The Epithelial Inward Rectifier Channel Kir7.1 Displays Unusual K+Permeation Properties

Open Access
Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Rat and human cDNAs were isolated that both encoded a 360 amino acid polypeptide with a tertiary structure typical of inwardly rectifying K+ channel (Kir) subunits. The new proteins, termed Kir7.1, were In situhybridization of rat brain sections demonstrated that Kir7.1 mRNA was absent from neurons and glia but strongly expressed in the secretory epithelial cells of the choroid plexus (as confirmed by in situ patch-clamp measurements). In cRNA-injectedXenopus oocytes Kir7.1 generated macroscopic Kir currents that showed a very shallow dependence on external K+ ([K+]e), which is in marked contrast to all other Kir channels. At a holding potential of −100 mV, the inward current through Kir7.1 averaged −3.8 ± 1.04 μA with 2 mm[K+]e and −4.82 ± 1.87 μA with 96 mm [K+]e. Kir7.1 has a methionine at position 125 in the pore region where other Kir channels have an arginine. When this residue was replaced by the conserved arginine in mutant Kir7.1 channels, the pronounced dependence of K+ permeability on [K+]e, characteristic for other Kir channels, was restored and the Ba2+ sensitivity was increased by a factor of ∼25 (Ki = 27 μm). These findings support the important role of this site in the regulation of K+ permeability in Kir channels by extracellular cations.