Pituitary control of BK potassium channel function and intrinsic firing properties of adrenal chromaffin cells.

The discovery that the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical (HPA) endocrine stress axis controls an alternative splicing decision in chromaffin Slo-encoded BK (big potassium) channels raised the possibility that activation of the HPA could serve as a mechanism to tune the intrinsic electrical properties of epinephrine-secreting adrenal chromaffin cells. To test this, we compared BK functional properties and cell excitability in chromaffin cells from normal and hypophysectomized (pituitary-ablated) rats. Hypophysectomy was found to alter the voltage dependence and kinetics of BK gating, making channels less accessible for activation from rest. Perforated-patch recordings revealed changes in action potential waveform and repetitive firing properties. The maximum number of spikes that could be elicited with a 2 sec depolarizing current pulse was reduced by approximately 50% by hypophysectomy. The results indicate that pituitary hormones can adapt the mechanics of adrenal catecholamine release by tailoring BK channel function.