Kir2.3 isoform confers pH sensitivity to heteromeric Kir2.1/Kir2.3 channels in HEK293 cells.
BACKGROUND
Data on pH regulation of the cardiac potassium current I(K1) suggest species-dependent differences in the molecular composition of the underlying Kir2 channel proteins.


OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that the presence of the Kir2.3 isoform in heterotetrameric channels modifies channel sensitivity to pH.


METHODS
Voltage clamp was performed on HEK293 cells stably expressing guinea pig Kir2.1 and/or Kir2.3 isoforms and on sheep cardiac ventricular myocytes at varying extracellular pH (pH(o)) and in the presence of CO(2) to determine the sensitivity of macroscopic currents to pH. Single-channel activity was recorded from the HEK293 stables to determine the mechanisms of the changes in whole cell current.


RESULTS
Biophysical characteristics of whole-cell and single-channel currents in Kir2.1/Kir2.3 double stables displayed properties attributable to isoform heteromerization. Whole-cell Kir2.1/Kir2.3 currents rectified in a manner reminiscent of Kir2.1 but were significantly inhibited by extracellular acidification in the physiologic range (pK(a) approximately 7.4). Whole-cell currents were more sensitive to a combined extracellular and intracellular acidification produced by CO(2). At pH(o) = 6.0, unitary conductances of heteromeric channels were reduced. Ovine cardiac ventricular cell I(K1) was pH(o) and CO(2) sensitive, consistent with the expression of Kir2.1 and Kir2.3 in this species.


CONCLUSIONS
Kir2.1 and Kir2.3 isoforms form heteromeric channels in HEK293. The presence of Kir2.3 subunit(s) in heteromeric channels confers pH sensitivity to the channels. The single and double stable cells presented in this study are useful models for studying physiologic regulation of heteromeric Kir2 channels in mammalian cells.
Muñoz
Viviana
V
Department of Pharmacology, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, New York 13210, USA. munozv@upstate.edu <munozv@upstate.edu>
Vaidyanathan
Ravi
R
Tolkacheva
Elena G
EG
Dhamoon
Amit S
AS
Taffet
Steven M
SM
Anumonwo
Justus M B
JM
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D015153:Blotting, Western; D002460:Cell Line; D004594:Electrophysiology; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D006352:Heart Ventricles / Q000166:cytology; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D023421:Models, Animal; D032383:Myocytes, Cardiac / Q000502:physiology*; D009865:Oocytes / Q000502:physiology; D018408:Patch-Clamp Techniques; D024661:Potassium Channels, Inwardly Rectifying / Q000502:physiology*; D020033:Protein Isoforms; D012107:Research Design; D012756:Sheep; D014981:Xenopus
D024661:Potassium Channels, Inwardly Rectifying; D020033:Protein Isoforms