• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제12권5호
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• pp.267-274
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• 2008

Since first discovered in chick skeletal muscles, stretch-activated channels (SACs) have been proposed as a probable mechano-transducer of the mechanical stimulus at the cellular level. Channel properties have been studied in both the single-channel and the whole-cell level. There is growing evidence to indicate that major stretch-induced changes in electrical activity are mediated by activation of these channels. We aimed to investigate the mechanism of stretch-induced automaticity by exploiting a recent mathematical model of rat atrial myocytes which had been established to reproduce cellular activities such as the action potential, $Ca^{2+}$ transients, and contractile force. The incorporation of SACs into the mathematical model, based on experimental results, successfully reproduced the repetitive firing of spontaneous action potentials by stretch. The induced automaticity was composed of two phases. The early phase was driven by increased background conductance of voltage-gated $Na^+$ channel, whereas the later phase was driven by the reverse-mode operation of $Na^+/Ca^{2+}$ exchange current secondary to the accumulation of $Na^+$ and $Ca^{2+}$ through SACs. These results of simulation successfully demonstrate how the SACs can induce automaticity in a single atrial myocyte which may act as a focus to initiate and maintain atrial fibrillation in concert with other arrhythmogenic changes in the heart.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제23권4호
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• pp.235-238
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• 1999

[ $K_{ATP}$ ]채널은 세포내 ATP에 의해서 억제되는 포타슘 채널로서 혈관평활근, 골격근 및 체장의 ${\beta}$세포 막에 존재하여, 근세포의 막전압 조절을 통하여 근수축 및 이완을 조절할 뿐만 아니라 췌장의 ${\beta}$세포로부터 인슐린분비를 조절한다. 홍삼 복합사포닌 및 사포닌 $Rg_3$ 성분은 토끼 관상동맥 평활근세포의 칼슘의존성-포타슘채널$(BK_{Ca})$의 활성을 증가시켜 막전압의 과분극을 유발하여 혈관평활근을 이완시킨다. 사포닌 $Rg_3$성분은 홍삼의 복합사포닌 성분보다 $BK_{Ca}$에 더 높은 활성을 보이기 때문에 본 연구는 사포닌 $Rg_3$성분이 토끼 관상동맥 단일 평활근세포의 ${\beta}$채널의 활성도를 조절하는지를 팻치클램프 방법으로 기록하였다. 막전압 의존성과 함께 내향전류(inward rectification)특성을 보이는 ${\beta}$채널의 활성을 토끼 관상동맥 평활근 세포로부터 기록하였다. 이 ${\beta}$채널은 ATP와 giyburide에 의해서 억제되었으며 minoxidil에 의해서 활성이 증가되었다. 홍삼 사포닌 $Rg_3$성분은 $K_{ATP}$채널의 전류극대치에는 영향을 주지 않고 전류의 inactivation을 억제시켜 결과적으로 $K_{ATP}$채널의 활성을 증가시켰으며, 단일 KhTr채널이 열리는 시간도 증가시켰다. 따라서 본 실험 결과는 사포닌 $Rg_3$성분이 KATP채널의 활성을 증가시켜 막전압을 조절하여 관상동맥 평활근의 이완을 촉진한다고 여겨진다.

• 대한약리학회지
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• 제22권2호
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• pp.151-156
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• 1986

최근 심근세포 또는 신경세포에서 발표된 여러 종류의 calcium channel중 calcium antagonist로 차단되는 channel 또는 차단되지 않는 channel 등이 있는지 알아보기 위해 실험을 시행하였다. 돼지 소장 평활근으로부터 고농도의 KCl(150mM)로 부하된 세포 포막낭을 만들어 고농도의$K^+$ 또는 전기자극으로 $^{45}Ca$의 이동을 유발시켜 다음과 같은 성적을 얻었다. 저농도의 $K^+$용액에서의 $^{45}Ca$이동보다 고농도의 $K^+$-용액에서의 $^{45}Ca$이동이 유의하게 증가되었으며(p<0. 05) 이때 유입되는 $^{45}Ca$의 양은 시간에 따라 서서히 감소되었다. 전기자극(3V, 15Hz, 25msec)을 하였을때 유입되는 $^{45}Ca$의 양은 전기자극을 하지 않은 대조군에 비하여 현저하게 증가되었고, 자극시간에 따른 $^{45}Ca$의 유입량은 2분 동안 계속 증가되었다. Diltiazem 또는 nifedipine을 처치하였을때, 고농도의 $K^+$-용액에 의한 $^{45}Ca$의 유입은 억제되지 않았으나 전기자극에 의해 유도되는 $^{45}Ca$의 유입은 유의하게 억제되었다(p<0.005). 상기의 실험성적으로 돼지 소장 평활근으로부터 분리한 세포막에서의 calcium이동 중 전기자극에 의해 이루어지는 것은 calcium antagonist로 차단되는 calcium channel을 통하여 이루어지는 것으로 사료된다.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• 제26권2호
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• pp.113-122
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• 1992

It is well known that chromaffin cells of adrenal medulla secrete catecholamine in response to sympathetic nerve activation and the influx of $Ca^{2+}$ through the voltage dependent $Ca^{2+}$ channels (VDCC) in the cell membrane do a major role in this secretory process. In this study, we explored the effect of divalent cations on VDCC of rat chromaffin cells. Rat (Sprague-Dawley rat, 150-250 gm) chromaffin cells were isolated and cultured. Standard giga seal, whole cell recording techniques were employed to study $Ca^{2+}$ current with external and internal solutions that could effectively isolate VDCC currents $(NMG\;in\;external\;and\;TEA\;and\;Cs^{2+}\;in\;internal\;solution)$. The voltage dependence and the inactivation time course of VDCC in our cells were identical to those of bovine chromaffin cells. A persistent inward current was first activated by depolarizing step pulse from the holding potential (H.P.) of -80 mV to -40 mV, increased to maximum amplitude at around +10 mV, and became smaller with progressively higher depolarizing pulses to reverse at around +60 mV. The inactivation time constant $(\tau)$, fitted from the long duration test potential (2 sec) was $1295.2{\pm}126.8$ msec $(n=20,\;1\;day\;of\;culture,\;mean\;{\pm}S.E.M.)$ and the kinetic parameters were not altered along the culture duration. Nicardipine $(10\;{\mu}M)$ blocked the current almost completely. Among treated divalent cations such as $Cd^{2+},\;Co^{2+},\;Ni^{2+},\;Zn^{2+}\;and\;,Mn^{2+},\;Cd^{2+}$ was the most potent blocker on VDCC. When the depolarizing step pulse from -80 mV to 10 mV was applied, the equilibrium dissociation constant $(K_d)$ of $Cd^{2+}\;was\;39\;{\mu}M,\;K_d\;of\;Co^{2+}\;was\;100\;{\mu}M\;and\;K_d\;of\;Ni^{2+}];was];780{\mu}M.$ The principal findings of this study are as follows. First, the majority of $Ca^{2+}$ channels in rat chromaffin cells are well classified to L-type $Ca^{2+}$ channel in the view of kinetics and pharmacology. Second, all divalent cations tested could block the $Ca^{2+}$ current and the most potent blocker among the tested was $Cd^{2+}$.

• Biotechnology and Bioprocess Engineering:BBE
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• 제10권2호
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• pp.109-114
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• 2005

Ion fluxes across the plasma membrane activated by 1 mM $Ce^{4+}$, cell apoptosis and taxol biosynthesis in suspension cultures of Taxus cusp/data were studied. The extracellular pH sharply decreased upon the addition of 1 mM $Ce^{4+}$, then increased gradually and exceeded the initial pH value over a time period of 12 h. The extracellular $Ca^{2+}$ concentration decreased within the first 3 h after the addition of $Ce^{4+}$, then gradually decreased to one third of initial value in control at about 72 h and remained unchanged afterwards. Experiments with an ion channel blocker and a $Ca^{2+}$-channel blocker indicated that the dynamic changes in extracellular pH and the $Ca^{2+}$ concentration resulted from the $Ce^{4+}$-induced activation of W uptake and $Ca^{2+}$ influx across the plasma membrane via ion channels. A pretreatment of the ion channel blocker initiated $Ce^{4+}$-treated cells to undergo necrosis, and the prior addition of the $Ca^{2+}$-channel blocker inhibited $Ce^{4+}$-induced taxol biosynthesis and apoptosis. It is thus inferred that W uptake is necessary for cells to survive a $Ce^{4+}$-caused acidic environment and is one of the mechanisms of $Ce^{4+}$-induced apoptosis. Furthermore, the $Ca^{2+}$ influx across the plasma membrane mediated both the $Ce^{4+}$-induced apoptosis and taxol biosynthesis.

• 대한수의학회지
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• 제44권3호
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• pp.389-397
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• 2004

The therapeutic efficacy of xylamine in the field of psychological medicine has been recognized for years and the drug is used to treat depression and some other conditions, but little is known about its mechanism of action on vascular system. Therefore, the present study was designed to investigate the influence of xylamine on the contractile responses of isolated rat thoracic arteries to phenylephrine(PE) and potassium chloride(KCl). Xylamine produced a concentration-dependent relaxation in PE-precontracted endothelium intact(+E) rat aortic rings, but not in a KCl-precontracted aortic rings. Also, xylamine inhibited the PE-induced contraction in concentration-dependent manner, but not in the high KCl-induced contraction in +E rings. This concentration-dependent inhibition was suppressed by the removal of the endothelium (-E). The inhibitory effects of xylamine($0.3{\mu}M$) on the PE-induced contractions were suppressed by N(G)-nitro-L-arginine(L-NNA), N(omega)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester(L-NAME), aminoguanidine, dexamethasone, methylene blue, 1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazolo [4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one(ODQ), indomethacin, ryanodine, tetrabutylammonium(TBA), lidocaine, procaine and 0 mM extracellular $Na^+$, but not by 2-nitro-4-carboxyphenyl-n,n-diphenylcarbamate(NCDC), lithium, nifedipine, verapamil, 0 mM extracellular $Ca^{2+}$, glibenclamide and clotrimazole. These findings suggest that xylamine could act as a vasorelaxant and direct inhibitor of arterial contraction. This vasorelaxation involves an endothelial nitric oxide (NO)/cGMP (guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate) pathway or cyclooxygenase system, and an interference with $Ca^{2+}$ release, TBA-sensitive $Ca^{2+}$-activated $K^+$ channels and $Na^+$$ channels.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제15권1호
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• pp.53-59
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• 2011

The secretion of insulin from pancreatic ${\beta}$-cells is triggered by the influx of $Ca^{2+}$ through voltage-dependent $Ca^{2+}$ channels. The resulting elevation of intracellular calcium ($[Ca^{2+}]_i$) triggers additional $Ca^{2+}$ release from internal stores. Less well understood are the mechanisms involved in $Ca^{2+}$ mobilization from internal stores after activation of $Ca^{2+}$ influx. The mobilization process is known as calcium-induced calcium release (CICR). In this study, our goal was to investigate the existence of and the role of caffeine-sensitive ryanodine receptors (RyRs) in a rat pancreatic ${\beta}$-cell line, INS-1 cells. To measure cytosolic and stored $Ca^{2+}$, respectively, cultured INS-1 cells were loaded with fura-2/AM or furaptra/AM. $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ was repetitively increased by caffeine stimulation in normal $Ca^{2+}$ buffer. However, peak $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ was only observed after the first caffeine stimulation in $Ca^{2+}$ free buffer and this increase was markedly blocked by ruthenium red, a RyR blocker. KCl-induced elevations in $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ were reduced by pretreatment with ruthenium red, as well as by depletion of internal $Ca^{2+}$ stores using cyclopiazonic acid (CPA) or caffeine. Caffeine-induced $Ca^{2+}$ mobilization ceased after the internal stores were depleted by carbamylcholine (CCh) or CPA. In permeabilized INS-1 cells,$Ca^{2+}$ release from internal stores was activated by caffeine, $Ca^{2+}$, or ryanodine. Furthermore, ruthenium red completely blocked the CICR response in perrneabilized cells. RyRs were widely distributed throughout the intracellular compartment of INS-1 cells. These results suggest that caffeine-sensitive RyRs exist and modulate the CICR response from internal stores in INS-1 pancreatic ${\beta}$-cells.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• 제28권1호
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• pp.37-50
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• 1994

Synthetic potassium channel openers (KCOs) are agents capable of opening K-channels in excitable cells. These agents are known to have their maximal potency in the smooth muscle tissue, especially in the vascular smooth muscle. Much attention has been focused on the type of K-channel that is responsible for mediating the effects of KCOs. As the KCO-induced changes are antagonized by glibenclamide, an $K_{ATP}$ (ATP-sensitive K-channel) blocker in the pancreatic ${\beta}-cell,\;K_{ATP}$ was suggested to be the channel responsible. However, there also are many results in favor of other types of K-channel $$(maxi-K,\;small\;conductance\;K_{Ca,}\; SK_{ATP}) mediating the effects of KCOs. Effects of lemakalim, (-)enantiomer of cromakalim (BRL 34915), on the spontaneous contractions and slow waves, were investigated in the antral circular muscle of the guinea-pig stomach. Membrane currents and the effects on membrane currents and single channel activities were also measured in single smooth muscle cells and excised membrane patches by using the patch clamp method. Lemakalim induced hyperpolarization and inhibited spontaneous contractions in a dose-dependent manner. These effects were blocked by glibenclamide and low concentrations of tetraethyl ammonium (< mM). Glibenclamide blocked the effect of lemakalim on the membrane potential and slow waves. The mechanoinhibitory effect of lemakalim was blocked by pretreatment with glibenclamide. In a whole ceIl patch clamp condition, lemakalim largely increased outward K currents. These outward K currents were blocked by TEA, glibenclamide and a high concentration of intracelIular EGTA (10 mM). Volatage-gated Ca currents were not affected by lemakalim. In inside-out patch clamp experiments, lemakalim increased the opening frequency of the large conductance $Ca^{2+}-activated$ K channels $(BK_{Ca},\;Maxi-K).$ From these results, it is suggested that lemakalim induces hyperpolarization by opening K-channels which are sensitive to internal Ca and such a hyperpolarization leads to the inhibition of the spontaneous contraction.

• 동의생리병리학회지
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• 제19권3호
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• pp.743-748
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• 2005

This study was performed for the investigation of vasodilatory efficacy and its underlying mechanisms of Jagumhuan(JGH), a herbal remedy. JGH produced completely endothelium-dependent relaxation and relaxed phenylephrine(PE)-precontracted aorta in a concentration dependent manner. The magnitude of relaxation was greater in PE induced contraction than that of KCl, suggesting involvement of $K^+$ channel in the relaxant effect. Both glibenclamide$(10^{-5}M)$, a $K_{ATP}$ channel inhibitor and indometacin, a cyclooxygenase inhibitor, completely prevented this relaxation. The relaxation effects of JGH, involve in part the release of nitric oxide from the endothelium as pretreatment with L-NAME, an NOS inhibitor, and methylene blue, a cGMP inhibitor, attenuated the responses by 62% and 58%, respectively. In addition, nitrite was produced by JGH in human aortic smooth muscle cells and human umbilical vein endothelial cells. The relaxant effect of JGH was also inhibited by 55.41% by tetraethylammonium(TEA; 5mM), a $K_{Ca}$ channel inhibitor. In the absence of extracellular $Ca^{2+}$, pre-incubation of the aortic rings with JGH significantly reduced the contraction by PE, suggesting that the relaxant action of the JGH includes inhibition of $Ca^{2+}$ release from intracellular stores. These results indicate that in rat thoracic aorta, JGH may induce vasodilation through ATP sensitive $K^+$ channel activation by prostacyclin production. However, the relaxant effect of JGH may also mediated in part by NO pathways and $Ca^{2+}$ activated $K^+$ channel.

• 대한약리학회지
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• 제25권1호
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• pp.53-58
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• 1989

본 연구실에는 최근 수년동안 말라리아, 성병등에 민간약으로 사용되어 온 회양목(Buxus microphylla var. koreana Nakai)으로 부터 다수의 물질을 분리하여 그 약리작용을 경색하여왔다. Coumarin의 유도체인 buxuletin은 이뇨 작용이 있음이 인정되었으며, steroid 성 alkaloid인 Cyclobuxine $D(C_{25}H_{42}ON_2)$는 항염증작용, 흰쥐에서 심박동수 감소작용 및 적출 평활근 이완 작용을 나타냈다. 본 연구에서는 회양목에서 Cyclobuxine D의 유도체인 Cyclobuxine $E(C_{24}H_{38}ON_2)$를 분리하여 그 구조를 이화학적인 방법으로 규명하였으며 흰쥐의 십이지장 평활근에서 acetylcholine에 의해 유도되는 수축 작용에 대한 영향과 높은 칼륨 이온에 의해 활성화되는 칼슘 채널에 대한 Cyclobuxine E의 영향을 관찰하였다. Cyclobuxine E는 적출 십이지장 평활근에서 acetylcholine의 수축작용을 현저히 억제하였으며, Calcium-depleted potassium-depolarizing 용액에 담근 후 $CaCl_2$를 가함으로써 나타나는 이중적인 수축작용을 용량적으로 차단하였다. 이상의 십이지장 평활근에 대한 Cyclobuxine E의 작용은 Cyclobuxine E가 칼륨에 의해 활성화되는 칼슘 채널 (아마, voltage-dependent calcium channel)을 통한 칼슘의 세포막 통과를 차단하므로 인해 나타남을 시사한다.