Channel gating pore: a new therapeutic target

Each subunit of voltage-gated cation channels comprises a voltage-sensing domain and a pore region. In a paper recently published in Cell Research, Li et al. showed that the gating charge pathway of the voltage sensor of the KCNQ2 K⁺ channel can accommodate small opener molecules and offer a new target to treat hyperexcitability disorders.Voltage-gated cation channels (VGCCs) are key players of many vital functions and their genetic defects in humans can lead to severe diseases, called “channelopathies”¹. Each channel α subunit possesses two main transmembrane modules, a voltage-sensing domain (VSD) and a pore region. VSDs are membrane protein modules comprising four membrane-spanning segments (S1-S4) endowed with charged amino acids, also called gating charges². Although the precise nature and extent of the conformational rearrangement of the VSD is still debated, it is commonly recognized that four highly conserved arginine residues along S4 (R1, R2, R3, and R4) mainly contribute to the voltage-driven gating charge transfer during channel activation³. The gating charges reside in aqueous crevices, and they translocate across a focused electric field spanned by a short distance where hydrophobic residues form a hydrophobic plug occluding a “gating pore”. Along this narrow hydrophobic region, the positive charges in S4 are stabilized by electrostatic interactions with negative countercharges in segments S2 and S3, water in the crevices and negatively charged phospholipids³. In voltage-gated K⁺ channels, a highly conserved phenylalanine residue located at the bottom of the S2 segment faces the intracellular side of the hydrophobic plug⁴. This aromatic residue forms the extracellular lid of an occluded site that separates the extracellular and intracellular water-filled crevices of the VSD and forms the charge-transfer center that catalyzes movement of the gating charges⁵.Molecules that target ion channel proteins have been very instrumental in adding drugs to the medicinal therapeutic arsenal as well as in providing tools to dissect the mechanisms of ion channel gating. However, so far, the pharmacological toolbox has focused only on the pore and gate regions of ion channels, both from a fundamental biophysical perspective and from a therapeutic outlook. In contrast, the VSD was virtually not targeted with small ligand molecules neither for therapeutic purposes nor for deciphering ion channel gating, though it is the target of various toxins. A recent study in Cell Research by Li et al.⁶ showed that the gating charge pathway or “gating pore” of the therapeutically relevant voltage-dependent K⁺ channel KCNQ2 could accommodate small opener molecules, thereby offering a new target to treat hyperexcitability disorders.Using a comprehensive approach employing homology modeling, molecular docking, molecular dynamics (MD) simulation, mutagenesis and electrophysiology, Li et al.⁶ identified an activator-binding pocket in the occluded gating pore of KCNQ2. First, a small opener molecule ztz240 recently discovered by the same group was used as a probe to determine by scanning mutagenesis the binding model of ligands in the KCNQ2 gating charge pathway (Figure 1). Among the mutational hits, several VSD mutants in S2 and S4 dramatically decreased the opener activity of ztz240, including the mutant of the conserved phenylalanine (F137A) in S2 forming the hydrophobic plug of the KCNQ2 gating pore. Exploiting the mutational constraints and using a flexible docking program, Li and co-workers built a docking model for the opener ztz240 onto a structural homology model of KCNQ2 that was based on the open state structure of Kv1.2 channel. They could precisely determine the orientation of the ligand into the binding pocket by wisely synthesizing two chemical derivatives of ztz240 and testing them on KCNQ2 channel activity. Next, they further optimized the docking model by MD simulation of the ligand-channel complex embedded into phospholipids. The docking model defined a broad pocket, spreading from the extracellular entrance of the VSD groove to the bottom of the gating pore with the ligand engaged in a wide array of hydrophobic, H-bonding and electrostatic interactions. Adopting a very elegant strategy, Li et al. set out to screen a structure-based virtual library of about 200 000 chemicals that were selected to fit the newly identified ligand-binding pocket by a docking approach. The purpose was to discover new KCNQ2 channel openers and eventually provide lead optimization (Figure 1). Out of 25 hits selected by bioassays, nine compounds showed significant KCNQ2 opener activity with EC₅₀ in the micromolar range. Remarkably, as an ultimate validation, these newly discovered KCNQ2 channel openers demonstrated an excellent anti-epileptic activity in two different murine models of epilepsy.Open in a separate windowFigure 1Cartoon summarizing the strategy used to discover new channel opener molecules. Following synthesis of an initial lead compound, a scanning channel mutagenesis and subsequent electrophysiological testing of the lead are performed on the mutants. This step allows identification of crucial residues for lead activity. Next, flexible docking and MD simulations are carried out to define the ligand-binding pocket. Then, a screen of a structure-based virtual library is performed where chemicals are selected to fit the newly identified ligand-binding pocket by a docking approach. Following this stage, the hits are validated in vitro by electrophysiology, which allows discovery of new compounds and lead optimization. The novel active compounds are tested for validation in vivo using animal models. This strategy could be applied to the discovery of any modulator in any kind of ion channel.The study of Li et al. identifies a new therapeutic target, a ligand-binding site in the gating pore of KCNQ2 channels at the heart of the gating machinery where the electric field is highly focused. The opener-binding pocket with a volume of about 170 ų extends deeply inside the VSD and is different from the site of another compound NH29, previously reported to locate in a more superficial region of the VSD⁷. The clever approach of Li and co-workers provides a 36% hit rate of virtual screening, which is much higher than hit rates of cell-based high throughput screening for discovering channel activators. By targeting the gating pore as a novel channel site for new opener molecules, this work provides a tool to dissect the basic biophysical mechanisms underlying gating of VGCCs. From a translational viewpoint, it offers novel therapeutic strategies for the treatment of hyperexcitability disorders, such as epilepsy or neuropathic pain.A number of exciting issues will certainly stimulate future investigations. Knowing the adaptability and modular nature of the VSD, could the gating pore of other voltage-gated Na⁺, Ca²⁺ and K⁺ channels accommodate small ligands and be the target of novel molecules? If so, would it be possible to trap the VSD in the resting or activated conformation and thereby design new inhibitors or openers? To what extent the gating pore shares common attributes among different VGCCs and how the selectivity of the compounds could be preserved? From a fundamental perspective, it will be important to examine the impact of these new molecules on gating currents and the effects of the surrounding lipid on their pharmacological sensitivities.     

The Lack of Toxic Effect of High-Power Short-Pulse 101 GHz Millimeter Waves on Healthy Mice

Irradiation of cancer cells by non-ionizing millimeter waves (MMW) causes increased cell mortality. We examined if MMW have toxic effects on healthy mice. To that end, the skin of healthy C57BL/6 mice was irradiated locally at the right flank with 101 GHz MMW in a pulsed (5–10 µs) regime using a free electron laser. Irradiation was performed in a dose-dependent manner, with 20–50 pulses and a power range of 0.5–1.5 kW. Physical, physiological, and pathological parameters as well as behavior were examined before and after irradiation. Our results showed that all parameters were within normal range for all experimental mice groups and for the control group. No significant changes were noted in the physical, physiological, or behavioral status of the mice following irradiation as compared with the control group. In addition, no significant changes were found in locomotor, exploratory behavior, or anxiety of the irradiated mice and no pathological changes were noted following the hematological and biochemical blood analysis. Our results indicate that irradiation of healthy mice with MMW does not cause any general toxic effects. Bioelectromagnetics. © 2020 Bioelectromagnetics Society.     

Immobilization of Lactobacillus rhamnosus in polyvinyl alcohol/calcium alginate matrix for production of lactic acid

Immobilization of Lactobacillus rhamnosus ATCC7469 in poly(vinyl alcohol)/calcium alginate (PVA/Ca-alginate) matrix using “freezing–thawing” technique for application in lactic acid (LA) fermentation was studied in this paper. PVA/Ca-alginate beads were made from sterile and non-sterile PVA and sodium alginate solutions. According to mechanical properties, the PVA/Ca-alginate beads expressed a strong elastic character. Obtained PVA/Ca-alginate beads were further applied in batch and repeated batch LA fermentations. Regarding cell viability, L. rhamnosus cells survived well rather sharp immobilization procedure and significant cell proliferation was observed in further fermentation studies achieving high cell viability (up to 10.7 log CFU g⁻¹) in sterile beads. In batch LA fermentation, the immobilized biocatalyst was superior to free cell fermentation system (by 37.1%), while the highest LA yield and volumetric productivity of 97.6% and 0.8 g L⁻¹ h⁻¹, respectively, were attained in repeated batch fermentation. During seven consecutive batch fermentations, the biocatalyst showed high mechanical and operational stability reaching an overall productivity of 0.78 g L⁻¹ h⁻¹. This study suggested that the “freezing–thawing” technique can be successfully used for immobilization of L. rhamnosus in PVA/Ca-alginate matrix without loss of either viability or LA fermentation capability.

     

Environmental DNA facilitates accurate,inexpensive, and multiyear population estimates of millions of anadromous fish

Although environmental DNA shed from an organism is now widely used for species detection in a wide variety of contexts, mobilizing environmental DNA for management requires estimation of population size and trends in addition to assessing presence or absence. However, the efficacy of environmental‐DNA‐based indices of abundance for long‐term population monitoring have not yet been assessed. Here we report on the relationship between six years of mark‐recapture population estimates for eulachon (Thaleichthys pacificus) and “eDNA rates” which are calculated from the product of stream flow and DNA concentration. Eulachon are a culturally and biologically important anadromous fish that have significantly declined in the southern part of their range but were historically rendered into oil and traded. Both the peak eDNA rate and the area under the curve of the daily eDNA rate were highly predictive of the mark‐recapture population estimate, explaining 84.96% and 92.53% of the deviance, respectively. Even in the absence of flow correction, the peak of the daily eDNA concentration explained an astonishing 89.53% while the area under the curve explained 90.74% of the deviance. These results support the use of eDNA to monitor eulachon population trends and represent a >80% cost savings over mark‐recapture, which could be further increased with automated water sampling, reduced replication, and focused temporal sampling. Due to its logistical ease and affordability, eDNA sampling can facilitate monitoring a larger number of rivers and in remote locations where mark‐recapture is infeasible.     

Dynamic Regulation of Novel and Conserved miRNAs Across Various Tissues of Diverse Cucurbit Species

MicroRNA genes (miRNAs) encoding small non-coding RNAs are abundant in plant genomes and play a key role in regulating several biological mechanisms. Five conserved miRNAs, miR156, miR168-1, miR168-2, miR164, and miR166 were selected for analysis from the 21 known plant miRNA families that were recovered from deep sequencing data of small RNA libraries of pumpkin and squash. A total of six novel miRNAs that were not reported before were found to have precursors with reliable fold-back structures and hence considered novel and were designated as cuc_nov_miRNAs. A set of five conserved, six novel miRNAs, and five uncharacterized small RNAs from the deep sequencing data were profiled for their dynamic regulation using qPCR. The miRNAs were evaluated for differential regulation across the tissues among four diverse cucurbit species, including pumpkin and squash (Cucurbita moschata Duch. Ex Poir. and Cucurbita pepo L.), bitter melon (Momordica charantia L.), and Luffa (Loofah) (Luffa acutangula Roxb.). Expression analysis revealed differential regulation of various miRNAs in leaf, stem, and fruit tissues. Importantly, differences in the expression levels were also found in the leaves and fruits of closely related C. moschata and C. pepo. Comparative miRNA profiling and expression analysis in four cucurbits led to identification of conserved miRNAs in cucurbits. Predicted targets for two of the conserved miRNAs suggested miRNAs are involved in regulating similar biological mechanisms in various species of cucurbits.     

A phage‐displayed single‐chain Fab library optimized for rapid production of single‐chain IgGs

Phage‐displayed synthetic antibody (Ab) repertoires have become a major source of affinity reagents for basic and clinical research. Specific Abs identified from such libraries are often screened as fragments antigen binding (Fabs) produced in bacteria, and those with desired biochemical characteristics are reformatted for production as full‐length immunoglobulin G (IgG) in mammalian cells. The conversion of Fabs to IgGs is a cumbersome and often rate‐limiting step in the development of Abs. Moreover, biochemical properties required for lead IgG development are not always shared by the Fabs, and these issues are not uncovered until a significant effort has been spent on Abs that ultimately will not be useful. Thus, there is a need for simple and rapid techniques to convert phage‐displayed Fabs to IgGs at an early stage of the Ab screening process. We report the generation of a highly diverse phage‐displayed synthetic single‐chain Fab (scFab) library, in which the light and heavy chains were tethered with an optimized linker. Following selection, pools of scFabs were converted to single‐chain IgGs (scIgGs) en masse, enabling facile screening of hundreds of phage‐derived scIgGs. We show that this approach can be used to rapidly screen for and select scIgGs that target cell‐surface receptors, and scIgGs behave the same as conventional IgGs.     

The evolution of parasite host range in heterogeneous host populations

Theory on the evolution of niche width argues that resource heterogeneity selects for niche breadth. For parasites, this theory predicts that parasite populations will evolve, or maintain, broader host ranges when selected in genetically diverse host populations relative to homogeneous host populations. To test this prediction, we selected the bacterial parasite Serratia marcescens to kill Caenorhabditis elegans in populations that were genetically heterogeneous (50% mix of two experimental genotypes) or homogeneous (100% of either genotype). After 20 rounds of selection, we compared the host range of selected parasites by measuring parasite fitness (i.e. virulence, the selected fitness trait) on the two focal host genotypes and on a novel host genotype. As predicted, heterogeneous host populations selected for parasites with a broader host range: these parasite populations gained or maintained virulence on all host genotypes. This result contrasted with selection in homogeneous populations of one host genotype. Here, host range contracted, with parasite populations gaining virulence on the focal host genotype and losing virulence on the novel host genotype. This pattern was not, however, repeated with selection in homogeneous populations of the second host genotype: these parasite populations did not gain virulence on the focal host genotype, nor did they lose virulence on the novel host genotype. Our results indicate that host heterogeneity can maintain broader host ranges in parasite populations. Individual host genotypes, however, vary in the degree to which they select for specialization in parasite populations.     

Evolving maps in craniofacial development

The shaping of the vertebrate head results from highly dynamic integrated processes involving the growth and exchange of signals between the ectoderm, the endoderm, the mesoderm and Cephalic Neural Crest Cells (CNCCs). During embryonic development, these tissues change their shape and relative position rapidly and come transiently in contact with each other. Molecular signals exchanged in restricted regions of tissue interaction are crucial in providing positional identity to the mesenchymes which will form the different skeletal and muscular components of the head. Slight spatio-temporal modifications of these signalling maps can result in profound changes in craniofacial development and might have contributed to the evolution of facial diversity. Abnormal signalling patterns could also be at the origin of congenital craniofacial malformations. This review brings into perspective recent work on spatial and temporal aspects of facial morphogenesis with particular focus on the molecular mechanisms of jaw specification.     

Age-related increase in colorectal cancer stem cells in macroscopically normal mucosa of patients with adenomas: A risk factor for colon cancer

It is becoming increasingly evident that cancer stem cells play a vital role in development and progression of cancers and relapse following chemotherapy. The present study examines the presence of cancer stem-like cells (CSC) in adenomatous polyps and in normal appearing colonic mucosa in humans during aging. The number of polyps was found to increase linearly with advancing age (r² = 0.92, p < 0.02). Immunohistochemical analysis revealed co-localization of CSC markers CD44 and CD166 in colonic polyps. Real-time RT-PCR analysis of normal appearing mucosa from subjects with adenomatous polyps showed an age-related rise in CSC as evidenced by the increased expression of CD44, CD166 and ESA. A similar phenomenon was also observed for EGFR. In addition, the expression each CSC marker was found to be about 2-fold higher in subjects with 3–4 polyps than those with 1–2 polyps. In conclusion, our results show that colon cancer stem-like cells are present in the premalignant adenomatous polyps as well in normal appearing colonic mucosa. Moreover, our observation of the age-related rise in CSC in macroscopically normal colonic mucosa suggests a predisposition of the organ to developing colorectal cancer.