Number of K(Ca) channels underlying spontaneous miniature outward currents (SMOCs) in mudpuppy cardiac neurons.

Spontaneous miniature outward currents (SMOCs) in parasympathetic neurons from mudpuppy cardiac ganglia are caused by activation of TEA- and iberiotoxin-sensitive, Ca(2+)-dependent K(+) (BK) channels. Previously we reported that SMOCs are activated by Ca(2+)-induced Ca(2+) release (CICR) from caffeine- and ryanodine-sensitive intracellular Ca(2+) stores. In the present study, we analyzed the single channel currents that contribute to SMOC generation in mudpuppy cardiac neurons. The slope conductance of BK channels, determined from the I-V relationship of single-channel currents recorded with cell-attached patches in physiological K(+) concentrations, was 84 pS. The evidence supporting the identity of this channel as the channel involved in SMOC generation was its sensitivity to internal Ca(2+), external TEA, and caffeine. In cell-attached patch recordings, 166 microM TEA applied in the pipette reduced single-channel current amplitude by 32%, and bath-applied caffeine increased BK channel activity. The ratio between the averaged SMOC amplitude and the single-channel current amplitude was used to estimate the average number of channels involved in SMOC generation. The estimated number of channels involved in generation of an averaged SMOC ranged from 18 to 23 channels. We also determined that the Po of the BK channels at the peak of a SMOC remains constant at voltages more positive than -20 mV, suggesting that the transient rise in intracellular Ca(2+) from ryanodine-sensitive intracellular stores in the vicinity of the BK channel reached concentrations most likely exceeding 40 microM.

Ca(2+)-induced Ca(2+) release activates spontaneous miniature outward currents (SMOCs) in parasympathetic cardiac neurons.

Mudpuppy parasympathetic cardiac neurons exhibit spontaneous miniature outward currents (SMOCs) that are thought to be due to the activation of clusters of large conductance Ca(2+)-activated K(+) channels (BK channels) by localized release of Ca(2+) from internal stores close to the plasma membrane. Perforated-patch whole cell recordings were used to determine whether Ca(2+)-induced Ca(2+) release (CICR) is involved in SMOC generation. We confirmed that BK channels are involved by showing that SMOCs are inhibited by 100 nM iberiotoxin or 500 microM tetraethylammonium (TEA), but not by 100 nM apamin. SMOC frequency is decreased in solutions that contain 0 Ca(2+)/3.6 mM Mg(2+), and also in the presence of 1 microM nifedipine and 3 microM omega-conotoxin GVIA, suggesting that SMOC activation is dependent on calcium influx. However, Ca(2+) influx alone is not sufficient; SMOC activation is also dependent on Ca(2+) release from the caffeine- and ryanodine-sensitive Ca(2+) store, because exposure to 2 mM caffeine consistently caused an increase in SMOC frequency, and 10-100 microM ryanodine altered the configuration of SMOCs and eventually inhibited SMOC activity. Depletion of intracellular Ca(2+) stores by the Ca-ATPase inhibitor cyclopiazonic acid (10 microM) inhibited SMOC activity, even when Ca(2+) influx was not compromised. We also tested the effects of the membrane-permeable Ca(2+) chelators, bis-(o-aminophenoxy)-N,N,N', N'-tetraacetic acid-AM (BAPTA-AM) and EGTA-AM. EGTA-AM (10 microM) caused no inhibition of SMOC activation, whereas 10 microM BAPTA-AM consistently inhibited SMOCs. After SMOCs were completely inhibited by BAPTA, 3 mM caffeine caused SMOC activity to resume. This effect was reversible on removal of caffeine and suggests that the source of Ca(2+) that triggers the internal Ca(2+) release channel is different from the source of Ca(2+) that activates clusters of BK channels. We propose that influx of Ca(2+) through voltage-dependent Ca(2+) channels is required for SMOC generation, but that the influx of Ca(2+) triggers CICR from intracellular stores, which then activates the BK channels responsible for SMOC generation.

Modulation of coronary smooth muscle KCa channels by Gs alpha independent of phosphorylation by protein kinase A.

The occupancy of beta-receptors in the smooth muscle membrane of the coronary arteries produces vasodilation and a concomitant hyperpolarization. Large conductance calcium-activated K (KCa) channels are likely to be involved in such hyperpolarization, since they are densely distributed in coronary myocytes, and they are targets of beta-adrenergic stimulation in other smooth muscles. We sought to explore if coronary smooth muscle KCa channels are modulated by beta-agonists and we studied the mechanisms of their activation. We found that KCa channels reconstituted into lipid bilayers were activated in the presence of GTP by the beta-adrenergic receptor agonist isoproterenol. KCa channels were also stimulated on non-specific activation of an endogenous G protein(s) with guanosine 5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate) (GTP gamma S), on addition of a purified activated stimulatory G protein (Gs alpha), and when the catalytic subunit of protein kinase A (PKA) was added. Inhibition of PKA activity prevented KCa channel stimulation by PKA, but not by endogenous G protein or by exogenous Gs alpha. These results indicate that beta-adrenoceptor activation of coronary smooth muscle KCa channels results from a dual control: 1) a membrane delimited, possibly direct action of Gs, independent of PKA-mediated phosphorylation; and 2) by PKA-dependent phosphorylation.

U46619, a thromboxane A2 agonist, inhibits KCa channel activity from pig coronary artery.

Thromboxane A2 (TxA2) is a potent vasoconstrictor derived from the metabolism of arachidonic acid. Because potassium channels are involved in the contraction of vascular smooth muscle, their blockade could contribute to the TxA2-induced contraction. To test this possibility, we studied the effect of the TxA2 stable analogue U46619 on calcium-activated potassium (KCa) channels from coronary artery reconstituted into lipid bilayers. Addition of U46619 (50-150 nM) to the external but not to the internal side of the channel decreased the channel open probability (Po) between 15 and 80% of the control value. The inhibitory effect of U46619 affected both the open and closed states of the channel and could be reversed by internal calcium. Thromboxane B2, the inactive hydrolysis derivative of TxA2, did not affect channel activity. SQ 29548, a TxA2 receptor antagonist, was able to prevent the inhibition by U46619. Furthermore, SQ 29548 added after U46619 could restore channel activity to near control values. These results suggest that TxA2 could be a regulatory factor of KCa channels from coronary smooth muscle and that this regulation could be related to its action as a vasoconstrictor.

Effect of omega-conotoxin GVIA on neurotransmitter release at the mouse neuromuscular junction.

The effect of omega-conotoxin GVIA (omega-CgTx) was studied on spontaneous, K(+)-induced and electrically evoked neurotransmitter release at the neuromuscular junction of mouse diaphragm. omega-CgTx decreased the frequency and amplitude of basal and K(+)-induced miniature end plate potentials. This effect was abolished by raising the extracellular Ca2+ concentration. omega-CgTx had no effect on the quantal content of the electrically evoked release in this preparation.