Search

The iberiotoxin-sensitive large conductance voltage- and Ca2+-activated potassium (BK) channels (maxi-K+-channels) hyperpolarize the cell membrane thus supporting Ca2+ entry through Ca2+-release activated Ca2+ channels. Janus kinase-2 (JAK2) has been identified as novel regulator of ion transport. To explore whether JAK2 participates in the regulation of BK channels, cRNA encoding Ca2+-insensitive BK channels (BKM513I+Β899-903) was injected into Xenopus oocytes with or without cRNA encoding wild-type JAK2, gain-of-function V617FJAK2, or inactive K882EJAK2. K+ conductance was determined by dual electrode voltage clamp and BK-channel protein abundance by confocal microscopy. In A204 alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma cells, iberiotoxin-sensitive K+ current was determined utilizing whole cell patch clamp. A204 cells were further transfected with JAK2 and BK-channel transcript, and protein abundance was quantified by RT-PCR and Western blotting, respectively. As a result, the K+ current in BKM513I+Β899-903-expressing oocytes was significantly increased following coexpression of JAK2 or V617FJAK2 but not K882EJAK2. Coexpression of the BK channel with V617FJAK2 but not K882EJAK2 enhanced BK-channel protein abundance in the oocyte cell membrane. Exposure of BK-channel and V617FJAK2-expressing oocytes to the JAK2 inhibitor AG490 (40 ΔM) significantly decreased K+ current. Inhibition of channel insertion by brefeldin A (5 ΔM) decreased the K+ current to a similar extent in oocytes expressing the BK channel alone and in oocytes expressing the BK channel and V617FJAK2. The iberiotoxin (50 nM)-sensitive K+ current in rhabdomyosarcoma cells was significantly decreased by AG490 pretreatment (40 ΔM, 12 h). Moreover, overexpression of JAK2 in A204 cells significantly enhanced BK channel mRNA and protein abundance. In conclusion, JAK2 upregulates BK channels by increasing channel protein abundance in the cell membrane. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Janus kinase 2(JAK2) contributes to intracellular signaling of leptin and erythropoietin, hormones protecting cells during energy depletion. The present study explores whether JAK2 is activated by energy depletion and regulates Na+/K+-ATPase, the major energy-consuming pump. In Jurkat cells, JAK2 activity was determined by radioactive kinase assay, phosphorylated JAK2 detected by Western blotting, ATP levels measured by luciferase assay, as well as Na+/K+-ATPase α1-subunit transcript and protein abundance determined by real-time PCR and Western blotting, respectively. Ouabain-sensitive K+-induced currents (Ipump) were measured by whole cell patch clamp. Ipump was further determined by dual-electrode voltage clamp in Xenopus oocytes injected with cRNA-encoding JAK2, active V617FJAK2, or inactive K882EJAK2. As a result, in Jurkat T cells, JAK2 activity significantly increased following energy depletion by sodium azide (NaN3) or 2,4- dinitro phenol (DNP). DNP- and NaN3-induced decrease of cellular ATP was significantly augmented by JAK2 inhibitor AG490 and blunted by Na+/K+-ATPase inhibitor ouabain. DNP decreased and AG490 enhanced Ipump as well as Na+/K+- ATPase α1-subunit transcript and protein abundance. The α1-subunit transcript levels were also enhanced by signal transducer and activator of transcription-5 inhibitor CAS 285986-31-4. In Xenopus oocytes, Ipump was significantly decreased by expression of JAK2 and V617FJAK2 but not of K882EJAK2, effects again reversed by AG490. In V617FJAK2-expressing Xenopus oocytes, neither DNP nor NaN3 resulted in further decline of Ipump. In Xenopus oocytes, the effect of V617FJAK2 on Ipump was not prevented by inhibition of transcription with actinomycin. In conclusion, JAK2 is a novel energy-sensing kinase that curtails energy consumption by downregulating Na+/K+-ATPase expression and activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]