Referenced in: none

Automatically associated channels: Kv1.4

Title: Functional reconstitution of bacterially expressed human potassium channels in proteoliposomes: membrane potential measurements with JC-1 to assay ion channel activity.

Authors: B Chanda, M K Mathew

Journal, date & volume: Biochim. Biophys. Acta, 1999 Jan 12 , 1416, 92-100

PubMed link: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9889332

Abstract
Structure-function studies on ion channels have been greatly facilitated by the cloning of cDNAs from a variety of sources. However, obtaining detailed structural information on these proteins requires overexpression, purification and reconstitution in a functionally competent form. In this communication, we report on the functional reconstitution of a human potassium channel, Kv1.4, overexpressed in bacteria. We have assessed the activity of these channels using a spectroscopic assay with a potential-sensitive dye, JC-1. The presence of ion channels renders proteoliposomes selectively permeable to potassium ions as monitored by measurements of transmembrane electrical potential. We have optimised conditions wherein a 12% change in the fluorescence signal of the carbocyanine dye JC-1 per 10 mV change in membrane potential is obtained. Using this assay, we find that the reconstituted protein is potassium selective and its activity is blocked by 4-aminopyridine, a known potassium channel blocker.