L8 - K Channels and Epithelial Function Flashcards
What is the role of K channels in respiratory epithelia?
K+ channels maintain negative Vm
Regulate cell volume – help bring volume down
Drive Cl secretion in upper respiratory tract
What are the 3 molecular K channel families?
Voltage gated
Inward rectifying
Two pore
What is the structure of the voltage gated K channels?
6 transmembrane spanning domains
1 pore region
4th transmembrane spanning domain is voltage sensor
4 subunits required to make a functional channel
What is the structure of the inward rectifying K channels?
2 transmembrane spanning domains
1 pore region
4 subunits required to make a functional channel
What is the structure of the two pore K channels?
4 transmembrane spanning domains
2 pore regions
2 subunits required to make a functional channel
Tend to be constitutively active – help set resting membrane potential
What are the 4 example of voltage gated K channels?
KCNQ1 KCNA10 Ca activated - SK4 - BK
What is the KCNQ1 channel regulated by?
Either KCNE1/E2/E3
Where is KCNA10 found?
Proximal tubule
What are the 3 different states of the SK4 channel?
Low conductance, mid conductance and high conductance
What are Ca activated K channels regulated by?
Open probability regulated by membrane potential and intracellular Ca conc
As intracellular Ca increases as does open probability
What is an example of an inward rectifying K channel?
Kir 1.1 (ROMK)
Found in the kidney
What are 2 examples of two pore K channels?
TWIK-1
TASK-2
What 4 channels are found on the basolateral membrane of an upper airway cell?
KvLQT1 – regulated by KCNE3 – activated by cAMP
SK4 – activated by Ca (mid conductance)
Na/K ATPase
NKCC1
What 4 channels are found on the apical membrane of an upper airway cell?
ENaC
CFTR – activated by cAMP
BK – activated by Ca (high conductance)
CaCC – activated by Ca
How do K channels control Cl secretion?
K+ channels maintain Cl- secretion by hyperpolarising Vm
As intracellular Ca rises in the upper airway cells, SK4 and BK activate and hyperpolarise the membrane
- At the same time the Ca activates CaCC (Ca activated Cl channels) – 2nd Cl secretory pathway in apical membrane
- CFTR will also be active – Cl secretion
In CF patients you would predict if they only had CFTR channels – mucous ciliary clearance should effectively stop in these patients - why does it not?
It doesn’t though – it is just massively slowed
This is because we have CaCC – mediate a small amount of Cl secretion
- Impact of CFTR mutations not as severe as we would expect – as small upregulation of CaCC
Why are animal models of CF not perfect?
CF mouse models do not have any upper airway issues
This is because they have massive upregulation of CaCC
- Replaces the role of CFTR –> normal ASL height