title: Effects of intracellular Mg2+ on the properties of large-conductance, Ca(2+)-dependent K+ channels in rat cerebrovascular smooth muscle cells.
abstract: The effects of intracellular magnesium ions, Mg2+i on large-conductance, Ca(2+)-dependent K+ channels (BK channels) of adult rat cerebrovascular smooth muscle cells (CVSMCs) were studied using patch clamp techniques and cells enzymatically dispersed from basilar, middle, and posterior cerebral arteries. Recordings used inside-out membrane patches and took place at 20-24 degrees C. One millimeter [Mg2+]i produced a fast block of BK channel currents, as well described by the Woodhull model of channel occlusion by a charged species. However, the affinity and voltage-sensitivity of Mg2+i block were dependent on the concentration of free intracellular calcium ions, [Ca2+]i. Calcium ions may stabilize a channel conformation in which Mg2+i binding sites are relocated closer to the inner membrane surface. In the presence of 1 microM [Ca2+]i, 0.5 mM [Mg2+]i shifted the Boltzmann curve relating BK channel open probability, Po, to membrane voltage leftward on the voltage axis, without any change in its slope. The enhancing effect of Mg2+i on Po was, therefore, insensitive to membrane potential. Quantitative considerations suggest that physiological levels of Mg2+i tonically facilitate BK channel activation. Alterations of [Mg2+]i during hyper- or hypomagnesemia may contribute to the dilation or contraction of cerebral vessels seen under these two conditions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.
authors.forename: X
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Puil
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Mathers
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002118:Calcium / Q000502:physiology*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002560:Cerebrovascular Circulation; D004553:Electric Conductivity; D007425:Intracellular Membranes / Q000378:metabolism; D008274:Magnesium / Q000378:metabolism*; D008955:Models, Cardiovascular; D009131:Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D009994:Osmolar Concentration; D015221:Potassium Channels / Q000502:physiology*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
chemical_list: D015221:Potassium Channels; D008274:Magnesium; D002118:Calcium