Astrocytic Kir4.1 potassium channels as a novel therapeutic target for epilepsy and mood disorders

Astrocytic Kir4.1 channels and spatial potassium buffering：Astrocytes play a crucial role in maintaining the structural and functional integrity of the brain,which includes formation of the blood-brain barrier,maintenance of water and ion homeostasis,metabolism of neurotransmitters and secretion of various neuroactive molecules.

Effects of ATP-sensitive Potassium Channels on the Expression of P21, P27 and Leptin

This study investigated the effects of ATP-sensitive potassium channels on the expression of P21, P27 and leptin. The expression of receptor of ATP-sensitive potassium channels （sulphonylurea receptor, SUR） mRNA in the preadipocytes and leptin mRNA was detected by PCR after rat preadipocytes were treated with the opener （diazoxide） or inhibitor （glibenclamide） of ATP-sensitive potassium channels during the process of inducing differentiation. The expression of P21 and P27 in preadipocytes treated with diazoxide or glibenclamide was assayed by Western blot. The results showed that the expression of SUR2, not SUR1 was detected in adipose tissue, preadipocytes and adipocytes. Alter treatment of preadipocytes with diazoxide, the expression levels of P21 and P27 were obviously higher than glibenclamide-treat ed group those in control group, but the were lower than those in control expression levels of P21 and P27 in group. During the process of inducing differentiation, the expression of leptin mRNA in preadipocytes treated with diazoxide was increased greatly, but the expression of leptin mRNA in glibenclamide-treated group decreased obviously. It was concluded that ATP-sensitive potassium channels might be involved in the proliferation and differentiation of rat preadipocytes by changing the expression of P21, P27 and leptin.

The genetic study of ischemia induced arrhythmia and potassium channels

Objectives Ischemia induced arrhythmia(ventricular tachycardia/ventricular fibrillation) is one of the major causes of death.Potassium channels change are likely to be responsible for the ischemia-related arrhythmias.Cardiac potassium current is the major outward current involved in cardiac repolarization.The properties of potassium channels have been intensively studied.Here,we investigated the association between ischemia induced arrhythmia and potassium channels genetic variations.Methods 23 patients with ventricular tachycardia/ventricular fibrillation induced by ischemia were selected as objects.5ML peripheral blood were taken from each person,from which DNA was extracted us- ing a standard enzymatic phenol-chloroform method.Candidate genes(HERG、KCNJ2、KCNQ1、Mink、Mirp1、Kir2.1、KV4.3、Kir3.1、KV1.5、Kir6.1、Kir6.2、Kir2.1) Were screened for potassium channels gene mutations with direct sequencing methods.Results Here 4 potassium channels gene mutations have been discovered.In the gene coding for the ATP-sensitive K^+ channels subunit Kir6.2,there is a change from valine to isoleucine at the position of 326(V326I).At the position 448,arginine substitutes proline(P448R) in the KC-NQ1 gene.In the gene KCNJ2 two mutations have been found(P156L,Q193H).Conclusions This study implicated that there is a high relationship between ischemia induced arrhythmia and the mutation of potassium channels.In order to identify the precisely relationship there is need functional analysis.

Role of Voltage-gated Potassium Channels in Pathogenesis of Chronic Pulmonary Heart Disease

The influence of hypoxia on the activity of voltage-gated potassium channel in pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells （PASMCs） of rats and its roles in the pathogenesis of chronic pulmonary heart disease were investigated. Eighty male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly allocated into control group （n=10）, acute hypoxic group （n=10）, and chronic hypoxic groups （n=60）. The chronic hypoxic groups were randomly divided into 6 subgroups （n=10 each） according to the chronic hypoxic periods. The rats in the control group were kept in room air and those in acute hypoxic group in hypoxia envi- ronmental chamber for 8 h. The rats in chronic hypoxic subgroups were kept in hypoxia environmental chamber for 8 h per day for 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 days, respectively. The mean pulmonary arterial pressure （mPAP）, right ventricular hypertrophy index （RVHI）, and the current of voltage-gated potas- sium channel （IK） in PASMCs were measured. Results showed that both acute and chronic hypoxia could decrease the IK in PASMCs of rats and the I-V relationship downward shifted to the right. And the peak Ir density at ＋60mV decreased with prolongation of hypoxia exposure. No significant difference was noted in the density oflK （at ＋60 mV） and I-V relationship between control group and chronic hy- poxic subgroup exposed to hypoxia for 5 days （P〉0.05）, but there was a significant difference between control group and chronic hypoxic subgroup exposed to hypoxia for 10 days （P〈0.05）. Significant dif- ferences were noted in the IK density （at ＋60 mV） and I-V relationships between control group and chronic hypoxic subgroups exposed to hypoxia for 20 days and 30 days （P〈0.01）. Compared with con- trol rats, the mPAP and RVHI were significantly increased after chronic exposure to hypoxia for 10 days （P〈0.05）, which were further increased with prolongation of hypoxia exposure, and there were signifi- cant differences between control group and chronic hypoxic subgroups exposed to hypoxia for 20 days and 30 days （P〈0.01）. Both the mPAP and the RVHI were negatively correlated with the density OflK （r---0.89769 and -0.94476, respectively, both P〈0.01）. It is concluded that exposure to hypoxia may cause decreased activity of voltage-gated potassium channel, leading to hypoxia pulmonary vasocon- striction （HPV）. Sustained HPV may result in chronic pulmonary hypertension, even chronic pulmonary heart disease, contributing to the pathogenesis of chronic pulmonary heart disease.

Migration-associated secretion of melanoma inhibitory activity at the cell rear is supported by KCa3.1 potassium channels

Malignant melanoma, characterized by invasive local growth and early formation of metastases, is the most aggressive type of skin cancer. Melanoma inhibitory activity （MIA）, secreted by malignant melanoma cells, interacts with the cell adhesion receptors, integrins a4131 and 05131, facilitating cell detachment and promoting formation of me- tastases. In the present study, we demonstrate that MIA secretion is confined to the rear end of migrating cells, while in non-migrating cells MIA accumulates in the actin cortex. MIA protein takes a conventional secretory pathway including coat protein complex I （COPI）- and coat protein complex II （COPII）-dependent protein transport to the cell periphery, where its final release depends on intracellular Ca2＋ ions. Interestingly, the Ca2＋-activated K＋-channel, subfamily N, member 4 （KCa3.1）, known to be active at the rear end of migrating cells, was found to support MIA secretion. Secretion was diminished by the specific KCa3.1 channel inhibitor TRAM-34 and by expression of dominant- negative mutants of the channel. In summary, we have elucidated the migration-associated transport of MIA protein to the cell rear and also disclosed a new mechanism by which KCa3.1 potassium channels promote cell migration.

Extract from Buthus martensii Karsch is associated with potassium channels on glioma cells

Catilan extracted from Leiurus quinquestriatus is a specific ion channel blocker.It can specifically bind chloride channels of glioma cells and kill these tumor cells.The questions remain as to whether antigliomatin,the extract from scorpion venom of Buthus martensii Karsch in China,can inhibit glioma growth,and whether this inhibition is correlated with ion channels of tumor cells.The present study treated rat C6 glioma cells with 0.8,1.2,and 1.6 μg/mL antigliomatin for 20 hours.Whole-cell patch clamp technique showed that antigliomatin delayed rectifier potassium channels of C6 glioma cells.Antigliomatin inhibited tumor growth,which could potentially involve potassium channels of tumor cells.

ATP-sensitive potassium channels:novel potential roles in Parkinson's disease

The ATP-sensitive potassium（KATP）channels which extensively distribute in diverse tissues（e.g.vascular smooth muscle,cardiac cells,and pancreas）are well-established for characteristics like vasodilatation,myocardial protection against ischemia,and insulin secretion.The aim of this review is to get insight into the novel roles of KATPchannels in Parkinson＇s disease（PD）,with consideration of the specificities KATPchannels in the central nervous system（CNS）, such as the control of neuronal excitability,action potential,mitochondrial function and neurotransmitter release.

Effect of genistein on voltage-gated potassium channels in guinea pig proximal colon smooth muscle cells

AIM： To investigate the action of genistein （GST）, a broad spectrum tyrosine kinase inhibitor, on voltagegated potassium channels in guinea pig proximal colon smooth muscle cells. METHODS： Smooth muscle cells in guinea pig proximal colon were enzymatically isolated. Nystatin-perforated whole cell patch clamp technique was used to record potassium currents including fast transient outward current （Ikto） and delayed rectifier current （Ikdr）, tWO of which were isolated pharmacologically with 10 mmol/L tetraethylammonium or 5 mmol/L 4-aminopyridine. Contamination of calcium-dependent potassium currents was minimized with no caldum and 0.2 mmol/L CdCl2 in an external solution. RESULTS： GST （10-100 μmol/L） reversibly and dosedependently reduced the peak amplitude of Ikto with an IC50 value of 22.0±6.9 μmol/L. To a lesser extent, Ikdr, was also inhibited in both peak current and sustained current. GST could not totally block the outward potassium current as a fraction of the outWard potassium current, which was insensitive to GST. GST had no effect on the steady-state activation （n =6） and inactivation kinetics （n =6） of Ikto. Sodium orthovanadate （1 retool/L）, a potent inhibitor of tyrosine phosphatase, significantly inhibited GST-induced inhibition （P〈 0.05）. CONCLUSION： GST can dose-dependently and reversibly block voltage-gated potassium channels in guinea pig proximal colon smooth muscle cells.

Regulation of adenosine triphosphate-sensitive potassium channels suppresses the toxic effects of amyloid-beta peptide(25-35)

In this study, we treated PC12 cells with 0-20 μM amyloid-β peptide （25-35） for 24 hours to induce cytotoxicity, and found that 5-20 μM amyloid-β peptide （25-35） decreased PC12 cell viability, but adenosine triphosphate-sensitive potassium channel activator diazoxide suppressed the decrease in PC12 cell viability induced by amyloid-β peptide （25-35）. Diazoxide protected PC12 cells against amyloid-β peptide （25-35）-induced increases in mitochondrial membrane potential and intracellular reactive oxygen species levels. These protective effects were reversed by the selective mitochondrial adenosine triphosphate-sensitive potassium channel blocker 5-hydroxydecanoate. An inducible nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, Nw-nitro-L-arginine, also protected PC12 cells from amyloid-β peptide （25-35）-induced increases in both mitochondrial membrane potential and intracellular reactive oxygen species levels. However, the H202-degrading enzyme catalase could not reverse the amyloid-β peptide （25-35）-induced increase in intracellular reactive oxygen species. A 24-hour exposure to amyloid-13 peptide （25-35） did not result in apoptosis or necrosis, suggesting that the increases in both mitochondrial membrane potential and reactive oxygen species levels preceded cell death. The data suggest that amyloid-β peptide （25-35） cytotoxicity is associated with adenosine triphosphate-sensitive potassium channels and nitric oxide. Regulation of adenosine triphosphate-sensitive potassium channels suppresses PC12 cell cytotoxicity induced by amyloid-β peptide （25-35）.

Changes of Ca^2+ activated potassium channels and cellular proliferation in autogenous vein grafts

Objective: To investigate changes of Ca2+ activated potassium channels (KCa) in autogenous vein grafts. Methods: Contraction of venous ring was measured by means of perfusion in vitro. The intimal rabbits proliferation of vascular and proliferation of cultured smooth muscle cells(vascular smooth muscle cells, VSMCs)were observed by the means of computerised image analysis and MTT method respectively. Furthermore, whole cell mode of patch clamp was used to record KCa of VSMCs isolated from autogenous vein grafts. Results: One week after transplantation there were no significant differences of contraction and intimal relative thickness between autogenous vein grafts and control. Contraction and intimal relative thickness of autogenous vein graft were significantly increased 2 weeks after transplantation (P<0.05, n=8 vs control), and they was more enhanced 4 weeks after vein transplantation (P<0.01, n=8 vs control).TEA(blocker of Ca2+ activated potassium channels)increased MTT A490 nm value of VSMCs from femoral vein in a dose dependent manner(P<0.05, n=8). KCa current density was significantly attenuated in VSMCs from autogenous vein grafts (1-4) week after transplantation(P<0.05, n=5).Conclusion: KCa is inhibited in autogenous vein graft, which account for vasospasm and intimal proliferation.

The Effect of Levobunolol Hydrochloride on the Calcium andPotassium Channels in Isolated Ventricular Myocytes of Guinea Pig

The effects of levobunolol hydrochlorid (Bun) on the type L calciumchannel currents (Ica) and delayed rectifier potassium channel currents (Ik) in isolated ventricular myocytes of guinea pig were studied by using patch clamp wholecell recording techniques. The results were showed that: 1) Bun caused a dosedependent decrease in Ica and a dose-dependent increase in Ik of the ventricular myocytes.The threshold concentrations of Bun for Ica and Ik were 10-8 mol/L and10-7 mol/L respectively. The maximum effective concentration of Bun for both Ica and Ik was 3 × 10-5 mol/L, and half-maximal concentration was 3 × 10-6 mol/L;2 ) Ik was blocked by 2× 10-6mol/L tetraethylammonium (TEA). A concentration of 3 × 10-6 mol/L Bun showed a decreasing effect on the Ica as revealed by the current-voltage relationship curve, i. e., Bun caused an elevation of the curve; 3)When Ica was blocked by 2 × 10-6 mol/L Isoptin (Verapamil), at a concentrationof 3 × 106- mol/L Bun showed an increasing effect on Ik and the effect could be blocked by TEA. The above-mentioned results indicated that Bun had an inhibito-ry effect on Ica and a fascilitatory effect on Ik The results suggested that themolecular mechanisms of antihypertensive, heart rate slowing and β-receptorblocking effects of Bun might be due to decrease of Ica and increase of Ik.

The role of potassium channels in the nitric oxide-induced relaxation of human airway smooth muscle of passively sensitization by serum from allergic asthmatic patients

Objective： To investigate the role of large Ca^2＋-activated, delayed-rectifier and ATP-sensitive potassium channel in regulating the relaxation induced by nitric oxide （NO） in normal and passively sensitized human airway smooth muscle （HASM） with serum from asthmatic patients. Methods： The effects of NO or/and potassium channel blockers on the tensions of normal and passively sensitized HASM were measured by using nitric oxide donor and potassium blockers, with the isometric tension recording technique. Results： Showed that（1）In the control group and passively sensitized group, Kv blocker（4-AP） cause concentration-dependent augmentation in the contraction induced by histamine （ 1 ×10^-4 mol/L ）, （P 〈 0.05）, but Glib （ 1 × 10^-2 mol/L ） and TEA （1×10^-4 mol/L） have no significant effects on the contraction induced by histamine （1×10^-4 mol/L）. The maximum tension induced by histamine in passively sensitized group is higher than that in the control group （P 〈 0.05）. （2） NO-donor Sodium Nitroprusside （SNP） bring about significant relaxation in normal and passively sensitized HASM rings （P 〈 0.05）. Relaxations of passively sensitized airway rings [ （29.4 ± 3.3）% ] were significant less than those of normal HASM rings [ （44.1 ± 10.2）% ], （P 〈 0.05）.（3） Glib（1×10^-2 mol/L）have no significant effect on the relaxations induced by SNP（1×10^-4 mol/L）. 4-AP（1×10^-2 mol/L） inhibited relaxation induced by SNP （1×10^-4 mol/L）, （P 〈 0.01）. TEA （1×10^-3 tool/L） inhibited relaxation induced by SNP （1×10^-4 mol/L） （P 〈 0.05）, and the inhibiting effect in passively sensitized HASM rings were significant less than in normal HASM, （P 〈 0.05）. Conclusion： It was concluded that SNP（NO-donor） relaxed the contraction of HASM partly via BKca channel opening. In passively sensitized HASM in vitro, the relaxation of SNP decreased compared with control group, which might be associated with the down-regulating activity of BKca in passively sensitized HASM.

Effect of G_(αq/11) Protein and ATP-sensitive Potassium Channels on Ischemic Preconditioning in Rat Hearts

Objectives To investigate the effect of Gαq/11 signaling pathway and ATP-sensitive potassium channel ( KATP channel ) on ischemic preconditioning (IPC) protection in rat hearts. Methods Two series of experiments were performed in Wistar rat hearts. In the first series of experiment, ischemic preconditioning was induced by left anterior descending occlusion (three, 5 min episodes separated by 5 min of reperfusion), ischemia-reperfusion injury was induced by 30 min coronary artery occlusion followed by 90 min reperfusion. Hemodynamics, infarct size and scores of ventricular arrhythmias were measured. The expression of Gαq/11 protein in the heart was measured by Western blot analysis in the second series. Results Ischemic preconditioning rats showed decreased infarct size and scores of ventricular arrhythmia vs non-IP control rats. The effect of IPC was significantly attenuated by glibenclamide (1 mg/kg, ip), a nonselective KATP channel inhibitor. IPC caused a significant increase in the expression of Gαq/11 protein. Conclusions Activations of Gαq/11 signal pathway and KATP channel played significant roles in the classical cardioprotection of ischemic precon-ditioning rat heart and might be an important mechanism of signal transduction pathway during the ischemic preconditioning.

POTASSIUM CHANNELS ON CARDIOMYOCYTES OF SELENIUM IODINE DEFICIENCY RATS AND IODINE DEFICIENCY RATS

Uging diet control method to feed the weaning male Wistar rats with selenium and iodine deficiency Keshan endemic area food for 8 weeks to set up animal model. Singal channel recortling in cell attached model was used to measure cardiac cell membrane potassium channel conductances. which coincide with the cardiac cell membrane potassium channel conductances in normal Wistar rats.The potassium channel conductance on selenlum and lodine cleficiency rat cardiac cell membrane is showing current-voltage increasing lineally in the range of clamping volatge 0±30 mV with channel conductance of 43.4 pS. The channel current does not increase depending on the clamping voltage that is showing the rectifying characteristic and the channel current amplitude can be augmented by added KIOa 5 mmol/L in bath solution. A kind of inward rectiyfing potassium channel activity was recorded, but this channel activity disappeared affer lasting 6～ 10 minutes only. Then an inward rectifying potassium channel with the conductance of 11. 2 PS was activated by KIOa 5 mmol/L, introduced to bath solution. Both conductances are less than that of normal Wistar rats.

Potassium and calcium channels in different nerve cells act as therapeutic targets in neurological disorders

The central nervous system, information integration center of the body, is mainly composed of neurons and glial cells. The neuron is one of the most basic and important structural and functional units of the central nervous system, with sensory stimulation and excitation conduction functions. Astrocytes and microglia belong to the glial cell family, which is the main source of cytokines and represents the main defense system of the central nervous system. Nerve cells undergo neurotransmission or gliotransmission, which regulates neuronal activity via the ion channels, receptors, or transporters expressed on nerve cell membranes. Ion channels, composed of large transmembrane proteins, play crucial roles in maintaining nerve cell homeostasis. These channels are also important for control of the membrane potential and in the secretion of neurotransmitters. A variety of cellular functions and life activities, including functional regulation of the central nervous system, the generation and conduction of nerve excitation, the occurrence of receptor potential, heart pulsation, smooth muscle peristalsis, skeletal muscle contraction, and hormone secretion, are closely related to ion channels associated with passive transmembrane transport. Two types of ion channels in the central nervous system, potassium channels and calcium channels, are closely related to various neurological disorders, including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and epilepsy. Accordingly, various drugs that can affect these ion channels have been explored deeply to provide new directions for the treatment of these neurological disorders. In this review, we focus on the functions of potassium and calcium ion channels in different nerve cells and their involvement in neurological disorders such as Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, depression, epilepsy, autism, and rare disorders. We also describe several clinical drugs that target potassium or calcium channels in nerve cells and could be used to treat these disorders. We concluded that there are few clinical drugs that can improve the pathology these diseases by acting on potassium or calcium ions. Although a few novel ion-channelspecific modulators have been discovered, meaningful therapies have largely not yet been realized. The lack of target-specific drugs, their requirement to cross the blood–brain barrier, and their exact underlying mechanisms all need further attention. This review aims to explain the urgent problems that need research progress and provide comprehensive information aiming to arouse the research community's interest in the development of ion channel-targeting drugs and the identification of new therapeutic targets for that can increase the cure rate of nervous system diseases and reduce the occurrence of adverse reactions in other systems.

Highly active artificial potassium channels having record-high K^(+)/Na^(+) selectivity of 20.1

Replicating extraordinarily high membrane transport selectivity of protein channels in artificial channel is a challenging task.In this work,we demonstrate that a strategic application of steric code-based social self-sorting offers a novel means to enhance ion transport selectivities of artificial ion channels,alongside with boosted ion transport activities.More specifically,two types of mutually compatible sterically bulky groups(benzo-crown ether and tert-butyl group)were appended onto a monopeptide-based scaffold,which can order the bulky groups onto the same side of a one-dimensionally aligned H-bonded structure.Strong steric repulsions among the same type of bulky groups(either benzo-crown ethers or tert-butyl groups),which are forced into proximity by H-bonds,favor the formation of hetero-oligomeric ensem-bles that carry an alternative arrangement of sterically compatible benzo-crown ethers and tert-butyl groups,rather than homo-oligomeric ensembles containing a single type of either benzo-crown ethers or tert-butyl groups.Coupled with side chain tuning,this social self-sorting strategy delivers highly ac-tive hetero-oligomeric K+-selective ion channel(5F12-BF12)_(n),displaying the highest K+/Na+selectivity of 20.1 among artificial potassium channels and an excellent ECso value of 0.50μmol/L(0.62 mo1%relative to lipids)in terms of single channel concentration.

Expression of Potassium Channels in Uterine Smooth Muscle Cells from Patients with Adenomyosis

Background： Adenomyosis （AM） has impaired contraction. This study aimed to explore the expression of potassium channels related to contraction in myometrial smooth muscle cells （MSMCs） of AM. Methods： Uterine tissue samples from 22 patients （cases） with histologically confirmed AM and 12 （controls） with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia were collected for both immunohistochemistry and real-time polymerase chain reaction to detect the expression of large conductance calciumand voltage-sensitive K＋ channel （BKCa）-a/β subunits, voltage-gated potassium channel （Kv） 4.2, and Kv4.3. Student＇s t-test was used to compare the expression. Results： The BKCa-a/β subunits, Kv4.2, and Kv4.3 were located in smooth muscle cells, glandular epithelium, and stromal cells. However, BKCa-β subunit expression in endometrial glands of the controls was weak, and Kv4.3 was almost undetectable in the controls. The expression of BKCa-a messenger RNA （mRNA） （0.62 ± 0.19-fold decrease, P 〈 0.05） and Kv4.3 mRNA （0.67 ±0.20-fold decrease, P 〈 0.05） decreased significantly in the MSMCs of the control group compared with the AM group. However, there were no significant differences in BKCa-β subunit mRNA or Kv4.2 mRNA. Conclusions： The BKCa-a mRNA and the Kv4.3 mRNA are expressed significantly higher in AM than those in the control group, that might cause the abnormal uterus smooth muscle contractility, change the microcirculation of uterus to accumulate the inflammatory factors, impair the endometrium further, and aggravate the pain.

THz trapped ion model and THz spectroscopy detection of potassium channels

Advanced molecular dynamics(MD)simulation and infrared(IR)spectroscopy have been widely adopted to reveal the detailed dynamic process of high-speed selective permeability of potassium channels.Yet these MD simulations cannot avoid the choice of empirical molecular force fields and high transmembrane voltages(as driving electric fields for ions)far exceeding physiological levels.Moreover,the IR spectroscopy method usually requires isotope labels for carbonyl groups of the channels,which may change the original permeation process.Here,we build the terahertz(THz)trapped ion model for the selectivity filter(SF)of potassium channels KcsA based on the density functional theory(DFT)calculation of ion potentials.In this model,the zero-point energy of trapped ions and quantum tunneling effect provide the physical basis for near diffusion limited permeation rates of ions and explain the high driving electric field in MD simulations.Quantitative calculations of zero-point energy and tunneling probability show that the quantum effect assisted knock-on mechanism may help to realize the physiological functions of potassium channels.Furthermore,based on the trapped ion model,we calculated the ion decoherence timescale under the influence of protein environmental noise.We use the quantum optics method to describe the interaction between THz waves and the trapped ion.Then the novel THz spectroscopy approaches through the THz resonance fluorescence and the intense field non-resonant effect are presented theoretically.These are expected to be isotope label-free detective methods of the rapid ion permeation dynamics.

Potassium channels as potential drug targets for limb wound repair and regeneration

Background:Ion channels are a large family of transmembrane proteins,accessible by soluble membraneimpermeable molecules,and thus are targets for development of therapeutic drugs.Ion channels are the second most common target for existing drugs,after G protein-coupled receptors,and are expected to make a big impact on precision medicine in many different diseases includingwound repair and regeneration.Research has shown that endogenous bioelectric signaling mediated by ion channels is critical in non-mammalian limb regeneration.However,the role of ion channels in regeneration of limbs in mammalian systems is not yet defined.Methods:To explore the role of potassium channels in limb wound repair and regeneration,the hindlimbs of mouse embryos were amputated at E12.5 when the wound is expected to regenerate and E15.5 when the wound is not expected to regenerate,and gene expression of potassium channels was studied.Results:Most of the potassium channels were downregulated,except for the potassium channel kcnj8(Kir6.1)which was upregulated in E12.5 embryos after amputation.Conclusion:This study provides a new mouse limb regeneration model and demonstrates that potassium channels are potential drug targets for limb wound healing and regeneration.

Short Review of Ischemia- and Hypoxia-Protective Roles of “Big Potassium” (BK) Channels

There is accumulating evidence that the subfamily of large-conductance potassium (“big”, “BK”) channels are involved in diverse, and perhaps coordinated, protective or counteractive responses to local or generalized ischemia and hypoxia. Although widely distributed, the physiological differences among BK channels which results from posttranslational modification (alternative splicing) and co-assembly with auxiliary modulatory subunits (β1-4 and γ1-4), bestows localized differences in subunit composition, distribution, 2nd-messenger coupling, and pharmacologic properties. Due to the ubiquitous nature of BK channels and the multiplicity of subtypes, they have many potential therapeutic applications in the maintenance of oxygen homeostasis, cerebro- and cardio-protection, and stimulation of respiration in response to drug-induced respiratory depression. BK channels may also offer other potentially broad and underrecognized promising targets for novel pharmaceutical development.