Gating the pore of potassium leak channels

A key feature of potassium channel function is the ability to switch between conducting and non-conducting states by undergoing conformational changes in response to cellular or extracellular signals. Such switching is facilitated by the mechanical coupling of gating domain movements to pore opening and closing. Two-pore domain potassium channels (K_2P) conduct leak or background potassium-selective currents that are mostly time- and voltage-independent. These channels play a significant role in setting the cell resting membrane potential and, therefore modulate cell responsiveness and excitability. Thus, K_2P channels are key players in numerous physiological processes and were recently shown to also be involved in human pathologies. It is well established that K_2P channel conductance, open probability and cell surface expression are significantly modulated by various physical and chemical stimuli. However, in understanding how such signals are translated into conformational changes that open or close the channels gate, there remain more open questions than answers. A growing line of evidence suggests that the outer pore area assumes a critical role in gating K_2P channels, in a manner reminiscent of C-type inactivation of voltage-gated potassium channels. In some K_2P channels, this gating mechanism is facilitated in response to external pH levels. Recently, it was suggested that K_2P channels also possess a lower activation gate that is positively coupled to the outer pore gate. The purpose of this review is to present an up-to-date summary of research describing the conformational changes and gating events that take place at the K_2P channel ion-conducting pathway during the channel regulation.     

Complex voltage-dependent behavior of single unliganded calcium-sensitive potassium channels

study and characterization of unliganded openings is of central significance for the elucidation of gating mechanisms for allosteric ligand-gated ion channels. Unliganded openings have been reported for many channel types, but their low open probability can make it difficult to study their kinetics in detail. Because the large conductance calcium-activated potassium channel mSlo is sensitive to both intracellular calcium and to membrane potential, we have been able to obtain stable unliganded single-channel recordings of mSlo with relatively high opening probability. We have found that the single-channel gating behavior of mSlo is complex, with multiple open and closed states, even when no ligand is present. Our results rule out a Monod-Wyman-Changeux allosteric mechanism with a central voltage-dependent concerted step, and they support the existence of quaternary states with less than the full number of voltage sensors activated, as has been suggested by previous work involving measurements of gating currents.     

Gating kinetics of four classes of voltage-dependent K+ channels in pheochromocytoma cells

Clonal pheochromocytoma (PC-12) cells have four different types of voltage-dependent K+ channels whose activation does not require high concentrations of Ca++ on the cytoplasmic side of the membrane (Hoshi, T., and R. W. Aldrich, 1988, Journal of General Physiology, 91:73-106). The durations of open and closed events of these four different types of voltage-dependent K+ channels were measured using the excised configuration of the patch-clamp method. The open durations of a class of K+ channels termed the Kz channel, which activates rapidly and inactivates slowly in response to depolarizing pulses, had two exponential components. The closed durations of the Kz channel had at least four exponential components. The time constants of the fastest of the two exponential components in the closed durations were very similar to those of the two exponential components present in the first-latency distribution. The first latencies of the Kz channel decreased steeply with depolarization, contributing to the increased probability of the channel being open with depolarization. The Kz channel also had a very slow gating process that resulted in a clustering of blank sweeps. A gating scheme containing two open states and five closed states is consistent with the observations. The Ky channel had one exponential component in the open durations and three exponential components in the closed durations. The first latencies varied greatly depending on the prepulse voltage and duration. The results were consistent with a sequential model with a large number of closed states and one open state. The Kx channel, which required large hyperpolarizing prepulses to remove steady state inactivation and did not show inactivation with maintained depolarization, had two exponential components in the open durations and three exponential components in the closed durations. The burst behavior of the Kx channel involved many more than two states. The transient Kw channel had one exponential component in the open durations and the mean open time increased with depolarization. The first latencies of the Kw channel were steeply dependent on the voltage, decreasing with depolarization.     

Gating of single non-Shaker A-type potassium channels in larval Drosophila neurons

The voltage-dependent gating of transient A2-type potassium channels from primary cultures of larval Drosophila central nervous system neurons was studied using whole-cell and single-channel voltage clamp. A2 channels are genetically distinct from the Shaker A1 channels observed in Drosophila muscle, and differ in single-channel conductance, voltage dependence, and gating kinetics. Single A2 channels were recorded and analyzed at -30, -10, +10, and +30 mV. The channels opened in bursts in response to depolarizing steps, with three to four openings per burst and two to three bursts per 480-ms pulse (2.8-ms burst criterion). Mean open durations were in a range of 2-4 ms and mean burst durations in a range of 9-17 ms. With the exception of the first latency distributions, none of the means of the distributions measured showed a consistent trend with voltage. Macroscopic inactivation of both whole-cell A currents and ensemble average currents of single A2 channels was well fitted by a sum of two exponentials. The fast time constants in different cells were in a range of 9-25 ms, and the slow time constants in a range of 60-140 ms. A six-state kinetic model (three closed, one open, two inactivated states) was tested at four command voltages by fitting frequency histograms of open durations, burst durations, burst closed durations, number of openings per burst, and number of bursts per trace. The model provided good fits to these data, as well as to the ensemble averages. With the exception of the rates leading to initial opening, the transitions in the model were largely independent of voltage.     

Modulation of voltage-dependent Shaker family potassium channels by an aldo-keto reductase

The beta subunit (Kvbeta) of the Shaker family voltage-dependent potassium channels (Kv1) is a cytosolic protein that forms a permanent complex with the channel. Sequence and structural conservation indicates that Kvbeta resembles an aldo-keto reductase (AKR), an enzyme that catalyzes a redox reaction using an NADPH cofactor. A putative AKR in complex with a Kv channel has led to the hypothesis that intracellular redox potential may dynamically influence the excitability of a cell through Kvbeta. Since the AKR function of Kvbeta has never been demonstrated, a direct functional coupling between the two has not been established. We report here the identification of Kvbeta substrates and the demonstration that Kvbeta is a functional AKR. We have also found that channel function is modulated when the Kvbeta-bound NADPH is oxidized. Further studies of the enzymatic properties of Kvbeta seem to favor the role of Kvbeta as a redox sensor. These results suggest that Kvbeta may couple the excitability of the cell to its metabolic state and present a new avenue of research that may lead to understanding of the physiological functions of Kvbeta.     

The roles of intracellular regions in the activation of voltage-dependent potassium channels

The involvement of the transmembrane regions S2, S3 and S4 in the activation of potassium channels by depolarization has been well clarified. However, a role of the intracellular regions in channel function is emerging. Here we review recent evidence for the roles of intracellular regions in the functioning of members of two families of channels. The Kv2.1 potassium channel, a member of the voltage activated Kv family, has long intracellular regions. By mutagenesis studies and expression in oocytes, we identify residues in both the N- and C-terminal regions that contribute to determining activation kinetics of this channel. It seems that the C-terminus wraps around the N-terminus and interacts with it functionally. The voltage-activated ether-a-go-go (eag) channels also have long intracellular regions. Despite considerable homology, eag1 and eag2 channels display different activation kinetics. By making chimeras between these channels and again expressing in oocytes, we show that residues in both the N-terminal region and the membrane-spanning region are involved in determining these differences in activation kinetics. The intracellular N- and C-terminal regions are likely to continue to prove fertile regions in future investigations into the functioning of ion channels.Presented at the Biophysical Society Meeting on Ion channels—from structure to disease held in May 2003, Rennes, France     

Taste receptor cells express voltage-dependent potassium channels in a cell age-specific manner

Two voltage-dependent potassium channels, KCNQ1 and KCNH2, are expressed in the taste buds and were identified as strong candidates involved in the repolarization of taste receptor cells expressing phospholipase C-beta2 and TRPM5 (beta2/M5-TRCs). In cell type-specific expression, KCNQ1 was expressed in most taste bud cells, including beta2/M5-TRCs, whereas KCNH2 was expressed in a subset of beta2/M5-TRCs with no correlation with their taste modality, such as sweet or bitter taste reception. Expression of KCNH2 was restricted to young beta2/M5-TRCs. These results suggest that taste bud cells other than beta2/M5-TRCs are depolarized by some stimuli and also that beta2/M5-TRCs have cell age-dependent molecular mechanisms of repolarization.     

Gating prokaryotic mechanosensitive channels

Prokaryotic mechanosensitive channels function as molecular switches that transduce bilayer deformations into protein motion. These protein structural rearrangements generate large non-selective pores that function as a prokaryotic 'last line of defence' to sudden osmotic challenges. Once considered an electrophysiological artefact, recent structural, spectroscopic and functional data have placed this class of protein at the centre of efforts to understand the molecular basis of lipid-protein interactions and their influence on protein function.     

An evolutionarily conserved network of amino acids mediates gating in voltage-dependent potassium channels

A novel sequence-analysis technique for detecting correlated amino acid positions in intermediate-size protein families (50-100 sequences) was developed, and applied to study voltage-dependent gating of potassium channels. Most contemporary methods for detecting amino acid correlations within proteins use very large sets of data, typically comprising hundreds or thousands of evolutionarily related sequences, to overcome the relatively low signal-to-noise ratio in the analysis of co-variations between pairs of amino acid positions. Such methods are impractical for voltage-gated potassium (Kv) channels and for many other protein families that have not yet been sequenced to that extent. Here, we used a phylogenetic reconstruction of paralogous Kv channels to follow the evolutionary history of every pair of amino acid positions within this family, thus increasing detection accuracy of correlated amino acids relative to contemporary methods. In addition, we used a bootstrapping procedure to eliminate correlations that were statistically insignificant. These and other measures allowed us to increase the method's sensitivity, and opened the way to reliable identification of correlated positions even in intermediate-size protein families. Principal-component analysis applied to the set of correlated amino acid positions in Kv channels detected a network of inter-correlated residues, a large fraction of which were identified as gating-sensitive upon mutation. Mapping the network of correlated residues onto the 3D structure of the Kv channel from Aeropyrum pernix disclosed correlations between residues in the voltage-sensor paddle and the pore region, including regions that are involved in the gating transition. We discuss these findings with respect to the evolutionary constraints acting on the channel's various domains. The software is available on our website     

Revealing the molecular determinants of neurotoxin specificity for calcium-activated versus voltage-dependent potassium channels

Potassium channel dysfunction underlies diseases such as epilepsy, hypertension, cardiac arrhythmias, and multiple sclerosis. Neurotoxins that selectively inhibit potassium channels, alpha-KTx, have provided invaluable information for dissecting the contribution of different potassium channels to neurotransmission, vasoconstriction, and lymphocyte proliferation. Thus, alpha-KTx specificity comprises an important first step in potassium channel-directed drug discovery for these diseases. Despite extensive functional and structural studies of alpha-KTx-potassium channel complexes, none have predicted the molecular basis of alpha-KTx specificity. Here we show that by minimizing the differences in binding free energy between selective and nonselective alpha-KTx we are able to identify all of the determinants of alpha-KTx specificity for calcium-activated versus voltage-dependent potassium channels. Because these determinants correspond to unique features of the two types of channels, they provide a way to develop more accurate models of alpha-KTx-potassium channel complexes that can be used to design novel selective alpha-KTx inhibitors.     

Influence of the external concentration of potassium ions on functioning of voltage-dependent potassium channels in GH3 cells

The patch-clamp technique in a whole-cell configuration was used to study the influence of the external concentration of potassium ions on the characteristics of the voltage-dependent potassium current in the plasma membrane of GH₃ cells (a cell line isolated from the rat pituitary body tumor). The [K⁺] _out shift from 5 to 100 mM induced a monotonic increase in potassium current with a constant difference between the testing potential and potassium equilibrium potential. The dependence of an activation time constant, _n , and a steady-state activation,n, of the potassium current on [K⁺] _out is of a distinct non-monotononic character with the extremum at 20 mM. Our experiments and theoretical speculations allow us to suppose that the interaction of potassium ions with slowly relaxing charged channel-forming protein groups induced the observed effects.Neirofiziologiya/Neurophysiology, Vol. 27, No. 2, pp. 110–115, March–April, 1995.     

Volume regulation of murine T lymphocytes relies on voltage-dependent and two-pore domain potassium channels

A variety of ion channels are supposed to orchestrate the homoeostatic volume regulation in T lymphocytes. However, the relative contribution of different potassium channels to the osmotic volume regulation and in particular to the regulatory volume decrease (RVD) in T cells is far from clear. This study explores a putative role of the newly identified K(2P) channels (TASK1, TASK2, TASK3 and TRESK) along with the voltage-gated potassium channel K(V)1.3 and the calcium-activated potassium channel K(Ca)3.1 in the RVD of murine T lymphocytes, using genetic and pharmacological approaches. K(2P) channel knockouts exerted profound effects on the osmotic properties of murine T lymphocytes, as revealed by reduced water and RVD-related solute permeabilities. Moreover, both genetic and pharmacological data proved a key role of K(V)1.3 and TASK2 channels in the RVD of murine T cells exposed to hypotonic saline. Our experiments demonstrate a leading role of potassium channels in the osmoregulation of T lymphocytes under different conditions. In summary, the present study sheds new light on the complex and partially redundant network of potassium channels involved in the basic physiological process of the cellular volume homeostasis and extends the repertoire of potassium channels by the family of K(2P) channels.     

Modification of voltage-dependent gating of potassium channels by free form of tryptophan side chain.

Indole constitutes a major component of the side chain of the amino acid tryptophan. Application of indole slows activation of voltage-dependent potassium channels and reduces steady-state conductance in a voltage- and concentration-dependent manner. The steep concentration dependence indicates that multiple indole molecules may interact with the channel. Indole does not noticeably change the unitary conductance or the mean open duration, however, it accelerates off-gating currents without altering on-gating currents. These properties of the modification of channel gating induced by indole are consistent with a model in which indole binds independently to every subunit of the channel complex to prevent the final concerted transition to the open state. We suggest that exogenously applied indole and side-chains of the tryptophan residues of the channel protein involved in activation may compete for the same effector position and that indole might be useful as a probe to study functional roles of tryptophan residues.     

The identification and characterization of a noncontinuous calmodulin-binding site in noninactivating voltage-dependent KCNQ potassium channels

We show here that in a yeast two-hybrid assay calmodulin (CaM) interacts with the intracellular C-terminal region of several members of the KCNQ family of potassium channels. CaM co-immunoprecipitates with KCNQ2, KCNQ3, or KCNQ5 subunits better in the absence than in the presence of Ca2+. Moreover, in two-hybrid assays where it is possible to detect interactions with apo-CaM but not with Ca2+-bound calmodulin, we localized the CaM-binding site to a region that is predicted to contain two alpha-helices (A and B). These two helices encompass approximately 85 amino acids, and in KCNQ2 they are separated by a dispensable stretch of approximately 130 amino acids. Within this CaM-binding domain, we found an IQ-like CaM-binding motif in helix A and two overlapping consensus 1-5-10 CaM-binding motifs in helix B. Point mutations in helix A or B were capable of abolishing CaM binding in the two-hybrid assay. Moreover, glutathione S-transferase fusion proteins containing helices A and B were capable of binding to CaM, indicating that the interaction with KCNQ channels is direct. Full-length CaM (both N and C lobes) and a functional EF-1 hand were required for these interactions to occur. These observations suggest that apo-CaM is bound to neuronal KCNQ channels at low resting Ca2+ levels and that this interaction is disturbed when the [Ca2+] is raised. Thus, we propose that CaM acts as a mediator in the Ca2+-dependent modulation of KCNQ channels.     

Gating of gap junction channels.

Gap junctional conductance ( gj ) in various species is gated by voltage and intracellular pH (pHi). In amphibian embryos, gj is reduced to half by a 14 mV transjunctional voltage ( Vj ), a change that in fish embryo requires approximately 28 mV. Crayfish septate axon and pairs of dissociated rat myocytes show no voltage dependence of gj over a range of Vj greater than +/- 50 mV. In fish and amphibian blastomeres , gj is steeply decreased by decrease in pHi (n, Hill coefficient: 4.5) and the apparent pKH (7.3) is in the physiological range. In crayfish septate axon the pKH is lower (6.7) and the curve is less steep (n = 2.7). Rises in cytoplasmic Ca can also decrease gj but much higher concentrations are required (greater than 0.1 mM in fish blastomeres). Voltage and pH gates on gap junctions in amphibian embryos appear independent. In squid blastomeres pH gates exhibit some sensitivity to potential, both transjunctional and between inside and outside. A pharmacology of gap junctions is being developed: certain agents block gj directly (aldehydes, alcohols, NEM in crayfish); others block by decreasing pHi (esters that are hydrolyzed by intrinsic esterases, NEM in vertebrates, and, as in the experiments demonstrating the effect of pHi, weak acids). Certain agents block pH sensitivity without affecting voltage dependence (retinoic acid, glutaraldehyde, EEDQ), further indicating separateness of pH and voltage gates. These studies demonstrate a dynamics of gap junctional conductance and variability in gating in a series of possibly homologous membrane channels.     

Protein tyrosine kinase-dependent modulation of voltage-dependent potassium channels by genistein in rat cardiac ventricular myocytes

Effects of the isoflavone protein tyrosine kinase (PTK) inhibitor genistein on voltage-dependent K(+) currents, i.e., transient outward K(+) current (I(to)), sustained K(+) current (I(ss)), and inward rectifier K(+) current (I(K1)) were studied in rat cardiac ventricular myocytes. It was found that I(to) was reversibly inhibited by genistein in a concentration-dependent manner (IC(50)=28.1 microM), while I(ss) was suppressed by genistein with IC(50) of 18.5 microM. In addition, I(K1) (at -50 mV) was significantly decreased by 36.3+/-4.4% with 25 microM genistein. The inhibition of I(to), I(ss), and I(K1) by genistein was significantly reversed by the application of the protein tyrosine phosphatase inhibitor sodium orthovanadate (1 mM). However, I(to), I(ss), and I(K1) were not affected by the non-isoflavone PTK inhibitor tyrphostin A23 (100 microM) and PP2 (1 microM). These results indicate that activation of I(to), I(ss), and I(K1) channels is modulated by genistein-sensitive PTKs in rat ventricular myocytes.     

Interaction between tetraethylammonium and amino acid residues in the pore of cloned voltage-dependent potassium channels

Extracellular tetraethylammonium (TEA) inhibits currents in Xenopus oocytes that have been injected with mRNAs encoding voltage-dependent potassium channels. Concentration-response curves were used to measure the affinity of TEA; this differed up to 700-fold among channels RBK1 (KD 0.3 mM), RGK5 (KD 11 mM), and RBK2 (KD greater than 200 mM). Studies in which chimeric channels were expressed localized TEA binding to the putative extracellular loop between trans-membrane domains S5 and S6. Site-directed mutagenesis of residues in this region identified the residue Tyr379 of RBK1 as a crucial determinant of TEA sensitivity; substitution of Tyr in the equivalent positions of RBK2 (Val381) and RGK5 (His401) made these channels as sensitive to TEA as RBK1. Nonionic forces are involved in TEA binding because (i) substitution of the Phe for Tyr379 in RBK1 increased its affinity, (ii) protonation of His401 in RGK5 selectively reduced its affinity, and (iii) the affinity of TEA was unaffected by changes in ionic strength. The results suggest an explanation for the marked differences in TEA sensitivity that have been observed among naturally occurring and cloned potassium channels and indicate that the amino acid corresponding to residue 379 in RBK1 lies within the external mouth of the ion channel.     

Heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor mediates oxyhemoglobin-induced suppression of voltage-dependent potassium channels in rabbit cerebral artery myocytes

Oxyhemoglobin (OxyHb) can suppress voltage-dependent K(+) channel (K(V)) currents through protein tyrosine kinase activation, which may contribute to cerebral vasospasm following subarachnoid hemorrhage. Here we have tested the hypothesis that shedding of heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor (HB-EGF) and the resulting activation of the tyrosine kinase EGF receptor (EGFR) underlie OxyHb-induced K(V) channel suppression in the cerebral vasculature. With the use of the conventional whole cell patch-clamp technique, two EGFR ligands, EGF and HB-EGF, were found to mimic OxyHb-induced K(V) suppression in rabbit cerebral artery myocytes. K(V) current suppression by OxyHb or EGF ligands was eliminated by a specific EGFR inhibitor, AG-1478, but was unaffected by PKC inhibition. Compounds (heparin and CRM-197) that specifically interfere with HB-EGF signaling eliminated OxyHb-induced K(V) suppression, suggesting that HB-EGF is the EGFR ligand involved in this pathway. HB-EGF exists as a precursor protein that, when cleaved by matrix metalloproteases (MMPs), causes EGFR activation. MMP activation was detected in OxyHb-treated arteries by gelatin zymography. Furthermore, the MMP inhibitor (GM-6001) abolished OxyHb-induced K(V) current suppression. We also observed K(V) current suppression due to EGFR activation in human cerebral artery myocytes. In conclusion, these data demonstrate that OxyHb induces MMP activation, causing HB-EGF shedding and enhanced EGFR activity, ultimately leading to K(V) channel suppression. We propose that EGFR-mediated K(V) suppression contributes to vascular pathologies, such as cerebral vasospasm, and may play a more widespread role in the regulation of regional blood flow and peripheral resistance.