Kcnj10 is a major type of K+ channel in mouse corneal epithelial cells and plays a role in initiating EGFR signaling.

Kcnj10 is a major type of K+ channel in mouse corneal epithelial cells and plays a role in initiating EGFR signaling.
Am J Physiol Cell Physiol. 2014 Aug 6;
Authors: Wang L, Zhang C, Su X, Lin D
Abstract
We used primary mouse corneal epithelial cells (pMCE) to examine the role of Kcnj10 in determining membrane K(+) conductance and cell membrane potential, and in regulating EGF/TGFA release. Western blot, immunostaining and RT-PCR detected the expression of Kcnj10 in mouse cornea. The single channel recording identified the 20 pS inwardly rectifying K(+) channels in pMCE of WT mice but these channels were absent in Kcnj10(-/-). Moreover, the whole cell recording demonstrates that deletion of Kcnj10 largely abolished the inward K(+) currents and depolarized the cell membrane K(+) reversal potential (an index of the cell membrane potential). This suggests that Kcnj10 is a main contributor to the cell K(+) conductance, and it is pivotal in generating membrane potential in cornea. Furthermore, to test the hypothesis that Kcnj10 expression plays a key role in the stimulation of growth factors release, we employed an immortalized human corneal epithelial cell line (HCE) transfected with siRNA-Kcnj10 or siRNA-control. Levels of TGFA and EGF secreted in the medium were measured by ELISA. Co-immunoprecipitation, biotinylation and pull-down assay were used to examine the expression of EGFR and the GTP bound form of Rac1 (active Rac1). Down-regu...

Source: Am J Physiol Cell Ph... - August 6, 2014 Category: Cytology Authors: Wang L, Zhang C, Su X, Lin D Tags: Am J Physiol Cell Physiol Source Type: research