Sodium Channel Inactivation Is Altered by Substitution of Voltage Sensor Positive Charges

The role of the voltage sensor positive charges in fast and slow inactivation of the rat brain IIA sodium channel was investigated by mutating the second and fourth conserved positive charges in the S4 segments of all four homologous domains. Both charge-neutralizing mutations (by glutamine substitution) and charge-conserving mutations were constructed in a cDNA encoding the sodium channel α subunit. To determine if fast inactivation altered the effects of the mutations on slow inactivation, the mutations were also constructed in a channel that had fast inactivation removed by the incorporation of the IFMQ3 mutation in the III–IV linker (West, J.W., D.E. Patton, T. Scheuer, Y. Wang, A.L. Goldin, and W.A. Catterall. 1992. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA. 89:10910– 10914). Most of the mutations shifted the v_1/2 of fast inactivation in the negative direction, with the largest effects resulting from mutations in domains I and II. These shifts were in the opposite direction compared with those observed for activation. The effects of the mutations on slow inactivation depended on whether fast inactivation was intact or not. When fast inactivation was eliminated, most of the mutations resulted in positive shifts in the v_1/2 of slow inactivation. The largest effects again resulted from mutations in domains I and II. When fast inactivation was intact, the mutations in domains II and III resulted in negative shifts in the v_1/2 of slow inactivation. Neutralization of the fourth charge in domain I or II resulted in the appearance of a second component in the voltage dependence of slow inactivation that was only observable when fast inactivation was intact. These results suggest the S4 regions of all four domains of the sodium channel are involved in the voltage dependence of inactivation, but to varying extents. Fast inactivation is not strictly coupled to activation, but it derives some independent voltage sensitivity from the charges in the S4 domains. Finally, there is an interaction between the fast and slow inactivation processes.     

Sodium Channel Activation Gating Is Affected by Substitutions of Voltage Sensor Positive Charges in All Four Domains

The role of the voltage sensor positive charges in the activation and deactivation gating of the rat brain IIA sodium channel was investigated by mutating the second and fourth conserved positive charges in the S4 segments of all four homologous domains. Both charge-neutralizing (by glutamine substitution) and -conserving mutations were constructed in a cDNA encoding the sodium channel α subunit that had fast inactivation removed by the incorporation of the IFMQ3 mutation in the III–IV linker (West, J.W., D.E. Patton, T. Scheuer, Y. Wang, A.L. Goldin, and W.A. Catterall. 1992. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA. 89:10910–10914.). A total of 16 single and 2 double mutants were constructed and analyzed with respect to voltage dependence and kinetics of activation and deactivation. The most significant effects were observed with substitutions of the fourth positive charge in each domain. Neutralization of the fourth positive charge in domain I or II produced the largest shifts in the voltage dependence of activation, both in the positive direction. This change was accompanied by positive shifts in the voltage dependence of activation and deactivation kinetics. Combining the two mutations resulted in an even larger positive shift in half-maximal activation and a significantly reduced gating valence, together with larger positive shifts in the voltage dependence of activation and deactivation kinetics. In contrast, neutralization of the fourth positive charge in domain III caused a negative shift in the voltage of half-maximal activation, while the charge-conserving mutation resulted in a positive shift. Neutralization of the fourth charge in domain IV did not shift the half-maximal voltage of activation, but the conservative substitution produced a positive shift. These data support the idea that both charge and structure are determinants of function in S4 voltage sensors. Overall, the data supports a working model in which all four S4 segments contribute to voltage-dependent activation of the sodium channel.     

Structure,Function, and Modification of the Voltage Sensor in Voltage-Gated Ion Channels

Voltage-gated ion channels are crucial for both neuronal and cardiac excitability. Decades of research have begun to unravel the intriguing machinery behind voltage sensitivity. Although the details regarding the arrangement and movement in the voltage-sensor domain are still debated, consensus is slowly emerging. There are three competing conceptual models: the helical-screw, the transporter, and the paddle model. In this review we explore the structure of the activated voltage-sensor domain based on the recent X-ray structure of a chimera between Kv1.2 and Kv2.1. We also present a model for the closed state. From this we conclude that upon depolarization the voltage sensor S4 moves approximately 13 A outwards and rotates approximately 180 degrees, thus consistent with the helical-screw model. S4 also moves relative to S3b which is not consistent with the paddle model. One interesting feature of the voltage sensor is that it partially faces the lipid bilayer and therefore can interact both with the membrane itself and with physiological and pharmacological molecules reaching the channel from the membrane. This type of channel modulation is discussed together with other mechanisms for how voltage-sensitivity is modified. Small effects on voltage-sensitivity can have profound effects on excitability. Therefore, medical drugs designed to alter the voltage dependence offer an interesting way to regulate excitability.     

Inactivation and Secondary Structure in the D4/S4-5 Region of the SkM1 Sodium Channel

The D4/S4-5 interhelical region plays a role in sodium channel fast inactivation. Examination of S4-5 primary structure in all domains suggests a possible amphipathic helical conformation in which a conserved group of small hydrophobic residues occupies one contiguous surface with a more variable complement of nonpolar and polar residues on the opposite face. We evaluated this potential structure by replacing each residue in D4/S4-5 of the rat SkM1 skeletal muscle sodium channel with substitutions having different side chain properties. Of the 63 mutations analyzed, 44 produced functional channels. P1473 was intolerant of substitutions. Nonpolar substitutions in the conserved hydrophobic region were functionally similar to wild type, while charged mutations in this region before P1473 were nonfunctional. Charged mutations at F1466, M1469, M1470, and A1474, located on the opposite surface of the predicted helix, produced functional channels with pronounced slowing of inactivation, shifted voltage dependence of steady-state inactivation, and increased rate of recovery from inactivation. The substituted-cysteine-accessibility method was used to probe accessibility at each position. Residues L1465, F1466, A1467, M1469, M1470, L1472, A1474, and F1476C were easily accessible for modification by sulfhydryl reagents; L1464, L1468, S1471, and L1475 were not accessible within the time frame of our measurements. Molecular dynamics simulations of residues A1458 to N1477 were then used to explore energetically favorable local structures. Based on mutagenesis, substituted-cysteine-accessibility method, and modeling results, we suggest a secondary structure for the D4/S4-5 region in which the peptide chain is α-helical proximal to P1473, bends at this residue, and may continue beyond this point as a random coil. In this configuration, the entire resultant loop is amphipathic; four residues on one surface could form part of the binding site for the inactivation particle.     

Accessibility of Four Arginine Residues on the S4 Segment of the Bacillus halodurans Sodium Channel

The voltage-gated Na⁺ channel of Bacillus halodurans (NaChBac) is composed of six transmembrane segments (S1–S6), with a pore-forming region composed of segments S5 and S6 and a voltage-sensing domain composed of segments S1–S4. The S4 segment forms the core of the voltage sensor. We explored the accessibility of four arginine residues on the S4 segment of NaChBac, which are positioned at every third position from each other. These arginine residues on the S4 segment were replaced with cysteines using site-directed mutagenesis. Na⁺ currents were recorded using the whole-cell configuration of the patch-clamp technique. We tested the effect of the sulfhydryl reagents applied from inside and outside the cellular space in the open and closed conformations. Structural models of the voltage sensor of NaChBac were constructed based on the recently crystallized KvAP and Kv1.2 K⁺ channels to visualize arginine residue accessibility. Our results suggest that arginine accessibility did not change significantly between the open and closed conformations, supporting the idea of a small movement of the S4 segment during gating. Molecular modeling of the closed conformation also supported a small movement of S4, which is mainly characterized by a rotation and a tilt along the periphery of the pore. Interestingly, the second arginine residue of the S4 segment (R114) was accessible to sulfhydryl reagents from both sides of the membrane in the closed conformation and, based on our model, seemed to be at the junction of the intracellular and extracellular water crevices.     

S／D法处理凝血因子浓缩物类制品的病毒灭活验证

以水泡性口炎病毒 (VSV)为指示病毒 ,验证应用有机溶剂 /去污剂 (简称S/D)法灭活血液制品中病毒的生产工艺 ,并对不同厂家不同批号的四种凝血因子浓缩物类制品 (中间品 )的病毒灭活效果进行了分析总结。结果表明当制品中TNBP和Tween80终浓度为 0 3%和 1 0 % ,在 2 5± 1℃处理 6小时后对于包膜病毒确有显著的灭活效果。     

S/D处理人纤维蛋白原的病毒灭活验证

在人纤维蛋白原制备工艺中增加Ｓ／Ｄ处理灭活病毒步骤,ＴＮＢＰ和Ｔｗｅｅｎ８０终浓度分别为０．３％和１％,在２５℃处理６小时能有效灭活指示病毒ＶＳＶ（〉３．７５Ｌｏｇ）、Ｓｉｎｄｂｉｓ（〉４．４６Ｌｏｇ）、ＨＩＶ（〉３．６７Ｌｏｇ）,盲传三代未检出病毒     

Voltage-insensitive Gating after Charge-neutralizing Mutations in the S4 Segment of Shaker Channels

Shaker channel mutants, in which the first (R362), second (R365), and fourth (R371) basic residues in the S4 segment have been neutralized, are found to pass potassium currents with voltage-insensitive kinetics when expressed in Xenopus oocytes. Single channel recordings clarify that these channels continue to open and close from −160 to +80 mV with a constant opening probability (P _o). Although P _o is low (∼0.15) in these mutants, mean open time is voltage independent and similar to that of control Shaker channels. Additionally, these mutant channels retain characteristic Shaker channel selectivity, sensitivity to block by 4-aminopyridine, and are partially blocked by external Ca²⁺ ions at very negative potentials. Furthermore, mean open time is approximately doubled, in both mutant channels and control Shaker channels, when Rb⁺ is substituted for K⁺ as the permeant ion species. Such strong similarities between mutant channels and control Shaker channels suggests that the pore region has not been substantially altered by the S4 charge neutralizations. We conclude that single channel kinetics in these mutants may indicate how Shaker channels would behave in the absence of voltage sensor input. Thus, mean open times appear primarily determined by voltage-insensitive transitions close to the open state rather than by voltage sensor movement, even in control, voltage-sensitive Shaker channels. By contrast, the low and voltage-insensitive P _o seen in these mutant channels suggests that important determinants of normal channel opening derive from electrostatic coupling between S4 charges and the pore domain.     

S/D灭活血浆内脂包膜病毒及病毒灭活血浆的研究

研究磷酸三丁酯(TNBP)／Triton X-100对血浆内脂包膜病毒的灭活效果。用VSV病毒和Sindbis病毒作指示病毒,加入血浆后再加磷酸三丁酯／Triton X-100,观察病毒的滴度变化及对血浆蛋白的影响。结果发现终浓度各为1％的磷酸三丁酯／Triton X-100在60min内可以灭活血浆内的两种指示病毒,而血浆蛋白的组成和功能变化很小。经层折、超滤后血浆内磷酸三丁酯和Triton X-100的残余量分别低于5μg/ml,表明S／D处理血浆的安全性和治疗作用都很好,其制剂冰冻血浆或冻干血浆可用于临床治疗凝血因子缺乏症,或用作血容量扩张剂。     

S/D法灭活血液制剂中脂包膜病毒效果验证的研究

选用不同核酸的脂包膜病毒,其中RNA病毒为水疱性口炎病毒(VSV),DNA病毒为伪狂犬病毒(PRV),将两种指示病毒分别用于验证S/D法处理对纤维蛋白原、凝血酶原复合物、凝血因子Ⅷ、静注丙种球蛋白、免疫血浆等血液制剂的病毒灭活效果。结果该法对所有被处理的血液制剂中的PRV及VSV灭活能力分别为≥3.38~5.88和≥3.50~4.75logTCID50/0.1ml,表明S/D法对两种病毒核酸类型的脂包膜病毒有良好的灭活效果。     

A possible role for phosphate in complexing the arginines of S4 in voltage gated channels

Phosphate ions are known to complex guanidinium groups, which are the side chains of arginine. Voltage gated channels that allow passage of ions through cell membranes, producing, for example the nerve impulse, are in many cases composed of four domains, each with six transmembrane segments. The S4 transmembrane segments of these channels have arginines placed in such a way that they would be expected to complex phosphate. Known phosphate-arginine complexes are reasonably strong. Here, an ab initio calculation reinforces the expectation that a strong complex could form. As a consequence, if the S4 moved, it would carry either no charge, or at most half of what is expected from fully charged arginines. This suggests that it may be necessary to rethink voltage gating models in which the gating current is produced by physical motion of the S4 transmembrane segments.     

Structural determinants for the action of grayanotoxin in D1 S4-S5 and D4 S4-S5 intracellular linkers of sodium channel alpha-subunits

We located a novel binding site for grayanotoxin on the cytoplasmic linkers of voltage-dependent cardiac (rH1) or skeletal-muscle (mu 1) Na(+) channel isoforms (segments S4-S5 in domains D1 and D4), using the alanine scanning substitution method. GTX-modification of Na(+) channels, transiently expressed in HEK 293 cells, was evaluated under whole-cell voltage clamp, from the ratio of maximum chord conductance for modified and unmodified Na(+) channels. In mu 1, mutations K237A, L243A, S246A, K248A, K249A, L250A, S251A, or T1463A, caused a moderate, but statistically significant decrease in this ratio. On making corresponding mutations in rH1, only L244A dramatically reduced the ratio. Because in mu 1, the serine at position 251 is the only heterologous residue with respect to rH1 (Ala-252), we made a double mutant L243A&S251A to match the sequence of mu 1 and rH1 in S4-S5 linkers of both domains. This double mutation resulted in a significant decrease in the ratio, to the same extent as L244A substitution in rH1 did, indicating that the site at Leu-244 in rH1 or at Leu-243 in mu 1 is a novel one, exhibiting a synergistic effect of grayanotoxin.     

Characterization of a modified nitrogenase Fe protein from Klebsiella pneumoniae in which the 4Fe4S cluster has been replaced by a 4Fe4Se cluster

The Azotobacter vinelandii nifS gene product has been used with selenocysteine to reconstitute Klebsiella pneumoniae nitrogenase Fe protein. Chemical analysis and extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectroscopy show that the 4Fe4S cluster present in the native protein is replaced by a 4Fe4Se cluster. As well, EXAFS spectroscopy shows that the bond lengths to the cysteine thiolate ligands shrink by 0.05 Å (from 2.28 to 2.23 Å) upon reduction, whereas the Fe–Fe distance is essentially unchanged. Thus, the core of the 4Fe4Se cluster remains essentially static on reduction, whilst the external cysteine thiolate ligands are pulled in towards the cluster. Compared with native (S)–Fe protein, the (Se)–Fe protein has a 20-fold increased rate of MgATP-induced Fe chelation, a sixfold decreased specific activity for acetylene reduction, a fivefold decreased rate of MgATP-dependent electron transfer from (Se)–Fe protein to MoFe protein, and a fourfold increase in the ATP to 2e ^? ratio. The high ATP to 2e ^? ratio and decreased specific activity are consistent with a lower rate of dissociation of oxidized (Se)–Fe protein from reduced MoFe protein. Thus, the relatively small adjustments in the Fe protein structure necessary to accommodate the 4Fe4Se cluster are transmitted both to adjacent residues that dock at the surface of the MoFe protein and to the ATP hydrolysis sites located approximately 19 Å away.     

Phospholipid membrane-interaction of a peptide from S4 segment of KvAP K(+) channel and the influence of the positive charges and an identified heptad repeat in its interaction with a S3 peptide

In order to examine the ability of S3 and S4 segments of a Kv channel to interact with each other, two wild type short peptides derived from the S3 and S4 segments of KvAP channel were synthesized. Additionally, to evaluate the role of positive charges and an identified heptad repeat in the S4 segment, two S4 mutants of the same size as the S4 peptide, one with substitution of two leucine residues in the heptad repeat sequence by two alanine residues and in the other two arginine residues replaced by two glutamines residues were synthesized. Our results show that only the wild type S4 peptide, but not its mutants, self-assembled and permeabilized negatively charged phospholipid vesicles. The S3 peptide showed lesser affinity toward the same kind of lipid vesicles and localized onto its surface. However, the S3 peptide interacted only with S4 wild type peptide, but not with S4 mutants, and altered its localization onto the phospholipid membrane with increased resistance against the proteolytic enzyme, proteinase-k, in the presence of the S4 peptide. The results demonstrate that the selected, synthetic S3 and S4 segments possess the required amino acid sequences to interact with each other and show that the positive charges and the identified heptad repeat in S4 contribute to its assembly and interaction with S3 segment.     

Voltage and Use Dependence of Sodium Channel Blockade by a New Analgesic,D57, in Rat Dorsal Root Ganglion Neurons

We studied the voltage- and use-dependent action of pyrrolo-imidazole derivative, D57, on sodium currents in different dorsal root ganglion neurons of rats. At the level of 50% of maximum tonic block, which corresponded to a concentration of 0.44 mM, the use-dependent block of tetrodotoxin resistant (TTXr) sodium currents reached 59 ± 12% of the remaining currents when neurons were stimulated by 6-msec-long impulses up to -10 mV with a 20 sec^-1 frequency, whereas for TTX sensitive (TTXs) currents this value was equal to 38 ± 9%. This block was dependent on the holding potential, and for cells with only TTXr currents the dependence was shifted to more positive potentials compared with that for neurons with only TTXs currents or with both of them.     

The C1167T polymorphism of the catalase gene and polymorphic markers D11S907 and D11S2008 located in its vicinity are associated with diabetes mellitus type 2

To study the contribution of the catalase (CAT) gene in diabetes mellitus (DM) type 2, the allele and genotype frequencies of internal (polymorphism C1167T) and two neighboring (minisatellites D11S907 and D11S2008) polymorphic markers were studied in 132 healthy individuals and 154 patients from Moscow. Allele C and genotype CC of the C1167T polymorphism proved associated with a higher risk of DM type 2. Seven D11S907 alleles containing 14 to 20 dinucleotide repeats were found. The frequencies of alleles 15 and 16 and genotype 18/20 were significantly higher and those of allele 18 and genotypes 17/18 and 18/19 were lower in patients than in controls. Eight D11S2008 alleles containing 15 to 22 tetranucleotide repeats were found. The frequencies of alleles 17 and 18 and genotype 18/20 in patients were significantly higher than in controls. An association of the three polymorphic loci and DM type 2 was suggested.     

An Extracellular Ion Pathway Plays a Central Role in the Cooperative Gating of a K2P K+ Channel by Extracellular pH

Proton-gated TASK-3 K⁺ channel belongs to the K_2P family of proteins that underlie the K⁺ leak setting the membrane potential in all cells. TASK-3 is under cooperative gating control by extracellular [H⁺]. Use of recently solved K_2P structures allows us to explore the molecular mechanism of TASK-3 cooperative pH gating. Tunnel-like side portals define an extracellular ion pathway to the selectivity filter. We use a combination of molecular modeling and functional assays to show that pH-sensing histidine residues and K⁺ ions mutually interact electrostatically in the confines of the extracellular ion pathway. K⁺ ions modulate the pK_a of sensing histidine side chains whose charge states in turn determine the open/closed transition of the channel pore. Cooperativity, and therefore steep dependence of TASK-3 K⁺ channel activity on extracellular pH, is dependent on an effect of the permeant ion on the channel pH_o sensors.     

Part of the 23S RNA located in the 11S RNA fragment is a constituent of the ribosomal peptidyltransferase centre

Upon irradiation, 3-[4-benzoylphenyl]propionyl-PhetRNA bound to the P-site of poly(U)-primed ribosomes is exclusively cross-linked to 23S RNA. It is shown that the photoreaction only occurs with pyrimidine nucleotides. The site of the cross-link is located within an 11S RNA fragment, which comprises the 1100 nucleotides at the 3'-end of 23S RNA. The cross-linked Phe tRNA derivative is still functionally active in peptide bond formation. The site labelled on the 11S fragment is therefore an integral part of the peptidyltransferase centre.     

The expression of S100A8 in pancreatic cancer-associated monocytes is associated with the Smad4 status of pancreatic cancer cells

The cross-talk between tumour cells and the surrounding supporting host cells (stroma) is a key regulator of cancer growth and progression. By undertaking 2-DE analysis of laser capture microdissected malignant and stromal components of pancreatic tumours and benign ductal elements, we have identified high levels of S100A8 and S100A9 in tumour-associated stroma but not in benign or malignant epithelia. Immunohistochemical analysis (n = 71 patients) revealed strong expression of both proteins in stromal myeloid cells, subsequently identified as CD14(+)/CD68(- )monocytes/macrophages. Co-immunofluorescence revealed that S100A8 was expressed in a subset of S100A9-positive cells. Correlation of the expression of S100A8 and S100A9 to patient parameters revealed that the microenvironments of tumours which lacked expression of the tumour suppressor protein, Smad4, had significantly reduced numbers of S100A8-immunoreactive (p = 0.023) but not S100A9-immunoreactive (p = 0.21) cells. The ratio of S100A8- to S100A9-positive cells within individual tumours was significantly lower in Smad4-negative tumours than in Smad4-positive tumours (p<0.003). Pancreatitic specimens also contained S100A8- and S100A9-expressing cells, although this was not observed in regions displaying extensive fibrosis. In conclusion, our study provides an extensive analysis of S100A8 and S100A9 in pancreatic disease and highlights a potentially important relationship between pancreatic cancer cells and their surrounding microenvironment.