Characterization of riluzole-induced stimulation of large-conductance calcium-activated potassium channels in rat pituitary GH3 cells.

BACKGROUND: Riluzole is known to be an inhibitor of glutamatergic neurotransmission. Transmitter release from nerve terminals can be regulated by the activity of large-conductance Ca(2+)-activated K+(BKCa) channels. METHODS: The ionic mechanism of actions of riluzole was investigated in neuroendocrine (GH3 and PC12 cells), using the whole-cell patch-clamp and inside-out excised patch configurations. RESULTS: In GH3 cells, riluzole at 0.3-100 mumol/L increased the amplitude of Ca(2+)-activated K+ current (IK(Ca)) in a concentration-dependent manner with a half maximal concentration of 5 mumol/L. The riluzole-induced increase in outward current was not be suppressed by glibenclamide (10 mumol/L) or apamin (200 nmol/L). However, iberiotoxin (200 nmol/L) or tetrandrine (10 mumol/L) can effectively suppress riluzole-induced IK(Ca). Under inside-out patch recording mode, riluzole (10 mumol/L) applied intracellularly can increase the opening probability of large-conductance Ca(2+)-activated K+(BKCa) channels, but did not affect their single-channel conductance. The riluzole-induced change in the kinetic behavior of BKCa channels is due to an increase in mean open time and a decrease in mean closed time. Riluzole caused a left shift in the midpoint for voltage-dependent opening. Riluzole-stimulated activity of BKCa is independent on internal Ca2+. Riluzole (30 mumol/L) did not affect the amplitude of voltage-dependent K+ current, but it produced a slight reduction of L-type voltage-dependent Ca2+ current. Under current clamp mode, riluzole (10 mumol/L) decreased the firing rate of action potentials induced by thyrotropin releasing hormone (10 mumol/L) in GH3 cells. In rat pheochromocytoma PC12 cells, riluzole also increased the activity of BKCa channels without altering their channel conductance. CONCLUSION: This study shows that riluzole can stimulate the activity of BKCa channel in neuroendocrine cells.