Evidence for cAMP-independent bTREK-1 inhibition by ACTH and NPS-ACTH in adrenocortical cells

Bovine adrenal zona fasciculata (AZF) cells express bTREK-1 K+ channels that are inhibited by ACTH through cAMP-dependent pathways. In whole cell patch clamp recordings from AZF cells, we found that ACTH may also inhibit bTREK-1 by a cAMP-independent mechanism. When the potent adenylyl cyclase (AC) antagonist 2,5-dideoxyadenosine-3′-triphosphate (2,5-dd-3′-ATP) was applied intracellularly through the patch pipette, bTREK-1 inhibition by the AC activator forskolin was blocked. In contrast, bTREK-1 inhibition by ACTH was unaltered. The selective GSα antagonist NF449 also failed to blunt bTREK-1 inhibition by ACTH. At concentrations that produce little measurable increase in cAMP in bovine AZF cells, the O-nitrophenyl, sulfenyl-derivative of ACTH (NPS-ACTH) also inhibited bTREK-1 almost completely. Accordingly, 2,5-dd-3′-ATP at concentrations more than 1000× its reported IC50 did not block bTREK-1 inhibition by NPS-ACTH. These results indicate that ACTH and NPS-ACTH can inhibit native bTREK-1 K+ channels in AZF cells by a mechanism that does not involve activation of AC.

► Inhibition of bTREK-1 channels by ACTH can occur by a cAMP-independent mechanism.
► The AC antagonist 2,5-dd-3′-ATP blocked bTREK-1 inhibition by forskolin.
► 2,5-dd-3′-ATP did not block bTREK-1 inhibition by ACTH or NPS-ACTH.
► The selective GSα antagonist NF449 does not blunt bTREK-1 inhibition by ACTH.