1
|
Codding SJ, Trudeau MC. Photoinhibition of the hERG potassium channel PAS domain by ultraviolet light speeds channel closing. Biophys J 2024:S0006-3495(24)00351-5. [PMID: 38796698 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2024.05.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2024] [Revised: 04/30/2024] [Accepted: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/28/2024] Open
Abstract
hERG potassium channels are critical for cardiac excitability. hERG channels have a Per-Arnt-Sim (PAS) domain at their N-terminus, and here, we examined the mechanism for PAS domain regulation of channel opening and closing (gating). We used TAG codon suppression to incorporate the noncanonical amino acid 4-benzoyl-L-phenylalanine (BZF), which is capable of forming covalent cross-links after photoactivation by ultraviolet (UV) light, at three locations (G47, F48, and E50) in the PAS domain. We found that hERG-G47BZF channels had faster closing (deactivation) when irradiated in the open state (at 0 mV) but showed no measurable changes when irradiated in the closed state (at -100 mV). hERG-F48BZF channels had slower activation, faster deactivation, and a marked rightward shift in the voltage dependence of activation when irradiated in the open (at 0 mV) or closed (at -100 mV) state. hERG-E50BZF channels had no measurable changes when irradiated in the open state (at 0 mV) but had slower activation, faster deactivation, and a rightward shift in the voltage dependence of activation when irradiated in the closed state (at -100mV), indicating that hERG-E50BZF had a state-dependent difference in UV photoactivation, which we interpret to mean that PAS underwent molecular motions between the open and closed states. Moreover, we propose that UV-dependent biophysical changes in hERG-G47BZF, F48BZF, and E50BZF were the direct result of photochemical cross-linking that reduced dynamic motions in the PAS domain and broadly stabilized the closed state relative to the open state of the channel.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sara J Codding
- Department of Physiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Matthew C Trudeau
- Department of Physiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Trudeau MC. A hydrophobic nexus at the heart of hERG K channel gating. Biophys J 2024:S0006-3495(24)00181-4. [PMID: 38475996 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2024.03.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2024] [Revised: 03/08/2024] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Matthew C Trudeau
- Department of Physiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Stevens-Sostre WA, Flores-Aldama L, Bustos D, Li J, Morais-Cabral JH, Delemotte L, Robertson GA. An intracellular hydrophobic nexus critical for hERG1 channel slow deactivation. Biophys J 2024:S0006-3495(24)00026-2. [PMID: 38219015 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2024.01.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2023] [Revised: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 01/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Slow deactivation is a critical property of voltage-gated K+ channels encoded by the human Ether-à-go-go-Related Gene 1 (hERG). hERG1 channel deactivation is modulated by interactions between intracellular N-terminal Per-Arnt-Sim (PAS) and C-terminal cyclic nucleotide-binding homology (CNBh) domains. The PAS domain is multipartite, comprising a globular domain (gPAS; residues 26-135) and an N-terminal PAS-cap that is further subdivided into an initial unstructured "tip" (residues 1-12) and an amphipathic α-helical region (residues 13-25). Although the PAS-cap tip has long been considered the effector of slow deactivation, how its position near the gating machinery is controlled has not been elucidated. Here, we show that a triad of hydrophobic interactions among the gPAS, PAS-cap α helix, and the CNBh domains is required to support slow deactivation in hERG1. The primary sequence of this "hydrophobic nexus" is highly conserved among mammalian ERG channels but shows key differences to fast-deactivating Ether-à-go-go 1 (EAG1) channels. Combining sequence analysis, structure-directed mutagenesis, electrophysiology, and molecular dynamics simulations, we demonstrate that polar serine substitutions uncover an intermediate deactivation mode that is also mimicked by deletion of the PAS-cap α helix. Molecular dynamics simulation analyses of the serine-substituted channels show an increase in distance among the residues of the hydrophobic nexus, a rotation of the intracellular gating ring, and a retraction of the PAS-cap tip from its receptor site near the voltage sensor domain and channel gate. These findings provide compelling evidence that the hydrophobic nexus coordinates the respective components of the intracellular gating ring and positions the PAS-cap tip to control hERG1 deactivation gating.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Whitney A Stevens-Sostre
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Lisandra Flores-Aldama
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Daniel Bustos
- Centro de Investigación de Estudios Avanzados Del Maule (CIEAM), Vicerrectoría de Investigación y Postgrado, Universidad Católica Del Maule, Talca, Chile; Laboratorio de Bioinformática y Química Computacional (LBQC), Departamento de Medicina Traslacional, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Católica Del Maule, Talca, Chile
| | - Jin Li
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - João H Morais-Cabral
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação Em Saude da Universidade Do Porto (i3S); Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Universidade Do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Lucie Delemotte
- KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Science for Life Laboratory, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Gail A Robertson
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
AlRawashdeh S, Chandrasekaran S, Barakat KH. Structural analysis of hERG channel blockers and the implications for drug design. J Mol Graph Model 2023; 120:108405. [PMID: 36680816 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmgm.2023.108405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2022] [Revised: 12/26/2022] [Accepted: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
The repolarizing current (Ikr) produced by the hERG potassium channel forms a major component of the cardiac action potential and blocking this current by small molecule drugs can lead to life-threatening cardiotoxicity. Understanding the mechanisms of drug-mediated hERG inhibition is essential to develop a second generation of safe drugs, with minimal cardiotoxic effects. Although various computational tools and drug design guidelines have been developed to avoid binding of drugs to the hERG pore domain, there are many other aspects that are still open for investigation. This includes the use computational modelling to study the implications of hERG mutations on hERG structure and trafficking, the interactions of hERG with hERG chaperone proteins and with membrane-soluble molecules, the mechanisms of drugs that inhibit hERG trafficking and drugs that rescue hERG mutations. The plethora of available experimental data regarding all these aspects can guide the construction of much needed robust computational structural models to study these mechanisms for the rational design of safe drugs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sara AlRawashdeh
- Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | | | - Khaled H Barakat
- Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Zangerl-Plessl EM, Wu W, Sanguinetti MC, Stary-Weinzinger A. Binding of RPR260243 at the intracellular side of the hERG1 channel pore domain slows closure of the helix bundle crossing gate. Front Mol Biosci 2023; 10:1137368. [PMID: 36911523 PMCID: PMC9996038 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2023.1137368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Abstract
The opening and closing of voltage-dependent potassium channels is dependent on a tight coupling between movement of the voltage sensing S4 segments and the activation gate. A specific interaction between intracellular amino- and carboxyl-termini is required for the characteristically slow rate of channel closure (deactivation) of hERG1 channels. Compounds that increase hERG1 channel currents represent a novel approach for prevention of arrhythmia associated with prolonged ventricular repolarization. RPR260243 (RPR), a quinoline oxo-propyl piperidine derivative, inhibits inactivation and dramatically slows the rate of hERG1 channel deactivation. Here we report that similar to its effect on wild-type channels, RPR greatly slows the deactivation rate of hERG1 channels missing their amino-termini, or of split channels lacking a covalent link between the voltage sensor domain and the pore domain. By contrast, RPR did not slow deactivation of C-terminal truncated hERG1 channels or D540K hERG1 mutant channels activated by hyperpolarization. Together, these findings indicate that ability of RPR to slow deactivation requires an intact C-terminus, does not slow deactivation by stabilizing an interaction involving the amino-terminus or require a covalent link between the voltage sensor and pore domains. All-atom molecular dynamics simulations using the cryo-EM structure of the hERG1 channel revealed that RPR binds to a pocket located at the intracellular ends of helices S5 and S6 of a single subunit. The slowing of channel deactivation by RPR may be mediated by disruption of normal S5-S6 interactions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Wei Wu
- Department of Internal Medicine, Nora Eccles Harrison Cardiovascular Research & Training Institute, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
| | - Michael C Sanguinetti
- 3 Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Nora Eccles Harrison Cardiovascular Research and Training Institute, University of Utah, Salt LakeCity, UT, United States
| | | |
Collapse
|
6
|
Dickinson MS, Pourmal S, Gupta M, Bi M, Stroud RM. Symmetry Reduction in a Hyperpolarization-Activated Homotetrameric Ion Channel. Biochemistry 2022; 61:2177-2181. [PMID: 34964607 PMCID: PMC9931035 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.1c00654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Plants obtain nutrients from the soil via transmembrane transporters and channels in their root hairs, from which ions radially transport in toward the xylem for distribution across the plant body. We determined structures of the hyperpolarization-activated channel AKT1 from Arabidopsis thaliana, which mediates K+ uptake from the soil into plant roots. These structures of AtAKT1 embedded in lipid nanodiscs show that the channel undergoes a reduction of C4 to C2 symmetry, possibly to regulate its electrical activation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Miles Sasha Dickinson
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of California San Francisco, Genentech Hall, 600 16th Street, San Francisco, California 94158, United States
- Chemistry and Chemical Biology Graduate Program, University of California San Francisco, Genentech Hall, 600 16th Street, San Francisco, California 94143, United States
| | - Sergei Pourmal
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of California San Francisco, Genentech Hall, 600 16th Street, San Francisco, California 94158, United States
- Chemistry and Chemical Biology Graduate Program, University of California San Francisco, Genentech Hall, 600 16th Street, San Francisco, California 94143, United States
| | - Meghna Gupta
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of California San Francisco, Genentech Hall, 600 16th Street, San Francisco, California 94158, United States
| | - Maxine Bi
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of California San Francisco, Genentech Hall, 600 16th Street, San Francisco, California 94158, United States
- Graduate Group in Biophysics, University of California San Francisco, Genentech Hall, 600 16th Street, San Francisco, California 94143, United States
| | - Robert M Stroud
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of California San Francisco, Genentech Hall, 600 16th Street, San Francisco, California 94158, United States
- Chemistry and Chemical Biology Graduate Program, University of California San Francisco, Genentech Hall, 600 16th Street, San Francisco, California 94143, United States
- Graduate Group in Biophysics, University of California San Francisco, Genentech Hall, 600 16th Street, San Francisco, California 94143, United States
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Johnson AA, Crawford TR, Trudeau MC. The N-linker region of hERG1a upregulates hERG1b potassium channels. J Biol Chem 2022; 298:102233. [PMID: 35798139 PMCID: PMC9428852 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2022.102233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2021] [Revised: 06/17/2022] [Accepted: 06/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
A major physiological role of hERG1 (human Ether-á-go-go-Related Gene 1) potassium channels is to repolarize cardiac action potentials. Two isoforms, hERG1a and hERG1b, associate to form the potassium current IKr in cardiomyocytes. Inherited mutations in hERG1a or hERG1b cause prolonged cardiac repolarization, long QT syndrome, and sudden death arrhythmia. hERG1a subunits assemble with and enhance the number of hERG1b subunits at the plasma membrane, but the mechanism for the increase in hERG1b by hERG1a is not well understood. Here, we report that the hERG1a N-terminal region expressed in trans with hERG1b markedly increased hERG1b currents and increased biotin-labeled hERG1b protein at the membrane surface. hERG1b channels with a deletion of the N-terminal 1b domain did not have a measurable increase in current or biotinylated protein when coexpressed with hERG1a N-terminal regions, indicating that the 1b domain was required for the increase in hERG1b. Using a biochemical pull-down interaction assay and a FRET hybridization experiment, we detected a direct interaction between the hERG1a N-terminal region and the hERG1b N-terminal region. Using engineered deletions and alanine mutagenesis, we identified a short span of amino acids at positions 216 to 220 within the hERG1a "N-linker" region that were necessary for the upregulation of hERG1b. We propose that direct structural interactions between the hERG1a N-linker region and the hERG1b 1b domain increase hERG1b at the plasma membrane. Mechanisms regulating hERG1a and hERG1b are likely critical for cardiac function, may be disrupted by long QT syndrome mutants, and serve as potential targets for therapeutics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ashley A Johnson
- Department of Physiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Taylor R Crawford
- Department of Physiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Matthew C Trudeau
- Department of Physiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Al Salmani MK, Tavakoli R, Zaman W, Al Harrasi A. Multiple mechanisms underlie reduced potassium conductance in the p.T1019PfsX38 variant of hERG. Physiol Rep 2022; 10:e15341. [PMID: 35854468 PMCID: PMC9296870 DOI: 10.14814/phy2.15341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2021] [Revised: 05/15/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Long QT syndrome type II (LQT2) is caused by loss‐of‐function mutations in the hERG K+ channel, leading to increased incidence of cardiac arrest and sudden death. Many genetic variants have been reported in the hERG gene with various consequences on channel expression, permeation, and gating. Only a small number of LQT2 causing variants has been characterized to define the underlying pathophysiological causes of the disease. We sought to determine the characteristics of the frameshift variant p.Thr1019ProfsX38 (T1019PfsX38) which affects the C‐terminus of the protein. This mutation was identified in an extended Omani family of LQT2. It replaces the last 140 amino acids of hERG with 37 unique amino acids. T1019 is positioned at a distinguished region of the C‐terminal tail of hERG, as predicted from the deep learning system AlphaFold v2.0. We employed the whole‐cell configuration of the patch‐clamp technique to study wild‐type and mutant channels that were transiently expressed in human embryonic kidney 293 (HEK293) cells. Depolarizing voltages elicited slowly deactivating tail currents that appeared upon repolarization of cells that express either wild‐type‐ or T1019PfsX38‐hERG. There were no differences in the voltage and time dependencies of activation between the two variants. However, the rates of hERG channel deactivation at hyperpolarizing potentials were accelerated by T1019PfsX38. In addition, the voltage dependence of inactivation of T1019PfsX38‐hERG was shifted by 20 mV in the negative direction when compared with wild‐type hERG. The rates of channel inactivation were increased in the mutant channel variant. Next, we employed a step‐ramp protocol to mimic membrane repolarization by the cardiac action potential. The amplitudes of outward currents and their integrals were reduced in the mutant variant when compared with the wild‐type variant during repolarization. Thus, changes in the gating dynamics of hERG by the T1019PfsX38 variant contribute to the pathology seen in affected LQT2 patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Majid K Al Salmani
- Natural and Medical Sciences Research Center, University of Nizwa, Nizwa, Oman
| | - Rezvan Tavakoli
- Natural and Medical Sciences Research Center, University of Nizwa, Nizwa, Oman
| | - Wajid Zaman
- Natural and Medical Sciences Research Center, University of Nizwa, Nizwa, Oman
| | - Ahmed Al Harrasi
- Natural and Medical Sciences Research Center, University of Nizwa, Nizwa, Oman
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Sanchez-Conde FG, Jimenez-Vazquez EN, Auerbach DS, Jones DK. The ERG1 K+ Channel and Its Role in Neuronal Health and Disease. Front Mol Neurosci 2022; 15:890368. [PMID: 35600076 PMCID: PMC9113952 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2022.890368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2022] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The ERG1 potassium channel, encoded by KCNH2, has long been associated with cardiac electrical excitability. Yet, a growing body of work suggests that ERG1 mediates physiology throughout the human body, including the brain. ERG1 is a regulator of neuronal excitability, ERG1 variants are associated with neuronal diseases (e.g., epilepsy and schizophrenia), and ERG1 serves as a potential therapeutic target for neuronal pathophysiology. This review summarizes the current state-of-the-field regarding the ERG1 channel structure and function, ERG1’s relationship to the mammalian brain and highlights key questions that have yet to be answered.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Eric N. Jimenez-Vazquez
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - David S. Auerbach
- Department of Pharmacology, State University of New York Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY, United States
- *Correspondence: David S. Auerbach,
| | - David K. Jones
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
- David K. Jones,
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Soohoo SM, Tiwari PB, Suzuki YJ, Brelidze TI. Investigation of PAS and CNBH domain interactions in hERG channels and effects of long-QT syndrome-causing mutations with surface plasmon resonance. J Biol Chem 2021; 298:101433. [PMID: 34801551 PMCID: PMC8693265 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2021.101433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2021] [Revised: 11/15/2021] [Accepted: 11/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Human ether-á-go-go-related gene (hERG) channels are key regulators of cardiac repolarization, neuronal excitability, and tumorigenesis. hERG channels contain N-terminal Per-Arnt-Sim (PAS) and C-terminal cyclic nucleotide-binding homology (CNBH) domains with many long-QT syndrome (LQTS)-causing mutations located at the interface between these domains. Despite the importance of PAS/CNBH domain interactions, little is known about their affinity. Here, we used the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) technique to investigate interactions between isolated PAS and CNBH domains and the effects of LQTS-causing mutations R20G, N33T, and E58D, located at the PAS/CNBH domain interface, on these interactions. We determined that the affinity of the PAS/CNBH domain interactions was ∼1.4 μM. R20G and E58D mutations had little effect on the domain interaction affinity, while N33T abolished the domain interactions. Interestingly, mutations in the intrinsic ligand, a conserved stretch of amino acids occupying the beta-roll cavity in the CNBH domain, had little effect on the affinity of PAS/CNBH domain interactions. Additionally, we determined that the isolated PAS domains formed oligomers with an interaction affinity of ∼1.6 μM. Coexpression of the isolated PAS domains with the full-length hERG channels or addition of the purified PAS protein inhibited hERG currents. These PAS/PAS interactions can have important implications for hERG function in normal and pathological conditions associated with increased surface density of channels or interaction with other PAS-domain-containing proteins. Taken together, our study provides the first account of the binding affinities for wild-type and mutant hERG PAS and CNBH domains and highlights the potential functional significance of PAS/PAS domain interactions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie M Soohoo
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Purushottam B Tiwari
- Department of Oncology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Yuichiro J Suzuki
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Tinatin I Brelidze
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, District of Columbia, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Conformation-sensitive antibody reveals an altered cytosolic PAS/CNBh assembly during hERG channel gating. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:2108796118. [PMID: 34716268 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2108796118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2021] [Accepted: 09/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The human ERG (hERG) K+ channel has a crucial function in cardiac repolarization, and mutations or channel block can give rise to long QT syndrome and catastrophic ventricular arrhythmias. The cytosolic assembly formed by the Per-Arnt-Sim (PAS) and cyclic nucleotide binding homology (CNBh) domains is the defining structural feature of hERG and related KCNH channels. However, the molecular role of these two domains in channel gating remains unclear. We have previously shown that single-chain variable fragment (scFv) antibodies can modulate hERG function by binding to the PAS domain. Here, we mapped the scFv2.12 epitope to a site overlapping with the PAS/CNBh domain interface using NMR spectroscopy and mutagenesis and show that scFv binding in vitro and in the cell is incompatible with the PAS interaction with CNBh. By generating a fluorescently labeled scFv2.12, we demonstrate that association with the full-length hERG channel is state dependent. We detect Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) with scFv2.12 when the channel gate is open but not when it is closed. In addition, state dependence of scFv2.12 FRET signal disappears when the R56Q mutation, known to destabilize the PAS-CNBh interaction, is introduced in the channel. Altogether, these data are consistent with an extensive structural alteration of the PAS/CNBh assembly when the cytosolic gate opens, likely favoring PAS domain dissociation from the CNBh domain.
Collapse
|
12
|
Kemp JM, Whittaker DG, Venkateshappa R, Pang Z, Johal R, Sergeev V, Tibbits GF, Mirams GR, Claydon TW. Electrophysiological characterization of the hERG R56Q LQTS variant and targeted rescue by the activator RPR260243. J Gen Physiol 2021; 153:212555. [PMID: 34398210 PMCID: PMC8493834 DOI: 10.1085/jgp.202112923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2021] [Revised: 06/11/2021] [Accepted: 07/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Human Ether-à-go-go (hERG) channels contribute to cardiac repolarization, and inherited variants or drug block are associated with long QT syndrome type 2 (LQTS2) and arrhythmia. Therefore, hERG activator compounds present a therapeutic opportunity for targeted treatment of LQTS. However, a limiting concern is over-activation of hERG resurgent current during the action potential and abbreviated repolarization. Activators that slow deactivation gating (type I), such as RPR260243, may enhance repolarizing hERG current during the refractory period, thus ameliorating arrhythmogenicity with reduced early repolarization risk. Here, we show that, at physiological temperature, RPR260243 enhances hERG channel repolarizing currents conducted in the refractory period in response to premature depolarizations. This occurs with little effect on the resurgent hERG current during the action potential. The effects of RPR260243 were particularly evident in LQTS2-associated R56Q mutant channels, whereby RPR260243 restored WT-like repolarizing drive in the early refractory period and diastolic interval, combating attenuated protective currents. In silico kinetic modeling of channel gating predicted little effect of the R56Q mutation on hERG current conducted during the action potential and a reduced repolarizing protection against afterdepolarizations in the refractory period and diastolic interval, particularly at higher pacing rates. These simulations predicted partial rescue from the arrhythmic effects of R56Q by RPR260243 without risk of early repolarization. Our findings demonstrate that the pathogenicity of some hERG variants may result from reduced repolarizing protection during the refractory period and diastolic interval with limited effect on action potential duration, and that the hERG channel activator RPR260243 may provide targeted antiarrhythmic potential in these cases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jacob M Kemp
- Department of Biomedical Physiology and Kinesiology, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, Canada
| | - Dominic G Whittaker
- Centre for Mathematical Medicine & Biology, School of Mathematical Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | | | - ZhaoKai Pang
- Department of Biomedical Physiology and Kinesiology, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, Canada
| | - Raj Johal
- Department of Biomedical Physiology and Kinesiology, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, Canada
| | - Valentine Sergeev
- Department of Biomedical Physiology and Kinesiology, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, Canada
| | - Glen F Tibbits
- Department of Biomedical Physiology and Kinesiology, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, Canada
| | - Gary R Mirams
- Centre for Mathematical Medicine & Biology, School of Mathematical Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Thomas W Claydon
- Department of Biomedical Physiology and Kinesiology, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Codding SJ, Johnson AA, Trudeau MC. Gating and regulation of KCNH (ERG, EAG, and ELK) channels by intracellular domains. Channels (Austin) 2021; 14:294-309. [PMID: 32924766 PMCID: PMC7515569 DOI: 10.1080/19336950.2020.1816107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The KCNH family comprises the ERG, EAG, and ELK voltage-activated, potassium-selective channels. Distinct from other K channels, KCNH channels contain unique structural domains, including a PAS (Per-Arnt-Sim) domain in the N-terminal region and a CNBHD (cyclic nucleotide-binding homology domain) in the C-terminal region. The intracellular PAS domains and CNBHDs interact directly and regulate some of the characteristic gating properties of each type of KCNH channel. The PAS-CNBHD interaction regulates slow closing (deactivation) of hERG channels, the kinetics of activation and pre-pulse dependent population of closed states (the Cole-Moore shift) in EAG channels and voltage-dependent potentiation in ELK channels. KCNH channels are all regulated by an intrinsic ligand motif in the C-terminal region which binds to the CNBHD. Here, we focus on some recent advances regarding the PAS-CNBHD interaction and the intrinsic ligand.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sara J Codding
- Department of Physiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine , Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Ashley A Johnson
- Department of Physiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine , Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Matthew C Trudeau
- Department of Physiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine , Baltimore, MD, USA
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Saponara S, Fusi F, Iovinelli D, Ahmed A, Trezza A, Spiga O, Sgaragli G, Valoti M. Flavonoids and hERG channels: Friends or foes? Eur J Pharmacol 2021; 899:174030. [PMID: 33727059 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2021.174030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2020] [Revised: 02/28/2021] [Accepted: 03/11/2021] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
The cardiac action potential is regulated by several ion channels. Drugs capable to block these channels, in particular the human ether-à-go-go-related gene (hERG) channel, also known as KV11.1 channel, may lead to a potentially lethal ventricular tachyarrhythmia called "Torsades de Pointes". Thus, evaluation of the hERG channel off-target activity of novel chemical entities is nowadays required to safeguard patients as well as to avoid attrition in drug development. Flavonoids, a large class of natural compounds abundantly present in food, beverages, herbal medicines, and dietary food supplements, generally escape this assessment, though consumed in consistent amounts. Continuously growing evidence indicates that these compounds may interact with the hERG channel and block it. The present review, by examining numerous studies, summarizes the state-of-the-art in this field, describing the most significant examples of direct and indirect inhibition of the hERG channel current operated by flavonoids. A description of the molecular interactions between a few of these natural molecules and the Rattus norvegicus channel protein, achieved by an in silico approach, is also presented.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Simona Saponara
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita, Università degli Studi di Siena, via A. Moro 2, 53100, Siena, Italy
| | - Fabio Fusi
- Dipartimento di Biotecnologie, Chimica e Farmacia, Università degli Studi di Siena, via A. Moro 2, 53100, Siena, Italy.
| | - Daniele Iovinelli
- Dipartimento di Biotecnologie, Chimica e Farmacia, Università degli Studi di Siena, via A. Moro 2, 53100, Siena, Italy
| | - Amer Ahmed
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita, Università degli Studi di Siena, via A. Moro 2, 53100, Siena, Italy
| | - Alfonso Trezza
- Dipartimento di Biotecnologie, Chimica e Farmacia, Università degli Studi di Siena, via A. Moro 2, 53100, Siena, Italy
| | - Ottavia Spiga
- Dipartimento di Biotecnologie, Chimica e Farmacia, Università degli Studi di Siena, via A. Moro 2, 53100, Siena, Italy
| | - Giampietro Sgaragli
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita, Università degli Studi di Siena, via A. Moro 2, 53100, Siena, Italy; Accademia Italiana della Vite e del Vino, via Logge degli Uffizi Corti 1, 50122, Florence, Italy
| | - Massimo Valoti
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita, Università degli Studi di Siena, via A. Moro 2, 53100, Siena, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Refinement of a cryo-EM structure of hERG: Bridging structure and function. Biophys J 2021; 120:738-748. [PMID: 33476597 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2021.01.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2020] [Revised: 12/22/2020] [Accepted: 01/11/2021] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
The human-ether-a-go-go-related gene (hERG) encodes the voltage-gated potassium channel (KCNH2 or Kv11.1, commonly known as hERG). This channel plays a pivotal role in the stability of phase 3 repolarization of the cardiac action potential. Although a high-resolution cryo-EM structure is available for its depolarized (open) state, the structure surprisingly did not feature many functionally important interactions established by previous biochemical and electrophysiology experiments. Using molecular dynamics flexible fitting (MDFF), we refined the structure and recovered the missing functionally relevant salt bridges in hERG in its depolarized state. We also performed electrophysiology experiments to confirm the functional relevance of a novel salt bridge predicted by our refinement protocol. Our work shows how refinement of a high-resolution cryo-EM structure helps to bridge the existing gap between the structure and function in the voltage-sensing domain (VSD) of hERG.
Collapse
|
16
|
Zhang Y, Dempsey CE, Hancox JC. Electrophysiological characterization of the modified hERG T potassium channel used to obtain the first cryo-EM hERG structure. Physiol Rep 2020; 8:e14568. [PMID: 33091232 PMCID: PMC7580876 DOI: 10.14814/phy2.14568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2020] [Revised: 08/13/2020] [Accepted: 08/14/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The voltage-gated hERG (human-Ether-à-go-go Related Gene) K+ channel plays a fundamental role in cardiac action potential repolarization. Loss-of-function mutations or pharmacological inhibition of hERG leads to long QT syndrome, whilst gain-of-function mutations lead to short QT syndrome. A recent open channel cryo-EM structure of hERG represents a significant advance in the ability to interrogate hERG channel structure-function. In order to suppress protein aggregation, a truncated channel construct of hERG (hERGT ) was used to obtain this structure. In hERGT cytoplasmic domain residues 141 to 350 and 871 to 1,005 were removed from the full-length channel protein. There are limited data on the electrophysiological properties of hERGT channels. Therefore, this study was undertaken to determine how hERGT influences channel function at physiological temperature. Whole-cell measurements of hERG current (IhERG ) were made at 37°C from HEK 293 cells expressing wild-type (WT) or hERGT channels. With a standard +20 mV activating command protocol, neither end-pulse nor tail IhERG density significantly differed between WT and hERGT . However, the IhERG deactivation rate was significantly slower for hERGT . Half-maximal activation voltage (V0.5 ) was positively shifted for hERGT by ~+8 mV (p < .05 versus WT), without significant change to the activation relation slope factor. Neither the voltage dependence of inactivation, nor time course of development of inactivation significantly differed between WT and hERGT , but recovery of IhERG from inactivation was accelerated for hERGT (p < .05 versus WT). Steady-state "window" current was positively shifted for hERGT with a modest increase in the window current peak. Under action potential (AP) voltage clamp, hERGT IhERG showed modestly increased current throughout the AP plateau phase with a significant increase in current integral during the AP. The observed consequences for hERGT IhERG of deletion of the two cytoplasmic regions may reflect changes to electrostatic interactions influencing the voltage sensor domain.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yihong Zhang
- School of Physiology and Pharmacology and NeuroscienceBiomedical Sciences BuildingThe University of BristolUniversity WalkBristolUK
| | - Christopher E. Dempsey
- School of BiochemistryBiomedical Sciences BuildingThe University of BristolUniversity WalkBristolUK
| | - Jules C. Hancox
- School of Physiology and Pharmacology and NeuroscienceBiomedical Sciences BuildingThe University of BristolUniversity WalkBristolUK
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Brewer KR, Kuenze G, Vanoye CG, George AL, Meiler J, Sanders CR. Structures Illuminate Cardiac Ion Channel Functions in Health and in Long QT Syndrome. Front Pharmacol 2020; 11:550. [PMID: 32431610 PMCID: PMC7212895 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2020.00550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2020] [Accepted: 04/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The cardiac action potential is critical to the production of a synchronized heartbeat. This electrical impulse is governed by the intricate activity of cardiac ion channels, among them the cardiac voltage-gated potassium (Kv) channels KCNQ1 and hERG as well as the voltage-gated sodium (Nav) channel encoded by SCN5A. Each channel performs a highly distinct function, despite sharing a common topology and structural components. These three channels are also the primary proteins mutated in congenital long QT syndrome (LQTS), a genetic condition that predisposes to cardiac arrhythmia and sudden cardiac death due to impaired repolarization of the action potential and has a particular proclivity for reentrant ventricular arrhythmias. Recent cryo-electron microscopy structures of human KCNQ1 and hERG, along with the rat homolog of SCN5A and other mammalian sodium channels, provide atomic-level insight into the structure and function of these proteins that advance our understanding of their distinct functions in the cardiac action potential, as well as the molecular basis of LQTS. In this review, the gating, regulation, LQTS mechanisms, and pharmacological properties of KCNQ1, hERG, and SCN5A are discussed in light of these recent structural findings.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn R. Brewer
- Center for Structural Biology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine Basic Sciences, Nashville, TN, United States
- Department of Biochemistry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, United States
| | - Georg Kuenze
- Center for Structural Biology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine Basic Sciences, Nashville, TN, United States
- Department of Chemistry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, United States
| | - Carlos G. Vanoye
- Department of Pharmacology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Alfred L. George
- Department of Pharmacology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Jens Meiler
- Center for Structural Biology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine Basic Sciences, Nashville, TN, United States
- Department of Chemistry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, United States
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine Basic Sciences, Nashville, TN, United States
- Institute for Drug Discovery, Leipzig University Medical School, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Charles R. Sanders
- Center for Structural Biology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine Basic Sciences, Nashville, TN, United States
- Department of Biochemistry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, United States
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Barros F, de la Peña P, Domínguez P, Sierra LM, Pardo LA. The EAG Voltage-Dependent K + Channel Subfamily: Similarities and Differences in Structural Organization and Gating. Front Pharmacol 2020; 11:411. [PMID: 32351384 PMCID: PMC7174612 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2020.00411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2019] [Accepted: 03/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
EAG (ether-à-go-go or KCNH) are a subfamily of the voltage-gated potassium (Kv) channels. Like for all potassium channels, opening of EAG channels drives the membrane potential toward its equilibrium value for potassium, thus setting the resting potential and repolarizing action potentials. As voltage-dependent channels, they switch between open and closed conformations (gating) when changes in membrane potential are sensed by a voltage sensing domain (VSD) which is functionally coupled to a pore domain (PD) containing the permeation pathway, the potassium selectivity filter, and the channel gate. All Kv channels are tetrameric, with four VSDs formed by the S1-S4 transmembrane segments of each subunit, surrounding a central PD with the four S5-S6 sections arranged in a square-shaped structure. Structural information, mutagenesis, and functional experiments, indicated that in "classical/Shaker-type" Kv channels voltage-triggered VSD reorganizations are transmitted to PD gating via the α-helical S4-S5 sequence that links both modules. Importantly, these Shaker-type channels share a domain-swapped VSD/PD organization, with each VSD contacting the PD of the adjacent subunit. In this case, the S4-S5 linker, acting as a rigid mechanical lever (electromechanical lever coupling), would lead to channel gate opening at the cytoplasmic S6 helices bundle. However, new functional data with EAG channels split between the VSD and PD modules indicate that, in some Kv channels, alternative VSD/PD coupling mechanisms do exist. Noticeably, recent elucidation of the architecture of some EAG channels, and other relatives, showed that their VSDs are non-domain swapped. Despite similarities in primary sequence and predicted structural organization for all EAG channels, they show marked kinetic differences whose molecular basis is not completely understood. Thus, while a common general architecture may establish the gating system used by the EAG channels and the physicochemical coupling of voltage sensing to gating, subtle changes in that common structure, and/or allosteric influences of protein domains relatively distant from the central gating machinery, can crucially influence the gating process. We consider here the latest advances on these issues provided by the elucidation of eag1 and erg1 three-dimensional structures, and by both classical and more recent functional studies with different members of the EAG subfamily.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Francisco Barros
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Universidad de Oviedo, Edificio Santiago Gascón, Oviedo, Spain
| | - Pilar de la Peña
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Universidad de Oviedo, Edificio Santiago Gascón, Oviedo, Spain
| | - Pedro Domínguez
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Universidad de Oviedo, Edificio Santiago Gascón, Oviedo, Spain
| | - Luisa Maria Sierra
- Departamento de Biología Funcional (Area de Genética), Instituto Universitario de Oncología del Principado de Asturias (IUOPA), Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias (ISPA), Universidad de Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain
| | - Luis A. Pardo
- Oncophysiology Group, Max Planck Institute of Experimental Medicine, Göttingen, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Wang ZJ, Soohoo SM, Tiwari PB, Piszczek G, Brelidze TI. Chlorpromazine binding to the PAS domains uncovers the effect of ligand modulation on EAG channel activity. J Biol Chem 2020; 295:4114-4123. [PMID: 32047112 PMCID: PMC7105296 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra119.012377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2019] [Revised: 02/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Ether-a-go-go (EAG) potassium selective channels are major regulators of neuronal excitability and cancer progression. EAG channels contain a Per-Arnt-Sim (PAS) domain in their intracellular N-terminal region. The PAS domain is structurally similar to the PAS domains in non-ion channel proteins, where these domains frequently function as ligand-binding domains. Despite the structural similarity, it is not known whether the PAS domain can regulate EAG channel function via ligand binding. Here, using surface plasmon resonance, tryptophan fluorescence, and analysis of EAG currents recorded in Xenopus laevis oocytes, we show that a small molecule chlorpromazine (CH), widely used as an antipsychotic medication, binds to the isolated PAS domain of EAG channels and inhibits currents from these channels. Mutant EAG channels that lack the PAS domain show significantly lower inhibition by CH, suggesting that CH affects currents from EAG channels directly through the binding to the PAS domain. Our study lends support to the hypothesis that there are previously unaccounted steps in EAG channel gating that could be activated by ligand binding to the PAS domain. This has broad implications for understanding gating mechanisms of EAG and related ERG and ELK K+ channels and places the PAS domain as a new target for drug discovery in EAG and related channels. Up-regulation of EAG channel activity is linked to cancer and neurological disorders. Our study raises the possibility of repurposing the antipsychotic drug chlorpromazine for treatment of neurological disorders and cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ze-Jun Wang
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, D. C., 20057
| | - Stephanie M Soohoo
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, D. C., 20057
| | - Purushottam B Tiwari
- Department of Oncology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, D. C., 20057
| | - Grzegorz Piszczek
- Biophysics Core, NHLBI, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892
| | - Tinatin I Brelidze
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, D. C., 20057.
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Shi YP, Thouta S, Claydon TW. Modulation of hERG K + Channel Deactivation by Voltage Sensor Relaxation. Front Pharmacol 2020; 11:139. [PMID: 32184724 PMCID: PMC7059196 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2020.00139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2019] [Accepted: 01/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The hERG (human-ether-à-go-go-related gene) channel underlies the rapid delayed rectifier current, Ikr, in the heart, which is essential for normal cardiac electrical activity and rhythm. Slow deactivation is one of the hallmark features of the unusual gating characteristics of hERG channels, and plays a crucial role in providing a robust current that aids repolarization of the cardiac action potential. As such, there is significant interest in elucidating the underlying mechanistic determinants of slow hERG channel deactivation. Recent work has shown that the hERG channel S4 voltage sensor is stabilized following activation in a process termed relaxation. Voltage sensor relaxation results in energetic separation of the activation and deactivation pathways, producing a hysteresis, which modulates the kinetics of deactivation gating. Despite widespread observation of relaxation behaviour in other voltage-gated K+ channels, such as Shaker, Kv1.2 and Kv3.1, as well as the voltage-sensing phosphatase Ci-VSP, the relationship between stabilization of the activated voltage sensor by the open pore and voltage sensor relaxation in the control of deactivation has only recently begun to be explored. In this review, we discuss present knowledge and questions raised related to the voltage sensor relaxation mechanism in hERG channels and compare structure-function aspects of relaxation with those observed in related ion channels. We focus discussion, in particular, on the mechanism of coupling between voltage sensor relaxation and deactivation gating to highlight the insight that these studies provide into the control of hERG channel deactivation gating during their physiological functioning.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yu Patrick Shi
- Department of Biomedical Physiology and Kinesiology, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
| | - Samrat Thouta
- Department of Biomedical Physiology and Kinesiology, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
| | - Thomas W Claydon
- Department of Biomedical Physiology and Kinesiology, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
De Zio R, Gerbino A, Forleo C, Pepe M, Milano S, Favale S, Procino G, Svelto M, Carmosino M. Functional study of a KCNH2 mutant: Novel insights on the pathogenesis of the LQT2 syndrome. J Cell Mol Med 2019; 23:6331-6342. [PMID: 31361068 PMCID: PMC6714209 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.14521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2019] [Revised: 06/02/2019] [Accepted: 06/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The K+ voltage-gated channel subfamily H member 2 (KCNH2) transports the rapid component of the cardiac delayed rectifying K+ current. The aim of this study was to characterize the biophysical properties of a C-terminus-truncated KCNH2 channel, G1006fs/49 causing long QT syndrome type II in heterozygous members of an Italian family. Mutant carriers underwent clinical workup, including 12-lead electrocardiogram, transthoracic echocardiography and 24-hour ECG recording. Electrophysiological experiments compared the biophysical properties of G1006fs/49 with those of KCNH2 both expressed either as homotetramers or as heterotetramers in HEK293 cells. Major findings of this work are as follows: (a) G1006fs/49 is functional at the plasma membrane even when co-expressed with KCNH2, (b) G1006fs/49 exerts a dominant-negative effect on KCNH2 conferring specific biophysical properties to the heterotetrameric channel such as a significant delay in the voltage-sensitive transition to the open state, faster kinetics of both inactivation and recovery from the inactivation and (c) the activation kinetics of the G1006fs/49 heterotetrameric channels is partially restored by a specific KCNH2 activator. The functional characterization of G1006fs/49 homo/heterotetramers provided crucial findings about the pathogenesis of LQTS type II in the mutant carriers, thus providing a new and potential pharmacological strategy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Roberta De Zio
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Andrea Gerbino
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Cinzia Forleo
- Cardiology Unit, Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantation, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Martino Pepe
- Cardiology Unit, Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantation, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Serena Milano
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Stefano Favale
- Cardiology Unit, Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantation, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Procino
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Maria Svelto
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Monica Carmosino
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari, Bari, Italy.,Department of Sciences, University of Basilicata, Potenza, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Brelidze TI. N- and C-terminal interactions in KCNH channels: The spotlight on the intrinsic ligand. J Gen Physiol 2019; 151:400-403. [PMID: 30782602 PMCID: PMC6445575 DOI: 10.1085/jgp.201812313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Brelidze examines recent data revealing the new role of the intrinsic ligand in hERG potassium channel gating.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tinatin I Brelidze
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Shi YP, Thouta S, Cheng YM, Claydon TW. Extracellular protons accelerate hERG channel deactivation by destabilizing voltage sensor relaxation. J Gen Physiol 2018; 151:231-246. [PMID: 30530765 PMCID: PMC6363419 DOI: 10.1085/jgp.201812137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2018] [Revised: 08/23/2018] [Accepted: 11/07/2018] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The human ether-à-go-go–related gene (hERG) encodes a delayed rectifier K+ channel with slow deactivation gating. Shi et al. find that acidic residues on S3 contribute to slow deactivation kinetics by stabilizing the relaxed state of the voltage sensor, which can be mitigated by extracellular protons. hERG channels underlie the delayed-rectifier K+ channel current (IKr), which is crucial for membrane repolarization and therefore termination of the cardiac action potential. hERG channels display unusually slow deactivation gating, which contributes to a resurgent current upon repolarization and may protect against post-depolarization–induced arrhythmias. hERG channels also exhibit robust mode shift behavior, which reflects the energetic separation of activation and deactivation pathways due to voltage sensor relaxation into a stable activated state. The mechanism of relaxation is unknown and likely contributes to slow hERG channel deactivation. Here, we use extracellular acidification to probe the structural determinants of voltage sensor relaxation and its influence on the deactivation gating pathway. Using gating current recordings and voltage clamp fluorimetry measurements of voltage sensor domain dynamics, we show that voltage sensor relaxation is destabilized at pH 6.5, causing an ∼20-mV shift in the voltage dependence of deactivation. We show that the pH dependence of the resultant loss of mode shift behavior is similar to that of the deactivation kinetics acceleration, suggesting that voltage sensor relaxation correlates with slower pore gate closure. Neutralization of D509 in S3 also destabilizes the relaxed state of the voltage sensor, mimicking the effect of protons, suggesting that acidic residues on S3, which act as countercharges to S4 basic residues, are involved in stabilizing the relaxed state and slowing deactivation kinetics. Our findings identify the mechanistic determinants of voltage sensor relaxation and define the long-sought mechanism by which protons accelerate hERG deactivation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yu Patrick Shi
- Department of Biomedical Physiology and Kinesiology, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Samrat Thouta
- Department of Biomedical Physiology and Kinesiology, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Yen May Cheng
- Department of Biomedical Physiology and Kinesiology, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Tom W Claydon
- Department of Biomedical Physiology and Kinesiology, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Aromolaran AS, Srivastava U, Alí A, Chahine M, Lazaro D, El-Sherif N, Capecchi PL, Laghi-Pasini F, Lazzerini PE, Boutjdir M. Interleukin-6 inhibition of hERG underlies risk for acquired long QT in cardiac and systemic inflammation. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0208321. [PMID: 30521586 PMCID: PMC6283635 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0208321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2018] [Accepted: 11/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Increased proinflammatory interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels are associated with acquired long QT-syndrome (LQTS) in patients with systemic inflammation, leading to higher risks for life-threatening polymorphic ventricular tachycardia such as Torsades de Pointes. However, the functional and molecular mechanisms of this association are not known. In most cases of acquired LQTS, the target ion channel is the human ether-á-go-go-related gene (hERG) encoding the rapid component of the delayed rectifier K current, IKr, which plays a critical role in cardiac repolarization. Here, we tested the hypothesis that IL-6 may cause QT prolongation by suppressing IKr. Electrophysiological and biochemical assays were used to assess the impact of IL-6 on the functional expression of IKr in HEK293 cells and adult guinea-pig ventricular myocytes (AGPVM). In HEK293 cells, IL-6 alone or in combination with the soluble IL-6 receptor (IL-6R), produced a significant depression of IKr peak and tail current densities. Block of IL-6R or Janus kinase (JAK) reversed the inhibitory effects of IL-6 on IKr. In AGPVM, IL-6 prolonged action potential duration (APD) which was further prolonged in the presence of IL-6R. Similar to heterologous cells, IL-6 reduced endogenous guinea pig ERG channel mRNA and protein expression. The data are first to demonstrate that IL-6 inhibition of IKr and the resulting prolongation of APD is mediated via IL-6R and JAK pathway activation and forms the basis for the observed clinical QT interval prolongation. These novel findings may guide the development of targeted anti-arrhythmic therapeutic interventions in patients with LQTS and inflammatory disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ademuyiwa S. Aromolaran
- Cardiovascular Research Program, VA New York Harbor Healthcare System, Brooklyn, New York, United States of America
- Department of Cell Biology and Pharmacology, State University of New York Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, New York, United States of America
| | - Ujala Srivastava
- Cardiovascular Research Program, VA New York Harbor Healthcare System, Brooklyn, New York, United States of America
- Department of Cell Biology and Pharmacology, State University of New York Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, New York, United States of America
| | - Alessandra Alí
- Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Mohamed Chahine
- Centre de Recherche, Institut Universitaire en Santé Mentale de Québec, Department of Medicine, Université Laval, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
| | - Deana Lazaro
- Cardiovascular Research Program, VA New York Harbor Healthcare System, Brooklyn, New York, United States of America
| | - Nabil El-Sherif
- Cardiovascular Research Program, VA New York Harbor Healthcare System, Brooklyn, New York, United States of America
| | - Pier Leopoldo Capecchi
- Department of Medical Sciences, Surgery and Neurosciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Franco Laghi-Pasini
- Department of Medical Sciences, Surgery and Neurosciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Pietro Enea Lazzerini
- Department of Medical Sciences, Surgery and Neurosciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Mohamed Boutjdir
- Cardiovascular Research Program, VA New York Harbor Healthcare System, Brooklyn, New York, United States of America
- Department of Cell Biology and Pharmacology, State University of New York Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, New York, United States of America
- Departments of Medicine, State University of New York Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, New York, United States of America
- Department of Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Codding SJ, Trudeau MC. The hERG potassium channel intrinsic ligand regulates N- and C-terminal interactions and channel closure. J Gen Physiol 2018; 151:478-488. [PMID: 30425124 PMCID: PMC6445578 DOI: 10.1085/jgp.201812129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2018] [Accepted: 10/26/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
An intersubunit interaction between the N-terminal PAS domain and C-terminal cyclic nucleotide binding homology domain (CNBHD) regulates slow deactivation in hERG potassium channels. By mutating the intrinsic ligand, Codding and Trudeau disrupt slow deactivation and prevent the PAS-CNBHD interaction. Human ether-à-go-go–related gene (hERG, KCNH2) voltage-activated potassium channels are critical for cardiac excitability. hERG channels have characteristic slow closing (deactivation), which is auto-regulated by a direct interaction between the N-terminal Per-Arnt-Sim (PAS) domain and the C-terminal cyclic nucleotide binding homology domain (CNBHD). hERG channels are not activated by the binding of extrinsic cyclic nucleotide ligands, but rather bind an “intrinsic ligand” that is composed of residues 860–862 within the CNBHD and mimics a cyclic nucleotide. The intrinsic ligand is located at the PAS–CNBHD interface, but its mechanism of action in hERG is not well understood. Here we use whole-cell patch-clamp electrophysiology and FRET spectroscopy to examine how the intrinsic ligand regulates gating. To carry out this work, we coexpress PAS (a PAS domain fused to cyan fluorescent protein) in trans with hERG “core” channels (channels with a deletion of the PAS domain fused to citrine fluorescent protein). The PAS domain in trans with hERG core channels has slow (regulated) deactivation, like that of WT hERG channels, as well as robust FRET, which indicates there is a direct functional and structural interaction of the PAS domain with the channel core. In contrast, PAS in trans with hERG F860A core channels has intermediate deactivation and intermediate FRET, indicating perturbation of the PAS domain interaction with the CNBHD. Furthermore, PAS in trans with hERG L862A core channels, or PAS in trans with hERG F860G,L862G core channels, has fast (nonregulated) deactivation and no measurable FRET, indicating abolition of the PAS and CNBHD interaction. These results indicate that the intrinsic ligand is necessary for the functional and structural interaction between the PAS domain and the CNBHD, which regulates the characteristic slow deactivation gating in hERG channels.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sara J Codding
- Department of Physiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
| | - Matthew C Trudeau
- Department of Physiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Kume S, Shimomura T, Tateyama M, Kubo Y. Two mutations at different positions in the CNBH domain of the hERG channel accelerate deactivation and impair the interaction with the EAG domain. J Physiol 2018; 596:4629-4650. [PMID: 30086184 DOI: 10.1113/jp276208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2018] [Accepted: 08/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
KEY POINTS In the human ether-a-go-go related gene (hERG) channel, both the ether-a-go-go (EAG) domain in the N-terminal and the cyclic nucleotide (CN) binding homology (CNBH) domain in the C-terminal cytoplasmic region are known to contribute to the characteristic slow deactivation. Mutations of Phe860 in the CNBH domain, reported to fill the CN binding pocket, accelerate the deactivation and decrease the fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) efficiencies between the EAG and CNBH domains. An electrostatic interaction between Arg696 and Asp727 in the C-linker domain, critical for HCN and CNG channels, is not formed in the hERG channel. Mutations of newly identified electrostatically interacting pair, Asp727 in the C-linker and Arg752 in the CNBH domains, accelerate the deactivation and decrease FRET efficiency. Voltage-dependent changes in FRET efficiency were not detected. These results suggest that the acceleration of the deactivation by mutations of C-terminal domains is a result of the lack of interaction between the EAG and CNBH domains. ABSTRACT The human ether-a-go-go related gene (hERG) channel shows characteristic slow deactivation, and the contribution of both of the N-terminal cytoplasmic ether-a-go-go (EAG) domain and the C-terminal cytoplasmic cyclic nucleotide (CN) binding homology (CNBH) domain is well known. The interaction between these domains is known to be critical for slow deactivation. We analysed the effects of mutations in the CNBH domain and its upstream C-linker domain on slow deactivation and the interaction between the EAG and CNBH domains by electrophysiological and fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) analyses using Xenopus oocyte and HEK293T cell expression systems. We first observed that mutations of Phe860 in the CNBH domain, which is reported to fill the CN binding pocket as an intrinsic ligand, accelerate deactivation and eliminate the inter-domain interaction. Next, we observed that the salt bridge between Arg696 and Asp727 in the C-linker domain, which is reported to be critical for the function of CN-regulated channels, is not formed. We newly identified an electrostatically interacting pair critical for slow deactivation: Asp727 and Arg752 in the CNBH domain. Their mutations also impaired the inter-domain interaction. Taking these results together, both mutations of the intrinsic ligand (Phe860) and a newly identified salt bridge pair (Asp727 and Arg752) in the hERG channel accelerated deactivation and also decreased the interaction between the EAG and CNBH domains. Voltage-dependent changes in FRET efficiency between the two domains were not detected. The results suggest that the CNBH domain contributes to slow deactivation of the hERG channel by a mechanism involving the EAG domain.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shinichiro Kume
- Division of Biophysics and Neurobiology, Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, National Institute for Physiological Sciences, Okazaki, Japan.,Department of Physiological Sciences, School of Life Science, SOKENDAI, Hayama, Japan.,Present address: Department of Pathophysiology, Oita University School of Medicine, Yufu, Oita, Japan
| | - Takushi Shimomura
- Division of Biophysics and Neurobiology, Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, National Institute for Physiological Sciences, Okazaki, Japan.,Department of Physiological Sciences, School of Life Science, SOKENDAI, Hayama, Japan
| | - Michihiro Tateyama
- Division of Biophysics and Neurobiology, Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, National Institute for Physiological Sciences, Okazaki, Japan.,Department of Physiological Sciences, School of Life Science, SOKENDAI, Hayama, Japan
| | - Yoshihiro Kubo
- Division of Biophysics and Neurobiology, Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, National Institute for Physiological Sciences, Okazaki, Japan.,Department of Physiological Sciences, School of Life Science, SOKENDAI, Hayama, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Perissinotti LL, De Biase PM, Guo J, Yang PC, Lee MC, Clancy CE, Duff HJ, Noskov SY. Determinants of Isoform-Specific Gating Kinetics of hERG1 Channel: Combined Experimental and Simulation Study. Front Physiol 2018; 9:207. [PMID: 29706893 PMCID: PMC5907531 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2018.00207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2017] [Accepted: 02/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
IKr is the rapidly activating component of the delayed rectifier potassium current, the ion current largely responsible for the repolarization of the cardiac action potential. Inherited forms of long QT syndrome (LQTS) (Lees-Miller et al., 1997) in humans are linked to functional modifications in the Kv11.1 (hERG) ion channel and potentially life threatening arrhythmias. There is little doubt now that hERG-related component of IKr in the heart depends on the tetrameric (homo- or hetero-) channels formed by two alternatively processed isoforms of hERG, termed hERG1a and hERG1b. Isoform composition (hERG1a- vs. the b-isoform) has recently been reported to alter pharmacologic responses to some hERG blockers and was proposed to be an essential factor pre-disposing patients for drug-induced QT prolongation. Very little is known about the gating and pharmacological properties of two isoforms in heart membranes. For example, how gating mechanisms of the hERG1a channels differ from that of hERG1b is still unknown. The mechanisms by which hERG 1a/1b hetero-tetramers contribute to function in the heart, or what role hERG1b might play in disease are all questions to be answered. Structurally, the two isoforms differ only in the N-terminal region located in the cytoplasm: hERG1b is 340 residues shorter than hERG1a and the initial 36 residues of hERG1b are unique to this isoform. In this study, we combined electrophysiological measurements for HEK cells, kinetics and structural modeling to tease out the individual contributions of each isoform to Action Potential formation and then make predictions about the effects of having various mixture ratios of the two isoforms. By coupling electrophysiological data with computational kinetic modeling, two proposed mechanisms of hERG gating in two homo-tetramers were examined. Sets of data from various experimental stimulation protocols (HEK cells) were analyzed simultaneously and fitted to Markov-chain models (M-models). The minimization procedure presented here, allowed assessment of suitability of different Markov model topologies and the corresponding parameters that describe the channel kinetics. The kinetics modeling pointed to key differences in the gating kinetics that were linked to the full channel structure. Interactions between soluble domains and the transmembrane part of the channel appeared to be critical determinants of the gating kinetics. The structures of the full channel in the open and closed states were compared for the first time using the recent Cryo-EM resolved structure for full open hERG channel and an homology model for the closed state, based on the highly homolog EAG1 channel. Key potential interactions which emphasize the importance of electrostatic interactions between N-PAS cap, S4-S5, and C-linker are suggested based on the structural analysis. The derived kinetic parameters were later used in higher order models of cells and tissue to track down the effect of varying the ratios of hERG1a and hERG1b on cardiac action potentials and computed electrocardiograms. Simulations suggest that the recovery from inactivation of hERG1b may contribute to its physiologic role of this isoform in the action potential. Finally, the results presented here contribute to the growing body of evidence that hERG1b significantly affects the generation of the cardiac Ikr and plays an important role in cardiac electrophysiology. We highlight the importance of carefully revisiting the Markov models previously proposed in order to properly account for the relative abundance of the hERG1 a- and b- isoforms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Laura L Perissinotti
- Centre for Molecular Simulations, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Pablo M De Biase
- Centre for Molecular Simulations, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Jiqing Guo
- Libin Cardiovascular Institute of Alberta, Faculty of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Pei-Chi Yang
- Department of Physiology and Membrane Biology, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Miranda C Lee
- Centre for Molecular Simulations, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Colleen E Clancy
- Department of Physiology and Membrane Biology, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Henry J Duff
- Libin Cardiovascular Institute of Alberta, Faculty of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Sergei Y Noskov
- Centre for Molecular Simulations, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Ogundele OM, Lee CC. CaMKIIα expression in a mouse model of NMDAR hypofunction schizophrenia: Putative roles for IGF-1R and TLR4. Brain Res Bull 2018; 137:53-70. [PMID: 29137928 PMCID: PMC5835406 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2017.11.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2017] [Revised: 11/03/2017] [Accepted: 11/08/2017] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Schizophrenia (SCZ) is a neuropsychiatric disorder that is linked to social behavioral deficits and other negative symptoms associated with hippocampal synaptic dysfunction. Synaptic mechanism of schizophrenia is characterized by loss of hippocampal N-Methyl-d-Aspartate Receptor (NMDAR) activity (NMDAR hypofunction) and dendritic spines. Previous studies show that genetic deletion of hippocampal synaptic regulatory calcium-calmodulin dependent kinase II alpha (CaMKIIα) cause synaptic and behavioral defects associated with schizophrenia in mice. Although CaMKIIα is involved in modulation of NMDAR activity, it is equally linked to inflammatory and neurotropin signaling in neurons. Based on these propositions, we speculate that non-neurotransmitter upstream receptors associated with neurotropic and inflammatory signaling activities of CaMKIIα may alter its synaptic function. Besides, how these receptors (i.e. inflammatory and neurotropic receptors) alter CaMKIIα function (phosphorylation) relative to hippocampal NMDAR activity in schizophrenia is poorly understood. Here, we examined the relationship between toll-like receptor (TLR4; inflammatory), insulin-like growth factor receptor 1 (IGF-1R; neurotropic) and CaMKIIα expression in the hippocampus of behaviorally deficient schizophrenic mice after we induced schizophrenia through NMDAR inhibition. Schizophrenia was induced in WT (C57BL/6) mice through intraperitoneal administration of 30mg/Kg ketamine (NMDAR antagonist) for 5days (WT/SCZ). Five days after the last ketamine treatment, wild type schizophrenic mice show deficiencies in sociability and social novelty behavior. Furthermore, there was a significant decrease in hippocampal CaMKIIα (p<0.001) and IGF-1R (p<0.001) expression when assessed through immunoblotting and confocal immunofluorescence microscopy. Additionally, WT schizophrenic mice show an increased percentage of phosphorylated CaMKIIα in addition to upregulated TLR4 signaling (TLR4, NF-κB, and MAPK/ErK) in the hippocampus. To ascertain the functional link between TLR4, IGF-1R and CaMKIIα relative to NMDAR hypofunction in schizophrenia, we created hippocampal-specific TLR4 knockdown mouse using AAV-driven Cre-lox technique (TLR4 KD). Subsequently, we inhibited NMDAR function in TLR4 KD mice in an attempt to induce schizophrenia (TLR4 KD SCZ). Interestingly, IGF-1R and CaMKIIα expressions were preserved in the TLR4 KD hippocampus after attenuation of NMDAR function. Furthermore, TLR4 KD SCZ mice showed no prominent defects in sociability and social novelty behavior when compared with the control (WT). Our results show that a sustained IGF-1R expression may preserve the synaptic activity of CaMKIIα while TLR4 signaling ablates hippocampal CaMKIIα expression in NMDAR hypofunction schizophrenia. Together, we infer that IGF-1R depletion and increased TLR4 signaling are non-neurotransmitter pro-schizophrenic cues that can reduce synaptic CaMKIIα activity in a pharmacologic mouse model of schizophrenia.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- O M Ogundele
- Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine, Baton Rouge, LA, United States.
| | - C C Lee
- Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine, Baton Rouge, LA, United States.
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Lamothe SM, Hulbert M, Guo J, Li W, Yang T, Zhang S. Glycosylation stabilizes hERG channels on the plasma membrane by decreasing proteolytic susceptibility. FASEB J 2018; 32:1933-1943. [DOI: 10.1096/fj.201700832r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2017] [Accepted: 11/13/2017] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Shawn M. Lamothe
- Department of Biomedical and Molecular SciencesQueen's UniversityKingstonOntarioCanada
| | - Maggie Hulbert
- Department of Biomedical and Molecular SciencesQueen's UniversityKingstonOntarioCanada
| | - Jun Guo
- Department of Biomedical and Molecular SciencesQueen's UniversityKingstonOntarioCanada
| | - Wentao Li
- Department of Biomedical and Molecular SciencesQueen's UniversityKingstonOntarioCanada
| | - Tonghua Yang
- Department of Biomedical and Molecular SciencesQueen's UniversityKingstonOntarioCanada
| | - Shetuan Zhang
- Department of Biomedical and Molecular SciencesQueen's UniversityKingstonOntarioCanada
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
James ZM, Zagotta WN. Structural insights into the mechanisms of CNBD channel function. J Gen Physiol 2017; 150:225-244. [PMID: 29233886 PMCID: PMC5806680 DOI: 10.1085/jgp.201711898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2017] [Accepted: 11/28/2017] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
James and Zagotta discuss how recent cryoEM structures inform our understanding of cyclic nucleotide–binding domain channels. Cyclic nucleotide-binding domain (CNBD) channels are a family of ion channels in the voltage-gated K+ channel superfamily that play crucial roles in many physiological processes. CNBD channels are structurally similar but functionally very diverse. This family includes three subfamilies: (1) the cyclic nucleotide-gated (CNG) channels, which are cation-nonselective, voltage-independent, and cyclic nucleotide-gated; (2) the hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated (HCN) channels, which are weakly K+ selective, hyperpolarization-activated, and cyclic nucleotide-gated; and (3) the ether-à-go-go-type (KCNH) channels, which are strongly K+ selective, depolarization-activated, and cyclic nucleotide-independent. Recently, several high-resolution structures have been reported for intact CNBD channels, providing a structural framework to better understand their diverse function. In this review, we compare and contrast the recent structures and discuss how they inform our understanding of ion selectivity, voltage-dependent gating, and cyclic nucleotide–dependent gating within this channel family.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zachary M James
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
| | - William N Zagotta
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
McNally BA, Pendon ZD, Trudeau MC. hERG1a and hERG1b potassium channel subunits directly interact and preferentially form heteromeric channels. J Biol Chem 2017; 292:21548-21557. [PMID: 29089383 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m117.816488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2017] [Revised: 10/24/2017] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Voltage-activated human ether-á-go-go-related gene (hERG) potassium channels are critical for the repolarization of cardiac action potentials and tune-spike frequency adaptation in neurons. Two isoforms of mammalian ERG1 channel subunits, ERG1a and ERG1b, are the principal subunits that conduct the IKr current in the heart and are also broadly expressed in the nervous system. However, there is little direct evidence that ERG1a and ERG1b form heteromeric channels. Here, using electrophysiology, biochemistry, and fluorescence approaches, we systematically tested for direct interactions between hERG1a and hERG1b subunits. We report 1) that hERG1a dominant-negative subunits suppress hERG1b currents (and vice versa), 2) that disulfide bonds form between single cysteine residues experimentally introduced into an extracellular loop of hERG1a and hERG1b subunits and produce hERG1a-hERG1b dimers, and 3) that hERG1a and hERG1b subunits tagged with fluorescent proteins that are FRET pairs exhibit robust energy transfer at the plasma membrane. Thus, multiple lines of evidence indicated a physical interaction between hERG1a and hERG1b, consistent with them forming heteromeric channels. Moreover, co-expression of variable ratios of hERG1a and hERG1b RNA yielded channels with deactivation kinetics that reached a plateau and were different from those of hERG1b channels, consistent with a preference of hERG1b subunits for hERG1a subunits. Cross-linking studies revealed that an equal input of hERG1a and hERG1b yields more hERG1a-hERG1a or hERG1a-hERG1b dimers than hERG1b-hERG1b dimers, also suggesting that hERG1b preferentially interacts with hERG1a. We conclude that hERG1b preferentially forms heteromeric ion channels with hERG1a at the plasma membrane.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Beth A McNally
- From the Department of Physiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21201
| | - Zeus D Pendon
- From the Department of Physiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21201
| | - Matthew C Trudeau
- From the Department of Physiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21201
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Eag1 Voltage-Dependent Potassium Channels: Structure, Electrophysiological Characteristics, and Function in Cancer. J Membr Biol 2017; 250:123-132. [DOI: 10.1007/s00232-016-9944-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2016] [Accepted: 12/19/2016] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
|
33
|
Zhao Y, Goldschen-Ohm MP, Morais-Cabral JH, Chanda B, Robertson GA. The intrinsically liganded cyclic nucleotide-binding homology domain promotes KCNH channel activation. J Gen Physiol 2017; 149:249-260. [PMID: 28122815 PMCID: PMC5299623 DOI: 10.1085/jgp.201611701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2016] [Revised: 11/29/2016] [Accepted: 12/21/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
hEAG1 is a member of the KCNH family of ion channels, which are characterized by C-terminal regions with homology to cyclic nucleotide–binding domains (CNBhDs). Zhao et al. show that an “intrinsic ligand” occupying the CNBhD binding pocket promotes the activated and open state of the channel. Channels in the ether-à-go-go or KCNH family of potassium channels are characterized by a conserved, C-terminal domain with homology to cyclic nucleotide–binding homology domains (CNBhDs). Instead of cyclic nucleotides, two amino acid residues, Y699 and L701, occupy the binding pocket, forming an “intrinsic ligand.” The role of the CNBhD in KCNH channel gating is still unclear, however, and a detailed characterization of the intrinsic ligand is lacking. In this study, we show that mutating both Y699 and L701 to alanine, serine, aspartate, or glycine impairs human EAG1 channel function. These mutants slow channel activation and shift the conductance–voltage (G–V) relation to more depolarized potentials. The mutations affect activation and the G-V relation progressively, indicating that the gating machinery is sensitive to multiple conformations of the CNBhD. Substitution with glycine at both sites (GG), which eliminates the side chains that interact with the binding pocket, also reduces the ability of voltage prepulses to populate more preactivated states along the activation pathway (i.e., the Cole–Moore effect), as if stabilizing the voltage sensor in deep resting states. Notably, deletion of the entire CNBhD (577–708, ΔCNBhD) phenocopies the GG mutant, suggesting that GG is a loss-of-function mutation and the CNBhD requires an intrinsic ligand to exert its functional effects. We developed a kinetic model for both wild-type and ΔCNBhD mutant channels that describes all our observations on activation kinetics, the Cole–Moore shift, and G-V relations. These findings support a model in which the CNBhD both promotes voltage sensor activation and stabilizes the open pore. The intrinsic ligand is critical for these functional effects.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yaxian Zhao
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI 53705.,Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI 53705
| | - Marcel P Goldschen-Ohm
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI 53705.,Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI 53705
| | - João H Morais-Cabral
- Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Universidade do Porto, 4150 Porto, Portugal.,Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, 4150 Porto, Portugal
| | - Baron Chanda
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI 53705.,Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI 53705
| | - Gail A Robertson
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI 53705 .,Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI 53705
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Marques-Carvalho MJ, Oppermann J, Muñoz E, Fernandes AS, Gabant G, Cadene M, Heinemann SH, Schönherr R, Morais-Cabral JH. Molecular Insights into the Mechanism of Calmodulin Inhibition of the EAG1 Potassium Channel. Structure 2016; 24:1742-1754. [PMID: 27618660 DOI: 10.1016/j.str.2016.07.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2016] [Revised: 07/26/2016] [Accepted: 07/29/2016] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
The human EAG1 potassium channel belongs to the superfamily of KCNH voltage-gated potassium channels that have roles in cardiac repolarization and neuronal excitability. EAG1 is strongly inhibited by Ca2+/calmodulin (CaM) through a mechanism that is not understood. We determined the binding properties of CaM with each one of three previously identified binding sites (BDN, BDC1, and BDC2), analyzed binding to protein stretches that include more than one site, and determined the effect of neighboring globular domains on the binding properties. The determination of the crystal structure of CaM bound to BDC2 shows the channel fragment interacting with only the C lobe of calmodulin and adopting an unusual bent conformation. Based on this structure and on a functional and biochemical analysis of mutants, we propose a model for the mechanism of inhibition whereby the local conformational change induced by CaM binding at BDC2 lies at the basis of channel modulation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maria João Marques-Carvalho
- Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Rua Alfredo Allen, 208, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal; Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
| | - Johannes Oppermann
- Department of Biophysics, Center for Molecular Biomedicine, Friedrich Schiller University Jena and Jena University Hospital, 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Eva Muñoz
- Software 4 Science Developments, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Andreia S Fernandes
- Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Rua Alfredo Allen, 208, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal; Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
| | - Guillaume Gabant
- Centre de Biophysique Moléculaire, CNRS UPR430, 45071 Orléans, France
| | - Martine Cadene
- Centre de Biophysique Moléculaire, CNRS UPR430, 45071 Orléans, France
| | - Stefan H Heinemann
- Department of Biophysics, Center for Molecular Biomedicine, Friedrich Schiller University Jena and Jena University Hospital, 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Roland Schönherr
- Department of Biophysics, Center for Molecular Biomedicine, Friedrich Schiller University Jena and Jena University Hospital, 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - João Henrique Morais-Cabral
- Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Rua Alfredo Allen, 208, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal; Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal.
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Wu W, Gardner A, Sachse FB, Sanguinetti MC. Ginsenoside Rg3, a Gating Modifier of EAG Family K+ Channels. Mol Pharmacol 2016; 90:469-82. [PMID: 27502018 DOI: 10.1124/mol.116.104091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2016] [Accepted: 08/05/2016] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Ginsenoside 20(S)-Rg3 (Rg3) is a steroid glycoside that induces human ether-à-go-go-related gene type 1 (hERG1, Kv11.1) channels to activate at more negative potentials and to deactivate more slowly than normal. However, it is unknown whether this action is unique to hERG1 channels. Here we compare and contrast the mechanisms of actions of Rg3 on hERG1 with three other members of the ether-à-go-go (EAG) K(+) channel gene family, including EAG1 (Kv10.1), ERG3 (Kv11.3), and ELK1 (Kv12.1). All four channel types were heterologously expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes, and K(+) currents were measured using the two-microelectrode voltage-clamp technique. At a maximally effective concentration, Rg3 shifted the half-point of voltage-dependent activation of currents by -14 mV for ERG1 (EC50 = 414 nM), -20 mV for ERG3 (EC50 = 374 nM), -28 mV for EAG1 (EC50 = 1.18 μM), and more than -100 mV for ELK1 (EC50 = 197 nM) channels. Rg3 also induced slowing of ERG1, ERG3, and ELK1 channel deactivation and accelerated the rate of EAG1 channel activation. A Markov model was developed to simulate gating and the effects of Rg3 on the voltage dependence of activation of hELK1 channels. Understanding the mechanism underlying the action of Rg3 may facilitate the development of more potent and selective EAG family channel activators as therapies for cardiovascular and neural disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wei Wu
- Nora Eccles Harrison Cardiovascular Research and Training Institute (W.W., A.G., F.B.S., M.C.S.), Department of Bioengineering (F.B.S.), Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine (M.C.S.), University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - Alison Gardner
- Nora Eccles Harrison Cardiovascular Research and Training Institute (W.W., A.G., F.B.S., M.C.S.), Department of Bioengineering (F.B.S.), Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine (M.C.S.), University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - Frank B Sachse
- Nora Eccles Harrison Cardiovascular Research and Training Institute (W.W., A.G., F.B.S., M.C.S.), Department of Bioengineering (F.B.S.), Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine (M.C.S.), University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - Michael C Sanguinetti
- Nora Eccles Harrison Cardiovascular Research and Training Institute (W.W., A.G., F.B.S., M.C.S.), Department of Bioengineering (F.B.S.), Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine (M.C.S.), University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Tang X, Shao J, Qin X. Crystal structure of the PAS domain of the hEAG potassium channel. Acta Crystallogr F Struct Biol Commun 2016; 72:578-85. [PMID: 27487920 PMCID: PMC4973297 DOI: 10.1107/s2053230x16009419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2016] [Accepted: 06/09/2016] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
KCNH voltage-gated potassium channels play critical roles in regulating cellular functions. The channel is composed of four subunits, each of which contains six transmembrane helices forming the central pore. The cytoplasmic parts of the subunits present a Per-Arnt-Sim (PAS) domain at the N-terminus and a cyclic nucleotide-binding homology domain at the C-terminus. PAS domains are conserved from prokaryotes to eukaryotes and are involved in sensing signals and cellular responses. To better understand the functional roles of PAS domains in KCNH channels, the structure of this domain from the human ether-à-go-go channel (hEAG channel) was determined. By comparing it with the structures of the Homo sapiens EAG-related gene (hERG) channel and the Drosophila EAG-like K(+) (dELK) channel and analyzing the structural features of the hEAG channel, it was identified that a hydrophobic patch on the β-sheet may mediate interaction between the PAS domain and other regions of the channel to regulate its functions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xue Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, People’s Republic of China
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, People’s Republic of China
| | - Juan Shao
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, People’s Republic of China
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xiaohong Qin
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300071, People’s Republic of China
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Larisch N, Kirsch SA, Schambony A, Studtrucker T, Böckmann RA, Dietrich P. The function of the two-pore channel TPC1 depends on dimerization of its carboxy-terminal helix. Cell Mol Life Sci 2016; 73:2565-81. [PMID: 26781468 PMCID: PMC4894940 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-016-2131-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2015] [Revised: 12/07/2015] [Accepted: 01/04/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Two-pore channels (TPCs) constitute a family of intracellular cation channels with diverse permeation properties and functions in animals and plants. In the model plant Arabidopsis, the vacuolar cation channel TPC1 is involved in propagation of calcium waves and in cation homeostasis. Here, we discovered that the dimerization of a predicted helix within the carboxyl-terminus (CTH) is essential for the activity of TPC1. Bimolecular fluorescence complementation and co-immunoprecipitation demonstrated the interaction of the two C-termini and pointed towards the involvement of the CTH in this process. Synthetic CTH peptides dimerized with a dissociation constant of 3.9 µM. Disruption of this domain in TPC1 either by deletion or point mutations impeded the dimerization and cation transport. The homo-dimerization of the CTH was analyzed in silico using coarse-grained molecular dynamics (MD) simulations for the study of aggregation, followed by atomistic MD simulations. The simulations revealed that the helical region of the wild type, but not a mutated CTH forms a highly stable, antiparallel dimer with characteristics of a coiled-coil. We propose that the voltage- and Ca(2+)-sensitive conformation of TPC1 depends on C-terminal dimerization, adding an additional layer to the complex regulation of two-pore cation channels.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nina Larisch
- Molecular Plant Physiology, Department of Biology, University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Staudtstrasse 5, 91058, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Sonja A Kirsch
- Computational Biology, Department of Biology, University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Staudtstrasse 5, 91058, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Alexandra Schambony
- Developmental Biology, Department of Biology, University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Staudtstrasse 5, 91058, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Tanja Studtrucker
- Molecular Plant Physiology, Department of Biology, University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Staudtstrasse 5, 91058, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Rainer A Böckmann
- Computational Biology, Department of Biology, University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Staudtstrasse 5, 91058, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Petra Dietrich
- Molecular Plant Physiology, Department of Biology, University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Staudtstrasse 5, 91058, Erlangen, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Lörinczi E, Helliwell M, Finch A, Stansfeld PJ, Davies NW, Mahaut-Smith M, Muskett FW, Mitcheson JS. Calmodulin Regulates Human Ether à Go-Go 1 (hEAG1) Potassium Channels through Interactions of the Eag Domain with the Cyclic Nucleotide Binding Homology Domain. J Biol Chem 2016; 291:17907-18. [PMID: 27325704 PMCID: PMC5016179 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m116.733576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2016] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The ether à go-go family of voltage-gated potassium channels is structurally distinct. The N terminus contains an eag domain (eagD) that contains a Per-Arnt-Sim (PAS) domain that is preceded by a conserved sequence of 25–27 amino acids known as the PAS-cap. The C terminus contains a region with homology to cyclic nucleotide binding domains (cNBHD), which is directly linked to the channel pore. The human EAG1 (hEAG1) channel is remarkably sensitive to inhibition by intracellular calcium (Ca2+i) through binding of Ca2+-calmodulin to three sites adjacent to the eagD and cNBHD. Here, we show that the eagD and cNBHD interact to modulate Ca2+-calmodulin as well as voltage-dependent gating. Sustained elevation of Ca2+i resulted in an initial profound inhibition of hEAG1 currents, which was followed by a phase when current amplitudes partially recovered, but activation gating was slowed and shifted to depolarized potentials. Deletion of either the eagD or cNBHD abolished the inhibition by Ca2+i. However, deletion of just the PAS-cap resulted in a >15-fold potentiation in response to elevated Ca2+i. Mutations of residues at the interface between the eagD and cNBHD have been linked to human cancer. Glu-600 on the cNBHD, when substituted with residues with a larger volume, resulted in hEAG1 currents that were profoundly potentiated by Ca2+i in a manner similar to the ΔPAS-cap mutant. These findings provide the first evidence that eagD and cNBHD interactions are regulating Ca2+-dependent gating and indicate that the binding of the PAS-cap with the cNBHD is required for the closure of the channels upon CaM binding.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eva Lörinczi
- From the Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Leicester, Leicester LE1 9HN
| | - Matthew Helliwell
- From the Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Leicester, Leicester LE1 9HN, the School of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Bristol, Bristol BS5 1TD, and
| | - Alina Finch
- From the Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Leicester, Leicester LE1 9HN
| | - Phillip J Stansfeld
- the Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3QU, United Kingdom
| | - Noel W Davies
- From the Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Leicester, Leicester LE1 9HN
| | - Martyn Mahaut-Smith
- From the Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Leicester, Leicester LE1 9HN
| | - Frederick W Muskett
- From the Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Leicester, Leicester LE1 9HN
| | - John S Mitcheson
- From the Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Leicester, Leicester LE1 9HN,
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Perry MD, Ng CA, Phan K, David E, Steer K, Hunter MJ, Mann SA, Imtiaz M, Hill AP, Ke Y, Vandenberg JI. Rescue of protein expression defects may not be enough to abolish the pro-arrhythmic phenotype of long QT type 2 mutations. J Physiol 2016; 594:4031-49. [PMID: 26958806 DOI: 10.1113/jp271805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2015] [Accepted: 02/25/2016] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
KEY POINTS Most missense long QT syndrome type 2 (LQTS2) mutations result in Kv11.1 channels that show reduced levels of membrane expression. Pharmacological chaperones that rescue mutant channel expression could have therapeutic potential to reduce the risk of LQTS2-associated arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death, but only if the mutant Kv11.1 channels function normally (i.e. like WT channels) after membrane expression is restored. Fewer than half of mutant channels exhibit relatively normal function after rescue by low temperature. The remaining rescued missense mutant Kv11.1 channels have perturbed gating and/or ion selectivity characteristics. Co-expression of WT subunits with gating defective missense mutations ameliorates but does not eliminate the functional abnormalities observed for most mutant channels. For patients with mutations that affect gating in addition to expression, it may be necessary to use a combination therapy to restore both normal function and normal expression of the channel protein. ABSTRACT In the heart, Kv11.1 channels pass the rapid delayed rectifier current (IKr ) which plays critical roles in repolarization of the cardiac action potential and in the suppression of arrhythmias caused by premature stimuli. Over 500 inherited mutations in Kv11.1 are known to cause long QT syndrome type 2 (LQTS2), a cardiac electrical disorder associated with an increased risk of life threatening arrhythmias. Most missense mutations in Kv11.1 reduce the amount of channel protein expressed at the membrane and, as a consequence, there has been considerable interest in developing pharmacological agents to rescue the expression of these channels. However, pharmacological chaperones will only have clinical utility if the mutant Kv11.1 channels function normally after membrane expression is restored. The aim of this study was to characterize the gating phenotype for a subset of LQTS2 mutations to assess what proportion of mutations may be suitable for rescue. As an initial screen we used reduced temperature to rescue expression defects of mutant channels expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes. Over half (∼56%) of Kv11.1 mutants exhibited functional gating defects that either dramatically reduced the amount of current contributing to cardiac action potential repolarization and/or reduced the amount of protective current elicited in response to premature depolarizations. Our data demonstrate that if pharmacological rescue of protein expression defects is going to have clinical utility in the treatment of LQTS2 then it will be important to assess the gating phenotype of LQTS2 mutations before attempting rescue.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Matthew D Perry
- Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, Molecular Cardiology and Biophysics Division, Darlinghurst, NSW, 2010, Australia.,St Vincent's Clinical School, University of New South Wales, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Chai Ann Ng
- Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, Molecular Cardiology and Biophysics Division, Darlinghurst, NSW, 2010, Australia.,St Vincent's Clinical School, University of New South Wales, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Kevin Phan
- Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, Molecular Cardiology and Biophysics Division, Darlinghurst, NSW, 2010, Australia.,St Vincent's Clinical School, University of New South Wales, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Erikka David
- Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, Molecular Cardiology and Biophysics Division, Darlinghurst, NSW, 2010, Australia
| | - Kieran Steer
- Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, Molecular Cardiology and Biophysics Division, Darlinghurst, NSW, 2010, Australia.,Faculty of Science, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Mark J Hunter
- Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, Molecular Cardiology and Biophysics Division, Darlinghurst, NSW, 2010, Australia
| | - Stefan A Mann
- Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, Molecular Cardiology and Biophysics Division, Darlinghurst, NSW, 2010, Australia.,St Vincent's Clinical School, University of New South Wales, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Mohammad Imtiaz
- Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, Molecular Cardiology and Biophysics Division, Darlinghurst, NSW, 2010, Australia
| | - Adam P Hill
- Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, Molecular Cardiology and Biophysics Division, Darlinghurst, NSW, 2010, Australia.,St Vincent's Clinical School, University of New South Wales, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Ying Ke
- Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, Molecular Cardiology and Biophysics Division, Darlinghurst, NSW, 2010, Australia
| | - Jamie I Vandenberg
- Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, Molecular Cardiology and Biophysics Division, Darlinghurst, NSW, 2010, Australia.,St Vincent's Clinical School, University of New South Wales, NSW, 2052, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Goodchild SJ, Macdonald LC, Fedida D. Sequence of gating charge movement and pore gating in HERG activation and deactivation pathways. Biophys J 2016; 108:1435-1447. [PMID: 25809256 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2015.02.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2014] [Revised: 02/08/2015] [Accepted: 02/18/2015] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
KV11.1 voltage-gated K(+) channels are noted for unusually slow activation, fast inactivation, and slow deactivation kinetics, which tune channel activity to provide vital repolarizing current during later stages of the cardiac action potential. The bulk of charge movement in human ether-a-go-go-related gene (hERG) is slow, as is return of charge upon repolarization, suggesting that the rates of hERG channel opening and, critically, that of deactivation might be determined by slow voltage sensor movement, and also by a mode-shift after activation. To test these ideas, we compared the kinetics and voltage dependence of ionic activation and deactivation with gating charge movement. At 0 mV, gating charge moved ∼threefold faster than ionic current, which suggests the presence of additional slow transitions downstream of charge movement in the physiological activation pathway. A significant voltage sensor mode-shift was apparent by 24 ms at +60 mV in gating currents, and return of charge closely tracked pore closure after pulses of 100 and 300 ms duration. A deletion of the N-terminus PAS domain, mutation R4AR5A or the LQT2-causing mutation R56Q gave faster-deactivating channels that displayed an attenuated mode-shift of charge. This indicates that charge movement is perturbed by N- and C-terminus interactions, and that these domain interactions stabilize the open state and limit the rate of charge return. We conclude that slow on-gating charge movement can only partly account for slow hERG ionic activation, and that the rate of pore closure has a limiting role in the slow return of gating charges.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Samuel J Goodchild
- Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Logan C Macdonald
- Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - David Fedida
- Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Li Y, Ng HQ, Li Q, Kang C. Structure of the Cyclic Nucleotide-Binding Homology Domain of the hERG Channel and Its Insight into Type 2 Long QT Syndrome. Sci Rep 2016; 6:23712. [PMID: 27025590 PMCID: PMC4812329 DOI: 10.1038/srep23712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2015] [Accepted: 03/14/2016] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The human ether-à-go-go related gene (hERG) channel is crucial for the cardiac action potential by contributing to the fast delayed-rectifier potassium current. Mutations in the hERG channel result in type 2 long QT syndrome (LQT2). The hERG channel contains a cyclic nucleotide-binding homology domain (CNBHD) and this domain is required for the channel gating though molecular interactions with the eag domain. Here we present solution structure of the CNBHD of the hERG channel. The structural study reveals that the CNBHD adopts a similar fold to other KCNH channels. It is self-liganded and it contains a short β-strand that blocks the nucleotide-binding pocket in the β-roll. Folding of LQT2-related mutations in this domain was shown to be affected by point mutation. Mutations in this domain can cause protein aggregation in E. coli cells or induce conformational changes. One mutant-R752W showed obvious chemical shift perturbation compared with the wild-type, but it still binds to the eag domain. The helix region from the N-terminal cap domain of the hERG channel showed unspecific interactions with the CNBHD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yan Li
- Experimental Therapeutics Centre, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore
| | - Hui Qi Ng
- Experimental Therapeutics Centre, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore
| | - Qingxin Li
- Institute of Chemical &Engineering Sciences, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore
| | - CongBao Kang
- Experimental Therapeutics Centre, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Wu W, Sanguinetti MC. Molecular Basis of Cardiac Delayed Rectifier Potassium Channel Function and Pharmacology. Card Electrophysiol Clin 2016; 8:275-84. [PMID: 27261821 DOI: 10.1016/j.ccep.2016.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Human cardiomyocytes express 3 distinct types of delayed rectifier potassium channels. Human ether-a-go-go-related gene (hERG) channels conduct the rapidly activating current IKr; KCNQ1/KCNE1 channels conduct the slowly activating current IKs; and Kv1.5 channels conduct an ultrarapid activating current IKur. Here the authors provide a general overview of the mechanistic and structural basis of ion selectivity, gating, and pharmacology of the 3 types of cardiac delayed rectifier potassium ion channels. Most blockers bind to S6 residues that line the central cavity of the channel, whereas activators interact with the channel at 4 symmetric binding sites outside the cavity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wei Wu
- Department of Medicine, Nora Eccles Harrison Cardiovascular Research and Training Institute, University of Utah, 95 South 2000 East, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Michael C Sanguinetti
- Department of Medicine, Nora Eccles Harrison Cardiovascular Research and Training Institute, University of Utah, 95 South 2000 East, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Puckerin A, Aromolaran KA, Chang DD, Zukin RS, Colecraft HM, Boutjdir M, Aromolaran AS. hERG 1a LQT2 C-terminus truncation mutants display hERG 1b-dependent dominant negative mechanisms. Heart Rhythm 2016; 13:1121-1130. [PMID: 26775140 DOI: 10.1016/j.hrthm.2016.01.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2015] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The human ether-à-go-go-related gene (hERG 1a) potassium channel is critical for cardiac repolarization. hERG 1b, another variant subunit, co-assembles with hERG 1a, modulates channel biophysical properties and plays an important role in repolarization. Mutations of hERG 1a lead to type 2 long QT syndrome (LQT2), and increased risk for fatal arrhythmias. The functional consequences of these mutations in the presence of hERG 1b are not known. OBJECTIVE To investigate whether hERG 1a mutants exert dominant negative gating and trafficking defects when co-expressed with hERG 1b. METHODS Electrophysiology, co-immunoprecipitation, and fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) experiments in HEK293 cells and guinea pig cardiomyocytes were used to assess the mutants on gating and trafficking. Mutations of 1a-G965X and 1a-R1014X, relevant to gating and trafficking were introduced in the C-terminus region. RESULTS The hERG 1a mutants when expressed alone did not result in decreased current amplitude. Compared to wild-type hERG 1a currents, 1a-G965X currents were significantly larger, whereas those produced by the 1a-R1014X mutant were similar in magnitude. Only when co-expressed with wild-type hERG 1a and 1b did a mutant phenotype emerge, with a marked reduction in surface expression, current amplitude, and a corresponding positive shift in the V1/2 of the activation curve. Co-immunoprecipitation and FRET assays confirmed association of mutant and wild-type subunits. CONCLUSION Heterologously expressed hERG 1a C-terminus truncation mutants, exert a dominant negative gating and trafficking effect only when co-expressed with hERG 1b. These findings may have potentially profound implications for LQT2 therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Akil Puckerin
- Department of Physiology & Cellular Biophysics, Columbia University, New York, New York
| | - Kelly A Aromolaran
- Dominick P. Purpura Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, New York
| | - Donald D Chang
- Department of Physiology & Cellular Biophysics, Columbia University, New York, New York
| | - R Suzanne Zukin
- Dominick P. Purpura Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, New York
| | - Henry M Colecraft
- Department of Physiology & Cellular Biophysics, Columbia University, New York, New York
| | - Mohamed Boutjdir
- Cardiovascular Research Program, VA New York Harbor Healthcare System, Brooklyn, New York; Departments of Medicine, Cell Biology and Pharmacology, State University of New York Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, New York,; Department of Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York
| | - Ademuyiwa S Aromolaran
- Department of Physiology & Cellular Biophysics, Columbia University, New York, New York.
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Pedersen PJ, Thomsen KB, Olander ER, Hauser F, Tejada MDLA, Poulsen KL, Grubb S, Buhl R, Calloe K, Klaerke DA. Molecular Cloning and Functional Expression of the Equine K+ Channel KV11.1 (Ether à Go-Go-Related/KCNH2 Gene) and the Regulatory Subunit KCNE2 from Equine Myocardium. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0138320. [PMID: 26376488 PMCID: PMC4574097 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0138320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2014] [Accepted: 08/28/2015] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The KCNH2 and KCNE2 genes encode the cardiac voltage-gated K+ channel KV11.1 and its auxiliary β subunit KCNE2. KV11.1 is critical for repolarization of the cardiac action potential. In humans, mutations or drug therapy affecting the KV11.1 channel are associated with prolongation of the QT intervals on the ECG and increased risk of ventricular tachyarrhythmia and sudden cardiac death—conditions known as congenital or acquired Long QT syndrome (LQTS), respectively. In horses, sudden, unexplained deaths are a well-known problem. We sequenced the cDNA of the KCNH2 and KCNE2 genes using RACE and conventional PCR on mRNA purified from equine myocardial tissue. Equine KV11.1 and KCNE2 cDNA had a high homology to human genes (93 and 88%, respectively). Equine and human KV11.1 and KV11.1/KCNE2 were expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes and investigated by two-electrode voltage-clamp. Equine KV11.1 currents were larger compared to human KV11.1, and the voltage dependence of activation was shifted to more negative values with V1/2 = -14.2±1.1 mV and -17.3±0.7, respectively. The onset of inactivation was slower for equine KV11.1 compared to the human homolog. These differences in kinetics may account for the larger amplitude of the equine current. Furthermore, the equine KV11.1 channel was susceptible to pharmacological block with terfenadine. The physiological importance of KV11.1 was investigated in equine right ventricular wedge preparations. Terfenadine prolonged action potential duration and the effect was most pronounced at slow pacing. In conclusion, these findings indicate that horses could be disposed to both congenital and acquired LQTS.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Philip Juul Pedersen
- Department of Veterinary Clinical and Animal Science, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg C, Denmark
| | - Kirsten Brolin Thomsen
- Department of Veterinary Clinical and Animal Science, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg C, Denmark
| | - Emma Rie Olander
- Department of Veterinary Clinical and Animal Science, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg C, Denmark
| | - Frank Hauser
- Center for Functional and Comparative Insect Genomics, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Maria de los Angeles Tejada
- Department of Veterinary Clinical and Animal Science, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg C, Denmark
| | - Kristian Lundgaard Poulsen
- Department of Veterinary Clinical and Animal Science, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg C, Denmark
| | - Soren Grubb
- Department of Veterinary Clinical and Animal Science, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg C, Denmark
| | - Rikke Buhl
- Department of Large Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Taastrup, Denmark
| | - Kirstine Calloe
- Department of Veterinary Clinical and Animal Science, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg C, Denmark
- * E-mail:
| | - Dan Arne Klaerke
- Department of Veterinary Clinical and Animal Science, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg C, Denmark
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Perry MD, Ng CA, Mann SA, Sadrieh A, Imtiaz M, Hill AP, Vandenberg JI. Getting to the heart of hERG K(+) channel gating. J Physiol 2015; 593:2575-85. [PMID: 25820318 PMCID: PMC4500344 DOI: 10.1113/jp270095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2014] [Accepted: 03/13/2015] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Potassium ion channels encoded by the human ether-a-go-go related gene (hERG) form the ion-conducting subunit of the rapid delayed rectifier potassium current (IKr ). Although hERG channels exhibit a widespread tissue distribution they play a particularly important role in the heart. There has been considerable interest in hERG K(+) channels for three main reasons. First, they have very unusual gating kinetics, most notably rapid and voltage-dependent inactivation coupled to slow deactivation, which has led to the suggestion that they may play a specific role in the suppression of arrhythmias. Second, mutations in hERG are the cause of 30-40% of cases of congenital long QT syndrome (LQTS), the commonest inherited primary arrhythmia syndrome. Third, hERG is the molecular target for the vast majority of drugs that cause drug-induced LQTS, the commonest cause of drug-induced arrhythmias and cardiac death. Drug-induced LQTS has now been reported for a large range of both cardiac and non-cardiac drugs, in which this side effect is entirely undesired. In recent years there have been comprehensive reviews published on hERG K(+) channels (Vandenberg et al. 2012) and we will not re-cover this ground. Rather, we focus on more recent work on the structural basis and dynamics of hERG gating with an emphasis on how the latest developments may facilitate translational research in the area of stratifying risk of arrhythmias.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Matthew D Perry
- Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute405 Liverpool Street, Darlinghurst, NSW 2010, Australia
- St Vincent’s Clinical School, University of NSWDarlinghurst, NSW 2010, Australia
| | - Chai-Ann Ng
- Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute405 Liverpool Street, Darlinghurst, NSW 2010, Australia
- St Vincent’s Clinical School, University of NSWDarlinghurst, NSW 2010, Australia
| | - Stefan A Mann
- Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute405 Liverpool Street, Darlinghurst, NSW 2010, Australia
- St Vincent’s Clinical School, University of NSWDarlinghurst, NSW 2010, Australia
| | - Arash Sadrieh
- Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute405 Liverpool Street, Darlinghurst, NSW 2010, Australia
- St Vincent’s Clinical School, University of NSWDarlinghurst, NSW 2010, Australia
| | - Mohammad Imtiaz
- Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute405 Liverpool Street, Darlinghurst, NSW 2010, Australia
- St Vincent’s Clinical School, University of NSWDarlinghurst, NSW 2010, Australia
| | - Adam P Hill
- Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute405 Liverpool Street, Darlinghurst, NSW 2010, Australia
- St Vincent’s Clinical School, University of NSWDarlinghurst, NSW 2010, Australia
| | - Jamie I Vandenberg
- Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute405 Liverpool Street, Darlinghurst, NSW 2010, Australia
- St Vincent’s Clinical School, University of NSWDarlinghurst, NSW 2010, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Osterbur ML, Zheng R, Marion R, Walsh C, McDonald TV. An Interdomain KCNH2 Mutation Produces an Intermediate Long QT Syndrome. Hum Mutat 2015; 36:764-73. [PMID: 25914329 DOI: 10.1002/humu.22805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2014] [Accepted: 04/08/2015] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Hereditary long QT syndrome is caused by deleterious mutation in one of several genetic loci, including locus LQT2 that contains the KCNH2 gene (or hERG, human ether-a-go-go related gene), causing faulty cardiac repolarization. Here, we describe and characterize a novel mutation, p.Asp219Val in the hERG channel, identified in an 11-year-old male with syncope and prolonged QT interval. Genetic sequencing showed a nonsynonymous variation in KCNH2 (c.656A>T: amino acid p.Asp219Val). p.Asp219Val resides in a region of the channel predicted to be unstructured and flexible, located between the PAS (Per-Arnt-Sim) domain and its interaction sites in the transmembrane domain. The p.Asp219Val hERG channel produced K(+) current that activated with modest changes in voltage dependence. Mutant channels were also slower to inactivate, recovered from inactivation more readily and demonstrated a significantly accelerated deactivation rate compared with the slow deactivation of wild-type channels. The intermediate nature of the biophysical perturbation is consistent with the degree of severity in the clinical phenotype. The findings of this study demonstrate a previously unknown role of the proximal N-terminus in deactivation and support the hypothesis that the proximal N-terminal domain is essential in maintaining slow hERG deactivation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marika L Osterbur
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY
| | - Renjian Zheng
- Wilf Cardiovascular Research Institute, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY
| | - Robert Marion
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Genetics, Children's Hospital at Montefiore, Bronx, NY
| | - Christine Walsh
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Cardiology, Children's Hospital at Montefiore, Bronx, NY
| | - Thomas V McDonald
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY.,Wilf Cardiovascular Research Institute, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY.,Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Liu QN, Trudeau MC. Eag Domains Regulate LQT Mutant hERG Channels in Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Cardiomyocytes. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0123951. [PMID: 25923442 PMCID: PMC4414485 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0123951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2014] [Accepted: 03/09/2015] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Human Ether á go-go Related Gene potassium channels form the rapid component of the delayed-rectifier (IKr) current in the heart. The N-terminal 'eag' domain, which is composed of a Per-Arnt-Sim (PAS) domain and a short PAS-cap region, is a critical regulator of hERG channel function. In previous studies, we showed that isolated eag (i-eag) domains rescued the dysfunction of long QT type-2 associated mutant hERG R56Q channels, by substituting for defective eag domains, when the channels were expressed in Xenopus oocytes or HEK 293 cells.Here, our goal was to determine whether the rescue of hERG R56Q channels by i-eag domains could be translated into the environment of cardiac myocytes. We expressed hERG R56Q channels in human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CMs) and measured electrical properties of the cells with whole-cell patch-clamp recordings. We found that, like in non-myocyte cells, hERG R56Q had defective, fast closing (deactivation) kinetics when expressed in hiPSC-CMs. We report here that i-eag domains slowed the deactivation kinetics of hERG R56Q channels in hiPSC-CMs. hERG R56Q channels prolonged the AP of hiPSCs, and the AP was shortened by co-expression of i-eag domains and hERG R56Q channels. We measured robust Förster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) between i-eag domains tagged with Cyan fluorescent protein (CFP) and hERG R56Q channels tagged with Citrine fluorescent proteins (Citrine), indicating their close proximity at the cell membrane in live iPSC-CMs. Together, functional regulation and FRET spectroscopy measurements indicated that i-eag domains interacted directly with hERG R56Q channels in hiPSC-CMs. These results mean that the regulatory role of i-eag domains is conserved in the cellular environment of human cardiomyocytes, indicating that i-eag domains may be useful as a biological therapeutic.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qiang-ni Liu
- Department of Physiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Matthew C. Trudeau
- Department of Physiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
48
|
Gardner A, Sanguinetti MC. C-Linker Accounts for Differential Sensitivity of ERG1 and ERG2 K+ Channels to RPR260243-Induced Slow Deactivation. Mol Pharmacol 2015; 88:19-28. [PMID: 25888115 DOI: 10.1124/mol.115.098384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2015] [Accepted: 04/17/2015] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Compounds can activate human ether-à-go-go-related gene 1 (hERG1) channels by several different mechanisms, including a slowing of deactivation, an increase in single channel open probability, or a reduction in C-type inactivation. The first hERG1 activator to be discovered, RPR260243 ((3R,4R)-4-[3-(6-methoxyquinolin-4-yl)-3-oxo-propyl]-1-[3-(2,3,5-trifluorophenyl)-prop-2-ynyl]-piperidine-3-carboxylic acid) (RPR) induces a pronounced, voltage-dependent slowing of hERG1 deactivation. The putative binding site for RPR, previously mapped to a hydrophobic pocket located between two adjacent subunits, is fully conserved in the closely related rat ether-à-go-go-related gene 2 (rERG2), yet these channels are relatively insensitive to RPR. Here, we use site-directed mutagenesis and heterologous expression of channels in Xenopus oocytes to characterize the structural basis for the differential sensitivity of hERG1 and rERG2 channels to RPR. Analysis of hERG1-rERG2 chimeric channels indicated that the structural determinant of channel sensitivity to RPR was located within the cytoplasmic C-terminus. Analysis of a panel of mutant hERG1 and rERG2 channels further revealed that seven residues, five in the C-linker and two in the adjacent region of the cyclic nucleotide-binding homology domain, can fully account for the differential sensitivity of hERG1 and rERG2 channels to RPR. These findings provide further evidence that the C-linker is a key structural component of slow deactivation in ether-à-go-go-related gene channels.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alison Gardner
- Nora Eccles Harrison Cardiovascular Research and Training Institute (A.G., M.C.S.) and Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine (M.C.S.), University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - Michael C Sanguinetti
- Nora Eccles Harrison Cardiovascular Research and Training Institute (A.G., M.C.S.) and Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine (M.C.S.), University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
Paul F. Cranefield Award to Matthew Trudeau. J Gen Physiol 2015; 145:3-4. [PMID: 25512597 PMCID: PMC4278183 DOI: 10.1085/jgp.201411331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
|
50
|
Large-scale mutational analysis of Kv11.1 reveals molecular insights into type 2 long QT syndrome. Nat Commun 2014; 5:5535. [PMID: 25417810 PMCID: PMC4243539 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms6535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 130] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2014] [Accepted: 10/09/2014] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
It has been suggested that deficient protein trafficking to the cell membrane is the dominant mechanism associated with type 2 Long QT syndrome (LQT2) caused by Kv11.1 potassium channel missense mutations, and that for many mutations the trafficking defect can be corrected pharmacologically. However, this inference was based on expression of a small number of Kv11.1 mutations. We performed a comprehensive analysis of 167 LQT2-linked missense mutations in four Kv11.1 structural domains and found that deficient protein trafficking is the dominant mechanism for all domains except for the distal carboxy-terminus. Also, most pore mutations--in contrast to intracellular domain mutations--were found to have severe dominant-negative effects when co-expressed with wild-type subunits. Finally, pharmacological correction of the trafficking defect in homomeric mutant channels was possible for mutations within all structural domains. However, pharmacological correction is dramatically improved for pore mutants when co-expressed with wild-type subunits to form heteromeric channels.
Collapse
|