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Somatostatin stimulates Ca2+-activated K+ channels through protein dephosphorylation

Nature volume 351, pages 570–573 (1991)Cite this article

Abstract

THE neuropeptide somatostatin inhibits secretion from electrically excitable cells in the pituitary, pancreas, gut and brain1. In mammalian pituitary tumour cells somatostatin inhibits secretion through two distinct pertussis toxin-sensitive mechanisms2–5. One involves inhibition of adenylyl cyclase6, the other an unidentified cyclic AMP-independent mechanism that reduces Ca2+ influx7,8 by increasing membrane conductance to potassium9,10. Here we demonstrate that the predominant electrophysiological effect of somatostatin on metabolically intact pituitary tumour cells is a large, sustained increase in the activity of the large-conductance Ca2+- and voltage-activated K+ channels (BK). This action of somatostatin does not involve direct effects of Ca2+, cAMP or G proteins on the channels. Our results indicate instead that somato-statin stimulates BK channel activity through protein dephosphorylation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, 27709, USA

    Richard E. White & David L. Armstrong

  2. Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Medical School, Houston, Texas, 77225, USA

    Agnes Schonbrunn

Authors
  1. Richard E. White
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  2. Agnes Schonbrunn
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  3. David L. Armstrong
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White, R., Schonbrunn, A. & Armstrong, D. Somatostatin stimulates Ca2+-activated K+ channels through protein dephosphorylation. Nature 351, 570–573 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1038/351570a0

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