Potassium channels and modulating factors of channel functions in the human myometrium

Hexoprenaline, a beta-adrenergic agonist of clinical importance in preventing preterm labor, and the calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) that is known to have receptors in the plasmalemma of myometrial cells were investigated to ascertain whether in human myometrium K+(Ca++)channels are involved in the relaxant mechanism. Small sections from the fundus and the corpus of vaginal-dissected uteri were isolated under limitation of the operation collective (age of women 35-50 years). Strips of 1-cm length were cut for isometric measurement of contraction. After an equilibration of 60 min under 10 mN tension at 37 degrees C, spontaneous activity occurred and experiments were performed. By enzymatic disaggregation with papain and collagenase single cells were isolated. Electrophysiological experiments were performed using the patch-clamp technique in the cell-attached and excised inside-out configurations. We observed K+ channels with a conductance of 158 pS between -20 and 20 mV in [K+]o/[K+]i of 5.4/140 mM with a reversal potential at about -70 mV. The channel was sensitive to the free calcium concentration on the cytoplasmic side and open probability (Po) increased with membrane depolarization. 0.5 mM ATP facing the cytoplasmic side of the patches (at 40 mV depolarization and pCa of 6) showed no inhibition. Hexoprenaline and CGRP both increased the Po of the K+ (Ca++)channels in the cell-attached mode at steady-state kinetics. Forskolin failed to be an activator of K+ (Ca++)channels. In isometric measurements of human myometrial strips spontaneous activity is suppressed by hexoprenaline 10(-5) M and CGRP 10(-7) M, but these effects are antagonized by 2 mM TEA.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)