Studying Mechanosensitivity of Two-Pore Domain K+ Channels in Cellular and Reconstituted Proteoliposome Membranes

Two-pore domain K+channels are an emerging family of K+channels that may contribute to setting membrane potential in both electrically excitable and non-excitable cells and, as such, influence cellular function. The human uteroplacental unit contains both excitable (e.g. myometrial) and non-excitable cells, whose function depends upon the activity of K+channels. We have therefore investigated the expression of two members of this family, TWIK (two-pore domain weak inward rectifying K+channel)-related acid-sensitive K+channel (TASK) and TWIK-related K+channel (TREK) in human myometrium. Using RT-PCR the mRNA expression of TASK and TREK isoforms was examined in myometrial tissue from pregnant women. mRNAs encoding TASK1, 4 and 5 and TREK1 were detected whereas weak or no signals were observed for TASK2, TASK3 and TREK2. Western blotting for TASK1 gave two bands of approximately 44 and 65 kDa, whereas TREK1 gave bands of approximately 59 and 90 kDa in myometrium from pregnant women. TASK1 and TREK1 immunofluorescence was prominent in intracellular and plasmalemmal locations within myometrial cells. Therefore, we conclude that the human myometrium is a site of expression for the two-pore domain K+channel proteins TASK1 and TREK1.

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Tandem Pore Domain K Channels An Important Site of Volatile Anesthetic Action

Current Drug Targets ◽

10.2174/1389450003349335 ◽

2000 ◽

Vol 1 (2) ◽

pp. 207-217 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

C. Yost

Keyword(s):

Volatile Anesthetic ◽

K Channels ◽

Anesthetic Action ◽

Pore Domain ◽

Important Site

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Immunolocalization of Tandem Pore Domain K+ Channels in the Rat Carotid Body

THE ARTERIAL CHEMORECEPTORS - ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY ◽

10.1007/0-387-31311-7_2 ◽

2006 ◽

pp. 9-14 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

YOSHIO YAMAMOTO ◽

KAZUYUKI TANIGUCHI

Keyword(s):

Carotid Body ◽

K Channels ◽

Pore Domain

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Uterine Excitability and Ion Channels and Their Changes with Gestation and Hormonal Environment

Annual Review of Physiology ◽

10.1146/annurev-physiol-032420-035509 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 83 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Susan Wray ◽

Sarah Arrowsmith

Keyword(s):

Ion Channels ◽

Inward Rectifier ◽

Cation Channels ◽

Annual Review ◽

Publication Date ◽

K Channels ◽

Voltage Gated ◽

New Findings ◽

Voltage Dependent ◽

Pore Domain

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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