Voltage-Gated Outward K Currents in Frog Saccular Hair Cells

2003 ◽  
Vol 90 (6) ◽  
pp. 3688-3701 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luigi Catacuzzeno ◽  
Bernard Fioretti ◽  
Fabio Franciolini

A biophysical analysis of the voltage-gated K (Kv) currents of frog saccular hair cells enzymatically isolated with bacterial protease VIII was carried out, and their contribution to the cell electrical response was addressed by a modeling approach. Based on steady-state and kinetic properties of inactivation, two distinct Kv currents were found: a fast inactivating IA and a delayed rectifier IDRK. IA exhibited a strongly hyperpolarized inactivation V1/2 (-83 mV), a relatively rapid single exponential recovery from inactivation (τrec of ∼100 ms at -100 mV), and fast activation and deactivation kinetics. IDRK showed instead a less-hyperpolarized inactivation V1/2 (-48 mV), a slower, double-exponential recovery from inactivation (τrec1 ∼ 490 ms and τrec2 ∼ 4,960 ms at -100 mV), and slower activation and deactivation kinetics. Steady-state activation gave a V1/2 and a k of -46.2 and 8.2 mV for IA and -48.3 and 4.2 mV for IDRK. Both currents were not appreciably blocked by bath application of 10 mM TEA, but were inhibited by 4-AP, with IDRK displaying a higher sensitivity. IDRK also showed a relatively low affinity to linopirdine, being half blocked at ∼50 μM. Steady-state and kinetic properties of IDRK and IA were described by 2nd- and 3rd-order Hodgkin–Huxley models, respectively. The goodness of our quantitative description of the Kv currents was validated by including IA and IDRK in a theoretical model of saccular hair cell electrical activity and by comparing the simulated responses with those obtained experimentally. This thorough description of the IDRK and IA will contribute toward understanding the role of these currents in the electrical response on this preparation.

2011 ◽  
Vol 138 (1) ◽  
pp. 95-116 ◽  
Author(s):  
James A. Fraser ◽  
Christopher L.-H. Huang ◽  
Thomas H. Pedersen

Activation of skeletal muscle fibers requires rapid sarcolemmal action potential (AP) conduction to ensure uniform excitation along the fiber length, as well as successful tubular excitation to initiate excitation–contraction coupling. In our companion paper in this issue, Pedersen et al. (2011. J. Gen. Physiol. doi:10.1085/jgp.201010510) quantify, for subthreshold stimuli, the influence upon both surface conduction velocity and tubular (t)-system excitation of the large changes in resting membrane conductance (GM) that occur during repetitive AP firing. The present work extends the analysis by developing a multi-compartment modification of the charge–difference model of Fraser and Huang to provide a quantitative description of the conduction velocity of actively propagated APs; the influence of voltage-gated ion channels within the t-system; the influence of t-system APs on ionic homeostasis within the t-system; the influence of t-system ion concentration changes on membrane potentials; and the influence of Phase I and Phase II GM changes on these relationships. Passive conduction properties of the novel model agreed with established linear circuit analysis and previous experimental results, while key simulations of AP firing were tested against focused experimental microelectrode measurements of membrane potential. This study thereby first quantified the effects of the t-system luminal resistance and voltage-gated Na+ channel density on surface AP propagation and the resultant electrical response of the t-system. Second, it demonstrated the influence of GM changes during repetitive AP firing upon surface and t-system excitability. Third, it showed that significant K+ accumulation occurs within the t-system during repetitive AP firing and produces a baseline depolarization of the surface membrane potential. Finally, it indicated that GM changes during repetitive AP firing significantly influence both t-system K+ accumulation and its influence on the resting membrane potential. Thus, the present study emerges with a quantitative description of the changes in membrane potential, excitability, and t-system ionic homeostasis that occur during repetitive AP firing in skeletal muscle.


1999 ◽  
Vol 81 (4) ◽  
pp. 1749-1759 ◽  
Author(s):  
Corinna Pelz ◽  
Johannes Jander ◽  
Hendrik Rosenboom ◽  
Martin Hammer ◽  
Randolf Menzel

I A in Kenyon cells of the mushroom body of honeybees resembles shaker currents: kinetics, modulation by K+, and simulation. Cultured Kenyon cells from the mushroom body of the honeybee, Apis mellifera, show a voltage-gated, fast transient K+ current that is sensitive to 4-aminopyridine, an A current. The kinetic properties of this A current and its modulation by extracellular K+ ions were investigated in vitro with the whole cell patch-clamp technique. The A current was isolated from other voltage-gated currents either pharmacologically or with suitable voltage-clamp protocols. Hodgkin- and Huxley-style mathematical equations were used for the description of this current and for the simulation of action potentials in a Kenyon cell model. Activation and inactivation of the A current are fast and voltage dependent with time constants of 0.4 ± 0.1 ms (means ± SE) at +45 mV and 3.0 ± 1.6 ms at +45 mV, respectively. The pronounced voltage dependence of the inactivation kinetics indicates that at least a part of this current of the honeybee Kenyon cells is a shaker-like current. Deactivation and recovery from inactivation also show voltage dependency. The time constant of deactivation has a value of 0.4 ± 0.1 ms at −75 mV. Recovery from inactivation needs a double-exponential function to be fitted adequately; the resulting time constants are 18 ± 3.1 ms for the fast and 745 ± 107 ms for the slow process at −75 mV. Half-maximal activation of the A current occurs at −0.7 ± 2.9 mV, and half-maximal inactivation occurs at −54.7 ± 2.4 mV. An increase in the extracellular K+concentration increases the conductance and accelerates the recovery from inactivation of the A current, affecting the slow but not the fast time constant. With respect to these modulations the current under investigation resembles some of the shaker-like currents. The data of the A current were incorporated into a reduced computational model of the voltage-gated currents of Kenyon cells. In addition, the model contained a delayed rectifier K+ current, a Na+current, and a leakage current. The model is able to generate an action potential on current injection. The model predicts that the A current causes repolarization of the action potential but not a delay in the initiation of the action potential. It further predicts that the activation of the delayed rectifier K+ current is too slow to contribute markedly to repolarization during a single action potential. Because of its fast activation, the A current reduces the amplitude of the net depolarizing current and thus reduces the peak amplitude and the duration of the action potential.


2006 ◽  
Vol 291 (5) ◽  
pp. C966-C976 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hong-Ling Li ◽  
Yu-Jie Qu ◽  
Yi Chun Lu ◽  
Vladimir E. Bondarenko ◽  
Shimin Wang ◽  
...  

Voltage-gated K+ channels exist in vivo as multiprotein complexes made up of pore-forming and ancillary subunits. To further our understanding of the role of a dipeptidyl peptidase-related ancillary subunit, DPP10, we expressed it with Kv4.3 and Kv1.4, two channels responsible for fast-inactivating K+ currents. Previously, DPP10 has been shown to effect Kv4 channels. However, Kv1.4, when expressed with DPP10, showed many of the same effects as Kv4.3, such as faster time to peak current and negative shifts in the half-inactivation potential of steady-state activation and inactivation. The exception was recovery from inactivation, which is slowed by DPP10. DPP10 expressed with Kv4.3 caused negative shifts in both steady-state activation and inactivation of Kv4.3, but no significant shifts were detected when DPP10 was expressed with Kv4.3 + KChIP2b (Kv channel interacting protein). DPP10 and KChIP2b had different effects on closed-state inactivation. At −60 mV, KChIP2b nearly abolishes closed-state inactivation in Kv4.3, whereas it developed to a much greater extent in the presence of DPP10. Finally, expression of a DPP10 mutant consisting of its transmembrane and cytoplasmic 58 amino acids resulted in effects on Kv4.3 gating that were nearly identical to those of wild-type DPP10. These data show that DPP10 and KChIP2b both modulate Kv4.3 inactivation but that their primary effects are on different inactivation states. Thus DPP10 may be a general modulator of voltage-gated K+ channel inactivation; understanding its mechanism of action may lead to deeper understanding of the inactivation of a broad range of K+ channels.


2004 ◽  
Vol 91 (2) ◽  
pp. 646-655 ◽  
Author(s):  
Igor V. Melnick ◽  
Sónia F. A. Santos ◽  
Karolina Szokol ◽  
Péter Szûcs ◽  
Boris V. Safronov

Ionic conductances underlying excitability in tonically firing neurons (TFNs) from substantia gelatinosa (SG) were studied by the patch-clamp method in rat spinal cord slices. Ca2+-dependent K+ (KCA) conductance sensitive to apamin was found to prolong the interspike intervals and stabilize firing evoked by a sustained membrane depolarization. Suppression of Ca2+ and KCA currents, however, did not abolish the basic pattern of tonic firing, indicating that it was generated by voltage-gated Na+ and K+ currents. Na+ and K+ channels were further analyzed in somatic nucleated patches. Na+ channels exhibited fast activation and inactivation kinetics and followed two-exponential time course of recovery from inactivation. The major K+ current was carried through tetraethylammonium (TEA)-sensitive rapidly activating delayed-rectifier (KDR) channels with a slow inactivation. The TEA-insensitive transient A-type K+ (KA) current was very small in patches and was strongly inactivated at resting potential. Block of KDR rather than KA conductance by 1 mM TEA lowered the frequency and stability of firing. Intracellular staining with biocytin revealed at least three morphological groups of TFNs. Finally, on the basis of present data, we created a model of TFN and showed that Na+ and KDR currents are sufficient to generate a basic pattern of tonic firing. It is concluded that the balanced contribution of all ionic conductances described here is important for generation and modulation of tonic firing in SG neurons.


2015 ◽  
Vol 122 (2) ◽  
pp. 414-423 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marc R. Suter ◽  
Zahurul A. Bhuiyan ◽  
Cédric J. Laedermann ◽  
Thierry Kuntzer ◽  
Muriel Schaller ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Mutations in the SCN9A gene cause chronic pain and pain insensitivity syndromes. We aimed to study clinical, genetic, and electrophysiological features of paroxysmal extreme pain disorder (PEPD) caused by a novel SCN9A mutation. Methods: Description of a 4-generation family suffering from PEPD with clinical, genetic and electrophysiological studies including patch clamp experiments assessing response to drug and temperature. Results: The family was clinically comparable to those reported previously with the exception of a favorable effect of cold exposure and a lack of drug efficacy including with carbamazepine, a proposed treatment for PEPD. A novel p.L1612P mutation in the Nav1.7 voltage-gated sodium channel was found in the four affected family members tested. Electrophysiologically the mutation substantially depolarized the steady–state inactivation curve (V1/2 from −61.8 ± 4.5 mV to −30.9 ± 2.2 mV, n = 4 and 7, P < 0.001), significantly increased ramp current (from 1.8% to 3.4%, n = 10 and 12) and shortened recovery from inactivation (from 7.2 ± 5.6 ms to 2.2 ± 1.5 ms, n = 11 and 10). However, there was no persistent current. Cold exposure reduced peak current and prolonged recovery from inactivation in wild-type and mutated channels. Amitriptyline only slightly corrected the steady–state inactivation shift of the mutated channel, which is consistent with the lack of clinical benefit. Conclusions: The novel p.L1612P Nav1.7 mutation expands the PEPD spectrum with a unique combination of clinical symptoms and electrophysiological properties. Symptoms are partially responsive to temperature but not to drug therapy. In vitro trials of sodium channel blockers or temperature dependence might help predict treatment efficacy in PEPD.


2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
A Zaytseva ◽  
A V Karpushev ◽  
A V Karpushev ◽  
Y Fomicheva ◽  
Y Fomicheva ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Mutations in gene SCN5A, encoding cardiac potential-dependent sodium channel Nav1.5, are associated with various arrhythmogenic disorders among which the Brugada syndrome (BrS) and the Long QT syndrome (LQT) are the best characterized. BrS1 is associated with sodium channel dysfunction, which can be reflected by decreased current, impaired activation and enhanced inactivation. We found two novel mutations in our patients with BrS and explored their effect on fast and slow inactivation of cardiac sodium channel. Purpose The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of BrS (Y739D, L1582P) mutations on different inactivation processes in in vitro model. Methods Y739D and L1582P substitutions were introduced in SCN5A cDNA using site-directed mutagenesis. Sodium currents were recorded at room temperature in transfected HEK293-T cells using patch-clamp technique with holding potential −100 mV. In order to access the fast steady-state inactivation curve we used double-pulse protocol with 10 ms prepulses. To analyze voltage-dependence of slow inactivation we used two-pulse protocol with 10s prepulse, 20ms test pulse and 25ms interpulse at −100mV to allow recovery from fast inactivation. Electrophysiological measurements are presented as mean ±SEM. Results Y739D mutation affects highly conserved tyrosine 739 among voltage-gated sodium and calcium channels in the segment IIS2. Mutation L1582P located in the loop IVS4-S5, and leucine in this position is not conserved among voltage-gated channels superfamily. We have shown that Y739D leads to significant changes in both fast and slow inactivation, whereas L1582P enhanced slow inactivation only. Steady-state fast inactivation for Y739D was shifted on 8.9 mV towards more negative potentials compare with that for WT, while L1582P did not enhanced fast inactivation (V1/2 WT: −62.8±1.7 mV; Y739D: −71.7±2.3 mV; L1582P: −58.7±1.4 mV). Slow inactivation was increased for both substitutions (INa (+20mV)/INa (−100mV) WT: 0.45±0.03; Y739D: 0,34±0.09: L1582P: 0.38±0.04). Steady-state fast inactivation Conclusions Both mutations, observed in patients with Brugada syndrome, influence on the slow inactivation process. Enhanced fast inactivation was shown only for Y739D mutant. The more dramatic alterations in sodium channel biophysical characteristics are likely linked with mutated residue conservativity. Acknowledgement/Funding RSF #17-15-01292


1993 ◽  
Vol 291 (1) ◽  
pp. 89-94 ◽  
Author(s):  
P White ◽  
F D C Manson ◽  
C E Brunt ◽  
S K Chapman ◽  
G A Reid

The two distinct domains of flavocytochrome b2 (L-lactate:cytochrome c oxidoreductase) are connected by a typical hinge peptide. The amino acid sequence of this interdomain hinge is dramatically different in flavocytochromes b2 from Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Hansenula anomala. This difference in the hinge is believed to contribute to the difference in kinetic properties between the two enzymes. To probe the importance of the hinge, an interspecies hybrid enzyme has been constructed comprising the bulk of the S. cerevisiae enzyme but containing the H. anomala flavocytochrome b2 hinge. The kinetic properties of this ‘hinge-swap’ enzyme have been investigated by steady-state and stopped-flow methods. The hinge-swap enzyme remains a good lactate dehydrogenase as is evident from steady-state experiments with ferricyanide as acceptor (only 3-fold less active than wild-type enzyme) and stopped-flow experiments monitoring flavin reduction (2.5-fold slower than in wild-type enzyme). The major effect of the hinge-swap mutation is to lower dramatically the enzyme's effectiveness as a cytochrome c reductase; kcat. for cytochrome c reduction falls by more than 100-fold, from 207 +/- 10 s-1 (25 degrees C, pH 7.5) in the wild-type enzyme to 1.62 +/- 0.41 s-1 in the mutant enzyme. This fall in cytochrome c reductase activity results from poor interdomain electron transfer between the FMN and haem groups. This can be demonstrated by the fact that the kcat. for haem reduction in the hinge-swap enzyme (measured by the stopped-flow method) has a value of 1.61 +/- 0.42 s-1, identical with the value for cytochrome c reduction and some 300-fold lower than the value for the wild-type enzyme. From these and other kinetic parameters, including kinetic isotope effects with [2-2H]lactate, we conclude that the hinge plays a crucial role in allowing efficient electron transfer between the two domains of flavocytochrome b2.


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