• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제9권2호
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• pp.131-135
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• 2005

Potassium channels in human skin fibroblast have been studied as a possible site of Alzheimer disease pathogenesis. Fibroblasts in Alzheimer disease show alterations in signal transduction pathway such as changes in $Ca^{2+}$ homeostasis and/or $Ca^{2+}-activated$ kinases, phosphatidylinositol cascade, protein kinase C activity, cAMP levels and absence of specific $K^+$ channel. However, little is known so far about electrophysiological and pharmacological characteristics of large-conductance $Ca^{2+}$-activated $K^+$ ($BK_{Ca}$) channel in human fibroblast (CRL-1474). In the present study, we found Iberiotoxin- and TEA-sensitive outward rectifying oscillatory current with whole-cell recordings. Single channel analysis showed large conductance $K^{+}$ channels (106 pS of chord conductance at +40 mV in physiological $K^+$ gradient). The 106 pS channels were activated by membrane potential and $[Ca^{2+}]_i$, consistent with the known properties of $BK_{Ca}$ channels. $BK_{Ca}$ channels in CRL-1474 were positively regulated by adenylate cyclase activator ($10{\mu}M$ forskolin), 8-Br-cyclic AMP ($300{\mu}M$) or 8-Br-cyclic GMP ($300{\mu}M$). These results suggest that human skin fibroblasts (CR-1474) have typical $BK_{Ca}$ channel and this channel could be modulated by c-AMP and c-GMP. The electrophysiological characteristics of fibroblasts might be used as the diagnostic clues for Alzheimer disease.

• 대한의용생체공학회:학술대회논문집
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• 대한의용생체공학회 1994년도 춘계학술대회
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• pp.142-145
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• 1994

Calcium(Ca) ion plays an important role to trigger the secretion of important neurotransmitters. Since Ca ion flows into the cell thru the ion selective channel, the conductance of which depends on the transmembrane potential, the voltage-dependent characteristic of Ca ion channel is crucial to elucidate the stimulus-secretion coupling of exocytosis. The present study measured the Ca ion currents thru a whole-cell configuration patch at the transmembrane potential clamped at various desired levels in the rat chromaffin cell. The resultant current-voltage relationship was differentiated to obtain dynamic conductance at each clamped voltage. Based on these measured data, five numerical parameters were extracted to reveal electrical properties of Ca ion inflow process thru the voltage-gated channel. The present study can be applied to comparing the electrical characteristics of Ca channel under different experimental conditions. Also, further study is warranted to model the conformational changes of the channel molecules.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제2권2호
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• pp.133-145
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• 1998

$Ca^{2+}-signals$ in endothelial cells are determined by release from intracellular stores and entry through the plasma membrane. In this review, the nature of $Ca^{2+}$ entry and mechanisms of its control are reviewed. The following ion channels play a pivotal role in regulation of the driving force for $Ca^{2+}$ entry: an inwardly rectifying $K^+$ channel, identified as Kir2.1, a big-conductance, $Ca^{2+}-activated$ $K^+$ channel (hslo) and at least two $Cl^-$ channels (a volume regulated $Cl^-$ channel, VRAC, and a $Ca^{2+}$ activated $Cl^-$ channel, CaCC). At least two different types of $Ca^{2+}$-entry channels exist: 1. A typical CRAC-like, highly selective $Ca^{2+}$ channel is described. Current density for this $Ca^{2+}$ entry is approximately 0.1pA/pF at 0 mV and thus 10 times smaller than in Jurkat or mast cells. 2. Another entry pathway for $Ca^{2+}$ entry is a more non-selective channel, which might be regulated by intracellular $Ca^{2+}$. Although detected in endothelial cells, the functional role of trp1,3,4 as possible channel proteins is unclear. Expression of trp3 in macrovascular endothelial cells from bovine pulmonary artery induced non-selective cation channels which are probably not store operated or failed to induce any current. Several features as well as a characterisation of $Ca^{2+}$-oscillations in endothelial cells is also presented.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제24권1호
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• pp.18-22
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• 2000

앞의 연구에서 우리는 진세노사이드가 신경세포에 존재하는 high-threshold voltage-dependent $Ca^{2+}$ channel을 억제한다는 것을 발표하였다. 그러나, 이러한 연구는 진세노사이드가 여러 칼슘 채널subtypes중 어느 특정 칼슘 채널만을 선택적으로 조절한다는 것을 보여주지는 않았다. 따라서 이 연구에서 우리는 여러 칼슘 채널subtypes에 선택적으로 작용하는 약물 혹은 toxins을 이용하여 진세노사이드가 어느 종류의 칼슘 채널 subtypes를 억제하는가를 bovine chromaffin cell을 이용하여 연구하였다. 사용한 물질은nimodipine(L-type 칼슘 채널 길항제), $\omega$-conotoxin GVIA (N-type $Ca^{2+}$ channel 길항제), $\omega$-agatoxin IVA(P-type 칼슘 채널 길항제)이었다. 연구 결과 진세노사이드는 bovine chromaffin 세포에 존재하는 high-threshold 칼슘 current을 투여 농도별로 억제하였다. $IC_{50}$/은 약 120 $\mu$g/ml인 것으로 나타났다. nimodipine은 진세노사이드에 의한 칼슘 currents억제 작용에 영향을 미치지 않은 것으로 나타났다. 그러나, $\omega$-conotoxin GVIA, $\omega$-agatoxin IVA 및 nimodipine+$\omega$-conotoxin GVIA+$\omega$-agatoxin IVA을 처리한 세포에서는 진세노사이드에 의한 칼슘 currents억제 작용이 현저하게 줄어 들었다. 이러한 연구 결과들은 진세노사이드가 L-type 칼슘 채널은 억제하지 않고, 주로 N-, p-, 및 Q-type칼슘 채널을 억제한다는 것을 보여주고 있다

• 한국생물물리학회:학술대회논문집
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• 한국생물물리학회 2003년도 정기총회 및 학술발표회
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• pp.44-44
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• 2003

$BK_{Ca}$ channels were suggested to contain one or more domains of the ‘regulator of K+ conductance’(RCK) in their cytosolic carboxyl termini (Jiang et al.2001). It was also shown that the RCK domain in mammalian $BK_{Ca}$ channels might sense the intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ with a low affinity (Xia et al. 2002). We aligned the amino acid sequence of the $\alpha$-subunit of rat $BK_{Ca}$ channels (rSlo) with known RCK domains and identified a second region exhibiting about 50％ homology. This putative domain, RCK2, contains the characteristic amino acids conserved in other RCK domains. We wondered whether this second domain is involved in the domain-domain interaction and the gating response to intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ for rSlo channel, as revealed in the structure of RCK domain of E. coli channel (Jiang et al.2001). In order to examine the possibility, site-directed mutations were introduced into the RCK2 domain of rSlo channel and the mutant channels were expressed in Xenopus oocytes for functional studies. One of such mutation, G772D, in the putative nucleotide-binding domain resulted in the enhanced $Ca^{2+}$ sensitivity and the channel gating of rSlo channel. These results suggest that this region of $BK_{Ca}$ channels is important for the channel gating and may form an independent domain in the cytosolic region of $BK_{Ca}$ channels. In order to obtain the mechanistic insights of these results, G772 residue was randomly mutagenized by site-directed mutagenesis and total 17 different mutant channels were constructed. We are currently investigating these mutant channels by electrophysiological techniques.ical techniques.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제7권1호
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• pp.25-28
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• 2003

Ion channel inhibitors are widely used for pharmacological discrimination between the different channel types as well as for determination of their functional role. In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that 4-aminopyridine (4-AP) could affect the large conductance $Ca^{2+}$-activated $K^+$ channel ($BK_{Ca}$) currents using perforated-patch or cell-attached configuration of patch-clamp technique in the rabbit pulmonary arterial smooth muscle. Application of 4-AP reversibly inhibited the spontaneous transient outward currents (STOCs). The reversal potential and the sensitivity to charybdotoxin indicated that the STOCs were due to the activation of $BK_{Ca}$. The $BK_{Ca}$ currents were recorded in single channel resolution under the cell-attached mode of patch-clamp technique for minimal perturbation of intracellular environment. Application of 4-AP also inhibited the single $BK_{Ca}$ currents reversibly and dose-dependently. The membrane potential of rabbit pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells showed spontaneous transient hyperpolarizations (STHPs), presumably due to the STOC activities, which was also inhibited by 4-AP. These results suggest that 4-AP can inhibit $BK_{Ca}$ currentsin the intact rabbit vascular smooth muscle. The use of 4-AP as a selective voltage-dependent $K^+$ (KV) channel blocker in vascular smooth muscle, therefore, must be reevaluated.

• 한국생물물리학회:학술대회논문집
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• 한국생물물리학회 2001년도 학술 발표회 진행표 및 논문초록
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• pp.46-46
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• 2001

Evidence has suggested that an anion channel blocker, 4, 4'-diisothiocyanatostilbene-2, 2' disulfonic acid (DIDS) could trigger Ca release from skeletal sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) by binding to a 30 kDa SR protein. Since the high molecular weight $Ca^{2＋}$ release channel (CRC)/ryanodine receptor (RyR) is the main SR protein that conducts $Ca^{2＋}$ efflux in skeletal muscles, the relationship between CRC and the 30kDa protein remains to be elucidated.(omitted)

• 한국생물물리학회:학술대회논문집
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• 한국생물물리학회 2003년도 정기총회 및 학술발표회
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• pp.42-42
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• 2003

Large-conductance $Ca^{2+}$-activated potassium channels ($BK_{Ca}$ are a widely distributed and play key roles in various cell functions. In nerve cells, $BK_{Ca}$ channels shorten the duration of action potentials and block $Ca^{2+}$ entry thereby repolarizing excitable cells after excitation. $BK_{Ca}$ channel opening has been postulated to confer neuroprotection during stroke, and has attracted attention as a means for therapeutic intervention in asthma, hypertension, convulsions, and traumatic brain injury. Several natural and synthetic compounds including a steroid hormone, $\beta$-estradiol, have been identified as the activators of $BK_{Ca}$ channels. Based on the structural features of the previously reported activators of $BK_{Ca}$ channels, we designed several lead compounds, synthesized chemically, and tested their functional activity on cloned $BK_{Ca}$ channels. The $\alpha$ subunit of rat $BK_{Ca}$ channel was expressed alone or with different $\beta$ subunits in Xenopus oocytes and the effects of the compounds were tested electrophysiological means. One of the lead compounds affected the activity of the $\alpha$ subunit of $BK_{Ca}$ channel in a $\beta$ subunit-specific manner. While the activity of B $K_{ca}$ channel $\alpha$ subunit was Potentiated, the channel composed of $\alpha$ and $\beta$1 subunits were inhibited by this compound. We are currently investigating the mechanism of the $\beta$ subunit-dependent effects and planning to localize the receptor site of the lead compound.f the lead compound.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• 제25권1호
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• pp.17-26
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• 1991

Single smooth muscle cells of the rabbit pulmonary artery were isolated by treatment with collagenase and elastase. Using the patch clamp technique, potassium channel activity was recorded from the inside-out membrane patch. The channel had a sin히e channel conductance of about 360 pS in symmetrical concentration of K on both sides of the patch, 150 mM, and had a linear current-voltage relationship. During the application of 10 mM tetraethylammonium (TEA) to the intracellular membrane surface, the amplitude of single channel current was reduced and very rapid flickering appeared. The open probability $(P_0)$ of this channel was increased by increasing positivity of the potential across the patch membrane, with e-fold increase by 20 mV depolarization, and by increasing the internal $Ca^{2+}$ concentration. These findings are consistent with those of large conductance Ca-activated K channels reported in other tissues. But the shortening of the mean open time by increasing $[Ca^{2+}]_i$, was an unexpected result and one additional closed state which might be arisen from a block of the open channel by Ca binding was suggested. The $P_0-membrane$ potential relationship was modulated by internal pH. Decreasing pH reduced $P_0$. Increasing pH not only increased $P_0$ but also weakened the voltage dependency of the channel opening. The modulation of Ca-activated K channel by pH was thought to be related to the mechanism of regulation of vascular tone by the pH change.

• 한국생물물리학회:학술대회논문집
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• 한국생물물리학회 2003년도 정기총회 및 학술발표회
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• pp.45-45
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• 2003

We isolated a novel ankyrin-repeat containing protein, rSIAP (rSlo Interacting Ankyrin-repeat Protein), as an interacting protein to the cytosolic domain of the alpha-subunit of rat large-conductance Ca$\^$2+/-activated K$\^$+/ channel (rSlo) by yeast two-hybrid screening. Affinity pull-down assay showed the direct and specific interaction between rSIAP and rSlo domain. The channel-binding proteins can be classified into several categories according to their functional effects on the channel proteins, i.e. signaling adaptors, scaffolding net, molecular tuners, molecular chaperones, etc. To obtain initial clues on its functional roles, we investigated the cellular localization of rSIAP using immunofluorescent staining. The results showed the possible co-localization of rSlo and rSIAP protein near the plasma membrane, when co-expressed in CHO cells. We then investigated the functional effects of rSIAP on the rSlo channel using electrophysiological means. The co-expression of rSIAP accelerated the activation of rSlo channel. These effects were initiated at the micromolar [Ca$\^$2+/]$\_$i/ and gradually increased as [Ca$\^$2+/]$\_$i/ raised. Interestingly, rSIAP decreased the inactivation kinetics of rSlo channel at micromolar [Ca$\^$2+/]$\_$i/, while the rate was accelerated at sub-micromolar [Ca$\^$2+/]$\_$i/. These results suggest that rSIAP may modulate the activity of native BK$\_$Ca/ channel by altering its gating kinetics depending on [Ca$\^$2+/]$\_$i/. To localize critical regions involved in protein-protein interaction between rSlo and rSIAP, a series of sub-domain constructs were generated. We are currently investigating sub-domain interaction using both of yeast two-hybrid method and in vitro binding assay.