A point mutation in the human Slo1 channel that impairs its sensitivity to omega-3 docosahexaenoic acid.

ABSTRACT: Long-chain polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acids such as docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) at nanomolar concentrations reversibly activate human large-conductance Ca(2+)- and voltage-gated K(+) (Slo1 BK) channels containing auxiliary β1 or β4 subunits in cell-free patches. Here we examined the action of DHA on the Slo1 channel without any auxiliary subunit and sought to elucidate the biophysical mechanism and the molecular determinants of the DHA sensitivity. Measurements of ionic currents through human Slo1 (hSlo1) channels reveal that the stimulatory effect of DHA does not require activation of the voltage or Ca(2+) sensors. Unlike gating of the hSlo1 channel, that of the Drosophila melanogaster Slo1 (dSlo1) channel is unaltered by DHA. Our mutagenesis study based on the differential responses of

SUBMITTER: Hoshi T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3813383 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature