Activation of Ca2+- and cAMP-sensitive K+ channels in murine colonic epithelia by 1-ethyl-2-benzimidazolone

1-Ethyl-2-benzimidazolone (EBIO) caused a sustained increase in electrogenic Cl(-) secretion in isolated mouse colon mucosae, an effect reduced by blocking basolateral K(+) channels. The Ca(2+)-sensitive K(+) channel blocker charybdotoxin (ChTX) and the cAMP-sensitive K(+) channel blocker 293B were more effective when the other had been added first, suggesting that both types of K(+) channel were activated. EBIO did not cause Cl(-) secretion in cystic fibrosis (CF) colonic epithelia. In apically permeabilized colonic mucosae, EBIO increased the K(+) current when a concentration gradient was imposed, an effect that was completely sensitive to ChTX. No current sensitive to trans-6-cyano-4-(N-ethylsulfonyl-N-methylamino)-3-hydroxy-2, 2-dimethylchromane (293B) was found in this condition. However, the presence of basolateral cAMP-sensitive K(+) channels was demonstrated by the development of a 293B-sensitive K(+) current after cAMP application in permeabilized mucosae. In isolated colonic crypts EBIO increased cAMP content but had no effect on intracellular Ca(2+). It is concluded that EBIO stimulates Cl(-) secretion by activating Ca(2+)-sensitive and cAMP-sensitive K(+) channels, thereby hyperpolarizing the apical membrane, which increases the electrical gradient for Cl(-) efflux through the CF transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR). CFTR is also activated by the accumulation of cAMP as well as by direct activation.