The alpha subunit of Gq contributes to muscarinic inhibition of the M-type potassium current in sympathetic neurons.

Rat superior cervical ganglion (SCG) neurons express low-threshold noninactivating M-type potassium channels (IK(M)), which can be inhibited by activation of M1 muscarinic receptors. This inhibition occurs via pertussis toxin-insensitive G-proteins belonging to the Galphaq family (Caulfield et al., 1994 ). We have used DNA plasmids encoding antisense sequences against the 3' untranslated regions of Galpha subunits (antisense plasmids) to investigate the specific G-protein subunits involved in muscarinic inhibition of IK(M). These antisense plasmids specifically reduced levels of the target G-protein 48 hr after intranuclear injection. In cells depleted of Galphaq, muscarinic inhibition of IK(M) was attenuated compared both with uninjected neurons and with neurons injected with an inappropriate GalphaoA antisense plasmid. In contrast, depletion of Galpha11 protein did not alter IK(M) inhibition. To determine whether the alpha or beta gamma subunits of the G-protein mediated this inhibition, we have overexpressed the C terminus of beta adrenergic receptor kinase 1 (betaARK1), which binds free beta gamma subunits. betaARK1 did not reduce muscarinic inhibition of IK(M) at a concentration of plasmid that can reduce beta gamma-mediated inhibition of calcium current (). Also, expression of beta1gamma2 dimers did not alter the IK(M) density in SCG neurons. In contrast, IK(M) was virtually abolished in cells expressing GTPase-deficient, constitutively active forms of Galphaq and Galpha11. These data suggest that Galphaq is the principal mediator of muscarinic IK(M) inhibition in rat SCG neurons and that this more likely results from an effect of the alpha subunit than the beta gamma subunits of the Gq heterotrimer.