Functional expression of a Ca2+-activated K+ channel in Xenopus oocytes injected with RNAs from the rat testis.
Biochim Biophys Acta
; 1373(2): 360-5, 1998 Sep 02.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-9733997
ABSTRACT
The present study investigated the feasibility of using Xenopus oocytes to express sperm ion channel by injection of RNAs extracted from the rat testis. The RNA-injected oocytes expressed an outwardly rectifying current which was dependent on K+ concentration and inhibitable by K+ channel blockers, charybdotoxin (CTX) and tetraethylammonium (TEA). The Ca2+ ionophore, ionomycin, could also stimulate current activation with similar current characteristics in the RNA-injected oocytes, suggesting the expression of a Ca2+-activated K+ channel. Immunolocalization indicated predominant Ca2+-activated K+ channel immunoreactivity associated with spermatogenic cells. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction studies confirmed the expression of the Ca2+-activated K+ channel mRNA in isolated spermatogenic cells. Our results suggest that ion channels and/or receptors of spermatogenic cells could be investigated using the Xenopus oocyte as an expression system. The present study also suggests that sperm may possess a Ca2+-activated K+ channel which has been implicated in the process of sperm activation and gamete interaction.
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Bases de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Oócitos
/
Testículo
/
RNA Mensageiro
/
Canais de Potássio
/
Canais de Potássio Cálcio-Ativados
Limite:
Animals
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Biochim Biophys Acta
Ano de publicação:
1998
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
China