Functional and immuno-reactive characterization of a previously undescribed peptide from the venom of the scorpion Centruroides limpidus

A previously undescribed toxic peptide named Cl13 was purified from the venom of the Mexican scorpion Centruroides limpidus. It contains 66 amino acid residues, including four disulfide bonds. The physiological effects assayed in 7 different subtypes of voltage gated Na⁺-channels, showed that it belongs to the β-scorpion toxin type. The most notorious effects were observed in subtypes Nav1.4, Nav1.5 and Nav1.6. Although having important sequence similarities with two other lethal toxins from this scorpion species (Cll1m and Cll2), the recently developed single chain antibody fragments (scFv) of human origin were not capable of protecting against Cl13. At the amino acid sequence level, in 3 stretches of peptide Cl13 (positions 7–9, 30–38 and 62–66) some differences with respect to other similar toxins are observed. Some of these differences coincide with contact points with the human antibody fragments.     

Solution structure of native and recombinant expressed toxin CssII from the venom of the scorpion Centruroides suffusus suffusus, and their effects on Nav1.5 Sodium channels

The three-dimensional structures of the long-chain mammalian scorpion β-toxin CssII from Centruroides suffusus suffusus and of its recombinant form, HisrCssII, were determined by NMR. The neurotoxin CssII (nCssII) is a 66 amino acid long peptide with four disulfide bridges; it is the most abundant and deadly toxin from the venom of this scorpion. Both native and recombinant CssII structures were determined by nuclear magnetic resonance using a total of 828 sequential distance constraints derived from the volume integration of the cross peaks observed in 2D NOESY spectra. Both nCssII and HisrCssII structures display a mixed α/β fold stabilized by four disulfide bridges formed between pairs of cysteines: C1-C8, C2-C5, C3-C6, and C4-C7 (the numbers indicate the relative positions of the cysteine residues in the primary structure), with a distortion induced by two cis-prolines in its C-terminal part. The native CssII electrostatic surface was compared to both the recombinant one and to the Cn2 toxin, from the scorpion Centruroides noxius, which is also toxic to mammals. Structural features such N- and C-terminal differences could influence toxin specificity and affinity towards isoforms of different sub-types of Na_v channels.     

Solution structure of native and recombinant expressed toxin CssII from the venom of the scorpion Centruroides suffusus suffusus, and their effects on Nav1.5 Sodium channels

The three-dimensional structures of the long-chain mammalian scorpion β-toxin CssII from Centruroides suffusus suffusus and of its recombinant form, HisrCssII, were determined by NMR. The neurotoxin CssII (nCssII) is a 66 amino acid long peptide with four disulfide bridges; it is the most abundant and deadly toxin from the venom of this scorpion. Both native and recombinant CssII structures were determined by nuclear magnetic resonance using a total of 828 sequential distance constraints derived from the volume integration of the cross peaks observed in 2D NOESY spectra. Both nCssII and HisrCssII structures display a mixed α/β fold stabilized by four disulfide bridges formed between pairs of cysteines: C1-C8, C2-C5, C3-C6, and C4-C7 (the numbers indicate the relative positions of the cysteine residues in the primary structure), with a distortion induced by two cis-prolines in its C-terminal part. The native CssII electrostatic surface was compared to both the recombinant one and to the Cn2 toxin, from the scorpion Centruroides noxius, which is also toxic to mammals. Structural features such N- and C-terminal differences could influence toxin specificity and affinity towards isoforms of different sub-types of Na(v) channels.     

Molecular cloning and functional expression of the alpha-scorpion toxin BotIII: pivotal role of the C-terminal region for its interaction with voltage-dependent sodium channels

Alpha scorpion toxins bind to receptor site 3 on voltage-dependent sodium channels and inhibit their inactivation. The alpha-scorpion toxin BotIII is the most toxic protein of Buthus occitanus tunetanus. Its sequence differs only by three amino acid residues from that of AahII, the most active alpha-toxin. Due to their high affinity and selectivity for mammalian sodium channels, BotIII and AahII represent powerful tools for studying the molecular determinants of specificity for voltage-dependent sodium channels. Sequence analysis of BotIII gene has revealed two exons separated by a 381-bp intron and a signal peptide of 19 amino acids. We succeeded in expressing BotIII in significantly higher amounts than AahII the only expressed strict alpha anti-mammalian scorpion toxin reported in the literature. We have also modified specific amino acid residues of BotIII. The recombinant and the natural toxins differ by the amidation of the C-terminal residue. Toxicity and binding experiments indicated: (a) the affinity of rBotIII-OH and rAahII-OH (rBotIII-OH with the 3 mutations R10V, V51L, N64H) for the voltage-dependent sodium channels is reduced compared to the natural toxins. This data revealed the important role of the C-terminal amidation for the biological activity of BotIII and AahII; (b) the single mutation N64H is responsible for the difference of toxicity and affinity between rBotIII-OH and rAahII-OH; (c) the addition of the sequence GR to rBotIII-OH leads to the loss of biological activity. This study is in agreement with the important role attributed to the C-terminal sequence of alpha-toxins in their interaction with sodium channels receptors.     

Four disulfide-bridged scorpion beta neurotoxin CssII: Heterologous expression and proper folding in vitro

The gene of the four disulfide-bridged Centruroides suffusus suffusus toxin II was cloned into the expression vector pQE30 containing a 6His-tag and a FXa proteolytic cleavage region. This recombinant vector was transfected into Escherichia coli BL21 cells and expressed under induction with isopropyl thiogalactoside (IPTG). The level of expression was 24.6 mg/l of culture medium, and the His tagged recombinant toxin (HisrCssII) was found exclusively in inclusion bodies. After solubilization the HisrCssII peptide was purified by affinity and hydrophobic interaction chromatography. The reverse-phase HPLC profile of the HisrCssII product obtained from the affinity chromatography step showed several peptide fractions having the same molecular mass of 9392.6 Da, indicating that HisrCssII was oxidized forming several distinct disulfide bridge arrangements. The multiple forms of HisrCssII after reduction eluted from the column as a single protein component of 9400.6 Da. Similarly, an in vitro folding of the reduced HisrCssII generated a single oxidized component of HisrCssII, which was cleaved by the proteolytic enzyme FXa to the recombinant CssII (rCssII). The molecular mass of rCssII was 7538.6 Da as expected. Since native CssII (nCssII) is amidated at the C-terminal residue whereas the rCssII is heterologously expressed in the format of free carboxyl end, there is a difference of 1 Da, when comparing both peptides (native versus heterologously expressed). Nevertheless, they show similar toxicity when injected intracranially into mice, and both nCssII and rCssII show the typical electrophysiological properties of beta-toxins in Na_v1.6 channels, which is for the first time demonstrated here. Binding and displacement experiments conducted with radiolabelled CssII confirms the electrophysiological results. Several problems associated with the heterologously expressed toxins containing four disulfide bridges are discussed.     

Purification and cDNA cloning of a novel neurotoxic peptide (Acra3) from the scorpion Androctonus crassicauda

Androctonus crassicauda is one of the Southeastern Anatolian scorpions of Turkey with ethno-medical and toxicological importance. Two toxic peptides (Acra1 and Acra2) were isolated and characterized from the venom of this scorpion. In this communication, the isolation of an additional toxin (Acra3) by chromatographic separations (HPLC and TSK-gel sulfopropyl) and its chemical and functional characterization is reported. Acra3 is a 7620Da molecular weight peptide, with 66 amino acid residues crosslinked by four disulfide bridges. The gene coding for this peptide was cloned and sequenced. Acra3 is anticipated to undergo post-translational modifications at the C-terminal region, having an amidated serine as last residue. Injection of Acra3 induces severe neurotoxic events in mice, such as: excitability and convulsions, leading to the death of the animals within a few minutes after injection. Electrophysiological assays conducted with pure Acra3, using cells that specifically expressed sodium channels (Nav1.1-Nav1.6) showed no clear effect. The exact molecular target of Acra3 remained undiscovered, similar to three other scorpion peptides that clustered very closely in the phylogenetic tree included here. The exact target of these four peptides is not very clear.     

Modulation of human Nav1.7 channel gating by synthetic α-scorpion toxin OD1 and its analogs

Nine different voltage-gated sodium channel isoforms are responsible for inducing and propagating action potentials in the mammalian nervous system. The Na_v1.7 channel isoform plays an important role in conducting nociceptive signals. Specific mutations of this isoform may impair gating behavior of the channel resulting in several pain syndromes. In addition to channel mutations, similar or opposite changes in gating may be produced by spider and scorpion toxins binding to different parts of the voltage-gated sodium channel. In the present study, we analyzed the effects of the α-scorpion toxin OD1 and 2 synthetic toxin analogs on the gating properties of the Na_v1.7 sodium channel. All toxins potently inhibited channel inactivation, however, both toxin analogs showed substantially increased potency by more than one order of magnitude when compared with that of wild-type OD1. The decay phase of the whole-cell Na⁺ current was substantially slower in the presence of toxins than in their absence. Single-channel recordings in the presence of the toxins revealed that Na⁺ current inactivation slowed due to prolonged flickering of the channel between open and closed states. Our findings support the voltage-sensor trapping model of α-scorpion toxin action, in which the toxin prevents a conformational change in the domain IV voltage sensor that normally leads to fast channel inactivation.     

Structure and Function of Hainantoxin-III,a Selective Antagonist of Neuronal Tetrodotoxin-sensitive Voltage-gated Sodium Channels Isolated from the Chinese Bird Spider Ornithoctonus hainana

In the present study, we investigated the structure and function of hainantoxin-III (HNTX-III), a 33-residue polypeptide from the venom of the spider Ornithoctonus hainana. It is a selective antagonist of neuronal tetrodotoxin-sensitive voltage-gated sodium channels. HNTX-III suppressed Nav1.7 current amplitude without significantly altering the activation, inactivation, and repriming kinetics. Short extreme depolarizations partially activated the toxin-bound channel, indicating voltage-dependent inhibition of HNTX-III. HNTX-III increased the deactivation of the Nav1.7 current after extreme depolarizations. The HNTX-III·Nav1.7 complex was gradually dissociated upon prolonged strong depolarizations in a voltage-dependent manner, and the unbound toxin rebound to Nav1.7 after a long repolarization. Moreover, analysis of chimeric channels showed that the DIIS3-S4 linker was critical for HNTX-III binding to Nav1.7. These data are consistent with HNTX-III interacting with Nav1.7 site 4 and trapping the domain II voltage sensor in the closed state. The solution structure of HNTX-III was determined by two-dimensional NMR and shown to possess an inhibitor cystine knot motif. Structural analysis indicated that certain basic, hydrophobic, and aromatic residues mainly localized in the C terminus may constitute an amphiphilic surface potentially involved in HNTX-III binding to Nav1.7. Taken together, our results show that HNTX-III is distinct from β-scorpion toxins and other β-spider toxins in its mechanism of action and binding specificity and affinity. The present findings contribute to our understanding of the mechanism of toxin-sodium channel interaction and provide a useful tool for the investigation of the structure and function of sodium channel isoforms and for the development of analgesics.     

Molecular characterization of an anti-epilepsy peptide from the scorpion Buthus martensi Karsch.

For a long time Asian scorpion Buthus martensi Karsch (BmK) has been used in Chinese traditional medicine to cure many diseases of nervous system. Here we report the purification and characterization of a pharmacologically active neurotoxin from the scorpion BmK. This toxin had little toxicity in mice and insects but was found to have an anti-epilepsy effect in rats, and is thus named as BmK anti-epilepsy peptide (BmK AEP). Its amino-acid sequence was determined by lysylendopeptidase digestion, Edman degradation and mass spectrographic analysis. Based on the determined sequence, the gene coding for this peptide was also cloned and sequenced by the 3' and 5' RACE methods. It encodes a precursor of 85 amino-acid residues including a signal peptide of 21 residues, a mature peptide of 61 residues and three additional residues Gly-Lys-Lys at the C-terminus. The additional Gly sometimes followed by one or two basic residues is prerequisite for the amidation of its C-terminus. C-terminal amidation was also verified by the molecular-mass determination of BmK AEP. This anti-epilepsy peptide toxin shares homology with other depressant insect toxins. The remarkable difference between them was mainly focused at residues 6, 7 and 39; these residues might relate to the unique action of BmK AEP.     

Identification of residues critical for toxicity in Clostridium perfringens phospholipase C, the key toxin in gas gangrene.

Clostridium perfringens phospholipase C (PLC), also called alpha-toxin, is the major virulence factor in the pathogenesis of gas gangrene. The toxic activities of genetically engineered alpha-toxin variants harboring single amino-acid substitutions in three loops of its C-terminal domain were studied. The substitutions were made in aspartic acid residues which bind calcium, and tyrosine residues of the putative membrane-interacting region. The variants D269N and D336N had less than 20% of the hemolytic activity and displayed a cytotoxic potency 103-fold lower than that of the wild-type toxin. The variants in which Tyr275, Tyr307, and Tyr331 were substituted by Asn, Phe, or Leu had 11-73% of the hemolytic activity and exhibited a cytotoxic potency 102- to 105-fold lower than that of the wild-type toxin. The results demonstrated that the sphingomyelinase activity and the C-terminal domain are required for myotoxicity in vivo and that the variants D269N, D336N, Y275N, Y307F, and Y331L had less than 12% of the myotoxic activity displayed by the wild-type toxin. This work therefore identifies residues critical for the toxic activities of C. perfringens PLC and provides new insights toward understanding the mechanism of action of this toxin at a molecular level.     

Structure-function map of the receptor site for β-scorpion toxins in domain II of voltage-gated sodium channels

Voltage-gated sodium (Na(v)) channels are the molecular targets of β-scorpion toxins, which shift the voltage dependence of activation to more negative membrane potentials by a voltage sensor-trapping mechanism. Molecular determinants of β-scorpion toxin (CssIV) binding and action on rat brain sodium channels are located in the S1-S2 (IIS1-S2) and S3-S4 (IIS3-S4) extracellular linkers of the voltage-sensing module in domain II. In IIS1-S2, mutations of two amino acid residues (Glu(779) and Pro(782)) significantly altered the toxin effect by reducing binding affinity. In IIS3-S4, six positions surrounding the key binding determinant, Gly(845), define a hot spot of high-impact residues. Two of these substitutions (A841N and L846A) reduced voltage sensor trapping. The other three substitutions (N842R, V843A, and E844N) increased voltage sensor trapping. These bidirectional effects suggest that the IIS3-S4 loop plays a primary role in determining both toxin affinity and efficacy. A high resolution molecular model constructed with the Rosetta-Membrane modeling system reveals interactions of amino acid residues in sodium channels that are crucial for toxin action with residues in CssIV that are required for its effects. In this model, the wedge-shaped CssIV inserts between the IIS1-S2 and IIS3-S4 loops of the voltage sensor, placing key amino acid residues in position to interact with binding partners in these extracellular loops. These results provide new molecular insights into the voltage sensor-trapping model of toxin action and further define the molecular requirements for the development of antagonists that can prevent or reverse toxicity of scorpion toxins.     

Mass spectrometric-based revision of the structure of a cysteine-rich peptide toxin with gamma-carboxyglutamic acid, TxVIIA, from the sea snail, Conus textile.

A mollusk-specific toxin, TxVIIA, having potent paralytic activity was isolated from the venom of sea snail Conus textile (Fainzilber M et al., 1991, Eur J Biochem 202:589-595). The structure reported above was based upon amino acid analysis and the Edman degradation. We have recently reinvestigated this toxin employing some of the most novel techniques in mass spectrometry. We now report a revised structure based primarily on high-energy collision-induced dissociation analysis of the two Asp17-N peptides of the reduced, pyridinylethyl derivative representing the entire sequence using matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI) as CGGYSTYC gamma VDS gamma CCSDNCVRSYCTLF-NH2 (gamma, gamma-carboxyglutamic acid or Gla). The N-terminus of the previous sequence was incorrect, apparently due to a side reaction of reduction and alkylation, which led to the erroneous assignment of Trp for the N-terminal residue. In addition, the last two C-terminal amino acids and the C-terminal amidation had not been detected. Also, a combination of electrospray ionization mass spectrometry and positive and negative ion MALDI mass spectrometry provided information on the molecular weights of the native and derivatized toxin and presence of two Gla residues. Thus, TxVIIA does not have an "unusual" sequence as previously reported, but in fact belongs to the conserved Cys framework for omega- and delta-conotoxins. However, the four net negative charges with the cysteine-rich structure of this revised sequence is highly unusual for conopeptides.     

The Fibroblast Growth Factor 14·Voltage-gated Sodium Channel Complex Is a New Target of Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 (GSK3)

The FGF14 protein controls biophysical properties and subcellular distribution of neuronal voltage-gated Na⁺ (Nav) channels through direct binding to the channel C terminus. To gain insights into the dynamic regulation of this protein/protein interaction complex, we employed the split luciferase complementation assay to screen a small molecule library of kinase inhibitors against the FGF14·Nav1.6 channel complex and identified inhibitors of GSK3 as hits. Through a combination of a luminescence-based counter-screening, co-immunoprecipitation, patch clamp electrophysiology, and quantitative confocal immunofluorescence, we demonstrate that inhibition of GSK3 reduces the assembly of the FGF14·Nav channel complex, modifies FGF14-dependent regulation of Na⁺ currents, and induces dissociation and subcellular redistribution of the native FGF14·Nav channel complex in hippocampal neurons. These results further emphasize the role of FGF14 as a critical component of the Nav channel macromolecular complex, providing evidence for a novel GSK3-dependent signaling pathway that might control excitability through specific protein/protein interactions.     

Asn124 of Cel5A from Hypocrea jecorina not only provides the N-glycosylation site but is also essential in maintaining enzymatic activity

To investigate the function of N-glycosylation of Cel5A (endoglucanase II) from Hypocrea jecorina, two N-glycosylation site deletion Cel5A mutants (rN124D and rN124H) were expressed in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The weights of these recombinant mutants were 54 kDa, which were lower than that of rCel5A. This result was expected to be attributed to deglycosylation. The enzyme activity of rN124H was greatly reduced to 60.6% compared with rCel5A, whereas rN124D showed slightly lower activity (10%) than that of rCel5A. rN124D and rN124H showed different thermal stabilities compared with the glycosylated rCel5A, especially at lower pH value. Thermal stabilities were reduced and improved for rN124D and rN124H, respectively. Circular dichroism spectroscopy showed that the modification of secondary structure by mutation may be the reason for the change in enzymatic activity and thermal stability. [BMB Reports 2014; 47(5): 256-261]     

NMR studies of toxin III from the sea anemone Radianthus paumotensis and comparison of its secondary structure with related toxins

Nearly complete assignments of the proton nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrum of the polypeptide toxin III from the sea anemone Radianthus paumotensis (RP) are presented. The secondary structures of the related toxins RP II and RP III are described and are compared with each other and with another related toxin ATX Ia from Anemonia sulcata [Widmer, H., Wagner, G., Schweitz, H., Lazdunski, M., & Wüthrich, K. (1988) Eur. J. Biochem. 171, 177-192]. All of these proteins contain a highly twisted four-strand antiparallel beta-sheet core connected by loops of irregular structure. From the work done with AP-A from Anthopleura xanthogrammica [Gooley, P. R., & Norton, R. S. (1986) Biochemistry 25, 2349-2356], it is clear that this homologous toxin also has the same basic core. Some small differences are seen in the structures of these toxins, particularly in the position of the N-terminal residues that form one of the outside strands of the beta-sheet. In addition, the R. paumotensis toxins are two residues longer, extending the third strand of sheet containing the C-terminal residues. A comparison of chemical shifts for assigned residues is also presented, in general supporting the similarity of structure among these proteins.     

Elements of the C-terminal t peptide of acetylcholinesterase that determine amphiphilicity, homomeric and heteromeric associations, secretion and degradation.

The C-terminal t peptide (40 residues) of vertebrate acetylcholinesterase (AChE) T subunits possesses a series of seven conserved aromatic residues and forms an amphiphilic alpha-helix; it allows the formation of homo-oligomers (monomers, dimers and tetramers) and heteromeric associations with the anchoring proteins, ColQ and PRiMA, which contain a proline-rich motif (PRAD). We analyzed the influence of mutations in the t peptide of Torpedo AChE(T) on oligomerization and secretion. Charged residues influenced the distribution of homo-oligomers but had little effect on the heteromeric association with Q(N), a PRAD-containing N-terminal fragment of ColQ. The formation of homo-tetramers and Q(N)-linked tetramers required a central core of four aromatic residues and a peptide segment extending to residue 31; the last nine residues (32-40) were not necessary, although the formation of disulfide bonds by cysteine C37 stabilized T(4) and T(4)-Q(N) tetramers. The last two residues of the t peptide (EL) induced a partial intracellular retention; replacement of the C-terminal CAEL tetrapeptide by KDEL did not prevent tetramerization and heteromeric association with Q(N), indicating that these associations take place in the endoplasmic reticulum. Mutations that disorganize the alpha-helical structure of the t peptide were found to enhance degradation. Co-expression with Q(N) generally increased secretion, mostly as T(4)-Q(N) complexes, but reduced it for some mutants. Thus, mutations in this small, autonomous interaction domain bring information on the features that determine oligomeric associations of AChE(T) subunits and the choice between secretion and degradation.     

Structure of variant 2 scorpion toxin from Centruroides sculpturatus Ewing

Centruroides sculpturatus Ewing variant 2 toxin (CsE-v2) is a neurotoxin isolated from the venom of a scorpion native to the Arizona desert. The structure of CsE-v2 was solved in two different crystal forms using a combination of molecular replacement and multiple isomorphous replacement techniques. Crystals of CsE-v2 display a temperature-dependent, reversible-phase transition near room temperature. At lower temperature the space group changes from P3(2)21 to P3(1)21 with an approximate doubling of the C-axis. The small-cell structure, which has one molecule per asymmetric unit, has an R factor of 0.229 at 2.8 A resolution. The large-cell structure has two molecules per asymmetric unit and was refined at 2.2 A resolution to an R factor of 0.255. CsE-v2 is a rigid, compact structure with four intrachain disulfide bonds. The structure is similar to other long-chain beta neurotoxins, and the largest differences occur in the last six residues. The high-resolution structure of CsE-v2 corrects an error in the reported C-terminal sequence; the terminal tripeptide sequence is Ser 64-Cys 65-Ser 66 rather than Ser 64-Ser 65-Cys 66. Comparison of CsE-v2 with long-chain alpha toxins reveals four insertions and one deletion, as well as additional residues at the N and C termini. Structural alignment of alpha and beta toxins suggests that the primary distinguishing feature between the two classes is the length of the loop between the second and third strands in a three-strand beta sheet. The shorter loop in alpha toxins exposes a critical lysine side chain, whereas the longer loop in beta toxins buries the corresponding basic residue (either arginine or lysine).     

Biochemical characterization of sporadic/familial hemiplegic migraine mutations

Sporadic hemiplegic migraine type 2 (SHM2) and familial hemiplegic migraine type 2 (FHM2) are rare forms of hemiplegic migraine caused by mutations in the Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase α2 gene. Today, more than 70 different mutations have been linked to SHM2/FHM2, randomly dispersed over the gene. For many of these mutations, functional studies have not been performed. Here, we report the functional characterization of nine SHM2/FHM2 linked mutants that were produced in Spodoptera frugiperda (Sf)9 insect cells. We determined ouabain binding characteristics, apparent Na⁺ and K⁺ affinities, and maximum ATPase activity. Whereas membranes containing T345A, R834Q or R879W possessed ATPase activity significantly higher than control membranes, P796S, M829R, R834X, del 935–940 ins Ile, R937P and D999H membranes showed significant loss of ATPase activity compared to wild type enzyme. Further analysis revealed that T345A and R879W showed no changes for any of the parameters tested, whereas mutant R834Q possessed significantly decreased Na⁺ and increased K⁺ apparent affinities as well as decreased ATPase activity and ouabain binding. We hypothesize that the majority of the mutations studied here influence interdomain interactions by affecting formation of hydrogen bond networks or interference with the C-terminal ion pathway necessary for catalytic activity of Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase, resulting in decreased functionality of astrocytes at the synaptic cleft expressing these mutants.     

Characterization of a novel Nav1.5 channel mutation, A551T, associated with Brugada syndrome

Brugada syndrome is a life-threatening, inherited arrhythmia disorder associated with autosomal dominant mutations in SCN5A, the gene encoding the human cardiac Na⁺ channel α subunit (Nav1.5). Here, we characterized the biophysical properties of a novel Brugada syndrome-associated Nav1.5 mutation, A551T, identified in a proband who was successfully resuscitated from an episode of ventricular fibrillation with sudden collapse. Whole-cell currents through wild-type (WT) Nav1.5 and mutant (A551T) channels were recorded and compared in the human embryonic kidney cell line HEK293T transfected with SCN5A cDNA and SCN1B cDNA, using the patch-clamp technique. Current density was decreased in the A551T mutant compared to the WT. In addition, the A551T mutation reduced Nav1.5 activity by promoting entry of the channel into fast inactivation from the closed state, thereby shifting the steady-state inactivation curve by -5 mV. Furthermore, when evaluated at -90 mV, the resting membrane potential, but not at the conventionally used -120 mV, both the percentage, and rate, of channel recovery from inactivation were reduced in the mutant. These results suggest that the DI-DII linker may be involved in the stability of inactivation gating process. This study supports the notion that a reduction in Nav1.5 channel function is involved in the pathogenesis of Brugada syndrome. The structural-functional study of the Nav1.5 channel advances our understanding of its pathophysiolgocial function.