scholarly journals Single-Channel Properties of IKs Potassium Channels

1998 ◽  
Vol 112 (6) ◽  
pp. 665-678 ◽  
Author(s):  
Youshan Yang ◽  
Fred J. Sigworth

Expressed in Xenopus oocytes, KvLQT1 channel subunits yield a small, rapidly activating, voltage- dependent potassium conductance. When coexpressed with the minK gene product, a slowly activating and much larger potassium current results. Using fluctuation analysis and single-channel recordings, we have studied the currents formed by human KvLQT1 subunits alone and in conjunction with human or rat minK subunits. With low external K+, the single-channel conductances of these three channel types are estimated to be 0.7, 4.5, and 6.5 pS, respectively, based on noise analysis at 20 kHz bandwidth of currents at +50 mV. Power spectra computed over the range 0.1 Hz–20 kHz show a weak frequency dependence, consistent with current interruptions occurring on a broad range of time scales. The broad spectrum causes the apparent single-channel current value to depend on the bandwidth of the recording, and is mirrored in very “flickery” single-channel events of the channels from coexpressed KvLQT1 and human minK subunits. The increase in macroscopic current due to the presence of the minK subunit is accounted for by the increased apparent single-channel conductance it confers on the expressed channels. The rat minK subunit also confers the property that the outward single-channel current is increased by external potassium ions.

2005 ◽  
Vol 126 (4) ◽  
pp. 339-352 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adedotun Adebamiro ◽  
Yi Cheng ◽  
John P. Johnson ◽  
Robert J. Bridges

Endogenous serine proteases have been reported to control the reabsorption of Na+ by kidney- and lung-derived epithelial cells via stimulation of electrogenic Na+ transport mediated by the epithelial Na+ channel (ENaC). In this study we investigated the effects of aprotinin on ENaC single channel properties using transepithelial fluctuation analysis in the amphibian kidney epithelium, A6. Aprotinin caused a time- and concentration-dependent inhibition (84 ± 10.5%) in the amiloride-sensitive sodium transport (INa) with a time constant of 18 min and half maximal inhibition constant of 1 μM. Analysis of amiloride analogue blocker–induced fluctuations in INa showed linear rate–concentration plots with identical blocker on and off rates in control and aprotinin-inhibited conditions. Verification of open-block kinetics allowed for the use of a pulse protocol method (Helman, S.I., X. Liu, K. Baldwin, B.L. Blazer-Yost, and W.J. Els. 1998. Am. J. Physiol. 274:C947–C957) to study the same cells under different conditions as well as the reversibility of the aprotinin effect on single channel properties. Aprotinin caused reversible changes in all three single channel properties but only the change in the number of open channels was consistent with the inhibition of INa. A 50% decrease in INa was accompanied by 50% increases in the single channel current and open probability but an 80% decrease in the number of open channels. Washout of aprotinin led to a time-dependent restoration of INa as well as the single channel properties to the control, pre-aprotinin, values. We conclude that protease regulation of INa is mediated by changes in the number of open channels in the apical membrane. The increase in the single channel current caused by protease inhibition can be explained by a hyperpolarization of the apical membrane potential as active Na+ channels are retrieved. The paradoxical increase in channel open probability caused by protease inhibition will require further investigation but does suggest a potential compensatory regulatory mechanism to maintain INa at some minimal threshold value.


1999 ◽  
Vol 113 (5) ◽  
pp. 695-720 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shinghua Ding ◽  
Frederick Sachs

The single channel properties of cloned P2X2 purinoceptors expressed in human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293 cells and Xenopus oocytes were studied in outside-out patches. The mean single channel current–voltage relationship exhibited inward rectification in symmetric solutions with a chord conductance of ∼30 pS at −100 mV in 145 mM NaCl. The channel open state exhibited fast flickering with significant power beyond 10 kHz. Conformational changes, not ionic blockade, appeared responsible for the flickering. The equilibrium constant of Na+ binding in the pore was ∼150 mM at 0 mV and voltage dependent. The binding site appeared to be ∼0.2 of the electrical distance from the extracellular surface. The mean channel current and the excess noise had the selectivity: K+ > Rb+ > Cs+ > Na+ > Li+. ATP increased the probability of being open (Po) to a maximum of 0.6 with an EC50 of 11.2 μM and a Hill coefficient of 2.3. Lowering extracellular pH enhanced the apparent affinity of the channel for ATP with a pKa of ∼7.9, but did not cause a proton block of the open channel. High pH slowed the rise time to steps of ATP without affecting the fall time. The mean single channel amplitude was independent of pH, but the excess noise increased with decreasing pH. Kinetic analysis showed that ATP shortened the mean closed time but did not affect the mean open time. Maximum likelihood kinetic fitting of idealized single channel currents at different ATP concentrations produced a model with four sequential closed states (three binding steps) branching to two open states that converged on a final closed state. The ATP association rates increased with the sequential binding of ATP showing that the binding sites are not independent, but positively cooperative. Partially liganded channels do not appear to open. The predicted Po vs. ATP concentration closely matches the single channel current dose–response curve.


1991 ◽  
Vol 261 (1) ◽  
pp. C115-C123 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Cooper ◽  
J. L. Rae ◽  
J. Dewey

Lens potassium conductance is essential for the maintenance of lens volume and transparency. Recent work has identified three major potassium currents in lens: 1) an outwardly rectifying current, 2) an inwardly rectifying current, and 3) a calcium-activated current. This paper presents a study of the lens inward rectifier using whole cell and single-channel patch-clamp techniques. Inwardly rectifying potassium current is present in isolated human, rabbit, rat, and mouse lens epithelia. The voltage about which rectification occurs depends on the external potassium concentration. Internal magnesium is not necessary for rectification. In physiological saline, a time-dependent decrease in current during sustained hyperpolarization is seen. This “droop” is due to voltage-dependent block by external sodium. The inward rectifier is also effectively blocked by external cesium or barium but not by tetraethylammonium or 4-aminopyridine. The mouse lens inward rectifier has a single-channel conductance of 32 pS (measured on-cell with 150 mM potassium in the pipette). The single-channel current-voltage relationship is linear in the inward direction. In contrast to the macroscopic case, no outward current was measurable. The inward rectifier in lens has the necessary properties to be involved in setting resting voltage.


2002 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 327-341 ◽  
Author(s):  
Osvaldo Alvarez ◽  
Carlos Gonzalez ◽  
Ramon Latorre

Ion channels open and close in a stochastic fashion, following the laws of probability. However, distinct from tossing a coin or a die, the probability of finding the channel closed or open is not a fixed number but can be modified (i.e., we can cheat) by some external stimulus, such as the voltage. Single-channel records can be obtained using the appropriate electrophysiological technique (e.g., patch clamp), and from these records the open probability and the channel conductance can be calculated. Gathering these parameters from a membrane containing many channels is not straightforward, as the macroscopic current I = iNPo, where i is the single-channel current, N the number of channels, and Po the probability of finding the channel open, cannot be split into its individual components. In this tutorial, using the probabilistic nature of ion channels, we discuss in detail how i, N, and Po max (the maximum open probability) can be obtained using fluctuation (nonstationary noise) analysis (Sigworth FJ. G Gen Physiol 307: 97–129, 1980). We also analyze the sources of possible artifacts in the determination of i and N, such as channel rundown, inadequate filtering, and limited resolution of digital data acquisition by use of a simulation computer program (available at www.cecs.cl ).


1993 ◽  
Vol 265 (5) ◽  
pp. R1100-R1108 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. Clauss ◽  
B. Hoffmann ◽  
R. Krattenmacher ◽  
W. Van Driessche

The mechanism and regulation of sodium transport in the embryonic coprodeum of chicken were investigated with isolated epithelia in vitro by electrophysiological techniques. Electrogenic sodium transport (INa) was measured in Ussing chambers by the short-circuit current (Isc) technique and identified by the diuretic amiloride or by removal of sodium from the apical medium. Apical sodium channels and the kinetics of amiloride binding were investigated by current-noise analysis. Isc and INa were measured under control conditions and under the influence of in vitro incubation with aldosterone and thyroxine. At 20 days the embryonic coprodeum has an Isc of 12.6 +/- 1.4 microA/cm2 and a transepithelial resistance of 519 +/- 40 omega.cm2. Amiloride blocks 9.0 +/- 1.3 microA/cm2 of the Isc, which represents electrogenic Na+ absorption and can be inhibited by serosal ouabain. Aldosterone does not stimulate Isc or INa, whereas thyroxine increases Isc and INa about threefold. Aldosterone in combination with thyroxine increases Isc and INa further to about five- to sixfold. In both cases the hormonal stimulation can be totally blocked by spironolactone. Current-noise analysis of the apical Na+ entry step reveals amiloride-sensitive Na+ channels with a single-channel current of approximately 2.3 pA and a channel density of 9-16 million/cm2 under stimulated conditions. Half-maximal amiloride block occurs at 0.8-1 microM. The hormones stimulate Na+ absorption by increasing the Na+ channel density and not the single-channel current.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


1980 ◽  
Vol 211 (1182) ◽  
pp. 135-141 ◽  

Endplate currents were recorded from voltage-clamped frog muscle fibres bathed in an isotonic sucrose solution containing 2 mM K + . In this solution the major part of the current is carried by K + ions, and at negative potentials the membrane voltage–current amplitude relations of both miniature endplate currents and the single channel current estimated from noise analysis were linear, with smaller conductance than in normal Ringer solution. At positive potentials miniature endplate currents and currents induced by acetylcholine (ACh) showed a saturation, or sometimes even decline, with increasing potential. In contrast, the single channel current continued to increase linearly at these potentials. It is suggested that in sucrose solution the number of functional ACh receptors decreases as the endplate is depolarized to more positive potentials.


2001 ◽  
Vol 117 (6) ◽  
pp. 563-572 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ping Zhang ◽  
Cecilia M. Canessa

The acid-sensitive ion channels known as ASIC are gated by external protons. A set of these channels is expressed in dorsal root ganglion neurons where they may participate in the transduction of mechanical and nociceptive stimuli. Here, we have examined the single-channel properties of channels formed by the subunits ASIC2 and ASIC3 expressed in Xenopus oocytes using outside-out patches. The mean single-channel current-voltage relationship is linear with a slope conductance of 18 pS between −80 and −40 mV in 150 mM Na+ outside and 150 mM K+ inside the patch pipet. The selectivity for monovalent cations has the sequence Na+ > Li+ > K+. Divalent cations such as Ca2+ do not permeate, but instead block the channel when applied to the extracellular side. External protons increase the probability of channels being open to a maximum of 0.8 with an EC50 of 16 ± 4 μM and a Hill coefficient of 2.7 ± 0.3, whereas the mean single-channel current amplitude is independent of external pH. Analysis of the kinetics of single channels indicates the presence of at least four modes of activity (Mod1 to Mod4) in addition to an inactivated state. Three of the modes exhibit distinct kinetics, and can be unambiguously identified on the basis of open probability (PoMod1 = 0.5 ± 0.05; PoMod2 > 0.9 ± 0.05; PoMod3 < 0.1). Mode 4, which has a Po in the range of 0.5–0.8, may constitute a distinct mode or alternatively, it represents transitions between the other three modes of activity. Increasing [H+]o increases the frequency of entering the modes with high Po (modes 1, 2, and 4) and the time the channel spends in the modes with high activity.


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