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Published on: September 14, 2012
Kv2.1/Kv9.3, a novel ATP-dependent delayed-rectifier K+ channel in oxygen-sensitive pulmonary artery myocytes
A J Patel1, M Lazdunski, E Honoré
1Institut de Pharmacologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, CNRS, 660 route des Lucioles, Sophia Antipolis, 06560 Valbonne, France.
Abstract:
The molecular structure of oxygen-sensitive delayed-rectifier K+ channels which are involved in hypoxic pulmonary artery (PA) vasoconstriction has yet to be elucidated. To address this problem, we identified the Shab K+ channel Kv2.1 and a novel Shab-like subunit Kv9.3, in rat PA myocytes. Kv9.3 encodes an electrically silent subunit which associates with Kv2.1 and modulates its biophysical properties. The Kv2.1/9.3 heteromultimer, unlike Kv2.1, opens in the voltage range of the resting membrane potential of PA myocytes. Moreover, we demonstrate that the activity of Kv2.1/Kv9.3 is tightly controlled by internal ATP and is reversibly inhibited by hypoxia. In conclusion, we propose that metabolic regulation of the Kv2.1/Kv9.3 heteromultimer may play an important role in hypoxic PA vasoconstriction and in the possible development of PA hypertension.
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