Transformation of renal tubule epithelial cells by simian virus‐40 is associated with emergence of Ca 2+ ‐insensitive K + channels and altered mitogenic sensitivity to K + channel blockers

We compared the pattern of K + channels and the mitogenic sensitivity to K + channel blocking agents in primary cultures of rabbit proximal tubule cells (PC.RC) (Ronco et al., 1990) and two derived SV‐40‐transformed cell lines exhibiting specific functions of proximal (RC.SV1) and more distal (RC.SV2) tubule cells (Vandewalle et al., 1989). First, K + channel equipment surveyed by the patchclamp technique was modified after SV‐40 transformation in both cell lines; although a high conductance Ca 2+ ‐activated K + channel [K + 200 (Ca 2+ )] remained the most frequently recorded K + channel, the transformed state was characterized by emergence of three Ca 2+ ‐insensitive K + channels (150, 50, and 30 pS), virtually absent from primary culture, contrasting with reduced frequency of two Ca 2+ ‐sensitive K + channels (80 and 40 pS). Second, quinine (Q), tetraethylammonium ion (TEA) and charybdotoxin (CTX), at concentrations not affecting cell viability, all decreased 3 H‐TdR incorporation and cell growth in PC.RC cultures, but only TEA had similar effects in transformed cells. The latter were further characterized by paradoxical effects of Q that induced a marked increase in thymidine incorporation. Q also exerted contrasting effects on channel activity: it inhibited the [K + 200 (Ca 2+ )] when the channel was highly active, with a K i (0.2 mM) similar to that measured for 3 H‐TdR incorporation in PC.RC cells (0.3 mM), but increased the mean current through poorly active channels. TEA blocked all K + channels with conductance ≥ 50 pS, including the [K + 200 (Ca 2+ )], in a range of concentrations that substantially affected cell proliferation. The unique effect of TEA on SV‐40‐transformed cells might be related to broad inhibition of K + channels. © 1992 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.