title: Characterization of a tobacco TPK-type K+ channel as a novel tonoplast K+ channel using yeast tonoplasts.
abstract: The tonoplast K(+) membrane transport system plays a crucial role in maintaining K(+) homeostasis in plant cells. Here, we isolated cDNAs encoding a two-pore K(+) channel (NtTPK1) from Nicotiana tabacum cv. SR1 and cultured BY-2 tobacco cells. Two of the four variants of NtTPK1 contained VHG and GHG instead of the GYG signature sequence in the second pore region. All four products were functional when expressed in the Escherichia coli cell membrane, and NtTPK1 was targeted to the tonoplast in tobacco cells. Two of the three promoter sequences isolated from N. tabacum cv. SR1 were active, and expression from these was increased approximately 2-fold by salt stress or high osmotic shock. To determine the properties of NtTPK1, we enlarged mutant yeast cells with inactivated endogenous tonoplast channels and prepared tonoplasts suitable for patch clamp recording allowing the NtTPK1-related channel conductance to be distinguished from the small endogenous currents. NtTPK1 exhibited strong selectivity for K(+) over Na(+). NtTPK1 activity was sensitive to spermidine and spermine, which were shown to be present in tobacco cells. NtTPK1 was active in the absence of Ca(2+), but a cytosolic concentration of 45 microM Ca(2+) resulted in a 2-fold increase in the amplitude of the K(+) current. Acidification of the cytosol to pH 5.5 also markedly increased NtTPK1-mediated K(+) currents. These results show that NtTPK1 is a novel tonoplast K(+) channel belonging to a different group from the previously characterized vacuolar channels SV, FV, and VK.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomolecular Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Tohoku University, Aobayama 6-6-07, Sendai 980-8579, Japan.
authors.forename: Shin
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hamamoto
authors.forename: Junichiro
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Marui
authors.forename: Ken
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Matsuoka
authors.forename: Kyohei
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Higashi
authors.forename: Kazuei
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Igarashi
authors.forename: Tsuyoshi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nakagawa
authors.forename: Teruo
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kuroda
authors.forename: Yasuo
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Mori
authors.forename: Yoshiyuki
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Murata
authors.forename: Yoichi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Nakanishi
authors.forename: Masayoshi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Maeshima
authors.forename: Isamu
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Yabe
authors.forename: Nobuyuki
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Uozumi
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000235:genetics; D018506:Gene Expression Regulation, Plant / Q000502:physiology; D006706:Homeostasis / Q000502:physiology*; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D017136:Ion Transport / Q000502:physiology; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009997:Osmotic Pressure; D018408:Patch-Clamp Techniques; D010940:Plant Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D011188:Potassium / Q000378:metabolism*; D015221:Potassium Channels / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic / Q000502:physiology; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D012441:Saccharomyces cerevisiae / Q000235:genetics; D012964:Sodium / Q000378:metabolism; D014026:Nicotiana / Q000166:cytology / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D014617:Vacuoles / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D010940:Plant Proteins; D015221:Potassium Channels; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D012964:Sodium; D011188:Potassium; D002118:Calcium