• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.1 no.6
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• pp.741-748
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• 1997

In the present study, we have investigated the effect of metabolic inhibition on the inward rectifier K current ($I_{K1}$). Using whole cell patch clamp technique we applied voltage ramp from +80 mV to -140 mV at a holding potential of -30 mV and recorded the whole cell current in single ventricular myocytes isolated from the rabbit heart. The current-voltage relationship showed N-shape (a large inward current and little outward current with a negative slope) which is a characteristic of $I_{K1}$. Application of 0.2 mM dinitrophenol (DNP, an uncoupler of oxidative phosphorylation as a tool for chemical hypoxia) to the bathing solution with the pipette solution containing 5 mM ATP, produced a gradual increase of outward current followed by a gradual decrease of inward current with little change in the reversal potential (-80 mV). The increase of outward current was reversed by glibenclamide ($10\;{\mu}M$), suggesting that it is caused by the activation of $K_{ATP}$. When DNP and glibenclamide were applied at the same time or glibenclamide was pretreated, DNP produced same degree of reduction in the magnitude of the inward current. These results show that metabolic inhibition induces not only the increase of $K_{ATP}$ channel but also the decrease of $I_{K1}$. Perfusing the cell with ATP-free pipette solution induced the changes very similar to those observed using DNP. Long exposure of DNP (30 min) or ATP-free pipette solution produced a marked decrease of both inward and outward current with a significant change in the reversal potential. Above results suggest that the decrease of $I_{K1}$ may contribute to the depolarisation of membrane potential during metabolic inhibition.

• Animal cells and systems
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• v.2 no.4
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• pp.471-476
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• 1998

The G protein-activated inwardly rectifying $K^＋$ channel (GIRK1) was coex-pressed in Xenopus oocytes along with the $5-HT_{1A}$ receptor, a 7-helix receptor known to be coupled to $K^＋$ channels in many neural tissues. Thus, the activation of the $5-HT_{1A}$ receptor by its agonist leads to the opening of GIRK1. The GIRK1 current was measured using the two electrode voltage clamp technique with bath application of 5-HT in the presence of various external potassium concentrations $[K^＋]_0$. GIRK1 showed a strong inward rectification since only hyperpolarizing voltages evoked inward currents. $K^{+}$ was the major ion carrier as evidenced by about 44㎷ voltage shift corresponding to a 10-fold external 〔$K^＋$〕 change. 5-HT induced a concentration-dependent inward $K^＋$ current ($EC_{50}{\equation omitted}10.7nM$) which was blocked by $Ba^{2＋}$. Pertussis toxin (PTX) pre-treatment reduced the $K^＋$ current by as much as about 70%, suggesting that PTX-sensitive G protein ($G_i or G_o$ type) are involved in the $5-HT_{1A}$ receptor-GIRK1 coupling in Xenopus oocytes.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.131-135
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• 2008

The profile of membrane currents was investigated in differentiated neuronal cells derived from human neural stem cells (hNSCs) that were obtained from aborted fetal cortex. Whole-cell voltage clamp recording revealed at least 4 different currents: a tetrodotoxin (TTX)-sensitive $Na^+$ current, a hyperpolarization-activated inward current, and A-type and delayed rectifier-type $K^+$ outward currents. Both types of $K^+$ outward currents were blocked by either 5 mM tetraethylammonium (TEA) or 5 mM 4-aminopyridine (4-AP). The hyperpolarization-activated current resembled the classical $K^+$ inward current in that it exhibited a voltage-dependent block in the presence of external $Ba^{2+}$ (30 ${\mu}$M) or $Cs^+$ (3${\mu}$M). However, the reversal potentials did not match well with the predicted $K^+$ equilibrium potentials, suggesting that it was not a classical $K^+$ inward rectifier current. The other $Na^+$ inward current resembled the classical $Na^+$ current observed in pharmacological studies. The expression of these channels may contribute to generation and repolarization of action potential and might be regarded as functional markers for hNSCs-derived neurons.

• 한국생물공학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2005.10a
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• pp.879-879
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• 2005

• Proceedings of the Korean Biophysical Society Conference
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• 2002.06b
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• pp.19-19
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• 2002

The gating kinetics of an inward-rectifier K$\^$＋/ channel, ROMK2 (Kir1.lb), were described by a model having one open state and two closed states. The long closed state was abolished by EDTA, suggesting that it was due to block by divalent cations. These closures exhibit a biphasic voltage-dependence, implying that the divalent blockers can permeate the channel.(omitted)

• Proceedings of the Korean Biophysical Society Conference
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• 1996.07a
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• pp.5-5
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• 1996

In sino-atrial node cells which act as the normal pacemaker of the heart, K conductance in resting state is minimal due to the absence of inward rectifier K channels K conductance only increases when the membrane is depolarized by the activation of the delayed rectifier K current I$\_$k/. In the present study, we investigated the gating mechanism of$\_$k/ using the whole cell patch clamp technique in isolated single sinoatrial cells of the rabbit. (omitted)

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.131-142
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• 2003

We have studied mutant forms of Kir2.1 in which an aspartate residue (D172), important for gating by intracellular polyamines, is replaced by one of three basic residues (Arg, Lys or His). Such channels are highly selective for $K^+$, but show inward rectification that is a shallow function of voltage compared with that found in wild type. This inward rectification occurs with a reduced affinity for spermine and persists in the absence of polyamines. Though the unitary current-voltage relation shows some inward rectification, it is insufficient to account for that seen under whole cell recording. Channels open and shut under single channel recording, and changes of $P_{open}$ appear to generate inward rectification. In D172H, the reduction in affinity for spermine is greater when His is protonated at low $pH_i$. The effective valency for spermine is reduced from $3.09{\pm}0.07$ in wild type to $1.95{\pm}0.09$ in D172H at $pH_i$ 6.3. In the presence of dual mutants of Kir2.1, where E224 is also replaced, spermine affinity becomes undetectable. However, channels still show inward rectification and open and shut under hyper- and depolarisation, respectively. We suggest that Kir2.1 channel are able to undergo conformation changes; these changes may be important physiologically in generating inward rectification, the normal parameters of which are set by the binding of polyamines such as spermine.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.29 no.11
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• pp.998-1005
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• 2006

The effects of imipramine on A-type delayed rectifier $K^{+}$ currents and ATP-sensitive $K^{+}\;(K_{ATP)$ currents were studied in isolated murine proximal colonic myocytes using the whole-cell patch-clamp technique. Depolarizing test pulses between-80 mV and +30 mV with 10 mV increments from the holding potential of-80 mV activated voltage-dependent outward $K^{+}$ currents that peaked within 50 ms followed by slow decreasing sustained currents. Early peak currents were inhibited by the application of 4-aminopyridine, whereas sustained currents were inhibited by the application of TEA. The peak amplitude of A-type delayed rectifier $K^{+}$ currents was reduced by external application of imipramine. The half-inactivation potential and the half-recovery time of A-type delayed rectifier $K^{+}$ currents were not changed by imipramine. With 0.1 mM ATP and 140 mM $K^{+}$ in the pipette and 90 mM $K^{+}$ in the bath solution and a holding potential of -80 mV, pinacidil activated inward currents; this effect was blocked by glibenclamide. Imipramine also inhibited $K_{ATP}$ currents. The inhibitory effects of imipramine in A-type delayed rectifier $K^{+}$ currents and $K_{ATP}$ currents were not changed by guanosine 5-O-(2-thiodiphosphate) ($GDP{\beta}S$) and chelerythrine, a protein kinase C inhibitor. These results suggest that imipramine inhibits A-type delayed rectifier $K^{+}$ currents and $K_{ATP}$ currents in a manner independent of G-protein and protein kinase C.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.111-119
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• 2020

In vascular smooth muscle, K⁺ channels, such as voltage-gated K⁺ channels (Kv), inward-rectifier K⁺ channels (Kir), and big-conductance Ca²⁺-activated K⁺ channels (BK_Ca), establish a hyperpolarized membrane potential and counterbalance the depolarizing vasoactive stimuli. Additionally, Kir mediates endothelium-dependent hyperpolarization and the active hyperemia response in various vessels, including the coronary artery. Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) induces right ventricular hypertrophy (RVH), thereby elevating the risk of ischemia and right heart failure. Here, using the whole-cell patch-clamp technique, we compared Kv and Kir current densities (I_Kv and I_Kir) in the left (LCSMCs), right (RCSMCs), and septal branches of coronary smooth muscle cells (SCSMCs) from control and monocrotaline (MCT)-induced PAH rats exhibiting RVH. In control rats, (1) I_Kv was larger in RCSMCs than that in SCSMCs and LCSMCs, (2) I_Kv inactivation occurred at more negative voltages in SCSMCs than those in RCSMCs and LCSMCs, (3) I_Kir was smaller in SCSMCs than that in RCSMCs and LCSMCs, and (4) I_BKCa did not differ between branches. Moreover, in PAH rats, I_Kir and I_Kv decreased in SCSMCs, but not in RCSMCs or LCSMCs, and I_BKCa did not change in any of the branches. These results demonstrated that SCSMC-specific decreases in I_Kv and I_Kir occur in an MCT-induced PAH model, thereby offering insights into the potential pathophysiological implications of coronary blood flow regulation in right heart disease. Furthermore, the relatively smaller I_Kir in SCSMCs suggested a less effective vasodilatory response in the septal region to the moderate increase in extracellular K⁺ concentration under increased activity of the myocardium.

• Proceedings of the Korean Biophysical Society Conference
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• 2002.06b
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• pp.39-39
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• 2002

Microglia are known to have an important function as brain macrophage during immunological processes, oncogenesis, and regeneration in the central nervous system (CNS). A wide variety of ion channels have been identified and characterized in microglia including inward rectifier $K^{＋}$ channel (Kir), voltage dependent $K^{＋}$ channel (Kv), $Ca^{2＋}$-release activated $Ca^{2＋}$ channel (CRAC).(omitted)