Referenced in: none

Automatically associated channels: Kir4.1 , Kir5.1

Title: Modulation of Kir4.1 and Kir4.1-Kir5.1 channels by small changes in cell volume.

Authors: Rikke Soe, Nanna MacAulay, Dan Arne Klaerke

Journal, date & volume: Neurosci. Lett., 2009 Jun 26 , 457, 80-4

PubMed link: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19429167

Abstract
The K+ channels Kir4.1 and Kir4.1-Kir5.1 are expressed in the glial cells of the CNS and are involved in regulation of the K+ homeostasis. Several studies have shown that Kir4.1 channels are co-localized with aquaporins (AQP4) in the glial endfeet, and a putative functional coupling between the Kir channels and aquaporins is therefore debated. To test a possible volume-sensitivity of the Kir channels, the Kir4.1 or Kir4.1-Kir5.1 channels were expressed in Xenopus oocytes with or without co-expression of aquaporins and subsequently exposed to cell volume alterations. Our results show an increase in Kir4.1 and Kir4.1-Kir5.1 currents upon swelling of the oocytes and a reduction in the current when the oocytes were shrunk. The volume-dependent changes in channel activity were not due to changes in the kinetics of the channels. These findings implicate a putative functional interaction between the Kir channels and aquaporins via small, fast cell volume changes in the glial cells.