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Objective@#To elucidate the association between large conductance calcium-activated potassium channels (BKCa) in the paraventricular hypothalamic nucleus (PVN) and sympathetic outflow in rats with chronic heart failure (CHF) .@*Methods@#Male Wistar rats (6-7 weeks old) were randomized to sham operated group and CHF group (coronary artery ligation) . Two weeks after operation, BKCa inhibitor Iberiotoxin (IBTX) was infused into PVN by osmotic minipumps, rats were divided into following groups: sham+aCSF, CHF+aCSF, sham+low dose IBTX (0.125 nmol/nl) , CHF+low dose IBTX, sham+moderate dose IBTX (1.25 nmol/nl) , CHF+moderate dose IBTX, sham+ high dose IBTX (12.5 nmol/nl) , and CHF+high dose IBTX (n=6 each) . Additional rats were grouped as follows: sham+vehicle, sham+KCNMB4 knockdown (by rAAV2-KCNMB4 shRNA virus injection in PVN) , CHF+vehicle, CHF+ KCNMB4 knockdown group (n=6 each) . The cardiac function was determined by echocardiography, left ventricular hemodynamics were measured invasively, renal sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA) was recorded at 6 weeks after coronary artery ligation or sham operation. The contents of norepinephrine (NE) and N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) in plasma were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The protein and mRNA expression of KCNMB4 in PVN were measured by immunofluorescence staining, Western blot, and real-time PCR, mRNA expression of BKCa in PVN was detected by real-time PCR.@*Results@#Compared with the sham operation group, the cardiac function of the heart failure group was significantly reduced (P<0.05) , and the plasma NE and the serum NT-proBNP were significantly elevated (P<0.05) . The protein and mRNA expression of KCNMB4 in PVN were obviously down-regulated in CHF rats (P<0.05) . After perfusion of IBTX or KCNMB4 knockdown by microinjection of rAAV2-KCNMB4 shRNA virus,right ventricular weight/body weight and lung weight/body weight ratio as well as left ventricular end-diastolic diameter were increased and left ventricular ejection fraction was decreased (all P<0.05) , the sympathetic driving indexes was increased in sham rats, changes of these parameters further aggravated in CHF rats (P<0.05) . KCNMB4 knockdown further downregulated protein expression in PVN of CHF rats.@*Conclusion@#Downregulation and blunted function of BKCa in PVN may contribute to sympathoexcitation and deterioration of cardiac function in rats with chronic heart failure.
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Objective To investigate the effects of WNK3 kinase on the regulation of large-conductance calcium-activated potassium channels (Maxi K channels) on African green monkey kidney fibroblast-like cells (Cos-7 cells) and its mechanisms.Methods (1) Cos-7 cells were transfected with 0,0.6,1.2,1.8 μg WNK3 plasmid+0.5 μg Maxi K plasmid.The total protein expression of Maxi K channel and the phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) extracellular regulated kinase-1 and-2 (ERK1/2) were detected by Western blotting.(2) Cos-7 cells were divided into the control group (2.5 μg Maxi K plasmid) and the experimental group (2.5 μg WNK3 plasmid+2.5 μg Maxi K plasmid).Cell surface biotinylation was used to investigate the cell surface protein expression of Maxi K channel in Cos-7 cells.Immunoprecipitation and Western blotting were used to detect the ubiquitination of Maxi K channel protein.(3) WNK3 kinase was knocked down by WNK3 siRNA.The lysosomal degradation pathway was blocked by the proton pump inhibitor (Baf-A1).Cos-7 cells were divided into Maxi K+negative control siRNA group,Maxi K+WNK3 siRNA group and Maxi K+WNK3 siRNA+Baf-A1 group.The protein expression of Maxi K channel protein was detected by Western blotting.Results (1) Compared with those in 0 μg WNK3 plasmid groups,in 0.6,1.2,1.8 μg WNK3 plasmid groups the total protein expression of the Maxi K channel increased and the phosphorylation level of MAPK ERK1/2 reduced on a dose-dependent manner (all P ＜ 0.01).(2)Compared with those in the control group,the total protein expression and cell surface membrane protein expression of the Maxi K channel increased in the experimental group (P ＜ 0.01),while the ubiquitination of the Maxi K channel protein reduced (P ＜ 0.01).(3) Compared with the Maxi K +negative control siRNA group,the expression of Maxi K protein reduced in the Maxi K+WNK3 siRNA group (P ＜ 0.01),but did not change in the Maxi K+WNK3 siRNA + Bar-A1 group (P ＞ 0.05).The expression of Maxi K protein in Maxi K+WNK3 siRNA+Baf-A1 group was higher than that in Maxi K+WNK3 siRNA group (P ＜ 0.01).Conclusions WNK3 kinase inhibits the lysosomal degradation pathway of Maxi K channel protein by reducing the ubiquitination of Maxi K channel,and promotes the expression of Maxi K channel protein in cells and on cell membrane.These effects may be achieved by suppressing MAPK ERK1/2 signal transduction pathway.
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Objective To investigate the effects ofdocosahexenoic acid (DHA) on large conductance Ca2+-activated K+ (BK) channels in normal retinal artery smooth muscle cells (RASMCs).Methods Cultured human RASMCs (6 th-8 th generations) were used to patch clamp experiment.The open probabihties (NP0) in BK channels with different concentrations (0.0,1.0,3.0,5.0,7.5,10.0 μmol/L) of DHA were recorded by patch clamp technique in single channel configuration.RASMCs were intervened by different concentrations (0.0,1.0,5.0 μmol/L) of DHA as control group,low and high doses of DHA groups,respectively.The protein expressions of β subunit of BK channels in RASMCs from three groups were measured by Western blot.Results The NP0 of BK channels were 0.044 4±0.001 2,0.081 2±0.004 2,0.209 0±0.006 1,0.310 5±0.005 3,0.465 0±0.007 8 and 0.497 7±0.014 5 with perfusate of 0.0,1.0,3.0,5.0,7.5,10.0 μtmol/L DHA.DHA activated BK channels in a dose-dependent manner (F=2.621,P＜0.05).There was no significant difference in the protein expression of control group,low and high doses of DHA groups (F=1 1.657,P＞0.05).Conclusion DHA can directly activate BK channels,no increasing in subunit expression of BK channels.
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Objective To evaluate the role of large conductance calcium-activated potassium (BKCa) channels in vascular hyporesponsiveness in rats with obstructive jaundice.Methods Eighteen male Sprague-Dawley rats,weighing 180-200 g,were randomly divided into 3 groups (n =6 each) using a random number table:control group (group C),sham operation group (group S),and bile duct ligation group (group BDL).Obstructive jaundice was produced by common bile duct ligation.At 7 days after surgery,blood samples were collected for determination of the levels of serum total bilirubin (TBL),direct bilirubin (DBL),indirect bilirubin (IBL),alanine aminotransferase (ALT),and aspartate aminotransferase (AST).Thoracic aortic rings were prepared,and the endothelium was removed.The aortic rings were sequentially perfused with different concentrations of norepinephrine (NE) and sodium nitroprusside (SNP),and the maximum amplitude of contraction and dilatation of aortic rings was recorded.The aortic rings were then perfused with BKCa channel blocker Chtx with the final concentration of 10 7 mol/L,followed by perfusion with different concentrations of NE and SNP again,and the maximum amplitude of contraction and dilatation of aortic rings was recorded under each concentration.The percentage of maximum contraction and dilatation (maximum amplitude after Chtx administration÷maximum amplitude before Chtx administration× 100％) was calculated.Results Compared with C and S groups,the levels of TBL,DBL,IBL,ALT and AST in serum were significantly increased,the maximum amplitude of NE-induced contraction of aortic rings was decreased,and the percentage of the maximum NE-induced dilatation of aortic rings was increased,the maximum amplitude of SNP-induced contraction of aortic rings was increased,and the percentage of the maximum SNP-induced dilatation of aortic rings was decreased in group BDL.Conclusion Excessivc opening of BKCa channels may be involved in the mechanism of vascular hyporesponsiveness in rats with obstructive jaundice.
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Objective To observe the change of protein levels of large conductance calcium activated potassium channel (BK‐Ca) in placental arteriole smooth muscle cells from hypertensive disorder complicating pregnancy and discuss its role .Methods Western blot analysis was used to examine protein expression of α subunit andβ1 subunit of BKCa channels in placental arteriole smooth muscle cells from hypertensive disorder complicating pregnancy .Results The relative protein expression level of α‐subunit in the HDCP group was 1 .001 2 ± 0 .169 8(n=15) ,and the NT group was 1 .028 2 ± 0 .180 6 (n=15) .There was no significant differences between the two groups (P> 0 .05);the relative protein expression level of β1 subunit in the HDCP group was 0 .418 1 ± 0 .080 8 (n=15) ,and the NT group was 1 .616 8 ± 0 .012 6 (n=15) ,theβ1‐subunit protein expression levels of HDCP group were significantly lower (P<0 .05) .Conclusion The protein expression ofβ1‐subunit ,but notα‐subunit ,was reduced in pla‐cental arteriole smooth muscle cells from hypertensive disorder complicating pregnancy .Therefore ,BKCa channel activity may have been involved in hypertensive disorder complicating pregnancy ;and the abnormal expression ofβ1 subunit maybe an important basis in hypertensive disorder complicating pregnancy .
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Objective To investigate the role of large-conductance Ga2+-activated K+ (BKCa) channels and protein kinase G (PKG) in ketamine-induced isolated tracheal smooth muscle relaxation in rats with asthma.Methods Healthy Sprague-Dawley rats,weighing 250-300 g,were used in this study.Asthma was induced with egg albumin.Thirty-six tracheal rings of 15 rats in which asthma model was successfully established were randomly divided into 3 groups (n =12 each):ketamine treatment group (group AK),IBTX (BKCa channel blocker) +ketamine treatment group (group AKI),and KT-58232 (PKG inhibitor) + ketamine treatment group (group AKK).Tracheal rings were suspended in an organ bath filled with oxygenated Kreb's solution at 36.5-37.5 ℃.In group AK,the tracheal rings were precontracted with acetyleholine 0.1 mmol/L,and the rings were then exposed to ketamine 0.4 g/L for 15 min.In group AKI,before acetyleholine and ketamine were added to the solution,the rings were pretreated with IBTX 3μmol/L for 30 min.In group AKK,before acetyleholine and ketamine were added to the solution,the rings were pretreated with KT-5823 2μmol/L for 30 min.The tension of rings was measured by using a force-displacement transducer.Results The amplitude of relaxation of isolated tracheal smooth muscle was significantly decreased in groups AKI and AKK as compared with group AK (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion Ketamine induces isolated tracheal smooth muscle relaxation through activating BKCa channels and PKG signaling pathway in rats with asthma.
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PURPOSE: Recent studies have shown that potassium (K+) and sodium channels are involved in prostate cell growth. However, a great many of the studies have been done in prostate cancer cell lines and there are only scant studies on prostate cancer and benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) tissue. The present study was aimed to evaluate the alterations of the calcium-activated K+ channel (KCa) expression in prostate cancer, and to compare them with the expression profiles in human BPH tissue to understand their potential role in the progression of prostate cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The prostate tissues obtained from radical prostatectomy (n=10) and transurethral resection of the prostate (n=18) were quickly frozen in liquid nitrogen for the RNA measurements. The protein and mRNA levels of the KCa subtypes and connexins were measured by performing immunoblot analysis and reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction, respectively. RESULTS: The mRNA levels of type 2 (SK2) and type 3 (SK3) small-conductance and large-conductance (BK) KCas in the prostate cancer tissues were decreased more than 50% compared with those in the BPH samples. In addition, the BK and SK2 protein levels in prostate cancer were also significantly lower than those in the BPH. As reported previously, the connexin 26 and 43 transcript signals in the prostate cancer were significantly reduced compared with those in the BPH samples. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the impaired expression of KCas may have a role in tumor progression via aberrant and uncontrolled prostate cell growth.