Delayed rectifying and calcium-activated K+ channels and their significance for action potential repolarization in mouse pancreatic beta-cells.
The contribution of Ca2(+)-activated and delayed rectifying K+ channels to the voltage-dependent outward current involved in spike repolarization in mouse pancreatic beta-cells (Rorsman, P., and G. Trube. 1986. J. Physiol. 374:531-550) was assessed using patch-clamp techniques. A Ca2(+)-dependent component could be identified by its rapid inactivation and sensitivity to the Ca2+ channel blocker Cd2+. This current showed the same voltage dependence as the voltage-activated (Cd2(+)-sensitive) Ca2+ current and contributed 10-20% to the total beta-cell delayed outward current. The single-channel events underlying the Ca2(+)-activated component were investigated in cell-attached patches. Increase of [Ca2+]i invariably induced a dramatic increase in the open state probability of a Ca2(+)-activated K+ channel. This channel had a single-channel conductance of 70 pS [( K+]o = 5.6 mM). The Ca2(+)-independent outward current (constituting greater than 80% of the total) reflected the activation of an 8 pS [( K+]o = 5.6 mM; [K+]i = 155 mM) K+ channel. This channel was the only type observed to be associated with action potentials in cell-attached patches. It is suggested that in mouse beta-cells spike repolarization results mainly from the opening of the 8-pS delayed rectifying K+ channel.
Department of Medical Physics, Gothenburg University, Sweden.
P A
PA
Smith
K
K
Bokvist
P
P
Arkhammar
P O
PO
Berggren
P
P
Rorsman
D000200:Action Potentials / Q000187:drug effects; D000818:Animals; D002118:Calcium / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology*; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000494:pharmacology; D002413:Cations, Divalent / Q000494:pharmacology; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007328:Insulin / Q000378:metabolism; D000078790:Insulin Secretion; D007515:Islets of Langerhans / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D051379:Mice; D011188:Potassium / Q000494:pharmacology; D015221:Potassium Channels / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*
D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D002413:Cations, Divalent; D007328:Insulin; D015221:Potassium Channels; D011188:Potassium; D002118:Calcium