Estrogens and xenoestrogens have non-genomic effects mediated by plasma membrane receptors unrelated to the nuclear estrogen receptor (1). One of these is to increase the NP o of BK 1 channels (2), Ca 2ϩ -sensitive members of the voltage-gated K ϩ channel superfamily with important functions in many cells (3). BK channels are composed of ␣ and  subunits. The ␣ subunit forms the K ϩ -selective pore, while  subunits influence the pharmacology, kinetics, and voltage/Ca 2ϩ -sensitivity of BK channels. The 1 subunit of smooth muscle BK channels is physiologically important because knockout mice lacking this subunit are hypertensive and demonstrate altered vascular reactivity (4, 5). Recent studies suggest that BK channels are potential targets for 17E and xenoestrogens. BK channel NP o is increased by 17E, an effect that requires the regulatory 1 subunit (2). 17E and xenoestrogens reduce coronary vascular tone by inhibiting L-type Ca 2ϩ channels and activating BK channels (6). The pharmacological nature of the putative 17E-binding site on the smooth muscle BK 1 subunit is unknown. The xenoestrogen Tx, a commonly used chemotherapeutic agent, is an antagonist of the nuclear estrogen receptor (7). It is not known, however, if this clinically important drug increases BK channel NP o . We investigated whether Tx increases BK channel NP o in smooth muscle cells and whether the 1 subunit is important for this effect. These findings give insight into BK channel structure and function, non-genomic regulation by xenoestrogens, and Tx-induced side effects.
MATERIALS AND METHODSCell Isolation and Preparation-Smooth muscle cells were isolated by enzymatic dispersion described previously (8). Dogs were anesthetized with ketamine, and the colon was removed via a midline incision. Mice were anesthetized with chloroform and killed by cervical dislocation. Human tissue samples were obtained from consenting patients undergoing gastric bypass for the treatment of morbid obesity. Circular muscle of the canine colon and human jejunum was dissected free of mucosa, submucosa, and longitudinal muscle in Ca 2ϩ -free Hanks solution. Strips of muscle were treated with collagenase (345 units/ml; Worthington Biochemical Corp.; Freehold, NJ) in Ca 2ϩ -free Hanks at 37°C to produce suspensions of single cells by gentle stirring. Mouse colon (circular and longitudinal muscle layers) was dissected free of mucosa prior to enzymatic dispersion. Mouse aorta and canine mesenteric vein were enzymatically digested without further dissection.HEK293 cells (ATCC cell line number CRL-1573; Manassas, VA) were grown in glutamax-supplemented RPMI medium (Life Technologies, Inc., Manassas, VA) with 10% heat-inactivated horse serum (Summit Biotechnology; Fort Collins, CO) in a humidified atmosphere with 5% CO 2 at 37°C. cDNA encoding the ␣ and 1 subunits from canine colonic smooth was cloned into the pZEOSV mammalian expression vector (Invitrogen; Carlsbad, CA) as described previously (9). Cells were transiently transfected via electroporation with a tot...