Xiang-Lan Li, Hai-Feng Zheng, Zheng-Yuan Jin, Meng Yang, Zai-Liu Li, Department of Physiology, Yanbian University College of Medicine, Yanji 133000, Jilin Province, China
Wen-Xie Xu, Department of Physiology, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, 1954 Huashan Rd, Shanghai 200030, China
Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China, No. 30160028
Correspondence to: Professor Wen-Xie Xu, Department of Physiology, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, 1954 Huashan Rd, Shanghai 200030, China.  wenxiexu@sjtu.edu.cn
Telephone: +86-21-62932910    Fax: +86-21-62932528
Received: 2004-02-11    Accepted: 2004-03-18

Abstract
AIM: To investigate the effect of actin microfilament on potassium current and hyposmotic membrane stretch-induced increase of potassium current in gastric antral circular myocytes of guinea pig.

METHODS: Whole-cell patch clamp technique was used to record potassium current in isolated gastric myocyes.

RESULTS: When the membrane potential was clamped at -60 mV, an actin microfilament disruptor, cytochanlasin-B(Cyt-B, 20 mmol/L in pipette) increased calcium-activated potassium current (I_K(Ca)) and delayed rectifier potassium current (I_K(V)) to 138.4±14.3% and 142.1±13.1% respectively at +60 mV. In the same condition, an actin microfilament stabilizer phalloidin(20 mmol/L in pipette) inhibited I_K(Ca) and I_K(V) to 74.2±7.1% and 75.4±9.9% respectively. At the holding potential of -60 mV, hyposmotic membrane stretch increased I_K(Ca) and I_K(V) by 50.6±9.7% and 24.9±3.3% at +60 mV respectively. In the presence of cytochalasin-B and phalloidin (20 mmol/L, in the pipette) condition, hyposmotic membrane stretch also increased I_K(Ca) by 44.5±7.9% and 55.7±9.8% at +60 mV respectively. In the same condition, cytochalasin-B and phalloidin also increased I_K(V) by 23.0±5.5% and 30.3±4.5% respectively. However, Cyt-B and phalloidin did not affect the amplitude of hyposmotic membrane stretch-induced increase of I_K(Ca) and I_K(V).

CONCLUSION: Actin microfilaments regulate the activities of potassium channels, but they are not involved in the process of hyposmotic membrane stretch-induced increase of potassium currents in gastric antral circular myocytes of guinea pig.

Li XL, Zheng HF, Jin ZY, Yang M, Li ZL, Xu WX. Effect of actin microfilament on potassium current in guinea pig gastric myocytes. World J Gastroenterol  2004; 10(22): 3303-3307
http://www.wjgnet.com/1007-9327/10/3303.asp

INTRODUCTION
Cytoskeleton is an intracellular superstructure that consists of microfilaments of actin and associated proteins, microtubules, and intermediate filaments. Actin microfilaments of the cytoskeleton form a complex network, providing the structural basis for simultaneous interactions between multiple cellular structures. It is well established that many ion channels and transporters are anchored in the membrane by either direct or indirect association with the cytoskeleton. In addition, there is growing evidence that altering the integrity of cytoskeletal elements, in particular actin microfilaments, could modulate the activity of a variety of ion channels^[1] and receptors^[2]. Many previous studies have demonstrated that actin microfilament could mediate different types of potassium channels of a variety of cells such as those in rat collecting duct^[3], smooth muscle cell line DDT1 MF-2^[4], cardiac myocytes of guinea pig^[5], human meningioma cells^[6], rat hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons^[7], rat ventricular myocytes^[8] and xenopus oocytes[9]. Wang et al.^[10] reported that neither the microfilaments nor the microtubules were involved in the enhancement of I_K(V) induced by cell distension in ventricular muscle cells of guinea pig. However, Ribeiro et al.^[11] showed that microtubule was involved in the cell volume-induced changes in K+ transport across the rat colon epithelial cells. Our previous study demonstrated that main outward current was carried by calcium-activated potassium channel and delayed rectifier potassium channel in gastric antral circular myocytes of guinea pig and hyposmotic cell swelling enhanced the activity of that two kinds of potassium channel^[12,13]. In order to investigate the mechanism of hyposmotic membrane stretch-induced increase of potassium current, in the present study, the effect of actin microfilament on potassium currents was observed and the possibility whether acin microfilament was involved in the process of hyposmotic membrane stretch-induced increase of potassium currents was examined.

MATERIALS AND METHODS
Single cell preparation and electrophysiological recording
Fresh, single smooth muscle cells (SMCs) were isolated enzymatically from the circular layer of guinea pig antrum as previously described^[14]. Isolated SMCs were stored at 4 °C KBS until the time of use. All experiments were performed within 12 h after cell dispersion. The isolated cells were transferred to a small chamber (0.1 mL) on the stage of an inverted microscope (IX-70 Olympus, Japan) for 10-15 min to settle down. Solution was perfused at a speed of 0.9-1.0 mL/min through the chamber by gravity from the 8-channel perfusion system (L/M-sps-8; list electronics, Germany). Glass pipette with a resistance of 3-5 MΩ was used to make a giga seal of 5-10 GΩ the whole-cell currents were recorded with an Axopatch 1-D patch-clamp amplifier (Axon Instrument, USA).

Drugs and solution 
Tyrode solution containing (mmol /L) NaCl 147, KCl 4, MgCl₂.6H₂O 1.05, CaCl₂. 2H₂O 0.42, Na₂PO₄. 2H₂O 1.81, and 5.5 mmol/L glucose was used. Ca²⁺-free PSS containing (mmol/L) NaCl 134.8, KCl 4.5, glucose 5, and N-[2-hydroxyethyl] piperazine- N-[2-ethanesulphonic acid] (HEPES) 10 was adjusted to pH 7.4 with Tris [hydroxymethyl] aminomethane (TRIZMA). Modified K-B solution containing (mmol/L) L-glutamate 50, KCl 50, taurine 20, KH₂PO₄ 20, MgCl₂ . 6H₂O 3, glucose 10, HEPES 10 and egtazic acid 0.5 was adjusted to pH 7.40 with KOH. Isosmotic solution (290 mOsmol/L) containing (mmol/L) NaCl 80, KCl 4.5, HEPES 10, MgCl₂.6H₂O 1, CaCl₂.2H₂O 2, Glucose 5, Sucrose 110, was adjusted to pH 7.4 with Tris. Hypoosmotic solution (200 mOsmol/L) contained (in mmol/L) sucrose 30, and other ingredients was the same as the isosmotic solution. Pipette solution recording I_K(Ca) contained (mmol/L) potassium-aspartic acid 110, Mg-ATP 5, HEPES 5, MgCl₂.6H₂O 1.0, KCl 20, egtazic acid 0.1, di-tris-creatine phoshate 2.5, disodium-creatine phosphate 2.5 and its pH was adjusted to 7.3 with KOH. Pipette solution recording I_K(V) contained (mmol/L) EGTA 10, and other ingredients was the same as the pipette solution recording I_K(Ca). Cytochalasin-B was dissolved in dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO, 20 mmol/L) and phalloidin was dissolved in alcohol (1 mmol/L). The same amount of DMSO or alcohol as the final experimental solution was added to the pipette solution. All the chemicals in this experiment were purchased from Sigma (USA).

Data analysis
All data were expressed as mean±SD. Statistical significance was evaluated by a t-test. Differences were considered to be significant when P value was less than 0.05.

RESULTS
Effect of Cyt-B and phalloidin on I_K(Ca)
Under the whole cell configuration, the membrane potential was clamped at -60 mV, I_K(Ca) was elicited by step voltage command pulse from -40 mV to +100 mV for 440 ms with a 20 mV increment at 10 s intervals. An actin microfilament disruptor, Cyt-B (20 mmol/L in pipette) markedly increased I_K(Ca)  to 138.4±14.3% at +60 mV (n = 15, Figures 1B, C). In the same condition, an actin microfilament stabilizer, phalloidin (20 mmol/L in pipette) inhibited I_K(Ca)  to 74.2±7.1% at +60 mV (n = 15, Figures 2B, C).

Effect of Cyt-B and phalloidin on I_K(V)
Under the whole cell configuration, the membrane potential was clamped at -60 mV, I_K(V) was elicited by step voltage command pulse from -40 mV to +80 mV for 440 ms with a 20 mV increment at 10 s intervals. Cyt-B (20 mmol/L in pipette) markedly increased I_K(V)  to 142.1±13.1%  at +60 mV (n = 12, Figures 3B, C). In the same condition, phalloidin (20 mmol/L in pipette) inhibited I_K(V)  to 75.4±9.9% at +60 mV (n = 12, Figures 4B, C).

Figure 1(PDF) Effect of Cyt-B on I_K(Ca). A: Representative current trace of I_K(Ca). B: I/V relationship of I_K(Ca). C: Cyt-B enhanced I_K(Ca). In isosmotic condition. (n = 15, ^aP<0.05, ^bP<0.01 vs control).
Figure 2(PDF) Effect of phalloidin on I_K(Ca). A: Representative current trace of I_K(Ca). B: I/V relationship of I_K(Ca). C: Phalloidin inhibited I_K(Ca) in isosmotic condition. (n = 15, ^aP<0.05, ^bP<0.01 vs control).
Figure 3(PDF) Effect of Cyt-B on I_K(V). A: Representative current trace of I_K(V). B: I/V relationship of I_K(V). C: Cyt-B enhanced I_K(V) inisosmotic condition.(n = 15, ^aP<0.05, ^bP<0.01 vs control).

Effect of hyposmotic membrane stretch on I_K(Ca) and I_K(V)
Using the same pulse protocol, the effect of hyposmotic membrane stretch on I_K(Ca)  and I_K(V) was observed. When the cells were superfused with hyposmotic solution (200 mOsmol/L), step command pulse-induced I_K(Ca) increased from 0mV (Figure 5B)and the increasing amplitude was 50.6±9.7% at +60 mV (n = 15, Figure 5C). In the same condition, hyposmotic superfusing increased step command pulse-induced I_K(V) from +40 mV (Figure 6B) and the increasing amplitude was 24.9±3.3% at +60 mV (n = 12, Figure 6C).

Effect of Cyt-B and phalloidin on hyposmotic membrane stretch-induced increase of I_K(Ca)
To determine the possibility of actin microfilament involved in hyposmotic membrane stretch-induced increase of I_K(Ca), the effects of Cyt-B and phalloidin on I_K(Ca) in which cells were perfused with isosmotic and hypoosmotic solutions were observed respectively. Hyposmotic membrane stretch increased I_K(Ca) from 0 mV (Figure 7A) and the increasing amplitude was 50.6±9.7% at 60 mV in the control group (n = 15, Figures 7A, 8D). In the presence of Cyt-B and phalloidin (20 mmol/L in pipette) hyposmotic membrane stretch also increased I_K(Ca) by 44.5±7.9% (n = 15, Figures 7B, D) and 55.7±9.8% (n = 15, Figures 7C, D) at +60 mV respectively. There was no significant difference between control group and Cyt-B group or phalloidin group.

Effect of Cyt-B and phalloidin on hyposmotic membrane stretch-induced increase of I_K(V)
Hyposmotic membrane stretch increased I_K(V) by 24.9±3.3% at +60 mV in the control group (n = 12, Figures 8A, D). In the presence of Cyt-B and phalloidin (20 mmol/L in pipette) hyposmotic membrane stretch also increased I_K(V) by 22.9±5.5% (n = 12, Figures 8B, D) and 30.3±4.5% (n = 12, Figures 8C, D) at +60 mV respectively. There was no significant difference between control group and Cyt-B group or phalloidin group.

Figure 4(PDF) Effect of phalloidin on I_K(Ca). A: Representative current trace of I_K(Ca). B: I/V relationship of I_K(Ca). C: Phalloidin inhibited I_K(Ca) in isosmotic condition. (n = 15, ^aP<0.05, ^bP<0.01 vs control).
Figure 5(PDF) Effect of hyposmotic membrane stretch on I_K(Ca). A: Representative current trace of I_K(Ca). B: I/V relationship of I_K(Ca). C: Hyposmotic membrane strech increased I_K(Ca). (n = 15, ^aP<0.05, ^bP<0.01 vs control).
Figure 6(PDF) Effect of hyposmotic membrane stretch on I_K(V). A: Representative current trace of I_K(V). B: I/V relationship of I_K(V). C: Hyposmotic membrane strech increased I_K(V). (n = 15, ^aP<0.05, ^bP<0.01 vs control).
Figure 7(PDF) Effect of Cyt-B and phalloidin on hyposmotic membrane stretch-increase of I_(KCa). A, B and C: I/V relationship of I_(KCa). (n = 15, ^aP<0.05, ^bP<0.01 vs 290 mOsm). D: No effect of Cyt-B and phalloidin on the increased of I_K(Ca) induced by hyposmotic membrane stretch (n = 15).
Figure 8(PDF) Effect of Cyt-B and phalloidin on hyposmotic membrane stretch-increase of I_K(V). A, B and C: I/V relationship of I_K(V). (n = 12, ^aP<0.05, ^bP<0.01 vs 290 mOsm). D: No effect of Cyt-B and phalloidin on the increased of _IK(V) induced by hyposmotic membrane stretch (n = 12).

DISCUSSION
Cytoskeleton is an intracellular superstructure that consists of microfilaments of actin and associated proteins, microtubules, and intermediate filaments. Actin microfilament, in particular, are involved in structural support and a functional role in cell motility^[15]. Recent evidence indicated, however, actin-based cytosleleton was involved in the control of ion channel activity across the plasma membranes of different cell types. For example, actin microfilaments were implicated in the regulation of soldium channels in human jejunal circular smooth muscle cells^[16] and ATP-sensitive potassium channel in ventricular myocytes^{[5, 17]}. Actin microfilaments could also regulate voltage-dependent channels, for example, actin microfilaments could mediate voltage-dependent epithelial soldium channels in neuron cells^[18].
      It was proposed that cell surface proteins and extra cellular matrix were linked to the cytoskeleton by transmembrane proteins and modulate ion channels and enzymes by mechanical deformation under physiological conditions. In the present study, we observed that an actin microfilament disruptor, Cyt-B increased I_K(Ca) and I_K(V) significantly (Figures 1B, C, Figures 3B, C). However, an actin microfilament stabilizer, phalloidin inhibited I_K(Ca) and I_K(V) markedly (Figures 2B, C, Figures 4B, C) in gastric myocytes. These results suggested that when actin microfilaments were disrupted, I_K(Ca) or I_K(V) could be activated; while, when actin microfilaments were stabilized, I_K(Ca) or I_K(V) could be inhibited in gastric myocytes. Many previous studies also supported our experiment. For example, Cyt-D activated calcium-activated potassium channel in human meningioma cells^[6], Cyt-B activated K (ATP) channels in cardiac^[5].
      Stretch is a physiological stimulation in gut smooth mucles. There are two kinds of potassium current, calcium-activated potassium current and delayed rectifier potassium current. In the present study, the two kinds of potassium current were activated by hyposmotic swelling in gastric antral smooth muscle cells of guinea pigs (Figures 5-6). In order to investigate the mechanism of hyposmotic membrane stretch-induced increase of I_K(Ca) and I_K(V), the relationship between potassium channel activity and actin microfilaments was observed. When actin microfilaments were disrupted by Cyt-B or stabilized by phalloidin, hyposmotic membrane stretch-induced increase of I_K(Ca) and I_K(V) was not affected (Figures 7-8). These results indicated that actin microfilaments were not involved in the increase of potassium current induced by hyposmotic cell swelling in gastric circular myocytes of guinea pig. Previous studies supported our results. For example, Wang et al.^[10] observed that neither the microfilaments nor the microtubules were involved in the enhancement of I_K(V) induced by cell distension in ventricular myocytes of guinea pig. We also observed that unsaturated fatty acids, exogenous and endogenous, were involved in the increase of calcium-activated potassium current induced by hyposmotic membrane stretch(data not shown). So that hyposmotic membrane stretch-induced increase of potassium currents may be related to unsaturated fatty acids in cell membranes.
      Our previous study demonstrated that actin microfilaments played an important role in the modulation of membrane stretch-induced calcium influx and hyposmotic membrane stretch-induced increase of muscarinic current in guinea-pig gastric myocytes^[19,20]. It is obvious that cytoskeleton plays a different role in different types of cells and different kinds of ion channels. In gastric smooth muscle actin microfilaments may be involved in the process of hyposmotic membrane stretch-induced depolarization of membrane potential. However, actin microfilaments would not be involved in the process of cell swelling-induced hyperpolarization of membrane potential.
      In summary, actin microfilaments regulate potassium channel activities in normal condition. However, actin microfilaments are not involved in hyposmotic cell swelling-induced increase of potassium currents.

REFERENCES
1    Janmey PA. The cytoskeleton and cell signaling: component localization and mechanical coupling. Physiol Rev 
      1998; 78: 763-781
2    Wang H, Bedford FK, Brandon NJ, Moss SJ, Olsen RW. GABAA-receptor-associated proteins link GABAA receptors and 
      the cytoskeleton. Nature 1999; 397: 69-72
3    Wang WH, Cassola A, Giebisch G. Involvement of actin cytoskeleton in modulation of apical K channel activity in rat 
      collecting duct. Am J Physiol 1994; 267(4 Pt 2): F592-598
4    Ehrhardt AG, Frankish N, Isenberg G. A large-conductance K+ channel that is inhibited by the cytoskeleton in the smooth 
      muscle cell line DDT1 MF-2. J Physiol 1996; 496(Pt 3): 663-676
5    Jovanovic S, Jovanovic A. Diadenosine tetraphosphate-gating of cardiac K (ATP) channels requires intact actin 
      cytoskeleton. Naunyn Schmiedebergs Arch Pharmacol 2001; 364: 276-280
6    Kraft R, Benndorf K, Patt S. Large conductance Ca²⁺-activated K+ channels in human meningioma cells. J Membr Biol 
      2000; 175: 25-33
7    Huang H, Rao Y, Sun P, Gong LW. Involvement of actin cytoskeleton in modulation of Ca (2+)-activated K (+) channels 
      from rat hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons. Neurosci Lett 2002; 332: 141-145
8    Shimoni Y, Ewart HS, Severson D. Insulin stimulation of rat ventricular K+ currents depends on the integrity of the 
      cytoskeleton. J Physiol 1999; 514(Pt 3): 735-745
9    Song DK, Ashcroft FM. ATP modulation of ATP-sensitive potassium channel ATP sensitivity varies with the type of SUR 
      subunit. J Biol Chem 2001; 276: 7143-7149
10  Wang Z, Mitsuiye T, Noma A. Cell distension-induced increase of the delayed rectifier K+ current in guinea pig 
      ventricular myocytes. Circ Res 1996; 78: 466-474
11  Ribeiro R, Heinke B, Diener M. Cell volume-induced changes in K+ transport across the rat colon. Acta Physiol Scand 
      2001; 171: 445-458
12  Li Y, Xu WX, Li ZL. Effects of nitroprusside, 3-morpholino-sydnonimine, and spermine on calcium-sensitive potassium 
      currents in gastric antral circular myocytes of guinea pig. Acta Pharmacol Sin 2000; 21: 571-576
13  Piao L, Li Y, Li L, Xu WX. Increment of calcium-activated and delayed rectifier potassium current by hyposmotic swelling 
      in gastric antral circular myocytes of guinea pig. Acta Pharmacol Sin 2001; 22: 566-572
14  Yu YC, Guo HS, Li Y, Piao L, Li L, Li ZL, Xu WX. Role of calcium mobilization in sodium nitroprusside-induced increase 
      of calcium-activated potassium currents in gastric antral circular myocytes of guinea pig. Acta Pharmacol Sin 
      2003; 24: 819-825
15  Stossel TP. On the crawling of animal cells. Science 1993; 260: 1086-1094
16  Strege PR, Holm AN, Rich A, Miller SM, Ou Y, Sarr MG, Farrugia G. Cytoskeletal modulation of sodium current in human 
      jejunal circular smooth muscle cells. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 2003; 284: C60-66
17  Terzic A, Kurachi Y. Actin microfilament disrupters enhance K (ATP) channel opening in patches from guinea-pig 
      cardiomyocytes. J Physiol 1996; 492(Pt 2): 395-404
18  Srinivasan Y, Elmer L, Davis J, Bennett V, Angelides K. Ankyrin and spectrin associate with voltage-dependent sodium 
      channels in brain. Nature 1988; 333: 177-180
19  Xu WX, Kim SJ, So I, Kim KW. Role of actin microfilament in osmotic stretch-induced increase of voltage-operated 
      calcium channel current in guinea-pig gastric myocytes. Pflugers Arch 1997; 434: 502-504
20  Wang ZY, Yu YC, Cui YF, Li L, Guo HS, Li ZL, Xu WX. Role of actin microfilament in hyposmotic membrane stretch-
      induced increase in muscarinic current of guinea-pig gastric myocytes. Shengli Xuebao 2003; 55: 77-182

   Edited by Wang XL Proofread by Xu FM  

Reviews	Add
more>>