Crystal structure of the eukaryotic strong inward-rectifier K+ channel Kir2.2 at 3.1 A resolution

A phenylalanine at the extracellular side of Kir1.1 facilitates potassium permeation

The Kir1.1 (ROMK) family of weak inward rectifiers controls K secretion in the renal CCT and K recycling in the renal TALH. A single point mutant of the inward rectifier, F127V-Kir1.1b was used to investigate the K transition between the selectivity filter and the outer mouth of the channel. We hypothesize that normally an aromatic Phe at the external entryway of Kir1.1b facilitates outward K secretion. We tested this by replacing F127-Kir1.1b with a small aliphatic Val. Results indicate that removal of the Phe at 127 suppresses outward currents that normally contribute to K secretion. Results with the F127V mutant could be explained by increased polyamine block and/or a decrease in the avidity of Kir1.1 for K ions near the outer mouth of the channel. The latter is supported by F127V-Kir1.1b having a lower affinity (Km = 33 mM) for K than wild-type Kir1.1b (Km = 7 mM) during external K elevation. Conversely, chelation of K with 18-Crown-6 ether reduced K conductance faster in F127V (half-time = 6s) than in wt-Kir1.1b (half-time = 120s), implying that F127V is less hospitable to external K. In other experiments, positive membrane potentials gated the F127V mutant channel closed at physiological levels of external Ca, possibly by electrostatically depleting K adjacent to the membrane, suggesting that the Phe residue is critical for outward K secretion at physiological Ca. We speculate that the avidity of wt-Kir1.1b for external K could result from a cation-Pi interaction between K and the aromatic F127.

Detecting organelle-specific activity of potassium channels with a DNA nanodevice

Cell surface potassium ion (K+) channels regulate nutrient transport, cell migration and intercellular communication by controlling K+ permeability and are thought to be active only at the plasma membrane. Although these channels transit the trans-Golgi network, early and recycling endosomes, whether they are active in these organelles is unknown. Here we describe a pH-correctable, ratiometric reporter for K+ called pHlicKer, use it to probe the compartment-specific activity of a prototypical voltage-gated K+ channel, Kv11.1, and show that this cell surface channel is active in organelles. Lumenal K+ in organelles increased in cells expressing wild-type Kv11.1 channels but not after treatment with current blockers. Mutant Kv11.1 channels, with impaired transport function, failed to increase K+ levels in recycling endosomes, an effect rescued by pharmacological correction. By providing a way to map the organelle-specific activity of K+ channels, pHlicKer technology could help identify new organellar K+ channels or channel modulators with nuanced functions.

Dual pattern of cholesterol-induced decoupling of residue-residue interactions of Kir2.2

Cholesterol is a negative regulator of a variety of ion channels. We have previously shown that cholesterol suppresses Kir2.2 channels via residue-residue uncoupling on the inter-subunit interfaces within the close state of the channels (3JYC). In this study, we extend this analysis to the other known structure of Kir2.2 that is closer to the open state of Kir2.2 channels (3SPI) and provide additional analysis of the residue distances between the uncoupled residues and cholesterol binding domains in the two conformation states of the channels. We found that the general phenomenon of cholesterol binding leading to uncoupling between specific residues is conserved in both channel states but the specific pattern of the uncoupling residues is distinct between the two states and implies different mechanisms. Specifically, we found that cholesterol binding in the 3SPI state results in an uncoupling of residues in three distinct regions; the transmembrane domain, membrane-cytosolic interface, and the cytosolic domain, with the first two regions forming an envelope around PI(4,5)P2 and cholesterol binding sites and the distal region overlapping with the subunit-subunit interface characterized in our previous study of the disengaged state. We also found that this uncoupling is dependent upon the number of cholesterol molecules bound to the channel. We further generated a mutant channel Kir2.2P187V with a single point mutation in a residue proximal to the PI(4,5)P2 binding site, which is predicted to be uncoupled from other residues in its vicinity upon cholesterol binding and found that this mutation abrogates the sensitivity of Kir2.2 to cholesterol changes in the membrane. These findings suggest that cholesterol binding to this conformation state of Kir2.2 channels may destabilize the PI(4,5)P2 interactions with the channels while in the disengaged state the destabilization occurs where the subunits interact. These findings give insight into the structural mechanistic basis for the functional effects of cholesterol binding to the Kir2.2 channel.

Physiological role of potassium channels in mammalian germ cell differentiation, maturation, and capacitation

BACKGROUND

Ion channels are essential for differentiation and maturation of germ cells, and even for fertilization in mammals. Different types of potassium channels have been identified, which are grouped into voltage-gated channels (Kv), ligand-gated channels (Kligand ), inwardly rectifying channels (Kir ), and tandem pore domain channels (K2P ).

MATERIAL-METHODS

The present review includes recent findings on the role of potassium channels in sperm physiology of mammals.

RESULTS-DISCUSSION

While most studies conducted thus far have been focused on the physiological role of voltage- (Kv1, Kv3, and Kv7) and calcium-gated channels (SLO1 and SLO3) during sperm capacitation, especially in humans and rodents, little data about the types of potassium channels present in the plasma membrane of differentiating germ cells exist. In spite of this, recent evidence suggests that the content and regulation mechanisms of these channels vary throughout spermatogenesis. Potassium channels are also essential for the regulation of sperm cell volume during epididymal maturation and for preventing premature membrane hyperpolarization. It is important to highlight that the nature, biochemical properties, localization, and regulation mechanisms of potassium channels are species-specific. In effect, while SLO3 is the main potassium channel involved in the K+ current during sperm capacitation in rodents, different potassium channels are implicated in the K+ outflow and, thus, plasma membrane hyperpolarization during sperm capacitation in other mammalian species, such as humans and pigs.

CONCLUSIONS

Potassium conductance is essential for male fertility, not only during sperm capacitation but throughout the spermiogenesis and epididymal maturation.

Insights into Activation Dynamics and Functional Sites of Inwardly Rectifying Potassium Channel Kir3.2 by an Elastic Network Model Combined with Perturbation Methods

The inwardly rectifying potassium channel Kir3.2, a member of the inward rectifier potassium (Kir) channel family, exerts important biological functions through transporting potassium ions outside of the cell, during which a large-scale synergistic movement occurs among its different domains. Currently, it is not fully understood how the binding of the ligand to the Kir3.2 channel leads to the structural changes and which key residues are responsible for the channel gating and allosteric dynamics. Here, we construct the Gaussian network model (GNM) of the Kir3.2 channel with the secondary structure and covalent interaction information considered (sscGNM), which shows a better performance in reproducing the channel's flexibility compared with the traditional GNM. In addition, the sscANM-based perturbation method is used to simulate the channel's conformational transition caused by the activator PIP2's binding. By applying certain forces to the PIP2 binding pocket, the coarse-grained calculations generate the similar conformational changes to the experimental observation, suggesting that the topology structure as well as PIP2 binding are crucial to the allosteric activation of the Kir3.2 channel. We also utilize the sscGNM-based thermodynamic cycle method developed by us to identify the key residues whose mutations significantly alter the channel's binding free energy with PIP2. We identify not only the residues important for the specific binding but also the ones critical for the allosteric transition coupled with PIP2 binding. This study is helpful for understanding the working mechanism of Kir3.2 channels and can provide important information for related drug design.

Electro-metabolic signaling

Precise matching of energy substrate delivery to local metabolic needs is essential for the health and function of all tissues. Here, we outline a mechanistic framework for understanding this critical process, which we refer to as electro-metabolic signaling (EMS). All tissues exhibit changes in metabolism over varying spatiotemporal scales and have widely varying energetic needs and reserves. We propose that across tissues, common signatures of elevated metabolism or increases in energy substrate usage that exceed key local thresholds rapidly engage mechanisms that generate hyperpolarizing electrical signals in capillaries that then relax contractile elements throughout the vasculature to quickly adjust blood flow to meet changing needs. The attendant increase in energy substrate delivery serves to meet local metabolic requirements and thus avoids a mismatch in supply and demand and prevents metabolic stress. We discuss in detail key examples of EMS that our laboratories have discovered in the brain and the heart, and we outline potential further EMS mechanisms operating in tissues such as skeletal muscle, pancreas, and kidney. We suggest that the energy imbalance evoked by EMS uncoupling may be central to cellular dysfunction from which the hallmarks of aging and metabolic diseases emerge and may lead to generalized organ failure states-such as diverse flavors of heart failure and dementia. Understanding and manipulating EMS may be key to preventing or reversing these dysfunctions.

Cholesterol regulation of mechanosensitive ion channels

The purpose of this review is to evaluate the role of cholesterol in regulating mechanosensitive ion channels. Ion channels discussed in this review are sensitive to two types of mechanical signals, fluid shear stress and/or membrane stretch. Cholesterol regulates the channels primarily in two ways: 1) indirectly through localizing the channels into cholesterol-rich membrane domains where they interact with accessory proteins and/or 2) direct binding of cholesterol to the channel at specified putative binding sites. Cholesterol may also regulate channel function via changes of the biophysical properties of the membrane bilayer. Changes in cholesterol affect both mechanosensitivity and basal channel function. We focus on four mechanosensitive ion channels in this review Piezo, Kir2, TRPV4, and VRAC channels. Piezo channels were shown to be regulated by auxiliary proteins that enhance channel function in high cholesterol domains. The direct binding mechanism was shown in Kir2.1 and TRPV4 where cholesterol inhibits channel function. Finally, cholesterol regulation of VRAC was attributed to changes in the physical properties of lipid bilayer. Additional studies should be performed to determine the physiological implications of these sterol effects in complex cellular environments.

Identification of Potential Modulators of a Pathogenic G Protein-Gated Inwardly Rectifying K+ Channel 4 Mutant: In Silico Investigation in the Context of Drug Discovery for Hypertension

Genetic abnormalities have been associated with primary aldosteronism, a major cause of secondary hypertension. This includes mutations in the KCNJ5 gene, which encodes G protein-gated inwardly rectifying K+ channel 4 (GIRK4). For example, the substitution of glycine with glutamic acid gives rise to the pathogenic GIRK4G151E mutation, which alters channel selectivity, making it more permeable to Na+ and Ca2+. While tertiapin and tertiapin-Q are well-known peptide inhibitors of the GIRK4WT channel, clinically, there is a need for the development of selective modulators of mutated channels, including GIRK4G151E. Using in silico methods, including homology modeling, protein-peptide docking, ligand-binding site prediction, and molecular docking, we aimed to explore potential modulators of GIRK4WT and GIRK4G151E. Firstly, protein-peptide docking was performed to characterize the binding site of tertiapin and its derivative to the GIRK4 channels. In accordance with previous studies, the peptide inhibitors preferentially bind to the GIRK4WT channel selectivity filter compared to GIRK4G151E. A ligand-binding site analysis was subsequently performed, resulting in the identification of two potential regions of interest: the central cavity and G-loop gate. Utilizing curated chemical libraries, we screened over 700 small molecules against the central cavity of the GIRK4 channels. Flavonoids, including luteolin-7-O-rutinoside and rutin, and the macrolides rapamycin and troleandomycin bound strongly to the GIRK4 channels. Similarly, xanthophylls, particularly luteoxanthin, bound to the central cavity with a strong preference towards the mutated GIRK4G151E channel compared to GIRK4WT. Overall, our findings suggest potential lead compounds for further investigation, particularly luteoxanthin, that may selectively modulate GIRK4 channels.

Subunit gating resulting from individual protonation events in Kir2 channels

Inwardly rectifying potassium (Kir) channels open at the 'helix bundle crossing' (HBC), formed by the M2 helices at the cytoplasmic end of the transmembrane pore. Introduced negative charges at the HBC (G178D) in Kir2.2 channels forces opening, allowing pore wetting and free movement of permeant ions between the cytoplasm and the inner cavity. Single-channel recordings reveal striking, pH-dependent, subconductance behaviors in G178D (or G178E and equivalent Kir2.1[G177E]) mutant channels, with well-resolved non-cooperative subconductance levels. Decreasing cytoplasmic pH shifts the probability towards lower conductance levels. Molecular dynamics simulations show how protonation of Kir2.2[G178D], or the D173 pore-lining residues, changes solvation, K+ ion occupancy, and K+ conductance. Ion channel gating and conductance are classically understood as separate processes. The present data reveal how individual protonation events change the electrostatic microenvironment of the pore, resulting in step-wise alterations of ion pooling, and hence conductance, that appear as 'gated' substates.

To Be or Not to Be an Ion Channel: Cryo-EM Structures Have a Say

Ion channels are the second largest class of drug targets after G protein-coupled receptors. In addition to well-recognized ones like voltage-gated Na/K/Ca channels in the heart and neurons, novel ion channels are continuously discovered in both excitable and non-excitable cells and demonstrated to play important roles in many physiological processes and diseases such as developmental disorders, neurodegenerative diseases, and cancer. However, in the field of ion channel discovery, there are an unignorable number of published studies that are unsolid and misleading. Despite being the gold standard of a functional assay for ion channels, electrophysiological recordings are often accompanied by electrical noise, leak conductance, and background currents of the membrane system. These unwanted signals, if not treated properly, lead to the mischaracterization of proteins with seemingly unusual ion-conducting properties. In the recent ten years, the technical revolution of cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) has greatly advanced our understanding of the structures and gating mechanisms of various ion channels and also raised concerns about the pore-forming ability of some previously identified channel proteins. In this review, we summarize cryo-EM findings on ion channels with molecular identities recognized or disputed in recent ten years and discuss current knowledge of proposed channel proteins awaiting cryo-EM analyses. We also present a classification of ion channels according to their architectures and evolutionary relationships and discuss the possibility and strategy of identifying more ion channels by analyzing structures of transmembrane proteins of unknown function. We propose that cross-validation by electrophysiological and structural analyses should be essentially required for determining molecular identities of novel ion channels.

KATP channels in focus: Progress toward a structural understanding of ligand regulation

KATP channels are hetero-octameric complexes of four inward rectifying potassium channels, Kir6.1 or Kir6.2, and four sulfonylurea receptors, SUR1, SUR2A, or SUR2B from the ABC transporter family. This unique combination enables KATP channels to couple intracellular ATP/ADP ratios, through gating, with membrane excitability, thus regulating a broad range of cellular activities. The prominence of KATP channels in human physiology, disease, and pharmacology has long attracted research interest. Since 2017, a steady flow of high-resolution KATP cryoEM structures has revealed complex and dynamic interactions between channel subunits and their ligands. Here, we highlight insights from recent structures that begin to provide mechanistic explanations for decades of experimental data and discuss the remaining knowledge gaps in our understanding of KATP channel regulation.

Subunit gating resulting from individual protonation events in Kir2 channels

Inwardly rectifying potassium (Kir) channels play a critical role in stabilizing the membrane potential, thus controlling numerous physiological phenomena in multiple tissues. Channel conductance is activated by cytoplasmic modulators that open the channel at the 'helix bundle crossing' (HBC), formed by the coming together of the M2 helices from each of the four subunits, at the cytoplasmic end of the transmembrane pore. We introduced a negative charge at the bundle crossing region (G178D) in classical inward rectifier Kir2.2 channel subunits that forces channel opening, allowing pore wetting and free movement of permeant ions between the cytoplasm and the inner cavity. Single-channel recordings reveal a striking pH-dependent subconductance behavior in G178D (or G178E and equivalent Kir2.1[G177E]) mutant channels that reflects individual subunit events. These subconductance levels are well resolved temporally and occur independently, with no evidence of cooperativity. Decreasing cytoplasmic pH shifts the probability towards lower conductance levels, and molecular dynamics simulations show how protonation of Kir2.2[G178D] and, additionally, the rectification controller (D173) pore-lining residues leads to changes in pore solvation, K+ ion occupancy, and ultimately K+ conductance. While subconductance gating has long been discussed, resolution and explanation have been lacking. The present data reveals how individual protonation events change the electrostatic microenvironment of the pore, resulting in distinct, uncoordinated, and relatively long-lasting conductance states, which depend on levels of ion pooling in the pore and the maintenance of pore wetting. Gating and conductance are classically understood as separate processes in ion channels. The remarkable sub-state gating behavior of these channels reveals how intimately connected 'gating' and 'conductance' are in reality.

Chronic Propafenone Application Increases Functional KIR2.1 Expression In Vitro

Expression and activity of inwardly rectifying potassium (K_IR) channels within the heart are strictly regulated. K_IR channels have an important role in shaping cardiac action potentials, having a limited conductance at depolarized potentials but contributing to the final stage of repolarization and resting membrane stability. Impaired K_IR2.1 function causes Andersen-Tawil Syndrome (ATS) and is associated with heart failure. Restoring K_IR2.1 function by agonists of K_IR2.1 (AgoKirs) would be beneficial. The class 1c antiarrhythmic drug propafenone is identified as an AgoKir; however, its long-term effects on K_IR2.1 protein expression, subcellular localization, and function are unknown. Propafenone's long-term effect on K_IR2.1 expression and its underlying mechanisms in vitro were investigated. K_IR2.1-carried currents were measured by single-cell patch-clamp electrophysiology. K_IR2.1 protein expression levels were determined by Western blot analysis, whereas conventional immunofluorescence and advanced live-imaging microscopy were used to assess the subcellular localization of K_IR2.1 proteins. Acute propafenone treatment at low concentrations supports the ability of propafenone to function as an AgoKir without disturbing K_IR2.1 protein handling. Chronic propafenone treatment (at 25-100 times higher concentrations than in the acute treatment) increases K_IR2.1 protein expression and K_IR2.1 current densities in vitro, which are potentially associated with pre-lysosomal trafficking inhibition.

De Novo Variant in the KCNJ9 Gene as a Possible Cause of Neonatal Seizures

BACKGROUND

The reduction in next-generation sequencing (NGS) costs allows for using this method for newborn screening for monogenic diseases (MDs). In this report, we describe a clinical case of a newborn participating in the EXAMEN project (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05325749).

METHODS

The child presented with convulsive syndrome on the third day of life. Generalized convulsive seizures were accompanied by electroencephalographic patterns corresponding to epileptiform activity. Proband WES expanded to trio sequencing was performed.

RESULTS

A differential diagnosis was made between symptomatic (dysmetabolic, structural, infectious) neonatal seizures and benign neonatal seizures. There were no data in favor of the dysmetabolic, structural, or infectious nature of seizures. Molecular karyotyping and whole exome sequencing were not informative. Trio WES revealed a de novo variant in the KCNJ9 gene (1:160087612T > C, p.Phe326Ser, NM_004983), for which, according to the OMIM database, no association with the disease has been described to date. Three-dimensional modeling was used to predict the structure of the KCNJ9 protein using the known structure of its homologs. According to the predictions, Phe326Ser change possibly disrupts the hydrophobic contacts with the valine side chain. Destabilization of the neighboring structures may undermine the formation of GIRK2/GIRK3 tetramers necessary for their proper functioning.

CONCLUSIONS

We believe that the identified variant may be the cause of the disease in this patient but further studies, including the search for other patients with the KCNJ9 variants, are needed.

From Crosstalk to Synergism: The Combined Effect of Cholesterol and PI(4,5)P2 on Inwardly Rectifying Potassium Channels

Inwardly rectifying potassium (Kir) channels are integral membrane proteins that control the flux of potassium ions across cell membranes and regulate membrane permeability. All eukaryotic Kir channels require the membrane phospholipid phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PI(4,5)P₂) for activation. In recent years, it has become evident that the function of many members of this family of channels is also mediated by another essential lipid-cholesterol. Here, we focus on members of the Kir2 and Kir3 subfamilies and their modulation by these two key lipids. We discuss how PI(4,5)P₂ and cholesterol bind to Kir2 and Kir3 channels and how they affect channel activity. We also discuss the accumulating evidence indicating that there is interplay between PI(4,5)P₂ and cholesterol in the modulation of Kir2 and Kir3 channels. In particular, we review the crosstalk between PI(4,5)P₂ and cholesterol in the modulation of the ubiquitously expressed Kir2.1 channel and the synergy between these two lipids in the modulation of the Kir3.4 channel, which is primarily expressed in the heart. Additionally, we demonstrate that there is also synergy in the modulation of Kir3.2 channels, which are expressed in the brain. These observations suggest that alterations in the relative levels PI(4,5)P₂ and cholesterol may fine-tune Kir channel activity.

Gating and modulation of an inward-rectifier potassium channel

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

Seeing spermine blocking of K+ ion movement through inward rectifier Kir2.2 channels

Inwardly rectifier potassium (Kir) channels are a major potassium channel sub-class whose function is regulated by ligand-dependent gating and highly voltage-dependent block by polyamines. With molecular dynamics simulations over previously unattainable timescales, Jogini et al. (J. Gen. Physiol. https://doi.org/10.1085/jgp.202213085) provide unprecedented visualization of K+ conduction through open Kir2.2 channels and of the molecular details of channel block by spermine.

Cryo-electron microscopy unveils unique structural features of the human Kir2.1 channel

We present the first structure of the human Kir2.1 channel containing both transmembrane domain (TMD) and cytoplasmic domain (CTD). Kir2.1 channels are strongly inward-rectifying potassium channels that play a key role in maintaining resting membrane potential. Their gating is modulated by phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP₂). Genetically inherited defects in Kir2.1 channels are responsible for several rare human diseases, including Andersen's syndrome. The structural analysis (cryo-electron microscopy), surface plasmon resonance, and electrophysiological experiments revealed a well-connected network of interactions between the PIP₂-binding site and the G-loop through residues R312 and H221. In addition, molecular dynamics simulations and normal mode analysis showed the intrinsic tendency of the CTD to tether to the TMD and a movement of the secondary anionic binding site to the membrane even without PIP₂. Our results revealed structural features unique to human Kir2.1 and provided insights into the connection between G-loop and gating and the pathological mechanisms associated with this channel.

Inwardly rectifying potassium channels mediate polymyxin-induced nephrotoxicity

Polymyxin antibiotics are often used as a last-line defense to treat life-threatening Gram-negative pathogens. However, polymyxin-induced kidney toxicity is a dose-limiting factor of paramount importance and can lead to suboptimal treatment. To elucidate the mechanism and develop effective strategies to overcome polymyxin toxicity, we employed a whole-genome CRISPR screen in human kidney tubular HK-2 cells and identified 86 significant genes that upon knock-out rescued polymyxin-induced toxicity. Specifically, we discovered that knockout of the inwardly rectifying potassium channels Kir4.2 and Kir5.1 (encoded by KCNJ15 and KCNJ16, respectively) rescued polymyxin-induced toxicity in HK-2 cells. Furthermore, we found that polymyxins induced cell depolarization via Kir4.2 and Kir5.1 and a significant cellular uptake of polymyxins was evident. All-atom molecular dynamics simulations revealed that polymyxin B₁ spontaneously bound to Kir4.2, thereby increasing opening of the channel, resulting in a potassium influx, and changes of the membrane potential. Consistent with these findings, small molecule inhibitors (BaCl₂ and VU0134992) of Kir potassium channels reduced polymyxin-induced toxicity in cell culture and mouse explant kidney tissue. Our findings provide critical mechanistic information that will help attenuate polymyxin-induced nephrotoxicity in patients and facilitate the design of novel, safer polymyxins.

A molecular switch controls the impact of cholesterol on a Kir channel

Cholesterol is one of the main components found in plasma membranes and is involved in lipid-dependent signaling enabled by integral membrane proteins such as inwardly rectifying potassium (Kir) channels. Similar to other ion channels, most of the Kir channels are down-regulated by cholesterol. One of the very few notable exceptions is Kir3.4, which is up-regulated by this important lipid. Here, we discovered and characterized a molecular switch that controls the impact (up-regulation vs. down-regulation) of cholesterol on Kir3.4. Our results provide a detailed molecular mechanism of tunable cholesterol regulation of a potassium channel.

Cholesterol decreases the activity of the majority of ion channels while increasing the activity of only a few, yet it remains unclear how. Here, we used the inwardly rectifying potassium channel Kir3.4, which is up-regulated by cholesterol, as a tool to address this question. Employing mutagenesis and electrophysiology, we discovered a molecular switch that controls the impact of cholesterol on the channel. Through a single point mutation at position 182 in the transmembrane domain of Kir3.4, we converted the cholesterol-driven up-regulation of the channel into down-regulation. Microseconds-long coarse-grained and atomistic molecular dynamics simulations revealed that the effect of the point mutation propagated toward the selectivity filter of the channel whose conformation controls the conductance of the channel. Planar lipid bilayer experiments validated these results, showing that although cholesterol up-regulated Kir3.4 by increasing its open probability, cholesterol down-regulated the mutant by decreasing its conductance. Further studies underscored the role of mutation-specific alterations of cholesterol distribution in proximity to the channel in cholesterol’s impact on channel activity, highlighting the role of subtle molecular differences in determining how cholesterol distributes around proteins and affects their function.

Correlation between structure and function in phosphatidylinositol lipid-dependent Kir2.2 gating

Phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PI(4,5)P₂) levels regulate cell membrane voltage by gluing two halves of a K⁺ channel together and opening the pore. PI(4)P competes with this process. Because both of these lipids are relatively abundant in the plasma membrane and are directly interconvertible through the action of specific enzymes, they may function together to regulate channel activity.

Inward rectifier K⁺(Kir) channels regulate cell membrane potential. Different Kir channels respond to unique ligands, but all are regulated by phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PI(4,5)P₂). Using planar lipid bilayers, we show that Kir2.2 exhibits bursts of openings separated by long quiescent interburst periods. Increasing PI(4,5)P₂ concentration shortens the Kir2.2 interburst duration and lengthens the burst duration without affecting dwell times within a burst. From this, we propose that burst and interburst durations correspond to the cytoplasmic domain (CTD)–docked and CTD-undocked conformations observed in the presence and absence of PI(4,5)P₂ in atomic structures. We also studied the effect of different phosphatidylinositol lipids on Kir2.2 activation and conclude that the 5′ phosphate is essential to Kir2.2 pore opening. Other phosphatidylinositol lipids can compete with PI(4,5)P₂ but cannot activate Kir2.2 without the 5′ phosphate. PI(4)P, which is directly interconvertible to and from PI(4,5)P₂, might thus be a regulator of Kir channels in the plasma membrane.

K+ -independent Kir blockade by external Cs+ and Ba2

Cations such as Cs⁺ and Ba²⁺ are known to block K⁺ currents by entering an open channel and binding to the selectivity filter, where they obstruct the pore and block diffusion of the permeant ion. This obstruction is voltage- and K⁺ -dependent and is relieved by the trans permeant ion flux. The present patch-clamp study on Xenopus muscle cells shows that, unlike the voltage-activated K⁺ (Kv) channels, blockade of the inward rectifier K⁺ (Kir) channels by external foreign cations results from the combination of pore obstruction with a new and independent mechanism. This new blockade is independent of the K⁺ concentrations and flux and acts indiscriminately on both the outward and the inward Kir components. External Cs⁺ and Ba²⁺ compete for this blockade with free access to common channel sites. These features suggest that the blocking cations do not need to enter the channel for this new mechanism, and should bind to the extracellular side of the channel. When K⁺ fluxes are flowing outward, the pore obstruction is relieved for both Kir and Kv currents, and the K⁺ -independent blockade here described is responsible for a selective Kir inhibition, justifying the use of these external cations as tools in cell physiology studies.

Determinants of trafficking, conduction, and disease within a K+ channel revealed through multiparametric deep mutational scanning

A long-standing goal in protein science and clinical genetics is to develop quantitative models of sequence, structure, and function relationships to understand how mutations cause disease. Deep mutational scanning (DMS) is a promising strategy to map how amino acids contribute to protein structure and function and to advance clinical variant interpretation. Here, we introduce 7429 single-residue missense mutations into the inward rectifier K⁺ channel Kir2.1 and determine how this affects folding, assembly, and trafficking, as well as regulation by allosteric ligands and ion conduction. Our data provide high-resolution information on a cotranslationally folded biogenic unit, trafficking and quality control signals, and segregated roles of different structural elements in fold stability and function. We show that Kir2.1 surface trafficking mutants are underrepresented in variant effect databases, which has implications for clinical practice. By comparing fitness scores with expert-reviewed variant effects, we can predict the pathogenicity of 'variants of unknown significance' and disease mechanisms of known pathogenic mutations. Our study in Kir2.1 provides a blueprint for how multiparametric DMS can help us understand the mechanistic basis of genetic disorders and the structure-function relationships of proteins.

Entropy in the Molecular Recognition of Membrane Protein-Lipid Interactions

Understanding the molecular driving forces that underlie membrane protein-lipid interactions requires the characterization of their binding thermodynamics. Here, we employ variable-temperature native mass spectrometry to determine the thermodynamics of lipid binding events to the human G-protein-gated inward rectifier potassium channel, Kir3.2. The channel displays distinct thermodynamic strategies to engage phosphatidylinositol (PI) and phosphorylated forms thereof. The addition of a 4'-phosphate to PI results in an increase in favorable entropy. PI with two or more phosphates exhibits more complex binding, where lipids appear to bind two nonidentical sites on Kir3.2. Remarkably, the interaction of 4,5-bisphosphate PI with Kir3.2 is solely driven by a large, favorable change in entropy. Installment of a 3'-phosphate to PI(4,5)P2 results in an altered thermodynamic strategy. The acyl chain of the lipid has a marked impact on binding thermodynamics and, in some cases, enthalpy becomes favorable.

Molecular structure of an open human KATP channel

KATP channels are metabolic sensors that translate intracellular ATP/ADP balance into membrane excitability. The molecular composition of KATP includes an inward-rectifier potassium channel (Kir) and an ABC transporter-like sulfonylurea receptor (SUR). Although structures of KATP have been determined in many conformations, in all cases, the pore in Kir is closed. Here, we describe human pancreatic KATP (hKATP) structures with an open pore at 3.1- to 4.0-Å resolution using single-particle cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM). Pore opening is associated with coordinated structural changes within the ATP-binding site and the channel gate in Kir. Conformational changes in SUR are also observed, resulting in an area reduction of contact surfaces between SUR and Kir. We also observe that pancreatic hKATP exhibits the unique (among inward-rectifier channels) property of PIP2-independent opening, which appears to be correlated with a docked cytoplasmic domain in the absence of PIP2.

Proteomic Analysis of the Functional Inward Rectifier Potassium Channel (Kir) 2.1 Reveals Several Novel Phosphorylation Sites

Membrane proteins represent a large family of proteins that perform vital physiological roles and represent key drug targets. Despite their importance, bioanalytical methods aiming to comprehensively characterize the post-translational modification (PTM) of membrane proteins remain challenging compared to other classes of proteins in part because of their inherent low expression and hydrophobicity. The inward rectifier potassium channel (Kir) 2.1, an integral membrane protein, is critical for the maintenance of the resting membrane potential and phase-3 repolarization of the cardiac action potential in the heart. The importance of this channel to cardiac physiology is highlighted by the recognition of several sudden arrhythmic death syndromes, Andersen-Tawil and short QT syndromes, which are associated with loss or gain of function mutations in Kir2.1, often triggered by changes in the β-adrenergic tone. Therefore, understanding the PTMs of this channel (particularly β-adrenergic tone-driven phosphorylation) is important for arrhythmia prevention. Here, we developed a proteomic method, integrating both top-down (intact protein) and bottom-up (after enzymatic digestion) proteomic analyses, to characterize the PTMs of recombinant wild-type and mutant Kir2.1, successfully mapping five novel sites of phosphorylation and confirming a sixth site. Our study provides a framework for future work to assess the role of PTMs in regulating Kir2.1 functions.

Envisioning the role of inwardly rectifying potassium (Kir) channel in epilepsy

Epilepsy is a devastating neurological disorder characterized by recurrent seizures attributed to the disruption of the dynamic excitatory and inhibitory balance in the brain. Epilepsy has emerged as a global health concern affecting about 70 million people worldwide. Despite recent advances in pre-clinical and clinical research, its etiopathogenesis remains obscure, and there are still no treatment strategies modifying disease progression. Although the precise molecular mechanisms underlying epileptogenesis have not been clarified yet, the role of ion channels as regulators of cellular excitability has increasingly gained attention. In this regard, emerging evidence highlights the potential implication of inwardly rectifying potassium (Kir) channels in epileptogenesis. Kir channels consist of seven different subfamilies (Kir1-Kir7), and they are highly expressed in both neuronal and glial cells in the central nervous system. These channels control the cell volume and excitability. In this review, we discuss preclinical and clinical evidence on the role of the several subfamilies of Kir channels in epileptogenesis, aiming to shed more light on the pathogenesis of this disorder and pave the way for future novel therapeutic approaches.

Polyamine blockade and binding energetics in the MthK potassium channel

Polyamines such as spermidine and spermine are found in nearly all cells, at concentrations ranging up to 0.5 mM. These cations are endogenous regulators of cellular K⁺ efflux, binding tightly in the pores of inwardly rectifying K⁺ (K_ir) channels in a voltage-dependent manner. Although the voltage dependence of K_ir channel polyamine blockade is thought to arise at least partially from the energetically coupled movements of polyamine and K⁺ ions through the pore, the nature of physical interactions between these molecules is unclear. Here we analyze the polyamine-blocking mechanism in the model K⁺ channel MthK, using a combination of electrophysiology and computation. Spermidine (SPD³⁺) and spermine (SPM⁴⁺) each blocked current through MthK channels in a voltage-dependent manner, and blockade by these polyamines was described by a three-state kinetic scheme over a wide range of polyamine concentrations. In the context of the scheme, both SPD³⁺ and SPM⁴⁺ access a blocking site with similar effective gating valences (0.84 ± 0.03 e₀ for SPD³⁺ and 0.99 ± 0.04 e₀ for SPM⁴⁺), whereas SPM⁴⁺ binds in the blocked state with an ∼20-fold higher affinity than SPD³⁺ (K_d = 28.1 ± 3.1 µM for SPD³⁺ and 1.28 ± 0.20 µM for SPM⁴⁺), consistent with a free energy difference of 1.8 kcal/mol. Molecular simulations of the MthK pore in complex with either SPD³⁺ or SPM⁴⁺ are consistent with the leading amine interacting with the hydroxyl groups of T59, at the selectivity filter threshold, with access to this site governed by outward movement of K⁺ ions. These coupled movements can account for a large fraction of the voltage dependence of blockade. In contrast, differences in binding energetics between SPD³⁺ and SPM⁴⁺ may arise from distinct electrostatic interactions between the polyamines and carboxylate oxygens on the side chains of E92 and E96, located in the pore-lining helix.

From Bench to Biomolecular Simulation: Phospholipid Modulation of Potassium Channels

Potassium (K+) ion channels are crucial in numerous cellular processes as they hyperpolarise a cell through K+ conductance, returning a cell to its resting potential. K+ channel mutations result in multiple clinical complications such as arrhythmia, neonatal diabetes and migraines. Since 1995, the regulation of K+ channels by phospholipids has been heavily studied using a range of interdisciplinary methods such as cellular electrophysiology, structural biology and computational modelling. As a result, K+ channels are model proteins for the analysis of protein-lipid interactions. In this review, we will focus on the roles of lipids in the regulation of K+ channels, and how atomic-level structures, along with experimental techniques and molecular simulations, have helped guide our understanding of the importance of phospholipid interactions.

Pathophysiological and Pharmacological Characteristics of KCNJ5 157-159delITE Somatic Mutation in Aldosterone-Producing Adenomas

Mutated channelopathy could play important roles in the pathogenesis of aldosterone-producing adenoma (APA). In this study, we identified a somatic mutation, KCNJ5 157-159delITE, and reported its immunohistological, pathophysiological and pharmacological characteristics. We conducted patch-clamp experiments on HEK293T cells and experiments on expression of aldosterone synthase (CYP11B2) and aldosterone secretion in HAC15 cells to evaluate electrophysiological and functional properties of this mutated KCNJ5. Immunohistochemistry was conducted to identify expressions of several steroidogenic enzymes. Macrolide antibiotics and a calcium channel blocker were administrated to evaluate the functional attenuation of mutated KCNJ5 channel in transfected HAC15 cells. The interaction between macrolides and KCNJ5 protein was evaluated via molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation analysis. The immunohistochemistry analysis showed strong CYP11B2 immunoreactivity in the APA harboring KCNJ5 157-159delITE mutation. Whole-cell patch-clamp data revealed that mutated KCNJ5 157-159delITE channel exhibited loss of potassium ion selectivity. The mutant-transfected HAC15 cells increased the expression of CYP11B2 and aldosterone secretion, which was partially suppressed by clarithromycin and nifedipine but not roxithromycin treatment. The docking analysis and molecular dynamics simulation disclosed that roxithromycin had strong interaction with KCNJ5 L168R mutant channel but not with this KCNJ5 157-159delITE mutant channel. We showed comprehensive evaluations of the KCNJ5 157-159delITE mutation which revealed that it disrupted potassium channel selectivity and aggravated autonomous aldosterone production. We further demonstrated that macrolide antibiotics, roxithromycin, could not interfere the aberrant electrophysiological properties and gain-of-function aldosterone secretion induced by KCNJ5 157-159delITE mutation.

Kir Channel Molecular Physiology, Pharmacology, and Therapeutic Implications

For the past two decades several scholarly reviews have appeared on the inwardly rectifying potassium (Kir) channels. We would like to highlight two efforts in particular, which have provided comprehensive reviews of the literature up to 2010 (Hibino et al., Physiol Rev 90(1):291-366, 2010; Stanfield et al., Rev Physiol Biochem Pharmacol 145:47-179, 2002). In the past decade, great insights into the 3-D atomic resolution structures of Kir channels have begun to provide the molecular basis for their functional properties. More recently, computational studies are beginning to close the time domain gap between in silico dynamic and patch-clamp functional studies. The pharmacology of these channels has also been expanding and the dynamic structural studies provide hope that we are heading toward successful structure-based drug design for this family of K⁺ channels. In the present review we focus on placing the physiology and pharmacology of this K⁺ channel family in the context of atomic resolution structures and in providing a glimpse of the promising future of therapeutic opportunities.

Therapeutic Antibodies Targeting Potassium Ion Channels

Monoclonal antibodies combine specificity and high affinity binding with excellent pharmacokinetic properties and are rapidly being developed for a wide range of drug targets including clinically important potassium ion channels. Nonetheless, while therapeutic antibodies come with great promise, K⁺ channels represent particularly difficult targets for biologics development for a variety of reasons that include their dynamic structures and relatively small extracellular loops, their high degree of sequence conservation (leading to immune tolerance), and their generally low-level expression in vivo. The process is made all the more difficult when large numbers of antibody candidates must be screened for a given target, or when lead candidates fail to cross-react with orthologous channels in animal disease models due to their highly selective binding properties. While the number of antibodies targeting potassium channels in preclinical or clinical development is still modest, significant advances in the areas of protein expression and antibody screening are converging to open the field to an avalanche of new drugs. Here, the opportunities and constraints associated with the discovery of antibodies against K⁺ channels are discussed, with an emphasis on novel technologies that are opening the field to exciting new possibilities for biologics development.

Next-generation inward rectifier potassium channel modulators: discovery and molecular pharmacology

Inward rectifying potassium (Kir) channels play important roles in both excitable and nonexcitable cells of various organ systems and could represent valuable new drug targets for cardiovascular, metabolic, immune, and neurological diseases. In nonexcitable epithelial cells of the kidney tubule, for example, Kir1.1 (KCNJ1) and Kir4.1 (KCNJ10) are linked to sodium reabsorption in the thick ascending limb of Henle's loop and distal convoluted tubule, respectively, and have been explored as novel-mechanism diuretic targets for managing hypertension and edema. G protein-coupled Kir channels (Kir3) channels expressed in the central nervous system are critical effectors of numerous signal transduction pathways underlying analgesia, addiction, and respiratory-depressive effects of opioids. The historical dearth of pharmacological tool compounds for exploring the therapeutic potential of Kir channels has led to a molecular target-based approach using high-throughput screen (HTS) of small-molecule libraries and medicinal chemistry to develop "next-generation" Kir channel modulators that are both potent and specific for their targets. In this article, we review recent efforts focused specifically on discovery and improvement of target-selective molecular probes. The reader is introduced to fluorescence-based thallium flux assays that have enabled much of this work and then provided with an overview of progress made toward developing modulators of Kir1.1 (VU590, VU591), Kir2.x (ML133), Kir3.X (ML297, GAT1508, GiGA1, VU059331), Kir4.1 (VU0134992), and Kir7.1 (ML418). We discuss what is known about the small molecules' molecular mechanisms of action, in vitro and in vivo pharmacology, and then close with our view of what critical work remains to be done.

Phylogenomics of Tick Inward Rectifier Potassium Channels and Their Potential as Targets to Innovate Control Technologies

This study was conducted to enhance the identification of novel targets to develop acaricides that can be used to advance integrated tick-borne disease management. Drivers for the emergence and re-emergence of tick-borne diseases affecting humans, livestock, and other domestic animals in many parts of the world include the increased abundance and expanded geographic distribution of tick species that vector pathogens. The evolution of resistance to acaricides among some of the most important tick vector species highlights the vulnerability of relying on chemical treatments for tick control to mitigate the health burden of tick-borne diseases. The involvement of inward rectifier potassium (Kir) channels in homeostasis, diuresis, and salivary gland secretion in ticks and other pests identified them as attractive targets to develop novel acaricides. However, few studies exist on the molecular characteristics of Kir channels in ticks. This bioinformatic analysis described Kir channels in 20 species of hard and soft ticks. Summarizing relevant investigations on Kir channel function in invertebrate pests allowed the phylogenomic study of this class of ion channels in ticks. How this information can be adapted to innovate tick control technologies is discussed.

Atomistic basis of opening and conduction in mammalian inward rectifier potassium (Kir2.2) channels

This paper presents the crystal structure of a forced open inward rectifier Kir2.2 channel. Molecular dynamics reveals the details of ion permeation through the open channel.

Potassium ion conduction through open potassium channels is essential to control of membrane potentials in all cells. To elucidate the open conformation and hence the mechanism of K⁺ ion conduction in the classic inward rectifier Kir2.2, we introduced a negative charge (G178D) at the crossing point of the inner helix bundle, the location of ligand-dependent gating. This “forced open” mutation generated channels that were active even in the complete absence of phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate (PIP₂), an otherwise essential ligand for Kir channel opening. Crystal structures were obtained at a resolution of 3.6 Å without PIP₂ bound, or 2.8 Å in complex with PIP₂. The latter revealed a slight widening at the helix bundle crossing (HBC) through backbone movement. MD simulations showed that subsequent spontaneous wetting of the pore through the HBC gate region allowed K⁺ ion movement across the HBC and conduction through the channel. Further simulations reveal atomistic details of the opening process and highlight the role of pore-lining acidic residues in K⁺ conduction through Kir2 channels.

Ribosome-associated quality control of membrane proteins at the endoplasmic reticulum

Protein synthesis is an energetically costly, complex and risky process. Aberrant protein biogenesis can result in cellular toxicity and disease, with membrane-embedded proteins being particularly challenging for the cell. In order to protect the cell from consequences of defects in membrane proteins, quality control systems act to maintain protein homeostasis. The majority of these pathways act post-translationally; however, recent evidence reveals that membrane proteins are also subject to co-translational quality control during their synthesis in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). This newly identified quality control pathway employs components of the cytosolic ribosome-associated quality control (RQC) machinery but differs from canonical RQC in that it responds to biogenesis state of the substrate rather than mRNA aberrations. This ER-associated RQC (ER-RQC) is sensitive to membrane protein misfolding and malfunctions in the ER insertion machinery. In this Review, we discuss the advantages of co-translational quality control of membrane proteins, as well as potential mechanisms of substrate recognition and degradation. Finally, we discuss some outstanding questions concerning future studies of ER-RQC of membrane proteins.

Cryo-EM analysis of PIP2 regulation in mammalian GIRK channels

G-protein-gated inward rectifier potassium (GIRK) channels are regulated by G proteins and PIP2. Here, using cryo-EM single particle analysis we describe the equilibrium ensemble of structures of neuronal GIRK2 as a function of the C8-PIP2 concentration. We find that PIP2 shifts the equilibrium between two distinguishable structures of neuronal GIRK (GIRK2), extended and docked, towards the docked form. In the docked form the cytoplasmic domain, to which Gβγ binds, becomes accessible to the cytoplasmic membrane surface where Gβγ resides. Furthermore, PIP2 binding reshapes the Gβγ binding surface on the cytoplasmic domain, preparing it to receive Gβγ. We find that cardiac GIRK (GIRK1/4) can also exist in both extended and docked conformations. These findings lead us to conclude that PIP2 influences GIRK channels in a structurally similar manner to Kir2.2 channels. In Kir2.2 channels, the PIP2-induced conformational changes open the pore. In GIRK channels, they prepare the channel for activation by Gβγ.

The Lipid Activation Mechanism of a Transmembrane Potassium Channel

Membrane proteins and lipids coevolved to yield unique coregulatory mechanisms. Inward-rectifier K⁺ (Kir) channels are often activated by anionic lipids endemic to their native membranes and require accessible water along their K⁺ conductance pathway. To better understand Kir channel activation, we target multiple mutants of the Kir channel KirBac1.1 via solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (SSNMR) spectroscopy, potassium efflux assays, and Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) measurements. In the I131C stability mutant (SM), we observe an open-active channel in the presence of anionic lipids with greater activity upon addition of cardiolipin (CL). The introduction of three R to Q mutations (R49/151/153Q (triple Q mutant, TQ)) renders the protein inactive within the same activating lipid environment. Our SSNMR experiments reveal a stark reduction of lipid-protein interactions in the TQ mutant explaining the dramatic loss of channel activity. Water-edited SSNMR experiments further determined the TQ mutant possesses greater overall solvent exposure in comparison to wild-type but with reduced water accessibility along the ion conduction pathway, consistent with the closed state of the channel. These experiments also suggest water is proximal to the selectivity filter of KirBac1.1 in the open-activated state but that it may not directly enter the selectivity filter. Our findings suggest lipid binding initiates a concerted rotation of the cytoplasmic domain subunits, which is stabilized by multiple intersubunit salt bridges. This action buries ionic side chains away from the bulk water, while allowing water greater access to the K⁺ conduction pathway. This work highlights universal membrane protein motifs, including lipid-protein interactions, domain rearrangement, and water-mediated diffusion mechanisms.

Identification and Expression of Inward-Rectifying Potassium Channel Subunits in Plutella xylostella

In insects, inward-rectifying potassium (Kir) channels regulate vital physiological functions, such as feeding behavior, silk secretion, renal excretion, and immune function. Therefore, they offer promising potential as targets for insecticides. Three types of Kir subunits have been identified in Diptera and Hemiptera, but the Kir subunits of Lepidoptera still remain unclear. This study identified five Kir subunit genes (pxkir1, pxkir2, pxkir3A, pxkir3B, and pxkir4) in the transcriptome of Plutella xylostella. Phylogenetic analysis identified pxkir1, pxkir2, pxkir3A, and pxkir3B as orthologous genes of kir1–3 in other insects. Interestingly, pxkir4 may be encoding a new class of Kir subunit in Lepidoptera that has not been reported to date. To identify further Kir channel subunits of P. xylostella, the gene expression profiles of five pxkir genes were studied by quantitative real-time PCR. These pxkir genes are expressed throughout the development of P. xylostella. pxkir1 and pxkir2 were highly expressed in thoraxes and legs, while pxkir3 (3A and 3B) and pxkir4 had high expression levels in the midgut and Malpighian tubules. This study identified the composition and distribution of Kir subunits in P. xylostella for the first time, and provides useful information for the further study of Kir channel subunits in Lepidoptera.

Interfacial Binding Sites for Cholesterol on Kir, Kv, K2P, and Related Potassium Channels

Inwardly rectifying, voltage-gated, two-pore domain, and related K+ channels are located in eukaryotic membranes rich in cholesterol. Here, molecular docking is used to detect specific binding sites ("hot spots") for cholesterol on K+ channels with characteristics that match those of known cholesterol binding sites. The transmembrane surfaces of all available high-resolution structures for K+ channels were swept for potential binding sites. Cholesterol poses were found to be located largely in hollows between protein ridges. A comparison between cholesterol poses and resolved phospholipids suggests that not all cholesterol molecules binding to the transmembrane surface of a K+ channel will result in displacement of a phospholipid molecule from the surface. Competition between cholesterol binding and binding of anionic phospholipids essential for activity could explain some of the effects of cholesterol on channel function.

Small-Molecule Inhibitors of Inward Rectifier Potassium (Kir) Channels Reduce Bloodmeal Feeding and Have Insecticidal Activity Against the Horn Fly (Diptera: Muscidae)

Bloodmeal feeding by the horn fly, Haematobia irritans (L.), is associated with reduced milk production and blood loss that ultimately prevents weight gain of calves and yearlings. Thus, blood feeding by H. irritans causes significant economic losses in several continents. As with other arthropods, resistance to the majority of commercialized insecticides reduces the efficacy of current control programs. Thus, innovative technologies and novel biochemical targets for horn fly control are needed. Salivary gland and Malpighian tubule function are critical for H. irritans survivorship as they drive bloodmeal acquisition and maintain ion- and fluid homeostasis during bloodmeal processing, respectively. Experiments were conducted to test the hypothesis that pharmacological modulation of H. irritans inward rectifier potassium (Kir) channels would preclude blood feeding and induce mortality by reducing the secretory activity of the salivary gland while simultaneously inducing Malpighian tubule failure. Experimental results clearly indicate structurally diverse Kir channel modulators reduce the secretory activity of the salivary gland by up to fivefold when compared to control and the reduced saliva secretion was highly correlated to a reduction in bloodmeal acquisition in adult flies. Furthermore, adult feeding on blood treated with Kir channel modulators resulted in significant mortality. In addition to validating the Kir channels of H. irritans as putative insecticide targets, the knowledge gained from this study could be applied to develop novel therapeutic technologies targeting salivary gland or Malpighian tubule function to reduce the economic burden of horn fly ectoparasitism on cattle health and production.

Mg2+ Is a Missing Link in Plant Cell Ca2+ Signalling and Homeostasis-A Study on Vicia faba Guard Cells

Hyperpolarization-activated calcium channels (HACCs) are found in the plasma membrane and tonoplast of many plant cell types, where they have an important role in Ca²⁺-dependent signalling. The unusual gating properties of HACCs in plants, i.e., activation by membrane hyperpolarization rather than depolarization, dictates that HACCs are normally open in the physiological hyperpolarized resting membrane potential state (the so-called pump or P-state); thus, if not regulated, they would continuously leak Ca²⁺ into cells. HACCs are permeable to Ca²⁺, Ba²⁺, and Mg²⁺; activated by H₂O₂ and the plant hormone abscisic acid (ABA); and their activity in guard cells is greatly reduced by increasing amounts of free cytosolic Ca²⁺ ([Ca²⁺]_Cyt), and hence closes during [Ca²⁺]_Cyt surges. Here, we demonstrate that the presence of the commonly used Mg-ATP inside the guard cell greatly reduces HACC activity, especially at voltages ≤ −200 mV, and that Mg²⁺ causes this block. Therefore, we firstly conclude that physiological cytosolic Mg²⁺ levels affect HACC gating and that channel opening requires either high negative voltages (≥−200 mV) or displacement of Mg²⁺ away from the immediate vicinity of the channel. Secondly, based on structural comparisons with a Mg²⁺-sensitive animal inward-rectifying K⁺ channel, we propose that the likely candidate HACCs described here are cyclic nucleotide gated channels (CNGCs), many of which also contain a conserved diacidic Mg²⁺ binding motif within their pores. This conclusion is consistent with the electrophysiological data. Finally, we propose that Mg²⁺, much like in animal cells, is an important component in Ca²⁺ signalling and homeostasis in plants.

KIR channels in the microvasculature: Regulatory properties and the lipid-hemodynamic environment

Basal tone and perfusion control is set in cerebral arteries by the sensing of pressure and flow, key hemodynamic stimuli. These forces establish a contractile foundation within arterial networks upon which local neurovascular stimuli operate. This fundamental process is intimately tied to arterial V_M and the rise in cytosolic [Ca²⁺] by the graded opening of voltage-operated Ca²⁺ channels. Arterial V_M is in turn controlled by a dynamic interaction among several resident ion channels, K_IR being one of particular significance. As the name suggests, K_IR displays strong inward rectification, retains a small outward component, potentiated by extracellular K⁺ and blocked by micromolar Ba²⁺. Cerebrovascular K_IR is unique from other K⁺ currents as it is present in both smooth muscle and endothelium yet lacking in classical regulatory modulation. Such observations have fostered the view that K_IR is nothing more than a background conductance, activated by extracellular K⁺ and which passively facilitates dilation. Recent work in cell model systems has; however, identified two membrane lipids, phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP₂) and cholesterol, that interact with K_IR2.x, to stabilize the channel in the preferred open or silent state, respectively. Translating this unique form of regulation, recent studies have demonstrated that specific lipid-protein interactions enable unique K_IR populations to sense distinct hemodynamic stimuli and set basal tone. This review summarizes the current knowledge of vascular K_IR channels and how the lipid and hemodynamic impact their activity.

Complementary computational and experimental evaluation of missense variants in the ROMK potassium channel

The renal outer medullary potassium (ROMK) channel is essential for potassium transport in the kidney, and its dysfunction is associated with a salt-wasting disorder known as Bartter syndrome. Despite its physiological significance, we lack a mechanistic understanding of the molecular defects in ROMK underlying most Bartter syndrome-associated mutations. To this end, we employed a ROMK-dependent yeast growth assay and tested single amino acid variants selected by a series of computational tools representative of different approaches to predict each variants’ pathogenicity. In one approach, we used in silico saturation mutagenesis, i.e. the scanning of all possible single amino acid substitutions at all sequence positions to estimate their impact on function, and then employed a new machine learning classifier known as Rhapsody. We also used two additional tools, EVmutation and Polyphen-2, which permitted us to make consensus predictions on the pathogenicity of single amino acid variants in ROMK. Experimental tests performed for selected mutants in different classes validated the vast majority of our predictions and provided insights into variants implicated in ROMK dysfunction. On a broader scope, our analysis suggests that consolidation of data from complementary computational approaches provides an improved and facile method to predict the severity of an amino acid substitution and may help accelerate the identification of disease-causing mutations in any protein.

As the number of sequenced human genomes rises, a major challenge is to identify which single amino acid variations in a protein affect function and predispose individuals to disease. While predictive algorithms are available for this purpose, a comparative analysis of recently developed algorithms has not been adequately performed, nor is it clear whether combining algorithms would improve predictive power. To this end, we compared the efficacy of three publicly available algorithms and applied the results to Bartter syndrome, a human disease for which numerous poorly-characterized single amino acid variants have been identified and for which there is no cure. In silico saturation mutagenesis, i.e., the computational prediction of pathogenesis for every possible amino acid substitution, allowed us to experimentally test predictions by measuring the activity of an ion channel linked to Bartter syndrome. Based on data from blinded experiments, we discovered that Rhapsody and EVmutation successfully predicted deleterious mutations. Moreover, Rhapsody—which takes into account evolutionary as well as structural and dynamic considerations—predicted that >90% of known Bartter syndrome mutations are deleterious. Overall, our data will aid investigators who wish to test single amino acid variants in any protein and aid biomedical researchers who wish to develop hypotheses on the potential severity of genetic variants uncovered from genome databases.

Ion channels in capillary endothelium

Vascular beds are anatomically and functionally compartmentalized into arteries, capillaries, and veins. The bulk of the vasculature consists of the dense, anastomosing capillary network, composed of capillary endothelial cells (cECs) that are intimately associated with the parenchyma. Despite their abundance, the ion channel expression and function and Ca²⁺ signaling behaviors of capillaries have only recently begun to be explored in detail. Here, we discuss the established and emerging roles of ion channels and Ca²⁺ signaling in cECs. By mining a publicly available RNA-seq dataset, we outline the wide variety of ion channel genes that are expressed in these cells, which potentially imbue capillaries with a broad range of sensing and signal transduction capabilities. We also underscore subtle but critical differences between cEC and arteriolar EC ion channel expression that likely underlie key functional differences in ECs at these different levels of the vascular tree. We focus our discussion on the cerebral vasculature, but the findings and principles being elucidated in this area likely generalize to other vascular beds.

Native IM-Orbitrap MS: Resolving What Was Hidden

Native ion mobility-mass spectrometry (IM-MS) is an emerging biophysical approach to probe the intricate details of protein structure and function. The instrument design enables measurements of accurate first-principle determinations of rotationally-averaged ion-neutral collision cross sections coupled with high-mass, high-resolution mass measurement capabilities of Orbitrap MS. The inherent duty-cycle mismatch between drift tube IM and Orbitrap MS is alleviated by operating the drift tube in a frequency modulated mode while continuously acquiring mass spectra with the Orbitrap MS. Fourier transform of the resulting time-domain signal, i.e., ion abundances as a function of the modulation frequency, yields a frequency domain spectrum that is then converted (s-1 to s) to IM drift time. This multiplexed approach allows for a duty-cycle of 25% compared to <1% for traditional "pulse-and-wait" IM-ToF-MS. Improvements in mobility and mass resolution of the IM-Orbitrap allows for accurate analysis of intact protein complexes and the possibility of capturing protein dynamics.

Cryo-EM structure of the KvAP channel reveals a non-domain-swapped voltage sensor topology

Conductance in voltage-gated ion channels is regulated by membrane voltage through structural domains known as voltage sensors. A single structural class of voltage sensor domain exists, but two different modes of voltage sensor attachment to the pore occur in nature: domain-swapped and non-domain-swapped. Since the more thoroughly studied Kv1-7, Nav and Cav channels have domain-swapped voltage sensors, much less is known about non-domain-swapped voltage-gated ion channels. In this paper, using cryo-EM, we show that KvAP from Aeropyrum pernix has non-domain-swapped voltage sensors as well as other unusual features. The new structure, together with previous functional data, suggests that KvAP and the Shaker channel, to which KvAP is most often compared, probably undergo rather different voltage-dependent conformational changes when they open.

Conduction through a narrow inward-rectifier K+ channel pore

G-protein–gated inwardly rectifying potassium channels are important mediators of inhibitory neurotransmission. Based on microsecond-scale molecular dynamics simulations, Bernsteiner et al. propose novel gating details that may enable K⁺ flux via a direct knock-on mechanism.

Inwardly rectifying potassium (Kir) channels play a key role in controlling membrane potentials in excitable and unexcitable cells, thereby regulating a plethora of physiological processes. G-protein–gated Kir channels control heart rate and neuronal excitability via small hyperpolarizing outward K⁺ currents near the resting membrane potential. Despite recent breakthroughs in x-ray crystallography and cryo-EM, the gating and conduction mechanisms of these channels are poorly understood. MD simulations have provided unprecedented details concerning the gating and conduction mechanisms of voltage-gated K⁺ and Na⁺ channels. Here, we use multi-microsecond–timescale MD simulations based on the crystal structures of GIRK2 (Kir3.2) bound to phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate to provide detailed insights into the channel’s gating dynamics, including insights into the behavior of the G-loop gate. The simulations also elucidate the elementary steps that underlie the movement of K⁺ ions through an inward-rectifier K⁺ channel under an applied electric field. Our simulations suggest that K⁺ permeation might occur via direct knock-on, similar to the mechanism recently shown for K_v channels.