Diversity of K+ channels in the basolateral membrane of resting Necturus oxyntic cells

Patch-clamp techniques have been applied to characterize the channels in the basolateral membrane of resting (cimetidine-treated, nonacid secreting) oxyntic cells isolated from the gastric mucosa of Necturus maculosa. In cell-attached patches with pipette solution containing 100 mM KCl, four major classes of K+ channels can be distinguished on the basis of their kinetic behavior and conductance: (1) 40% of the patches contained either voltage-independent (a) or hyperpolarization-activated (b), inward-rectifying channels with short mean open times (16 msec for a, and 8 msec for b). Some channels showed subconductance levels. The maximal inward conductance gmax was 31 +/- 5 pS (n = 13) and the reversal potential Erev was at Vp = -34 +/- 6 mV (n = 9). (2) 10% of the patches contained depolarization-activated and inward-rectifying channels with gmax = 40 +/- 18 pS (n = 3) and Erev was at Vp = -31 +/- 5 mV (n = 3). With hyperpolarization, the channels open in bursts with rapid flickerings within bursts. Addition of carbachol (1 mM) to the bath solution in cell-attached patches increased the open probability Po of these channels. (3) 10% of the patches contained voltage-independent inward-rectifying channels with gmax = 21 +/- 3 pS (n = 4) and Erev was at Vp = -24 +/- 9 mV (n = 4). These channels exhibited very high open probability (Po = 0.9) and long mean open time (1.6 sec) at the resting potential. (4) 20% of the patches contained voltage-independent channels with limiting inward conductance of 26 +/- 2 pS (n = 3) and Erev at Vp = -33 +/- 3 mV (n = 3). The channels opened in bursts consisting of sequential activation of multiple channels with very brief mean open times (10 msec). In addition, channels with conductances less than 6 pS were observed in 20% of the patches. In all nine experiments with K+ in the pipette solution replaced by Na+, unitary currents were outward, and inward currents were observed only for large hyperpolarizing potentials. This indicates that the channels are more selective for K+ over Na+ and Cl-. A variety of K+ channels contributes to the basolateral K+ conductance of resting oxyntic cells.