The episodic ataxia type 1 mutation I262T alters voltage-dependent gating and disrupts protein biosynthesis of human Kv1.1 potassium channels

UBR4/POE facilitates secretory trafficking to maintain circadian clock synchrony

Ubiquitin ligases control the degradation of core clock proteins to govern the speed and resetting properties of the circadian pacemaker. However, few studies have addressed their potential to regulate other cellular events within clock neurons beyond clock protein turnover. Here, we report that the ubiquitin ligase, UBR4/POE, strengthens the central pacemaker by facilitating neuropeptide trafficking in clock neurons and promoting network synchrony. Ubr4-deficient mice are resistant to jetlag, whereas poe knockdown flies are prone to arrhythmicity, behaviors reflective of the reduced axonal trafficking of circadian neuropeptides. At the cellular level, Ubr4 ablation impairs the export of secreted proteins from the Golgi apparatus by reducing the expression of Coronin 7, which is required for budding of Golgi-derived transport vesicles. In summary, UBR4/POE fulfills a conserved and unexpected role in the vesicular trafficking of neuropeptides, a function that has important implications for circadian clock synchrony and circuit-level signal processing.

Although ubiquitin ligases are known to control clock protein degradation, their other roles in clock neurons are unclear. Here the authors report that UBR4 promotes export of neuropeptides from the Golgi for axonal trafficking, which is important for circadian clock synchrony in mice and flies.

Kv1.1 Channelopathies: Pathophysiological Mechanisms and Therapeutic Approaches

Kv1.1 belongs to the Shaker subfamily of voltage-gated potassium channels and acts as a critical regulator of neuronal excitability in the central and peripheral nervous systems. KCNA1 is the only gene that has been associated with episodic ataxia type 1 (EA1), an autosomal dominant disorder characterized by ataxia and myokymia and for which different and variable phenotypes have now been reported. The iterative characterization of channel defects at the molecular, network, and organismal levels contributed to elucidating the functional consequences of KCNA1 mutations and to demonstrate that ataxic attacks and neuromyotonia result from cerebellum and motor nerve alterations. Dysfunctions of the Kv1.1 channel have been also associated with epilepsy and kcna1 knock-out mouse is considered a model of sudden unexpected death in epilepsy. The tissue-specific association of Kv1.1 with other Kv1 members, auxiliary and interacting subunits amplifies Kv1.1 physiological roles and expands the pathogenesis of Kv1.1-associated diseases. In line with the current knowledge, Kv1.1 has been proposed as a novel and promising target for the treatment of brain disorders characterized by hyperexcitability, in the attempt to overcome limited response and side effects of available therapies. This review recounts past and current studies clarifying the roles of Kv1.1 in and beyond the nervous system and its contribution to EA1 and seizure susceptibility as well as its wide pharmacological potential.

Clinical Spectrum of KCNA1 Mutations: New Insights into Episodic Ataxia and Epilepsy Comorbidity

Mutations in the KCNA1 gene, which encodes voltage-gated Kv1.1 potassium channel α-subunits, cause a variety of human diseases, complicating simple genotype–phenotype correlations in patients. KCNA1 mutations are primarily associated with a rare neurological movement disorder known as episodic ataxia type 1 (EA1). However, some patients have EA1 in combination with epilepsy, whereas others have epilepsy alone. KCNA1 mutations can also cause hypomagnesemia and paroxysmal dyskinesia in rare cases. Why KCNA1 variants are associated with such phenotypic heterogeneity in patients is not yet understood. In this review, literature databases (PubMed) and public genetic archives (dbSNP and ClinVar) were mined for known pathogenic or likely pathogenic mutations in KCNA1 to examine whether patterns exist between mutation type and disease manifestation. Analyses of the 47 deleterious KCNA1 mutations that were identified revealed that epilepsy or seizure-related variants tend to cluster in the S1/S2 transmembrane domains and in the pore region of Kv1.1, whereas EA1-associated variants occur along the whole length of the protein. In addition, insights from animal models of KCNA1 channelopathy were considered, as well as the possible influence of genetic modifiers on disease expressivity and severity. Elucidation of the complex relationship between KCNA1 variants and disease will enable better diagnostic risk assessment and more personalized therapeutic strategies for KCNA1 channelopathy.

Persistent sodium current blockers can suppress seizures caused by loss of low-threshold D-type potassium currents: Predictions from an in silico study of Kv1 channel disorders

Objective

Ion channels belonging to subfamily A of voltage‐gated potassium channels (K_v1) are highly expressed on axons, where they play a key role in determining resting membrane potential, in shaping action potentials, and in modulating action potential frequency during repetitive neuronal firing. We aimed to study the genesis of seizures caused by mutations affecting K_v1 channels and searched for potential therapeutic targets.

Methods

We used a novel in silico model, the laminar cortex model (LCM), to examine changes in neuronal excitability and network dynamics associated with loss‐of‐function mutations in K_v1 channels. The LCM simulates the activities of a network of tens of thousands of interconnected neurons and incorporates the kinetics of 11 types of ion channel and three classes of neurotransmitter receptor. Changes in two types of potassium currents conducted by K_v1 channels were examined: slowly inactivating D‐type currents and rapidly inactivating A‐type currents. Effects on neuronal firing rate, action potential shape, and neuronal oscillation state were evaluated. A systematic parameter scan was performed to identify parameter changes that can reverse the effects of the changes.

Results

Reduced axonal D‐type currents led to lower firing threshold and widened action potentials, both lowering the seizure threshold. Two potential therapeutic targets for treating seizures caused by loss‐of‐function changes in K_v1 channels were identified: persistent sodium channels and NMDA receptors. Blocking persistent sodium channels restored the firing threshold and reduced action potential width. NMDA receptor antagonists reduced excitatory postsynaptic currents from excessive glutamate release related to widened action potentials.

Significance

Riluzole reduces persistent sodium currents and excitatory postsynaptic currents from NMDA receptor activation. Our results suggest that this FDA‐approved drug can be repurposed to treat epilepsies caused by mutations affecting axonal K_v1 channels.

Familial paroxysmal kinesigenic dyskinesia is associated with mutations in the KCNA1 gene

Paroxysmal kinesigenic dyskinesia (PKD) is a heterogeneous movement disorder characterized by recurrent dyskinesia attacks triggered by sudden movement. PRRT2 has been identified as the first causative gene of PKD. However, it is only responsible for approximately half of affected individuals, indicating that other loci are most likely involved in the etiology of this disorder. To explore the underlying causative gene of PRRT2-negative PKD, we used a combination strategy including linkage analysis, whole-exome sequencing and copy number variations analysis to detect the genetic variants within a family with PKD. We identified a linkage locus on chromosome 12 (12p13.32-12p12.3) and detected a novel heterozygous mutation c.956 T>G (p.319 L>R) in the potassium voltage-gated channel subfamily A member 1, KCNA1. Whole-exome sequencing in another 58 Chinese patients with PKD who lacked mutations in PRRT2 revealed another novel mutation in the KCNA1 gene [c.765 C>A (p.255 N>K)] within another family. Biochemical analysis revealed that the L319R mutant accelerated protein degradation via the proteasome pathway and disrupted membrane expression of the Kv1.1 channel. Electrophysiological examinations in transfected HEK293 cells showed that both the L319R and N255K mutants resulted in reduced potassium currents and respective altered gating properties, with a dominant negative effect on the Kv1.1 wild-type channel. Our study suggests that these mutations in KCNA1 cause the Kv1.1 channel dysfunction, which leads to familial PKD. The current study further extended the genotypic spectrum of this disorder, indicating that Kv1.1 channel dysfunction maybe one of the underlying defects in PKD.

A channelopathy mutation in the voltage-sensor discloses contributions of a conserved phenylalanine to gating properties of Kv1.1 channels and ataxia

Channelopathy mutations prove informative on disease causing mechanisms and channel gating dynamics. We have identified a novel heterozygous mutation in the KCNA1 gene of a young proband displaying typical signs and symptoms of Episodic Ataxia type 1 (EA1). This mutation is in the S4 helix of the voltage-sensing domain and results in the substitution of the highly conserved phenylalanine 303 by valine (p.F303V). The contributions of F303 towards K⁺ channel voltage gating are unclear and here have been assessed biophysically and by performing structural analysis using rat Kv1.2 coordinates. We observed significant positive shifts of voltage-dependence, changes in the activation, deactivation and slow inactivation kinetics, reduced window currents, and decreased current amplitudes of both Kv1.1 and Kv1.1/1.2 channels. Structural analysis revealed altered interactions between F303V and L339 and I335 of the S5 helix of a neighboring subunit. The substitution of an aromatic phenylalanine with an aliphatic valine within the voltage-sensor destabilizes the open state of the channel. Thus, F303 fine-tunes the Kv1.1 gating properties and contributes to the interactions between the S4 segment and neighboring alpha helices. The resulting channel's loss of function validates the clinical relevance of the mutation for EA1 pathogenesis.

Post-translational dysfunctions in channelopathies of the nervous system

Channelopathies comprise various diseases caused by defects of ion channels. Modifications of their biophysical properties are common and have been widely studied. However, ion channels are heterogeneous multi-molecular complexes that are extensively modulated and undergo a maturation process comprising numerous steps of structural modifications and intracellular trafficking. Perturbations of these processes can give rise to aberrant channels that cause pathologies. Here we review channelopathies of the nervous system associated with dysfunctions at the post-translational level (folding, trafficking, degradation, subcellular localization, interactions with associated proteins and structural post-translational modifications). We briefly outline the physiology of ion channels' maturation and discuss examples of defective mechanisms, focusing in particular on voltage-gated sodium channels, which are implicated in numerous neurological disorders. We also shortly introduce possible strategies to develop therapeutic approaches that target these processes. This article is part of the Special Issue entitled 'Channelopathies.'

Mutations underlying Episodic Ataxia type-1 antagonize Kv1.1 RNA editing

Adenosine-to-inosine RNA editing in transcripts encoding the voltage-gated potassium channel Kv1.1 converts an isoleucine to valine codon for amino acid 400, speeding channel recovery from inactivation. Numerous Kv1.1 mutations have been associated with the human disorder Episodic Ataxia Type-1 (EA1), characterized by stress-induced ataxia, myokymia, and increased prevalence of seizures. Three EA1 mutations, V404I, I407M, and V408A, are located within the RNA duplex structure required for RNA editing. Each mutation decreased RNA editing both in vitro and using an in vivo mouse model bearing the V408A allele. Editing of transcripts encoding mutant channels affects numerous biophysical properties including channel opening, closing, and inactivation. Thus EA1 symptoms could be influenced not only by the direct effects of the mutations on channel properties, but also by their influence on RNA editing. These studies provide the first evidence that mutations associated with human genetic disorders can affect cis-regulatory elements to alter RNA editing.