• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.139-150
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• 1993

We have reported that dopamine potentiates spontaneous contractions dose-dependently in guinea-pig antral circular muscle strips (Hwang et al, 1991). To clarify the underlying excitatory mechanism of dopamine on the gastric smooth muscle, the effects of dopamine on voltage-dependent $Ca^{2+}\;currents\;and\;Ca^{2+}\;-dependent\;K^+\;currents$ were observed in enzymatically dispersed guinea-pig gastric myocytes using the whole-cell voltage-clamp technique. Experiments were also done using isometric tension recording and conventional intracellular microelectrode techniques. 1) The effect of dopamine on the spontaneous contraction of antral circular muscle strips of the guinea-pig was excitatory in a dose-dependent manner, and was blocked by phentolamine, an ${\alpha}-adrenoceptor$ blocker. 2) The slow waves were not changed by dopamine. 3) The voltage-operated inward $Ca^{2+}$ current was not influenced by dopamine. 4) The $Ca^{2+}\;-dependent\;K^+$ outward current, which might reflect the changes of intracellular calcium concentration, was enhanced by dopamine. This effect was abolished by phentolamine. 5) The enhancing effect of dopamine on the $Ca^{2+}\;-dependent\;K^+$ current disappeared with heparin which is known to block the action of $InsP_3$. From these results, it is suggested that dopamine acts via $InsP_3-mediated\;Ca^{2+}$ mobilization from intracellular stores and such action potentiates the spontaneous contraction of guinea-pig gastric smooth muscle.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.225-232
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• 2017

We demonstrated the effect of nortriptyline, a tricyclic antidepressant drug and serotonin reuptake inhibitor, on voltage-dependent $K^+$ (Kv) channels in freshly isolated rabbit coronary arterial smooth muscle cells using a whole-cell patch clamp technique. Nortriptyline inhibited Kv currents in a concentration-dependent manner, with an apparent $IC_{50}$ value of $2.86{\pm}0.52{\mu}M$ and a Hill coefficient of $0.77{\pm}0.1$. Although application of nortriptyline did not change the activation curve, nortriptyline shifted the inactivation current toward a more negative potential. Application of train pulses (1 or 2 Hz) did not change the nortriptyline-induced Kv channel inhibition, suggesting that the effects of nortiprtyline were not use-dependent. Preincubation with the Kv1.5 and Kv2.1/2.2 inhibitors, DPO-1 and guangxitoxin did not affect nortriptyline inhibition of Kv channels. From these results, we concluded that nortriptyline inhibited Kv channels in a concentration-dependent and state-independent manner independently of serotonin reuptake.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.35-43
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• 2002

Cryopreservation is commonly used for an efficient utilization of semen, oocytes and embryos but has disadvantage in the survival, development of the post-thawed eggs. The high risk in the survival, development of eggs after thawing is thought to be caused by inappropriate internal regulation of $Ca^{2+}$ and/or formation of intracellular ice crystals. In this experiment, we tested whether the $Ca^{2+}$ current (iCa), a decisive factor to $Ca^{2+}$ entry, was altered in post-thawed oocytes by using whole cell voltage clamp technique. The quality and survival rates of the oocytes derived from both fresh and frozen groups were examined by morphology and FDA-test. Vitrified oocytes (VOs) were incubated for 4 hr after thawing and then donated to this experiment. Ethyleneglycol-ficoll-galactose (EFG) was used as a cryoprotectant for vitrification. The membrane potential was held at -80 mV and step depolarizations of 250 ms were applied from -50 mV to 50 mV in 10 mV increments. The survival rates showed a higher in VOs vitrified with EFG containing $Ca^{2+}$ than in VOs vitrified with EFG under the $Ca^{2+}$-free condition (82.0% vs 14%). In group with/without $Ca^{2+}$, the survival rates were significantly (P<0.01) difference. In the fresh metaphase II oocytes (FOs), current-voltage (I-V) relationship showed that iCa began to activate at -40 mV and reached its maximum at -10 mV. With same voltage pulses, inward currents were elicited in VOs. I-V relationships observed in VOs were similar to those in FOs. Time constants of activation and inactivation of the inward current shown in VOs were not different to those in FOs. This accordance in I-V relations and time constants in FOs with those in VOs indicates that the inward currents in FOs are unaltered by vitrification and thawing. Therefore, vitrification with EFG does not play as a factor to deteriorate $Ca^{2+}$ entry across the membrane of the oocytes.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.19-24
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• 2006

The intermediate conductance $Ca^{2+}-activated$ $K^+$ channels (SK4, IKCa1) are present in lymphocytes, and their membrane expression is upregulated by various immunological stimuli. In this study, the activity of SK4 was compared between Bal-17 and WEHI-231 cell lines which represent mature and immature stages of murine B lymphocytes, respectively. The whole-cell patch clamp with high-$Ca^{2+}$ ($0.8{\mu}M$) KCl pipette solution revealed a voltage-independent $K^+$ current that was blocked by clotrimazole (1 mM), an SK4 blocker. The expression of mRNAs for SK4 was confirmed in both Bal-17 and WEHI-231 cells. The density of clotrimazole-sensitive SK4 current was significantly larger in Bal-17 than WEHI-231 cells ($-11.4{\pm}3.1$ Vs. $-5.7{\pm}1.15$ pA/pF). Also, the chronic stimulation of B cell receptors (BCR) by BCR-ligation (anti-IgM Ab, $3{\mu}g$/ml, 8∼12 h) significantly upregulated the amplitude of clotrimazolesensitive current from $-11.4{\pm}3.1$ to $-53.1{\pm}8.6$ pA/pF in Bal-17 cells. In WEHI-231 cells, the effect of BCR-ligation was significantly small ($-5.7{\pm}1.15$ to $-9.0{\pm}1.00$ pA/pF). The differential expression and regulation by BCR-ligation might reflect functional changes in the maturation of B lymphocytes.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.31-35
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• 2008

Lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC), a metabolite of membrane phospholipids by phospholipase $A_2$, has been considered responsible for the development of abnormal vascular reactivity during atherosclerosis. $Ca^{2+}$ influx was shown to be augmented in atherosclerotic artery which might be responsible for abnormal vascular reactivity. However, the mechanism underlying $Ca^{2+}$ influx change in atherosclerotic artery remains undetermined. The purpose of the present study was to examine the effects of LPC on L-type $Ca^{2+}$ current $(I_{Ca(L)})$ activity and to elucidate the mechanism of LPC-induced change of $I_{Ca(L)}$ in rabbit portal vein smooth muscle cells using whole cell patch clamp. Extracellular application of LPC increased $I_{Ca(L)}$ through whole test potentials, and this effect was readily reversed by washout. Steady state voltage dependency of activation or inactivation properties of $I_{Ca(L)}$ was not significantly changed by LPC. Staurosporine (100 nM) or chelerythrine $(3{\mu}M)$, which is a potent inhibitor of PKC, significantly decreased basal $I_{Ca(L)}$, and LPC-induced increase of $I_{Ca(L)}$ was significantly suppressed in the presence of PKC inhibitors. On the other hand, application of PMA, an activator of PKC, increased basal $I_{Ca(L)}$ significantly, and LPC-induced enhancement of $I_{Ca(L)}$ was abolished by pretreatment of the cells with PMA. These findings suggest that LPC increased $I_{Ca(L)}$ in vascular smooth muscle cells by a pathway that involves PKC, and that LPC-induced increase of $I_{Ca(L)}$ might be, at least in part, responsible for increased $Ca^{2+}$ influx in atherosclerotic artery.

• 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.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.1 no.5
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• pp.485-493
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• 1997

We investigated the effect of ${\alpha}-adrenergic$ and cholinergic receptor agonists on $Ca^{2+}$ current in adult rat trigeminal ganglion neurons using whole-cell patch clamp methods. The application of acetylcholine, carbachol, and oxotremorine ($50\;{\mu}M\;each$) produced a rapid and reversible reduction of the $Ca^{2+}$ current by $17{\pm}6%,\;19{\pm}3%,\;and\;18{\pm}4%$, respectively. Atropine, a muscarinic antagonist, blocked carbachol- induced $Ca^{2+}$ current inhibition to $3{\pm}1%$. Norepinephrine ($50\;{\mu}M$) reduced $Ca^{2+}$ current by $18{\pm}2%$, while clonidine ($50\;{\mu}M$), an ${\alpha}2-adrenergic$ receptor agonist, inhibited $Ca^{2+}$ current by only $4{\pm}1%$. Yohimbine, an ${\alpha}2-adrenergic$ receptor antagonist, did not block the inhibitory effect of norepinephrine on $Ca^{2+}$ current, whereas prazosin, an ${\alpha}1-adrenergic$ receptor antagonist, attenuated the inhibitory effect of norepinephrine on $Ca^{2+}$ current to $6{\pm}1%$. This pharmacology contrasts with ${\alpha}2-adrenergic$ receptor modulation of $Ca^{2+}$ channels in rat sympathetic neurons, which is sensitive to clonidine and blocked by yohimbine. Our data suggest that the modulation of voltage dependent $Ca^{2+}$ channel by norepinephrine is mediated via an α1-adrenergic receptor. Pretreatment with pertussis toxin (250 ng/ml) for 16 h greatly reduced norepinephrine- and carbachol-induced $Ca^{2+}$ current inhibition from $17{\pm}3%\;and\;18{\pm}3%\;to\;2{\pm}1%\;and\;2{\pm}1%$, respectively. These results demonstrate that norepinephrine, through an ${\alpha}1-adrenergic$ receptor, and carbachol, through a muscarinic receptor, inhibit $Ca^{2+}$ currents in adult rat trigeminal ganglion neurons via pertussis toxin sensitive GTP-binding proteins.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.2 no.3
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• pp.361-368
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• 1998

The spontaneous contractions of gastric smooth muscles are regulated by slow waves, which are modulated by both nervous system and humoral agents. This study was designed to examine the effects of prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$) on the contractile and electrical activities of antral smooth muscles in guinea-pig stomach, using an intracellular recording technique. To elucidate the underlying mechanism for its effect on contractility, ionic currents were also measured using a whole-cell patch clamp method. The basal tone by $PGE_2$ was variable, whereas the magnitude of phasic contractions was reduced ($19.0{\pm}2.1%$, n=19). The resting membrane potentials were hyperpolarized ($-4.4{\pm}0.5%$ mV, n=10), and plateau potentials were lowered ($-2.9{\pm}0.5%$ mV, n=10). In most cases, however, the initial peak potentials of slow waves were depolarized more by $PGE_2$ than those of control. The frequency of the slows wave was increased from $5.7{\pm}0.2$ cycles/min to $6.5{\pm}0.2$ (n=22). Voltage-operated $Ca^{2+}$ currents were decreased by $PGE_2$ (n=5). Voltage-operated $K^+$ currents, both Ca-dependent and Ca-independent, were increased (n=5). These results suggest that $PGE_2$ plays an important role in the modulation of gastric smooth muscle activities, and its inhibitory effects on the contractility and activities of slow waves are resulted from both decrease of $Ca^{2+}$ currents and increase of $K^+$ currents.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.10 no.5
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• pp.243-249
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• 2006

The effect of genistein, widely used as a specific tyrosine kinase inhibitor, on rat brain Kv1.5 channels which were stably expressed in Chinese hamster ovary cells was investigated using the whole-cell patch-clamp technique. Genistein inhibited Kv1.5 currents at +50 mV in a concentration-dependent manner, with an $IC_{50}$ of $54.7{\pm}8.2\;{\mu}M$ and a Hill coefficient of $1.1{\pm}0.2$. Pretreatment of Kv1.5 with protein tyrosine kinase inhibitors ($10\;{\mu}M$ lavendustin A and $100\;{\mu}M$ AG1296) and a tyrosine phosphatase inhibitor ($500\;{\mu}M$ sodium orthovanadate) did not block the inhibitory effect of genistein. The inhibition of Kv1.5 by genistein showed voltage-independence over the full activation voltage range positive to 0 mV. The activation (at +50 mV) kinetics was significantly delayed by genistein: time constant for an activation of $1.4{\pm}0.2$ msec under control conditions and $10.0{\pm}1.5$ msec in the presence of $60\;{\mu}M$ genistein. Genistein also slowed the deactivation of the tail currents, resulting in a crossover phenomenon: a time constant of $11.4{\pm}1.3$ msec and $40.0{\pm}4.2$ msec under control conditions and in the presence of $60\;{\mu}M$ genistein, respectively. Inhibition was reversed by the application of repetitive depolarizing pulses, especially during the early part of the activating pulse. These results suggest that genistein directly inhibits Kv1.5 channels, independent of phosphotyrosine-signaling pathway.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.545-553
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• 2020

Aripiprazole is a quinolinone derivative approved as an atypical antipsychotic drug for the treatment of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. It acts as with partial agonist activities at the dopamine D2 receptors. Although it is known to be relatively safe for patients with cardiac ailments, less is known about the effect of aripiprazole on voltage-gated ion channels such as transient A-type K⁺ channels, which are important for the repolarization of cardiac and neuronal action potentials. Here, we investigated the effects of aripiprazole on Kv1.4 currents expressed in HEK293 cells using a whole-cell patch-clamp technique. Aripiprazole blocked Kv1.4 channels in a concentration-dependent manner with an IC₅₀ value of 4.4 μM and a Hill coefficient of 2.5. Aripiprazole also accelerated the activation (time-to-peak) and inactivation kinetics. Aripiprazole induced a voltage-dependent (δ = 0.17) inhibition, which was use-dependent with successive pulses on Kv1.4 currents without altering the time course of recovery from inactivation. Dehydroaripiprazole, an active metabolite of aripiprazole, inhibited Kv1.4 with an IC₅₀ value of 6.3 μM (p < 0.05 compared with aripiprazole) with a Hill coefficient of 2.0. Furthermore, aripiprazole inhibited Kv4.3 currents to a similar extent in a concentration-dependent manner with an IC₅₀ value of 4.9 μM and a Hill coefficient of 2.3. Thus, our results indicate that aripiprazole blocked Kv1.4 by preferentially binding to the open state of the channels.