Molecular identification of Kvalpha subunits that contribute to the oxygen-sensitive K+ current of chemoreceptor cells of the rabbit carotid body.
Rabbit carotid body (CB) chemoreceptor cells possess a fast-inactivating K+ current that is specifically inhibited by hypoxia. We have studied the expression of Kvalpha subunits, which might be responsible for this current. RT-PCR experiments identified the expression of Kv1.4, Kv3.4, Kv4.1 and Kv4.3 mRNAs in the rabbit CB. There was no expression of Kv3.3 or Kv4.2 transcripts. Immunocytochemistry with antibodies to tyrosine hydroxylase (anti-TH) and to specific Kv subunits revealed the expression of Kv3.4 and Kv4.3 in chemoreceptor cells, while Kv1.4 was only found in nerve fibres. Kv4.1 mRNA was also found in chemoreceptor cells following in situ hybridization combined with anti-TH antibody labelling. Kv4.1 and Kv4.3 appeared to be present in all chemoreceptor cells, but Kv3.4 was only expressed in a population of them. Electrophysiological experiments applying specific toxins or antibodies demonstrated that both Kv3.4 and Kv4.3 participate in the oxygen-sensitive K+ current of chemoreceptor cells. However, toxin application experiments confirmed a larger contribution of members of the Kv4 subfamily. [Ca2+]i measurements under hypoxic conditions and immunocytochemistry experiments in dispersed CB cells demonstrated the expression of Kv3.4 and Kv4.3 in oxygen-sensitive cells; the presence of Kv3.4 in the chemoreceptor cell membrane was not required for the response to low PO2. In summary, three Kv subunits (Kv3.4, Kv4.1 and Kv4.3) may be involved in the fast-inactivating outward K+ current of rabbit CB chemoreceptor cells. The homogeneous distribution of the Kv4 subunits in chemoreceptor cells, along with their electrophysiological properties, suggest that Kv4.1, Kv4.3, or their heteromultimers, are the molecular correlate of the oxygen-sensitive K+ channel.
Instituto de Biología y Genética Molecular (IBGM), Universidad de Valladolid y Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular y Fisiología, Facultad de Medicina, Valladolid, Spain.
Diego
D
Sanchez
Jose R
JR
López-López
M Teresa
MT
Pérez-García
Gloria
G
Sanz-Alfayate
Ana
A
Obeso
Maria D
MD
Ganfornina
Constancio
C
Gonzalez
D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D002344:Carotid Body / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002628:Chemoreceptor Cells / Q000502:physiology*; D017931:DNA Primers; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D051665:Kv1.4 Potassium Channel; D008564:Membrane Potentials / Q000502:physiology; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D018408:Patch-Clamp Techniques; D011188:Potassium / Q000502:physiology*; D015221:Potassium Channels / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D024642:Potassium Channels, Voltage-Gated; D021122:Protein Subunits / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics; D011817:Rabbits; D051672:Shal Potassium Channels
D017931:DNA Primers; D051665:Kv1.4 Potassium Channel; D015221:Potassium Channels; D024642:Potassium Channels, Voltage-Gated; D021122:Protein Subunits; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D051672:Shal Potassium Channels; D011188:Potassium