The company they keep: ion channels and their intracellular regulatory partners

Distinct subcellular mechanisms for the enhancement of the surface membrane expression of SK2 channel by its interacting proteins, α-actinin2 and filamin A

KEY POINTS

Ion channels are transmembrane proteins that are synthesized within the cells but need to be trafficked to the cell membrane for the channels to function. Small-conductance, Ca²⁺ -activated K⁺ channels (SK, K_Ca 2) are unique subclasses of K⁺ channels that are regulated by Ca²⁺ inside the cells; they are expressed in human atrial myocytes and responsible for shaping atrial action potentials. We have previously shown that interacting proteins of SK2 channels are important for channel trafficking to the membrane. Using total internal reflection fluorescence (TIRF) and confocal microscopy, we studied the mechanisms by which the surface membrane localization of SK2 (K_Ca 2.2) channels is regulated by their interacting proteins. Understanding the mechanisms of SK channel trafficking may provide new insights into the regulation controlling the repolarization of atrial myocytes.

ABSTRACT

The normal function of ion channels depends critically on the precise subcellular localization and the number of channel proteins on the cell surface membrane. Small-conductance, Ca²⁺ -activated K⁺ channels (SK, K_Ca 2) are expressed in human atrial myocytes and are responsible for shaping atrial action potentials. Understanding the mechanisms of SK channel trafficking may provide new insights into the regulation controlling the repolarization of atrial myocytes. We have previously demonstrated that the C- and N-termini of SK2 channels interact with the actin-binding proteins α-actinin2 and filamin A, respectively. However, the roles of the interacting proteins on SK2 channel trafficking remain incompletely understood. Using total internal reflection fluorescence (TIRF) microscopy, we studied the mechanisms of surface membrane localization of SK2 (K_Ca 2.2) channels. When SK2 channels were co-expressed with filamin A or α-actinin2, the membrane fluorescence intensity of SK2 channels increased significantly. We next tested the effects of primaquine and dynasore on SK2 channels expression. Treatment with primaquine significantly reduced the membrane expression of SK2 channels. In contrast, treatment with dynasore failed to alter the surface membrane expression of SK2 channels. Further investigations using constitutively active or dominant-negative forms of Rab GTPases provided additional insights into the distinct roles of the two cytoskeletal proteins on the recycling processes of SK2 channels from endosomes. α-Actinin2 facilitated recycling of SK2 channels from both early and recycling endosomes while filamin A probably aids the recycling of SK2 channels from recycling endosomes.

Forskolin Regulates L-Type Calcium Channel through Interaction between Actinin 4 and β3 Subunit in Osteoblasts

Voltage-dependent L-type calcium channels that permit cellular calcium influx are essential in calcium-mediated modulation of cellular signaling. Although the regulation of voltage-dependent L-type calcium channels is linked to many factors including cAMP-dependent protein kinase A (PKA) activity and actin cytoskeleton, little is known about the detailed mechanisms underlying the regulation in osteoblasts. Our present study investigated the modulation of L-type calcium channel activities through the effects of forskolin on actin reorganization and on its functional interaction with actin binding protein actinin 4. The results showed that forskolin did not significantly affect the trafficking of pore forming α_1c subunit and its interaction with actin binding protein actinin 4, whereas it significantly increased the expression of β₃ subunit and its interaction with actinin 4 in osteoblast cells as assessed by co-immunoprecipitation, pull-down assay, and immunostaining. Further mapping showed that the ABD and EF domains of actinin 4 were interaction sites. This interaction is independent of PKA phosphorylation. Knockdown of actinin 4 significantly decreased the activities of L-type calcium channels. Our study revealed a new aspect of the mechanisms by which the forskolin activation of adenylyl cyclase - cAMP cascade regulates the L-type calcium channel in osteoblast cells, besides the PKA mediated phosphorylation of the channel subunits. These data provide insight into the important role of interconnection among adenylyl cyclase, cAMP, PKA, the actin cytoskeleton, and the channel proteins in the regulation of voltage-dependent L-type calcium channels in osteoblast cells.

Cytoskeletal modulation of electrical and mechanical activity in cardiac myocytes

The cardiac myocyte has an intracellular scaffold, the cytoskeleton, which has been implicated in several cardiac pathologies including hypertrophy and failure. In this review we describe the role that the cytoskeleton plays in modulating both the electrical activity (through ion channels and exchangers) and mechanical (or contractile) activity of the adult heart. We focus on the 3 components of the cytoskeleton, actin microfilaments, microtubules, and desmin filaments. The limited visual data available suggest that the subsarcolemmal actin cytoskeleton is sparse in the adult myocyte. Selective disruption of cytoskeletal actin by pharmacological tools has yet to be verified in the adult cell, yet evidence exists for modulation of several ionic currents, including I(CaL), I(Na), I(KATP), I(SAC) by actin microfilaments. Microtubules exist as a dense network throughout the adult cardiac cell, and their structure, architecture, kinetics and pharmacological manipulation are well described. Both polymerised and free tubulin are functionally significant. Microtubule proliferation reduces contraction by impeding sarcomeric motion; modulation of sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+) release may also be involved in this effect. The lack of effect of microtubule disruption on cardiac contractility in adult myocytes, and the concentration-dependent modulation of the rate of contraction by the disruptor nocodazole in neonatal myocytes, support the existence of functionally distinct microtubule populations. We address the controversy regarding the stimulation of the beta-adrenergic signalling pathway by free tubulin. Work with mice lacking desmin has demonstrated the importance of intermediate filaments to normal cardiac function, but the precise role that desmin plays in the electrical and mechanical activity of cardiac muscle has yet to be determined.

Regulation of the cardiac L-type Ca2+ channel by the actin-binding proteins alpha-actinin and dystrophin

The actin-binding proteins dystrophin and alpha-actinin are members of a family of actin-binding proteins that may link the cytoskeleton to membrane proteins such as ion channels. Previous work demonstrated that the activity of Ca2+ channels can be regulated by agents that disrupt or stabilize the cytoskeleton. In the present study, we employed immunohistochemical and electrophysiological techniques to investigate the potential regulation of cardiac L-type Ca2+ channel activity by dystrophin and alpha-actinin in cardiac myocytes and in heterologous cells. Both actin-binding proteins were found to colocalize with the Ca2+ channel in mouse cardiac myocytes and to modulate channel function. Inactivation of the Ca2+ channel in cardiac myocytes from mice lacking dystrophin (mdx mice) was reduced compared with that in wild-type myocytes, voltage dependence of activation was shifted by 5 mV to more positive potentials, and stimulation by the beta-adrenergic pathway and the dihydropyridine agonist BAY K 8644 was increased. Furthermore, heterologous coexpression of the Ca2+ channel with muscle, but not nonmuscle, forms of alpha-actinin was also found to reduce inactivation. As might be predicted from a reduction of Ca2+ channel inactivation, a prolonging of the mouse electrocardiogram QT was observed in mdx mice. These results suggest a combined role for dystrophin and alpha-actinin in regulating the activity of the cardiac L-type Ca2+ channel and a potential mechanism for cardiac dysfunction in Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophies.

Modulation of Kv1.5 currents by protein kinase A, tyrosine kinase, and protein tyrosine phosphatase requires an intact cytoskeleton

The regulation of cardiac delayed rectifier potassium (Kv) currents by cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) contributes to the control of blood pressure and heart rate. We investigated the modulation by PKA and protein phosphatases of cloned Kv1.5 channels expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes. Exposure of oocytes to activators of PKA (100 nM forskolin, 1 mM 8-bromo-cAMP, or 1 mM 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine) had no effect on the amplitude of Kv1.5 currents. Inhibition of PKA by injection of protein kinase A inhibitor peptide or exposure to myristoylated protein kinase A inhibitor peptide (M-PKI; 100 nM) reduced currents mediated by Kv1.5. M-PKI also reduced the amplitude of currents mediated by mutated Kv1.5 channels in which the COOH terminal PKA phosphorylation sites and PSD-95, Disc-large, and ZO-1-binding domain were removed. The reduction of Kv1.5 currents by M-PKI was attenuated by inhibition of actin polymerization by 1 microM cytochalasins B and D, but was not affected by 10 microM phalloidin (stabilizes actin filaments) or 50 microM colchicine (disrupts microtubules). Treatment of oocytes with antisense oligonucleotides against alpha-actinin-2 abolished the reduction in Kv1.5 current by M-PKI. These observations suggest that Kv1.5 currents are activated by endogenous PKA in "resting" oocytes and that inhibition of PKA activity reveals the action of endogenous phosphatases. Indeed, injection of alkaline phosphatase reduced currents mediated by Kv1.5. Further preincubation of oocytes with 1 mM sodium orthovanadate (a protein tyrosine phosphatase inhibitor) abolished the reduction in Kv1.5 currents by M-PKI. We conclude that currents encoded by Kv1.5 are regulated by PKA and protein tyrosine phosphatase and that this regulation requires an intact actin cytoskeleton and alpha-actinin-2.

Regulation of ion channels by protein tyrosine phosphorylation

Ion channels are regulated by protein phosphorylation and dephosphorylation of serine, threonine, and tyrosine residues. Evidence for the latter process, tyrosine phosphorylation, has increased substantially since this topic was last reviewed. In this review, we present a comprehensive summary and synthesis of the literature regarding the mechanism and function of ion channel regulation by protein tyrosine kinases and phosphatases. Coverage includes the majority of voltage-gated, ligand-gated, and second messenger-gated channels as well as several types of channels that have not yet been cloned, including store-operated Ca2+ channels, nonselective cation channels, and epithelial Na+ and Cl- channels. Additionally, we discuss the critical roles that channel-associated scaffolding proteins may play in localizing protein tyrosine kinases and phosphatases to the vicinity of ion channels.

Isoform-specific localization of voltage-gated K+ channels to distinct lipid raft populations. Targeting of Kv1.5 to caveolae

The precise subcellular localization of ion channels is often necessary to ensure rapid and efficient integration of both intracellular and extracellular signaling events. Recently, we have identified lipid raft association as a novel mechanism for the subcellular sorting of specific voltage-gated K(+) channels to regions of the membrane rich in signaling complexes. Here, we demonstrate isoform-specific targeting of voltage-gated K(+) (Kv) channels to distinct lipid raft populations with the finding that Kv1.5 specifically targets to caveolae. Multiple lines of evidence indicate that Kv1.5 and Kv2.1 exist in distinct raft domains: 1) channel/raft association shows differential sensitivity to increasing concentrations of Triton X-100; 2) unlike Kv2.1, Kv1.5 colocalizes with caveolin on the cell surface and redistributes with caveolin following microtubule disruption; and 3) immunoisolation of caveolae copurifies Kv1.5 channel. Both depletion of cellular cholesterol and inhibition of sphingolipid synthesis alter Kv1.5 channel function by inducing a hyperpolarizing shift in the voltage dependence of activation and inactivation. The differential targeting of Kv channel subtypes to caveolar and noncaveolar rafts within a single membrane represents a unique mechanism of compartmentalization, which may permit isoform-specific modulation of K(+) channel function.