title: Regulation of cloned, Ca2+-activated K+ channels by cell volume changes.
abstract: Ca2+-activated K+ channels of big (hBK), intermediate (hIK) or small (rSK3) conductance were co-expressed with aquaporin 1 (AQP1) in Xenopus laevis oocytes. hBK channels were activated by depolarization, whereas hIK and rSK3 channels were activated by direct injection of Ca2+ or Cd2+ into the oocyte cytoplasm, before the oocytes were subjected to hyperosmolar or hypoosmolar (+/-50 mOsm mannitol) challenges. In all cases, the oocytes responded rapidly to the osmotic changes with shrinkage or swelling and the effects on the K+ currents were measured. hIK and rSK3 currents were highly sensitive to volume changes and increased immediately to 178% (hIK) or 165% (rSK3) of control in response to swelling and decreased to 64% (hIK) or 61% (rSK3) of control after shrinkage. These responses were dependent on the channels being pre-activated and were almost totally abolished after injection of cytochalasin D into the oocyte cytoplasm (final concentration: 1 microM). In contrast, hBK channels showed only a minor sensitivity to volume changes; the hBK channel activity decreased approximately 20% after swelling and increased approximately 20% after shrinkage. The opposite effects of volume changes on hIK/rSK3 and hBK channels suggest that the significant stimulation of hIK and rSK3 channels during swelling is not mediated by changes in intracellular Ca2+, but rather through interactions with the cytoskeleton, provided that a sufficient basal concentration of intracellular Ca2+ or Cd2+ is present.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Physiology, The Panum Institute, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 3, 2200 N, Denmark.
authors.forename: Morten
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Grunnet
authors.forename: Nanna
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: MacAulay
authors.forename: Nanna K
authors.initials: NK
authors.lastname: Jorgensen
authors.forename: Skaaning
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Jensen
authors.forename: Søren-Peter
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Olesen
authors.forename: Dan A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Klaerke
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D051398:Aquaporin 1; D020346:Aquaporins / Q000378:metabolism; D048429:Cell Size / Q000502:physiology*; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D015638:Cytochalasin D / Q000494:pharmacology; D004594:Electrophysiology; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D019384:Nucleic Acid Synthesis Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D009865:Oocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D009994:Osmolar Concentration; D018408:Patch-Clamp Techniques; D024681:Potassium Channels, Calcium-Activated / Q000378:metabolism*; D014982:Xenopus laevis
chemical_list: D020346:Aquaporins; D019384:Nucleic Acid Synthesis Inhibitors; D024681:Potassium Channels, Calcium-Activated; D051398:Aquaporin 1; D015638:Cytochalasin D