• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• 제26권1호
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• pp.27-35
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• 1992

We used the whole cell patch clamp technique to examine the ionic basis for the tail current after depolarizing pulse in single atrial myocytes of the rabbit. We recorded the tail currents during various repolarizations after short depolarizing pulse from a holding potential of -70 mV. The potassium currents were blocked by external 4-aminopyridine and replacement of internal potassium with cesium. The current was reversed to the outward direction above +10 mV. High concentrations of intracellular calcium buffer inhibited the activation of the current. Diltiazem and ryanodine blocked it too. These data suggest that the current is activated by intracellular calcium released from sarcoplasmic reticulumn. When the internal chloride concentration was increased, the inward tail current was increased. The current was partially blocked by the anion transport blocker niflumic acid. The current voltage curve of the niflumic acid sensitive current component shows outward rectification and is well fitted to the current voltage curve of the theoretically predicted chloride current calculated from the constant field equation. The currents recorded in rabbit atrial myocytes, with the method showing isolated outward Na Ca exchange current in ventricular cells of the guinea pig, suggested that chloride conductance could be activated with the activation of Na/ca exchange current. From the above results it is concluded that a chloride sensitive component which is activated by intracellular calcium contributes to tail currents in rabbit atrial cells.

• BMB Reports
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• 제29권2호
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• pp.151-155
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• 1996

To swimming motor neurons (SMNs) of Polyorchis penicillatus, a hydrozoan medusae, dopamine (DA) acts as an inhibitory neurotransmitter by hyperpolarizing its membrane potential and decreasing its firing rate as well. Such an inhibitory action of DA is caused by an increased permeability to potassium (K) ions. To investigate whether voltage-gated K channels are directly responsible for the membrane hyperpolarization induced by DA, we employed whole-cell voltage clamp configuration. One ${\mu}M$ DA applied to SMNs increased the peak and rear values of voltage-gated K currents by 37 and 54%, respectively, in a reversible manner. Combined with subtraction analysis, this result suggests that the outflux of K ions by DA in SMNs occurs mainly through rectifier-like K channels.

• 대한의생명과학회지
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• 제15권2호
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• pp.127-133
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• 2009

This study was designed to investigate the effects of high concentration of (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate(EGCG) on the neuronal activity of rat substantia nigra dopaminergic neurons. Sprague-Dawley rats aged 14 to 16 days were decapitated under ether anesthesia. After treatment with pronase and thermolysin, the dissociated dopaminergic neurons were transferred into a chamber on an inverted microscope. Spontaneous action potentials and potassium currents were recorded by standard patch-clamp techniques under current and voltage-clamp modes respectively. 18 dopaminergic neurons(80%) revealed inhibitory responses to 40 and 100 ${\mu}M$ of EGCG and 4 neurons(20%) did not respond to EGCG. The spike frequency and resting membrane potential of these cells were decreased by EGCG. The amplitude of afterhyperpolarization was increased by EGCG. Whole potassium currents of dopaminergic neurons were increased by EGCG(n=10). These experimental results suggest that high concentration EGCG decreases the neuronal activity of the dopaminergic neurons by altering the resting membrane potential and afterhyperpolarization.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제1권2호
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• pp.169-183
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• 1997

We have investigated the two types of voltage-dependent outward potassium (K) currents, i.e. delayed rectifier K current ($I_{K(V)}$) and 'A-like' transient outward K current ($I_{to}$) with patch-clamp technique in single smooth muscle cells (SMCs) isolated from rabbit basilar artery, and investigated the characteristics of them. The time-courses of activation were well fitted by exponential function raised to second power ($n^2$) in $I_{K(V)}$ and fourth power ($n^4$) in $I_{to}$. The activation, inactivation and recovery time courses of $I_{to}$ were much faster than that of $I_{K(V)}$. The steady-state activation and inactivation of $I_{K(V)}$ was at the more hyperpolarized range than that of $I_{to}$ contrary to the reports in other vascular SMCs. Tetraethylammonium chloride (TEA; 10 mM) markedly inhibited $I_{K(V)}$ but little affected $I_{to}$. 4-Aminopyridine (4-AP) had similar inhibitory potency on both currents. While a low concentration of $Cd^{2+}$ (0.5 mM) shifted the current- voltage relationship of $I_{to}$ to the positive direction without change of maximum conductance, $Cd^{2+}$ did not cause any appreciable change for $I_{K(V)}$.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제38권5호
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• pp.375-379
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• 2005

Objective : Papaverine has been used in treating vasospasm following subarachnoid hemorrhage[SAH]. However, its action mechanism for cerebral vascular relaxation is not clear. Potassium channels are closely related to the contraction and relaxation of cerebral smooth muscle. Therefore, to identify the role of potassium and calcium channels in papaverine-induced vascular relaxation, we examine the effect of papaverine on potassium channels in freshly isolated smooth muscle cells from rat basilar artery. Methods : The isolation of rat basilar smooth muscle cells was performed by special techniques. The whole cell currents were recorded by whole cell patch clamp technique in freshly isolated smooth muscle cells from rat basilar artery. Papaverine was added to the bath solution. Results : Papaverine of $100{\mu}M$ into bath solution increased the amplitude of the outward $K^+$ current which was completely blocked by BKCa[large conductance calcium dependent potassium channels]blocker, IBX[iberiotoxin], and calcium chealator, BAPTA[l,2-bis[o-aminophenoxy]ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid], in whole cell mode. Conclusion : These results strongly suggest that potassium channels may play roles in papaverine-induced vascular relaxation in rat basilar artery.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• 제25권2호
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• pp.125-131
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• 1991

Inactivation properties of Ca current in the unfertilized eggs of mouse were studied by using the whole cell voltage clamp technique and single microelectrode voltage clamp technique. Membrane potential was held at -80 mV and step depolarization was applied from -50 mV to 50 mV for $200{\sim}500\;ms$. Peak of inward Ca currents was $-2{\sim}-4\;nA$ at a membrane Potentials from -20 mV to 0 mV and outward currents were not observed within the membrane voltage range studied $(-50{\sim}50\;mV)$. Inward currents were fully inactivated within 200 ms after the onset of step depolarization. As the membrane became depolarized, time constant of inactivation (${\tau}$) was decreased but remained around $20{\sim}30\;ms$ beyond 10 mV. When $Ca^{2+}$ was used as a charge earlier, inactivation of inward $Ca^{2+}$ current also occured and time course of inactivation was similar to that of $Ca^{2+}$ currents as charge carrier. In the bathing solution containing high potassium $(131\;mM\;K^+)$, process of inactivation was not changed except a parallel decrease of value for the entire range of membrane potential. Steady-state inactivation of the $current(h_{\infty})$ obtained from the double pulse experiment showed the voltage-dependent change. These results suggested that inactivation of Ca currents in the unfertilized eggs of mouse was voltage-dependent.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제26권1호
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• pp.25-36
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• 2022

To identify the effect and mechanism of carbon monoxide (CO) on delayed rectifier K⁺ currents (I_K) of human cardiac fibroblasts (HCFs), we used the wholecell mode patch-clamp technique. Application of CO delivered by carbon monoxidereleasing molecule-3 (CORM3) increased the amplitude of outward K⁺ currents, and diphenyl phosphine oxide-1 (a specific I_K blocker) inhibited the currents. CORM3-induced augmentation was blocked by pretreatment with nitric oxide synthase blockers (L-NG-monomethyl arginine citrate and L-NG-nitro arginine methyl ester). Pretreatment with KT5823 (a protein kinas G blocker), 1H-[1,-2,-4] oxadiazolo-[4,-3-a] quinoxalin-1-on (ODQ, a soluble guanylate cyclase blocker), KT5720 (a protein kinase A blocker), and SQ22536 (an adenylate cyclase blocker) blocked the CORM3 stimulating effect on I_K. In addition, pretreatment with SB239063 (a p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase [MAPK] blocker) and PD98059 (a p44/42 MAPK blocker) also blocked the CORM3's effect on the currents. When testing the involvement of S-nitrosylation, pretreatment of N-ethylmaleimide (a thiol-alkylating reagent) blocked CO-induced I_K activation and DL-dithiothreitol (a reducing agent) reversed this effect. Pretreatment with 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(1-methylpyridinium-4-yl)-21H,23H porphyrin manganese (III) pentachloride and manganese (III) tetrakis (4-benzoic acid) porphyrin chloride (superoxide dismutase mimetics), diphenyleneiodonium chloride (an NADPH oxidase blocker), or allopurinol (a xanthine oxidase blocker) also inhibited CO-induced I_K activation. These results suggest that CO enhances I_K in HCFs through the nitric oxide, phosphorylation by protein kinase G, protein kinase A, and MAPK, S-nitrosylation and reduction/oxidation (redox) signaling pathways.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• 제28권1호
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• pp.37-50
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• 1994

Synthetic potassium channel openers (KCOs) are agents capable of opening K-channels in excitable cells. These agents are known to have their maximal potency in the smooth muscle tissue, especially in the vascular smooth muscle. Much attention has been focused on the type of K-channel that is responsible for mediating the effects of KCOs. As the KCO-induced changes are antagonized by glibenclamide, an $K_{ATP}$ (ATP-sensitive K-channel) blocker in the pancreatic ${\beta}-cell,\;K_{ATP}$ was suggested to be the channel responsible. However, there also are many results in favor of other types of K-channel $$(maxi-K,\;small\;conductance\;K_{Ca,}\; SK_{ATP}) mediating the effects of KCOs. Effects of lemakalim, (-)enantiomer of cromakalim (BRL 34915), on the spontaneous contractions and slow waves, were investigated in the antral circular muscle of the guinea-pig stomach. Membrane currents and the effects on membrane currents and single channel activities were also measured in single smooth muscle cells and excised membrane patches by using the patch clamp method. Lemakalim induced hyperpolarization and inhibited spontaneous contractions in a dose-dependent manner. These effects were blocked by glibenclamide and low concentrations of tetraethyl ammonium (< mM). Glibenclamide blocked the effect of lemakalim on the membrane potential and slow waves. The mechanoinhibitory effect of lemakalim was blocked by pretreatment with glibenclamide. In a whole ceIl patch clamp condition, lemakalim largely increased outward K currents. These outward K currents were blocked by TEA, glibenclamide and a high concentration of intracelIular EGTA (10 mM). Volatage-gated Ca currents were not affected by lemakalim. In inside-out patch clamp experiments, lemakalim increased the opening frequency of the large conductance $Ca^{2+}-activated$ K channels $(BK_{Ca},\;Maxi-K).$ From these results, it is suggested that lemakalim induces hyperpolarization by opening K-channels which are sensitive to internal Ca and such a hyperpolarization leads to the inhibition of the spontaneous contraction.

• 한국생물물리학회:학술대회논문집
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• 한국생물물리학회 1997년도 학술발표회
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• pp.31-31
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• 1997

Rapidly activating delayed K current (IKr) in cardiac muscles plays an important in repolarization. Expression of HERG cloned by the study on inherited LQT revealed that it encodes a potassium channel with biophysical properties similar to those of IKr in cardiac myocytes： outward currents activating on depolarization with large tail currents on repolarization, implying the inward rectifying property.(omitted)

• 대한약학회:학술대회논문집
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• 대한약학회 2003년도 Proceedings of the Convention of the Pharmaceutical Society of Korea Vol.2-2
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• pp.90.3-91
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• 2003

The most commonly proposed mechanism for QT interval prolongation(LQT) by pharmaceuticals is inhibition of the rapid delayed rectifier potassium channel (I$\_$Kr/). The LQT potency of pharmaceuticals can be effectively evaluated by examining the effect on hERG channels expressed in CHO cells, known to be equal to I$\_$Kr/. But, It was known that hERG channels according to increase the bath temperature have several changes, including a marked increase in the amplitude of the outward and tail currents, and acceleration of the rates of activation, recovery from inactivation, and deactivation. (omitted)