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Leung HT, Kwok SY, Kwong KY, Shih FY, Tsao S, Chung BHY. Prioritize Variant Reclassification in Pediatric Long QT Syndrome-Time to Revisit. Pediatr Cardiol 2024; 45:1023-1035. [PMID: 38565666 DOI: 10.1007/s00246-024-03461-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2023] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Congenital long QT syndrome (LQTS) is an inherited arrhythmia syndrome associated with sudden cardiac death. Accurate interpretation and classification of genetic variants in LQTS patients are crucial for effective management. All patients with LQTS with a positive genetic test over the past 18 years (2002-2020) in our single tertiary pediatric cardiac center were identified. Reevaluation of the reported variants in LQTS genes was conducted using the American College of Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) guideline after refinement by the US ClinGen SVI working group and guideline by Walsh et al. on genetic variant reclassification, under multidisciplinary input. Among the 59 variants identified. 18 variants (30.5%) were reclassified. A significant larger portion of variants of unknown significance (VUS) were reclassified compared to likely pathogenic (LP)/pathogenic (P) variants (57.7% vs 9.1%, p < 0.001). The rate of reclassification was significantly higher in the limited/disputed evidence group compared to the definite/moderate evidence group (p = 0.0006). All LP/P variants were downgraded in the limited/disputed evidence group (p = 0.0057). VUS upgrades are associated with VUS located in genes within the definite/moderate evidence group (p = 0.0403) and with VUS present in patients exhibiting higher corrected QT intervals (QTc) (p = 0.0445). A significant number of pediatric LQTS variants were reclassified, particularly for VUS. The strength of the gene-disease association of the genes influences the reclassification performance. The study provides important insights and guidance for pediatricians to seek for reclassification of "outdated variants" in order to facilitate contemporary precision medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hei-To Leung
- Department of Paediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, Hong Kong Children's Hospital, 1 Shing Cheong Rd, Ngau Tau Kok, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Sit-Yee Kwok
- Department of Paediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, Hong Kong Children's Hospital, 1 Shing Cheong Rd, Ngau Tau Kok, Hong Kong SAR, China.
| | - Ka-Yee Kwong
- Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Fong-Ying Shih
- Clinical Genetics Service Unit, Hong Kong Children's Hospital, Kowloon Bay, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Sabrina Tsao
- Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Brian Hon-Yin Chung
- Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong SAR, China
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Muhammad A, Calandranis ME, Li B, Yang T, Blackwell DJ, Harvey ML, Smith JE, Daniel ZA, Chew AE, Capra JA, Matreyek KA, Fowler DM, Roden DM, Glazer AM. High-throughput functional mapping of variants in an arrhythmia gene, KCNE1, reveals novel biology. Genome Med 2024; 16:73. [PMID: 38816749 PMCID: PMC11138074 DOI: 10.1186/s13073-024-01340-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 06/01/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND KCNE1 encodes a 129-residue cardiac potassium channel (IKs) subunit. KCNE1 variants are associated with long QT syndrome and atrial fibrillation. However, most variants have insufficient evidence of clinical consequences and thus limited clinical utility. METHODS In this study, we leveraged the power of variant effect mapping, which couples saturation mutagenesis with high-throughput sequencing, to ascertain the function of thousands of protein-coding KCNE1 variants. RESULTS We comprehensively assayed KCNE1 variant cell surface expression (2554/2709 possible single-amino-acid variants) and function (2534 variants). Our study identified 470 loss- or partial loss-of-surface expression and 574 loss- or partial loss-of-function variants. Of the 574 loss- or partial loss-of-function variants, 152 (26.5%) had reduced cell surface expression, indicating that most functionally deleterious variants affect channel gating. Nonsense variants at residues 56-104 generally had WT-like trafficking scores but decreased functional scores, indicating that the latter half of the protein is dispensable for protein trafficking but essential for channel function. 22 of the 30 KCNE1 residues (73%) highly intolerant of variation (with > 70% loss-of-function variants) were in predicted close contact with binding partners KCNQ1 or calmodulin. Our functional assay data were consistent with gold standard electrophysiological data (ρ = - 0.64), population and patient cohorts (32/38 presumed benign or pathogenic variants with consistent scores), and computational predictors (ρ = - 0.62). Our data provide moderate-strength evidence for the American College of Medical Genetics/Association of Molecular Pathology functional criteria for benign and pathogenic variants. CONCLUSIONS Comprehensive variant effect maps of KCNE1 can both provide insight into I Ks channel biology and help reclassify variants of uncertain significance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayesha Muhammad
- Vanderbilt Genetics Institute, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, 1235 Medical Research Building IV, 2215B Garland Avenue, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
- Medical Scientist Training Program, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
| | - Maria E Calandranis
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
| | - Bian Li
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
- Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc., Tarrytown, NY, USA
| | - Tao Yang
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
| | - Daniel J Blackwell
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
| | - M Lorena Harvey
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
| | - Jeremy E Smith
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
| | - Zerubabell A Daniel
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
| | - Ashli E Chew
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
| | - John A Capra
- Bakar Computational Health Sciences Institute and Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA
| | - Kenneth A Matreyek
- Department of Pathology, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA
| | - Douglas M Fowler
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Dan M Roden
- Vanderbilt Genetics Institute, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, 1235 Medical Research Building IV, 2215B Garland Avenue, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
| | - Andrew M Glazer
- Vanderbilt Genetics Institute, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, 1235 Medical Research Building IV, 2215B Garland Avenue, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA.
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA.
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Muhammad A, Calandranis ME, Li B, Yang T, Blackwell DJ, Harvey ML, Smith JE, Chew AE, Capra JA, Matreyek KA, Fowler DM, Roden DM, Glazer AM. High-throughput functional mapping of variants in an arrhythmia gene, KCNE1, reveals novel biology. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.04.28.538612. [PMID: 37162834 PMCID: PMC10168370 DOI: 10.1101/2023.04.28.538612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Background KCNE1 encodes a 129-residue cardiac potassium channel (IKs) subunit. KCNE1 variants are associated with long QT syndrome and atrial fibrillation. However, most variants have insufficient evidence of clinical consequences and thus limited clinical utility. Results Here, we demonstrate the power of variant effect mapping, which couples saturation mutagenesis with high-throughput sequencing, to ascertain the function of thousands of protein coding KCNE1 variants. We comprehensively assayed KCNE1 variant cell surface expression (2,554/2,709 possible single amino acid variants) and function (2,539 variants). We identified 470 loss-of-surface expression and 588 loss-of-function variants. Out of the 588 loss-of-function variants, only 155 had low cell surface expression. The latter half of the protein is dispensable for protein trafficking but essential for channel function. 22 of the 30 KCNE1 residues (73%) highly intolerant of variation were in predicted close contact with binding partners KCNQ1 or calmodulin. Our data were highly concordant with gold standard electrophysiological data (ρ = -0.65), population and patient cohorts (32/38 concordant variants), and computational metrics (ρ = -0.55). Our data provide moderate-strength evidence for the ACMG/AMP functional criteria for benign and pathogenic variants. Conclusions Comprehensive variant effect maps of KCNE1 can both provide insight into IKs channel biology and help reclassify variants of uncertain significance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayesha Muhammad
- Vanderbilt Genetics Institute, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
- Medical Scientist Training Program, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Maria E. Calandranis
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Bian Li
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Tao Yang
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Daniel J. Blackwell
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - M. Lorena Harvey
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Jeremy E. Smith
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Ashli E. Chew
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - John A. Capra
- Bakar Computational Health Sciences Institute and Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Kenneth A. Matreyek
- Department of Pathology, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | - Douglas M. Fowler
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Dan M. Roden
- Vanderbilt Genetics Institute, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Andrew M. Glazer
- Vanderbilt Genetics Institute, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
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Clinical and functional reappraisal of alleged type 5 long QT syndrome: Causative genetic variants in the KCNE1-encoded minK β-subunit. Heart Rhythm 2020; 17:937-944. [PMID: 32058015 DOI: 10.1016/j.hrthm.2020.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2019] [Accepted: 02/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND KCNE1 loss-of-function variants cause type 5 long QT syndrome (LQT5). However, most alleged LQT5-causative KCNE1 variants were identified before the true rate of background genetic variation was appreciated fully. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to reassess the clinical and electrophysiological (EP) phenotypes associated with KCNE1 variants detected in a single-center LQTS cohort. METHODS Retrospective analysis of 1026 LQTS patients was used to identify those individuals with isolated KCNE1 ultra-rare variants (minor allele frequency [MAF] <0.0004 in the Genome Aggregation Database [gnomAD]). After classification according to American College of Medical Genetics (ACMG) guidelines, variants of uncertain significance (VUS) were characterized in vitro using whole-cell patch-clamp technique. Lastly, the clinical phenotype observed in ACMG pathogenic/likely pathogenic (P/LP) KCNE1-positive individuals was assessed. RESULTS Overall, 6 KCNE1 variants were identified in 38 of 1026 LQTS patients (3.7%). Based on existing data, 2 KCNE1 variants (p.Asp76Asn-KCNE1 and p.Arg98Trp-KCNE1) were classified as P/LP. Whereas the p.Ser28Leu-KCNE1 VUS conferred a loss-of-function EP phenotype (72% reduction in IKs current) and was upgraded to an LP variant, the 3 remaining KCNE1 VUS (p.Arg67Cys-KCNE1, p.Arg67His-KCNE1, p.Ser74Leu-KCNE1) were indistinguishable from wild type. Collectively, the phenotype observed in p.Ser28Leu-KCNE1-, p.Asp76Asn-KCNE1-, and p.Arg98Trp-KCNE1-positive individuals (n = 22) was relatively weak (91% asymptomatic; average QTc 444 ± 19 ms; 27% with a maladaptive QTc response during exercise/recovery). CONCLUSION This study indicates that p.Ser28Leu-KCNE1 may be an LQT5-causative substrate analogous to p.Asp76Asn-KCNE1 and p.Arg98Trp-KCNE1. However, the weak phenotype and cumulative gnomAD MAF (42/141,156) associated with these P/LP variants suggest LQT5/KCNE-LQTS may be a more common/weaker form of LQTS than anticipated previously.
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Chen J, Liu Z, Creagh J, Zheng R, McDonald TV. Physical and functional interaction sites in cytoplasmic domains of KCNQ1 and KCNE1 channel subunits. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 2019; 318:H212-H222. [PMID: 31834838 DOI: 10.1152/ajpheart.00459.2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The cardiac potassium IKs current is carried by a channel complex formed from α-subunits encoded by KCNQ1 and β-subunits encoded by KCNE1. Deleterious mutations in either gene are associated with hereditary long QT syndrome. Interactions between the transmembrane domains of the α- and β-subunits determine the activation kinetics of IKs. A physical and functional interaction between COOH termini of the proteins has also been identified that impacts deactivation rate and voltage dependence of activation. We sought to explore the specific physical interactions between the COOH termini of the subunits that confer such control. Hydrogen/deuterium exchange coupled to mass spectrometry narrowed down the region of interaction to KCNQ1 residues 352-374 and KCNE1 residues 70-81, and provided evidence of secondary structure within these segments. Key mutations of residues in these regions tended to shift voltage dependence of activation toward more depolarizing voltages. Double-mutant cycle analysis then revealed energetic coupling between KCNQ1-I368 and KCNE1-D76 during channel activation. Our results suggest that the proximal COOH-terminal regions of KCNQ1 and KCNE1 participate in a physical and functional interaction during channel opening that is sensitive to perturbation and may explain the clustering of long QT mutations in the region.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Interacting ion channel subunits KCNQ1 and KCNE1 have received intense investigation due to their critical importance to human cardiovascular health. This work uses physical (hydrogen/deuterium exchange with mass spectrometry) and functional (double-mutant cycle analyses) studies to elucidate precise and important areas of interaction between the two proteins in an area that has eluded structural definition of the complex. It highlights the importance of pathogenic mutations in these regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jerri Chen
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, New York.,Department of Anesthesiology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York
| | - Zhenning Liu
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - John Creagh
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, New York
| | - Renjian Zheng
- Department of Anesthesiology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York
| | - Thomas V McDonald
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, New York.,Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, New York.,Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida
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6
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Giudicessi JR, Wilde AAM, Ackerman MJ. The genetic architecture of long QT syndrome: A critical reappraisal. Trends Cardiovasc Med 2018; 28:453-464. [PMID: 29661707 DOI: 10.1016/j.tcm.2018.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2018] [Revised: 03/19/2018] [Accepted: 03/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Collectively, the completion of the Human Genome Project and subsequent development of high-throughput next-generation sequencing methodologies have revolutionized genomic research. However, the rapid sequencing and analysis of thousands upon thousands of human exomes and genomes has taught us that most genes, including those known to cause heritable cardiovascular disorders such as long QT syndrome, harbor an unexpected background rate of rare, and presumably innocuous, non-synonymous genetic variation. In this Review, we aim to reappraise the genetic architecture underlying both the acquired and congenital forms of long QT syndrome by examining how the clinical phenotype associated with and background genetic variation in long QT syndrome-susceptibility genes impacts the clinical validity of existing gene-disease associations and the variant classification and reporting strategies that serve as the foundation for diagnostic long QT syndrome genetic testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- John R Giudicessi
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine (Cardiovascular Diseases Fellowship and Clinician-Investigator Training Programs), Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States
| | - Arthur A M Wilde
- Department of Medicine (Division of Cardiology), Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, United States; Department of Clinical & Experimental Cardiology, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Michael J Ackerman
- Departments of Cardiovascular Medicine (Division of Heart Rhythm Services), Pediatrics (Division of Pediatric Cardiology), and Molecular Pharmacology & Experimental Therapeutics (Windland Smith Rice Sudden Death Genomics Laboratory), Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States.
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Mueller SC, Sommer B, Backes C, Haas J, Meder B, Meese E, Keller A. From Single Variants to Protein Cascades: MULTISCALE MODELING OF SINGLE NUCLEOTIDE VARIANT SETS IN GENETIC DISORDERS. J Biol Chem 2016; 291:1582-1590. [PMID: 26601959 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m115.695247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2015] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Understanding the role of genetics in disease has become a central part of medical research. Non-synonymous single nucleotide variants (nsSNVs) in coding regions of human genes frequently lead to pathological phenotypes. Beyond single variations, the individual combination of nsSNVs may add to pathogenic processes. We developed a multiscale pipeline to systematically analyze the existence of quantitative effects of multiple nsSNVs and gene combinations in single individuals on pathogenicity. Based on this pipeline, we detected in a data set of 842 nsSNVs discovered in 76 genes related to cardiomyopathies, associated nsSNV combinations in seven genes present in at least 70% of all 639 patient samples, but not in a control cohort of healthy humans. Structural analyses of these revealed primarily an influence on the protein stability. For amino acid substitutions located at the protein surface, we generally observed a proximity to putative binding pockets. To computationally analyze cumulative effects and their impact, pathogenicity methods are currently being developed. Our approach supports this process, as shown on the example of a cardiac phenotype but can be likewise applied to other diseases such as cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabine C Mueller
- From the Chair for Clinical Bioinformatics, Saarland University, 66123 Saarbrücken, Germany,; Department of Human Genetics, Saarland University, 66421 Homburg, Germany,.
| | - Björn Sommer
- the Bio-/Medical Informatics Department, Faculty of Technology, Bielefeld University, 33501 Bielefeld, Germany,; Clayton School of Information Technology, Faculty of Information Technology, Monash University, Melbourne 3800, Australia
| | - Christina Backes
- From the Chair for Clinical Bioinformatics, Saarland University, 66123 Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Jan Haas
- the Department of Internal Medicine III, Heidelberg University, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany, and; the DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Benjamin Meder
- the Department of Internal Medicine III, Heidelberg University, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany, and; the DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Eckart Meese
- Department of Human Genetics, Saarland University, 66421 Homburg, Germany
| | - Andreas Keller
- From the Chair for Clinical Bioinformatics, Saarland University, 66123 Saarbrücken, Germany
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Abbott GW. KCNE1 and KCNE3: The yin and yang of voltage-gated K(+) channel regulation. Gene 2015; 576:1-13. [PMID: 26410412 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2015.09.059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2015] [Revised: 09/03/2015] [Accepted: 09/22/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The human KCNE gene family comprises five genes encoding single transmembrane-spanning ion channel regulatory subunits. The primary function of KCNE subunits appears to be regulation of voltage-gated potassium (Kv) channels, and the best-understood KCNE complexes are with the KCNQ1 Kv α subunit. Here, we review the often opposite effects of KCNE1 and KCNE3 on Kv channel biology, with an emphasis on regulation of KCNQ1. Slow-activating IKs channel complexes formed by KCNQ1 and KCNE1 are essential for human ventricular myocyte repolarization, while constitutively active KCNQ1-KCNE3 channels are important in the intestine. Inherited sequence variants in human KCNE1 and KCNE3 cause cardiac arrhythmias but by different mechanisms, and each is important for hearing in unique ways. Because of their contrasting effects on KCNQ1 function, KCNE1 and KCNE3 have proved invaluable tools in the mechanistic understanding of how channel gating can be manipulated, and each may also provide a window into novel insights and new therapeutic opportunities in K(+) channel pharmacology. Finally, findings from studies of Kcne1(-/-) and Kcne3(-/-) mouse lines serve to illustrate the complexity of KCNE biology and KCNE-linked disease states.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geoffrey W Abbott
- Bioelectricity Laboratory, Dept. of Pharmacology and Dept. of Physiology and Biophysics, School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA; 360 Medical Surge II, Dept. of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA.
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9
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Wang YH, Jiang M, Xu XL, Hsu KL, Zhang M, Tseng GN. Gating-related molecular motions in the extracellular domain of the IKs channel: implications for IKs channelopathy. J Membr Biol 2010; 239:137-56. [PMID: 21152909 DOI: 10.1007/s00232-010-9333-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2010] [Accepted: 11/15/2010] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Cardiac slow delayed rectifier (I(Ks)) channel complex consists of KCNQ1 channel and KCNE1 auxiliary subunits. The extracellular juxtamembranous region of KCNE1 is an unstructured loop that contacts multiple KCNQ1 positions in a gating-state-dependent manner. Congenital arrhythmia-related mutations have been identified in the extracellular S1-S2 linker of KCNQ1. These mutations manifest abnormal phenotypes only when coexpressed with KCNE1, pointing to the importance of proper KCNQ1/KCNE1 interactions here in I(Ks) channel function. We investigate the interactions between the KCNE1 loop (positions 36-47) and KCNQ1 S1-S2 linker (positions 140-148) by means of disulfide trapping and voltage clamp techniques. During transitions among the resting-state conformations, KCNE1 positions 36-43 make contacts with KCNQ1 positions 144, 145, and 147 in a parallel fashion. During conformational changes in the activated state, KCNE1 position 40 can make contacts with all three KCNQ1 positions, while the neighboring KCNE1 positions (36, 38, 39, and 41) can make contact with KCNQ1 position 147. Furthermore, KCNQ1 positions 143 and 146 are high-impact positions that cannot tolerate cysteine substitution. To maintain the proper I(Ks) channel function, position 143 requires a small side chain with a hydroxyl group, and position 146 requires a negatively charged side chain. These data and the proposed molecular motions provide insights into the mechanisms by which mutations in the extracellular juxtamembranous region of the I(Ks) channel impair its function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Hong Wang
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Virginia Commonwealth University, 1101 E. Marshall Street, Sanger 3-042a, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
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10
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Sand PG, Luettich A, Kleinjung T, Hajak G, Langguth B. An Examination of KCNE1 Mutations and Common Variants in Chronic Tinnitus. Genes (Basel) 2010; 1:23-37. [PMID: 24710009 PMCID: PMC3960860 DOI: 10.3390/genes1010023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2010] [Revised: 04/23/2010] [Accepted: 04/27/2010] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic tinnitus is a highly prevalent and often incapacitating condition frequently associated with sensorineural hearing loss. While its etiology remains incompletely understood there is a growing awareness of genetic factors that predispose to, or aggravate chronic tinnitus. Candidate genes for the disorder include KCNE1, a potassium channel subunit gene that has been implicated in maturation defects of central vestibular neurons, in Menière's disease, and in noise-induced hearing loss. 201 Caucasian outpatients with a diagnosis of chronic tinnitus were systematically screened for mutations in the KCNE1 open reading frame and in the adjacent sequence by direct sequencing. Allele frequencies were determined for 46 known variants, plus two novel KCNE1 mutations. These comprised one missense substitution (V47I) in the highly conserved region encoding the KCNE1 transmembrane domain, and one rare variant in the gene's 3'UTR. When genotypes were grouped assuming dominance of the minor alleles, no significant genotype or compound genotype effects were observed on tinnitus severity. The newly identified V47I substitution argues in favor of an enlarged spectrum of mutations in hearing disorders. However, with regard to allele frequencies in healthy control populations from earlier studies, more common KCNE1 variants are unlikely to play a major role in chronic tinnitus. Further investigations are invited to address variation in additional channel subunits as possible risk factors in tinnitus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philipp G Sand
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Regensburg, Universitaetsstr. 84, 93042 Regensburg, Germany.
| | - Alexander Luettich
- Experimental and Clinical Neurosciences Graduate Program, University of Regensburg, Germany.
| | - Tobias Kleinjung
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Regensburg, Franz-Josef-Strauss-Allee 11, 93053 Regensburg, Germany.
| | - Goeran Hajak
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Regensburg, Universitaetsstr. 84, 93042 Regensburg, Germany.
| | - Berthold Langguth
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Regensburg, Universitaetsstr. 84, 93042 Regensburg, Germany.
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Hedley PL, Jørgensen P, Schlamowitz S, Wangari R, Moolman-Smook J, Brink PA, Kanters JK, Corfield VA, Christiansen M. The genetic basis of long QT and short QT syndromes: A mutation update. Hum Mutat 2009; 30:1486-511. [DOI: 10.1002/humu.21106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 318] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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12
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Peroz D, Dahimène S, Baró I, Loussouarn G, Mérot J. LQT1-associated mutations increase KCNQ1 proteasomal degradation independently of Derlin-1. J Biol Chem 2008; 284:5250-6. [PMID: 19114714 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m806459200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Mutations in the potassium channel KCNQ1 that determine retention of the mutated proteins in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) are associated with the autosomal dominant negative Romano-Ward LQT1 cardiac syndrome. In the present study, we have analyzed the consequences and the potential molecular mechanisms involved in the ER retention of three Romano-Ward mutations located in KCNQ1 N terminus (Y111C, L114P, and P117L). We showed that the mutant KCNQ1 proteins exhibited reduced expression levels with respect to wild-type (WT)-KCNQ1. Radiolabeling pulse-chase experiments revealed that the lower expression levels did not result from reduced rate of synthesis. Instead, using a combination of Western blot and pulse-chase experiments, we showed that the mutant channel Y111C-KCNQ1, used as a model, was ubiquitinated and degraded in the proteasome more rapidly (t((1/2)) = 82 min) than WT-KCNQ1 channel (t((1/2)) = 113 min). On the other hand, KCNQ1 degradation did not appear to involve the GTP-dependent pathway. We also showed that KCNE1 stabilized both wild-type and Y111C proteins. To identify potential actors involved in KCNQ1 degradation, we studied the implication of the ER-resident protein Derlin-1 in KCNQ1 degradation. We showed that although KCNQ1 and Derlin-1 share the same molecular complex and co-immunoprecipitate when co-expressed in HEK293FT cells, Derlin-1 did not affect KCNQ1 steady state expression and degradation. These data were confirmed in T84 cells that express endogenous KCNQ1 and Derlin-1. Small interfering RNA knock-down of Derlin-1 did not modify KCNQ1 expression level, and no interaction between endogenous KCNQ1 and Derlin-1 could be detected.
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Xu X, Jiang M, Hsu KL, Zhang M, Tseng GN. KCNQ1 and KCNE1 in the IKs channel complex make state-dependent contacts in their extracellular domains. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2008; 131:589-603. [PMID: 18504315 PMCID: PMC2391252 DOI: 10.1085/jgp.200809976] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
KCNQ1 and KCNE1 (Q1 and E1) associate to form the slow delayed rectifier I(Ks) channels in the heart. A short stretch of eight amino acids at the extracellular end of S1 in Q1 (positions 140-147) harbors six arrhythmia-associated mutations. Some of these mutations affect the Q1 channel function only when coexpressed with E1, suggesting that this Q1 region may engage in the interaction with E1 critical for the I(Ks) channel function. Identifying the Q1/E1 contact points here may provide new insights into how the I(Ks) channel operates. We focus on Q1 position 145 and E1 positions 40-43. Replacing all native cysteine (Cys) in Q1 and introducing Cys into the above Q1 and E1 positions do not significantly perturb the Q1 channel function or Q1/E1 interactions. Immunoblot experiments on COS-7 cells reveal that Q1 145C can form disulfide bonds with E1 40C and 41C, but not E1 42C or 43C. Correspondingly, voltage clamp experiments in oocytes reveal that Q1 145C coexpressed with E1 40C or E1 41C manifests unique gating behavior and DTT sensitivity. Our data suggest that E1 40C and 41C come close to Q1 145C in the activated and resting states, respectively, to allow disulfide bond formation. These data and those in the literature lead us to propose a structural model for the Q1/E1 channel complex, in which E1 is located between S1, S4, and S6 of three separate Q1 subunits. We propose that E1 is not a passive partner of the Q1 channel, but instead can engage in molecular motions during I(Ks) gating.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xulin Xu
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Medical College of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
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Liu XS, Zhang M, Jiang M, Wu DM, Tseng GN. Probing the interaction between KCNE2 and KCNQ1 in their transmembrane regions. J Membr Biol 2007; 216:117-27. [PMID: 17676362 DOI: 10.1007/s00232-007-9047-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2007] [Accepted: 05/23/2007] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
KCNE1-KCNE5 are single membrane-spanning proteins that associate with voltage-gated potassium channels to diversify their function. Other than the KCNQ1/KCNE1 complex, little is known about how KCNE proteins work. We focus on KCNE2, which associates with KCNQ1 to form K channels critical for gastric acid secretion in parietal cells. We use cysteine (Cys)-scanning mutagenesis to probe the functional role of residues along the KCNE2 transmembrane domain (TMD) in modulating KCNQ1 function. There is an alpha-helical periodicity in how Cys substitutions along the KCNE2 TMD perturb KCNQ1 pore conductance/ion selectivity. However, positions where Cys substitutions perturb KCNQ1 gating kinetics cluster to the extracellular end and cytoplasmic half of the KCNE2 TMD. This is the first systematic perturbation analysis of a KCNE TMD. We propose that the KCNE2 TMD adopts an alpha-helical secondary structure with one face making intimate contact with the KCNQ1 pore domain, while the contacts with the KCNQ1 voltage-sensing domain appear more dynamic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xian-Sheng Liu
- Department of Physiology, Medical College of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
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Vatta M, Towbin JA. Mutations in KCNE1 in long QT syndrome (LQTS): insights into mechanism of LQTS and drug sensitivity? Heart Rhythm 2006; 3:1041-2. [PMID: 16945798 DOI: 10.1016/j.hrthm.2006.07.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2006] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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