title: Localization of ATP-sensitive K+ channel subunits in rat submandibular gland.
abstract: ATP-sensitive K(+) (K(ATP)) channel subunits were investigated in rat submandibular gland (SMG). RT-PCR detected the presence of mRNA transcripts of the Kir6.1, Kir6.2, SUR2A, and SUR2B in the SMG, whereas SUR1 mRNA was barely detected. Western blot analysis provided the evidence that these four K(ATP) channel subunits are expressed in rat SMG. Immunostaining detected that these four K(ATP) channel subunits are widely distributed, with different intensities, in myoepithelial cells, epithelial cells of intercalated ducts, granular convoluted tubules, striated ducts, and excretory ducts. Immunofluorescence double staining showed that Kir6.1 and Kir6.2 colocalized with SUR2A in the myoepithelial cells, granular convoluted tubules, striated ducts, and excretory ducts. Kir6.1 and Kir6.2 also colocalized with SUR2B, mainly in the duct system, e.g., the granular convoluted tubules, striated ducts, and excretory ducts. Taken together, these results indicate that the K(ATP) channels in SMG may consist of Kir6.1, Kir6.2, SUR2A, and SUR2B, with various combinations of colocalization with each other, and may play important roles in rat SMG during salivary secretion.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, Akita University Graduate School of Medicine and Faculty of Medicine, 1-1-1 Hondo, Akita 010-8543, Japan. mzhou@med.akita-u.ac.jp
authors.forename: Ming
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.forename: Hui-Jing
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: He
authors.forename: Maki
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hirano
authors.forename: Masaki
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sekiguchi
authors.forename: Osamu
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Tanaka
authors.forename: Katsumasa
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kawahara
authors.forename: Hiroshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Abe
mesh_terms: D018528:ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D017931:DNA Primers; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D054086:KATP Channels; D008297:Male; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology; D024661:Potassium Channels, Inwardly Rectifying / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D021122:Protein Subunits / Q000235:genetics; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D011955:Receptors, Drug / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D013363:Submandibular Gland / Q000502:physiology*; D064233:Sulfonylurea Receptors; D000099161:Kcnj11 Channel
chemical_list: D018528:ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters; D017931:DNA Primers; D054086:KATP Channels; D024661:Potassium Channels, Inwardly Rectifying; D021122:Protein Subunits; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D011955:Receptors, Drug; D064233:Sulfonylurea Receptors; D000099161:Kcnj11 Channel; C577509:Abcc8 protein, rat; C092520:uK-ATP-1 potassium channel