5- Molecular aspects of Na and K channels Flashcards
Ion channels can be grouped according to _____, ______ and ________
Ion channels can be grouped according to properties, pharmacology and sequence homology
Voltage-gated Na+ channels are highly selective for ______
Activate rapidly upon _______
Inactivate rapidly at ______
- Voltage-gated Na+ channels are highly selective for sodium ions
- Activate rapidly upon depolarization (AP upstroke)
- positive feedback process
- Inactivate rapidly at positive membrane potentials
Recovery from inactivation requires ________
Recovery from inactivation requires repolarization of the membrane potential (back to resting MP)
What fish/amphibian toxin(s) target voltage gated Na+ channels?
- Tetrodotoxin, TTX (puffer fish)
- highly selective for neuronal and skeletal muscle Na+ channels
- inhibitor
- Batrachotoxin (arrow poison frogs)
- activator
Why would Na+ channel inhibitors be used clinically?
Local anesthetics and anti-arrhythmics
eg: Lidocaine
* inhibit rapid firing of Na+ in sensory neurons (frequency dependent)
_____ from anemonia sulcata is a voltage-gated Na+ channel activator that opens neuronal and muscular Nav channels
ATX II from anemonia sulcata is a voltage-gated Na+ channel activator that opens neuronal and muscular Nav channels
How can both Na channel inhibitors and activators lead to rapid paralysis?
Correct neuronal and muscle conduction/contraction relies on proper AP firing
Toxins can either stop AP from firing (inhibit) or prevent it from firing again (activators - na+ needs to recover)
- Na channel inhibitors prevent channels from opening = no AP (eg TTX)
- Na channel activators prevent channels from inactivating = no repolarization = No AP’s (eg ATX II)
What is the structure of Sodium channels?
- Alpha subunit
- encoded by SCNxA gene
- One polypeptide with 4 similar domains each with 6 membrane spanning regions
- Selectivity filter between 5 and 6 of each domain
- “Hinged lid” inactivation gate between 6 of third domain and 1 of 4th domain
- DIII-DIV interface (IFM)
What toxins act on site 1 of the sodium channel?
TTX, STX, u-conotoxins
Site 1 = on selectivity filter of first domain
What toxins act on Site 5 of Na channels?
Brevetoxins
Ciguatoxins
Site 5 is on 6th membrane spanning region of domain I
What toxins act on site 4 of Na channel?
Site four between 3rd and 4th membrane spanning region of domain II
Scorpion-beta-toxins
Spider beta-toxins
What toxins act on Site 2 of Na Channels?
Site 2 = on 6th membrane spanning region of Domain III
Batrachotoxins
Grayanotoxins
What toxins act on site 3 of Na channels?
Scorpion alpha-toxins
Sea anemone toxins
Site three = in btween 3rd and 4th membrane spanning regions of Domain IV
What are the three major types of potassium channel?
- Voltage gated
- Calcium activated
- Inward rectifier
Which potassium channels contribute to slow recovery following AP?
Voltage-gated K channels
Which potassium channels are active after polarization?
Calcium-activated K channels
Which potassium channels are in charge of maintaining the resting membrane potential?
Inward rectifier k+ channels
Two types of voltage gated K channels:
- Delayed rectifiers
- Kv1.x to 6.x
- Calcium activators
- BK, IK, SK
Three types of inward rectifying potassium channels:
- IRK1
- Kir1.x, 2.x, 4.x and 5.x
- GIRK
- Kir3.x and CIR
- KATP
- Kir6.x plus SURx
Why are there so many types of K channels when compared to Na Channels?
The duration of the AP and the RMP are really important in controlling cellular excitability
K channels control both
Lots of K channels to “fine tune” excitability
In contrast, the role of Na channels is mostly limited to initiating the upstroke of the AP only
How does potassium channel activation/inactivation compare to Na channels?
K+ channels activate and inactivate more slowly than Na channels upon depolarization
Three blockers of K channels:
- Tetra-ethyl-ammonium (TEA)
- Dendrotoxin
- Agitoxin
Big/Intermediate Calcium activated K+ channels:
Called: _____ or _____
- respond to ______
- Sensitive to _______
- Blocked by: _______, ______, ______
Calcium activated K+ channels:
Called: BK/IK or K<u>Ca</u>
- respond to voltage (ie voltage-dependent
- Sensitive to micromolar internal calcium
- Blocked by: TEA, ChTX and IbTX (scorpion venom, buthus sp.)