Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles and Voltage-Gated Human Kv11.1 Potassium Channels Interact through a Novel Mechanism

Stefania Piscopo, Euan R. Brown

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

8 Citations (Scopus)
114 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Membrane–nanoparticle interactions are important in determining the effects
of manufactured nanomaterials on cell physiology and pathology. Here, silica,
titanium, zinc, and magnesium oxide nanoparticles are screened against
human hERG (Kv11.1) voltage-gated potassium channels under a whole-cell
voltage clamp. 10 μg mL−1 ZnO uniquely increases the amplitude of the
steady-state current, decreases the rate of hERG current inactivation during
steady-state depolarization, accelerates channel deactivation during resurgent
tail currents, and shows no significant alteration of current activation rate or
voltage dependence. In contrast, ZnCl2 causes increased current suppression
with increasing concentration and fails to replicate the nanoparticle effect
on decreasing inactivation. The results show a novel class of nanoparticle–
biomembrane interaction involving channel gating rather than channel block,
and have implications for the use of nanoparticles in biomedicine, drug
delivery applications, and nanotoxicology.
Original languageEnglish
Article number1703403
JournalSmall
Volume14
Issue number15
Early online date26 Feb 2018
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 12 Apr 2018

Keywords

  • channel gating
  • hERG potassium channel
  • lipid bilayer
  • nanoparticles
  • zinc oxide

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Materials Science
  • General Chemistry
  • Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmaceutics(all)

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