Differential sensitivity of TREK-1, TREK-2 and TRAAK background potassium channels to the polycationic dye ruthenium red.

ABSTRACT:

Background and purpose

Pharmacological separation of the background potassium currents of closely related K2P channels is a challenging problem. We previously demonstrated that ruthenium red (RR) inhibits TASK-3 (K2 P 9.1), but not TASK-1 (K2 P 3.1) channels. RR has been extensively used to distinguish between TASK currents in native cells. In the present study, we systematically investigate the RR sensitivity of a more comprehensive set of K2 P channels.

Experimental approach

K(+) currents were measured by two-electrode voltage clamp in Xenopus oocytes and by whole-cell patch clamp in mouse dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons.

Key results

RR differentiates between two closely related members of the TREK subfamily. TREK-2 (K2 P 10.1) proved to be highly sensitive to RR

SUBMITTER: Braun G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4376452 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature