Blocking of human T lymphocyte activation by channel antagonists

It has been established that early events in lymphocyte activation involve a rise in intracellular Ca++ as well as changes in the flux of other ions. Although a Ca++ channel has been postulated to participate in the early Ca++ rise, its presence in lymphocytes remains controversial. Also although yet undetected, electrophysiological data suggest the presence of a Ca++ activated K+ channel on human peripheral blood lymphocytes (HPBL). Here we report on the effect of specific channel blockers as an approach to the identification of these channels on HPBL. At 40 nM nifedipine, an inhibitor of voltage-gated Ca++ channels, fully inhibits the PHA-promoted activation of HPBL. This effect is concentration dependent with a half maximum effect at approximately 10 nM and is demonstrable whether the drug is added at the same time as or up to 18 h after the addition of the mitogen. This inhibition of activation is not seen if the lymphocytes are activated using IL-2 instead of PHA. Charybdotoxin a toxin which blocks a Ca++ activated K+ channel of muscle cells also blocks to almost 100 per cent the PHA-induced activation of HPBL. This inhibition can be demonstrated regardless of whether the blocker is added together with or up to 4 h after PHA. As opposed to nifedipine charybdotoxin shows no effect if added 18 h after the initiation of the activation process. When nifedipine and charybdotoxin were tested on mice splenocytes we found that nifedipine fully inhibits the LPS-promoted activation of these cells while charybdotoxin has no effect on their activation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Charybdotoxin blocks voltage-gated K+ channels in human and murine T lymphocytes

A variety of scorpion venoms and purified toxins were tested for effects on ion channels in human T lymphocytes, a human T leukemia cell line (Jurkat), and murine thymocytes, using the whole-cell patch-clamp method. Nanomolar concentrations of charbdotoxin (CTX), a purified peptide component of Leiurus quinquestriatus venom known to block Ca2+-activated K+ channels from muscle, blocked "type n" voltage-gated K+ channels in human T lymphoid cells. The Na+ channels occasionally expressed in these cells were unaffected by the toxin. From the time course of development and removal of K+ channel block we determined the rates of CTX binding and unbinding. CTX blocks K+ channels in Jurkat cells with a Kd value between 0.5 and 1.5 nM. Of the three types of voltage-gated K+ channels present in murine thymocytes, types n and n' are blocked by CTX at nanomolar concentrations. The third variety of K+ channels, "type l," is unaffected by CTX. Noxiustoxin (NTX), a purified toxin from Centruroides noxius known to block Ca2+-activated K+ channels, also blocked type n K+ channels with a high degree of potency (Kd = 0.2 nM). In addition, several types of crude scorpion venoms from the genera Androctonus, Buthus, Centruroides, and Pandinus blocked type n channels. We conclude that CTX and NTX are not specific for Ca2+ activated K+ channels and that purified scorpion toxins will provide useful probes of voltage-gated K+ channels in T lymphocytes. The existence of high-affinity sites for scorpion toxin binding may help to classify structurally related K+ channels and provide a useful tool for their biochemical purification.

Voltage-gated potassium channels in brown fat cells

We studied the membrane currents of isolated cultured brown fat cells from neonatal rats using whole-cell and single-channel voltage-clamp recording. All brown fat cells that were recorded from had voltage-gated K currents as their predominant membrane current. No inward currents were seen in these experiments. The K currents of brown fat cells resemble the delayed rectifier currents of nerve and muscle cells. The channels were highly selective for K+, showing a 58-mV change in reversal potential for a 10-fold change in the external [K+]. Their selectivity was typical for K channels, with relative permeabilities of K+ greater than Rb+ greater than NH+4 much greater than Cs+, Na+. The K currents in brown adipocytes activated with a sigmoidal delay after depolarizations to membrane potentials positive to -50 mV. Activation was half maximal at a potential of -28 mV and did not require the presence of significant concentrations of internal calcium. Maximal voltage-activated K conductance averaged 20 nS in high external K+ solutions. The K currents inactivated slowly with sustained depolarization with time constants for the inactivation process on the order of hundreds of milliseconds to tens of seconds. The K channels had an average single-channel conductance of 9 pS and a channel density of approximately 1,000 channels/cell. The K current was blocked by tetraethylammonium or 4-aminopyridine with half maximal block occurring at concentrations of 1-2 mM for either blocker. K currents were unaffected by two blockers of Ca2+-activated K channels, charybdotoxin and apamin. Bath-applied norepinephrine did not affect the K currents or other membrane currents under our experimental conditions. These properties of the K channels indicate that they could produce an increase in the K+ permeability of the brown fat cell membrane during the depolarization that accompanies norepinephrine-stimulated thermogenesis, but that they do not contribute directly to the norepinephrine-induced depolarization.

Inhibition of the in vitro formation of dense cells and of irreversibly sickled cells by charybdotoxin, a specific inhibitor of calcium-activated potassium efflux

Charybdotoxin, a specific inhibitor of the calcium-activated potassium channel, was found to inhibit the in vitro formation of irreversibly dehydrated cells and of irreversibly sickled cells, which occur as a result of repeated cycles of sickling and unsickling of sickle red blood cells. The degree of formation of dense cells was measured by Percoll-renografin density gradient centrifugation. 50% inhibition of the formation was achieved at a concentration of 30 nM of charybdotoxin. The approximate half-life of this compound in the circulation of the guinea pig was determined to be 4 h. Charybdotoxin did not inhibit the sickling of sickle cells under deoxygenation. The effects of charybdotoxin in preventing the irreversible changes of sickle cell membranes may be related to the inhibition of calcium-activated potassium efflux in sickle red blood cells.

Toxins in the characterization of potassium channels

Several recently characterized toxins (apamin, charybdotoxin, dendrotoxin and noxiustoxin) are proving invaluable for establishing what kinds of potassium channel are expressed in neurones, and what the roles of the channels might be.

Glyburide blocks the relaxation response to BRL 34915 (cromakalim), minoxidil sulfate and diazoxide in vascular smooth muscle

BRL 34915 [6-cyano-3,4-dihydro-2,2-dimethyl-trans-4-(2-oxo-1-pyrrolidyl) 2H-benzo(b) pyran-3-ol], minoxidil sulfate and diazoxide may relax vascular smooth muscle via hyperpolarization due to an opening of membrane potassium channels. We therefore examined the effects of several potassium channel antagonists on the relaxation response to these vasodilators in isolated rat portal venous strips which were mounted in vitro for detecting changes in isometric force. BRL 34915 (IC50 = 4.7 X 10(-8) M), minoxidil sulfate (IC50 = 1.4 X 10(-7) M) and diazoxide (IC50 = 5 X 10(-6) M) elicited concentration-dependent relaxations of the spontaneous, myogenic contractions in venous strips. The relatively nonselective potassium channel antagonists tetraethylammonium ion (0.3-10 X 10(-3) M) and 4-aminopyridine (1-10 X 10(-3) M) caused concentration-dependent shifts (5- to 50-fold) in the relaxation responses to each vasodilator. Charybdotoxin (up to 10(-7) M) and apamin (up to 10(-7) M), known to be antagonists of high and low conductance calcium-activated potassium channels, respectively, had no inhibitory effect on the relaxation-response curves to BRL 34915, minoxidil sulfate or diazoxide. Glyburide (10(-7) to 3 X 10(-5) M), a sulfonylurea which has been shown to block the ATP-modulated potassium channel in insulin-secreting cells, caused concentration-dependent shifts to the right (up to 100-fold) of the IC50 value for BRL 34915 and diazoxide, and at 10(-6) M, abolished the relaxation response to minoxidil sulfate.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Presence of a charybdotoxin sensitive Ca2+-activated K+ channel in rat glioma C6 cells

A study was made of the 86Rb+ influx and efflux through Ca2+-activated K+ channels of intact rat glioma C6 cells after addition of a Ca2+ ionophore to the incubation medium. Half-maximal activation of the channels was obtained at a cytoplasmic Ca2+ concentration of approximately 400 nM. The 86Rb+ ion flux through the Ca2+-activated K+ channels was insensitive to apamin, but was inhibited by low concentrations of charybdotoxin (IC50 = 1.6 nM). This is the first evidence for the presence of charybdotoxin-sensitive Ca2+-activated K+ channels in glial cells.

Competition for block of a Ca2(+)-activated K+ channel by charybdotoxin and tetraethylammonium

Single high-conductance Ca2(+)-activated K+ channels were incorporated into planar lipid bilayers, and the discrete block by charybdotoxin (CTX), a protein inhibitor of this channel, was studied. In particular, the effect of externally added tetraethylammonium (TEA) on CTX blocking kinetics was investigated. TEA decreases the on-rate of CTX in exact proportion to its blocking of the single-channel current. The CTX off-rate is unaffected by TEA. The results demonstrate that TEA and CTX are mutually exclusive in their binding to the channel. Since the site of TEA binding is known to be located on the external side of the conduction pore, this result further strengthens the proposal that the CTX binding site is located in the external mouth of the channel.

Somatostatin induces an inward rectification in rat locus coeruleus neurones through a pertussis toxin-sensitive mechanism

1. Membrane properties and somatostatin effects were studied in cultured locus coeruleus neurones from neonatal rats by using the whole-cell version of the patch clamp technique. 2. The current-voltage relationship of the resting cell revealed an inward-going rectification. The inward currents developed almost instantaneously upon hyperpolarizing the membrane under voltage clamp, and at large negative potentials the inward current showed a time-dependent inactivation. Extracellularly applied Cs+ or Ba2+ (0.1 mM) inhibited the inward current in a voltage-dependent manner. 3. Application of somatostatin (0.01-1 microM) produced an increase in membrane conductance. Somatostatin-induced currents were calculated by subtracting the control current from the current during the somatostatin-induced response. The somatostatin-induced current developed almost instantaneously with hyperpolarization and did not show any time-dependent inactivation. The current-voltage relationship of the somatostatin-induced current exhibited a rectification in the inward direction and showed a reversal potential. The reversal potentials were close to the K+ equilibrium potential. 4. Extracellular Cs+ or Ba2+ (0.1 mM) inhibited the somatostatin-induced currents in a voltage-dependent manner, the effectiveness increasing with hyperpolarization. The somatostatin-induced hyperpolarization was not affected by apamin (20 nM) or by charybdotoxin (100 nM). 5. These results indicate that the somatostatin-induced conductance is very similar to the inward-rectification conductance. Because the somatostatin-induced inward rectification did not exhibit a time-dependent inactivation, this rectification and the inward rectification in the control neurones may arise from two different channels. 6. Pre-treatment of neurones with pertussis toxin abolished the somatostatin-induced response, but did not affect the resting inward rectification. When GTP gamma S was applied intracellularly, somatostatin produced an irreversible activation of the inward rectification conductance. The somatostatin-induced hyperpolarization may therefore be mediated through a pertussis toxin-sensitive GTP-binding protein.

Charybdotoxin blocks with high affinity the Ca-activated K+ channel of Hb A and Hb S red cells: individual differences in the number of channels

We have investigated the effect of a purified preparation of Charybdotoxin (CTX) on the Ca-activated K+ (Ca-K) channel of human red cells (RBC). Cytosolic Ca2+ was increased either by ATP depletion or by the Ca ionophore A23187 and incubation in Na+ media containing CaCl2. The Ca-K efflux activated by metabolic depletion was partially (77%) inhibited from 15.8 +/- 2.4 mmol/liter cell.hr, to 3.7 +/- 1.0 mmol/liter cell.hr by 6 nM CTX (n = 3). The kinetic of Ca-K efflux was studied by increasing cell ionized Ca2+ using A23187 (60 mumol/liter cell), and buffering with EGTA or citrate; initial rates of net K+ efflux (90 mmol/liter cell K+) into Na+ medium containing glucose, ouabain, bumetanide at pH 7.4 were measured. Ca-K efflux increased in a sigmoidal fashion (n of Hill 1.8) when Ca2+ was raised, with a Km of 0.37 microM and saturating between 2 and 10 microM Ca2+. Ca-K efflux was partially blocked (71 +/- 7.8%, mean +/- SD, n = 17) by CTX with high affinity (IC50 0.8 nM), a finding suggesting that is a high affinity ligand of Ca-K channels. CTX also blocked 72% of the Ca-activated K+ efflux into 75 mM K+ medium, which counteracted membrane hyperpolarization, cell acidification and cell shrinkage produced by opening of the K+ channel in Na+ media. CTX did not block Valinomycin-activated K+ efflux into Na+ or K+ medium and therefore it does not inhibit K+ movement coupled to anion conductive permeability. The Vmax, but not the Km-Ca of Ca-K efflux showed large individual differences varying between 4.8 and 15.8 mmol/liter cell.min (FU). In red cells with Hb A, Vmax was 9.36 +/- 3.0 FU (mean +/- SD, n = 17). The Vmax of the CTX-sensitive, Ca-K efflux was 6.27 +/- 2.5 FU (range 3.4 to 16.4 FU) in Hb A red cells and it was not significantly different in Hb S (6.75 +/- 3.2 FU, n = 8). Since there is larger fraction of reticulocytes in Hb S red cells, this finding indicates that cell age might not be an important determinant of the Vmax of Ca-K+ efflux. Estimation of the number of CTX-sensitive Ca-activated K+ channels per cell indicate that there are 1 to 3 channels/per cell either in Hb A or Hb S red cells. The CTX-insensitive K+ efflux (2.7 +/- 0.9 FU) may reflect the activity of a different channel, nonspecific changes in permeability or coupling to an anion conductive pathway.

Charybdotoxin block of Shaker K+ channels suggests that different types of K+ channels share common structural features

Charybdotoxin (CTX), a 37 amino acid protein isolated from the venom of L. quinquestriatus, is a high-affinity blocker of various Ca2(+)-activated K+ channels. CTX also blocks Drosophila Shaker (Sh) clone H4 transient K+ currents expressed in Xenopus oocytes with similar affinity (Kd = 3.6 nM). CTX blocks both the open and the closed states of Sh channels with no apparent change in gating behavior. In addition, the block is enhanced as the ionic strength is lowered. These properties are identical to those of CTX block of Ca(+)-activated K+ channels, and these results suggest that the external pore openings of these two functionally dissimilar K+ channels may share common structural features.

Effects of charybdotoxin, a blocker of Ca2+-activated K+ channels, on motor nerve terminals

1. The contribution of Ca2+-activated K+ currents (IK,Ca) to the control of electrical excitability of motor nerve terminals and the control of acetylcholine release was assessed by studying the effects of the specific K(Ca) channel blocking toxins charybdotoxin and apamin. Electrical activity of the terminal regions of motor nerves was assessed by extracellular recording from an electrode placed in the perineural sheaths of nerves in the mouse triangularis sterni and frog cutaneous pectoris preparations. Acetylcholine release was monitored by intracellular recording of endplate potentials (e.p.ps). 2. Charybdotoxin (20-300 nM), but not apamin (10 nM-2.5 microM), selectively reduced the amplitude of an IK,Ca unmasked by prior blockade of the delayed rectifier K+ current with 3,4-diaminopyridine (3,4-DAP). 3. In the combined presence of 3,4-DAP and charybdotoxin, large Ca2+-dependent plateau responses developed, but only moderate and transient increases in acetylcholine release occurred. 4. In the absence of 3,4-DAP, charybdotoxin did not alter the electrical activity of, or the transmitter release from motor nerve terminals. 5. A possible role of the charybdotoxin-sensitive IK,Ca in the control of transmitter release is discussed.

An emerging pharmacology of peptide toxins targeted against potassium channels

Voltage-dependent ion channels are a difficult class of proteins to approach biochemically. Many such channels are present at low density in relevant tissues and exist as multiple subtypes that can be distinguished electrophysiologically. In particular, K channels appear to be a diverse family of proteins characterized by many different conductance properties, gating behaviors and regulatory phenomena. Fortunately, specific peptide toxins for K channels are present in the venoms of insects, scorpions, snakes and possibly other species. The available sequences of these peptides define several different families of toxins. Electrophysiological and radioligand binding studies suggest that these toxins can be used to distinguish subclasses of K channels that share similar toxin binding sites. The growing databank of sequence homologies for both toxins and channels is, in essence, a codebook for identifying common elements of structure and function. The continuing development of toxins as biochemical probes should help to uncover the molecular basis and physiological significance of K-channel diversity.

Is Ca2+ -activated potassium efflux involved in the formation of ischemic brain edema?

A possible role of Ca2+ -activated potassium efflux in brain ischemia was studied using a rat focal cortical infarction model. Three days after ischemic insult, tissue contents of water, sodium, potassium and calcium ions were measured. Charybdotoxin, a specific inhibitor of Ca2+ -activated potassium efflux, was found to reduce the formation of ischemic brain edema when a dosage of 0.15 mg/kg was given by i.v. 20-30 min prior to the onset of ischemic insult.

Charybdotoxin improves motor recovery of the rat after spinal cord injury

Charybdotoxin, a highly specific inhibitor of calcium-activated potassium efflux, was found to protect rat spinal cord against dynamic impact injury. In a control (nontreated) group, a weight drop of 10 gram X 5 cm on the T-11 segment of the rat spinal cord paralyzed hindlimbs, and recovery was slow. After 4 weeks, Tarlov scores (a behavioral index) were 1 to 2; the hind legs could not support body weight. In contrast, with animals pretreated 30 minutes prior to the injury by 0.12 mg charybdotoxin/kg (IP), Tarlov scores increased to 3.5-4.5 by three weeks after injury; animals could walk with some deficit. A possible mechanism for the protective effect of this drug is discussed.

Patch-clamp studies in human macrophages: single-channel and whole-cell characterization of two K+ conductances

Human peripheral blood monocytes cultured for varying periods of time were studied using whole-cell and single-channel patch-clamp recording techniques. Whole-cell recordings revealed both an outward K current activating at potentials greater than 20 mV and an inwardly rectifying K current present at potentials negative to -60 mV. Tail currents elicited by voltage steps that activated outward current reversed near EK, indicating that the outward current was due to a K conductance. The I-V curve for the macroscopic outward current was similar to the mean single-channel I-V curve for the large conductance (240 pS in symmetrical K) calcium-activated K channel present in these cells. TEA and charybdotoxin blocked the whole-cell outward current and the single-channel current. Excised and cell-attached single-channel data showed that calcium-activated K channels were absent in freshly isolated monocytes but were present in greater than 85% of patches from macrophages cultured for greater than 7 days. Only 35% of the human macrophages cultured for greater than 7 days exhibited whole-cell inward currents. The inward current was blocked by external barium and increased when [K]o increased. Inward-rectifying single-channel currents with a conductance of 28 pS were present in cells exhibiting inward whole-cell currents. These single-channel currents are similar to those described in detail in J774.1 cells (L.C. McKinney & E.K. Gallin, J. Membrane Biol. 103:41-53, 1988).

Multiple types of voltage-dependent Ca2+-activated K+ channels of large conductance in rat brain synaptosomal membranes

K+-selective ion channels from a mammalian brain synaptosomal membrane preparation were inserted into planar phospholipid bilayers on the tips of patch-clamp pipettes, and single-channel currents were measured. Multiple distinct classes of K+ channels were observed. We have characterized and described the properties of several types of voltage-dependent, Ca2+-activated K+ channels of large single-channel conductance (greater than 50 pS in symmetrical KCl solutions). One class of channels (Type I) has a 200-250-pS single-channel conductance. It is activated by internal calcium concentrations greater than 10(-7) M, and its probability of opening is increased by membrane depolarization. This channel is blocked by 1-3 mM internal concentrations of tetraethylammonium (TEA). These channels are similar to the BK channel described in a variety of tissues. A second novel group of voltage-dependent, Ca2+-activated K+ channels was also studied. These channels were more sensitive to internal calcium, but less sensitive to voltage than the large (Type I) channel. These channels were minimally affected by internal TEA concentrations of 10 mM, but were blocked by a 50 mM concentration. In this class of channels we found a wide range of relatively large unitary channel conductances (65-140 pS). Within this group we have characterized two types (75-80 pS and 120-125 pS) that also differ in gating kinetics. The various types of voltage-dependent, Ca2+-activated K+ channels described here were blocked by charybdotoxin added to the external side of the channel. The activity of these channels was increased by exposure to nanomolar concentrations of the catalytic subunit of cAMP-dependent protein kinase. These results indicate that voltage-dependent, charybdotoxin-sensitive Ca2+-activated K+ channels comprise a class of related, but distinguishable channel types. Although the Ca2+-activated (Type I and II) K+ channels can be distinguished by their single-channel properties, both could contribute to the voltage-dependent Ca2+-activated macroscopic K+ current (IC) that has been observed in several neuronal somata preparations, as well as in other cells. Some of the properties reported here may serve to distinguish which type contributes in each case. A third class of smaller (40-50 pS) channels was also studied. These channels were independent of calcium over the concentration range examined (10(-7)-10(-3) M), and were also independent of voltage over the range of pipette potentials of -60 to +60 mV. Type III channels were unaffected by internal TEA concentrations <50 mM. Our results also indicate that the study of K+ channels in lipid bilayers may allow the identification and characterization of novel K+ channels from brain regions otherwise inaccessible to conventional recording techniques.

Purification, sequence, and model structure of charybdotoxin, a potent selective inhibitor of calcium-activated potassium channels

Charybdotoxin (ChTX), a protein present in the venom of the scorpion Leiurus quinquestriatus var. hebraeus, has been purified to homogeneity by a combination of ion-exchange and reversed-phase chromatography. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, amino acid analysis, and complete amino acid sequence determination of the pure protein reveal that it consists of a single polypeptide chain of 4.3 kDa. Purified ChTX is a potent and selective inhibitor of the approximately 220-pS Ca2+-activated K+ channel present in GH3 anterior pituitary cells and primary bovine aortic smooth muscle cells. The toxin reversibly blocks channel activity by interacting at the external pore of the channel protein with an apparent Kd of 2.1 nM. The primary structure of ChTX is similar to a number of neurotoxins of diverse origin, which suggests that ChTX is a member of a superfamily of proteins that modify ion-channel activities. On the basis of this similarity, the three-dimensional structure of ChTX has been modeled from the known crystal structure of alpha-bungarotoxin. These studies indicate that ChTX is useful as a probe of Ca2+-activated K+-channel function and suggest that the proposed tertiary structure of ChTX may provide insight into the mechanism of channel block.

Charybdotoxin block of single Ca2+-activated K+ channels. Effects of channel gating, voltage, and ionic strength

Charybdotoxin (CTX), a small, basic protein from scorpion venom, strongly inhibits the conduction of K ions through high-conductance, Ca2+-activated K+ channels. The interaction of CTX with Ca2+-activated K+ channels from rat skeletal muscle plasma membranes was studied by inserting single channels into uncharged planar phospholipid bilayers. CTX blocks K+ conduction by binding to the external side of the channel, with an apparent dissociation constant of approximately 10 nM at physiological ionic strength. The dwell-time distributions of both blocked and unblocked states are single-exponential. The toxin association rate varies linearly with the CTX concentration, and the dissociation rate is independent of it. CTX is competent to block both open and closed channels; the association rate is sevenfold faster for the open channel, while the dissociation rate is the same for both channel conformations. Membrane depolarization enhances the CTX dissociation rate e-fold/28 mV; if the channel's open probability is maintained constant as voltage varies, then the toxin association rate is voltage independent. Increasing the external solution ionic strength from 20 to 300 mM (with K+, Na+, or arginine+) reduces the association rate by two orders of magnitude, with little effect on the dissociation rate. We conclude that CTX binding to the Ca2+-activated K+ channel is a bimolecular process, and that the CTX interaction senses both voltage and the channel's conformational state. We further propose that a region of fixed negative charge exists near the channel's CTX-binding site.

Mechanism of charybdotoxin block of the high-conductance, Ca2+-activated K+ channel

The mechanism of charybdotoxin (CTX) block of single Ca2+-activated K+ channels from rat muscle was studied in planar lipid bilayers. CTX blocks the channel from the external solution, and K+ in the internal solution specifically relieves toxin block. The effect of K+ is due solely to an enhancement of the CTX dissociation rate. As internal K+ is raised, the CTX dissociation rate increases in a rectangular hyperbolic fashion from a minimum value at low K+ of 0.01 s-1 to a maximum value of approximately 0.2 s-1. As the membrane is depolarized, internal K+ more effectively accelerates CTX dissociation. As the membrane is hyperpolarized, the toxin dissociation rate approaches 0.01 s-1, regardless of the K+ concentration. When internal K+ is replaced by Na+, CTX dissociation is no longer voltage dependent. The permeant ion Rb also accelerates toxin dissociation from the internal solution, while the impermeant ions Li, Na, Cs, and arginine do not. These results argue that K ions can enter the CTX-blocked channel from the internal solution to reach a site located nearly all the way through the conduction pathway; when K+ occupies this site, CTX is destabilized on its blocking site by approximately 1.8 kcal/mol. The most natural way to accommodate these conclusions is to assume that CTX physically plugs the channel's externally facing mouth.

Charybdotoxin and noxiustoxin, two homologous peptide inhibitors of the K+ (Ca2+) channel

We show that noxiustoxin (NTX), like charybdotoxin (CTX) described by others, affects Ca2+-activated K+ channels of skeletal muscle (K+(Ca2+) channels). Chemical characterization of CTX shows that it is similar to NTX. Although the amino-terminal amino acid of CTX is not readily available, the molecule was partially sequenced after CNBr cleavage. A decapeptide corresponding to the C-terminal region of NTX shows 60% homology to that of CTX, maintaining the cysteine residues at the same positions. While CTX blocks the K+ (Ca2+) channels with a Kd of 1-3 nM, for NTX it is approx. 450 nM. Both peptides can interact simultaneously with the same channel. NTX and CTX promise to be good tools for channel isolation.

Voltage-dependent K+ currents and underlying single K+ channels in pheochromocytoma cells

Properties of the whole-cell K+ currents and voltage-dependent activation and inactivation properties of single K+ channels in clonal pheochromocytoma (PC-12) cells were studied using the patch-clamp recording technique. Depolarizing pulses elicited slowly inactivating whole-cell K+ currents, which were blocked by external application of tetraethylammonium+, 4-aminopyridine, and quinidine. The amplitudes and time courses of these K+ currents were largely independent of the prepulse voltage. Although pharmacological agents and manipulation of the voltage-clamp pulse protocol failed to reveal any additional separable whole-cell currents in a majority of the cells examined, single-channel recordings showed that, in addition to the large Ca++-dependent K+ channels described previously in many other preparations, PC-12 cells had at least four distinct types of K+ channels activated by depolarization. These four types of K+ channels differed in the open-channel current-voltage relation, time course of activation and inactivation, and voltage dependence of activation and inactivation. These K+ channels were designated the Kw, Kz, Ky, and Kx channels. The typical chord conductances of these channels were 18, 12, 7, and 7 pS in the excised configuration using Na+-free saline solutions. These four types of K+ channels opened in the presence of low concentrations of internal Ca++ (1 nM). Their voltage-dependent gating properties can account for the properties of the whole-cell K+ currents in PC-12 cells.

Pharmacological and physiological properties of the after-hyperpolarization current of bullfrog ganglion neurones

1. The slowly decaying, calcium-dependent after-hyperpolarization (a.h.p.) that follows action potentials in bullfrog ganglion B cells has previously been shown to be generated by a potassium current called IAHP. We have recorded IAHP using a switched, single-electrode hybrid clamp where current-clamp mode was changed to voltage-clamp mode immediately after repolarization of a spike or the last spike of a train. 2. Reduction of extracellular calcium reduced the decay time of IAHP following a single spike. At all levels of extracellular calcium tested (0.5-4 mM), the decay time of IAHP was longer following a train of action potentials than following a single action potential. Thus, the time course of IAHP evoked by action potentials is a function of the calcium load induced by the action potentials. Conversely, agents that reduce the amount of IAHP activated without affecting its rate of decay, probably do not affect calcium influx. 3. Muscarine (2 or 10 microM) inhibits IAHP following an action potential by at most 30% and has no effect on decay rate of IAHP. These results suggest that muscarine has little or no effect on either calcium influx or sequestration. Decay of the a.h.p. is accelerated by muscarine but this effect is due to an increased leak conductance. 4. Charybdotoxin (CTX) between 4 and 20 nM, prolongs action potential duration in a manner consistent with blockade of the voltage- and calcium-dependent potassium current (Ic) involved in spike repolarization in these cells. This action is consistent with its reported action on analogous channels in other systems. However, CTX also reduces IAHP. Thus, in bullfrog ganglion neurones, two distinct calcium-dependent potassium currents exhibit a comparable sensitivity to CTX. This cannot be due to a decreased influx of calcium because the decay rate of IAHP following an action potential is unchanged. The action of CTX was observed with both crude and purified preparations of CTX. 5. Apamin (25 nM) and (+)-tubocurarine (concentration giving 50% of maximal inhibition = 20 microM) block IAHP without affecting action potential duration. The action of (+)-tubocurarine is more readily reversible than apamin. Approximately 20% of IAHP is resistant to blockade by either apamin or (+)-tubocurarine. 6. Muscarine was used to block the M-current (IM) selectively and (+)-tubocurarine was used to inhibit IAHP selectively. Both currents were shown to contribute to spike frequency adaptation. Inhibition of both IM and IAHP has a synergistic action to increase repetitive firing.

Properties of two calcium-activated hyperpolarizations in rat hippocampal neurones

1. Intracellular recording from hippocampal CA1 pyramidal cells in the slice preparation was used to analyse the pharmacological sensitivity of action potential repolarization and the hyperpolarizations that follow the action potential. The Ca2+-activated after-hyperpolarizations (a.h.p.s) could be divided into a fast a.h.p. with a time course of milliseconds, and a slow a.h.p. which lasted for a few seconds at a temperature of 30 degrees C. 2. The repolarization of the action potential is sensitive to the Ca2+ channel blocker Cd2+. This effect is simultaneous with a block of the fast a.h.p. which follows immediately upon the repolarization of the action potential. The slow a.h.p. was also blocked by Cd2+. 3. Low concentrations of the K+ channel blocker, tetraethylammonium (TEA; 200-500 microM), block the fast a.h.p. and slow down action potential repolarization. The slow a.h.p. was not affected by low concentrations of TEA. 4. The action potential repolarization and the fast a.h.p. are also reversibly sensitive to charybdotoxin. This agent had no effect on the slow a.h.p. 5. When EGTA or BAPTA were added to the normal recording electrolyte (KMeSO4), the generation of slow a.h.p.s was prevented. In addition, cells impaled with BAPTA-containing electrodes displayed broader action potentials and much reduced fast a.h.p.s compared to recordings made with electrodes containing KMeSO4 alone or with EGTA. 6. The slow a.h.p. can be eliminated by noradrenaline, 8-bromocyclic AMP or carbachol. Under these conditions there are no effects on the fast a.h.p. or on action potential duration. 7. Block of the fast a.h.p. with TEA or CTX (charybdotoxin) is associated with an increased frequency of the first few action potentials during a depolarization. This is a quite distinct effect from the greatly increased number of action potentials which results from block of the slow a.h.p. 8. The results support a conclusion that the fast a.h.p. is generated by the TEA- and voltage-sensitive Ca2+-activated K+ current, IC. This current is involved in spike repolarization and turns off upon the return to resting potential. Thus block of IC has no effect on the slow a.h.p. which is caused by a separate membrane current.

Potassium transport in cortical collecting tubules from mineralocorticoid-treated rat

Unidirectional fluxes of 86Rb+ were used to examine the stimulation of K+ secretion produced by arginine vasopressin (ADH) in isolated perfused cortical collecting tubules from rats treated with desoxycorticosterone. ADH at 100 microU/ml in the bathing solution increased the bath-to-lumen flux (Jb----l; pmol X min-1 X mm-1) from 16.9 +/- 2.3 to 43.2 +/- 4.6 (n = 16). The lumen-to-bath flux (Jl----b) fell from 3.2 +/- 0.7 to 1.3 +/- 0.4 with ADH due to hyperpolarization of the transepithelial voltage from -12.6 +/- 1.3 to -39.3 +/- 2.0 mV, but the calculated Rb+ permeability was unaltered at 0.20-0.26 micron/s. Although 2 mM lumen Ba2+ inhibited Jb----l by 55 +/- 6%, the flux ratio (Jb----l/Jl----b) of 28 +/- 8 was larger than predicted for passive exchange. In the absence of ADH 2 mM Ba2+ reduced Jb----l to the level predicted for passive movement, but addition of ADH with Ba2+ still present increased Jb----l by an amount identical to that observed without Ba2+, although the absolute Jb----l was less. Simultaneous addition of 2 mM luminal and 4 mM bath Ba2+ also inhibited Jl----b for 22Na+ but not to passive levels. These results indicate either that the concentrations of Ba2+ used were insufficient to block K+ conductances completely or that K+/Rb+ secretion can occur through a Ba2+-insensitive pathway.

Charybdotoxin selectively blocks small Ca-activated K channels in Aplysia neurons

The action of charybdotoxin (ChTX), a peptide component isolated from the venom of the scorpion Leiurus quinquestriatus, was investigated on membrane currents of identified neurons from the marine mollusk, Aplysia californica. Macroscopic current recordings showed that the external application of ChTX blocks the Ca-activated K current in a dose- and voltage-dependent manner. The apparent dissociation constant is 30 nM at V = -30 mV and increases e-fold for a +50- to +70-mV change in membrane potential, which indicates that the toxin molecule is sensitive to approximately 35% of the transmembrane electric field. The toxin is bound to the receptor with a 1:1 stoichiometry and its effect is reversible after washout. The toxin also suppresses the membrane leakage conductance and a resting K conductance activated by internal Ca ions. The toxin has no significant effect on the inward Na or Ca currents, the transient K current, or the delayed rectifier K current. Records from Ca-activated K channels revealed a single channel conductance of 35 +/- 5 pS at V = 0 mV in asymmetrical K solution. The channel open probability increased with the internal Ca concentration and with membrane voltage. The K channels were blocked by submillimolar concentrations of tetraethylammonium ions and by nanomolar concentrations of ChTX, but were not blocked by 4-aminopyridine if applied externally on outside-out patches. From the effects of ChTX on K current and on bursting pacemaker activity, it is concluded that the termination of bursts is in part controlled by a Ca-activated K conductance.

Action potential repolarization and a fast after-hyperpolarization in rat hippocampal pyramidal cells

1. The repolarization of the action potential, and a fast after-hyperpolarization (a.h.p.) were studied in CA1 pyramidal cells (n = 76) in rat hippocampal slices (28-37 degrees C). Single spikes were elicited by brief (1-3 ms) current pulses, at membrane potentials close to rest (-60 to -70 mV). 2. Each action potential was followed by four after-potentials: (a) the fast a.h.p., lasting 2-5 ms; (b) an after-depolarization; (c) a medium a.h.p., (50-100 ms); and (d) a slow a.h.p. (1-2 s). Both the fast a.h.p. and the slow a.h.p. (but not the medium a.h.p.) were inhibited by Ca2+-free medium or Ca2+-channel blockers (Co2+, Mn2+ or Cd2+); but tetraethylammonium (TEA; 0.5-2 nM) blocked only the fast a.h.p., and noradrenaline (2-5 microM) only the slow a.h.p. This suggests that two Ca2+-activated K+ currents were involved: a fast, TEA-sensitive one (IC) underlying the fast a.h.p., and a slow noradrenaline-sensitive one (IAHP) underlying the slow a.h.p. 3. Like the fast a.h.p., spike repolarization seems to depend on a Ca2+-dependent K+ current of the fast, TEA-sensitive kind (IC). The repolarization was slowed by Ca2+-free medium, Co2+, Mn2+, Cd2+, or TEA, but not by noradrenaline. Charybdotoxin (CTX; 30 nM), a scorpion toxin which blocks the large-conductance Ca2+-activated K+ channel in muscle, had a similar effect to TEA. The effects of TEA and Cd2+ (or Mn2+) showed mutual occlusion. Raising the external K+ concentration reduced the fast a.h.p. and slowed the spike repolarization, whereas Cl- loading of the cell was ineffective. 4. The transient K+ current, IA, seems also to contribute to spike repolarization, because: (a) 4-aminopyridine (4-AP; 0.1 mM), which blocks IA, slowed the spike repolarization; (b) depolarizing pre-pulses, which inactivate IA, had a similar effect; (c) hyperpolarizing pre-pulses speeded up the spike repolarization; (d) the effects of 4-AP and pre-pulses persisted during Ca2+ blockade (like IA); and (e) depolarizing pre-pulses reduced the effect of 4-AP. 5. Pre-pulses or 4-AP broadened the spike less, and in a different manner, than Ca2+-free medium, Cd2+, Co2+, Mn2+, TEA or CTX. The former broadening was uniform, with little effect on the fast a.h.p., whereas the latter affected mostly the last two-thirds of the spike repolarization and abolished the fast a.h.p.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Blocking agents of Ca2+-activated K+ channels in cultured medullary thick ascending limb cells

Ca2+-activated K+ channels with estimated single channel conductances of 127 +/- 2 pS were identified in the apical cell membrane of clone A3 of cultured medullary thick ascending limb (MTAL) cells. Both Ba2+ and the scorpion toxin, charybdotoxin (CTX), are slow blockers of the channels. An application of 0.1 microM Ba2+ to the intracellular face caused a 50% reduction in fractional open time (fv). Ba2+ block is both concentration and voltage dependent. Concentrations of CTX as low as 2 nM in the extracellular solution caused a significant reduction in fv. Tetraethylammonium (TEA) and quinine are fast blockers of Ca2+-activated K+ channels in MTAL cells. TEA, 400 microM, in the extracellular solution caused a voltage-dependent reduction in channel amplitude, whereas it takes 10 mM in the intracellular solution to reduce channel amplitude by 30%. Micromolar amounts of quinine applied to the intracellular face caused the channels to flicker rapidly between open and blocked states. These results suggest that K+ channels in MTAL cells are homologous to those found in muscle cells, and that these blocking agents may be used to probe the nature of K+ conductances in several nephron segments.

Purification of charybdotoxin, a specific inhibitor of the high-conductance Ca2+-activated K+ channel

Charybdotoxin is a high-affinity specific inhibitor of the high-conductance Ca2+-activated K+ channel found in the plasma membranes of many vertebrate cell types. Using Ca2+-activated K+ channels reconstituted into planar lipid bilayer membranes as an assay, we have purified the toxin from the venom of the scorpion Leiurus quinquestriatus by a two-step procedure involving chromatofocusing on SP-Sephadex, followed by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. Charybdotoxin is shown to be a highly basic protein with a mass of 10 kDa. Under our standard assay conditions, the purified toxin inhibits the Ca2+-activated K+ channel with an apparent dissociation constant of 3.5 nM. The protein is unusually stable, with inhibitory potency being insensitive to boiling or exposure to organic solvents. The toxin's activity is sensitive to chymotrypsin treatment and to acylation of lysine groups. The protein may be radioiodinated without loss of activity.

Charybdotoxin, a protein inhibitor of single Ca2+-activated K+ channels from mammalian skeletal muscle

The recent development of techniques for recording currents through single ionic channels has led to the identification of a K+-specific channel that is activated by cytoplasmic Ca2+. The channel has complex properties, being activated by depolarizing voltages and having a voltage-sensitivity that is modulated by cytoplasmic Ca2+ levels. The conduction behaviour of the channel is also unusual, its high ionic selectivity being displayed simultaneously with a very high unitary conductance. Very little is known about the biochemistry of this channel, largely due to the lack of a suitable ligand for use as a biochemical probe for the channel. We describe here a protein inhibitor of single Ca2+-activated K+ channels of mammalian skeletal muscle. This inhibitor, a minor component of the venom of the Israeli scorpion, Leiurus quinquestriatus, reversibly blocks the large Ca2+-activated K+ channel in a simple biomolecular reaction. We have partially purified the active component, a basic protein of relative molecular mass (Mr) approximately 7,000.

A study on the membrane depolarization of skeletal muscles caused by a scorpion toxin, sea anemone toxin II and crotamine and the interaction between toxins

Quinquestriatus toxin (QTX) isolated from the venom of a scorpion (Leiurus quinquestriatus) and sea anemone (Anemonia sulcata) toxin II enhanced the twitch response of the rat and mouse diaphragms and like crotamine (isolated from the venom of Crotalus durissus terrificus) caused spontaneous fasciculation of the muscle. Trains of action potentials in muscles at 70-250 Hz, which could not be antagonized by (+)-tubocurarine, were triggered by single stimulation or occurred spontaneously after treatment with these toxins. QTX and toxin II prolonged the rat muscle action potential 3 to 4 fold whereas crotamine prolonged the action potential by only 30%. The membrane potential was depolarized from about -82 mV to -55 mV by crotamine 2 micrograms ml-1, -41 mV by toxin II 5 micrograms ml-1 and to -50 mV by QTX 1 microgram ml-1. The concentrations to induce 50% maximal depolarization (K0.5) were 0.07, 0.15 and greater than 0.4 microgram ml-1, respectively, for QTX, crotamine and toxin II, whereas the rates of depolarization were in the order toxin II greater than or equal to crotamine greater than QTX. The depolarizing effects of crotamine and QTX, but not of toxin II, were saturable. The depolarizing effects of all three toxins were irreversible whereas the membrane potential could be restored by tetrodotoxin non-competitively. Simultaneous treatment with crotamine and QTX or crotamine and toxin II at concentrations below K0.5 caused only additive effects on depolarization. When the muscle was depolarized by pretreating with a saturating concentration of crotamine, the onset of depolarization by QTX was greatly retarded whereas that by toxin II was unaffected. Action potentials were further prolonged in both cases. 8 It is inferred that all three peptide toxins act at sites on the sodium channel and the binding sites for QTX and crotamine overlap to a considerable extent. On the other hand, the site for toxin II appears not to overlap with that of crotamine but may overlap with that of QTX.