ISSN:
1432-2013
Keywords:
K+-channel
;
Ca2+
;
Apamin
;
Pancreas
;
Insulin
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Abstract The whole-cell configuration of the patchclamp technique was used to characterize the biophysical and pharmacological properties of an oscillating K+-current that can be induced by intracellular application of GTP[γS] in mouse pancreatic B cells (Ämmälä et al. 1991). These K+ conductance changes are evoked by periodic increases in the cytoplasmic Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) and transiently repolarize the B cell, thus inhibiting action-potential firing and giving rise to a bursting pattern. GTP[γS]-evoked oscillations in K+ conductance were reversibly suppressed by a high (300 μM) concentration of carbamylcholine. By contrast, α2-adrenoreceptor stimulation by 20 μM clonidine did not interfere with the oscillatory behaviour but evoked a small sustained outward current. At 0 mV membrane potential, the oscillating K+-current elicited by GTP[γS] was highly sensitive to extracellular tetraethylammonium (TEA; 70% block by 1 mM). The TEA-resistant component, which carried approximately 80% of the current at −40 mV, was affected neither by apamin (1 μM) nor by tolbutamide (500 μM). The current evoked by internal GTP[γS] was highly selective for K+, as demonstrated by a 51-mV change in the reversal potential for a sevenfold change in [K+]o. Stationary fluctuation analysis indicated a unitary conductance of 0.5 pS when measured with symmetric (≈ 140mM) KCl solutions. The estimated singlechannel conductance with physiological ionic gradients is 0.1 pS. The results indicate the existence of a novel Ca2+-gated K+ conductance in pancreatic B cells. Activation of this K+ current may contribute to the generation of the oscillatory electrical activity characterizing the B cell at intermediate glucose concentrations.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00375069
