Expression of human BK ion channels in Sf9 cells, their purification using metal affinity chromatography, and functional reconstitution into planar lipid bilayers.

This report describes a procedure for purification of large conductance calcium-activated potassium (BK, maxi-K) channels using immobilised metal affinity chromatography (IMAC) under non-denaturing conditions. An amino-terminal histidine fusion tag was added to hSlo, the human BK channel, and expressed in Sf9 insect cells. Following IMAC purification and production of proteoliposomes, protein function was assessed electrophysiologically in planar bilayer lipid membranes. Single channel openings had conductances of 250–300 pS and were inhibited by paxilline, demonstrating that the BK channels remained functional following IMAC purification. This method to obtain functional human ion channels will be useful in assays to screen potential pharmaceuticals.