Statements in which the resource exists as a subject.
PredicateObject
rdf:type
lifeskim:mentions
pubmed:issue
5
pubmed:dateCreated
2003-9-22
pubmed:abstractText
The effect of PbCl2 on membrane potential and intracellular divalent metal cation concentrations of rat thymocytes was examined by flow cytometry. PbCl2 at concentrations of 0.3 microM or higher (up to 10 microM) produced persistent, dose-dependent hyperpolarization (decrease in the intensity of di-BA-C4 fluorescence). Removal of external Ca2+ did not significantly affect the PbCl2-induced hyperpolarization. Charybdotoxin, a specific antagonist of Ca(2+)-dependent K+ conductance, greatly attenuated the PbCl2-induced hyperpolarization. PbCl2 increased the intensity of fluo-3 fluorescence under both normal Ca2+ and nominally Ca(2+)-free conditions. These results suggest that Pb2+ enters thymocytes, causing an increase in fluo-3 fluorescence, and activates Ca(2+)-dependent K+ channels, resulting in hyperpolarization. The persistent activation of K+ channels by Pb2+, leading to persistent hyperpolarization, may be one mechanism whereby Pb2+ alters immune function, as membrane potential changes influence physiological functions of lymphocytes.
pubmed:language
eng
pubmed:journal
pubmed:citationSubset
IM
pubmed:chemical
pubmed:status
MEDLINE
pubmed:month
Oct
pubmed:issn
1520-4081
pubmed:author
pubmed:copyrightInfo
Copyright 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
pubmed:issnType
Print
pubmed:volume
18
pubmed:owner
NLM
pubmed:authorsComplete
Y
pubmed:pagination
321-6
pubmed:dateRevised
2006-11-15
pubmed:meshHeading
pubmed:year
2003
pubmed:articleTitle
PbCl2-induced hyperpolarization of rat thymocytes: involvement of charybdotoxin-sensitive K+ channels.
pubmed:affiliation
Laboratory of Cellular Signaling, Faculty of Integrated Arts and Sciences, University of Tokushima, Tokushima 770-8502, Japan.
pubmed:publicationType
Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't