• Proceedings of the Korean Biophysical Society Conference
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• 2001.06a
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• pp.38-38
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• 2001

We cloned the cDNA encoding the neuron-specific $\beta$-subunit ($\beta$4) of large-conductance calcium-activated potassium channels from rat brain and determined the DNA sequences of the entire coding region (GenBank accession; AY028605). The deduced amino acid sequences of r$\beta$4, 210 amino acids in length, are closely related to the $BK_{Ca}$ $\beta$4 subunits of other species but show only limited sequence homology to other $\beta$-subunits, $\beta$1-$\beta$3.(omitted)d)

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.103-109
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• 1988

Cyclobuxine D, extracted from Buxus microphylla var. koreana Nakai, is a steroidal alkaloid. Many pharmacological effects of cyclobuxine D were examined in our Lab. Cyclobuxine D showed a significant bradycardic effect in the rat heart and an inhibitory action on acetylcholine and $Ba^{++}-induced$ contraction of the longitudinal muscle isolated from the rabbit jejunum. In this study, we investigated the effect of cyclobuxine D on the contractile response-elicited by acetylcholine, oxytocin and $Ba^{++}$ in rat uterine. In order to analyse the inhibitory action of cyclobuxine D on the smooth muscle, we examined the inhibitory action of cyclobuxine D against the contractile response of the high potassium-depolarized rat ileum to calcium. Concentration-dependent decrease in the peak tension and duration of the acetylcholine, oxytocin and $Ba^{++}-induced$ contraction in the isolated rat uterus was observed when cyclobuxine D was added to the organ bath. The isolated longitudinal muscle from the rat ileum was immersed calcium-depleted potassium-depolarizing solution. Ten minutes after, 1.8 mM $CaCl_2$ was added to muscle bath and elicited a biphasic increase in muscle tension. Cyclobuxine D $(6.2{\times}10^{-5}\;M)$ produced an appreciable inhibition of both components of the mechanical response. In addition, $3.1{\times}10^{-4}\;M$ cyclobuxine D, introduced at a point when the tonic response had reached its maximum level, caused the muscle to exhibit a rapid lose of tension. Based on these experimental results, we propose the possibility that the inhibitory action of cyclobuxine D on the acetylcholine, oxytocin and $Ba^{++}-induced$ contraction in the isolated rat uterus may be due to blocking potassium-activated calcium channels, voltage-sensitive calcium channels.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.191-198
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• 2009

The present study was undertaken to determine whether treatment with genistein, the plant-derived estrogen-like compound influences agonist-induced vascular smooth muscle contraction and, if so, to investigate related mechanisms. The measurement of isometric contractions using a computerized data acquisition system was combined with molecular experiments. Genistein completely inhibited KCl-, phorbol ester-, phenylephrine-, fluoride- and thromboxane $A_2$-induced contractions. An inactive analogue, daidzein, completely inhibited only fluoride-induced contraction regardless of endothelial function, suggesting some difference between the mechanisms of RhoA/Rho-kinase activators such as fluoride and thromboxane $A_2$. Furthermore, genistein and daidzein each significantly decreased phosphorylation of MYPT1 at Thr855 had been induced by a thromboxane $A_2$ mimetic. Interestingly, iberiotoxin, a blocker of large-conductance calcium-activated potassium channels, did not inhibit the relaxation response to genistein or daidzein in denuded aortic rings precontracted with fluoride. In conclusion, genistein or daidzein elicit similar relaxing responses in fluoride-induced contractions, regardless of tyrosine kinase inhibition or endothelial function, and the relaxation caused by genistein or daidzein was not antagonized by large conductance $K_{Ca}$-channel inhibitors in the denuded muscle. This suggests that the RhoA/Rho-kinase pathway rather than $K^+$- channels are involved in the genistein-induced vasodilation. In addition, based on molecular and physiological results, only one vasoconstrictor fluoride seems to be a full RhoA/Rho-kinase activator; the others are partial activators.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.363-374
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• 1994

The purpose of this study was to investigate the characteristics or the potassium channels existing in the rat urinary bladders. Smooth muscle strips of rat detrusor urinae were examined by isometric myography. Relaxation responses of detrusor muscle strips to the three potassium channel openers pinacidil, a cyanoguanidine derivative, BRL 38227, a benzopyran derivative and RP 52891, a tertrahydrothiopyran derivative were examined. The potassium channel openers reduced the basal tone, and the rank order of potency was RP 52891>pincidil>BRL 38227. Procaine, an inhibitor of the voltage-sensitive potassium channel tended to increase the basal tone, but it did not affect the relaxant effects of the calcium-activated potassium channel opener did not antagonize the relaxant effects, but it reduced the Emax of RP 52891 and BRL 38227. Glibenclamide, an inhibitor of the ATP-sensitive potassium channel, antagonized the relaxant effects of pinacidil, RP 52891 and BRL 38227 reducing the Emax of RP 52891 and BRl 38227. Galanin which inhibits secretion of insulin through opening the ATP-sensitive potassium channels in pancreatic ${\beta}$-cells rather increased the basal tone of the isolated detrusor strips. These results suggest that the urinary bladder of the rat has mainly the ATP-sensitive, glibenclamide sensitive potassium channel, which is a different type from that in the pancreatic ${\beta}$-islet cells..

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.241-249
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• 2017

Plasma membrane hyperpolarization associated with activation of $Ca^{2+}$-activated $K^+$ channels plays an important role in sperm capacitation during fertilization. Although Slo3 (slowpoke homologue 3), together with the auxiliary ${\gamma}^2$-subunit, LRRC52 (leucine-rich-repeat-containing 52), is known to mediate the pH-sensitive, sperm-specific $K^+$ current KSper in mice, the molecular identity of this channel in human sperm remains controversial. In this study, we tested the classical $BK_{Ca}$ activators, NS1619 and LDD175, on human Slo3, heterologously expressed in HEK293 cells together with its functional interacting ${\gamma}^2$ subunit, hLRRC52. As previously reported, Slo3 $K^+$ current was unaffected by iberiotoxin or 4-aminopyridine, but was inhibited by ~50% by 20 mM TEA. Extracellular alkalinization potentiated hSlo3 $K^+$ current, and internal alkalinization and $Ca^{2+}$ elevation induced a leftward shift its activation voltage. NS1619, which acts intracellularly to modulate hSlo1 gating, attenuated hSlo3 $K^+$ currents, whereas LDD175 increased this current and induced membrane potential hyperpolarization. LDD175-induced potentiation was not associated with a change in the half-activation voltage at different intracellular pHs (pH 7.3 and pH 8.0) in the absence of intracellular $Ca^{2+}$. In contrast, elevation of intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ dramatically enhanced the LDD175-induced leftward shift in the half-activation potential of hSlo3. Therefore, the mechanism of action does not involve pH-dependent modulation of hSlo3 gating; instead, LDD175 may modulate $Ca^{2+}$-dependent activation of hSlo3. Thus, LDD175 potentially activates native KSper and may induce membrane hyperpolarization-associated hyperactivation in human sperm.

• BMB Reports
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.91-96
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• 2006

Previously, we have shown that nitric oxide (NO) directly activates the Maxi-K channels. In the present study, we have investigated whether NO has prolonged effects on the Maxi-K channels reconstituted in lipid bilayer. Application of S-nitroso-N-acetyl-D, L-penicillamine (SNAP), a NO donor, induced an immediate increase of open probability (Po) of Maxi-K channel in a dose-dependent manner. When SNAP was removed from the cytosolic solution, the Po did not simply returned to, but irreversibly decreased to a level lower than that of the control Po. At 0.2 mM, (Z)-[N-(3-Ammoniopropyl)-N-(n-propyl)amino] diazen-1-ium-1,2-diolate (PAPA-NO), another NO donor, produced a similar increase of Po and decrease of Po upon washout. The increasing effects of SNAP on Po were not blocked by either 50 U/ml superoxide dismutase (SOD) or 2 mM N-ethylmaleimide (NEM) pre-treatments. However, NEM appears to be ineffective when applied after SNAP. These results suggest that NO can modulate Maxi-K channel via direct interaction and chemical modification, such as S-nitrosylation in the brain.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.151-156
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• 1986

There are some evidence for the presence of more than one type of calcium channels. To investigate whether organic calcium antagonist sensitive calcium channels exist in the isolated sarcolemmal membrane, we prepared high KCl-loaded sarcolemmal vesicle from the procine small instine, and induced calcium transport by high $K^+$ concentration or by electrical stimulation after preincubation of KCl-loaded vesicle in the low potassium solution. Calcium transport induced by high $K^+$ concentration (84.7mM) was significantly increased (p<0.05), compared with that by low $K^+$ concentration (2.08 mM), and not inhibited by diltiazem $(10^{-6}\;M)$. Calcium transport was inactivated with time. By continuous electrical stimulation (3V, 15Hz, 25m see), calcium transport was markedly increased, and inhibited significantly by dilltiazem $(10^{-6}\;M)$ and nifedipine $(10^{-6}\;M)$ (p<0.005), compared with the value of control without electrical stimulation. Calcium transport by electrical stimulation was not inactivated with time for at least 2 min. From these results, it was concluded that there was organic calcium antagonist sensitive channel in the isolated intestinal sarcolemma membrane, which was activated by electrical stimulation.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.617-623
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• 2017

The vascular actions and mechanisms of taurine were investigated in the isolated human radial artery (RA). RA rings were suspended in isolated organ baths and tension was recorded isometrically. First, a precontraction was achieved by adding potassium chloride (KCl, 45 mM) or serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT, $30{\mu}M$) to organ baths. When the precontractions were stable, taurine (20, 40, 80 mM) was added cumulatively. Antagonistic effect of taurine on calcium chloride ($10{\mu}M$ to 10 mM) -induced contractions was investigated. Taurine-induced relaxations were also tested in the presence of the $K^+$ channel inhibitors tetraethylammonium (1 mM), glibenclamide ($10{\mu}M$) and 4-aminopyridine (1 mM). Taurine did not affect the basal tone but inhibited the contraction induced by 5-HT and KCl. Calcium chloride-induced contractions were significantly inhibited in the presence of taurine (20, 40, 80 mM) (p<0.05). The relaxation to taurine was inhibited by tetraethylammonium (p<0.05). However, glibenclamide and 4-aminopyridine did not affect taurine -induced relaxations. Present experiments show that taurine inhibits 5-HT and KCl -induced contractions in RA, and suggest that large conductance $Ca^{2+}$-activated $K^+$ channels may be involved in taurine -induced relaxation of RA.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.315-324
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• 2005

Pain is an unpleasant sensation experienced when tissues are damaged. Thus, pain sensation in some way protects body from imminent threat or injury. Peripheral sensory nerves innervated to peripheral tissues initially respond to multiple forms of noxious or strong stimuli, such as heat, mechanical and chemical stimuli. In response to these stimuli, electrical signals for conducting the nociceptive neural signals through axons are generated. These action potentials are then conveyed to specific areas in the spinal cord and in the brain. Sensory afferent fibers are heterogeneous in many aspects. For example, sensory nerves are classified as $A{\alpha}$, $-{\beta}$, $-{\delta}$ and C-fibers according to their diameter and degree of myelination. It is widely accepted that small sensory fibers tend to respond to vigorous or noxious stimuli and related to nociception. Thus these fibers are specifically called nociceptors. Most of nociceptors respond to noxious mechanical stimuli and heat. In addition, these sensory fibers also respond to chemical stimuli [Davis et al. (1993)] such as capsaicin. Thus, nociceptors are considered polymodal. Recent advance in research on ion channels in sensory neurons reveals molecular mechanisms underlying how various types of stimuli can be transduced to neural signals transmitted to the brain for pain perception. In particular, electrophysiological studies on ion channels characterize biophysical properties of ion channels in sensory neurons. Furthermore, molecular biology leads to identification of genetic structures as well as molecular properties of ion channels in sensory neurons. These ion channels are expressed in axon terminals as well as in cell soma. When these channels are activated, inward currents or outward currents are generated, which will lead to depolarization or hyperpolarization of the membrane causing increased or decreased excitability of sensory neurons. In order to depolarize the membrane of nerve terminals, either inward currents should be generated or outward currents should be inhibited. So far, many cationic channels that are responsible for the excitation of sensory neurons are introduced recently. Activation of these channels in sensory neurons is evidently critical to the generation of nociceptive signals. The main channels responsible for inward membrane currents in nociceptors are voltage-activated sodium and calcium channels, while outward current is carried mainly by potassium ions. In addition, activation of non-selective cation channels is also responsible for the excitation of sensory neurons. Thus, excitability of neurons can be controlled by regulating expression or by modulating activity of these channels.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.125-133
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• 2022

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a known gaseous bioactive substance found across a wide array of body systems. The administration of low concentrations of CO has been found to exert an anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, anti-hypertensive, and vaso-dilatory effect. To date, however, it has remained unknown whether CO influences atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) secretion. This study explores the effect of CO on ANP secretion and its associated signaling pathway using isolated beating rat atria. Atrial perfusate was collected for 10 min for use as a control, after which high atrial stretch was induced by increasing the height of the outflow catheter. Carbon monoxide releasing molecule-2 (CORM-2; 10, 50, 100 μM) and hemin (HO-1 inducer; 0.1, 1, 50 μM), but not CORM-3 (10, 50, 100 μM), decreased high stretch-induced ANP secretion. However, zinc porphyrin (HO-1 inhibitor) did not affect ANP secretion. The order of potency for the suppression of ANP secretion was found to be hemin > CORM-2 >> CORM-3. The suppression of ANP secretion by CORM-2 was attenuated by pretreatment with 5-hydroxydecanoic acid, paxilline, and 1H-[1,2,4] oxadiazolo [4,3-a] quinoxalin-1-one, but not by diltiazem, wortmannin, LY-294002, or NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester. Hypoxic conditions attenuated the suppressive effect of CORM-2 on ANP secretion. In sum, these results suggest that CORM-2 suppresses ANP secretion via mitochondrial K_ATP channels and large conductance Ca²⁺-activated K⁺ channels.