Inhibition of large-conductance Ca2+-activated K+ channels by nanomolar concentrations of Ag+.

ABSTRACT: Silver has been widely used in various medical products because of its antibacterial properties. However, there is only limited information concerning silver-related cytotoxicity. In this study we show that Ag(+) at low nanomolar concentrations (<10 nM) strongly inhibits the activity of large-conductance Ca(2+)-activated K(+) channels (BK) (Slo1), a widely expressed and physiologically important potassium channel. The Ag(+) inhibition is caused by irreversible modification on cytosolically accessible parts of the BK channel. At least four intracellular cysteines are involved in this process. In addition, at least one of these key cysteines is not accessible to the bulkier thiolate-active reagent [2-(trimethylammonium)ethyl] methanethiosulfonate bromide. One of the cysteine-less constructs

SUBMITTER: Zhou Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2981364 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature