Shear stress regulates the endothelial Kir2.1 ion channel.
Endothelial cells (ECs) line the mammalian vascular system and respond to the hemodynamic stimulus of fluid shear stress, the frictional force produced by blood flow. When ECs are exposed to shear stress, one of the fastest responses is an increase of K(+) conductance, which suggests that ion channels are involved in the early shear stress response. Here we show that an applied shear stress induces a K(+) ion current in cells expressing the endothelial Kir2.1 channel. This ion current shares the properties of the shear-induced current found in ECs. In addition, the shear current induction can be specifically prevented by tyrosine kinase inhibition. Our findings identify the Kir2.1 channel as an early component of the endothelial shear response mechanism.
Hoger
Jeff H
JH
Hitachi Chemical Research Center, Irvine, CA 92612, USA. jhhoger@earthlink.net
Ilyin
Victor I
VI
Forsyth
Scott
S
Hoger
Anne
A
D000584:Amiloride / Q000494:pharmacology; D019943:Amino Acid Substitution; D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D002460:Cell Line; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004533:Egtazic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008564:Membrane Potentials / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D016297:Mutagenesis, Site-Directed; D009355:Neomycin / Q000494:pharmacology; D010766:Phosphorylation; D011188:Potassium / Q000502:physiology; D024661:Potassium Channels, Inwardly Rectifying / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D014162:Transfection; D014982:Xenopus laevis
D024661:Potassium Channels, Inwardly Rectifying; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D004533:Egtazic Acid; D000584:Amiloride; D009355:Neomycin; D011188:Potassium