Abstract
Measurement of extracellular acidification rates by microphysiometry provides a means to analyze the function of ion channels expressed in yeast cells. These measurements depend on the proton pumping action of the H -ATPase, a central component of the yeast plasma membrane. We used microphysiometry to analyze the activity of two ion channels expressed in yeast. In one example, an inwardly rectifying K* channel, gplRKI, provides a potassium uptake function when expressed in a potassium transporter-defective yeast strain. Rates of acidification in gplRKI-expressing cells directly reflect channel function. Addition of cesium, an inhibitor of gplRKI activity, results in an immediate reduction in acidification rates. In a second example, expression of a nonselective cation channel, the influenza virus M2 protein, is believed to interfere with the maintenance of the electrochemical proton gradient by the H -ATPase. In cells expressing the M2 channel, addition of inhibitors increases the rate of proton extrusion. Moreover, functional differences between two M2 inhibitors, amantadine and BL-1743, are distinguished by the microphysiometer. This application demonstrates the utility of the microphysiometer for functional studies of ion channels; it is adaptable to a screening process for compounds that modulate ion channel activity.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 880-883 |
Number of pages | 4 |
Journal | Nature biotechnology |
Volume | 14 |
Issue number | 7 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jul 1996 |
Externally published | Yes |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Biotechnology
- Bioengineering
- Biomedical Engineering
- Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology
- Molecular Medicine