高度特异性,其半值电导电位Ｖ１／２为７９．５ｍＶ,在膜电位正于３０ｍＶ时,该电流失活,在６０－１２０ｍＶ的膜电位范围内,其失活时间常数τｉ与膜电位无关．随着胞外Ｋ＋离子浓度（［Ｋ＋］ｏ）升高,该电流的失活过程减慢。在生理电压范围内（－８０－０ｍＶ）,该电流缺乏稳态失活,且其失活不具有频率依赖性。胞外４－ＡＰ（３ｍｍｏｌ／Ｌ）、Ｂａ２＋（３ｍｍｏｌ／Ｌ）及ＴＥＡ（５ｍｍｏｌ／Ｌ）可抑制该电流,抑制率分别为８５％,６６％及３１％。胞外Ｚｎ２＋（１ｍｍｏｌ／Ｌ）可影响该电流活性,对该电流的抑制具有电压依赖性     

丹皮酚对心肌细胞自律性和延迟后除极的影响

目的与方法：采用常规玻璃微电极技术研究丹皮酚对离体心肌细胞自律性（ＡＭ）、延迟后除极（ＤＡＤ） 及触发活动（ＴＡ）的影响。结果：１．８×１０－４ｍｏｌ／Ｌ丹皮酚灌流组,肾上腺素（Ａｄｒ）的阈浓度空白对照组为（１．２８±０．５７）μｍｏｌ／Ｌ,药后为（１．５６±０．５３）μｍｏｌ／Ｌ（ｎ＝９,Ｐ＞０．０５）;用（１．８×１０－ ３） ｍｏｌ／Ｌ丹皮酚（Ｐａｅ）灌流组,Ａｄｒ 浓度由空白对照组的（１．２２ ±０．６２）μｍｏｌ／Ｌ升高到（６．２２±２．１１）μｍｏｌ／Ｌ（ｎ＝９,Ｐ＜０．０１）。１．８×１０－３ｍｏｌ／Ｌ的Ｐａｅ 能明显抑制哇巴因（Ｏｕａ）诱发的ＤＡＤ的幅值,当基本刺激周长为５００,４００,３００ 和２００ ｍｓ 时,其ＤＡＤ幅值从（５．５±２．０）ｍＶ,（７．３±２．１）ｍＶ,（８．０ ±２．４）ｍＶ和（９．２±１．９）ｍＶ减小到（３．０±１．１）ｍＶ、（３．６±１．７）ｍＶ,（４．３±２．０） ｍＶ和（５．９ ±１．６） ｍＶ,Ｐ＜０．０１。当基本刺激周长为２００ ｍｓ时,ＴＡ 数目由５．５±１．０ 降至０．７±０．３（Ｐ＜０．０１）。结论：丹皮酚能抑制心肌细胞ＡＭ、ＤＡＤ及ＴＡ,具有抗心律失常作用     

大肠杆菌精氨酰－tRNA合成酶的变种ArgRS306KR的纯化和基本性质

本文从含ＡｒｇＲＳ３０６ＫＲ基因ａｒｇｓ３０６ＫＲ的ｐＵＣ１８重组质粒的大肠杆菌ＴＧ１转化子中经ＤＥＡＥ－Ｓｅｐｈａｃｅｌ和Ｂｌｕｅ－Ｓｅｐｈａｒｏｓｅ两步柱层析,得到电泳一条带的ＡｒｇＲＳ３０６ＫＲ。纯酶的比活为２７９０单位／毫克。该酶氨酰化和ＡＴＰ～ＰＰｉ交换活力的最适ｐＨ分别为ｐＨ８．３和ｐＨ７．５。氨酰化活力对ＡＴＰ、Ａｒｇ和ｔＲＮＡ的Ｋｍ分别为２．６ｍｍｏｌ／Ｌ、１４．０μｍｏｌ／Ｌ和５．０μｍｏｌ／Ｌ：Ｖｍａｘ为７６３０单位／毫克;ｋｏａｔ为９Ｓ－１。ＡＴＰ～ＰＰｉ交换活力对ＡＴＰ和Ａｒｇ的Ｋｍ分别为８．３ｍｍｏｌ／Ｌ和９９μｍｏｌ／Ｌ;Ｖｍａｘ为１６３２０单位／毫克;ｋｃａｔ为１８Ｓ－１。     

α受体激动对绵羊心脏浦肯野纤维延迟后除极的影响

用乙酰毒毛旋花子成元０．２μｍｏｌ／Ｌ诱发绵羊心脏浦肯野纤维产生延迟后除极（ＤＡＤ）,采用细胞内微电极记录。在用普奈洛尔１．０μｍｏｌ／Ｌ阻断β受体条件下,苯肾上腺素１．０μｍｏｌ／Ｌ使ＤＡＤ幅值由８．１±２．２ｍＶ增至９．５±２．８ｍＶ,时程由２４０±４７ｍｓ延长到２７３±４７ｍｓ（ｎ＝１３,ＰＭ＜０．０１）,ＤＡＤ上升速率由０．０３９±０．０２３Ｖ／ｓ增至０．０５１±０．０２６Ｖ／ｓ（ｎ＝１３,Ｐ＜０．０５）,ＤＡＤ在动作电位后出现的时间提前了３０±４７ｍｓ（ｎ＝１３,Ｐ＜０．０５）。用去甲肾上腺素１．０μｍｏｌ／Ｌ增强ＤＡＤ引起触发活动时,酚妥０拉明１．８μｍｏｌ／Ｌ不能抑制触发活动,普奈洛尔１．０μｍｏｌ／Ｌ能抑制之。上述结果表明α受体激动对ＤＡＤ有轻度增强作用,但由ＤＡＤ引起的触发活动,α受体阻滞剂的抑制作用不如β受体阻滞剂有效。     

玉米花粉低分子量ATP酶部分性质研究

对纯化的玉米花粉低分子量ＡＴＰ酶－３８ｋＤ蛋白的部分理化及药理学性质进行了研究。该酶与植物细胞中现已发现的马达蛋白（动蛋白及ｄｙｎａｍｉｎ）存在较大差异。紫外吸收光谱在２７８ｎｍ处有最大吸收。圆二色谱分析表明该蛋白呈现典型球蛋白特征。最适ｐＨ为８．０,对ＡＴＰ的Ｋｍ为８×１０－４ｍｏｌ／Ｌ,Ｖｍａｘ为３．５μｍｏｌＰｉ每ｍｉｎ每ｍｇ蛋白质。对ＮＴＰ底物专一性为ＣＴＰ＞ＡＴＰ≥ＧＴＰ＞ＩＴＰ＞ＵＴＰ,药理学研究表明：该酶对０．１ｍｍｏｌ／ＬＮａ３ＶＯ４、２．４ｍｍｏｌ／ＬＮａＦ及０．１ｍｍｏｌ／ＬＮＥＭ均非常敏感。     

菜心下胚轴原生质体培养和植株再生

以萌发３—４ 天（长约４ ｃｍ ）的菜心（Ｂｒａｓｓｉｃａ ｃａｍｐｅｓｔｒｉｓ ｖａｒ．ｐａｒａｃｈｉｎｅｓｉｓ）无菌苗苍白下胚轴为材料,酶解分离原生质体。经纯化的原生质体,在含０．５ ｍ ｇ／ＬＺＴ、０．５ ｍ ｇ／Ｌ２,４－Ｄ、１．０ ｍ ｇ／ＬＮＡＡ 和０．４ ｍ ｏｌ／Ｌ葡萄糖的Ｋ８ｐ 培养基中,进行微滴培养。在起始培养１４—１８小时,原生质体再生新的细胞壁。３６ 小时再生细胞开始第一次分裂。第三天分裂细胞频率可达３５％ 。培养第８—９ 天,可见含８—１６个细胞的小细胞团,植板率为１５％ —１８％ 。３ 周后将发育成直径为２ ｍ ｍ 的白色小愈伤组织,转到含０．３ ｍ ｇ／Ｌ ２,４－Ｄ并用ｇｅｌｒｉｔｅ半固化的培养基上,增殖成４—５ ｍ ｍ 直径的愈伤组织。在ＭＳ＋ ３．２（或１．６） ｍ ｇ／Ｌ ＢＡ＋ １．６（或０．８） ｍ ｇ／ＬＺＴ＋ ０．０１ ｍ ｇ／Ｌ ＮＡＡ＋ ０．１ ｍ ｇ／ＬＧＡ３ 和０．２％ 蔗糖的分化培养基上,获得芽的分化。切下约２ ｃｍ 长的芽苗,转移到含０．２ ｍ ｇ／ＬＩＡＡ 和２％ 蔗糖的培养基上,生根形成完整植株     

百脉根愈伤组织原生质体再生植株

百脉根无菌苗幼茎在含２．０ｍｇ／Ｌ－,２,４－Ｄ,０．１ｍｇ／Ｌ２－ｉｐ的ＭＳ培养基上诱导和继代培养愈伤组织。选取绿色松散颗粒愈伤组织分离原生质体。原生质体培养在调整珠ＫＭ８Ｐ,Ｖ－ＫＭ,ＭＳ和ＳＨ培养基上「含３００ｍｇ／Ｌ,ＣＨ,２％ＣＷ,２％蔗糖,６％葡萄糖,２．０ｍｇ／Ｌ,２,４－Ｄ,０．５ｍｇｇ／Ｌ,ＢＡ,５ｍｍｏｌ／Ｌ ＭＥＳ」,原生质体再生细胞均能分裂,并形成小愈伤组织,但以ＫＭ８０为     

钙离子对乙酰胆碱受体通道脱敏的影响

Ｎ型乙酰胆碱受体通道的脱敏表现为通道开放概率的衰减,而通道开放时间和开放电流的变化水大,提示脱敏是全或无的,当「Ｃａ＾２＋」０＝１２．０ｍｍｏｌ／Ｌ时,脱敏５０％约用时１１．５分钟;「Ｃａ＾２＋」０＝０ｍｍｏｌ／Ｌ时,脱敏５０％药用时１．８分钟。证明在钙离子浓度较低的情况下,Ｎ型乙酰胆碱受体通道的脱敏较快,而下离子浓度较高时,通道脱敏慢,提示钙离子对通道从脱敏态到静息态的恢复有促进作用,并且对钙离     

Molecular correlates of altered expression of potassium currents in failing rabbit myocardium

Action potential (AP) prolongation is a hallmark of failing myocardium. Functional downregulation of K currents is a prominent feature of cells isolated from failing ventricles. The detailed changes in K current expression differ depending on the species, the region of the heart, and the mechanism of induction of heart failure. We used complementary approaches to study K current downregulation in pacing tachycardia-induced heart failure in the rabbit. The AP duration (APD) at 90% repolarization was significantly longer in cells isolated from failing hearts compared with controls (539 +/- 162 failing vs. 394 +/- 114 control, P < 0.05). The major K currents in the rabbit heart, inward rectifier potassium current (I(K1)), transient outward (I(to)), and delayed rectifier current (I(K)) were functionally downregulated in cells isolated from failing ventricles. The mRNA levels of Kv4.2, Kv1.4, KChIP2, and Kir2.1 were significantly downregulated, whereas the Kv4.3, Erg, KvLQT1, and minK were unaltered in the failing ventricles compared with the control left ventricles. Significant downregulation in the long splice variant of Kv4.3, but not in the total Kv4.3, Kv4.2, and KChIP2 immunoreactive protein, was observed in cells isolated from the failing ventricle with no change in Kv1.4, KvLQT1, and in Kir2.1 immunoreactive protein levels. Multiple cellular and molecular mechanisms underlie the downregulation of K currents in the failing rabbit ventricle.     

中华大蟾蜍卵母细胞质膜存在钙依赖性的氯离子通道

本文采用双微电极电压钳方法研究了中华大蟾蜍卵母细胞内源性电压门控型离子通道的成分及其生理特性。卵母细胞去极化至 -30 mV 及更正电压时,有一持续的电压依赖性外向电流出现。钾离子通道拮抗剂四乙基氯化氨(tetraethy-lammonium chloride, TEA, 10 mmol/L)和 4- 氨基吡啶(4-aminopyridine, 4-AP, 10 mmol/L)协同作用时,该电流只能被抑制到最大电流幅度的(23.4±0.72)%。但是,上述浓度的TEA和4-AP 与氯离子通道拮抗剂5- 硝基-2, 3- 苯酚丙胺苯甲酸盐 (5-nitro-2,3-phenypropylamino benzoate, NPPB, 30 μmol/L)、无钙 Ringer 氏液或钙离子通道拮抗剂维拉帕米(40 μmol/L)协同作用时,可分别将此外向电流抑制到最大电流幅度的(2.1±0.08)%、(2.2±0.04)% 和(3.1±0.15)%。结果表明,中华大蟾蜍卵母细胞质膜上除有钾离子电流之外,还存在钙依赖性的氯离子电流。     

Comparison of the endogenous IK currents in rat hippocampal neurons and cloned Kv2.1 channels in CHO cells

The Kv2.1 potassium channel is a principal component of the delayed rectifier I(K) current in the pyramidal neurons of cortex and hippocampus. We used whole-cell patch-clamp recording techniques to systemically compare the electrophysiological properties between the native neuronal I(K) current of cultured rat hippocampal neurons and the cloned Kv2.1 channel currents in the CHO cells. The slope factors for the activation curves of both currents obtained at different prepulse holding potentials and holding times were similar, suggesting similar voltage-dependent gating. However, the half-maximal activation voltage for I(K) was approximately 20 mV more negative than the Kv2.1 channel in CHO cells at a given prepulse condition, indicating that the neuronal I(K) current had a lower threshold for activation than that of the Kv2.1 channel. In addition, the neuronal I(K) showed a stronger holding membrane potential and holding time-dependence than Kv2.1. The Kv2.1 channel gave a U-shaped inactivation, while the I(K) current did not. The I(K) current also had much stronger voltage-dependent inactivation than Kv2.1. These results imply that the neuronal factors could make Kv2.1 channels easier to activate. The information obtained from these comparative studies help elucidate the mechanism of molecular regulation of the native neuronal I(K) current in neurons.     

利诺吡啶对豚鼠耳蜗外毛细胞和Deiters细胞钾电流的抑制

为探讨KCNQ家族钾通道在耳蜗外毛细胞和Deiters细胞的功能性表达,我们观察并记录了KCNQ家族钾通道阻滞剂利诺吡啶对豚鼠耳蜗单离外毛细胞(outer hair cells,OHCs)和Deiters细胞总钾电流的影响。采用酶孵育加机械分离法分离豚鼠耳蜗单个OHCs和Deiters细胞：运用膜片钳技术,在全细胞模式下记录正常细胞外液中8个外毛细胞和5个Deiters细胞的总钾电流,并观察100μmol／L和200μmol／L利诺吡啶对外毛细胞和Deiters细胞总钾电流的影响。结果观察到,在正常细胞外液中的单离外毛细胞,可记录到四乙基二乙胺敏感的外向性钾电流和静息膜电位附近激活的内向性钾电流(the K^ current activated at negative potential,IKa)两种钾电流,而在单离Deiters细胞中只记录到外向整流性钾电流。在细胞外液中,加入100μmol／L利诺吡啶后,OHCs中的四乙基二乙胺敏感的钾电流峰电流成分被抑制,稳态电流幅值减小,且电流的失活时问常数明显延长;在细胞外液中加入100μmol／L和200μmol／L利诺吡啶后,OHCs的内向性钾电流IKa被完全抑制;而细胞外液中利诺吡啶终浓度为200μmol／L时,Deiters细胞的外向整流性钾电流幅值无明显变化。由此我们推测,KCNQ家族钾通道存在于豚鼠耳蜗外毛细胞,其介导的钾电流是四乙基二乙胺敏感的钾电流的组成部分,并构成全部的IKn,其功能是介导细胞内K^ 外流和防止细胞过度去极化;KCNQ家族钾通道不存在于豚鼠耳蜗Dciters细胞。     

MinK, MiRP1, and MiRP2 diversify Kv3.1 and Kv3.2 potassium channel gating

High frequency firing in mammalian neurons requires ultra-rapid delayed rectifier potassium currents generated by homomeric or heteromeric assemblies of Kv3.1 and Kv3.2 potassium channel alpha subunits. Kv3.1 alpha subunits can also form slower activating channels by coassembling with MinK-related peptide 2 (MiRP2), a single transmembrane domain potassium channel ancillary subunit. Here, using channel subunits cloned from rat and expressed in Chinese hamster ovary cells, we show that modulation by MinK, MiRP1, and MiRP2 is a general mechanism for slowing of Kv3.1 and Kv3.2 channel activation and deactivation and acceleration of inactivation, creating a functionally diverse range of channel complexes. MiRP1 also negatively shifts the voltage dependence of Kv3.1 and Kv3.2 channel activation. Furthermore, MinK, MiRP1, and MiRP2 each form channels with Kv3.1-Kv3.2 heteromers that are kinetically distinct from one another and from MiRP/homomeric Kv3 channels. The findings illustrate a mechanism for dynamic expansion of the functional repertoire of Kv3.1 and Kv3.2 potassium currents and suggest roles for these alpha subunits outside the scope of sustained rapid neuronal firing.     

细胞外液酸碱度改变对自发性高血压大鼠脑动脉平滑肌细胞电生理特性的影响

目的:探讨细胞外液酸碱度(pHo)的改变对自发性高血压大鼠(SHR)脑动脉平滑肌细胞电生理特性的影响。方法:取200~250 g自发性高血压大鼠,应用全细胞膜片钳记录技术观察细胞外液酸碱度改变后对SHR脑动脉平滑肌细胞膜电流的作用,进一步揭示其离子机制。结果:①pHo酸化可电压依赖性的抑制SHR脑动脉平滑肌细胞的外向电流。其主要抑制SHR脑动脉平滑肌细胞0~+60 mV区间的电流幅度;②1 mmol/L TEA可以有效抑制pHo酸化对脑动脉平滑肌细胞外向电流的抑制作用。结论:pHo的改变引起SHR脑动脉平滑肌细胞外向电流变化,其可能与电压依赖性的抑制SHR脑动脉平滑肌细胞BKCa通道电流有关。     

Effects of conditioning polarization on the membrane ionic currents in rat myometrium

Summary Membrane ionic currents were measured in pregnant rat uterine smooth muscle under voltage clamp conditions by utilizing the double sucrose gap method, and the effects of conditioning pre-pulses on these currents were investigated. With depolarizing pulses, the early inward current was followed by a late outward current. Cobalt (1mm) abolished the inward current and did not affect the late outward currentper se, but produced changes in the current pattern, suggesting that the inward current overlaps with the initial part of the late outward current. After correction for this overlap, the inward current reached its maximum at about +10 mV and its reversal potential was estimated to be +62 mV. Tetraethylammonium (TEA) suppressed the outward currents and increased the apparent inward current. The increase in the inward current by TEA thus could be due to a suppression of the outward current. The reversal potential for the outward current was estimated to be –87 mV. Conditioning depolarization and hyperpolarization both produced a decrease in the inward current. Complete depolarization block occurred at a membrane potential of –20 mV. Conditioning hyperpolarization experiments in the presence of cobalt and/or TEA revealed that the decrease in the inward current caused by conditioning hyperpolarization was a result of an increase in the outward current overlapping with the inward current. It appears that a part of the potassium channel population is inactivated at the resting membrane potential and that this inactivation is removed by hyperpolarization.     

15-HETE对缺氧兔肺动脉平滑肌钾离子通道的影响

用肺动脉环和全细胞膜片钳技术研究15-羟化二十烷四烯酸(15-HETE)对缺氧兔肺动脉平滑肌钾离子通道的影响。新出生的幼兔分两组,一组放入吸氧分数为0．12的低氧舱内;另一组保持正常氧环境。9d后,称重、取肺动脉进行细胞培养并制作肺动脉环。分别加入4-氨基吡啶(4-aminopyridione,4-AP)、四乙胺(tetraethylammonium,TEA)、glyburide(GLYB)三种特异性钾离子通道阻断剂,观察15-HETE对兔肺动脉平滑肌钾离子通道的作用变化,同时采用全细胞膜片钳测定钾电流。结果显示：5mmol／L 4-AP阻断Kv通道后可以抑制15-HETE诱导的缺氧兔肺动脉收缩;TEA和GLYB分别阻断大电导型钙激活钾通道(BKCa)和KATP通道后并不影响15-HETE诱导的缺氧兔肺动脉收缩;15-HETE可降低兔肺动脉平滑肌细胞钾电流幅度。上述结果提示：缺氧兔肺动脉中,15-HETE阻断电压依赖钾通道(Kv通道),引起膜去极化,可能是缺氧性肺血管收缩的机制之一。     

A delayed rectifier current is modulated by the circadian pacemaker in Bulla

Basal retinal neurons of the marine mollusc Bulla gouldiana continue to express a circadian modulation of their membrane conductance for at least two cycles in cell culture. Voltage-dependent currents of these pacemaker cells were recorded using the whole-cell perforated patch-clamp technique to characterize outward currents and investigate their putative circadian modulation. Three components of the outward potassium current were identified. A transient outward current (IA) was activated after depolarization from holding potentials greater than -30 mV, inactivated with a time constant of 50 ms, and partially blocked by 4-aminopyridine (1-5 mM). A Ca(2+)-dependent potassium current (IK(Ca)) was activated by depolarization to potentials more positive than -10 mV and was blocked by removing Ca2+ from the bath or by applying the Ca2+ channel blockers Cd2+ (0.1-0.2 mM) and Ni2+ (1-5 mM). A sustained Ca(2+)-independent current component including the delayed rectifier current (IK) was recorded at potentials positive to -20 mV in the absence of extracellular Na+ and Ca2+ and was partially blocked by tetraethylammonium chloride (TEA, 30mM). Whole-cell currents recorded before and after the projected dawn and normalized to the cell capacitance revealed a circadian modulation of the delayed rectifier current (IK). However, the IA and IK(Ca) currents were not affected by the circadian pacemaker.     

Cloning and functional characterization of the smooth muscle ether-a-go-go-related gene K+ channel. Potential role of a conserved amino acid substitution in the S4 region

The human ether-a-go-go-related gene (HERG) product forms the pore-forming subunit of the delayed rectifier K(+) channel in the heart. Unlike the cardiac isoform, the erg K(+) channels in native smooth muscle demonstrate gating properties consistent with a role in maintaining resting potential. We have cloned the smooth muscle isoform of HERG, denoted as erg1-sm, from human and rabbit colon. erg1-sm is truncated by 101 amino acids in the C terminus due to a single nucleotide deletion in the 14th exon. Sequence alignment against HERG showed a substitution of alanine for valine in the S4 domain. When expressed in Xenopus oocytes, erg1-sm currents had much faster activation and deactivation kinetics compared with HERG. Step depolarization positive to -20 mV consistently produced a transient outward component. The threshold for activation of erg1-sm was -60 mV and steady-state conductance was approximately 10-fold greater than HERG near the resting potential of smooth muscle. Site-directed mutagenesis of alanine to valine in the S4 region of erg1-sm converted many of the properties to that of the cardiac HERG, including shifts in the voltage dependence of activation and slowing of deactivation. These studies define the functional role of a novel isoform of the ether-a-go-go-related gene K(+) channel in smooth muscle.