Search

Melatonin is synthesized in and secreted from the pineal glands and regulates circadian rhythms. Although melatonin has been reported to modulate the activity of ion channels in several tissues, its effects on pineal ion channels remain unclear. In the present study, the effects of melatonin on voltage-gated K + (K V ) channels, which play a role in regulating the resting membrane potential, were examined in rat pinealocytes. The application of melatonin reduced pineal K V currents in a concentration-dependent manner (IC 50 = 309 µM). An expression analysis revealed that K V 4.2 channels were highly expressed in rat pineal glands. Melatonin-sensitive currents were abolished by the small interfering RNA knockdown of K V 4.2 channels in rat pinealocytes. In human embryonic kidney 293 (HEK293) cells expressing K V 4.2 channels, melatonin decreased outward currents (IC 50 = 479 µM). Inhibitory effects were mediated by a shift in the voltage dependence of steady-state inactivation in a hyperpolarizing direction. This inhibition was observed even in the presence of 100 nM luzindole, an antagonist of melatonin receptors. Melatonin also blocked the activity of K V 4.3, K V 1.1, and K V 1.5 channels in reconstituted HEK293 cells. The application of 1 mM melatonin caused membrane depolarization in rat pinealocytes. Furthermore, K V 4.2 channel inhibition by 5 mM 4-aminopyridine attenuated melatonin secretion induced by 1 µM noradrenaline in rat pineal glands. These results strongly suggest that melatonin directly inhibited K V 4.2 channels and caused membrane depolarization in pinealocytes, resulting in a decrease in melatonin secretion through parasympathetic signaling pathway. This mechanism may function as a negative-feedback mechanism of melatonin secretion in pineal glands. NEW & NOTEWORTHY Melatonin is a hormone that is synthesized in and secreted from the pineal glands, which regulates circadian rhythms. However, the effects of melatonin on pineal ion channels remain unclear. The present study demonstrated that melatonin directly inhibited voltage-gated potassium K V 4.2 channels, which are highly expressed in rat pinealocytes, and induced membrane depolarization, resulting in a decrease in melatonin secretion. This mechanism may function as a negative-feedback mechanism of melatonin secretion in pineal glands.

The ionotropic purinergic P2X7 receptor responds to extracellular ATP and can trigger proinflammatory immune signaling in macrophages. Caveolin-1 (Cav-1) is known to modulate functions of macrophages and innate immunity. However, it is unknown how Cav-1 modulates P2X7 receptor activity in macrophages. We herein examined P2X7 receptor activity and macrophage functions using bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) from wild-type (WT) and Cav-1 knockout (KO) mice. ATP (1 mM) application caused biphasic increase in cytosolic [Ca 2+ ] and sustained decrease in cytosolic [K + ]. A specific P2X7 receptor blocker, A-740003, inhibited the maintained cytosolic [Ca 2+ ] increase and cytosolic [K + ] decrease. Total internal reflection fluorescent imaging and proximity ligation assays revealed a novel molecular complex formation between P2X7 receptors and Cav-1 in WT BMDMs that were stimulated with lipopolysaccharides. This molecular coupling was increased by ATP application. Specifically, the ATP-induced Ca 2+ influx and K + efflux through P2X7 receptors were increased in Cav-1 KO BMDMs, even though the total and surface protein levels of P2X7 receptors in WT and Cav-1 KO BMDMs were unchanged. Cell-impermeable dye (TO-PRO3) uptake analysis revealed that macropore formation of P2X7 receptors was enhanced in Cav-1 KO BMDMs. Cav-1 KO BMDMs increased ATP-induced IL-1β secretion, reactive oxygen species production, Gasdermin D (GSDMD) cleavage, and lactate dehydrogenase release indicating pyroptosis. A-740003 completely prevented ATP-induced pyroptosis. In combination, these datasets show that Cav-1 has a negative effect on P2X7 receptor activity in BMDMs and that Cav-1 in macrophages may contribute to finely tuned immune responses by preventing excessive IL-1β secretion and pyroptosis. NEW & NOTEWORTHY In bone marrow-derived macrophages, Cav-1 suppresses the macropore formation of P2X7 receptors through their direct or indirect interactions, resulting in reduced membrane permeability of cations (Ca 2+ and K + ) and large cell-impermeable dye (TO-PRO3) induced by ATP. Cav-1 also inhibits ATP-induced IL-1β secretion, ROS production, GSDMD cleavage, and pyroptosis. Cav-1 contributes to the maintenance of proper immune responses by finely tuning IL-1β secretion and cell death in macrophages.

Mitochondria buffer cytosolic Ca 2+ increases following Ca 2+ influx from extracellular spaces, and Ca 2+ release from intracellular Ca 2+ store sites under physiological circumstances. Therefore, close contact of mitochondria with the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) is required for maintaining Ca 2+ homeostasis. Mitofusin 2 (Mfn2) localizes in both mitochondrial and SR membranes and is hypothesized to optimize the distance and Ca 2+ transfer between these organelles. However, the physiological significance of Mfn2 in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) is poorly understood. In the present study, the role of Mfn2 in the physical and functional couplings between SR and mitochondria was examined in rat aortic smooth muscle cells (rASMCs) by confocal and electron microscope imaging. When Mfn2 was knocked down using siRNA in rASMCs, the mean distance between these organelles was extended from 16.2 to 21.6 nm. The increase in the cytosolic Ca 2+ concentration ([Ca 2+ ] cyt ) induced by 100 nM arginine vasopressin (AVP) was not affected by Mfn2 siRNA knockdown, whereas cytosolic Ca 2+ removal was slower after Mfn2 knockdown. Following the AVP-induced [Ca 2+ ] cyt increase, mitochondrial Ca 2+ uptake and Ca 2+ refill into the SR were attenuated by Mfn2 knockdown. In addition, Mfn2-knockdown cells exhibited a loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨ mito ) and lower ATP levels in mitochondria. Moreover, Mfn2 knockdown inhibited cell proliferation. In contrast, Mfn2 overexpression increased ΔΨ mito and cell growth. This study strongly suggests that Mfn2 is responsible for SR-mitochondria Ca 2+ signaling by tethering mitochondria to SR, thereby regulating ATP production and proliferation of VSMCs.

Brain capillary endothelial cells (BCECs) play a central role in maintenance of blood-brain barrier (BBB) function and, therefore, are essential for central nervous system homeostasis and integrity. Although brain ischemia damages BCECs and causes disruption of BBB, the related influence of hypoxia on BCECs is not well understood. Hypoxic stress can upregulate functional expression of specific K + currents in endothelial cells, e.g., K ir 2.1 channels without any alterations in the mRNA level, in t-BBEC117, a cell line derived from bovine BCECs. The hyperpolarization of membrane potential due to K ir 2.1 channel upregulation significantly facilitates cell proliferation. In the present study, the mechanisms underlying the hypoxia-induced K ir 2.1 upregulation was examined. We emphasize the involvement of dynamin2, a protein known to be involved in a number of surface expression pathways. Hypoxic culture upregulated dynamin2 expression in t-BBEC117 cells. The inhibition of dynamin2 by Dynasore canceled hypoxia-induced upregulation of K ir 2.1 currents by reducing surface expression. On the contrary, K ir 2.1 currents and proteins in t-BBEC117 cultured under normoxia were increased by overexpression of dynamin2, but not by dominant-negative dynamin2. Molecular imaging based on bimolecular fluorescence complementation, double-immunostaining, and coimmunoprecipitation assays revealed that dynamin2 can directly bind to the K ir 2.1 channel. Moreover, hypoxic culture downregulated hypoxic-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) expression. Knockdown of HIF-1α increased dynamin2 expression in t-BBEC117 cells, in both normoxic and hypoxic culture conditions. In summary, our results demonstrated that hypoxia downregulates HIF-1α, increases dynamin2 expression, and facilitates K ir 2.1 surface expression, resulting in hyperpolarization of membrane potential and subsequent increase in Ca 2+ influx in BCECs.

Physiological functions of type 3 ryanodine receptors (RyR3) in smooth muscle (SM) tissues are not well understood, in spite of their wide expression. However, the short isoform of RyR3 is known to be a dominant-negative variant (DN-RyR3), which may negatively regulate functions of both RyR2 and full-length (FL) RyR3 by forming hetero-tetramers. Here, functional roles of RyR3 in the regulation of Ca 2+ signaling in mesenteric artery SM cells (MASMCs) were examined using RyR3 homozygous knockout mice (RyR3 -/- ). Quantitative PCR analyses suggested that the predominant RyR3 subtype in MASMs from wild-type mice (RyR3 +/+ ) was DN-RyR3. In single MASMCs freshly isolated from RyR3 -/- , the EC 50 of caffeine to induce Ca 2+ release was lower than that in RyR3 +/+ myocytes. The amplitude and frequency of Ca 2+ sparks and spontaneous transient outward currents in MASMCs from RyR3 -/- were all larger than those from RyR3 +/+ . Importantly, mRNA and functional expressions of voltage-dependent Ca 2+ channel and large-conductance Ca 2+ -activated K + (BK) channel in MASMCs from RyR3 -/- were identical to those from RyR3 +/+ . However, in the presence of BK channel inhibitor, paxilline, the pressure rises induced by BayK8644 in MA vascular beds of RyR3 -/- were significantly larger than in those of RyR3 +/+ . This indicates that the negative feedback effects of BK channel activity on intracellular Ca 2+ signaling was enhanced in RyR3 -/- . Thus, RyR3, and, in fact, mainly DN-RyR3, via a complex with RyR2 suppresses Ca 2+ release and indirectly regulated membrane potential by reducing BK channel activity in MASMCs and presumably can affect the regulation of intrinsic vascular tone.

Spatiotemporal changes in cytosolic Ca 2+ concentration ([Ca 2+ ] c ) trigger a number of physiological functions in smooth muscle cells (SMCs). We previously imaged Ca 2+ -induced Ca 2+ release following membrane depolarization as local Ca 2+ transients, Ca 2+ hotspots, in subplasmalemmal regions. In this study, the physiological significance of mitochondria on local Ca 2+ signaling was examined. Cytosolic and mitochondrial Ca 2+ images following depolarization or action potentials were recorded in single SMCs from the guinea pig urinary bladder using a fast-scanning confocal fluorescent microscope. Depolarization- and action potential-induced [Ca 2+ ] c transients occurred at several discrete sites in subplasmalemmal regions, peaked within 30 ms, and then spread throughout the whole-cell. In contrast, Ca 2+ concentration in the mitochondria matrix ([Ca 2+ ] m ) increased after a delay of ~50 ms from the start of depolarization, and then peaked within 500 ms. Following repolarization, [Ca 2+ ] c returned to the resting level with a half-decay time of ~500 ms, while [Ca 2+ ] m recovered more slowly (∼1.5 s). Carbonyl cyanide 4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenylhydrazone, a mitochondrial uncoupler, abolished depolarization-induced [Ca 2+ ] m elevations and slowed [Ca 2+ ] c changes. Importantly, short depolarization-induced changes in [Ca 2+ ] m and transmembrane potential in mitochondria coupled to Ca 2+ hotspots were significantly larger than those in other mitochondria. Total internal reflection fluorescence imaging revealed that a subset of mitochondria closely localized with ryanodine receptors and voltage-dependent Ca 2+ channels. These results indicate that particular mitochondria are functionally coupled to ion channels and sarcoplasmic reticulum fragments within the local Ca 2+ microdomain, and thus, strongly contribute to [Ca 2+ ] c regulation in SMCs.

The pineal glands regulate circadian rhythm through the synthesis and secretion of melatonin. The stimulation of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor due to parasympathetic nerve activity causes an increase in intracellular Ca(2+) concentration and eventually downregulates melatonin production. Our previous report shows that rat pinealocytes have spontaneous and nicotine-induced Ca(2+) oscillations that are evoked by membrane depolarization followed by Ca(2+) influx through voltage-dependent Ca(2+) channels (VDCCs). These Ca(2+) oscillations are supposed to contribute to the inhibitory mechanism of melatonin secretion. Here we examined the involvement of large-conductance Ca(2+)-activated K(+) (BKCa) channel conductance on the regulation of Ca(2+) oscillation and melatonin production in rat pinealocytes. Spontaneous Ca(2+) oscillations were markedly enhanced by BKCa channel blockers (1 μM paxilline or 100 nM iberiotoxin). Nicotine (100 μM)-induced Ca(2+) oscillations were also augmented by paxilline. In contrast, spontaneous Ca(2+) oscillations were abolished by BKCa channel opener [3 μM 12,14-dichlorodehydroabietic acid (diCl-DHAA)]. Under whole cell voltage-clamp configurations, depolarization-elicited outward currents were significantly activated by diCl-DHAA and blocked by paxilline. Expression analyses revealed that the α and β3 subunits of BKCa channel were highly expressed in rat pinealocytes. Importantly, the activity of BKCa channels modulated melatonin secretion from whole pineal gland of the rat. Taken together, BKCa channel activation attenuates these Ca(2+) oscillations due to depolarization-synchronized Ca(2+) influx through VDCCs and results in a recovery of reduced melatonin secretion during parasympathetic nerve activity. BKCa channels may play a physiological role for melatonin production via a negative-feedback mechanism., (Copyright © 2016 the American Physiological Society.)

The pineal gland regulates circadian rhythm through the synthesis and secretion of melatonin. The rise of intracellular Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+)]i) following nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) stimulation due to parasympathetic nerve activity downregulates melatonin production. Important characteristics and roles of Ca(2+) mobilization due to nAChR stimulation remain to be clarified. We report here that spontaneous Ca(2+) oscillations can be observed in ∼15% of the pinealocytes in slice preparations from rat pineal glands when this dissociation procedure is done within 6 h from a dark-to-light change. The frequency and half-life of [Ca(2+)]i rise were 0.86 min(-1) and 19 s, respectively. Similar spontaneous Ca(2+) oscillations were recorded in 17% of rat pinealocytes that were primary cultured for several days. Simultaneous measurement of [Ca(2+)]i and membrane potential revealed that spontaneous Ca(2+) oscillations were triggered by periodic membrane depolarizations. Spontaneous Ca(2+) oscillations in cultured pinealocytes were abolished by extracellular Ca(2+) removal or application of nifedipine, a blocker of voltage-dependent Ca(2+) channel (VDCC). In contrast, blockers of intracellular Ca(2+)-release channels, 2-aminoethoxydiphenylborate and ryanodine, have no effect. Our results also reveal that, in 23% quiescent pinealocytes, Ca(2+) oscillations were observed following the withdrawal of nicotine. Norepinephrine-induced melatonin secretion from whole pineal glands was significantly decreased by the coapplication of acetylcholine (ACh). This inhibitory effect of ACh was attenuated by nifedipine. In conclusion, both spontaneous and evoked Ca(2+) oscillations are due to membrane depolarization following activation of VDCCs. This consists of VDCC α1F subunit, and the associated Ca(2+) influx can strongly regulate melatonin secretion in pineal glands., (Copyright © 2014 the American Physiological Society.)

The Na(+)/Ca(2+) exchanger (NCX) is thought to be a key molecule in the regulation of cytosolic Ca(2+) dynamics. The relative importance of the two Ca(2+) transport modes of NCX activity leading to Ca(2+) efflux (forward) and influx (reverse) in smooth muscle, however, remains unclear. Unexpectedly, spontaneous contractions of urinary bladder smooth muscle (UBSM) were enhanced in transgenic mice overexpressing NCX1.3 (NCX1.3(tg/tg)). The enhanced activity was attenuated by KB-R7943 or SN-6. Whole cell outward NCX current sensitive to KB-R7943 or Ni(2+) was readily detected in UBSM cells from NCX1.3(tg/tg) but not wild-type mice. Spontaneous Ca(2+) transients in myocytes of NCX1.3(tg/tg) were larger and frequently resulted in propagating events and global elevations in cytosolic Ca(2+) concentration. Significantly, NCX1.3(tg/tg) mice exhibited a pattern of more frequent urination of smaller volumes and this phenotype was reversed by oral administration of KB-R7943. On the other hand, KB-R7943 did not improve it in KB-R7943-insensitive (G833C-)NCX1.3(tg/tg) mice. We conclude that NCX1.3 overexpression is associated with abnormal urination owing to enhanced Ca(2+) influx via reverse mode NCX leading to prolonged, propagating spontaneous Ca(2+) release events and a potentiation of spontaneous UBSM contraction. These findings suggest the possibility that NCX is a candidate molecular target for overactive bladder therapy.

The large-conductance Ca(2+)-activated K(+) (K(Ca)1.1, BK) channel has pivotal roles in the regulation of vascular tone. To clarify the molecular dynamics of BK channels and their functionally coupled protein on the membrane surface, we examined single-molecule imaging of fluorescent-labeled BK subunits in the plasma membrane using total internal reflection fluorescence (TIRF) microscopy. The dynamic mobility of yellow fluorescent protein (YFP)-tagged BKα subunit (BKα-YFP) expressed in human embryo kidney 293 (HEK) cells was detected in TIRF regions at the level of individual channels and their clusters on the plasma membrane with a diffusion coefficient of 6.7 × 10(3) nm(2)/s. When BKα-YFP was coexpressed with cyan fluorescent protein (CFP)-tagged BKβ1 subunit (BKβ1-CFP) in HEK cells, the mobility was reduced by ∼50%. Fluorescent image analyses suggest that green fluorescent protein (GFP)-tagged BKα subunit (BKα-GFP) expressed in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), at low density, preferentially formed a heterotetrameric molecular assembly with native BKα subunits, rather than homotetrameric BKα-GFP. Movement of BKα-YFP in VSMCs (0.29 × 10(3) nm(2)/s) was far more restricted than BKα-YFP/BKβ1-CFP in HEK cells (2.5 × 10(3) nm(2)/s). Actin disruption by pretreatment with cytochalasin D in VSMCs appeared to increase the mobile behavior of BKα-YFP, which was then significantly reduced by addition of jasplakinolide. Most BKα-YFP colocalized with caveolin 1 (Cav1)-CFP in VSMCs, but unexpectedly not frequently in HEK cells. Fluorescence resonance energy transfer analyses showed the direct interaction between BKα-YFP and Cav1-CFP, particularly in VSMCs. These results, obtained by single molecule imaging in living cells, indicate that the dynamics of BKα molecules on the membrane surface are strongly restricted or regulated by its auxiliary β-subunit, cytoskeleton, and direct interaction with Cav1 in VSMCs.

Cellular turnover of brain capillary endothelial cells (BCECs) by the balance of cell proliferation and death is essential for maintaining the homeostasis of the blood-brain barrier. Stimulation of metabotropic ATP receptors (P2Y) transiently increased intracellular Ca²(+) concentration ([Ca²(+)](i)) in t-BBEC 117, a cell line derived from bovine BCECs. The [Ca²(+)](i) rise induced membrane hyperpolarization via the activation of apamin-sensitive small-conductance Ca²(+)-activated K(+) channels (SK2) and enhanced cell proliferation in t-BBEC 117. Here, we found anomalous membrane hyperpolarization lasting for over 10 min in response to ATP in ∼15% of t-BBEC 117, in which inward rectifier K(+) channel (K(ir)2.1) was extensively expressed. Once anomalous hyperpolarization was triggered by ATP, it was removed by Ba²(+) but not by apamin. Prolonged exposure to ATPγS increased the relative population of t-BBEC 117, in which the expression of K(ir)2.1 mRNAs was significantly higher and Ba²(+)-sensitive anomalous hyperpolarization was observed. The cultivation of t-BBEC 117 in serum-free medium also increased this population and reduced the cell number. The reduction of cell number was enhanced by the addition of ATPγS and the enhancement was antagonized by Ba²(+). In the human embryonic kidney 293 cell model, where SK2 and K(ir)2.1 were heterologously coexpressed, [Ca²(+)](i) rise by P2Y stimulation triggered anomalous hyperpolarization and cell death. In conclusion, P2Y stimulation in BCECs enhances cell proliferation by SK2 activation in the majority of cells but also triggers cell death in a certain population showing a substantial expression of K(ir)2.1. This dual action of P2Y stimulation may effectively facilitate BCEC turnover.

In articular cartilage inflammation, histamine release from mast cells is a key event. It can enhance cytokine production and matrix synthesis and also promote cell proliferation by stimulating chondrocytes. In this study, the functional impact of Ca(2+)-activated K(+) (K(Ca)) channels in the regulation of intracellular Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+)](i)) in chondrocytes in response to histamine was examined using OUMS-27 cells, as a model of chondrocytes derived from human chondrosarcoma. Application of histamine induced a significant [Ca(2+)](i) rise and also membrane hyperpolarization, and both effects were mediated by the stimulation of H(1) receptors. The histamine-induced membrane hyperpolarization was attenuated to approximately 50% by large-conductance K(Ca) (BK) channel blockers, and further reduced by intermediate (IK) and small conductance K(Ca) (SK) channel blockers. The tonic component of histamine-induced [Ca(2+)](i) rise strongly depended on the presence of extracellular Ca(2+) ([Ca(2+)](o)) and was markedly reduced by La(3+) or Gd(3+) but not by nifedipine. It was significantly attenuated by BK channel blockers, and further blocked by the cocktail of BK, IK, and SK channel blockers. The K(Ca) blocker cocktail also significantly reduced the store-operated Ca(2+) entry (SOCE), which was induced by Ca(2+) addition after store-depletion by thapsigargin in [Ca(2+)](o) free solution. Our results demonstrate that the histamine-induced membrane hyperpolarization in chondrocytes due to K(Ca) channel activation contributes to sustained Ca(2+) entry mainly through SOCE channels in OUMS-27 cells. Thus, K(Ca) channels appear to play an important role in the positive feedback mechanism of [Ca(2+)](i) regulation in chondrocytes in the presence of articular cartilage inflammation.

The activation of Kv1.3 potassium channel has obligatory roles in immune responses of T lymphocytes. Stromal cell-derived factor-1alpha (SDF-1alpha) binds to C-X-C chemokine receptor type 4, activates phosphoinositide 3-kinase, and plays essential roles in cell migration of T lymphocytes. In this study, the effects of phosphoinositides and SDF-1alpha on Kv1.3 current activity were examined in the Jurkat T cell line using whole cell patch-clamp techniques. The internal application of 10 microM phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP(2)) or 10 microM phosphatidylinositol-3,4,5-trisphosphate (PIP(3)) significantly reduced Kv1.3 current, but that of 10 microM phosphatidylinositol-4-monophosphate (PIP) did not. The coapplication of 10 microg/ml anti-PIP(3) antibody with PIP(2) from the pipette did not change the reduction of Kv1.3 current by PIP(2), but the coapplication of the antibody with PIP(3) eliminated the reduction. The heat-inactivated anti-PIP(3) antibody had no effect on PIP(3)-induced inhibition. These results suggest that PIP(2) per se can reduce Kv1.3 current as well as PIP(3). External application of 1 muM Akt-kinase inhibitor VIII did not reverse the effect of intracellular PIP(3). External application of 10 and 30 ng/ml SDF-1alpha significantly reduced Kv1.3 current. Internal application of anti-PIP(3) antibody reversed the SDF-1alpha-induced reduction. These results suggest that, in Jurkat T cells, PIP(2), PIP(3), and SDF-1alpha reduce Kv1.3 channel activity and that the reduction by SDF-1alpha may be mediated by the enhancement of PIP(3) production. These novel inhibitory effects of phosphoinositides and SDF-1alpha on Kv1.3 current may have a significant function as a downregulation mechanism of Kv1.3 activity for the maintenance of T lymphocyte activation in immune responses.

The relative contributions of Ca(2+)-induced Ca(2+) release (CICR) versus Ca(2+) influx through voltage-dependent Ca(2+) channels (VDCCs) to excitation-contraction coupling has not been defined in most smooth muscle cells (SMCs). The present study was undertaken to address this issue in mouse urinary bladder (UB) smooth muscle cells (UBSMCs). Confocal Ca(2+) images were obtained under voltage- or current-clamp conditions. When UBSMCs were activated by a 30-ms depolarization to 0 mV, intracellular Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+)](i)) increased in several small, discrete areas just beneath the cell membrane. These Ca(2+) "hot spots" then spread slowly through the myoplasm as Ca(2+) waves, which continued even after repolarization. Shorter depolarizations (5 ms) elicited only a few Ca(2+) sparks, which declined quickly. The number of Ca(2+) sparks, or hot spots, was closely related to the depolarization duration in the range of approximately 5-20 ms. There was an apparent threshold depolarization duration of approximately 10 ms within which to induce enough Ca(2+) transients to spread globally and then induce a contraction. Application of 100 microM ryanodine to the pipette solution did not change the resting [Ca(2+)](i) or the VDCC current, but it did abolish Ca(2+) hot spots elicited by depolarization. Application of 3 microM xestospongin C reduced ACh-induced Ca(2+) release but did not affect depolarization-induced Ca(2+) events. The addition of 100 microM ryanodine to tissue segments markedly reduced the amplitude of contractions triggered by direct electrical stimulation. In conclusion, global [Ca(2+)](i) rise triggered by a single action potential is not due mainly to Ca(2+) influx through VDCCs but is attributable to the subsequent two-step CICR.

We have examined the effects of the cannabinoid anandamide (AEA) and its stable analog, methanandamide (methAEA), on large-conductance, Ca2+-activated K+ (BK) channels using human embryonic kidney (HEK)-293 cells, in which the alpha-subunit of the BK channel (BK-alpha), both alpha- and beta1-subunits (BK-alphabeta1), or both alpha- and beta4-subunits (BK-alphabeta4) were heterologously expressed. In a whole cell voltage-clamp configuration, each cannabinoid activated BK-alphabeta1 within a similar concentration range. Because methAEA could potentiate BK-alpha, BK-alphabeta1, and BK-alphabeta4 with similar efficacy, the beta-subunits may not be involved at the site of action for cannabinoids. Under cell-attached patch-clamp conditions, application of methAEA to the bathing solution increased BK channel activity; however, methAEA did not alter channel activity in the excised inside-out patch mode even when ATP was present on the cytoplasmic side of the membrane. Application of methAEA to HEK-BK-alpha and HEK-BK-alphabeta1 did not change intracellular Ca2+ concentration. Moreover, methAEA-induced potentiation of BK channel currents was not affected by pretreatment with a CB1 antagonist (AM251), modulators of G proteins (cholera and pertussis toxins) or by application of a selective CB2 agonist (JWH133). Inhibitors of CaM, PKG, and MAPKs (W7, KT5823, and PD-98059) did not affect the potentiation. Application of methAEA to mouse aortic myocytes significantly increased BK channel currents. This study provides the first direct evidence that unknown factors in the cytoplasm mediate the ability of endogenous cannabinoids to activate BK channel currents. Cannabinoids may be hyperpolarizing factors in cells, such as arterial myocytes, in which BK channels are highly expressed.

The voltage-dependent K+ channel 4.3 (Kv4.3) is one of the major molecular correlates encoding a class of rapidly inactivating K+ currents, including the transient outward current in the heart (Ito) and A currents (IA) in neuronal and smooth muscle preparations. Recent studies have shown that Ito in human atrial myocytes and IA in murine colonic myocytes are modulated by Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII); however, the molecular target of CaMKII in these studies has not been elucidated. We performed experiments to investigate whether CaMKII could regulate Kv4.3 currents directly. Inclusion of the autothiophosphorylated form of CaMKII in the patch pipette (10 nM) prolonged Kv4.3 currents such that the time required to reach 50% inactivation from peak more than doubled, with positive shifts in voltage dependence of both activation and inactivation. In contrast, the rate of recovery from inactivation was accelerated under these conditions. CaMKII-inhibitory peptide or KN-93 produced effects opposite to that above; thus the rate of inactivation was increased, and recovery from inactivation decreased. A number of mutagenesis experiments were conducted on the three candidate CaMKII consensus sequence sites on the channel. Mutations at S550A, located at the COOH-terminal region of the channel, resulted in currents that inactivated more rapidly but recovered from inactivation at a slower rate than that of wild-type controls. In addition, these currents were unaffected by dialysis with either autothiophosphorylated CaMKII or the specific inhibitory peptide of CaMKII, suggesting that CaMKII slows the inactivation and accelerates the rate of recovery from inactivation of Kv4.3 currents by a direct effect at S550A, located at the COOH-terminal region of the channel.

A-type currents are voltage-gated, calcium-independent potassium (Kv) currents that undergo rapid activation and inactivation. Commonly associated with neuronal and cardiac cell-types, A-type currents have also been identified and characterized in vascular, genitourinary, and gastrointestinal smooth muscle cells. This review examines the molecular identity, biophysical properties, pharmacology, regulation, and physiological function of smooth muscle A-type currents. In general, this review is intended to facilitate the comparison of A-type currents present in different smooth muscles by providing a comprehensive report of the literature to date. This approach should also aid in the identification of areas of research requiring further attention.