RESUMEN
Two classes of cysteinyl leukotriene receptor, CysLT(1) and CysLT(2), have been identified and pharmacologically characterized in human tissues. Although the CysLT(1) receptor mediates the proinflammatory effects of leukotrienes in human asthma, the physiological roles of CysLT(2) receptor are not defined, and a suitable mouse model would be useful in delineating function. We report here the molecular cloning and characterization of the mouse CysLT(2) receptor (mCysLT(2)R) from heart tissue. mCysLT(2)R cDNA encodes a protein of 309 amino acids, truncated at both ends compared with the human ortholog (hCysLT(2)R). The gene resides on the central region of mouse chromosome 14 and is composed of 6 exons with the entire coding region located in the last exon. Two 5'-untranslated region splice variants were identified with the short form lacking exon 3 as the predominant transcript. Although the overall expression of mCysLT(2)R is very low, the highest expression was detected in spleen, thymus, and adrenal gland by ribonuclease protection assay, and discrete sites of expression in heart were observed by in situ hybridization. Intracellular calcium mobilization in response to cysteinyl leukotriene administration was detected in human embryonic kidney 293T cells transfected with recombinant mCysLT(2)R with a rank order of potency leukotriene C(4)(LTC(4) ) = LTD(4)>>LTE(4). [(3)H]LTD(4) binding to membranes expressing mCysLT(2)R could be effectively competed by LTC(4) and LTD(4) and only partially inhibited by LTE(4) and BAYu9773. The identification of mCysLT(2)R will be useful for establishing CysLT(2)R-deficient mice and determining novel leukotriene functions.
Asunto(s)
Empalme Alternativo , ADN Complementario/metabolismo , Proteínas de la Membrana , Receptores de Leucotrienos/química , Receptores de Leucotrienos/genética , Regiones no Traducidas 5' , Glándulas Suprarrenales/metabolismo , Secuencia de Aminoácidos , Animales , Secuencia de Bases , Unión Competitiva , Northern Blotting , Calcio/metabolismo , Línea Celular , Células Cultivadas , Mapeo Cromosómico , Clonación Molecular , Cruzamientos Genéticos , Relación Dosis-Respuesta a Droga , Exones , Humanos , Hibridación in Situ , Intrones , Leucotrieno C4/metabolismo , Leucotrieno D4/metabolismo , Ratones , Ratones Endogámicos C57BL , Modelos Genéticos , Datos de Secuencia Molecular , Miocardio/metabolismo , Estructura Terciaria de Proteína , ARN Mensajero/metabolismo , Ensayo de Unión Radioligante , Proteínas Recombinantes/metabolismo , Reacción en Cadena de la Polimerasa de Transcriptasa Inversa , Homología de Secuencia de Aminoácido , Bazo/metabolismo , Timo/metabolismo , Distribución Tisular , TransfecciónRESUMEN
We report here a characterization of two families of calcium-activated K(+) channel beta-subunits, beta2 and beta3, which are encoded by distinct genes that map to 3q26.2-27. A single beta2 family member and four alternatively spliced variants of beta3 were investigated. These subunits have predicted molecular masses of 27. 1-31.6 kDa, share approximately 30-44% amino acid identity with beta1, and exhibit distinct but overlapping expression patterns. Coexpression of the beta2 or beta3a-c subunits with a BK alpha-subunit altered the functional properties of the current expressed by the alpha-subunit alone. The beta2 subunit rapidly and completely inactivated the current and shifted the voltage dependence for activation to more polarized membrane potentials. In contrast, coexpression of the beta3a-c subunits resulted in only partial inactivation of the current, and the beta3b subunit conferred an apparent inward rectification. Furthermore, unlike the beta1 and beta2 subunits, none of the beta3 subunits increased channel sensitivity to calcium or voltage. The tissue-specific expression of these beta-subunits may allow for the assembly of a large number of distinct BK channels in vivo, contributing to the functional diversity of native BK currents.