title: ERG K+ currents regulate pacemaker activity in ICC.
abstract: Ether-à-go-go-related gene (ERG) K channels have been implicated in the generation of pacemaker activities in the heart. To study the presence and function of ERG K channels in the pacemaker cells of the small intestine [the interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC)], a combination of patch-clamp techniques, tissue and live cell immunohistochemistry, RT-PCR, and in vitro functional studies were performed. Nonenzymatically isolated ICC in culture were identified by vital staining and presence of rhythmic inward currents. RT-PCR showed the presence of ERG mRNA in the intestinal musculature, and immunohistochemistry on tissue and cultured cells demonstrated that protein similar to human ERG was concentrated on ICC in the Auerbach's plexus region. Whole cell ERG K+ currents were evoked on hyperpolarization from 0 mV (but not from -70 mV) up to -120 mV and showed strong inward rectification. The currents were inhibited by E-4031, cisapride, La3+, and Gd3+ but not by 50 microM Ba2+. The ERG K+ inward current had a typical transient component with fast activation and inactivation kinetics followed by significant steady-state current. E-4031 also inhibited tetraethylammonium (TEA)-insensitive outward current indicating that the ERG K+ current is operating at depolarizing potentials. In contrast to TEA, blockers of the ERG K+ currents caused marked increase in tissue excitability as reflected by an increase in slow-wave duration and an increase in superimposed action potential activity. In summary, ERG K channels in ICC contribute to the membrane potential and play a role in regulation of pacemaker activity of the small intestine.
authors.affiliation: Intestinal Disease Research Program, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada L8N 3Z5.
authors.forename: Yaohui
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.forename: Catherine M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Golden
authors.forename: Jing
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ye
authors.forename: Xuan-Yu
authors.initials: XY
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Hamid I
authors.initials: HI
authors.lastname: Akbarali
authors.forename: Jan D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Huizinga
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D001683:Biological Clocks / Q000502:physiology*; D027682:Cation Transport Proteins; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D000072237:ERG1 Potassium Channel; D004553:Electric Conductivity; D051638:Ether-A-Go-Go Potassium Channels; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007421:Intestine, Small / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D010880:Piperidines / Q000494:pharmacology; D026902:Potassium Channel Blockers / Q000494:pharmacology; D015221:Potassium Channels / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D024661:Potassium Channels, Inwardly Rectifying / Q000502:physiology; D024642:Potassium Channels, Voltage-Gated; D011725:Pyridines / Q000494:pharmacology; D019789:Tetraethylammonium / Q000494:pharmacology; D015534:Trans-Activators; D000071230:Transcriptional Regulator ERG
chemical_list: D027682:Cation Transport Proteins; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; C072312:ERG protein, human; D000072237:ERG1 Potassium Channel; D051638:Ether-A-Go-Go Potassium Channels; C000606913:KCNH2 protein, human; C092509:KCNH6 protein, human; C000606915:Kcnh2 protein, mouse; D010880:Piperidines; D026902:Potassium Channel Blockers; D015221:Potassium Channels; D024661:Potassium Channels, Inwardly Rectifying; D024642:Potassium Channels, Voltage-Gated; D011725:Pyridines; D015534:Trans-Activators; D000071230:Transcriptional Regulator ERG; C063968:E 4031; D019789:Tetraethylammonium