title: Single-channel characterization of a nonselective cation channel from human placental microvillus membranes. Large conductance, multiplicity of conductance states, and inhibition by lanthanides.
abstract: The rate-limiting step for the maternofetal exchange of low molecular-weight solutes in humans is constituted by transport across a single epithelial layer (syncytiotrophoblast) of the placenta. Other than the well-established presence of a large-conductance, multisubstate Cl- channel, the ionic channels occurring in this syncytial tissue are, for the most part, unknown. We have found that fusion of apical plasma membrane-enriched vesicle fractions with planar lipid bilayers leads, mainly (96% of 353 reconstitutions), to the reconstitution of nonselective cation channels. Here we describe the properties of this novel placental conductance at the single-channel level. The channel has a large (>200 pS) and variable conductance, is cation selective (P(Cl)/P(K) approximately or approximately equal 0.024), is reversibly inhibited (presumably blocked) by submillimolar La3+, has very unstable kinetics, and displays a large number (>10) of current sublevels with a "promiscuous" connectivity pattern. The occurrence of both "staircaselike" and "all-or-nothing" transitions between the minimum and maximum current levels was intriguing, particularly considering the large number of conductance levels spanned at a time during the concerted current steps. Single-channel data simulated according to a multistate linear reaction scheme, with rate constants that can vary spontaneously in time, reproduce many aspects of the recorded subconductance behavior. The channel's sensitivity to lanthanides is reminiscent of stretch-sensitive channels which, in turn, suggests a physiological role for this ion channel as a mechanotransducer during syncytiotrophoblast-volume regulation.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Química Analítica y Fisicoquímica, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Argentina.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Grosman
authors.forename: I L
authors.initials: IL
authors.lastname: Reisin
mesh_terms: D002824:Chorionic Villi / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D004553:Electric Conductivity; D004594:Electrophysiology; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007473:Ion Channels / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D007811:Lanthanum / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008051:Lipid Bilayers; D008564:Membrane Potentials / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D008674:Metals, Rare Earth / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010920:Placenta / Q000502:physiology*; D011247:Pregnancy
chemical_list: D007473:Ion Channels; D008051:Lipid Bilayers; D008674:Metals, Rare Earth; D007811:Lanthanum