Molecular identification and thermoresistance to boiling of Nocardia farcinica and Nocardia cyriacigeorgica from bovine bulk tank milk

Two strains of Nocardia spp. were isolated from bovine milk of two individual bulk tank. Molecular identification classified the strains as Nocardia farcinica and Nocardia cyriacigeorgica. The thermorresistance to boiling of the isolates was carried out and was observed bacterial growth after boiling. Our findings indicate the potential risk of pathogen transmission to humans through contaminated milk with Nocardia spp.

Molecular identification and thermoresistance to boiling of Nocardia farcinica and Nocardia cyriacigeorgica from bovine bulk tank milk.

Two strains of Nocardia spp. were isolated from bovine milk of two individual bulk tank. Molecular identification classified the strains as Nocardia farcinica and Nocardia cyriacigeorgica. The thermorresistance to boiling of the isolates was carried out and was observed bacterial growth after boiling. Our findings indicate the potential risk of pathogen transmission to humans through contaminated milk with Nocardia spp.

The effects of mitiglinide (KAD-1229), a new anti-diabetic drug, on ATP-sensitive K+ channels and insulin secretion: comparison with the sulfonylureas and nateglinide.

Mitiglinide (KAD-1229), a new anti-diabetic drug, is thought to stimulate insulin secretion by closing the ATP-sensitive K+ (K(ATP)) channels in pancreatic beta-cells. However, its selectivity for the various K(ATP) channels is not known. In this study, we examined the effects of mitiglinide on various cloned K(ATP) channels (Kir6.2/SUR1, Kir6.2/SUR2A, and Kir6.2/SUR2B) reconstituted in COS-1 cells, and compared them to another meglitinide-related compound, nateglinide. Patch-clamp analysis using inside-out recording configuration showed that mitiglinide inhibits the Kir6.2/SUR1 channel currents in a dose-dependent manner (IC50 value, 100 nM) but does not significantly inhibit either Kir6.2/SUR2A or Kir6.2/SUR2B channel currents even at high doses (more than 10 microM). Nateglinide inhibits Kir6.2/SUR1 and Kir6.2/SUR2B channels at 100 nM, and inhibits Kir6.2/SUR2A channels at high concentrations (1 microM). Binding experiments on mitiglinide, nateglinide, and repaglinide to SUR1 expressed in COS-1 cells revealed that they inhibit the binding of [3H]glibenclamide to SUR1 (IC50 values: mitiglinide, 280 nM; nateglinide, 8 microM; repaglinide, 1.6 microM), suggesting that they all share a glibenclamide binding site. The insulin responses to glucose, mitiglinide, tolbutamide, and glibenclamide in MIN6 cells after chronic mitiglinide, nateglinide, or repaglinide treatment were comparable to those after chronic tolbutamide and glibenclamide treatment. These results indicate that, similar to the sulfonylureas, mitiglinide is highly specific to the Kir6.2/SUR1 complex, i.e., the pancreatic beta-cell K(ATP) channel, and suggest that mitiglinide may be a clinically useful anti-diabetic drug.

Regulation of Ca2+ channel expression at the cell surface by the small G-protein kir/Gem.

Voltage-dependent calcium (Ca2+) channels are involved in many specialized cellular functions, and are controlled by intracellular signals such as heterotrimeric G-proteins, protein kinases and calmodulin (CaM). However, the direct role of small G-proteins in the regulation of Ca2+ channels is unclear. We report here that the GTP-bound form of kir/Gem, identified originally as a Ras-related small G-protein that binds CaM, inhibits high-voltage-activated Ca2+ channel activities by interacting directly with the beta-subunit. The reduced channel activities are due to a decrease in alpha1-subunit expression at the plasma membrane. The binding of Ca2+/CaM to kir/Gem is required for this inhibitory effect by promoting the cytoplasmic localization of kir/Gem. Inhibition of L-type Ca2+ channels by kir/Gem prevents Ca2+-triggered exocytosis in hormone-secreting cells. We propose that the small G-protein kir/Gem, interacting with beta-subunits, regulates Ca2+ channel expression at the cell surface.

Troglitazone but not pioglitazone affects ATP-sensitive K(+) channel activity.

We compared the effects of the two thiazolidinedione derivatives, troglitazone and pioglitazone, on ATP-sensitive K(+) (K(ATP)) channel activities. Pancreatic beta-cell type and cardiac type K(ATP) channels were reconstituted in COS-1 cells (SV 40-transformed African green monkey kidney (AGMK) cells) by heterologously expressing sulfonylurea receptor 1 (SUR1) plus Kir6.2 and sulfonylurea receptor 2A (SUR2A) plus Kir6.2, respectively. Troglitazone inhibited [86Rb(+)] efflux in both K(ATP) channel types in the presence of metabolic inhibitors, which was confirmed by electrophysiological techniques. The [86Rb(+)] efflux increased by the channel openers diazoxide and pinacidil was abolished by troglitazone. In contrast, pioglitazone did not affect these channel activities in either type K(ATP) channel. These results suggest that troglitazone modulates the various cellular functions including insulin secretion by inhibiting the K(ATP) channels, while pioglitazone has no effect on K(ATP) channel activity.

Unresponsiveness to glibenclamide during chronic treatment induced by reduction of ATP-sensitive K+ channel activity.

The insulin response to the sulfonylurea glibenclamide was markedly impaired in pancreatic beta-cell line MIN6 cells with chronic glibenclamide treatment (MIN6-Glib). The intracellular calcium concentration increased only slightly in response to glibenclamide in MIN6-Glib. While the properties of the voltage-dependent calcium channels were not altered, the conductance of the K(ATP) channels, the primary target of glibenclamide, was significantly reduced in MIN6-Glib. The ATP-sensitive K+ (K(ATP)) channels in MIN6 cells comprise inwardly rectifying K+ channel member Kir6.2 subunits and sulfonylurea receptor (SUR) 1 subunits. MIN6 cells have both high- and low-affinity binding sites for glibenclamide. The binding affinities at these two sites were unchanged, but the maximum binding capacities at both sites were similarly increased by chronic glibenclamide treatment. Both SUR1 and Kir6.2 mRNA levels were not altered, but SUR1 protein was rather increased in MIN6-Glib. In addition, electron microscopic examination revealed a majority of the SUR1 to be present in a cluster near the plasma membrane in control MIN6, while it tends to be distributed in the cytoplasm in MIN6-Glib. These data suggest that chronic glibenclamide treatment causes the defect in acute glibenclamide-induced insulin secretion by reducing the number of functional K(ATP) channels on the plasma membrane of the beta-cells.

PKA-mediated phosphorylation of the human K(ATP) channel: separate roles of Kir6.2 and SUR1 subunit phosphorylation.

ATP-sensitive potassium (K(ATP)) channels play important roles in many cellular functions such as hormone secretion and excitability of muscles and neurons. Classical ATP-sensitive potassium (K(ATP)) channels are heteromultimeric membrane proteins comprising the pore-forming Kir6.2 subunits and the sulfonylurea receptor subunits (SUR1 or SUR2). The molecular mechanism by which hormones and neurotransmitters modulate K(ATP) channels via protein kinase A (PKA) is poorly understood. We mutated the PKA consensus sequences of the human SUR1 and Kir6.2 subunits and tested their phosphorylation capacities in Xenopus oocyte homogenates and in intact cells. We identified the sites responsible for PKA phosphorylation in the C-terminus of Kir6.2 (S372) and SUR1 (S1571). Kir6.2 can be phosphorylated at its PKA phosphorylation site in intact cells after G-protein (Gs)-coupled receptor or direct PKA stimulation. While the phosphorylation of Kir6.2 increases channel activity, the phosphorylation of SUR1 contributes to the basal channel properties by decreasing burst duration, interburst interval and open probability, and also increasing the number of functional channels at the cell surface. Moreover, the effect of PKA could be mimicked by introducing negative charges in the PKA phosphorylation sites. These data demonstrate direct phosphorylation by PKA of the K(ATP) channel, and may explain the mechanism by which Gs-coupled receptors stimulate channel activity. Importantly, they also describe a model of heteromultimeric ion channels in which there are functionally distinct roles of the phosphorylation of the different subunits.

Defective insulin secretion and enhanced insulin action in KATP channel-deficient mice.

ATP-sensitive K+ (KATP) channels regulate many cellular functions by linking cell metabolism to membrane potential. We have generated KATP channel-deficient mice by genetic disruption of Kir6.2, which forms the K+ ion-selective pore of the channel. The homozygous mice (Kir6.2(-/-)) lack KATP channel activity. Although the resting membrane potential and basal intracellular calcium concentrations ([Ca2+]i) of pancreatic beta cells in Kir6.2(-/-) are significantly higher than those in control mice (Kir6.2(+/+)), neither glucose at high concentrations nor the sulfonylurea tolbutamide elicits a rise in [Ca2+]i, and no significant insulin secretion in response to either glucose or tolbutamide is found in Kir6.2(-/-), as assessed by perifusion and batch incubation of pancreatic islets. Despite the defect in glucose-induced insulin secretion, Kir6.2(-/-) show only mild impairment in glucose tolerance. The glucose-lowering effect of insulin, as assessed by an insulin tolerance test, is increased significantly in Kir6.2(-/-), which could protect Kir6.2(-/-) from developing hyperglycemia. Our data indicate that the KATP channel in pancreatic beta cells is a key regulator of both glucose- and sulfonylurea-induced insulin secretion and suggest also that the KATP channel in skeletal muscle might be involved in insulin action.

Modulation of reconstituted ATP-sensitive K(+)-channels by GTP-binding proteins in a mammalian cell line.

1. The action of GTP-binding proteins on ATP-sensitive potassium (KATP) channels was investigated. KATP channels were expressed in a mammalian cell line (COS-1 cells) by cotransfecting vectors carrying the sulphonylurea receptor (SUR1) and BIR (Kir6.2), a member of the inward rectifier K+ channel family. G proteins were also tested on KATP channels composed of an isoform of SUR1, SUR2A, in combination with Kir6.2. 2. The alpha and beta gamma subunits of the GTP binding protein G1 were tested separately in inside-out patches under continuous recording. G alpha-11 increases the activity of SUR1-Kir6.2 and SUR2A-Kir6.2 channels by 200 and by 30%, respectively. 3. G alpha-12 does not increase the activity of SUR1-Kir6.2 channels, but increase the activity of SUR2A-Kir6.2 channels by 30%. 4. Control experiments showed that GTP gamma S, a specific activator of G proteins, and heat-inactivated G alpha-11 do not increase the single channel activity. 5. No effects of the other subunits (beta gamma) from either G11 or G12 on the single channel activity were observed. 6. The protein kinase C inhibitors H7 and an inhibitory peptide (FARKGALRQKNV) had no effect on the modulatory action of G alpha-11 on SUR1-Kir6.2 channels. 7. We conclude that both types of reconstituted KATP channels are modulated by G proteins.

A nonsense mutation in the inward rectifier potassium channel gene, Kir6.2, is associated with familial hyperinsulinism.

ATP-sensitive potassium (K[ATP]) channels are an essential component of glucose-dependent insulin secretion in pancreatic islet beta-cells. These channels comprise the sulfonylurea receptor (SUR1) and Kir6.2, a member of the inward rectifier K+ channel family. Mutations in the SUR1 subunit are associated with familial hyperinsulinism (HI) (MIM:256450), an inherited disorder characterized by hyperinsulinism in the neonate. Since the Kir6.2 gene maps to human chromosome 11p15.1 (1,2), which also encompasses a locus for HI, we screened the Kir6.2 gene for the presence of mutations in 78 HI probands by single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) and nucleotide sequence analyses. A nonsense mutation, Tyr-->Stop at codon 12 (designated Y12X) was observed in the homozygous state in a single proband. 86Rb+ efflux measurements and single-channel recordings of COS-1 cells co-expressing SUR1 and either wild-type or Y12X mutant Kir6.2 proteins confirmed that K(ATP) channel activity was abolished by this nonsense mutation. The identification of an HI patient homozygous for the Kir6.2/Y12X allele affords an opportunity to observe clinical features associated with mutations resulting in an absence of Kir6.2. These data provide evidence that mutations in the Kir6.2 subunit of the islet beta-cell K(ATP) channel are associated with the HI phenotype and also suggest that the majority of HI cases are not attributable to mutations in the coding region of the Kir6.2 gene.

Abnormalities of pancreatic islets by targeted expression of a dominant-negative KATP channel.

ATP-sensitive K+ (KATP) channels are known to play important roles in various cellular functions, but the direct consequences of disruption of KATP channel function are largely unknown. We have generated transgenic mice expressing a dominant-negative form of the KATP channel subunit Kir6.2 (Kir6.2G132S, substitution of glycine with serine at position 132) in pancreatic beta cells. Kir6.2G132S transgenic mice develop hypoglycemia with hyperinsulinemia in neonates and hyperglycemia with hypoinsulinemia and decreased beta cell population in adults. KATP channel function is found to be impaired in the beta cells of transgenic mice with hyperglycemia. In addition, both resting membrane potential and basal calcium concentrations are shown to be significantly elevated in the beta cells of transgenic mice. We also found a high frequency of apoptotic beta cells before the appearance of hyperglycemia in the transgenic mice, suggesting that the KATP channel might play a significant role in beta cell survival in addition to its role in the regulation of insulin secretion.

Taste buds have a cyclic nucleotide-activated channel, CNGgust.

Cyclic nucleotide-gated (CNG) channels have been characterized as important factors involved in physiological processes including sensory reception for vision and olfaction. The possibility thus exists that a certain CNG channel functions in gustation as well. In the present study, we carried out reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and genomic DNA cloning and characterized a CNG channel (CNGgust) as a cyclic nucleotide-activated species expressed in rat tongue epithelial tissues where taste reception takes place. Several types of 5'-rapid amplification of cDNA ends clones of CNGgust cDNA were obtained with various 5'-terminal sequences. As the CNGgust gene was a single copy, the formation of such CNGgust variants should result from alternative splicing. The encoded protein was homologous to known vertebrate CNG channels with 50-80% similarities in amino acid sequence, and particularly homologous to bovine testis CNG channel and human cone CNG channel with 82% similarities. CNGgust was functional when expressed in human embryonic kidney cells, where it opened upon the addition of cGMP or cAMP. Immunohistochemical analysis using an antibody raised against a CNGgust peptide demonstrated the channel to be localized on the pore side of each taste bud in the circumvallate papillae, with no signal observed for degenerated taste buds after denervation of the glossopharyngeal nerve. All these results, together with the indication that cyclic nucleotides play a role gustatory signaling pathway(s), strongly suggest the involvement of CNGgust in taste signal transduction.

Subunit stoichiometry of the pancreatic beta-cell ATP-sensitive K+ channel.

We have investigated the subunit stoichiometry of the pancreatic beta-cell ATP-sensitive K+ (KATP) channel (SUR1/Kir6.2 channel) by constructing cDNA encoding a single polypeptide (beta alpha polypeptide) consisting of a SUR1 (beta) subunit and a Kir6.2 (alpha) subunit. 86Rb+ efflux and single-channel properties of COS1 cells expressing beta alpha polypeptides were similar to those of COS1 cells coexpressing alpha monomers and beta monomers. Coexpression of beta alpha polypeptides with alpha monomers inhibited the K+ currents, while coexpression with beta monomers did not. We then constructed another single polypeptide (beta alpha2) consisting of a beta subunit and a dimeric repeat of the alpha subunit. 86Rb+ efflux from COS1 cells expressing beta alpha2 polypeptides was small, but was restored by supplementation with beta monomers. These results indicate that the activity of K(ATP) channels is optimized when the alpha and beta subunits are coexpressed with a molar ratio of 1:1. Since inward rectifier K+ channels are thought to function as homo- or hetero-tetramers, this suggests that the K(ATP) channel functions as a multimeric protein, most likely a hetero-octamer composed of a tetramer of the Kir6.2 subunit and a tetramer of the SUR1 subunit.

Kir6.1: a possible subunit of ATP-sensitive K+ channels in mitochondria.

We have investigated the subcellular localization of the inwardly rectifying K+ channel subunit Kir6.1 (uKATP-1). Immunoblot analysis of the mitochondrial fractions prepared from rat skeletal muscle and liver detected a single band of Kir6.1 at 51 kDa, the intensity of which was stronger than that found in the total homogenate of each tissue. By immunofluorescence staining, the labelling for Kir6.1 was observed as a dispersed array of fine dots throughout all the tissues examined in the rat, including skeletal muscle, cardiac muscle, liver, and pancreas. Electron-microscopic examination revealed that the punctate staining distribution was due to a specific labelling of Kir6.1 in the mitochondria. Immuno-positive colloidal gold particles were scattered over the mitochondria, suggesting that Kir6.1 was located on the inner membrane. Although gold particles were not observed at plasma membrane, a 47 kDa protein was detected in the isolated plasma membrane vesicles by immunoblot analysis against Kir6.1. These results suggest that Kir6.1 might be a subunit of the ATP-sensitive K+ channel in the mitochondrion, as well as in the plasma membrane.

Kir2.2v: a possible negative regulator of the inwardly rectifying K+ channel Kir2.2.

We have cloned the human genes encoding the inwardly rectifying K+ (Kir) channel subunits, Kir2.2 (hKir2.2) and its variant, termed hKir2.2v. When expressed in Xenopus oocytes, hKir2.2 produced strong inwardly rectifying K+ currents, whereas the expression of hKir2.2v did not elicit significant currents. Coexpression of hKir2.2v with hKir2.2 showed an hKir2.2v inhibition of hKir2.2 K+ currents, indicating that it acts as a negative regulator of hKir2.2 channel activity. Mutational analysis of hKir2.2v and studies of chimeras between hKir2.2 and hKir2.2v suggest that the intracellular C-terminal region of hKir2.2v participates in the negative regulation of the hKir2.2v channel activity.

A family of sulfonylurea receptors determines the pharmacological properties of ATP-sensitive K+ channels.

We have cloned an isoform of the sulfonylurea receptor (SUR), designated SUR2. Coexpression of SUR2 and the inward rectifier K+ channel subunit Kir6.2 in COS1 cells reconstitutes the properties of K(ATP) channels described in cardiac and skeletal muscle. The SUR2/Kir6.2 channel is less sensitive than the SUR/Kir6.2 channel (the pancreatic beta cell KATP channel) to both ATP and the sulfonylurea glibenclamide and is activated by the cardiac K(ATP) channel openers, cromakalim and pinacidil, but not by diazoxide. In addition, SUR2 binds glibenclamide with lower affinity. The present study shows that the ATP sensitivity and pharmacological properties of K(ATP) channels are determined by a family of structurally related but functionally distinct sulfonylurea receptors.

Cloning and pharmacological characterization of a fourth P2X receptor subtype widely expressed in brain and peripheral tissues including various endocrine tissues.

We have isolated cDNA encoding a fourth member (P2X-4) of the ATP receptor P2X receptor family from a rat pancreatic islet cDNA library. Rat P2X-4 is a protein of 388 amino acids which shares 50%, 49%, and 47% identity with P2X-1, P2X-2, and P2X-3, respectively, and has two putative transmembrane segments. Rat P2X-4 mRNA is widely expressed in brain and peripheral tissues, including various endocrine tissues, and it is also expressed in various hormone-secreting cell lines. We have heterologously expressed the cloned P2X-4 in Xenopus laevis oocytes and have characterized its pharmacological properties. ATP, its analogs and ADP activate cation-selective ion channels. The order of agonist potency is ATP ADP 2-methyl- thioATP(2MeSATP) >> alpha beta-methelene-ATP (alpha betameATP). ATP-evoked currents are only partially blocked by suramin, reactive blue-2, or H2DIDS. The present study suggests that P2X-4, with pharmacological properties distinct from those of P2X-1+, P2X-2, and P2X-3, mediates extracellular ATP-induced biological effects in non-neuronal cells, including endocrine cells, as well as in neuronal cells.

Reconstitution of IKATP: an inward rectifier subunit plus the sulfonylurea receptor.

A member of the inwardly rectifying potassium channel family was cloned here. The channel, called BIR (Kir6.2), was expressed in large amounts in rat pancreatic islets and glucose-responsive insulin-secreting cell lines. Coexpression with the sulfonylurea receptor SUR reconstituted an inwardly rectifying potassium conductance of 76 picosiemens that was sensitive to adenosine triphosphate (ATP) (IKATP) and was inhibited by sulfonylureas and activated by diazoxide. The data indicate that these pancreatic beta cell potassium channels are a complex composed of at least two subunits--BIR, a member of the inward rectifier potassium channel family, and SUR, a member of the ATP-binding cassette superfamily. Gene mapping data show that these two potassium channel subunit genes are clustered on human chromosome 11 at position 11p15.1.