title: [K+] dependence of open-channel conductance in cloned inward rectifier potassium channels (IRK1, Kir2.1).
abstract: Potassium conduction through unblocked inwardly rectifying (IRK1, Kir2.1) potassium channels was measured in inside-out-patches from Xenopus oocytes, after removal of polyamine-induced strong inward rectification. Unblocked IRK1 channel current-voltage (I-V) relations show very mild inward rectification in symmetrical solutions, are linearized in nonsymmetrical solutions that bring the K+ reversal potential to extreme negative values, and follow Goldman-Hodgkin-Katz constant field equation at extreme positive E alpha. When intracellular K+ concentration (KIN) was varied, at constant extracellular K+ concentration (KOUT) the conductance at the reversal potential (GREV) followed closely the predictions of the Goldman-Hodgkin-Katz constant field equation at low concentrations and saturated sharply at concentrations of > 150 mM. Similarly, when KOUT was varied, at constant KIN, GREV saturated at concentrations of > 150 mM. A square-root dependence of conductance on KOUT is a well-known property of inward rectifier potassium channels and is a property of the open channel. A nonsymmetrical two-site three-barrier model can qualitatively explain both the I-V relations and the [K+] dependence of conductance of open IRK1 (Kir2.1) channels.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110 USA.
authors.forename: A N
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Lopatin
authors.forename: C G
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Nichols
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D005260:Female; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D015640:Ion Channel Gating; D007700:Kinetics; D008274:Magnesium / Q000494:pharmacology; D008433:Mathematics; D008564:Membrane Potentials / Q000187:drug effects; D008954:Models, Biological; D009865:Oocytes / Q000502:physiology; D018408:Patch-Clamp Techniques; D011073:Polyamines / Q000494:pharmacology; D011188:Potassium / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology; D015221:Potassium Channels / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D024661:Potassium Channels, Inwardly Rectifying; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D014981:Xenopus
chemical_list: D011073:Polyamines; D015221:Potassium Channels; D024661:Potassium Channels, Inwardly Rectifying; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D008274:Magnesium; D011188:Potassium