NFATc3 regulates Kv2.1 expression in arterial smooth muscle.
Voltage-gated K+ (Kv) channels control the excitability of arterial smooth muscle. However, the molecular mechanisms regulating Kv channel function in smooth muscle remain unclear. We examined the hypothesis that the vasoactive peptide angiotensin II (Ang II) regulates arterial smooth muscle Kv channel function via calcineurin-dependent activation of the transcription factor NFAT. We found that sustained administration of Ang II decreased Kv currents (IKv) by reducing the expression of Kv2.1 K+ channel subunits. This effect of Ang II was independent of pressure but required Ca2+ influx through L-type Ca2+ channels. Consistent with our hypothesis, we found that calcineurin and NFATc3 are obligatory components of the signaling cascade mediating reduced IKv by Ang II. We conclude that sustained Ang II exposure increases smooth muscle Ca2+, which leads to activation of calcineurin and NFATc3, culminating in decreased Kv2.1 expression and reduced IKv function. These results support the novel concept that NFATc3 controls the excitability of arterial smooth muscle by regulating Kv2.1 expression.
Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, USA.
Gregory C
GC
Amberg
Charles F
CF
Rossow
Manuel F
MF
Navedo
Luis F
LF
Santana
D000256:Adenoviridae / Q000235:genetics; D000804:Angiotensin II / Q000737:chemistry; D000818:Animals; D001158:Arteries / Q000378:metabolism*; D001794:Blood Pressure; D015153:Blotting, Western; D002118:Calcium / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D015220:Calcium Channels / Q000737:chemistry; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology*; D004594:Electrophysiology; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D008954:Models, Biological; D032342:Muscle Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D009130:Muscle, Smooth / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D032389:Myocytes, Smooth Muscle / Q000378:metabolism; D050778:NFATC Transcription Factors; D010455:Peptides / Q000737:chemistry; D011188:Potassium / Q000737:chemistry; D024642:Potassium Channels, Voltage-Gated / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000737:chemistry; D011312:Pressure; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D051669:Shab Potassium Channels; D015398:Signal Transduction; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology*
D015220:Calcium Channels; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; C496990:Kcnb1 protein, mouse; C496991:Kcnb1 protein, rat; D050778:NFATC Transcription Factors; C494009:Nfatc3 protein, mouse; D010455:Peptides; D024642:Potassium Channels, Voltage-Gated; D051669:Shab Potassium Channels; D014157:Transcription Factors; C445503:transcription factor NF-AT c3; D000804:Angiotensin II; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins; D011188:Potassium; D002118:Calcium