Abstract
Nitric oxide mediates nerve-induced hyperpolarization of circular smooth muscle of the esophagus. Two mechanisms are proposed to explain this hyperpolarization: an increase in K+ current or a decrease in Cl current. These studies test the hypothesis that nitric oxide increases a K+ current in esophageal smooth muscle. Three outward K+ currents are present in circular smooth muscle cells from the opossum esophagus. One current is a Ca2+-activated K+ current (I(KCa2+)). This current is inhibited by charybdotoxin. Whole cell currents were recorded from isolated opossum esophageal smooth muscle cells using the whole cell patch-clamp technique. These studies showed that I(KCa2+) is activated at potentials more positive than -30 mV. Bath application of S-nitroso-L-cysteine increased I(KCa2+) by 50% above control levels throughout the entire activation range of potentials. The enhanced current was reversible on washout. Either charybdotoxin, an inhibitor of I(KCa2+), or (R)-p-8-(4-chlorophenylthio)- guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphorothioate, an inhibitor of protein kinase G, antagonized the increase in outward current induced by S-nitroso-L- cysteine. These data suggest that nitric oxide activates I(KCa2+) via the guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate-protein kinase G signal transduction pathway.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | G606-G612 |
Journal | American Journal of Physiology - Gastrointestinal and Liver Physiology |
Volume | 269 |
Issue number | 4 32-4 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 1995 |
Keywords
- charybdotoxin
- cyclic guanidino-monophosphate
- esophageal motility
- guanyl cyclase
- hyperpolarization
- patch clamp
- potassium currents
- smooth muscle
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Physiology
- Hepatology
- Gastroenterology
- Physiology (medical)