• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제18권4호
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• pp.448-453
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• 2010

Drug-induced long QT syndrome is known to be associated with the onset of torsades de pointes (TdP), resulting in a fatal ventricular arrhythmia. QT interval prolongation can result from blocking the human ether-a-go-go-related gene (hERG) channel, which is important for the repolarization of cardiac action potential. Nicardipine, a Ca-channel blocker and antihypertensive agent, has been reported to increase the risk of occasional serious ventricular arrhythmias. We studied the effects of nicardipine on hERG $K^+$ channels expressed in HEK293 cells and Xenopus oocytes. The cardiac electrophysiological effect of nicardipine was also investigated in this study. Our results revealed that nicardipine dose-dependently decreased the tail current of the hERG channel expressed in HEK293 cells with an $IC_{50}$ of 0.43 ${\mu}M$. On the other hand, nicardipine did not affect hERG channel trafficking. Taken together, nicardipine inhibits the hERG channel by the mechanism of short-term channel blocking. Two S6 domain mutations, Y652A and F656A, partially attenuated (Y652A) or abolished (F656A) the hERG current blockade, suggesting that nicardipine blocks the hERG channel at the pore of the channel.

• 한국산학기술학회논문지
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• 제16권3호
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• pp.1964-1971
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• 2015

사람의 골수 또는 제대정맥에서 유래된 중간엽 줄기 세포 (hBM-MSC 또는 hUC-MSC)는 임상적 치료 적용에 매우 유용한 세포유형으로 알려져 왔다. 우리는 이러한 세포에서 two-pore 도메인 포타슘 (K2P)채널을 조사하였다. K2P 채널은 다양한 세포유형들에서 안정막 전위를 형성하는데 중요한 역할을 한다. 그들 중 TREK1은 수소, 저산소증, 다불포화 지방산, 항우울제 및 신경전달물질들의 표적이다. 우리는 RT-PCR 분석과 팻취고정기법을 이용하여 hBM-MSCs와 hUC-MSC가 기능적인 TREK1 채널을 발현하는지 조사했다. hBM-MSCs와 hUC-MSCs에서 100 pS 단일 채널 전도도를 가진 포타슘채널이 발견되었고, 그 채널은 세포막 신전 (-5 mmHg ~ -15 mmHg), 아라키도닉산 ($10{\mu}M$), 세포내 산성화 (pH 6.0)에 의해 활성화 되었다. 이러한 전기생리학적 성질은 TREK1과 유사하였다. 우리의 결과는 안정막 전위에 기여하는 TREK1 채널이 hBM-MSC와 hUC-MSC에 기능적으로 존재하고 있음을 제시한다.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제12권4호
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• pp.211-216
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• 2008

TREK (TWIK-RElated $K^+$ channels) and TRAAK (TWIK-Related Arachidonic acid Activated $K^+$ channels) were expressed in COS-7 cells, and the channel activities were recorded from inside-out membrane patches using holding potential of - 40 mV in symmetrical 150 mM $K^+$ solution. Intracellular application of an oxidizing agent, 5,5'-dithio-bis (2-nitrobenzoic acid) (DTNB), markedly decreased the activity of the TREK2, and the activity was partially reversed by the reducing agent, dithiothreitol (DTT). In order to examine the possibility that the target sites for the oxidizing agents might be located in the C-terminus of TREK2, two chimeras were constructed: TREK2 (1-383)/TASK3C and TREK2 (1-353)/TASK3C. The channel activity in the TREK2 (1-383)/TASK3C chimera was still inhibited by DTNB, but not in the TREK2 (1-353)/TASK3C chimera. These results indicate that TREK2 is inhibited by oxidation, and that the target site for oxidation is located between the amino acid residues 353 and 383 in the C-terminus of the TREK2 protein.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제27권5호
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• pp.591-599
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• 2009

Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) play important roles in nervous system functions and are involved in a variety of diseases. We previously demonstrated that ginsenosides, the active ingredients of Panax ginseng, inhibit subsets of nAChR channel currents, but not ${\alpha}7$, expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes. Mutation of the highly conserved Leu247 to Thr247 in the transmembrane domain 2 (TM2) channel pore region of ${\alpha}7$ nAChR induces alterations in channel gating properties and converts ${\alpha}7$ nAChR antagonists into agonists. In the present study, we assessed how point mutations in the Leu247 residue leading to various amino acids affect 20(S)-ginsenoside $Rg_3$ ($Rg_3$) activity against the ${\alpha}7$ nAChR. Mutation of L247 to L247A, L247D, L247E, L247I, L247S, and L247T, but not L247K, rendered mutant receptors sensitive to $Rg_3$. We further characterized $Rg_3$ regulation of L247T receptors. We found that $Rg_3$ inhibition of mutant ${\alpha}7$ nAChR channel currents was reversible and concentration-dependent. $Rg_3$ inhibition was strongly voltage-dependent and noncompetitive manner. These results indicate that the interaction between $Rg_3$ and mutant receptors might differ from its interaction with the wild-type receptor. To identify differences in $Rg_3$ interactions between wild-type and L247T receptors, we utilized docked modeling. This modeling revealed that $Rg_3$ forms hydrogen bonds with amino acids, such as Ser240 of subunit I and Thr244 of subunit II and V at the channel pore, whereas $Rg_3$ localizes at the interface of the two wild-type receptor subunits. These results indicate that mutation of Leu247 to Thr247 induces conformational changes in the wild-type receptor and provides a binding pocket for $Rg_3$ at the channel pore.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제24권6호
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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.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제9권1호
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• pp.63-68
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• 2005

Hydrogen peroxide ($H_2O_2$) causes oxidative stress and is considered as an inducer of cell death in various tissues. Two-pore domain $K^+$ ($K_{2p}$) channels may mediate $K^+$ efflux during apoptotic volume decreases (AVD) in zygotes and in mouse embryos. In the present study, we sought to elucidate linkage between $K_{2p}$ channels and cell death by $H_2O_2$. Thus $K_{2p}$ channels (TASK-1, TASK-3, TREK-1, TREK-2) were stably transfected in HEK-293 cells, and cytotoxicity assay was preformed using cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8). Cell survival rates were calculated using the cytotoxicity assay data and dose-response curve was fitted to the $H_2O_2$ concentration. Ionic currents were recorded in cell-attached mode. The bath solution was the normal Ringer solution and the pipette solution was high $K^+$ solution. In HEK-293 cells expressing TREK-1, TREK-2, TASK-3, $H_2O_2$ induced cell death did not change in comparison to non-transfected HEK-293. In HEK-293 cells expressing TASK-1, however, dose-response curve was significantly shifted to the left. It means that $H_2O_2$ induced cell death was increased. In cell attached-mode recording, application of $H_2O_2$ (300μM) increased activity of all $K_{2p}$ channels. However, a low concentration of $H_2O_2$ ($50{\mu}M$) increased only TASK-1 channel activity. These results indicate that TASK-1 might participate in $K^+$ efflux by $H_2O_2$ at low concentration, thereby inducing AVD.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제20권4호
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• pp.379-385
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• 2016

TWIK-related $K^+$ channel-2 (TREK-2) and TWIK-related spinal cord $K^+$ (TRESK) channel are members of two-pore domain $K^+$ channel family. They are well expressed and help to set the resting membrane potential in sensory neurons. Modulation of TREK-2 and TRESK channels are involved in the pathogenesis of pain, and specific activators of TREK-2 and TRESK may be beneficial for the treatment of pain symptoms. However, the effect of commonly used analgesics on TREK-2 and TRESK channels are not known. Here, we investigated the effect of analgesics on TREK-2 and TRESK channels. The effects of analgesics were examined in HEK cells transfected with TREK-2 or TRESK. Amitriptyline, citalopram, escitalopram, and fluoxetine significantly inhibited TREK-2 and TRESK currents in HEK cells (p<0.05, n=10). Acetaminophen, ibuprofen, nabumetone, and bupropion inhibited TRESK, but had no effect on TREK-2. These results show that all analgesics tested in this study inhibit TRESK activity. Further study is needed to identify the mechanisms by which the analgesics modulate TREK-2 and TRESK differently.

• 한국수정란이식학회지
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• 제21권1호
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• pp.35-43
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• 2006

이온 통로 및 이온 농도의 변화는 수정 현상을 포함한 다양한 세포 기능에 중요한 역할을 한다. 그러나 이러한 이온의 변화가 포유동물 배의 발달과정에 어떻게 관여하는지에 대해서는 알려진 바가 적다. 본 연구에서는 생쥐난자가 수정 이후 배 발달 과정을 거치는 동안 나타나는 칼슘과 포타슘 이온의 변화를 전기생리학적 실험 기법과 공초점 현미경을 이용하여 조사하였다. 수정 시에 나타나는 일시적인 세포내 칼슘 농도 변화는 활성 전류(수정 전류)와 함께 동반되었다. 그러나 수정과 같은 극적인 현상이나 자극이 없는 시기에는 세포내 칼슘 농도가 배 발달 시기와 상관없이 일정한 수준으로 유지되었다. 이것은 세포내외의 칼슘 농도의 보상현상으로도 설명할 수 있을 것이다. 배 발달이 진행됨에 따라 난관액의 포타슘 농도는 계속 증가하여 8세포기 배에서는 난자보다 26% 증가하였다. 상실배, 포배기에서는 포타슘 농도가 감소하였다. 배 발달이 진행됨에 따라 주로 포타슘 이온에 의해 조절되는 막 전압은 탈분극되고, 칼슘 이온의 세포 안으로의 유입은 점점 감소하였다. 생쥐 난자에 5 mM의 칼슘을 처리하였을 때 막 전압은 일시적인 과분극 현상을 보이다가 회복되었다. 칼슘 유입에 따른 막 전압 변화에 관여하는 포타슘 통로를 확인하기 위하여 포타슘 통로 차단제를 전 처리한 후 칼슘을 처리한 결과, 칼슘만을 단독으로 처리한 결과와 유의한 차이를 보이지 않았다. 막 전압의 과분극 현상은 잘 알려진 포타슘 통로 차단제인 TEA에 억제되지 않았다. 그리고 small conductance $Ca^{2+}$-activated 포타슘 통로 차단제 인 apamin에 의해서도 억제되지 않았다. 따라서 생쥐 난자에서 과분극을 유발시키는 포타슘 통로는 TEA와 apamin에 억제되지 않는 다른 포타슘 통로로 생각된다. 이상의 결과로부터 배 발달 동안 변화되는 칼슘과 포타슘 이온은 수정 및 초기 배 발달에 중요한 인자로써 작용할 것으로 생각되며, two-pore domain 포타슘 통로가 난자의 막 전압 조절에 관여할 가능성을 제시한다.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제24권3호
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• pp.252-259
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• 2016

Neuropathic pain is a complex state showing increased pain response with dysfunctional inhibitory neurotransmission. The TREK family, one of the two pore domain $K^+$ (K2P) channel subgroups were focused among various mechanisms of neuropathic pain. These channels influence neuronal excitability and are thought to be related in mechano/thermosensation. However, only a little is known about the expression and role of TREK-1 and TREK-2, in neuropathic pain. It is performed to know whether TREK-1 and/or 2 are positively related in dorsal root ganglion (DRG) of a mouse neuropathic pain model, the chronic constriction injury (CCI) model. Following this purpose, Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) and western blot analyses were performed using mouse DRG of CCI model and compared to the sham surgery group. Immunofluorescence staining of isolectin-B4 (IB4) and TREK were performed. Electrophysiological recordings of single channel currents were analyzed to obtain the information about the channel. Interactions with known TREK activators were tested to confirm the expression. While both TREK-1 and TREK-2 mRNA were significantly overexpressed in DRG of CCI mice, only TREK-1 showed significant increase (~9 fold) in western blot analysis. The TREK-1-like channel recorded in DRG neurons of the CCI mouse showed similar current-voltage relationship and conductance to TREK-1. It was easily activated by low pH solution (pH 6.3), negative pressure, and riluzole. Immunofluorescence images showed the expression of TREK-1 was stronger compared to TREK-2 on IB4 positive neurons. These results suggest that modulation of the TREK-1 channel may have beneficial analgesic effects in neuropathic pain patients.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제17권6호
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• pp.511-516
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• 2013

Bladder cancer is the seventh most common cancer in men that smoke, and the incidence of disease increases with age. The mechanism of occurrence has not yet been established. Potassium channels have been linked with cell proliferation. Some two-pore domain $K^+$ channels (K2P), such as TASK3 and TREK1, have recently been shown to be overexpressed in cancer cells. Here we focused on the relationship between cell growth and the mechanosensitive K2P channel, TREK2, in the human bladder cancer cell line, 253J. We confirmed that TREK2 was expressed in bladder cancer cell lines by Western blot and quantitative real-time PCR. Using the patch-clamp technique, the mechanosensitive TREK2 channel was recorded in the presence of symmetrical 150 mM KCl solutions. In 253J cells, the TREK2 channel was activated by polyunsaturated fatty acids, intracellular acidosis at -60 mV and mechanical stretch at -40 mV or 40 mV. Furthermore, small interfering RNA (siRNA)-mediated TREK2 knockdown resulted in a slight depolarization from $-19.9mV{\pm}0.8$ (n=116) to $-8.5mV{\pm}1.4$ (n=74) and decreased proliferation of 253J cells, compared to negative control siRNA. 253J cells treated with TREK2 siRNA showed a significant increase in the expression of cell cycle boundary proteins p21 and p53 and also a remarkable decrease in protein expression of cyclins D1 and D3. Taken together, the TREK2 channel is present in bladder cancer cell lines and may, at least in part, contribute to cell cycle-dependent growth.