Abstract
The energy profile of the interaction between the NH2-terminal inactivation domain and the internal mouth of the Shaker H4 K+ channel has been investigated. Macroscopic currents from channels normally inactivating (Shaker H4) and with the inactivation removed (Shaker H4-IR) were recorded at different temperatures using the cut-open oocyte technique. Changes in temperature had a dramatic effect on the inactivation phase. The following parameters were obtained in Shaker H4, lowering the temperature from 20°C to 5°C: (1) the peak amplitude decreased with the temperature coefficient Q 10 equal to 1.51; (2) the activation time constant increased with a Q 10 equal to 3.14; (3) the decay time constant increased with a Q 10 of 7.20, while the recovery from inactivation was less temperature-dependent (Q 10=1.57) than the installation of the inactivation phase. At 0 mV, the ratio between the steady state level and the peak amplitude of the current increased with a Q 10 of 2.95. These findings indicate that the installation of a fast inactivation process has a strong temperature dependence, while the recovery phase from inactivation is less temperature dependent. These observations support the idea of an NH2-terminal blocking mechanism for inactivation and flexible conformation of the blocking particle.
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Received: 3 April 1996 / Accepted: 30 September 1996
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Nobile, M., Olcese, R., Toro, L. et al. Fast inactivation of Shaker K+ channels is highly temperature dependent. Exp Brain Res 114, 138–142 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1007/PL00005613
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/PL00005613