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Sourisseau F, Chahine C, Pouliot V, Cens T, Charnet P, Chahine M. Cloning, functional expression, and pharmacological characterization of inwardly rectifying potassium channels (Kir) from Apis mellifera. Sci Rep 2024; 14:7834. [PMID: 38570597 PMCID: PMC10991380 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-58234-0] [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: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Potassium channels belong to the super family of ion channels and play a fundamental role in cell excitability. Kir channels are potassium channels with an inwardly rectifying property. They play a role in setting the resting membrane potential of many excitable cells including neurons. Although putative Kir channel family genes can be found in the Apis mellifera genome, their functional expression, biophysical properties, and sensitivity to small molecules with insecticidal activity remain to be investigated. We cloned six Kir channel isoforms from Apis mellifera that derive from two Kir genes, AmKir1 and AmKir2, which are present in the Apis mellifera genome. We studied the tissue distribution, the electrophysiological and pharmacological characteristics of three isoforms that expressed functional currents (AmKir1.1, AmKir2.2, and AmKir2.3). AmKir1.1, AmKir2.2, and AmKir2.3 isoforms exhibited distinct characteristics when expressed in Xenopus oocytes. AmKir1.1 exhibited the largest potassium currents and was impermeable to cesium whereas AmKir2.2 and AmKir2.3 exhibited smaller currents but allowed cesium to permeate. AmKir1 exhibited faster opening kinetics than AmKir2. Pharmacological experiments revealed that both AmKir1.1 and AmKir2.2 are blocked by the divalent ion barium, with IC50 values of 10-5 and 10-6 M, respectively. The concentrations of VU041, a small molecule with insecticidal properties required to achieve a 50% current blockade for all three channels were higher than those needed to block Kir channels in other arthropods, such as the aphid Aphis gossypii and the mosquito Aedes aegypti. From this, we conclude that Apis mellifera AmKir channels exhibit lower sensitivity to VU041.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabien Sourisseau
- CERVO Brain Research Centre, 2601, chemin de la Canardière, Quebec City, QC, G1J 2G3, Canada
| | - Chaimaa Chahine
- CERVO Brain Research Centre, 2601, chemin de la Canardière, Quebec City, QC, G1J 2G3, Canada
| | - Valérie Pouliot
- CERVO Brain Research Centre, 2601, chemin de la Canardière, Quebec City, QC, G1J 2G3, Canada
| | - Thierry Cens
- Institut des Biomolécules Max Mousseron (IBMM), CNRS UMR 5247, 1919 Route de Mende, Montpellier, France
| | - Pierre Charnet
- Institut des Biomolécules Max Mousseron (IBMM), CNRS UMR 5247, 1919 Route de Mende, Montpellier, France
| | - Mohamed Chahine
- CERVO Brain Research Centre, 2601, chemin de la Canardière, Quebec City, QC, G1J 2G3, Canada.
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Quebec City, QC, Canada.
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Fellows CJ, Simone-Finstrom M, Anderson TD, Swale DR. Potassium ion channels as a molecular target to reduce virus infection and mortality of honey bee colonies. Virol J 2023; 20:134. [PMID: 37349817 PMCID: PMC10286336 DOI: 10.1186/s12985-023-02104-0] [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: 05/01/2023] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Declines in managed honey bee populations are multifactorial but closely associated with reduced virus immunocompetence and thus, mechanisms to enhance immune function are likely to reduce viral infection rates and increase colony viability. However, gaps in knowledge regarding physiological mechanisms or 'druggable' target sites to enhance bee immunocompetence has prevented therapeutics development to reduce virus infection. Our data bridge this knowledge gap by identifying ATP-sensitive inward rectifier potassium (KATP) channels as a pharmacologically tractable target for reducing virus-mediated mortality and viral replication in bees, as well as increasing an aspect of colony-level immunity. Bees infected with Israeli acute paralysis virus and provided KATP channel activators had similar mortality rates as uninfected bees. Furthermore, we show that generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and regulation of ROS concentrations through pharmacological activation of KATP channels can stimulate antiviral responses, highlighting a functional framework for physiological regulation of the bee immune system. Next, we tested the influence of pharmacological activation of KATP channels on infection of 6 viruses at the colony level in the field. Data strongly support that KATP channels are a field-relevant target site as colonies treated with pinacidil, a KATP channel activator, had reduced titers of seven bee-relevant viruses by up to 75-fold and reduced them to levels comparable to non-inoculated colonies. Together, these data indicate a functional linkage between KATP channels, ROS, and antiviral defense mechanisms in bees and define a toxicologically relevant pathway that can be used for novel therapeutics development to enhance bee health and colony sustainability in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher J Fellows
- Department of Entomology, Louisiana State University AgCenter, Baton Rouge, LA, 70803, USA
| | - Michael Simone-Finstrom
- USDA-ARS Honey Bee Breeding, Genetics, and Physiology Laboratory, Baton Rouge, LA, 70820, USA
| | - Troy D Anderson
- Department of Entomology, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE, 68583, USA
| | - Daniel R Swale
- Department of Entomology, Louisiana State University AgCenter, Baton Rouge, LA, 70803, USA.
- Department of Entomology and Nematology, Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, 2055 Mowry Road, PO Box 100009, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA.
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Piermarini PM, Denton JS, Swale DR. The Molecular Physiology and Toxicology of Inward Rectifier Potassium Channels in Insects. ANNUAL REVIEW OF ENTOMOLOGY 2022; 67:125-142. [PMID: 34606365 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-ento-062121-063338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Inward rectifier K+ (Kir) channels have been studied extensively in mammals, where they play critical roles in health and disease. In insects, Kir channels have recently been found to be key regulators of diverse physiological processes in several tissues. The importance of Kir channels in insects has positioned them to serve as emerging targets for the development of insecticides with novel modes of action. In this article, we provide the first comprehensive review of insect Kir channels, highlighting the rapid progress made in understanding their molecular biology, physiological roles, pharmacology, and toxicology. In addition, we highlight key gaps in our knowledge and suggest directions for future research to advance our understanding of Kir channels and their roles in insect physiology. Further knowledge of their functional roles will also facilitate their exploitation as targets for controlling arthropod pests and vectors of economic, medical, and/or veterinary relevance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter M Piermarini
- Department of Entomology, The Ohio State University, Wooster, Ohio 44691, USA;
| | - Jerod S Denton
- Departments of Anesthesiology & Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee 37235, USA;
| | - Daniel R Swale
- Department of Entomology, Louisiana State University AgCenter, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70803, USA;
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Meng X, Wu Z, Yang X, Qian K, Zhang N, Jiang H, Yin X, Guan D, Zheng Y, Wang J. Flonicamid and knockdown of inward rectifier potassium channel gene CsKir2B adversely affect the feeding and development of Chilo suppressalis. PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE 2021; 77:2045-2053. [PMID: 33342029 DOI: 10.1002/ps.6232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2020] [Revised: 09/17/2020] [Accepted: 12/20/2020] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The selective insecticide flonicamid shows highly insecticidal activities against piercing-sucking insects and has been widely used for the control of Hemipteran insect pests, whereas its effects on Lepidopteran insect pests remain largely unknown. Recently, inward rectifier potassium (Kir) channel has been verified to be a target of flonicamid, however, functional characterization of Lepidopteran Kir genes is still lacking. RESULTS Flonicamid shows no insecticidal toxicity against Chilo suppressalis larvae. However, the feeding and growth of larvae were reversibly inhibited by flonicamid (50-1200 mg L-1 ). Flonicamid treatment also remarkably reduced and delayed the pupation and eclosion of Chilo suppressalis. Additionally, five distinct Kir channel genes (CsKir1, CsKir2A, CsKir2B, CsKir3A and CsKir3B) were cloned from Chilo suppressalis. Expression profiles analysis revealed that CsKir2A was predominately expressed in the hindgut of larvae, whereas CsKir2B had high expressions in the Malpighian tubules and hindgut. RNA interference (RNAi)-mediated knockdown of CsKir2B significantly reduced the growth and increased the mortalities of larvae, whereas silencing of CsKir2A had no obvious effects on Chilo suppressalis. CONCLUSION Flonicamid exhibits adverse effects on the growth and development of Chilo suppressalis. CsKir2B might be involved in the feeding behavior of Chilo suppressalis. These results provide valuable information on the effects of flonicamid on non-target insects as well as the function of insect Kir channels, and are helpful in developing new insecticide targeting insect Kir channels. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangkun Meng
- College of Horticulture and Plant Protection, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Zhaolu Wu
- College of Horticulture and Plant Protection, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Xuemei Yang
- College of Horticulture and Plant Protection, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Kun Qian
- College of Horticulture and Plant Protection, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Nan Zhang
- College of Horticulture and Plant Protection, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Heng Jiang
- College of Horticulture and Plant Protection, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Xingcan Yin
- College of Horticulture and Plant Protection, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Daojie Guan
- College of Horticulture and Plant Protection, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Yang Zheng
- College of Horticulture and Plant Protection, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Jianjun Wang
- College of Horticulture and Plant Protection, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety of the Ministry of Education, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
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Saelao P, Hickner PV, Bendele KG, Pérez de León AA. Phylogenomics of Tick Inward Rectifier Potassium Channels and Their Potential as Targets to Innovate Control Technologies. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021; 11:647020. [PMID: 33816352 PMCID: PMC8018274 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.647020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2020] [Accepted: 02/16/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
This study was conducted to enhance the identification of novel targets to develop acaricides that can be used to advance integrated tick-borne disease management. Drivers for the emergence and re-emergence of tick-borne diseases affecting humans, livestock, and other domestic animals in many parts of the world include the increased abundance and expanded geographic distribution of tick species that vector pathogens. The evolution of resistance to acaricides among some of the most important tick vector species highlights the vulnerability of relying on chemical treatments for tick control to mitigate the health burden of tick-borne diseases. The involvement of inward rectifier potassium (Kir) channels in homeostasis, diuresis, and salivary gland secretion in ticks and other pests identified them as attractive targets to develop novel acaricides. However, few studies exist on the molecular characteristics of Kir channels in ticks. This bioinformatic analysis described Kir channels in 20 species of hard and soft ticks. Summarizing relevant investigations on Kir channel function in invertebrate pests allowed the phylogenomic study of this class of ion channels in ticks. How this information can be adapted to innovate tick control technologies is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Perot Saelao
- USDA-ARS Knipling-Bushland U.S. Livestock Insects Research Laboratory, Kerrville, TX, United States.,Veterinary Pest Genomics Center, Kerrville, TX, United States
| | - Paul V Hickner
- USDA-ARS Knipling-Bushland U.S. Livestock Insects Research Laboratory, Kerrville, TX, United States.,Veterinary Pest Genomics Center, Kerrville, TX, United States
| | - Kylie G Bendele
- USDA-ARS Knipling-Bushland U.S. Livestock Insects Research Laboratory, Kerrville, TX, United States.,Veterinary Pest Genomics Center, Kerrville, TX, United States
| | - Adalberto A Pérez de León
- USDA-ARS Knipling-Bushland U.S. Livestock Insects Research Laboratory, Kerrville, TX, United States.,Veterinary Pest Genomics Center, Kerrville, TX, United States
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Lai X, Xu J, Ma H, Liu Z, Zheng W, Liu J, Zhu H, Zhou Y, Zhou X. Identification and Expression of Inward-Rectifying Potassium Channel Subunits in Plutella xylostella. INSECTS 2020; 11:insects11080461. [PMID: 32707967 PMCID: PMC7469208 DOI: 10.3390/insects11080461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2020] [Revised: 07/20/2020] [Accepted: 07/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
In insects, inward-rectifying potassium (Kir) channels regulate vital physiological functions, such as feeding behavior, silk secretion, renal excretion, and immune function. Therefore, they offer promising potential as targets for insecticides. Three types of Kir subunits have been identified in Diptera and Hemiptera, but the Kir subunits of Lepidoptera still remain unclear. This study identified five Kir subunit genes (pxkir1, pxkir2, pxkir3A, pxkir3B, and pxkir4) in the transcriptome of Plutella xylostella. Phylogenetic analysis identified pxkir1, pxkir2, pxkir3A, and pxkir3B as orthologous genes of kir1–3 in other insects. Interestingly, pxkir4 may be encoding a new class of Kir subunit in Lepidoptera that has not been reported to date. To identify further Kir channel subunits of P. xylostella, the gene expression profiles of five pxkir genes were studied by quantitative real-time PCR. These pxkir genes are expressed throughout the development of P. xylostella. pxkir1 and pxkir2 were highly expressed in thoraxes and legs, while pxkir3 (3A and 3B) and pxkir4 had high expression levels in the midgut and Malpighian tubules. This study identified the composition and distribution of Kir subunits in P. xylostella for the first time, and provides useful information for the further study of Kir channel subunits in Lepidoptera.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyi Lai
- Long Ping Branch, Graduate School of Hunan University, Changsha 410125, China; (X.L.); (W.Z.)
| | - Jie Xu
- Institute of Agricultural Biotechnology, Hunan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changsha 410125, China; (J.X.); (Z.L.); (J.L.); (H.Z.); (Y.Z.)
| | - Haihao Ma
- Institute of Agricultural Biotechnology, Hunan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changsha 410125, China; (J.X.); (Z.L.); (J.L.); (H.Z.); (Y.Z.)
- Correspondence: (H.M.); (X.Z.)
| | - Zheming Liu
- Institute of Agricultural Biotechnology, Hunan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changsha 410125, China; (J.X.); (Z.L.); (J.L.); (H.Z.); (Y.Z.)
| | - Wei Zheng
- Long Ping Branch, Graduate School of Hunan University, Changsha 410125, China; (X.L.); (W.Z.)
| | - Jia Liu
- Institute of Agricultural Biotechnology, Hunan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changsha 410125, China; (J.X.); (Z.L.); (J.L.); (H.Z.); (Y.Z.)
| | - Hang Zhu
- Institute of Agricultural Biotechnology, Hunan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changsha 410125, China; (J.X.); (Z.L.); (J.L.); (H.Z.); (Y.Z.)
| | - Yong Zhou
- Institute of Agricultural Biotechnology, Hunan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changsha 410125, China; (J.X.); (Z.L.); (J.L.); (H.Z.); (Y.Z.)
| | - Xiaomao Zhou
- Long Ping Branch, Graduate School of Hunan University, Changsha 410125, China; (X.L.); (W.Z.)
- Institute of Agricultural Biotechnology, Hunan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changsha 410125, China; (J.X.); (Z.L.); (J.L.); (H.Z.); (Y.Z.)
- Correspondence: (H.M.); (X.Z.)
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Li Z, Davis JA, Swale DR. Chemical inhibition of Kir channels reduces salivary secretions and phloem feeding of the cotton aphid, Aphis gossypii (Glover). PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE 2019; 75:2725-2734. [PMID: 30785236 DOI: 10.1002/ps.5382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2018] [Revised: 02/12/2019] [Accepted: 02/18/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The unique feeding biology of aphids suggests novel insecticide targets are likely to exist outside of the nervous system. We therefore aimed to directly test the hypothesis that pharmacological inhibition of inward rectifier potassium (Kir) channels would result in salivary gland failure and reduced sap ingestion by the cotton aphid, Aphis gossypii. RESULTS The Kir inhibitors VU041 and VU590 reduced the length of the salivary sheath in a concentration dependent manner, indicating that the secretory activity of the salivary gland is reduced by Kir inhibition. Next, we employed the electrical penetration graph (EPG) technique to measure the impact Kir inhibition has to aphid sap feeding and feeding biology. Data show that foliar application of VU041 eliminated the E1 and E2 phases (phloem feeding) in all aphids studied. Contact exposure to VU041 after foliar applications was found to be toxic to A. gossypii at 72 and 96 h post-infestation, indicating mortality is likely a result of starvation and not acute toxicity. Furthermore, VU041 exposure significantly altered the feeding behavior of aphids, which is toxicologically relevant for plant-virus interactions. CONCLUSION These data suggest Kir channels are critical for proper function of aphid salivary glands and the reduced plant feeding justifies future work in developing salivary gland Kir channels as novel mechanism aphicides. Furthermore, products like VU041 would add to a very minor arsenal of compounds that simultaneously reduce vector abundance and alter feeding behavior. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhilin Li
- Department of Entomology, Louisiana State University AgCenter, Baton Rouge, LA, USA
| | - Jeffrey A Davis
- Department of Entomology, Louisiana State University AgCenter, Baton Rouge, LA, USA
| | - Daniel R Swale
- Department of Entomology, Louisiana State University AgCenter, Baton Rouge, LA, USA
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Rusconi Trigueros R, Hopkins CR, Denton JS, Piermarini PM. Pharmacological Inhibition of Inward Rectifier Potassium Channels Induces Lethality in Larval Aedes aegypti. INSECTS 2018; 9:E163. [PMID: 30445675 PMCID: PMC6315791 DOI: 10.3390/insects9040163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2018] [Revised: 11/07/2018] [Accepted: 11/12/2018] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The inward rectifier potassium (Kir) channels play key roles in the physiology of mosquitoes and other insects. Our group, among others, previously demonstrated that small molecule inhibitors of Kir channels are promising lead molecules for developing new insecticides to control adult female mosquitoes. However, the potential use of Kir channel inhibitors as larvicidal agents is unknown. Here we tested the hypothesis that pharmacological inhibition of Kir channels in the larvae of Aedes aegypti, the vector of several medically important arboviruses, induces lethality. We demonstrated that adding barium, a non-specific blocker of Kir channels, or VU041, a specific small-molecule inhibitor of mosquito Kir1 channels, to the rearing water (deionized H₂O) of first instar larvae killed them within 48 h. We further showed that the toxic efficacy of VU041 within 24 h was significantly enhanced by increasing the osmolality of the rearing water to 100 mOsm/kg H₂O with NaCl, KCl or mannitol; KCl provided the strongest enhancement compared to NaCl and mannitol. These data suggest: (1) the important role of Kir channels in the acclimation of larvae to elevated ambient osmolality and KCl concentrations; and (2) the disruption of osmoregulation as a potential mechanism of the toxic action of VU041. The present study provides the first evidence that inhibition of Kir channels is lethal to larval mosquitoes and broadens the potential applications of our existing arsenal of small molecule inhibitors of Kir channels, which have previously only been considered for developing adulticides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renata Rusconi Trigueros
- Department of Entomology, The Ohio State University, Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center, Wooster, OH 44691, USA.
| | - Corey R Hopkins
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA.
| | - Jerod S Denton
- Departments of Anesthesiology and Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA.
| | - Peter M Piermarini
- Department of Entomology, The Ohio State University, Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center, Wooster, OH 44691, USA.
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