1
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Servettini I, Talani G, Megaro A, Setzu MD, Biggio F, Briffa M, Guglielmi L, Savalli N, Binda F, Delicata F, Bru–Mercier G, Vassallo N, Maglione V, Cauchi RJ, Di Pardo A, Collu M, Imbrici P, Catacuzzeno L, D’Adamo MC, Olcese R, Pessia M. An activator of voltage-gated K + channels Kv1.1 as a therapeutic candidate for episodic ataxia type 1. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2207978120. [PMID: 37487086 PMCID: PMC10401004 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2207978120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2022] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 07/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Loss-of-function mutations in the KCNA1(Kv1.1) gene cause episodic ataxia type 1 (EA1), a neurological disease characterized by cerebellar dysfunction, ataxic attacks, persistent myokymia with painful cramps in skeletal muscles, and epilepsy. Precision medicine for EA1 treatment is currently unfeasible, as no drug that can enhance the activity of Kv1.1-containing channels and offset the functional defects caused by KCNA1 mutations has been clinically approved. Here, we uncovered that niflumic acid (NFA), a currently prescribed analgesic and anti-inflammatory drug with an excellent safety profile in the clinic, potentiates the activity of Kv1.1 channels. NFA increased Kv1.1 current amplitudes by enhancing the channel open probability, causing a hyperpolarizing shift in the voltage dependence of both channel opening and gating charge movement, slowing the OFF-gating current decay. NFA exerted similar actions on both homomeric Kv1.2 and heteromeric Kv1.1/Kv1.2 channels, which are formed in most brain structures. We show that through its potentiating action, NFA mitigated the EA1 mutation-induced functional defects in Kv1.1 and restored cerebellar synaptic transmission, Purkinje cell availability, and precision of firing. In addition, NFA ameliorated the motor performance of a knock-in mouse model of EA1 and restored the neuromuscular transmission and climbing ability in Shaker (Kv1.1) mutant Drosophila melanogaster flies (Sh5). By virtue of its multiple actions, NFA has strong potential as an efficacious single-molecule-based therapeutic agent for EA1 and serves as a valuable model for drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilenio Servettini
- Section of Physiology, Department of Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia06123, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Talani
- Institute of Neuroscience, National Research Council, Monserrato09042, Italy
| | - Alfredo Megaro
- Section of Physiology, Department of Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia06123, Italy
| | - Maria Dolores Setzu
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Monserrato09042, Italy
| | - Francesca Biggio
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, Monserrato09042, Italy
| | - Michelle Briffa
- Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta, MsidaMSD2080, Malta
| | - Luca Guglielmi
- Medical Research Council Laboratory of Molecular Biology, CambridgeCB2 0QH, United Kingdom
| | - Nicoletta Savalli
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA90095
| | - Francesca Binda
- Department of Fundamental Neurosciences, University of Lausanne, Lausanne 1011, Switzerland
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Institut des Neurosciences Cellulaires et Intégratives, Université de Strasbourg, StrasbourgF-67000, France
| | - Francis Delicata
- College of Pharmacy, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MBR3E 0T5, Canada
| | - Gilles Bru–Mercier
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain17666, United Arab Emirates
| | - Neville Vassallo
- Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta, MsidaMSD2080, Malta
| | - Vittorio Maglione
- Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico Neuromed, Pozzilli86077, Italy
| | - Ruben J. Cauchi
- Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta, MsidaMSD2080, Malta
| | - Alba Di Pardo
- Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico Neuromed, Pozzilli86077, Italy
| | - Maria Collu
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Monserrato09042, Italy
| | - Paola Imbrici
- Department of Pharmacy–Drug Sciences, University of Bari ‘‘Aldo Moro”, 70125Bari, Italy
| | - Luigi Catacuzzeno
- Department of Chemistry, Biology and Biotechnology, University of Perugia, Perugia06123, Italy
| | - Maria Cristina D’Adamo
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Libera Università Mediterranea ‘‘Giuseppe DEGENNARO”, Casamassima 70010, Italy
| | - Riccardo Olcese
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA90095
- Department of Physiology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA90095
| | - Mauro Pessia
- Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta, MsidaMSD2080, Malta
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain17666, United Arab Emirates
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2
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Kurauskas V, Tonelli M, Henzler-Wildman K. Full opening of helix bundle crossing does not lead to NaK channel activation. J Gen Physiol 2022; 154:213659. [PMID: 36326620 PMCID: PMC9640265 DOI: 10.1085/jgp.202213196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2022] [Revised: 08/11/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
A critical part of ion channel function is the ability to open and close in response to stimuli and thus conduct ions in a regulated fashion. While x-ray diffraction studies of ion channels suggested a general steric gating mechanism located at the helix bundle crossing (HBC), recent functional studies on several channels indicate that the helix bundle crossing is wide-open even in functionally nonconductive channels. Two NaK channel variants were crystallized in very different open and closed conformations, which served as important models of the HBC gating hypothesis. However, neither of these NaK variants is conductive in liposomes unless phenylalanine 92 is mutated to alanine (F92A). Here, we use NMR to probe distances at near-atomic resolution of the two NaK variants in lipid bicelles. We demonstrate that in contrast to the crystal structures, both NaK variants are in a fully open conformation, akin to Ca2+-bound MthK channel structure where the HBC is widely open. While we were not able to determine what a conductive NaK structure is like, our further inquiry into the gating mechanism suggests that the selectivity filter and pore helix are coupled to the M2 helix below and undergo changes in the structure when F92 is mutated. Overall, our data show that NaK exhibits coupling between the selectivity filter and HBC, similar to K+ channels, and has a more complex gating mechanism than previously thought, where the full opening of HBC does not lead to channel activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vilius Kurauskas
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin—Madison, Madison, WI
| | - Marco Tonelli
- National Magnetic Resonance Facility at Madison, University of Wisconsin—Madison, Madison, WI
| | - Katherine Henzler-Wildman
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin—Madison, Madison, WI
- National Magnetic Resonance Facility at Madison, University of Wisconsin—Madison, Madison, WI
- Correspondence to Katherine Henzler-Wildman:
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3
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Cole BA, Johnson RM, Dejakaisaya H, Pilati N, Fishwick CWG, Muench SP, Lippiat JD. Structure-Based Identification and Characterization of Inhibitors of the Epilepsy-Associated K Na1.1 (KCNT1) Potassium Channel. iScience 2020; 23:101100. [PMID: 32408169 PMCID: PMC7225746 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2020.101100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2019] [Revised: 04/02/2020] [Accepted: 04/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Drug-resistant epileptic encephalopathies of infancy have been associated with KCNT1 gain-of-function mutations, which increase the activity of KNa1.1 sodium-activated potassium channels. Pharmacological inhibition of hyperactive KNa1.1 channels by quinidine has been proposed as a stratified treatment, but mostly this has not been successful, being linked to the low potency and lack of specificity of the drug. Here we describe the use of a previously determined cryo-electron microscopy-derived KNa1.1 structure and mutational analysis to identify how quinidine binds to the channel pore and, using computational methods, screened for compounds predicated to bind to this site. We describe six compounds that inhibited KNa1.1 channels with low- and sub-micromolar potencies, likely also through binding in the intracellular pore vestibule. In hERG inhibition and cytotoxicity assays, two compounds were ineffective. These may provide starting points for the development of new pharmacophores and could become tool compounds to study this channel further.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bethan A Cole
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK
| | - Rachel M Johnson
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK; Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK
| | - Hattapark Dejakaisaya
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK
| | - Nadia Pilati
- Autifony Srl, Istituto di Ricerca Pediatrica Citta' della Speranza, Corso Stati Uniti, 4f, 35127 Padova, Italy
| | - Colin W G Fishwick
- Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK; School of Chemistry, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK
| | - Stephen P Muench
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK; Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK
| | - Jonathan D Lippiat
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK.
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4
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Balleza D, Rosas ME, Romero-Romero S. Voltage vs. Ligand I: Structural basis of the intrinsic flexibility of S3 segment and its significance in ion channel activation. Channels (Austin) 2019; 13:455-476. [PMID: 31647368 PMCID: PMC6833973 DOI: 10.1080/19336950.2019.1674242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
We systematically predict the internal flexibility of the S3 segment, one of the most mobile elements in the voltage-sensor domain. By analyzing the primary amino acid sequences of V-sensor containing proteins, including Hv1, TPC channels and the voltage-sensing phosphatases, we established correlations between the local flexibility and modes of activation for different members of the VGIC superfamily. Taking advantage of the structural information available, we also assessed structural aspects to understand the role played by the flexibility of S3 during the gating of the pore. We found that S3 flexibility is mainly determined by two specific regions: (1) a short NxxD motif in the N-half portion of the helix (S3a), and (2) a short sequence at the beginning of the so-called paddle motif where the segment has a kink that, in some cases, divide S3 into two distinct helices (S3a and S3b). A good correlation between the flexibility of S3 and the reported sensitivity to temperature and mechanical stretch was found. Thus, if the channel exhibits high sensitivity to heat or membrane stretch, local S3 flexibility is low. On the other hand, high flexibility of S3 is preferentially associated to channels showing poor heat and mechanical sensitivities. In contrast, we did not find any apparent correlation between S3 flexibility and voltage or ligand dependence. Overall, our results provide valuable insights into the dynamics of channel-gating and its modulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Balleza
- Departamento de Química ICET, Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara , Zapopan Jalisco , Mexico
| | - Mario E Rosas
- Departamento de Química ICET, Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara , Zapopan Jalisco , Mexico
| | - Sergio Romero-Romero
- Facultad de Medicina, Departamento de Bioquímica, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, 04510 Mexico City, Mexico. Current address: Department of Biochemistry, University of Bayreuth , Bayreuth , Germany
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5
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Gururaj S, Palmer EE, Sheehan GD, Kandula T, Macintosh R, Ying K, Morris P, Tao J, Dias KR, Zhu Y, Dinger ME, Cowley MJ, Kirk EP, Roscioli T, Sachdev R, Duffey ME, Bye A, Bhattacharjee A. A De Novo Mutation in the Sodium-Activated Potassium Channel KCNT2 Alters Ion Selectivity and Causes Epileptic Encephalopathy. Cell Rep 2018; 21:926-933. [PMID: 29069600 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2017.09.088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2016] [Revised: 06/12/2017] [Accepted: 09/26/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Early infantile epileptic encephalopathies (EOEE) are a debilitating spectrum of disorders associated with cognitive impairments. We present a clinical report of a KCNT2 mutation in an EOEE patient. The de novo heterozygous variant Phe240Leu SLICK was identified by exome sequencing and confirmed by Sanger sequencing. Phe240Leu rSlick and hSLICK channels were electrophysiologically, heterologously characterized to reveal three significant alterations to channel function. First, [Cl-]i sensitivity was reversed in Phe240Leu channels. Second, predominantly K+-selective WT channels were made to favor Na+ over K+ by Phe240Leu. Third, and consequent to altered ion selectivity, Phe240Leu channels had larger inward conductance. Further, rSlick channels induced membrane hyperexcitability when expressed in primary neurons, resembling the cellular seizure phenotype. Taken together, our results confirm that Phe240Leu is a "change-of-function" KCNT2 mutation, demonstrating unusual altered selectivity in KNa channels. These findings establish pathogenicity of the Phe240Leu KCNT2 mutation in the reported EOEE patient.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sushmitha Gururaj
- Pharmacology and Toxicology, University at Buffalo - The State University of New York, Buffalo, NY 14214, USA
| | - Elizabeth Emma Palmer
- Sydney Children's Hospital, Randwick, NSW 2031, Australia; University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2031, Australia; Genetics of Learning Disability Service, Waratah, NSW 2298, Australia
| | - Garrett D Sheehan
- Pharmacology and Toxicology, University at Buffalo - The State University of New York, Buffalo, NY 14214, USA
| | - Tejaswi Kandula
- Sydney Children's Hospital, Randwick, NSW 2031, Australia; University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2031, Australia
| | | | - Kevin Ying
- Kinghorn Centre for Clinical Genomics, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, NSW 2298, Australia
| | - Paula Morris
- Kinghorn Centre for Clinical Genomics, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, NSW 2298, Australia
| | - Jiang Tao
- Kinghorn Centre for Clinical Genomics, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, NSW 2298, Australia
| | - Kerith-Rae Dias
- Kinghorn Centre for Clinical Genomics, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, NSW 2298, Australia
| | - Ying Zhu
- Genetics of Learning Disability Service, Waratah, NSW 2298, Australia; SEALS Pathology, Randwick, NSW 2031, Australia
| | - Marcel E Dinger
- University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2031, Australia; Kinghorn Centre for Clinical Genomics, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, NSW 2298, Australia
| | - Mark J Cowley
- University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2031, Australia; Kinghorn Centre for Clinical Genomics, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, NSW 2298, Australia
| | - Edwin P Kirk
- Sydney Children's Hospital, Randwick, NSW 2031, Australia; University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2031, Australia; SEALS Pathology, Randwick, NSW 2031, Australia
| | - Tony Roscioli
- Sydney Children's Hospital, Randwick, NSW 2031, Australia; University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2031, Australia; SEALS Pathology, Randwick, NSW 2031, Australia
| | - Rani Sachdev
- Sydney Children's Hospital, Randwick, NSW 2031, Australia; University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2031, Australia
| | - Michael E Duffey
- Physiology and Biophysics, University at Buffalo - The State University of New York, Buffalo, NY 14214, USA
| | - Ann Bye
- Sydney Children's Hospital, Randwick, NSW 2031, Australia; University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2031, Australia
| | - Arin Bhattacharjee
- Pharmacology and Toxicology, University at Buffalo - The State University of New York, Buffalo, NY 14214, USA; Program for Neuroscience, University at Buffalo - The State University of New York, Buffalo, NY 14214, USA.
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6
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Mazzolini M, Arcangeletti M, Marchesi A, Napolitano LMR, Grosa D, Maity S, Anselmi C, Torre V. The gating mechanism in cyclic nucleotide-gated ion channels. Sci Rep 2018; 8:45. [PMID: 29311674 PMCID: PMC5758780 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-18499-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2017] [Accepted: 12/04/2017] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Cyclic nucleotide-gated (CNG) channels mediate transduction in several sensory neurons. These channels use the free energy of CNs' binding to open the pore, a process referred to as gating. CNG channels belong to the superfamily of voltage-gated channels, where the motion of the α-helix S6 controls gating in most of its members. To date, only the open, cGMP-bound, structure of a CNG channel has been determined at atomic resolution, which is inadequate to determine the molecular events underlying gating. By using electrophysiology, site-directed mutagenesis, chemical modification, and Single Molecule Force Spectroscopy, we demonstrate that opening of CNGA1 channels is initiated by the formation of salt bridges between residues in the C-linker and S5 helix. These events trigger conformational changes of the α-helix S5, transmitted to the P-helix and leading to channel opening. Therefore, the superfamily of voltage-gated channels shares a similar molecular architecture but has evolved divergent gating mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monica Mazzolini
- International School for Advanced Studies, Trieste, 34136, Italy.
| | | | - Arin Marchesi
- INSERM U1006, Aix-Marseille Université, Parc Scientifique et Technologique de Luminy, Marseille, 13009, France
| | - Luisa M R Napolitano
- International School for Advanced Studies, Trieste, 34136, Italy
- Structural Biology Laboratory, Elettra-Sincrotrone Trieste S.C.p.A., Basovizza, Trieste, 34149, Italy
| | - Debora Grosa
- International School for Advanced Studies, Trieste, 34136, Italy
| | - Sourav Maity
- International School for Advanced Studies, Trieste, 34136, Italy
| | - Claudio Anselmi
- National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, 20892, USA
| | - Vincent Torre
- International School for Advanced Studies, Trieste, 34136, Italy.
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7
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Tomasello DL, Hurley E, Wrabetz L, Bhattacharjee A. Slick (Kcnt2) Sodium-Activated Potassium Channels Limit Peptidergic Nociceptor Excitability and Hyperalgesia. J Exp Neurosci 2017; 11:1179069517726996. [PMID: 28943756 PMCID: PMC5602212 DOI: 10.1177/1179069517726996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2017] [Accepted: 07/25/2017] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
The Slick (Kcnt2) sodium-activated potassium (KNa) channel is a rapidly gating and weakly voltage-dependent and sodium-dependent potassium channel with no clearly defined physiological function. Within the dorsal root ganglia (DRGs), we show Slick channels are exclusively expressed in small-sized and medium-sized calcitonin gene–related peptide (CGRP)-containing DRG neurons, and a pool of channels are localized to large dense-core vesicles (LDCV)-containing CGRP. We stimulated DRG neurons for CGRP release and found Slick channels contained within CGRP-positive LDCV translocated to the neuronal membrane. Behavioral studies in Slick knockout (KO) mice indicated increased basal heat detection and exacerbated thermal hyperalgesia compared with wild-type littermate controls during neuropathic and chronic inflammatory pain. Electrophysiologic recordings of DRG neurons from Slick KO mice revealed that Slick channels contribute to outward current, propensity to fire action potentials (APs), and to AP properties. Our data suggest that Slick channels restrain the excitability of CGRP-containing neurons, diminishing pain behavior after inflammation and injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danielle L Tomasello
- Neuroscience Program, The State University of New York - University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Edward Hurley
- Department of Neurology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, The State University of New York - University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Lawrence Wrabetz
- Department of Neurology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, The State University of New York - University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Arin Bhattacharjee
- Neuroscience Program, The State University of New York - University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA.,Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, The State University of New York - University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA
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8
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Giese MH, Gardner A, Hansen A, Sanguinetti MC. Molecular mechanisms of Slo2 K + channel closure. J Physiol 2016; 595:2321-2336. [PMID: 27682982 DOI: 10.1113/jp273225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2016] [Accepted: 09/20/2016] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
KEY POINTS Intracellular Na+ -activated Slo2 potassium channels are in a closed state under normal physiological conditions, although their mechanisms of ion permeation gating are not well understood. A cryo-electron microscopy structure of Slo2.2 suggests that the ion permeation pathway of these channels is closed by a single constriction of the inner pore formed by the criss-crossing of the cytoplasmic ends of the S6 segments (the S6 bundle crossing) at a conserved Met residue. Functional characterization of mutant Slo2 channels suggests that hydrophobic interactions between Leu residues in the upper region of the S6 segments contribute to stabilizing the inner pore in a non-conducting state. Mutation of the conserved Met residues in the S6 segments to the negatively-charged Glu did not induce constitutive opening of Slo2.1 or Slo2.2, suggesting that ion permeation of Slo2 channels is not predominantly gated by the S6 bundle crossing. ABSTRACT Large conductance K+ -selective Slo2 channels are in a closed state unless activated by elevated [Na+ ]i . Our previous studies suggested that the pore helix/selectivity filter serves as the activation gate in Slo2 channels. In the present study, we evaluated two other potential mechanisms for stabilization of Slo2 channels in a closed state: (1) dewetting and collapse of the inner pore (hydrophobic gating) and (2) constriction of the inner pore by tight criss-crossing of the cytoplasmic ends of the S6 α-helical segments. Slo2 channels contain two conserved Leu residues in each of the four S6 segments that line the inner pore region nearest the bottom of the selectivity filter. To evaluate the potential role of these residues in hydrophobic gating, Leu267 and Leu270 in human Slo2.1 were each replaced by 15 different residues. The relative conductance of mutant channels was highly dependent on hydrophilicity and volume of the amino acid substituted for Leu267 and was maximal with L267H. Consistent with their combined role in hydrophobic gating, replacement of both Leu residues with the isosteric but polar residue Asn (L267N/L270N) stabilized channels in a fully open state. In a recent cryo-electron microscopy structure of chicken Slo2.2, the ion permeation pathway of the channel is closed by a constriction of the inner pore formed by criss-crossing of the S6 segments at a conserved Met. Inconsistent with the S6 segment crossing forming the activation gate, replacement of the homologous Met residues in human Slo2.1 or Slo2.2 with the negatively-charged Glu did not induce constitutive channel opening.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Hunter Giese
- Nora Eccles Harrison Cardiovascular Research & Training Institute
| | - Alison Gardner
- Nora Eccles Harrison Cardiovascular Research & Training Institute
| | - Angela Hansen
- Nora Eccles Harrison Cardiovascular Research & Training Institute
| | - Michael C Sanguinetti
- Nora Eccles Harrison Cardiovascular Research & Training Institute.,Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
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