Antisense oligodeoxynucleotides of sulfonylurea receptors inhibit ATP-sensitive K+ channels in cultured neonatal rat ventricular cells

 To identify the functional sulfonylurea receptor (SUR), a subunit of the adenosine 5′-triphosphate (ATP)-sensitive K⁺ (K_ATP) channels, in neonatal rat ventricular cells, such cells in primary culture were treated for 6 days with antisense (AS) oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs) complementary to the mRNA for SURs. For quantification, single-channel (inside-out patches) and whole-cell currents were measured using the patch-clamp technique. The maximal K_ATP currents (at 0 mV) induced by metabolic inhibition were 48.9±2.8 pA/pF in control (n=48), 34.3±3.5 pA/pF in AS-SUR1 (n=21, P<0.05 vs control), and 23.5±3.4 pA/pF in AS-SUR2 (n=17, P<0.01 vs control). As a control, scramble oligonucleotides had no effect. The fast Na⁺ current and inward-rectifying K⁺ current were not affected by AS-SURs. Treatment with both AS-SUR1 and AS-SUR2 had no additive effects on inhibition of K_ATP currents compared with AS-SUR2 alone. The single-channel conductance, open probability, and kinetics (in ATP-free solution) were not significantly different between control, AS-SUR1, and AS-SUR2. These results suggest that treatment with AS-ODN for SUR1 or SUR2 reduced the number of functional K_ATP channels. Furthermore, in four out of seven control cells tested, outward K⁺ currents were stimulated by diazoxide, which is a potent K⁺ channel-opening drug for the constructed SUR1/Kir6.2 and SUR2B/Kir6.2 channels, but not for the SUR2A/Kir6.2 channel. Therefore, in neonatal rat ventricular cells, both SUR2 and SUR1 subtypes could be integral components of the functional K_ATP channels. The larger population of K_ATP channels may be constructed with SUR2, whereas a smaller population may be constructed with a combination of SUR1 and SUR2. Received: 29 May 1998 / Received after revision: 8 September 1998 / Accepted: 13 October 1998     

Characterization of the ATP-inhibited K+ current in canine coronary smooth muscle cells

Intracellular adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-inhibited K⁺ currents (I _{K, ATP} ) in canine coronary artery smooth muscle cells were characterized in the wholecell configuration using the suction pipette method. Cells dialysed internally with solutions containing 5 mM ATP (ATP_i) showed little detectable whole-cell current at potentials more negative than –30 mV. However, cells dialysed with ATP_i-free solutions developed a time- and voltage-independent current which reached a maximum of 132±25 pA at –40 mV about 10 min following patch rupture. After run-up, the current showed little run-down. Concentration-dependent inhibition by ATP_i yielded an inhibition constant (K _i of 350 M and a Hill coefficient of 2.3. In ATP_i-free solutions, the large current at –40 mV was reduced by glibenclamide with aK _i of 20 nM and a Hill coefficient of 0.95. Conversely, in 1 mM ATP_i solutions, the small current at –40 mV was increased by P-1075 from 8±2 pA to 143±33 pA, with a dissociation constant (K _d) of 0.16 M and a Hill coefficient of 1.7. The effect of P-1075 was antagonized by glibenclamide. Maximal current density elicited by either ATP_i depletion or external application of the channel opener P-1075 was similar with slope conductances of 81±10 pS/pF and 76±13 pS/pF respectively in the potential range of –90 to –40 mV. External Ca²⁺ had no effect on this current. Finally, in 1 mM ATP_i, 20 and 50 M adenosine increased the current slope conductance by 36±15% and 73±10% respectively between –90 to –40 mV. TheI _{K, ATP} although very small in these cells, was extremely effective in causing membrane potential hyperpolarization.     

Effect of acute hypoxia on ATP-sensitive potassium currents in substantia gelatinosa neurons of juvenile rats

Although hypoxia is known to affect membrane excitability of various neurons by various mechanisms, the effects of hypoxia on substantia gelatinosa (SG) neurons have not yet been elucidated. In whole-cell or perforated patch-clamp recordings from SG neurons, we showed that acute hypoxia induces a reversible hyperpolarization of –6.1±1.3 mV of the resting membrane potential and an outwards current of 9.48±1.71 pA at a holding potential of –60 mV. The reversal potentials of the hypoxia-induced current depended on [K⁺]_o. The hypoxia-induced hyperpolarization and outwards current were abolished completely by BaCl₂, but not by CsCl. Glibenclamide, a blocker of K_ATP channels, blocked the hypoxia-induced hyperpolarization. Pretreatment with cromakalim, an opener of K_ATP channels, occluded the hypoxia-induced hyperpolarization. Any alteration by hypoxia was not observed in the presence of an internal solution with a high [ATP] (10 mM). The above results suggest that hypoxia-induced hyperpolarization in SG neurons is mediated by activation of K_ATP channels.*Y.K. Park and S.J. Jung contributed equally to this work     

Adenosine triphosphate-dependent K currents activated by metabolic inhibition in rat ventricular myocytes differ from those elicited by the channel opener rilmakalim

Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) dependent potassium channels (K_ATP channels) in heart ventricular muscle cells can be activated by depletion of intracellular ATP stores as well as by channel openers. In the present study we examined whether properties of K_ATP channels are dependent on the mode of activation. Whole-cell and single-channel currents were investigated by use of the patch-clamp technique in isolated ventricular rat myocytes. The channel opener rilmakalim dose dependency activated whole-cell currents [concentration for half-maximal activation (EC₅₀) = 1.1 M, Hill coefficient = 3.1, saturation concentration 10 M]. Metabolic inhibition with 2-deoxy-d-glucose (10 mmol/l) also activated K_ATP currents after a time lag of several minutes. These currents were about two-fold higher than the rilmakalim-activated currents (rilmakalim-activated current 3.9 ±0.2nA, 2-deoxy-d-glucose-activated current 8.1±0.9 nA; both recorded at 0 mV clamp potential). While the rilmakalim-activated current could be blocked completely and with high affinity by the sulphonylurea glibenclamide [concentration for half-maximal inhibition (IC₅₀) = 8 nM, Hill coefficient = 0.7] the 2-deoxy-d-glucose-activated current could only be blocked partially (by maximally 46%) and higher glibenclamide concentrations were needed (IC₅₀ = 480 nM, Hill coefficient = 0.8). The partial loss of blocking efficiency after metabolic inhibition was not restricted to glibenclamide but was also observed with the sulfonylureas glimepiride and HB 985, as well as with the non-sulfonylureas HOE 511 and 5-hydroxydecanoate. Single-channel studies were in accordance with these whole-cell experiments. Both rilmakalim and metabolic inhibition with the uncoupler carbonyl cyanide p-(trifluoromethoxy) phenylhydrazone (FCCP) activated single channels in the attached mode, where the number of current levels was significantly higher in the case of FCCP. Rilmakalim-activated channels were completely blocked by 10 M glibenclamide, whereas several single-channel levels appeared in the presence of 100 M glibenclamide after metabolic inhibition. In conclusion, after metabolic inhibition the amplitude of the activated K_ATP current is about twice as high as under saturating concentrations of the opener rilmakalim. Moreover, channels activated by metabolic inhibition lost part of their sensitivity to known channel blockers.     

家兔陈旧性心肌梗死心室肌细胞钾离子电流的变化

目的:探讨陈旧性心肌梗死(HMI)心律失常的发生机制,观察HMI非梗死区心肌细胞动作电位时程(APD)、瞬时外向钾电流(I_to)、延迟整流钾电流(I_K)和内向整流钾电流(I_K1)的变化。方法: 12只家兔随机分为2组,陈旧性心肌梗死组(HMI)开胸结扎冠状动脉左回旋支,假手术组开胸但不结扎冠状动脉。3个月后应用全细胞膜片钳技术记录非梗死区心肌细胞的APD、I_to、 I_K和I_K1。 结果: (1)HMI组心肌细胞的膜电容明显高于假手术组;(2)HMI组心肌细胞的APD显著延长,并有早期后除极(EAD)出现;(3)HMI组心肌细胞I_to 、I_K,tail和I_K1的电流密度分别为(4.03±0.33)pA/pF、(1.14±0.11)pA/pF和(17.6±2.3)pA/pF,显著低于假手术组的(6.72±0.42)pA/pF、(1.54±0.13)pA/pF和(25.6±2.6)pA/pF(P<0.01)。结论: HMI非梗死区心室肌细胞I_to 、I_K,tail、和I_K1的电流密度的降低是其APD延长和EAD出现的离子流基础,而APD延长和EAD的出现,可能在HMI恶性心律失常的发生中起着重要作用。     

ABCC8 and ABCC9: ABC transporters that regulate K+ channels

The sulfonylurea receptors (SURs) ABCC8/SUR1 and ABCC9/SUR2 are members of the C-branch of the transport adenosine triphosphatase superfamily. Unlike their brethren, the SURs have no identified transport function; instead, evolution has matched these molecules with K⁺ selective pores, either K_IR6.1/KCNJ8 or K_IR6.2/KCNJ11, to assemble adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-sensitive K⁺ channels found in endocrine cells, neurons, and both smooth and striated muscle. Adenine nucleotides, the major regulators of ATP-sensitive K⁺ (K_ATP) channel activity, exert a dual action. Nucleotide binding to the pore reduces the activity or channel open probability, whereas Mg-nucleotide binding and/or hydrolysis in the nucleotide-binding domains of SUR antagonize this inhibitory action to stimulate channel openings. Mutations in either subunit can alter this balance and, in the case of the SUR1/KIR6.2 channels found in neurons and insulin-secreting pancreatic β cells, are the cause of monogenic forms of hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia and neonatal diabetes. Additionally, the subtle dysregulation of K_ATP channel activity by a K_IR6.2 polymorphism has been suggested as a predisposing factor in type 2 diabetes mellitus. Studies on K_ATP channel null mice are clarifying the roles of these metabolically sensitive channels in a variety of tissues.     

ATP4− and ATP·Mg inhibit the ATP-sensitive K+ channel of rat ventricular myocytes

K⁺ currents were recorded from ATP-sensitive channels in inside-out membrane patches excised from isolated rat ventricular myocytes. ATP-sensitive K⁺ channel inhibition could be evoked by ATP in the absence of magnesium where most ATP would be present as the free acid ATP^4–. Channel inhibition was enhanced when the same total concentration of ATP was applied in the presence of magnesium, where most ATP would be bound as ATP·Mg. Dose-response relationships for ATP-sensitive K⁺ channel inhibition evoked by ATP had a Hill coefficient of 2 andK _i of 17 and 30 M for ATP in the presence and absence of magnesium respectively. This was the obverse of the expected results if ATP^4– were to be the sole form of ATP to effect channel closure. ATP-sensitive K⁺ channel inhibition evoked by ATPS, AMP-PNP and AMP-PCP was also enhanced in the presence of magnesium. It is concluded that the ATP-sensitive K⁺ channel of rat ventricular myocytes binds and is closed by both the free-acid and divalent-cationbound forms of ATP.     

Mechanism of hyperthyroidism-induced modulation of the L-type Ca2+ current in guinea pig ventricular myocytes

The positive inotropic effects of thyroid hormone in the heart, increased force and velocity of contraction have been mostly attributed to modulation of myosin ATPase isoenzymes (V₁, V₂ and V₃), and sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca²⁺ pumping activity. In addition, we have suggested that the effects on ventricular contraction result from a thyroid hormone-induced increase in L-type Ca²⁺ current (I _{Ca, L}). Due to the central role of I _{Ca, L} in excitation-contraction coupling, we studied mechanisms whereby thyroid hormone augments this current. Since thyroid hormone modulates adenylate cyclase activity in various tissues, we tested the hypothesis that the hormone activates adenylate cyclase, leading to increased cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) levels, protein kinase A activation, Ca²⁺ channel phosphorylation and increased I _{Ca, L}. We therefore stimulated or inhibited different sites along the adenylate cyclase cascade, and measured I _{Ca, L} and isometric twitch in ventricular myocytes and papillary muscles from euthyroid and hyperthyroid guinea pigs. Our major findings were as follows. In euthyroid myocytes, 0.1 M isoproterenol (Iso) increased I _{Ca, L} (at V _M=0 mV) from –7.04±0.72 to –22.26±1.88 pA/pF, P<0.05, while in hyperthyroid myocytes (I _{Ca, L}=-21.48±2.94 pA/pF), Iso was ineffective. In euthyroid myocytes, intracellular application of cAMP (50 M) was as potent as Iso, but ineffective in hyperthyroid myocytes. In hyperthyroid myocytes, a protein kinase A inhibitor (2 M) lowered I _{Ca, L} from –26.82±1.54 to -10.17±1.70 pApF (P<0.05), but had no effect in euthyroid myocytes. In hyperthyroid myocytes, acetylcholine (ACh) (1 M) decreased I _{Ca, L} from –26.86±1.49 to –18.33±1.25 pA/pF (P<0.05), while in euthyroid myocytes ACh decreased I_{Ca, L} from –6.80±0.61 to –6.00±0.39 pA/pF (NS). Accordingly, in hyperthyroid papillary muscles, ACh decreased twitch tension by 36.4±2.8%, but in euthyroid preparations only by 9.4±5.1% (P<0.05). These findings suggest that thyroid-hormone-induced increase in I _{Ca, L} contributing to positive inotropy, is mediated by activation of the adenylate cyclase cascade.     

Calcium-activated chloride conductance is not increased in pancreatic duct cells of CF mice

Calcium-activated anion secretion is elevated in the pancreatic ductal epithelium of transgenic cf/cf mice which lack the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR). To elucidate whether this effect is due to increased activity of calcium-activated chloride channels, we have studied the relationship between CFTR and calcium-activated chloride currents in pancreatic duct cells isolated from Cambridge cf/cf mice. CFTR chloride currents activated by cAMP were detected in 59% (29/49) of wild-type cells and in 50% (20/40) of heterozygous cells. However, we could not detect any CFTR currents in the homozygous cf/cf cells (0/25). The maximum CFTR current density measured at a membrane potential of 60 mV was 23.5±2.8 pA/pF (n=29) in wild-type cells, and about half that value, i.e. 12.4±1.6 pA/pF (n=20) in heterozygotes (P=0.004). Calcium-activated chloride currents were detected in 73% (24/33) of wild-type, 75% (21/28) of heterozygous and in 58% (7/12) of homozygous cf/cf cells. There was no significant difference between the steady-state calcium-activated current densities in the three genotypic groups; the current measured at 60 mV being 527±162 pA/pF (n=24) from wild-type, 316±35 pA/pF (n=21) from heterozygote and 419±83 pA/pF (n=7) from homozygous cells. Our data suggest that lack of CFTR does not enhance the calcium-activated chloride conductance in murine pancreatic duct cells.     

Biophysical,pharmacological and developmental properties of ATP-sensitive K+ channels in cultured myotomal muscle cells from Xenopus embryos

Unlike mammalian muscle cells in culture, cultured myotomal muscle cells of Xenopus embryos express ATP-sensitive K⁺ (K_ATP) channels. The K_ATP channels are blocked by internal ATP (half-maximal inhibition K _0.5 = 16 M) and to a lesser extent by internal ADP, are voltage independent, have an inward rectification at positive potentials and are inhibited by glibenclamide (K _0.5 = 2 M). Surprisingly, these K_ATP channels are not sensitive to K⁺ channel openers such as cromakalim. Opening of these K_ATP channels does not occur under normal physiological conditions. It is elicited by metabolic exhaustion of the muscle cell and it precedes the development of an irreversible rigor state. Neither intracellular acidosis nor an increase of intracellular Ca²⁺ are involved in K_ATP channel opening. Different types of K⁺ channels are successively expressed after plating of myotomal muscle cells: (1) sustained delayed-rectifier K⁺ channels; (2) K_ATP channels; (3) inward-rectifier K⁺ channels; (4) transient delayed-rectifier K⁺ channels. The current density associated with K_ATP channels far exceeds that of voltage-dependent K⁺ channels. Innervation controls the expression of these K_ATP channels. Co-culture of muscle cells with neurons from the neural tube decreases the number of active K_ATP channels per patch. Similarly, in situ innervated submaxillaris muscle of tadpoles at stage 50–55 has a very low density of K_ATP channels.     

Tyrosine kinase inhibition differentially regulates heterologously expressed HCN channels

The HCN ion channel subunit gene family encodes hyperpolarization-activated cation channels that are permeable to Na⁺ and K⁺. There are four members of this channel family, three of which, HCN1, HCN2, and HCN4, are expressed in the heart. Current evidence suggests that the HCN ion channel subunit family is the molecular correlate of the alpha subunit of the cardiac pacemaker current i _f. Our previous work has shown that HCN4 is the dominant isoform expressed in the rabbit sinoatrial (SA) node and that changes in tyrosine phosphorylation, either by kinase inhibition or growth factor activation, lead to changes in rabbit SA node i _f conductance with no change in voltage dependence. In the present study we investigate the actions of genistein, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, on heterologously expressed HCN currents in Xenopus oocytes. Genistein had no effect on HCN1-induced currents, but reduced whole-cell currents induced by HCN2 or HCN4 and slowed activation kinetics at voltages near the midpoint of activation. In the case of HCN2 there was also a negative shift in the voltage dependence of activation that accompanies the current reduction. We have shown previously that HCN2 is the dominant isoform expressed in rat ventricular myocytes. The above results predict that genistein should reduce i _f in the rat ventricle and cause a negative shift of voltage dependence and kinetics of activation. We tested this hypothesis by studying the effects of genistein on isolated rat ventricular myocytes. Genistein significantly reduced i _f current density (pA/pF) (control: 12.2±1.8; genistein: 3.5±0.5; washout: 7.7±0.8; n=10), and caused a negative shift of the midpoint of activation by 14 mV (–133±1 mV for genistein and –119±1 mV for washout, n=7) with no change in slope factor. Our results thus suggest that i _f in the heart and i _f-like currents in other tissues can be regulated differentially by tyrosine phosphorylation based on isoform expression patterns.     

Intracellular ADP activates ATP-sensitive K+ channels in vascular smooth muscle cells of the guinea pig portal vein

Vasodilatation following tissue ischemia is assumed to partially result from activation of ATP-dependent K⁺ channels (K_ATP). To assess the effect of cytosolic adenosine nucleotides, the balance of which depends on tissue pO₂, on K_ATP, we have measured steady state outward currents (SSC) by the whole-cell clamp technique in smooth muscle cells of the guinea pig portal vein at different concentrations of ATP and ADP in the pipette solution. Glibenclamide, a selective inhibitor of K_ATP, was used as a pharmacological tool. — With no nucleotides in the pipette solution (Ca²⁺-free), the SSC determined at +20 mV was unaffected by glibenclamide, while with 0.1 mM ATP or with 0.1 mM ADP, the SSC exhibited a glibenclamide-sensitive component indicating activation of K_ATP. At 5 mM ATP and no ADP, hardly any effect of glibenclamide on the SSC was detected, suggesting inhibition of K_ATP by this high concentration of ATP. With 0.1 mM ADP at 5 mM ATP however, activation of K_ATP was achieved. — At 10^–7 M Ca²⁺ in the pipette solution, an increased SSC was measured, but the responses to the nucleotides and/or glibenclamide were not modified. — These findings suggest that in vivo, ADP may be involved in the regulation of vascular K_ATP, linking tissue pO₂ with vascular tone and tissue perfusion.     

Actions of myristyl-FRCRCFa, a cell-permeant blocker of the cardiac sarcolemmal Na-Ca exchanger, tested in rabbit ventricular myocytes

 In cardiac muscle, the electrogenic Na-Ca exchanger plays important roles in determining action potential shape and in the beat-to-beat homeostasis of intracellular calcium. In this study we tested the actions of a putative cell-permeant blocker of the cardiac sarcolemmal Na-Ca exchange, ”Myristyl- (Myr-) FRCRCFa”. Experiments were performed using isolated rabbit right ventricular myocytes and whole-cell patch-clamp at 35–37°C. The Na-Ca exchange current (I _Na-Ca), L-type calcium current (I _Ca,L), inward rectifier potassium current (I _K1) and delayed rectifier potassium current (I _K) were compared in untreated cells and cells incubated in a solution containing N-myristylated FRCRCFa. With other major currents blocked, I _Na-Ca was measured as the Ni-sensitive component of current during a voltage ramp applied from the holding potential of –40 mV, between +80 and –120 mV (ramp velocity 0.1 V s^–1). In untreated cells, I _Na-Ca at +60 mV was 7.1±0.6 pA/pF and at –100 mV was –2.7±0.3 pA/pF (n=9). After a 15-min pre-incubation with 20 μM Myr-FRCRCFa, I _Na-Ca was reduced to 4.2±0.3 pA/pF at +60 mV and –1.5±0.2 pA/pF at –100 mV (P<0.02; n=7). After incubation with 20 μM Myr-FRCRCFa for 1 h, I _Na-Ca at both potentials was further reduced (2.3±0.8 pA/pF at +60 mV; –0.9±0.3 pA/pF at –100 mV; P<0.008 compared with control; n=4). Under selective recording conditions for I _Ca,L, there was little difference in I _Ca,L density between untreated and cells incubated with Myr-FRCRCFa. A Boltzmann fit to the I _Ca,L/V relation showed no significant alteration of half-maximal activation potential or slope factor of activation. I _K1 was also largely unaffected by pre-incubation of cells with Myr-FRCRCFa. I _K, measured as deactivating tail current following 1-s test depolarisations to a range of test potentials, was also not significantly altered by Myr-FRCRCFa. The suppression of I _Na-Ca in cells incubated in Myr-FRCRCFa suggests that addition of the myristyl group to FRCRCFa peptide conveys cell permeancy to the peptide and that Myr-FRCRCFa applied externally to rabbit ventricular myocytes is moderately effective as an I _Na-Ca blocker. I _Ca,L, I _K1 and I _K were largely unaffected by Myr-FRCRCFa. N-Myristylation of such conformationally constrained hexapeptides may, therefore, provide a means of producing cell-permeant inhibitors of the cardiac Na-Ca exchanger. Received: 6 February 1997 / Received after revision: 8 April 1998 / Accepted: 9 April 1998     

Reduction of calcium-independent transient outward potassium current density in DOCA salt hypertrophied rat ventricular myocytes

Saline-drinking, left-nephrectomized rats made hypertensive by deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA) pellet implantation at the time of surgery develop a cardiac hypertrophy, which becomes maximal after 6–7 weeks. The hypertrophy results in a marked increase in the amplitude and duration of both the early and the late component of the ventricular action potential plateau recorded in the isolated perfused rat heart. The 4-aminopyridine(4-AP)-sensitive calcium-independent transient outward potassium current was markedly depressed in hypertrophied ventricular myocytes resulting in a highly significant decrease in current density (from 19.9±3.5 to 6.4±3.1 pA/pF at +60 mV). Activation/ voltage and steady-state inactivation/voltage relationships were moderately although non-significantly shifted towards negative potentials. The steady-state outward current measured at the end of 1-s depolarizing pulses was not significantly changed in hypertrophied myocytes. 4-AP induced a smaller increase in plateau amplitude and duration in hypertrophied rather than in control hearts, a point that is well explained by the depression of the transient outward current resulting from hypertrophy. We also demonstrated that a complete recovery of both cell capacitance and transient outward current amplitude occurs in myocytes from saline-drinking rats studied 13 weeks after DOCA pellet implantation, showing that hypertrophy regresses as a result of pellet elimination. Several mechanisms can be involved in the observed phenomena, including the possibility that the expression of potassium channels responsible for the transient outward current is not enhanced by hypertrophy in contrast with what occurs in the case of calcium channels. We conclude that the depression of the calcium-independent transient outward potassium current appears responsible for the major part of the hypertrophy-induced action potential lengthening in rat ventricular myocytes.     

Decreased gene expression of KACh and KATP channels in hyperthyroid rabbit atria

Cardiac hypertrophy is a common myocardial structural abnormality which may cause heart failure. Many studies have shown that cardiac hypertrophy can be induced by hyperthyroidism. Ligand-gated potassium channels have been reported to be involved in various biological processes in the cardiovascular system, such as GPCR coupled K_ACh and metabolism sensor K_ATP channel. It is unclear whether the gene expression of K_ACh and K_ATP was altered in hyperthyroid rabbit atria. We aimed to investigate the expression of K_ACh and K_ATP genes in rabbit atria in our experimental model. We established an effective hyperthyroidism-induced cardiac hypertrophy animal model through an injection of T4. H&E staining and RT-PCR were used to observe the histomorphological damages and alteration of gene expression. The results showed that the heart weight, heart rate significantly increased in T4-treated rabbits. The systolic pressure increased from 115.60 mmHg to 152.6 mmHg in T4-treated rabbits. The expression of K_ACh and K_ATP genes was decreased in the atria of hyperthyroidism-induced cardiac hypertrophied rabbits. These findings indicated that the decreased gene expression of K_ACh and K_ATP may be related to hyperthyroidism-induced cardiac hypertrophy and atrial fibrillation.     

Cell swelling causes the action potential duration to shorten in guinea-pig ventricular myocytes by activating I KATP

 In guinea-pig ventricular myocytes, cell swelling by incubation in hypotonic solution caused a pronounced shortening of the action potential duration (APD₉₀: 15.5±14.6% compared to control; mean ± SD) after a latency of 12 min when the intracellular ATP concentration was 2 mM. This shortening was partially reversible within 10 min after reperfusion with isotonic solution (APD₉₀: 80.5±12.1% compared to control). With 5 mM intracellular ATP in the pipette electrode, the effect of cell swelling on the action potential was significantly reduced. Incubation with 1 μM glibenclamide, a blocker of the ATP-dependent K⁺ current (I _KATP), abolished the swelling-induced shortening of the action potential duration, whereas incubation with 0.5 mM 4,4’-diisothiocyanatostilbene-2,2’-disulphonic acid (DIDS), a blocker of the swelling-induced Cl^– current (I _Cl,swell), had no effect on the action potential duration in hypotonic solution. Simultaneous measurements of membrane currents substantiate that I _KATP is the current that underlies this effect. These results suggest that in the ischaemic myocardium I _KATP may be partially activated by cell swelling, resulting in a shortening of the action potential duration before the intracellular ATP concentration has fallen below 2 mM. Received: 30 March 1998 Received after revision: 7 July 1998 Accepted: 25 July 1998     

Functional analysis of six Kir6.2 (KCNJ11) mutations causing neonatal diabetes

ATP-sensitive potassium (K_ATP) channels, composed of pore-forming Kir6.2 and regulatory sulphonylurea receptor (SUR) subunits, play an essential role in insulin secretion from pancreatic beta cells. Binding of ATP to Kir6.2 inhibits, whereas interaction of Mg-nucleotides with SUR, activates the channel. Heterozygous activating mutations in Kir6.2 (KCNJ11) are a common cause of neonatal diabetes (ND). We assessed the functional effects of six novel Kir6.2 mutations associated with ND: H46Y, N48D, E227K, E229K, E292G, and V252A. K_ATP channels were expressed in Xenopus oocytes and the heterozygous state was simulated by coexpression of wild-type and mutant Kir6.2 with SUR1 (the beta cell type of SUR). All mutations reduced the sensitivity of the K_ATP channel to inhibition by MgATP, and enhanced whole-cell K_ATP currents. Two mutations (E227K, E229K) also enhanced the intrinsic open probability of the channel, thereby indirectly reducing the channel ATP sensitivity. The other four mutations lie close to the predicted ATP-binding site and thus may affect ATP binding. In pancreatic beta cells, an increase in the K_ATP current is expected to reduce insulin secretion and thereby cause diabetes. None of the mutations substantially affected the sensitivity of the channel to inhibition by the sulphonylurea tolbutamide, suggesting patients carrying these mutations may respond to these drugs.     

Disruption of actin cytoskeleton attenuates sulfonylurea inhibition of cardiac ATP-sensitive K+ channels

 Two actin filament-depolymerizing agents, DNase I and cytochalasin D, were used to examine the involvement of the cytoskeleton in the functional interaction between the sulfonylurea receptor (SUR) and the ATP-sensitive K⁺ (K_ATP) channels. Isolated rat ventricular cardiomyocytes were studied using open cell-attached patches for single-channel recording. Bath application of DNase I (100 μg/ml) or cytochalasin D (10 μM) stimulated the K_ATP channel activities (in presence of 30 μM ATP), and these channels became resistant to inhibition by tolbutamide (0.5 mM). After exposure to tolbutamide, the relative NP_o value was 0.09 ± 0.02 in control patches in absence of actin disrupters, and 0.67 ± 0.22* or 0.65 ± 0.10*, respectively, in cells treated with DNase I or cytochalasine D (*P < 0.05 vs. control). The inhibitory action of glibenclamide (10 μM) on the K_ATP channels was also attenuated by DNase I. Thus, the disruption of the actin cytoskeleton attenuates the ability of SUR to inhibit the opening of K_ATP channels. Received: 3 February 1997 / Accepted: 25 March 1997     

Asymmetrical distribution of ion channels in canine and human left-ventricular wall: epicardium versus midmyocardium

The aim of the present study was to compare the distribution of ion currents and the major underlying ion channel proteins in canine and human subepicardial (EPI) and midmyocardial (MID) left-ventricular muscle. Ion currents and action potentials were recorded from canine cardiomyocytes derived from the very superficial EPI and central MID regions of the left ventricle. Amplitude, duration and the maximum velocity of depolarization of the action potential were significantly greater in MID than EPI myocytes, whereas phase-1 repolarization was more pronounced in the EPI cells. Amplitudes of the transient outwards K⁺ current (29.5±1.5 vs. 19.0±2.3 pA/pF at +50 mV) and the slow component of the delayed rectifier K⁺ current (10.3±2.3 vs. 6.5±1.0 pA/pF at +50 mV) were significantly larger in EPI than in MID myocytes under whole-cell voltage-clamp conditions. The densities of the inwards rectifier K⁺ current, rapid delayed rectifier K⁺ current and L-type Ca²⁺ current were similar in both cell types. Expression of channel proteins in both canine and human ventricular myocardium was determined by Western blotting. In the canine heart, the expression of Kv4.3, Kv1.4, KChIP2 and KvLQT1 was significantly higher, and that of Nav1.5 and MinK much lower, in EPI than in MID. No significant EPI-MID differences were observed in the expression of the other channel proteins studied (Kir2.1, _1C, HERG and MiRP1). Similar results were obtained in human hearts, although the HERG was more abundant in the EPI than in the MID layer. In the canine heart, the EPI-MID differences in ion current densities were proportional to differences in channel protein expression. Except for the density of HERG, the pattern of EPI-MID distribution of ion-channel proteins was identical in canine and human ventricles.     

ATP-sensitive potassium channels: A double-edged sword in neurodegenerative diseases

ATP-sensitive potassium channels (K_ATP channels), a group of vital channels that link the electrical activity of the cell membrane with cell metabolism, were discovered on the ventricular myocytes of guinea pigs by Noma using the patch-clamp technique in 1983. Subsequently, K_ATP channels have been found to be expressed in pancreatic β cells, cardiomyocytes, skeletal muscle cells, and nerve cells in the substantia nigra (SN), hippocampus, cortex, and basal ganglia. K_ATP channel openers (KCOs) diazoxide, nicorandil, minoxidil, and the K_ATP channel inhibitor glibenclamide have been shown to have anti-hypertensive, anti-myocardial ischemia, and insulin-releasing regulatory effects. Increasing evidence has suggested that K_ATP channels also play roles in Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), vascular dementia (VD), Huntington's disease (HD) and other neurodegenerative diseases. KCOs and K_ATP channel inhibitors protect neurons from injury by regulating neuronal excitability and neurotransmitter release, inhibiting abnormal protein aggregation and Ca²⁺ overload, reducing reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and microglia activation. However, K_ATP channels have dual effects in some cases. In this review, we focus on the roles of K_ATP channels and their related openers and inhibitors in neurodegenerative diseases. This will enable us to precisely take advantage of the K_ATP channels and provide new ideas for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.