• ALGAE
• /
• v.36 no.4
• /
• pp.315-326
• /
• 2021

Ion channels are membrane protein complexes mediating passive ion flux across the cell membranes. Every organism has a certain set of ion channels that define its physiology. Dinoflagellates are ecologically important microorganisms characterized by effective physiological adaptability, which backs up their massive proliferations that often result in harmful blooms (red tides). In this study, we used a bioinformatics approach to identify homologs of known ion channels that belong to 36 ion channel families. We demonstrated that the versatility of the dinoflagellate physiology is underpinned by a high diversity of ion channels including homologs of animal and plant proteins, as well as channels unique to protists. The analysis of 27 transcriptomes allowed reconstructing a consensus ion channel repertoire (channelome) of dinoflagellates including the members of 31 ion channel families: inwardly-rectifying potassium channels, two-pore domain potassium channels, voltage-gated potassium channels (K_v), tandem K_v, cyclic nucleotide-binding domain-containing channels (CNBD), tandem CNBD, eukaryotic ionotropic glutamate receptors, large-conductance calcium-activated potassium channels, intermediate/small-conductance calcium-activated potassium channels, eukaryotic single-domain voltage-gated cation channels, transient receptor potential channels, two-pore domain calcium channels, four-domain voltage-gated cation channels, cation and anion Cys-loop receptors, small-conductivity mechanosensitive channels, large-conductivity mechanosensitive channels, voltage-gated proton channels, inositole-1,4,5-trisphosphate receptors, slow anion channels, aluminum-activated malate transporters and quick anion channels, mitochondrial calcium uniporters, voltage-dependent anion channels, vesicular chloride channels, ionotropic purinergic receptors, animal volage-insensitive cation channels, channelrhodopsins, bestrophins, voltage-gated chloride channels H⁺/Cl^- exchangers, plant calcium-permeable mechanosensitive channels, and trimeric intracellular cation channels. Overall, dinoflagellates represent cells able to respond to physical and chemical stimuli utilizing a wide range of G-protein coupled receptors- and Ca²⁺-dependent signaling pathways. The applied approach not only shed light on the ion channel set in dinoflagellates, but also provided the information on possible molecular mechanisms underlying vital cellular processes dependent on the ion transport.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
• /
• v.5 no.2
• /
• pp.147-156
• /
• 2001

It has been proposed that $Ca^{2+}-activated$ K $(K_{Ca})$ channels play an essential role in vascular tone. The alterations of the properties of coronary $K_{Ca}$ channels have not been studied as a possible mechanism for impaired coronary reserve in cardiac hypertrophy. The present studies were carried out to determine the properties of coronary $K_{Ca}$ channels in normal and hypertrophied hearts. These channels were measured from rabbit coronary smooth muscle cells using a patch clamp technique. The main findings of the present study are as follows: (1) the unitary current amplitudes and the slope conductance of coronary $K_{Ca}$ channels were decreased without changes of the channel kinetics in isoproterenol-induced cardiac hypertrophy; (2) the sensitivity of coronary $K_{Ca}$ channels to the changes of intracellular concentration of $Ca^{2+}$ was reduced in isoproterenol-induced cardiac hypertrophy. From above results, we suggest for the first time that the alteration of $K_{Ca}$ channels are involved in impaired coronary reserve in isoproterenol-induced cardiac hypertrophy.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
• /
• v.2 no.5
• /
• pp.581-589
• /
• 1998

A regulating mechanism of the ATP-sensitive potassium channels $(K_{ATP}\;channels)$ is yet to fully explained. This study was carried out to investigate the effects of intracellular application of monocarboxylates (acetate, formate, lactate, and pyruvate) on $K_{ATP}$ channels in isolated rabbit ventricular myocytes. Single channel currents of $K_{ATP}$ channels were recorded using the excised inside-out or permeabilized attached (open-cell) patch-clamp technique at room temperature. Intracellular application of acetate, formate and pyruvate led to an inhibition of channel activity, whereas intracellular application of lactate increased channel activity. These effects were reversible upon washout. Analysis of single channel kinetics showed that monocarboxylates did not affect open-time constant and close-time constant. These results suggest that monocarboxylates participate in modulating $K_{ATP}$ channels activity in cardiac cells and that modulation of $K_{ATP}$ channels activity may resolve the discrepancy between the low $K_i$ in excised membrane patches and high levels of intracellular ATP concentration during myocardial ischemia or hypoxia.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
• /
• v.12 no.2
• /
• pp.51-58
• /
• 2008

Cardiac fibroblasts constitute one of the largest cell populations in the heart, and contribute to structural, biochemical, mechanical and electrical properties of the myocardium. Nonetheless, their cardiac functions, especially electrophysiological properties, have often been disregarded in studies. $Ca^{2+}$-activated $K^+\;(K_{Ca})$ channels can control $Ca^{2+}$ influx as well as a number of $Ca^{2+}$-dependent physiological processes. We, therefore, attempted to identify and characterize $K_{Ca}$ channels in rat Cardiac fibroblasts. First, we showed that the cells cultured from the rat ventricle were cardiac fibroblasts by immunostaining for discoidin domain receptor 2 (DDR-2), a specific fibroblast marker. Secondly, we detected the expression of various $K_{Ca}$ channels by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and found all three family members of $K_{Ca}$ channels, including large conductance $K_{Ca}$ (BK-${\alpha}1-\;and\;-{\beta}1{\sim}4$subunits), intermediate conductance $K_{Ca}$ (IK), and small conductance $K_{Ca}$ (SK$1{\sim}4$ subunits) channels. Thirdly, we recorded BK, IK, and SK channels by whole cell mode patch clamp technique using their specific blockers. Finally, we performed cell proliferation assay to evaluate the effects of the channels on cell proliferation, and found that the inhibition of IK channel increased the cell proliferation. These results showed the existence of BK, IK, and SK channels in rat ventricular fibroblasts and involvement of IK channel in cell proliferation.

• Journal of Fisheries and Marine Sciences Education
• /
• v.25 no.5
• /
• pp.1102-1109
• /
• 2013

An numerical analysis was performed to obtain the design parameters for parallel micro-channels. The parallel micro-channels consist of 10 square channels with a hydraulic diameter of 300 ${\mu}m$ and inlet/outlet manifolds. The channel length is 5mm, 10mm and 40mm respectively. Mass flux was set between 200~600kg/m2s as inlet boundary condition and atmospheric pressure was set as outlet boundary condition. The pressure drop in channels and manifolds were estimated by using the Shah and London correlation and the flow uniformity was represented by the velocity distributions with dimensionless velocity. The results show that the flow uniformity in channels depends on shapes of manifolds, length and mass flux.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
• /
• v.5 no.1
• /
• pp.33-40
• /
• 2001

The aim of present study was to define the cellular mechanisms underlying changes in delayed rectifier $K^+\;(K_{DR})$ channel function in isoproterenol-induced hypertrophy. It has been proposed that $K_{DR}$ channels play a role in regulation of vascular tone by limiting membrane depolarization in arterial smooth muscle cells. The alterations of the properties of coronary $K_{DR}$ channels have not been studied as a possible mechanism for impaired coronary reserve in cardiac hypertrophy. The present study was carried out to compare the properties of coronary $K_{DR}$ channels in normal and hypertrophied hearts. These channels were measured from rabbit coronary smooth muscle cells using a patch clamp technique. The main findings of the study are as follows: (1) the $K_{DR}$ current density was decreased without changes of the channel kinetics in isoproterenol-induced hypertrophy; (2) the sensitivity of coronary $K_{DR}$ channels to 4-AP was increased in isoproterenol-induced hypertrophy. From the above results, we suggest for the first time that the alteration of $K_{DR}$ channels may limit vasodilating responses to several stimuli and may be involved in impaired coronary reserve in isoproterenol-induced hypertrophy.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
• /
• v.4 no.6
• /
• pp.427-437
• /
• 2000

The early studies of cardiac and smooth muscle cells provided evidence for two different calcium channels, the L-type (also called high-voltage activated [HVA]) and T-type (low-voltage activated [LVA]). These calcium channels provided calcium for muscle contractions and pace-making activities. As might be expected, the number of different calcium channels increased when researchers studied neurons and the identification of the neuronal calcium channels has proven to be much more difficult than with the muscle calcium channels. There are two reasons for this difficulty; (1) a larger number of different calcium channels in neurons and (2) many of the different calcium channels have similar kinetic properties. This review uses the N-type calcium channel to illustrate the difficulties in identifying and characterizing calcium channels in neurons. It shows that the discovery of toxins that can specifically block single calcium channel types has made it possible to easily and rapidly discern the physiological roles of the different calcium channels in the neuron, Without these toxins it is unlikely that progress would have been as rapid.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
• /
• v.9 no.1
• /
• pp.37-43
• /
• 2005

Our previous report demonstrated that chick myoblasts are equipped with $Ca^{2+}$-permeable stretchactivated channels and $Ca^{2+}-activated$ potassium channels ($K_{Ca}$), and that hyperpolarization-induced by $K_{Ca}$ channels provides driving force for $Ca^{2+}$ influx through the stretch-activated channels into the cells. Here, we showed that acetylcholine (ACh) also hyperpolarized the membrane of cultured chick myoblasts, suggesting that nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) may be another pathway for $Ca^{2+}$ influx. Under cell-attatched patch configuration, ACh increased the open probability of $K_{Ca}$ channels from 0.007 to 0.055 only when extracellular $Ca^{2+}$ was present. Nicotine, a nAChR agonist, increased the open probability of $K_{Ca}$ channels from 0.008 to 0.023, whereas muscarine failed to do so. Since the activity of $K_{Ca}$ channel is sensitive to intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ level, nAChR seems to be capable of inducing $Ca^{2+}$ influx. Using the $Ca^{2+}$ imaging analysis, we were able to provide direct evidence that ACh induced $Ca^{2+}$ influx from extracellular solution, which was dramatically increased by valinomycin-mediated hyperpolarization. In addition, ACh hyperpolarized the membrane potential from $-12.5{\pm}3$ to $-31.2{\pm}5$ mV by generating the outward current through $K_{Ca}$ channels. These results suggest that activation of nAChR increases $Ca^{2+}$ influx, which activates $K_{Ca}$ channels, thereby hyperpolarizing the membrane potential in chick myoblasts.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
• /
• v.30 no.4
• /
• pp.305-318
• /
• 2013

Objectives : The aim of this study was to examine the effect of electroacupuncture(EA) at an acupoint, HT8(Sobu), on normal humans by using power spectral analysis. We examined the effect on the Heart Rate Variability(HRV), and the balance of the autonomic nervous system. Methods : Thirty-two healthy volunteers participated in this study. EEG(Electroencephalogram) power spectrum exhibits site-specific and state-related differences in specific frequency bands. A thirty-two channel EEG study was carried out on thirty-two subjects(14 males; mean age=23.5 years old, 18 females; mean age=21.5 years old). HRV and EEG were simultaneously recorded before and after acupuncture. Results : In the ${\alpha}$(alpha) band, during the HT8-acupoint treatment, the power values in the ${\alpha}$(alpha) band significantly decreased(p<0.05) at 28 channels. In the ${\beta}$(beta) band significantly decreased(p<0.05) at 26 channels. In ${\delta}$(delta) band significantly decreased(p<0.05) at 18 channels. In ${\theta}$(theta) band significantly decreased(p<0.05) at 20 channels. ${\alpha}/{\beta}$ values were increased at 6 channels and decreased at 10 channels.${\beta}/{\theta}$ values were increased at 10 channels and decreased at 19 channels. Mean-RR(RR-interval), Complexity, RMSSD(Root mean square of successive differences), SDSD(Standard deviations differences between adjacent normal R-R intervals), norm HF showed a significantly increased and mean-HRV, norm LF, LHR(LF/HF Ratio) showed a significantly decreased after HT8-acupoint treatment(p<0.05). Conclusions : These results suggest that EA at the HT8 mostly causes significant changes on alpha(28 channels), beta(26 channels), delta(18 channels), theta(20 channels) bands and mean-HRV, mean-RR, complexity, RMSSD, SDSD, norm LF, norm HF and LHR. If practicing EA at the HT8, it will regulate the function of the cerebral cortex, decrease activity of the sympathetic and increase parasympathetic nervous activity.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
• /
• v.21 no.1
• /
• pp.133-140
• /
• 2017

Conflicting evidence has been obtained regarding whether transient receptor potential cation channels (TRPC) are store-operated channels (SOCs) or receptor-operated channels (ROCs). Moreover, the Ca/Na permeability ratio differs depending on whether the current-voltage (I-V) curve has a doubly rectifying shape or inward rectifying shape. To investigate the calcium permeability of TRPC4 channels, we attached GCaMP6s to TRPC4 and simultaneously measured the current and calcium signals. A TRPC4 specific activator, (-)-englerin A, induced both current and calcium fluorescence with the similar time course. Muscarinic receptor stimulator, carbachol, also induced both current and calcium fluorescence with the similar time course. By forming heteromers with TRPC4, TRPC1 significantly reduced the inward current with outward rectifying I-V curve, which also caused the decrease of calcium fluorescence intensity. These results suggest that GCaMP6s attached to TRPC4 can detect slight calcium changes near TRPC4 channels. Consequently, TRPC4-GCaMP6s can be a useful tool for testing the calcium permeability of TRPC4 channels.