title: Redox modulation of hslo Ca2+-activated K+ channels.
abstract: The modulation of ion channel proteins by cellular redox potential has emerged recently as a significant determinant of channel function. We have investigated the influence of sulfhydryl redox reagents on human brain Ca2+-activated K+ channels (hslo) expressed in both human embryonic kidney 293 cells and Xenopus oocytes using macropatch and single-channel analysis. Intracellular application of the reducing agent dithiothreitol (DTT): (1) shifts the voltage of half-maximal channel activation (V0.5) approximately 18 mV to more negative potentials without affecting the maximal conductance or the slope of the voltage dependence; (2) slows by approximately 10-fold a time-dependent right-shift in V0.5 values ("run-down"); (3) speeds macroscopic current activation kinetics by approximately 33%; and (4) increases the single-channel open probability without affecting the unitary conductance. In contrast to DTT treatment, oxidation with hydrogen peroxide shifts macropatch V0.5 values to more positive potentials, increases the rate of channel run-down, and decreases the single-channel open probability. KCa channels cloned from Drosophila differ from hslo channels in that they show very little run-down and are not modulated by the addition of DTT. These data indicate that hslo Ca2+-activated K+ channels may be modulated by changes in the cellular redox potential as well as by the transmembrane voltage and the cytoplasmic Ca2+ concentration.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurobiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina 27710, USA.
authors.forename: T J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: DiChiara
authors.forename: P H
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: Reinhart
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002460:Cell Line; D004229:Dithiothreitol / Q000494:pharmacology; D004594:Electrophysiology; D004625:Embryo, Nonmammalian / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide / Q000494:pharmacology; D007668:Kidney / Q000196:embryology; D007700:Kinetics; D051036:Large-Conductance Calcium-Activated Potassium Channels; D009865:Oocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D015221:Potassium Channels / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology; D024681:Potassium Channels, Calcium-Activated; D011336:Probability; D019163:Reducing Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D013439:Sulfhydryl Reagents / Q000494:pharmacology; D013997:Time Factors; D014982:Xenopus laevis
chemical_list: D051036:Large-Conductance Calcium-Activated Potassium Channels; D015221:Potassium Channels; D024681:Potassium Channels, Calcium-Activated; D019163:Reducing Agents; D013439:Sulfhydryl Reagents; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide; D004229:Dithiothreitol