Referenced in: none

Automatically associated channels: Kv3.4 , Slo1

Title: Receptor-coupled regulation of K+ channel N-type inactivation.

Authors: I Velasco, E J Beck, M Covarrubias

Journal, date & volume: , 1998 , 6, 23-32

PubMed link: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9713829

Abstract
Phosphorylation of the inactivation gate of a K+ channel (Kv3.4) by protein kinase C (PKC) slows rapid N-type inactivation. To demonstrate that such an effect could occur under more physiological conditions, Kv3.4 and a metabotropic serotonin (5-HT) receptor were coexpressed in Xenopus oocytes. Application of 5-HT 10 microM to these oocytes produced two main effects: 1) Enhanced activity of endogenous Ca(++)-dependent Cl- channels; and 2) Kv3.4 currents exhibited significantly slower inactivation than the control currents (time constants at +50 mV: 7.1 +/- 0.6 ms and 14.7 +/- 3 ms, before and after 5-HT, respectively). These results are consistent with the presence of receptor-coupled activation of phospholipase C. 5-HT had little or no effect on Kv3.4 current kinetics when four N-terminal serines were mutated to alanine. Peak currents exhibited, however, a slow run-down. This study demonstrates that physiological activation of PKC may regulate K+ channel inactivation by a direct action.