Mean Channel Open Time Research Articles

Salts of short-chain fatty acids increase the activity of the large conductance, Ca<sup>2+</sup>-activated K<sup>+</sup> channels and reduce calcium oscillations in rat GH3 cells

The short-chain fatty acids such as acetic, propionic and butyric acids are microbiota metabolites that can exert a series of physiological effects both in the intestine and other organs, including the central nervous system. The present work aimed to examine the effects of sodium acetate, propionate, and butyrate on the activity of large conductance Ca2+ activated K+ channels and calcium oscillations in rat pituitary GH3 cells. It has been shown that fatty acids under study cause a dose-dependent increase in the amplitude of total outward potassium currents and these effects are prevented by tetraethylammonium, a Ca2+ activated K+ channel blocker, indicating the involvement of Ca2+ activated K+ channels in the effects of fatty acids. It is worthy of note that fatty acids increased open probability of single channels with no changes in the amplitude and the mean channel open time. In addition, fatty acids were associated with a significant reduction in the amplitude and frequency of Ca2+ oscillations in GH3 cells. An increase in potassium conductance and a decrease in the intracellular Ca2+ level can mediate the effects of short-chain fatty acids in various excitable structures, such as a relaxation of intestinal and vascular smooth muscle cells, hyperpolarization of neurons, and the regulation of hormone and neurotransmitter release.

Aging-induced down-regulation of Pka/Bkca pathway in rat cerebral arteries

The incidence of cerebrovascular diseases increases significantly with aging. This study aimed to test the hypothesis that aging may influence the protein kinase A (PKA)-dependent vasodilation via RyR/BKCa pathway in the middle cerebral arteries (MCA). Male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into control (4-6 month-old) and aged (24-month-old) groups. The functions of MCA and ion channel activities in smooth muscle cells were examined using myograph system and patch-clamp. Aging decreased the isoproterenol/forskolin-induced relaxation in the MCA. Large-conductance Ca(2+)-activated-K(+) (BKCa) channel inhibitor, iberiotoxin, significantly attenuated the forskolin-induced vasodilatation and hyperpolarization in the young group, but not in the aged group. The amplitude and frequency of spontaneous transient outward currents (STOCs) were significantly decreased in the aged group. Single channel recording revealed that the mean open time of BKCa channels were decreased, while an increased mean closed time of BKCa channels were found in the aged group. The Ca(2+)/voltage sensitivity of the channels was decreased accompanied by reduced BKCa alpha and beta1-subunit, the expression of RyR2, PKA-Calpha and PKA-Cbeta subunits were also declined in the aged group. Aging induced down-regulation of PKA/BKCa pathway in cerebral artery in rats. The results provides new information on further understanding in cerebrovascular diseases resulted from age-related cerebral vascular dysfunction.

State-dependent inhibition of BK channels by the opioid agonist loperamide.

Large-conductance Ca2+-activated K+ (BK) channels control a range of physiological functions, and their dysfunction is linked to human disease. We have found that the widely used drug loperamide (LOP) can inhibit activity of BK channels composed of either α-subunits (BKα channels) or α-subunits plus the auxiliary γ1-subunit (BKα/γ1 channels), and here we analyze the molecular mechanism of LOP action. LOP applied at the cytosolic side of the membrane rapidly and reversibly inhibited BK current, an effect that appeared as a decay in voltage-activated BK currents. The apparent affinity for LOP decreased with hyperpolarization in a manner consistent with LOP behaving as an inhibitor of open, activated channels. Increasing LOP concentration reduced the half-maximal activation voltage, consistent with relative stabilization of the LOP-inhibited open state. Single-channel recordings revealed that LOP did not reduce unitary BK channel current, but instead decreased BK channel open probability and mean open times. LOP elicited use-dependent inhibition, in which trains of brief depolarizing steps lead to accumulated reduction of BK current, whereas single brief depolarizing steps do not. The principal effects of LOP on BK channel gating are described by a mechanism in which LOP acts as a state-dependent pore blocker. Our results suggest that therapeutic doses of LOP may act in part by inhibiting K+ efflux through intestinal BK channels.

Mechanisms of GABAB receptor enhancement of extrasynaptic GABAA receptor currents in cerebellar granule cells

Many neurons, including cerebellar granule cells, exhibit a tonic GABA current mediated by extrasynaptic GABAA receptors. This current is a critical regulator of firing and the target of many clinically relevant compounds. Using a combination of patch clamp electrophysiology and photolytic uncaging of RuBi-GABA we show that GABAB receptors are tonically active and enhance extrasynaptic GABAA receptor currents in cerebellar granule cells. This enhancement is not associated with meaningful changes in GABAA receptor potency, mean channel open-time, open probability, or single-channel current. However, there was a significant (~40%) decrease in the number of channels participating in the GABA uncaging current and an increase in receptor desensitization. Furthermore, we find that adenylate cyclase, PKA, CaMKII, and release of Ca2+ from intracellular stores are necessary for modulation of GABAA receptors. Overall, this work reveals crosstalk between postsynaptic GABAA and GABAB receptors and identifies the signaling pathways and mechanisms involved.

The insecticide chlorantraniliprole is a weak activator of mammalian skeletal ryanodine receptor/Ca2+ release channel

Chlorantraniliprobe (Chlo), a potent insecticide, demolishes intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis of insects by inducing uncontrolled Ca2+ release through ryanodine receptors (RyRs). Chlo is lethal to insects but has low toxicity to mammals. In this study, we investigated the effects of Chlo on RyR1 from mammalian skeletal muscle. Ca2+ release assay indicated that Chlo at high concentrations promoted Ca2+ release from sarcoplasmic reticulum through RyR1 channels. Single channel recording of purified RyR1 showed that Chlo activated RyR1 channel, increased channel open probability Po, reduced channel mean close time Tc, but did not change the channel mean open time To, suggesting that Chlo destabilized the closed RyR1 channel, rendered the channel easy to open. The dissociation constant Kd values of Chlo for RyR1 were of micromolar level, approximately 100-fold larger than that for insect RyR. The Kd values were smaller for open states than for closed/blocked states of the RyR1 channel. The maximal binding capacity Bmax did not change in the presence of either channel activators or inhibitors/blockers. Our results demonstrate that the insecticide Chlo is a weak activator of mammalian RyR1. It can interact with mammalian RyR1 and activate RyR1 channel but with much lower affinity compared with insect RyR; Chlo has a binding site distinct from all known RyR channel modulators and represents a novel type of RyR channel modulator. Our data provide biochemical and pharmacological insights into its high specificity to insect RyR and high selectivity of poisoning to insects over mammals.

Subunit composition critically determines pH sensitivity of epithelial sodium channels in Xenopus laevis

The Epithelial Sodium Channel (ENaC) mediates the selective flux of sodium ions across the apical membrane of epithelial cells. ENaC consists of three subunits (α,β,γ) and its activity at the cell surface is subject to a multitude of regulatory mechanisms, including proteolytic cleavage, extracellular pH and Na+ ions. Channel regulation may also depend on ENaC subunit composition, as an additional δ‐subunit can replace α‐ENaC in the heterotrimeric configuration. As the physiological implications of ENaC containing the δ‐subunit are poorly understood, we characterized the regulation of Xenopus δβγ‐ENaC by extracellular pH and Na+.Regulation of Xenopus δβγ‐ENaC by extracellular Na+ and pH was investigated by two‐electrode voltage‐clamp and cell‐attached Patch‐Clamp electrophysiology using the Xenopus oocyte expression system. Successive reduction of extracellular pH from pH 8 – 6 increased amiloride‐sensitive transmembrane currents of oocytes expressing δβγ‐ENaC by > 7 fold. In cell‐attached Patch‐Clamp recordings the pH of the pipette solution (pHpip = extracellular) affected δβγ‐ENaC open probability and kinetics. Compared to pHpip at 7.4, alkaline conditions (pHpip 8) decreased open probability as well as the mean channel open time, whereas under acidic conditions (pHpip 6) an increased open probability was accompanied by a reduction of average channel closed times. Transmembrane currents mediated by Xenopus δβγ‐ENaC are sensitive to sodium self‐inhibition, a phenomenon describing the fast inhibition of ENaC in the presence of high extracellular Na+ concentrations. Channel activation under acidic conditions (pH 7 & 6) was accompanied by a decrease in magnitude and apparent Na+‐affinity of self‐inhibition, whereas these effects were reversed under alkaline conditions (pH 8). Hypothesizing mutual regulation of δβγ‐ENaC activity by extracellular Na+ and pH, we examined whether neutralization of pH‐sensitive aspartates in the δ‐subunit affected channel self‐inhibition and regulation by pH. Specific aspartates in a subunit domain corresponding to a putative Na+‐sensing site of mouse α‐ENaC (Kashlan et al., 2015, J Biol Chem 290:568–76) were replaced by asparagines via site‐directed mutagenesis (δD293N, δD296N, δD293,6N). All mutations decreased pH‐mediated channel activation. Notably, ENaC containing the δD296N mutation also displayed a decreased sodium self‐inhibition, which was not observed in channels bearing a single δD293N mutation. Furthermore, human δβγ‐ENaCs which have a reduced sodium self‐inhibition were not activated by acidic pH as observed with the Xenopus orthologue displaying a strong sodium self‐inhibition.In conclusion, these results demonstrate that activity of ENaC containing the δ‐subunit in Xenopus laevis is sensitive to changes in the extracellular pH, whereas ENaC containing the α‐subunit is not. Proton‐mediated activation of ENaC involves changes in single channel kinetics and a reduction of sodium self‐inhibition. Thus, sensitivity of this amphibian ENaC to extracellular pH is critically determined by its subunit composition.This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2018 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.

Expression, purification, and electrophysiological characterization of a recombinant, fluorescent Kir6.2 in mammalian cells

The inwardly rectifying K+ (Kir) channel, Kir6.2, plays critical roles in physiological processes in the brain, heart, and pancreas. Although Kir6.2 has been extensively studied in numerous expression systems, a comprehensive description of an expression and purification protocol has not been reported. We expressed and characterized a recombinant Kir6.2, with an N-terminal decahistidine tag, enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP) and deletion of C-terminal 26 amino acids, in succession, denoted eGFP-Kir6.2Δ26. eGFP-Kir6.2Δ26 was expressed in HEK293 cells and a purification protocol developed. Electrophysiological characterization showed that eGFP-Kir6.2Δ26 retains native single channel conductance (64 ± 3.3 pS), mean open times (τ1 = 0.72 ms, τ2 = 15.3 ms) and ATP affinity (IC50 = 115 ± 25 μM) when expressed in HEK293 cells. Detergent screening using size exclusion chromatography (SEC) identified Fos-choline-14 (FC-14) as the most suitable surfactant for protein solubilization, as evidenced by maintenance of the native tetrameric structure in SDS-PAGE and western blot analysis. A two-step scheme using Co2+-metal affinity chromatography and SEC was implemented for purification. Purified protein activity was assessed by reconstituting eGFP-Kir6.2Δ26 in black lipid membranes (BLMs) composed of 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (POPC), 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phospho-(1′-rac-glycerol) (POPG), l-α-phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) in a 89.5:10:0.5 mol ratio. Reconstituted eGFP-Kir6.2Δ26 displayed similar single channel conductance (61.8 ± 0.54 pS) compared to eGFP-Kir6.2Δ26 expressed in HEK293 membranes; however, channel mean open times increased (τ1 = 7.9 ms, τ2 = 61.9 ms) and ATP inhibition was significantly reduced for eGFP-Kir6.2Δ26 reconstituted into BLMs (IC50 = 3.14 ± 0.4 mM). Overall, this protocol should be foundational for the production of purified Kir6.2 for future structural and biochemical studies.

Counteracting desensitization of human α7-nicotinic acetylcholine receptors with bispyridinium compounds as an approach against organophosphorus poisoning

Irreversible inhibition of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) resulting in accumulation of acetylcholine and overstimulation of muscarinic and nicotinic receptors accounts for the acute toxicity of organophosphorus compounds (OP). Accordingly, the mainstay pharmacotherapy against poisoning by OP comprises the competitive muscarinic acetylcholine receptor antagonist atropine to treat muscarinic effects and, in addition, oximes to reactivate inhibited AChE. A therapeutic gap still remains in the treatment of desensitized nicotinic acetylcholine receptors following OP exposure. Hereby, nicotinic effects result in paralysis of the central and peripheral respiratory system if untreated. Thus, these receptors pose an essential target for therapeutic indication to address these life-threatening nicotinic symptoms of the cholinergic crisis. Identification of ligands regulating dynamic transitions between functional states by binding to modulatory sites appears to be a promising strategy for therapeutic intervention. In this patch clamp study, the ability of differently substituted bispyridinium non-oximes to “resensitize” i.e. to recover the activity of desensitized human homomeric α7-type nAChRs stably transfected in CHO cells was investigated and compared to the already described α7-specific positive allosteric modulator PNU-120596. The structures of these bispyridinium analogues were based on the lead structure of the tert-butyl-substituted bispyridinium propane MB327, which has been shown to have a positive therapeutic effect due to a non-competitive antagonistic action at muscle-type nAChRs in vivo and has been found to have a positive allosteric activity at neuronal receptors in vitro. Prior to test compounds, desensitization of hα7-nAChRs was verified by applying an excess of nicotine revealing activation at low, and desensitization at high concentrations. Thereby, desensitization could be reduced by modulation with PNU-120596. Desensitization was further verified by dose-response profiles of agonists, carbamoylcholine and epibatidine in the absence and presence of PNU-120596. Although less pronounced than PNU-120596 and the lead structure MB327, bispyridinium compounds, particularly those substituted at position 3 and 4, resensitized the nicotine desensitized hα7-nAChRs in a concentration-dependent manner and prolonged the mean channel open time. In summary, identification of more potent compounds able to restore nAChR function in OP intoxication is needed for development of a putative efficient antidote.

Two adjacent phenylalanines in the NMDA receptor GluN2A subunit M3 domain interactively regulate alcohol sensitivity and ion channel gating

The N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor is a key target of ethanol action in the central nervous system. Alcohol inhibition of NMDA receptor function involves small clusters of residues in the third and fourth membrane-associated (M) domains. Previous results from this laboratory have shown that two adjacent positions in the M3 domain, F636 and F637, can powerfully regulate alcohol sensitivity and ion channel gating. In this study, we report that these positions interact with one another in the regulation of both NMDA receptor gating and alcohol action. Using dual mutant cycle analysis, we detected interactions among various substitution mutants at these positions with respect to regulation of glutamate EC50, steady-state to peak current ratios (Iss:Ip), mean open time, and ethanol IC50. This interaction apparently involves a balancing of forces on the M3 helix, such that the disruption of function due to a substitution at one position can be reversed by a similar substitution at the other position. For example, tryptophan substitution at F636 or F637 increased or decreased channel mean open time, respectively, but tryptophan substitution at both positions did not alter open time. Interestingly, the effects of a number of mutations on receptor kinetics and ethanol sensitivity appeared to depend upon subtle structural differences, such as those between the isomeric amino acids leucine and isoleucine, as they could not be explained on the basis of sidechain molecular volume or hydrophilicity.

Similar enhancement of BK(Ca) channel function despite different aerobic exercise frequency in aging cerebrovascular myocytes.

Aerobic exercise showed beneficial influence on cardiovascular systems in aging, and mechanisms underlying vascular adaption remain unclear. Large-conductance Ca(2+)-activated K(+) (BK(Ca)) channels play critical roles in regulating cellular excitability and vascular tone. This study determined the effects of aerobic exercise on aging-associated functional changes in BK(Ca) channels in cerebrovascular myocytes, Male Wistar rats aged 20-22 months were randomly assigned to sedentary (O-SED), low training frequency (O-EXL), and high training frequency group (O-EXH). Young rats were used as control. Compared to young rats, whole-cell BK(Ca) current was decreased, and amplitude of spontaneous transient outward currents were reduced. The open probability and Ca(2+)/voltage sensitivity of single BK(Ca) channel were declined in O-SED, accompanied with a reduction of tamoxifen-induced BK(Ca) activation; the mean open time of BK(Ca) channels was shortened whereas close time was prolonged. Aerobic exercise training markedly alleviated the aging-associated decline independent of training frequency. Exercise three times rather than five times weekly may be a time and cost-saving training volume required to offer beneficial effects to offset the functional declines of BK(Ca) during aging.

Zinc Modulates Skeletal Ryanodine Receptor Function Resulting in Altered Sarcoplasmic Reticulum Calcium Release

Impaired Ca2+-homeostasis due to dysfunction in the principal sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-release channel, the type-1 ryanodine receptor (RyR1) contributes to the pathophysiology of muscular dystrophy. Dynamic alterations in intracellular Zn2+ and Ca2+-homeostasis are associated with dystrophinopathies, but the mechanism by which Zn2+ modulates RyR1 is unknown. We have investigated how Zn2+ modulates RyR1-channel gating at the single-channel level. Native RyR1-channels were isolated from guinea-pig skeletal muscle and incorporated into planar phosphatidylethanolamine bilayers under voltage-clamp conditions as described previously (1). We reveal that Zn2+ is a high affinity effector of RyR1. Sequential addition of cytosolic Zn2+ in the range 100 pM to 1 μM significantly increased RyR1-channel open probability (Po) in a dose dependent manner. The increase in channel activity resulted from an increase in the frequency of openings with no significant effect on mean channel open times. These data indicate that Zn2+ increases RyR1 Po by sensitizing the channel to cytosolic Ca2+. In skeletal muscle, Mg2+ is an endogenous inhibitor of RyR1 and helps to prevent inappropriate release of Ca2+. We therefore wanted to investigate the activatory effects of Zn2+ in the presence of physiological levels of Mg2+. Under resting conditions (100 nM cytosolic Ca2+) we observed that the presence of 1 mM cytosolic Mg2+ resulted in complete closure of the channel (Po=0). Unexpectedly, RyR1-channel openings were observed following the addition of pathophysiological levels of Zn2+ (10 nM) where Po increased from 0 to 0.14 (n=2). Dysregulated Zn2+ levels may therefore lead to abnormally active or “leaky” RyR1-channels, suggesting that altered Zn2+-homeostasis could perturb intracellular Ca2+-dynamics and contribute to the progression of muscular dystrophy.(1) Woodier et al.,(2015) JBC;290(28):17599-610.Funded by the BHF

The Cyclic AMP Signaling Pathway and Direct PKA Phosphorylation Regulate Polycystin-2 (TRPP2) Channel Function

Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is a prevalent disease caused by mutations in the genes encoding polycystins 1 and 2, which form a complex where the effect systems lie in polycystin-2 (PC2). PC2 is a TRP-type, Ca2+-permeable non-selective cation channel that plays an important role in Ca2+ signaling in renal and non-renal cells. The effect(s) of the cAMP pathway and kinase mediated phosphorylation of PC2 seem to be relevant to PC2 trafficking and its interaction with polycystin-1. However, the role of PC2 phosphorylation in channel function is still poorly defined. Here we reconstituted apical membranes of term human syncytiotrophoblast (hST), containing endogenous PC2 (PC2hst), and in vitro translated channel protein (PC2iv). Addition of the catalytic subunit of PKA increased by 566% the spontaneous PC2hst channel activity in the presence of ATP. Interestingly, 8-Br-cAMP also stimulated spontaneous PC2hst channel activity in the absence of the exogenous kinase. Either stimulation was inhibited by addition of alkaline phosphatase, which in turn, was reversed by the phosphatase inhibitor vanadate. Neither maneuver modified the single channel conductance but instead increased channel mean open time. PKA directly phosphorylated PC2, which increased the mean open time but not the single channel conductance of the channel. PKA phosphorylation did not modify either R742X truncated or S829A-mutant PC2iv channel function. The data indicate that the cAMP pathway regulates PC2-mediated cation transport in the hST. The relevant PKA site for PC2 channel regulation centers on a single residue Serine 829, in the carboxy terminus that seems to be a gating mechanism of channel activity. The fact that the cAMP/PKA pathway participates in the regulation of PC2 channel function is crucial for the understanding of renal physiology and the pathogenesis of ADPKD.

Disruption of S2-M4 linker coupling reveals novel subunit-specific contributions to N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor function and ethanol sensitivity

The N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor is a glutamatergic ion channel and is a known site of ethanol action. Evidence suggests that ethanol inhibits NMDA receptor activity by reducing channel open probability and mean open time potentially via interaction with specific residues within the transmembrane (M) domains 3 and 4 of GluN subunits. Recent models of NMDAR function demonstrate that extracellular residues near the M domains are key regulators of gating, suggesting that they may contribute to ethanol sensitivity. To test this, we substituted cysteines at key positions in GluN1 and GluN2 M3-S2 and S2-M4 regions previously shown to affect channel open probability and mean open time similar to ethanol treatment. Although crosslinking of these domains was predicted to restrict linker domain movement and occlude ethanol inhibition, only intra-GluN1 M1:M4 linker-crosslinked receptors showed a decrease in ethanol sensitivity. For the converse experiment, we expressed NMDARs with glycine substitutions in the S2-M4 domain of GluN subunits to enhance M4 flexibility and recorded currents in response to ethanol. Glycine substitution in the GluN1 S2-M4 region significantly decreased glutamate potency of GluN1(A804G)/GluN2A receptors, while GluN1(A804G)/GluN2B receptors exhibited no change in glutamate sensitivity. In contrast, GluN1/GluN2B(S811G) receptors showed a 10-fold increase in glutamate potency while GluN1/GluN2A(S810G) receptors showed no change. Surprisingly, while S2-M4 glycine substitutions modulated ethanol sensitivity, this was observed only in receptors that did not display a change in agonist potency. Overall, these results suggest that S2-M4 linkers strongly influence receptor function and modestly impact ethanol efficacy in a subunit- and receptor subtype-dependent manner.

The cAMP Signaling Pathway and Direct Protein Kinase A Phosphorylation Regulate Polycystin-2 (TRPP2) Channel Function

Polycystin-2 (PC2) is a TRP-type, Ca(2+)-permeable non-selective cation channel that plays an important role in Ca(2+) signaling in renal and non-renal cells. The effect(s) of the cAMP pathway and kinase mediated phosphorylation of PC2 seem to be relevant to PC2 trafficking and its interaction with polycystin-1. However, the role of PC2 phosphorylation in channel function is still poorly defined. Here we reconstituted apical membranes of term human syncytiotrophoblast (hST), containing endogenous PC2 (PC2hst), and in vitro translated channel protein (PC2iv). Addition of the catalytic subunit of PKA increased by 566% the spontaneous PC2hst channel activity in the presence of ATP. Interestingly, 8-Br-cAMP also stimulated spontaneous PC2hst channel activity in the absence of the exogenous kinase. Either stimulation was inhibited by addition of alkaline phosphatase, which in turn, was reversed by the phosphatase inhibitor vanadate. Neither maneuver modified the single channel conductance but instead increased channel mean open time. PKA directly phosphorylated PC2, which increased the mean open time but not the single channel conductance of the channel. PKA phosphorylation did not modify either R742X truncated or S829A-mutant PC2iv channel function. The data indicate that the cAMP pathway regulates PC2-mediated cation transport in the hST. The relevant PKA site for PC2 channel regulation centers on a single residue serine 829, in the carboxyl terminus.

Channel Gating Dependence on Pore Lining Helix Glycine Residues in Skeletal Muscle Ryanodine Receptor

Type 1 ryanodine receptors (RyR1s) release Ca(2+) from the sarcoplasmic reticulum to initiate skeletal muscle contraction. The role of RyR1-G4934 and -G4941 in the pore-lining helix in channel gating and ion permeation was probed by replacing them with amino acid residues of increasing side chain volume. RyR1-G4934A, -G4941A, and -G4941V mutant channels exhibited a caffeine-induced Ca(2+) release response in HEK293 cells and bound the RyR-specific ligand [(3)H]ryanodine. In single channel recordings, significant differences in the number of channel events and mean open and close times were observed between WT and RyR1-G4934A and -G4941A. RyR1-G4934A had reduced K(+) conductance and ion selectivity compared with WT. Mutations further increasing the side chain volume at these positions (G4934V and G4941I) resulted in reduced caffeine-induced Ca(2+) release in HEK293 cells, low [(3)H]ryanodine binding levels, and channels that were not regulated by Ca(2+) and did not conduct Ca(2+) in single channel measurements. Computational predictions of the thermodynamic impact of mutations on protein stability indicated that although the G4934A mutation was tolerated, the G4934V mutation decreased protein stability by introducing clashes with neighboring amino acid residues. In similar fashion, the G4941A mutation did not introduce clashes, whereas the G4941I mutation resulted in intersubunit clashes among the mutated isoleucines. Co-expression of RyR1-WT with RyR1-G4934V or -G4941I partially restored the WT phenotype, which suggested lessening of amino acid clashes in heterotetrameric channel complexes. The results indicate that both glycines are important for RyR1 channel function by providing flexibility and minimizing amino acid clashes.

Menthol Enhances the Desensitization of Human α3β4 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors.

The α3β4 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) subtype is widely expressed in the peripheral and central nervous systems, including in airway sensory nerves. The nAChR subtype transduces the irritant effects of nicotine in tobacco smoke and, in certain brain areas, may be involved in nicotine addiction and/or withdrawal. Menthol, a widely used additive in cigarettes, is a potential analgesic and/or counterirritant at sensory nerves and may also influence nicotine's actions in the brain. We examined menthol's effects on recombinant human α3β4 nAChRs and native nAChRs in mouse sensory neurons. Menthol markedly decreased nAChR activity as assessed by Ca(2+) imaging, (86)Rb(+) efflux, and voltage-clamp measurements. Coapplication of menthol with acetylcholine or nicotine increased desensitization, demonstrated by an increase in the rate and magnitude of the current decay and a reduction of the current integral. These effects increased with agonist concentration. Pretreatment with menthol followed by its washout did not affect agonist-induced desensitization, suggesting that menthol must be present during the application of agonist to augment desensitization. Notably, menthol acted in a voltage-independent manner and reduced the mean open time of single channels without affecting their conductance, arguing against a simple channel-blocking effect. Further, menthol slowed or prevented the recovery of nAChRs from desensitization, indicating that it probably stabilizes a desensitized state. Moreover, menthol at concentrations up to 1 mM did not compete for the orthosteric nAChR binding site labeled by [(3)H]epibatidine. Taken together, these data indicate that menthol promotes desensitization of α3β4 nAChRs by an allosteric action.

9-Phenanthrol inhibits recombinant and arterial myocyte TMEM16A channels.

In arterial smooth muscle cells (myocytes), intravascular pressure stimulates membrane depolarization and vasoconstriction (the myogenic response). Ion channels proposed to mediate pressure-induced depolarization include several transient receptor potential (TRP) channels, including TRPM4, and transmembrane protein 16A (TMEM16A), a Ca(2+) -activated Cl(-) channel (CaCC). 9-Phenanthrol, a putative selective TRPM4 channel inhibitor, abolishes myogenic tone in cerebral arteries, suggesting that either TRPM4 is essential for pressure-induced depolarization, upstream of activation of other ion channels or that 9-phenanthrol is non-selective. Here, we tested the hypothesis that 9-phenanthrol is also a TMEM16A channel blocker, an ion channel for which few inhibitors have been identified. Patch clamp electrophysiology was used to measure rat cerebral artery myocyte and human recombinant TMEM16A (rTMEM16A) currents or currents generated by recombinant bestrophin-1, another Ca(2+) -activated Cl(-) channel, expressed in HEK293 cells. 9-Phenanthrol blocked myocyte TMEM16A currents activated by either intracellular Ca(2+) or Eact , a TMEM16A channel activator. In contrast, 9-phenanthrol did not alter recombinant bestrophin-1 currents. 9-Phenanthrol reduced arterial myocyte TMEM16A currents with an IC50 of ∼12 μM. Cell-attached patch recordings indicated that 9-phenanthrol reduced single rTMEM16A channel open probability and mean open time, and increased mean closed time without affecting the amplitude. These data identify 9-phenanthrol as a novel TMEM16A channel blocker and provide an explanation for the previous observation that 9-phenanthrol abolishes myogenic tone when both TRPM4 and TMEM16A channels contribute to this response. 9-Phenanthrol may be a promising candidate from which to develop TMEM16A channel-specific inhibitors.

Exact Stochastic Simulation of a Calcium Microdomain Reveals the Impact of Ca2+ Fluctuations on IP3R Gating

In this study, we numerically analyzed the nonlinear Ca2+-dependent gating dynamics of a single, nonconducting inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor (IP3R) channel, using an exact and fully stochastic simulation algorithm that includes channel gating, Ca2+ buffering, and Ca2+ diffusion. The IP3R is a ubiquitous intracellular Ca2+ release channel that plays an important role in the formation of complex spatiotemporal Ca2+ signals such as waves and oscillations. Dynamic subfemtoliter Ca2+ microdomains reveal low copy numbers of Ca2+ ions, buffer molecules, and IP3Rs, and stochastic fluctuations arising from molecular interactions and diffusion do not average out. In contrast to models treating calcium dynamics deterministically, the stochastic approach accounts for this molecular noise. We varied Ca2+ diffusion coefficients and buffer reaction rates to tune the autocorrelation properties of Ca2+ noise and found a distinct relation between the autocorrelation time τac, the mean channel open and close times, and the resulting IP3R open probability PO. We observed an increased PO for shorter noise autocorrelation times, caused by increasing channel open times and decreasing close times. In a pure diffusion model the effects become apparent at elevated calcium concentrations, e.g., at [Ca2+] = 25 μM, τac = 0.082 ms, the IP3R open probability increased by ≈20% and mean open times increased by ≈4 ms, compared to a zero noise model. We identified the inactivating Ca2+ binding site of IP3R subunits as the primarily noise-susceptible element of the De Young and Keizer model. Short Ca2+ noise autocorrelation times decrease the probability of Ca2+ association and consequently increase IP3R activity. These results suggest a functional role of local calcium noise properties on calcium-regulated target molecules such as the ubiquitous IP3R. This finding may stimulate novel experimental approaches analyzing the role of calcium noise properties on microdomain behavior.

Effects of aerobic exercise training on large-conductance Ca2+-activated K+ channels in rat cerebral artery smooth muscle cells

Large-conductance Ca(2+)-activated K(+) (BKCa) channels provide a negative feedback that regulates vascular tone in the brain circulation. This study investigated the effects of aerobic exercise on gating properties of BKCa channels in rat cerebral artery. Rats were subjected to moderate-intensity exercise at low (EX-3d/w) and high (EX-5d/w) training volume on a motor-driven treadmill, and compared with age-matched sedentary animals (SED). Inside-out (I/O) patch clamp recording was performed to measure gating properties of the BKCa channel. Aerobic exercise induced a reduction in heart rate and body weight in both training groups. Exercise increased the channel activity, which was more pronounced in EX-5d/w than that in EX-3d/w group. Kinetic analysis revealed that (1) the contribution of short open states was elevated and the duration of both short and long open states were extended by exercising in EX-3d/w; (2) Ex-3d/w had no significant change on conformation of close states; (3) EX-3d/w increased the mean open time without changing mean closed time; (4) EX-5d/w increased both the contribution and duration of long open states; (5) EX-5d/w increased channel mean open time while decreased mean closed time. The results suggest that regular aerobic exercise may enhance BKCa channel activity in cerebral arterial myocytes by changing its biophysical properties, and the electrical remolding induced by exercise may be training volume-dependent.

9‐phenanthrol inhibits TMEM16A channels

Intravascular pressure stimulates several smooth muscle cell TRP channels, including TRPM4, leading to membrane depolarization and vasoconstriction (the myogenic response). Previous studies using 9‐phenanthrol (9‐phen), a TRPM4 channel inhibitor, suggest that TRPM4 is essential for pressure‐induced depolarization and constriction (Gonzales et al, AJP Cell 2010). We have recently shown that transmembrane protein 16A (TMEM16A), a Ca2+‐activated chloride channel, contributes to pressure‐induced depolarization and constriction (Bulley et al, Circ Res 2012). To investigate these apparently dissimilar results, we tested the hypothesis that 9‐phen is also a TMEM16A channel blocker. Patch‐clamp electrophysiology indicated that 9‐phen inhibited whole‐cell currents generated by recombinant TMEM16A channels expressed in HEK293 cells. Analysis of tail‐currents indicated that 9‐phen reduced TMEM16A currents in a concentration‐ and voltage‐dependent manner. IC50s for 9‐phen were 15 and 10 μM at −100 and +100 mV, respectively. Cell‐attached patch recordings indicated that 9‐phen (10 μM) reduced single TMEM16A channel open probability, amplitude, and mean open time, and increased mean closed time. Taken together, our data suggest that 9‐phen inhibits TMEM16A channels, in part by acting as a pore‐blocker. NHLBI/NIH