Functional modulation of the ATP-sensitive potassium channel by extracellular signal-regulated kinase-mediated phosphorylation

Antipsychotics impair regulation of glucose metabolism by central glucose

Hypothalamic detection of elevated circulating glucose triggers suppression of endogenous glucose production (EGP) to maintain glucose homeostasis. Antipsychotics alleviate symptoms associated with schizophrenia but also increase the risk for impaired glucose metabolism. In the current study, we examined whether two acutely administered antipsychotics from different drug classes, haloperidol (first generation antipsychotic) and olanzapine (second generation antipsychotic), affect the ability of intracerebroventricular (ICV) glucose infusion approximating postprandial levels to suppress EGP. The experimental protocol consisted of a pancreatic euglycemic clamp, followed by kinomic and RNA-seq analyses of hypothalamic samples to determine changes in serine/threonine kinase activity and gene expression, respectively. Both antipsychotics inhibited ICV glucose-mediated increases in glucose infusion rate during the clamp, a measure of whole-body glucose metabolism. Similarly, olanzapine and haloperidol blocked central glucose-induced suppression of EGP. ICV glucose stimulated the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) pathway, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) pathway, and kinases capable of activating K_ATP channels in the hypothalamus. These effects were inhibited by both antipsychotics. In conclusion, olanzapine and haloperidol impair central glucose sensing. Although results of hypothalamic analyses in our study do not prove causality, they are novel and provide the basis for a multitude of future studies.

The Anti-diabetic Drug Gliquidone Modulates Lipopolysaccharide-Mediated Microglial Neuroinflammatory Responses by Inhibiting the NLRP3 Inflammasome

The sulfonylurea drug gliquidone is FDA approved for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Binding of gliquidone to ATP-sensitive potassium channels (SUR1, Kir6 subunit) in pancreatic β-cells increases insulin release to regulate blood glucose levels. Diabetes has been associated with increased levels of neuroinflammation, and therefore the potential effects of gliquidone on micro- and astroglial neuroinflammatory responses in the brain are of interest. Here, we found that gliquidone suppressed LPS-mediated microgliosis, microglial hypertrophy, and proinflammatory cytokine COX-2 and IL-6 levels in wild-type mice, with smaller effects on astrogliosis. Importantly, gliquidone downregulated the LPS-induced microglial NLRP3 inflammasome and peripheral inflammation in wild-type mice. An investigation of the molecular mechanism of the effects of gliquidone on LPS-stimulated proinflammatory responses showed that in BV2 microglial cells, gliquidone significantly decreased LPS-induced proinflammatory cytokine levels and inhibited ERK/STAT3/NF-κB phosphorylation by altering NLRP3 inflammasome activation. In primary astrocytes, gliquidone selectively affected LPS-mediated proinflammatory cytokine expression and decreased STAT3/NF-κB signaling in an NLRP3-independent manner. These results indicate that gliquidone differentially modulates LPS-induced microglial and astroglial neuroinflammation in BV2 microglial cells, primary astrocytes, and a model of neuroinflammatory disease.

Phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase mediates the sweet suppressive effect of leptin in mouse taste cells

Leptin is known to selectively suppress neural and taste cell responses to sweet compounds. The sweet suppressive effect of leptin is mediated by the leptin receptor Ob-Rb, and the ATP-gated K⁺ (K_ATP ) channel expressed in some sweet-sensitive, taste receptor family 1 member 3 (T1R3)-positive taste cells. However, the intracellular transduction pathway connecting Ob-Rb to K_ATP channel remains unknown. Here we report that phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) mediates leptin's suppression of sweet responses in T1R3-positive taste cells. In in situ taste cell recording, systemically administrated leptin suppressed taste cell responses to sucrose in T1R3-positive taste cells. Such leptin's suppression of sucrose responses was impaired by co-administration of PI3K inhibitors (wortmannin or LY294002). In contrast, co-administration of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 inhibitor (Stattic) or Src homology region 2 domain-containing phosphatase-2 inhibitor (SHP099) had no effect on leptin's suppression of sucrose responses, although signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 and Src homology region 2 domain-containing phosphatase-2 were expressed in T1R3-positive taste cells. In peeled tongue epithelium, phosphatidylinositol (3,4,5)-trisphosphate production and phosphorylation of AKT by leptin were immunohistochemically detected in some T1R3-positive taste cells but not in glutamate decarboxylase 67-positive taste cells. Leptin-induced phosphatidylinositol (3,4,5)-trisphosphate production was suppressed by LY294002. Thus, leptin suppresses sweet responses of T1R3-positive taste cells by activation of Ob-Rb-PI3K-K_ATP channel pathway.

Effect of central JAZF1 on glucose production is regulated by the PI3K-Akt-AMPK pathway

The role of central juxtaposed with another zinc finger gene 1 (JAZF1) in glucose regulation remains unclear. Here, we activated mediobasal hypothalamus (MBH) JAZF1 in high-fat diet (HFD)-fed rats by an adenovirus expressing JAZF1 (Ad-JAZF1). We evaluated the changes in the hypothalamic insulin receptor (InsR)-PI3K-Akt-AMPK pathway and hepatic glucose production (HGP). To investigate the impact of MBH Ad-JAZF1 on HGP, we activated MBH JAZF1 in the presence or absence of ATP-dependent potassium (K_ATP ) channel inhibition, hepatic branch vagotomy (HVG), or an AMPK activator (AICAR). In HFD-fed rats, MBH Ad-JAZF1 decreased body weight and food intake, and inhibited HGP by increasing hepatic insulin signaling. Under insulin stimulation, MBH Ad-JAZF1 increased InsR and Akt phosphorylation, and phosphatidylinositol 3, 4, 5-trisphosphate (PIP3) formation; however, AMPK phosphorylation was decreased in the hypothalamus. The positive effect of MBH JAZF1 on hepatic insulin signaling and HGP was prevented by treatment with a K_ATP channel inhibitor or HVG. The metabolic impact of hypothalamic JAZF1 was also blocked by MBH AICAR. Ad-JAZF1 treatment in SH-SY5Y cells resulted in an elevation of InsR and Akt phosphorylation following insulin stimulation. Our findings show that hypothalamic JAZF1 regulates HGP via the InsR-PI3K-Akt-AMPK pathway and K_ATP channels.

ATP binding without hydrolysis switches sulfonylurea receptor 1 (SUR1) to outward-facing conformations that activate KATP channels

Neuroendocrine-type ATP-sensitive K⁺ (K_ATP) channels are metabolite sensors coupling membrane potential with metabolism, thereby linking insulin secretion to plasma glucose levels. They are octameric complexes, (SUR1/Kir6.2)₄, comprising sulfonylurea receptor 1 (SUR1 or ABCC8) and a K⁺-selective inward rectifier (Kir6.2 or KCNJ11). Interactions between nucleotide-, agonist-, and antagonist-binding sites affect channel activity allosterically. Although it is hypothesized that opening these channels requires SUR1-mediated MgATP hydrolysis, we show here that ATP binding to SUR1, without hydrolysis, opens channels when nucleotide antagonism on Kir6.2 is minimized and SUR1 mutants with increased ATP affinities are used. We found that ATP binding is sufficient to switch SUR1 alone between inward- or outward-facing conformations with low or high dissociation constant, K_D , values for the conformation-sensitive channel antagonist [³H]glibenclamide ([³H]GBM), indicating that ATP can act as a pure agonist. Assembly with Kir6.2 reduced SUR1's K_D for [³H]GBM. This reduction required the Kir N terminus (KNtp), consistent with KNtp occupying a "transport cavity," thus positioning it to link ATP-induced SUR1 conformational changes to channel gating. Moreover, ATP/GBM site coupling was constrained in WT SUR1/WT Kir6.2 channels; ATP-bound channels had a lower K_D for [³H]GBM than ATP-bound SUR1. This constraint was largely eliminated by the Q1179R neonatal diabetes-associated mutation in helix 15, suggesting that a "swapped" helix pair, 15 and 16, is part of a structural pathway connecting the ATP/GBM sites. Our results suggest that ATP binding to SUR1 biases K_ATP channels toward open states, consistent with SUR1 variants with lower K_D values causing neonatal diabetes, whereas increased K_D values cause congenital hyperinsulinism.

Phosphorylation Alters the Residual Structure and Interactions of the Regulatory L1 Linker Connecting NBD1 to the Membrane-Bound Domain in SUR2B

ATP-sensitive potassium (K_ATP) channels in vascular smooth muscle are comprised of four pore-forming Kir6.1 subunits and four copies of the sulfonylurea receptor 2B (SUR2B), which acts as a regulator of channel gating. Recent electron cryo-microscopy (cryo-EM) structures of the pancreatic K_ATP channel show a central Kir6.2 pore that is surrounded by the SUR1 subunits. Mutations in the L1 linker connecting the first membrane-spanning domain and the first nucleotide binding domain (NBD1) in SUR2B cause cardiac disease; however, this part of the protein is not resolved in the cryo-EM structures. Phosphorylation of the L1 linker, by protein kinase A, disrupts its interactions with NBD1, which increases the MgATP affinity of NBD1 and K_ATP channel gating. To elucidate the mode by which the L1 linker regulates K_ATP channels, we have probed the effects of phosphorylation on its structure and interactions using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and other techniques. We demonstrate that the L1 linker is an intrinsically disordered region of SUR2B but possesses residual secondary and compact structure, both of which are disrupted with phosphorylation. NMR binding studies demonstrate that phosphorylation alters the mode by which the L1 linker interacts with NBD1. The data show that L1 linker residues with the greatest α-helical propensity also form the most stable interaction with NBD1, highlighting a hot spot within the L1 linker. This hot spot is the site of disease-causing mutations and is associated with other processes that regulate K_ATP channel gating. These data provide insights into the mode by which the phospho-regulatory L1 linker regulates K_ATP channels.

Sulfonylurea and neuroprotection: The bright side of the moon

Sulfonylurea (SUR) agents are the second and most used oral hypoglycemic drugs after metformin and they still as an imperative tool for most favorable of glucose control. SURs are used mainly in the management of Type 2 diabetes mellitus since; they are effective in the glycemic control and reduction of microvascular complications. First-generation SUR represents 3% of used oral hypoglycemic agents while second and third generations are used in about 25% in patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus. Upregulation of SUR1 receptor has been observed after stroke and traumatic brain injury, therefore, SUR such as glibenclamide inhibits brain edema and astrocyte swelling following brain insults. SUR drugs mainly glibenclamide is effective at a low dose in the management of cerebral stroke and could be a contestant with corticosteroid in controlling brain edema.

Synaptic input sequence discrimination on behavioral timescales mediated by reaction-diffusion chemistry in dendrites

Sequences of events are ubiquitous in sensory, motor, and cognitive function. Key computational operations, including pattern recognition, event prediction, and plasticity, involve neural discrimination of spatio-temporal sequences. Here, we show that synaptically-driven reaction-diffusion pathways on dendrites can perform sequence discrimination on behaviorally relevant time-scales. We used abstract signaling models to show that selectivity arises when inputs at successive locations are aligned with, and amplified by, propagating chemical waves triggered by previous inputs. We incorporated biological detail using sequential synaptic input onto spines in morphologically, electrically, and chemically detailed pyramidal neuronal models based on rat data. Again, sequences were recognized, and local channel modulation downstream of putative sequence-triggered signaling could elicit changes in neuronal firing. We predict that dendritic sequence-recognition zones occupy 5 to 30 microns and recognize time-intervals of 0.2 to 5 s. We suggest that this mechanism provides highly parallel and selective neural computation in a functionally important time range.

Phosphorylation-dependent changes in nucleotide binding, conformation, and dynamics of the first nucleotide binding domain (NBD1) of the sulfonylurea receptor 2B (SUR2B)

The sulfonylurea receptor 2B (SUR2B) forms the regulatory subunit of ATP-sensitive potassium (KATP) channels in vascular smooth muscle. Phosphorylation of the SUR2B nucleotide binding domains (NBD1 and NBD2) by protein kinase A results in increased channel open probability. Here, we investigate the effects of phosphorylation on the structure and nucleotide binding properties of NBD1. Phosphorylation sites in SUR2B NBD1 are located in an N-terminal tail that is disordered. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) data indicate that phosphorylation of the N-terminal tail affects multiple residues in NBD1, including residues in the NBD2-binding site, and results in altered conformation and dynamics of NBD1. NMR spectra of NBD1 lacking the N-terminal tail, NBD1-ΔN, suggest that phosphorylation disrupts interactions of the N-terminal tail with the core of NBD1, a model supported by dynamic light scattering. Increased nucleotide binding of phosphorylated NBD1 and NBD1-ΔN, compared with non-phosphorylated NBD1, suggests that by disrupting the interaction of the NBD core with the N-terminal tail, phosphorylation also exposes the MgATP-binding site on NBD1. These data provide insights into the molecular basis by which phosphorylation of SUR2B NBD1 activates KATP channels.

Sulfonylurea receptor 1 contributes to the astrocyte swelling and brain edema in acute liver failure

Astrocyte swelling (cytotoxic brain edema) is the major neurological complication of acute liver failure (ALF), a condition in which ammonia has been strongly implicated in its etiology. Ion channels and transporters are known to be involved in cell volume regulation, and a disturbance in these systems may result in cell swelling. One ion channel known to contribute to astrocyte swelling/brain edema in other neurological disorders is the ATP-dependent, nonselective cation (NCCa-ATP) channel. We therefore examined its potential role in the astrocyte swelling/brain edema associated with ALF. Cultured astrocytes treated with 5 mM ammonia showed a threefold increase in the sulfonylurea receptor type 1 (SUR1) protein expression, a marker of NCCa-ATP channel activity. Blocking SUR1 with glibenclamide significantly reduced the ammonia-induced cell swelling in cultured astrocytes. Additionally, overexpression of SUR1 in ammonia-treated cultured astrocytes was significantly reduced by cotreatment of cells with BAY 11-7082, an inhibitor of NF-κB, indicating the involvement of an NF-κB-mediated SUR1 upregulation in the mechanism of ammonia-induced astrocyte swelling. Brain SUR1 mRNA level was also found to be increased in the thioacetamide (TAA) rat model of ALF. Additionally, we found a significant increase in SUR1 protein expression in rat brain cortical astrocytes in TAA-treated rats. Treatment with glibenclamide significantly reduced the brain edema in this model of ALF. These findings strongly suggest the involvement of NCCa-ATP channel in the astrocyte swelling/brain edema in ALF and that targeting this channel may represent a useful approach for the treatment of the brain edema associated with ALF.

Intracellular signalling mechanism responsible for modulation of sarcolemmal ATP-sensitive potassium channels by nitric oxide in ventricular cardiomyocytes

The ATP-sensitive potassium (KATP) channels are crucial for stress adaptation in the heart. It has previously been suggested that the function of KATP channels is modulated by nitric oxide (NO), a gaseous messenger known to be cytoprotective; however, the underlying mechanism remains poorly understood. Here we sought to delineate the intracellular signalling mechanism responsible for NO modulation of sarcolemmal KATP (sarcKATP) channels in ventricular cardiomyocytes. Cell-attached patch recordings were performed in transfected human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293 cells and ventricular cardiomyocytes freshly isolated from adult rabbits or genetically modified mice, in combination with pharmacological and biochemical approaches. Bath application of the NO donor NOC-18 increased the single-channel activity of Kir6.2/SUR2A (i.e., the principal ventricular-type KATP) channels in HEK293 cells, whereas the increase was abated by KT5823 [a selective cGMP-dependent protein kinase (PKG) inhibitor], mercaptopropionyl glycine [MPG; a reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenger], catalase (an H2O2-degrading enzyme), myristoylated autocamtide-2 related inhibitory peptide (mAIP) selective for Ca2+ / calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) and U0126 [an extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) inhibitor], respectively. The NO donors NOC-18 and N-(2-deoxy-α,β-d-glucopyranose-2-)-N2-acetyl-S-nitroso-d,l-penicillaminamide (glycol-SNAP-2) were also capable of stimulating native sarcKATP channels preactivated by the channel opener pinacidil in rabbit ventricular myocytes, through reducing the occurrence and the dwelling time of the long closed states whilst increasing the frequency of channel opening; in contrast, all these changes were reversed in the presence of inhibitors selective for soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC), PKG, calmodulin, CaMKII or ERK1/2. Mimicking the action of NO donors, exogenous H2O2 potentiated pinacidil-preactivated sarcKATP channel activity in intact cardiomyocytes, but the H2O2-induced KATP channel stimulation was obliterated when ERK1/2 or CaMKII activity was suppressed, implying that H2O2 is positioned upstream of ERK1/2 and CaMKII for K(ATP) channel modulation. Furthermore, genetic ablation (i.e., knockout) of CaMKIIδ, the predominant cardiac CaMKII isoform, diminished ventricular sarcK(ATP) channel stimulation elicited by activation of PKG, unveiling CaMKIIδ as a crucial player. Additionally, evidence from kinase activity and Western blot analyses revealed that activation of NO-PKG signalling augmented CaMKII activity in rabbit ventricular myocytes and, importantly, CaMKII activation by PKG occurred in an ERK1/2-dependent manner, placing ERK1/2 upstream of CaMKII. Taken together, these findings suggest that NO modulates ventricular sarcK(ATP) channels via a novel sGC-cGMP-PKG-ROS(H2O2)-ERK1/2-calmodulin-CaMKII (δ isoform in particular) signalling cascade, which heightens K(ATP) channel activity by destabilizing the long closed states while facilitating closed-to-open state transitions. This pathway may contribute to regulation of cardiac excitability and cytoprotection against ischaemia-reperfusion injury, in part, by opening myocardial sarcK(ATP) channels.

βIV-Spectrin and CaMKII facilitate Kir6.2 regulation in pancreatic beta cells

Identified over a dozen years ago in the brain and pancreatic islet, βIV-spectrin is critical for the local organization of protein complexes throughout the nervous system. βIV-Spectrin targets ion channels and adapter proteins to axon initial segments and nodes of Ranvier in neurons, and βIV-spectrin dysfunction underlies ataxia and early death in mice. Despite advances in βIV-spectrin research in the nervous system, its role in pancreatic islet biology is unknown. Here, we report that βIV-spectrin serves as a multifunctional structural and signaling platform in the pancreatic islet. We report that βIV-spectrin directly associates with and targets the calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) in pancreatic islets. In parallel, βIV-spectrin targets ankyrin-B and the ATP-sensitive potassium channel. Consistent with these findings, βIV-spectrin mutant mice lacking CaMKII- or ankyrin-binding motifs display selective loss of expression and targeting of key protein components, including CaMKIIδ. βIV-Spectrin-targeted CaMKII directly phosphorylates the inwardly-rectifying potassium channel, Kir6.2 (alpha subunit of KATP channel complex), and we identify the specific residue, Kir6.2 T224, responsible for CaMKII-dependent regulation of KATP channel function. CaMKII-dependent phosphorylation alters channel regulation resulting in KATP channel inhibition, a cellular phenotype consistent with aberrant insulin regulation. Finally, we demonstrate aberrant KATP channel phosphorylation in βIV-spectrin mutant mice. In summary, our findings establish a broader role for βIV-spectrin in regulation of cell membrane excitability in the pancreatic islet, define the pathway for CaMKII local control in pancreatic beta cells, and identify the mechanism for CaMKII-dependent regulation of KATP channels.

AMPK: A regulator of ion channels

Ion transport processes are highly energy consuming. It is therefore critical to couple ion transport processes to the metabolic state of the cell. An important player in this coupling appears to be the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). This kinase becomes activated during conditions of cellular metabolic stress and is well-known for its role in promoting ATP-generating catabolic pathways while turning off ATP-utilizing anabolic pathways. Over the past decade AMPK has also emerged as a key regulator of ion channel activity as an increasing number of ion channels are reported to be either directly or indirectly regulated by the kinase. AMPK therefore provides a necessary link between cellular energy levels and ion channel activity.

Insulin activates Erk1/2 signaling in the dorsal vagal complex to inhibit glucose production

Insulin activates PI3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT to regulate glucose homeostasis in the peripheral tissues and the mediobasal hypothalamus (MBH) of rodents. We report that insulin infusion into the MBH or dorsal vagal complex (DVC) activated insulin receptors. The same dose of insulin that activated MBH PI3K/AKT did not in the DVC. DVC insulin instead activated Erk1/2 and lowered glucose production in rats and mice. Molecular and chemical inhibition of DVC Erk1/2 negated, while activation of DVC Erk1/2 recapitulated, the effects of DVC insulin. Circulating insulin failed to inhibit glucose production when DVC Erk1/2 was inhibited in normal rodents, while DVC insulin action was disrupted in high-fat-fed rodents. Activation of DVC ATP-sensitive potassium channels was necessary for insulin-Erk1/2 and sufficient to inhibit glucose production in normal and high-fat-fed rodents. DVC is a site of insulin action where insulin triggers Erk1/2 signaling to inhibit glucose production and of insulin resistance in high-fat feeding.

Disruption of the chemokine-like receptor-1 (CMKLR1) gene is associated with reduced adiposity and glucose intolerance

Adipose tissue secretes a variety of bioactive signaling molecules, termed adipokines, which regulate numerous biological functions including appetite, energy balance, glucose homeostasis, and inflammation. Chemerin is a novel adipokine that regulates adipocyte differentiation and metabolism by binding to and activating the G protein-coupled receptor, chemokine like receptor-1 (CMKLR1). In the present study, we investigated the impact of CMKLR1 deficiency on adipose development, glucose homeostasis, and inflammation in vivo. Herein we report that regardless of diet (low or high fat), CMKLR1(-/-) mice had lower food consumption, total body mass, and percent body fat compared with wild-type controls. CMKLR1(-/-) mice also exhibited decreased hepatic and white adipose tissue TNFα and IL-6 mRNA levels coincident with decreased hepatic dendritic cell infiltration, decreased adipose CD3+ T cells, and increased adipose natural killer cells. CMKLR1(-/-) mice were glucose intolerant compared with wild-type mice, and this was associated with decreased glucose stimulated insulin secretion as well as decreased skeletal muscle and white adipose tissue glucose uptake. Collectively these data provide compelling evidence that CMKLR1 influences adipose tissue development, inflammation, and glucose homeostasis and may contribute to the metabolic derangement characteristic of obesity and obesity-related diseases.

Regulation of ABC transporter function via phosphorylation by protein kinases

ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters are multispanning membrane proteins that utilize ATP to move a broad range of substrates across cellular membranes. ABC transporters are involved in a number of human disorders and diseases. Overexpression of a subset of the transporters has been closely linked to multidrug resistance in both bacteria and viruses and in cancer. A poorly understood and important aspect of ABC transporter biology is the role of phosphorylation as a mechanism to regulate transporter function. In this review, we summarize the current literature addressing the role of phosphorylation in regulating ABC transporter function. A comprehensive list of all the phosphorylation sites that have been identified for the human ABC transporters is presented, and we discuss the role of individual kinases in regulating transporter function. We address the potential pitfalls and difficulties associated with identifying phosphorylation sites and the corresponding kinase(s), and we discuss novel techniques that may circumvent these problems. We conclude by providing a brief perspective on studying ABC transporter phosphorylation.

Activation of cGMP-dependent protein kinase stimulates cardiac ATP-sensitive potassium channels via a ROS/calmodulin/CaMKII signaling cascade

Background

Cyclic GMP (cGMP)-dependent protein kinase (PKG) is recognized as an important signaling component in diverse cell types. PKG may influence the function of cardiac ATP-sensitive potassium (K_ATP) channels, an ion channel critical for stress adaptation in the heart; however, the underlying mechanism remains largely unknown. The present study was designed to address this issue.

Methods and Findings

Single-channel recordings of cardiac K_ATP channels were performed in both cell-attached and inside-out patch configurations using transfected human embryonic kidney (HEK)293 cells and rabbit ventricular cardiomyocytes. We found that Kir6.2/SUR2A (the cardiac-type K_ATP) channels were activated by cGMP-selective phosphodiesterase inhibitor zaprinast in a concentration-dependent manner in cell-attached patches obtained from HEK293 cells, an effect mimicked by the membrane-permeable cGMP analog 8-bromo-cGMP whereas abolished by selective PKG inhibitors. Intriguingly, direct application of PKG moderately reduced rather than augmented Kir6.2/SUR2A single-channel currents in excised, inside-out patches. Moreover, PKG stimulation of Kir6.2/SUR2A channels in intact cells was abrogated by ROS/H₂O₂ scavenging, antagonism of calmodulin, and blockade of calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII), respectively. Exogenous H₂O₂ also concentration-dependently stimulated Kir6.2/SUR2A channels in intact cells, and its effect was prevented by inhibition of calmodulin or CaMKII. PKG stimulation of K_ATP channels was confirmed in intact ventricular cardiomyocytes, which was ROS- and CaMKII-dependent. Kinetically, PKG appeared to stimulate these channels by destabilizing the longest closed state while stabilizing the long open state and facilitating opening transitions.

Conclusion

The present study provides novel evidence that PKG exerts dual regulation of cardiac K_ATP channels, including marked stimulation resulting from intracellular signaling mediated by ROS (H₂O₂ in particular), calmodulin and CaMKII, alongside of moderate channel suppression likely mediated by direct PKG phosphorylation of the channel or some closely associated proteins. The novel cGMP/PKG/ROS/calmodulin/CaMKII signaling pathway may regulate cardiomyocyte excitability by opening K_ATP channels and contribute to cardiac protection against ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Stimulation of neuronal KATP channels by cGMP-dependent protein kinase: involvement of ROS and 5-hydroxydecanoate-sensitive factors in signal transduction

The ATP-sensitive potassium (K(ATP)) channel couples intracellular metabolic state to membrane excitability. Recently, we demonstrated that neuronal K(ATP) channels are functionally enhanced by activation of a nitric oxide (NO)/cGMP/cGMP-dependent protein kinase (PKG) signaling cascade. In this study, we further investigated the intracellular mechanism underlying PKG stimulation of neuronal K(ATP) channels. By performing single-channel recordings in transfected HEK293 and neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells, we found that the increase of Kir6.2/SUR1 (i.e., the neuronal-type K(ATP)) channel currents by PKG activation in cell-attached patches was diminished by 5-hydroxydecanoate (5-HD), an inhibitor of the putative mitochondrial K(ATP) channel; N-(2-mercaptopropionyl)glycine, a reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenger, and catalase, a hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2))-decomposing enzyme. These reagents also ablated NO-induced K(ATP) channel stimulation and prevented the shifts in the single-channel open- and closed-time distributions resulting from PKG activation and NO induction. Bath application of H(2)O(2) reproduced PKG stimulation of Kir6.2/SUR1 but did not activate tetrameric Kir6.2LRKR368/369/370/371AAAA channels. Moreover, neither the PKG activator nor exogenous H(2)O(2) was able to enhance the function of K(ATP) channels in the presence of Ca(2+) chelators and calmodulin antagonists, whereas the stimulatory effect of H(2)O(2) was unaffected by 5-HD. Altogether, in this report we provide novel evidence that activation of PKG stimulates neuronal K(ATP) channels by modulating intrinsic channel gating via a 5-HD-sensitive factor(s)/ROS/Ca(2+)/calmodulin signaling pathway that requires the presence of the SUR1 subunit. This signaling pathway may contribute to neuroprotection against ischemic injury and regulation of neuronal excitability and neurotransmitter release by modulating the function of neuronal K(ATP) channels.

Insulin as a physiological modulator of glucagon secretion

Glucose homeostasis is regulated primarily by the opposing actions of insulin and glucagon, hormones that are secreted by pancreatic islets from beta-cells and alpha-cells, respectively. Insulin secretion is increased in response to elevated blood glucose to maintain normoglycemia by stimulating glucose transport in muscle and adipocytes and reducing glucose production by inhibiting gluconeogenesis in the liver. Whereas glucagon secretion is suppressed by hyperglycemia, it is stimulated during hypoglycemia, promoting hepatic glucose production and ultimately raising blood glucose levels. Diabetic hyperglycemia occurs as the result of insufficient insulin secretion from the beta-cells and/or lack of insulin action due to peripheral insulin resistance. Remarkably, excessive secretion of glucagon from the alpha-cells is also a major contributor to the development of diabetic hyperglycemia. Insulin is a physiological suppressor of glucagon secretion; however, at the cellular and molecular levels, how intraislet insulin exerts its suppressive effect on the alpha-cells is not very clear. Although the inhibitory effect of insulin on glucagon gene expression is an important means to regulate glucagon secretion, recent studies suggest that the underlying mechanisms of the intraislet insulin on suppression of glucagon secretion involve the modulation of K(ATP) channel activity and the activation of the GABA-GABA(A) receptor system. Nevertheless, regulation of glucagon secretion is multifactorial and yet to be fully understood.

Effect of nitric oxide on auditory cortical neurons of aged rats

Age-related changes in the effects of nitric oxide (NO) on neurons of the auditory cortex have not been determined. We therefore evaluated the anatomical changes and neurophysiological characteristics of these neurons in rats as a function of age. The numbers of cresyl violet stained cells, the numbers and areas of NADPH-d-positive neuronal cell bodies, and their optical density, were measured in Sprague-Dawley rats aged 24 months (aged group) and 4 months (control group). The modulatory effects of NO on K(+) currents of acutely isolated rat auditory cortical neurons were also assessed. There were no between-group differences in the distribution patterns of glial cells and neurons, or in the numbers and areas of NADPH-d-positive neuronal cell bodies. However, the optical density of NADPH-d-positive neuronal cell bodies was significantly greater in the aged group than in the control group. In addition, voltage-gated K(+) currents of rat auditory cortical neurons were activated by increased levels of NO. As activation of the K(+) current likely suppresses neuronal excitability, age-associated increases in NO production can hinder the function of the acoustic center by inhibiting neuron excitability.