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Chen J, Sanguinetti MC. A new twist to increase ion flow. Nat Chem Biol 2024; 20:801-802. [PMID: 38267668 DOI: 10.1038/s41589-023-01523-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Jun Chen
- Department of Biochemical Cellular Pharmacology, Genentech, South San Francisco, CA, USA.
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Fedida D, Sastre D, Dou Y, Westhoff M, Eldstrom J. Evaluating sequential and allosteric activation models in IKs channels with mutated voltage sensors. J Gen Physiol 2024; 156:e202313465. [PMID: 38294435 PMCID: PMC10829594 DOI: 10.1085/jgp.202313465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2023] [Revised: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 02/01/2024] Open
Abstract
The ion-conducting IKs channel complex, important in cardiac repolarization and arrhythmias, comprises tetramers of KCNQ1 α-subunits along with 1-4 KCNE1 accessory subunits and calmodulin regulatory molecules. The E160R mutation in individual KCNQ1 subunits was used to prevent activation of voltage sensors and allow direct determination of transition rate data from complexes opening with a fixed number of 1, 2, or 4 activatable voltage sensors. Markov models were used to test the suitability of sequential versus allosteric models of IKs activation by comparing simulations with experimental steady-state and transient activation kinetics, voltage-sensor fluorescence from channels with two or four activatable domains, and limiting slope currents at negative potentials. Sequential Hodgkin-Huxley-type models approximately describe IKs currents but cannot explain an activation delay in channels with only one activatable subunit or the hyperpolarizing shift in the conductance-voltage relationship with more activatable voltage sensors. Incorporating two voltage sensor activation steps in sequential models and a concerted step in opening via rates derived from fluorescence measurements improves models but does not resolve fundamental differences with experimental data. Limiting slope current data that show the opening of channels at negative potentials and very low open probability are better simulated using allosteric models of activation with one transition per voltage sensor, which implies that movement of all four sensors is not required for IKs conductance. Tiered allosteric models with two activating transitions per voltage sensor can fully account for IKs current and fluorescence activation kinetics in constructs with different numbers of activatable voltage sensors.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Fedida
- Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Daniel Sastre
- Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Ying Dou
- Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Maartje Westhoff
- Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Jodene Eldstrom
- Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
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Chan M, Sahakyan H, Eldstrom J, Sastre D, Wang Y, Dou Y, Pourrier M, Vardanyan V, Fedida D. A generic binding pocket for small molecule IKs activators at the extracellular inter-subunit interface of KCNQ1 and KCNE1 channel complexes. eLife 2023; 12:RP87038. [PMID: 37707495 PMCID: PMC10501768 DOI: 10.7554/elife.87038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The cardiac IKs ion channel comprises KCNQ1, calmodulin, and KCNE1 in a dodecameric complex which provides a repolarizing current reserve at higher heart rates and protects from arrhythmia syndromes that cause fainting and sudden death. Pharmacological activators of IKs are therefore of interest both scientifically and therapeutically for treatment of IKs loss-of-function disorders. One group of chemical activators are only active in the presence of the accessory KCNE1 subunit and here we investigate this phenomenon using molecular modeling techniques and mutagenesis scanning in mammalian cells. A generalized activator binding pocket is formed extracellularly by KCNE1, the domain-swapped S1 helices of one KCNQ1 subunit and the pore/turret region made up of two other KCNQ1 subunits. A few residues, including K41, A44 and Y46 in KCNE1, W323 in the KCNQ1 pore, and Y148 in the KCNQ1 S1 domain, appear critical for the binding of structurally diverse molecules, but in addition, molecular modeling studies suggest that induced fit by structurally different molecules underlies the generalized nature of the binding pocket. Activation of IKs is enhanced by stabilization of the KCNQ1-S1/KCNE1/pore complex, which ultimately slows deactivation of the current, and promotes outward current summation at higher pulse rates. Our results provide a mechanistic explanation of enhanced IKs currents by these activator compounds and provide a map for future design of more potent therapeutically useful molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magnus Chan
- Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of British ColumbiaVancouverCanada
| | - Harutyun Sahakyan
- Laboratory of Computational Modeling of Biological Processes, Institute of Molecular BiologyYerevanArmenia
| | - Jodene Eldstrom
- Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of British ColumbiaVancouverCanada
| | - Daniel Sastre
- Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of British ColumbiaVancouverCanada
| | - Yundi Wang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of British ColumbiaVancouverCanada
| | - Ying Dou
- Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of British ColumbiaVancouverCanada
| | - Marc Pourrier
- Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of British ColumbiaVancouverCanada
| | - Vitya Vardanyan
- Molecular Neuroscience Group, Institute of Molecular BiologyYerevanArmenia
| | - David Fedida
- Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of British ColumbiaVancouverCanada
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Moreno JD, Silva JR. Emerging methods to model cardiac ion channel and myocyte electrophysiology. BIOPHYSICS REVIEWS 2023; 4:011315. [PMID: 37034130 PMCID: PMC10071990 DOI: 10.1063/5.0127713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023]
Abstract
In the field of cardiac electrophysiology, modeling has played a central role for many decades. However, even though the effort is well-established, it has recently seen a rapid and sustained evolution in the complexity and predictive power of the models being created. In particular, new approaches to modeling have allowed the tracking of parallel and interconnected processes that span from the nanometers and femtoseconds that determine ion channel gating to the centimeters and minutes needed to describe an arrhythmia. The connection between scales has brought unprecedented insight into cardiac arrhythmia mechanisms and drug therapies. This review focuses on the generation of these models from first principles, generation of detailed models to describe ion channel kinetics, algorithms to create and numerically solve kinetic models, and new approaches toward data gathering that parameterize these models. While we focus on application of these models for cardiac arrhythmia, these concepts are widely applicable to model the physiology and pathophysiology of any excitable cell.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan D. Moreno
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri 63130, USA
| | - Jonathan R. Silva
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri 63130, USA
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Structural mechanisms for the activation of human cardiac KCNQ1 channel by electro-mechanical coupling enhancers. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2207067119. [PMID: 36763058 PMCID: PMC9661191 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2207067119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
The cardiac KCNQ1 potassium channel carries the important IKs current and controls the heart rhythm. Hundreds of mutations in KCNQ1 can cause life-threatening cardiac arrhythmia. Although KCNQ1 structures have been recently resolved, the structural basis for the dynamic electro-mechanical coupling, also known as the voltage sensor domain-pore domain (VSD-PD) coupling, remains largely unknown. In this study, utilizing two VSD-PD coupling enhancers, namely, the membrane lipid phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) and a small-molecule ML277, we determined 2.5-3.5 Å resolution cryo-electron microscopy structures of full-length human KCNQ1-calmodulin (CaM) complex in the apo closed, ML277-bound open, and ML277-PIP2-bound open states. ML277 binds at the "elbow" pocket above the S4-S5 linker and directly induces an upward movement of the S4-S5 linker and the opening of the activation gate without affecting the C-terminal domain (CTD) of KCNQ1. PIP2 binds at the cleft between the VSD and the PD and brings a large structural rearrangement of the CTD together with the CaM to activate the PD. These findings not only elucidate the structural basis for the dynamic VSD-PD coupling process during KCNQ1 gating but also pave the way to develop new therapeutics for anti-arrhythmia.
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Willegems K, Eldstrom J, Kyriakis E, Ataei F, Sahakyan H, Dou Y, Russo S, Van Petegem F, Fedida D. Structural and electrophysiological basis for the modulation of KCNQ1 channel currents by ML277. Nat Commun 2022; 13:3760. [PMID: 35768468 PMCID: PMC9243137 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-31526-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2022] [Accepted: 06/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The KCNQ1 ion channel plays critical physiological roles in electrical excitability and K+ recycling in organs including the heart, brain, and gut. Loss of function is relatively common and can cause sudden arrhythmic death, sudden infant death, epilepsy and deafness. Here, we report cryogenic electron microscopic (cryo-EM) structures of Xenopus KCNQ1 bound to Ca2+/Calmodulin, with and without the KCNQ1 channel activator, ML277. A single binding site for ML277 was identified, localized to a pocket lined by the S4-S5 linker, S5 and S6 helices of two separate subunits. Several pocket residues are not conserved in other KCNQ isoforms, explaining specificity. MD simulations and point mutations support this binding location for ML277 in open and closed channels and reveal that prevention of inactivation is an important component of the activator effect. Our work provides direction for therapeutic intervention targeting KCNQ1 loss of function pathologies including long QT interval syndrome and seizures. KCNQ1 channels are active in heart, brain and gut. Functional loss causes epilepsy and sudden arrhythmic death. Here, authors describe a key activator drug binding site, explaining isoform and drug selectivity, and point the way for new drug design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katrien Willegems
- Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Jodene Eldstrom
- Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Efthimios Kyriakis
- Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Fariba Ataei
- Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Harutyun Sahakyan
- National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Library of Medicine, National Institutes for Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Ying Dou
- Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Sophia Russo
- Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Filip Van Petegem
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
| | - David Fedida
- Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
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