title: Molecular analysis of ATP-sensitive K(+) channel subunits expressed in mouse portal vein.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Several combinations of inwardly rectifying K(+) channel 6.x family pore-forming (KIR6.x) subunits associated with sulphonylurea receptor (SUR.x) subunits have been detected among ATP-sensitive K(+) (KATP) channels. It remains to be established which of these is expressed in native vascular smooth muscle.
  
  
  METHODS
  Pharmacological and electrophysiological properties of KATP channels in mouse portal vein were investigated using tension measurements and patch-clamp techniques. Molecular biological analyses were also performed to investigate the structural properties of these channels.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Spontaneous contractions in mouse portal vein were reversibly reduced by pinacidil and MCC-134, and the pinacidil-induced relaxation was antagonized by glibenclamide and U-37883A. In cell-attached mode, pinacidil activated glibenclamide-sensitive K(+) channels with a conductance (35 pS) similar to that of KIR6.1. RT-PCR analysis revealed the expression of KIR6.1, KIR6.2 and SUR2B transcripts. Using real-time PCR methods, the quantitative expression of KIR6.1 was much greater than that of KIR6.2. Immunohistochemical studies indicated the presence of KIR6.1 and SUR2B proteins in the smooth muscle layers of mouse portal vein and in single smooth muscle cells dispersed from mouse portal vein.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results indicate that native KATP channels in mouse portal vein are likely to be composed of a heterocomplex of KIR6.1 and SUR2B subunits.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology Faculty of Medicine, Saga University, Saga 849-8501, Japan; Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Saga University, Saga 849-8501, Japan.
authors.forename: Tadashi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Yamamoto
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology Faculty of Medicine, Saga University, Saga 849-8501, Japan.
authors.forename: Kohei
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Takahara
authors.affiliation: Department of Morphological Biology, Division of Biomedical Sciences, Fukuoka Dental College, Fukuoka 814-0193, Japan.
authors.forename: Tetsuichiro
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Inai
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Saga University, Saga 849-8501, Japan.
authors.forename: Koichi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Node
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology Faculty of Medicine, Saga University, Saga 849-8501, Japan; Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering, Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering, Tohoku University, Sendai 980-8575, Japan. Electronic address: noritera@cc.saga-u.ac.jp.
authors.forename: Noriyoshi
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Teramoto
mesh_terms: D000218:Adamantane / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D005905:Glyburide / Q000494:pharmacology; D007093:Imidazoles / Q000494:pharmacology; D054086:KATP Channels / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D009025:Morpholines / Q000494:pharmacology; D009131:Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / Q000378:metabolism*; D032389:Myocytes, Smooth Muscle / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D018408:Patch-Clamp Techniques; D020110:Pinacidil / Q000494:pharmacology; D011169:Portal Vein / Q000378:metabolism*; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; D064233:Sulfonylurea Receptors / Q000378:metabolism*; D013854:Thioamides / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D007093:Imidazoles; D054086:KATP Channels; C403079:MCC 134; D009025:Morpholines; D064233:Sulfonylurea Receptors; D013854:Thioamides; C082658:U 37883A; D020110:Pinacidil; D000218:Adamantane; D005905:Glyburide
keywords: ATP-sensitive K(+) channels; K(IR)6.1; SUR2B; Vascular smooth muscle cells