Agonist-induced hump current production in heterologously-expressed human alpha4beta2-nicotinic acetylcholine receptors.
OBJECTIVE
To characterize the functional and pharmacological features of agonist-induced hump currents in human alpha4beta2-nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChR).


METHODS
Whole-cell and outside-out patch recordings were performed using human alpha4beta2-nAChR heterologously expressed in stably-transfected, native nAChR-null subclonal human epithelial 1 (SH-EP1) cells. RT-PCR was used to test the mRNA expression of transfected nAChR. Homology modeling and acetylcholine (ACh) docking were applied to show the possible ACh-binding site in the channel pore.


RESULTS
The rapid exposure of 10 mmol/L ACh induced an inward current with a decline from peak to steady-state. However, after the removal of ACh, an additional inward current, called phumpq current, reoccurred. The ability of agonists to produce these hump currents cannot be easily explained based on drug size, charge, acute potency, or actions as full or partial agonists. Hump currents were associated with a rebound increase in whole-cell conductance, and they had voltage dependence-like peak currents induced by agonist action. Hump currents blocked by the alpha4beta2-nAChR antagonist dihydro-beta-erythroidine were reduced when alpha4beta2-nAChR were desensitized, and were more pronounced in the absence of external Ca2+. Outside-out single-channel recordings demonstrated that compared to 1 micromol/L nicotine, 100 micromol/L nicotine reduced channel current amplitude, shortened the channel mean open time, and prolonged the channel mean closed time, supporting an agonist-induced open-channel block before hump current production. A docking model also simulated the agonist-binding site in the channel pore.


CONCLUSIONS
These results support the hypothesis that hump currents reflect a rapid release of agonists from the alpha4beta2-nAChR channel pore and a rapid recovery from desensitized alpha4beta2-nAChR.
Liu
Qiang
Q
Divisions of Neurology, Barrow Neurological Institute, St Josephos Hospital and Medical Center, Phoenix, Arizona 85013-4496, USA.
Yu
Ke-wei
KW
Chang
Yong-chang
YC
Lukas
Ronald J
RJ
Wu
Jie
J
D000109:Acetylcholine / Q000494:pharmacology; D001665:Binding Sites; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D002460:Cell Line; D002999:Clone Cells; D004246:Dimethylphenylpiperazinium Iodide / Q000494:pharmacology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004594:Electrophysiology; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008120:Lobeline / Q000494:pharmacology; D008958:Models, Molecular; D009538:Nicotine / Q000494:pharmacology; D018722:Nicotinic Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018408:Patch-Clamp Techniques; D017434:Protein Structure, Tertiary; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D011978:Receptors, Nicotinic / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D013997:Time Factors; D014162:Transfection
D018722:Nicotinic Agonists; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D011978:Receptors, Nicotinic; C403531:nicotinic receptor alpha4beta2; D004246:Dimethylphenylpiperazinium Iodide; D009538:Nicotine; D008120:Lobeline; D000109:Acetylcholine; D002118:Calcium