The sodium channel has four domains surrounding a central pore

The periodic axon membrane skeleton leads to Na nanodomains but does not impact action potentials

Recent work has established that axons have a periodic skeleton structure comprising of azimuthal actin rings connected via longitudinal spectrin tetramer filaments. This structure endows the axon with structural integrity and mechanical stability. Additionally, voltage-gated sodium channels follow the periodicity of the active-spectrin arrangement, spaced ∼190 nm segments apart. The impact of this periodic arrangement of sodium channels on the generation and propagation of action potentials is unknown. To address this question, we simulated an action potential using the Hodgkin-Huxley formalism in a cylindrical compartment, but instead of using a homogeneous distribution of voltage-gated sodium channels in the membrane, we applied the experimentally determined periodic arrangement. We found that the periodic distribution of voltage-gated sodium channels does not significantly affect the generation or propagation of action potentials but instead leads to large, localized sodium action currents caused by high-density sodium nanodomains. Additionally, our simulations show that the distance between periodic sodium channel strips could control axonal excitability, suggesting a previously underappreciated mechanism to regulate neuronal firing properties. Together, this work provides a critical new insight into the role of the periodic arrangement of sodium channels in axons, providing a foundation for future experimental studies.

Kir7.1 disease mutant T153I within the inner pore affects K+ conduction

Inward-rectifier potassium channel 7.1 (Kir7.1) is present in polarized epithelium, including the RPE. A single amino acid change at position 153 in the KCNJ13 gene, a substitution of threonine to isoleucine in Kir7.1 protein, causes blindness. We hypothesized that the disease caused by this single amino acid substitution within the transmembrane protein domain could alter the translation, localization, or ion transport properties. We assessed the effects of amino acid side-chain length, arrangement, and polarity on channel structure and function. We showed that the T153I mutation yielded a full-length protein localized to the cell membrane. Whole-cell patch-clamp recordings and chord conductance analyses revealed that the T153I mutant channel had negligible K+ conductance and failed to hyperpolarize the membrane potential. However, the mutant channel exhibited enhanced inward current when Rb+ was used as a charge carrier, suggesting that an inner pore had formed, and the channel was dysfunctional. Substituting with a polar, non-polar, or short side-chain amino acid did not affect the localization of the protein. Still, it had an altered channel function due to differences in pore radius. Polar side chains (cysteine and serine) with inner pore radii comparable to wildtype exhibited normal inward K+ conductance. Short side-chains (glycine and alanine) produced a channel with wider than expected inner pore size and lacked the biophysical characteristics of the wildtype channel. Leucine substitution produced results similar to the T153I mutant channel. This study provides direct electrophysiological evidence for the structure and function of the Kir7.1 channel's narrow inner pore in regulating conductance.

Heritable arrhythmia syndromes associated with abnormal cardiac sodium channel function: ionic and non-ionic mechanisms

The cardiac sodium channel NaV1.5, encoded by the SCN5A gene, is responsible for the fast upstroke of the action potential. Mutations in SCN5A may cause sodium channel dysfunction by decreasing peak sodium current, which slows conduction and facilitates reentry-based arrhythmias, and by enhancing late sodium current, which prolongs the action potential and sets the stage for early afterdepolarization and arrhythmias. Yet, some NaV1.5-related disorders, in particular structural abnormalities, cannot be directly or solely explained on the basis of defective NaV1.5 expression or biophysics. An emerging concept that may explain the large disease spectrum associated with SCN5A mutations centres around the multifunctionality of the NaV1.5 complex. In this alternative view, alterations in NaV1.5 affect processes that are independent of its canonical ion-conducting role. We here propose a novel classification of NaV1.5 (dys)function, categorized into (i) direct ionic effects of sodium influx through NaV1.5 on membrane potential and consequent action potential generation, (ii) indirect ionic effects of sodium influx on intracellular homeostasis and signalling, and (iii) non-ionic effects of NaV1.5, independent of sodium influx, through interactions with macromolecular complexes within the different microdomains of the cardiomyocyte. These indirect ionic and non-ionic processes may, acting alone or in concert, contribute significantly to arrhythmogenesis. Hence, further exploration of these multifunctional effects of NaV1.5 is essential for the development of novel preventive and therapeutic strategies.

Ca2+-ATPase Molecules as a Calcium-Sensitive Membrane-Endoskeleton of Sarcoplasmic Reticulum

The Ca²⁺-transport ATPase of sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) is an integral, transmembrane protein. It sequesters cytoplasmic calcium ions released from SR during muscle contraction, and causes muscle relaxation. Based on negative staining and transmission electron microscopy of SR vesicles isolated from rabbit skeletal muscle, we propose that the ATPase molecules might also be a calcium-sensitive membrane-endoskeleton. Under conditions when the ATPase molecules scarcely transport Ca²⁺, i.e., in the presence of ATP and ≤ 0.9 nM Ca²⁺, some of the ATPase particles on the SR vesicle surface gathered to form tetramers. The tetramers crystallized into a cylindrical helical array in some vesicles and probably resulted in the elongated protrusion that extended from some round SRs. As the Ca²⁺ concentration increased to 0.2 µM, i.e., under conditions when the transporter molecules fully carry out their activities, the ATPase crystal arrays disappeared, but the SR protrusions remained. In the absence of ATP, almost all of the SR vesicles were round and no crystal arrays were evident, independent of the calcium concentration. This suggests that ATP induced crystallization at low Ca²⁺ concentrations. From the observed morphological changes, the role of the proposed ATPase membrane-endoskeleton is discussed in the context of calcium regulation during muscle contraction.

Three-dimensional Modelling of the Voltage-gated Sodium Ion Channel from Anopheles gambiae Reveals Spatial Clustering of Evolutionarily Conserved Acidic Residues at the Extracellular Sites

Background:

The eukaryotic voltage-gated sodium channel(e-Nav) is a large asymmetric transmembrane protein with important functions concerning neurological function. No structure has been resolved at high resolution for this protein.

Methods:

A homology model of the transmembrane and extracellular regions of an Anopheles gambiae para-like channel with emphasis on the pore entrance has been constructed, based upon the templates provided by a prokaryotic sodium channel and a potassium two-pore channel. The latter provides a template for the extracellular regions, which are located above the entrance to the pore, which is likely to open at a side of a dome formed by these loops.

Results:

A model created with this arrangement shows a structure similar to low-resolution cryo-electron microscope images of a related structure. The pore entrance also shows favorable electrostatic interface.

Conclusion:

Residues responsible for the negative charge around the pore have been traced in phylogeny to highlight their importance. This model is intended for the study of pore-blocking toxins..

Dissecting the role of the CRMP2-neurofibromin complex on pain behaviors

Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1), a genetic disorder linked to inactivating mutations or a homozygous deletion of the Nf1 gene, is characterized by tumorigenesis, cognitive dysfunction, seizures, migraine, and pain. Omic studies on human NF1 tissues identified an increase in the expression of collapsin response mediator protein 2 (CRMP2), a cytosolic protein reported to regulate the trafficking and activity of presynaptic N-type voltage-gated calcium (Cav2.2) channels. Because neurofibromin, the protein product of the Nf1 gene, binds to and inhibits CRMP2, the neurofibromin-CRMP2 signaling cascade will likely affect Ca channel activity and regulate nociceptive neurotransmission and in vivo responses to noxious stimulation. Here, we investigated the function of neurofibromin-CRMP2 interaction on Cav2.2. Mapping of >275 peptides between neurofibromin and CRMP2 identified a 15-amino acid CRMP2-derived peptide that, when fused to the tat transduction domain of HIV-1, inhibited Ca influx in dorsal root ganglion neurons. This peptide mimics the negative regulation of CRMP2 activity by neurofibromin. Neurons treated with tat-CRMP2/neurofibromin regulating peptide 1 (t-CNRP1) exhibited a decreased Cav2.2 membrane localization, and uncoupling of neurofibromin-CRMP2 and CRMP2-Cav2.2 interactions. Proteomic analysis of a nanodisc-solubilized membrane protein library identified syntaxin 1A as a novel CRMP2-binding protein whose interaction with CRMP2 was strengthened in neurofibromin-depleted cells and reduced by t-CNRP1. Stimulus-evoked release of calcitonin gene-related peptide from lumbar spinal cord slices was inhibited by t-CNRP1. Intrathecal administration of t-CNRP1 was antinociceptive in experimental models of inflammatory, postsurgical, and neuropathic pain. Our results demonstrate the utility of t-CNRP1 to inhibit CRMP2 protein-protein interactions for the potential treatment of pain.

Voltage-gated sodium channels and pain

Painful stimuli are detected by specialized neurons, nociceptors, and are translated into action potentials, that are conducted along afferent pathways into the central nervous system, where they are conceived as pain. Voltage-gated sodium channels (NaV channels) are of paramount importance for nociceptor function, as they are responsible for the generation of action potentials and for their directed propagation. The exceptional role of sodium channel subtypes NaV1.7, NaV1.8 and NaV1.9 in the transmission of nociceptive signals has been emphasized by a variety of studies that associated genetically-induced malfunction of these channels with various pain diseases. In the following, structure and function of subtypes NaV1.7, NaV1.8 und NaV1.9 are briefly reviewed, associated pain diseases are introduced and current and future NaV-based strategies for the treatment of pain are discussed.

Saxitoxin

The paralytic agent (+)-saxitoxin (STX), most commonly associated with oceanic red tides and shellfish poisoning, is a potent inhibitor of electrical conduction in cells. Its nefarious effects result from inhibition of voltage-gated sodium channels (Na(V)s), the obligatory proteins responsible for the initiation and propagation of action potentials. In the annals of ion channel research, the identification and characterization of Na(V)s trace to the availability of STX and an allied guanidinium derivative, tetrodotoxin. The mystique of STX is expressed in both its function and form, as this uniquely compact dication boasts more heteroatoms than carbon centers. This Review highlights both the chemistry and chemical biology of this fascinating natural product, and offers a perspective as to how molecular design and synthesis may be used to explore Na(V) structure and function.

Modulation of voltage-gated ion channels by sialylation

Control and modulation of electrical signaling is vital to normal physiology, particularly in neurons, cardiac myocytes, and skeletal muscle. The orchestrated activities of variable sets of ion channels and transporters, including voltage-gated ion channels (VGICs), are responsible for initiation, conduction, and termination of the action potential (AP) in excitable cells. Slight changes in VGIC activity can lead to severe pathologies including arrhythmias, epilepsies, and paralyses, while normal excitability depends on the precise tuning of the AP waveform. VGICs are heavily posttranslationally modified, with upward of 30% of the mature channel mass consisting of N- and O-glycans. These glycans are terminated typically by negatively charged sialic acid residues that modulate voltage-dependent channel gating directly. The data indicate that sialic acids alter VGIC activity in isoform-specific manners, dependent in part, on the number/location of channel sialic acids attached to the pore-forming alpha and/or auxiliary subunits that often act through saturating electrostatic mechanisms. Additionally, cell-specific regulation of sialylation can affect VGIC gating distinctly. Thus, channel sialylation is likely regulated through two mechanisms that together contribute to a dynamic spectrum of possible gating motifs: a subunit-specific mechanism and regulated (aberrant) changes in the ability of the cell to glycosylate. Recent studies showed that neuronal and cardiac excitability is modulated through regulated changes in voltage-gated Na(+) channel sialylation, suggesting that both mechanisms of differential VGIC sialylation contribute to electrical signaling in the brain and heart. Together, the data provide insight into an important and novel paradigm involved in the control and modulation of electrical signaling.

Cardiac sodium channel Nav1.5 mutations and cardiac arrhythmia

As a major cardiac voltage-gated sodium channel isoform in the heart, the Nav1.5 channel is essential for cardiac action potential initiation and subsequent propagation throughout the heart. Mutations of Nav1.5 have been linked to a variety of cardiac diseases such as long QT syndrome (LQTs), Brugada syndrome, cardiac conduction defect, atrial fibrillation, and dilated cardiomyopathy. The mutagenesis approach and heterologous expression systems are most frequently used to study the function of this channel. This review focuses primarily on recent findings of Nav1.5 mutations associated with type 3 long QT syndrome (LQT3) in particular. Understanding the functional changes of the Nav1.5 mutation may offer critical insight into the mechanism of long QT3 syndrome. In addition, this review provides the updated information on the current progress of using various experimental model systems to study primarily the long QT3 syndrome.

Keap1 is a forked-stem dimer structure with two large spheres enclosing the intervening, double glycine repeat, and C-terminal domains

Keap1 is a substrate adaptor of a Cullin 3-based E3 ubiquitin ligase complex that recognizes Nrf2, and also acts as a cellular sensor for xenobiotics and oxidative stresses. Nrf2 is a transcriptional factor regulating the expression of cytoprotective enzyme genes in response to such stresses. Under unstressed conditions Keap1 binds Nrf2 and results in rapid degradation of Nrf2 through the proteasome pathway. In contrast, upon exposure to oxidative and electrophilic stress, reactive cysteine residues in intervening region (IVR) and Broad complex, Tramtrack, and Bric-à-Brac domains of Keap1 are modified by electrophiles. This modification prevents Nrf2 from rapid degradation and induces Nrf2 activity by repression of Keap1. Here we report the structure of mouse Keap1 homodimer by single particle electron microscopy. Three-dimensional reconstruction at 24-A resolution revealed two large spheres attached by short linker arms to the sides of a small forked-stem structure, resembling a cherry-bob. Each sphere has a tunnel corresponding to the central hole of the beta-propeller domain, as determined by x-ray crystallography. The IVR domain appears to surround the core of the beta-propeller domain. The unexpected proximity of IVR to the beta-propeller domain suggests that any distortions generated during modification of reactive cysteine residues in the IVR domain may send a derepression signal to the beta-propeller domain and thereby stabilize Nrf2. This study thus provides a structural basis for the two-site binding and hinge-latch model of stress sensing by the Nrf2-Keap1 system.

Structure-function studies on the voltage-gated sodium channel

Recent research on structure-function relationships aspects of voltage-gated sodium channels (VGSCs) are reviewed. Data issued from the literature are summarized and compared, including results from our own studies. The latter deal with the effects of drug binding, deglycosylation and the role of hydrophobic residues in the voltage sensors. Methods mainly consist of circular dichroism (CD) to asses the channel's secondary structure and conductance measurements after reconstitution into planar lipid bilayers. Molecular modelling was also used to tentatively explain experimental data. Since 30% of the channel's mass are glycoconjugates, the effects of removing them were first investigated. Then, the effects of the neurotoxin Batrachotoxin and the anticonvulsant Lamotrigine were studied. Both drugs induced a significant increase in the channel's helical content and a molecular model shows that lamotrigine interacts with residues previously identified as forming the binding sites in the pore. Finally, the role of hydrophobic residues with long sidechains in the voltage sensors (S4s) was investigated. Recent research on related studies on VGSCs are discussed.

Three-dimensional reconstruction using transmission electron microscopy reveals a swollen, bell-shaped structure of transient receptor potential melastatin type 2 cation channel

Transient receptor potential melastatin type 2 (TRPM2) is a redox-sensitive, calcium-permeable cation channel activated by various signals, such as adenosine diphosphate ribose (ADPR) acting on the ADPR pyrophosphatase (ADPRase) domain, and cyclic ADPR. Here, we purified the FLAG-tagged tetrameric TRPM2 channel, analyzed it using negatively stained electron microscopy, and reconstructed the three-dimensional structure at 2.8-nm resolution. This multimodal sensor molecule has a bell-like shape of 18 nm in width and 25 nm in height. The overall structure is similar to another multimodal sensor channel, TRP canonical type 3 (TRPC3). In both structures, the small extracellular domain is a dense half-dome, whereas the large cytoplasmic domain has a sparse, double-layered structure with multiple internal cavities. However, a unique square prism protuberance was observed under the cytoplasmic domain of TRPM2. The FLAG epitope, fused at the C terminus of the ADPRase domain, was assigned by the antibody to a position close to the protuberance. This indicates that the agonist-binding ADPRase domain and the ion gate in the transmembrane region are separately located in the molecule.

Three-dimensional structure of the gamma-secretase complex

Gamma-secretase belongs to an atypical class of aspartic proteases that hydrolyzes peptide bonds within the transmembrane domain of substrates, including amyloid-beta precursor protein and Notch. gamma-Secretase is comprised of presenilin, nicastrin, APH-1, and PEN-2 which form a large multimeric membrane protein complex, the three-dimensional structure of which is unknown. To gain insight into the structure of this complex enzyme, we purified functional gamma-secretase complex reconstituted in Sf9 cells and analyzed it using negative stain electron microscopy and 3D reconstruction techniques. Analysis of 2341 negatively stained particle images resulted in the three-dimensional representation of gamma-secretase at a resolution of 48 angstroms. The structure occupies a volume of 560 x 320 x 240 angstroms and resembles a flat heart comprised of two oppositely faced, dimpled domains. A low density space containing multiple pores resides between the domains. Some of the dimples in the putative transmembrane region may house the catalytic site. The large dimensions are consistent with the observation that gamma-secretase activity resides within a high molecular weight complex.

Visualization of the trimeric P2X2 receptor with a crown-capped extracellular domain

The P2X2 purinergic receptor permeates cationic ions in response to stimulation by ATP and mediates fast synaptic transmission. Here, we purified the P2X2 receptor using baculovirus-Sf9 cell expression system and observed its structure using electron microscopy. The FLAG-tagged P2X2 receptor, which has intact ion channel function, was purified to be a single peak by affinity purification and gel filtration chromatography. It was confirmed to be a trimer by introducing cross-linking. Negatively stained P2X2 protein images were homogeneous and picked up by automated pick-up programs, aligned, and classified using the modified growing neural gas network method. Similarly oriented projections were averaged to decrease the signal-to-noise ratio. These images demonstrate an inverted three-sided pyramid with the dimensions of 215 A in height and 200 A in side length. It is composed of a high-density trunk and a stain-permeable swollen extracellular domain of a crown-shaped structure. The internal cavities and constituent segments were clearly demonstrated in both the raw images and the averaged images. The threefold symmetrical top view demonstrates the first visual evidence of the trimeric composition of the P2X receptor family.

The non-selective cation-permeable channel TRPC3 is a tetrahedron with a cap on the large cytoplasmic end

TRPC3 plays important roles in neuronal differentiation and immune cell maturation by mediating the cationic current in response to phospholipase C activation, Ca2+ depletion, and diacylglycerol stimulation. Here, we purified the TRPC3 channel using a glycosylated tetramer and observed the structure using electron microscopy. Negatively stained specimens demonstrate homogeneous protein particles containing an internal cavity-like structure. These particle images were picked up by automated pick-up programs, aligned, and classified by the growing neural gas network method. Similarly oriented projections were averaged to decrease the signal-to-noise ratio. The averaged images progress from the top view to the side views, which are representative of their raw images. The top view confirmed the hypothesis of a four-domain structure, and the side view demonstrates a large cytoplasmic domain with a capped structure at the bottom, which is near a predicted locus of ion release. The total image of the protein is a blunt-edged trapezoid of 200 x 200 x 235 A. This large dimension of TRPC3 is also supported by the Stokes radius (92 A) obtained from gel filtration chromatography.

Topology representing network enables highly accurate classification of protein images taken by cryo electron-microscope without masking

In single-particle analysis, a three-dimensional (3-D) structure of a protein is constructed using electron microscopy (EM). As these images are very noisy in general, the primary process of this 3-D reconstruction is the classification of images according to their Euler angles, the images in each classified group then being averaged to reduce the noise level. In our newly developed strategy of classification, we introduce a topology representing network (TRN) method. It is a modified method of a growing neural gas network (GNG). In this system, a network structure is automatically determined in response to the images input through a growing process. After learning without a masking procedure, the GNG creates clear averages of the inputs as unit coordinates in multi-dimensional space, which are then utilized for classification. In the process, connections are automatically created between highly related units and their positions are shifted where the inputs are distributed in multi-dimensional space. Consequently, several separated groups of connected units are formed. Although the interrelationship of units in this space are not easily understood, we succeeded in solving this problem by converting the unit positions into two-dimensional (2-D) space, and by further optimizing the unit positions with the simulated annealing (SA) method. In the optimized 2-D map, visualization of the connections of units provided rich information about clustering. As demonstrated here, this method is clearly superior to both the multi-variate statistical analysis (MSA) and the self-organizing map (SOM) as a classification method and provides a first reliable classification method which can be used without masking for very noisy images.

Structure of cation channels, revealed by single particle electron microscopy

A large barrier in the way to obtaining high-resolution structures of eukaryotic ion channels remains the expression and purification of sufficient amounts of channel protein to carry out crystallization trials. In the absence of crystals, the main available source of structural information has been electron microscopy (EM), which is well suited to the visualization of isolated macromolecular complexes and their conformational changes. The recently published EM structures outline native conformations of eukaryotic cation channels that until now have eluded crystallization. According to these results, homo-tetrameric K(+) channels have a distinct two-layer architecture with connectors conjoining the two layers, while the pseudo-tetrameric Ca(2+) or Na(+) channels are more globular and have flexible surface loops, which makes the identification of subunits complicated. Subunits can be identified using atomic structure docking into the EM maps, labeling, or deletion studies.

Auto-accumulation method using simulated annealing enables fully automatic particle pickup completely free from a matching template or learning data

Single-particle analysis is a 3-D structure determining method using electron microscopy (EM). In this method, a large number of projections is required to create 3-D reconstruction. In order to enable completely automatic pickup without a matching template or a training data set, we established a brand-new method in which the frames to pickup particles are randomly shifted and rotated over the electron micrograph and, using the total average image of the framed images as an index, each frame reaches a particle. In this process, shifts are selected to increase the contrast of the average. By iterated shifts and further selection of the shifts, the frames are induced to shift so as to surround particles. In this algorithm, hundreds of frames are initially distributed randomly over the electron micrograph in which multi-particle images are dispersed. Starting with these frames, one of them is selected and shifted randomly, and acceptance or non-acceptance of its new position is judged using the simulated annealing (SA) method in which the contrast score of the total average image is adopted as an index. After iteration of this process, the position of each frame converges so as to surround a particle and the framed images are picked up. This method is the first unsupervised fully automatic particle picking method which is applicable to EM of various kinds of proteins, especially to low-contrasted cryo-EM protein images.

Three-dimensional structure of the type 1 inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor at 24 A resolution

We report here the first three-dimensional structure of the type 1 inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor (IP(3)R). From cryo-electron microscopic images of purified receptors embedded in vitreous ice, a three-dimensional structure was determined by use of standard single particle reconstruction techniques. The structure is strikingly different from that of the ryanodine receptor at similar resolution despite molecular similarities between these two calcium release channels. The 24 A resolution structure of the IP(3)R takes the shape of an uneven dumbbell, and is approximately 170 A tall. Its larger end is bulky, with four arms protruding laterally by approximately 50 A and, in comparison with the receptor topology, probably corresponds to the cytoplasmic domain of the receptor. The lateral dimension at the height of the protruding arms is approximately 155 A. The smaller end, whose lateral dimension is approximately 100 A, has structural features indicative of the membrane-spanning domain. A central opening in this domain, which is occluded on the cytoplasmic half, outlines a pathway for calcium flow in the open state of the channel.

An automatic particle pickup method using a neural network applicable to low-contrast electron micrographs

Three-dimensional reconstruction from electron micrographs requires the selection of many single-particle projection images; more than 10 000 are generally required to obtain 5- to 10-A structural resolution. Consequently, various automatic detection algorithms have been developed and successfully applied to large symmetric protein complexes. This paper presents a new automated particle recognition and pickup procedure based on the three-layer neural network that has a large application range than other automated procedures. Its use for both faint and noisy electron micrographs is demonstrated. The method requires only 200 selected particles as learning data and is able to detect images of proteins as small as 200 kDa.

First images of a glutamate receptor ion channel: oligomeric state and molecular dimensions of GluRB homomers

We have expressed, purified, and characterized glutamate receptor ion channels (GluR) assembled as homomers of the subunit GluRB. For the first time, single-milligram quantities of biochemically homogeneous GluR have been obtained. The protein exhibits the expected pharmacological profile and a high specific activity for ligand binding. Density-gradient centrifugation reveals a uniform oligomeric assembly and a molecular mass suggesting that the channel is a tetramer. On the basis of electron microscopic images, the receptor appears to form an elongated structure that is visualized in several orientations. The molecular dimensions of the molecule are approximately 11 x 14 x 17 nm, and solvent-accessible features can be seen; these may contribute to formation of the ion-conducting pathway of the channel. The channel dimensions are consistent with an overall 2-fold symmetric assembly, suggesting that the tetrameric receptor may be a dimer of dimers.

A single residue differentiates between human cardiac and skeletal muscle Na+ channel slow inactivation

Slow inactivation determines the availability of voltage-gated sodium channels during prolonged depolarization. Slow inactivation in hNa(V)1.4 channels occurs with a higher probability than hNa(V)1.5 sodium channels; however, the precise molecular mechanism for this difference remains unclear. Using the macropatch technique we show that the DII S5-S6 p-region uniquely confers the probability of slow inactivation from parental hNa(V)1.5 and hNa(V)1.4 channels into chimerical constructs expressed in Xenopus oocytes. Site-directed mutagenesis was used to test whether a specific region within DII S5-S6 controls the probability of slow inactivation. We found that substituting V754 in hNa(V)1.4 with isoleucine from the corresponding position (891) in hNa(V)1.5 produced steady-state slow inactivation statistically indistinguishable from that in wild-type hNa(V)1.5 channels, whereas other mutations have little or no effect on slow inactivation. This result indicates that residues V754 in hNa(V)1.4 and I891in hNa(V)1.5 are unique in determining the probability of slow inactivation characteristic of these isoforms. Exchanging S5-S6 linkers between hNa(V)1.4 and hNa(V)1.5 channels had no consistent effect on the voltage-dependent slow time inactivation constants [tau(V)]. This suggests that the molecular structures regulating rates of entry into and exit from the slow inactivated state are different from those controlling the steady-state probability and reside outside the p-regions.

Asymmetric arrangement of auxiliary subunits of skeletal muscle voltage-gated l-type Ca(2+) channel

Highly purified L-type Ca(2+) channel complexes containing all five subunits (alpha(1), alpha(2), beta, gamma, and delta) and complexes of alpha(1)-beta subunits were obtained from skeletal muscle triad membranes by three-step purification and by 1% Triton X-100 treatment, respectively. Their structures and the subunit arrangements were analyzed by electron microscopy. Projection images of negatively stained Ca(2+) channels and alpha(1)-beta complexes were aligned, classified and averaged. The alpha(1)-beta complex showed a hollow trapezoid shape of 12 nm height. In top view, four asymmetric domains surrounded a central depression predicted to form the channel pore. The complete Ca(2+) channel complex exhibited the cylindrical shape of 20 nm in height binding a spherical domain on one edge. Further image analysis of higher complexes of the Ca(2+) channel using a monoclonal antibody against the beta subunit showed that the alpha(1)-beta complex forms the non-decorated side of the cylinder, which can traverse the membrane from outside the cell to the cytoplasm. Based on these results, we propose that the Ca(2+) channel exhibits an asymmetric arrangement of auxiliary subunits.

The voltage-sensitive sodium channel is a bell-shaped molecule with several cavities

Voltage-sensitive membrane channels, the sodium channel, the potassium channel and the calcium channel operate together to amplify, transmit and generate electric pulses in higher forms of life. Sodium and calcium channels are involved in cell excitation, neuronal transmission, muscle contraction and many functions that relate directly to human diseases. Sodium channels--glycosylated proteins with a relative molecular mass of about 300,000 (ref. 5)--are responsible for signal transduction and amplification, and are chief targets of anaesthetic drugs and neurotoxins. Here we present the three-dimensional structure of the voltage-sensitive sodium channel from the eel Electrophorus electricus. The 19 A structure was determined by helium-cooled cryo-electron microscopy and single-particle image analysis of the solubilized sodium channel. The channel has a bell-shaped outer surface of 135 A in height and 100 A in side length at the square-shaped bottom, and a spherical top with a diameter of 65 A. Several inner cavities are connected to four small holes and eight orifices close to the extracellular and cytoplasmic membrane surfaces. Homologous voltage-sensitive calcium and tetrameric potassium channels, which regulate secretory processes and the membrane potential, may possess a related structure.

Three-dimensional reconstruction of single particle electron microscopy: the voltage sensitive sodium channel structure

Single particle analysis in electron microscopy allows direct observation of the reconstructed three-dimensional structures of protein molecules. This method enables a more comprehensive study of membrane proteins which have been problematic in structural studies using X-ray crystallography. These membrane proteins include the voltage-sensitive ion channel proteins, which play an important rule in neural activities, and have great medical significance. The method described is supported by the development of cryo-electron microscopy and the angular reconstitution method. This review summarizes certain principles governing single particle analysis employing angular reconstitution. This method was applied to our study of the voltage-sensitive sodium channel, and the results are discussed. With improvements in resolutions and statistical analyses, the single particle technique is considered to be advantageous in studies of the structural changes and molecular interactions of protein molecules.

Atomic force microscopy and electron microscopy analysis of retrovirus Gag proteins assembled in vitro on lipid bilayers

We have used an in vitro system that mimics the assembly of immature Moloney murine leukemia virus (M-MuLV) particles to examine how viral structural (Gag) proteins oligomerize at membrane interfaces. Ordered arrays of histidine-tagged Moloney capsid protein (his-MoCA) were obtained on membrane bilayers composed of phosphatidylcholine (PC) and the nickel-chelating lipid 1, 2-di-O-hexadecyl-sn-glycero-3-(1'-2"-R-hydroxy-3'N-(5-amino-1-carboxy pentyl)iminodiacetic acid)propyl ether (DHGN). The membrane-bound arrays were analyzed by electron microscopy (EM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Two-dimensional projection images obtained by EM showed that bilayer-bound his-MoCA proteins formed cages surrounding different types of protein-free cage holes with similar cage holes spaced at 81.5-A distances and distances between dissimilar cage holes of 45.5 A. AFM images, showing topological features viewed near the membrane-proximal domain of the his-MoCA protein, revealed a cage network of only symmetrical hexamers spaced at 79-A distances. These results are consistent with a model in which dimers constitute structural building blocks and where membrane-proximal and distal his-MoCA regions interact with different partners in membrane-bound arrays.