Biomaterial Database

A large conductance K(+)-selective channel of guinea pig villus enterocytes is Ca2+ independent. 1992

G M Mintenig, and A S Monaghan, and F V Sepúlveda

Agricultural and Food Research Council Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics Research, Cambridge, United Kingdom.

The presence of K(+)-selective channels has been probed in enterocytes isolated from guinea pig small intestinal villi by the patch-clamp technique. A channel with a single-channel conductance of approximately 130 pS was observed in excised inside-out patches bathed in symmetrical K+. A change in the K+ concentration in the intracellular aspect of the membrane altered the current-voltage relationship as expected from the constant-field equation when it is assumed that K+ is the only permeant ion. A change in Cl- concentration was without effect. Neither the activity of the channel nor its conductance was altered by addition of ATP or Ba2+ to the intracellular side of the patches. Changes in the free Ca2+ concentration were also without effect. The channel's open probability showed no voltage dependence and appeared only occasionally active in cell-attached patches where it had a linear current-voltage relation. The K+ channel described, which cannot be readily classified in any of the known classes of K+ channels, might provide an exit pathway for K+ recycling in guinea pig villus enterocytes.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007413	Intestinal Mucosa	Lining of the INTESTINES, consisting of an inner EPITHELIUM, a middle LAMINA PROPRIA, and an outer MUSCULARIS MUCOSAE. In the SMALL INTESTINE, the mucosa is characterized by a series of folds and abundance of absorptive cells (ENTEROCYTES) with MICROVILLI.	Intestinal Epithelium,Intestinal Glands,Epithelium, Intestinal,Gland, Intestinal,Glands, Intestinal,Intestinal Gland,Mucosa, Intestinal
D007422	Intestines	The section of the alimentary canal from the STOMACH to the ANAL CANAL. It includes the LARGE INTESTINE and SMALL INTESTINE.	Intestine
D008871	Microvilli	Minute projections of cell membranes which greatly increase the surface area of the cell.	Brush Border,Striated Border,Border, Brush,Border, Striated,Borders, Brush,Borders, Striated,Brush Borders,Microvillus,Striated Borders
D011188	Potassium	An element in the alkali group of metals with an atomic symbol K, atomic number 19, and atomic weight 39.10. It is the chief cation in the intracellular fluid of muscle and other cells. Potassium ion is a strong electrolyte that plays a significant role in the regulation of fluid volume and maintenance of the WATER-ELECTROLYTE BALANCE.
D002118	Calcium	A basic element found in nearly all tissues. It is a member of the alkaline earth family of metals with the atomic symbol Ca, atomic number 20, and atomic weight 40. Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the body and combines with phosphorus to form calcium phosphate in the bones and teeth. It is essential for the normal functioning of nerves and muscles and plays a role in blood coagulation (as factor IV) and in many enzymatic processes.	Coagulation Factor IV,Factor IV,Blood Coagulation Factor IV,Calcium-40,Calcium 40,Factor IV, Coagulation
D004594	Electrophysiology	The study of the generation and behavior of electrical charges in living organisms particularly the nervous system and the effects of electricity on living organisms.
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D001692	Biological Transport	The movement of materials (including biochemical substances and drugs) through a biological system at the cellular level. The transport can be across cell membranes and epithelial layers. It also can occur within intracellular compartments and extracellular compartments.	Transport, Biological,Biologic Transport,Transport, Biologic
D015221	Potassium Channels	Cell membrane glycoproteins that are selectively permeable to potassium ions. At least eight major groups of K channels exist and they are made up of dozens of different subunits.	Ion Channels, Potassium,Ion Channel, Potassium,Potassium Channel,Potassium Ion Channels,Channel, Potassium,Channel, Potassium Ion,Channels, Potassium,Channels, Potassium Ion,Potassium Ion Channel