35th Annual Student Research Conference
Effect of Zinc on Beta2-adrenergic Receptor Signal Transduction in Xenopus Oocytes
Ami R. Patel* and Hannah F. Sanders
Dr. Yohei Norimatsu (A.T. Still University) and Dr. Stephen Hudman, Faculty Mentors
The open probability of human cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) chloride channel expressed in Xenopus oocytes can be increased by elevating the intracellular cAMP level. It has been found in previous research that zinc inhibits adenylyl cyclase in mouse neuroblastoma cells. To confirm the effect of zinc on adenylyl cyclase, the transduction pathway from beta2-adrenergic receptor (B2AR) to CFTR was investigated. In order to elucidate the molecular mechanism of this blockade, we investigated the effect of zinc on CFTR activation by a cell-permeable cAMP analog. We used a two electrode voltage-clamp (TEVC) technique to measure whole-cell membrane conductance of the oocyte expressing CFTR for this investigation. We confirmed CFTR stimulation by B2AR can be blocked by applying zinc in the extracellular solution. We found that a 1mM concentration of zinc inhibited CFTR activation even in the presence of 8-Br-cAMP. We conclude zinc inhibits CFTR activation by affecting its phosphorylation.
Keywords: Biochemistry, Electrophysiology, GPCRs, Zinc, cAMP, Xenopus laevis
Topic(s):Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Presentation Type: Poster Presentation
Session: 2-23
Location: SUB Activities Room
Time: 3:00