PubMed Health⌕ Search

SEARCH · PubMed Health

Results for “Potassium Channels, Inwardly Rectifying”

Explore indexed PubMed citations for clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health research. Read source abstracts and follow each citation to its original PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources

Single-channel properties of a G-protein-coupled inward rectifier potassium channel in brain neurons.

1. In cultured rat locus coeruleus neurons, somatostatin or met-enkephalin induces an inwardly rectifying K+ conductance. This inward rectifier was analyzed at the single-channel level. 2. Using the inside-out patch-clamp, guanosine 5'-triphosphate (GTP) application to the cytoplasmic side in the presence of somatostatin or met-enkephalin in the pipette produced a large increase in channel activity, which disappeared on switching from GTP to guanosine 5'-diphosphate. 3. The unitary conductance was approximately 30 pS at -95 mV with an extracellular K+ concentration of 156 mM and an intracellular K+ concentration of 124 mM at 23 degrees C. The channel showed burst behavior, and the closed time histogram was fit by two exponentials, with the fast time constant being 0.4 ms. The burst time histogram was also fit by two exponentials, with time constants of 0.24 and 2.0 ms (at 10 nM somatostatin). When the somatostatin concentration was changed from 500 to 1 nM, the kinetic behavior of the channel did not change, except that the open probability of the patch was decreased. 4. The current-voltage relation of the unitary channel current showed inward rectification. The reversal potential coincided with the K+ equilibrium potential, and it shifted according to a change in the K+ equilibrium potential. 5. In the presence of external somatostatin, the application of guanosine 5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate) to the cytoplasmic side induced an irreversible activation of this channel. 6. These results indicate that this K+ channel is the microscopic counterpart of the somatostatin- or met-enkephalin-induced inwardly rectifying K+ current in whole cell recording, and that the channel is activated by a G protein without a diffusible second messenger. Thus this channel is identified as a neuronal G-protein-coupled inward rectifier K+ channel. 7. Analysis of the burst behavior, based on a close-close-open kinetic model, revealed that there are at least four states in the K+ channel, a short gap, a longer closing, a short opening, and a long opening, and that the neuronal inward rectifier is activated at faster rates than the atrial inward rectifier.

Adult↗

Sematilide blocks the inward rectifier potassium channel in isolated guinea pig ventricular myocytes.

1. In whole-cell patch recording, the relative potency of the blocking action of sematilide on IK1 was found to be constant at each potential level of IK1 activation. Under more acidic condition, the degree of block was decreased. These results strongly suggested that the neutral form of sematilide may penetrate the cardiac cell membrane via hydrophobic pathway. 2. In cell-attached patches, sematilide prolonged the interburst interval and reduced the opening probabilities of the IK1 channel without affecting either the mean open time or the mean closed time within a burst.

Animals↗

Conserved extracellular cysteine residues in the inwardly rectifying potassium channel Kir2.3 are required for function but not expression in the membrane.

The mouse potassium channel Kir2.3 possesses conserved extracellular cysteine residues at positions 113 and 145. We have investigated the role of these cysteines in structure/function and membrane trafficking. Cysteine to serine mutations resulted in the absence of potassium currents in oocytes and co-expression of these mutants with wild-type channel showed a dominant negative inhibition of wild-type currents. FLAG-tagged channels expressed in oocytes were detected in the cell membrane by anti-FLAG antibody for wild-type and mutant channels. In vitro translation using the reticulocyte lysate system showed that mutation of these residues did not affect processing nor insertion into membranes. Cysteine residues at 113 and 145 are therefore required for function of the Kir2.3 channel but not for processing into the cell membrane; disulfide bonds between subunits are unlikely.

Animals↗

Detection of a high-frequency silent polymorphism (C-->T) in the kir2.1 (KCNJ2) inwardly rectifying potassium channel gene by polymerase chain reaction and single strand conformation polymorphism.

The aim of this work was to determine the frequency of a base substitution (C-->T) identified in the Kir2.1 gene (approved gene symbol: KCNJ2; OMIM number: 600681). Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of the area of the Kir2.1 gene containing this substitution was performed on 52 genomic DNA samples. Using single strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) analysis, the genotype and allele frequencies were subsequently determined and the polymorphism identified in this study was verified by cycle sequencing. The data demonstrate that the C-->T nucleotide change identified corresponds to a silent polymorphism with a relatively high frequency. The deduced genotype frequencies of homozygotes and heterozygotes were: C/C: 73%; T/T: 2% and C/T: 25%. The deduced allele frequencies were C: 85.6% and T: 14.4%.

DNA↗

Elevated non-esterified fatty acids impair nitric oxide independent vasodilation, in humans: evidence for a role of inwardly rectifying potassium channels.

UNLABELLED: To evaluate the role of elevation of non-esterified fatty acids on forearm nitric oxide (NO) dependent and independent relaxation, four studies were performed in the forearms of 14 normals: (1). endothelium-dependent and -independent vasodilations were assessed during acetylcholine (Ach) and sodium nitroprusside (SNP) infusions; (2). flow-mediated vasodilation (FMD) was assessed; (3) .bradykinin (BK) was infused during NO and prostaglandin inhibition (NO clamp); (4). blood flow (FBF) was measured during Ouabain, a Na(+)/K(+) ATPase, and BaCl(2), rectifying potassium channel (K(IR)) blockers, respectively. All studies were performed before and after 120 min. Intralipid+heparin (high-NEFA) infusion. Ach-mediated FBF increase was lower at high-NEFA (332+/-34 vs. 436+/-44% at 45 microg l forearm(-1) min(-1); % of ratio infused: control arm P<0.05), while SNP response was similar. FMD did not differ before and during high-NEFA, which induced a blunted response of FBF during BK with or without NO clamp. Ouabain and BaCl(2)-mediated FBF inhibition was lower (P<0.01) at high-NEFA. During ouabain alone FBF decreased slightly. IN CONCLUSION: High-NEFA exerts a negative role on both NO-dependent and independent vasodilations. The decrease in FBF, mediated by K(IR) inhibition, is blunted by high-NEFA: these substrates interfere with hemodynamic/metabolism coupling, possibly through the inhibition of these channels.

Acetylcholine↗

Homology modeling and molecular dynamics simulation studies of an inward rectifier potassium channel.

A homology model has been generated for the pore-forming domain of Kir6.2, a component of an ATP-sensitive K channel, based on the x-ray structure of the bacterial channel KcsA. Analysis of the lipid-exposed and pore-lining surfaces of the model reveals them to be compatible with the known features of membrane proteins and Kir channels, respectively. The Kir6.2 homology model was used as the starting point for nanosecond-duration molecular dynamics simulations in a solvated phospholipid bilayer. The overall drift from the model structure was comparable to that seen for KcsA in previous similar simulations. Preliminary analysis of the interactions of the Kir6.2 channel model with K(+) ions and water molecules during these simulations suggests that concerted single-file motion of K(+) ions and water through the selectivity filter occurs. This is similar to such motion observed in simulations of KcsA. This suggests that a single-filing mechanism is conserved between different K channel structures and may be robust to changes in simulation details. Comparison of Kir6.2 and KcsA suggests some degree of flexibility in the filter, thus complicating models of ion selectivity based upon a rigid filter.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Voltage-gated and inwardly rectifying potassium channels.

This lecture is dedicated to Max Delbrück and Seymour Benzer. Max Delbrück was our graduate advisor. He introduced us to a variety of biophysical problems, and taught us ways of thinking about these problems by example. Potassium channels was one of the topics included in his journal club in the early seventies; Max also carefully considered the feasibility of purifying potassium channels then. It was in Seymour Benzer's laboratory that we began to look for Drosophila mutants that affect synaptic transmission at the larval neuromuscular junction. Shaker was the first behavioural mutant we tested that gave a robust phenotype, a phenotype that could be mimicked by treating wild-type preparations with a potassium channel blocker. This mutant fly has led us to our subsequent molecular studies of potassium channels. Since we settled in the University of California, San Francisco, and began to study neural development as well as potassium channels, we have settled into the pattern of each attending meetings and presenting our studies on one of these two areas so as to avoid both being away from home and our children at the same time. In following this pattern, I will be presenting the studies of potassium channels as part of our long-term collaboration. In this talk I will first briefly take you through the path that led us to the molecular studies of potassium channels and then discuss the diversity and modulation of these potassium channels at the molecular and physiological level.

Animals↗

Protein kinase A-dependent activation of inward rectifier potassium channels by adenosine in rabbit coronary smooth muscle cells.

We studied the effect of adenosine on the Ba(2+)-sensitive K(IR) channels in the smooth muscle cells isolated from the small-diameter (<100microm) coronary arteries of rabbit. Adenosine increased K(IR) currents in concentration-dependent manner (EC(50)=9.4+/-1.4microM, maximum increase of 153%). The adenosine-induced stimulation of K(IR) current was blocked by adenylyl cyclase inhibitor, SQ22536 and was mimicked by adenylyl cyclase activator, forskolin. The adenosine-induced increase of current was blocked by cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) inhibitors, KT 5720 and Rp-8-CPT-cAMPs. The adenosine-induced increase of K(IR) currents was blocked by an A(3)-selective antagonist MRS1334, while the antagonists of other subtypes (DPCPX for A(1), ZM241385 for A(2A), and alloxazine for A(2B)) were all ineffective. Furthermore, an A(3)-selective agonist, 2-Cl-IB-MECA induced increase of K(IR) currents. We also examined the effect of adenosine on coronary blood flow (CBF) rate by using the Langendorff-perfused heart. In the presence of glibenclamide to exclude the effects of ATP-sensitive K(+) (K(ATP)) channels, CBF was increased by adenosine (10microM), which was blocked by the addition of Ba(2+) (50microM). Above results suggest that adenosine increases K(IR) current via A(3) subtype through the activation of PKA in rabbit small-diameter coronary arterial smooth muscle cells.

Adenosine↗

Expression of the Kir2.1 (inwardly rectifying potassium channel) gene in the human placenta and in cultured cytotrophoblast cells at different stages of differentiation.

The aim of this study was to investigate whether the Kir2.1 gene is expressed by the human placenta throughout pregnancy and in cytotrophoblast cells at different stages of differentiation in culture. RNA was extracted from cytotrophoblast cells isolated from term placentas and maintained in culture for 18, 66 and 114 h and from first, second and third trimester placentas. Using the reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) with gene-specific primers, a cDNA product of 1.2 kb, as expected for Kir2.1 gene expression, was detected in all the RNA samples from cytotrophoblast cells and from placentas. The RT-PCR products were verified by sequencing and by detection of the expected transcript size for the Kir2.1 mRNA at 5.6-5.7 kb on Northern blots, using the 1.2 kb cDNA generated by RT-PCR. Northern blot quantification, using a control 28S rRNA probe, showed no significant difference in Kir2.1 mRNA expression between any of the three stages of cytotrophoblast cell differentiation studied (ANOVA; n = 3 RNA samples from each stage). These data demonstrate that the Kir2.1 gene is expressed by the human placenta and, specifically, by cytotrophoblast cells, at all stages of development and differentiation.

Cell Differentiation↗

Cytoplasmic amino and carboxyl domains form a wide intracellular vestibule in an inwardly rectifying potassium channel.

We have studied the structural components and architecture of the intracellular vestibule of a strongly rectifying channel (Kir2.1) expressed in Xenopus oocytes. Putative vestibule-lining residues were identified by systematically examining covalent modification by sulfhydryl-specific reagents of cysteine residues engineered into two cytoplasmic regions. In a stretch of 33 amino acids in the amino terminus (from C54 to V86) and 22 amino acids in the carboxyl terminus (from R213 to S234), 15 and 11 residues, respectively, were found to be accessible to methanethiosulfonate ethylammonium (MTSEA) or methanethiosulfonate ethyltrimethylammonium (MTSET) and presumably project into the aqueous intracellular vestibule. The pattern of accessibility suggests that both stretches may adopt an extended loop structure. To explore the physical dimension of the intracellular vestibule, we covalently linked a constrained number (one to four) of positively charged moieties of different sizes to the E224 position and found that this vestibule region is sufficiently wide to accommodate four modifying groups with dimensions of 12 A x 10 A x 6 A. These results suggest that regions in both the amino and carboxyl domains of Kir2.1 channel form a long and wide intracellular vestibule that protrudes beyond the membrane into the cytoplasm.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Conduction through the inward rectifier potassium channel, Kir2.1, is increased by negatively charged extracellular residues.

Ion channel conductance can be influenced by electrostatic effects originating from fixed "surface" charges that are remote from the selectivity filter. To explore whether surface charges contribute to the conductance properties of Kir2.1 channels, unitary conductance was measured in cell-attached recordings of Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells transfected with Kir2.1 channels over a range of K+ activities (4.6-293.5 mM) using single-channel measurements as well as nonstationary fluctuation analysis for low K+ activities. K+ ion concentrations were shown to equilibrate across the cell membrane in our studies using the voltage-sensitive dye DiBAC4(5). The dependence of gamma on the K+ activity (a(K)) was fit well by a modified Langmuir binding isotherm, with a nonzero intercept as a(K) approaches 0 mM, suggesting electrostatic surface charge effects. Following the addition of 100 mM N-methyl-D-glucamine (NMG+), a nonpermeant, nonblocking cation or following pretreatment with 50 mM trimethyloxonium (TMO), a carboxylic acid esterifying agent, the gamma-a(K) relationship did not show nonzero intercepts, suggesting the presence of surface charges formed by glutamate or aspartate residues. Consistent with surface charges in Kir2.1 channels, the rates of current decay induced by Ba2+ block were slowed with the addition of NMG or TMO. Using a molecular model of Kir2.1 channels, three candidate negatively charged residues were identified near the extracellular mouth of the pore and mutated to cysteine (E125C, D152C, and E153C). E153C channels, but not E125C or D152C channels, showed hyperbolic gamma-a(K) relationships going through the origin. Moreover, the addition of MTSES to restore the negative charges in E53C channels reestablished wild-type conductance properties. Our results demonstrate that E153 contributes to the conductance properties of Kir2.1 channels by acting as a surface charge.

Animals↗

Differential sensitivity of Kir2 inward-rectifier potassium channels to a mitochondrial uncoupler: identification of a regulatory site.

The aim of this study was to gain insight into the mechanism by which members of the K(ir)2 subfamily are differentially sensitive to agents that inhibit mitochondrial function by identifying responsible site(s) in K(ir)2 proteins. K(ir)2 channels were expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes and assayed by two-electrode voltage clamp and patch clamp. Incubation of oocytes in carbonyl cyanide p-trifluoromethoxyphenylhydrazone (FCCP), a mitochondrial uncoupler, inhibited K(ir)2.2 and K(ir)2.3, but not K(ir)2.1. Replacement of the first 44 amino acids of K(ir)2.2 the or of first 19 K(ir)2.3 with the first 45 of K(ir)2.1 did not affect the sensitivity of the channels to FCCP. In contrast, a larger substitution of K(ir)2.1 N-terminal sequence (1-78) into K(ir)2.2 or K(ir)2.3 produced channels that were resistant to FCCP. Sequence alignment between residues 46 and 78 (K(ir)2.1 numbering) revealed four residues that are the same in K(ir)2.2 and K(ir)2.3 but different in K(ir)2.1. Each of these four residues in the resistant chimera was converted back to the K(ir)2.2/K(ir)2.3 amino acid. Three of the mutants (D51N, I59A, and G65S) were not sensitive to FCCP, but the H53Q mutant was sensitive. K(ir)2.1-H53A and K(ir)2.1-H53E were also sensitive. In contrast, K(ir)2.1-H53R and K(ir)2.1-H53K were recovered during resistant. K(ir)2.2 and K(ir)2.3 currents perfusion of inside-out patches from FCCP-treated oocytes. FCCP was without effect on K(ir)2.2 and K(ir)2.3 when applied directly to inside-out patches. Together, these results suggest inhibition of K(ir)2.2 and K(ir)2.3 by a ligand that bears a positive charge and is produced by an intracellular action of FCCP.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Cloning, expression, and localization of a rat hepatocyte inwardly rectifying potassium channel.

Bile formation involves anion accumulation within the apical lumen of hepatocytes. Potassium flux through hepatocellular basolateral membrane channels may provide the counterion for apical anion efflux. Here we cloned a molecular candidate for maintaining charge balance during bile secretion. Two transcripts resembling the Kir4.2 subclass of inwardly rectifying potassium channels were found. The longer deduced isoform (4.2a) has 30 additional NH(3)-terminal amino acids, which identifies this as a new isoform. The short-form isoform shared 86-91% identity with the mouse, human, and guinea pig channels. Whole cell currents of either rat isoform expressed in HEK293T cells demonstrated time independence and inward rectification. Antibodies against a COOH-terminal fragment recognized bands between 40 and 45 kDa and at 90 kDa and recognized a high molecular mass band around 200 kDa in overexpressing HEK cells. Immunohistology of liver tissue shows hepatocellular plasma membrane localization. In hepatocyte couplets, Kir4.2 was predominantly localized to the basolateral membrane. Results demonstrate expression of a new Kir4.2 isoform in the rat hepatocyte whose functional properties are compatible with a role in maintaining electrical integrity of bile-generating hepatocytes.

Animals↗

Endothelin-1 inhibits inward rectifier potassium channels and activates nonspecific cation channels in cultured endothelial cells.

A predominant inward rectifier and a small outward potassium current were obtained in whole-cell patch-clamp recordings from cultured bovine pulmonary arterial endothelial cells. Application of endothelial-1 (ET-1; 10-100 nmol/l) inhibited the inward rectifier. Washout with bath solution did not recover the current decreased by ET-1. In cell-attached studies, ET-1 (1 nmol/l) inhibited single-channel activity of the inward rectifier and in some patches enhanced activity of the outward potassium current without change of conductance. A non-specific cation current which is permeable to calcium was identified in cell-attached patches in cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells. ET-1 (1 nmol/l) increased activity of the nonspecific cation channel. ET-1 may increase calcium influx into endothelial cells and promote synthase and release of endothelium-derived factors.

Animals↗

Structural basis of inward rectifying potassium channel gating.

The last 10 years have seen rapid advances in the understanding of potassium channel function. Since the first inward rectifying (Kir) channels were cloned in 1994, the structural basis of channel function has been significantly elucidated, and determination of the crystal structure of a bacterial K channel (KcsA) in 1998 provided an atomic resolution of the permeation pathway. This review considers recent experimental studies aimed at uncovering the structural basis of Kir channel activity, and the applicability of comparative models based on KcsA to illuminate Kir channel pore structure and opening and closing processes.

Humans↗