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Poster #11

Endocannabinoid Regulation of Inward Rectifier (Kir2.1) Channels


Ameneh Ahrari, Sultan Mayar, Madeleine M Labonte, Niveny Sinniah, Mina Memarpoor-Yazdiand Nazzareno D'Avanzo

Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Université de Montréal Montréal

The inward rectifier potassium channel Kir2.1 (KCNJ2) is an important regulator of resting membrane potential in both excitable and non-excitable cells. The function of Kir2.1 channels are dependent on their lipid environment, including the availability of PI(4,5)P2, secondary anionic lipids, cholesterol and long-chain fatty acids acyl coenzyme A (LC-CoA). Endocannabinoids are a class of lipids that are naturally expressed in a variety of cells, including cardiac, neuronal, and immune cells. While these lipids are identified as ligands for cannabinoid receptors (CBRs), there is growing body of evidence that they can directly regulate the function of numerous ion channels independently of CBRs. Here we examine the effects of a panel of endocannabinoids on Kir2.1 function, and demonstrate that a subset of endocannabinoids can alter Kir2.1 conductance to varying degrees independently of CBRs. These findings may have broader implications on the function of cardiac, neuronal and/or immune cells.


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