title: Analysis of a Ca2+-activated K+ channel that mediates hyperpolarization via the thrombin receptor pathway.
abstract: Dami human leukemia cells express G protein-coupled thrombin receptors that operate through the phospholipase C pathway. When these receptors are activated by alpha-thrombin or by thrombin receptor-activating peptide, an elevation in cytosolic Ca2+ concentration develops that is accompanied by hyperpolarization of the plasma membrane. This transitory phase of hyperpolarization is primarily mediated by inwardly rectifying, Ca2+-activated K+ channels that have an inward conductance of approximately 24 pS. In cell-attached patches the channels open within seconds after superfusion of the cell with thrombin receptor-activating peptide. In inside-out patches, perfusion of submicromolar Ca2+ onto the cytosolic surface of the membrane is sufficient to activate the channels. In outside-out patches, channel opening can be blocked by nanomolar concentrations of charybdotoxin. The function of these intermediate-sized inwardly rectifying, Ca2+-activated K+ channels has not been established; however, by analogy with other cell systems, they may serve to regulate cell volume during cellular activation or to increase the electromotive drive that sustains Na+ and/or Ca2+ influx through ligand-gated cation channels.
authors.affiliation: Research Service, Houston Veterans Affairs Medical Center, and Departments of Medicine and of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sullivan
authors.forename: S K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Koliwad
authors.forename: D L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Kunze
mesh_terms: D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism*; D002460:Cell Line; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D016764:Cell Polarity / Q000502:physiology*; D018999:Charybdotoxin / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D008564:Membrane Potentials / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000494:pharmacology; D015221:Potassium Channels / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D024661:Potassium Channels, Inwardly Rectifying; D018179:Receptors, Thrombin / Q000502:physiology*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D013917:Thrombin / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D010446:Peptide Fragments; D015221:Potassium Channels; D024661:Potassium Channels, Inwardly Rectifying; D018179:Receptors, Thrombin; D018999:Charybdotoxin; C072032:thrombin receptor peptide (42-55); D013917:Thrombin; D002118:Calcium