Fast events in single-channel currents activated by acetylcholine and its analogues at the frog muscle end-plate

Direct effects of calmodulin on NMDA receptor single-channel gating in rat hippocampal granule cells

NMDA receptors are glutamate-sensitive ion channel receptors that mediate excitatory synaptic transmission and are widely implicated in synaptic plasticity and integration of synaptic activity in the CNS. This is in part attributable to the high calcium permeability of the ion channel, which allows receptor activation to influence the intracellular calcium concentration and also the slow time course of NMDA receptor-mediated synaptic currents. NMDA receptor activity is also regulated by the intracellular calcium concentration through activation of various calcium-dependent proteins, including calmodulin, calcineurin, protein kinase C, and alpha-actinin-2. Here, we have shown that calmodulin reduces the duration of native NMDA receptor single-channel openings from 3.5 +/- 0.6 msec to 1.71 +/- 0.2 msec in agreement with previous studies on recombinant NMDA receptors (Ehlers et al., 1996). NMDA receptor single-channel amplitudes and shut times were not affected. However, calmodulin reduced the duration of groups of channel openings called superclusters, which determine the slow time course of synaptic currents, from 121 +/- 25.4 msec to 60.4 +/- 11.6 msec. In addition, total open time, number of channel openings, and charge transfer per supercluster were all reduced by calmodulin. A 68% decrease in charge transfer per supercluster suggests that calmodulin activation will significantly reduce calcium influx during synaptic transmission. These results suggest that calmodulin-dependent inhibition of NMDA receptors will reduce the amplitude and time course of excitatory synaptic currents and thus affect synaptic plasticity and integration of synaptic activity in the CNS.

Naturally occurring mutations at the acetylcholine receptor binding site independently alter ACh binding and channel gating

By defining functional defects in a congenital myasthenic syndrome (CMS), we show that two mutant residues, located in a binding site region of the acetylcholine receptor (AChR) epsilon subunit, exert opposite effects on ACh binding and suppress channel gating. Single channel kinetic analysis reveals that the first mutation, epsilon N182Y, increases ACh affinity for receptors in the resting closed state, which promotes sequential occupancy of the binding sites and discloses rate constants for ACh occupancy of the nonmutant alphadelta site. Studies of the analogous mutation in the delta subunit, deltaN187Y, disclose rate constants for ACh occupancy of the nonmutant alpha epsilon site. The second CMS mutation, epsilon D175N, reduces ACh affinity for receptors in the resting closed state; occupancy of the mutant site still promotes gating because a large difference in affinity is maintained between closed and open states. epsilon D175N impairs overall gating, however, through an effect independent of ACh occupancy. When mapped on a structural model of the AChR binding site, epsilon N182Y localizes to the interface with the alpha subunit, and epsilon D175 to the entrance of the ACh binding cavity. Both epsilon N182Y and epsilon D175 show state specificity in affecting closed relative to desensitized state affinities, suggesting that the protein chain harboring epsilon N182 and epsilon D175 rearranges in the course of receptor desensitization. The overall results show that key residues at the ACh binding site differentially stabilize the agonist bound to closed, open and desensitized states, and provide a set point for gating of the channel.

GABA(A) receptor activation and open-channel block by volatile anaesthetics: a new principle of receptor modulation?

The rapid application of solutions containing the volatile anaesthetics isoflurane or sevoflurane induced inward currents in human embryonic kidney (HEK293) cells carrying rat recombinant alpha(1)beta(2)gamma(2L) GABA(A) receptor assemblies. The responses evoked by the anaesthetics applied via a fast delivery system were recorded using the patch-clamp technique in the whole-cell mode. The anaesthetics induced a fast inward current which was followed by a prominent tail current upon the rapid withdrawal of the agent. These currents were simulated using a kinetic scheme embodying two agonist-like binding steps required for receptor activation, and one binding step by which the anaesthetic induces an open-channel block. According to this model of a biphasic receptor modulation, the open-channel block delays the ion flux through the ligand-gated receptors and, thus, prolongs the overall duration of the current response. Open-channel blocks might also be operative in other ligand-gated ion channels to modulate synaptic strength.

Mechanism of tacrine block at adult human muscle nicotinic acetylcholine receptors

We used single-channel kinetic analysis to study the inhibitory effects of tacrine on human adult nicotinic receptors (nAChRs) transiently expressed in HEK 293 cells. Single channel recording from cell-attached patches revealed concentration- and voltage-dependent decreases in mean channel open probability produced by tacrine (IC(50) 4.6 microM at -70 mV, 1.6 microM at -150 mV). Two main effects of tacrine were apparent in the open- and closed-time distributions. First, the mean channel open time decreased with increasing tacrine concentration in a voltage-dependent manner, strongly suggesting that tacrine acts as an open-channel blocker. Second, tacrine produced a new class of closings whose duration increased with increasing tacrine concentration. Concentration dependence of closed-times is not predicted by sequential models of channel block, suggesting that tacrine blocks the nAChR by an unusual mechanism. To probe tacrine's mechanism of action we fitted a series of kinetic models to our data using maximum likelihood techniques. Models incorporating two tacrine binding sites in the open receptor channel gave dramatically improved fits to our data compared with the classic sequential model, which contains one site. Improved fits relative to the sequential model were also obtained with schemes incorporating a binding site in the closed channel, but only if it is assumed that the channel cannot gate with tacrine bound. Overall, the best description of our data was obtained with a model that combined two binding sites in the open channel with a single site in the closed state of the receptor.

Chemokine receptor CXCR2 regulates the functional properties of AMPA-type glutamate receptor GluR1 in HEK cells

Experiments were conducted in both HEK cells and cerebellar neurons to investigate whether CXC chemokine receptor 2 (CXCR2) is functionally coupled to GluR1. The co-expression of CXCR2 with GluR1 in HEK cells increased (i) the GluR1 "apparent" affinity for the transmitter; (ii) the GluR1 channel open probability; and (iii) GluR1 binding site cooperativity upon CXCR2 stimulation with CXC chemokine ligand 2 (CXCL2). The affinity of C-terminal-deleted GluR1 for glutamate (Glu) remained stable instead. Furthermore, CXCL2 increased the binding site cooperativity of AMPA receptors in rat cerebellar granule cells; and the amplitude of spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic current (sEPSCs) in Purkinje neurons (PNs). Our findings indicate that the coupling of CXCR2 with GluR1 may modulate glutamatergic synaptic transmission.

Serotonin antagonizes the human neuronal alpha7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor and becomes an agonist after L248T alpha7 mutation

The effects of serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine or 5HT) on chick alpha7 nicotinic receptors have already been described. However similar studies on human alpha7 receptors have been lacking. To begin to fill this deficiency, studies were made on wild-type and mutant human alpha7 (halpha7) receptors expressed in Xenopus oocytes or human BOSC 23 cells. In oocytes wild-type halpha7 receptors were blocked by 5HT, and this block was voltage-dependent. In contrast, 5HT acted as an agonist on halpha7-mutant receptors (L248T). Outside-out membrane-patches from BOSC 23 cells expressing halpha7-mutant receptors exhibited spontaneous channel openings of two conductance levels (59 pS and 76 pS) and short mean open time (0.9 ms). halpha7-Mutant channels activated by nicotine or 5HT displayed similar conductances and high Ca(2+) permeability; but longer duration (2.7 ms) than the spontaneous openings. Mutations at Cys190 and Cys191, in the extracellular N-terminus of the human alpha7 gene, did not prevent receptor expression and incorporation in the oocyte membrane (determined by alpha-bungarotoxin binding). However, both 5HT and nicotine were incapable of gating the channels, indicating that the mutated Cys residues are in, or near, the 5HT- and nicotine-binding site. This is the first report that alpha7 receptors have spontaneous openings; and that 5HT is an agonist of halpha7-mutant receptors, and an antagonist of halpha7-wild-type receptors, through interactions at, or near the acetylcholine-binding sites.

Subtypes of NMDA receptors in new-born rat hippocampal granule cells

To investigate the properties of NMDA receptors expressed in new-born rat hippocampal granule cells, recordings were made of single-channel currents produced by application of glutamate or NMDA to outside-out membrane patches. Outside-out patches displayed two distinct patterns of single-channel activity. In some patches only high conductance single-channel activity composed of 42 and 50 pS currents was observed while in others both high (42 and 50 pS) and low (17 and 33 pS) conductance single-channel currents occurred. An absence of direct transitions connecting the smallest (17 pS) and largest (50 pS) conductance unitary currents, as well as an absence of direct transitions connecting 17, 42 and 50 pS currents in sequence, suggested that high and low conductance single-channel activity may have been produced as a result of the activation of two distinct NMDA receptor populations. The NR2B subunit-selective NMDA receptor antagonist, ifenprodil, blocked the high conductance currents suggesting that these receptors contain the NR2B subunit while a clear asymmetry in the frequency of direct transitions between 17 and 42 pS conductance levels indicates the presence of NMDA receptors containing NR2D subunits. In patches containing both high and low conductance-channel activity, evidence for negative coupling between NR2B- and NR2D-like channel activity was observed, suggesting receptors containing these subunits do not gate independently or that both NR2B and NR2D subunits may be part of a single receptor molecule. We conclude that NMDA receptors in P0 hippocampal granule cells are likely to be a mixture of NR1/NR2B diheteromers and receptors of novel molecular composition that may be triheteromeric receptors composed of NR1, NR2B and NR2D subunits.

Openings of the rat recombinant alpha 1 homomeric glycine receptor as a function of the number of agonist molecules bound

The functional properties of rat homomeric alpha 1 glycine receptors were investigated using whole-cell and outside-out recording from human embryonic kidney cells transfected with rat alpha1 subunit cDNA. Whole-cell dose-response curves gave EC(50) estimates between 30 and 120 microM and a Hill slope of approximately 3.3. Single channel recordings were obtained by steady-state application of glycine (0.3, 1, or 10 microM) to outside-out patches. Single channel conductances were mostly 60-90 pS, but smaller conductances of approximately 40 pS were also seen (10% of the events) with a relative frequency that did not depend on agonist concentration. The time constants of the apparent open time distributions did not vary with agonist concentration, but short events were more frequent at low glycine concentrations. There was also evidence of a previously missed short-lived open state that was more common at lower glycine concentrations. The time constants for the different components of the burst length distributions were found to have similar values at different concentrations. Nevertheless, the mean burst length increased with increasing glycine. This was because the relative area of each burst-length component was concentration dependent and short bursts were favored at lower glycine concentrations. Durations of adjacent open and shut times were found to be strongly (negatively) correlated. Additionally, long bursts were made up of longer than average openings separated by short gaps, whereas short bursts usually consisted of single isolated short openings. The most plausible explanation for these findings is that long bursts are generated when a higher proportion of the five potential agonist binding sites on the receptor is occupied by glycine. On the basis of the concentration dependence and the intraburst structure we provide a preliminary kinetic scheme for the activation of the homomeric glycine receptor, in which any number of glycine molecules from one to five can open the channel, although not with equal efficiency.

The single-channel properties of human acetylcholine alpha 7 receptors are altered by fusing alpha 7 to the green fluorescent protein

Neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine (AcCho) receptors composed of alpha7-subunits (alpha7-AcChoRs) are involved in many physiological activities. Nevertheless, very little is known about their single-channel characteristics. By using outside-out patch-clamp recordings from Xenopus oocytes expressing wild-type (wt) alpha7-AcChoRs, we identified two classes of channel conductance: a low conductance (gamma(L)) of 72 pS and a high one (gamma(H)) of 87 pS, with mean open-times (tau(op)) of 0.6 ms. The same classes of conductances, but longer tau(op) (3 ms), were seen in experiments with chimeric alpha7 receptors in which the wtalpha7 extracellular C terminus was fused to the green fluorescent protein (wtalpha7-GFP AcChoRs). In contrast, channels with three different conductances were gated by AcCho in oocytes expressing alpha7 receptors carrying a Leu-to-Thr 248 mutation (mutalpha7) or oocytes expressing chimeric mutalpha7-GFP receptors. These conductance levels were significantly smaller, and their mean open-times were larger, than those of wtalpha7-AcChoRs. Interestingly, in the absence of AcCho, these oocytes showed single-channel openings of the same conductances, but shorter tau(op), than those activated by AcCho. Accordingly, human homomeric wtalpha7 receptors open channels of high conductance and brief lifetime, and fusion to GFP lengthens their lifetime. In contrast, mutalpha7 receptors open channels of lower conductance and longer lifetime than those gated by wtalpha7-AcChoRs, and these parameters are not greatly altered by fusing the mutalpha7 to GFP. All this evidence shows that GFP-tagging can alter importantly receptor kinetics, a fact that has to be taken into account whenever tagged proteins are used to study their function.

Mutation of the GABAA receptor M1 transmembrane proline increases GABA affinity and reduces barbiturate enhancement

All GABA(A) receptor (GABAR) subunits include an invariant proline in a consensus motif in the first transmembrane segment (M1). In receptors containing bovine alpha1, beta1 and gamma2 subunits, we analyzed the effect of mutating this M1 proline to alanine in the alpha1 or beta1 subunit using 3 different expression systems. The beta1 subunit mutant, beta1(P228A), reduced the EC(50) for GABA about 10-fold in whole cell recordings in HEK293 cells and L929 fibroblasts. The corresponding alpha1 subunit mutant (alpha1(P233A)) also reduced the GABA EC(50) when expressed in Xenopus oocytes; alpha1(P233A)beta1gamma2S receptors failed to assemble in HEK293 cells. Binding of [(3)H]flumazenil and [(3)H]muscimol to transfected HEK293 cell membranes showed similar levels of receptor expression with GABARs containing beta1 or beta1(P228A) subunits and no change in the affinity for [(3)H]flumazenil; however, the affinity for [(3)H]muscimol was increased 6-fold in GABARs containing beta1(P228A) subunits. In L929 cells, presence of the beta1(P228A) subunit reduced enhancement by barbiturates without affecting enhancement by diazepam or alfaxalone. Single channel recordings from alpha1beta1gamma2S and alpha1beta1(P228A)gamma2L GABARs showed similar channel kinetics, but beta-mutant containing receptors opened at lower GABA concentrations. We conclude that the beta1 subunit M1 segment proline affects the linkage between GABA binding and channel gating and is critical for barbiturate enhancement. Mutation of the M1 proline in the alpha1 subunit also inhibited receptor assembly.

Axotomy-induced changes in the properties of NMDA receptor channels in rat spinal cord motoneurons

Properties of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor channels were studied using the patch-clamp technique in fluorescence-labelled control and axotomised motoneurons in thin spinal cord slices. Single-channel currents induced by NMDA in outside-out patches isolated from axotomised motoneurons and voltage clamped at -100 mV, exhibited six amplitude levels with a mean conductance of 14.9 +/- 1.9, 22.2 +/- 2.7, 35.6 +/- 4.4, 49.1 +/- 3.5, 59.6 +/- 3.5 and 69.0 +/- 2.9 pS. In contrast, the conductance of NMDA receptor channels, recorded under identical conditions in control motoneurons was characterised by only four levels corresponding to 20.1 +/- 2.5, 38.0 +/- 3.0, 58.6 +/- 3.4 and 71.5 +/- 2.6 pS. The time course of deactivation of NMDA receptor EPSCs in axotomised motoneurons voltage clamped at +40 mV was double exponential. The deactivation had a similar time course in control and axotomised motoneurons from 6-day-old animals; however, the deactivation became faster with increased time after injury. The fast and slow time constants in motoneurons 8 days after axotomy became three times faster than in controls. NMDA receptor-mediated responses were voltage dependent in the presence of extracellular Mg(2+). In axotomised motoneurons Boltzmann analysis of the relationship between the peak amplitude of NMDA receptor EPSCs or NMDA-induced responses and membrane potential suggested an apparent K(d) for Mg(2+) binding (at 0 mV) of 1.2 +/- 0.5 and 3.4 +/- 3.9 mM, respectively. Single-cell RT-PCR analysis of mRNA revealed that NR2A-D and NR3A subunit transcripts were expressed in axotomised motoneurons. The results of our experiments suggest that in addition to genotypic control of NMDA receptors in motoneurons, axotomy, an experimental model of neurodegeneration, alters functional properties of the receptors in motoneurons destined to die.

Adenophostin A and ribophostin, but not inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate or manno-adenophostin, activate the Ca2+ release-activated Ca2+ current, I(CRAC), in weak intracellular Ca2+ buffer

Under physiological conditions of weak intracellular Ca(2+) buffering (0.1 mM EGTA), the second messenger Ins(1,4,5)P(3) often fails to activate any detectable store-operated Ca(2+) current. However, it has been reported that the fungal metabolite adenophostin A [which has a severalfold higher affinity than Ins(1,4,5)P(3) for Ins(1,4,5)P(3) receptors] consistently activates the current under similar conditions. Here, whole-cell patch clamp experiments have been performed to examine how adenophostin A can activate the store-operated Ca(2+) current (I(CRAC)) in RBL-1 (rat basophilic leukaemia) cells. In a strong intracellular Ca(2+) buffer, saturating concentrations of adenophostin A activated I(CRAC) maximally and the current amplitude and kinetics were indistinguishable from those obtained with high concentrations of Ins(1,4,5)P(3). In a weak Ca(2+) buffer, adenophostin A consistently activated I(CRAC), but the current was submaximal. High concentrations of Ins(1,4,5)P(3) or the non-metabolizable analogue Ins(2,4,5)P(3) were largely ineffective under these conditions. The size of I(CRAC) to adenophostin A in weak Ca(2+) buffer could be significantly increased by either inhibiting sarcoplasmic/endoplasmic-reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase ('SERCA') pumps with thapsi-gargin or enhancing mitochondrial Ca(2+) uptake, although blocking the mitochondrial Ca(2+) uniporter with Ruthenium Red did not suppress the activation of the current. Changing the levels of free ATP in the recording pipette did not enhance the size of I(CRAC) evoked by adenophostin A. We also examined two structurally distinct analogues of adenophostin A (manno-adenophostin and ribophostin), for which the affinities for the Ins(1,4,5)P(3) receptor are similar to that of Ins(1,4,5)P(3) in equilibrium binding experiments. Although these analogues were able to activate I(CRAC) to its maximal extent in strong buffer, ribophostin, but not manno-adenophostin, consistently activated the current in weak buffer. We conclude that adenophostin A and ribophostin are able to activate I(CRAC) in weak buffer through a mechanism that is quite distinct from that employed by Ins(1,4,5)P(3) and manno-adenophostin and is not related to equilibrium affinities.

Intersubunit cooperativity in the NMDA receptor

Opening of the NMDA receptor channel requires simultaneous binding of glutamate and glycine. Although the binding sites for each agonist are in different subunits, the presence of one agonist influences the binding of the other. We have localized regions in the S1 binding domain of both subunits required for the transmission of allosteric signals from the glutamate binding NR2A subunit to the glycine binding NR1 subunit. Three-dimensional modeling indicates that these segments are not directly involved in ligand binding, but likely form solvent-accessible loops protruding out of the binding pocket, making them suitable to relay interactions between adjacent subunits. Thus, these segments mediate negative allosteric coupling between the two subunit types that form the NMDA receptor.

The dissociation of acetylcholine from open nicotinic receptor channels

Ligand-gated ion channels bind agonists with higher affinity in the open than in the closed state. The kinetic basis of this increased affinity has remained unknown, because even though the rate constants of agonist association to and dissociation from closed receptors can be estimated with reasonable certainty, the kinetics of the binding steps in open receptors have proven to be elusive. To be able to measure the agonist-dissociation rate constant from open muscle nicotinic receptors, we increased the probability of ligand unbinding from the open state by engineering a number of mutations that speed up opening and slow down closing but leave the ligand-binding properties unchanged. Single-channel patch-clamp recordings from the wild-type and mutant constructs were performed at very low concentrations of acetylcholine (ACh). The durations of individual channel activations were analyzed assuming that "bursts" of fully liganded (diliganded) receptor openings can be terminated by ligand dissociation from the closed or open state (followed by fast closure) or by desensitization. This analysis revealed that ACh dissociates from diliganded open receptors at approximately 24 s(-1), that is, approximately 2,500 times more slowly than from diliganded closed receptors. This change alone without a concomitant change in the association rate constant to the open state quantitatively accounts for the increased equilibrium affinity of the open channel for ACh. Also, the results predict that both desensitization and ACh dissociation from the open state frequently terminate bursts of openings in naturally occurring gain-of-function mutants (which cause slow-channel congenital myasthenia) and therefore would contribute significantly to the time course of the endplate current decay in these disease conditions.

Neuronal nicotinic receptors: from protein structure to function

Neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors are a prototype of ligand-gated channels that mediate transmission in the central and peripheral nervous system. Structure-function studies performed at the amino acid level are now unraveling the determinant residues either for the properties of the ligand-binding domain or the ionic pore. In this work we review, in the light of the latest finding, the structure-function relationship of these receptors and their implication in neurological diseases.

Effects of steroids on NMDA receptors and excitatory synaptic transmission in neonatal motoneurons in rat spinal cord slices

The effect of steroids on NMDA receptors and excitatory postsynaptic transmission was studied in fluorescence-labelled motoneurons in thin spinal cord slices. In outside-out patches, NMDA-induced responses were potentiated by 79% in the presence of 20-oxopregn-5-en-3beta-yl sulfate (PS), while in the presence of 20-oxo-5alpha-pregnan-3alpha-yl sulfate (3alpha5alphaS) and 20-oxo-5beta-pregnan-3alpha-yl sulfate (3alpha5betaS) they were diminished by 57% and 66%, respectively. PS and 3alpha5betaS had no effect on the amplitude of single NMDA receptor channel openings, however, both compounds altered relative distribution of the openings to individual conductance levels. In control cases, the most frequent openings of the NMDA receptor channels were at the 70 pS conductance level, while in the presence of PS or 3alpha5betaS, the most frequent openings were at the 55 pS conductance level. Analysis of the mean current transferred by NMDA receptor channel openings at individual conductance levels indicated that in the presence of PS, the mean current induced by 55 pS conductance openings was significantly increased. In the presence of 3alpha5betaS, the mean currents induced by 55 pS and 70 pS conductance openings were significantly decreased. The amplitude of NMDA receptor-mediated EPSCs was potentiated by 54% in the presence of PS and the deactivation kinetics slowed. Neither the amplitude nor the kinetics of NMDA receptor-mediated EPSCs was significantly changed in the presence of 3alpha5betaS. The results of our experiments indicate that neurosteroids affect NMDA receptors in motoneurons. The effect appears to be influenced by the receptor subunit composition.

Sex differences in the acetylcholine receptor kinetics of postnatal and denervated rat muscle

Single-channel recording from visualised endplates in freshly dissociated muscles from postnatal and denervated rat muscle revealed the presence of a low conductance, fetal type of acetylcholine receptor. Kinetic analysis showed a main component in the burst durations with a mean of 10.8 +/- 2.7 ms (n = 29). Receptors from female rats had an additional 27.3 +/- 5.5 ms (n = 5) kinetic component which was found in one-third of the 15 female endplates. Recordings from male and female denervated muscles gave more homogeneous kinetics with single time constants of 7.2 +/- 1.3 and 7.4 +/- 1.3 ms, respectively. It is concluded that the acetylcholine receptor channels present during early development are different from those of denervated muscle.

Somatostatin activates two types of inwardly rectifying K+ channels in MIN-6 cells

Western blotting revealed the presence of five somatostatin receptor types, sst1, sst2, sst3, sst4 and sst5, in the mouse pancreatic -cell line MIN-6. In MIN-6 cells, glucose-induced electrical activity was potently (pEC50 = 12.7) and irreversibly reduced by somatostatin (SRIF-14); this was associated with hyperpolarization of the membrane potential (pEC50 = 11.2) and a decrease in the input resistance (pEC50 = 12.7). The effects of SRIF-14 were mimicked by 100 nM L-362,855 (a partial agonist at sst5 receptors), but not BIM-23027 or NNC-26,9100 (selective agonists at sst2 and sst4 receptors, respectively). CH-275 at 100 nM (a selective agonist at sst1 receptors) partially inhibited electrical activity but without membrane potential hyperpolarization. One hundred nanomolar SRIF-28 activated an inwardly rectifying K+ current (ISRIF) ISRIF was activated neither by 1 M BIM-23056 nor CYN-154806 (antagonists at sst5 and sst2 receptors, respectively). The activation of ISRIF by 100 nM SRIF-28 was, however, inhibited 93 % by BIM-23056; CYN-154806 had no effect. Both 100 nM glibenclamide and 200 M tolbutamide, blockers of the -cell ATP-sensitive K+ channel (K-ATP), reduced ISRIF by ~44 %, whereas 1 mM Ba2+ abolished ISRIF. In cell-attached patches, 100 nM SRIF-14 activated two types of single-channel currents whose properties were consistent with those of K-ATP and GIRK channels. In conclusion, somatostatin can inhibit glucose-induced electrical activity in MIN-6 cells by the combined activation of K-ATP and GIRK channels. Studies with selective agonists and antagonists are consistent with this effect being mediated by the sst5 receptor.

Design and characterization of gramicidin channels

This article summarizes methods for the chemical synthesis and biophysical characterization of gramicidins with varying sequences and labels. The family of gramicidin channels has developed into a powerful model system for understanding fundamental properties, interactions, and dynamics of proteins and lipids generally, and ion channels specifically, in biological membranes.

Coupling Gbetagamma-dependent activation to channel opening via pore elements in inwardly rectifying potassium channels

G protein-coupled inwardly rectifying potassium channels, GIRK/Kir3.x, are gated by the Gbetagamma subunits of the G protein. The molecular mechanism of gating was investigated by employing a novel yeast-based random mutagenesis approach that selected for channel mutants that are active in the absence of Gbetagamma. Mutations in TM2 were found that mimicked the Gbetagamma-activated state. The activity of these channel mutants was independent of receptor stimulation and of the availability of heterologously expressed Gbetagamma subunits but depended on PtdIns(4,5)P(2). The results suggest that the TM2 region plays a key role in channel gating following Gbetagamma binding in a phospholipid-dependent manner. This mechanism of gating in inwardly rectifying K+ channels may be similar to the involvement of the homologous region in prokaryotic KcsA potassium channel and, thus, suggests evolutionary conservation of the gating structure.

The Croonian Lecture 2000. Nicotinic acetylcholine receptor and the structural basis of fast synaptic transmission

Communication in the nervous system takes place at chemical and electrical synapses, where neurotransmitter-gated ion channels, such as the nicotinic acetylcholine (ACh) receptor, and gap junction channels control propagation of electrical signals from one cell to the next. Newly developed electron crystallographic methods have revealed the structures of these channels trapped in open as well as closed states, suggesting how they work. The ACh receptor has large vestibules extending from the membrane which shape the ACh-binding pockets and facilitate selective transport of cations across a narrow membrane-spanning pore. When ACh enters the pockets it triggers a concerted conformational change that opens the pore by destabilizing a gate in the middle of the membrane made by a ring of pore-lining alpha-helical segmets. The alternative 'open' configuration of pore-lining segments reshapes the lumen and creates new surfaces, allowing the ions to pass through. The gap junction channel uses a similar structural mechanism, involving coordinated rearrangements of alpha-helical segments in the plane of the membrane, to open its pore.

Contributions of charged residues in a cytoplasmic linking region to Na channel gating

Na channels inactivate quickly after opening, and the very highly positively charged cytoplasmic linking region between homologous domains III and IV of the channel molecule acts as the inactivation gate. To test the hypothesis that the charged residues in the domain III to domain IV linker have a role in channel function, we measured currents through wild-type and two mutant skeletal muscle Na channels expressed in Xenopus oocytes, each lacking two or three charged residues in the inactivation gate. Microscopic current measures showed that removing charges hastened activation and inactivation. Macroscopic current measures showed that removing charges altered the voltage dependence of inactivation, suggesting less coupling of the inactivation and activation processes. Reduced intracellular ionic strength shifted the midpoint of equilibrium activation gating to a greater extent, and shifted the midpoint of equilibrium inactivation gating to a lesser extent in the mutant channels. The results allow the possibility that an electrostatic mechanism contributes to the role of charged residues in Na channel inactivation gating.

Stoichiometry of human recombinant neuronal nicotinic receptors containing the b3 subunit expressed in Xenopus oocytes

The neuronal nicotinic subunit beta3 forms functional receptors when co-expressed with both an alpha and a beta subunit, such as alpha3 and beta4. We examined the subunit stoichiometry of these 'triplet' alpha3beta4beta3 receptors by expression in Xenopus oocytes of the alpha3, beta4 and beta3 subunits, either in wild-type form or after insertion of a reporter mutation. The mutation chosen was the substitution of a conserved hydrophobic residue in the second transmembrane domain of the subunits (leucine or valine 9THORN ) with a hydrophilic threonine. In other ion channels within the nicotinic superfamily, this mutation type consistently increases the potency of agonists. In muscle-type nicotinic receptors, the magnitude of this effect is approximately constant for each mutant subunit incorporated. In alpha3beta4beta3 receptors, the ACh EC50 was decreased by approximately 17-fold when this mutation was in alpha3 alone and only by fourfold when beta3 alone was mutated. Mutating beta4 was equivalent to mutating alpha3, suggesting that the 'triplet' receptor contains one copy of beta3 and two copies each of alpha3 and beta4. Mutating beta3 and alpha3 or beta3 and beta4 reduced the ACh EC50 further, to values two- to threefold lower than those seen when only alpha3 or beta4 carried the mutation. In 'pair' alpha3beta4 receptors (known to contain two alpha and three beta subunits), mutating beta4 had a greater effect on the ACh EC50 than mutating alpha3, in agreement with an alpha:beta ratio of 2:3 and a constant and independent effect of each copy of the mutation. Our results suggest that alpha3beta4beta3 neuronal nicotinic receptors contain one copy of beta3 and two copies each of alpha3 and beta4 and confirm that in pair alpha3beta4 receptors the alpha/beta subunits are present in a 2:3 ratio.

Fast potentiation of glycine receptor channels of intracellular calcium in neurons and transfected cells

Inhibitory glycine receptors (GlyRs) are mainly expressed in the spinal cord and in the midbrain, where they control motor and sensory pathways. We describe here a fast potentiation of GlyR by intracellular Ca2+. This phenomenon was observed in rat spinal cord neurons and in transfected human cell lines. Potentiation develops in <100 ms, is proportional to Ca2+ influx, and is characterized by an increase in GlyR apparent affinity for glycine. Phosphorylation and G protein pathways appear not to be involved in the potentiation mechanism. Single-channel recordings in cell-attached and excised patches, as well as whole-cell data suggest the presence of a diffusible cytoplasmic factor that modulates the GlyR channel gating properties. Ca2+-induced potentiation may be important for rapid modulation of glycinergic synapses.

Structural elements near the C-terminus are responsible for changes in nicotinic receptor gating kinetics following patch excision

We have studied the effect of patch excision on the gating kinetics of muscle nicotinic acetylcholine receptors transiently expressed in HEK 293 cells. The experiments were performed on embryonic and adult wild-type, and several mutated, receptors using acetylcholine, carbamylcholine and tetramethylammonium as agonists. We show that patch excision of cell-attached patches into the inside-out configuration led to a reduction of mean open duration in receptors containing a gamma-subunit (embryonic) but not an epsilon-subunit (adult receptors). Kinetic analysis of an embryonic receptor containing a mutated residue, alphaY93F, showed that the reduction in the mean open duration upon patch excision was mainly caused by an increase in the channel closing rate constant. This was confirmed by experiments on embryonic wild-type receptors using carbamylcholine as an agonist with low efficacy. By expressing receptors containing chimeric gamma-epsilon subunits we found that segments of the gamma-subunit corresponding to a region within the M3-M4 linker (the amphipathic helix, HA) and the M4 transmembrane domain were required for the reduction in channel open duration after excision. The results indicate that particular residues in both M4 and HA are required to allow the change in open time after excision. This finding suggests that there is an interaction between these two regions in determining the modulation of gating kinetics.

Single channel properties of P2X ATP receptors in outside-out patches from rat hippocampal granule cells

The single channel properties of P2X ATP receptors were investigated in outside-out patches from hippocampal granule cells in brain slices from 12-day-old rats. The results demonstrate that functional P2X ATP receptors are expressed in hippocampal granule cells and, combined with previously published information on the P2X subunits expressed in the hippocampus, suggest that the receptors may be heteromers of the P2X4 and P2X6 subunits or P2X1, P2X2, P2X4 and P2X6 subunits. Two distinct types of P2X channel openings were observed. A flickery P2X receptor channel was observed in three patches with a mean chord conductance of 32 +/- 6 pS, a mean open time of 1.0 +/- 0.3 ms and a mean burst length of 11 +/- 5 ms at a membrane potential of -60 mV. A large conductance P2X receptor was observed in 19 out of 98 patches with a mean conductance of 56 +/- 1. 8 pS, a linear current-voltage relationship between -80 and +60 mV with a reversal potential around 0 mV, a mean open time of 2.6 +/- 0. 2 ms and a mean burst length of 8.8 +/- 1.8 ms at -60 mV. At an ATP concentration of 1 mM, these channels exhibited a low steady-state open probability (Popen, 0.07 +/- 0.008; n = 15), little apparent desensitisation and were also activated by alpha,beta-methylene ATP (alpha,beta-meATP, 40 microM; Popen, 0.007 +/- 0.0002; conductance, 57 +/- 1.1 pS; n = 3). No decrease in the single channel conductance was observed on increasing the free extracellular calcium concentration from 0.3 to 0.85 mM. Channel closed time distributions were fitted with five exponential components with time constants (and relative areas) of 90 micros (20 %), 0.77 ms (32 %), 10 ms (15 %), 90 ms (18 %) and 403 ms (15 %) at 1 mM ATP. Of these, the first two components are suggested to represent gaps within single activations of the receptor based on the lack of agonist concentration dependence of these two shut time components between 1 microM and 1 mM ATP. Suramin (40 microM) significantly increased the single channel conductance (19 +/- 7 %; n = 5) and produced a small decrease in Popen (39 +/- 9 %; n = 5) by decreasing mean open time, burst length and total open time per burst. These actions of suramin are not consistent with simple competitive antagonism.

The extracellular linker of muscle acetylcholine receptor channels is a gating control element

We describe the functional consequences of mutations in the linker between the second and third transmembrane segments (M2-M3L) of muscle acetylcholine receptors at the single-channel level. Hydrophobic mutations (Ile, Cys, and Phe) placed near the middle of the linker of the alpha subunit (alphaS269) prolong apparent openings elicited by low concentrations of acetylcholine (ACh), whereas hydrophilic mutations (Asp, Lys, and Gln) are without effect. Because the gating kinetics of the alphaS269I receptor (a congenital myasthenic syndrome mutant) in the presence of ACh are too fast, choline was used as the agonist. This revealed an approximately 92-fold increased gating equilibrium constant, which is consistent with an approximately 10-fold decreased EC(50) in the presence of ACh. With choline, this mutation accelerates channel opening approximately 28-fold, slows channel closing approximately 3-fold, but does not affect agonist binding to the closed state. These ratios suggest that, with ACh, alphaS269I acetylcholine receptors open at a rate of approximately 1.4 x 10(6) s(-1) and close at a rate of approximately 760 s(-1). These gating rate constants, together with the measured duration of apparent openings at low ACh concentrations, further suggest that ACh dissociates from the diliganded open receptor at a rate of approximately 140 s(-1). Ile mutations at positions flanking alphaS269 impair, rather than enhance, channel gating. Inserting or deleting one residue from this linker in the alpha subunit increased and decreased, respectively, the apparent open time approximately twofold. Contrary to the alphaS269I mutation, Ile mutations at equivalent positions of the beta, straightepsilon, and delta subunits do not affect apparent open-channel lifetimes. However, in beta and straightepsilon, shifting the mutation one residue to the NH(2)-terminal end enhances channel gating. The overall results indicate that this linker is a control element whose hydrophobicity determines channel gating in a position- and subunit-dependent manner. Characterization of the transition state of the gating reaction suggests that during channel opening the M2-M3L of the alpha subunit moves before the corresponding linkers of the beta and straightepsilon subunits.

Single-channel analysis of an NMDA receptor possessing a mutation in the region of the glutamate binding site

Recombinant NR1a/NR2A(T671A) N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor-channels, which carry a point mutation in the putative glutamate binding site that reduces glutamate potency by around 1000-fold, have been expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes and their single-channel properties examined using patch-clamp recording techniques. Shut time distributions of channel activity were fitted with a mixture of five exponential components. The first three components in each distribution were considered to occur within a channel activation as they exhibited little or no dependence on agonist concentration. Bursts of single-channel openings were defined by a critical gap length with a mean of 5.65 +/- 0.37 ms. Shut intervals with a duration longer than this value were considered to occur between separate bursts of channel openings. Distributions of the lengths of bursts of openings were fitted with a mixture of four exponential components. The longest two components carried the majority of the charge transfer in the channel recordings and had means of 7.71 +/- 1.1 and 37.7 +/- 4.3 ms. The overall probability of a channel being open during a burst was high (mean 0.92 +/- 0.01). Brief concentration jumps (1 ms) of 10 mM glutamate were applied to outside-out patches so that a comparison between the macroscopic current relaxation and steady-state single-channel activity evoked by glutamate could be made. The decay of such macroscopic currents was fitted with a single exponential component with a mean of 32.0 +/- 3.53 ms. The good agreement between macroscopic current decay following brief agonist exposure and the value for the slowest component of the burst length distribution suggests that the bursts of openings that we identified in steady-state recordings represent individual activations of recombinant NR1a/NR2A(T671A) NMDA receptor-channels. A new way of displaying geometric distributions is suggested, and the utility of a modified definition of the 'probability of being open within a burst' is discussed. The single-channel data that we present in this paper support further the idea that the point mutation T671A in the NR2A NMDA receptor subunit affects mainly the ability of glutamate to remain bound to these channels.

Nicotinic receptors at the amino acid level

nAChRs are pentameric transmembrane proteins into the superfamily of ligand-gated ion channels that includes the 5HT3, glycine, GABAA, and GABAC receptors. Electron microscopy, affinity labeling, and mutagenesis experiments, together with secondary structure predictions and measurements, suggest an all-beta folding of the N-terminal extracellular domain, with the connecting loops contributing to the ACh binding pocket and to the subunit interfaces that mediate the allosteric transitions between conformational states. The ion channel consists of two distinct elements symmetrically organized along the fivefold axis of the molecule: a barrel of five M2 helices, and on the cytoplasmic side five loops contributing to the selectivity filter. The allosteric transitions of the protein underlying the physiological ACh-evoked activation and desensitization possibly involve rigid body motion of the extracellular domain of each subunit, linked to a global reorganization of the transmembrane domain responsible for channel gating.

The subunit dominates the relaxation kinetics of heteromeric neuronal nicotinic receptors

The ACh-induced voltage-jump relaxation currents of the nicotinic receptors formed by pair-wise expression of the rat alpha2, alpha3, or alpha4 subunits with the beta2 or beta4 subunit in Xenopus oocytes were fitted best by the sum of two exponentials and a constant between -60 and -150 mV. As the ACh concentration approached zero, the relaxation time constants approached limiting values that should equal the single-channel burst duration at low ACh concentrations and the synaptic current decay time constants. beta4 co-expression prolonged the zero ACh concentration limits for the relaxation time constants. The fast beta4 zero ACh concentration limits ranged from 40 to 121 ms between -60 and -150 mV, and the slow beta4 zero ACh concentration limits ranged from 274 to 1039 ms. In contrast, the fast beta2 limits were 4-6 ms over the same voltage range and the slow beta2 limits were 30-53 ms. Expression with the beta4 subunit increased the voltage sensitivity of the alpha2, alpha3 and slow alpha4 relaxation time constants but not that of the fast alpha4 relaxation time constant. Reducing the temperature from 22 C to 8-9 C increased the alpha4beta2 and alpha3beta4 relaxation time constants 2.3- to 6.6-fold and reduced the fractional amplitude of the fast relaxation component. It also increased the voltage dependence of the fast alpha3beta4 relaxation time constant and decreased that of the slow time constant. The Q10 for alpha4beta2 and alpha3beta4 relaxation time constants ranged from 1.9 to 3.9 between 10 and 20 C. The beta subunit appears to have a dominant influence on the voltage-jump relaxation kinetics of heteromeric neuronal nicotinic receptors.

Slow modal gating of single G protein-activated K+ channels expressed in Xenopus oocytes

The slow kinetics of G protein-activated K+ (GIRK) channels expressed in Xenopus oocytes were studied in single-channel, inside-out membrane patches. Channels formed by GIRK1 plus GIRK4 subunits, which are known to form the cardiac acetylcholine (ACh)-activated GIRK channel (KACh), were activated by a near-saturating dose of G protein betagamma subunits (Gbetagamma; 20 nM). The kinetic parameters of the expressed GIRK1/4 channels were similar to those of cardiac KACh. GIRK1/4 channels differed significantly from channels formed by GIRK1 with the endogenous oocyte subunit GIRK5 (GIRK1/5) in some of their kinetic parameters and in a 3-fold lower open probability, Po. The unexpectedly low Po (0.025) of GIRK1/4 was due to the presence of closures of hundreds of milliseconds; the channel spent approximately 90 % of the time in the long closed states. GIRK1/4 channels displayed a clear modal behaviour: on a time scale of tens of seconds, the Gbetagamma-activated channels cycled between a low-Po mode (Po of about 0.0034) and a bursting mode characterized by an approximately 30-fold higher Po and a different set of kinetic constants (and, therefore, a different set of channel conformations). The available evidence indicates that the slow modal transitions are not driven by binding and unbinding of Gbetagamma. The GTPgammaS-activated Galphai1 subunit, previously shown to inhibit GIRK channels, substantially increased the time spent in closed states and apparently shifted the channel to a mode similar, but not identical, to the low-Po mode. This is the first demonstration of slow modal transitions in GIRK channels. The detailed description of the slow gating kinetics of GIRK1/4 may help in future analysis of mechanisms of GIRK gating.

Interaction of a semirigid agonist with Torpedo acetylcholine receptor

The binding of the semirigid agonist [(3)H]arecolone methiodide to the Torpedo nicotinic acetylcholine receptor has been correlated with its functional properties measured both in flux studies with Torpedo membrane vesicles and by single-channel analysis after reconstitution in giant liposomes. Under both equilibrium and preequilibrium conditions, the binding of arecolone methiodide is similar to that of other agonists such as acetylcholine. At equilibrium, it binds to two sites per receptor with high affinity (K(d) = 99 +/- 12 nM), and studies of its dissociation kinetics suggest that each of these sites is made up of two subsites that are mutually exclusive at equilibrium. The kinetics of arecolone methiodide binding were monitored by the changes in the receptor intrinsic fluorescence, and the data are consistent with a model in which the initial binding event is followed by sequential conformational transitions of the receptor-ligand complex. In flux studies, arecolone methiodide was approximately 3-fold more potent (EC(50) = 31 +/- 5 microM) than acetylcholine but its maximum flux rate was 4-10-fold lower. This phenomenon has been studied further by single-channel analysis of Torpedo receptors reconstituted in giant liposomes. Whereas the flexible agonist carbamylcholine (5 microM) was shown to induce channels with conductances of 56 and 34 pS with approximately equal frequency, arecolone methiodide (2 microM) preferentially induced the channel of lower conductance. These results are interpreted in terms of a simple model in which the rigidity of arecolone methiodide restrains the conformation that the receptor-ligand complex can adopt, thus favoring the lower conductance state.

Regulation of ATP-sensitive potassium channel function by protein kinase A-mediated phosphorylation in transfected HEK293 cells

ATP-sensitive potassium (K(ATP)) channels regulate insulin secretion, vascular tone, heart rate and neuronal excitability by responding to transmitters as well as the internal metabolic state. K(ATP) channels are composed of four pore-forming alpha-subunits (Kir6.2) and four regulatory beta-subunits, the sulfonylurea receptor (SUR1, SUR2A or SUR2B). Whereas protein kinase A (PKA) phosphorylation of serine 372 of Kir6.2 has been shown biochemically by others, we found that the phosphorylation of T224 rather than S372 of Kir6.2 underlies the catalytic subunits of PKA (c-PKA)- and the D1 dopamine receptor-mediated stimulation of K(ATP) channels expressed in HEK293 cells. Specific changes in the kinetic properties of channels treated with c-PKA, as revealed by single-channel analysis, were mimicked by aspartate substitution of T224. The T224D mutation also reduced the sensitivity to ATP inhibition. Alteration of channel gating and a decrease in the apparent affinity for ATP inhibition thus underlie the positive regulation of K(ATP) channels by PKA phosphorylation of T224 in Kir6.2, which may represent a general mechanism for K(ATP) channel regulation in different tissues.

Molecular and functional properties of synaptically activated NMDA receptors in neonatal motoneurons in rat spinal cord slices

The functional properties of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor-mediated excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSC) were studied in fluorescence-labelled motoneurons in thin spinal cord slices. The deactivation of NMDA receptor EPSCs in motoneurons voltage-clamped at +40 mV was independent of intensity or location of stimulation and of postnatal age [taufast = 28.5 +/- 4.6 ms (63.6 +/- 8.8%) and tauslow = 165.6 +/- 49.6 ms]. In the presence of 1 mM Mg2+ the amplitude of NMDA receptor EPSCs was voltage-dependent. Boltzmann analysis of the relationship between peak NMDA receptor EPSC amplitude and membrane potential suggested an apparent Kd of Mg2+ (at 0 mV) of 0.87 mM. Nonstationary variance analysis of NMDA receptor EPSCs gave an estimated single-channel conductance of 59 +/- 14 pS. Direct measurement of the NMDA receptor channel openings in outside-out patches isolated from motoneurons indicated the presence of single-channel conductance levels of 21.8 +/- 2.8 pS, 37. 1 +/- 3.2 pS, 49.6 +/- 5.1 pS and 69.6 +/- 4.2 pS. Single-cell RT-PCR analysis of mRNA revealed that NR1, NR2A-D and NR3A transcripts were expressed in motoneurons. These results suggest that specific assembly of NMDA receptor subunits in motoneurons determines the functional and pharmacological properties of the receptors in these cells.

Evaluation of the number of agonist molecules needed to activate a ligand-gated channel from the current rising phase

We propose a new method for calculating the number of agonist binding sites (n) in ligand-gated receptor channels from the initial phase of the current. This method is based on the fact that the relation between the current (I) and its first-time derivative (I') at the beginning of the current reflects the number of transitions that lead to channel opening. We show that, for constant agonist concentration, the above relationship at t --> 0 provides the number of steps leading to channel opening. When the agonist concentration is not constant but rather increases linearly with time, the corresponding value can be obtained using a slightly modified procedure. The analytical results were compared with computer simulations and a good match between the two was obtained. The theoretical procedure was then validated experimentally using the nicotinic receptor, because, for this receptor, the number of binding sites is well established. Indeed, the expected number of two binding sites was obtained. The method was then tested for the quisqualate-type glutamate receptor channel from the opener muscle of crayfish. The number of this receptor's binding sites is not fully resolved. Our results suggest that, for this glutamate receptor as well, two binding sites must be occupied to open the channel.

Rapid kinetic analysis of multichannel records by a simultaneous fit to all dwell-time histograms

A method is presented for rapidly extracting single-channel transition rate constants from patch-clamp recordings containing signals from several channels. The procedure is based on a simultaneous fit of the observed dwell-time distributions for all conductance levels, using a maximum likelihood approach. This algorithm allows estimation of single-channel rate constants in cases where more advanced methods may be impractical because of their extremely long computational time. A correction is included for the limited time resolution of the recording system, according to theory developed by Roux and Sauvé (Biophys. J. 48:149-158, 1985), by accounting for the impact of undetected transitions on the dwell-time distributions, and by introducing an improved practical implementation of a fixed dead time for the case of more than one channel. This feature allows application of the method to noisy data, after filtering. A computer program implementing the method is tested successfully on a variety of simulated multichannel current traces.

Complex voltage-dependent behavior of single unliganded calcium-sensitive potassium channels

study and characterization of unliganded openings is of central significance for the elucidation of gating mechanisms for allosteric ligand-gated ion channels. Unliganded openings have been reported for many channel types, but their low open probability can make it difficult to study their kinetics in detail. Because the large conductance calcium-activated potassium channel mSlo is sensitive to both intracellular calcium and to membrane potential, we have been able to obtain stable unliganded single-channel recordings of mSlo with relatively high opening probability. We have found that the single-channel gating behavior of mSlo is complex, with multiple open and closed states, even when no ligand is present. Our results rule out a Monod-Wyman-Changeux allosteric mechanism with a central voltage-dependent concerted step, and they support the existence of quaternary states with less than the full number of voltage sensors activated, as has been suggested by previous work involving measurements of gating currents.

Recovery from open channel block by acetylcholine during neuromuscular transmission in zebrafish

At larval zebrafish neuromuscular junctions (NMJs), miniature end plate currents (mEPCs) recorded in vivo have an unusually fast time course. We used fast-flow application of acetylcholine (ACh) onto outside-out patches to mimic the effect of synaptic release onto small numbers of ACh receptor channels (AChRs). Positively charged ACh acted at hyperpolarized potentials and at millimolar concentrations as a fast ("flickering") open channel blocker of AChRs. Because of filtering, the open channel block resulted in reduced amplitude of single channel currents. Immediately after brief (1 msec) application (without significant desensitization) of millimolar ACh at hyperpolarized potentials, a slower, transient current appeared because of delayed reversal of the block. This rebound current depended on the ACh concentration and resembled in time course the mEPC. A simple kinetic model of the AChR that includes an open channel-blocking step accounted for our single channel results, as well as the experimentally observed slowing of the time course of mEPCs recorded at a hyperpolarized compared with a depolarized potential. Recovery from AChR block is a novel mechanism of synaptic transmission that may contribute in part at all NMJs.

Recovery from open channel block by acetylcholine during neuromuscular transmission in zebrafish

At larval zebrafish neuromuscular junctions (NMJs), miniature end plate currents (mEPCs) recorded in vivo have an unusually fast time course. We used fast-flow application of acetylcholine (ACh) onto outside-out patches to mimic the effect of synaptic release onto small numbers of ACh receptor channels (AChRs). Positively charged ACh acted at hyperpolarized potentials and at millimolar concentrations as a fast ("flickering") open channel blocker of AChRs. Because of filtering, the open channel block resulted in reduced amplitude of single channel currents. Immediately after brief (1 msec) application (without significant desensitization) of millimolar ACh at hyperpolarized potentials, a slower, transient current appeared because of delayed reversal of the block. This rebound current depended on the ACh concentration and resembled in time course the mEPC. A simple kinetic model of the AChR that includes an open channel-blocking step accounted for our single channel results, as well as the experimentally observed slowing of the time course of mEPCs recorded at a hyperpolarized compared with a depolarized potential. Recovery from AChR block is a novel mechanism of synaptic transmission that may contribute in part at all NMJs.

Voltage dependence of the glycine receptor-channel kinetics in the zebrafish hindbrain

Electrophysiological recordings of outside-out patches to fast-flow applications of glycine were made on patches derived from the Mauthner cells of the 50-h-old zebrafish larva. As for glycinergic miniature inhibitory postsynaptic currents (mIPSCs), depolarizing the patch produced a broadening of the transient outside-out current evoked by short applications (1 ms) of a saturating concentration of glycine (3 mM). When the outside-out patch was depolarized from -50 to +20 mV, the peak current varied linearly with voltage. A 1-ms application of 3 mM glycine evoked currents that activated rapidly and deactivated biexponentially with time constants of approximately 5 and approximately 30 ms (holding potential of -50 mV). These two decay time constants were increased by depolarization. The fast deactivation time constant increased e-fold per 95 mV. The relative amplitude of the two decay components did not significantly vary with voltage. The fast component represented 64.2 +/- 2.8% of the total current at -50 mV and 54.1 +/- 10% at +20 mV. The 20-80% rise time of these responses did not show any voltage dependence, suggesting that the opening rate constant is insensitive to voltage. The 20-80% rise time was 0.2 ms at -70 mV and 0.22 ms at +20 mV. Responses evoked by 100-200 ms application of a low concentration of glycine (0.1 mM) had a biphasic rising phase reflecting the complex gating behavior of the glycine receptor. The time constant of these two components and their relative amplitude did not change with voltage, suggesting that modal shifts in the glycine-activated channel gating mode are not sensitive to the membrane potential. Using a Markov model to simulate glycine receptor gating behavior, we were able to mimic the voltage-dependent change in the deactivation time course of the responses evoked by 1-ms application of 3 mM glycine. This kinetics model incorporates voltage-dependent closing rate constants. It provides a good description of the time course of the onset of responses evoked by the application of a low concentration of glycine at all membrane potentials tested.

Block of the helix FMRFamide-gated Na+ channel by FMRFamide and its analogues

1. In Helix neurones high doses of Phe-Met-Arg-Phe-NH2 (FMRFamide) often evoke biphasic inward whole-cell currents with brief application, and suppression of the current with prolonged application. With outside-out patches, a transient early suppression of the unitary current amplitude was seen following application of high doses of FMRFamide. 2. Continuous application of a concentration of FMRFamide from 30 microM to 1 mM resulted in a reduction in the amplitude of the unitary currents and an increase in open state noise. There was also an increase in the occurrence of smaller, 'subconductance' currents with the higher concentrations of FMRFamide. Similar effects were seen with FMRFamide on FaNaC expressed in oocytes. The FMRFamide analogues FLRFamide and WnLRFamide were more effective in evoking the lower conductance state. These effects of agonist at high concentrations were voltage dependent suggesting channel block. 3. A similar effect was seen when one of the related peptides FKRFamide, FM(D)RFamide, nLRFamide or N-AcFnLRFamide was co-applied with a low FMRFamide concentration. However, the non-amidated peptides FKRF, FLRF and nLRF and also WMDFamide did not have this effect. 4. The inhibition of unitary currents induced by amiloride was qualitatively different from that produced by FMRFamide analogues with no obvious occurrence of subconductance levels. FMRFamide-gated channels were also blocked by guanidinium, but only at very high concentrations. 5. The results strongly suggest a partial inhibition of current flow through the FMRFamide- gated channel by some part of the agonist or the related antagonist peptide molecules.

The role of Ca2+-activated K+ channel spliced variants in the tonotopic organization of the turtle cochlea

1. Turtle auditory hair cells contain multiple isoforms of the pore-forming alpha-subunit of the large-conductance Ca2+-activated K+ (KCa) channel due to alternative splicing at two sites. Six splice variants were studied by expression in Xenopus oocytes. 2. The isoforms possessed differences in apparent Ca2+ sensitivity and kinetics. The lowest Ca2+ sensitivity was observed in a novel variant resulting from a 26 amino acid deletion around one of the splice sites. 3. Co-expression of a bovine beta-subunit slowed the current relaxation 10-fold compared with channels formed from alpha-subunits alone but preserved the original order of kinetic differences. The beta-subunit also increased the Ca2+ sensitivity of isoforms to bring them nearer the range of sensitivity of the native KCa channels of the hair cell. 4. With channels formed from alpha-subunits or alpha + beta-subunits, the half-activation voltage in a fixed Ca2+ concentration, and the time constant of the current relaxation, varied linearly with the combined size of the insertions/deletions at the splice sites. 5. Experiments in which the beta/alpha concentration ratio was varied indicated that the beta-subunit exerts an all-or-none effect on the Ca2+ sensitivity and kinetics of the channel. 6. Co-expression of an avian beta2-subunit had effects on kinetics and Ca2+ sensitivity of several alpha-isoforms which were qualitatively similar to those produced by the bovine beta-subunit. 7. We conclude that differential expression of alternatively spliced alpha-subunit variants and a non-uniform distribution of a beta-subunit can produce a range of KCa channel properties needed to explain the tonotopic organization of the turtle cochlea.

The temperature sensitivity of miniature endplate currents is mostly governed by channel gating: evidence from optimized recordings and Monte Carlo simulations

The temperature dependence of miniature endplate current (MEPC) amplitude (A(c)), 20-80% rise time (t(r)), and 90-33% fall-time (t(f)) was determined for lizard (Anolis carolinensis) intercostal muscle using broadband extracellular (EC) and voltage clamp (VC) recordings. Voltage clamp methods were optimized for the fast MEPC rising phase using custom electronics. From 0-43 degrees C, A(c) increased by approximately 4.2-fold, while t(r) and t(f) decreased by approximately 3.6- and approximately 9.5-fold, respectively. Arrhenius plots were smoothly curved, with small apparent Q(10) (A(c)) or (Q(10))(-1) (t(r) and t(f)) values mostly well below 2.0. Nearly identical extracellular and voltage clamp results ruled out measurement artifacts, even for the shortest t(r) values (<60 microseconds). Monte Carlo simulation of MEPCs showed that a single underlying rate cannot determine the observed temperature dependence. To quantitatively reproduce the experimental t(f) results, a minimal model required activation energies of 46.0 (Q(10) approximately 2.0) and 63.6 (Q(10) approximately 2.5) kJ mol(-1) for channel opening and closing, respectively, and accounted for most of the observed changes in A(c) and t(r) as well. Thus, relatively large but offsetting temperature sensitivities of channel gating mostly govern and minimize the temperature dependence of MEPCs, preserving the safety factor for neuromuscular transmission. Additional temperature-sensitive parameters that could fine-tune the minimal model are discussed.

Anisatin modulation of the gamma-aminobutyric acid receptor-channel in rat dorsal root ganglion neurons

1. Anisatin, a toxic, insecticidally active component of Sikimi plant, is known to act on the GABA system. In order to elucidate the mechanism of anisatin interaction with the GABA system, whole-cell and single-channel patch clamp experiments were performed with rat dorsal root ganglion neurons in primary culture. 2. Repeated co-applications of GABA and anisatin suppressed GABA-induced whole-cell currents with an EC50 of 1.10 microM. No recovery of currents was observed after washout with anisatin-free solution. 3. However, pre-application of anisatin through the bath had no effect on GABA-induced currents. The decay phase of currents was accelerated by anisatin. These results indicate that anisatin suppression of GABA-induced currents requires opening of the channels and is use-dependent. 4. Anisatin suppression of GABA-induced currents was not voltage dependent. 5. Picrotoxinin attenuated anisatin suppression of GABA-induced currents. [3H]-EBOB binding to rat brain membranes was competitively inhibited by anisatin. These data indicated that anisatin bound to the picrotoxinin site. 6. At the single-channel level, anisatin did not alter the open time but prolonged the closed time. The burst duration was reduced and channel openings per burst were decreased indicating that anisatin decreased the probability of openings.

Investigation of the alpha(1)-glycine receptor channel-opening kinetics in the submillisecond time domain

The activation and desensitization kinetics of the human alpha(1)-homooligomeric glycine receptor, which was transiently expressed in HEK 293 cells, were studied with a 100-microseconds time resolution to determine the rate and equilibrium constants of individual receptor reaction steps. Concentration jumps of the activating ligands glycine and beta-alanine were initiated by photolysis of caged, inactive precursors and were followed by neurotransmitter binding, receptor-channel opening, and receptor desensitization steps that were separated along the time axis. Analysis of the ligand concentration-dependence of these processes allows the determination of 1) the rate constants of glycine binding, k(+1) approximately 10(7) M(-1) s(-1), and dissociation, k(-1) = 1900 s(-1); 2) the rates of receptor-channel opening, k(op) = 2200 s(-1), and closing, k(cl) = 38 s(-1); 3) the receptor desensitization rate, alpha = 0.45 s(-1); 4) the number of occupied ligand binding sites necessary for receptor-channel activation and desensitization, n >/= 3; and 5) the maximum receptor-channel open probability, p(0) > 0.95. The kinetics of receptor-channel activation are insensitive to the transmembrane potential. A general model for glycine receptor activation explaining the experimental data consists of a sequential mechanism based on rapid ligand-binding steps preceding a rate-limiting receptor-channel opening reaction and slow receptor desensitization.

Pathways of HERG inactivation

The rapid, repolarizing K(+) current in cardiomyocytes (I(Kr)) has unique inwardly rectifying properties that contribute importantly to the downstroke of the cardiac action potential. The human ether-à-go-go-related gene (HERG) expresses a macroscopic current virtually identical to I(Kr), but a description of the single-channel properties that cause rectification is lacking. For this reason we measured single-channel and macropatch currents heterologously expressed by HERG in Xenopus oocytes. Our experiments had two main findings. First, the single-channel current-voltage relation showed inward rectification, and conductance was 9.7 pS at -100 mV and 3.9 pS at 100 mV when measured in symmetrical 100 mM K(+) solutions. Second, single channels frequently showed no openings during depolarization but nevertheless revealed bursts of openings during repolarization. This type of gating may explain the inward rectification of HERG currents. To test this hypothesis, we used a three-closed state kinetics model and obtained rate constants from fits to macropatch data. Results from the model are consistent with rapid inactivation from closed states as a significant source of HERG rectification.