The ?1-subunit of the MaxiK channel associates with the thromboxane A2 receptor and reduces thromboxane A2 functional effects.

ABSTRACT: The large conductance voltage- and Ca(2+)-activated K(+) channel (MaxiK, BK(Ca), BK) is composed of four pore-forming ?-subunits and can be associated with regulatory ?-subunits. One of the functional roles of MaxiK is to regulate vascular tone. We recently found that the MaxiK channel from coronary smooth muscle is trans-inhibited by activation of the vasoconstricting thromboxane A(2) prostanoid receptor (TP), a mechanism supported by MaxiK ?-subunit (MaxiK?)-TP physical interaction. Here, we examined the role of the MaxiK ?1-subunit in TP-MaxiK association. We found that the ?1-subunit can by itself interact with TP and that this association can occur independently of MaxiK?. Subcellular localization analysis revealed that ?1 and TP are closely associated at the cell periphery. The molecular mechanism of ?1-TP interaction involves predominantly the ?1 extracellular loop. As reported previously, TP activation by the thromboxane A(2) analog U46619 caused inhibition of MaxiK? macroscopic conductance or fractional open probability (FP(o)) as a function of voltage. However, the positive shift of the FP(o) versus voltage curve by U46619 relative to the control was less prominent when ?1 was coexpressed with TP and MaxiK? proteins (20 ± 6 mV, n = 7) than in cells expressing TP and MaxiK? alone (51 ± 7 mV, n = 7). Finally, ?1 gene ablation reduced the EC(50) of the U46619 agonist in mediating aortic contraction from 18 ± 1 nm (n = 12) to 9 ± 1 nm (n = 12). The results indicate that the ?1-subunit can form a tripartite complex with TP and MaxiK?, has the ability to associate with each protein independently, and diminishes U46619-induced MaxiK channel trans-inhibition as well as vasoconstriction.

SUBMITTER: Li M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3561584 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature