scholarly journals Proper Voltage-Dependent Ion Channel Function in Dysferlin-Deficient Cardiomyocytes

2015 ◽  
Vol 36 (3) ◽  
pp. 1049-1058 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lena Rubi ◽  
Vaibhavkumar S. Gawali ◽  
Helmut Kubista ◽  
Hannes Todt ◽  
Karlheinz Hilber ◽  
...  

Background/Aims: Dysferlin plays a decisive role in calcium-dependent membrane repair in myocytes. Mutations in the encoding DYSF gene cause a number of myopathies, e.g. limb-girdle muscular dystrophy type 2B (LGMD2B). Besides skeletal muscle degenerative processes, dysferlin deficiency is also associated with cardiac complications. Thus, both LGMD2B patients and dysferlin-deficient mice develop a dilated cardiomyopathy. We and others have recently reported that dystrophin-deficient ventricular cardiomyocytes from mouse models of Duchenne muscular dystrophy show significant abnormalities in voltage-dependent ion channels, which may contribute to the pathophysiology in dystrophic cardiomyopathy. The aim of the present study was to investigate if dysferlin, like dystrophin, is a regulator of cardiac ion channels. Methods and Results: By using the whole cell patch-clamp technique, we compared the properties of voltage-dependent calcium and sodium channels, as well as action potentials in ventricular cardiomyocytes isolated from the hearts of normal and dysferlin-deficient (dysf) mice. In contrast to dystrophin deficiency, the lack of dysferlin did not impair the ion channel properties and left action potential parameters unaltered. In connection with normal ECGs in dysf mice these results suggest that dysferlin deficiency does not perturb cardiac electrophysiology. Conclusion: Our study demonstrates that dysferlin does not regulate cardiac voltage-dependent ion channels, and implies that abnormalities in cardiac ion channels are not a universal characteristic of all muscular dystrophy types.

2003 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 181-190 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen K. Roberts

ABSTRACT In contrast to animal and plant cells, very little is known of ion channel function in fungal physiology. The life cycle of most fungi depends on the “filamentous” polarized growth of hyphal cells; however, no ion channels have been cloned from filamentous fungi and comparatively few preliminary recordings of ion channel activity have been made. In an attempt to gain an insight into the role of ion channels in fungal hyphal physiology, a homolog of the yeast K+ channel (ScTOK1) was cloned from the filamentous fungus, Neurospora crassa. The patch clamp technique was used to investigate the biophysical properties of the N. crassa K+ channel (NcTOKA) after heterologous expression of NcTOKA in yeast. NcTOKA mediated mainly time-dependent outward whole-cell currents, and the reversal potential of these currents indicated that it conducted K+ efflux. NcTOKA channel gating was sensitive to extracellular K+ such that channel activation was dependent on the reversal potential for K+. However, expression of NcTOKA was able to overcome the K+ auxotrophy of a yeast mutant missing the K+ uptake transporters TRK1 and TRK2, suggesting that NcTOKA also mediated K+ influx. Consistent with this, close inspection of NcTOKA-mediated currents revealed small inward K+ currents at potentials negative of EK. NcTOKA single-channel activity was characterized by rapid flickering between the open and closed states with a unitary conductance of 16 pS. NcTOKA was effectively blocked by extracellular Ca2+, verapamil, quinine, and TEA+ but was insensitive to Cs+, 4-aminopyridine, and glibenclamide. The physiological significance of NcTOKA is discussed in the context of its biophysical properties.


1991 ◽  
Vol 261 (5) ◽  
pp. F808-F814 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Matsunaga ◽  
N. Yamashita ◽  
Y. Miyajima ◽  
T. Okuda ◽  
H. Chang ◽  
...  

We used the patch-clamp technique to clarify the nature of ion channels in renal mesangial cells in culture. In the cell-attached mode most patches were silent in the absence of agonists. In some patches a 25-pS nonselective channel was observed. This 25-pS cation channel was consistently observed in inside-out patches, and it was activated by intracellular Ca2+. Excised patch experiments also revealed the existence of a 40-pS K+ channel, which was activated by intracellular Ca2+. This 40-pS K+ channel was observed infrequently in the cell-attached mode. The activities of both channels were increased by arginine vasopressin or angiotensin II, resulting from an increase in intracellular Ca2+ concentration.


1996 ◽  
Vol 07 (04) ◽  
pp. 321-331 ◽  
Author(s):  
LARRY S. LIEBOVITCH ◽  
ANGELO T. TODOROV

Ion channels in the cell membrane spontaneously switch from states that are closed to the flow of ions such as sodium, potassium, and chloride to states that are open to the flow of these ions. The durations of times that an individual ion channel protein spends in the closed and open states can be measured by the patch clamp technique. We explore two basic issues about the molecular properties of ion channels: 1) If the switching between the closed and open state is an inherently random event, what does the patch clamp data tell us about the structure or motions in the ion channel protein? 2) Is this switching random?


Author(s):  
Kimon J. Angelides ◽  
Barry Hicks

The distribution of ion channels and receptors over the neuronal surface is important for the receipt of incoming synaptic inputs and for the integration of these inputs. Most voltage-gated and ligand-gated ion channels have non-homogeneous distributions in the neuronal membrane, many being restricted to either dendritic, axonal or somatic domains and further localized within these domains to regions such as dendritic spines, nodes of Ranvier or synaptic junctions (1-3). For example voltage-dependent calcium channels are localized and immobilized on dendrites (4), while voltage-dependent sodium channel are localized on axon hillocks (5) and nodes of Ranvier. Determining where and how ion channels are distributed and maintained is important for a variety of reasons. Ion channels in growth cones have a role in neurite outgrowth mechanisms (6), they are obligatory for synaptic transmission and they are required for amplification of neurotransmitter signals in the post synaptic membrane (7). Changes in ion channel distributions are an important aspect in development and plasticity (8,9).


2020 ◽  
Vol 127 (Suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Man Liu ◽  
Hong Liu ◽  
Preethy Parthiban ◽  
guangbin shi ◽  
Gyeoung-Jin Kang ◽  
...  

Background: Ischemic cardiomyopathy is associated with an increased risk of sudden death, activation of the unfolded protein response (UPR), and reductions in multiple cardiac ion channels and transporters. When activated, the protein kinase-like ER kinase (PERK) arm of the unfolded protein response (UPR) reduces protein translation and abundance. We hypothesize that inhibition of PERK could prevent cardiac ion channel downregulation and reduce arrhythmic risk after myocardial infarct (MI). Methods: The MI mouse model was induced by a left anterior descending coronary artery ligation. Pharmacological inhibition of PERK was achieved with a specific inhibitor, GSK2606414. Genetic inhibition of PERK was achieved by cardiac-specific PERK knockout in C57BL/6J mice (PERKKO). Echocardiography, telemetry, and electrophysiological measurements were performed to monitor cardiac function and arrhythmias. Results: Three weeks after surgery, the wild type MI mice exhibited decreased ejection fraction (EF%), ventricular tachycardia (VT) and prolonged QTc intervals. The UPR effectors (phospho-PERK, phospho-IRE1, and ATF6N) were elevated significantly (1.7- to 5.9-fold) at protein levels, and all major cardiac ion channels showed decreased protein expression in MI hearts. MI cardiomyocytes showed decreased currents for all major channels (I Na , I CaL , I to , I K1 , and I Kur : 60±6%, 53±9%, 27±6%, 55±7%, and 40±7% of sham, respectively, P<0.05 vs. sham) with significantly prolonged action potential duration (APD 90 : 291±43 ms of MI vs. 100±12 ms of sham, P<0.05) and decreased maximum upstroke velocity (dV/dt max : 95±4 V/s of MI vs. 132±6 ms of sham, P<0.05) of the action potential phase 0. GSK treatment restored I Na and I to , shortened APD, and increased dV/dt max . PERKKO mice exhibited reduced electrical remodeling in response to MI with shortened QTc intervals, less VT episodes, and higher survival rates. Conclusion: PERK is activated during MI and contributes to arrhythmic risk by downregulation of select cardiac ion channels. PERK inhibition prevented these changes and reduced arrhythmic risk. These results suggest that ion channel downregulation during MI is a fundamental arrhythmic mechanism and maintaining ion channel levels is antiarrhythmic.


2004 ◽  
Vol 820 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Goryll ◽  
Seth Wilk ◽  
Gerard M. Laws ◽  
Stephen M. Goodnick ◽  
Trevor J. Thornton ◽  
...  

AbstractWe are building a biosensor based on ion channels inserted into lipid bilayers that are suspended across an aperture in silicon. The process flow only involves conventional optical lithography and deep Si reactive ion etching to create micromachined apertures in a silicon wafer. In order to provide surface properties for lipid bilayer attachment that are similar to those of the fluorocarbon films that are currently used, we coated the silicon surface with a fluoropolymer using plasma-assisted chemical vapor deposition. When compared with the surface treatment methods using self-assembled monolayers of fluorocarbon chemicals, this novel approach towards modifying the wettability of a silicon dioxide surface provides an easy and fast method for subsequent lipid bilayer formation. Current-Voltage measurements on OmpF ion channels incorporated into these membranes show the voltage dependent gating action expected from a working porin ion channel.


2016 ◽  
Vol 116 (08) ◽  
pp. 272-284 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joy R. Wright ◽  
Stefan Amisten ◽  
Alison H. Goodall ◽  
Martyn P. Mahaut-Smith

SummaryIon channels have crucial roles in all cell types and represent important therapeutic targets. Approximately 20 ion channels have been reported in human platelets; however, no systematic study has been undertaken to define the platelet channelome. These membrane proteins need only be expressed at low copy number to influence function and may not be detected using proteomic or transcriptomic microarray approaches. In our recent work, quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) provided key evidence that Kv1.3 is responsible for the voltage-dependent K+ conductance of platelets and megakaryocytes. The present study has expanded this approach to assess relative expression of 402 ion channels and channel regulatory genes in human platelets and three megakaryoblastic/erythroleukaemic cell lines. mRNA levels in platelets are low compared to other blood cells, therefore an improved method of isolating platelets was developed. This used a cocktail of inhibitors to prevent formation of leukocyte-platelet aggregates, and a combination of positive and negative immunomagnetic cell separation, followed by rapid extraction of mRNA. Expression of 34 channel-related transcripts was quantified in platelets, including 24 with unknown roles in platelet function, but that were detected at levels comparable to ion channels with established roles in haemostasis or thrombosis. Trace expression of a further 50 ion channel genes was also detected. More extensive channelomes were detected in MEG-01, CHRF-288–11 and HEL cells (195, 185 and 197 transcripts, respectively), but lacked several channels observed in the platelet. These “channelome” datasets provide an important resource for further studies of ion channel function in the platelet and megakaryocyte.Supplementary Material to this article is available online at www.thrombosis-online.com.


1996 ◽  
Vol 75 (5) ◽  
pp. 1858-1870 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Meir ◽  
R. Rahamimoff

1. We used a preparation of fused presynaptic nerve terminals of Torpedo electromotor nerve and the patch-clamp technique for characterization of single ion channels. We report here of a large, nonselective ion channel which is highly voltage dependent. 2. The slope conductance of the I-V relation was estimated by either direct measurement of the single-channel current amplitude at different voltages (850 +/- 18 pS (SE); n = 9) or by variance analysis (834 +/- 23 pS; n = 5). 3. The voltage dependence was examined in three ways. At steady-state DC voltage conditions, NPo (the open probability times the number of channels in the patch) was estimated. At potentials < 0 mV, the probability of the channel to open is negligible and increases dramatically, within a very narrow voltage range, to > 50% at +8 mV (n = 8). 4. In pulse experiments, the activation time delay is shorter as the voltage step reaches more positive values. The mean time for half activation (T1/2) decreases from 15 ms at +10 mV to 4 ms at +30 mV (n = 5). 5. Ensemble currents exhibit rectification in response to voltage ramps at negative potentials (n = 10). 6. The channel was found to be nonselective. Its permeability to Na+, K+, Cl-, glutamate, Ba+2, and Ca+2, relative to Na+, was 1.00, 1.00, 1.22, 1.07, 0.85, and 0.62, respectively. 7. Based on the transport number of calcium, the calculated driving force, and the mean channel open time, we estimated the number of calcium ions entering the nerve terminal upon depolarization. This number is not substantially different from the number of ions entering through voltage-dependent, calcium-selective channels in other cells. 8. We speculate that this nonselective ion channel, may serve as a calcium entry route into the nerve terminal and hence be involved in transmitter release.


2011 ◽  
Vol 139 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-17 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandipan Chowdhury ◽  
Baron Chanda

Voltage-gated ion channels are crucial for electrical activity and chemical signaling in a variety of cell types. Structure-activity studies involving electrophysiological characterization of mutants are widely used and allow us to quickly realize the energetic effects of a mutation by measuring macroscopic currents and fitting the observed voltage dependence of conductance to a Boltzmann equation. However, such an approach is somewhat limiting, principally because of the inherent assumption that the channel activation is a two-state process. In this analysis, we show that the area delineated by the gating charge displacement curve and its ordinate axis is related to the free energy of activation of a voltage-gated ion channel. We derive a parameter, the median voltage of charge transfer (Vm), which is proportional to this area, and prove that the chemical component of free energy change of a system can be obtained from the knowledge of Vm and the maximum number of charges transferred. Our method is not constrained by the number or connectivity of intermediate states and is applicable to instances in which the observed responses show a multiphasic behavior. We consider various models of ion channel gating with voltage-dependent steps, latent charge movement, inactivation, etc. and discuss the applicability of this approach in each case. Notably, our method estimates a net free energy change of approximately −14 kcal/mol associated with the full-scale activation of the Shaker potassium channel, in contrast to −2 to −3 kcal/mol estimated from a single Boltzmann fit. Our estimate of the net free energy change in the system is consistent with those derived from detailed kinetic models (Zagotta et al. 1994. J. Gen. Physiol. doi:10.1085/jgp.103.2.321). The median voltage method can reliably quantify the magnitude of free energy change associated with activation of a voltage-dependent system from macroscopic equilibrium measurements. This will be particularly useful in scanning mutagenesis experiments.


Author(s):  
Hon-Chi Lee ◽  
Arshad Jahangir

The learning objectives of this chapter are to review some basic electrophysiologic concepts that are useful for the clinician. These include 1) the structure and function of cardiac ion channels; 2) the role of ion channels in the generation of cardiac action potentials; 3) the mechanisms of cardiac arrhythmias; and 4) inherited and acquired channelopathies.


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