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H A Lester

Publications and source records attributed to H A Lester.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMed1995

Evidence that neuronal G-protein-gated inwardly rectifying K+ channels are activated by G beta gamma subunits and function as heteromultimers.

Guanine nucleotide-binding proteins (G proteins) activate K+ conductances in cardiac atrial cells to slow heart rate and in neurons to decrease excitability. cDNAs encoding three isoforms of a G-protein-coupled, inwardly rectifying K+ channel (GIRK) have recently been cloned from cardiac (GIRK1/Kir 3.1) and brain cDNA libraries (GIRK2/Kir 3.2 and GIRK3/Kir 3.3). Here we report that GIRK2 but not GIRK3 can be activated by G protein subunits G beta 1 and G gamma 2 in Xenopus oocytes. Furthermore, when either GIRK3 or GIRK2 was coexpressed with GIRK1 and activated either by muscarinic receptors or by G beta gamma subunits, G-protein-mediated inward currents were increased by 5- to 40-fold. The single-channel conductance for GIRK1 plus GIRK2 coexpression was intermediate between those for GIRK1 alone and for GIRK2 alone, and voltage-jump kinetics for the coexpressed channels displayed new kinetic properties. On the other hand, coexpression of GIRK3 with GIRK2 suppressed the GIRK2 alone response. These studies suggest that formation of heteromultimers involving the several GIRKs is an important mechanism for generating diversity in expression level and function of neurotransmitter-coupled, inward rectifier K+ channels.

Acetylcholine↗
PubMed1995

The inward rectifier potassium channel family.

Recent cloning of a family of genes encoding inwardly rectifying K+ channels has provided the opportunity to explain some venerable problems in membrane biology. An expanding number of novel inwardly rectifying K+ channel clones has revealed multiple channel subfamilies that have specialized roles in cell function. The molecular determinants of inward rectification have been largely elucidated with the discovery of endogenous polyamines that act as voltage-dependent intracellular channel blockers, and with the identification of a critical site in the channel that mediates high-affinity block by both polyamines and Mg2+.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

A G protein-gated K channel is activated via beta 2-adrenergic receptors and G beta gamma subunits in Xenopus oocytes.

In many tissues, inwardly rectifying K channels are coupled to seven-helix receptors via the Gi/Go family of heterotrimeric G proteins. This activation proceeds at least partially via G beta gamma subunits. These experiments test the hypothesis that G beta gamma subunits activate the channel even if released from other classes of heterotrimeric G proteins. The G protein-gated K channel from rat atrium, KGA/GIRK1, was expressed in Xenopus oocytes with various receptors and G proteins. The beta 2-adrenergic receptor (beta 2AR), a Gs-linked receptor, activated large KGA currents when the alpha subunit, G alpha s, was also overexpressed. Although G alpha s augmented the coupling between beta 2AR and KGA, G alpha s also inhibited the basal, agonist-independent activity of KGA. KGA currents stimulated via beta 2AR activated, deactivated, and desensitized more slowly than currents stimulated via Gi/Go-linked receptors. There was partial occlusion between currents stimulated via beta 2AR and the m2 muscarinic receptor (a Gi/Go-linked receptor), indicating some convergence in the mechanism of activation by these two receptors. Although stimulation of beta 2AR also activates adenylyl cyclase and protein kinase A, activation of KGA via beta 2AR is not mediated by this second messenger pathway, because direct elevation of intracellular cAMP levels had no effect on KGA currents. Experiments with other coexpressed G protein alpha and beta gamma subunits showed that (a) a constitutively active G alpha s mutant did not suppress basal KGA currents and was only partially as effective as wild type G alpha s in coupling beta 2AR to KGA, and (b) beta gamma subunits increased basal KGA currents. These results reinforce present concepts that beta gamma subunits activate KGA, and also suggest that beta gamma subunits may provide a link between KGA and receptors not previously known to couple to inward rectifiers.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Regions of beta 2 and beta 4 responsible for differences between the steady state dose-response relationships of the alpha 3 beta 2 and alpha 3 beta 4 neuronal nicotinic receptors.

We constructed chimeras of the rat beta 2 and beta 4 neuronal nicotinic subunits to locate the regions that contribute to differences between the acetylcholine (ACh) dose-response relationships of the alpha 3 beta 2 and alpha 3 beta 4 receptors. Expressed in Xenopus oocytes, the alpha 3 beta 2 receptor displays an EC50 for ACh approximately 20-fold less than the EC50 of the alpha 3 beta 4 receptor. The apparent Hill slope (n(app)) of alpha 3 beta 2 is near one whereas the alpha 3 beta 4 receptor displays an n(app) near two. Substitutions within the first 120 residues convert the EC50 for ACh from one wild-type value to the other. Exchanging just beta 2:104-120 for the corresponding region of beta 4 shifts the EC50 of ACh dose-response relationship in the expected direction but does not completely convert the EC50 of the dose-response relationship from one wild-type value to the other. However, substitutions in the beta 2:104-120 region do account for the relative sensitivity of the alpha 3 beta 2 receptor to cytisine, tetramethylammonium, and ACh. The expression of beta 4-like (strong) cooperativity requires an extensive region of beta 4 (beta 4:1-301). Relatively short beta 2 substitutions (beta 2:104-120) can reduce cooperativity to beta 2-like values. The results suggest that amino acids within the first 120 residues of beta 2 and the corresponding region of beta 4 contribute to an agonist binding site that bridges the alpha and beta subunits in neuronal nicotinic receptors.

Acetylcholine↗
PubMed1995

Intrinsic gating properties of a cloned G protein-activated inward rectifier K+ channel.

The voltage-, time-, and K(+)-dependent properties of a G protein-activated inwardly rectifying K+ channel (GIRK1/KGA/Kir3.1) cloned from rat atrium were studied in Xenopus oocytes under two-electrode voltage clamp. During maintained G protein activation and in the presence of high external K+ (VK = 0 mV), voltage jumps from VK to negative membrane potentials activated inward GIRK1 K+ currents with three distinct time-resolved current components. GIRK1 current activation consisted of an instantaneous component that was followed by two components with time constants tau f approximately 50 ms and tau s approximately 400 ms. These activation time constants were weakly voltage dependent, increasing approximately twofold with maximal hyperpolarization from VK. Voltage-dependent GIRK1 availability, revealed by tail currents at -80 mV after long prepulses, was greatest at potentials negative to VK and declined to a plateau of approximately half the maximal level at positive voltages. Voltage-dependent GIRK1 availability shifted with VK and was half maximal at VK -20 mV; the equivalent gating charge was approximately 1.6 e-. The voltage-dependent gating parameters of GIRK1 did not significantly differ for G protein activation by three heterologously expressed signaling pathways: m2 muscarinic receptors, serotonin 1A receptors, or G protein beta 1 gamma 2 subunits. Voltage dependence was also unaffected by agonist concentration. These results indicate that the voltage-dependent gating properties of GIRK1 are not due to extrinsic factors such as agonist-receptor interactions and G protein-channel coupling, but instead are analogous to the intrinsic gating behaviors of other inwardly rectifying K+ channels.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Kappa-opioid receptors couple to inwardly rectifying potassium channels when coexpressed by Xenopus oocytes.

Xenopus oocytes expressed kappa-opioid specific binding sites after injection of cRNA prepared from a clone of the rat kappa-opioid receptor. Coinjection of kappa receptor cRNA with cRNA coding for a G protein-linked, inwardly rectifying, K+ channel (GIRK1, or KGA) resulted in oocytes that responded to the kappa agonist U-69593 by activating a large (1.0-1.5-microA) K+ current. U-69593 exhibited an EC50 of 260 +/- 50 nM and was blocked by the opioid antagonists norbinaltorphimine and naloxone. The kappa agonist bremazocine was 200-fold more potent than U-69593 in eliciting K+ current but exhibited a partial agonist profile in this expression system. The present results indicate that stimulation of inwardly rectifying K+ channels may be a potential effector mechanism for kappa-opioid receptors.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1995

Colocalization of mu opioid receptors with GIRK1 potassium channels in the rat brain: an immunocytochemical study.

Affinity-purified anti-peptide antibodies generated against the carboxy-terminal region of the mu opioid receptor and the GIRK1 (Kir 3.1) ion channel were used to localize these two proteins in the rat brain. Mu opioid receptor immunoreactivity was detected in brain regions that were previously found to contain mu opioid binding sites using autoradiography. The distribution of GIRK1 immunoreactivity in the brain correlated well with a previous in situ hybridization study. Confocal microscopy of rat brain sections double-labelled with anti-mu opioid receptor and anti-GIRK1 antibodies revealed colocalization of GIRK1 and mu opioid receptor immunoreactivities in somata of subpopulations of neurons in the cerebral cortex, anterior olfactory nucleus, nucleus accumbens, globus pallidus, substantia nigra, peripeduncular nucleus, hippocampal formation, diagonal band, thalamus, locus coeruleus, dorsal raphe, red nucleus, nucleus of the trapezoid body, reticular nucleus, vestibular nucleus, inferior colliculus and the mesencephalic trigeminal nucleus. These anatomical findings suggest that the mu opioid receptor may couple to GIRK1 in some but not all regions of the rat brain.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1994

Differential coupling of G protein alpha subunits to seven-helix receptors expressed in Xenopus oocytes.

Xenopus oocytes were used to examine the coupling of the serotonin 1c (5HT1c) and thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) receptors to both endogenous and heterologously expressed G protein alpha subunits. Expression of either G protein-coupled receptor resulted in agonist-induced, Ca(2+)-activated Cl- currents that were measured using a two-electrode voltage clamp. 5HT-induced Cl- currents were reduced 80% by incubating the injected oocytes with pertussis toxin (PTX) and inhibited 50-65% by injection of antisense oligonucleotides to the PTX-sensitive Go alpha subunit. TRH-induced Cl- currents were reduced only 20% by PTX treatment but were inhibited 60% by injection of antisense oligonucleotides to the PTX-insensitive Gq alpha subunit. Injection of antisense oligonucleotides to a novel Xenopus phospholipase C-beta inhibited the 5HT1c (and Go)-induced Cl- current with little effect on the TRH (and Gq)-induced current. These results suggest that receptor-activated Go and Gq interact with different effectors, most likely different isoforms of phospholipase C-beta. Co-expression of each receptor with seven different mammalian G protein alpha subunit cRNAs (Goa, Gob, Gq, G11, Gs, Golf, and Gt) was also examined. Co-expression of either receptor with the first four of these G alpha subunits resulted in a maximum 4-6-fold increase in Cl- currents; the increase depended on the amount of G alpha subunit cRNA injected. This increase was blocked by PTX for G alpha oa and G alpha ob co-expression but not for G alpha q or G alpha 11 co-expression. Co-expression of either receptor with Gs, Golf, or Gt had no effect on Ca(2+)-activated Cl- currents; furthermore, co-expression with Gs or Golf also failed to reveal 5HT- or TRH-induced changes in adenylyl cyclase as assessed by activation of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator Cl- channel. These results indicate that in oocytes, the 5HT1c and TRH receptors do the following: 1) preferentially couple to PTX-sensitive (Go) and PTX-insensitive (Gq) G proteins and that these G proteins act on different effectors, 2) couple within the same cell type to several different heterologously expressed G protein alpha subunits to activate the oocyte's endogenous Cl- current, and 3) fail to couple to G protein alpha subunits that activate cAMP or phosphodiesterase.

Adenylate Cyclase Toxin↗
PubMed1994

Fast inhibition of inwardly rectifying K+ channels by multiple neurotransmitter receptors in oligodendroglia.

An essential function of myelinating oligodendroglia in the mammalian central nervous system is the regulation of extracellular potassium levels by means of a prominent inwardly rectifying K+ current. Cardiac and neuronal K+ inward rectifiers are either activated by hyperpolarizing voltages or controlled by neurotransmitters through the action of receptor-activated G proteins. Neuromodulation of inward rectifiers has not previously been considered as a way to regulate oligodendrocyte function. Here we report the expression of serotonin, somatostatin and muscarinic acetylcholine G protein-coupled receptors in rat brain oligodendrocytes. Activation of these receptors leads to pertussis toxin-sensitive inhibition of inwardly rectifying K+ channels within < 1 s. By contrast, in the heart and in neurons, similar pathways activate an inwardly rectifying conductance. Thus, transmitter-mediated blockade of inward rectifiers appears to be an oligodendrocyte-specific variation of a common motif for convergent signalling pathways. In vivo, expression of this mechanism, which may be dependent on neuron-glia signalling, may have a regulatory role in K+ homeostasis during neuron activity in the central nervous system.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Heteromeric olfactory cyclic nucleotide-gated channels: a subunit that confers increased sensitivity to cAMP.

Olfactory receptor neurons respond to odorant stimulation with a rapid increase in intracellular cAMP that opens cyclic nucleotide-gated (cng) cation channels. cng channels in rat olfactory neurons are activated by cAMP in the low micromolar range and are outwardly rectifying. The cloned rat olfactory cng channel (rOCNC1), however, is much less sensitive to cAMP and exhibits very weak rectification. Here we describe the cloning and characterization of a second rat cng channel subunit, denoted rOCNC2. rOCNC2 does not form functional channels when expressed alone. When rOCNC1 and rOCNC2 are coexpressed, however, an outwardly rectifying cation conductance with cAMP sensitivity near that of the native channel is observed. In situ hybridization with probes specific for the two subunits shows that they are coexpressed in olfactory receptor neurons. These data indicate that the native olfactory cng channel is likely to be a heterooligomer of the rOCNC1 and rOCNC2 subunits.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1994

Protein kinase C modulates the activity of a cloned gamma-aminobutyric acid transporter expressed in Xenopus oocytes via regulated subcellular redistribution of the transporter.

We report that activators and inhibitors of protein kinase C (PKC) and protein phosphatases regulate the activity of a cloned rat brain gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) transporter (GAT1) expressed in Xenopus oocytes. Four compounds known to activate PKC increased GABA uptake 2-3.5-fold over basal control levels. Inhibition of PKC by bisindolylmaleimide reduced basal GABA uptake 80% and blocked the phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA)-induced stimulation of transport. Okadaic acid, a protein phosphatase inhibitor, stimulated transport 2.5-fold; a 4-fold increase in GABA uptake occurred when oocytes were treated with cyclosporin A, a specific inhibitor of protein phosphatase 2B. Modulation resulted in changes to Vmax but not to Km and was influenced by the functional expression level of the transporter protein; as expression level increased, the ability to up-regulate transporter activity decreased. Down-regulation of transporter activity was independent of expression level. Modulation did not occur through phosphorylation of the three consensus PKC sites predicted by the primary protein sequence since their removal had no effect on the susceptibility of the transporter to modulation by PMA or bisindolylmaleimide. Subcellular fractionation of oocyte membranes demonstrated that under basal level conditions, the majority of GAT1 was targeted to a cytoplasmic compartment corresponding to the trans-Golgi or low density vesicles. Stimulation of PKC with PMA resulted in a translocation of transporters from this compartment to the plasma membrane. At higher expression levels of GAT1 protein, a larger portion of GAT1 was found on the plasma membrane during basal level conditions and treatment with bisindolylmaleimide resulted in removal of these transporters from the plasma membrane. At expression levels demonstrated to be resistant to modulation by PMA, PMA-treatment still resulted in translocation of transporters from the cytoplasm to the plasma membrane. Thus, the inability of PMA to increase uptake at high expression of the GAT1 protein is due to saturation at a step subsequent to translocation. These findings 1) demonstrate the presence of a novel regulated secretory pathway in oocytes and 2) suggest a modulatory mechanism for neurotransmitter transporters that could have significant effects upon synaptic function.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

A cocaine-sensitive Drosophila serotonin transporter: cloning, expression, and electrophysiological characterization.

A cocaine-sensitive, high-affinity Drosophila serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine; 5HT) transporter cDNA, denoted dSERT1, was isolated and characterized in oocytes. dSERT1 shows little transport of other monoamines and is Na+ and Cl- dependent. Sequence analysis indicates 12 putative transmembrane domains and strong homologies (approximately 50%) among dSERT1 and mammalian 5HT, norepinephrine, and dopamine transporters. Interestingly, the pharmacological properties of dSERT1, including sensitivity to antidepressants, are more similar to those of mammalian catecholamine transporters than to mammalian 5HT transporters. Two-electrode voltage-clamp analysis demonstrated 5HT-induced, voltage-dependent currents. Cloning and characterization of dSERT1 adds significantly to our knowledge of the diversity of 5HT transporters with regard to primary sequence, pharmacological profile, and permeation properties.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1994

Voltage clamping of Xenopus laevis oocytes utilizing agarose-cushion electrodes.

Two-electrode voltage clamping of expressed ion channels in intact oocytes of the South African clawed frog Xenopus laevis has been refined to allow stable, low-resistance electrical access to the cytosol (50-800 k omega). Glass microelectrodes were filled with a cushion of 1% agarose at their tips to prevent KCl leakage (agarose-cushion electrodes). Insertion of these electrodes into X. laevis oocytes yielded stable preparations for periods of more than 1 h with a stable input resistance of 1-4 M omega. Furthermore, a simple modification of the voltage-clamp circuit (charging compensator) is described that increases the flexibility of arrangements for differential recording of the membrane potential in order to subtract voltage drops across a series resistance. The result is a considerable increase in the practically attainable speed of the voltage clamp with the conventional two-electrode arrangement. The performance of the charging compensator was tested on an equivalent circuit that simulates the oocyte and electrodes. In addition, the combination of agarose-cushion electrodes and the charging compensator was tested on oocytes expressing Shaker H4 currents. The fidelity of the voltage-clamp circuit was also verified by measuring the membrane potential with additional independent microelectrodes connected to a differential amplifier, independent of the two-electrode voltage clamp system. The system described here will be useful for ion channel studies in X. laevis oocytes requiring long-term recordings and/or measurements of large, fast ion currents.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Novel pore-lining residues in CFTR that govern permeation and open-channel block.

The cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) is both a member of the ATP-binding cassette superfamily and a Cl(-)-selective ion channel. We investigated the permeation pathway of human CFTR with measurements on conduction and open-channel blockade by diphenylamine-2-carboxylic acid (DPC). We used site-directed mutagenesis and oocyte expression to locate residues in transmembrane domain (TM) 6 and TM 12 that contact DPC and control rectification and single-channel conductances. Thus, TM 12 and the previously investigated TM 6 line the CFTR pore. In each TM, residues in contact with DPC are separated by two turns of an alpha helix. The contributions of TM 6 and TM 12 to DPC block and Cl- permeation, however, are not equivalent. The resulting structural model for the conduction pathway may guide future studies of permeation in other Cl- channels and ATP-binding cassette transporters.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1994

Conducting states of a mammalian serotonin transporter.

We have studied permeation at a cloned rat 5-HT transporter expressed in Xenopus oocytes. [3H]5-HT uptake and [125I]RTI-55 binding yield a turnover rate of approximately 1/s that does not depend on membrane potential. However, in voltage-clamp experiments, three distinct currents results from 5-HT transporter expression. First, a steady-state, voltage-dependent transport-associated current is induced by 5-HT application. Second, a transient inward current is activated by voltage jumps to high negative potentials in the absence of 5-HT and is blocked by 5-HT itself. Third, a small leakage current is observed in the absence of 5-HT. All the observed currents are blocked by inhibitors of 5-HT uptake but are differentially affected by Na+, Li+, K+, Ba2+, Cs+, Cl-, and amiloride. The conducting states of the 5-HT transporter may reflect the existence of a permeation pathway similar to that of ionic channels.

Amiloride↗
PubMed1994

Beta-adrenergic modulation of currents produced by rat cardiac Na+ channels expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes.

In Xenopus oocytes coexpressing beta 2-adrenergic receptors and the rat cardiac alpha SkM2 Na+ channel, superfusion with 10 microM isoproterenol led to modest (approximately 30%) increases in peak Na+ inward current. Intracellular injection of cAMP and of protein kinase A (PKA) catalytic subunit reproduced this increase, showing that the second messenger pathway involves PKA dependent phosphorylation. Coexpression of the Na+ channel beta 1 subunit had no influence on the modulation. The modulation had little or no effect upon Na+ current waveforms, steady-state activation, steady-state activation, steady-state inactivation, or recovery from both fast and slow inactivation; but maximum Na+ conductance was increased. Mutation of the five major consensus PKA phosphorylation sites on alpha SkM2 did not abolish the observed effect. In parallel experiments, beta-adrenergic stimulation of the neuronal alpha IIA Na+ channel subunit led to an attenuation of Na+ current. It is concluded that (i) the alpha SkM2 subunit might be directly phosphorylated by PKA, but at serine/threonine residue(s) in a cryptic phosphorylation site(s); or that (ii) the modulation might also be mediated by phosphorylation of another, as yet unknown protein(s). The divergent modulation of neuronal and cardiac Na+ channel alpha-subunits suggests that differential physiological modulation by identical second messenger pathways is the evolutionary basis for the isoform diversity within this protein family.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Random mutagenesis of G protein alpha subunit G(o)alpha. Mutations altering nucleotide binding.

Nucleotide binding properties of the G protein alpha subunit G(o)alpha were probed by mutational analysis in recombinant Escherichia coli. Thousands of random mutations generated by polymerase chain reaction were screened by in situ [35S]GTP gamma S (guanosine 5'-(3-O-thio)-triphosphate) binding on the colony lifts following transformation of bacteria with modified G(o)alpha cDNA. Clones that did not bind the nucleotide under these conditions were characterized by DNA sequence analysis, and the nucleotide binding properties were further studied in crude bacterial extracts. A number of novel mutations reducing the affinity of G(o)alpha for GTP gamma S or Mg2+ were identified. Some of the mutations substitute amino acid residues homologous to those known to interact with guanine nucleotides in p21ras proteins. Other mutations show that previously unstudied residues also participate in the nucleotide binding. Several mutants lost GTP gamma S binding but retained the capacity to interact with the beta gamma subunit complex as determined by pertussis toxin-mediated ADP-ribosylation. One of these, mutant S47C, was functionally expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes along with the G protein-coupled thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) receptor. Whereas wild-type G(o)alpha increased TRH-promoted chloride currents, S47C significantly decreased the hormone-induced Cl- response, suggesting that this mutation resulted in a dominant negative phenotype.

Animals↗