title: Interaction of Ba2+ with the pores of the cloned inward rectifier K+ channels Kir2.1 expressed in Xenopus oocytes.
abstract: Interactions of Ba2+ with K+ and molecules contributing to inward rectification were studied in the cloned inward rectifier K+ channels, Kir2.1. Extracellular Ba2+ blocked Kir2.1 channels with first-order kinetics in a Vm-dependent manner. At Vm more negative than -120 mV, the Kd-Vm relationship became less steep and the dissociation rate constants were larger, suggesting Ba2+ dissociation into the extracellular space. Both depolarization and increasing [K+]i accelerated the recovery from extracellular Ba2+ blockade. Intracellular K+ appears to relieve Ba2+ blockade by competitively slowing the Ba2+ entrance rate, instead of increasing its exit rate by knocking off action. Intracellular spermine (100 microM) reduced, whereas 1 mM [Mg2+]i only slightly reduced, the ability of intracellular K+ to repulse Ba2+ from the channel pore. Intracellular Ba2+ also blocked outward IKir2.1 in a voltage-dependent fashion. At Vm >/= +40 mV, where intrinsic inactivation is prominent, intracellular Ba2+ accelerated the inactivation rate of the outward IKir2.1 in a Vm-independent manner, suggesting interaction of Ba2+ with the intrinsic gate of Kir2.1 channels.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei 11529, Taiwan, R.O.C. ruchi@novell.ibms.sinica.edu.tw
authors.forename: R C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Shieh
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Arreola
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001464:Barium / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004594:Electrophysiology; D007473:Ion Channels / Q000378:metabolism*; D008274:Magnesium / Q000494:pharmacology; D009865:Oocytes / Q000502:physiology*; D018408:Patch-Clamp Techniques; D011188:Potassium / Q000378:metabolism; D026902:Potassium Channel Blockers; D015221:Potassium Channels / Q000502:physiology*; D024661:Potassium Channels, Inwardly Rectifying; D013096:Spermine / Q000494:pharmacology; D014981:Xenopus
chemical_list: D007473:Ion Channels; D026902:Potassium Channel Blockers; D015221:Potassium Channels; D024661:Potassium Channels, Inwardly Rectifying; D001464:Barium; D013096:Spermine; D008274:Magnesium; D011188:Potassium