新型东亚钳蝎小分子成分的生化性质及其对大鼠心室肌 …

分离纯化获得了两个东亚钳蝎小分子活性多肽ＢｍＰ０２和ＢｍＰ０３,经质谱鉴定二者皆为单一峰,分子量分别为２．９５０ｋＤ和２．９３５ｋＤ。ＢｍＰ０２的氨基酸序列已被测定。进一步研究表明,ＢｍＰ０２可影响短暂外向钾通道的失活化和恢复过程,但却不影响其激活过程。     

肺血管EDNO及其合酶在大鼠低氧性肺动脉高压形成中的作用

本研究观察了低氧对大鼠肺组织和血管内皮一氧化氮合酶（ＮＯＳ）活性及内皮衍生一氧化氮（ＥＤＮＯ）依赖性舒张反应的影响,以及ＮＯＳ抑制剂（Ｌ－ＮＡＭＥ）对常氧和低氧大鼠肺组织和血管内皮ＮＯＳ活性及颈、肺动脉血压（ＣＡＰｓ、ｍＰＡＰ）的作用。结果表明常氧大鼠肺泡内无肌性血管内皮未见ＮＯＳ活性,其肺血管床对ＥＤＮＯ依赖性舒血管物质ＢＫ没有反应,注射Ｌ－ＮＡＭＥ后大鼠ｍＰＡＰ略有降低,ＣＡＰｓ有所升高。低氧大鼠肺泡内无肌性血管内皮显示ＮＯＳ活性,对ＢＫ的ＥＤＮＯ依赖性舒张反应呈剂量依赖性增大,注射Ｌ－ＮＡＭＥ使低氧大鼠ｍＰＡＰ显著降低（Ｐ＜０．０１）,ＣＡＰｓ显著升高（Ｐ＜０．０５）。提示肺血管ＥＤＮＯ及其合酶在维持正常成年大鼠肺循环低压低阻中的生理作用值得进一步探讨;低氧引起肺血管内皮ｅｃＮＯＳ活性增加和ＥＤＮＯ生成增多可能起到限制肺动脉压过度升高的调制作用,也可能对肺血管内皮产生毒性作用,反而促进肺动脉高压的发生和发展。     

心肌细胞电压依赖性钾通道的研究进展

心肌细胞电压依赖性钾通道的研究进展周军,周兆年（中国科学院上海生理研究所上海２０００３１）在心肌,分布较多且研究较为深入的电压依赖性钾通道（ＶＤＰＣ）主要是短暂外向钾通道Ｉｔｏ、延迟整流钾通道ＩＫ和内向整流钾通道ＩＫ１,它们共同参与心肌动作电位的复极...     

脑缺血及复灌中胞浆50kD蛋白反磷酸化变化

目的和方法：采用蒙古沙土鼠双侧颈总动脉结扎（ＢＣＡＯ） 前脑缺血／复灌模型,通过放射性自显影,观察脑缺血及复灌时胞浆５０ ｋＤ等蛋白在有Ｃａ２ ＋／ＣａＭ 及无Ｃａ２ ＋／ＣａＭ 两种反应条件下反磷酸化（ｂａｃｋｐｈｏｓｐｈｏｒｙｌａｔｉｏｎ） 水平的变化。结果：缺血后,总蛋白激酶介导的５０ ｋＤ蛋白反磷酸化水平逐渐下降,其中,Ｃａ２＋／ＣａＭ 依赖性蛋白激酶介导的５０ ｋＤ蛋白反磷酸化水平逐渐下降,而Ｃａ２＋／ＣａＭ 非依赖性蛋白激酶介导的５０ ｋＤ 蛋白反磷酸化水平逐渐上升;复灌后,上述变化均逐渐有所恢复。结论：脑缺血时,５０ ｋＤ 蛋白在体磷酸化水平逐渐增强,蛋白激酶活性由Ｃａ２ ＋／ＣａＭ 依赖性向Ｃａ２ ＋／ＣａＭ 非依赖性转化,复灌后上述变化均有所恢复     

昆虫谷胱甘肽S-转移酶分离纯化的新方法

谷胱甘肽Ｓ－转移酶（ｇｌｕｔａｔｈｉｏｎｅＳ－ｔｒａｎｓｆｅｒａｓｅｓ,ＧＳＴ）是一类具有多种生理功能的同功酶．从蜡螟幼虫（Ｇａｌｅｒｉａｍｅｌｏｎｅｌａ）的提取液中分离纯化谷胱甘肽Ｓ－转移酶的基本方法如下：首先将冷冻的蜡螟幼虫在磷酸缓冲液中匀桨,经１００００ｇ和１０００００ｇ分级离心;取上清液通过ＱＡＥ－ＳｅｐｈａｄｅｘＡ－２５离子交换柱层析除去部分色素和杂蛋白;然后采用谷胱甘肽－琼脂糖凝胶亲和层析（ＧＳＨ－ＱＴ４）,四溴酚酞二磺酸盐－琼脂糖凝胶亲和层析（ＢＳＰ－ＱＴ４）,铜离子－琼脂糖凝胶螯合层析（Ｃｕ２＋－ＱＴ４）及ＰＢＥ９４－Ｓｅｐｈａｒｏｓｅ（ＰＢＥ９４）聚焦层析等层析技术进一步分离纯化．将上述方法获得的色谱峰以ＣＤＮＢ和ＤＣＮＢ为底物检测生物活性．具有生物活性部分的蛋白质,通过ＳＤＳ－ＰＡＧＥ测定其分子量．实验结果表明,采用ＧＳＨ－ＱＴ４亲和层析法获得的活性峰,在ＳＤＳ－ＰＡＧＥ图谱上呈现出两条带,分子量为２４ｋＤ,２４．５ｋＤ左右;Ｃｕ２＋－ＱＴ６螯合层析法分离的活性峰,呈现出一条带,分子量为２４ｋＤ左右;ＰＢＥ９４－聚焦层析法分离获得三个活性峰：第一色谱峰,呈现出一条带,分子量为２３ｋＤ左右     

菜豆下胚轴中的细胞分裂素结合蛋白

用植物体内天然存在并具有很高活性的玉米素（ｔ－Ｚ）和异戊烯基腺苷（ｉＰＡ）作为配基,分别与Ｓｅｐｈａｒｏｓｅ－４Ｂ偶联,制成亲和吸附介质,分离、纯化菜豆（Ｐｈａｓｅｏｌｕｓ ｖｕｌｇａｒｉｓ）黄化幼苗下胚轴中的细胞分裂素结合蛋白。一种分子量为１５．５ ｋＤ（简称ＺＢＰ）,只含一个多肽链;另一种分子量为１６５ ｋＤ（简称ＩＢＰ）,含有两种亚基,分子量分别为４３ ｋＤ和４０ ｋＤ。对ＺＢＰ的结合活性进行了研究,发现ＺＢＰ与ｔ－Ｚ结合时的解离常数（Ｋｄ）为３．２×１０－ ７ ｍ ｏｌ／Ｌ。经计算,每个ＺＢＰ分子只有一个ｔ－Ｚ结合位点     

豚鼠耳蜗外毛细胞的急性分离及钾离子通道的研究

本文对豚鼠耳蜗离体外毛细胞的细胞活性及底侧膜处电压依赖性钾离子通道进行了研究,结果表明：（１）离体外毛细胞悬液保存在４℃时,可延长存活时间达７ｈ以上。（２）外毛细胞的静息电位：应用电流钳方法,在刚形成全细胞方式时其细胞内静息电位为－７３．７±６．９ｍＶ,２ｍｉｎ后为－９４．８±４．１ｍＶ（ｘ±ｓ,ｎ＝１０）。（３）全细胞方式记录到的电压依赖性外向Ｋ＋电流是由快钾电流和延迟整流钾电流两部分组成,快钾电流的激活电位为－６０～－５０ｍＶ,延迟整流钾电流的激活电位为－４０～－３０ｍＶ,电流－电压关系曲线呈“Ｓ形上升”趋势。外向Ｋ＋电流被ＴＥＡ（２０ｍｍｏｌ／Ｌ）阻断后,可观察到一种电压依赖性内向电流     

扇贝肌钙蛋白及其对肌球蛋白超沉淀的影响

分离了扇贝闭壳肌肌钙蛋白,其分子量为４６（ＩｎＩ）,４０（ＴｎＴ）,和２２（ＴｎＣ）ｋＤ．肌球蛋白Ｂ含有主要的收缩蛋白质与调节蛋白质,在有Ｃａ２＋和ＡＴＰ存在时,它会发生超沉淀作用．经低离子强度溶液反复沉淀处理,即失去Ｃａ２＋－敏感性,成为去敏肌球蛋白Ｂ．在Ｃａ２＋和ＡＴＰ作用下,它仍可发生超沉淀作用,但仅及最大活性的５０％．若加入肌钙蛋白,则反应活性可完全恢复．兔骨骼肌肌钙蛋白可替代扇贝闭壳肌肌钙蛋白．这表明扇贝闭壳肌兼有肌动蛋白相关调节和肌球蛋白相关调节．     

分离和鉴定沙冬青抗冻蛋白质

采用经典的蛋白质色谱技术,纯化沙冬青（ Ａｍｍｏｐｉｐｔａｎｔｈｕｓ ｍｏｎｇｏｌｉｃｕｓ （Ｍａｘｉｍ ．） Ｃｈｅｎｇｆ．） 叶片中的抗冻蛋白质,然后经非变性ＰＡＧＥ胶分离、回收,得到具有热滞活性的两条带：Ｂ１ 和Ｂ３。前者在８ ｇ／Ｌ时热滞活性为０．４６ ℃,并在ＳＤＳ＿ＰＡＧＥ胶上分离出两条带（ 分子量为６７ ｋＤ和２１ ｋＤ） ;后者在１０ ｇ／Ｌ时热滞活性为０．４５ ℃,在ＳＤＳ＿ＰＡＧＥ胶上只有１ 条带（ 分子量为３９．８ ｋＤ）。Ｂ１ 和Ｂ３ 均不能被Ｓｈｉｆｆ 试剂染色,也不具有典型糖蛋白的紫外吸收特征,因而可能不是糖蛋白     

耐钙心肌细胞的分离和电生理特性观察

用快速、恒压的无钙和胶原酶Ｔｙｒｏｄｅ液相继灌流豚鼠心脏冠脉系统后,再经无钙液室温浸泡心脏和用改变的Ｋ－Ｂ液帮助分离细胞的恢复,可获得耐钙的游离心肌细胞。全细胞电流记录：静息电位为－７２±９ｍＶ（ｎ＝１２）,并显示出快内向电流（ＩＮａ）,可被异搏定阻断的慢钙离子流和时间依赖性外向钾流（Ｉｋ）;单通道记录分别显示了Ｎａ＋Ｃａ２＋和Ｋ＋通道的电压依赖性等特征。结果表明了用此法分离的细胞具有耐钙性和正常电生理特性。     

The blocking effect of BmP02, one novel short-chain scorpion peptide on transient outward K(+) channel of adult rat ventricular myocyte

Two components F-2-7-4 and F-2-7-5, each composed of 28 amino acid residues, were purified from the venom of Buthus martensi Karsch by an opportune procedure with cation-exchange column chromatography and repeated HPLC. Both components were totally accounted to about 0.88% dry weight of the crude venom.The molecular weights of both components were determined to be 2950 and 2935 by mass spectrometry, which were fully coincidence with that of the known novel short-chain peptides BmP02 and BmP03, respectively [Romi-Lebrun R, Martin-Eauclaire M-F, Escoubas P, Wu FQ, Lebrun B, Hisada M, Nakajima T. Characterization of four toxins from Buthus martensi scorpion venom, which act on apamin-sensitive Ca²⁺-activated K⁺ channels. Eur J Biochem 1997;145:457–464]. In addition, the sequence of component F-2-7-4 was analyzed to be the same as that of BmP02. The components F-2-7-4 and F-2-7-5 purified in this study were, thus, finally distinguished to be BmP02 and BmP03 from the same venom. Using whole cell patch-clamp recording, it was found that BmP02 diminished the current of transient outward K⁺ channel in adult rat ventricular myocyte in a concentration-dependent manner. The inhibitory effect was reversible. Dynamic studies showed that the activation, inactivation and recovery processes of the transient outward K⁺ channel were not changed significantly after applying of BmP02. In addition, when BmP02 was applied to guinea pig ventricular myocyte, both delayed and inward rectified K⁺ currents showed no change compared with the control. The results suggest strongly that BmP02 or -like peptides from scorpion venom may provide a useful probe for the studying of transient outward K⁺ channel in rat ventricular myocyte.     

Solution structure of BmP02, a new potassium channel blocker from the venom of the Chinese scorpion Buthus martensi Karsch

BmP02 is a 28-amino acid residue peptide purified from the venom of the Chinese scorpion Buthus martensi Karsch, which had been demonstrated to be a weak blocker of apamin-sensitive calcium-activated potassium channels. Two-dimensional NMR spectroscopy techniques were used to determine the solution structure of BmP02. The results show that BmP02 formed a alpha/beta scorpion fold, the typical three-dimensional structure adopted by most short chain scorpion toxins whose structures have been determined. However, in BmP02 this alpha/beta fold was largely distorted. The alpha-helix was shortened to only one turn, and the loop connecting the helix to the first beta-strand exhibited conformational heterogeneity. The instability of BmP02 could be attributed to a proline at position 17, which is usually a glycine. Because the residue at this position makes intense contact with the alpha-helix, it was supposed that the bulky side chain of proline had pushed the helix away from the beta-sheet. This had a significant influence on the structure and function of BmP02. The alpha-helix rotated by about 40 degrees to avoid Pro17 while forming two disulfides with the second beta-strand. The rotation further caused both ends of the helix to be unwound due to covalent restrictions. According to its structure, BmP02 was supposed to interact with its target via the side chains of Lys11 and Lys13.     

Distinct transient outward potassium current (Ito) phenotypes and distribution of fast-inactivating potassium channel alpha subunits in ferret left ventricular myocytes

The biophysical characteristics and alpha subunits underlying calcium-independent transient outward potassium current (Ito) phenotypes expressed in ferret left ventricular epicardial (LV epi) and endocardial (LV endo) myocytes were analyzed using patch clamp, fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH), and immunofluorescent (IF) techniques. Two distinct Ito phenotypes were measured (21-22 degrees C) in the majority of LV epi and LV endo myocytes studied. The two Ito phenotypes displayed marked differences in peak current densities, activation thresholds, inactivation characteristics, and recovery kinetics. Ito,epi recovered rapidly [taurec, -70 mV = 51 +/- 3 ms] with minimal cumulative inactivation, while Ito,endo recovered slowly [taurec, -70 mV = 3,002 +/- 447 ms] with marked cumulative inactivation. Heteropoda toxin 2 (150 nM) blocked Ito,epi in a voltage-dependent manner, but had no effect on Ito,endo. Parallel FISH and IF measurements conducted on isolated LV epi and LV endo myocytes demonstrated that Kv1.4, Kv4.2, and Kv4.3 alpha subunit expression in LV myocyte types was quite heterogenous: (a) Kv4.2 and Kv4.3 were more predominantly expressed in LV epi than LV endo myocytes, and (b) Kv1.4 was expressed in the majority of LV endo myocytes but was essentially absent in LV epi myocytes. In combination with previous measurements on recovery kinetics (Kv1.4, slow; Kv4.2/4.3, relatively rapid) and Heteropoda toxin block (Kv1.4, insensitive; Kv4.2, sensitive), our results strongly support the hypothesis that, in ferret heart, Kv4.2/Kv4.3 and Kv1.4 alpha subunits, respectively, are the molecular substrates underlying the Ito,epi and Ito,endo phenotypes. FISH and IF measurements were also conducted on ferret ventricular tissue sections. The three Ito alpha subunits again showed distinct patterns of distribution: (a) Kv1.4 was localized primarily to the apical portion of the LV septum, LV endocardium, and approximate inner 75% of the LV free wall; (b) Kv4. 2 was localized primarily to the right ventricular free wall, epicardial layers of the LV, and base of the heart; and (c) Kv4.3 was localized primarily to epicardial layers of the LV apex and diffusely distributed in the LV free wall and septum. Therefore, in intact ventricular tissue, a heterogeneous distribution of candidate Ito alpha subunits not only exists from LV epicardium to endocardium but also from apex to base.     

间歇性低氧对大鼠心室肌细胞短暂外向电流的影响

利用全细胞膜片箝方法研究间歇性低氧后左、右心室肌细胞短暂外向电流（Ｉｔｏ）的变化,以探讨间歇性低氧增强心肌电稳定性的离子机制。大鼠间歇性暴露于低氧环境２８ｄ（Ｈ２８,６ｈ／ｄ）后,右心室肌细胞的Ｉｔｏ密度较常氧对照组明显增加（１６１８±４６１比６３２±１３５ｐＡ／ｐＦ,Ｐ＜００５）,而左心室肌细胞Ｉｔｏ密度与对照组无明显差异。间歇性低氧暴露４２ｄ（Ｈ４２）动物,其左、右心室肌细胞Ｉｔｏ密度与对照组无明显差异。Ｉｔｏ激活、失活和恢复动力学变化主要表现为Ｈ４２组左、右心室肌细胞的稳态失活曲线明显向负电压方向移位。左心室细胞的半数失活电压（－３８９±２３）ｍＶ与对照组（－３２８±５９）ｍＶ比较,具有显著性差异（Ｐ＜００１）;右心室细胞的半数失活电压（－４１９±４５）ｍＶ与对照组（－３３５±３５）ｍＶ比较,具有显著性差异（Ｐ＜０００１）。据此可推断,Ｉｔｏ密度的改变可反映心室在低氧早期阶段的不同动力学反应。失活动力学改变参与间歇性低氧心脏保护机制     

Gene expression, mutation, and structure-function relationship of scorpion toxin BmP05 active on SK(Ca) channels

Four peptide inhibitors of small-conductance Ca(2+)-activated, apamin-sensitive K(+) channels (SK(Ca)) have been isolated from the venom of the Chinese scorpion Buthus martensi, named BmP01, BmP02, BmP03, and BmP05, respectively [Romi-Lebrun, R. (1997) Eur. J. Biochem. 245, 457-464]. Among them BmP05 with 31 amino acid residues has been intensively studied due to its most potent toxicity. To investigate the structure-function relationship of BmP05, its wild type and seven mutants (their C-termini unamidated) were successfully expressed in the yeast secretion system and purified with a high yield over 8 mg/L. Their toxicity to mice and electrophysiological activity on the K(+) currents (SK(Ca) and Kv) in rat adrenal chromaffin cells were measured and compared. The results indicated the following: (1) As a selective antagonist against SK(Ca), 1 microM rBmP05 is equivalent to 0.2 microM apamin, and its IC(50) is 0.92 microM. (2) The basic residues Lys and Arg located at positions 6 and 13 in the N-terminal alpha-helix region are essential and synergetic in the interaction of the toxin with SK(Ca). (3) Disruption of the alpha-helix by mutation of Gln at position 9 with Pro results in almost total loss of toxicity. (4) The C-terminal residue His31 plays an auxiliary role in the interaction of the toxin with SK(Ca). (5) The beta-turn connecting two beta-sheets near the C-terminal part is responsible for the specificity of the toxin to the different subtypes of K(+) channels.     

Characterization of two distinct depolarization-activated K+ currents in isolated adult rat ventricular myocytes

Depolarization-activated outward K+ currents in isolated adult rat ventricular myocytes were characterized using the whole-cell variation of the patch-clamp recording technique. During brief depolarizations to potentials positive to -40 mV, Ca(2+)-independent outward K+ currents in these cells rise to a transient peak, followed by a slower decay to an apparent plateau. The analyses completed here reveal that the observed outward current waveforms result from the activation of two kinetically distinct voltage-dependent K+ currents: one that activates and inactivates rapidly, and one that activates and inactivates slowly, on membrane depolarization. These currents are referred to here as Ito (transient outward) and IK (delayed rectifier), respectively, because their properties are similar (although not identical) to these K+ current types in other cells. Although the voltage dependences of Ito and IK activation are similar, Ito activates approximately 10-fold and inactivates approximately 30-fold more rapidly than IK at all test potentials. In the composite current waveforms measured during brief depolarizations, therefore, the peak current predominantly reflects Ito, whereas IK is the primary determinant of the plateau. There are also marked differences in the voltage dependences of steady-state inactivation of these two K+ currents: IK undergoes steady-state inactivation at all potentials positive to -120 mV, and is 50% inactivated at -69 mV; Ito, in contrast, is insensitive to steady-state inactivation at membrane potentials negative to -50 mV. In addition, Ito recovers from steady-state inactivation faster than IK: at -90 mV, for example, approximately 70% recovery from the inactivation produced at -20 mV is observed within 20 ms for Ito; IK recovers approximately 25-fold more slowly. The pharmacological properties of Ito and IK are also distinct: 4-aminopyridine preferentially attenuates Ito, and tetraethylammonium suppresses predominantly IK. The voltage- and time-dependent properties of these currents are interpreted here in terms of a model in which Ito underlies the initial, rapid repolarization phase of the action potential (AP), and IK is responsible for the slower phase of AP repolarization back to the resting membrane potential, in adult rat ventricular myocytes.     

Molecular cloning and sequencing of two 'short chain' and two 'long chain' K(+) channel-blocking peptides from the Chinese scorpion Buthus martensii Karsch.

Five full-length cDNAs encoding the precursors of two 'short chain' scorpion non-toxic peptides active on Ca(2+)-activated K(+) channels (BmP02 and BmP03) and two novel putative long chain K(+) channel-blocking peptides (named BmTXKbeta and BmTXKbeta2) were first isolated from the venom gland cDNA library of the Chinese scorpion Buthus martensii Karsch (BmK). BmTXKbeta2 showed a high similarity with AaTXKbeta, while BmTXKbeta was completely different in the deduced primary structure from the long chain and short chain scorpion toxins already characterized. Thus, BmTXKbeta expands the scorpion long chain K(+) channel-blocking peptide family. Although little sequence similarity exists between the above two short and two long peptides, they are similar at the positions of six cysteines, suggesting that they should all share a similar scaffold composed of an alpha-helix and a three-stranded beta-sheet.     

Four kinetically distinct depolarization-activated K+ currents in adult mouse ventricular myocytes

In the experiments here, the time- and voltage-dependent properties of the Ca2+-independent, depolarization-activated K+ currents in adult mouse ventricular myocytes were characterized in detail. In the majority (65 of 72, approximately 90%) of cells dispersed from the ventricles, analysis of the decay phases of the outward currents revealed three distinct K+ current components: a rapidly inactivating, transient outward K+ current, Ito,f (mean +/- SEM taudecay = 85 +/- 2 ms); a slowly (mean +/- SEM taudecay = 1,162 +/- 29 ms) inactivating K+ current, IK,slow; and a non inactivating, steady state current, Iss. In a small subset (7 of 72, approximately 10%) of cells, Ito,f was absent and a slowly inactivating (mean +/- SEM taudecay = 196 +/- 7 ms) transient outward current, referred to as Ito,s, was identified; the densities and properties of IK,slow and Iss in Ito,s-expressing cells are indistinguishable from the corresponding currents in cells with Ito,f. Microdissection techniques were used to remove tissue pieces from the left ventricular apex and from the ventricular septum to allow the hypothesis that there are regional differences in Ito,f and Ito,s expression to be tested directly. Electrophysiological recordings revealed that all cells isolated from the apex express Ito,f (n = 35); Ito,s is not detected in these cells (n = 35). In the septum, by contrast, all of the cells express Ito,s (n = 28) and in the majority (22 of 28, 80%) of cells, Ito,f is also present. The density of Ito,f (mean +/- SEM at +40 mV = 6.8 +/- 0.5 pA/pF, n = 22) in septum cells, however, is significantly (P < 0.001) lower than Ito,f density in cells from the apex (mean +/- SEM at +40 mV = 34.6 +/- 2.6 pA/pF, n = 35). In addition to differences in inactivation kinetics, Ito,f, Ito,s, and IK,slow display distinct rates of recovery (from inactivation), as well as differential sensitivities to 4-aminopyridine (4-AP), tetraethylammonium (TEA), and Heteropoda toxin-3. IK,slow, for example, is blocked selectively by low (10-50 microM) concentrations of 4-AP and by (>/=25 mM) TEA. Although both Ito,f and Ito,s are blocked by high (>100 microM) 4-AP concentrations and are relatively insensitive to TEA, Ito,f is selectively blocked by nanomolar concentrations of Heteropoda toxin-3, and Ito,s (as well as IK,slow and Iss) is unaffected. Iss is partially blocked by high concentrations of 4-AP or TEA. The functional implications of the distinct properties and expression patterns of Ito,f and Ito,s, as well as the likely molecular correlates of these (and the IK,slow and Iss) currents, are discussed.     

Chronic atrial fibrillation does not further decrease outward currents. It increases them

Rapid atrial pacing causes electrical remodeling that leads to atrial fibrillation (AF). AF can further remodel atrial electrophysiology to maintain AF. Our previous studies showed that there was a marked difference in the duration of AF in dogs that have been atrial paced at 400 beats/min for 6 wk. We hypothesized that this difference is based on the changes in the degree of electrical remodeling caused by rapid atrial pacing versus that by AF. Right atrial cells were isolated from control dogs (Con, N = 28), from dogs with chronic AF (cAF dogs, N = 13, episodes lasting at least 6 days), or from dogs with nonsustained or brief episodes of AF (nAF dogs, N = 10, episodes lasting minutes to hours). Both transient outward (Ito) and sustained outward K+ current (Isus) densities/functions were determined using whole cell voltage-clamp techniques. In nAF cells, Ito density was reduced by 69% at +40 mV: from 7.1 +/- 0.5 pA/pF (Con, n = 59) to 2.2 +/- 0.2 pA/pF (nAF, n = 24) (P < 0.05). The voltage dependence of inactivation of Ito was shifted positively and decay kinetics were changed; however, recovery from inactivation was not altered in nAF cells. In contrast, Ito density in cAF cells was both significantly different from Con cells and larger than that in nAF cells [at +40 mV, 3.5 +/- 0.3 pA/pF (cAF, n = 29), P < 0.05]. In cAF cells, recovery from inactivation and decay of Ito were both slow; yet, voltage dependence inactivation of Ito approached that of Con cells. Furthermore, "recovered" Ito of cAF cells was more sensitive to tetraethylammonium than currents of Con and nAF cells. Isus densities of nAF and cAF cells did not differ. Both nAF and cAF cells have reduced Ito versus Con cells, but Ito remodeling of nAF cells differed from that of cAF cells. Ito in cAF dogs was likely remodeled by AF per se, whereas that in nAF dogs was likely the consequence of the rapid rate in the absence of sustained AF.     

Cultured Ito cells of rat liver express the alpha 2-macroglobulin gene

Ito cells were isolated from rat liver and kept in culture for up to 13 days. The capability of the Ito cells to synthesize alpha 2-macroglobulin was analyzed at different times after isolation and by pulse-chase experiments. Newly synthesized alpha 2-macroglobulin was determined by immunoprecipitation followed by sodium dodecyl sulfate/polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and fluorography. alpha 2-Macroglobulin synthesis was hardly detectable in Ito cells and their media 3 days after plating. However, 5-11 days after the isolation of the cells, increasing amounts of alpha 2-macroglobulin were synthesized. The results of pulse-chase experiments performed on day 7 showed that radioactively labeled alpha 2-macroglobulin decreased in the intracellular compartment and increased in the culture medium. alpha 2-Macroglobulin was identified by immunoprecipitation and sodium dodecyl sulfate/polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis under reducing and non-reducing conditions. Furthermore, when unlabeled alpha 2-macroglobulin was added during the immunoprecipitation, a competition was observed. Incubation of pancreatic elastase with culture medium of rat Ito cells or rat hepatocytes led to the same cleavage products as found with alpha 2-macroglobulin. alpha 2-Macroglobulin-specific mRNA could be demonstrated by Northern blot analysis of total RNA extracted from rat Ito cells. Under the conditions where alpha 2-macroglobulin was synthesized in Ito cells, no synthesis of alpha 1-macroglobulin, alpha 1-inhibitor 3, alpha 1-proteinase inhibitor, alpha 1-acid glycoprotein, alpha 1-acute-phase globulin (T-kininogen) and albumin could be demonstrated. It is concluded that alpha 2-macroglobulin is a true secretory protein of rat Ito cells in culture. This could be of importance for collagen metabolism in liver diseases.