Inactivation of BK channels by the NH2 terminus of the beta2 auxiliary subunit: an essential role of a terminal peptide segment of three hydrophobic residues

An auxiliary beta2 subunit, when coexpressed with Slo alpha subunits, produces inactivation of the resulting large-conductance, Ca(2+) and voltage-dependent K(+) (BK-type) channels. Inactivation is mediated by the cytosolic NH(2) terminus of the beta2 subunit. To understand the structural requirements for inactivation, we have done a mutational analysis of the role of the NH(2) terminus in the inactivation process. The beta2 NH(2) terminus contains 46 residues thought to be cytosolic to the first transmembrane segment (TM1). Here, we address two issues. First, we define the key segment of residues that mediates inactivation. Second, we examine the role of the linker between the inactivation segment and TM1. The results show that the critical determinant for inactivation is an initial segment of three amino acids (residues 2-4: FIW) after the initiation methionine. Deletions that scan positions from residue 5 through residue 36 alter inactivation, but do not abolish it. In contrast, deletion of FIW or combinations of point mutations within the FIW triplet abolish inactivation. Mutational analysis of the three initial residues argues that inactivation does not result from a well-defined structure formed by this epitope. Inactivation may be better explained by linear entry of the NH(2)-terminal peptide segment into the permeation pathway with residue hydrophobicity and size influencing the onset and recovery from inactivation. Examination of the ability of artificial, polymeric linkers to support inactivation suggests that a variety of amino acid sequences can serve as adequate linkers as long as they contain a minimum of 12 residues between the first transmembrane segment and the FIW triplet. Thus, neither a specific distribution of charge on the linker nor a specific structure in the linker is required to support the inactivation process.     

Gating properties conferred on BK channels by the beta3b auxiliary subunit in the absence of its NH(2)- and COOH termini

Both beta1 and beta2 auxiliary subunits of the BK-type K(+) channel family profoundly regulate the apparent Ca(2)+ sensitivity of BK-type Ca(2)+-activated K(+) channels. Each produces a pronounced leftward shift in the voltage of half-activation (V(0.5)) at a given Ca(2)+ concentration, particularly at Ca(2)+ above 1 microM. In contrast, the rapidly inactivating beta3b auxiliary produces a leftward shift in activation at Ca(2)+ below 1 microM. In the companion work (Lingle, C.J., X.-H. Zeng, J.-P. Ding, and X.-M. Xia. 2001. J. Gen. Physiol. 117:583-605, this issue), we have shown that some of the apparent beta3b-mediated shift in activation at low Ca(2)+ arises from rapid unblocking of inactivated channels, unlike the actions of the beta1 and beta2 subunits. Here, we compare effects of the beta3b subunit that arise from inactivation, per se, versus those that may arise from other functional effects of the subunit. In particular, we examine gating properties of the beta3b subunit and compare it to beta3b constructs lacking either the NH(2)- or COOH terminus or both. The results demonstrate that, although the NH(2) terminus appears to be the primary determinant of the beta3b-mediated shift in V(0.5) at low Ca(2)+, removal of the NH(2) terminus reveals two other interesting aspects of the action of the beta3b subunit. First, the conductance-voltage curves for activation of channels containing the beta3b subunit are best described by a double Boltzmann shape, which is proposed to arise from two independent voltage-dependent activation steps. Second, the presence of the beta3b subunit results in channels that exhibit an anomalous instantaneous outward current rectification that is correlated with a voltage dependence in the time-averaged single-channel current. The two effects appear to be unrelated, but indicative of the variety of ways that interactions between beta and alpha subunits can affect BK channel function. The COOH terminus of the beta3b subunit produces no discernible functional effects.     

Slo1 tail domains,but not the Ca2+ bowl,are required for the beta 1 subunit to increase the apparent Ca2+ sensitivity of BK channels

Functional large-conductance Ca(2+)- and voltage-activated K(+) (BK) channels can be assembled from four alpha subunits (Slo1) alone, or together with four auxiliary beta1 subunits to greatly increase the apparent Ca(2+) sensitivity of the channel. We examined the structural features involved in this modulation with two types of experiments. In the first, the tail domain of the alpha subunit, which includes the RCK2 (regulator of K(+) conductance) domain and Ca(2+) bowl, was replaced with the tail domain of Slo3, a BK-related channel that lacks both a Ca(2+) bowl and high affinity Ca(2+) sensitivity. In the second, the Ca(2+) bowl was disrupted by mutations that greatly reduce the apparent Ca(2+) sensitivity. We found that the beta1 subunit increased the apparent Ca(2+) sensitivity of Slo1 channels, independently of whether the alpha subunits were expressed as separate cores (S0-S8) and tails (S9-S10) or full length, and this increase was still observed after the Ca(2+) bowl was mutated. In contrast, beta1 subunits no longer increased Ca(2+) sensitivity when Slo1 tails were replaced by Slo3 tails. The beta1 subunits were still functionally coupled to channels with Slo3 tails, as DHS-I and 17 beta-estradiol activated these channels in the presence of beta1 subunits, but not in their absence. These findings indicate that the increase in apparent Ca(2+) sensitivity induced by the beta1 subunit does not require either the Ca(2+) bowl or the linker between the RCK1 and RCK2 domains, and that Slo3 tails cannot substitute for Slo1 tails. The beta1 subunit also induced a decrease in voltage sensitivity that occurred with either Slo1 or Slo3 tails. In contrast, the beta1 subunit-induced increase in apparent Ca(2+) sensitivity required Slo1 tails. This suggests that the allosteric activation pathways for these two types of actions of the beta1 subunit may be different.     

Interaction of the BKCa channel gating ring with dendrotoxins

Two classes of small homologous basic proteins, mamba snake dendrotoxins (DTX) and bovine pancreatic trypsin inhibitor (BPTI), block the large conductance Ca²⁺-activated K⁺ channel (BK_Ca, KCa1.1) by production of discrete subconductance events when added to the intracellular side of the membrane. This toxin-channel interaction is unlikely to be pharmacologically relevant to the action of mamba venom, but as a fortuitous ligand-protein interaction, it has certain biophysical implications for the mechanism of BK_Ca channel gating. In this work we examined the subconductance behavior of 9 natural dendrotoxin homologs and 6 charge neutralization mutants of δ-dendrotoxin in the context of current structural information on the intracellular gating ring domain of the BK_Ca channel. Calculation of an electrostatic surface map of the BK_Ca gating ring based on the Poisson-Boltzmann equation reveals a predominantly electronegative surface due to an abundance of solvent-accessible side chains of negatively charged amino acids. Available structure-activity information suggests that cationic DTX/BPTI molecules bind by electrostatic attraction to site(s) on the gating ring located in or near the cytoplasmic side portals where the inactivation ball peptide of the β2 subunit enters to block the channel. Such an interaction may decrease the apparent unitary conductance by altering the dynamic balance of open versus closed states of BK_Ca channel activation gating.     

The role of NH2-terminal positive charges in the activity of inward rectifier KATP channels

Approximately half of the NH(2) terminus of inward rectifier (Kir) channels can be deleted without significant change in channel function, but activity is lost when more than approximately 30 conserved residues before the first membrane spanning domain (M1) are removed. Systematic replacement of the positive charges in the NH(2) terminus of Kir6.2 with alanine reveals several residues that affect channel function when neutralized. Certain mutations (R4A, R5A, R16A, R27A, R39A, K47A, R50A, R54A, K67A) change open probability, whereas an overlapping set of mutants (R16A, R27A, K39A, K47A, R50A, R54A, K67A) change ATP sensitivity. Further analysis of the latter set differentiates mutations that alter ATP sensitivity as a consequence of altered open state stability (R16A, K39A, K67A) from those that may affect ATP binding directly (K47A, R50A, R54A). The data help to define the structural determinants of Kir channel function, and suggest possible structural motifs within the NH(2) terminus, as well as the relationship of the NH(2) terminus with the extended cytoplasmic COOH terminus of the channel.     

Gating and conductance properties of BK channels are modulated by the S9-S10 tail domain of the alpha subunit. A study of mSlo1 and mSlo3 wild-type and chimeric channels.

The COOH-terminal S9-S10 tail domain of large conductance Ca(2+)-activated K(+) (BK) channels is a major determinant of Ca(2+) sensitivity (Schreiber, M., A. Wei, A. Yuan, J. Gaut, M. Saito, and L. Salkoff. 1999. Nat. Neurosci. 2:416-421). To investigate whether the tail domain also modulates Ca(2+)-independent properties of BK channels, we explored the functional differences between the BK channel mSlo1 and another member of the Slo family, mSlo3 (Schreiber, M., A. Yuan, and L. Salkoff. 1998. J. Biol. Chem. 273:3509-3516). Compared with mSlo1 channels, mSlo3 channels showed little Ca(2+) sensitivity, and the mean open time, burst duration, gaps between bursts, and single-channel conductance of mSlo3 channels were only 32, 22, 41, and 37% of that for mSlo1 channels, respectively. To examine which channel properties arise from the tail domain, we coexpressed the core of mSlo1 with either the tail domain of mSlo1 or the tail domain of mSlo3 channels, and studied the single-channel currents. Replacing the mSlo1 tail with the mSlo3 tail resulted in the following: increased open probability in the absence of Ca(2+); reduced the Ca(2+) sensitivity greatly by allowing only partial activation by Ca(2+) and by reducing the Hill coefficient for Ca(2+) activation; decreased the voltage dependence approximately 28%; decreased the mean open time two- to threefold; decreased the mean burst duration three- to ninefold; decreased the single-channel conductance approximately 14%; decreased the K(d) for block by TEA(i) approximately 30%; did not change the minimal numbers of three to four open and five to seven closed states entered during gating; and did not change the major features of the dependency between adjacent interval durations. These observations support a modular construction of the BK channel in which the tail domain modulates the gating kinetics and conductance properties of the voltage-dependent core domain, in addition to determining most of the high affinity Ca(2+) sensitivity.     

Interaction sites between the Slo1 pore and the NH2 terminus of the beta2 subunit, probed with a three-residue sensor

Calcium- and voltage-gated (BK) K(+) channels encoded by Slo1 play an essential role in nervous systems. Although it shares many common features with voltage-dependent K(V) channels, the BK channel exhibits differences in gating and inactivation. Using a mutant in which FWI replaces three residues (FIW) in the NH(2) terminus of wild-type beta2-subunits, in conjunction with alanine-scanning mutagenesis of the Slo1 S6 segment, we identify that the NH(2) terminus of beta2-subunits interacts with the residues near the cytosolic superficial mouth of BK channels during inactivation. The cytosolic blockers did not share the sites with NH(2) terminus of beta2-subunits. A novel blocking-inactivating scheme was proposed to account for the observed non-competition inactivation. Our results also suggest that the residue Ile-323 plays a dual role in interacting with the NH(2) terminus of beta2-subunits and modulating the gating of BK channels.     

The β1 subunit of Na/K-ATPase interacts with BKCa channels and affects their steady-state expression on the cell surface

Large conductance Ca²⁺-activated K⁺ channels (BK_Ca) encoded by the Slo1 gene play a role in the physiological regulation of many cell types. Here, we show that the β1 subunit of Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase (NKβ1) interacts with the cytoplasmic COOH-terminal region of Slo1 proteins. Reduced expression of endogenous NKβ1 markedly inhibits evoked BK_Ca currents with no apparent effect on their gating. In addition, NKβ1 down-regulated cells show decreased density of Slo1 subunits on the cell surface.

Structured summary

MINT-7260438, MINT-7260555: Slo1 (uniprotkb:Q8AYS8) physically interacts (MI:0915) with NKbeta1 (uniprotkb:P08251) by anti bait coimmunoprecipitation (MI:0006)MINT-7260587, MINT-7260606, MINT-7260619, MINT-7260632: Slo1 (uniprotkb:Q08460) physically interacts (MI:0915) with NKbeta 1 (uniprotkb:P08251) by pull down (MI:0416)MINT-7260570: NKbeta1 (uniprotkb:P08251) and Slo1 (uniprotkb:Q8AYS8) colocalize (MI:0403) by fluorescence microscopy (MI:0416)MINT-7260414: Slo1 (uniprotkb:Q08460) physically interacts (MI:0915) with NKbeta1 (uniprotkb:P08251) by two hybrid (MI:0018)     

Direct observation of a preinactivated, open state in BK channels with beta2 subunits

Proteins arising from the Slo family assemble into homotetramers to form functional large-conductance, Ca2+- and voltage-activated K+ channels, or BK channels. These channels are also found in association with accessory beta subunits, which modulate several aspects of channel gating and expression. Coexpression with either of two such subunits, beta2 or beta3b, confers time-dependent inactivation onto BK currents. mSlo1+beta3b channels display inactivation that is very rapid but incomplete. Previous studies involving macroscopic recordings from these channels have argued for the existence of a second, short-lived conducting state in rapid equilibrium with the nonconducting, inactivated conformation. This state has been termed "pre-inactivated," or O*. beta2-mediated inactivation, in contrast, occurs more slowly but is virtually complete at steady state. Here we demonstrate, using both macroscopic and single channel current recordings, that a preinactivated state is also a property of mSlo1+beta2 channels. Detection of this state is enhanced by a mutation (W4E) within the initial beta2 NH2-terminal segment critical for inactivation. This mutation increases the rate of recovery to the preinactivated open state, yielding macroscopic inactivation properties qualitatively more similar to those of beta3b. Furthermore, short-lived openings corresponding to entry into the preinactivated state can be observed directly with single-channel recording. By examining the initial openings after depolarization of a channel containing beta2-W4E, we show that channels can arrive directly at the preinactivated state without passing through the usual long-lived open conformation. This final result suggests that channel opening and inactivation are at least partly separable in this channel. Mechanistically, the preinactivated and inactivated conformations may correspond to binding of the beta subunit NH2 terminus in the vicinity of the cytoplasmic pore mouth, followed by definitive movement of the NH2 terminus into a position of occlusion within the ion-conducting pathway.     

Interaction of the BKCa channel gating ring with dendrotoxins

Two classes of small homologous basic proteins, mamba snake dendrotoxins (DTX) and bovine pancreatic trypsin inhibitor (BPTI), block the large conductance Ca²⁺-activated K⁺ channel (BK_Ca, KCa1.1) by production of discrete subconductance events when added to the intracellular side of the membrane. This toxin-channel interaction is unlikely to be pharmacologically relevant to the action of mamba venom, but as a fortuitous ligand-protein interaction, it has certain biophysical implications for the mechanism of BK_Ca channel gating. In this work we examined the subconductance behavior of 9 natural dendrotoxin homologs and 6 charge neutralization mutants of δ-dendrotoxin in the context of current structural information on the intracellular gating ring domain of the BK_Ca channel. Calculation of an electrostatic surface map of the BK_Ca gating ring based on the Poisson-Boltzmann equation reveals a predominantly electronegative surface due to an abundance of solvent-accessible side chains of negatively charged amino acids. Available structure-activity information suggests that cationic DTX/BPTI molecules bind by electrostatic attraction to site(s) on the gating ring located in or near the cytoplasmic side portals where the inactivation ball peptide of the β2 subunit enters to block the channel. Such an interaction may decrease the apparent unitary conductance by altering the dynamic balance of open versus closed states of BK_Ca channel activation gating.     

The beta subunit increases the Ca2+ sensitivity of large conductance Ca2+-activated potassium channels by retaining the gating in the bursting states

Coexpression of the beta subunit (KV,Cabeta) with the alpha subunit of mammalian large conductance Ca2+- activated K+ (BK) channels greatly increases the apparent Ca2+ sensitivity of the channel. Using single-channel analysis to investigate the mechanism for this increase, we found that the beta subunit increased open probability (Po) by increasing burst duration 20-100-fold, while having little effect on the durations of the gaps (closed intervals) between bursts or on the numbers of detected open and closed states entered during gating. The effect of the beta subunit was not equivalent to raising intracellular Ca2+ in the absence of the beta subunit, suggesting that the beta subunit does not act by increasing all the Ca2+ binding rates proportionally. The beta subunit also inhibited transitions to subconductance levels. It is the retention of the BK channel in the bursting states by the beta subunit that increases the apparent Ca2+ sensitivity of the channel. In the presence of the beta subunit, each burst of openings is greatly amplified in duration through increases in both the numbers of openings per burst and in the mean open times. Native BK channels from cultured rat skeletal muscle were found to have bursting kinetics similar to channels expressed from alpha subunits alone.     

Rapid induction of P/C-type inactivation is the mechanism for acid-induced K+ current inhibition

Extracellular acidification is known to decrease the conductance of many voltage-gated potassium channels. In the present study, we investigated the mechanism of H(+)(o)-induced current inhibition by taking advantage of Na(+) permeation through inactivated channels. In hKv1.5, H(+)(o) inhibited open-state Na(+) current with a similar potency to K(+) current, but had little effect on the amplitude of inactivated-state Na(+) current. In support of inactivation as the mechanism for the current reduction, Na(+) current through noninactivating hKv1.5-R487V channels was not affected by [H(+)(o)]. At pH 6.4, channels were maximally inactivated as soon as sufficient time was given to allow activation, which suggested two possibilities for the mechanism of action of H(+)(o). These were that inactivation of channels in early closed states occurred while hyperpolarized during exposure to acid pH (closed-state inactivation) and/or inactivation from the open state was greatly accelerated at low pH. The absence of outward Na(+) currents but the maintained presence of slow Na(+) tail currents, combined with changes in the Na(+) tail current time course at pH 6.4, led us to favor the hypothesis that a reduction in the activation energy for the inactivation transition from the open state underlies the inhibition of hKv1.5 Na(+) current at low pH.     

Permeation properties of inward-rectifier potassium channels and their molecular determinants

The structural domains contributing to ion permeation and selectivity in K channels were examined in inward-rectifier K(+) channels ROMK2 (Kir1.1b), IRK1 (Kir2.1), and their chimeras using heterologous expression in Xenopus oocytes. Patch-clamp recordings of single channels were obtained in the cell-attached mode with different permeant cations in the pipette. For inward K(+) conduction, replacing the extracellular loop of ROMK2 with that of IRK1 increased single-channel conductance by 25 pS (from 39 to 63 pS), whereas replacing the COOH terminus of ROMK2 with that of IRK1 decreased conductance by 16 pS (from 39 to 22 pS). These effects were additive and independent of the origin of the NH(2) terminus or transmembrane domains, suggesting that the two domains form two resistors in series. The larger conductance of the extracellular loop of IRK1 was attributable to a single amino acid difference (Thr versus Val) at the 3P position, three residues in front of the GYG motif. Permeability sequences for the conducted ions were similar for the two channels: Tl(+) > K(+) > Rb(+) > NH(4)(+). The ion selectivity sequence for ROMK2 based on conductance ratios was NH(4)(+) (1.6) > K(+) (1) > Tl(+) (0.5) > Rb(+) (0.4). For IRK1, the sequence was K(+) (1) > Tl(+) (0.8) > NH(4)(+) (0.6) > Rb(+) (0.1). The difference in the NH(4)(+)/ K(+) conductance (1.6) and permeability (0.09) ratios can be explained if NH(4)(+) binds with lower affinity than K(+) to sites within the pore. The relatively low conductances of NH(4)(+) and Rb(+) through IRK1 were again attributable to the 3P position within the P region. Site-directed mutagenesis showed that the IRK1 selectivity pattern required either Thr or Ser at this position. In contrast, the COOH-terminal domain conferred the relatively high Tl(+) conductance in IRK1. We propose that the P-region and the COOH terminus contribute independently to the conductance and selectivity properties of the pore.     

Sulfonylurea and K(+)-channel opener sensitivity of K(ATP) channels. Functional coupling of Kir6.2 and SUR1 subunits.

The sensitivity of K(ATP) channels to high-affinity block by sulfonylureas and to stimulation by K(+) channel openers and MgADP (PCOs) is conferred by the regulatory sulfonylurea receptor (SUR) subunit, whereas ATP inhibits the channel through interaction with the inward rectifier (Kir6.2) subunit. Phosphatidylinositol 4, 5-bisphosphate (PIP(2)) profoundly antagonized ATP inhibition of K(ATP) channels expressed from cloned Kir6.2+SUR1 subunits, but also abolished high affinity tolbutamide sensitivity. By stabilizing the open state of the channel, PIP(2) drives the channel away from closed state(s) that are preferentially affected by high affinity tolbutamide binding, thereby producing an apparent loss of high affinity tolbutamide inhibition. Mutant K(ATP) channels (Kir6. 2[DeltaN30] or Kir6.2[L164A], coexpressed with SUR1) also displayed an "uncoupled" phenotype with no high affinity tolbutamide block and with intrinsically higher open state stability. Conversely, Kir6. 2[R176A]+SUR1 channels, which have an intrinsically lower open state stability, displayed a greater high affinity fraction of tolbutamide block. In addition to antagonizing high-affinity block by tolbutamide, PIP(2) also altered the stimulatory action of the PCOs, diazoxide and MgADP. With time after PIP(2) application, PCO stimulation first increased, and then subsequently decreased, probably reflecting a common pathway for activation of the channel by stimulatory PCOs and PIP(2). The net effect of increasing open state stability, either by PIP(2) or mutagenesis, is an apparent "uncoupling" of the Kir6.2 subunit from the regulatory input of SUR1, an action that can be partially reversed by screening negative charges on the membrane with poly-L-lysine.     

Studies on (K + H)-ATPase. V. Chemical composition and molecular weight of the catalytic subunit

(1) A (K⁺ + H⁺)-ATPase preparation from porcine gastric mucosa is solubilized in sodium dodecyl sulfate, and is subjected to gel filtration. (2) A main subunit fraction is obtained, which is a protein carbohydrate lipid complex, containing 88% protein, 7% carbohydrate and 5% phospholipid. The detailed composition of the protein and carbohydrate moieties are reported. (3) Sedimentation analysis of the subunit preparation, after detergent removal, reveals no heterogeneity, but the subunits readily undergo aggregation. (4) Acylation of the subunit preparation with citraconic anhydride causes a clear shift of the band obtained after SDS gel electrophoresis, but the absence of broadening and splitting of the band pleads against subunit heterogeneity. (5) Treatment of the subunit preparation with dansyl chloride indicates that the NH₂ terminus is blocked, which favors the assumption of homogeneity of the protein. (6) Binding studies with concanavalin A indicate that at least 86% of the subunit preparation is composed of glycoprotein. (7) These findings, taken together, strongly suggest that there is a single subunit which is a glycoprotein and which represents the catalytic subunit of the enzyme. From sedimentation equilibrium analysis a molecular mass value of 119 kDa (S.E. 3, n = 6) is calculated for protein + carbohydrate and of 110 kDa (S.E. 3, n = 6) for protein only. (8) In combination with the molecular mass of 444 kDa (S.E. 10, n = 4) obtained for the intact enzyme by radiation inactivation we conclude that the enzyme appears to be composed of a homo-tetramer of catalytic subunits.     

A structural determinant for the control of PIP2 sensitivity in G protein-gated inward rectifier K+ channels

Inward rectifier K(+) (Kir) channels are activated by phosphatidylinositol-(4,5)-bisphosphate (PIP(2)), but G protein-gated Kir (K(G)) channels further require either G protein βγ subunits (Gβγ) or intracellular Na(+) for their activation. To reveal the mechanism(s) underlying this regulation, we compared the crystal structures of the cytoplasmic domain of K(G) channel subunit Kir3.2 obtained in the presence and the absence of Na(+). The Na(+)-free Kir3.2, but not the Na(+)-plus Kir3.2, possessed an ionic bond connecting the N terminus and the CD loop of the C terminus. Functional analyses revealed that the ionic bond between His-69 on the N terminus and Asp-228 on the CD loop, which are known to be critically involved in Gβγ- and Na(+)-dependent activation, lowered PIP(2) sensitivity. The conservation of these residues within the K(G) channel family indicates that the ionic bond is a character that maintains the channels in a closed state by controlling the PIP(2) sensitivity.     

Modal gating of human CaV2.1 (P/Q-type) calcium channels: I. The slow and the fast gating modes and their modulation by beta subunits

The single channel gating properties of human CaV2.1 (P/Q-type) calcium channels and their modulation by the auxiliary beta1b, beta2e, beta3a, and beta4a subunits were investigated with cell-attached patch-clamp recordings on HEK293 cells stably expressing human CaV2.1 channels. These calcium channels showed a complex modal gating, which is described in this and the following paper (Fellin, T., S. Luvisetto, M. Spagnolo, and D. Pietrobon. 2004. J. Gen. Physiol. 124:463-474). Here, we report the characterization of two modes of gating of human CaV2.1 channels, the slow mode and the fast mode. A channel in the two gating modes differs in mean closed times and latency to first opening (both longer in the slow mode), in voltage dependence of the open probability (larger depolarizations are necessary to open the channel in the slow mode), in kinetics of inactivation (slower in the slow mode), and voltage dependence of steady-state inactivation (occurring at less negative voltages in the slow mode). CaV2.1 channels containing any of the four beta subtypes can gate in either the slow or the fast mode, with only minor differences in the rate constants of the transitions between closed and open states within each mode. In both modes, CaV2.1 channels display different rates of inactivation and different steady-state inactivation depending on the beta subtype. The type of beta subunit also modulates the relative occurrence of the slow and the fast gating mode of CaV2.1 channels; beta3a promotes the fast mode, whereas beta4a promotes the slow mode. The prevailing mode of gating of CaV2.1 channels lacking a beta subunit is a gating mode in which the channel shows shorter mean open times, longer mean closed times, longer first latency, a much larger fraction of nulls, and activates at more positive voltages than in either the fast or slow mode.     

Effects of carvedilol on transient outward and ultra-rapid delayed rectifier potassium currents in human atrial myocytes

Carvedilol is a beta- and alpha(1)-adrenoceptor antagonist. It is widely used in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases including atrial arrhythmias. However, it is unclear whether carvedilol may affect the repolarization currents, transient outward K(+) current (I(to)) and ultra-rapid delayed rectifier K(+) current (I(Kur)) in the human atrium. The present study evaluated effects of carvedilol on I(to) and I(Kur) in isolated human atrial myocytes by whole-cell patch-clamp recording technique. We found that carvedilol reversibly inhibited I(to) and I(Kur) in a concentration-dependent manner. Carvedilol (0.3 microM) suppressed I(to) from 9.2+/-0.5 pA/pF to 4.8+/-0.5 pA/pF (P<0.01) and I(Kur) from 3.6+/-0.5 pA/pF to 1.9+/-0.3 pA/pF (P<0.01) at +50 mV. I(to) was inhibited in a voltage-dependent manner, being significantly attenuated at test potentials from +10 to +50 mV, whereas the inhibition of I(Kur) was independent. The concentration giving a 50% inhibition was 0.50 microM for I(to) and 0.39 microM for I(Kur). Voltage-dependence of activation, inactivation and time-dependent recovery from inactivation of I(to) were not altered by carvedilol. However, time to peak and time-dependent inactivation of I(to) were significantly accelerated, indicating an open channel blocking action. The findings indicate that carvedilol significantly inhibits the major repolarization K(+) currents I(to) and I(Kur) in human atrial myocytes.     

Divalent cation interactions with light-dependent K channels. Kinetics of voltage-dependent block and requirement for an open pore.

The light-dependent K conductance of hyperpolarizing Pecten photoreceptors exhibits a pronounced outward rectification that is eliminated by removal of extracellular divalent cations. The voltage-dependent block by Ca(2+) and Mg(2+) that underlies such nonlinearity was investigated. Both divalents reduce the photocurrent amplitude, the potency being significantly higher for Ca(2+) than Mg(2+) (K(1/2) approximately 16 and 61 mM, respectively, at V(m) = -30 mV). Neither cation is measurably permeant. Manipulating the concentration of permeant K ions affects the blockade, suggesting that the mechanism entails occlusion of the permeation pathway. The voltage dependency of Ca(2+) block is consistent with a single binding site located at an electrical distance of delta approximately 0.6 from the outside. Resolution of light-dependent single-channel currents under physiological conditions indicates that blockade must be slow, which prompted the use of perturbation/relaxation methods to analyze its kinetics. Voltage steps during illumination produce a distinct relaxation in the photocurrent (tau = 5-20 ms) that disappears on removal of Ca(2+) and Mg(2+) and thus reflects enhancement or relief of blockade, depending on the polarity of the stimulus. The equilibration kinetics are significantly faster with Ca(2+) than with Mg(2+), suggesting that the process is dominated by the "on" rate, perhaps because of a step requiring dehydration of the blocking ion to access the binding site. Complementary strategies were adopted to investigate the interaction between blockade and channel gating: the photocurrent decay accelerates with hyperpolarization, but the effect requires extracellular divalents. Moreover, conditioning voltage steps terminated immediately before light stimulation failed to affect the photocurrent. These observations suggest that equilibration of block at different voltages requires an open pore. Inducing channels to close during a conditioning hyperpolarization resulted in a slight delay in the rising phase of a subsequent light response; this effect can be interpreted as closure of the channel with a divalent ion trapped inside.     

Spermine block of the strong inward rectifier potassium channel Kir2.1: dual roles of surface charge screening and pore block

Inward rectification in strong inward rectifiers such as Kir2.1 is attributed to voltage-dependent block by intracellular polyamines and Mg(2+). Block by the polyamine spermine has a complex voltage dependence with shallow and steep components and complex concentration dependence. To understand the mechanism, we measured macroscopic Kir2.1 currents in excised inside-out giant patches from Xenopus oocytes expressing Kir2.1, and single channel currents in the inside-out patches from COS7 cells transfected with Kir2.1. We found that as spermine concentration or voltage increased, the shallow voltage-dependent component of spermine block at more negative voltages was caused by progressive reduction in the single channel current amplitude, without a decrease in open probability. We attributed this effect to spermine screening negative surface charges involving E224 and E299 near the inner vestibule of the channel, thereby reducing K ion permeation rate. This idea was further supported by experiments in which increasing ionic strength also decreased Kir2.1 single channel amplitude, and by mutagenesis experiments showing that this component of spermine block decreased when E224 and E299, but not D172, were neutralized. The steep voltage-dependent component of block at more depolarized voltages was attributed to spermine migrating deeper into the pore and causing fast open channel block. A quantitative model incorporating both features showed excellent agreement with the steady-state and kinetic data. In addition, this model accounts for previously described substate behavior induced by a variety of Kir2.1 channel blockers.