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Journal of Pharmacology And Experimental Therapeutics Fast Forward
First published on August 31, 2006; DOI: 10.1124/jpet.106.109322


0022-3565/06/3193-1112-1123$20.00
JPET 319:1112-1123, 2006
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GASTROINTESTINAL, HEPATIC, PULMONARY, AND RENAL

Muscarinic Regulation of Ether-a-go-go-Related Gene K+ Currents in Interstitial Cells of Cajal

Catherine M. McKay, and Jan D. Huizinga

Intestinal Disease Research Program, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

Received June 20, 2006; accepted August 30, 2006.


    Abstract
 Top
 Abstract
 Materials and Methods
 Results
 Discussion
 References
 
The interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) of the myenteric plexus generate a set of currents that evoke a pacemaker potential that sets the initial conditions for the contraction frequency and duration of the electrically coupled intestinal musculature. The synapse-like contacts between ICC and myenteric motor nerves highlight the potential role of the enteric nervous system in regulating the pacemaking currents in ICC. The objective of the present study was to investigate muscarinic regulation of the ether-a-go-go-related gene (ERG) K+ current. Immunoreactivity of the M3 receptor (M3R) but not the M2 receptor was detected on murine jejunal ICC-Auerbach's plexus (ICC-AP). The muscarinic agonist bethanechol reduced hyperpolarization-evoked peak ERG currents at –100 mV by 23 ± 1% and increased both fast and slow time constants of deactivation, resulting in increased steady-state currents between –55 and –35 mV. Bethanechol also increased depolarization-evoked steady-state currents by 59 ± 10% at –40 mV, whereas currents were decreased at potentials positive to 0 mV. The half-maximal voltage of activation was shifted 11.9 mV leftward. Interestingly, the time constant of activation increased only at –40 mV. Atropine prevented and 2 µM E4031 [1-[2-(6-methyl-2-pyridyl)-ethyl-4-(methylsulfonylaminobenzoyl)piperidine] inhibited bethanechol-affected currents. The effect of bethanechol was mimicked by protein kinase C (PKC) activation and diminished by PKC inhibition. Our results indicate that the ERG K+ channel in ICC is affected by stimulation of muscarinic receptors, probably the M3R, via a PKC-dependent mechanism. Modulation of the ERG K+ current in ICC-AP will affect the kinetics of pacemaking in the intestinal musculature.


In the gastrointestinal tract, interstitial cells of Cajal associated with the myenteric plexus (ICC-AP or ICC-MP) generate a pacemaking current that is transmitted to coupled smooth muscle cells, producing an electrical slow wave that governs smooth muscle contraction (Der-Silaphet et al., 1998Go; Koh et al., 1998Go; Thomsen et al., 1998Go). Along the length of the intestine, there are multiple intrinsic pacemaking sites that create a stepwise gradient in frequency and, hence, transmit pacemaker-evoked slow waves toward the distal intestine, prompting anal propagation of the slow wave (Diamant and Bortoff, 1969Go). Without muscle excitation, slow waves do not normally bear action potentials, and little contractile activity is associated with them (Lammers and Slack, 2001Go). During muscle excitation, neural or otherwise, action potentials are generated by depolarized smooth muscle cells. In the circular and longitudinal muscle layers of the small intestine, the membrane potential is only sufficiently depolarized during the slow-wave plateau phase (Lammers and Slack, 2001Go). Because of the propagating nature of the slow waves, a peristaltic motor pattern occurs. A critically important component of peristaltic motor activity during digestion is that high-frequency pacemaker activity switches from the most proximal part of the intestine to areas where luminal contents are located (Bercik et al., 2000Go; Seerden et al., 2005Go). This results in a complex pattern of peristaltic and "anti"-peristaltic movements that aid in mixing and absorption. Although the mechanism of this erratic creation of dominant pacemaker sites has not been extensively studied, it is likely that local neural excitation plays an important role. Hence, the interaction between neurotransmitters and ion channels displayed by pacemaker cells needs to be elucidated to build a comprehensive understanding of neural regulation of pacemaker activity.

The ICC-AP form extensive networks at both sides of the myenteric plexus region, associated with smooth muscle cells of both the circular and longitudinal muscle layers and surrounding the ganglia of the myenteric plexus (Faussone-Pellegrini, 1985Go). The close approximation of the myenteric plexus with the ICC-AP network suggests neural regulation of intestinal pacemaking. Indeed, studies recording the electrical slow wave in canine colonic smooth muscle have demonstrated cholinergic regulation, showing that acetylcholine decreases slow-wave frequency, increases slow-wave duration, and enhances intestinal contractility (Huizinga et al., 1984Go; Hara and Szurszewski, 1986Go; Sanders and Smith, 1986Go). However, it is difficult to establish a direct link between neurotransmitter release and control of ICC since the aforementioned studies were performed on preparations including smooth muscle, ICC, and nerves. Recently, two studies have addressed the question of whether or not neurotransmitters directly regulate pacemaker currents in ICC. In isolated ICC of the murine small intestine, noradrenaline modulates pacemaker currents by decreasing pacemaker frequency (Jun et al., 2004Go). In ICC of the murine stomach, acetylcholine increased pacemaker frequency (Kim et al., 2003Go).

We have shown in cultured ICC-AP that significant ether-a-go-go-related gene (ERG) K+ current is generated between potentials of –30 and –20 mV (McKay et al., 2006Go) and that the ERG K+ current is a key regulator of voltage oscillation frequency and plateau potential duration (between –30 and –20 mV) (Zhu et al., 2003Go). Several groups have investigated the modulatory capability of ERG K+ currents on different cell types via the activation of G-protein-coupled receptors, such as muscarinic receptor, thyrotropin-releasing hormone receptor, {alpha}1A-adrenergic receptor, and beta-adrenergic receptors (Schledermann et al., 2001Go; Hirdes et al., 2004Go; Thomas et al., 2004Go). Second messengers, such as PKC and PKA, cAMP, and PIP2, have been reported to modulate the ERG K+ channel through phosphorylation sites, interaction with a cyclic nucleotide binding domain, and positively charged amino acids, respectively (Barros et al., 1998Go; Kiehn et al., 1998Go; Cui et al., 2000Go; Bian et al., 2001Go; Thomas et al., 2003Go).

Epperson et al. (2000Go) have reported the isolation of mRNA of muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (M2 and M3 subtypes) from cultured and freshly isolated murine ICC-AP. Cholinergic control of pacemaking could be regulated through activation of the expressed M2 receptor (M2R) or M3 receptor (M3R) proteins in ICC-AP. Therefore, we hypothesized that activation of a muscarinic receptor subtype on ICC results in modulation of the ERG K+ current, an important regulator of the pacemaker current. Thus, the objectives for this study were to determine whether the M2R and/or M3R proteins were expressed on ICC, to determine whether the ERG K+ current in ICC is a downstream target of muscarinic receptor activation, and to investigate by what mechanism muscarinic receptor activation modifies ERG K+ channel behavior.


    Materials and Methods
 Top
 Abstract
 Materials and Methods
 Results
 Discussion
 References
 
Cell Culture
In brief, neonatal CD-1 mice (2–6 days old) were sacrificed in accordance with procedures approved by the Animal Ethics Committee at McMaster University. Following a midline incision, 2 cm below the pyloric sphincter, jejunum was removed. Using fine dissection, the muscularis layer was separated from the mucosal layer of the intestine. Small pieces (1 mm2) of the muscularis were cut and placed into for well culture dishes, directly on collagen-coated glass coverslips that are submerged in medium M199 (Invitrogen Canada Inc., Burlington, ON, Canada) (containing glutamine, fetal bovine serum, and antibiotics/antimycotics). Culture dishes were then placed in a 37°C incubator for a period of 2 to 3 days. After this period of incubation, using ICC-specific immunofluorescence purified rat anti-mouse CD117 (c-kit) antibody (Cedarlane Laboratories Ltd., Hornby, ON, Canada), c-kit immunoreactivity was observed both within the explanted tissue and surrounding it. Without the use of immunofluorescence, only isolated ICC or ICC coupled with a smooth muscle cell outside of the explanted muscularis and exhibiting key morphological features were used in electrophysiological experiments.

Immunohistochemistry
Explant Cultures. After 2 to 3 days of incubation, glass coverslips containing explanted cultures were transferred to a separate four-well dish. Explants were washed 2 x 10 min with 0.01 M phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) and fixed in ice-cold acetone for 10 min followed by washes for 3 x 10 min in 0.01 M PBS. For 1 h, explants were blocked with 5% goat serum diluted in background reducing agent (DakoCytomation, Carpinteria, CA). Cells were then incubated overnight at 4°C in either M2R rabbit anti-mouse antibody (1:100; Chemicon International, Inc., Temecula, CA) or M3R rabbit anti-human antibody (1:100; recognizes second extracellular loop of receptor, and there is 95% homology to mouse M3R) (US Biological Inc., Swampscott, MA) and CD117 (c-kit) rat anti-mouse antibody (1:200; Cedarlane Laboratories Ltd.). Explants were washed 3 x 20 min, incubated with the secondary antibodies, Cy5 goat anti-rabbit IgG (1:100; Jackson ImmunoResearch Laboratories, Inc., West Grove, PA) and Cy2 goat anti-rat IgG (1:50; Jackson Immuno-Research Laboratories, Inc.), and washed 3 x 20 min before mounting on a glass slide.

Frozen Murine Jejunal Sections. Adult CD-1 mice were sacrificed in accordance with procedures approved by the Animal Ethics Committee at McMaster University. A midline incision was made, and the jejunum was removed a placed in oxygenated Krebs solution. The tissue was flushed several times with Krebs solution to remove luminal contents. The tissue was transferred to a separate Petri dish containing 0.01 M PBS, where it was then flushed with PBS and sectioned transversally into 1- to 2-cm pieces. Pieces were then embedded in optimal cutting temperature compound (Sakura Finetek, Torrance, CA) and transferred to liquid nitrogen until frozen. Frozen blocks were sectioned on the cryostat at a thickness of 5 to 9 µM and transferred to glass slides. Slides were kept frozen at –70°C until 2 to 3 h before use.

Slides were fixed in ice-cold acetone for 10 min followed by washes for 3 x 10 min in 0.01 M PBS. For 1 h, tissue containing slides were blocked with 5% goat serum (diluted in background reducing agent; DakoCytomation). Slides were then incubated overnight at 4°C in either M2R rabbit anti-mouse antibody (1:100; Chemicon International, Inc.) or M3R rabbit anti-human antibody (1:100; recognizes second extracellular loop of receptor, and there is 95% homology to mouse M3R) (US Biological Inc.) and CD117 (c-kit) rat anti-mouse antibody (1:200; Cedarlane Laboratories Ltd.). Tissue was washed 3 x 20 min, incubated with the secondary antibodies, Cy3 goat anti-rabbit IgG (1:500; Jackson ImmunoResearch Laboratories, Inc.), and Cy2 goat anti-rat IgG (1:50; Jackson ImmunoResearch Laboratories, Inc.) and washed 3 x 20 min before mounting with a glass coverslip.

Electrophysiology
Cell cultures were visualized using a Nikon Diaphot inverted microscope (Nikon, Mississauga, ON, Canada). Whole-cell recordings were obtained using an Axopatch 200B amplifier (Axon Instruments, Union City, CA), and data were acquired using pClamp 9.2 software (Axon Instruments). Pipettes were fabricated to a resistance of 2 to 4 M{Omega}. Only cells with series resistance of <15 M{Omega} were studied, to which series resistance compensation of ~70 to 75% was employed. Cells were constantly perfused in a solution containing 135 mM NaCl, 5 mM KCl, 2 mM CaCl2, 1 mM MgCl2, 5 mM glucose, 5 mM HEPES, and 0.33 mM NaH2PO4, pH 7.35 with NaOH. Pipettes were filled with an internal solution containing 135 mM Cs aspartate, 5 mM KCl, 1 mM MgCl2, 0.1 mM EGTA, and 5 mM HEPES, pH 7.25 with CsOH.

Drugs
Bethanechol, phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), and atropine were purchased from Sigma-Aldrich (Oakville, ON, Canada), bisindolylmaleimide was from Calbiochem, EMD Biosciences (San Diego, CA), and E4031 was from Alomone Laboratories (Jerusalem, Israel). Stock concentrations of bethanechol and E4031 were formulated in nanopure water. Dimethyl sulfoxide was used to dissolve PMA, and bisindolylmaleimide and ethanol were used to dissolve atropine. Final concentration of dimethyl sulfoxide and ethanol that cells were exposed to was less than 0.001%.

Analysis
Data were analyzed using Clampfit (Union City, CA) and Origin software (Northampton, MA). A log concentration response curve was formulated for bethanechol and fit using Origin software [Y = A1 + (A2–A1)/(1 + 10log(IC50–x) x nH), where A1 and A2 represent minimal and maximal concentrations, respectively, x represents concentration, IC50 represents the concentration at which 50% of the response in inhibited, and nH represents the Hill Slope. A Boltzmann relationship [I/Imax = 1/{1 + [exp(V0.5)V)/k]}, where I represents current and V represents voltage] was used to determine changes to half-maximal voltage of activation in control and bethanechol-treated cells. The number of cells used was represented by n. Data were statistically analyzed using a Student's t test where data with p < 0.05 were considered significant.


Figure 1
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Fig. 1. Localization of M3R but not M2R on ICC-AP in murine jejunal cultured explants and tissue sections. A, M2R and c-kit staining on short-term culture. Explant is in the right corner, and ICC are seen to extend out of the explant. B, M2R and c-kit staining on intact musculature. C, M3R and c-kit staining on short-term culture. Note single ICC with typical structure and c-kit staining. D, M3R and c-kit staining on intact musculature. Arrows point to ICC associated with a large ganglion.

 

    Results
 Top
 Abstract
 Materials and Methods
 Results
 Discussion
 References
 
Immunohistochemistry. To assess protein expression of M2R and the M3R in ICC, murine jejunal explant cultures and tissue sections were labeled with either the M2R or M3R antibodies and CD117 antibody (against the c-kit tyrosine kinase receptor on ICC). Although explant cultures exhibited M2 receptor-like (M2R-L) immunoreactivity, colocalization of M2R-L and c-kit immunoreactivity on ICC was not detected (Fig. 1A). Explants also exhibited M3 receptor-like immunoreactivity as shown in Fig. 1C. Colocalization of M3R-L and c-kit immunoreactivities was detected in a proportion of c-kit-positive cells. M3R-L immunoreactivity did not completely cover the surface of the cell but appeared to localize with or close to c-kit-like immunoreactivity over scattered regions of the c-kit-positive cell bodies and processes.

To investigate whether or not the expression of M2R or M3R was an effect of culture, double labeling studies with CD117 antibody were performed on tissue sections from the murine jejunum. Distinct M2R-L immunoreactivity was found in the circular and longitudinal smooth muscle layers as well as the ganglia of the myenteric plexus (Fig. 1B). M2R-L immunoreactivity was not detected on c-kit-positive cells in the myenteric plexus (Fig. 1B). Similarly, M3R-L immunoreactivity was identified throughout the circular and longitudinal muscle layers on smooth muscle cells, myenteric ganglia, and c-kit-positive cells (Fig. 1D). Not all cells exhibiting c-kit immunoreactivity showed M3R-L immunoreactivity. Interestingly, distinct regions of M3R-L immunoreactivity were found on c-kit-positive cells, which were associated with the myenteric ganglia (Fig. 1D, arrows).

Bethanechol Concentration Response. Using ionic conditions employed in a previous study to evoke ERG K+ currents in ICC-AP (McKay et al., 2006Go), a hyperpolarizing voltage protocol was applied from a holding potential of 0 mV, stepping in 10-mV increments from –120 to +20 mV. This resulted in the current profile and current-voltage relationship illustrated in Fig. 2, A and B, where maximal peak current occurred at a potential of –100 mV. In our previous study, the ERG K+ channel-specific blocker, E4031, inhibited hyperpolarization-evoked current at –100 mV by ~80% (McKay et al., 2006Go). To determine whether the muscarinic agonist, bethanechol, modulated the ERG K+ current in ICC, a concentration-response relationship was established by adding increasing concentrations of bethanechol (10–8 to 10–4 M) to the preparation (Fig. 2C; n = 3–7) while measuring the current amplitude evoked by stepping from 0 to –100 mV. Using a concentration-response fit, half-maximal inhibition was measured at 3.4 µM. In seven cells, inhibition of 37 ± 4% was achieved using 100 µM bethanechol.


Figure 2
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Fig. 2. Concentration-dependent effects of bethanechol on ERG K+ currents in ICC. A, profile of whole-cell currents evoked by a hyperpolarizing protocol (McKay et al., 2006Go). Voltage steps were taken from a holding potential of 0 to –120 mV and up to 20 mV in 10-mV increments for 400 ms. B, current-voltage relationship of peak current from A. A reversal potential of 3 ± 2 mV (n = 6) was measured close to the expected Ek of 0 mV. C, concentration-response relationship of the reduction in peak current at –100 mV due to the presence of 10–8 to 10–4 M bethanechol. The fit produced an IC50 of 3.4 µM.

 
The same hyperpolarizing voltage protocol was employed to study the effect of bethanechol on recovery from inactivation and deactivation. In the presence of 100 µM bethanechol, maximal peak current amplitude at –100 mV was reduced by 23 ± 0.8% (Fig. 3B; n = 6). All peak currents measured between –120 and –40 mV exhibited a decrease following perfusion of 100 µM bethanechol. Conversely, measuring the steady-state current revealed no amplitude change at voltages between –120 and –60 mV, and outward current between 0 and +20 mV was decreased by bethanechol. Interestingly, a significant increase in current was observed at –50 mV by 66.5 ± 6.8% and –40 mV by 51.2 ± 11.9% in response to bethanechol (Fig. 3C; n = 6). Pretreatment with the muscarinic antagonist atropine (5 x 10–6 M) prevented current modulation by bethanechol completely (n = 2). In our previous study, the inward current between –50 and 0 mV was inhibited by the specific ERG K+ channel inhibitor, E4031. To ensure that in the presence of bethanechol, the increased steady-state current at –50 and –40 mV was ERG K+ current, 2 µM E4031 was added and consistently inhibited the current by 71.8 ± 7.7% and 75.5 ± 10.3%, respectively (Fig. 3C, inset; n = 3).


Figure 3
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Fig. 3. The effect of bethanechol on hyperpolarization-evoked ERG K+ currents in ICC. A, hyperpolarization-evoked current traces in the absence and presence of bethanechol. B, current-voltage relationship of peak current (open circle) under control conditions ({blacksquare}) and after 100 µM bethanechol (bullet). Inset, effect of 2 µM E4031 ({blacktriangleup}) on bethanechol (bullet)-modulated peak currents. C, current-voltage relationship of steady-state current (measured 350 ms after pulse, at open square) under control conditions ({blacksquare}) and after 100 µM bethanechol (bullet). Inset, effect of 2 µM E4031 ({blacktriangleup}) on bethanechol (bullet)-modulated steady-state currents. Currents were recorded after stabilization of drug action, which was achieved 2.5 min following the addition of bethanechol. Current amplitudes were normalized to the value of the maximal control current in both peak and steady-state measurements (n = 6; *, p < 0.05; **, p < 0.01; ***, p < 0.001). Bethanechol decreased the peak inward current, whereas the steady-state currents at –40 and –50 mV were consistently increased. Bethanechol consistently decreased the outward currents.

 

The time constant of recovery from inactivation proved difficult to measure because of its rapid time course and interference from capacitive transients. Deactivation was best fit using double exponentials. The fast component of deactivation was increased at all measured potentials following the addition of bethanechol (Fig. 4C, n = 6). The slow component of the deactivation time constant was increased by bethanechol at potentials between –50 and –100 mV and unaffected by bethanechol at potentials of –30 and –40 mV (Fig. 4D, n = 6). Compared with control conditions, the process of deactivation was inhibited when cells were hyperpolarized from 0 to –50 and –40 mV, resulting in markedly increased steady-state currents.


Figure 4
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Fig. 4. Bethanechol slows the process of deactivation. A, representative current traces illustrating deactivation following activation of the current evoked by a hyperpolarizing pulse from 0 to –40 mV. B, inverse of current traces in A, the indicated time constants were obtained by a double exponential fit (superimposed). C, effect of bethanechol on the fast component of the time constant of deactivation against applied voltages, control ({blacksquare}) and 100 µM bethanechol (bullet). Compared with control ({blacksquare}), 100 µM bethanechol (D), modulates the slow component of the time constant of deactivation (n = 6; *, p < 0.05; **, p < 0.01).

 

To ensure that modulation of the current was not due to current run down, cells were pulsed with a hyperpolarizing protocol every 2 min for 46 min. Comparisons were made with the resultant current over time to the initial recoding. Under the conditions of this study, the current measured by hyperpolarizing from 0 to –100 mV decreased by 4.2 ± 3.3% at the 46-min time point (n = 6).


Figure 5
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Fig. 5. Bethanechol modulates depolarization-evoked ERG K+ current in ICC. A, depolarization-evoked current traces demonstrating the effect of bethanechol on control whole cell currents. Cells were depolarized from a holding potential of –60 mV in 10-mV increments up to 20 mV. B, current-voltage relationship of steady-state current (measured 350 ms after pulse) (open square) under control conditions ({blacksquare}) and after 100 µM bethanechol (bullet). Inset, effect of 2 µM E4031 ({blacktriangleup}) on bethanechol (bullet)-modulated steady-state currents. C, current-voltage relationship of tail currents ({circ}) under control conditions ({blacksquare}) and after perfusion of 100 µM bethanechol (bullet). Inset, effect of 2 µM E4031 ({blacktriangleup}) on bethanechol (bullet)-modulated tail currents. Currents were recorded 2.5 min following the addition of bethanechol. Current amplitudes were normalized relative to the maximal control current value in both steady-state and tail current measurements (n = 6; *, p < 0.05; **, p < 0.01; ***, p < 0.001). Bethanechol increased the steady-state inward current evoked by stepping from –60 to –40 mV, whereas the outward currents (stepping to 0 mV and up) were decreased.

 
In ICC, ERG K+ currents are not only evoked upon hyperpolarization, as commonly observed, but significant current is also evoked following depolarizing pulses (Fig. 5A) (McKay et al., 2006Go). The chosen ionic conditions (with 5 mM K+ inside and out; hence, a K+ equilibrium potential of 0 mV) allowed observation of these currents and produced a significant sustained inward current when cells were depolarized from –60 to –40 and –30 mV. Following the addition of 100 µM bethanechol, the average value of the current amplitude was increased at –50 mV by 26.1 ± 14.7% and significantly increased at –40 mV by 58.7 ± 9.7% (Fig. 5B, n = 6, p < 0.05). Conversely, outward current between 0 and +20 mV was significantly decreased (Fig. 5B). Bethanechol reduced tail currents at –60 mV, evoked following depolarizing pulses from –60 up to 20 mV (Fig. 5C). Tail currents from –20 to –60 mV were reduced by 23.9 ± 5.7% (p < 0.01, n = 6) and from 20 to –60 mV by 30.6 ± 6.5% (p < 0.001, n = 6). All changes in current amplitude evoked by bethanechol treatment were completely prevented by pretreatment with atropine (5 x 10–6 M) (n = 2) and 2 µM E4031 applied following bethanechol treatment consistently inhibited steady-state currents at –50 and –40 mV by 66.8 ± 8.1% and 72.7 ± 12% and tail currents evoked from a prepulse potential of 20 mV by 81 ± 5.7% (Fig. 5, B, inset, and C, inset; n = 3).

The time constant of activation was best fitted using single exponentials under control conditions and following treatment with bethanechol. The time constant of activation in the presence of bethanechol exhibited no change from control except consistently at a potential of –40 mV (Fig. 6). At –40 mV, a significant increase from 48.7 ± 7.1 to 80.3 ± 6.8 ms was observed (n = 6, p < 0.05).


Figure 6
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Fig. 6. Bethanechol increases the time constant of activation at –40 mV. A, representative current traces following a depolarizing step from –60 to –40 mV. B, single exponential fits of control current trace and the current trace following the addition of 100 µM bethanechol. C, relationship between time constant of activation and voltage. A marked and consistent difference was observed when inward current was evoked by stepping from –60 to –40 mV. {blacksquare}, control; bullet, 100 µM bethanechol (n = 6; *, p < 0.05).

 
Bethanechol Modulates Half-Maximal Voltage of Activation. The outward ERG K+ current generated by cellular depolarization does not reflect a complete open state since the process of partial inactivation occurs at a faster rate than activation. However, application of a hyperpolarizing step removes inactivation, shifting the channel to the open state. Therefore, to examine the voltage dependence of channel opening, cells were depolarized from –60 to –40 mV for 5 s, followed by a pulse to –100 mV to remove inactivation and allow maximal current generation. Figure 7, A and B, illustrate the reduction of current in the maximal open state by bethanechol at potentials positive to –20 mV. The application of atropine completely and consistently prevented modulation by bethanechol, and 2 µM E4031 inhibited the bethanechol-modulated current from a 40-mV prepulse by 80.1 ± 10.8% (Fig. 7, B, inset; n = 3). Boltzmann relationships from control and bethanechol-treated recordings reveal that bethanechol produced an 11.9-mV leftward shift of the half-maximal voltage of activation compared with control (Fig. 7B). The half-maximal voltage of activation was shifted from –27.2 ± 1.4 to –39.1 ± 0.4 mV, and the slope factor (k) changed from 11.3 ± 1.2 to 16.2 ± 2.3 following the addition of 100 µM bethanechol (n = 6, p < 0.001).


Figure 7
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Fig. 7. Bethanechol reduces current amplitude in the open state and negatively shifts the half-maximal voltage of activation. A, current profiles recorded during control conditions and after the addition of 100 µM bethanechol, resulting from 5-s pulses to depolarized potentials followed by hyperpolarization to –100 mV. Peak current amplitude was measured during the hyperpolarizing pulse ({circ}). Insets, current measured at 0. B, current amplitudes for both control ({blacksquare}) and bethanechol (bullet) were normalized related to the maximal control current value and plotted against prepulse potential values. A Boltzmann fit illustrates a bethanechol-induced significant leftward (hyperpolarized) shift in the half-maximal voltage of activation compared with control. (n = 6; ***, p < 0.001). Inset, E4031 (2 µM; {blacktriangleup}) reduced bethanechol (bullet)-modulated currents.

 
Muscarinic Modulation of ERG K+ Current in ICC Is PKC-Dependent. Activation of the M3R results in the production of second messengers such as inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate, Ca2+, and PKC. To determine whether the modulatory action of MR activation on the ERG K+ channel in ICC was PKC-dependent, both an activator of PKC (PMA) and an inhibitor of PKC (bisindolylmaleimide) were used. Following the application of a hyperpolarization protocol under control conditions, 100 nM PMA was incubated for 20 min before the protocol was applied again. PMA reduced peak currents between –120 and –30 mV and significantly reduced maximal current at –100 mV by 31.3 ± 8.6% (Fig. 8A; n = 4, p < 0.01). Outward steady-state current was reduced by PMA, whereas inward steady-state currents at –50 and –40 mV were increased by 94 ± 18.6% (not significant) and 91.7 ± 3.3%, respectively (Fig. 8B; n = 4, p < 0.01). In a separate group of experiments using the hyperpolarization protocol, the explant cultures containing ICC were incubated for 1 h with 1 µM bisindolylmaleimide before the addition of 100 µM bethanechol. In four cells, peak current was unaffected by bethanechol (Fig. 8C), and although steady-state outward current (between 0 and +20 mV) was reduced significantly, inward current at –50 and –40 mV was not significantly affected (Fig. 8D).


Figure 8
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Fig. 8. The involvement of PKC in bethanechol-induced modulation of hyperpolarization-evoked ERG K current in ICC. A, normalized peak current-voltage relationship under control conditions ({blacksquare}) and following 20 min incubation with 100 nM PMA (bullet). B, normalized steady-state current-voltage relationship of control currents ({blacksquare}) and currents obtained in the presence of 100 nM PMA (bullet)(n = 4; *, p < 0.05; **, p < 0.01). C, normalized peak current-voltage relationship following 1 h incubation with 1 µM bisindolylmaleimide ({blacksquare}) and following the addition of 100 µM bethanechol (bullet) in the presence of 1 µM bisindolylmaleimide. D, normalized steady-state current-voltage relationship. {blacksquare}, incubation with bisindolylmaleimide; bullet, following the addition of 100 µM bethanechol (n = 4).

 

In comparison with treatment with bethanechol alone (Fig. 4C), PKC activation did not affect the fast time constant of deactivation between –120 and –60 mV but did slow the fast time constant of deactivation between –50 and –30 mV (Fig. 9A; n = 4, p < 0.05). The slow time constant of deactivation was increased at voltages between –80 and –50 mV, unchanged at –40 mV, and decreased at –30 mV (Fig. 9B; n = 4, p < 0.05). In four cells, incubation with bisindolylmaleimide prevented the bethanechol-induced modulation of the fast and slow time constant of deactivation (Fig. 9, C and D; n = 4).


Figure 9
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Fig. 9. PMA mimics and bisindolylmaleimide abolishes the effects of bethanechol on the time constants of deactivation. A, relationship between the fast component of the time constant of deactivation and voltage under control conditions ({blacksquare}) and following treatment with 100 nM PMA (bullet); B, relationship between the slow component of the time constant versus voltage (n = 4; *, p < 0.05; ***, p < 0.001). Pretreatment with 1 µM bisindolylmaleimide ({blacksquare}) abolished the increase in the fast (C) and slow (D) components of the time constant of deactivation normally observed in response to 100 µM bethanechol (bullet) (n = 4).

 

The effect of PKC activation and PKC inhibition was also examined on the depolarization-evoked ERG K+ current. Cells treated with PMA showed no change in the amplitude of inward current between potentials of –60 and –10 mV; however, outward current between 0 and +20 mV was significantly decreased (Fig. 10A; n = 4, p < 0.05). Tail current was also significantly decreased at prepulse potentials between –20 and +20 mV (Fig. 10B; n = 4, p < 0.05). Conversely, inhibition of PKC with bisindolylmaleimide prevented the increase in inward current at –50 and –40 mV evoked by bethanechol (Fig. 10C). Tail current reduction by bethanechol was diminished by PKC inhibition. In cells pretreated with bisindolylmaleimide, tail current evoked from a prepotential of +20 mV decreased 14.6 ± 4.1% with bethanechol (Fig. 10D; n = 4, p < 0.05), compared with cells treated with bethanechol alone, which were reduced by 30.6 ± 6.5% (n = 6, see Fig. 5B).


Figure 10
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Fig. 10. PKC-dependent modulation of depolarization-evoked ERG K+ currents in ICC. A, normalized steady-state current-voltage relationship of four cells under control conditions ({blacksquare}) and following incubation of 100 nM PMA (bullet). B, normalized tail current amplitude plotted against prepulse voltages; {blacksquare}, control recordings; bullet, following incubation of 100 mM PMA (n = 4; *, p < 0.05; **, p < 0.01). C, normalized steady-state current-voltage relationship after incubation cultures with bisindolylmaleimide for 1 h ({blacksquare}) and following the addition of 100 µM bethanechol in the continued presence of 1 µM bisindolylmaleimide (bullet). D, normalized tail current-prepulse voltage relationship; {blacksquare}, incubation with bisindolylmaleimide; bullet, after the addition of 100 µM bethanechol.

 

Activation of PKC with PMA significantly increased the time constant of activation at –40 mV from 25.9 ± 5.1 to 62.7 ± 4.5 ms (n = 4, p < 0.01), without influencing the time constant of activation at all other voltages studied (Fig. 11A). Inhibition of PKC diminished the effect of bethanechol on the time constant of activation at –40 mV. An increase of 15.7 ± 6.1 ms was achieved after treatment of bethanechol on four cells pretreated with bisindolylmaleimide (Fig. 11B), compared with 38.8 ± 9.8 ms in six cells treated with bethanechol alone (see Fig. 6).


Figure 11
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Fig. 11. Time constant of activation at –40 mV modulated by PKC. A, illustration of the voltage dependence of the time constant of activation. Compared with control ({blacksquare}), incubation with 100 nM PMA (bullet) increased the time constant of activation at –40 mV (n = 4; **, p < 0.01). B, in four cells, incubation with 1 µM bisindolylmaleimide ({blacksquare}) diminished the increase in the time constant of activation at –40 mV by 100 µM bethanechol (bullet), compared with bethanechol alone (see Fig. 6C).

 
Compared with bethanechol treatment alone (see Fig. 7B), a similar decrease in maximal ERG K+ current as well as a leftward shift of half-maximal voltage of activation were induced by PKC activation (Fig. 12A). PMA reduced current in maximal open state and produced a 17.4-mV leftward shift in the half-maximal activation voltage from –24.4 ± 0.8 mV (k = 11.4 ± 0.7) to –41.8 ± 0.8 mV (k = 20.8 ± 5.2) (n = 4, p < 0.001). Conversely, in four cells, PKC inhibition with bisindolylmaleimide before bethanechol treatment did not produce a significant shift (–23.9 ± 1.5 mV, k = 12 ± 1.3 to –27.1 ± 2.1 mV, k = 13.1 ± 1.4) and no decrease in current amplitude in the maximal open state (Fig. 12B).


Figure 12
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Fig. 12. Effect of PKC activation and PKC inhibition on the bethanechol-evoked shift in the half-maximal voltage of activation. A, current amplitudes under control conditions ({blacksquare}) and following incubation with 100 nM PMA (bullet) were normalized by the absolute value of the maximal control current, plotted against prepulse potential values, and fit using a Boltzmann relationship. PMA produced a significant negative shift in the half-maximal voltage of activation compared with control (n = 4; ***, p < 0.001). B, in four cells, incubation with 1 µM bisindolylmaleimide ({blacksquare}) followed by treatment with 100 µM bethanechol (bullet) did not produce a significant shift in the half-maximal voltage of activation.

 

    Discussion
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 Abstract
 Materials and Methods
 Results
 Discussion
 References
 
ERG K+ currents in ICC contribute to the electrophysiological characteristics of the slow-wave activity in the intestine. Blockade of the ERG K+ currents in ICC resulted in an increased duration of the slow-wave plateau and a decreased slow-wave frequency (Zhu et al., 2003Go). Hence, it is logical to assume that under normal conditions, when the ICC depolarizes in response to inward currents through pacemaker channels (Farrugia, 1999Go; Huizinga et al., 2002Go; Koh et al., 2002Go; Sanders et al., 2006Go), the height and duration of the slow-wave depolarization is determined in part by depolarization- and hyperpolarization-evoked ERG K+ currents. We have recently documented ERG K+ currents in ICC that were evoked by depolarization from a resting membrane potential of –60 mV (McKay et al., 2006Go). These studies were carried out using high intracellular Cs+ and equimolar K+. These same conditions were used in the present study to investigate the effects of muscarinic receptor stimulation so that direct comparisons could be made.

The present study shows that the ERG K+ channel gating in ICC-AP is modulated by activation of a muscarinic G-protein-coupled receptor (probably the M3R), through a PKC-dependent mechanism. The major finding was that steady-state currents between the potentials of –55 and –35 mV, evoked either by depolarization or hyperpolarization, were increased by muscarinic stimulation. It appears that in the presence of bethanechol, the processes of inactivation (upon depolarization) and deactivation (following hyperpolarization) were inhibited within this range of voltages leading to increased steady-state currents. A contributing factor is probably the leftward shift in half-maximal voltage of activation and, therefore, a greater likelihood of channels being open around –40 mV. These findings are not consistent with data from expressed HERG channels, suggesting that they may be unique to the native ICC channel.

Hyperpolarization following depolarization of ICC evokes rapid recovery from inactivation of ERG channels, resulting in large peak inward currents under our experimental conditions followed by partial fast deactivation leading to sustained currents. The peak currents were inhibited by bethanechol, and the time constants of both the fast and slow components of deactivation increased. This decrease in hyperpolarization-evoked peak current is consistent with previous reports in the literature regarding the effect of G-protein-coupled receptor stimulation on ERG K+ currents (Kiehn et al., 1998Go; Cui et al., 2000Go; Schledermann et al., 2001Go; Thomas et al., 2003Go; Hirdes et al., 2004Go).

Depolarization-evoked ERG K+ currents at potentials positive to 0 mV were decreased in the presence of bethanechol. Kiehn et al. (1998Go) attributed a decrease in depolarization-evoked HERG K+ current to a rightward shift in the activation voltage; hence, a lower likelihood of the channel being opened. We observed a marked decrease in channel availability at depolarized potentials.

The muscarinic receptor, M3R was identified on ICC-AP in both neonatal murine explant cultures and adult murine jejunum. In tissue, M3R immunoreactivity was detected on ICC-AP that were in close association with the myenteric plexus. It is possible but entirely speculative that the receptor is only expressed on ICC that are in close approximation to cholinergic nerves and therefore responding to cholinergic stimulation by expression of receptors. In cultures, M3R immunoreactivity was detected in some but not all c-kit-positive cells. The c-kit immunoreactive cells surrounding the explant were M3R immunoreactive, and these were the cells recorded from. We did not find M2R immunoreactivity on ICC-AP of the murine jejunum. This finding is consistent with a recent study by Iino and Nojyo (2006Go), which did not detect M2R immunoreactivity in the ICC-AP of the guinea pig small intestine (Iino and Nojyo, 2006Go).

The unique features of muscarinic modulation of ERG K+ currents in ICC may be due to the fact that we recorded from native cells, whereas most if not all reported studies on muscarinic regulation in the literature have been conducted using coexpression of both G-protein-coupled receptors and HERG/ERG K+ channels in expression systems (e.g., Xenopus oocytes, rat GH3/B6, Chinese hamster ovary, human embryonic kidney 293, human tsA-201) (Barros et al., 1998Go; Kiehn et al., 1998Go; Cui et al., 2000Go; Bian et al., 2001Go; Schledermann et al., 2001Go; Thomas et al., 2003Go, 2004Go; Hirdes et al., 2004Go). Another possible explanation is that in ICC, the ERG K+ channel may be coexpressed with beta-subunits (minK or MiRP1), which have been found to coexpress with HERG K+ channels in native tissue and have been shown to influence HERG K+ channel properties (McDonald et al., 1997Go; Abbott et al., 1999Go; Weerapura et al., 2002Go). A study by Cui et al. (2000Go) looked at the modulatory effect of cAMP on HERG channels coexpressed with either MiRP1 or minK. Compared with cAMP modulation of HERG channels expressed alone that produced a rightward shift in voltage-dependent activation and decreased current amplitude, cAMP produced a leftward, hyperpolarizing shift in voltage-dependent activation and both increased or did not change current amplitude in cells coexpressing HERG and MiRP1 or minK (Cui et al., 2000Go). It is possible that ERG K+ channels in ICC are coupled with beta subunits and therefore show similarities in channel modulation to the expression systems coexpressing both HERG and a beta subunit. Potentially, ERG1b and ERG3 could form the heteromultimeric channel. Interestingly, the inactivation for the expressed ERG3 subunit is slower than ERG1 and ERG2 and is also slower than the activation of ERG3, therefore creating substantial noninactivating steady-state current (Shi et al., 1997Go). In addition, Hirdes et al. (2005Go) and Wimmers et al. (2002Go) have shown that the kinetics of heteromultimeric ERG channels differ from homomultimeric ERG channels. It will be important to determine subunit identities for the ERG channel in ICC, which is the current focus of our laboratory.

The present study demonstrates that ERG K+ channel modulation in ICC-AP through MR activation is PKC-dependent. Barros et al. (1998Go) and Thomas et al. (2003Go, 2004Go) have reported HERG K+ current modulation via a PKC-dependent mechanism based on experiments using PKC activation and inhibition in Xenopus oocytes expressing HERG K+ channel protein. Although it was hypothesized that PKC modulated HERG K+ channels by phosphorylation of PKC-dependent phosphorylation sites, deletion of these sites by mutagenesis did not prevent the response to G-protein receptor agonists or PKC activators (Thomas et al., 2003Go, 2004Go). To date, the phosphorylation-independent mechanism responsible for PKC dependent modulation remains unknown.

PKC activation mimicked and PKC inhibition diminished or abolished the modulatory action of bethanechol. However, inhibition of PKC before bethanechol addition did not completely inhibit the effect of bethanechol. This may be due to incomplete inhibition of PKC or modulatory actions of bethanechol that are not sensitive to PKC inhibition such as other second messengers involved in M3R activation (i.e., PIP2). Although the effect of PIP2 on channel modulation was not investigated in the present study, Bian et al. (2001Go) and Wang et al. (2004Go) have reported a leftward shift of activation when PIP2 was applied to the pipette, which was prevented when a PIP2 antibody was used.

To extrapolate effects of MR-induced ERG K+ current modulation observed under the present experimental conditions to in vivo small intestinal pacemaking is arduous due the multitude of effects that downstream signaling can have on other ion channels in the ICC, on the biochemical intracellular pacemaking mechanism itself, as well as on smooth muscle cells. We postulate that upon the release of acetylcholine from the enteric cholinergic neurons and stimulation of the M3R on ICC, ERG K+ current activation is increased due to increased steady-state currents and the leftward shift in half-maximal activation voltage. The increased ERG K+ current generated when ICC depolarize through slow-wave activity from –60 to –40 mV would cause an increase in potassium leaving the cell (due to its electrochemical gradient) and result in hyperpolarization of the ICC. Hence, muscarinic stimulation would decrease ICC excitability if the ERG channels were the only target on ICC. The overall effect of cholinergic stimulation of the intestinal smooth musculature appears to be excitatory, resulting in prolonged slow waves when measured in smooth muscle cells (Huizinga et al., 1984Go; Sanders and Smith, 1986Go; Seerden et al., 2005Go). Consistently, in barium follow-through studies in rats, those receiving galantamine (a compound that inhibits acetylcholinesterase) had decreased intestinal barium transit time and increased smooth muscle contractility (Turiiski et al., 2004Go). Further studies on muscarinic regulation of other ion channels in ICC and smooth muscle cells are needed to resolve the complex actions of cholinergic receptor stimulation.

In summary, the present study shows that the ERG K+ channel in ICC is affected by stimulation of muscarinic receptors, probably the M3 receptor, via a PKC-dependent mechanism. Modulation of the ERG K+ current in ICC-AP will affect the kinetics of pacemaking in the intestinal musculature.


    Acknowledgements
 
We thank X.-Y. Wang for help in the interpretation of immunohistochemical data.


    Footnotes
 
This work was supported by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (operating grant to J.D.H.). C.M.M. is a Ph.D. student in the Medical Science Program at McMaster University and is supported by a Canadian Institutes of Health Research/Canadian Digestive Health Foundation Doctoral Research Award.

Article, publication date, and citation information can be found at http://jpet.aspetjournals.org.

doi:10.1124/jpet.106.109322.

ABBREVIATIONS: ICC-AP, -MP, or -MY, interstitial cells of Cajal-Auerbach's plexus or myenteric plexus; ERG, ether-a-go-go-related gene; PK, protein kinase; PIP2, phosphatidylinositol bisphosphate; M2R, M2 receptor; M3R, M3 receptor; PBS, phosphate-buffered saline; PMA, phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate; M2R-L, M2 receptor-like; M3R-L, M3 receptor-like; HERG, human ether-a-go-go-related gene; E4031, 1-[2-(6-methyl-2-pyridyl)-ethyl-4-(methylsulfonylaminobenzoyl)piperidine.

Address correspondence to: Dr. Jan D. Huizinga, McMaster University, HSC-3N5C, 1200 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON L8N 3Z5, Canada. E-mail: huizinga{at}mcmaster.ca


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