• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.89-97
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• 1991

As it has been reported that the depolarization-induced release of acetylcholine(ACh) is diminished by activation of presynaptic muscarinic autoreceptor in rabbit hippocampus and various lines of evidence indicate the involvement of adenylate cyclase system in ACh release, it was attempted to delineate the role of cAMP in the muscarinic autoreceptor-mediated control of ACh release. Slices and synaptosomal preparations from rabbit hippocampus were incubated with $[^3H]-choline$ and the release of the labelled products was evoked either by electrical stimulation or by $high-K^+$, and the influence of various agents on the evoked tritium release was investigated. Forskolin, a specific adenylate cyclase activator, in concentrations ranging from $0.1\;to\;30\;{\mu}M$, increased the $[^3H]-ACh$ release in a dose-dependent manner and also dbcAMP increased the tritium outflow. The responses to oxotremorine, a specific muscarinic agonist, were characterized by decrement of ACh release in dose range of $0.1-30\;{\mu}M$, and the oxotremorine effects were inhibited either by forskolin or by atropine. Glibenclamide, a specific $K^+-channel$ inhibitor, in concentration of $1{\sim}10\;{\mu}M$, decreased the evoked ACh release slightly and inhibited the enhancing effect of evoked ACh-release of a large dose$(10\;{\mu}M)$ of forskolin. These results indicate that the cAMP might play a role in the muscarinic ACh receptor-mediated control of ACh rlease in the rabbit hippocampus and suggest that certain potassium currents may also be participated in the post-receptor mechanism of ACh release.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.709-715
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• 2005

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of atropine on peripheral vasodilation and the mechanisms involved. The isometric tension of rat mesenteric artery rings was recorded in vitro on a myograph. The results showed that atropine, at concentrations greater than 1$\mu$M, relaxed the noradrenalin (NA)-precontracted rat mesenteric artery in a concentration-dependent manner. Atropine-induced vasodilatation was mediated, in part, by an endothelium-dependent mechanism, to which endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor may contribute. Atropine was able to shift the NA-induced concentration-response curve to the right, in a non-parallel manner, suggesting the mechanism of atropine was not mediated via the ${\alpha}_1$-adrenoreceptor. The $\beta$-adrenoreceptor and ATP sensitive potassium channel, a voltage dependent calcium channel, were not involved in the vasodilatation. However, atropine inhibited the contraction derived from NA and $CaCl_2$ in $Ca^{2+}$-free medium, in a concentration dependent manner, indicating the vasodilatation was related to the inhibition of extracellular $Ca^{2+}$ influx through the receptor-operated calcium channels and intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ release from the $Ca^{2+}$ store. Atropine had no effect on the caffeine-induced contraction in the artery segments, indicating the inhibition of intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ release as a result of atropine most likely occurs via the IP3 pathway rather than the ryanodine receptors. Our results suggest that atropine-induced vasodilatation is mainly from artery smooth muscle cells due to inhibition of the receptor-mediated $Ca^{2+}$-influx and $Ca^{2+}$-release, and partly from the endothelium mediated by EDHF.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.25-36
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• 1994

The inward tail current after a short depolarizing pulse has been known as Na-Ca exchange current activated by intracellular calcium which forms late plateau of the action potential in rabbit atrial myocytes. Chloride conductance which is also dependent upon calcium concentration has been reported as a possible tail current in many other excitable tissues. Thus, in order to investigate the exsitance of the calcium activated chloride current and its contribution to tail current, whole cell voltage clamp measurement has been made in single atrial cells of the rabbit. The current was recorded during repolarization following a brief 2 ms depolarizing pulse to +40mV from a holding potential of -70mV. When voltage-sensitive transient outward current was blocked by 2 mM 4-aminopyridine or replacement potassium with cesium, the tail current were abolished by ryanodine$(1{\mu}M)$ or diltiazem$(10{\mu}M)$ and turned out to be calcium dependent. The magnitudes of the tail currents were increased when intracellular chloride concentration was increased to 131 mM from 21 mM. The current was decreased by extracellular sodium reduction when intracellular chloride concentration was low(21 mM), but it was little affected by extracellular sodium reduction when intracellual chloride concentration was high(131 mM). The current-voltage relationship of the difference current before and after extracellular sodium reduction, shows an exponential voltage dependence with the largest magnitude of the current occurring at negative potentials, with is similar to current-voltage relationship at negative potentials, which is similar to current-voltage relationship of Na-Ca exchange current. The current was also decreased by $10{\mu}M$ niflumic acid and 1 mM bumetanide, which is well known anion channel blockers. The reversal potentials shifted according to changes in chloride concentration. The current-voltage relationships of the niflumic acid-sensitive currents in high and low concentration of chloride were well fitted to those predicted as chloride current. From the above results, it is concluded that calcium activated chloride component exists in the tail current with Na-Ca exchange current and it shows the reversal of tail current. Therefore it is thought that in the physiologic condition it leads to rapid end of action potential which inhibits calcium influx and it contributes to maintain the low intracellular calcium concentration with Na-Ca exchange mechanism.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.293-303
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• 1990

The contractile action of barium $(Ba^{2+})$ was investigated in the arterial strip of rabbit renal artery. The helical strip of isolated renal artery was immersed in the Tris-buffered Tyrode's solution equilibrated with 100% $O_2$ at $37^{\circ}C$ and its isometric tension was measured. $Ba^{2+}-induced$ contraction of arterial strip was dose-dependent and its maximal tension corresponded to $92.1{\pm}4.5%$ of tension by $K^+(100\;mM)$. $Ba^{2+}-induced$ contraction did not show the tachyphylactic phenomenon in the normal Tyrode's solution. $Ba^{2+}$ induced the tonic contraction in the $Ca^{2+}-free$ tyrode's solution and that was increased by the extracellula addition of $Ca^{2+}$. During the repeated exposure of the same dose of $Ba^{2+}\;(10\;mM)$ in the $Ca^{2+}-free$ Tyrode's solution, $Ba^{2+}-induced$ contraction was progressively decreased. Even though the intracellular NE-and caffeine-sensitive $Ca^{2+}$ was depleted, $Ba^{2+}$ induced the tonic contraction. After the pretreatment of lanthnum or verapamil, $Ba^{2+}$ did not induce contraction. $Ba^{2+}-induced$contraction was suppressed by extracellular $K^+$ in the normal Tyrode's solution and that was dependent on $K^+$ concentration. Suppressive effect of $K^+\;(14\;mM)$ on the $Ba^{2+}-induced$ contraction was also dependent on the intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ concentration. From the above resuts, it is suggested that $Ba^{2+}$ activate indirectly the contractile process by promoting the mobilization of intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ and the influx of extracellular $Ca^{2+}$. It is also suggested that action of $Ba^{2+}$ on the $Ca^{2+}-activated$ $K^+$ channel can result in the depolarization of cell membrane in the rabbit renal artery.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.555-561
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• 2020

TWIK-related two-pore domain K⁺ channel-2 (TREK-2) has voltage-independent activity and shows additional activation by acidic intracellular pH (pH_i) via neutralizing the E³³² in the cytoplasmic C terminal (Ct). We reported opposite regulations of TREK-2 by phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP₂) via the alkaline K³³⁰ and triple Arg residues (R^355-357); inhibition and activation, respectively. The G³³⁴ between them appeared critical because its mutation (G³³⁴A) endowed hTREK-2 with tonic activity, similar to the mutation of the inhibitory K³³⁰ (K³³⁰A). To further elucidate the role of putative bent conformation at G³³⁴, we compared the dual mutation forms, K³³⁰A/G³³⁴A and G³³⁴A/R^355-7A, showing higher and lower basal activity, respectively. The results suggested that the tonic activity of G³³⁴A owes to a dominant influence from R^355-7. Since there are additional triple Arg residues (R^377-9) distal to R^355-7, we also examined the triple mutant (G³³⁴A/R^355-7A/R^377-9A) that showed tonic inhibition same with G³³⁴A/R^355-7A. Despite the state of tonic inhibition, the activation by acidic pH_i was preserved in both G³³⁴A/R^355-7A and G³³⁴A/R^355-7A/R^377-9A, similar to the R^355-7A. Also, the inhibitory effect of ATP could be commonly demonstrated under the activation by acidic pH_i in R^355-7A, G³³⁴A/R^355-7A, and G³³⁴A/R^355-7A/R^377-9A. These results suggest that the putative bent conformation at G³³⁴ is important to set the tug-of-war between K³³⁰ and R^355-7 in the PIP₂-dependent regulation of TREK-2.

• BMB Reports
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• v.55 no.11
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• pp.565-570
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• 2022

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a progressive and devastating disease whose pathogenesis is associated with a phenotypic switch of pulmonary arterial vascular smooth muscle cells (PASMCs). Bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling and potassium two pore domain channel subfamily K member 3 (KCNK3) play crucial roles in PAH pathogenesis. However, the relationship between BMP signaling and KCNK3 expression in the PASMC phenotypic switching process has not been studied. In this study, we explored the effect of BMPs on KCNK3 expression and the role of KCNK3 in the BMP-mediated PASMC phenotypic switch. Expression levels of BMP receptor 2 (BMPR2) and KCNK3 were downregulated in PASMCs of rats with PAH compared to those in normal controls, implying a possible association between BMP/BMPR2 signaling and KCNK3 expression in the pulmonary vasculature. Treatment with BMP2, BMP4, and BMP7 significantly increased KCNK3 expression in primary human PASMCs (HPASMCs). BMPR2 knockdown and treatment with Smad1/5 signaling inhibitor substantially abrogated the BMP-induced increase in KCNK3 expression, suggesting that KCNK3 expression in HPASMCs is regulated by the canonical BMP-BMPR2-Smad1/5 signaling pathway. Furthermore, KCNK3 knockdown and treatment with a KCNK3 channel blocker completely blocked BMP-mediated anti-proliferation and expression of contractile marker genes in HPAMSCs, suggesting that the expression and functional activity of KCNK3 are required for BMP-mediated acquisition of the quiescent PASMC phenotype. Overall, our findings show a crosstalk between BMP signaling and KCNK3 in regulating the PASMC phenotype, wherein BMPs upregulate KCNK3 expression and KCNK3 then mediates BMP-induced phenotypic switching of PASMCs. Our results indicate that the dysfunction and/or downregulation of BMPR2 and KCNK3 observed in PAH work together to induce aberrant changes in the PASMC phenotype, providing insights into the complex molecular pathogenesis of PAH.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.263-274
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• 1993

Potassium $(K^+)$ channels are present in airway smooth muscle cells, and their activation results in hyperpolarization and relaxation. Because these effects may have therapeutic relevance to hypersensitivity and asthma, we examined the effect of a potassium channel activator, cromakalim (BRL 34915, CK) on the release of mediators from superfused tracheal and parenchymal strips after passive sensitization with $IgG_1$ antibody. Both tissues were superfused with CK $(2{\times}10^{-6}\;M)$ for 30 min and challenged with CK and antigen (Ox-HSA). Using monodispersed, partially purified, highly purified guinea pig lung mast cells, we also examined the effect of CK on mediator release from these cells after passive sensitization with $IgG_{1}$ antibody $({\alpha}-OA)$. Guinea pig lung mast cells were purified using enzyme digestion method, count current elutriation, and discontinuous Percoll density gradient. After CK pretreatment, passively sensitized mast cells were challenged with varying concentration of antigen (OA, immunological stimuli) or with varying concentration of calcium ionophore (CaI, non-immunological stimuli). Histamine (Hist) release was determined by spectrophotofluorometry, and leukotrienes (LT) by radioimmunoassy. CK pretreatment decreased Hist by 35% and LT release by 40% in the antigen-induced tracheal tissue after $IgG_1$ sensitization but did not decrease the contractile response. In the antigen-induced parenchymal tissue CK decreased Hist release by 25% but poorly decreased LT. Both immunologic and non-immunologic stimuli caused a dose-dependent release of Hist and LT from monodispersed, partially purified and highly purified lung mast cells. Verification of LT release was obtained by the use of 5-lipoxygenase inhibitor, A64077 (Zileuton). CK decreased Hist and LT release by 20% respectively in the OA-induced guinea pig lung mast cells after $IgG_1$ sensitization. The inhibitory effects of CK on the Hist and LT release in the Ox-HSA-induced airway smooth muscle tissues or in the OA-induced and CaI-induced mast cells after $IgG_1$ sensitization were completely blocked by TEA and GBC. These studies show that guinea pig lung mast cells seem to be an important contributor to LT release, and that CK (which has been known as an airway smooth muscle relaxant) can in part act to inhibit mediator release in the antigen-induced airway smooth muscle, and that CK may also act to inhibit mediator release in the OA-induced and CaI-induced highly purified mast cells. These results suggest that Hist and LT release evoked by mast cell activation might in part be associated with $K{^+}4 channel activity.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.83-89
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• 2010

In this study, we studied whether hydrogen sulfide ($H_2S$) has an effect on the pacemaker activity of interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC), in the small intestine of mice. The actions of $H_2S$ on pacemaker activity were investigated using whole-cell patch-clamp technique, intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ analysis at $30^{\circ}C$ and RT-PCR in cultured mouse intestinal ICC. Exogenously applied sodium hydrogen sulfide (NaHS), a donor of hydrogen sulfide, caused a slight tonic inward current on pacemaker activity in ICC at low concentrations (50 and $100{\mu}m$), but at high concentration ($500{\mu}m$ and 1 mM) it seemed to cause light tonic inward currents and then inhibited pacemaker amplitude and pacemaker frequency, and also an increase in the resting currents in the outward direction. Glibenclamide or other potassium channel blockers (TEA, $BaCl_2$, apamin or 4-aminopydirine) did not have an effect on NaHS-induced action in ICC. The exogenous application of carbonilcyanide p-triflouromethoxyphenylhydrazone (FCCP) and thapsigargin also inhibited the pacemaker activity of ICC as NaHS. Also, we found NaHS inhibited the spontaneous intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ ($[Ca^{2+}]_i$) oscillations in cultured ICC. In doing an RT-PCR experiment, we found that ICC enriched population lacked mRNA for both CSE and CBS, but was prominently detected in unsorted muscle. In conclusion, $H_2S$ inhibited the pacemaker activity of ICC by modulating intracellular $Ca^{2+}$. These results can serve as evidence of the physiological action of $H_2S$ as acting on the ICC in gastrointestinal (GI) motility.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.61-67
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• 2005

We evaluated the antiplatelet effects of two classes of ATP-sensitive potassium channel openers $(K_{ATP}\;openers)$ on washed human platelets, and the study's emphasis was on the role of mitochondrial $K_{ATP}$ in platelet aggregation. Collagen-induced platelet aggregation was inhibited in a dose dependent manner by lemakalim and SKP-450, which are potent cardio-nonselective $K_{ATP}$ openers, and also by cardioselective BMS-180448 and BMS-191095 $(IC_{50}\;:\;1,130,\;>\;1,500,\;305.3\;and\;63.9\;{\mu}M,\;respectively)$, but a significantly greater potency was noted for the cardioselective $K_{ATP}$ openers. The latter two $K_{ATP}$ openers also inhibited platelet aggregation induced by thrombin, another important blood-borne platelet activator, with similar rank order of potency $(IC_{50}\;:\;498.0\;and\;104.8{\mu}M\; for\;BMS-180448\;and\;BMS-191095,\;respectively)$. The inhibitory effects of BMS-191095 on collagen-induced platelet aggregation were significantly blocked by a 30-min pretreatment of platelets with glyburide $(1{\mu}M)$ or sodium 5-hydroxyde­canoate$(5-HD,\;100{\mu}M)$, a nonselective and selective mitochondrial $K_{ATP}$ antagonist, respectively, at similar magnitudes; this indicates the role of mitochondrial $K_{ATP}$ in the antiplatelet activity of BMS-191095. However, glyburide and 5-HD had no effect when they were added to the platelet cuvette immediately prior to the addition of BMS-191095. These findings indicate that cardioselective mitochondrial $K_{ATP}$ openers like BMS-191095 are able to exert cardioprotective effects in cardiac ischemia/reperfusion injury via dual mechanisms directed at the inhibition of platelet aggregation and the protection of cardiomyocytes, and both these mechanisms are mediated by mitochondrial$K_{ATP}$.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.13-19
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• 2013

Various voltage-gated $K^+$ currents were recently described in dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons. However, the characterization and diversity of voltage-gated $K^+$ currents have not been well studied in trigeminal root ganglion (TRG) neurons, which are similar to the DRG neurons in terms of physiological roles and anatomy. This study was aimed to investigate the characteristics and diversity of voltage-gated $K^+$ currents in acutely isolated TRG neurons of rat using whole cell patch clamp techniques. The first type (type I) had a rapid, transient outward current ($I_A$) with the largest current size having a slow inactivation rate and a sustained delayed rectifier outward current ($I_K$) that was small in size having a fast inactivation rate. The $I_A$ currents of this type were mostly blocked by TEA and 4-AP, K channel blockers whereas the $I_K$ current was inhibited by TEA but not by 4-AP. The second type had a large $I_A$ current with a slow inactivation rate and a medium size-sustained delayed $I_K$ current with a slow inactivation rate. In this second type (type II), the sensitivities of the $I_A$ or $I_K$ current by TEA and 4-AP were similar to those of the type I. The third type (type III) had a medium sized $I_A$ current with a fast inactivation rate and a large sustained $I_K$ current with the slow inactivation rate. In type III current, TEA decreased both $I_A$ and $I_K$ but 4-AP only blocked $I_A$ current. The fourth type (type IV) had a smallest $I_A$ with a fast inactivation rate and a large $I_K$ current with a slow inactivation rate. TEA or 4-AP similarly decreased the $I_A$ but the $I_K$ was only blocked by 4-AP. These findings suggest that at least four different voltage-gated $K^+$ currents in biophysical and pharmacological properties exist in the TRG neurons of rats.