Expression of the mechanosensitive 2PK+ channel TREK-1 in human osteoblasts

Hughes, Steven, Magnay, Julia, Foreman, Megan, Publicover, Stephen J., Dobson, Jon P. and El Haj, Alicia J. (2006) Expression of the mechanosensitive 2PK+ channel TREK-1 in human osteoblasts. Journal of Cellular Physiology, 206 (3). pp. 738-748. ISSN 0021-9541

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Abstract

TREK-1 is a mechanosensitive member of the two-pore domain potassium channel family (2PK+) that is also sensitive to lipids, free fatty acids (including arachidonic acid), temperature, intracellular pH, and a range of clinically relevant compounds including volatile anaesthetics. TREK-1 is known to be expressed at high levels in excitable tissues, such as the nervous system, the heart and smooth muscle, where it is believed to play a prominent role in controlling resting cell membrane potential and electrical excitability. In this report, we use RT-PCR, Western blotting and immunohistochemistry to confirm that human derived osteoblasts and MG63 cells express TREK-1 mRNA and protein. In addition, we show gene expression of TREK2c and TRAAK channels. Furthermore, whole cell patch clamp electrophysiology demonstrates that these cells express a spontaneously active, outwardly rectifying potassium "background leak" current that shares many similarities to TREK-1. The outward current is largely insensitive to TEA and Ba2+, and is sensitive to application of lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC). In addition, blocking TREK-1 channel activity is shown to upregulate bone cell proliferation. It is concluded that human osteoblasts functionally express TREK-1 and that these channels contribute, at least in part, to the resting membrane potential of human osteoblast cells. We hypothesise a possible role for TREK-1 in mechanotransduction, leading to bone remodelling.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	physiology,clinical biochemistry,cell biology ,/dk/atira/pure/subjectarea/asjc/1300/1314
Faculty \ School:	Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Norwich Medical School
Related URLs:	http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?...
Depositing User:	LivePure Connector
Date Deposited:	18 Dec 2025 10:30
Last Modified:	19 Dec 2025 10:33
URI:	https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/101462
DOI:	10.1002/jcp.20536

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