AKT2/3 subunits render guard cell K+ channels Ca2+ sensitive

J Gen Physiol. 2005 May;125(5):483-92. doi: 10.1085/jgp.200409211. Epub 2005 Apr 11.

Abstract

Inward-rectifying K+ channels serve as a major pathway for Ca2+-sensitive K+ influx into guard cells. Arabidopsis thaliana guard cell inward-rectifying K+ channels are assembled from multiple K+ channel subunits. Following the recent isolation and characterization of an akt2/3-1 knockout mutant, we examined whether the AKT2/3 subunit carries the Ca2+ sensitivity of the guard cell inward rectifier. Quantification of RT-PCR products showed that despite the absence of AKT2 transcripts in guard cells of the knockout plant, expression levels of the other K+ channel subunits (KAT1, KAT2, AKT1, and AtKC1) remained largely unaffected. Patch-clamp experiments with guard cell protoplasts from wild type and akt2/3-1 mutant, however, revealed pronounced differences in Ca2+ sensitivity of the K+ inward rectifier. Wild-type channels were blocked by extracellular Ca2+ in a concentration- and voltage-dependent manner. Akt2/3-1 mutants lacked the voltage-dependent Ca2+ block, characteristic for the K+ inward rectifier. To confirm the akt2/3-1 phenotype, two independent knockout mutants, akt2-1 and akt2::En-1 were tested, demonstrating that the loss of AKT2/3 indeed affects the Ca2+ dependence of guard cell inward rectifier. In contrast to AKT2 knockout plants, AKT1, AtKC1, and KAT1 loss-of-function mutants retained Ca2+ block of the guard cell inward rectifier. When expressed in HEK293 cells, AKT2 channel displayed a pronounced susceptibility toward extracellular Ca2+, while the dominant guard cell K+ channel KAT2 was Ca2+ insensitive. Thus, we conclude that the AKT2/3 subunit constitutes the Ca2+ sensitivity of the guard cell K+ uptake channel.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Arabidopsis
  • Arabidopsis Proteins / genetics
  • Arabidopsis Proteins / physiology*
  • Calcium / metabolism*
  • Cell Line
  • Gene Expression
  • Humans
  • Ion Channel Gating / physiology
  • Kidney / cytology
  • Membrane Potentials / physiology
  • Mutagenesis
  • Plant Leaves / physiology*
  • Potassium / metabolism*
  • Potassium Channels / genetics
  • Potassium Channels / physiology*

Substances

  • AKT2 protein, Arabidopsis
  • AKT3 protein, Arabidopsis
  • Arabidopsis Proteins
  • Potassium Channels
  • Potassium
  • Calcium