Objective-Middle cerebral artery (MCA) diameter is regulated by inherent myogenic activity and the effect of potent vasodilators such as calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP). Previous studies showed that MCAs express KCNQ1, 4, and 5 potassium channel genes, and the expression products (Kv7 channels) participate in the myogenic control of MCA diameter. The present study investigated the contribution of Kv7.4 and Kv7.5 isoforms to myogenic and CGRP regulation of MCA diameter and determined whether they were affected in hypertensive animals. Approach and Results-Isometric tension recordings performed on MCA from normotensive rats produced CGRP vasodilations that were inhibited by the pan-Kv7 channel blocker linopirdine (P<0.01) and after transfection of arteries with siRNA against KCNQ4 (P<0.01) but not KCNQ5. However, isobaric myography revealed that myogenic constriction in response to increases in intravascular pressure (20-80 mm Hg) was affected by both KCNQ4 and KCNQ5 siRNA. Proximity ligation assay signals were equally abundant for Kv7.4/Kv7.4 or Kv7.4/Kv7.5 antibody combinations but minimal for Kv7.5/Kv7.5 antibodies or Kv7.4/7.1 combinations. In contrast to systemic arteries, Kv7 function and Kv7.4 abundance in MCA were not altered in hypertensive rats. Conclusions-This study reveals, for the first time to our knowledge, that in cerebral arteries, Kv7.4 and Kv7.5 proteins exist predominantly as a functional heterotetramer, which regulates intrinsic myogenicity and vasodilation attributed to CGRP. Surprisingly, unlike systemic arteries, Kv7 activity in MCAs is not affected by the development of hypertension, and CGRP-mediated vasodilation is well maintained. As such, cerebrovascular Kv7 channels could be amenable for therapeutic targeting in conditions such as cerebral vasospasm. evidence demonstrated that Kv7.4 channels in systemic arteries, such as the mesenteric and renal, are severely compromised in hypertension. 2,4 A similar situation in cerebral circulation would lead to a predilection toward vasospasm and may underlie ischemic stroke. Here, we used a combination of molecular and functional approaches to define the interaction of different Kv7 channels in MCA and to ascertain the functional impact of individual Kv7 isoforms in the intrinsic and CGRP-mediated regulation of arterial diameter. Materials and MethodsMaterials and Methods are available in the online-only Supplement. ResultsInitial studies used a pharmacological approach to tease out a functional role for KCNQ1, 4, and 5 that are dominantly expressed in the MCA. 5 The application of a selective Kv7.1 channel blocker, HMR1556 (10 μmol/L), 12 had no effect on MCA tone, whereas the pan-Kv7 channel blocker, linopirdine, evoked robust contractions of MCAs under similar conditions ( Figure 1A). In MCAs precontracted with 0.1 μmol/L U46619, the application of Kv7.2 to Kv7.5 channel activators, retigabine and S-1, caused relaxation in a concentration-dependent manner with the latter being more potent ( Figure 1B). In contrast, the Kv7.1-selective...

Nephrocalcinosis may be defined as a generalized increase in the calcium content of the kidneys. This renal calcification may occur at a molecular, microscopic or macroscopic level leading to progressive amounts of renal damage. The major causes include those associated with an increase in urinary levels of calcium, oxalate and phosphate. Under these conditions, urine concentration and supersaturation leads to calcium crystal precipitation, which may be an intratubular event or initiate within the renal interstitium. The focus of discussion concerning renal calcification is often limited to factors that lead to renal stones (calculi and nephrolithiasis); however, nephrocalcinosis is a more sinister event, and often implies a serious metabolic defect. This review will discuss the hypotheses concerning initiating lesions of nephrocalcinosis using available laboratory and clinical studies and will examine whether new understanding of the molecular basis of tubulopathies, that lead to nephrocalcinosis, has given further insights.

Key pointsr KCNE4 alters the biophysical properties and cellular localization of voltage-gated potassium channel Kv7.4. r KCNE4 is expressed in a variety of arteries and, in mesenteric arteries, co-localizes with Kv7.4, which is important in the control of vascular contractility.r Knockdown of KCNE4 leads to reduced Kv7.4 membrane abundance, a depolarized membrane potential and an augmented response to vasoconstrictors. r KCNE4 is a key regulator of the function and expression of Kv7.4 in vascular smooth muscle.Abstract The KCNE ancillary subunits (KCNE1-5) significantly alter the expression and function of voltage-gated potassium channels; however, their role in the vasculature has yet to be determined. The present study aimed to investigate the expression and function of the KCNE4 subunit in rat mesenteric arteries and to determine whether it has a functional impact on the regulation of arterial tone by Kv7 channels. In HEK cells expressing Kv7.4, co-expression of KCNE4 increased the membrane expression of Kv7.4 and significantly altered Kv7.4 current properties. Quantitative PCR analysis of different rat arteries found that the KCNE4 isoform predominated and proximity ligation experiments showed that KCNE4 co-localized with Kv7.4 in mesenteric artery myocytes. Morpholino-induced knockdown of KCNE4 depolarized mesenteric artery smooth muscle cells and resulted in their increased sensitivity to methoxamine being attenuated (mean ± SEM EC 50 decreased from 5.7 ± 0.63 μM to 1.6 ± 0.23 μM), which coincided with impaired effects of Kv7 modulators. When KCNE4 expression was reduced, less Kv7.4 expression was found in the membrane of the mesenteric artery myocytes. These data show that KCNE4 is consistently expressed in a variety of arteries, and knockdown of the expression product leads to reduced Kv7.4 membrane abundance, a depolarized membrane potential and an augmented response to vasoconstrictors. The present study is the first to demonstrate an integral role of KCNE4 in regulating the function and expression of Kv7.4 in vascular smooth muscle.

Kv7.4 channels are a crucial determinant of arterial diameter both at rest and in response to endogenous vasodilators. However, nothing is known about the factors that ensure effective activity of these channels. We report that G-protein βγ subunits increase the amplitude and activation rate of whole-cell voltage-dependent K + currents sensitive to the Kv7 blocker linopirdine in HEK cells heterologously expressing Kv7.4, and in rat renal artery myocytes. In excised patch recordings, Gβγ subunits (2-250 ng /mL) enhanced the open probability of Kv7.4 channels without changing unitary conductance. Kv7 channel activity was also augmented by stimulation of G-protein-coupled receptors. Gallein, an inhibitor of Gβγ subunits, prevented these stimulatory effects. Moreover, gallein and two other structurally different Gβγ subunit inhibitors (GRK2i and a β-subunit antibody) abolished Kv7 channel currents in the absence of either Gβγ subunit enrichment or G-protein-coupled receptor stimulation. Proximity ligation assay revealed that Kv7.4 and Gβγ subunits colocalized in HEK cells and renal artery smooth muscle cells. Gallein disrupted this colocalization, contracted whole renal arteries to a similar degree as the Kv7 inhibitor linopirdine, and impaired isoproterenol-induced relaxations. Furthermore, mSIRK, which disassociates Gβγ subunits from α subunits without stimulating nucleotide exchange, relaxed precontracted arteries in a linopirdine-sensitive manner. These results reveal that Gβγ subunits are fundamental for Kv7.4 activation and crucial for vascular Kv7 channel activity, which has major consequences for the regulation of arterial tone.Kv7 channels | KCNQ genes | G-protein beta gamma subunits | electrophysiology | vascular biology

The cystic fibrosis (CF) airway surface liquid (ASL) provides a nutrient rich environment for bacterial growth including elevated glucose, which together with defective bacterial killing due to aberrant HCO3− transport and acidic ASL, make the CF airways susceptible to colonisation by respiratory pathogens such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Approximately half of adults with CF have CF related diabetes (CFRD) and this is associated with increased respiratory decline. CF ASL contains elevated lactate concentrations and hyperglycaemia can also increase ASL lactate. We show that primary human bronchial epithelial (HBE) cells secrete lactate into ASL, which is elevated in hyperglycaemia. This leads to ASL acidification in CFHBE, which could only be mimicked in non-CF HBE following HCO3− removal. Hyperglycaemia-induced changes in ASL lactate and pH were exacerbated by the presence of P. aeruginosa and were attenuated by inhibition of monocarboxylate lactate-H+ co-transporters (MCTs) with AR-C155858. We conclude that hyperglycaemia and P. aeruginosa induce a metabolic shift which increases lactate generation and efflux into ASL via epithelial MCT2 transporters. Normal airways compensate for MCT-driven H+ secretion by secreting HCO3−, a process which is dysfunctional in CF airway epithelium leading to ASL acidification and that these processes may contribute to worsening respiratory disease in CFRD.