Inhibition of high-conductance, calcium-activated potassium channels of rabbit colon epithelium by magnesium.

High-conductance, Ca(2+)-activated K+ channels from the basolateral membrane of rabbit distal colon epithelial cells were reconstituted into planar phospholipid bilayers to examine the effect of Mg2+ on the single-channel properties. Mg2+ decreases channel current and conductance in a concentration-dependent manner from both the cytoplasmic and the extracellular side of the channel. In contrast to other K+ channels, Mg2+ does not cause rectification of current through colonic Ca(2+)-activated K+ channels. In addition, cytoplasmic Mg2+ decreases the reversal potential of the channel. The Mg(2+)-induced decrease in channel conductance is relieved by high K+ concentrations, indicating competitive interaction between K+ and Mg2+. The monovalent organic cation choline also decreases channel conductance and reversal potential, suggesting that the effect is unspecific. The inhibition of channel current by Mg2+ and choline most likely is a result of electrostatic screening of negative charges located superficially in the channel entrance. But in addition to charge, other properties appear to be necessary for channel inhibition, as Na+ and Ba2+ are no (or only weak) inhibitors. Mg2+ and possibly other cations may play a role in the regulation of current through these channels.