In vivo analysis of a gain-of-function mutation in the Drosophila eag-encoded K+ channel

Intracellular linkers are involved in Mg2+-dependent modulation of the Eag potassium channel

Modulation of activation kinetics by divalent ions is one of the characteristic features of Eag channels. Here, we report that Mg(2+)-dependent deceleration of Eag channel activation is significantly attenuated by a G297E mutation, which exhibits a gain-of-function phenotype in Drosophila by suppressing the effect of shaker mutation on behavior and neuronal excitability. The G297 residue is located in the intracellular linker of transmembrane segments S2 and S3, and is thus not involved in direct binding of Mg(2+) ions. Moreover, mutation of the only positively charged residue in the other intracellular linker between S4 and S5 also results in a dramatic reduction of Mg(2+)-dependent modulation of Eag activation kinetics. Collectively, the two mutations in eag eliminate or even paradoxically reverse the effect of Mg(2+) on channel activation and inactivation kinetics. Together, these results suggest an important role of the intracellular linker regions in gating processes of Eag channels.

Role of glycine residues highly conserved in the S2-S3 linkers of domains I and II of voltage-gated calcium channel alpha(1) subunits

The pore-forming component of voltage-gated calcium channels, alpha(1) subunit, contains four structurally conserved domains (I-IV), each of which contains six transmembrane segments (S1-S6). We have shown previously that a Gly residue in the S2-S3 linker of domain III is completely conserved from yeasts to humans and important for channel activity. The Gly residues in the S2-S3 linkers of domains I and II, which correspond positionally to the Gly in the S2-S3 linker of domain III, are also highly conserved. Here, we investigated the role of the Gly residues in the S2-S3 linkers of domains I and II of Ca(v)1.2. Each of the Gly residues was replaced with Glu or Gln to produce mutant Ca(v)1.2s; G182E, G182Q, G579E, G579Q, and the resulting mutants were transfected into BHK6 cells. Whole-cell patch-clamp recordings showed that current-voltage relationships of the four mutants were the same as those of wild-type Ca(v)1.2. However, G182E and G182Q showed significantly smaller current densities because of mislocalization of the mutant proteins, suggesting that Gly(182) in domain I is involved in the membrane trafficking or surface expression of alpha(1) subunit. On the other hand, G579E showed a slower voltage-dependent current inactivation (VDI) compared to Ca(v)1.2, although G579Q showed a normal VDI, implying that Gly(579) in domain II is involved in the regulation of VDI and that the incorporation of a negative charge alters the VDI kinetics. Our findings indicate that the two conserved Gly residues are important for alpha(1) subunit to become functional.

Ion channels to inactivate neurons in Drosophila

Ion channels are the determinants of excitability; therefore, manipulation of their levels and properties provides an opportunity for the investigator to modulate neuronal and circuit function. There are a number of ways to suppress electrical activity in Drosophila neurons, for instance, over-expression of potassium channels (i.e. Shaker Kv1, Shaw Kv3, Kir2.1 and DORK) that are open at resting membrane potential. This will result in increased potassium efflux and membrane hyperpolarisation setting resting membrane potential below the threshold required to fire action potentials. Alternatively over-expression of other channels, pumps or co-transporters that result in a hyperpolarised membrane potential will also prevent firing. Lastly, neurons can be inactivated by, disrupting or reducing the level of functional voltage-gated sodium (Nav1 paralytic) or calcium (Cav2 cacophony) channels that mediate the depolarisation phase of action potentials. Similarly, strategies involving the opposite channel manipulation should allow net depolarisation and hyperexcitation in a given neuron. These changes in ion channel expression can be brought about by the versatile transgenic (i.e. Gal4/UAS based) systems available in Drosophila allowing fine temporal and spatial control of (channel) transgene expression. These systems are making it possible to electrically inactivate (or hyperexcite) any neuron or neural circuit in the fly brain, and much like an exquisite lesion experiment, potentially elucidate whatever interesting behaviour or phenotype each network mediates. These techniques are now being used in Drosophila to reprogram electrical activity of well-defined circuits and bring about robust and easily quantifiable changes in behaviour, allowing different models and hypotheses to be rapidly tested.