Properties of the apamin-sensitive Ca2+-activated K+ channel in PC12 pheochromocytoma cells which hyper-produce the apamin receptor.

Undifferentiated PC12 cell produce high levels of apamin receptors (measured with 125I-apamin) after 7 days in culture. These levels are at least 50 times higher than those found in other cellular types which are also known to have apamin receptors and apamin-sensitive Ca2+-activated K+ channels in their membranes. Treatment of undifferentiated PC12 cells with nerve growth factor maintains these cells in a state having a low level (10 times less after 7 days of culture) of apamin receptors. Ca2+ injection into PC12 cells with the calcium ionophore A23187 has been used to monitor the activity of the Ca2+-activated K+ channel following 86Rb+ efflux. A large component of this Ca2+-activated 86Rb+ efflux is inhibited by apamin. Half-maximum inhibition by apamin of both 86Rb+ efflux and 125I-apamin binding was observed at 240 pM apamin. Another component of 86Rb+ efflux is due to another type of Ca2+-activated K+ channel which is resistant to apamin and sensitive to tetraethylammonium. The Ca2+ channel activator Bay K8644 also triggers an apamin-sensitive Ca2+-dependent 86Rb+ efflux. Bay K8644 has been used to analyze the internal Ca2+ concentration dependence of the apamin-sensitive channel activity. Under normal conditions, the internal Ca2+ concentration is 109 +/- 17 nM, and the apamin-sensitive channel is not activated. The channel is fully activated at an internal Ca2+ concentration of 320 +/- 20 nM.