title: Beta1-subunit of the Ca2+-activated K+ channel regulates contractile activity of mouse urinary bladder smooth muscle.
abstract: 1. The large-conductance calcium-activated potassium (BK) channel plays an important role in controlling membrane potential and contractility of urinary bladder smooth muscle (UBSM). These channels are composed of a pore-forming alpha-subunit and an accessory, smooth muscle-specific, beta1-subunit. 2. Our aim was to determine the functional role of the beta1-subunit of the BK channel in controlling the contractions of UBSM by using BK channel beta1-subunit 'knock-out' (KO) mice. 3. The beta-galactosidase reporter (lacZ gene) was targeted to the beta1 locus, which provided the opportunity to examine the expression of the beta1-subunit in UBSM. Based on this approach, the beta1-subunit is highly expressed in UBSM. 4. BK channels lacking beta1-subunits have reduced activity, consistent with a shift in BK channel voltage/Ca2+ sensitivity. 5. Iberiotoxin, an inhibitor of BK channels, increased the amplitude and decreased the frequency of phasic contractions of UBSM strips from control mice. 6. The effects of the beta1-subunit deletion on contractions were similar to the effect of iberiotoxin on control mice. The UBSM strips from beta1-subunit KO mice had elevated phasic contraction amplitude and decreased frequency when compared to control UBSM strips. 7. Iberiotoxin increased the amplitude and frequency of phasic contractions, and UBSM tone of UBSM strips from beta1-subunit KO mice, suggesting that BK channels still regulate contractions in the absence of the beta1-subunit. 8. The results indicate that the beta1-subunit, by modulating BK channel activity, plays a significant role in the regulation of phasic contractions of the urinary bladder.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, University of Vermont, College of Medicine, Burlington, VT 05405-0068, USA.
authors.forename: G V
authors.initials: GV
authors.lastname: Petkov
authors.forename: A D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Bonev
authors.forename: T J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Heppner
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Brenner
authors.forename: R W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Aldrich
authors.forename: M T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Nelson
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D051037:Large-Conductance Calcium-Activated Potassium Channel alpha Subunits; D051036:Large-Conductance Calcium-Activated Potassium Channels; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout / Q000235:genetics; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000502:physiology*; D009130:Muscle, Smooth / Q000502:physiology*; D015221:Potassium Channels / Q000502:physiology*; D024681:Potassium Channels, Calcium-Activated; D020033:Protein Isoforms / Q000502:physiology; D001743:Urinary Bladder / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D051037:Large-Conductance Calcium-Activated Potassium Channel alpha Subunits; D051036:Large-Conductance Calcium-Activated Potassium Channels; D015221:Potassium Channels; D024681:Potassium Channels, Calcium-Activated; D020033:Protein Isoforms