Modulation of Ca2+-activated K+ channels of human erythrocytes by endogenous protein kinase C

Single IK(Ca) channels of human erythrocytes were studied with the patch-clamp technique to define their modulation by endogenous protein kinase C (PKC). The perfusion of the cytoplasmic side of freshly excised patches with the PKC activator, phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), inhibited channel activity. This effect was blocked by PKC(19-31), a peptide inhibitor specific for PKC. Similar results were obtained by perfusing the membrane patches with the structurally unrelated PKC activator 1-oleoyl-2-acetylglycerol (OAG). Blocking of this effect was induced by perfusion with PKC(19-31) or chelerythrine. Channel activity was not inhibited by the PMA analog 4alpha-phorbol 12,13-didecanoate (4alphaPDD), which has no effect on PKC. Activation of endogenous cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA), which is known to up-modulate IK(Ca) channels, restored channel activity previously inhibited by OAG. The application of OAG induced a reversible reduction of channel activity previously up-modulated by the activation of PKA, indicating that the effects of the two kinases are commutative, and antagonistic. Kinetic analysis showed that down-regulation by PKC mainly changes the opening frequency without significantly affecting mean channel open time and conductance. These results provide evidence that an endogenous PKC down-modulates the activity of native IK(Ca) channels of human erythrocytes. Our results show that PKA and PKC signal transduction pathways integrate their effects, determining the open probability of the IK(Ca) channels.     

Calmodulin antagonists do not inhibit IKCa channels of human erythrocytes

Patch-clamp recordings were performed to study the effects of three calmodulin (CaM) antagonists on the gating of intermediate calcium-activated K⁺ channels (IK_Ca) of human erythrocytes. In the cell-attached configuration, both opening frequency and open probability of IK_Ca channels were not significantly different in control cells and in those incubated with calmidazolium, trifluoperazine or W7. IK_Ca channels in excised membrane patches, were normally activated by the calcium bathing the cytoplasmic side in the presence of CaM antagonists, at calcium concentrations ranging from 10⁻⁷ to 10⁻³ M. The activity of IK_Ca channels, which had been previously up-modulated by an endogenous cAMP-dependent protein kinase, was not inhibited when perfused with CaM antagonists. The results presented in this study demonstrate that calmodulin antagonists do not inhibit the activity of native IK_Ca channels of human erythrocytes. These data are in accordance with findings on the cloned IK_Ca indicating that calmodulin is constitutively associated with these channels.     

Potentiation of large-conductance calcium-activated potassium (BK(Ca)) channels by a specific isoform of protein kinase C

The phosphorylation state of large-conductance calcium-activated potassium (BK_Ca) channels regulates their activity and is dynamically regulated by protein phosphatases and kinases, including protein kinase C (PKC). In this study, we showed that PKC activators up-regulate the activity of the BK_Ca channel alpha (α)-subunit, Slo1, in cell-attached patches of transfected COS7 cells. In an immune complex kinase assay, BK_Ca channels isolated from rat brain were phosphorylated in the presence of PKC activators, without the addition of exogenous PKC, which suggests that PKC and BK_Ca channels functionally interact in vivo. Four different PKC isozymes, including PKCδ, phosphorylated the C-terminus of Slo1 and the addition of purified PKCδ-activated BK_Ca channels in excised patches of transfected HEK293 cells. Our results demonstrate that PKC up-regulates BK_Ca channels and that PKCδ may functionally interact with BK_Ca channel complexes in vivo.     

Modulation of endothelial autacoid release by protein kinase C: Feedback inhition or non-specific attenuation of receptor-dependent cell activation?

Receptor-mediated elevations of intracellular Ca²⁺ in endothelial cells may be controlled by a negative feedback mechanism through activation of protein kinase C (PKC). To test this hypothesis, we studied the effects of an activation or inhibition of PKC on the release of nitric oxide (NO) and prostacyclin (PGI₂) from cultured bovine and porcine aortic endothelial cells (EC). Preincubation with the PKC activators phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA) (3-300 nM) or 1-oleyl-2-acetyl-glycerol (OAG) (30 μM) significantly attenuated the release of NO and PGI₂ from EC stimulated with bradykinin (0.3–30 nM), whereas phorbol-12, 13-didecanoate (PDD) (30–300 nM), which does not activate PKC, had no effect. UCN-01 (10 nM), a specific PKC inhibitor, significantly augmented the bradykinin-stimulated release of NO from EC. These effects were correlated with a reduced (PMA) or enhanced (UCN-01) elevation of intracellular Ca²⁺ in response to bradykinin in both types of EC. Neither the PKC activators nor the inhibitor had any effect on resting intracellular Ca²⁺ or basal endothelial autacoid release. Several isoforms of PKC (namely PKC_α, PKC_δ, PKC_?, and PKC_ζ) were detected in bovine, human, and porcine EC by immunoblotting analysis with isotype-specific anti-PKC antibodies, which, except PKC_?, were predominantly located in the cytosol. Incubation of bovine EC with PMA elicited a significant increase in membrane-bound PKC_α immunoreactivity, whereas there was no translocation of PKC_α from the cytosolic to the membrane fraction with bradykinin. As determined by histone phosphorylation, PKC activity was similarly reduced in the cytosol, but increased in the membrane fraction of bovine EC exposed to PMA, whereas bradykinin had no significant effect. These findings indicate that endothelial autacoid release can be modulated by activators and inhibitors of PKC. However, stimulation of EC with bradykinin does not lead to a detectable activation of PKC, suggesting that PKC does not exert a negative feedback in the signal transduction pathway of this receptor-dependent agonist. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

L-type calcium channel gating is modulated by bradykinin with a PKC-dependent mechanism in NG108-15 cells

Bradykinin (BK) excites dorsal root ganglion cells, leading to the sensation of pain. The actions of BK are thought to be mediated by heterotrimeric G protein-regulated pathways. Indeed there is strong evidence that in different cell types BK is involved in phosphoinositide breakdown following activation of G_q/11. In the present study we show that the Ca²⁺ current flowing through L-type voltage-gated Ca²⁺ channels in NG108-15 cells (differentiated in vitro to acquire a neuronal phenotype), measured using the whole-cell patch clamp configuration, is reversibly inhibited by BK in a voltage-independent fashion, suggesting a cascade process where a second messenger system is involved. This inhibitory action of BK is mimicked by the application of 1,2-oleoyl-acetyl glycerol (OAG), an analog of diacylglycerol that activates PKC. Interestingly, OAG occluded the effects of BK and both effects were blocked by selective PKC inhibitors. The down modulation of single L-type Ca²⁺ channels by BK and OAG was also investigated in cell-attached patches. Our results indicate that the inhibitory action of BK involves activation of PKC and mainly shows up in a significant reduction of the probability of channel opening, caused by an increase and clustering of null sweeps in response to BK.     

Mechanism of activation of K++ channels by minoxidil-sulfate in Madin-Darby canine kidney cells

Summary We studied the mechanism of K⁺⁺ channel activation by minoxidil-sulfate (MxSO₄) in fused Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells. Patch-clamp techniques were used to assess single channel activity, and fluorescent dye techniques to monitor cell calcium. A Ca⁺²⁺-dependent inward-rectifying K⁺⁺ channel with slope conductances of 53±3 (negative potential range) and 20±3 pS (positive potential range) was identified. Channel activity is minimal in cell-attached patches. MxSO₄ initiated both transient channel activation and an increase of intracellular Ca⁺²⁺ (from 94.2±9.1 to 475±12.6 nmol/liter). The observation that K⁺⁺ channel activity of excised inside-out patches was detected only at Ca⁺²⁺ concentrations in excess of 10 mol/liter suggests the involvement of additional mechanisms during channel activation by MxSO₄.Transient K⁺⁺ channel activity was also induced in cell-attached patches by 10 mol/liter of the protein kinase C activator 1-oleoyl-2-acetyl-glycerol (OAG). OAG (10 mol/liter in the presence of 1.6 mmol/liter ATP) increased the Ca⁺² sensitivity of the K⁺ channel in inside-out patches significantly by lowering the K _mfor Ca⁺² from 100 mol/liter to 100 nmol/liter. The channel activation by OAG was reversed by the protein kinase inhibitor H8. Staurosporine, a PKC inhibitor, blocked the effect of MxSO₄ on K⁺ channel activation. We conclude that MxSO₄-induced K⁺ channel activity is mediated by the synergistic effects of an increase in intracellular Ca⁺² and a PKC-mediated enhancement of the K⁺ channel's sensitivity to Ca⁺².A. Schwab was recipient of a Feodor-Lynen-Fellowship from the Alexander von Humboldt-Stiftung. This work was supported by NIH grant DK 17433. The authors thank Nikon Instruments Partners in Research Program for their support and generous use of equipment during the course of this study. Minoxidil-sulfate was kindly provided by Upjohn, Kalamazoo, MI.     

Inhibition of TRPC6 by protein kinase C isoforms in cultured human podocytes

Transient receptor potential canonical‐6 (TRPC6) ion channels, expressed at high levels in podocytes of the filtration barrier, are recently implicated in the pathogenesis of various forms of proteinuric kidney diseases. Indeed, inherited or acquired up‐regulation of TRPC6 activities are suggested to play a role in podocytopathies. Yet, we possess limited information about the regulation of TRPC6 in human podocytes. Therefore, in this study, we aimed at defining how the protein kinase C (PKC) system, one of the key intracellular signalling pathways, regulates TRPC6 function and expression. On human differentiated podocytes, we identified the molecular expressions of both TRPC6 and several PKC isoforms. We also showed that TRPC6 channels are functional since the TRPC6 activator 1‐oleoyl‐2‐acetyl‐sn‐glycerol (OAG) induced Ca²⁺‐influx to the cells. By assessing the regulatory roles of the PKCs, we found that inhibitors of the endogenous activities of classical and novel PKC isoforms markedly augmented TRPC6 activities. In contrast, activation of the PKC system by phorbol 12‐myristate 13‐acetate (PMA) exerted inhibitory actions on TRPC6 and suppressed its expression. Importantly, PMA treatment markedly down‐regulated the expression levels of PKCα, PKCβ, and PKCη reflecting their activation. Taken together, these results indicate that the PKC system exhibits a ‘tonic’ inhibition on TRPC6 activity in human podocytes suggesting that pathological conditions altering the expression and/or activation patterns of podocyte‐expressed PKCs may influence TRPC6 activity and hence podocyte functions. Therefore, it is proposed that targeted manipulation of certain PKC isoforms might be beneficial in certain proteinuric kidney diseases with altered TRPC6 functions.     

Biphasic effects of H2O2 on BKCa channels

Abstract

The inhibitory or activating effect of H₂O₂ on large conductance calcium and voltage-dependent potassium (BK_Ca) channels has been reported. However, the mechanism by which this occurs is unclear. In this paper, BK_Ca channels encoded by mouse Slo were expressed in HEK 293 cells and BK_Ca channel activity was measured by electrophysiology. The results showed that H₂O₂ inhibited BK_Ca channel activity in inside-out patches but enhanced BK_Ca channel activity in cell-attached patches. The inhibition by H₂O₂ in inside-out patches may be due to oxidative modification of cysteine residues in BK_Ca channels or other membrane proteins that regulate BK_Ca channel function. PI3K/AKT signaling modulates the H₂O₂-induced BK_Ca channel activation in cell-attached patches. BK_Ca channels and PI3K signaling pathway were involved in H₂O₂-induced vasodilation and H₂O₂-induced vasodilation by PI3K pathway was mainly due to modulation of BK_Ca channel activity.     

Protein kinase C inhibits ROMK1 channel activity via a phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate-dependent mechanism

The activity of apical K(+) channels in cortical collecting duct (CCD) is stimulated and inhibited by protein kinase A (PKA) and C (PKC), respectively. Direct interaction between phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP(2)) and the cloned CCD K(+) channel, ROMK1, is critical for channel opening. We have found previously that phosphorylation of ROMK1 by PKA increases affinity of the channel for PIP(2) and mutation of PKA sites reduces the affinity of ROMK1 for PIP(2). In this study we investigate the molecular mechanism for PKC regulation of ROMK and report that mutants of ROMK1 with reduced PIP(2) affinity exhibit an increased sensitivity to inhibition by phorbol myristate acetate (PMA). The effect of PMA can be prevented by pretreatment with calphostin-C. Activation of PKC by carbachol in Xenopus oocytes co-expressing M1 muscarinic receptors also causes inhibition of the channels. Calphostin-C prevents carbachol-induced inhibition, suggesting that activation of PKC is necessary for inhibition of the channels. PMA reduces open probability of the channel in cell-attached patch clamp recordings. After inhibition by PMA in cell-attached recordings, application of PIP(2) to the cytoplasmic face of excised inside-out membranes restores channel activity. PMA reduces PIP(2) content in oocyte membrane and calphostin-C prevents the reduction. These results suggest that reduction of membrane PIP(2) content contributes to the inhibition of ROMK1 channels by PKC. This mechanism may underscore the inhibition of K(+) secretion in CCD by hormones that activate PKC.     

Modulation of Ca2+ mobilization by protein kinase C in the submandibular duct cell line A253

The expression of protein kinase C (PKC) isoforms and the modulation of Ca²⁺ mobilization by PKC were investigated in the human submandibular duct cell line A253. Three new PKC (nPKC) isoforms (, , and ) and one atypical PKC (aPKC) isoform () are expressed in this cell line. No classical PKC (cPKC) isoforms were present. The effects of the PKC activator phorbol 12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA) and of the PKC inhibitors calphostin C (CC) and bisindolymaleimide I (BSM) on inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP₃) and Ca²⁺ responses to ATP and to thapsigargin (TG) were investigated. Pre-exposure to PMA inhibited IP₃ formation, Ca²⁺ release and Ca²⁺ influx in response to ATP. Pre-exposure to CC or BSM slightly enhanced IP₃ formation but inhibited the Ca²⁺ release and the Ca²⁺ influx induced by ATP. In contrast, pre-exposure to PMA did not modify the Ca²⁺ release induced by TG, but reduced the influx of Ca²⁺ seen in the presence of this Ca²⁺-ATPase inhibitor. These results suggest that PKC modulates elements of the IP₃/Ca²⁺ signal transduction pathway in A253 cells by (1) inhibiting phosphatidylinositol turnover and altering the sensitivity of the Ca²⁺ channels to IP₃, (2) altering the activity, the sensitivity to inhibitors, or the distribution of the TG-sensitive Ca²⁺ ATPase, and (3) modulating Ca²⁺ entry pathways.     

A role for protein kinase C in the regulation of membrane fluidity and Ca²(+) flux at the endoplasmic reticulum and plasma membranes of HEK293 and Jurkat cells

Protein kinase C (PKC) plays a prominent role in the regulation of a variety of cellular functions, including Ca²⁺ signalling. In HEK293 and Jurkat cells, the Ca²⁺ release and Ca²⁺ uptake stimulated by several different activators were attenuated by activation of PKC with phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) or 1-oleoyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycerol (OAG) and potentiated by PKC inhibition with Gö6983 or knockdown of PKCα or PKCβ using shRNA. Immunostaining and Western blotting analyses revealed that PKCα and PKCβII accumulated at the plasma membrane (PM) and that these isoforms, along with PKCβI, also translocated to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) upon activation with PMA. Measurements of membrane fluidity showed that, like the cell membrane stabilizers bovine serum albumin (BSA) and ursodeoxycholate (UDCA), PMA and OAG significantly reduced the fluidity of both the PM and ER membranes; these effects were blocked in PKC-knockdown cells. Interestingly, both BSA and UDCA inhibited the Ca²⁺ responses to agonists to the same extent as PMA, whereas Tween 20, which increases membrane fluidity, raised the internal Ca²⁺ concentration. Thus, activation of PKC induces both translocation of PKC to the PM and ER membranes and downregulation of membrane fluidity, thereby negatively modulating Ca²⁺ flux.     

Ca2+-independent form of protein kinase C may regulate Na+ transport across frog skin

Summary Activators of protein kinase C (PKC) stimulate Na^– transport (J _Na) across frog skin. We have examined the effect of Ca²⁺ on PKC stimulation ofJ _Na. Both the phorbol ester 12-O-tetradecanoylglycerol (DiC₈) were used as PKC activators. Blocking Ca²⁺ entry into the cytosol (either from external or internal stores) reduced the subsequent natriferic effect of the PKC activators. This negative interaction did not simply reflect saturation of activation of the apical Na⁺ channels, since the stimulations produced by blocking Ca²⁺ entry and adding cyclic AMP were simply additive.The Ca²⁺ dependence of the natriferic effect could have reflected either a direct action of cytosolic Ca²⁺ on PKC or an indirect action on the final receptor site (the Na⁺ channel). To distinguish between these possibilities, the TPA- and phospholipid-dependent kinase activity of broken-cell preparations was assayed. The kinase activity was not stimulated by physiological levels of Ca²⁺, and in fact was inhibited at millimolar concentrations of Ca²⁺.We conclude that the effects of Ca²⁺ on the natriferic response to PKC activators are indirect. Reducing cytosolic uptake of Ca²⁺ may have stimulated Na⁺ transport by a chemical modification of the apical channels observed in other tight epithelia. The usual stimulation of Na⁺ transport produced by PKC activators in frog skin may reflect the operation of a nonconventional form of PKC. This enzyme is Ca²⁺ independent and seems related to thenPKC or PKC observed in other systems.     

Calcineurin activation by slow calcium release from intracellular stores suppresses protein kinase C regulation of L-type calcium channels in L6 cells

L-type Ca²⁺ channel activity was assayed in L6 cells as the rate of nifedipine-sensitive Ba²⁺ influx in a depolarizing medium. In the absence of extracellular Ca²⁺, activation of protein kinase C (PKC) with phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA) or thymeleatoxin (TMX) inhibited Ba²⁺ influx by 38%. Thapsigargin (Tg), a selective inhibitor of the Ca²⁺-ATPase in the sarcoplasmic reticulum, evoked a rise in the cytosolic Ca²⁺ concentration ([Ca²⁺]_i) in a Ca²⁺-free medium from 30 to 80 nM. This [Ca²⁺]_i increase declined slowly, giving rise to a modest elevation of [Ca²⁺]_i that persisted for >5 min. The inhibitory effects of PMA and TMX on channel activity were abolished when tested in Tg-treated cells in a Ca²⁺-free medium. However, when the Ca²⁺ ionophore, ionomycin, was applied with Tg, PMA and TMX retained their inhibitory effect on L-type Ca²⁺ channel activity, suggesting that a lower amplitude and prolonged release of Ca²⁺ stores is necessary for abrogating PKC-mediated inhibition of LCC. Cyclosporin A (5 μM) and ascomycin (5 μM), inhibitors of the Ca²⁺/calmodulin-dependent protein phosphatase, calcineurin, fully restored the inhibitory effect of PMA and TMX on channel activity. Addition of 1 mM CaCl₂ to the Tg-treated cells increased [Ca²⁺]_i to 165 nM and also restored the inhibitory effects of PMA and TMX. These results indicate that a small, relatively prolonged [Ca²⁺]_i increase elicited by passive depletion of internal Ca²⁺ stores led to activation of calcineurin, giving rise to an increase in protein phosphatase activity that counteracted the inhibitory effects of PKC on channel activity. A larger increase in [Ca²⁺]_i via store-dependent Ca²⁺ entry enhanced the activity of PKC sufficiently to overcome the protein phosphatase activity of calcineurin. This study is the first to demonstrate that the regulation of L-type Ca²⁺ channels in a myocyte model involves a balance between the differential Ca²⁺ sensitivities and opposing actions of PKC and calcineurin.     

Characterization of calcium-dependent forms of protein kinase C in adult rat ventricular myocytes

The presence and subcellular localization of the Ca2+-dependent protein kinase C (PKC) isoforms and were investigated in freshly isolated adult rat cardiac ventricular myocytes. PKC activity was measured in cytosolic and particulate fractions prepared from control myocytes and those treated with either phorbol ester (phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate, PMA) or a permeant synthetic diacylglycerol analog (1-oleoyl-2-acetylglycerol, OAG) in the absence or presence of an inhibitor of diacylglycerol kinase activity, compound R59022. Preliminary studies detected no Ca2+-/phospholipid-dependent histone kinase activity in either subcellular fraction. To reproducibly observe Ca2+-/phospholipid-dependent protein kinase activity, partial purification using a MonoQ HR 5/5 column and the presence of the peptide inhibitor of the cAMP-dependent protein kinase were essential. MonoQ chromatography of cytosolic and particulate fractions resulted in three peaks of Ca2+/phospholipid-dependent protein kinase activity. In the cytosolic fraction a large peak of activity eluted at 230-300 mM NaCl. Isoform-specific antisera indicated both PKC and PKC were present. In the particulate fraction two peak of Ca2+-/phospholipid-dependent protein kinase activity, both containing PKCa immunoreactivity, were observed. The larger peak eluted at 230-300 mM NaCl. In addition, a peak eluting at lower salt concentrations contained a Ca2+-/phospholipid-independent histone kinase activity. This peak of kinase activity contained PKC immunoreactive bands of 80- and 50-kDa. The 80-kDa band was the holoenzyme of PKC whereas the band of lower molecular mass was likely a proteolytic fragment. In both cytosolic and particulate fractions, the peak of kinase activity eluting at 230-300 mM NaCl contained PKC in the form of an 80-kDa doublet; this suggested the presence of autophosphorylated PKC. Incubation of the myocytes with PMA, but not OAG, resulted in translocation of PKC from the cytosolic to the particulate fraction. Curiously, a transient decrease in PKC activity was observed in both subcellular fractions following treatment with either OAG or ethanol (1%). Results from this study show that freshly isolated adult rat cardiac ventricular myocytes contain both PKC and PKC, and that these isoforms translocate to the particulate fraction in response to treatment with PMA, but not OAG. (Mol Cell Biochem 166: 11-23, 1997)     

Modulation of the inwardly rectifying K+ channel in isolated human atrial myocytes by α1-adrenergic stimulation

We have examined the ₁-adrenergic modulation of the inwardly-rectifying K⁺ channel (I _K1) in isolated human atrial myocytes using the patch clamp technique. ₁-Adrenergic agonist methoxamine produced action potential prolongation and a depolarization of the resting membrane potential. Under whole-cell voltage clamp conditions, bath application of methoxamine can inhibit macroscopic I _K1. The methoxamine-induced inhibition was reversible and concentration dependent, with the concentration for half-maximal inhibition being 18 m. The methoxamine-induced inhibition of I _K1 was prevented by bath application of ₁-adrenergic blocker prazosin. The current was similarly inhibited by phorbol ester (PMA), an activator of protein kinase C (PKC). In contrast, methoxamine failed to inhibit the current in the presence of a specific PKC inhibitor H-9, suggesting that PKC is involved in the methoxamine-induced inhibition of I _K1. In single channel recording from cell attached patches, bath-applied methoxamine could suppress I _K1 channels by decreasing the frequency and duration of bursting without affecting unitary amplitude. Direct application of purified PKC to excised inside-out patches inhibited channel activity similar to methoxamine in cell-attached patches. The PKC selective inhibitor, PKC19-36, prevented the PKC-induced inhibition of the channel. We conclude that human atrial I _K1 can be inhibited by ₁-adrenergic stimulation via PKC-dependent pathways.     

Structural and biophysical determinants of single CaV3.1 and CaV3.2 T-type calcium channel inhibition by N2O

We investigated the biophysical mechanism of inhibition of recombinant T-type calcium channels Ca_V3.1 and Ca_V3.2 by nitrous oxide (N₂O). To identify functionally important channel structures, chimeras with reciprocal exchange of the N-terminal domains I and II and C-terminal domains III and IV were examined. In whole-cell recordings N₂O significantly inhibited Ca_V3.2, and – less pronounced – Ca_V3.1. A Ca_V3.2-prevalent inhibition of peak currents was also detected in cell-attached multi-channel patches. In cell-attached patches containing ≤3 channels N₂O reduced average peak current of Ca_V3.2 by decreasing open probability and open time duration. Effects on Ca_V3.1 were smaller and mediated by a reduced fraction of sweeps containing channel activity. Without drug, single Ca_V3.1 channels were significantly less active than Ca_V3.2. Chimeras revealed that domains III and IV control basal gating properties. Domains I and II, in particular a histidine residue within Ca_V3.2 (H191), are responsible for the subtype-prevalent N₂O inhibition. Our study demonstrates the biophysical (open times, open probability) and structural (domains I and II) basis of action of N₂O on Ca_V3.2. Such a fingerprint of single channels can help identifying the molecular nature of native channels. This is exemplified by a characterization of single channels expressed in human hMTC cells as functional homologues of recombinant Ca_V3.1.     

Regulation of Na/Mg antiport in rat erythrocytes

In rat erythrocytes, the regulation of Na⁺/Mg²⁺ antiport by protein kinases (PKs), protein phosphatases (PPs), intracellular Mg²⁺, ATP and Cl⁻ was investigated. In untreated erythrocytes, Na⁺/Mg²⁺ antiport was slightly inhibited by the PK inhibitor staurosporine, slightly stimulated by the PP inhibitor calyculin A and strongly stimulated by vanadate. PMA stimulated Na⁺/Mg²⁺ antiport. This effect was completely inhibited by staurosporine and partially inhibited by the PKC inhibitors Ro-31-8425 and BIM I. Participation of other PKs such as PKA, the MAPK cascade, PTK, CK I, CK II, CAM II-K, PI 3-K, and MLCK was excluded by use of inhibitors. Na⁺/Mg²⁺ antiport in rat erythrocytes can thus be stimulated by PKCα.In non-Mg²⁺-loaded erythrocytes, ATP depletion reduced Mg²⁺ efflux and PMA stimulation in NaCl medium. A drastic activation of Na⁺/Mg²⁺ antiport was induced by Mg²⁺ loading which was not further stimulated by PMA. Staurosporine, Ro-31-8425, BIM I and calyculin A did not inhibit Na⁺/Mg²⁺ antiport of Mg²⁺-loaded cells. Obviously, at high [Mg²⁺]_i Na⁺/Mg²⁺ antiport is maximally stimulated. PKC_α or PPs are not involved in stimulation by intracellular Mg²⁺. ATP depletion of Mg²⁺-loaded erythrocytes reduced Mg²⁺ efflux and the affinity of Mg²⁺ binding sites of the Na⁺/Mg²⁺ antiporter to Mg²⁺. In non-Mg²⁺-loaded erythrocytes Na⁺/Mg²⁺ antiport essentially depends on Cl⁻. Mg²⁺-loaded erythrocytes were less sensitive to the activation of Na⁺/Mg²⁺ antiport by [Cl⁻]_i.     

Evidence TRPV4 contributes to mechanosensitive ion channels in mouse skeletal muscle fibers

We recorded the activity of single mechanosensitive (MS) ion channels from membrane patches on single muscle fibers isolated from mice. We investigated the actions of various TRP (transient receptor potential) channel blockers on MS channel activity. 2-aminoethoxydiphenyl borate (2-APB) neither inhibited nor facilitated single channel activity at submillimolar concentrations. The absence of an effect of 2-APB indicates MS channels are not composed purely of TRPC or TRPV1, 2 or 3 proteins. Exposing patches to 1-oleolyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycerol (OAG), a potent activator of TRPC channels, also had no effect on MS channel activity. In addition, flufenamic acid and spermidine had no effect on the activity of single MS channels. By contrast, SKF-96365 and ruthenium red blocked single-channel currents at micromolar concentrations. SKF-96365 produced a rapid block of the open channel current. The blocking rate depended linearly on blocker concentration, while the unblocking rate was independent of concentration, consistent with a simple model of open channel block. A fit to the concentration-dependence of block gave k_on = 13 x 10⁶ M^?1s^?1 and k_off = 1609 sec^?1 with K_D = ~124 µM. Block by ruthenium red was complex, involving both reduction of the amplitude of the single-channel current and increased occupancy of subconductance levels. The reduction in current amplitude with increasing concentration of ruthenium red gave a K_D = ~49 µM. The high sensitivity of MS channels to block by ruthenium red suggests MS channels in skeletal muscle contain TRPV subunits. Recordings from skeletal muscle isolated from TRPV4 knockout mice failed to show MS channel activity, consistent with a contribution of TRPV4. In addition, exposure to hypo-osmotic solutions increases opening of MS channels in muscle. Our results provide evidence TRPV4 contributes to MS channels in skeletal muscle.     

Endothelin-1 induces intracellular [Ca2+] increase via Ca2+ influx through the L-type Ca2+ channel, Ca2+-induced Ca2+ release and a pathway involving ETA receptors, PKC, PKA and AT1 receptors in cardiomyocytes

Using fura-2-acetoxymethyl ester (AM) fluorescence imaging and patch clamp techniques, we found that endothelin-1 (ET-1) significantly elevated the intracellular calcium level ([Ca²⁺]_i) in a dose-dependent manner and activated the L-type Ca²⁺ channel in cardiomyocytes isolated from rats. The effect of ET-1 on [Ca²⁺]_i elevation was abolished in the presence of the ET_A receptor blocker BQ123, but was not affected by the ET_B receptor blocker BQ788. ET-1-induced an increase in [Ca²⁺]_i, which was inhibited 46.7% by pretreatment with a high concentration of ryanodine (10 μmol/L), a blocker of the ryanodine receptor. The ET-1-induced [Ca²⁺]_i increase was also inhibited by the inhibitors of protein kinase A (PKA), protein kinase C (PKC) and angiotensin type 1 receptor (AT1 receptor). We found that ET-1 induced an enhancement of the amplitude of the whole cell L-type Ca²⁺ channel current and an increase of open-state probability (NPo) of an L-type single Ca²⁺ channel. BQ123 completely blocked the ET-1-induced increase in calcium channel open-state probability. In this study we demonstrated that ET-1 regulates calcium overload through a series of mechanisms that include L-type Ca²⁺ channel activation and Ca²⁺-induced Ca²⁺ release (CICR). ETA receptors, PKC, PKA and AT1 receptors may also contribute to this pathway. Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 200830870910).     

Regulation of an inwardly rectifying K channel in the T84 epithelial cell line by calcium,nucleotides and kinases

Agonists that elevate calcium in T₈₄ cells stimulate chloride secretion by activating K_BIC, an inwardly rectifying K channel in the basolateral membrane. We have studied the regulation of this channel by calcium, nucleotides and phosphorylation using patch clamp and short-circuit current (I _SC) techniques. Open probability (P ₀) was independent of voltage but declined spontaneously with time after excision. Rundown was slower if patches were excised into a bath solution containing ATP (10 m–5 mm), ATP (0.1 mm) + protein kinase A (PKA; 180 nm), or isobutylmethylxanthine (IBMX; 1 mm). Analysis of event durations suggested that the channel has at least two open and two closed states, and that rundown under control conditions is mainly due to prolongation of the long closed time. Channel activity was restimulated after rundown by exposure to ATP, the poorly hydrolyzable ATP analogue AMP-PNP, or ADP. Activity was further enhanced when PKA was added in the presence of MgATP, but only if free calcium concentration was elevated (400 nm). Nucleotide stimulation and inward rectification were both observed in nominally Mg-free solutions. cAMP modulation of basolateral potassium conductance in situ was confirmed by measuring currents generated by a transepithelial K gradient after permeabilization of the apical membrane using -toxin. Finally, protein kinase C (PKC) inhibited single K_BIC channels when it was added directly to excised patches. These results suggest that nonhydrolytic binding of nucleotides and phosphorylation by PKA and PKC modulate the responsiveness of the inwardly rectifying K channel to Ca-mediated secretagogues.This work was supported by the Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and the Medical Research Council of Canada. J.W.H. is a Chercheur-Boursier of the Fonds de la recherche en santé du Québec.