Ion channels in neurodevelopment:lessons from the Integrin-KCNB1 channel complex

Ion channels modulate cellular excitability by regulating ionic fluxes across biological membranes.Pathogenic mutations in ion channel genes give rise to epileptic disorders that are among the most frequent neurological diseases affecting millions of individuals worldwide.Epilepsies are trigge red by an imbalance between excitatory and inhibitory conductances.However,pathogenic mutations in the same allele can give rise to loss-of-function and/or gain-of-function va riants,all able to trigger epilepsy.Furthermore,certain alleles are associated with brain malformations even in the absence of a clear electrical phenotype.This body of evidence argues that the underlying epileptogenic mechanisms of ion channels are more diverse than originally thought.Studies focusing on ion channels in prenatal cortical development have shed light on this apparent paradox.The picture that emerges is that ion channels play crucial roles in landmark neurodevelopmental processes,including neuronal migration,neurite outgrowth,and synapse formation.Thus,pathogenic channel mutants can not only cause epileptic disorders by alte ring excitability,but further,by inducing morphological and synaptic abnormalities that are initiated during neocortex formation and may persist into the adult brain.

Differential Effect of Calcium-Activated Potassium and Chloride Channels on Rat Basilar Artery Vasomotion

Spontaneous, rhythmical contractions, or vasomotion, can be recorded from cerebral vessels under both normal physiological and pathophysiological conditions. We investigated the cellular mechanisms underlying vasomotion in the cerebral basilar artery （BA） of Wistar rats. Pressure myograph video microscopy was used to study the changes in cerebral artery vessel diameter. The main results of this study were as follows： （1） The diameters of BA and middle cerebral artery （MCA） were 314.5±15.7 μm （n=15） and 233.3±10.1 μm （n=12） at 10 mmHg working pressure （P〈0.05）, respectively. Pressure-induced vasomotion occurred in BA （22/28, 78.6%）, but not in MCA （4/31, 12.9%） from 0 to 70 mmHg working pressure. As is typical for vasomotion, the contractile phase of the response was more rapid than the relaxation phase; （2） The frequency of vasomotion response and the diameter were gradually increased in BA from 0 to 70 mmHg working pressure. The amplitude of the rhythmic con- tractions was relatively constant once stable conditions were achieved. The frequency of contractions was variable and the highest value was 16.7±4.7 （n=13） per 10 min at 60 mmHg working pressure; （3） The pressure-induced vasomotion of the isolated BA was attenuated by nifedipine, NFA, 181]-GA, TEA or in Ca2＋-free medium. Nifedipine, NFA, 18^-GA or Ca2＋-free medium not only dampened vasomotion, but also kept BA in relaxation state. In contrasts, TEA kept BA in contraction state. These results sug- gest that the pressure-induced vasomotion of the isolated BA results from an interaction between Ca2＋-activated C1- channels （CaCCs） currents and Kca currents. We hypothesize that vasomotion of BA depends on the depolarizing of the vascular smooth muscle cells （VSMCs） to activate CaCCs. Depolarization in turn activates voltage-dependent Ca2＋ channels, synchronizing contractions of adjacent cells through influx of extracellular calcium and the flow of calcium through gap junctions. Subsequent calcium-induced calcium release from ryanodine-sensitive stores activates Kca channels and hyperpo- larizes VSMCs, which provides a negative feedback loop for regenerating the contractile cycle.

TRPC1与BK-α的表达对大鼠糖尿病肾病的影响

目的 探究瞬时受体电位C1(transient receptor potential channel 1,TRPC1)蛋白和大电导钙离子激活钾通道α亚单位(large conductance Ca^(2+)-activated K^(+)channel α subunit,BK-α)蛋白对大鼠糖尿病肾病(diabetic kidney disease,DKD)的影响。方法 将SD大鼠随机分为对照组(n=15)和模型组(n=15)。利用高脂饲料和链脲佐菌素(streptozocin,STZ)构建DKD模型。采用血糖分析仪检测大鼠血糖变化;采用全自动生化分析仪检测大鼠肾功能水平;HE染色检测肾组织的病理变化以确定造模成功。实时荧光定量PCR(RT-qPCR)和蛋白免疫印迹分别检测肾组织TRPC1和BK-α的mRNA和蛋白表达水平;免疫组化检测TRPC1和BK-α的分布和表达情况。结果 模型组大鼠空腹血糖(fasting plasma glucose,FPG)、尿白蛋白排泄率(urinary albumin excretion rates,UAER)、血尿素氮(blood urea nitrogen,BUN)和肌酐(creatinine,Cr)均显著高于对照组(P <0.01);模型组大鼠肾小管内壁细胞出现膨胀现象,部分细胞脱离;可见肾小管发生病变或死亡;此外,在许多肾小管及肾间质区域发现有中性白细胞及其残骸;以上HE染色结果提示,DKD模型复制成功。TRPC1和BK-α在肾小球部位最为丰富,且模型组大鼠肾组织中TRPC1和BK-α的mRNA和蛋白水平都显著高于对照组(P <0.05)。结论 大鼠糖尿病肾病影响TRPC1和BK-α在肾组织中的分布和表达。

K^+channels inhibited by hydrogen peroxide mediate abscisic acid signaling in Vicia guard cells

A number of studies show that environmental stress conditions increase abscisic acid (ABA) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) levels in plant cells. Despite this central role of ABA in altering stomatal aperture by regulating guard cell ion transport, little is known concerning the relationship between ABA and H2O2 in signal transduction leading to stomatal movement. Epidermal strip bioassay illustrated that ABA- inhibited stomatal opening and ABA-induced stomatal closure were abolished partly by externally added catalase (CAT) or diphenylene iodonium (DPl), which are a H2O2 scavenger and a NADPH oxidase inhibitor respectively. In contrast, internally added CAT or DPI nearly completely or partly reversed ABA-induced closure in half-stoma. Consistent with these results, whole-cell patch-clamp analysis showed that intracellular application of CAT or DPI partly abolished ABA-inhibited inward K+ current across the plasma membrane of guard cells. H2O2 mimicked ABA to inhibit inward K+ current, an effect which was reversed by the addition of ascorbic acid (Vc) in patch clamping micropipettes. These results suggested that H2O2 mediated ABA-induced stomatal movement by targeting inward K+ channels at plasma membrane.

普通烟草外向整流Shaker K^(+)通道NtSKOR1的组织表达分析

外向整流Shaker K^(+)通道SKOR(Stelar K^(+)outward rectifier)是一类定位于植物根部中柱细胞质膜的外向整流Shaker K^(+)通道。为探究普通烟草NtSKOR1的启动子活性和不同时期组织表达情况,克隆该基因上游2439 bp的启动子序列,创制启动子驱动β-葡萄糖苷酸酶基因(GUS)的烟草材料并进行组织化学染色,通过RT-qPCR验证该基因的表达。结果表明NtSKOR1启动子含有光响应、逆境胁迫和激素等相关的顺式作用元件;转ProNtSKOR1::GUS烟草的组织化学染色试验表明:萌发期至子叶展平期未检测到GUS活性;小十字期,在真叶叶脉和茎尖分生组织开始检测到GUS活性;生根期,除茎和叶脉的维管组织外,在根部维管组织也开始检测到明显GUS活性,且活性随烟株生长而逐渐增强;盛花期,主要在烟草的根、茎和叶脉维管组织检测到活性,且上部叶叶脉中的GUS活性高于下部叶叶脉。RT-qPCR与GUS活性检测结果基本一致。综上可知,NtSKOR1主要在烟草小十字期及后续发育阶段的根、茎、叶的维管组织中表达,烟草进入盛花期后,该基因在光合作用较强的上部叶中的表达高于下部叶,推测该基因可能参与烟草K^(+)转运和同化产物协同运输。

Inhibitory Effects of Blockage of Intermediate Conductance Ca^(2+) -Activated K^+ Channels on Proliferation of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells

The roles of intermediate conductance Ca2＋-activated K＋ channel （IKCal） in the pathogene- sis of hepatocellular carcinoma （HCC） were investigated. Immunohistochemistry and Western blotting were used to detect the expression of IKCal protein in 50 HCC and 20 para-carcinoma tissue samples. Real-time PCR was used to detect the transcription level of IKCal mRNA in 13 HCC and 11 para-carcinoma tissue samples. The MTT assay was used to measure the function of IKCal in human HCC cell line HepG2 in vitro. TRAM-34, a specific blocker of IKCal, was used to intervene with the function of IKCal. As compared with para-carcinoma tissue, an over-expression of IKCal protein was detected in HCC tissue samples （P〈0.05）. The mRNA expression level of IKCal in HCC tissues was 2.17 times higher than that in para-carcinoma tissues. The proliferation of HepG2 cells was suppressed by TRAM-34 （0.5, 1.0, 2.0 and 4.0 pxnol/L） in vitro （P〈0.05）. Our results suggested that IKCal may play a role in the proliferation of human HCC, and IKCal blockers may represent a potential therapeutic strategy for HCC.

筇竹钾离子通道QtSKOR1基因的克隆及表达分析

【目的】外向整流型钾离子通道SKOR(Stelar K+outward rectifier)家族是参与植物钾离子转运和分配的重要通道,且K+在植物生理过程和响应非生物胁迫中有决定性作用。旨在研究外向整流型钾离子通道SKOR在富含钾元素的筇竹(Qiongzhuea tumidinoda)发育及受到盐胁迫过程中的功能。【方法】利用RACE技术从筇竹的幼苗中获得SKOR基因并命名为QtSKOR1(基因号:MT078984),并对其进行生物信息分析及表达特征分析。【结果】QtSKOR1基因开放阅读框(1923 bp)编码了641个氨基酸。QtSKOR1蛋白存在环核苷酸(cNMP)和锚蛋白重复结构域(ANK)属于Shake亚家族,其相对分子质量为157.27 kD,理论等电点为4.94,含有3个跨膜区但不存在信号肽,属于疏水性蛋白。亚细胞定位分析表明QtSKOR1蛋白主要定位于线粒体(30.4%)和细胞质(26.1%)中。同源分析和进化分析显示,QtSKOR1与二穗短柄草(Brachypodium distachyum)和玉米(Zea mays)的同源性较高,分别为89.06%和87.91%。qPCR结果显示,QtSKOR1基因在筇竹所有组织中均有表达,且表达量从高到低依次为叶、根、茎、笋。与对照相比,随着钾胁迫时间的增加,QtSKOR1的表达量在根中显著增加,而在茎叶中显著降低。随着钠胁迫时间的增加,QtSKOR1的表达量在根茎叶中均呈下降趋势。【结论】QtSKOR1基因属于Shake亚家族,均参与了筇竹各个组织特别是叶的钾运输。同时,在钾胁迫下QtSKOR1基因在根中发挥了积极作用。

HERG K+ channels expression in gastric cancers and analysis of its regulation in tumor cell proliferation and apoptosis

Objective： To investigate the expression of hergl gene in tumor tissues from gastric carcinomas and gastric carcinoma cell lines, and study the relationship between HERG K＋ channel expressions and tumor cell proliferation and apoptosis. Methods： RT-PCR and PCR assays were used to detect the expression of hergl gene in 64 gastric carcinomas and the gastric cancer cell line SGC-7901. Blocking the HERG K＋ channels was used to evaluate their effects on tumor cell proliferation and apoptosis. Results：The statistically significant expression of hergl gene was detected in all the gastric cancers and SGC-7901 cells, but not in normal tissues. The HERG K＋ channel blocker, E-4031, increased the cell population in G0/G1（P 〈 0.05） and the number of apoptotic tumor cells（P 〈 0.05）. Conclusion： HERG K＋ channels were expressed in all gastric carcinomas tested and these channels appear to modulate tumor cell proliferation and apoptosis.

Involvement of leak K^+ channels in neurological disorders

TWIK-related acid-sensitive K+(TASK) channels give rise to leak K+ currents which influence the resting membrane potential and input resistance. The wide expression of TASK1 and TASK3 channels in the central nervous system suggests that these channels are critically involved in neurological disorders. It has become apparent in the past decade that TASK channels play critical roles for the development of various neurological disorders. In this review, I describe evidence for their roles in ischemia, epilepsy, learning/memory/cognition and apoptosis.

Expression and Fuactional Role of HERG1, K^+ Channels in Leukemic Cells and Leukemic Stem Cells

In order to investigate the expression and functional role of HERG1 K+ channels in leukemic cells and leukemic stem cells (LSCs), RT-PCR was used to detect the HERG1 K+ channels expression in leukemic cells and LSCs. The functional role of HERG1 K+ channels in leukemic cell proliferation was measured by MTT assay, and cell cycle and apoptosis were analyzed by flow cy- tometry. The results showed that herg mRNA was expressed in CD34+/CD38-, CD123+ LSCs but not in circulating CD34+ cells. Herg mRNA was also up-regulated in leukemia cell lines K562 and HL60 as well as almost all the primary leukemic cells while not in normal peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMNCs) and the expression of herg mRNA was not associated with the clinical and cytoge- netic features of leukemia. In addition, leukemic cell proliferation was dramatically inhibited by HERG K+ channel special inhibitor E-4031. Moreover, E-4031 suppressed the cell growth by induc- ing a specific block at the G1/S transition phase of the cell cycle but had no effect on apoptosis in leukemic cells. The results suggested that HERG1 K+ channels could regulate leukemic cells prolif- eration and were necessary for leukemic cells to proceed with the cell cycle. HERG1 K+ channels may also have oncogenic potential and may be a biomarker for diagnosis of leukemia and a novel potential pharmacological target for leukemia therapy.

K^+ Channels and Their Effects on Membrane Potential in Rat Bronchial Smooth Muscle Cells

In order to investigate the K+ channels and their effects on resting membrane potential (Em) and excitability in rat bronchial smooth muscle cells (BSMCs), the components of outward K+ channel currents and the effects of K+ channels on Em and tension in rat bronchial smooth muscle were observed by using standard whole-cell recording of patch clamp and isometric tension recording techniques. The results showed that under resting conditions, total outward K+ channel currents in freshly isolated BSMCs were unaffected by ATP-sensitive K+ channel blocker. There were two types of K+ currents: voltage-dependent delayed rectifier K+ channel (Kv) and large conductance calcium-activated K+ channel (BKc.) currents. 1 mmol/L 4-aminopyridine (4-AP, an inhibitor of Kv) caused a significant depolarization (from -8. 7±5. 9 mV to -25. 4±3. 1 mV, n=18, P<0. 001). In contrast, 1 mmol/L tetraethylammonium (TEA, an inhibitor of BKc.) had no significant effect on Em (from -37. 6±4. 8 mV to -36. 8±4.1mV, n=12, P>0. 05). 4-AP caused a concentration-dependent contraction in resting bronchial strips. TEA had no effect on resting tension, but application of 5 mmol/L TEA resulted in a left shift with bigger pD2(the negative logarithm of the drug concentration causing 50% of maximal effect) (from 6. 27±0. 38 to 6. 89±0. 54, n= 10, P<0. 05) in the concentration-effect curve of endothine-1, and a right shift with smaller pD2(from 8. 10±0. 23 to 7. 69±0. 08, n=10, P<0. 05) in the concentration-effect curve of isoprenaline. It was suggested that in rat BSMCs there may be two types of K+ channels, Kv and BKca, which serve distinct roles. Kv participates in the control of resting Em and tension. BKca is involved in the regulation of relaxation or contraction associated with excitation.

K2P channels and NMDA receptor as new targets of fast onset antidepressants

Major depressive disorder(MDD)is a common neuropsychiatric disorder characterized by diverse symptoms.There are big limitations of clinic medicine which highlighted an urgent and clear need for more efficacious and faster-acting therapeutic agents to treat patients with MDD,especially those who are refractory to the traditional antidepressants.In the present study,we assessed a novel compound,YY-21,from timosaponin B-Ⅲ derived from sarsasapogenin of Anemarrhenae Rhizoma.We found that YY-21 obviously increased presynaptic glutamate release and enhanced long-term synaptic activity within 10 min as determined by excitatory postsynaptic current(EPSC) and field excitatory postsynaptic potential(fEPSP) in medial prefrontal cortex(mPFC) slices.YY-21 demonstrated anxiolytic-like effects following acute administration in animals and reversed the depressivelike and anxiety phenotypes induced by chronic unpredictable mild stress(CMS) with a relatively fast therapeutic onset.Our mechanism research reveals that NMDA receptors and two-pore domain potassium(K2P)(TREK1) channels emerged as new drug targets for faster acting antidepressants.K2 P channels generate leak currents that are responsible the maintenance of resting membrane potential.They are potential targets for the treatment of multiple diseases.Here we identify TKDC,an inhibitor of the TREK subfamily,including TREK1,TREK2 and TRAAK channels.Using TKDC as a chemical probe,a combined study of computations,mutagenesis,and electrophysiology reveal an allosteric ligand-binding site in the extracellular cap of the channels.The molecular dynamics simulations suggest that ligand-induced allosteric conformational transitions cause a blockage of the ion conductive pathway.The identification of the extracellular ligand-binding site is confirmed by the discovery of new inhibitors targeting this site using virtual screening.These results suggest that the extracellular cap of a K2P channel can act as a new allosteric site and may serve as a direct drug target.

Effects of isoflurane and ethanol on large conductance Ca^(2+)-activated K^+ channels

Objective: To study the effect of isoflurane and ethanol on large conductance Ca 2+-activated K + channels(BK channels). Methods: The cRNA of mslo1 encoding BK channels was injected into Xenopus oocytes. Oocytes were incubated in ND96 (96 mmol/L NaCl, 2.0 mmol/L KCl, 1.8 mmol/L CaCl 2, 1.0 mmol/L MgCl 2, and 5.0 mmol/L HEPES, pH 7.4) at 4 ℃. Patch clamp recording (outside-out) were performed after 2-3 d. Isoflurane was administrated by the vaporizer driven by air, ethanol was applied by a closed, manual-controlled administration system. Different test potentials from 0 to 10 mV were given to observe changes of currents. Results: 0.7 mmol/L and 1.2 mmol/L of isoflurane could inhibit BK currents obviously at different command potentials, but 50 mmol/L, 100 mmol/L, or 200 mmol/L of ethanol had no any effect on BK currents. Conclusion: Clinical concentration of isoflurane can distinctly inhibit isolating BK currents.

MODELING AND SIMULATION OF E1784K MUTATION AND SODIUM IONIC CHANNEL DISEASES

In the clinical reports, the E1784K mutation in SCN5A is recognized as a phenotypic overlap between the long QT syndrome （LQT3） and the Brugada syndrome （BrS） in the characteristics of electrocardiograms （ECGs） since the mutation can influence sodium channel functions. However it is still unclear if the E1784K mutation-induced sodium ionic channel alterations account for the overlap at tissue level. Thsu, a detailed computational model is developed to underpin the functional impacts of the E1784K mutation on the action potential （AP）, the effective refractory period （ERP） and the abnormal ECG. Simulation results stlggest＇that the E1784K mutation-induced sodium channel alterations are insufficient to produce the phenotypic overlap between LQT3 and BrS, and the overlap may arise from the complicated effects of the E1784K mutation-induced changes in sodium channel currents with an increase of the transient outward current ITo or a decrease of the L-type calcium current ICaL .

无线信道建模中二分K均值聚类多径分簇算法

为了对无线信道中的多径分量进行合理分簇,提出了一种毫米波信道二分K均值聚类多径分簇方法,解决了传统的K均值聚类分簇方法只能实现局部最优分簇的问题.采用马氏距离(Mahalanobis distance,MD)衡量多径分量距离(multi-path component distance,MCD),以簇分裂和迭代计算的方式对多径进行分簇.采用毫米波室内信道实验测试数据,验证了所提算法的有效性和可行性.结果表明,所提算法比传统K均值聚类分簇方法获得的分簇结果更合理,能将信道中多径参数相似度较高的多径有效且唯一地分配到同一簇.

磁耦合谐振式无线电能传输磁场对海马齿状回区神经元K^(+)通道的影响

目的磁耦合谐振式无线电能传输(magnetically-coupled resonant wireless power transfer,MCR-WPT)具有传输距离较大、传输效率高、穿透性好等优点,为人们生活带来便利的同时其引起的生物电磁效应安全问题备受人们关注。本文通过研究MCR-WPT电磁环境对小鼠海马齿状回(DG)区神经元K^(+)通道特性的影响,为无线电能传输(WPT)技术的发展及其合理开发应用提供实验依据。方法每天对小鼠不间断辐射5 h,持续30 d,对比分析对照组和磁场暴露5 d、15 d、30 d组小鼠的学习记忆能力、海马DG区神经元的瞬时外向K^(+)通道电流(IA)和延迟整流K^(+)通道电流(IK)的变化。结果磁场暴露组瞬时外向K^(+)通道的激活过程受到抑制、延迟整流K^(+)通道的激活特性向去极化方向移动,减少K^(+)的外流,增强了神经兴奋性,但磁场暴露组小鼠行为上无显著性变化。结论长期处于MCR-WPT电磁环境会改变K^(+)通道的电流-电压(I-V)特性和动力学特性,抑制IA和IK,改变神经元动作电位的发放频率,但这些变化并没有引起小鼠学习记忆能力的下降以及认知功能障碍。

Effects of unsaturated fatty acids on calcium-activated potassium current in gastric myocytes of guinea pigs

AIM: To investigate the effects of exogenous unsaturated fatty acids on calcium-activated potassium current [IK(Ca)] in gastric antral circular myocytes of guinea pigs. METHODS: Gastric myocytes were isolated by collagenase from the antral circular layer of guinea pig stomach. The whole-cell patch clamp technique was used to record /K(Ca) in the isolated single smooth muscle cells with or without different concentrations of arachidonic acid (AA), linoleic acid (LA), and oleic acid (OA). RESULTS: AA at concentrations of 2,5 and 10 μmol/L markedly increased IK(Ca) in a dose-dependent manner. LA at concentrations of 5, 10 and 20 μmol/L also enhanced /K(Ca) in a dose-dependent manner. The increasing potency of AA, LA, and oleic acid (OA) on /K(Ca)at the same concentration (10μmol/L) was in the order of AA>LA>OA. AA (10 μmol/L)-induced increase of Ik(ca) was not blocked by H-7 (10 μmol/L), an inhibitor of protein kinase C (PKC), or indomethacin (10 μmol/L), an inhibitor of the cyclooxygenase pathway, and 17-octadecynoic acid (10 μmol/L), an inhibitor of the cytochrome P450 pathway, but weakened by nordihydroguaiaretic acid (10μmol/L), an inhibitor of the lipoxygenase pathway. CONCLUSION: Unsaturated fatty acids markedly increase Ik(Ca), and the enhancing potencies are related to the number of double bonds in the fatty acid chain. The lipoxygenase pathway of unsaturated fatty acid metabolism is involved in the unsaturated fatty acid-induced increase of IK(Ca) in gastric antral circular myocytes of guinea pigs.

Effects of Mitochondrial ATP-sensitive K^+ Channel on Protein Kinase C Pathway and Airway Smooth Muscle Cell Proliferation in Asthma

The effects of ATP-sensitive mitochondrial K + channel(mitoK ATP) on mitochondrial membrane potential(Δψm),cell proliferation and protein kinase C alpha(PKCα) expression in airway smooth muscle cells(ASMCs) were investigated.Thirty-six Sprague-Dawley(SD) rats were immunized with saline(controls) or ovalbumin(OVA) with alum(asthma models).ASMCs were cultured from the lung of control and asthma rats.ASMCs were treated with diazoxide(the potent activator of mitoK ATP) or 5-hydroxydencanote(5-HD,the inhibitor of mitoK ATP).Rhodamine-123(R-123) was used to detect Δψm.The expression of PKCα protein was examined by using Western blotting,while PKCα mRNA expression was detected by using real-time PCR.The proliferation of ASMCs was measured by MTT assay and cell cycle analysis.In diazoxide-treated normal ASMCs,the R-123 fluorescence intensity,protein and mRNA levels of PKCα,MTT A values and percentage of cells in S phase were markedly increased as compared with untreated controls.The ratio of G 0 /G 1 cells was decreased(P<0.05) in diazoxide-treated ASMCs from normal rats.However,there were no significant differences between the ASMCs from healthy rats treated with 5-HD and the normal control group.In untreated and diazoxide-treated ASMCs of asthmatic rats,the R-123 fluorescence intensity,protein and mRNA levels of PKCα,MTT A values and the percentage of cells in S phase were increased in comparison to the normal control group.Furthermore,in comparison to ASMCs from asthmatic rats,these values were considerably increased in asthmatic group treated with diazoxide(P<0.05).After exposure to 5-HD for 24 h,these values were decreased as compared with asthma control group(P<0.05).In ASMCs of asthma,the signal transduction pathway of PKCα may be involved in cell proliferation,which is induced by the opening of mitoK ATP and the depolarization of Δψm.

Nitric oxide activation of a potassium channel (BK_(Ca)) in feline lower esophageal sphincter

AIM:To assess the effect of nitric oxide (NO) on the large conductance potassium channel (BKCa) in isolated circular (CM) and sling (SM) muscle cells and muscle strips from the cat lower esophageal sphincter (LES) to determine its regulation of resting tone and relaxation.METHODS:Freshly enzymatically-digested and isolated circular smooth muscle cells were prepared from each LES region.To study outward K + currents,the perforated patch clamp technique was employed.To assess LES resting tone and relaxation,muscle strips were mounted in perfused organ baths.RESULTS:(1) Electrophysiological recordings from isolated cells:(a) CM was more depolarized than SM (-39.7 ± 0.8mV vs-48.1 ± 1.6 mV,P < 0.001),and maximal outward current was similar (27.1 ± 1.5 pA/pF vs 25.7 ± 2.0 pA/pF,P > 0.05);(b) The NO donor sodium nitroprusside (SNP) increased outward currents only in CM (25.9 ± 1.9 to 46.7 ± 4.2 pA/pF,P < 0.001) but not SM (23.2 ± 3.1 to 27.0 ± 3.4 pA/pF,P > 0.05);(c) SNP added in the presence of the BK Ca antagonist iberiotoxin (IbTX) produced no increase in the outward current in CM (17.0 ± 2.8 vs 13.7 ± 2.2,P > 0.05);and (d) L-NNA caused a small insignificant inhibition of outward K + currents in both muscles;and (2) Muscle strip studies:(a) Blockade of the nerves with tetrodotoxin (TTX),or BK Ca with IbTX had no significant effect on resting tone of either muscle;and (b) SNP reduced tone in both muscles,and was unaffected by the presence of TTX or IbTX.CONCLUSION:Exogenous NO activates BK Ca only in CM of the cat.However,as opposed to other species,exogenous NO-induced relaxation is predominantly by a non-BK Ca mechanism,and endogenous NO has minimal effect on resting tone.

Effects of Ginkgo biloba extracts with mirodenafil on the relaxation of corpus cavernosal smooth muscle and the potassium channel activity of corporal smooth muscle cells

In this study, we investigated the effects of a combination of Ginkgo biloba extracts （GBE） and phosphodiesterase type 5 （PDE-5） inhibitors on the muscular tone of the corpus cavernosum and potassium channel activity of corporal smooth muscle cells. Strips of corpus cavernosum from male New Zealand white rabbits were mounted in organ baths for isometric tension studies. After contraction with 1 × 10^-5 mol I^-1 norepinephrine, GBE （0.01-1 mg ml^-1） and mirodenafil （0.01-100 nmol I^-1） were added together into the organ bath. In electrophysiological studies, whole-cell currents were recorded by the conventional patch-clamp technique in cultured smooth muscle cells of the human corpus cavernosum. The corpus cavemosum was relaxed in response to GBE in a dose-dependent manner （from 0.64%±8.35% at 0.01 mg ml^-1 to 52.28%±11.42% at 1 mg ml^-1）. After pre-treatment with 0.03 mg ml^-1 of GBE, the relaxant effects of mirodenafil were increased at all concentrations, After tetraethylammonium （TEA） （1 mmol I^-1） administration, the increased effects were inhibited （P〈0.01）. Extracellular administration of GBE increased the whole-cell K^＋ outward currents in a dose-dependent fashion. The increase of the outward current was inhibited by I mmol 1-1 TEA. These results suggest that GBE could increase the relaxant potency of mirodenafil even at a minimally effective dose. The K＋ flow through potassium channels might be one of the mechanisms involved in this synergistic relaxation.