AMPA Receptor-Mediated Modulation of Inward Rectifier K+ Channels in Astrocytes of Mouse Hippocampus

We address advances in the understanding of myometrial physiology, focusing on excitation and the effects of gestation on ion channels and their relevance to labor. This review moves through pioneering studies to exciting new findings. We begin with the myometrium and its myocytes and describe how excitation might initiate and spread in this myogenic smooth muscle. We then review each of the ion channels in the myometrium: L- and T-type Ca2+ channels, KATP (Kir6) channels, voltage-dependent K channels (Kv4, Kv7, and Kv11), twin-pore domain K channels (TASK, TREK), inward rectifier Kir7.1, Ca2+-activated K+ channels with large (KCNMA1, Slo1), small (KCNN1–3), and intermediate (KCNN4) conductance, Na-activated K channels (Slo2), voltage-gated (SCN) Na+ and Na+ leak channels, nonselective (NALCN) channels, the Na K-ATPase, and hyperpolarization-activated cation channels. We finish by assessing how three key hormones— oxytocin, estrogen, and progesterone—modulate and integrate excitability throughout gestation. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Physiology, Volume 83 is February 10, 2021. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.

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Merging functional studies with structures of inward-rectifier K+ channels

Nature Reviews Neuroscience ◽

10.1038/nrn1244 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 4 (12) ◽

pp. 957-967 ◽

Cited By ~ 170

Author(s):

Delphine Bichet ◽

Friederike A. Haass ◽

Lily Yeh Jan

Keyword(s):

Inward Rectifier ◽

K Channels ◽

Functional Studies

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Interaction Mechanisms between Polyamines and IRK1 Inward Rectifier K+ Channels

The Journal of General Physiology ◽

10.1085/jgp.200308890 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 122 (5) ◽

pp. 485-500 ◽

Cited By ~ 52

Author(s):

Donglin Guo ◽

Zhe Lu

Keyword(s):

Voltage Dependence ◽

Divalent Cations ◽

Inward Rectifier ◽

Affinity Binding ◽

Channel Block ◽

K Channels ◽

High Affinity ◽

Voltage Dependent ◽

Varying Length ◽

Amine Groups

Rectification of macroscopic current through inward-rectifier K+ (Kir) channels reflects strong voltage dependence of channel block by intracellular cations such as polyamines. The voltage dependence results primarily from the movement of K+ ions across the transmembrane electric field, which accompanies the binding–unbinding of a blocker. Residues D172, E224, and E299 in IRK1 are critical for high-affinity binding of blockers. D172 appears to be located somewhat internal to the narrow K+ selectivity filter, whereas E224 and E299 form a ring at a more intracellular site. Using a series of alkyl-bis-amines of varying length as calibration, we investigated how the acidic residues in IRK1 interact with amine groups in the natural polyamines (putrescine, spermidine, and spermine) that cause rectification in cells. To block the pore, the leading amine of bis-amines of increasing length penetrates ever deeper into the pore toward D172, while the trailing amine in every bis-amine binds near a more intracellular site and interacts with E224 and E299. The leading amine in nonamethylene-bis-amine (bis-C9) makes the closest approach to D172, displacing the maximal number of K+ ions and exhibiting the strongest voltage dependence. Cells do not synthesize bis-amines longer than putrescine (bis-C4) but generate the polyamines spermidine and spermine by attaching an amino-propyl group to one or both ends of putrescine. Voltage dependence of channel block by the tetra-amine spermine is comparable to that of block by the bis-amines bis-C9 (shorter) or bis-C12 (equally long), but spermine binds to IRK1 with much higher affinity than either bis-amine does. Thus, counterintuitively, the multiple amines in spermine primarily confer the high affinity but not the strong voltage dependence of channel block. Tetravalent spermine achieves a stronger interaction with the pore by effectively behaving like a pair of tethered divalent cations, two amine groups in its leading half interacting primarily with D172, whereas the other two in the trailing half interact primarily with E224 and E299. Thus, nature has optimized not only the blocker but also, in a complementary manner, the channel for producing rapid, high-affinity, and strongly voltage-dependent channel block, giving rise to exceedingly sharp rectification.

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Localization of PIP2 activation gate in inward rectifier K+ channels

Nature Neuroscience ◽

10.1038/nn1090 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 6 (8) ◽

pp. 811-818 ◽

Cited By ~ 69

Author(s):

Jun Xiao ◽

Xiao-guang Zhen ◽

Jian Yang

Keyword(s):

Inward Rectifier ◽

K Channels ◽

Activation Gate

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