Oxygen Sensitivity of Cloned Voltage-Gated K⁺ Channels Expressed in the Pulmonary Vasculature

DNA Constructs

A 1600 bp PvuII-EcoRI fragment encoding the open reading frame of the rat Kv1.2 cDNA was blunted with Klenow and subcloned into the blunted KpnI site of the pCMV₄ expression vector using standard techniques.¹⁹ The 2100-bp NotI-EcoRI fragment of the rKv2.1 cDNA²⁰ was blunted and subcloned into the EcoRV site of the pMSVNeo expression vector.²¹ Kv9.3 cDNA was obtained using the Stratagene RT-PCR kit and rat lung mRNA. Primers were designed from the rat Kv9.3 sequence reported in GenBank.¹⁵ The upper primer began at −2 (the adenine of the initiating codon ATG was at +1), whereas the lower primer started at nucleotide 1623. The amino acid sequence of Kv9.3 was 98.3% homologous to that previously reported by Patel et al,¹⁵ with one amino acid substitution at position 209 (E to G). PCR yielded a 1625 bp fragment that was gel-purified and subcloned into the pCR2.1 TA cloning vector (Invitrogen). The fragment was then subcloned into the XbaI and SmaI sites of a modified pBKCMV expression vector that had the β-galactosidase ATG deleted. This vector was used to increase expression efficiency and remove the possibility that the expressed channels contained a β-galactosidase protein sequence on the N-terminus.

The Kv1.5/Kv1.2 tandem was constructed by using overlap PCR to link the C-terminus of Kv1.5 to the N-terminus of Kv1.2. The stop codon in Kv1.5 was removed, and 4 amino acids (GPEE) were inserted before the Kv1.2 starting methionine. The 3′ end of Kv1.2 was as described above, whereas the 5′ end of Kv1.5 started 22 bp upstream from the initiating ATG. The tandem was blunt-end ligated into the SmaI site of the modified pBK vector.

All DNA constructs were confirmed by restriction analysis and automated sequencing.

Transfection and Tissue Culture

The mouse L-cell line expressing human Kv1.5 was used as described previously.²¹ The rKv2.1-containing expression vector was transfected into mouse L cells, and stable cell lines were produced and cultured as previously described.²¹ rKv1.2 and rKv9.3 were studied using transiently transfected L cells. Mouse L cells (40% to 60% confluence in 60-mm dishes) were transiently transfected with either rKv1.2 or rKv9.3 and green fluorescent protein (GFP) to assess transfection efficiency and to identify cells for voltage-clamp analysis, as previously described.²³ The transient transfection procedure used either 1 μg of rKv1.2/pCMV₄ or 0.6 μg of rKv9.3 and 0.4 μg of GFP/pCI; each was mixed with 15 μL of the lipofectamine reagent, which was 0.5 mL of serum-free Dulbecco’s modified Eagle medium incubated at 37°C for ≈30 minutes. Cells were then incubated with the lipofectamine mixture for 6 to 8 hours; after this time, the mixture was removed and replaced with standard culture medium for 36 to 48 hours. Cells were removed from the dish using brief trypsinization; they were then briefly centrifuged and resuspended in fresh standard culture medium at room temperature for recording within the next 12 hours.

The mouse L cells were used specifically because they endogenously express the Kvβ2.1 subunit, which is needed for efficient expression of Kv1.2.²² Therefore, the Kv1.2/Kv1.5 experiments were performed in the presence of the Kvβ2.1 subunit. Comparison of the hypoxia sensitivity of Kv1.2 and Kv1.5 ± this β was attempted by using the β-free HEK293 cells. However, Kv1.2 was difficult to express in these cells, perhaps due to the lack of the Kvβ2.1 subunit.²²

Heteromeric Formation of Kv1.2/Kv1.5 and Kv2.1/Kv9.3 Channels

Mouse L cells stably expressing rKv2.1 or hKv1.5 were transiently transfected with either 0.6 or 1 μg of rKv9.3 and rKv1.2, respectively (see above for details). These DNA amounts gave saturating effects in terms of heteromeric channel formation. After transfection, cells were incubated for 36 hours; then, the transfected cells were incubated with 2 μmol/L dexamethasone for 18 to 24 hours to induce the expression of Kv1.5 or Kv2.1 channels and, thereby, allow heteromeric channel formation of these α subunits.

Kv9.3 is electrically silent when expressed as a homomeric channel, but when expressed with Kv2.1, it modifies the activation and deactivation kinetics of the Kv2.1 channel and shifts the activation curve in the hyperpolarizing direction.¹⁵ However, because confirmation of heteromeric assembly between Kv1.2 and Kv1.5 α subunits was more difficult to ascertain, the following criteria were used as a guide to assess heteromeric channel formation. The current kinetics and activation curves generated from Kv1.2 and Kv1.5 homomeric channels and Kv1.2/Kv1.5 heteromeric channels allowed one level of characterization because the activation midpoints were approximately 22 and −12 mV for the Kv1.2 and Kv1.5 homomeric channels, respectively. When these channels were coexpressed, activation curve data best fit by the sum of 2 Boltzmann equations were disregarded based on the assumption that these data reflected the summation of distinct populations of Kv1.2 and Kv1.5 homomeric channels. Only data best fit with a single Boltzmann equation were analyzed. The DTX sensitivity of expressed currents was also used to assess heteromeric channel formation because DTX specifically blocks Kv1.2 homomeric channels (K_d=≈20 nmol/L),²³ whereas Kv1.5 homomeric channels are virtually insensitive (K_d>300 nmol/L). Recent studies suggest that the DTX sensitivity of a Kv1.2/Kv1.5 heteromeric channel is dominated by the presence of the Kv1.5 toxin-insensitive subunit.²⁴ Therefore, in the present study, Kv1.2/Kv1.5 heteromeric channels containing ≥1 Kv1.5 DTX-insensitive subunit should be insensitive to 50 nmol/L DTX. Only those currents that were DTX-insensitive were considered to represent heteromeric Kv1.2/Kv1.5 channel complexes. Currents showing any DTX sensitivity were not analyzed further.

Electrophysiology

Experiments were performed in a small volume (180 μL) bath mounted on the stage of an inverted microscope (Nikon) continuously superfused at a flow rate of ≈0.5 to 1.0 mL/min. Recordings were made with an Axopatch 200A amplifier (Axon Instruments) using the whole-cell configuration of the patch-clamp technique.²⁵ Patch pipettes (1 to 2 megohms) were pulled from borosilicate glass capillaries. Junction potentials were corrected after placing the tip of the electrode in the bath solution and before gigohmn seal formation, which was achieved via gentle suction. After establishing the whole-cell configuration, capacitive transients elicited by symmetrical 10 mV voltage clamp steps from −80 mV were recorded to calculate cell capacitance and access resistance. Cells expressing currents>5 nA were discarded. Currents were sampled at 1 to 5 kHz after anti-alias filtering at 0.5 to 2 kHz. Data acquisition and command potentials were controlled by pClamp software (v6.04, Axon Instruments) and stored for later off-line analysis. All experiments were performed at room temperature (21°C to 23°C).

Solutions

The intracellular pipette solution contained (in mmol/L): KCl 110, HEPES 10, K₂BAPTA 5, K₂ATP 5, and MgCl₂ 1; it was adjusted to pH 7.2 with KOH. The bath solution contained (in mmol/L): NaCl 110, KCl 4, MgCl₂ 1, CaCl₂ 1.8, HEPES 10, and glucose 1.8; it was adjusted to pH 7.35 with NaOH. The effects of hypoxia were studied by switching between normoxic and hypoxic perfusate reservoirs. Normoxic solutions were equilibrated with 100% O₂, whereas hypoxic solutions were achieved by bubbling with 100% N₂ for at least 20 minutes before cell perfusion and by passing a stream of N₂ over the surface of the bath. These procedures produced Po₂ values of ≈140 to 160 mm Hg and 30 to 40 mm Hg, respectively. Po₂ was continuously monitored in the bath chamber using an O₂-sensitive microelectrode (ISO₂/OXEL-1, World Precision Instruments). The pH and temperature of these solutions were regularly monitored and maintained at pH 7.35 and 21°C to 23°C to guard against pH- and temperature-induced changes in channel function. DTX-I was kindly provided by Dr R. Hartshorne (Oregon Health Sciences, Portland, Ore) and was added to the bath solution where indicated.

Pulse Protocols and Analysis

The holding potential was −80 mV, and the cycle time within each protocol was 10 s to allow full recovery from inactivation between pulses. The standard protocol used to obtain current-voltage relationships and activation curves consisted of 250-ms voltage-clamp pulses applied in 10 mV steps between −70 and 60 mV, unless indicated otherwise. Steady-state current-voltage relationships were obtained by measuring the current at the end of the voltage-clamp pulse and plotted against test potential. Currents were normalized relative to each cell’s control (normoxic) current at 60 mV. Deactivating tail currents were recorded at −40 mV, and activation curves were obtained from the maximum value of the tail current amplitude immediately after the capacitive transients.

Activation curves were fitted with a Boltzmann equation: where k represents the slope factor, E is the membrane potential, and E_h represents the voltage at which 50% of the channels are open. The time course of tail currents were fit with a sum of 2 exponentials. The activation kinetics were determined by fitting a single exponential to the latter 50% of activation.²⁶ The curve-fitting procedure used a nonlinear least squares (Gauss-Newton) algorithm, and goodness of fit was judged by the χ² criterion.

Statistical Analysis

All data are expressed as the mean±SEM of n cells. Comparisons between groups were made using a paired Student’s t test. Values of P<0.05 were considered significant.

Immunohistochemistry

The production and use of the Kv1.5 N-terminal antibody and the immunolocalization of Kv1.2 and Kv1.5 in rat pulmonary resistance arteries were performed as previously described.²⁷ The Kv1.2 antibody was produced against a glutathione transferase (GST) fusion protein containing C-terminal sequence amino acids 436 to 495 using previously described protocols.²⁷ A second, affinity-purified Kv1.2 antibody directed against a synthetic peptide, CNEDFREENLKTANCTLANT, was provided by Dr Jeanne Nerbonne (Washington University, St. Louis, Mo). Immunofluorescence staining of transfected tissue culture cells confirmed that both Kv1.2 antibodies detected Kv1.2 protein (data not shown). Rat pulmonary resistance vessels (third division, 250 to 300 μm in diameter) were placed in cryomolds, embedded in Tissue Tek (Baxter), and slowly frozen at −80°C. Cryosections measuring 10 μm were collected on gelatin-coated coverslips and then incubated with primary antibody followed by biotin-conjugated goat anti-rabbit IgG (Jackson Immunoresearch Laboratories) and CY3-conjugated streptavidin (Jackson Immunoresearch Laboratories), as previously described.²⁷ Samples were analyzed using a Nikon E800 microscope equipped with standard epifluorescence and a Princeton Instruments CCD camera.

Immunogen block of tissue staining was performed to demonstrate antibody specificity. Staining was performed as described above, except that cryosections were stained with antiserum that had been preincubated overnight at 4°C with 40 nmol/L of either glutathione transferase (GSH-T) or the appropriate GSH-T fusion protein construct, as previously described.²⁷ The 112 N-terminal amino acids of Kv1.5 coupled to GSH-T were used to block Kv1.5 antiserum binding, while C-terminal residues 429 to 496 of Kv1.2 coupled to GSH-T blocked Kv1.2 antiserum binding.

O₂ Sensitivity of rKv2.1 Stably Expressed in Mouse L Cells

Because previous work implicated the Kv2.1 channel as an important molecular component of the PA VSMC O₂-sensitive K⁺ current, we first investigated the O₂ sensitivity of this channel as stably expressed in mouse L cells. Representative outward currents recorded from a holding potential of −80 mV to a test potential of 60 mV, before and after 10 minutes of exposure to the hypoxic solution, are shown in Figure 1A⇓. Hypoxia reversibly inhibited Kv2.1 current; in the example shown, hypoxia significantly (P<0.05) inhibited the current recorded at 60 mV by ≈23%. The onset of Kv2.1 current inhibition occurred within ≈1 minute after exposure to the hypoxic solution; inhibition continued to decrease to a new steady state after 7 minutes of exposure to hypoxia. This decrease in current paralleled the decrease in Po₂ levels. The mean current-voltage (I-V) relationship of Kv2.1 (Figure 1B⇓) shows that Kv2.1 currents activated at potentials more positive than 30 mV were significantly inhibited by hypoxia (P<0.05; n=10). In contrast, little Kv2.1 current was detected at potentials more negative than −20 mV (Figure 1C⇓), and this current was not significantly inhibited by hypoxia. These data suggest that although Kv2.1 seems to be O₂ sensitive, this sensitivity does not occur in the voltage range of the PA VSMC E_M.

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Figure 1.

Effect of hypoxia on Kv2.1 current expressed in mouse L cells. A, Representative currents elicited in response to step depolarization from −80 mV to 60 mV before, during, and after 10 minutes of exposure to hypoxic solution. B, Graph showing mean I-V relationship for Kv2.1 current (n=10). Currents were normalized relative to each cell’s control (normoxic) current at 60 mV. C, Mean steady-state activation curves for Kv2.1 current, calculated from peak tail current amplitudes at −40 mV (n=10).

The effect of hypoxia on the voltage dependence of activation was also examined; mean data are shown in Figure 1C⇑. Hypoxia had no effect on the voltage dependence of activation (control, V_0.5=11.37±1.35 mV, n=15; hypoxia, V_0.5=10.73±1.27 mV, n=10), which suggests that the observed decrease in Kv2.1 current was not due to a shift in the voltage dependence of activation.

Functional Expression and O₂ Sensitivity of Kv2.1/Kv9.3 Expressed in Mouse L Cells

Patel et al¹⁵ reported the cloning of a novel Kv channel (Kv9.3) from a rat pulmonary artery; this channel does not functionally express as a homomeric channel when expressed alone, but it assembles with Kv2.1 to form a functional heteromeric channel. Although this group reported that the heteromeric channel was reversibly inhibited by hypoxia, the hypoxic sensitivity of this channel was not fully characterized, and it was detected only in a subset (56%) of transfected COS-7 cells.¹⁵ In the present study, 99% of the cells expressing the Kv2.1 channel exhibited a hypoxic response; therefore, the O₂ sensitivity of the Kv2.1/Kv9.3 heteromeric channel was examined using the L-cell expression system.

Representative current records from L cells expressing Kv2.1, Kv9.3, or Kv2.1/Kv9.3 are shown in Figure 2A⇓. Kv9.3-transfected cells failed to express any Kv channel activity (Figure 2A⇓; n=3); however, coexpression of Kv9.3 with Kv2.1 produced several important modifications in the biophysical properties of the Kv2.1 channel. Kv9.3 increased activation kinetics (Kv2.1: τ=11.25±1.67 ms; Kv2.1/Kv9.3: τ=7.27±0.56 ms; Figure 2A⇓) and slowed deactivation kinetics (Kv2.1: τ_fast=12.66±0.39 ms, τ_slow=62.1±3.16 ms; Kv2.1/Kv9.3: τ_fast=20.13±1.08 ms, τ_slow=142.12±6.55 ms; Figure 2A⇓) relative to Kv2.1 alone. In addition, Kv9.3 caused a hyperpolarizing shift in the voltage dependence of activation (Kv2.1: V_0.5=11.37±1.35, k=13.34±1.23, n=15; Kv2.1/Kv9.3: V_0.5=−8.73±1.2 mV, k=12.67±1.13; n=6); therefore, the Kv2.1/Kv9.3 heteromeric channel activated at physiologically relevant membrane potentials (data not shown). These data are consistent with those of Patel et al,¹⁵ who reported similar Kv9.3-induced changes in Kv2.1 current expressed in both COS-7 cells and Xenopus oocytes.

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Figure 2.

Functional expression and O₂ sensitivity of Kv2.1/Kv9.3 heteromeric channels. A, Normalized outward currents recorded from L cells transfected with either Kv2.1, Kv9.3, or Kv2.1 plus Kv9.3 in response to step depolarization from −80 to 60 mV. B, Representative Kv2.1/Kv9.3 currents recorded at 60 mV before, during, and after 10 minutes of exposure to hypoxic solution. Inset shows representative Kv2.1/Kv9.3 currents recorded at −20 mV before, during, and after 10 minutes of exposure to hypoxic solution. C, Graph showing mean I-V relationship of normalized Kv2.1/Kv9.3 current (n=6). D, Bar graph highlighting effects of hypoxia on Kv2.1/Kv9.3 current at more negative potentials (data obtained from C).

Figure 2B⇑ shows that hypoxia reversibly inhibited Kv2.1/Kv9.3 current at 60 mV. Moreover, hypoxic inhibition of Kv2.1/Kv9.3 current was detected in all cells studied. Data summarized in Figure 2C⇑ compare the effect of hypoxia on the mean I-V relationship for Kv2.1/Kv9.3 current. Mean hypoxic inhibition of Kv2.1/Kv9.3 current at 60 mV was 21±0.9% (n=6), which was not significantly different from Kv2.1 alone (compare values at 60 mV; Figure 1B⇑). However, in contrast to Kv2.1 alone, a greater amount of Kv2.1/Kv9.3 current was activated at more physiologically important potentials, and this current was reversibly inhibited by hypoxia. The observation that hypoxia inhibited the Kv2.1/Kv9.3 heteromeric current at negative potentials (see inset in Figure 2B⇑ for currents at −20 mV), where homomeric Kv2.1 current does not activate, further supports the existence of a Kv2.1/Kv9.3 heteromeric complex. Note that at −20 mV and 300 ms, the currents have not reached steady state. However, O₂ sensitivity calculated during activation was similar to that observed at steady state. For example, at 60 mV, the steady-state Kv2.1/Kv9.3 current was inhibited 20% with hypoxia, whereas the inhibition was 25% at 50% activation. As illustrated in Figure 2D⇑, hypoxia caused a reduction of ≈48% in current activated at −30 mV (P<0.05). These data suggest, therefore, that the Kv2.1/Kv9.3 heteromeric channel may indeed be an important molecular component of the native O₂-sensitive K⁺ current.

O₂ Sensitivity of Kv1.5

Some authors suggested that Kv1.5 was an important O₂-sensing Kv channel present in PA VSMCs¹⁴ ; therefore, the O₂ sensitivity of this channel was investigated next. Figure 3⇓ shows the effect of hypoxia on hKv1.5 currents stably expressed in mouse L cells. In contrast to Kv2.1 and Kv2.1/Kv9.3, hKv1.5 current at 60 mV was not inhibited by hypoxia (Figure 3A⇓). Moreover, the mean I-V relationship for hKv1.5 current under control and hypoxic conditions shows that although Kv1.5 current activated at physiologically relevant potentials, this current was not O₂ sensitive at any potential (Figure 3B⇓; n=9). Hypoxia also had no significant effect on the rat Kv1.5 channel expressed in the same L cells (data not shown).

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Figure 3.

Effect of hypoxia on Kv1.5 current expressed in mouse L cells. A, Representative currents elicited in response to step depolarizations from −80 mV to 60 mV before, during, and after 10 minutes of exposure to hypoxic solution. B, Graph showing mean I-V relationship of normalized Kv1.5 current (n=9).

Functional Expression and O₂ Sensitivity of rKv1.2 Expressed in Mouse L Cells

The O₂ sensitivity of rKv1.2 transiently transfected into L cells was examined next. Representative traces of rKv1.2 current elicited in response to 1-s voltage-clamp pulses to 80 mV are shown in Figure 4A⇓. Under normoxic conditions, these currents were noninactivating, delayed-rectifying, outward K⁺ currents that activated much more slowly than the Kv channels described above. For example, a 1-s voltage-clamp pulse to 80 mV was required to fully activate Kv1.2; a 250-ms pulse to 60 mV was needed to fully activate Kv1.5, Kv2.1, and Kv2.1/Kv9.3 (Figures 1 through 3⇑⇑⇑). Figure 4A⇓ also shows that hypoxia reversibly inhibited rKv1.2 current. At 80 mV, hypoxic inhibition of rKv1.2 averaged 19±0.2% (n=7; Figure 4B⇓); this inhibition was not associated with a shift in the voltage dependence of activation (data not shown). Although Kv1.2 current at depolarized potentials (>40 mV) was significantly inhibited by hypoxia, no Kv1.2 current was detected at more physiologically relevant potentials (ie, −50 to −20 mV), suggesting that this homomeric channel is unlikely to contribute to the PA VSMC O₂-sensitive K⁺ current.

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Figure 4.

Effect of hypoxia on Kv1.2 current expressed in mouse L cells. A, Representative currents elicited in response to step depolarizations from −80 mV to 60 mV before, during, and after 10 minutes of exposure to hypoxic solution. B, Graph showing mean I-V relationship of normalized Kv1.2 current (n=7). C, Bar graph highlighting effects of hypoxia on Kv1.2 current at more negative potentials (data obtained from B).

Kv1.2 and Kv1.5 α Subunits Coassemble to Form an O₂-Sensitive Heteromeric Channel

To determine whether Kv1.2 and Kv1.5 α subunits can assemble to form an O₂-sensitive heteromeric channel, L cells stably expressing Kv1.5 were transiently transfected with Kv1.2 cDNA. Only those cells meeting the criteria described in Materials and Methods were analyzed.

The electrophysiological and pharmacological characteristics of K⁺ currents generated by coexpression of Kv1.2 and Kv1.5 α subunits in L cells were examined first. As illustrated in Figure 5A⇓, coexpression of Kv1.2 with Kv1.5 produced currents that exhibited faster activation kinetics and partial inactivation compared with Kv1.2 alone. Nonetheless, it was possible that this K⁺ current reflected the summation of distinct populations of Kv1.2 and Kv1.5 homomeric channels rather than heteromeric channels composed of Kv1.2 and Kv1.5 α subunits. Analysis of the voltage dependence of activation, however, revealed that these data were best fit with a single Boltzmann equation with an activation midpoint of −4.55±1.09 mV and k=16.13±0.65 (n=5), compared with 21.73±0.65 mV and k=11.11 (n=7) for Kv1.2 alone and −12.88±0.68 mV and k=8.57±0.54 (n=8) for Kv1.5, suggesting that this K⁺ current represented a single population of Kv channels.

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Figure 5.

Functional expression and DTX sensitivity of Kv1.2/Kv1.5 heteromeric channel. A, Normalized outward currents re- corded from L cells transfected with either Kv1.2, Kv1.5, or Kv1.2 plus Kv1.5 in response to step depolarization from −80 mV to 80 mV. B, Graph showing mean steady-state activation curves for Kv1.2, Kv1.5, and Kv1.2/Kv1.5 currents, calculated from peak tail current amplitudes at −40 mV. C, Representative Kv1.2 currents elicited in response to step depolarizations from −80 mV to 80 mV in absence and presence of 50 nmol/L DTX-I. D, Graph shows effect of 50 nmol/L DTX-I on mean I-V relationship of normalized Kv1.2 current (n=6). E, Representative Kv1.2/Kv1.5 currents recorded at 80 mV from holding potential of −80 mV in absence and presence of 50 nmol/L DTX-I. F, Graph shows effect of 50 nmol/L DTX-I on mean I-V relationship of normalized Kv1.2/Kv1.5 current (n=5).

To provide pharmacological evidence for the heteromeric formation of Kv1.2 and Kv1.5 α subunits, the blocking effects of the K⁺ channel toxin DTX-I on Kv1.2, Kv1.5, and Kv1.2/Kv1.5 currents were investigated. Figure 5C⇑ shows that 50 nmol/L DTX-I markedly inhibited the Kv1.2 current elicited during a voltage-clamp pulse to 80 mV. Mean data summarized in Figure 5D⇑ show that this concentration of DTX-I inhibited Kv1.2 current by ≈80% (n=6). In contrast, Kv1.5 current was insensitive to 50 nmol/L DTX-I (n=4; data not shown). Moreover, Figures 5E⇑ and 5F⇑ show that 50 nmol/L DTX-I also had no effect on Kv1.2/Kv1.5 current (n=5); this is consistent with the idea that the presence of a toxin-insensitive Kv1.5 α subunit dominates the pharmacology of the heteromeric channel.^{24 28}

The electrophysiological and pharmacological data described thus far suggest that heteromeric assembly of Kv1.2 and Kv1.5 α subunits was occurring (Figure 5⇑). To determine whether this DTX-insensitive K⁺ current was O₂ sensitive, the effects of hypoxia were examined. Figure 6A⇓ shows that hypoxia significantly inhibited the Kv1.2/Kv1.5 current re- corded at 80 mV; in the example shown, hypoxia reversibly inhibited current by ≈18%. In addition, the inset in Figure 6A⇓ shows that hypoxia also inhibited this current at −20 mV. Figures 6B⇓ and 6C⇓ summarize the meaned data confirming that hypoxia significantly inhibited current at physiologically important potentials. For example, hypoxia inhibited current at −40 mV by ≈65% (P<0.05; n=5). The observation that hypoxia significantly inhibited current at potentials more negative than −20 mV provides further evidence supporting a heteromeric assembly of Kv1.2 and Kv1.5 α subunits and suggests that this O₂-sensitive heteromeric channel may be an important molecular component of the O₂-sensitive K⁺ current in PA VSMCs.

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Figure 6.

Effect of hypoxia on Kv1.2/Kv1.5 current expressed in mouse L cells. A, Representative currents elicited in response to step depolarization from −80 mV to 80 mV before, during, and after 10 minutes of exposure to hypoxic solution. Inset shows representative Kv1.2/Kv1.5 currents recorded at −20 mV before, during, and after 10 minutes of exposure to hypoxic solution. Although not apparent in inset, peak tail currents were reduced by 40% under hypoxia. B, Graph shows mean I-V relationship of normalized Kv1.2/Kv1.5 current (n=5). C, Bar graph highlighting effect of hypoxia on Kv1.2/Kv1.5 current at more negative potentials. D, Representative current tracings illustrating O₂ sensitivity of Kv1.2/Kv1.5 tandem construct.

To control the subunit stoichiometry of the Kv1.2/Kv1.5 heteromeric complex, a tandem construct was created in which Kv1.5 was placed upstream of, and in frame with, Kv1.2. This tandem had similar activation kinetics and voltage-sensitivity of the heteromeric currents shown in Figures 5A⇑ and 5B⇑, respectively (data not shown). Figure 6D⇑ shows the tandem construct also had the expected O₂ sensitivity.

To confirm the expression and examine the cellular distribution of the Kv1.2 and Kv1.5 channel α subunits in vivo, cyrosections of rat pulmonary resistance vessels were stained with Kv1.2 and Kv1.5 antibodies, as shown in Figure 7⇓. Figures 7A⇓ and 7B⇓ illustrate that Kv1.2 staining was localized to the smooth muscle layer. Because the anti-GST-Kv1.2 fusion protein antibody had not been used previously to stain vascular tissue, Kv1.2 immunolocalization was repeated with a second antibody directed against a peptide immunogen. The same staining pattern was observed with this antipeptide, the affinity-purified Kv1.2 antibody (data not shown). Figures 7E⇓ and 7F⇓ show the localization of the Kv1.5 channel protein; Kv1.5 was also localized to the smooth muscle layer, as previously described by Archer et al.¹⁴ The remaining panels of Figure 7⇓ show controls for antibody specificity. Figures 7C⇓ and 7D⇓ illustrate Kv1.2 antibody binding after preincubation with either GSH-T or GSH-T/Kv1.2 fusion protein, respectively. Although the antibody binding was unaffected by preincubation with GSH-T, it was eliminated with the channel containing the fusion protein. The same results were obtained with the Kv1.5 antibody after preincubation with GSH-T and GSH-T/Kv1.5 fusion protein (Figures 7G⇓ and 7H⇓. Taken together, these data confirm that both the Kv1.2 and Kv1.5 channels are expressed in PA smooth muscle cells.

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Figure 7.

Immunolocalization of Kv1.2 and Kv1.5 α subunits in rat pulmonary resistance arteries. Resistance vessels (250 to 300 μm, at least third division) were stained with either Kv1.2 (A through D) or Kv1.5 (E through H) antibodies. A and E represent phase images of tissue sections stained with anti-Kv1.2 and anti-Kv1.5 antibodies, B and F, respectively. C and G show binding of anti-Kv1.2 and Kv1.5 antibodies, respectively, after antibody preincubation with GSH-T. D and H illustrate block of specific binding after preincubation with GSH-T/Kv1.2 and GSH-T/Kv1.5 fusion proteins, respectively. Exposure conditions for C, D, G, and H were identical. Note that reduced magnification images in C, D, G, and H are of longitudinally sectioned vessels identical to those illustrated in panels A, B, E, and F. Calibration bar=100 μm in A.