title: Voltage-gated K+ channels in rat small cerebral arteries: molecular identity of the functional channels.
abstract: Voltage-gated potassium (KV) channels represent an important dilator influence in the cerebral circulation, but the composition of these tetrameric ion channels remains unclear. The goals of the present study were to evaluate the contribution of KV1 family channels to the resting membrane potential and diameter of small rat cerebral arteries, and to identify the alpha-subunit composition of these channels using patch-clamp, molecular and immunological techniques. Initial studies indicated that 1 micromol l(-1) correolide (COR), a specific antagonist of KV1 channels, depolarized vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) in pressurized (60 mmHg) cerebral arteries from -55 +/- 1 mV to -34 +/- 1 mV, and reduced the resting diameter from 152 +/- 15 microm to 103 +/- 20 microm. In patch clamped VSMCs from these arteries, COR-sensitive KV1 current accounted for 65 % of total outward KV current and was observed at physiological membrane potentials. RT-PCR identified mRNA encoding each of the six classical KV1 alpha-subunits, KV1.1-1.6, in rat cerebral arteries. However, only the KV1.2 and 1.5 proteins were detected by Western blot. The expression of these proteins in VSMCs was confirmed by immunocytochemistry and co-immunoprecipitation of KV1.2 and 1.5 from VSMC membranes suggested KV1.2/1.5 channel assembly. Subsequently, the pharmacological and voltage-sensitive properties of KV1 current in VSMCs were found to be consistent with a predominant expression of KV1.2/1.5 heterotetrameric channels. The findings of this study suggest that KV1.2/1.5 heterotetramers are preferentially expressed in rat cerebral VSMCs, and that these channels contribute to the resting membrane potential and diameter of rat small cerebral arteries.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, Sultan Qaboos University, Al-khod, Sultanate of Oman.
authors.forename: Sulayma
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Albarwani
authors.forename: Leah T
authors.initials: LT
authors.lastname: Nemetz
authors.forename: Jane A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Madden
authors.forename: Ann A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Tobin
authors.forename: Sarah K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: England
authors.forename: Phillip F
authors.initials: PF
authors.lastname: Pratt
authors.forename: Nancy J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Rusch
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002536:Cerebral Arteries / Q000502:physiology*; D051668:Delayed Rectifier Potassium Channels; D051662:Kv1.1 Potassium Channel; D051663:Kv1.2 Potassium Channel; D051664:Kv1.3 Potassium Channel; D051665:Kv1.4 Potassium Channel; D051666:Kv1.5 Potassium Channel; D008297:Male; D009131:Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / Q000378:metabolism; D018408:Patch-Clamp Techniques; D011188:Potassium / Q000378:metabolism; D026902:Potassium Channel Blockers / Q000494:pharmacology; D015221:Potassium Channels / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D024642:Potassium Channels, Voltage-Gated / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D020836:Protein Structure, Quaternary; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D014315:Triterpenes / Q000494:pharmacology; D014661:Vasoconstriction / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D051668:Delayed Rectifier Potassium Channels; C496972:Kcna2 protein, rat; C496975:Kcna3 protein, rat; C496979:Kcna4 protein, rat; C496983:Kcna5 protein, rat; D051663:Kv1.2 Potassium Channel; D051664:Kv1.3 Potassium Channel; D051665:Kv1.4 Potassium Channel; D051666:Kv1.5 Potassium Channel; D026902:Potassium Channel Blockers; D015221:Potassium Channels; D024642:Potassium Channels, Voltage-Gated; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D014315:Triterpenes; C118657:correolide; D051662:Kv1.1 Potassium Channel; D011188:Potassium