• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.5 no.5
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• pp.413-421
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• 2001

An impaired smooth muscle cell (SMC) relaxation of coronary artery by alteration of $K^+$ channels would be the most potential explanation for reduced coronary reserve in left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), however, this possibility has not been investigated. We performed morphometrical analysis of the coronary artery under electron microscopy and measured $Ca^{2+}-activated\;K\;(K_{Ca})$ currents and delayed rectifier K $(K_{dr})$ currents by whole-cell and inside-out patch-clamp technique in single coronary arterial SMCs from rabbits subjected to isoprenaline-induced cardiac hypertrophy. Coronary arterial SMCs underwent significant changes in ultrastructure. The unitary current amplitude and the open-state probability of $K_{Ca}$ channel were significantly reduced in hypertrophy without open-time and closed-time kinetic. The concentration-response curve of $K_{Ca}$ channel to $Ca^{2+}$ is shifted to the right in hypertrophy. The reduction in the mean single channel current and increase in the open channel noise of $K_{Ca}$ channel by TEA were more sensitive in hypertrophy. $K_{dr}$ current density is significantly reduced in hypertrophy without activation and inactivation kinetics. The sensitivity of $K_{dr}$ current on 4-AP is significantly increased in hypertrophy. This is the first study to report evidence for alterations of $K_{Ca}$ channels and $K_{dr}$ channels in coronary SMCs with LVH. The findings may provide some insight into mechanism of the reduced coronary reserve in LVH.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.25-30
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• 2008

Although many studies show that thromboxane $A_2\;(TXA_2)$ has the action of gastrointestinal (GI) motility using GI muscle cells and tissue, there are no reports on the effects of $TXA_2$ on interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) that function as pacemaker cells in GI tract. So, we studied the modulation of pacemaker activities by $TXA_2$ in ICC with whole cell patch-clamp technique. Externally applied $TXA_2\;(5{\mu}M)$ produced membrane depolarization in current-clamp mode and increased tonic inward pacemaker currents in voltage-clamp mode. The tonic inward currents by $TXA_2$ were inhibited by intracellular application of GDP-${\beta}$-S. The pretreatment of ICC with $Ca^{2+}$ free solution and thapsigargin, a $Ca^{2+}$-ATPase inhibitor in endoplasmic reticulum, abolished the generation of pacemaker currents and suppressed the $TXA_2$-induced tonic inward currents. However, chelerythrine or calphostin C, protein kinase C inhibitors, did not block the $TXA_2$-induced effects on pacemaker currents. These results suggest that $TXA_2$ can regulate intestinal motility through the modulation of ICC pacemaker activities. This modulation of pacemaker activities by $TXA_2$ may occur by the activation of G protein and PKC independent pathway via extra and intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ modulation.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.243-250
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• 2000

To find the mechanism underlying the ADP-induced increase in the outward current in ovulated mouse oocytes, we examined changes in voltage-dependent currents using the whole cell voltage clamp technique and the internal perfusion technique. Eggs were collected from the oviduct of superovulated mice with PMSG and hCG. Membrane potential was held at -60 mV (or -80 mV in the case of recording $Ca^{2＋}$ currents) and step depolarizations or hyperpolarizations were applied for 300 ms. By step depolarizations, outward currents comprising steady-state and time-dependent components were elicited. They were generated in response to the positive potential more than 20 mV with severe outward rectification and were blocked by external TEA, a specific $K^{＋}$ channel blocker, suggesting that they be carried via $K^{＋}$ channels. Internally-perused 5 mM ADP gradually increased outward $K^{＋}$ currents (IK) 1 min after perfusion of ADP and reached slowly to maximum (150~170％) 5 min later over the positive potential range, implying that ADP might not be acted directly to the $K^{＋}$ channels. IK were decreased by 5 mM ATP without affecting the steady-state component of outward current. In contrast to the effect of ADP and ATP on IK, both effect of ATP and ADP on inward $Ca^{2＋}$ currents (ICa) could not be detected due to the continuous decrease in current amplitudes with time-lapse ("run-down" phenomena). To check if there is a G protein-involved regulation in the ionic current of mouse oocytes, 1 mM GTP was applied to the cytoplasmic side, and the outward current and inward currents were recorded. ICa was promptly increased in the presence of GTP whereas IK was not changed. from these results, it is concluded that the ATP-dependent regulation is likely linked in the ADP-induced increase in the outward $K^{＋}$ current, and G protein-involved cellular signalling might affect ion channels carrying $Ca^{2＋}$ and $K^{＋}$ in mouse oocytes.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.120-128
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• 2003

Alternative medicines such as herbal products are increasingly being used for preventive and therapeutic purposes. Ginseng is the best known and most popular herbal medicine used worldwide. In spite of some beneficial effects of ginseng on the nervous system, little scientific evidence shows at the cellular level. In the present study, I have examined the direct modulation of ginseng total saponins and individual ginsenosides on the activation of $Ca^{2+}$ channels and NMDA-gated channels in cultured rat dorsal root ganglion (DRG) and hippocampal neurons, respectively. In DRG neurons, application of ginseng total saponins suppressed high-voltage-activated $Ca^{2+}$ channel currents and ginsenoside Rg$_3$, among the 11 ginsenosides tested, produced the strongest inhibition on $Ca^{2+}$ channel currents. Occlusion experiments using selective $Ca^{2+}$ channel blockers revealed that ginsenoside Rg$_3$ could modulate L-, N-, and P/Q-type currents. In addition, ginsenoside Rg$_3$ also proved to be an active component of ginseng actions on NMDA receptors in cultured hippocampal neurons. Application of ginsenoside Rg$_3$ suppressed NMDA-induced [Ca$^{2+}$]$_{i}$ increase and -gated channels using fura-2-based digital imaging and patch-clamp techniques, respectively. These results suggest that the modulation of $Ca^{2+}$ channels and NMDA receptors by ginsenoside Rg$_3$ could be part of the pharmacological basis of ginseng actions in the peripheral and central nervous systems.ous systems.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.3 no.6
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• pp.623-630
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• 1999

Decreased cardiac contractility occurs in endotoxicosis, but little is known about the ionic mechanism responsible for myocardial dysfunction. In this study, we examined the changes in $Ca{2+}$ and $K^+$ currents in cardiac myocytes from endotoxin-treated rat. Ventricular myocytes were isolated from normal and endotoxemic rats (ex vivo), that were treated for 10 hours with Salmonella enteritidis lipopolysaccharides (LPS; 1.5 mg/kg) intravenously. Normal cardiac myocytes were also incubated for 6 hours with 200 ng/ml LPS (in vitro). L-type $Ca{2+}$ current $(I_{Ca,L})$ and transient outward $K^+$ current $(I_{to})$ were measured using whole cell patch clamp techniques. Peak $I_{Ca,L}$ was reduced in endotoxemic myocytes (ex vivo; 6.00.4 pA/pF, P＜0.01) compared to normal myocytes (control; 10.90.6 pA/pF). Exposure to endotoxin in vitro also attenuated $I_{Ca,L}$ (8.40.4 pA/pF, P＜0.01). The amplitude of $(I_{to})$ on depolarization to 60 mV was reduced in endotoxin treated myocytes (16.51.5 pA/pF, P＜0.01, ex vivo; 20.00.9 pA/pF, P＜0.01 , in vitro) compared to normal myocytes (control; 24.71.0 pA/pF). There was no voltage shift in steady-state inactivation of $I_{Ca,L}$ and $(I_{to})$ between groups. These results suggest that endotoxin reduces $Ca{2+}$ and $K^+$ currents of rat cardiac myocytes, which may lead to cardiac dysfunction.

• Animal cells and systems
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.75-79
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• 2003

Highly purified high performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC) fractions containing a putative calcium influx factor (CIF) were prepared from the Jurkat cells and Xenopus oocytes in which $Ca^{2+}$ stores were depleted by thapsigargin treatment and from the yeast in which intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ stores were also depleted by genetic means. Microinjection of the fractions has been shown to elicit $Ca^{2+}$ dependent currents in Xenopus oocytes. The nature of the membrane currents evoked by the putative CIF appeared to be carried by chloride ions since the current was blocked by the selective chloride channel blocker 1 mM niflumic acid and its reversal potential was about -24 mV. Injection of the calcium chelator 1,2-bis(2-aminophenoxy)ethane-N, N, N',N'-tetraacetic acid (BAPTA) eradicated the current activities, suggesting the current responses are entirely $Ca^2$-dependent. Moreover, the currents were sensitive to the removal of extracellular calcium, indicating the dependence on calcium entry through the plasma membrane calcium entry channels. CIF activities were insensitive to protease, heat, and acid treatments and to Dische-reaction whereas the activities were sensitive to nucleotide pyrophosphatase and hydrazynolysis. The fraction might have a sugar because it was sensitive to Molisch test and Seliwaniff's resorcinol reaction. From the above results, CIF as a small and stable molecule seems to have pyrimidine, pyrophosphate, and a sugar moiety.oiety.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.139-150
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• 1993

We have reported that dopamine potentiates spontaneous contractions dose-dependently in guinea-pig antral circular muscle strips (Hwang et al, 1991). To clarify the underlying excitatory mechanism of dopamine on the gastric smooth muscle, the effects of dopamine on voltage-dependent $Ca^{2+}\;currents\;and\;Ca^{2+}\;-dependent\;K^+\;currents$ were observed in enzymatically dispersed guinea-pig gastric myocytes using the whole-cell voltage-clamp technique. Experiments were also done using isometric tension recording and conventional intracellular microelectrode techniques. 1) The effect of dopamine on the spontaneous contraction of antral circular muscle strips of the guinea-pig was excitatory in a dose-dependent manner, and was blocked by phentolamine, an ${\alpha}-adrenoceptor$ blocker. 2) The slow waves were not changed by dopamine. 3) The voltage-operated inward $Ca^{2+}$ current was not influenced by dopamine. 4) The $Ca^{2+}\;-dependent\;K^+$ outward current, which might reflect the changes of intracellular calcium concentration, was enhanced by dopamine. This effect was abolished by phentolamine. 5) The enhancing effect of dopamine on the $Ca^{2+}\;-dependent\;K^+$ current disappeared with heparin which is known to block the action of $InsP_3$. From these results, it is suggested that dopamine acts via $InsP_3-mediated\;Ca^{2+}$ mobilization from intracellular stores and such action potentiates the spontaneous contraction of guinea-pig gastric smooth muscle.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.95-99
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• 2006

Employing electrophysiological and cell proliferation assay techniques, we studied the effects of $Ca^{2+}$ -activated $K^+$ channel modulators on the proliferation of human dermal fibroblasts, which is important in wound healing. Macroscopic voltage-dependent outward $K^+$ currents were found at about -40 mV stepped from a holding potential of -70 mV. The amplitude of $K^+$ current was increased by NS1619, a specific large-conductance $Ca^{2+}$-activated $K^+$ (BK) channel activator, but decreased by iberiotoxin (IBTX), a specific BK channel inhibitor. To investigate the presence of an intermediate-conductance $Ca^{2+}$-activated $K^+$ (IK) channels, we pretreated the fibroblasts with low dose of TEA to block BK currents, and added 1-EBIO (an IK activator). 1-EBIO recovered the currents inhibited by TEA. When various $Ca^{2+}$-activated $K^+$ channel modulators were added into culture media for 1∼3 days, NS1619 or 1-EBIO inhibited the cell proliferation. On the other hand, IBTX, clotrimazole or apamin, a small conductance $Ca^{2+}$-activated $K^+$ channel (SK) inhibitor, increased it. These results suggest that BK, IK, and SK channels might be involved in the proliferation of human dermal fibroblasts, which is inversely related to the channel activation.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.1 no.5
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• pp.485-493
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• 1997

We investigated the effect of ${\alpha}-adrenergic$ and cholinergic receptor agonists on $Ca^{2+}$ current in adult rat trigeminal ganglion neurons using whole-cell patch clamp methods. The application of acetylcholine, carbachol, and oxotremorine ($50\;{\mu}M\;each$) produced a rapid and reversible reduction of the $Ca^{2+}$ current by $17{\pm}6%,\;19{\pm}3%,\;and\;18{\pm}4%$, respectively. Atropine, a muscarinic antagonist, blocked carbachol- induced $Ca^{2+}$ current inhibition to $3{\pm}1%$. Norepinephrine ($50\;{\mu}M$) reduced $Ca^{2+}$ current by $18{\pm}2%$, while clonidine ($50\;{\mu}M$), an ${\alpha}2-adrenergic$ receptor agonist, inhibited $Ca^{2+}$ current by only $4{\pm}1%$. Yohimbine, an ${\alpha}2-adrenergic$ receptor antagonist, did not block the inhibitory effect of norepinephrine on $Ca^{2+}$ current, whereas prazosin, an ${\alpha}1-adrenergic$ receptor antagonist, attenuated the inhibitory effect of norepinephrine on $Ca^{2+}$ current to $6{\pm}1%$. This pharmacology contrasts with ${\alpha}2-adrenergic$ receptor modulation of $Ca^{2+}$ channels in rat sympathetic neurons, which is sensitive to clonidine and blocked by yohimbine. Our data suggest that the modulation of voltage dependent $Ca^{2+}$ channel by norepinephrine is mediated via an α1-adrenergic receptor. Pretreatment with pertussis toxin (250 ng/ml) for 16 h greatly reduced norepinephrine- and carbachol-induced $Ca^{2+}$ current inhibition from $17{\pm}3%\;and\;18{\pm}3%\;to\;2{\pm}1%\;and\;2{\pm}1%$, respectively. These results demonstrate that norepinephrine, through an ${\alpha}1-adrenergic$ receptor, and carbachol, through a muscarinic receptor, inhibit $Ca^{2+}$ currents in adult rat trigeminal ganglion neurons via pertussis toxin sensitive GTP-binding proteins.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.29-38
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• 2000

The signal transduction pathway for most neurotransmitter induced inhibition of $Ca^{2+}$ channels in sympathetic neurons involves a G-protein mediated, membrane-delimited mechanism without the participation of any known protein kinase. However, activation of protein kinase C (PKC) has been proposed as one of the intracellular mechanisms mediating some neurotransmitter induced $Ca^{2+}$ channel inhibition. In the present study, we investigated the effects of phorbol-12, 13-dibutyrate (PDBu) on $Ca^{2+}$ channel currents of acutely dispersed neurons from adult rat superior cervical ganglion (SCG) neurons using whole cell variant of the patch clamp technique. PDBu (500 nM), the activator of PKC, increased $Ca^{2+}$ channel currents and retarded the deactivation of tail currents. The effects of PDBu were voltage dependent and the maximal increase in the current amplitudes was observed between -10 to 10 mV (n=4). PDBu attenuated $Ca^{2+}$ current inhibition induced by norepinephrine (NE), which modulates $Ca^{2+}$ channels via a pertussis toxin (PTX)-sensitive pathway. Inhibition of PDBu by staurosporine (1 $\mu$M) blocked the effects of PDBu on current amplitudes and NE-induced G-protein mediated inhibition of $Ca^{2+}$ currents. Further experiment should be done to know if G-protein or $Ca^{2+}$ channel itself is the target of PKC phosphorvlation.phosphorvlation.