HERG K(+) channel activity is regulated by changes in phosphatidyl inositol 4,5-bisphosphate

Autonomic stimulation controls heart rate and myocardial excitability and may underlie the precipitation of both acquired and hereditary arrhythmias. Changes in phosphatidyl inositol bisphosphate (PIP2) concentration results from activation of several muscarinic and adrenergic receptors. We sought to investigate whether PIP2 changes could alter HERG K(+) channel activity in a manner similar to that seen with inward rectifier channels. PIP2 (10 micromol/L) internally dialyzed increased the K(+) current amplitude and shifted the voltage-dependence of activation in a hyperpolarizing direction. Elevated PIP2 accelerated activation and slowed inactivation kinetics. When 10 micromol/L PIP2 was applied to excised patches, no significant change in single channel conductance occurred, indicating that PIP2-dependent effects were primarily due to altered channel gating. PIP2 significantly attenuated the run-down of HERG channel activity that we normally observe after patch excision, suggesting that channel run-down is due, in part, to membrane depletion of PIP2. Inclusion of a neutralizing anti-PIP2 monoclonal antibody in whole cell pipette solution produced the opposite effects of PIP2. The physiological relevance of PIP2-HERG interactions is supported by our finding that phenylephrine reduced the K(+) current density in cells coexpressing alpha1A-receptor and HERG. The effects of alpha-adrenergic stimulation, however, were prevented by excess PIP2 in internal solutions but not by internal Ca(2+) buffering nor PKC inhibition, suggesting that the mechanism is due to G-protein-coupled receptor stimulation of PLC resulting in the consumption of endogenous PIP2. Thus, dynamic regulation of HERG K(+) channels may be achieved via receptor-mediated changes in PIP2 concentrations.

Capsaicin inhibits Jurkat T-cell activation by blocking calcium entry current I(CRAC)

Capacitative calcium entry (CCE) through stores-operated Ca2+ channels is an absolute requirement for normal activation of T lymphocytes. Organic blockers/inhibitors of the channel(s) that carry the inward Ca2+ current (I(CRAC)) responsible for CCE are few. Here we show that capsaicin, the pungent ingredient of hot chili pepper, blocks receptor-stimulated Ca2+ entry in Jurkat T cells. Indo-1 measurements of intracellular calcium show that capsaicin blocks CCE without affecting release of inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate-sensitive internal Ca2+ stores with an IC50 of 32 microM. Block of Ca2+ entry by capsaicin is identical whether CCE is evoked by T-cell receptor (TCR) stimulation, heterologous muscarinic M1 receptor stimulation, or via thapsigargin depletion of internal Ca2+ stores. Patch-clamp experiments show that capsaicin rapidly and reversibly blocks I(CRAC) with an identical dose response as seen with indo-1 measurements. The major voltage-gated K+ channel in Jurkat cells, Kv1.3, is also blocked by capsaicin. Although Kv1.3 block may contribute to reducing CCE by changes in membrane potential, block of I(CRAC) is the primary mechanism by which capsaicin reduces CCE. Capsaicin analogs capsazepine and resiniferatoxin also produce inhibition of CCE via block of I(CRAC). Upon application of capsaicin to Jurkat cells in culture we observed an inhibition of interleukin-2 (IL-2) production in response to TCR stimulation. The dose dependence of capsaicin's reduction of IL-2 was comparable with its block of I(CRAC), thereby illustrating the functional relevance of capsaicin's block of lymphocyte CCE. Thus, capsaicin and its numerous analogs may have potential use as immunomodulatory drugs and should be further investigated in models of inflammation and T-cell activation.

Analysis of the cyclic nucleotide binding domain of the HERG potassium channel and interactions with KCNE2

Mutations in the cyclic nucleotide binding domain (CNBD) of the human ether-a-go-go-related gene (HERG) K+ channel are associated with LQT2, a form of hereditary Long QT syndrome (LQTS). Elevation of cAMP can modulate HERG K+ channels both by direct binding and indirect regulation through protein kinase A. To assess the physiological significance of cAMP binding to HERG, we introduced mutations to disrupt the cyclic nucleotide binding domain. Eight mutants including two naturally occurring LQT2 mutants V822M and R823W were constructed. Relative cAMP binding capacity was reduced or absent in CNBD mutants. Mutant homotetramers carry little or no K+ current despite normal protein abundance and surface expression. Co-expression of mutant and wild-type HERG resulted in currents with altered voltage dependence but without dominant current suppression. The data from co-expression of V822M and wild-type HERG best fit a model where one normal subunit within a tetramer allows nearly normal current expression. The presence of KCNE2, an accessory protein that associates with HERG, however, conferred a partially dominant current suppression by CNBD mutants. Thus KCNE2 plays a pivotal role in determining the phenotypic severity of some forms of LQT2, which suggests that the CNBD of HERG may be involved in its interaction with KCNE2.

Structural determinants of KvLQT1 control by the KCNE family of proteins

KvLQT1 is a Shaker-like voltage-gated potassium channel that when complexed with minK (KCNE1) produces the slowly activating delayed rectifier I(ks). The emerging family of KCNE1-related peptides includes KCNE1 and KCNE3, both of which complex with KvLQT1 to produce functionally distinct currents. Namely I(ks), the slowly activating delayed rectifier current, is produced by KvLQT1/KCNE1, whereas KvLQT1/KCNE3 yields a more rapidly activating current with a distinct constitutively active component. We exploited these functional differences and the general structural similarities of KCNE1 and KCNE3 to study which physical regions are critical for control of KvLQT1 by making chimerical constructs of KCNE1 and KCNE3. By using this approach, we have found that a three-amino acid stretch within the transmembrane domain is necessary and sufficient to confer specificity of control of activation kinetics by KCNE1 and KCNE3. Moreover, chimera analysis showed that different regions within the transmembrane domain control deactivation rates. Our results help to provide a basis for understanding the mechanism by which KCNE proteins control K(+) channel activity.

KATP channels regulate mitogenically induced proliferation in primary rat hepatocytes and human liver cell lines. Implications for liver growth control and potential therapeutic targeting

To determine whether K(ATP) channels control liver growth, we used primary rat hepatocytes and several human cancer cell lines for assays. K(ATP) channel openers (minoxidil, cromakalim, and pinacidil) increased cellular DNA synthesis, whereas K(ATP) channel blockers (quinidine and glibenclamide) attenuated DNA synthesis. The channel inhibitor glibenclamide decreased the clonogenicity of HepG2 cells without inducing cytotoxicity or apoptosis. To demonstrate the specificity of drugs for K(+) channels, whole-cell patch-clamp recordings were made. Hepatocytes revealed K(+) currents with K(ATP) channel properties. These K(+) currents were augmented by minoxidil and pinacidil and attenuated by glibenclamide as well as tetraethylammonium, in agreement with established responses of K(ATP) channels. Reverse transcription of total cellular RNA followed by polymerase chain reaction showed expression of K(ATP) channel-specific subunits in rat hepatocytes and human liver cell lines. Calcium fluxes were unperturbed in glibenclamide-treated HepG2 cells and primary rat hepatocytes following induction with ATP and hepatocyte growth factor, respectively, suggesting that the effect of K(ATP) channel activity upon hepatocyte proliferation was not simply due to indirect modulation of intracellular calcium. The regulation of mitogen-related hepatocyte proliferation by K(ATP) channels advances our insights into liver growth control. The findings have implications in mechanisms concerning liver development, regeneration, and oncogenesis.

Cyclic AMP regulates the HERG K(+) channel by dual pathways

Lethal cardiac arrhythmias are a hallmark of the hereditary Long QT syndrome (LQTS), a disease produced by mutations of cardiac ion channels [1]. Often these arrhythmias are stress-induced, suggesting a relationship between beta-adrenergic activation of adenylate cyclase and cAMP-dependent alteration of one or more of the ion channels involved in LQTS. Second messengers modulate ion channel activity either by direct interaction or through intermediary kinases and phosphatases. Here we show that the second messenger cAMP regulates the K(+) channel mutated in the LQT2 form of LQTS, HERG [2], both directly and indirectly. Activation of cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) causes phosphorylation of HERG accompanied by a rapid reduction in current amplitude, acceleration of voltage-dependent deactivation, and depolarizing shift in voltage-dependent activation. In a parallel pathway, cAMP directly binds to the HERG protein with the opposing effect of a hyperpolarizing shift in voltage-dependent activation. The summation of cAMP-mediated effects is a net diminution of the effective current, but when HERG is complexed with with the K(+) channel accessory proteins MiRP1 or minK, the stimulatory effects of cAMP are favored. These findings provide a direct link between stress and arrhythmia by a unique mechanism where a single second messenger exerts complex regulation of an ion channel via two distinct pathways.

The dominant negative LQT2 mutation A561V reduces wild-type HERG expression

HERG(1) K(+) channel mutations are responsible for one form of dominantly inherited long QT syndrome (LQT). Some LQT mutations exert a dominant negative effect on wild-type current expression. To investigate mechanisms of dominant-negative behavior, we co-expressed wild-type HERG with the A561V mutant in mammalian cells. Transfection with various cDNA ratios produced HERG K(+) current densities that approached a predicted binomial distribution where mutant and wild-type subunits co-assemble in a tetramer with nearly complete dominance. Using C terminus myc-tagged wild-type HERG we specifically followed the mutant's effect on full-length wild-type HERG protein expression. Co-expression with A561V reduced the abundance of full-length wild-type HERG protein comparable to the current reduction. Reduction of wild-type protein was due to decreased synthesis and increased turnover. Conditions facilitating protein folding (growth at 30 degrees C, or in 10% glycerol) resulted in partial rescue from the dominant effect, as did the 26 S proteosome inhibitor ALLN. Thus, for A561V, dominant negative effects result from assembly of wild-type subunits with mutant very early in production leading to rapid recognition of mutant channels and targeting for proteolysis. These results establish protein misfolding, cellular proofreading, and bystander involvement as contributing mechanisms for dominant effects in LQT2.

Effects of outer mouth mutations on hERG channel function: a comparison with similar mutations in the Shaker channel

The fast-inactivation process in the hERG channel can be affected by mutations in the pore or S6 domain, similar to the C-type inactivation in the Shaker channel. However, differences in the kinetics and voltage dependence of inactivation between these two channels suggest that different structural determinants may be involved. To explore this possibility, we mutated a serine in the outer mouth region of hERG (S631) to residues of different physicochemical properties and compared the resulting changes in the channel's inactivation process with those resulting from mutations of an equivalent position in the Shaker channel (T449). The most dramatic differences are seen when this position is occupied by a charged residue: S631K and S631E disrupted C-type inactivation in hERG, whereas T449K and T449E facilitate C-type inactivation in Shaker. S631K and S631E also disrupted the K selectivity of hERG pore, a change not seen in T449K or T449E of Shaker. To further study why there are such differences, we replaced S631 with cysteine. This allowed us to manipulate the properties of thiol groups at position 631 and correlate side-chain properties here with changes in channel function. S631C behaved like the wild-type channel when the thiol groups were in the reduced state. Oxidizing thiol groups with H2O2 or modifying them with MTSET or MTSES disrupted C-type inactivation and K selectivity, similar to the phenotype of S631K and S631E. The same thiol-modifying maneuvers did not affect the wild-type channel function. Our results suggest differences in the outer mouth structure between hERG and Shaker, and we propose a "molecular spring" hypothesis to explain these differences.

Intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis in trypomastigotes of Trypanosoma cruzi

Trypomastigotes of Trypanosoma cruzi maintain an intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) of 64 +/- 30 nM. Equilibration of trypomastigotes in an extracellular buffer containing 0.5 mM [Ca2+]o (preloaded cells) increased [Ca2+]i < 20 nM whereas total cell Ca2+ increased by 1.5 to 2.0 pmole/cell. This amount of Ca2+ would be expected to increase [Ca2+]i to > 10 microM suggesting active sequestration of Ca2+. We tested the hypothesis that maintenance of [Ca2+]i involved both the sequestration into intracellular storage sites and extrusion into the extracellular space. Pharmacological probes known to influence [Ca2+]i through well characterized pathways in higher eukaryotic cells were employed. [Ca2+]i responses in the presence or absence of [Ca2+]o were measured to asses the relative contribution of sequestration or extrusion processes in [Ca2+]i homeostasis. In the presence of 0.5 mM [Ca2+]o, the ability of several agents to increase [Ca2+]i was magnified in the order ionomycin >>> nigericin > thapsigargin > monensin > valinomycin. In contrast, preloading markedly enhanced the increase in [Ca2+]i observed only in response to monensin. Manoalide, an inhibitor of phospholipase A2, enhanced the accumulation of [Ca2+]i due to all agents tested, particularly ionomycin and thapsigargin. Our results suggest that sequestration of [Ca2+]i involved storage sites sensitive to monensin and ionomycin whereas extrusion of Ca2+ may involve phospholipase A2 activity. A Na+/Ca2+ exchange mechanism did not appear to contribute to Ca2+ homeostasis.

A minK-HERG complex regulates the cardiac potassium current I(Kr)

MinK is a widely expressed protein of relative molecular mass approximately 15K that forms potassium channels by aggregation with other membrane proteins. MinK governs ion channel activation, regulation by second messengers, and the function and structure of the ion conduction pathway. Association of minK with a channel protein known as KvLQT1 produces a voltage-gated outward K+ current (I[sK]) resembling the slow cardiac repolarization current (I[Ks]). HERG, a human homologue of the ether-a-go-go gene of the fruitfly Drosophila melanogaster, encodes a protein that produces the rapidly activating cardiac delayed rectifier (I[Kr]). These two potassium currents, I(Ks) and I(Kr), provide the principal repolarizing currents in cardiac myocytes for the termination of action potentials. Although heterologously expressed HERG channels are largely indistinguishable from native cardiac I(Kr), a role for minK in this current is suggested by the diminished I(Kr) in an atrial tumour line subjected to minK antisense suppression. Here we show that HERG and minK form a stable complex, and that this heteromultimerization regulates I(Kr) activity. MinK, through the formation of heteromeric channel complexes, is thus central to the control of the heart rate and rhythm.

Inhibition by SK&F 96365 of Ca2+ current, IL-2 production and activation in T lymphocytes

1. By use of whole cell patch-clamp and Indo-1 fluorescence studies of the Jurkat T leukaemic cell line, we show that the new organic antagonist of receptor-mediated Ca2+ entry, SK&F 96365, inhibits the T cell Ca2+ current in a dose-dependent fashion, with an IC50 of 12 microM. 2. SK&F 96365 also inhibits [3H]-thymidine incorporation and interleukin-2 (IL-2) synthesis in peripheral blood lymphocytes. 3. SK&F 96365 has no effect on Ca2+ stores release or K+ channels. 4. This is the first account of an organic inhibitor of the T cell Ca2+ current. The ability of SK&F 96365 to inhibit IL-2 synthesis and cell proliferation suggests that a new class of related Ca2+ channel blockers can be developed as immunosuppressive agents.

Activation of Ca2+ current in Jurkat T cells following the depletion of Ca2+ stores by microsomal Ca(2+)-ATPase inhibitors

The mechanism of TCR-stimulated Ca2+ influx was studied in the Jurkat human T cell line using Ca2+ indicator dyes and whole-cell patch clamp. Ca2+ influx induced by inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate (IP3)-coupled surface receptors (either the TCR or a heterologous muscarinic receptor) was compared with Ca2+ influx induced by inhibitors of the microsomal Ca(2+)-ATPase (thapsigargin, cyclopiazonic acid, di-tert-butylhydroquinone), which release stored Ca2+ without production of IP3. The same Ca2+ influx pathway could be activated by IP3-dependent or IP3-independent means, and therefore appeared to be regulated by the fullness of the microsomal Ca2+ stores rather than by the direct action of IP3. Depletion of stored Ca2+ by either receptor stimulation or microsomal Ca(2+)-ATPase inhibition activated a low conductance, Ca(2+)-selective, non-voltage-activated membrane current. Ca2+ currents induced by receptor stimulation and Ca(2+)-ATPase inhibition were not additive. Several properties of the depletion-activated Ca2+ current suggest that it is carried by a novel type of Ca2+ channel rather than an electrogenic carrier or pump. The conductance saturated when external Ca2+ was raised (Kd approximately 2 mM) and became highly permeable to monovalent cations when external Ca2+ was lowered to below 100 nM, much as has been observed for some voltage-gated Ca2+ channels. The Ca2+ current was reversibly blocked by > 90% with 0.3 mM Cd2+, whereas the same concentration of Ni2+ or Co2+ blocked only 50 to 60% of the current. However, the absence of voltage-dependent activation, relative conductance sequence for divalent cations (Ca2+ > Ba2+ approximately Sr2+ >> Mn2+), and lack of inhibition by nifedipine, D600, diltiazem, delta-conotoxin, or aga-IVa were unlike that of voltage-gated Ca2+ channels.

Activation of Ca2+ current in Jurkat T cells following the depletion of Ca2+ stores by microsomal Ca(2+)-ATPase inhibitors

The mechanism of TCR-stimulated Ca2+ influx was studied in the Jurkat human T cell line using Ca2+ indicator dyes and whole-cell patch clamp. Ca2+ influx induced by inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate (IP3)-coupled surface receptors (either the TCR or a heterologous muscarinic receptor) was compared with Ca2+ influx induced by inhibitors of the microsomal Ca(2+)-ATPase (thapsigargin, cyclopiazonic acid, di-tert-butylhydroquinone), which release stored Ca2+ without production of IP3. The same Ca2+ influx pathway could be activated by IP3-dependent or IP3-independent means, and therefore appeared to be regulated by the fullness of the microsomal Ca2+ stores rather than by the direct action of IP3. Depletion of stored Ca2+ by either receptor stimulation or microsomal Ca(2+)-ATPase inhibition activated a low conductance, Ca(2+)-selective, non-voltage-activated membrane current. Ca2+ currents induced by receptor stimulation and Ca(2+)-ATPase inhibition were not additive. Several properties of the depletion-activated Ca2+ current suggest that it is carried by a novel type of Ca2+ channel rather than an electrogenic carrier or pump. The conductance saturated when external Ca2+ was raised (Kd approximately 2 mM) and became highly permeable to monovalent cations when external Ca2+ was lowered to below 100 nM, much as has been observed for some voltage-gated Ca2+ channels. The Ca2+ current was reversibly blocked by &gt; 90% with 0.3 mM Cd2+, whereas the same concentration of Ni2+ or Co2+ blocked only 50 to 60% of the current. However, the absence of voltage-dependent activation, relative conductance sequence for divalent cations (Ca2+ &gt; Ba2+ approximately Sr2+ &gt; Mn2+), and lack of inhibition by nifedipine, D600, diltiazem, delta-conotoxin, or aga-IVa were unlike that of voltage-gated Ca2+ channels.

Characterization of a novel intracellular sphingolipid-gated Ca(2+)-permeable channel from rat basophilic leukemia cells

Sphingolipids stimulate the release of Ca2+ from intracellular stores. However, the mechanism by which this process occurs has not been characterized. Through single-channel recording from microsomes incorporated into planar lipid bilayers, we describe a novel channel that gates Ba2+ in response to sphingosylphosphorylcholine. The channel is both ligand-gated and voltage-modulated. Maximal open probability is observed between -10 and -20 mV and has a relatively high conductance (160 picosiemens with 53 mM Ba2+). We also observe that Ca2+ efflux from permeabilized rat basophilic leukemia cells is not antagonized by heparin, La3+, Ni2+, nifedipine, or omega-conotoxin GVIa. The sphingolipid-gated Ca(2+)-permeable channel is therefore a new member of the Ca(2+)-permeable, ligand-gated channel family.

Flash photolysis of caged inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate activates plasma membrane calcium current in human T cells

Sustained elevation of intracellular Ca2+ by cell surface receptors is often dependent on influx of Ca2+ across the plasma membrane through routes not involving voltage-gated Ca2+ channels. We demonstrate that intracellular release of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (InsP3), either from stimulation of transfected human muscarinic receptors or from photolytic release of caged InsP3, activates whole cell Ca2+ current in the Jurkat T cell line. Whole cell voltage clamp recordings indicate that the current is carried by a Ca(2+)-selective channel that resembles T-type voltage-gated Ca2+ channels in relative conductance of different cation species. Elevation of internal Ca2+ inactivates the channel, whereas internal perfusion with inositol 1,3,4,5-tetrakisphosphate (InsP4) does not affect it. Photolytic release of caged 1-(alpha-glycerophosphoryl)-inositol 4,5-bisphosphate, an analog of InsP3 which activates InsP3 receptors but is not readily metabolized to InsP4, also activates the current. We conclude that generation of InsP3 is sufficient to activate Ca(2+)-selective channels in the plasma membrane of T cells. InsP3 may have its effect indirectly through depletion of Ca2+ stores, or directly with a plasma membrane-associated InsP3 receptor.

Antisense oligodeoxynucleotides to the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator inhibit cAMP-activated but not calcium-activated chloride currents

Phosphorylation of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) by cAMP-dependent protein kinase leads to chloride flux in epithelial cells. Is CFTR also required for the calcium-dependent activation of chloride channels? We used antisense oligodeoxynucleotides to CFTR to reduce the expression of CFTR in colonic and tracheal epithelial cells. The antisense oligomers were a pair of adjacent 18-mers complementary to nucleotides 1-18 and 19-36 of CFTR mRNA. Sense and misantisense oligomers served as controls. A 48-h antisense treatment reduced the expression of CFTR protein as assayed by immunoprecipitation and autoradiography to 26% of the level in sense-treated T84 cells. Whole-cell patch clamp revealed that a 48-h antisense treatment of T84 and 56FHTE-8o- fetal tracheal epithelial cells reduced the cAMP-activated chloride current to approximately 10% of that in sense-treated cells. The half-life of functional CFTR is less than 24 h in these cells. In contrast, the calcium-activated chloride current was not affected by antisense treatment. Hence, the cAMP and calcium pathways are separate. CFTR is required for the cAMP pathway but not for the calcium pathway.

Human lymphocytes transcribe the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator gene and exhibit CF-defective cAMP-regulated chloride current

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is the most common lethal genetic disease among Caucasians, primarily affecting epithelial tissues of the lung and gut. Mutations in a single gene, the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR), are responsible for this disease. Whether a physiological defect exists in the immune system of CF patients has remained controversial. A chloride ion transport defect has been described in human CF-derived lymphocytes; however, it has not been possible to detect CFTR mRNA in lymphocytes. We report here that normal human B-lymphoblasts display whole cell Cl- conductances induced by calcium-mediated pathways, volume regulation, and cAMP which are equivalent to currents described in epithelial cells. B-lymphoblasts from CF-affected humans demonstrated defective Cl- conductance regulation by cAMP but preserved regulation by calcium-mediated and volume regulation mechanisms. CFTR involvement in cAMP regulation of Cl- conductance in lymphocytes is further supported by our demonstration of the presence of appropriately spliced CFTR mRNA segments in human B and T lymphocytes as detected by an optimized reverse-transcription and polymerase chain reaction approach. The identity of the amplified products was confirmed by hybridization to CFTR-specific probes and DNA sequencing. Furthermore, the 3'-end of the gene was found in a T cell cDNA library. We conclude that CFTR mRNA is expressed in lymphocytes, consistent with the cAMP regulation of chloride transport present in normal lymphocytes but defective in CF-derived lymphocytes.

Evidence for altered epicardial coronary artery autoregulation as a cause of distal coronary vasoconstriction after successful percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty

To determine whether vasoconstriction distal to the site of successful percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) is a result of altered autoregulation in a hypoperfused coronary artery, we examined the association of this distal vasoconstriction with lesion severity in 20 patients. Lesion severity was classified as moderate, severe or critical (greater than 1.0, 0.5-1.0, and less than 0.5 mm, respectively). Quantitative coronary measurements were made at 3, 15, and 30 min after PTCA, and then after intracoronary (IC) nitroglycerin, in coronary segments distal to the dilated lesion (distal) and in a nonmanipulated vessel (control). Coronary vasoconstriction in the Distal segment after PTCA correlated with lesion severity, with 14 +/- 4%, 28 +/- 2%, and 41 +/- 5% vasoconstriction (vs. IC nitroglycerin, 30 min after PTCA) in the moderate, severe and critical lesion severity subgroups, respectively (P less than 0.01 for critical or severe vs. moderate). This vasoconstriction was significantly greater than that observed in the corresponding control segment for patients with severe (P less than 0.01), and critical (P less than 0.001) lesions. These findings suggest that hypoperfused human epicardial coronary arteries "reset" their autoregulatory responsiveness and that distal vasoconstriction after PTCA is the result of this altered autoregulation. These findings have clinical implications concerning the etiology, prophylaxis and treatment of coronary spams after PTCA and coronary bypass surgery.

Identification of a hemolysin from Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae and characterization of its channel properties in planar phospholipid bilayers

A proteinaceous hemolysin secreted by strain 4074 of serotype 1 of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae was purified by diafiltration and ion exchange chromatographic techniques. The hemolytic activity is associated with a 107-kDa band as assessed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis analysis and confirmed by Western blotting and immunoprecipitation. This hemolysin produces pores in membranes as demonstrated by osmotic protection studies using red blood cells and carbohydrate compounds of various molecular weights. These assays suggest a pore diameter in the order of 2 nm. Phospholipid bilayers composed of 1:1 w/w phosphotidylserine:phosphotidylethanolamine exposed to this toxin display discrete current flow events typical of transmembrane channels and consistent with the interpretation that this toxin acts by forming pores in phospholipid membranes. The linear relationship of current amplitude to holding potential when examined over the -60 to +60 mV range indicates that this pore has a constant mean single channel conductance level of 350-400 pS.

Use-dependent block of single sodium channels by lidocaine in guinea pig ventricular myocytes

Single sodium channel openings have been recorded from cell-attached patches of isolated guinea pig ventricular myocytes. A paired pulse protocol was used to test the hypothesis that channel openings are required for lidocaine block. While the averaged ensemble current during the test pulse was much reduced, there was no correlation between the appearance of channel openings during the conditioning pulse and the subsequent test pulse. Analysis of single channel records demonstrated that the unit conductance of open channels was not changed by lidocaine. The block of ensemble INa was explained by roughly equal reductions in number of open channel events, and in the average duration of opening for each event. These results suggest that lidocaine binding to Na+ channels is dependent upon voltage, but may occur before channel opening. A lidocaine-modified channel can still open, but will be less likely to remain open than a drug-free channel. These results are consistent with block of a pre-open state of the channel.