title: Heterooligomeric assembly of inward-rectifier K+ channels from subunits of different subfamilies: Kir2.1 (IRK1) and Kir4.1 (BIR10).
abstract: Activities of strong inward-rectifier K+ channels composed of Kir2. 1(84 M), Kir2.1(84T) and Kir4.1 subunits and weak inward-rectifier K+ channels composed of Kir4.1(E158N) subunits were measured from giant inside-out patches of Xenopus laevis oocytes. The conductance/voltage (g/V) relationship for block by intracellular spermine (SPM) was biphasic for both Kir2.1 channel types while it was monophasic for both Kir4.1 channel types. The release of blocking Mg2+ ions was slow for Kir2.1(84T) but virtually instantaneous for Kir2.1(84M) and both Kir4.1 channel types. Coexpression of Kir2.1(84T) and Kir4.1(E158N) resulted in heterooligomeric channels which were strongly rectifying, with a g/V relationship for SPM-evoked block that was significantly different from that of either parental homooligomeric channel type. Block by intracellular Mg2+ was markedly stronger than that for Kir4.1(E158N) channels, while release of the block was almost instantaneous, similar to that for Kir4.1(E158N) channels. This suggests preferential formation of a particular heterooligomer such as was recently proposed for subunits within the Kir3.0 family.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology II, Gmelinstrasse 5, University of Tübingen, D-72076 Tübingen, Germany.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Fakler
authors.forename: C T
authors.initials: CT
authors.lastname: Bond
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Adelman
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Ruppersberg
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004594:Electrophysiology; D005260:Female; D008274:Magnesium / Q000494:pharmacology; D009865:Oocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D026902:Potassium Channel Blockers; D015221:Potassium Channels / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000502:physiology*; D013096:Spermine / Q000494:pharmacology; D014982:Xenopus laevis
chemical_list: D026902:Potassium Channel Blockers; D015221:Potassium Channels; D013096:Spermine; D008274:Magnesium