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- Title
Voltage-dependent K<sup>+</sup> channel acts as sex steroid sensor in endocrine cells of the human ovary<FNR></FNR><FN>GenBank accession number AY345968 </FN>.
- Authors
Kunz, Lars; Rämsch, Romi; Krieger, Annette; Young, Kelly A.; Dissen, Gregory A.; Stouffer, Richard L.; Ojeda, Sergio R.; Mayerhofer, Artur
- Abstract
Molecular targets of rapid non-genomic steroid actions are not well known compared to those of the classical transcription pathway, but ion channels have recently been identified to be steroid-sensitive. Especially, in the ovary, the very organ producing high amounts of sex steroids, their rapid actions are not well examined. We now identified a yet unknown target for sex steroids, a voltage-dependent K+ channel (Kv4.2) that contributes to a transient outward K+ current (IA) in human granulosa cells (GCs). Sex steroid hormones at concentrations typical for the ovary (1 µM) blocked Kv4.2 thereby attenuating IA by about 25% within seconds. We also found both Kv4.2 (KCND2) mRNA and protein in endocrine cells of the human and rhesus macaque ovary, emphasizing the physiological relevance of this channel. Therefore, we propose a role as fast-responding steroid sensor for the Kv4.2 channel. The direct regulation of K+ channel activity by sex steroids might represent a yet unknown mechanism of rapid steroid action in close proximity to the site of steroid production in the primate ovary. Our data might also be important for Kv4 channels in the brain and the cardiovascular system where rapid steroid effects are discussed in the context of prevention of cell death. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
- Subjects
RHESUS monkeys; OVARIES; STEROIDS; STEROID hormones; ION channels; ACTIVE biological transport; CELL physiology
- Publication
Journal of Cellular Physiology, 2006, Vol 206, Issue 1, p167
- ISSN
0021-9541
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1002/jcp.20453