scholarly journals Adenosine Triphosphate Activates a Noninactivating K+ Current in Adrenal Cortical Cells through Nonhydrolytic Binding

1997 ◽  
Vol 110 (6) ◽  
pp. 679-692 ◽  
Author(s):  
John J. Enyeart ◽  
Juan Carlos Gomora ◽  
Lin Xu ◽  
Judith A. Enyeart

Bovine adrenal zona fasciculata (AZF) cells express a noninactivating K+ current (IAC) that is inhibited by adrenocorticotropic hormone and angiotensin II at subnanomolar concentrations. Since IAC appears to set the membrane potential of AZF cells, these channels may function critically in coupling peptide receptors to membrane depolarization, Ca2+ entry, and cortisol secretion. IAC channel activity may be tightly linked to the metabolic state of the cell. In whole cell patch clamp recordings, MgATP applied intracellularly through the patch electrode at concentrations above 1 mM dramatically enhanced the expression of IAC K+ current. The maximum IAC current density varied from a low of 8.45 ± 2.74 pA/pF (n = 17) to a high of 109.2 ± 26.3 pA/pF (n = 6) at pipette MgATP concentrations of 0.1 and 10 mM, respectively. In the presence of 5 mM MgATP, IAC K+ channels were tonically active over a wide range of membrane potentials, and voltage-dependent open probability increased by only ∼30% between −40 and +40 mV. ATP (5 mM) in the absence of Mg2+ and the nonhydrolyzable ATP analog AMP-PNP (5 mM) were also effective at enhancing the expression of IAC, from a control value of 3.7 ± 0.1 pA/pF (n = 3) to maximum values of 48.5 ± 9.8 pA/pF (n = 11) and 67.3 ± 23.2 pA/pF (n = 6), respectively. At the single channel level, the unitary IAC current amplitude did not vary with the ATP concentration or substitution with AMP-PNP. In addition to ATP and AMP-PNP, a number of other nucleotides including GTP, UTP, GDP, and UDP all increased the outwardly rectifying IAC current with an apparent order of effectiveness: MgATP > ATP = AMP-PNP > GTP = UTP > ADP >> GDP > AMP and ATP-γ-S. Although ATP, GTP, and UTP all enhanced IAC amplitude with similar effectiveness, inhibition of IAC by ACTH (200 pM) occurred only in the presence of ATP. As little as 50 μM MgATP restored complete inhibition of IAC, which had been activated by 5 mM UTP. Although the opening of IAC channels may require only ATP binding, its inhibition by ACTH appears to involve a mechanism other than hydrolysis of this nucleotide. These findings describe a novel form of K+ channel modulation by which IAC channels are activated through the nonhydrolytic binding of ATP. Because they are activated rather than inhibited by ATP binding, IAC K+ channels may represent a distinctive new variety of K+ channel. The combined features of IAC channels that allow it to sense and respond to changing ATP levels and to set the resting potential of AZF cells, suggest a mechanism where membrane potential, Ca2+ entry, and cortisol secretion could be tightly coupled to the metabolic state of the cell through the activity of IAC K+ channels.

1992 ◽  
Vol 100 (3) ◽  
pp. 401-426 ◽  
Author(s):  
M D Ganfornina ◽  
J López-Barneo

Single K+ channel currents were recorded in excised membrane patches from dispersed chemoreceptor cells of the rabbit carotid body under conditions that abolish current flow through Na+ and Ca2+ channels. We have found three classes of voltage-gated K+ channels that differ in their single-channel conductance (gamma), dependence on internal Ca2+ (Ca2+i), and sensitivity to changes in O2 tension (PO2). Ca(2+)-activated K+ channels (KCa channels) with gamma approximately 210 pS in symmetrical K+ solutions were observed when [Ca2+]i was greater than 0.1 microM. Small conductance channels with gamma = 16 pS were not affected by [Ca2+]i and they exhibited slow activation and inactivation time courses. In these two channel types open probability (P(open)) was unaffected when exposed to normoxic (PO2 = 140 mmHg) or hypoxic (PO2 approximately 5-10 mmHg) external solutions. A third channel type (referred to as KO2 channel), having an intermediate gamma(approximately 40 pS), was the most frequently recorded. KO2 channels are steeply voltage dependent and not affected by [Ca2+]i, they inactivate almost completely in less than 500 ms, and their P(open) reversibly decreases upon exposure to low PO2. The effect of low PO2 is voltage dependent, being more pronounced at moderately depolarized voltages. At 0 mV, for example, P(open) diminishes to approximately 40% of the control value. The time course of ensemble current averages of KO2 channels is remarkably similar to that of the O2-sensitive K+ current. In addition, ensemble average and macroscopic K+ currents are affected similarly by low PO2. These observations strongly suggest that KO2 channels are the main contributors to the macroscopic K+ current of glomus cells. The reversible inhibition of KO2 channel activity by low PO2 does not desensitize and is not related to the presence of F-, ATP, and GTP-gamma-S at the internal face of the membrane. These results indicate that KO2 channels confer upon glomus cells their unique chemoreceptor properties and that the O2-K+ channel interaction occurs either directly or through an O2 sensor intrinsic to the plasma membrane closely associated with the channel molecule.


1989 ◽  
Vol 94 (5) ◽  
pp. 833-847 ◽  
Author(s):  
S L Hu ◽  
Y Yamamoto ◽  
C Y Kao

Currents through single potassium channels were studied in cell-attached or inside-out patches from collagenase-dispersed smooth muscle cells of the guinea pig taenia coli. Under conditions mimicking the physiological state with [K+]i = 135 mM: [K+]o = 5.4 mM, three distinct types of K+ channel were identified with conductances around 0 mV of 147, 94, and 63 pS. The activities of the 94- and 63-pS channel were observed infrequently. The 147-pS channel was most abundant. It has a reversal potential of approximately -75 mV. It is sensitive to [Ca2+]i and to membrane potential. At -30 mV, the probability of a channel being open is at a minimum. At more positive voltages, the probability follows Boltzman distribution. A 10-fold change in [Ca2+]i causes a 25-mV negative shift of the voltage where half of the channels are open; an 11.3-mV change in membrane potential produces an e-fold increase in the probability of the channel being open when P is low. At voltages between -30 and -50 mV, the open probability increases in an anomalous manner because of a large decrease of the channel closed time without much change in the channel open time. This anomalous activity may play a regulatory role in maintaining the resting potential. The histograms of channel open and closed time fit well, respectively, with single and double exponential distributions. Upon step depolarizations by 100-ms pulses, the 147-pS channel opens with a brief delay. The delay shortens and both the number of open channels and the open time increase with increasing positivity of the potential. The averaged currents during the step depolarizations closely resemble the delayed rectifying outward K+ currents in whole-cell recordings.


1992 ◽  
Vol 262 (3) ◽  
pp. H916-H920 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. H. Clapp ◽  
A. M. Gurney

ATP-sensitive K+ (KATP) channels have been proposed to be the target for hyperpolarizing vasodilators. However, the existence of a whole cell KATP current that can regulate membrane potential has not been demonstrated in vascular muscle. Using the patch-clamp technique, we have examined the effects of varying intracellular ATP on membrane potential and currents in isolated rabbit pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells. With 1 mM ATP in the pipette, cells had a mean resting potential of -55 mV. When ATP was omitted, the resting potential became significantly more hyperpolarized (-70 mV) and the depolarizing response to the KATP-channel blocker, glibenclamide, was potentiated. In contrast, the hyperpolarizing effect of lemakalim was reduced. These hyperpolarized resting potentials were associated with increased activity of a basal, glibenclamide-sensitive time-independent K+ current. Furthermore, flash photolysis of ATP, 3-O-[1(4,5-dimethoxy-2-nitrophenyl)ethyl] ester, disodium salt ("caged ATP") in ATP-depleted cells caused rapid depolarization (less than 1 s) and block of the background K+ current. Our results are consistent with the idea that intracellular ATP can directly modulate the resting potential by inhibition of K+ channels. We propose that this ATP-sensitive K+ current plays an important role in the maintenance of the resting potential in arterial muscle.


Endocrinology ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 152 (10) ◽  
pp. 3842-3851 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hana Zemkova ◽  
Stanko S. Stojilkovic ◽  
David C. Klein

Perforated patch clamp recording was used to study the control of membrane potential (Vm) and spontaneous electrical activity in the rat pinealocyte by norepinephrine. Norepinephrine did not alter spiking frequency. However, it was found to act through α1B-adrenoreceptors in a concentration-dependent manner (0.1–10 μm) to produce a biphasic change in Vm. The initial response was a hyperpolarization (∼13 mV from a resting potential of −46 mV) due to a transient (∼5 sec) outward K+ current (∼50 pA). This current appears to be triggered by Ca2+ released from intracellular stores, based on the observation that it was also seen in cells bathed in Ca2+-deficient medium. In addition, pharmacological studies indicate that this current was dependent on phospholipase C (PLC) activation and was in part mediated by bicuculline methiodide and apamin-sensitive Ca2+-controlled K+ channels. The initial transient hyperpolarization was followed by a sustained depolarization (∼4 mV) due to an inward current (∼10 pA). This response was dependent on PLC-dependent activation of Na+/Ca2+ influx but did not involve nifedipine-sensitive voltage-gated Ca2+ channels. Together, these results indicate for the first time that activation of α1B-adrenoreceptors initiates a PLC-dependent biphasic change in pinealocyte Vm characterized by an initial transient hyperpolarization mediated by a mixture of Ca2+-activated K+ channels followed by a sustained depolarization mediated by a Ca2+-conducting nonselective cation channel. These observations indicate that both continuous elevation of intracellular Ca2+ and sustained depolarization at approximately −40 mV are associated with and are likely to be required for activation of the pinealocyte.


2014 ◽  
Vol 306 (5) ◽  
pp. C460-C470 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kiril L. Hristov ◽  
Amy C. Smith ◽  
Shankar P. Parajuli ◽  
John Malysz ◽  
Georgi V. Petkov

Large-conductance voltage- and Ca2+-activated K+ (BK) channels are critical regulators of detrusor smooth muscle (DSM) excitability and contractility. PKC modulates the contraction of DSM and BK channel activity in non-DSM cells; however, the cellular mechanism regulating the PKC-BK channel interaction in DSM remains unknown. We provide a novel mechanistic insight into BK channel regulation by PKC in DSM. We used patch-clamp electrophysiology, live-cell Ca2+ imaging, and functional studies of DSM contractility to elucidate BK channel regulation by PKC at cellular and tissue levels. Voltage-clamp experiments showed that pharmacological activation of PKC with PMA inhibited the spontaneous transient BK currents in native freshly isolated guinea pig DSM cells. Current-clamp recordings revealed that PMA significantly depolarized DSM membrane potential and inhibited the spontaneous transient hyperpolarizations in DSM cells. The PMA inhibitory effects on DSM membrane potential were completely abolished by the selective BK channel inhibitor paxilline. Activation of PKC with PMA did not affect the amplitude of the voltage-step-induced whole cell steady-state BK current or the single BK channel open probability (recorded in cell-attached mode) upon inhibition of all major Ca2+ sources for BK channel activation with thapsigargin, ryanodine, and nifedipine. PKC activation with PMA elevated intracellular Ca2+ levels in DSM cells and increased spontaneous phasic and nerve-evoked contractions of DSM isolated strips. Our results support the concept that PKC activation leads to a reduction of BK channel activity in DSM via a Ca2+-dependent mechanism, thus increasing DSM contractility.


2006 ◽  
Vol 127 (2) ◽  
pp. 159-169 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jill Thompson ◽  
Ted Begenisich

The complexity of mammalian physiology requires a diverse array of ion channel proteins. This diversity extends even to a single family of channels. For example, the family of Ca2+-activated K channels contains three structural subfamilies characterized by small, intermediate, and large single channel conductances. Many cells and tissues, including neurons, vascular smooth muscle, endothelial cells, macrophages, and salivary glands express more than a single class of these channels, raising questions about their specific physiological roles. We demonstrate here a novel interaction between two types of Ca2+-activated K channels: maxi-K channels, encoded by the KCa1.1 gene, and IK1 channels (KCa3.1). In both native parotid acinar cells and in a heterologous expression system, activation of IK1 channels inhibits maxi-K activity. This interaction was independent of the mode of activation of the IK1 channels: direct application of Ca2+, muscarinic receptor stimulation, or by direct chemical activation of the IK1 channels. The IK1-induced inhibition of maxi-K activity occurred in small, cell-free membrane patches and was due to a reduction in the maxi-K channel open probability and not to a change in the single channel current level. These data suggest that IK1 channels inhibit maxi-K channel activity via a direct, membrane-delimited interaction between the channel proteins. A quantitative analysis indicates that each maxi-K channel may be surrounded by four IK1 channels and will be inhibited if any one of these IK1 channels opens. This novel, regulated inhibition of maxi-K channels by activation of IK1 adds to the complexity of the properties of these Ca2+-activated K channels and likely contributes to the diversity of their functional roles.


1993 ◽  
Vol 102 (4) ◽  
pp. 667-692 ◽  
Author(s):  
E Hamada ◽  
T Nakajima ◽  
S Ota ◽  
A Terano ◽  
M Omata ◽  
...  

The effects of acetylcholine (ACh) and histamine (His) on the membrane potential and current were examined in JR-1 cells, a mucin-producing epithelial cell line derived from human gastric signet ring cell carcinoma. The tight-seal, whole cell clamp technique was used. The resting membrane potential, the input resistance, and the capacitance of the cells were approximately -12 mV, 1.4 G ohms, and 50 pF, respectively. Under the voltage-clamp condition, no voltage-dependent currents were evoked. ACh or His added to the bathing solution hyperpolarized the membrane by activating a time- and voltage-independent K+ current. The ACh-induced hyperpolarization and K+ current persisted, while the His response desensitized quickly (< 1 min). These effects of ACh and His were mediated predominantly by m3-muscarinic and H1-His receptors, respectively. The K+ current induced by ACh and His was inhibited by charybdotoxin, suggesting that it is a Ca(2+)-activated K+ channel current (IK.Ca). The measurement of intracellular Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) using Indo-1 revealed that both agents increased [Ca2+]i with similar time courses as they increased IK.Ca. When EGTA in the pipette solution was increased from 0.15 to 10 mM, the induction of IK.Ca by ACh and His was abolished. Thus, both ACh and His activate IK.Ca by increasing [Ca2+]i in JR-1 cells. In the Ca(2+)-free bathing solution (0.15 mM EGTA in the pipette), ACh evoked IK.Ca transiently. Addition of Ca2+ (1.8 mM) to the bath immediately restored the sustained IK.Ca. These results suggest that the ACh response is due to at least two different mechanisms; i.e., the Ca2+ release-related initial transient activation and the Ca2+ influx-related sustained activation of IK.Ca. Probably because of desensitization, the Ca2+ influx-related component of the His response could not be identified. Intracellularly applied inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3), with and without inositol 1,3,4,5-tetrakisphosphate (IP4), mimicked the ACh response. IP4 alone did not affect the membrane current. Under the steady effect of IP3 or IP3 plus IP4, neither ACh nor His further evoked IK.Ca. Intracellular application of heparin or of the monoclonal antibody against the IP3 receptor, mAb18A10, inhibited the ACh and His responses in a concentration-dependent fashion. Neomycin, a phospholipase C (PLC) inhibitor, also inhibited the agonist-induced response in a concentration-dependent fashion. Although neither pertussis toxin (PTX) nor N-ethylmaleimide affected the ACh or His activation of IK,Ca, GDP beta S attenuated and GTP gamma S enhanced the agonist response.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)


1992 ◽  
Vol 68 (4) ◽  
pp. 985-1000 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Sontheimer ◽  
J. A. Black ◽  
B. R. Ransom ◽  
S. G. Waxman

1. Na+ and K+ channel expression was studied in cultured astrocytes derived from P--0 rat spinal cord using whole cell patch-clamp recording techniques. Two subtypes of astrocytes, pancake and stellate, were differentiated morphologically. Both astrocyte types showed Na+ channels and up to three forms of K+ channels at certain stages of in vitro development. 2. Both astrocyte types showed pronounced K+ currents immediately after plating. Stellate but not pancake astrocytes additionally showed tetrodotoxin (TTX)-sensitive inward Na+ currents, which displayed properties similar to neuronal Na+ currents. 3. Within 4-5 days in vitro (DIV), pancake astrocytes lost K(+)-current expression almost completely, but acquired Na+ currents in high densities (estimated channel density approximately 2-8 channels/microns2). Na+ channel expression in these astrocytes is approximately 10- to 100-fold higher than previously reported for glial cells. Concomitant with the loss of K+ channels, pancake astrocytes showed significantly depolarized membrane potentials (-28.1 +/- 15.4 mV, mean +/- SD), compared with stellate astrocytes (-62.5 +/- 11.9 mV, mean +/- SD). 4. Pancake astrocytes were capable of generating action-potential (AP)-like responses under current clamp, when clamp potential was more negative than resting potential. Both depolarizing and hyperpolarizing current injections elicited overshooting responses, provided that cells were current clamped to membrane potentials more negative than -70 mV. Anode-break spikes were evoked by large hyperpolarizations (less than -150 mV). AP-like responses in these hyperpolarized astrocytes showed a time course similar to neuronal APs under conditions of low K+ conductance. 5. In stellate astrocytes, AP-like responses were not observed, because the K+ conductance always exceeded Na+ conductance by at least a factor of 3. Thus stellate spinal cord astrocyte membranes are stabilized close to EK as previously reported for hippocampal astrocytes. 6. It is concluded that spinal cord pancake astrocytes are capable of synthesizing Na+ channels at densities that can, under some conditions, support electrogenesis. In vivo, however, AP-like responses are unlikely to occur because the cells' resting potential is too depolarized to allow current activation. Thus the absence of electrogenesis in astrocytes may be explained by two mechanisms: 1) a low Na-to-K conductance ratio, as in stellate spinal cord astrocytes and in other previously studied astrocyte preparations; or, 2) as described in detail in the companion paper, a mismatch between the h infinity curve and resting potential, which results in Na+ current inactivation in spinal cord pancake astrocytes.


1994 ◽  
Vol 267 (4) ◽  
pp. F599-F605 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. H. Wang

We have used the patch-clamp technique to study the apical K+ channels in the thick ascending limb (TAL) of the rat kidney. Two types of K+ channels, a low-conductance and an intermediate-conductance K+ channel, were identified in both cell-attached and inside-out patches. We confirmed the previously reported intermediate-conductance K+ channel (72 pS), which is inhibited by millimolar cell ATP, acidic pH, Ba2+, and quinidine (4). We now report a second K+ channel in apical membrane of the TAL. The slope conductance of this low-conductance K+ channel is 30 pS, and its open probability is 0.80 in cell-attached patches. This channel is not voltage dependent, and application of 2 mM ATP in the bath inhibits channel activity in inside-out patches. In addition, 250 microM glyburide, an ATP-sensitive K+ channel inhibitor, blocks channel activity, whereas the same concentration of glyburide has no inhibitory effect on the 72-pS K+ channel. Channel activity of the 30-pS K+ channel decreases rapidly upon excision of patches (channel run down). Application of 0.1 mM ATP and the catalytic subunit of adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP)-dependent protein kinase A (PKA) restores channel activity. Furthermore, addition of 0.1 mM 8-(4-chlorophenylthio)-cAMP or 50-100 pM vasopressin in the cell-attached patches increases channel activity. In conclusion, two types of K+ channels are present in the apical membrane of TAL of rat kidney, and PKA plays an important role in modulation of the low-conductance K+ channel activity.


2002 ◽  
Vol 283 (3) ◽  
pp. F407-F414 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rui-Min Gu ◽  
Wen-Hui Wang

We have used the patch-clamp technique to study the effect of arachidonic acid (AA) on the basolateral K channels in the medullary thick ascending limb (mTAL) of rat kidney. An inwardly rectifying 50-pS K channel was identified in cell-attached and inside-out patches in the basolateral membrane of the mTAL. The channel open probability ( P o) was 0.51 at the spontaneous cell membrane potential and decreased to 0.25 by 30 mV hyperpolarization. The addition of 5 μM AA decreased channel activity, identified as NP o, from 0.58 to 0.08 in cell-attached patches. The effect of AA on the 50-pS K channel was specific because 10 μM cis-11,14,17-eicosatrienoic acid had no significant effect on channel activity. To determine whether the effect of AA was mediated by AA per se or by its metabolites, we examined the effect of AA on channel activity in the presence of indomethacin, an inhibitor of cyclooxygenase, or N-methylsulfonyl-12,12-dibromododec-11-enamide (DDMS), an inhibitor of cytochrome P-450 monooxygenase. Inhibition of cyclooxygenase increased channel activity from 0.54 to 0.9. However, indomethacin did not abolish the inhibitory effect of AA on the 50-pS K channel. In contrast, inhibition of cytochrome P-450 metabolism not only increased channel activity from 0.49 to 0.83 but also completely abolished the effect of AA. Moreover, addition of DDMS can reverse the inhibitory effect of AA on channel activity. The notion that the effect of AA was mediated by cytochrome P-450-dependent metabolites of AA is also supported by the observation that addition of 100 nM of 20-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid, a main metabolite of AA in the mTAL, can mimic the effect of AA. We conclude that AA inhibits the 50-pS K channel in the basolateral membrane of the mTAL and that the effect of AA is mainly mediated by cytochrome P-450-dependent metabolites of AA.


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