ERG K+ channels modulate the electrical and contractile activities of gallbladder smooth muscle

2003 ◽  
Vol 284 (3) ◽  
pp. G392-G398 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edward Parr ◽  
Maria J. Pozo ◽  
Burton Horowitz ◽  
Mark T. Nelson ◽  
Gary M. Mawe
Keyword(s):  
Smooth Muscle ◽  
Membrane Potential ◽  
Guinea Pig ◽  
Action Potential ◽  
Resting Membrane Potential ◽  
Plateau Phase ◽  
Related Gene ◽  
K Channels ◽  
Contraction Coupling

The current study was undertaken to test the existence and possible role of ether-a-go-go-related gene 1 (ERG1) protein K+ channels in gallbladder smooth muscle (GBSM). Transcripts encoding ERG1 were detected in human, mouse, and guinea pig GBSM, and ERG1 immunoreactivity was observed in GBSM cells. In intracellular voltage recordings, addition of E-4031 (100 nM–1 μM) or cisapride (100 nM–2 μM) caused concentration-dependent excitation of guinea pig GBSM that was not affected by 500 nM TTX + 5 μM atropine, and E-4031 also depolarized the resting membrane potential. In muscle strip studies, E-4031 either induced phasic contractions or significantly increased the amplitude of phasic contractions in spontaneously active tissues ( P = 0.001). E-4031 also potentiated bethanechol-induced contractions. In conclusion, ERG1 channels are expressed in the GBSM, where they play a role in excitation-contraction coupling probably by contributing to repolarization of the plateau phase of the action potential and to the resting membrane potential.

Identification of a spontaneously active, Na+-permeable channel in guinea pig gallbladder smooth muscle

2005 ◽  
Vol 289 (3) ◽  
pp. G501-G507 ◽  
Author(s):  
Georgi V. Petkov ◽  
Onesmo B. Balemba ◽  
Mark T. Nelson ◽  
Gary M. Mawe
Keyword(s):  
Smooth Muscle ◽  
Membrane Potential ◽  
Guinea Pig ◽  
Action Potential ◽  
Equilibrium Potential ◽  
Resting Membrane Potential ◽  
Action Potential Generation ◽  
Potential Generation ◽  
Membrane Hyperpolarization ◽  
Permeable Channel

The action potential in gallbladder smooth muscle (GBSM) is caused by Ca2+ entry through voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels (VDCC), which contributes to the GBSM contractions. Action potential generation in GBSM is critically dependent on the resting membrane potential (about −50 mV), which is ∼35 mV more positive of the K+ equilibrium potential. We hypothesized that a tonic, depolarizing conductance is present in GBSM and contributes to the regulation of the resting membrane potential and action potential frequency. GBSM cells were isolated from guinea pig gallbladders, and the whole cell patch-camp technique was used to record membrane currents. After eliminating the contribution of VDCC and K+ channels, we identified a novel spontaneously active cation conductance ( Icat) in GBSM. This Icat was mediated predominantly by influx of Na+. Na+ substitution with N-methyl-d-glucamine (NMDG), a large relatively impermeant cation, caused a negative shift in the reversal potential of the ramp current and reduced the amplitude of the inward current at −50 mV by 65%. Membrane potential recordings with intracellular microelectrodes or in current-clamp mode of the patch-clamp technique indicated that the inhibition of Icat conductance by NMDG is associated with membrane hyperpolarization and inhibition of action potentials. Extracellular Ca2+, Mg2+, and Gd3+ attenuated the Icat in GBSM. Muscarinic stimulation did not activate the Icat. Our results indicate that, in GBSM, an Na+-permeable channel contributes to the maintenance of the resting membrane potential and action potential generation and therefore plays a critical role in the regulation of GBSM excitability and contractility.

Calcium channels and excitation–contraction coupling in cardiac cells. I. Two components of contraction in guinea-pig papillary muscle

1987 ◽  
Vol 65 (9) ◽  
pp. 1821-1831 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Honoré ◽  
M. M. Adamantidis ◽  
B. A. Dupuis ◽  
C. E. Challice ◽  
P. Guilbault
Keyword(s):  
Membrane Potential ◽  
Guinea Pig ◽  
Papillary Muscle ◽  
Cardiac Cells ◽  
Resting Membrane Potential ◽  
Tonic Component ◽  
Contraction Coupling ◽  
Rich Solution ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Guinea Pig Atria

Biphasic contractions have been obtained in guinea-pig papillary muscle by inducing partial depolarization in K+-rich solution (17 mM) containing 0.3 μM isoproterenol; whereas in guinea-pig atria, the same conditions led to monophasic contractions corresponding to the first component of contraction in papillary muscle. The relationships between the amplitude of the two components of the biphasic contraction and the resting membrane potential were sigmoidal curves. The first component of contraction was inactivated for membrane potentials less positive than those for the second component. In Na+-low solution (25 mM), biphasic contraction became monophasic subsequent to the loss of the second component, but tetraethylammonium unmasked the second component of contraction. The relationship between the amplitude of the first component of contraction and the logarithm of extracellular Ca2+ concentration was complex, whereas for the second component it was linear. When Ca2+ ions were replaced by Sr2+ ions, only the second component of contraction was observed. It is suggested that the first component of contraction may be triggered by a Ca2+ release from sarcoplasmic reticulum, induced by the fast inward Ca2+ current and (or) by the depolarization. The second component of contraction may be due to a direct activation of contractile proteins by Ca2+ entering the cell along with the slow inward Ca2+ current and diffusing through the sarcoplasm. These results do not exclude the existence of a third "tonic" component, which could possibly be mixed with the second component of contraction.

Na+/Ca2+ exchange and its role in intracellular Ca2+ regulation in guinea pig detrusor smooth muscle

2001 ◽  
Vol 280 (5) ◽  
pp. C1090-C1096 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Wu ◽  
C. H. Fry
Keyword(s):  
Smooth Muscle ◽  
Membrane Potential ◽  
Guinea Pig ◽  
Outward Current ◽  
Detrusor Smooth Muscle ◽  
Small Rise ◽  
Intracellular Ca ◽  
Net Flux ◽  
Isolated Smooth Muscle Cells

The role of Na+/Ca2+ exchange in regulating intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) in isolated smooth muscle cells from the guinea pig urinary bladder was investigated. Incremental reduction of extracellular Na+ concentration resulted in a graded rise of [Ca2+]i; 50–100 μM strophanthidin also increased [Ca2+]i. A small outward current accompanied the rise of [Ca2+]i in low-Na+ solutions (17.1 ± 1.8 pA in 29.4 mM Na+). The quantity of Ca2+ influx through the exchanger was estimated from the charge carried by the outward current and was ∼30 times that which is necessary to account for the rise of [Ca2+]i, after correction was made for intracellular Ca2+ buffering. Ca2+ influx through the exchanger was able to load intracellular Ca2+ stores. It is concluded that the level of resting [Ca2+]i is not determined by the exchanger, and under resting conditions (membrane potential −50 to −60 mV), there is little net flux through the exchanger. However, a small rise of intracellular Na+ concentration would be sufficient to generate significant net Ca2+ influx.

Changes in resting membrane potential induced by active sensitization in the guinea-pig vas deferens

1998 ◽  
Vol 76 (7-8) ◽  
pp. 802-806 ◽  
Author(s):  
J Noireaud ◽  
O Souilem ◽  
S Baudet ◽  
J -C Bidon ◽  
M Gogny ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Smooth Muscle ◽  
Membrane Potential ◽  
Guinea Pig ◽  
Smooth Muscle Cells ◽  
Vas Deferens ◽  
Smooth Muscles ◽  
Muscle Cells ◽  
Resting Membrane Potential ◽  
Ouabain Binding

Smooth muscles hyperresponsiveness is a common feature in anaphylaxis and allergic diseases. The aim of the present work was to investigate whether the enhanced reactivity of sensitized guinea-pig vas deferens was associated with changes in the resting membrane potential (Er) of the smooth muscle cells. Active sensitization was performed by subcutaneous injection of egg albumen. Er was measured in vitro in isolated vas deferens with conventional KCl-filled microelectrodes. Quantification of [3H]ouabain binding sites, measurements of 86Rb efflux, and measurements of Na and K contents were also performed. In normal physiological solution, at 35°C, Er was a mean of -54.1 ± 0.3 mV (mean ± SEM) in control vas deferens. Sensitization resulted in depolarizing Er by about 7 mV. In control and sensitized preparations, the 3H-ouabain binding site concentration, the efflux of 86Rb, and the K content were similar. In guinea-pig vas deferens, active sensitization induced a partial depolarization of the resting membrane potential of the smooth muscle cells, which did not result from a downregulation of Na+-K+ pump sites.Key words: hyperreactivity, sensitization, Na+-K+ ATPase, guinea-pig, vas deferens, smooth muscle.

scholarly journals On the Mechanisms Whereby Temperature Affects Excitation-Contraction Coupling in Smooth Muscle

2002 ◽  
Vol 119 (1) ◽  
pp. 93-104 ◽  
Author(s):  
Theodor V. Burdyga ◽  
Susan Wray
Keyword(s):  
Smooth Muscle ◽  
Guinea Pig ◽  
Action Potential ◽  
Guinea Pigs ◽  
Smooth Muscles ◽  
Ionic Currents ◽  
Temperature Sensitive ◽  
Isolated Cells ◽  
Excitation Contraction Coupling ◽  
Contraction Coupling

Moderate cooling of smooth muscle can modulate force production and may contribute to pathophysiological conditions, but the mechanisms underlying its effects are poorly understood. Interestingly, cooling increases force in rat ureter, but decreases it in guinea pigs. Therefore, this study used ureteric smooth muscle as a model system to elucidate the mechanisms of the effects of cooling on excitation-contraction coupling. Simultaneous recordings of force, intracellular [Ca2+], and electrical activity were made in intact ureter and ionic currents measured in isolated cells. The increase in force amplitude in rat ureter with cooling was found to be due to a significant increase in the duration of the Ca2+ transient. This in turn was due to a marked prolongation of the action potential. In guinea pigs, both these parameters were much less affected by cooling. Examination of membrane currents revealed that differences in ion channel contribution to the action potential underlie these differences. In particular, cooling potentiated Ca2+-activated Cl− currents, which are present in rat but not guinea pig ureteric smooth muscle, and prolonged the plateau of the action potential and Ca2+ entry. The force-Ca2+ relationship revealed that the increased duration of the Ca2+ transient was sufficient in the rat, but not in the guinea pig, to overcome kinetic lags produced in both species by cooling and potentiate force. Ca2+ entry and release processes were largely temperature-insensitive, but the rate of relaxation was very temperature-sensitive. Effects of cooling on myosin light chain phosphatase, confirmed in experiments using calyculin A, appear to be the predominant mechanisms affecting relaxation. Thus, smooth muscle is diverse in its response to temperature, even when experimental variables, such as the mode of stimulation, are removed. Although the biochemical and mechanical events accompanying contraction are likely to be affected in similar ways by temperature, differences in electrical events lead to subsequent differences in these processes between smooth muscles.

Ca(2+)-activated K+ channels regulate action potential repolarization in urinary bladder smooth muscle

1997 ◽  
Vol 273 (1) ◽  
pp. C110-C117 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. J. Heppner ◽  
A. D. Bonev ◽  
M. T. Nelson
Keyword(s):  
Smooth Muscle ◽  
Urinary Bladder ◽  
Action Potential ◽  
Single Channel ◽  
Resting Membrane Potential ◽  
Channel Blockers ◽  
Bladder Smooth Muscle ◽  
Apparent Dissociation Constant ◽  
K Channels ◽  
Urinary Bladder Smooth Muscle

The goal of this study was to examine the role of large conductance Ca(2+)-activated K+ channels in the regulation of cell excitability in urinary bladder smooth muscle from the guinea pig. Ca(2+)-activated K+ channels were studied with single-channel recording techniques and found to be intracellular Ca2+ and voltage dependent and sensitive to external tetraethylammonium and blocked by nanomolar concentrations of iberiotoxin (apparent dissociation constant of 4 nM). Spontaneous action potentials recorded from intact tissue strips depended on external Ca2+ and were inhibited by Ca2+ channel blockers. Iberiotoxin (100 nM) significantly altered the configuration of the action potential by increasing the duration and peak amplitude of the action potential and decreasing the rate of decay. Iberiotoxin also increased the action potential frequency from 0.11 to 0.29 Hz. This study suggests that Ca(2+)-activated K+ channels play a significant role in the repolarization of the action potential and in the maintenance of the resting membrane potential of the urinary bladder smooth muscle.

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