Substrate profiling and aldehyde dismutase activity of the Kvβ2 subunit of the mammalian Kv1 potassium channel

Metabolic regulation of Kv channels and cardiac repolarization by Kvβ2 subunits

Voltage-gated potassium (Kv) channels control myocardial repolarization. Pore-forming Kvα proteins associate with intracellular Kvβ subunits, which bind pyridine nucleotides with high affinity and differentially regulate channel trafficking, plasmalemmal localization and gating properties. Nevertheless, it is unclear how Kvβ subunits regulate myocardial K⁺ currents and repolarization. Here, we tested the hypothesis that Kvβ2 subunits regulate the expression of myocardial Kv channels and confer redox sensitivity to Kv current and cardiac repolarization. Co-immunoprecipitation and in situ proximity ligation showed that in cardiac myocytes, Kvβ2 interacts with Kv1.4, Kv1.5, Kv4.2, and Kv4.3. Cardiac myocytes from mice lacking Kcnab2 (Kvβ2^-/-) had smaller cross sectional areas, reduced sarcolemmal abundance of Kvα binding partners, reduced I_to, I_K,slow1, and I_K,slow2 densities, and prolonged action potential duration compared with myocytes from wild type mice. These differences in Kvβ2^-/- mice were associated with greater P wave duration and QT interval in electrocardiograms, and lower ejection fraction, fractional shortening, and left ventricular mass in echocardiographic and morphological assessments. Direct intracellular dialysis with a high NAD(P)H:NAD(P)⁺ accelerated Kv inactivation in wild type, but not Kvβ2^-/- myocytes. Furthermore, elevated extracellular levels of lactate increased [NADH]_i and prolonged action potential duration in wild type cardiac myocytes and perfused wild type, but not Kvβ2^-/-, hearts. Taken together, these results suggest that Kvβ2 regulates myocardial electrical activity by supporting the functional expression of proteins that generate I_to and I_K,slow, and imparting redox and metabolic sensitivity to Kv channels, thereby coupling cardiac repolarization to myocyte metabolism.

New inhibitors of the Kvβ2 subunit from mammalian Kv1 potassium channels

The role of the redox state of Kvβ subunits in the modulation of Kv1 potassium channels has been well documented over the past few years. It has been suggested that a molecule that binds to or inhibits the aldo-keto reductase activity of Kvβ might affect the modulation of channel properties. Previous studies of possible modulators of channel activity have shown that cortisone and some related compounds are able to physically dissociate the channel components by binding to a site at the interface between α and β subunits. Herein, we describe some new inhibitors of rat brain Kvβ2, identified using an assay based on multiple substrate turnover. This approach allows one to focus on molecules that specifically block NADPH oxidation. These studies showed that, at 0.5mM, 3,4-dihydroxphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) was an inhibitor of Kvβ2 turnover yielding a ∼ 40-50% reduction in the aldehyde reductase activity of this subunit. Other significant inhibitors include the bioflavinoid, rutin and the polyphenol resveratrol; some of the known cardioprotective effects of these molecules may be attributable to Kv1 channel modulation. Cortisone or catechol caused moderate inhibition of Kvβ2 turnover, and the aldo-keto reductases inhibitor valproate had an even smaller effect. Despite the importance of the Kv1 channels in a number of disease states, there have been few Kvβ2 inhibitors reported. While the ones identified in this study are only effective at high concentrations, they could serve as tools to decipher the role of Kvβ2 in vivo and, eventually, inform the development of novel therapeutics.