Decomposition of slide helix contributions to ATP-dependent inhibition of Kir6.2 channels

Non-radioactive Rb+ Efflux Assay for Screening KATP Channel Modulators

ATP-sensitive potassium (KATP) channels function as metabolic sensors that link cell membrane excitability to the cellular energy status by controlling potassium ion (K+) flow across the cell membrane according to intracellular ATP and ADP concentrations. As such, KATP channels influence a broad spectrum of physiological processes, including insulin secretion and cardiovascular functions. KATP channels are hetero-octamers, consisting of four inward rectifier potassium channel subunits, Kir6.1 or Kir6.2, and four sulfonylurea receptors (SURs), SUR1, SUR2A, or SUR2B. Different Kir6 and SUR isoforms assemble into KATP channel subtypes with distinct tissue distributions and physiological functions. Mutations in the genes encoding KATP channel subunits underlie various human diseases. Targeted treatment for these diseases requires subtype-specific KATP channel modulators. Rubidium ions (Rb+) also pass through KATP channels, and Rb+ efflux assays can be used to assess KATP channel function and activity. Flame atomic absorption spectroscopy (Flame-AAS) combined with microsampling can measure Rb+ in small volume, which provides an efficient tool to screen for compounds that alter KATP channel activity in Rb+ efflux assays. In this chapter, we describe a detailed protocol for Rb+ efflux assays designed to identify new KATP channel modulators with potential therapeutic utilities.

Gating and modulation of an inward-rectifier potassium channel

Inward-rectifier potassium channels (Kirs) are lipid-gated ion channels that differ from other K+ channels in that they allow K+ ions to flow more easily into, rather than out of, the cell. Inward rectification is known to result from endogenous magnesium ions or polyamines (e.g., spermine) binding to Kirs, resulting in a block of outward potassium currents, but questions remain regarding the structural and dynamic basis of the rectification process and lipid-dependent channel activation. Here, we present the results of long-timescale molecular dynamics simulations starting from a crystal structure of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2)-bound chicken Kir2.2 with a non-conducting pore. After introducing a mutation (G178R) that is known to increase the open probability of a homologous channel, we were able to observe transitions to a stably open, ion-conducting pore, during which key conformational changes occurred in the main activation gate and the cytoplasmic domain. PIP2 binding appeared to increase stability of the pore in its open and conducting state, as PIP2 removal resulted in pore closure, with a median closure time about half of that with PIP2 present. To investigate structural details of inward rectification, we simulated spermine binding to and unbinding from the open pore conformation at positive and negative voltages, respectively, and identified a spermine-binding site located near a previously hypothesized site between the pore cavity and the selectivity filter. We also studied the effects of long-range electrostatics on conduction and spermine binding by mutating charged residues in the cytoplasmic domain and found that a finely tuned charge density, arising from basic and acidic residues within the cytoplasmic domain, modulated conduction and rectification.

Ligand-mediated Structural Dynamics of a Mammalian Pancreatic KATP Channel

Regulation of pancreatic KATP channels involves orchestrated interactions of their subunits, Kir6.2 and SUR1, and ligands. Previously we reported KATP channel cryo-EM structures in the presence and absence of pharmacological inhibitors and ATP, focusing on the mechanisms by which inhibitors act as pharmacological chaperones of KATP channels (Martin et al., 2019). Here we analyzed the same cryo-EM datasets with a focus on channel conformational dynamics to elucidate structural correlates pertinent to ligand interactions and channel gating. We found pharmacological inhibitors and ATP enrich a channel conformation in which the Kir6.2 cytoplasmic domain is closely associated with the transmembrane domain, while depleting one where the Kir6.2 cytoplasmic domain is extended away into the cytoplasm. This conformational change remodels a network of intra- and inter-subunit interactions as well as the ATP and PIP2 binding pockets. The structures resolved key contacts between the distal N-terminus of Kir6.2 and SUR1's ABC module involving residues implicated in channel function and showed a SUR1 residue, K134, participates in PIP2 binding. Molecular dynamics simulations revealed two Kir6.2 residues, K39 and R54, that mediate both ATP and PIP2 binding, suggesting a mechanism for competitive gating by ATP and PIP2.

Sequence determinants of subtype-specific actions of KCNQ channel openers

KEY POINTS

Retigabine is a KCNQ voltage-gated potassium channel opener that was recently approved as an add-on therapeutic for patients with drug-resistant epilepsy. Retigabine exhibits very little specificity between most KCNQ channel subtypes, and there is interest in generating more potent and specific KCNQ channel openers. The present study describes the marked specificity of ICA069673 for KCNQ2 vs. KCNQ3, and exploits this property to investigate determinants of KCNQ subtype specificity. ICA069673 acts on a binding site in the voltage-sensing domain that is distinct from the putative retigabine site in the channel pore. ICA069673 has two separable effects on KCNQ channel activity. We identify two channel residues required for subtype specificity of KCNQ channel openers and show that these are sufficient to generate ICA069673 sensitivity in KCNQ3.

ABSTRACT

Retigabine (RTG) is the first approved anti-epileptic drug that acts via activation of voltage-gated potassium channels, targeting KCNQ channels that underlie the neuronal M-current. RTG exhibits little specificity between KCNQ2-5 as a result of conservation of a Trp residue in the pore domain that binds to the drug. The RTG analogue ICA-069673 ('ICA73') exhibits much stronger effects on KCNQ2 channels, including a large hyperpolarizing shift of the voltage-dependence of activation, an ∼2-fold enhancement of peak current and pronounced subtype specificity for KCNQ2 over KCNQ3. Based on ICA73 sensitivity of chimeric constructs of the transmembrane segments of KCNQ2 and KCNQ3, this drug appears to interact with the KCNQ2 voltage sensor (S1-S4) rather than the pore region targeted by RTG. KCNQ2 point mutants in the voltage sensor were generated based on KCNQ2/KCNQ3 sequence differences, and screened for ICA73 sensitivity. These experiments reveal that KCNQ2 residues F168 and A181 in the S3 segment are essential determinants of ICA73 subtype specificity. Mutations at either position in KCNQ2 abolish the ICA73-mediated gating shift, but preserve RTG sensitivity. Interestingly, A181P mutant channels show little ICA73-mediated gating shift but retain current potentiation by the drug. Mutations (L198F and P211A), which introduce these critical KCNQ2 residues at corresponding positions in KCNQ3, transplant partial ICA73 sensitivity. These findings demonstrate that RTG and ICA73 act via distinct mechanisms, and also reveal specific residues that underlie subtype specificity of KCNQ channel openers.

Channel function reconstitution and re-animation: a single-channel strategy in the postcrystal age

The most essential properties of ion channels for their physiologically relevant functions are ion-selective permeation and gating. Among the channel species, the potassium channel is primordial and the most ubiquitous in the biological world, and knowledge of this channel underlies the understanding of features of other ion channels. The strategy applied to studying channels changed dramatically after the crystal structure of the potassium channel was resolved. Given the abundant structural information available, we exploited the bacterial KcsA potassium channel as a simple model channel. In the postcrystal age, there are two effective frameworks with which to decipher the functional codes present in the channel structure, namely reconstitution and re-animation. Complex channel proteins are decomposed into essential functional components, and well-examined parts are rebuilt for integrating channel function in the membrane (reconstitution). Permeation and gating are dynamic operations, and one imagines the active channel by breathing life into the 'frozen' crystal (re-animation). Capturing the motion of channels at the single-molecule level is necessary to characterize the behaviour of functioning channels. Advanced techniques, including diffracted X-ray tracking, lipid bilayer methods and high-speed atomic force microscopy, have been used. Here, I present dynamic pictures of the KcsA potassium channel from the submolecular conformational changes to the supramolecular collective behaviour of channels in the membrane. These results form an integrated picture of the active channel and offer insights into the processes underlying the physiological function of the channel in the cell membrane.

A Conserved Residue Cluster That Governs Kinetics of ATP-dependent Gating of Kir6.2 Potassium Channels

ATP-sensitive potassium (KATP) channels are heteromultimeric complexes of an inwardly rectifying Kir channel (Kir6.x) and sulfonylurea receptors. Their regulation by intracellular ATP and ADP generates electrical signals in response to changes in cellular metabolism. We investigated channel elements that control the kinetics of ATP-dependent regulation of KATP (Kir6.2 + SUR1) channels using rapid concentration jumps. WT Kir6.2 channels re-open after rapid washout of ATP with a time constant of ∼60 ms. Extending similar kinetic measurements to numerous mutants revealed fairly modest effects on gating kinetics despite significant changes in ATP sensitivity and open probability. However, we identified a pair of highly conserved neighboring amino acids (Trp-68 and Lys-170) that control the rate of channel opening and inhibition in response to ATP. Paradoxically, mutations of Trp-68 or Lys-170 markedly slow the kinetics of channel opening (500 and 700 ms for W68L and K170N, respectively), while increasing channel open probability. Examining the functional effects of these residues using φ value analysis revealed a steep negative slope. This finding implies that these residues play a role in lowering the transition state energy barrier between open and closed channel states. Using unnatural amino acid incorporation, we demonstrate the requirement for a planar amino acid at Kir6.2 position 68 for normal channel gating, which is potentially necessary to localize the ϵ-amine of Lys-170 in the phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate-binding site. Overall, our findings identify a discrete pair of highly conserved residues with an essential role for controlling gating kinetics of Kir channels.

Inward rectifiers and their regulation by endogenous polyamines

Inwardly-rectifying potassium (Kir) channels contribute to maintenance of the resting membrane potential and regulation of electrical excitation in many cell types. Strongly rectifying Kir channels exhibit a very steep voltage dependence resulting in silencing of their activity at depolarized membrane voltages. The mechanism underlying this steep voltage dependence is blockade by endogenous polyamines. These small multifunctional, polyvalent metabolites enter the long Kir channel pore from the intracellular side, displacing multiple occupant ions as they migrate to a stable binding site in the transmembrane region of the channel. Numerous structure-function studies have revealed structural elements of Kir channels that determine their susceptibility to polyamine block, and enable the steep voltage dependence of this process. In addition, various channelopathies have been described that result from alteration of the polyamine sensitivity or activity of strongly rectifying channels. The primary focus of this article is to summarize current knowledge of the molecular mechanisms of polyamine block, and provide some perspective on lingering uncertainties related to this physiologically important mechanism of ion channel blockade. We also briefly review some of the important and well understood physiological roles of polyamine sensitive, strongly rectifying Kir channels, primarily of the Kir2 family.

Pharmacological rescue of trafficking-impaired ATP-sensitive potassium channels

ATP-sensitive potassium (K_ATP) channels link cell metabolism to membrane excitability and are involved in a wide range of physiological processes including hormone secretion, control of vascular tone, and protection of cardiac and neuronal cells against ischemic injuries. In pancreatic β-cells, K_ATP channels play a key role in glucose-stimulated insulin secretion, and gain or loss of channel function results in neonatal diabetes or congenital hyperinsulinism, respectively. The β-cell K_ATP channel is formed by co-assembly of four Kir6.2 inwardly rectifying potassium channel subunits encoded by KCNJ11 and four sulfonylurea receptor 1 subunits encoded by ABCC8. Many mutations in ABCC8 or KCNJ11 cause loss of channel function, thus, congenital hyperinsulinism by hampering channel biogenesis and hence trafficking to the cell surface. The trafficking defects caused by a subset of these mutations can be corrected by sulfonylureas, K_ATP channel antagonists that have long been used to treat type 2 diabetes. More recently, carbamazepine, an anticonvulsant that is thought to target primarily voltage-gated sodium channels has been shown to correct K_ATP channel trafficking defects. This article reviews studies to date aimed at understanding the mechanisms by which mutations impair channel biogenesis and trafficking and the mechanisms by which pharmacological ligands overcome channel trafficking defects. Insight into channel structure-function relationships and therapeutic implications from these studies are discussed.

Characterization of polyhormonal insulin-producing cells derived in vitro from human embryonic stem cells

Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) were used as a model system of human pancreas development to study characteristics of the polyhormonal cells that arise during fetal pancreas development. HESCs were differentiated into fetal-like pancreatic cells in vitro using a 33-day, 7-stage protocol. Cultures were ~90-95% PDX1-positive by day (d) 11 and 70-75% NKX6.1-positive by d17. Polyhormonal cells were scattered at d17, but developed into islet-like clusters that expressed key transcription factors by d33. Human C-peptide and glucagon secretion were first detected at d17 and increased thereafter in parallel with INS and GCG transcript levels. HESC-derived cells were responsive to KCl and arginine, but not glucose in perifusion studies. Compared to adult human islets, hESC-derived cells expressed ~10-fold higher levels of glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1) mRNA, but similar levels of glucokinase (GCK). In situ hybridization confirmed the presence of GLUT1 transcript within endocrine cells. However, GLUT1 protein was excluded from this population and was instead observed predominantly in non-endocrine cells, whereas GCK was co-expressed in insulin-positive cells. In rubidium efflux assays, hESC-derived cells displayed mild potassium channel activity, but no responsiveness to glucose, metabolic inhibitors or glibenclamide. Western blotting experiments revealed that the higher molecular weight SUR1 band was absent in hESC-derived cells, suggesting a lack of functional KATP channels at the cell surface. In addition, KATP channel subunit transcript levels were not at a 1:1 ratio, as would be expected (SUR1 levels were ~5-fold lower than KIR6.2). Various ratios of SUR1:KIR6.2 plasmids were transfected into COSM6 cells and rubidium efflux was found to be particularly sensitive to a reduction in SUR1. These data suggest that an impaired ratio of SUR1:KIR6.2 may contribute to the observed KATP channel defects in hESC-derived islet endocrine cells, and along with lack of GLUT1, may explain the absence of glucose-stimulated insulin secretion.