Ma, Yan. / "Ca" in the title is subscript. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2011. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 143-166). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstract also in Chinese.

3-Hydroxy-3-Methylglutaryl Coenzyme A (HMG CoA) reductase is a 97 kDa glycoprotein located in the endoplasmic reticulum responsible for cholesterol biosynthesis in mammalian liver and intestine. HMG CoA reductase inhibitors (statins) (e.g. simvastatin, mevastatin and parvastatin) are used clinically to treat and prevent coronary artery diseases by reducing plasma LDL-cholesterol level. Recent studies have demonstrated that statins can provide beneficial effects (pleiotropic effects) beyond its lipid-lowering activity. However, the modulatory effects of statins on ion channels activities have not been fully explored. Hence, this study is designed to demonstrate the existence of the HMG CoA reductase in various human isolate cardiovascular preparations and the modulatory effect(s) of simvastatin on both large-conductance calcium-activated (BKCa) and ATP-sensitive (IKATP) potassium channels of porcine isolated coronary vascular smooth muscle cells. / In conclusion, our results demonstrated the biochemical existence of HMG CoA reductase in various human isolated cardiovascular preparations and porcine isolated coronary artery. Simvastatin modulates the BKCa and IKATP channels of the porcine isolated coronary artery via different and multiple cellular mechanisms. / In this study, we demonstrated the biochemical existence of the HMG CoA reductase in various human isolated cardiovascular preparations and porcine isolated coronary artery. In addition, we demonstrated that simvastatin modulates both the BKCa channels and IKATP channels of porcine isolated coronary artery via different mechanisms. Acute application of simvastatin (100 nM) slightly enhanced whereas simvastatin (≥ 1 muM) inhibited the BKCa amplitude of porcine coronary artery smooth muscle cells. The classical HMG CoA reductase-mevalonate cascade is important in mediating the inhibitory effect of simvastatin observed at low concentrations (1 and 3 muM), whereas an increased PKC-delta protein expression and activation is important in simvastatin (10 muM)-mediated inhibition of BKCa channels. In contrast, the basal activity of the IKATP channels was not affected by simvastatin (1, 3 and 10 muM). However, acute application of simvastatin (1, 3 and 10 muM) inhibited the opening of the IKATP channels by cromakalim and pinacidil in a PP2A-dependent manner (sensitive to okadaic acid, a PP2A inhibitor). The okadaic acid-sensitive, simvastatin-mediated inhibitory effect on IKATP channel is mediated by an activation of AMPK in a Ca2+-dependent manner. Activation of AMPK probably increased the activity of the Na+/K+ ATPase and subsequently caused an influx of glucose via the SGLT1 down the Na + concentration gradient for the ouabain-sensitive, glucose-dependent activation of PP2A. / Seto, Sai Wang. / Adviser: Yiu-Wa Kwan. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 70-06, Section: B, page: 3456. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2008. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 221-254). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Electronic reproduction. [Ann Arbor, MI] : ProQuest Information and Learning, [200-] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / School code: 1307.

Han, Jianguo. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2008. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 66-76). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / Declaration --- p.i / Acknowledgement --- p.□ / Publication --- p.□ / Abstract (English) --- p.□xi / Abstract (Chinese) --- p.□ / Abbreviations --- p.ix / List of figures / tables --- p.x / Chapter Chapter 1. --- General Introduction / Chapter 1.1 --- Role of vascular smooth muscle cells in the control of coronary circulation --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1.1 --- Potassium channels in the coronary smooth muscle cells --- p.2 / Chapter 1.1.1.1 --- Voltage -dependent potassium (Kv) channels --- p.3 / Chapter 1.1.1.2 --- Inward rectifier K+ (Kir) channels --- p.4 / Chapter 1.1.1.3 --- ATP-sensitive potassium (Katp) channels --- p.4 / Chapter 1.1.2 --- BKCa channels in the regulation of vascular function --- p.6 / Chapter 1.1.2.1 --- The structure of BKCa channels --- p.6 / Chapter 1.1.2.2 --- Role of BKCa channels in the regulation of vascular function --- p.6 / Chapter 1.2 --- Functional alteration of the coronary SMCs during cardiac surgery --- p.7 / Chapter 1.2.1 --- Effect of ischemia on the function of SMCs in the coronary circulation --- p.8 / Chapter 1.2.2 --- Effect of cardioplegic/organ preservation solutions on the function of SMCs in the coronary circulation --- p.11 / Chapter Chapter 2. --- Materials and Methods --- p.14 / Chapter 2.1 --- Isometric force study in small coronary arteries --- p.14 / Chapter 2.1.1 --- Preparation of porcine small coronary arteries --- p.14 / Chapter 2.1.2 --- Experiment procedure --- p.15 / Chapter 2.1.2.1 --- Mounting of small coronary arteries --- p.15 / Chapter 2.1.2.2 --- Normalization procedure for small coronary arteries --- p.16 / Chapter 2.1.2.3 --- Precontraction and relaxation --- p.17 / Chapter 2.1.3 --- Data acquisition and analysis --- p.17 / Chapter 2.2 --- Patch-clamp electrophysiology --- p.18 / Chapter 2.2.1 --- Preparation of porcine coronary arteries --- p.18 / Chapter 2.2.2 --- Enzymatic dissociation of coronary arterial SMCs --- p.18 / Chapter 2.2.3 --- Primary cell culture --- p.19 / Chapter 2.2.4 --- Recording of BKca channel currents --- p.19 / Chapter 2.3 --- Statistical analysis --- p.21 / Chapter 2.4 --- Chemicals --- p.21 / Chapter Chapter 3. --- The Effect of Ischemia on BKCa channels in the Isolated SMCs of Coronary Arteries --- p.22 / Chapter 3.1 --- Abstract --- p.22 / Chapter 3.2 --- Introduction --- p.23 / Chapter 3.3 --- Experimental design and analysis --- p.25 / Chapter 3.3.1 --- Isometric force study in small coronary arteries --- p.25 / Chapter 3.3.2 --- Effect of ischemia on NS1619-induced relaxation in small coronary arteries --- p.26 / Chapter 3.3.3 --- Effect of ischemia on smooth muscle BKca channel currents --- p.27 / Chapter 3.3.3.1 --- Preparation of porcine coronary artery --- p.27 / Chapter 3.3.3.2 --- Enzymatic dissociation of coronary arterial SMCs --- p.27 / Chapter 3.3.3.3 --- Recording of BKCa channel currents --- p.27 / Chapter 3.3.4 --- Data acquisition and analysis --- p.28 / Chapter 3.4 --- Results --- p.28 / Chapter 3.4.1 --- Electrophysiological studies --- p.28 / Chapter 3.4.1.1 --- Effect of IBTX on the whole cell outward currents --- p.29 / Chapter 3.4.1.2 --- Effect of ischemia on the IBTX-sensitive BKca currents --- p.30 / Chapter 3.4.2 --- Relaxation studies --- p.30 / Chapter 3.4.2.1 --- Resting force --- p.30 / Chapter 3.4.2.2 --- U46619-induced contraction force --- p.31 / Chapter 3.4.2.3 --- Effect of IBTX on the NS1619-induced relaxation --- p.31 / Chapter 3.4.2.4 --- Effect of ischemia on the NS1619-induced relaxation --- p.31 / Chapter 3.5 --- Discussion --- p.32 / Chapter 3.5.1 --- Functional changes of the coronary smooth muscle BKca channels after ischemic exposure --- p.33 / Chapter 3.5.2 --- Role of BKca channels in SMCs during ischemia --- p.33 / Chapter 3.5.3 --- Clinical implications --- p.35 / Chapter Chapter 4. --- The Effect of Hyperkalemia on BKCa channels in the Isolated SMCs of Coronary Arteries --- p.41 / Chapter 4.1 --- Abstract --- p.41 / Chapter 4.2 --- Introduction --- p.42 / Chapter 4.3 --- Experimental design and analysis --- p.44 / Chapter 4.3.1 --- Isometric force study in small coronary arteries --- p.44 / Chapter 4.3.1.1 --- Effect of hyperkalemia on NS1619-mediated relaxation in small coronary arteries --- p.44 / Chapter 4.3.2. --- Effect of hyperkalemia on BKCa currents of SMCs --- p.45 / Chapter 4.3.2.1 --- Preparation of porcine coronary arteries --- p.45 / Chapter 4.3.2.2 --- Enzymatic dissociation of coronary arterial SMCs --- p.45 / Chapter 4.3.2.3 --- Recording of BKca channel currents --- p.46 / Chapter 4.3.3. --- Data acquisition and analysis --- p.46 / Chapter 4.4 --- Results --- p.47 / Chapter 4.4.1 --- Effect of hyperkalemia on the iberiotoxin-sensitive BKCa channel currents --- p.47 / Chapter 4.4.2 --- Relaxation studies --- p.48 / Chapter 4.4.2.1 --- Resting force --- p.48 / Chapter 4.4.2.2 --- U46619- and high K+-induced contraction force --- p.48 / Chapter 4.4.2.3 --- Effect of high K+ on the NS1619-induced relaxation --- p.48 / Chapter 4.4.2.4 --- Effect of IBTX on the NS1619-induced relaxation --- p.49 / Chapter 4.5 --- Discussion --- p.49 / Chapter 4.5.1 --- Role of BKCa channels in the isolated SMCs in hyperkalemic solution --- p.50 / Chapter 4.5.2 --- Functional changes of BKCa channels in coronary SMCs in hyperkalemia exposure --- p.51 / Chapter 4.5.3 --- Clinical implications --- p.52 / Chapter Chapter 5. --- General Discussion --- p.58 / Chapter 5.1 --- BKCa channels in porcine coronary SMCs --- p.59 / Chapter 5.2 --- Alteration of BKCa function related to ischemia in porcine coronary SMCs --- p.60 / Chapter 5.3 --- Alteration of BKCa function related to hyperkalemia in porcine coronary SMCs --- p.61 / Chapter 5.4 --- Limitation of the study --- p.62 / Chapter 5.5 --- Future investigations --- p.63 / Chapter 5.6 --- Conclusions --- p.63 / References --- p.66

Asparagine (N)-linked glycosylation occurs on 90% of membrane and secretory proteins and drives folding and trafficking along the secretory pathway. The N-glycan can be attached to an N-X-T/S-Y (X,Y ≠ P) consensus site by one of two oligosaccharyltransferase (OST) STT3 enzymatic isoforms either during protein translation (co-translational) or after protein translation has completed (post-translational). While co-translational N-glycosylation is both rapid and efficient, post-translational N-glycosylation occurs on a much slower time scale and, due to competition with protein degradation and forward trafficking, could be detrimental to the success of a peptide heavily reliant on post-translational N-glycosylation. In evidence, mutations in K+ channel subunits that shift N-glycosylation kinetics have been directly linked to cardiac arrhythmias. My thesis work focuses on identifying primary sequence factors that affect the rate of N-glycosylation. To identify the molecular determinants that dictate whether a consensus site acquires its initial N-glycan during or after protein synthesis, I used short (~ 100-170 aa) type I transmembrane peptides from the KCNE family (E1-E5) of K+ channel regulatory subunits. The lifetime of these small membrane proteins in the ER translocon is short, which places a significant time constraint on the co-translational N-glycosylation machinery and increases the resolution between co- and post-translational events. Using rapid metabolic pulse-chase experiments described in Chapter II, I identified several molecular determinants among native consensus sites in the KCNE family that favor co-translational N-glycosylation: threonine containing-consensus sites (NXT), multiple N-terminal consensus sites, and long C-termini. The kinetics could also be shifted towards post-translational N-glycosylation by converting to a serine containing-consensus site (NXS), reducing the number of consensus sites in the peptide, and shortening the C-termini. In Chapter III, I utilized an E2 scaffold peptide to examine the N-glycosylation kinetics of the middle X residue in an NXS consensus site. I found that large hydrophobic and negatively charged residues hinder co-translational N-glycosylation, while polar, small hydrophobic, and positively charged residues had the highest N-glycosylation efficiencies. Poorly N-glycosylated NXS consensus sites with large hydrophobic and negatively charged X residues had a significantly improved co-translational N-glycosylation efficiency upon conversion to NXT sites. Also in Chapter III, I adapted a siRNA knockdown strategy to definitively identify the OST STT3 isoforms that perform co- and post-translational N-glycosylation for type I transmembrane substrates. I found that the STT3A isoform predominantly performs co-translational N-glycosylation while the STT3B isoform predominantly performs post-translational N-glycosylation, in agreement with the roles of these enzymatic subunits on topologically different substrates. Taken together, these findings further the ability to predict the success of a consensus site by primary sequence alone and will be helpful for the identification and characterization of N-glycosylation deficiency diseases.

KCNQ1 is a homotetrameric voltage-gated potassium channel expressed in cardiomyocytes and epithelial tissues. However, currents arising from KCNQ1 have never been physiologically observed. KCNQ1 is able to provide the diverse potassium conductances required by these distinct cell types through coassembly with and modulation by type I transmembrane β-subunits of the KCNE gene family. KCNQ1-KCNE K+ channels play important physiological roles. In cardiac tissues the association of KCNQ1 with KCNE1 gives rise to IKs, the slow delayed outwardly rectifying potassium current. IKs is in part responsible for repolarizing heart muscle, and is therefore crucial in maintaining normal heart rhymicity. IKschannels help terminate each action potential and provide cardiac repolarization reserve. As such, mutations in either subunit can lead to Romano-Ward Syndrome or Jervell and Lange-Nielsen Syndrome, two forms of Q-T prolongation. In epithelial cells, KCNQ1-KCNE1, KCNQ1-KCNE2 and KCNQ1-KCNE3 give rise to potassium currents required for potassium recycling and secretion. These functions arise because the biophysical properties of KCNQ1 are always dramatically altered by KCNE co-expression. We wanted to understand how KCNE peptides are able to modulate KCNQ1. In Chapter II, we produce partial truncations of KCNE3 and demonstrate the transmembrane domain is necessary and sufficient for both assembly with and modulation of KCNQ1. Comparing these results with published results obtained from chimeric KCNE peptides and partial deletion mutants of KCNE1, we propose a bipartite modulation residing in KCNE peptides. Transmembrane modulation is either active (KCNE3) or permissive (KCNE1). Active transmembrane KCNE modulation masks juxtamembranous C-terminal modulation of KCNQ1, while permissive modulation allows C-terminal modulation of KCNQ1 to express. We test our hypothesis, and demonstrate C-terminal Long QT point mutants in KCNE1 can be masked by active trasnsmembrane modulation. Having confirmed the importance the C-terminus of KCNE1, we continue with two projects designed to elucidate KCNE1 C-terminal structure. In Chapter III we conduct an alanine-perturbation scan within the C-terminus. C-terminal KCNE1 alanine point mutations result in changes in the free energy for the KCNQ1-KCNE1 channel complex. High-impact point mutants cluster in an arrangement consistent with an alphahelical secondary structure, "kinked" by a single proline residue. In Chapter IV, we use oxidant-mediated disulfide bond formation between non-native cysteine residues to demonstrate amino acid side chains residing within the C-terminal domain of KCNE1 are close and juxtaposed to amino acid side chains on the cytoplasmic face of the KCNQ1 pore domain. Many of the amino acids identified as high impact through alanine perturbation correspond with residues identified as able to form disulfide bonds with KCNQ1. Taken together, we demonstrate that the interaction between the C-terminus of KCNE1 and the pore domain of KCNQ1 is required for the proper modulation of KCNQ1 by KCNE1, and by extension, normal IKs function and heart rhymicity.

No description available.

The Vestibulo-Ocular Reflex (VOR) produces compensatory eye movements in response to head and body rotations movements, over a wide range of frequencies and in a variety of dimensions. The individual components of the VOR are separated into parallel pathways, each dealing with rotations or movements in individual planes or axes. The Horizontal VOR (hVOR) compensates for eye movements in the Horizontal plane, and comprises a linear and non-linear pathway. The linear pathway of the hVOR provides fast and accurate compensation for rotations, the response being produced through 3-neuron arc, producing a direct translation of detected head velocity to compensatory eye velocity. However, single neurons involved in the middle stage of this 3-neuron arc cannot account for the wide frequency over which the reflex compensates, and the response is produced through the population response of the Medial Vestibular Nucleus (MVN) neurons involved. Population Heterogeneity likely plays a role in the production of high fidelity population response, especially for high frequency rotations. Here we present evidence that, in populations of bio-physical compartmental models of the MVN neurons involved, Heterogeneity across the population, in the form of diverse spontaneous firing rates, improves the response fidelity of the population over Homogeneous populations. Further, we show that the specific intrinsic membrane properties that give rise to this Heterogeneity may be the diversity of certain slow voltage activated Potassium conductances of the neurons. We show that Heterogeneous populations perform significantly better than Homogeneous populations, for a wide range of input amplitudes and frequencies, producing a much higher fidelity response. We propose that variance of Potassium conductances provides a plausible biological means by which Heterogeneity arises, and that the Heterogeneity plays an important functional role in MVN neuron population responses. We discuss our findings in relation to the specific mechanism of Desynchronisation through which the benfits of Heterogeneity may arise, and place those findings in the context of previous work on Heterogeneity both in general neural processing, and the VOR in particular. Interesting findings regarding the emergence of phase leads are also discussed, as well as suggestions for future work, looking further at Heterogeneity of MVN neuron populations.

La Fibrose Kystique, causée par des mutations du canal CFTR, mène à la dysfonction du transport des fluides et des ions causant la déshydratation du liquide de surface des voies aériennes et ainsi une défaillance de la clairance mucocilliaire. Ce défaut entraine l’accumulation et l’épaississement du mucus au niveau des bronches qui devient alors un environnement idéal pour le développement d’infections chroniques et d’inflammation qui sont associées à la destruction progressive de l’épithélium chez les patients Fibrose Kystique. Même si leur rôle dans les processus lésionnels est très bien connu, l’impact de médiateurs inflammatoires sur la capacité de réparation ne l’est cependant pas. L’objectif de ma maitrise était donc d’étudier la régulation des mécanismes de réparation de l’épithélium bronchique sain et Fibrose Kystique par le facteur de nécrose tumoral (TNF)-alpha, une cytokine pro-inflammatoire cruciale dans l’initiation et la propagation de la réponse inflammatoire chez les patients FK. À l’aide d’un modèle de plaies mécaniques, nous avons montré que le TNF-alpha stimule la réparation de l’épithélium bronchique sain (NuLi-1) et Fibrose Kystique (CuFi-1). De façon surprenante, l’exposition chronique au TNF-alpha augmente cette stimulation tout comme le taux de migration cellulaire pendant la réparation. Cette augmentation de réparation semble être médiée par l’activation de la métalloprotéinase MMP-9, la relâche d’EGF par les cellules épithéliales et ainsi l’activation de la voie d’EGFR. De plus, l’activation de la réparation par le TNF-alpha semble aussi impliquer l’activation des canaux K+, dont nous avons démontré le rôle important dans la réparation. Contrairement à son effet sur la migration cellulaire et sur la réparation, le TNF-alpha diminue la prolifération cellulaire. En somme, en plus de son rôle dans les processus lésionnels, le TNF-alpha semble avoir un rôle complexe dans les processus de réparation puisqu’il stimule la migration et ralentit la prolifération cellulaire. / Cystic fibrosis (CF) pathology, caused by mutations of cftr gene, leads to ion and fluid transport dysfunction that results in mucus thickening and accumulation in the airways. This mucus accumulation promotes bacterial infection and airway inflammation associated with progressive airway epithelial damage in CF patients, unfortunately leading to respiratory failure. However, the effect of inflammatory products on the repair capacity of respiratory epithelia is unclear. Thus, the objective of my project was to study the regulation of normal and CF bronchial epithelial repair mechanisms by tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF)-alpha, a major component of inflammation initiation and propagation in CF. With a wound healing model, we observed that TNF-alpha stimulated the non-CF (NuLi-1) and CF (CuFi-1) bronchial wound healing rate. Surprisingly, chronic exposure to TNF-alpha enhanced this stimulation as well as the migration rate during repair. This wound healing rate stimulation by TNF-alpha seems to be due to metalloproteinase MMP-9 activation, EGF shedding by epithelial cells and subsequent EGFR transactivation. Furthermore, we recently reported a crucial relationship between the EGF response and K+ channel function, both controlling bronchial repair. We now show that TNF-alpha wound healing stimulation also implicated KvLQT1 and KATP currents activation. In contrast to its effect on cell migration, TNF-alpha downregulate cell proliferation. Thus, in addition to its recognized role in the inflammatory response leading to epithelial injury, TNF-a could exert complex actions on repair mechanisms of CF airway epithelia by upregulating cell migration while downregulating proliferation.

The ATP sensitive potassium channel (KATP) in mouse colonic smooth muscle cell is a complex containing a pore forming subunit (Kir6.1) and a sulfonyl urea receptor subunit (SUR2B). These channels are responsible for maintaining the cellular excitability of the smooth muscle cell which in turn regulates the motility patterns in the colon. We used whole-cell voltage-clamp techniques to study the alterations in these channels in smooth muscle cells in experimental model of colitis (colonic inflammation). Colitis was induced in BALB/C mice following an intracolonic administration of trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS). KATP currents were measured at Vh -60 mV in high K+ external solution. The dose-response to levcromakalim (LEVC), a KATP channel opener, was significantly shifted to the left in the inflamed smooth muscle cells. Both the affinity and maximal currents induced by LEV were enhanced in inflammation. The EC50 in control was 6259 nM (n=10) and 422 nM (n=8) in inflamed colon while the maximal currents were 9.9 ± 0.71 pA/pF (60 μM) in control and 39.7 ± 8.8 pA/pF (3 μM) following inflammation. Similar to LEVC, KATP currents activated by sodium hydrogen sulfide (NaHS) (10-1000 μM) were significantly greater in inflamed compared to controls. In control cells, pretreatment with 100 µM NaHS shifted the EC50 for LEV-induced currents from 2838 nM (n=6) to 154 nM (n=8). These data suggest that NaHS can act as an allosteric modulator for LEV-induced KATP currents. Decreased colonic motility may result from enhanced KATP activation by increased release of H2S in colitis.

Small conductance calcium-activated potassium (SK) channels are found ubiquitously throughout the brain and modulate the encoding of learning and memory. Systemic injection of 1-ethyl-2-benzimidalzolinoe (EBIO), a SK channel activator, impairs the encoding of novel object memory and locomotion but spares fear memory encoding in C57BL/6NHsd mice. The memory impairments discovered were not due to non-cognitive performance confounds such as ataxia, anxiety, attention or analgesia. Further investigation with intra-hippocampal application of EBIO revealed SK channels in dorsal CA1 contribute to the encoding deficits seen systemically, but do not account for the full extent of the impairment. Concentrated activation of dorsal CA1 SK channels do not influence fear memory encoding or locomotor impairments. Taken together, these data indicate SK channels, especially in the dorsal hippocampus, have a modulatory role on novel object memory encoding, but not retrieval; however, pharmacological activation of hippocampal SK channels does not appear to influence fear memory encoding. / by Kyle A. Vick, IV. / Thesis (M.A.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2009. / Includes bibliography. / Electronic reproduction. Boca Raton, Fla., 2009. Mode of access: World Wide Web.