Molecular analysis of ATP-sensitive K(+) channel subunits expressed in mouse portal vein

BPI and KIR6.1 as significant hub genes for vein graft restenosis

Background

Vein graft restenosis (VGR), which appears to be caused by dyslipidemia following vascular transplantation, seriously affects the prognosis and long-term quality of life of patients.

Methods

This study analyzed the genetic data of restenosis (VGR group) and non-stenosis (control group) vessels from patients with coronary heart disease post-vascular transplantation and identified hub genes that might be responsible for its occurrence. GSE110398 was downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus database. A repeatability test for the GSE110398 dataset was performed using R language. This included the identification of differentially expressed genes (DEGs), enrichment analysis via Metascape software, pathway enrichment analysis, and construction of a protein–protein interaction network and a hub gene network.

Results

Twenty-four DEGs were identified between VGR and control groups. The four most important hub genes (KIR6.1, PCLP1, EDNRB, and BPI) were identified, and Pearson’s correlation coefficient showed that KIR6.1 and BPI were significantly correlated with VGR. KIR6.1 could also sensitively predict VGR (0.9 < area under the curve ≤1).

Conclusion

BPI and KIR6.1 were differentially expressed in vessels with and without stenosis after vascular transplantation, suggesting that these genes or their encoded proteins may be involved in the occurrence of VGR.

Vasodilatory effect of formaldehyde via the NO/cGMP pathway and the regulation of expression of KATP, BKCa and L-type Ca2+ channels

Formaldehyde (FA), a well-known toxic gas molecule similar to nitric oxide (NO), carbon monoxide (CO), and hydrogen sulfide (H₂S), is widely produced endogenously via numerous biochemical pathways, and has a number of physiological roles in the biosystem. We attempted to investigate the vasorelaxant effects of FA and their underlying mechanisms. We found that FA induced vasorelaxant effects on rat aortic rings in a concentration-dependent manner. The NO/cyclic guanosine 5' monophosphate (cGMP) pathway was up-regulated when the rat aortas were treated with FA. The expression of large-conductance Ca²⁺-activated K⁺ (BK_Ca) channel subunits α and β of the rat aortas was increased by FA. Similarly, the levels of ATP-sensitive K⁺ (K_ATP) channel subunits K_ir6.1 and K_ir6.2 were also up-regulated when the rat aortas were incubated with FA. In contrast, levels of the L-type Ca²⁺ channel (LTCC) subunits, Ca_v1.2 and Ca_v1.3, decreased dramatically with increasing concentrations of FA. We demonstrated that the regulation of FA on vascular contractility may be via the up-regulation of the NO/cGMP pathway and the modulation of ion channels, including the upregulated expression of the K_ATP and BK_Ca channels and the inhibited expression of LTCCs. Further study is needed to explore the in-depth mechanisms of FA induced vasorelaxation.

Rab8a is involved in membrane trafficking of Kir6.2 in the MIN6 insulinoma cell line

Although ATP-sensitive K⁺ (K_ATP) channels play an important role in the secretion of insulin by pancreatic beta cells, the mechanisms that regulate the intracellular transport of K_ATP channel subunit proteins (i.e., Kir6.2 and sulfonylurea receptor 1 (SUR1)) to the plasma membrane remain uncharacterized. We investigated the possibility that an interaction between K_ATP channel subunit proteins and Rab8a protein, a member of the RAS superfamily, may be involved in the membrane trafficking of K_ATP channels. Co-immunoprecipitation and immunostaining experiments using co-expression systems with fluorescent protein-tagged Kir6.2 were carried out to identify the coupling of K_ATP channels and Rab8a proteins in the insulin-secreting cell line, MIN6. Rab8a protein co-localized with Kir6.2 protein, a channel pore subunit (in a granular pattern), and with insulin. Knockdown of the Rab8a gene with RNA interference using small interfering RNA systems caused reductions in the amount of total K_ATP and plasma membrane surface K_ATP channels without decreasing the messenger RNA transcription of the K_ATP channel subunits. Rab8a gene knockdown also enhanced glucose-induced insulin secretion. These results suggest that Rab8a may be involved in membrane trafficking of K_ATP channels and the maintenance of normal insulin secretion in the MIN6 pancreatic beta cell line.

Venous Vasomotion

Veins exhibit spontaneous contractile activity, a phenomenon generally termed vasomotion. This is mediated by spontaneous rhythmical contractions of mural cells (i.e. smooth muscle cells (SMCs) or pericytes) in the wall of the vessel. Vasomotion occurs through interconnected oscillators within and between mural cells, entraining their cycles. Pharmacological studies indicate that a key oscillator underlying vasomotion is the rhythmical calcium ion (Ca²⁺) release-refill cycle of Ca²⁺ stores. This occurs through opening of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor (IP₃R)- and/or ryanodine receptor (RyR)-operated Ca²⁺ release channels in the sarcoplasmic/endoplasmic (SR/ER) reticulum and refilling by the SR/ER reticulum Ca²⁺ATPase (SERCA). Released Ca²⁺ from stores near the plasma membrane diffuse through the cytosol to open Ca²⁺-activated chloride (Cl^-) channels, this generating inward current through an efflux of Cl^-. The resultant depolarisation leads to the opening of voltage-dependent Ca²⁺ channels and possibly increased production of IP₃, which through Ca²⁺-induced Ca²⁺ release (CICR) of IP₃Rs and/or RyRs and IP₃R-mediated Ca²⁺ release provide a means by which store oscillators entrain their activity. Intercellular entrainment normally involves current flow through gap junctions that interconnect mural cells and in many cases this is aided by additional connectivity through the endothelium. Once entrainment has occurred the substantial Ca²⁺ entry that results from the near-synchronous depolarisations leads to rhythmical contractions of the mural cells, this often leading to vessel constriction. The basis for venous/venular vasomotion has yet to be fully delineated but could improve both venous drainage and capillary/venular absorption of blood plasma-associated fluids.

ZD0947, a sulphonylurea receptor modulator, detects functional sulphonylurea receptor subunits in murine vascular smooth muscle ATP-sensitive K+ channels

In order to identify functional sulphonylurea receptor (SUR.x) subunits of native ATP-sensitive K⁺ channels (K_ATP channels) in mouse portal vein, the effects of ZD0947, a SUR.x modulator, were investigated on spontaneous portal vein contractions, macroscopic membrane currents and unitary currents recorded (using patch-clamp techniques) in freshly dispersed mouse portal vein myocytes. Spontaneous contractions in mouse portal vein were reversibly reduced by ZD0947 in a concentration-dependent manner (K_i =293nM). The relaxation elicited by 3µM ZD0947 was antagonized by the additional application of glibenclamide (300nM), but not gliclazide (100-300nM). In the conventional whole-cell configuration, 100µM ZD0947 elicited inward glibenclamide-sensitive currents at a holding potential of -60mV that demonstrated selectivity for K⁺(i.e. K_ATP currents). The peak amplitude of the membrane current elicited by 30µM or 100µM ZD0947 was smaller than that elicited by 100µM pinacidil at -60mV. In the cell-attached mode, 100µM ZD0947 activated glibenclamide-sensitive K⁺ channels with a conductance (35 pS) similar to that of recombinant Kir6.1/SUR2B channels that were expressed in HEK293 cells and activated by 100µM ZD0947. These results demonstrate that ZD0947 caused a significant vascular relaxation through the activation of K_ATP channels and that SUR2B may be the major functional subunit of SUR.x in mouse portal vein K_ATP channels, based on its pharmacological selectivity.

Effects of ZD0947, a novel and potent ATP-sensitive K+ channel opener, on smooth muscle-type ATP-sensitive K+ channels

The effects of ZD0947, a novel ATP-sensitive K⁺ channel (K_ATP channel) opener, on the activity of reconstituted K_ATP channels were investigated using cell-attached recordings. K_ATP channels were studied in HEK 293 cells by co-expression of inwardly rectifying-6 family K⁺ channel subunits (Kir6.x: Kir6.1 and Kir6.2) with 3 different types of sulphonylurea receptors (SUR.x: SUR1, SUR2A and SUR2B). ZD0947 (100µM) activated SUR2B/Kir6.2 channels in a concentration-dependent manner, but caused only weak activation of SUR1/Kir6.2 channels and SUR2A/Kir6.2 channels expressed in HEK 293 cells. ZD0947 reversibly suppressed diazoxide-elicited SUR1/Kir6.2 channels activity and pinacidil-elicited SUR2A/Kir6.2 channel activity. However, ZD0947 did not affect SUR2B/Kir6.2 channels fully activated by 100µM pinacidil. ZD0947 had little inhibitory effects on the activity of Kir6.2ΔC26 channels (a truncated isoform of Kir6.2) or its mutant channels (i.e. Kir6.2ΔC26C166A) expressed in HEK 293 cells. ZD0947 also elicited activity in SUR2B/Kir6.1 channels expressed in HEK 293 cells, in a concentration-dependent manner. Therefore, ZD0947 is a relatively effective activator of smooth muscle-type K_ATP channels (SUR2B/Kir6.1 and SUR2B/Kir6.2) but is a partial antagonist of pancreatic-type K_ATP channels (i.e. SUR1/Kir6.2) and cardiac-type K_ATP channels (i.e. SUR2A/Kir6.2). These results suggest that a pharmacological agent can possess either agonist or antagonist actions on the activity of K_ATP channels, depending on the subtype of SUR.x.