bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Voltage-gated transient currents in bovine adrenal fasciculata cells. I. T-type Ca2+ current.
Authors: Mlinar B , Biagi B A , Enyeart J J
Published: May 2004

The whole cell version of the patch clamp technique was used to identify and characterize voltage-gated Ca2+ channels in enzymatically dissociated bovine adrenal zona fasciculata (AZF) cells. The great majority of cells (84 of 86) expressed only low voltage-activated, rapidly inactivating Ca2+ current with properties of T-type Ca2+ current described in other cells. Voltage-dependent activation of this current was fit by a Boltzmann function raised to an integer power of 4 with a midpoint at -17 mV. Independent estimates of the single channel gating charge obtained from the activation curve and using the "limiting logarithmic potential sensitivity" were 8.1 and 6.8 elementary charges, respectively. Inactivation was a steep function of voltage with a v1/2 of -49.9 mV and a slope factor K of 3.73 mV. The expression of a single Ca2+ channel subtype by AZF cells allowed the voltage-dependent gating and kinetic properties of T current to be studied over a wide range of potentials. Analysis of the gating kinetics of this Ca2+ current indicate that T channel activation, inactivation, deactivation (closing), and reactivation (recovery from inactivation) each include voltage-independent transitions that become rate limiting at extreme voltages. Ca2+ current activated with voltage-dependent sigmoidal kinetics that were described by an m4 model. The activation time constant varied exponentially at test potentials between -30 and +10 mV, approaching a voltage-independent minimum of 1.6 ms. The inactivation time constant (tau i) also decreased exponentially to a minimum of 18.3 ms at potentials positive to 0 mV. T channel closing (deactivation) was faster at more negative voltages; the deactivation time constant (tau d) decreased from 8.14 +/- 0.7 to 0.48 +/- 0.1 ms at potentials between -40 and -150 mV. T channels inactivated by depolarization returned to the closed state along pathways that included two voltage-dependent time constants. tau rec-s ranged from 8.11 to 4.80 s when the recovery potential was varied from -50 to -90 mV, while tau rec-f decreased from 1.01 to 0.372 s. At potentials negative to -70 mV, both time constants approached minimum values. The low voltage-activated Ca2+ current in AZF cells was blocked by the T channel selective antagonist Ni2+ with an IC50 of 20 microM. At similar concentrations, Ni2+ also blocked cortisol secretion stimulated by adrenocorticotropic hormone. Our results indicate that bovine AZF cells are distinctive among secretory cells in expressing primarily or exclusively T-type Ca2+ channels.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
The transduction system in the isoproterenol activation of the Ca(2+)-activated K+ channel in guinea pig taenia coli myocytes.
Authors: Fan S F , Wang S , Kao C Y
Published: May 2004

In freshly dispersed guinea pig taenia coli myocytes the activity of the large conductance Ca(2+)-activated K+ channel (maxi-K+ channel) predominates. The open probability (Po) of this channel is increased by micromolar concentrations of the beta-adrenergic agonist isoproterenol (ISO). Low concentrations of cholera toxin (CTX, 1 pM) and guanosine 5'-O-2-thiodiphosphate (GDP beta S, 0.5 mM) suppress the ISO-induced increase of Po. Higher concentrations of CTX (e.g., 0.5 nM) as well as forskolin and dibutyryl cAMP increase the Po. 1,9-Dideoxyforskolin, the forskolin analogue, which lacks the adenylate cyclase-stimulating effect, does not. A specific protein kinase A inhibitor (Wiptide), applied intracellularly via diffusion from the patch electrode, suppresses the ISO-induced increase of whole-cell outward K+ current during step depolarization. In contrast, intracellularly applied protein kinase C (19-36), a specific protein kinase C inhibitor, has no effect on the whole-cell current. TMB-8, an inhibitor of intracellular calcium mobilization, does not affect either the whole-cell outward K+ current during step depolarization or the Po. These observations show that ISO increases the Po of the maxi-K+ channels in the guinea pig taenia coli myocytes through the G protein-adenylate cyclase-protein kinase A system.
Effect of fura-2 on action potential-stimulated calcium release in cut twitch fibers from frog muscle.
Authors: Pape P C , Jong D S , Chandler W K , Baylor S M
Published: May 2004

Cut fibers (striation spacing, 3.6-4.2 microns) were mounted in a double Vaseline-gap chamber and studied at 14-15 degrees C. One or both of the Ca indicators fura-2 and purpurate-3,3' diacetic acid (PDAA) were introduced into the optical recording site by diffusion from the end pools. Sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca release was elicited by action potential stimulation. With resting [fura-2] = 0 mM at the optical site, the [Ca] transient measured with PDAA was used to estimate SR Ca release (Baylor, S.M., W.K. Chandler, and M.W. Marshall. 1983. Journal of Physiology. 344:625-666). With resting [fura-2] > 0 mM, the contribution from Ca complexation by fura-2 was added to the estimate. When resting [fura-2] was increased from 0 to 0.5-2 mM, both the amount of SR Ca release and the maximal rate of release were increased by approximately 20%. These results are qualitatively similar to those obtained in intact fibers (Baylor, S.M., and S. Hollingworth. 1988. Journal of Physiology. 403:151-192; Hollingworth, S., A. B. Harkins, N. Kurebayashi, M. Konishi, and S. M. Baylor. 1992. Biophysical Journal. 63:224-234) and are consistent with a reduction of Ca inactivation of SR Ca release produced by 0.5-2 mM fura-2. With resting [fura-2] > or = 2 mM, the PDAA [Ca] transient was reduced to nearly zero and SR Ca release could be estimated from delta [Cafura-2] alone. When resting [fura-2] was increased from 2-4 to 5-6 mM, both the amount of SR Ca release and the maximal rate of release were decreased by approximately half, consistent with a possible reduction of Ca-induced Ca release (Jacquemond, V., L. Csernoch, M. G. Klein, and M. F. Schneider. 1991. Biophysical Journal. 60:867-873) or a possible pharmacological effect of fura-2.
Perchlorate enhances transmission in skeletal muscle excitation-contraction coupling.
Authors: González A , Ríos E
Published: May 2004

The effects of the anion perchlorate (present extracellularly at 8 mM) were studied on functional skeletal muscle fibers from Rana pipiens, voltage-clamped in a Vaseline gap chamber. Established methods were used to monitor intramembranous charge movement and flux of Ca release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) during pulse depolarization. Saponin permeabilization of the end portions of the fiber segment (Irving, M., J. Maylie, N. L. Sizto, and W. K. Chandler. 1987. Journal of General Physiology. 89:1-41) substantially reduced the amount of charge moving during conventional control pulses, thus minimizing a technical error that plagued our previous studies. Perchlorate prolonged the ON time course of charge movement, especially at low and intermediate voltages. The OFFs were also made slower, the time constant increasing twofold. The hump kinetic component was exaggerated by ClO4- or was made to appear in fibers that did not have it in reference conditions. ClO4- had essentially no kinetic ON effects at high voltages (> or = 10 mV). ClO4- changed the voltage distribution of mobile charge. In single Boltzmann fits, the midpoint potential V was shifted -20 mV and the steepness parameter K was reduced by 4.7 mV (or 1.78-fold), but the maximum charge was unchanged (n = 9). Total Ca content in the SR, estimated using the method of Schneider et al. (Schneider, M. F., B. J. Simon, and G. Szucs. 1987. Journal of Physiology. 392:167-192) for correcting for depletion, stayed constant over tens of minutes in reference conditions but decayed in ClO4- at an average rate of 0.3 mumol/liter myoplasmic water per s. ClO4- changed the kinetics of release flux, reducing the fractional inactivation of release after the peak. ClO4- shifted the voltage dependence of Ca release flux. In particular, the threshold voltage for Ca release was shifted by about -20 mV, and the activation of the steady component of release flux was shifted by > 20 mV in the negative direction. The shift of release activation was greater than that of mobile charge. Thus the threshold charge, defined as the minimum charge moved for eliciting a detectable Ca transient, was reduced from 6 nC/microF (0.55, n = 7) to 3.4 (0.53). The average of the paired differences was 2.8 (0.33, P < 0.01). The effects of ClO4- were then studied in fibers in modified functional situations. Depletion of Ca in the SR, achieved by high frequency pulsing in the presence of intracellular BAPTA and EGTA, simplified but did not eliminate the effects of ClO4-.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Effects of perchlorate on the molecules of excitation-contraction coupling of skeletal and cardiac muscle.
Authors: Ma J , Anderson K , Shirokov R , Levis R , González A , Karhanek M , Hosey M M , Meissner G , Ríos E
Published: May 2004

To understand the nature of the transmission process of excitation-contraction (EC) coupling, the effects of the anion perchlorate were investigated on the voltage sensor (dihydropyridine receptor, DHPR) and the Ca release channel (ryanodine receptor, RyR) of the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR). The molecules, from rabbit skeletal muscle, were either separated in membrane vesicular fractions or biochemically purified so that the normal EC coupling interaction was prevented. Additionally, the effect of ClO4- was investigated on L-type Ca2+ channel gating currents of guinea pig ventricular myocytes, as a native DHPR not in the physiological interaction of skeletal muscle. At 20 mM, ClO4- had minor effects on the activation of ionic currents through Ca channels from skeletal muscle transverse tubular (T) membranes fused with planar bilayers: a +7-mV shift in the midpoint voltage, V, with no change in kinetics of activation or deactivation. This is in contrast with the larger, negative shift that ClO4- causes on the distribution of intramembrane charge movement of skeletal muscle. At up to 100 mM it did not affect the binding of the DHP [3H]PN200-110 to triad-enriched membrane fractions (TR). At 8 mM it did not affect the kinetics or the voltage distribution of gating currents of Ca channels in heart myocytes. These negative results were in contrast to the effects of ClO4- on the release channel. At 20 mM it increased several-fold the open probability of channels from purified RyR incorporated in planar bilayers and conducting Ba2+, an effect seen on channels first closed by chelation of Ca2+ or by the presence of Mg2+. It significantly increased the initial rate of efflux of 45Ca2+ from TR vesicles (by a factor of 1.75 at 20 mM and 4.5 at 100 mM). ClO4- also increased the binding of [3H]ryanodine to TR fractions. The relative increase in binding was 50-fold at the lowest [Ca2+] used (1 microM) and then decayed to much lower values as [Ca2+] was increased. The increase was due entirely to an increase in the association rate constant of ryanodine binding. The chaotropic ions SCN- and I- increased the association rate constant to a similar extent. The binding of ryanodine to purified RyR protein reconstituted into liposomes had a greater affinity than to TR fractions but was similarly enhanced by ClO4-. The reducing agent dithiothreitol (5 mM) did not reduce the effect of ClO4-, and 5% polyethylene glycol, with an osmolarity equivalent to 20 mM ClO4-, did not change ryanodine binding.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Ascorbic acid modulation of calcium channels in pancreatic beta cells.
Authors: Parsey R V , Matteson D R
Published: May 2004

We have studied the effect of ascorbic acid on voltage-dependent calcium channels in pancreatic beta cells. Using the whole-cell and perforated-patch variants of the patch clamp technique to record calcium tail currents, we have shown that the slowly deactivating (SD) calcium channel, which is similar to the T-type channel in other cells, is inhibited in a voltage-dependent manner by ascorbic acid (AA). The other channels that carry inward current in beta cells, FD calcium channels and sodium channels, are unaffected by AA. Ascorbic acid causes a voltage-dependent decrease in the magnitude of the SD channel conductance which can be explained by the hypothesis that approximately 50-60% of the channels have their voltage dependence shifted by approximately 62 mV in the depolarizing direction. Thus, ascorbate appears to modify only a fraction of the SD channels. The activation kinetics of the ascorbate-modified channels are slower than control channels in a manner that is consistent with this hypothesis. Deactivation and inactivation kinetics are unaffected by ascorbate. These effects of ascorbate require metal ions, and it appears that some of the activity of ascorbate is due to a product of its metal catalyzed oxidation, perhaps dehydroascorbate.
Regulation of Ca2+ current in frog ventricular cardiomyocytes by guanosine 5'-triphosphate analogues and isoproterenol.
Authors: Parsons T D , Hartzell H C
Published: May 2004

Calcium currents (ICa) were measured in frog ventricular myocytes using the whole-cell patch clamp technique and a perfused pipette. To gain insight into the role of G proteins in the regulation of ICa in intact cells, the effect of internal perfusion with hydrolysis-resistant GTP analogues, guanylyl 5'-imidodiphosphate (GppNHp) or guanosine 5'-thiotriphosphate (GTP gamma S), on ICa stimulated by isoproterenol (Iso) or forskolin (Forsk) was examined. Significant differences were observed between the effects of the two GTP analogues. Internal perfusion of GppNHp resulted in a near-complete (approximately 80%) and irreversible inhibition of Iso-stimulated ICa. In contrast, internal perfusion with GTP gamma S resulted in only a partial (approximately 40%) inhibition of Iso- or Forsk-stimulated ICa. The fraction of the current not inhibited by GTP gamma S remained persistently elevated after the washout of Iso but declined to basal levels upon washout of Forsk. Excess internal GTP or GppNHp did not reduce the persistent ICa. Internal adenosine 5'-thiotriphosphate (ATP gamma S) mimicked the GTP gamma S-induced, persistent ICa. GppNHp sometimes induced a persistent ICa, but only if GppNHp was present at high concentration before Iso exposure. Inhibitors of protein kinase A inhibited both the GTP gamma S- and ATP gamma S-induced, persistent ICa. We conclude that: (a) GTP gamma S is less effective than GppNHp in inhibiting adenylyl cyclase (AC) via the inhibitory G protein, Gi; and (b) the persistent ICa results from a long-lived Gs-GTP gamma S complex that can activate AC in the absence of Iso. These results suggest that different hydrolysis-resistant nucleotide analogues may behave differently in activating G proteins and imply that the efficacy of G protein-effector molecule interactions can depend on the GTP analogue with which the G protein is activated.
The role of ATP in swelling-stimulated K-Cl cotransport in human red cell ghosts. Phosphorylation-dephosphorylation events are not in the signal transduction pathway.
Authors: Sachs J R , Martin D W
Published: May 2004

Volume-sensitive K-Cl cotransport occurs in red blood cells of many species. In intact cells, activation of K-Cl cotransport by swelling requires dephosphorylation of some cell protein, but maximal activity requires the presence of intracellular ATP. We have examined the relation between K-Cl cotransport activity and ATP in ghosts prepared from human red blood cells. K-Cl cotransport activity in swollen ghosts increased by ATP, and the increase requires Mg so that it almost certainly results from the phosphorylation of some membrane component. However, even in ATP-free ghosts residual volume-sensitive K-Cl cotransport can be demonstrated. This residual cotransport in ATP-free ghosts is greater in the presence of vanadate, a tyrosyl phosphatase inhibitor, and in ghosts that contain ATP cotransport is reduced by genistein, a tyrosyl kinase inhibitor. Okadaic acid, an inhibitor of serine and threonine phosphatases, inhibits K-Cl cotransport in ghosts as it does in intact cells. Experiments in which ghosts were preexposed to okadaic acid showed that the protein dephosphorylation that permits K-Cl cotransport can proceed to completion before the ghosts are swollen and K transport measured and therefore dephosphorylation is not a response to ghost swelling. In experiments with ATP-free ghosts we found that phosphorylation is not necessary to increase the cotransport rate when shrunken ghosts are swollen, nor is rephosphorylation necessary to decrease the cotransport rate when swollen ghosts are shrunken. Cotransport is greater in swollen than in shrunken ghosts even when the swollen and shrunken ghosts have the same concentration of cytoplasmic solutes. We conclude that, although phosphorylation and dephosphorylation modify the activity of the cotransporter in swollen and in shrunken ghosts, neither of these processes nor any other known messenger is involved in signal transduction between the cell volume sensor and the cotransporter as originally proposed by Jennings and Al-Rohil (Jennings, M. L., and N. Al-Rohil. 1990. Journal of General Physiology. 95: 1021-1040).
Effects of acidosis on resting cytosolic and mitochondrial Ca2+ in mammalian myocardium.
Authors: Gambassi G , Hansford R G , Sollott S J , Hogue B A , Lakatta E G , Capogrossi M C
Published: May 2004

Acidosis increases resting cytosolic [Ca2+], (Cai) of myocardial preparations; however, neither the Ca2+ sources for the increase in Cai nor the effect of acidosis on mitochondrial free [Ca2+], (Cam) have been characterized. In this study cytosolic pH (pHi) was monitored in adult rat left ventricular myocytes loaded with the acetoxymethyl ester (AM form) of SNARF-1. A stable decrease in the pHi of 0.52 +/- 0.05 U (n = 16) was obtained by switching from a bicarbonate buffer equilibrated with 5% CO2 to a buffer equilibrated with 20% CO2. Electrical stimulation at either 0.5 or 1.5 Hz had no effect on pHi in 5% CO2, nor did it affect the magnitude of pHi decrease in response to hypercarbic acidosis. Cai was measured in myocytes loaded with indo-1/free acid and Cam was monitored in cells loaded with indo-1/AM after quenching cytosolic indo-1 fluorescence with MnCl2. In quiescent intact myocytes bathed in 1.5 mM [Ca2+], hypercarbia increased Cai from 130 +/- 5 to 221 +/- 13 nM. However, when acidosis was effected in electrically stimulated myocytes, diastolic Cai increased more than resting Cai in quiescent myocytes, and during pacing at 1.5 Hz diastolic Cai was higher (285 +/- 17 nM) than at 0.5 Hz (245 +/- 18 nM; P < 0.05). The magnitude of Cai increase in quiescent myocytes was not affected either by sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+ depletion with ryanodine or by SR Ca2+ depletion and concomitant superfusion with a Ca(2+)-free buffer. In unstimulated intact myocytes hypercarbia increased Cam from 95 +/- 12 to 147 +/- 19 nM and this response was not modified either by ryanodine and a Ca(2+)-free buffer or by 50 microM ruthenium red in order to block the mitochondrial uniporter. In mitochondrial suspensions loaded either with BCECF/AM or indo-1/AM, acidosis produced by lactic acid addition decreased both intra- and extramitochondrial pH and increased Cam. Studies of mitochondrial suspensions bathed in indo-1/free acid-containing solution showed an increase in extramitochondrial Ca2+ after the addition of lactic acid. Thus, in quiescent myocytes, cytoplasmic and intramitochondrial buffers, rather than transsarcolemmal Ca2+ influx or SR Ca2+ release, are the likely Ca2+ sources for the increase in Cai and Cam, respectively; additionally, Ca2+ efflux from the mitochondria may contribute to the raise in Cai. In contrast, in response to acidosis, diastolic Cai in electrically stimulated myocytes increases more than resting Cai in quiescent cells; this suggests that during pacing, net cell Ca2+ gain contributes to enhance diastolic Cai.
Gating-dependent mechanism of 4-aminopyridine block in two related potassium channels.
Authors: Kirsch G E , Drewe J A
Published: May 2004

4-aminopyridine (4AP) is widely used as a selective blocker of voltage-activated K+ currents in excitable membranes, but its mechanism and site of action at the molecular level are not well understood. To address this problem we have analyzed 4AP block in Kv2.1 and Kv3.1, mammalian representatives of the Drosophila Shab and Shaw subfamilies of voltage-gated K+ channels, respectively. The two channels were expressed in Xenopus oocytes and analyzed at both the macroscopic and single channel levels. Whole cell analysis showed that 4AP sensitivity of Kv3.1 was approximately 150 times greater than that of Kv2.1. Patch clamp analysis revealed that the mechanism of 4AP block in both channels was qualitatively similar. 4AP reached its blocking site via the cytoplasmic side of the channels, the ON rate for block was strongly accelerated when channels opened and the drug was trapped in closed channels. Single channel analysis showed that 4AP decreased burst duration and increased the latency-to-first-opening. These effects were found to be related, respectively to drug ON and OFF rates in the activated channel. Kv3.1's high 4AP sensitivity relative to Kv2.1 was associated with both a slower OFF rate and therefore increased stability of the blocked state, as well as a faster ON rate and therefore increased access to the binding site. Our results indicate that in both channels 4AP enters the intracellular mouth to bind to a site that is guarded by the gating mechanism. Differences in channel gating as well as differences in the structure of the intracellular mouth may be important for specifying the 4AP sensitivity in related voltage-gated K+ channels.
Standing calcium gradients in olfactory receptor neurons can be abolished by amiloride or ruthenium red.
Authors: Lischka F W , Schild D
Published: May 2004

Digital imaging and the patch clamp technique were used to investigate the intracellular calcium concentration in olfactory receptor neurons using the Ca2+ indicator dyes fura-2 and fura-2/AM. The spatial distribution of Cai2+ as well as its modification by the drugs Amiloride and Ruthenium Red were studied. Resting calcium concentrations in cells loaded with fura-2/AM were between 10 and 200 nM. In cells that were loaded with the pentapotassium salt of fura-2 through the patch pipette, calcium concentrations were in the same range if ATP was added to the pipette solution. Otherwise, Ca2+ reached concentrations of approximately 500 nM. Most of the observed cells showed a standing gradient of calcium, the calcium concentrations in the distal dendritic end of the cell being higher than in the soma. In some cells, the gradient was markedly reduced or abolished by adding either Amiloride or Ruthenium Red to the bath solution. In a few cells, neither drug had any effect upon the gradient. It is suggested that the inhomogenous spatial distribution of intracellular calcium in olfactory cells of Xenopus laevis is brought about by an influx of calcium ions through two different calcium permeable conductances in the peripheral compartments of the cells. The fact that only either Ruthenium Red or Amiloride abolished the standing calcium gradient further suggested that the two conductances blocked were presumably not coexpressed in the same cells.
Role of facilitative glucose transporters in diffusional water permeability through J774 cells.
Authors: Loike J D , Cao L , Kuang K , Vera J C , Silverstein S C , Fischbarg J
Published: May 2004

We have reported previously that in the presence of an osmotic gradient, facilitative glucose transporters (GLUTs) act as a transmembrane pathway for water flow. Here, we find evidence that they also allow water passage in the absence of an osmotic gradient. We applied the linear diffusion technique to measure the diffusional permeability (Pd) of tritiated water (3H-H2O) through plasma membranes of J774 murine macrophage-like cells. Untreated cells had a Pd of 30.9 +/- 1.8 microns/s; the inhibitors of facilitative glucose transport cytochalasin B (10 microM) and phloretin (20 microM) reduced that value to 15.3 +/- 1.8 (50%) and 11.0 +/- 0.7 (62%) microns/s, respectively. In contrast, no significant effect on Pd was observed in cells treated with dihydrocytochalasin B (Pd = 28.4 +/- 1.5 microns/s). PCMBS (3 mM) inhibited glucose uptake by greater than 95%, and 3H-H2O diffusion by approximately 30% (Pd = 22.9 +/- 1.5 microns/s). The combination of cytochalasin B plus pCMBS reduced Pd by about 87% (Pd = 3.9 +/- 0.3 microns/s). Moreover, 1 mM pCMBS did not affect the osmotic water permeability in Xenopus laevis oocytes expressing the brain/erythroid form of facilitative glucose transporters (GLUT1). These results indicate for the first time that about half of the total Pd of J774 cells may be accounted for by water passage across GLUTs. Hence, they highlight the multifunctional properties of these transporters serving as conduits for both water and glucose. Our results also suggest for the first time that pCMBS blocks glucose transport without affecting water permeation through GLUTs. Lastly, because pCMBS decreases the Pd of J774 cells, this suggests the presence in their plasma membranes of another protein(s) exhibiting water channel properties.
Gating characteristics of a steeply voltage-dependent gap junction channel in rat Schwann cells.
Authors: Chanson M , Chandross K J , Rook M B , Kessler J A , Spray D C
Published: May 2004

The gating properties of macroscopic and microscopic gap junctional currents were compared by applying the dual whole cell patch clamp technique to pairs of neonatal rat Schwann cells. In response to transjunctional voltage pulses (Vj), macroscopic gap junctional currents decayed exponentially with time constants ranging from < 1 to < 10 s before reaching steady-state levels. The relationship between normalized steady-state junctional conductance (Gss) and (Vj) was well described by a Boltzmann relationship with e-fold decay per 10.4 mV, representing an equivalent gating charge of 2.4. At Vj > 60 mV, Gss was virtually zero, a property that is unique among the gap junctions characterized to date. Determination of opening and closing rate constants for this process indicated that the voltage dependence of macroscopic conductance was governed predominantly by the closing rate constant. In 78% of the experiments, a single population of unitary junctional currents was detected corresponding to an unitary channel conductance of approximately 40 pS. The presence of only a limited number of junctional channels with identical unitary conductances made it possible to analyze their kinetics at the single channel level. Gating at the single channel level was further studied using a stochastic model to determine the open probability (Po) of individual channels in a multiple channel preparation. Po decreased with increasing Vj following a Boltzmann relationship similar to that describing the macroscopic Gss voltage dependence. These results indicate that, for Vj of a single polarity, the gating of the 40 pS gap junction channels expressed by Schwann cells can be described by a first order kinetic model of channel transitions between open and closed states.
Energetics of Shaker K channels block by inactivation peptides.
Authors: Murrell-Lagnado R D , Aldrich R W
Published: May 2004

A synthetic peptide of the NH2-terminal inactivation domain of the ShB channel blocks Shaker channels which have an NH2-terminal deletion and mimics many of the characteristics of the intramolecular inactivation reaction. To investigate the role of electrostatic interactions in both peptide block and the inactivation process we measured the kinetics of block of macroscopic currents recorded from the intact ShB channel, and from ShB delta 6-46 channels in the presence of peptides, at different ionic strengths. The rate of inactivation and the association rate constants (k(on)) for the ShB peptides decreased with increasing ionic strength. k(on) for a more positively charged peptide was more steeply dependent on ionic strength consistent with a simple electrostatic mechanism of enhanced diffusion. This suggests that a rate limiting step in the inactivation process is the diffusion of the NH2-terminal domain towards the pore. The dissociation rates (k(off)) were insensitive to ionic strength. The temperature dependence of k(on) for the ShB peptide was very high, (Q10 = 5.0 +/- 0.58), whereas k(off) was relatively temperature insensitive (Q10 approximately 1.1). The results suggest that at higher temperatures the proportion of time either the peptide or channel spends in the correct conformation for binding is increased. There were two components to the time course of recovery from block by the ShB peptide, indicating two distinct blocked states, one of which has similar kinetics and dependence on external K+ concentration as the inactivated state of ShB. The other is voltage-dependent and at -120 mV is very unstable. Increasing the net charge on the peptide did not increase sensitivity to knock-off by external K+. We propose that the free peptide, having fewer constraints than the tethered NH2-terminal domain binds to a similar site on the channel in at least two different conformations.
Regulation of cAMP-activated apical membrane chloride conductance in gallbladder epithelium.
Authors: Heming T A , Copello J , Reuss L
Published: May 2004

Regulation of the cAMP-activated apical membrane Cl- conductance (GaCl) in Necturus gallbladder (NGB) epithelial cells was investigated with intracellular-microelectrode techniques. GaCl was increased by exposure to 8-Br-cAMP, theophylline or forskolin. Neither 8-Br-cGMP nor elevation of intracellular [Ca2+] using ionomycin had effects on GaCl or interfered with activation of GaCl by forskolin. N-(2-[methylamino]ethyl)-5-isoquinolinesulfonamide (H8), an inhibitor of cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA), slowed but did not prevent the GaCl response to 8-Br-cAMP. Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), which activates protein kinase C (PKC), stimulated GaCl but had no effects on intracellular [cAMP]. GaCl was unaffected by 4 alpha-phorbol, a PMA analog which does not activate PKC. Okadaic acid (OA), an inhibitor of protein phosphatases (PP) types 1 and 2A, slowed the activation of GaCl by 8-Br-cAMP, hastened the return of GaCl to basal values following removal of 8-Br-cAMP, and significantly reduced the elevation in intracellular [cAMP] produced by forskolin. OA had no effects on the GaCl changes elicited by theophylline. We conclude that: (a) NGB GaCl can be activated by PKA-mediated phosphorylation of apical membrane Cl- channels or a regulatory protein, (b) GaCl can also be activated via PKC, by a cAMP-independent mechanism, (c) OA-sensitive PP are not required for inactivation of GaCl; OA appears to stimulate phosphodiesterase, which lowers intracellular [cAMP] and affects GaCl activation, and (d) the apical membrane of NGB epithelium lacks a Ca(2+)-activated Cl- conductance.
Kinetic effects of quaternary lidocaine block of cardiac sodium channels: a gating current study.
Authors: Hanck D A , Makielski J C , Sheets M F
Published: May 2004

The interaction of antiarrhythmic drugs with ion channels is often described within the context of the modulated receptor hypothesis, which explains the action of drugs by proposing that the binding site has a variable affinity for drugs, depending upon whether the channel is closed, open, or inactivated. Lack of direct evidence for altered gating of cardiac Na channels allowed for the suggestion of an alternative model for drug interaction with cardiac channels, which postulated a fixed affinity receptor with access limited by the conformation of the channel (guarded receptor hypothesis). We report measurement of the gating currents of Na channels in canine cardiac Purkinje cells in the absence and presence of QX-222, a quaternary derivative of lidocaine, applied intracellularly, and benzocaine, a neutral local anesthetic. These data demonstrate that the cardiac Na channel behaves as a modulated rather than a guarded receptor in that drug-bound channels gate with altered kinetics. In addition, the results suggest a new interpretation of the modulated receptor hypothesis whereby drug occupancy reduces the overall voltage-dependence of gating, preventing full movement of the voltage sensor.
Mechanism of Ba2+ block of M-like K channels of rod photoreceptors of tiger salamanders.
Authors: Wollmuth L P
Published: May 2004

IKx is a voltage-dependent K+ current in the inner segment of rod photoreceptors that shows many similarities to M-current. The depression of IKx by external Ba2+ was studied with whole-cell voltage clamp. Ba2+ reduced the conductance and voltage sensitivity of IKx tail currents and shifted the voltage range over which they appeared to more positive potentials. These effects showed different sensitivities to Ba2+: conductance was the least sensitive (K0.5 = 7.6 mM), voltage dependence intermediate (K0.5 = 2.4 mM) and voltage sensitivity the most sensitive (K0.5 = 0.2 mM). Ca2+, Co2+, Mn2+, Sr2+, and Zn2+ did not have actions comparable to Ba2+ on the voltage dependence or the voltage sensitivity of IKx tail currents. In high K+ (100 mM), the voltage range of activation of IKx was shifted 20 mV negative, as was the tau-voltage relation. High K+ did not prevent the effect of Ba2+ on conductance, but abolished its ability to affect voltage dependence and voltage sensitivity. Ba2+ also altered the apparent time-course of activation and deactivation of IKx. Low Ba2+ (0.2 mM) slowed both deactivation and activation, with most effect on deactivation; at higher concentrations (1-25 mM), deactivation and activation time courses were equally affected, and at the highest concentrations, 5 and 25 mM Ba2+, the time course became faster than control. Rapid application of 5 mM Ba2+ suggested that the time dependent currents in Ba2+ reflect in part the slow voltage-dependent block and unblock of IKx channels by Ba2+. This blocking action of Ba2+ was steeply voltage-dependent with an apparent electrical distance of 1.07. Ba2+ appears to interact with IKx channels at multiple sites. A model which assumes that Ba2+ has a voltage-independent and a voltage-dependent blocking action on open or closed IKx channels reproduced many aspects of the data; the voltage-dependent component could account for both the Ba(2+)-induced shift in voltage dependence and reduction in voltage sensitivity of IKx tail currents.
Regulation of intracellular cyclic GMP concentration by light and calcium in electropermeabilized rod photoreceptors.
Authors: Coccia V J , Cote R H
Published: May 2004

This study examines the regulation of cGMP by illumination and by calcium during signal transduction in vertebrate retinal photoreceptor cells. We employed an electropermeabilized rod outer segment (EP-ROS) preparation which permits perfusion of low molecular weight compounds into the cytosol while retaining many of the features of physiologically competent, intact rod outer segments (ROS). When nucleotide-depleted EP-ROS were incubated with MgGTP, time- and dose-dependent increases in intracellular cGMP levels were observed. The steady state cGMP concentration in EP-ROS (0.007 mol cGMP per mol rhodopsin) approached the cGMP concentration in intact ROS. Flash illumination of EP-ROS in a 250-nM free calcium medium resulted in a transient decrease in cGMP levels; this occurred in the absence of changes in calcium concentration. The kinetics of the cGMP response to flash illumination of EP-ROS were similar to that of intact ROS. To further examine the effects of calcium on cGMP metabolism, dark-adapted EP-ROS were incubated with MgGTP containing various concentrations of calcium. We observed a twofold increase in cGMP steady state levels as the free calcium was lowered from 1 microM to 20 nM; this increase was comparable to the behavior of intact ROS. Measurements of guanylate cyclase activity in EP-ROS showed a 3.5-fold increase in activity over this range of calcium concentrations, indicating a retention of calcium regulation of guanylate cyclase in EP-ROS preparations. Flash illumination of EP-ROS in either a 50- or 250-nM free calcium medium revealed a slowing of the recovery time course at the lower calcium concentration. This observation conflicts with any hypothesis whereby a reduction in free calcium concentration hastens the recovery of cytoplasmic cGMP levels, either by stimulating guanylate cyclase activity or by inhibiting phosphodiesterase activity. We conclude that changes in the intracellular calcium concentration during visual transduction may have more complex effects on the recovery of the photoresponse than can be accounted for solely by guanylate cyclase activation.
Hypotonicity activates a native chloride current in Xenopus oocytes.
Authors: Ackerman M J , Wickman K D , Clapham D E
Published: May 2004

Xenopus oocytes are frequently utilized for in vivo expression of cellular proteins, especially ion channel proteins. A thorough understanding of the endogenous conductances and their regulation is paramount for proper characterization of expressed channel proteins. Here we detail a novel chloride current (ICl.swell) responsive to hypotonicity in Xenopus oocytes using the two-electrode voltage clamp technique. Reducing the extracellular osmolarity by 50% elicited a calcium-independent chloride current having an anion conductivity sequence identical with swelling-induced chloride currents observed in epithelial cells. The hypotonicity-activated current was blocked by chloride channel blockers, trivalent lanthanides, and nucleotides. G-protein, cAMP-PKA, and arachidonic acid signaling cascades were not involved in ICl.swell activation. ICl.swell is distinct from both stretch-activated nonselective cation channels and the calcium-activated chloride current in oocytes and may play a critical role in volume regulation in Xenopus oocytes.
Action potentials and chemosensitive conductances in the dendrites of olfactory neurons suggest new features for odor transduction.
Authors: Dubin A E , Dionne V E
Published: May 2004

Odors affect the excitability of an olfactory neuron by altering membrane conductances at the ciliated end of a single, long dendrite. One mechanism to increase the sensitivity of olfactory neurons to odorants would be for their dendrites to support action potentials. We show for the first time that isolated olfactory dendrites from the mudpuppy Necturus maculosus contain a high density of voltage-activated Na+ channels and produce Na-dependent action potentials in response to depolarizing current pulses. Furthermore, all required steps in the transduction process beginning with odor detection and culminating with action potential initiation occur in the ciliated dendrite. We have previously shown that odors can modulate Cl- and K+ conductances in intact olfactory neurons, producing both excitation and inhibition. Here we show that both conductances are also present in the isolated, ciliated dendrite near the site of odor binding, that they are modulated by odors, and that they affect neuronal excitability. Voltage-activated Cl- currents blocked by 4,4'-diisothiocyanatostilbene-2,2' disulfonic acid and niflumic acid were found at greater than five times higher average density in the ciliated dendrite than in the soma, whereas voltage-activated K+ currents inhibited by intracellular Cs+ were distributed on average more uniformly throughout the cell. When ciliated, chemosensitive dendrites were stimulated with the odorant taurine, the responses were similar to those seen in intact cells: Cl- currents were increased in some dendrites, whereas in others Cl- or K+ currents were decreased, and responses washed out during whole-cell recording. The Cl- equilibrium potential for intact neurons bathed in physiological saline was found to be -45 mV using an on-cell voltage-ramp protocol and delayed application of channel blockers. We postulate that transduction of some odors is caused by second messenger-mediated modulation of the resting membrane conductance (as opposed to a specialized generator conductance) in the cilia or apical region of the dendrite, and show how this could alter the firing frequency of olfactory neurons.
Spontaneous activation of light-sensitive channels in Drosophila photoreceptors.
Authors: Hardie R C , Minke B
Published: May 2004

In Drosophila photoreceptors light induces phosphoinositide hydrolysis and activation of Ca(2+)-permeable plasma membrane channels, one class of which is believed to be encoded by the trp gene. We have investigated the properties of the light-sensitive channels under conditions where they are activated independently of the transduction cascade. Whole-cell voltage clamp recordings were made from photoreceptors in a preparation of dissociated Drosophila ommatidia. Within a few minutes of establishing the whole-cell configuration, there is a massive spontaneous activation of cation-permeable channels. When clamped near resting potential, this "rundown current" (RDC) accelerates over several seconds, peaks, and then relaxes to a steady-state which lasts indefinitely (many minutes). The RDC is invariably associated with a reduction in sensitivity to light by at least 100-fold. The RDC has a similar absolute magnitude, reversal potential, and voltage dependence to the light-induced current, suggesting that it is mediated by the same channels. The RDC is almost completely (> or = 98%) blocked by La3+ (10-20 microM) and is absent, or reduced and altered in the trp mutant (which lacks a La(3+)-sensitive light-dependent Ca2+ channel), suggesting that it is largely mediated by the trp-dependent channels. Power spectra of the steady-state noise in the RDC can be fitted by simple Lorentzian functions consistent with random channel openings. The variance/mean ratio of the RDC noise suggests the underlying events (channels) have conductances of approximately 1.5-4.5 pS in wild-type (WT), but 12-30 pS in trp photoreceptors. Nevertheless, the power spectra of RDC noise in WT and trp are indistinguishable, in both cases being fitted by the sum of two Lorentzians with a major time constant (effective "mean channel open time") of 1-2 ms and a minor component at higher frequencies (approximately 0.2 ms). This implies that the noise in the WT RDC may actually be dominated by non-trp-dependent channels and that the trp-dependent channels may be of even lower unit conductance.
Calcium-dependent inactivation of light-sensitive channels in Drosophila photoreceptors.
Authors: Hardie R C , Minke B
Published: May 2004

Whole-cell voltage clamp recordings were made from photoreceptors of dissociated Drosophila ommatidia under conditions when the light-sensitive channels activate spontaneously, generating a "rundown current" (RDC). The Ca2+ and voltage dependence of the RDC was investigated by applying voltage steps (+80 to -100 mV) at a variety of extracellular Ca2+ concentrations (0-10 mM). In Ca(2+)-free Ringer large currents are maintained tonically throughout 50-ms-long voltage steps. In the presence of external Ca2+, hyperpolarizing steps elicit transient currents which inactivate increasingly rapidly as Ca2+ is raised. On depolarization inactivation is removed with a time constant of approximately 10 ms at +80 mV. The Ca(2+)-dependent inactivation is suppressed by 10 mM internal BAPTA, suggesting it requires Ca2+ influx. The inactivation is absent in the trp mutant, which lacks one class of Ca(2+)-selective, light-sensitive channel, but appears unaffected by the inaC mutant which lacks an eye-specific protein kinase C. Hyperpolarizing voltage steps applied during light responses in wild-type (WT) flies before rundown induce a rapid transient facilitation followed by slower inhibition. Both processes accelerate as Ca2+ is raised, but the time constant of inhibition (12 ms with 1.5 mM external Ca2+ at -60 mV) is approximately 10 times slower than that of the RDC inactivation. The Ca(2+)-mediated inhibition of the light response recovers in approximately 50-100 ms on depolarization, recovery being accelerated with higher external Ca2+. The Ca2+ and voltage dependence of the light-induced current is virtually eliminated in the trp mutant. In inaC, hyperpolarizing voltage steps induced transient currents which appeared similar to those in WT during early phases of the light response. However, 200 ms after the onset of light, the currents induced by voltage steps inactivated more rapidly with time constants similar to those of the RDC. It is suggested that the Ca(2+)-dependent inactivation of the light-sensitive channels first occurs at some concentration of Ca2+ not normally reached during the moderate illumination regimes used, but that the defect in inaC allows this level to be reached.
Voltage- and time-dependent K+ channel currents in the basolateral membrane of villus enterocytes isolated from guinea pig small intestine.
Authors: Tatsuta H , Ueda S , Morishima S , Okada Y
Published: May 2004

Patch-clamp studies were carried out in villus enterocytes isolated from the guinea pig proximal small intestine. In the whole-cell mode, outward K+ currents were found to be activated by depolarizing command pulses to -45 mV. The activation followed fourth order kinetics. The time constant of K+ current activation was voltage-dependent, decreasing from approximately 3 ms at -10 mV to 1 ms at +50 mV. The K+ current inactivated during maintained depolarizations by a voltage-independent, monoexponential process with a time constant of approximately 470 ms. If the interpulse interval was shorter than 30 s, cumulative inactivation was observed upon repeated stimulations. The steady state inactivation was voltage-dependent over the voltage range from -70 to -30 mV with a half inactivation voltage of -46 mV. The steady state activation was also voltage-dependent with a half-activation voltage of -22 mV. The K+ current profiles were not affected by chelation of cytosolic Ca2+. The K+ current induced by a depolarizing pulse was suppressed by extracellular application of TEA+, Ba2+, 4-aminopyridine or quinine with half-maximal inhibitory concentrations of 8.9 mM, 4.6 mM, 86 microM and 26 microM, respectively. The inactivation time course was accelerated by quinine but decelerated by TEA+, when applied to the extracellular (but not the intracellular) solution. Extracellular (but not intracellular) applications of verapamil and nifedipine also quickened the inactivation time course with 50% effective concentrations of 3 and 17 microM, respectively. Quinine, verapamil and nifedipine shifted the steady state inactivation curve towards more negative potentials. Outward single K+ channel events with a unitary conductance of approximately 8.4 pS were observed in excised inside-out patches of the basolateral membrane, when the patch was depolarized to -40 mV. The ensemble current rapidly activated and thereafter slowly inactivated with similar time constants to those of whole-cell K+ currents. It is concluded that the basolateral membrane of guinea pig villus enterocytes has a voltage-gated, time-dependent, Ca(2+)-insensitive, small-conductance K+ channel. Quinine, verapamil, and nifedipine accelerate the inactivation time course by affecting the inactivation gate from the external side of the cell membrane.