Low-conductance K channels in apical membrane of rat cortical collecting tubule

1989 ◽  
Vol 256 (1) ◽  
pp. F143-F151 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Frindt ◽  
L. G. Palmer

Low-conductance, K-selective channels were identified in the apical membrane of the rat cortical collecting tubule (CCT) by use of the patch-clamp technique. Isolated, split tubules were bathed in K gluconate medium to depolarize the cell while keeping the intracellular K concentration high. With the patch-clamp pipette containing predominantly either Na+ or Li+ but no K, outward currents were observed through channels that had a single-channel conductance (g) of 9 pS and a probability of being open (Po) of greater than 0.9, independent of the voltage (+/- 40 mV) applied to the pipette (Vp). Similarly, only outward currents were observed when the patch was excised into high-K solution, implying a high selectivity of the channel for K+. When 1 mM BaCl2 was added to the pipette, Po decreased to 0.36 at Vp = 0; however, g was not changed but the channels flickered rapidly between open and blocked states; Po decreased as Vp was made positive, and increased as Vp was made negative. With the pipette filled with KCl + 1 mM Ba, the channels conducted K+ in both directions. The inward currents (at positive Vp were larger than the outward currents (at negative Vp) and g near Vp = 0 increased to 25 pS. When the pipette was filled with RbCl + 1 mM Ba the inward and outward currents were similar in magnitude, suggesting that the channels can conduct Rb, although not as well as K. With the tubules bathed in NaCl Ringer solution and the pipette containing KCl, inward currents were observed that could be attributed to the same pathway for K.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

1996 ◽  
Vol 107 (1) ◽  
pp. 35-45 ◽  
Author(s):  
L G Palmer ◽  
G Frindt

The gating kinetics of apical membrane Na channels in the rat cortical collecting tubule were assessed in cell-attached and inside-out excised patches from split-open tubules using the patch-clamp technique. In patches containing a single channel the open probability (Po) was variable, ranging from 0.05 to 0.9. The average Po was 0.5. However, the individual values were not distributed normally, but were mainly < or = 0.25 or > or = 0.75. Mean open times and mean closed times were correlated directly and inversely, respectively, with Po. In patches where a sufficient number of events could be recorded, two time constants were required to describe the open-time and closed-time distributions. In most patches in which basal Po was < 0.3 the channels could be activated by hyperpolarization of the apical membrane. In five such patches containing a single channel hyperpolarization by 40 mV increased Po by 10-fold, from 0.055 +/- 0.023 to 0.58 +/- 0.07. This change reflected an increase in the mean open time of the channels from 52 +/- 17 to 494 +/- 175 ms and a decrease in the mean closed time from 1,940 +/- 350 to 336 +/- 100 ms. These responses, however, could not be described by a simple voltage dependence of the opening and closing rates. In many cases significant delays in both the activation by hyperpolarization and deactivation by depolarization were observed. These delays ranged from several seconds to several tens of seconds. Similar effects of voltage were seen in cell-attached and excised patches, arguing against a voltage-dependent chemical modification of the channel, such as a phosphorylation. Rather, the channels appeared to switch between gating modes. These switches could be spontaneous but were strongly influenced by changes in membrane voltage. Voltage dependence of channel gating was also observed under whole-cell clamp conditions. To see if mechanical perturbations could also influence channel kinetics or gating mode, negative pressures of 10-60 mm Hg were applied to the patch pipette. In most cases (15 out of 22), this maneuver had no significant effect on channel behavior. In 6 out of 22 patches, however, there was a rapid and reversible increase in Po when the pressure was applied. In one patch, there was a reversible decrease. While no consistent effects of pressure could be documented, membrane deformation could contribute to the variation in Po under some conditions.


1988 ◽  
Vol 92 (1) ◽  
pp. 121-138 ◽  
Author(s):  
L G Palmer ◽  
G Frindt

The behavior of individual Na channels in the apical membrane of the rat cortical collecting tubule (CCT) was studied at different concentrations of the permeant ions Na and Li. Tubules were opened to expose their luminal surfaces and bathed in K-gluconate medium to minimize tubule-to-tubule variation in cell membrane potential and intracellular Na concentration. The patch-clamp technique was used to resolve currents through individual channels. The patch-clamp pipette was filled with solutions containing variable concentrations of either NaCl or LiCl. In one series of experiments, the concentrations were changed without substitutions. In another series, the ionic strength and Cl concentration were maintained constant by partial substitution of Li with N-methyl-D-glucamine (NMDG). In cell-attached patches, both the single-channel conductance (g) and the single-channel current (i) saturated as functions of the Na or Li activity in the pipette. Without NMDG, the saturation of i was well described by Michaelis-Menten kinetics with an apparent Km of approximately 20 mM activity for Na and approximately 50 mM activity for Li. Km was independent of voltage for both ions. With substitution for Li by NMDG, the apparent Km value for Li transport through the channels increased. The values of the probability of a channel's being open (Po) varied from patch to patch, but no effect of pipette ion activity on Po could be demonstrated. A weak dependence of Po on membrane voltage was observed, with hyperpolarization increasing Po by an average of 2.3%/mV.


1994 ◽  
Vol 267 (3) ◽  
pp. C857-C864 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. C. Marcus ◽  
Z. Shen

Dark cell epithelium secretes K+ into the lumen of the vestibular labyrinth by a previously unidentified apical transport mechanism. Previous single-channel patch-clamp studies demonstrated nonselective cation channels and maxi-K+ channels in the apical membrane, but in too low a density to account for transepithelial K+ transport. In this report, we demonstrated with the cell-attached macro-patch-clamp technique an outward apical membrane current at 0-mV pipette voltage, which was stimulated by elevating bath K+ concentration from 3.6 to 25 mM and inhibited by 10 microM bumetanide, similar to their known effects on transepithelial short-circuit current and K+ secretion. Furthermore, the patch current was activated over several seconds by a sustained depolarization and deactivated over several hundred milliseconds by a hyperpolarization. Current-voltage relationships from tail currents were obtained with either NaCl or KCl in the pipette. Depolarization from -40 to +40 mV led to an increased conductance by a factor of 7.3 +/- 1.7 (n = 7) and 19.2 +/- 7.6 (n = 6) for NaCl and KCl, respectively, and to a reversal voltage near the presumed equilibrium potential for K+. The results demonstrate that dark cell K+ secretion occurs via K(+)-selective channels with characteristics similar to those associated with the IsK protein.


2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (14) ◽  
pp. 4876
Author(s):  
Zbigniew Burdach ◽  
Agnieszka Siemieniuk ◽  
Waldemar Karcz

In contrast to the well-studied effect of auxin on the plasma membrane K+ channel activity, little is known about the role of this hormone in regulating the vacuolar K+ channels. Here, the patch-clamp technique was used to investigate the effect of auxin (IAA) on the fast-activating vacuolar (FV) channels. It was found that the macroscopic currents displayed instantaneous currents, which at the positive potentials were about three-fold greater compared to the one at the negative potentials. When auxin was added to the bath solution at a final concentration of 1 µM, it increased the outward currents by about 60%, but did not change the inward currents. The imposition of a ten-fold vacuole-to-cytosol KCl gradient stimulated the efflux of K+ from the vacuole into the cytosol and reduced the K+ current in the opposite direction. The addition of IAA to the bath solution with the 10/100 KCl gradient decreased the outward current and increased the inward current. Luminal auxin reduced both the outward and inward current by approximately 25% compared to the control. The single channel recordings demonstrated that cytosolic auxin changed the open probability of the FV channels at the positive voltages to a moderate extent, while it significantly increased the amplitudes of the single channel outward currents and the number of open channels. At the positive voltages, auxin did not change the unitary conductance of the single channels. We suggest that auxin regulates the activity of the fast-activating vacuolar (FV) channels, thereby causing changes of the K+ fluxes across the vacuolar membrane. This mechanism might serve to tightly adjust the volume of the vacuole during plant cell expansion.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (23) ◽  
pp. 12621
Author(s):  
Agnieszka Siemieniuk ◽  
Zbigniew Burdach ◽  
Waldemar Karcz

Little is known about the effect of lead on the activity of the vacuolar K+ channels. Here, the patch-clamp technique was used to compare the impact of lead (PbCl2) on the slow-activating (SV) and fast-activating (FV) vacuolar channels. It was revealed that, under symmetrical 100-mM K+, the macroscopic currents of the SV channels exhibited a typical slow activation and a strong outward rectification of the steady-state currents, while the macroscopic currents of the FV channels displayed instantaneous currents, which, at the positive potentials, were about three-fold greater compared to the one at the negative potentials. When PbCl2 was added to the bath solution at a final concentration of 100 µM, it decreased the macroscopic outward currents of both channels but did not change the inward currents. The single-channel recordings demonstrated that cytosolic lead causes this macroscopic effect by a decrease of the single-channel conductance and decreases the channel open probability. We propose that cytosolic lead reduces the current flowing through the SV and FV channels, which causes a decrease of the K+ fluxes from the cytosol to the vacuole. This finding may, at least in part, explain the mechanism by which cytosolic Pb2+ reduces the growth of plant cells.


1986 ◽  
Vol 251 (4) ◽  
pp. F725-F733 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Hunter ◽  
A. G. Lopes ◽  
E. Boulpaep ◽  
G. Giebisch

The regulation of K+-channel activity from the apical membrane of the rabbit cortical collecting tubule was studied using the patch-clamp technique. Using inside-out patches, channel open probability was determined as a function of calcium and barium concentration and transmembrane potential. Channel open probability was increased by raising bath (cytoplasmic) calcium concentration, with an apparent Ka of 2.4 microM. Mean channel open time also increased during this maneuver. The channel was reversibly inhibited by barium, applied to the cytoplasmic face, with an apparent Ki of 12 microM. Depolarization of the transmembrane potential increased channel open probability. With 1 mM calcium in the bath solution, the open probability was one-half maximal at -55 mV. It is concluded that this channel is the probable route for transcellular K+ secretion by the cortical collecting tubule and that procedures likely to increase intracellular calcium and/or depolarize the apical membrane will cause an increased potassium secretion.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dorothee Jakob ◽  
Alexander Klesen ◽  
Elisa Darkow ◽  
Fabian A. Kari ◽  
Friedhelm Beyersdorf ◽  
...  

Cardiac fibroblasts express multiple voltage-dependent ion channels. Even though fibroblasts do not generate action potentials, they may influence cardiac electrophysiology by electrical coupling via gap junctions with cardiomyocytes, and through fibrosis. Here, we investigate the electrophysiological phenotype of cultured fibroblasts from right atrial appendage tissue of patients with sinus rhythm (SR) or atrial fibrillation (AF). Using the patch-clamp technique in whole-cell mode, we observed steady-state outward currents exhibiting either no rectification or inward and/or outward rectification. The distributions of current patterns between fibroblasts from SR and AF patients were not significantly different. In response to depolarizing voltage pulses, we measured transient outward currents with fast and slow activation kinetics, an outward background current, and an inward current with a potential-dependence resembling that of L-type Ca2+ channels. In cell-attached patch-clamp mode, large amplitude, paxilline-sensitive single channel openings were found in ≈65% of SR and ∼38% of AF fibroblasts, suggesting the presence of “big conductance Ca2+-activated K+ (BKCa)” channels. The open probability of BKCa was significantly lower in AF than in SR fibroblasts. When cultured in the presence of paxilline, the shape of fibroblasts became wider and less spindle-like. Our data confirm previous findings on cardiac fibroblast electrophysiology and extend them by illustrating differential channel expression in human atrial fibroblasts from SR and AF tissue.


1987 ◽  
Vol 253 (2) ◽  
pp. F333-F339 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. G. Palmer ◽  
G. Frindt

The patch-clamp technique was used to identify individual Na channels in the apical membrane of the rat cortical collecting tubule and to evaluate the effects of cytoplasmic Ca2+ and pH on channel activity. In excised, inside-out patches, the probability of a channels's being open (P0) increased with alkalinization of the solution bathing the cytoplasmic side of the patch. Estimates of P0 were 0.05 at pH 6.4, 0.19 at pH 6.9, and 0.41 at pH 7.4. Varying the free Ca2+ concentration of the solution bathing the cytoplasmic side of the patch had no measurable effect on P0. In cell-attached patches, addition of the Ca2+ ionophore ionomycin to the solution bathing the tubules to a final concentration of either 1 or 10 microM decreased channel activity measured as the mean number of open channels (no. open) = n X P0 where n is the number of channels in the membrane. (no. open) was significantly decreased at 3 min after addition of ionomycin and fell to less than 10% of control values after 10 min incubation. There was no fall in (no. open) either in time controls or in tubules exposed to ionomycin in the presence of low bath Ca2+ concentrations [no added Ca2+ with 1 mM ethyleneglycol-bis-(beta-aminoethylether)-N,N'-tetraacetic acid (EGTA)]. The results suggest that cytoplasmic pH can directly influence channel activity. Cytoplasmic Ca2+ does not interact directly with the channels, but increased cytoplasmic Ca2+ produces a fall in channel activity through an indirect process.


1994 ◽  
Vol 266 (1) ◽  
pp. H182-H190 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Ogbaghebriel ◽  
A. Shrier

Outward currents were measured in single rabbit atrial myocytes using the whole cell configuration of the patch-clamp technique in the presence of tetrodotoxin (5–10 microM) and MnCl2 (2 mM) to block inward currents. Depolarizing voltage-clamp steps from a holding potential of -80 mV elicited a predominant 4-aminopyridine (4-AP)-sensitive transient outward current (Ito). Inhibitors of oxidative metabolism, 2,4-dinitrophenol (DNP; 100 microM) and cyanide (3 mM) abolished Ito and caused a large increase in the steady-state outward current. This steady-state outward current was inhibited by glibenclamide (5 microM), a blocker of the ATP-regulated potassium current (IKATP). In the presence of DNP, glibenclamide (5 microM) not only inhibited IKATP but also partially restored Ito. Absence of ATP from the pipette produced effects on outward currents similar to those induced by DNP or cyanide. We conclude that metabolic inhibition abolishes Ito in rabbit atrial myocytes and suggest that ATP may be required for the activation of the channel.


1990 ◽  
Vol 258 (3) ◽  
pp. F562-F567 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Frindt ◽  
H. Sackin ◽  
L. G. Palmer

Individual principal cells within the rat cortical collecting tubule were studied under voltage-clamp conditions using the whole-cell variation of the patch-clamp technique. Isolated tubules were split to expose the apical membrane surface and bathed in NaCl medium at 23 degrees C. When carboxyfluorescein was included in the patch pipette, the dye diffused rapidly into the cell being clamped but did not spread to neighboring cells, indicating a lack of cell-to-cell coupling. Average cell capacitance under whole-cell clamp conditions with KCl in the pipette was 18 +/- 2 pF (n = 10 cells) in rats maintained on a normal diet, consistent with that expected from morphometric measurements of cell surface area. The capacitance increased to 36 +/- 7 pF (n = 8 cells) for rats kept on a low-Na diet, indicating that cell membrane area was increased under these conditions. The amiloride-sensitive whole-cell conductance (GNa), assumed to equal the conductance through apical Na channels, was determined as the slope of the current-voltage relation near zero holding potential. GNa was 6.0 +/- 1.7 nS/cell (n = 12) for rats maintained on a low-Na diet compared with 0.06 +/- 0.08 nS/cell (n = 13) for rats kept on a normal diet. The amiloride-insensitive whole-cell conductance averaged 9.1 +/- 2.0 nS/cell, with no significant difference between low-Na and normal groups. Sodium channel density (N) was estimated from GNa, the mean open probability of the channel, and the single-channel conductance. N equals 3,000 channels/cells in rats on a low-Na diet compared with N less than 100 channels/cell for rats on a normal diet.


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