A novel acid-sensitive K+ channel in rat dorsal root ganglia neurons

Neurosci Lett. 2006 Oct 9;406(3):244-9. doi: 10.1016/j.neulet.2006.07.039. Epub 2006 Aug 14.

Abstract

Recent studies have suggested that acid-sensitive background K+ channels such as TASK-1 and TASK-3, members of two-pore domain K+ (K2P) channel family, express and contribute to extracellular acidification-induced responses in dorsal root ganglia (DRG) neurons. However, it has remained to address whether other acid-sensitive background K+ channels are functionally expressed in DRG neurons. Here we characterized biophysical and pharmacological properties of a novel acid-sensitive background K+ channel in DRG neurons isolated from neonatal rats. We recorded an 80-pS K+ channel with a weak inward rectification current-voltage relationship in cell-attached patches in 150mM KCl bath solution. The 80-pS K+ channel was inhibited by extracellular low pH (pHo 6.3). Interestingly, the channel was similar to TASK-2 cloned from mouse and rat in biophysical and pharmacological properties. However, extracellular alkaline condition which activates TASK-2 channel, failed to activate the 80-pS K+ channel. Lidocaine and quinine more inhibited the channel activity of 80-pS K+ channel than that of TASK-2 channel. Our results suggest that the acid-sensitive 80-pS K+ channels may regulate resting membrane potential and may play a critical role in various processes such as cell metabolism, pH, and pain sensation in DRG neurons.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acids / pharmacology*
  • Animals
  • Animals, Newborn
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Chlorocebus aethiops
  • Electric Stimulation / methods
  • Ganglia, Spinal / cytology*
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Membrane Potentials / drug effects
  • Membrane Potentials / physiology
  • Membrane Potentials / radiation effects
  • Neurons / drug effects*
  • Neurons / physiology
  • Patch-Clamp Techniques / methods
  • Potassium Channels, Tandem Pore Domain / drug effects
  • Potassium Channels, Tandem Pore Domain / physiology*
  • Rats
  • Transfection / methods

Substances

  • Acids
  • Kcnk5 protein, rat
  • Potassium Channels, Tandem Pore Domain