The TSH-dependent potassium channel in a cloned rat thyroid cell line.

We found a TSH-dependent K+ channel in the membrane of a rat thyroid cell line (FRTL-5 cell). This K+ channel is activated by extracellular application of the thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH). Treatment of dibutyryladenosine cyclic monophosphate (Bt2 cAMP) also activated the TSH-dependent K+ channel. Intracellular application of protein kinase A activates this K+ channel without the presence of free Ca2+. These findings indicate that the thyroid K+ channel is activated through the TSH-cAMP-protein kinase A system. This is the first report of a polypeptide hormone activated K+ channel and it should be useful for examining the effects of this K+ channel on thyroid cell functions.