Activation of cGMP-Dependent Protein Kinase Stimulates Cardiac ATP-Sensitive Potassium Channels via a ROS/Calmodulin/CaMKII Signaling Cascade

) channels, an ion channel critical for stress adaptation in the heart; however, the underlying mechanism remains largely unknown. The present study was designed to address this issue. channels was confirmed in intact ventricular cardiomyocytes, which was ROS- and CaMKII-dependent. Kinetically, PKG appeared to stimulate these channels by destabilizing the longest closed state while stabilizing the long open state and facilitating opening transitions. channels and contribute to cardiac protection against ischemia-reperfusion injury

Susceptibility of ATP-sensitive K+ channels to cell stress through mediation of phosphoinositides as examined by photoirradiation

Cell stress is implicated in a number of pathological states of metabolism, such as ischaemia, reperfusion and apoptosis in heart, neurons and other tissues. While it is known that the ATP-sensitive K+ (KATP) channel plays a role during metabolic abnormality, little information is available about the direct response of this channel to cell stress. Using photoirradiation stimulation, we studied the effects of cell stress on both native and cloned KATP channels.Single KATP channel currents were recorded from cell-attached and inside-out patches of rat ventricular myocytes and COS-1 cells coexpressing SUR2 and Kir6.2. KATP channel activity increased within < 1 min upon irradiation. The activity resulted from increased maximal open probability and decreased ATP inhibition. The effects remained after the irradiation was stopped. Irradiation also affected the channels formed only by Kir6.2ΔC35.The irradiation-induced activation was comparable to that induced by phosphoinositides. Analysis of phosphatidylinositol composition revealed an elevated phosphatidylinositol bisphosphate level with irradiation. Wortmannin, an inhibitor of phosphatidylinositol kinases, decreased both the irradiation-induced channel activity and the production of phosphatidylinositol bisphosphates.Radical scavengers also reduced the irradiation-induced activation, suggesting a role for free radicals, an immediate product of photoirradiation.We conclude that photoirradiation can modify the single-channel properties of KATP, which appears to be mediated by phosphoinositides. Our study suggests that cellular stress may be linked with KATP channels, and we offer a putative mechanism for such a linkage

Mitochondrial Reactive Oxygen Species Production in Excitable Cells: Modulators of Mitochondrial and Cell Function

The mitochondrion is a major source of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Superoxide (O2•−) is generated under specific bioenergetic conditions at several sites within the electron-transport system; most is converted to H2O2 inside and outside the mitochondrial matrix by superoxide dismutases. H2O2 is a major chemical messenger that, in low amounts and with its products, physiologically modulates cell function. The redox state and ROS scavengers largely control the emission (generation scavenging) of O2•−. Cell ischemia, hypoxia, or toxins can result in excess O2•− production when the redox state is altered and the ROS scavenger systems are overwhelmed. Too much H2O2 can combine with Fe2+ complexes to form reactive ferryl species (e.g., Fe(IV) = O•). In the presence of nitric oxide (NO•), O2•− forms the reactant peroxynitrite (ONOO−), and ONOOH-induced nitrosylation of proteins, DNA, and lipids can modify their structure and function. An initial increase in ROS can cause an even greater increase in ROS and allow excess mitochondrial Ca2+ entry, both of which are factors that induce cell apoptosis and necrosis. Approaches to reduce excess O2•− emission include selectively boosting the antioxidant capacity, uncoupling of oxidative phosphorylation to reduce generation of O2•− by inducing proton leak, and reversibly inhibiting electron transport. Mitochondrial cation channels and exchangers function to maintain matrix homeostasis and likely play a role in modulating mitochondrial function, in part by regulating O2•− generation. Cell-signaling pathways induced physiologically by ROS include effects on thiol groups and disulfide linkages to modify posttranslationally protein structure to activate/inactivate specific kinase/phosphatase pathways. Hypoxia-inducible factors that stimulate a cascade of gene transcription may be mediated physiologically by ROS. Our knowledge of the role played by ROS and their scavenging systems in modulation of cell function and cell death has grown exponentially over the past few years, but we are still limited in how to apply this knowledge to develop its full therapeutic potential. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 11, 1373–1414