Isoform specificity of ankyrin-B: a site in the divergent C-terminal domain is required for intramolecular association

Insight on the meat quality and carbonylation profile of breast muscle of broilers in response to chronic heat stress: A proteomic research

This study was conducted to explore the influences of carbonyl modification on proteins within the breast muscle of heat-stressed broilers and their correlations to decreased meat quality. The results showed that birds that suffered from heat stress had higher lightness, drip loss, shear force value, and hardness, and lower redness and springiness of breast meat than those under normal control and pair fed treatments. Proteomic analysis identified a total of 921 differentially carbonylated sites, which were allocated to 419 proteins. The modified sites included Lys, Pro, Arg, Trp, Cys, His, and Met. Seven motif sequences were detected, where five motifs neighbored Lys and two neighbored Pro. The differentially carbonylated proteins in heat-stressed birds mainly participated in the glycolytic process, collagen fibril organization, calcium homeostasis, and apoptosis. This study provided a unique landscape of the muscular carbonyl modification rule and unraveled the potential impact of carbonylated protein on meat quality.

Myofilament-associated proteins with intrinsic disorder (MAPIDs) and their resolution by computational modeling

The cardiac sarcomere is a cellular structure in the heart that enables muscle cells to contract. Dozens of proteins belong to the cardiac sarcomere, which work in tandem to generate force and adapt to demands on cardiac output. Intriguingly, the majority of these proteins have significant intrinsic disorder that contributes to their functions, yet the biophysics of these intrinsically disordered regions (IDRs) have been characterized in limited detail. In this review, we first enumerate these myofilament-associated proteins with intrinsic disorder (MAPIDs) and recent biophysical studies to characterize their IDRs. We secondly summarize the biophysics governing IDR properties and the state-of-the-art in computational tools toward MAPID identification and characterization of their conformation ensembles. We conclude with an overview of future computational approaches toward broadening the understanding of intrinsic disorder in the cardiac sarcomere.

Mechanisms underlying the role of ankyrin-B in cardiac and neurological health and disease

The ANK2 gene encodes for ankyrin-B (ANKB), one of 3 members of the ankyrin family of proteins, whose name is derived from the Greek word for anchor. ANKB was originally identified in the brain (B denotes “brain”) but has become most widely known for its role in cardiomyocytes as a scaffolding protein for ion channels and transporters, as well as an interacting protein for structural and signaling proteins. Certain loss-of-function ANK2 variants are associated with a primarily cardiac-presenting autosomal-dominant condition with incomplete penetrance and variable expressivity characterized by a predisposition to supraventricular and ventricular arrhythmias, arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy, congenital and adult-onset structural heart disease, and sudden death. Another independent group of ANK2 variants are associated with increased risk for distinct neurological phenotypes, including epilepsy and autism spectrum disorders. The mechanisms underlying ANKB's roles in cells in health and disease are not fully understood; however, several clues from a range of molecular and cell biological studies have emerged. Notably, ANKB exhibits several isoforms that have different cell-type–, tissue–, and developmental stage– expression profiles. Given the conservation within ankyrins across evolution, model organism studies have enabled the discovery of several ankyrin roles that could shed important light on ANKB protein-protein interactions in heart and brain cells related to the regulation of cellular polarity, organization, calcium homeostasis, and glucose and fat metabolism. Along with this accumulation of evidence suggesting a diversity of important ANKB cellular functions, there is an on-going debate on the role of ANKB in disease. We currently have limited understanding of how these cellular functions link to disease risk. To this end, this review will examine evidence for the cellular roles of ANKB and the potential contribution of ANKB functional variants to disease risk and presentation. This contribution will highlight the impact of ANKB dysfunction on cardiac and neuronal cells and the significance of understanding the role of ANKB variants in disease.

Obscurin regulates ankyrin macromolecular complex formation

Obscurin is a large scaffolding protein in striated muscle that maintains sarcolemmal integrity and aligns the sarcoplasmic reticulum with the underlying contractile machinery. Ankyrins are a family of adaptor proteins with some isoforms that interact with obscurin. Previous studies have examined obscurin interacting with individual ankyrins. In this study, we demonstrate that two different ankyrins interact with obscurin's carboxyl terminus via independent ankyrin-binding domains (ABDs). Using in-vitro binding assays, co-precipitation assays, and FLIM-FRET analysis, we show that obscurin interacts with small ankyrin 1.5 (sAnk1.5) and the muscle-specific ankyrin-G isoform (AnkG107). While there is no direct interaction between sAnk1.5 and AnkG107, obscurin connects the two ankyrins both in vitro and in cells. Moreover, AnkG107 recruits β-spectrin to this macromolecular protein complex and mutating obscurin's ABDs disrupts complex formation. To further characterize AnkG107 interaction with obscurin, we measure obscurin-binding to different AnkG107 isoforms expressed in the heart and find that the first obscurin-binding domain in AnkG107 principally mediates this interaction. We also find that AnkG107 does not bind to filamin-C and displays minimal binding to plectin-1 compared to obscurin. Finally, both sAnk1.5-GFP and AnkG107-CTD-RFP are targeted to the M-lines of ventricular cardiomyocytes and mutating their obscurin-binding domains disrupts the M-line localization of these ankyrin constructs. Altogether, these findings support a model in which obscurin can interact via independent binding domains with two different ankyrin protein complexes to target them to the sarcomeric M-line of ventricular cardiomyocytes.

The Effect of Mutations in the TPR and Ankyrin Families of Alpha Solenoid Repeat Proteins

Protein repeats are short, highly similar peptide motifs that occur several times within a single protein, for example the TPR and Ankyrin repeats. Understanding the role of mutation in these proteins is complicated by the competing facts that 1) the repeats are much more restricted to a set sequence than non-repeat proteins, so mutations should be harmful much more often because there are more residues that are heavily restricted due to the need of the sequence to repeat and 2) the symmetry of the repeats in allows the distribution of functional contributions over a number of residues so that sometimes no specific site is singularly responsible for function (unlike enzymatic active site catalytic residues). To address this issue, we review the effects of mutations in a number of natural repeat proteins from the tetratricopeptide and Ankyrin repeat families. We find that mutations are context dependent. Some mutations are indeed highly disruptive to the function of the protein repeats while mutations in identical positions in other repeats in the same protein have little to no effect on structure or function.

A Rare Variant of ANK3 Is Associated With Intracranial Aneurysm

Intracranial aneurysm (IA) is a cerebrovascular disorder in which abnormal dilation of a blood vessel results from weakening of the blood vessel wall. The aneurysm may rupture, leading to subarachnoid hemorrhage with severe outcomes. This study was conducted to identify the genetic factors involved in the etiology of IA. Whole-exome sequencing was performed in three IA-aggregate families to identify candidate variants. Further association studies of candidate variants were performed among sporadic cases and controls. Bioinformatic analysis was used to predict the functions of candidate genes and variants. Twenty variants were identified after whole-exome sequencing, among which eight were selected for replicative association studies. ANK3 c.4403G>A (p.R1468H) was significantly associated with IA (odds ratio 4.77; 95% confidence interval 1.94–11.67; p-value = 0.00019). Amino acid R1468 in ANK3 was predicted to be located in the spectrin-binding domain of ankyrin-G and may regulate the migration of vascular endothelial cells and affect cell–cell junctions. Therefore, the variation p.R1468H may cause weakening of the artery walls, thereby accelerating the formation of IA. Thus, ANK3 is a candidate gene highly related to IA.

Ankyrin-B p.S646F undergoes increased proteasome degradation and reduces cell viability in the H9c2 rat ventricular cardiomyoblast cell line

Ankyrin-B (AnkB) is scaffolding protein that anchors integral membrane proteins to the cardiomyocyte cytoskeleton. We recently identified an AnkB variant, AnkB p.S646F (ANK2 c.1937 C>T) associated with a phenotype ranging from predisposition for cardiac arrhythmia to cardiomyopathy. AnkB p.S646F exhibited reduced expression levels in the H9c2 rat ventricular-derived cardiomyoblast cell line relative to wildtype AnkB. Here, we demonstrate that AnkB is regulated by proteasomal degradation and proteasome inhibition rescues AnkB p.S646F expression levels in H9c2 cells, although this effect is not conserved with differentiation. We also compared the impact of wildtype AnkB and AnkB p.S646F on cell viability and proliferation. AnkB p.S646F expression resulted in decreased cell viability at 30 h after transfection, whereas we observed a greater proportion of cycling, Ki67-positive cells at 48 h after transfection. Notably, the number of GFP-positive cells was low and was consistent between wildtype AnkB and AnkB p.S646F expressing cells, suggesting that AnkB and AnkB p.S646F affected paracrine communication between H9c2 cells differentially. This work reveals that AnkB levels are regulated by the proteasome and that AnkB p.S646F compromises cell viability. Together, these findings provide key new insights into the putative cellular and molecular mechanisms of AnkB-related cardiac disease.

Ankyrin-B Q1283H Variant Linked to Arrhythmias Via Loss of Local Protein Phosphatase 2A Activity Causes Ryanodine Receptor Hyperphosphorylation

Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text.

Background:

Human loss-of-function variants of ANK2 (ankyrin-B) are linked to arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death. However, their in vivo effects and specific arrhythmogenic pathways have not been fully elucidated.

Methods:

We identified new ANK2 variants in 25 unrelated Han Chinese probands with ventricular tachycardia by whole-exome sequencing. The potential pathogenic variants were validated by Sanger sequencing. We performed functional and mechanistic experiments in ankyrin-B knockin (KI) mouse models and in single myocytes isolated from KI hearts.

Results:

We detected a rare, heterozygous ANK2 variant (p.Q1283H) in a proband with recurrent ventricular tachycardia. This variant was localized to the ZU5^C region of ANK2, where no variants have been previously reported. KI mice harboring the p.Q1283H variant exhibited an increased predisposition to ventricular arrhythmias after catecholaminergic stress in the absence of cardiac structural abnormalities. Functional studies illustrated an increased frequency of delayed afterdepolarizations and Ca²⁺ waves and sparks accompanied by decreased sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca²⁺ content in KI cardiomyocytes on isoproterenol stimulation. The immunoblotting results showed increased levels of phosphorylated ryanodine receptor Ser2814 in the KI hearts, which was further amplified on isoproterenol stimulation. Coimmunoprecipitation experiments demonstrated dissociation of protein phosphatase 2A from ryanodine receptor in the KI hearts, which was accompanied by a decreased binding of ankyrin-B to protein phosphatase 2A regulatory subunit B56α. Finally, the administration of metoprolol or flecainide decreased the incidence of stress-induced ventricular arrhythmias in the KI mice.

Conclusions:

ANK2 p.Q1283H is a disease-associated variant that confers susceptibility to stress-induced arrhythmias, which may be prevented by the administration of metoprolol or flecainide. This variant is associated with the loss of protein phosphatase 2A activity, increased phosphorylation of ryanodine receptor, exaggerated delayed afterdepolarization-mediated trigger activity, and arrhythmogenesis.

Ankyrins: Roles in synaptic biology and pathology

Ankyrins are broadly expressed adaptors that organize diverse membrane proteins into specialized domains and link them to the sub-membranous cytoskeleton. In neurons, ankyrins are known to have essential roles in organizing the axon initial segment and nodes of Ranvier. However, recent studies have revealed novel functions for ankyrins at synapses, where they organize and stabilize neurotransmitter receptors, modulate dendritic spine morphology and control adhesion to the presynaptic site. Ankyrin genes have also been highly associated with a range of neurodevelopmental and psychiatric diseases, including bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and autism, which all demonstrate overlap in their genetics, mechanisms and phenotypes. This review discusses the novel synaptic functions of ankyrin proteins in neurons, and places these exciting findings in the context of ANK genes as key neuropsychiatric disorder risk-factors.

Ankyrins and Spectrins in Cardiovascular Biology and Disease

Ankyrins are adaptor proteins critical for the expression and targeting of cardiac membrane proteins, signaling molecules, and cytoskeletal elements. Findings in humans and animal models have highlighted the in vivo roles for ankyrins in normal physiology and in cardiovascular disease, most notably in cardiac arrhythmia. For example, human ANK2 loss-of-function variants are associated with a complex array of electrical and structural phenotypes now termed “ankyrin-B syndrome,” whereas alterations in the ankyrin-G pathway for Na_v channel targeting are associated with human Brugada syndrome. Further, both ankyrin-G and -B are now linked with acquired forms of cardiovascular disease including myocardial infarction and atrial fibrillation. Spectrins are ankyrin-associated proteins and recent studies support the critical role of ankyrin-spectrin interactions in normal cardiac physiology as well as regulation of key ion channel and signaling complexes. This review will highlight the roles of ankyrins and spectrins in cardiovascular physiology as well as illustrate the link between the dysfunction in ankyrin- and spectrin-based pathways and disease.

The evolving role of ankyrin-B in cardiovascular disease

Over the past decade, ankyrin-B has been identified as a prominent player in cardiac physiology. Ankyrin-B has a multitude of functions, with roles in expression, localization, and regulation of proteins critical for cardiac excitability, cytoskeletal integrity, and signaling. Furthermore, human ANK2 variants that result in ankyrin-B loss of function are associated with "ankyrin-B syndrome," a complex cardiac phenotype that may include bradycardia and heart rate variability, conduction block, atrial fibrillation, QT interval prolongation, and potentially fatal catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia. However, our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying ankyrin-B function at baseline and in disease is still not fully developed owing to the complexity of ankyrin-B gene regulation, number of ankyrin-B-associated molecules, multiple roles of ankyrin-B in the heart and other organs that modulate cardiac function, and a host of unexpected clinical phenotypes. In this review, we summarize known roles of ankyrin-B in the heart and the impact of ankyrin-B dysfunction in animal models and in human disease as well as highlight important new findings illustrating the complexity of ankyrin-B signaling.

Autoinhibition of ankyrin-B/G membrane target bindings by intrinsically disordered segments from the tail regions

Ankyrins together with their spectrin partners are the master organizers of micron-scale membrane domains in diverse tissues. The 24 ankyrin (ANK) repeats of ankyrins bind to numerous membrane proteins, linking them to spectrin-based cytoskeletons at specific membrane microdomains. The accessibility of the target binding groove of ANK repeats must be regulated to achieve spatially defined functions of ankyrins/target complexes in different tissues, though little is known in this regard. Here we systemically investigated the autoinhibition mechanism of ankyrin-B/G by combined biochemical, biophysical and structural biology approaches. We discovered that the entire ANK repeats are inhibited by combinatorial and quasi-independent bindings of multiple disordered segments located in the ankyrin-B/G linkers and tails, suggesting a mechanistic basis for differential regulations of membrane target bindings by ankyrins. In addition to elucidating the autoinhibition mechanisms of ankyrins, our study may also shed light on regulations on target bindings by other long repeat-containing proteins.

An Adaptable Spectrin/Ankyrin-Based Mechanism for Long-Range Organization of Plasma Membranes in Vertebrate Tissues

Ankyrins are membrane-associated proteins that together with their spectrin partners are responsible for micron-scale organization of vertebrate plasma membranes, including those of erythrocytes, excitable membranes of neurons and heart, lateral membrane domains of columnar epithelial cells, and striated muscle. Ankyrins coordinate functionally related membrane transporters and cell adhesion proteins (15 protein families identified so far) within plasma membrane compartments through independently evolved interactions of intrinsically disordered sequences with a highly conserved peptide-binding groove formed by the ANK repeat solenoid. Ankyrins are coupled to spectrins, which are elongated organelle-sized proteins that form mechanically resilient arrays through cross-linking by specialized actin filaments. In addition to protein interactions, cellular targeting and assembly of spectrin/ankyrin domains also critically depend on palmitoylation of ankyrin-G by aspartate-histidine-histidine-cysteine 5/8 palmitoyltransferases, as well as interaction of beta-2 spectrin with phosphoinositide lipids. These lipid-dependent spectrin/ankyrin domains are not static but are locally dynamic and determine membrane identity through opposing endocytosis of bulk lipids as well as specific proteins. A partnership between spectrin, ankyrin, and cell adhesion molecules first emerged in bilaterians over 500 million years ago. Ankyrin and spectrin may have been recruited to plasma membranes from more ancient roles in organelle transport. The basic bilaterian spectrin-ankyrin toolkit markedly expanded in vertebrates through gene duplications combined with variation in unstructured intramolecular regulatory sequences as well as independent evolution of ankyrin-binding activity by ion transporters involved in action potentials and calcium homeostasis. In addition, giant vertebrate ankyrins with specialized roles in axons acquired new coding sequences by exon shuffling. We speculate that early axon initial segments and epithelial lateral membranes initially were based on spectrin-ankyrin-cell adhesion molecule assemblies and subsequently served as "incubators," where ion transporters independently acquired ankyrin-binding activity through positive selection.

Use of whole exome sequencing for the identification of Ito-based arrhythmia mechanism and therapy

BACKGROUND

Identified genetic variants are insufficient to explain all cases of inherited arrhythmia. We tested whether the integration of whole exome sequencing with well-established clinical, translational, and basic science platforms could provide rapid and novel insight into human arrhythmia pathophysiology and disease treatment.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We report a proband with recurrent ventricular fibrillation, resistant to standard therapeutic interventions. Using whole-exome sequencing, we identified a variant in a previously unidentified exon of the dipeptidyl aminopeptidase-like protein-6 (DPP6) gene. This variant is the first identified coding mutation in DPP6 and augments cardiac repolarizing current (Ito) causing pathological changes in Ito and action potential morphology. We designed a therapeutic regimen incorporating dalfampridine to target Ito. Dalfampridine, approved for multiple sclerosis, normalized the ECG and reduced arrhythmia burden in the proband by >90-fold. This was combined with cilostazol to accelerate the heart rate to minimize the reverse-rate dependence of augmented Ito.

CONCLUSIONS

We describe a novel arrhythmia mechanism and therapeutic approach to ameliorate the disease. Specifically, we identify the first coding variant of DPP6 in human ventricular fibrillation. These findings illustrate the power of genetic approaches for the elucidation and treatment of disease when carefully integrated with clinical and basic/translational research teams.

An Ankyrin-G N-terminal Gate and Protein Kinase CK2 Dually Regulate Binding of Voltage-gated Sodium and KCNQ2/3 Potassium Channels

In many mammalian neurons, fidelity and robustness of action potential generation and conduction depends on the co-localization of voltage-gated sodium (Nav) and KCNQ2/3 potassium channel conductance at the distal axon initial segment (AIS) and nodes of Ranvier in a ratio of ∼40 to 1. Analogous "anchor" peptides within intracellular domains of vertebrate KCNQ2, KCNQ3, and Nav channel α-subunits bind Ankyrin-G (AnkG), thereby mediating concentration of those channels at AISs and nodes of Ranvier. Here, we show that the channel anchors bind at overlapping but distinct sites near the AnkG N terminus. In pulldown assays, the rank order of AnkG binding strength is Nav1.2 ≫ KCNQ3 > KCNQ2. Phosphorylation of KCNQ2 and KCNQ3 anchor domains by protein kinase CK2 (CK2) augments binding, as previously shown for Nav1.2. An AnkG fragment comprising ankyrin repeats 1 through 7 (R1-7) binds phosphorylated Nav or KCNQ anchors robustly. However, mutational analysis of R1-7 reveals differences in binding mechanisms. A smaller fragment, R1-6, exhibits much-diminished KCNQ3 binding but binds Nav1.2 well. Two lysine residues at the tip of repeat 2-3 β-hairpin (residues 105-106) are critical for Nav1.2 but not KCNQ3 channel binding. Another dibasic motif (residues Arg-47, Arg-50) in the repeat 1 front α-helix is crucial for KCNQ2/3 but not Nav1.2 binding. AnkG's alternatively spliced N terminus selectively gates access to those sites, blocking KCNQ but not Nav channel binding. These findings suggest that the 40:1 Nav:KCNQ channel conductance ratio at the distal AIS and nodes arises from the relative strength of binding to AnkG.

Eps15 Homology Domain-containing Protein 3 Regulates Cardiac T-type Ca2+ Channel Targeting and Function in the Atria

Proper trafficking of membrane-bound ion channels and transporters is requisite for normal cardiac function. Endosome-based protein trafficking of membrane-bound ion channels and transporters in the heart is poorly understood, particularly in vivo. In fact, for select cardiac cell types such as atrial myocytes, virtually nothing is known regarding endosomal transport. We previously linked the C-terminal Eps15 homology domain-containing protein 3 (EHD3) with endosome-based protein trafficking in ventricular cardiomyocytes. Here we sought to define the roles and membrane protein targets for EHD3 in atria. We identify the voltage-gated T-type Ca(2+) channels (CaV3.1, CaV3.2) as substrates for EHD3-dependent trafficking in atria. Mice selectively lacking EHD3 in heart display reduced expression and targeting of both Cav3.1 and CaV3.2 in the atria. Furthermore, functional experiments identify a significant loss of T-type-mediated Ca(2+) current in EHD3-deficient atrial myocytes. Moreover, EHD3 associates with both CaV3.1 and CaV3.2 in co-immunoprecipitation experiments. T-type Ca(2+) channel function is critical for proper electrical conduction through the atria. Consistent with these roles, EHD3-deficient mice demonstrate heart rate variability, sinus pause, and atrioventricular conduction block. In summary, our findings identify CaV3.1 and CaV3.2 as substrates for EHD3-dependent protein trafficking in heart, provide in vivo data on endosome-based trafficking pathways in atria, and implicate EHD3 as a key player in the regulation of atrial myocyte excitability and cardiac conduction.

A PIK3C3-ankyrin-B-dynactin pathway promotes axonal growth and multiorganelle transport

Interactions between ankyrin-B and both dynactin and phosphatidylinositol 3-phosphate lipids promote fast axonal transport of organelles.

Axon growth requires long-range transport of organelles, but how these cargoes recruit their motors and how their traffic is regulated are not fully resolved. In this paper, we identify a new pathway based on the class III PI3-kinase (PIK3C3), ankyrin-B (AnkB), and dynactin, which promotes fast axonal transport of synaptic vesicles, mitochondria, endosomes, and lysosomes. We show that dynactin associates with cargo through AnkB interactions with both the dynactin subunit p62 and phosphatidylinositol 3-phosphate (PtdIns(3)P) lipids generated by PIK3C3. AnkB knockout resulted in shortened axon tracts and marked reduction in membrane association of dynactin and dynein, whereas it did not affect the organization of spectrin–actin axonal rings imaged by 3D-STORM. Loss of AnkB or of its linkages to either p62 or PtdIns(3)P or loss of PIK3C3 all impaired organelle transport and particularly retrograde transport in hippocampal neurons. Our results establish new functional relationships between PIK3C3, dynactin, and AnkB that together promote axonal transport of organelles and are required for normal axon length.

Structural basis of diverse membrane target recognitions by ankyrins

Ankyrin adaptors together with their spectrin partners coordinate diverse ion channels and cell adhesion molecules within plasma membrane domains and thereby promote physiological activities including fast signaling in the heart and nervous system. Ankyrins specifically bind to numerous membrane targets through their 24 ankyrin repeats (ANK repeats), although the mechanism for the facile and independent evolution of these interactions has not been resolved. Here we report the structures of ANK repeats in complex with an inhibitory segment from the C-terminal regulatory domain and with a sodium channel Nav1.2 peptide, respectively, showing that the extended, extremely conserved inner groove spanning the entire ANK repeat solenoid contains multiple target binding sites capable of accommodating target proteins with very diverse sequences via combinatorial usage of these sites. These structures establish a framework for understanding the evolution of ankyrins' membrane targets, with implications for other proteins containing extended ANK repeat domains.

DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.04353.001

Proteins are made up of smaller building blocks called amino acids that are linked to form long chains that then fold into specific shapes. Each protein gets its unique identity from the number and order of the amino acids that it contains, but different proteins can contain similar arrangements of amino acids. These similar sequences, known as motifs, are usually short and typically mark the sites within proteins that bind to other molecules or proteins. A single protein can contain many motifs, including multiple repeats of the same motif.

One common motif is called the ankyrin (or ANK) repeat, which is found in 100s of proteins in different species, including bacteria and humans. Ankyrin proteins perform a range of important functions, such as connecting proteins in the cell surface membrane to a scaffold-like structure underneath the membrane.

Proteins containing ankyrin repeats are known to interact with a diverse range of other proteins (or targets) that are different in size and shape. The 24 repeats found in human ankyrin proteins appear to have essentially remained unchanged for the last 500 million years. As such, it remains unclear how the conserved ankyrin repeats can bind to such a wide variety of protein targets.

Now, Wang, Wei et al. have uncovered the three-dimensional structure of ankyrin repeats from a human ankyrin protein while it was bound either to a regulatory fragment from another ankyrin protein or to a region of a target protein (which transports sodium ions in and out of cells). The ankyrin repeats were shown to form an extended ‘left-handed helix’: a structure that has also been seen in other proteins with different repeating motifs. Wang, Wei et al. found that the ankyrin protein fragment bound to the inner surface of the part of the helix formed by the first 14 ankyrin repeats. The target protein region also bound to the helix's inner surface. Wang, Wei et al. show that this surface contains many binding sites that can be used, in different combinations, to allow ankyrins to interact with diverse proteins.

Other proteins with long sequences of repeats are widespread in nature, but uncovering the structures of these proteins is technically challenging. Wang, Wei et al.'s findings might reveal new insights into the functions of many of such proteins in a wide range of living species. Furthermore, the new structures could help explain why specific mutations in the genes that encode ankyrins (or their binding targets) can cause various diseases in humans—including heart diseases and psychiatric disorders.

DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.04353.002

EHD3-dependent endosome pathway regulates cardiac membrane excitability and physiology

RATIONALE

Cardiac function is dependent on the coordinate activities of membrane ion channels, transporters, pumps, and hormone receptors to tune the membrane electrochemical gradient dynamically in response to acute and chronic stress. Although our knowledge of membrane proteins has rapidly advanced during the past decade, our understanding of the subcellular pathways governing the trafficking and localization of integral membrane proteins is limited and essentially unstudied in vivo. In the heart, to our knowledge, there are no in vivo mechanistic studies that directly link endosome-based machinery with cardiac physiology.

OBJECTIVE

To define the in vivo roles of endosome-based cellular machinery for cardiac membrane protein trafficking, myocyte excitability, and cardiac physiology.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We identify the endosome-based Eps15 homology domain 3 (EHD3) pathway as essential for cardiac physiology. EHD3-deficient hearts display structural and functional defects including bradycardia and rate variability, conduction block, and blunted response to adrenergic stimulation. Mechanistically, EHD3 is critical for membrane protein trafficking, because EHD3-deficient myocytes display reduced expression/localization of Na/Ca exchanger and L-type Ca channel type 1.2 with a parallel reduction in Na/Ca exchanger-mediated membrane current and Cav1.2-mediated membrane current. Functionally, EHD3-deficient myocytes show increased sarcoplasmic reticulum [Ca], increased spark frequency, and reduced expression/localization of ankyrin-B, a binding partner for EHD3 and Na/Ca exchanger. Finally, we show that in vivo EHD3-deficient defects are attributable to cardiac-specific roles of EHD3 because mice with cardiac-selective EHD3 deficiency demonstrate both structural and electric phenotypes.

CONCLUSIONS

These data provide new insight into the critical role of endosome-based pathways in membrane protein targeting and cardiac physiology. EHD3 is a critical component of protein trafficking in heart and is essential for the proper membrane targeting of select cellular proteins that maintain excitability.

Weighing in on molecular anchors: the role of ankyrin polypeptides in human arrhythmia

Loss-of-function gene variants which affect the biophysical properties of ion channel proteins have long been associated with the destabilization of cardiac electrical activity, leading to human arrhythmia and sudden cardiac death. However, recent studies have also demonstrated the importance of ion channel/transporter-anchoring molecules for normal cardiac function. Ankyrins are a family of membrane adaptor proteins whose role in metazoan physiology has been elucidated over the last quarter of a century, but with great strides taken in the last half decade with regard to cardiac cell physiology. The association of dysfunction in ankyrin-based cellular pathways with abnormal human cardiac function represents a surprising turn in the genetics of arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death, demonstrating an exciting new player in the field of 'channelopathies'.

Ankyrin-B regulates Cav2.1 and Cav2.2 channel expression and targeting

N-type and P/Q-type calcium channels are documented players in the regulation of synaptic function; however, the mechanisms underlying their expression and cellular targeting are poorly understood. Ankyrin polypeptides are essential for normal integral membrane protein expression in a number of cell types, including neurons, cardiomyocytes, epithelia, secretory cells, and erythrocytes. Ankyrin dysfunction has been linked to defects in integral protein expression, abnormal cellular function, and disease. Here, we demonstrate that ankyrin-B associates with Cav2.1 and Cav2.2 in cortex, cerebellum, and brain stem. Additionally, using in vitro and in vivo techniques, we demonstrate that ankyrin-B, via its membrane-binding domain, associates with a highly conserved motif in the DII/III loop domain of Cav2.1 and Cav2.2. Further, we demonstrate that this domain is necessary for proper targeting of Cav2.1 and Cav2.2 in a heterologous system. Finally, we demonstrate that mutation of a single conserved tyrosine residue in the ankyrin-binding motif of both Cav2.1 (Y797E) and Cav2.2 (Y788E) results in loss of association with ankyrin-B in vitro and in vivo. Collectively, our findings identify an interaction between ankyrin-B and both Cav2.1 and Cav2.2 at the amino acid level that is necessary for proper Cav2.1 and Cav2.2 targeting in vivo.

Ankyrin-G participates in INa remodeling in myocytes from the border zones of infarcted canine heart

Cardiac Na channel remodeling provides a critical substrate for generation of reentrant arrhythmias in border zones of the infarcted canine heart. Recent studies show that Nav1.5 assembly and function are linked to ankyrin-G, gap, and mechanical junction proteins. In this study our objective is to expound the status of the cardiac Na channel, its interacting protein ankyrinG and the mechanical and gap junction proteins at two different times post infarction when arrhythmias are known to occur; that is, 48 hr and 5 day post coronary occlusion. Previous studies have shown the origins of arrhythmic events come from the subendocardial Purkinje and epicardial border zone. Our Purkinje cell (Pcell) voltage clamp study shows that INa and its kinetic parameters do not differ between Pcells from the subendocardium of the 48hr infarcted heart (IZPCs) and control non-infarcted Pcells (NZPCs). Immunostaining studies revealed that disturbances of Nav1.5 protein location with ankyrin-G are modest in 48 hr IZPCs. Therefore, Na current remodeling does not contribute to the abnormal conduction in the subendocardial border zone 48 hr post myocardial infarction as previously defined. In addition, immunohistochemical data show that Cx40/Cx43 co-localize at the intercalated disc (IDs) of control NZPCs but separate in IZPCs. At the same time, Purkinje cell desmoplakin and desmoglein2 immunostaining become diffuse while plakophilin2 and plakoglobin increase in abundance at IDs. In the epicardial border zone 5 days post myocardial infarction, immunoblot and immunocytochemical analyses showed that ankyrin-G protein expression is increased and re-localized to submembrane cell regions at a time when Nav1.5 function is decreased. Thus, Nav1.5 and ankyrin-G remodeling occur later after myocardial infarction compared to that of gap and mechanical junctional proteins. Gap and mechanical junctional proteins remodel in IZPCs early, perhaps to help maintain Nav1.5 subcellular location position and preserve its function soon after myocardial infarction.

A single divergent exon inhibits ankyrin-B association with the plasma membrane

Vertebrate ankyrin-B and ankyrin-G exhibit divergent subcellular localization and function despite their high sequence and structural similarity and common origin from a single ancestral gene at the onset of chordate evolution. Previous studies of ankyrin family diversity have focused on the C-terminal regulatory domain. Here, we identify an ankyrin-B-specific linker peptide connecting the ankyrin repeat domain to the ZU5₂-UPA module that inhibits binding of ankyrin-B to membrane protein partners E-cadherin and neurofascin 186 and prevents association of ankyrin-B with epithelial lateral membranes as well as neuronal plasma membranes. The residues of the ankyrin-B linker required for autoinhibition are encoded by a small exon that is highly divergent between ankyrin family members but conserved in the ankyrin-B lineage. We show that the ankyrin-B linker suppresses activity of the ANK repeat domain through an intramolecular interaction, likely with a groove on the surface of the ANK repeat solenoid, thereby regulating the affinities between ankyrin-B and its binding partners. These results provide a simple evolutionary explanation for how ankyrin-B and ankyrin-G have acquired striking differences in their plasma membrane association while maintaining overall high levels of sequence similarity.

Evolving form to fit function: cardiomyocyte intercalated disc and transverse-tubule membranes

The vertebrate cardiac myocyte has evolved a highly organized cellular membrane architecture and cell-cell contacts in order to effectively transmit precisely timed and homogeneous depolarizing waves without failure (>2 billion times/human life span). Two unique specialized membrane domains, the intercalated disc and the transverse tubule (T-tubule), function to ensure the rapid and coordinated propagation of the action potential throughout the heart. Based on their critical roles in structure, signaling, and electric inter- and intracellular communication, it is not surprising that dysfunction in these membrane structures is associated with aberrant vertebrate physiology, resulting in potentially fatal congenital and acquired disease. This chapter will review the fundamental components of cardiomyocyte intercalated disc and transverse-tubule membranes with a focus on linking dysfunction in these membranes with human cardiovascular disease.

Ankyrin-B protein in heart failure: identification of a new component of metazoan cardioprotection

Ankyrins (ankyrin-R, -B, and -G) are adapter proteins linked with defects in metazoan physiology. Ankyrin-B (encoded by ANK2) loss-of-function mutations are directly associated with human cardiovascular phenotypes including sinus node disease, atrial fibrillation, ventricular tachycardia, and sudden cardiac death. Despite the link between ankyrin-B dysfunction and monogenic disease, there are no data linking ankyrin-B regulation with common forms of human heart failure. Here, we report that ankyrin-B levels are altered in both ischemic and non-ischemic human heart failure. Mechanistically, we demonstrate that cardiac ankyrin-B levels are tightly regulated downstream of reactive oxygen species, intracellular calcium, and the calcium-dependent protease calpain, all hallmarks of human myocardial injury and heart failure. Surprisingly, β(II)-spectrin, previously thought to mediate ankyrin-dependent modulation in the nervous system and heart, is not coordinately regulated with ankyrin-B or its downstream partners. Finally, our data implicate ankyrin-B expression as required for vertebrate myocardial protection as hearts deficient in ankyrin-B show increased cardiac damage and impaired function relative to wild-type mouse hearts following ischemia reperfusion. In summary, our findings provide the data of ankyrin-B regulation in human heart failure, provide insight into candidate pathways for ankyrin-B regulation in acquired human cardiovascular disease, and surprisingly, implicate ankyrin-B as a molecular component for cardioprotection following ischemia.

Defects in cytoskeletal signaling pathways, arrhythmia, and sudden cardiac death

Ankyrin polypeptides are cellular adapter proteins that tether integral membrane proteins to the cytoskeleton in a host of human organs. Initially identified as integral components of the cytoskeleton in erythrocytes, a recent explosion in ankyrin research has demonstrated that these proteins play prominent roles in cytoskeletal signaling pathways and membrane protein trafficking/regulation in a variety of excitable and non-excitable cells including heart and brain. Importantly, ankyrin research has translated from bench to bedside with the discovery of human gene variants associated with ventricular arrhythmias that alter ankyrin–based pathways. Ankyrin polypeptides have also been found to play an instrumental role in various forms of sinus node disease and atrial fibrillation (AF). Mouse models of ankyrin-deficiency have played fundamental roles in the translation of ankyrin-based research to new clinical understanding of human sinus node disease, AF, and ventricular tachycardia.

Structurally similar but functionally diverse ZU5 domains in human erythrocyte ankyrin

The metazoan cell membrane is highly organized. Maintaining such organization and preserving membrane integrity under different conditions are accomplished through intracellular tethering to an extensive, flexible protein network. Spectrin, the principal component of this network, is attached to the membrane through the adaptor protein ankyrin, which directly bridges the interaction between β-spectrin and membrane proteins. Ankyrins have a modular structure that includes two tandem ZU5 domains. The first domain, ZU5A, is directly responsible for binding β-spectrin. Here, we present a structure of the tandem ZU5 repeats of human erythrocyte ankyrin. Structural and biophysical experiments show that the second ZU5 domain, ZU5B, does not participate in spectrin binding. ZU5B is structurally similar to the ZU5 domain found in the netrin receptor UNC5b supramodule, suggesting that it could interact with other domains in ankyrin. Comparison of several ZU5 domains demonstrates that the ZU5 domain represents a compact and versatile protein interaction module.

Coordinating electrical activity of the heart: ankyrin polypeptides in human cardiac disease

INTRODUCTION

Over the past ten years, ankyrin polypeptides have emerged as players in cardiac excitation-contraction coupling. Once thought to solely play a structural role, loss-of-function variants of genes encoding ankyrin polypeptides have highlighted how this protein mediates subcellular localization of various electrical components of the excitation-contraction coupling machinery. Evidence has revealed how disruption of this localization is the primary cause of various cardiomyopathies, ranging from long-QT syndrome 4, to sinus node disease, to more common forms of arrhythmias.

AREAS COVERED

The roles of ankyrin polypeptides in excitation-contraction coupling in the heart and the development of ankyrin-specific cardiomyopathies. How ankyrin polypeptides may be involved in structural and electrical remodeling of the heart, post-myocardial infarct. How ankyrin interactions with membrane-bound ion channels may regulate these channels' response to stimuli. New data, which offers the potential for unique therapies, for not only combating heart disease, but also for wider applications to various disease states.

EXPERT OPINION

The ankyrin family of adapter proteins is emerging as an intimate player in cardiac excitation-contraction coupling. Until recently, these proteins have gone largely unappreciated for their importance in proper cardiac function. New insights into how these proteins function within the heart are offering potentially new avenues for therapies against cardiomyopathy.

Ankyrin-based cellular pathways for cardiac ion channel and transporter targeting and regulation

The coordinate activities of ion channels and transporters regulate myocyte membrane excitability and normal cardiac function. Dysfunction in cardiac ion channel and transporter function may result in cardiac arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death. While the past fifteen years have linked defects in ion channel biophysical properties with human disease, more recent findings illustrate that ion channel and transporter localization within cardiomyocytes is equally critical for normal membrane excitability and tissue function. Ankyrins are a family of multifunctional adapter proteins required for the expression, membrane localization, and regulation of select cardiac ion channels and transporters. Notably, loss of ankyrin expression in mice, and ankyrin loss-of-function in humans is now associated with defects in myocyte excitability and cardiac physiology. Here, we provide an overview of the roles of ankyrin polypeptides in cardiac physiology, as well as review other recently identified pathways required for the membrane expression and regulation of key cardiac ion channels and transporters.

Defining a new paradigm for human arrhythmia syndromes: phenotypic manifestations of gene mutations in ion channel- and transporter-associated proteins

Over the past 15 years, gene mutations in cardiac ion channels have been linked to a host of potentially fatal human arrhythmias including long QT syndrome, short QT syndrome, Brugada syndrome, and catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia. More recently, a new paradigm for human arrhythmia has emerged based on gene mutations that affect the activity of cardiac ion channel- and transporter- associated proteins. As part of the Circulation Research thematic series on inherited arrhythmias, this review focuses on the emerging field of human arrhythmias caused by dysfunction in cytosolic gene products (including ankyrins, yotiao, syntrophin, and caveolin-3) that regulate the activities of key membrane ion channels and transporters.

Ankyrin-B regulates Kir6.2 membrane expression and function in heart

Ankyrin polypeptides are critical for normal membrane protein expression in diverse cell types, including neurons, myocytes, epithelia, and erythrocytes. Ankyrin dysfunction results in defects in membrane expression of ankyrin-binding partners (including ion channels, transporters, and cell adhesion molecules), resulting in aberrant cellular function and disease. Here, we identify a new role for ankyrin-B in cardiac cell biology. We demonstrate that cardiac sarcolemmal K(ATP) channels directly associate with ankyrin-B in heart via the K(ATP) channel alpha-subunit Kir6.2. We demonstrate that primary myocytes lacking ankyrin-B display defects in Kir6.2 protein expression, membrane expression, and function. Moreover, we demonstrate a secondary role for ankyrin-B in regulating K(ATP) channel gating. Finally, we demonstrate that ankyrin-B forms a membrane complex with K(ATP) channels and the cardiac Na/K-ATPase, a second key membrane transporter involved in the cardiac ischemia response. Collectively, our new findings define a new role for cardiac ankyrin polypeptides in regulation of ion channel membrane expression in heart.

Ankyrin-based patterning of membrane microdomains: new insights into a novel class of cardiovascular diseases

The organization of membrane-spanning proteins within discrete microdomains is critical for their physiologic function. This is especially important in the heart, where ion transporter and force-transducing microdomains are responsible for excitation-contraction coupling, anisotropic depolarization, and mechanotransduction. The following review will discuss recent advances in our understanding of the patterning of ion channel and force-transmitting membrane microdomains in cardiomyocytes, focusing on the T-tubule and intercalated disc.

Ankyrin protein networks in membrane formation and stabilization

In eukaryotic cells, ankyrins serve as adaptor proteins that link membrane proteins to the underlying cytoskeleton. These adaptor proteins form protein complexes consisting of integral membrane proteins, signalling molecules and cytoskeletal components. With their modular architecture and ability to interact with many proteins, ankyrins organize and stabilize these protein networks, thereby establishing the infrastructure of membrane domains with specialized functions. To this end, ankyrin collaborates with a number of proteins including cytoskeletal proteins, cell adhesion molecules and large structural proteins. This review addresses the targeting and stabilization of protein networks related to ankyrin interactions with the cytoskeletal protein β-spectrin, L1-cell adhesion molecules and the large myofibrillar protein obscurin. The significance of these interactions for differential targeting of cardiac proteins and neuronal membrane formation is also presented. Finally, this review concludes with a discussion about ankyrin dysfunction in human diseases such as haemolytic anaemia, cardiac arrhythmia and neurological disorders.

Membrane domains based on ankyrin and spectrin associated with cell-cell interactions

Nodes of Ranvier and axon initial segments of myelinated nerves, sites of cell-cell contact in early embryos and epithelial cells, and neuromuscular junctions of skeletal muscle all perform physiological functions that depend on clustering of functionally related but structurally diverse ion transporters and cell adhesion molecules within microdomains of the plasma membrane. These specialized cell surface domains appeared at different times in metazoan evolution, involve a variety of cell types, and are populated by distinct membrane-spanning proteins. Nevertheless, recent work has shown that these domains all share on their cytoplasmic surfaces a membrane skeleton comprised of members of the ankyrin and spectrin families. This review will summarize basic features of ankyrins and spectrins, and will discuss emerging evidence that these proteins are key players in a conserved mechanism responsible for assembly and maintenance of physiologically important domains on the surfaces of diverse cells.

Cardiac ankyrins in health and disease

Ankyrins are critical components of ion channel and transporter signaling complexes in the cardiovascular system. Over the past 5 years, ankyrin dysfunction has been linked with abnormal ion channel and transporter membrane organization and fatal human arrhythmias. Loss-of-function variants in the ankyrin-B gene (ANK2) cause "ankyrin-B syndrome" (previously called type 4 long QT syndrome), manifested by a complex cardiac phenotype including ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death. More recently, dysfunction in the ankyrin-B-based targeting pathway has been linked with a highly penetrant and severe form of human sinus node disease. Ankyrin-G (a second ankyrin gene product) is required for normal expression, membrane localization, and biophysical function of the primary cardiac voltage-gated sodium channel, Na(v)1.5. Loss of the ankyrin-G/Na(v)1.5 interaction is associated with human cardiac arrhythmia (Brugada syndrome). Finally, in the past year ankyrin dysfunction has been associated with more common arrhythmia and cardiovascular disease phenotypes. Specifically, large animal studies reveal striking remodeling of ankyrin-B and associated proteins following myocardial infarction. Additionally, the ANK2 locus has been linked with QT(c) interval variability in the general human population. Together, these findings identify a host of unanticipated and exciting roles for ankyrin polypeptides in cardiac function. More broadly, these findings illustrate the importance of local membrane organization for normal cardiac physiology.

Na+ channels get anchored...with a little help

Neurons have high densities of voltage-gated Na⁺ channels that are restricted to axon initial segments and nodes of Ranvier, where they are responsible for initiating and propagating action potentials. New findings (Bréchet, A., M.-P. Fache, A. Brachet, G. Ferracci, A. Baude, M. Irondelle, S. Pereira, C. Leterrier, and B. Dargent. 2008. J. Cell Biol. 183:1101–1114) reveal that phosphorylation of several key serine residues by the protein kinase CK2 regulates Na⁺ channel interactions with ankyrin G. The presence of CK2 at the axon initial segment and nodes of Ranvier provides a mechanism to regulate the specific accumulation and retention of Na⁺ channels within these important domains.

An ankyrin-based mechanism for functional organization of dystrophin and dystroglycan

beta-dystroglycan (DG) and the dystrophin-glycoprotein complex (DGC) are localized at costameres and neuromuscular junctions in the sarcolemma of skeletal muscle. We present evidence for an ankyrin-based mechanism for sarcolemmal localization of dystrophin and beta-DG. Dystrophin binds ankyrin-B and ankyrin-G, while beta-DG binds ankyrin-G. Dystrophin and beta-DG require ankyrin-G for retention at costameres but not delivery to the sarcolemma. Dystrophin and beta-DG remain intracellular in ankyrin-B-depleted muscle, where beta-DG accumulates in a juxta-TGN compartment. The neuromuscular junction requires ankyrin-B for localization of dystrophin/utrophin and beta-DG and for maintenance of its postnatal morphology. A Becker muscular dystrophy mutation reduces ankyrin binding and impairs sarcolemmal localization of dystrophin-Dp71. Ankyrin-B also binds to dynactin-4, a dynactin subunit. Dynactin-4 and a subset of microtubules disappear from sarcolemmal sites in ankyrin-B-depleted muscle. Ankyrin-B thus is an adaptor required for sarcolemmal localization of dystrophin, as well as dynactin-4.

Protein kinase CK2 contributes to the organization of sodium channels in axonal membranes by regulating their interactions with ankyrin G

In neurons, generation and propagation of action potentials requires the precise accumulation of sodium channels at the axonal initial segment (AIS) and in the nodes of Ranvier through ankyrin G scaffolding. We found that the ankyrin-binding motif of Na(v)1.2 that determines channel concentration at the AIS depends on a glutamate residue (E1111), but also on several serine residues (S1112, S1124, and S1126). We showed that phosphorylation of these residues by protein kinase CK2 (CK2) regulates Na(v) channel interaction with ankyrins. Furthermore, we observed that CK2 is highly enriched at the AIS and the nodes of Ranvier in vivo. An ion channel chimera containing the Na(v)1.2 ankyrin-binding motif perturbed endogenous sodium channel accumulation at the AIS, whereas phosphorylation-deficient chimeras did not. Finally, inhibition of CK2 activity reduced sodium channel accumulation at the AIS of neurons. In conclusion, CK2 contributes to sodium channel organization by regulating their interaction with ankyrin G.

Obscurin targets ankyrin-B and protein phosphatase 2A to the cardiac M-line

Ankyrin-B targets ion channels and transporters in excitable cells. Dysfunction in ankyrin-B-based pathways results in defects in cardiac physiology. Despite a wealth of knowledge regarding the role of ankyrin-B for cardiac function, little is known regarding the mechanisms underlying ankyrin-B regulation. Moreover, the pathways underlying ankyrin-B targeting in heart are unclear. We report that alternative splicing regulates ankyrin-B localization and function in cardiomyocytes. Specifically, we identify a novel exon (exon 43') in the ankyrin-B regulatory domain that mediates interaction with the Rho-GEF obscurin. Ankyrin-B transcripts harboring exon 43' represent the primary cardiac isoform in human and mouse. We demonstrate that ankyrin-B and obscurin are co-localized at the M-line of myocytes and co-immunoprecipitate from heart. We define the structural requirements for ankyrin-B/obscurin interaction to two motifs in the ankyrin-B regulatory domain and demonstrate that both are critical for obscurin/ankyrin-B interaction. In addition, we demonstrate that interaction with obscurin is required for ankyrin-B M-line targeting. Specifically, both obscurin-binding motifs are required for the M-line targeting of a GFP-ankyrin-B regulatory domain. Moreover, this construct acts as a dominant-negative by competing with endogenous ankyrin-B for obscurin-binding at the M-line, thus providing a powerful new tool to evaluate the function of obscurin/ankyrin-B interactions. With this new tool, we demonstrate that the obscurin/ankyrin-B interaction is critical for recruitment of PP2A to the cardiac M-line. Together, these data provide the first evidence for the molecular basis of ankyrin-B and PP2A targeting and function at the cardiac M-line. Finally, we report that ankyrin-B R1788W is localized adjacent to the ankyrin-B obscurin-binding motif and increases binding activity for obscurin. In summary, our new findings demonstrate that ANK2 is subject to alternative splicing that gives rise to unique polypeptides with diverse roles in cardiac function.

Exon organization and novel alternative splicing of the human ANK2 gene: implications for cardiac function and human cardiac disease

Recent findings illustrate a critical role for ankyrin-B function in normal cardiovascular physiology. Specifically, decreased expression of ankyrin-B in mice or human mutations in the ankyrin-B gene (ANK2) results in potentially fatal cardiac arrhythmias. Despite the clear role of ankyrin-B in heart, the mechanisms underlying transcriptional regulation of ANK2 are unknown. In fact, to date there is no description of ANK2 genomic organization. The aims of this study were to provide a comprehensive description of the ANK2 gene and to evaluate the relative expression of alternative splicing events associated with ANK2 transcription in heart. Using reverse-transcriptase PCR on mRNA isolated from human hearts, we identify seven new exons associated with the ANK2 gene including an alternative first exon located approximately 145 kb upstream of the previously-identified first exon. In addition, we identify over thirty alternative splicing events associated with ANK2 mRNA transcripts. Using real-time PCR and exon boundary-spanning primers to selectively amplify these splice variants, we demonstrate that these variants are expressed at varying levels in human heart. Finally, ankyrin-B immunoblot analysis demonstrates the expression of a heterogeneous population of ankyrin-B polypeptides in heart. ANK2 consists of 53 exons that span approximately 560 kb on human chromosome 4. Additionally, our data demonstrates that ANK2 is subject to complex transcriptional regulation that likely results in differential ankyrin-B polypeptide function.

The 22.5 kDa spectrin-binding domain of ankyrinR binds spectrin with high affinity and changes the spectrin distribution in cells in vivo

It was previously shown that ankyrins play a crucial role in the membrane skeleton arrangement. Purifying ankyrinR obtained from erythrocytes is a time-consuming process. Therefore, cloned and bacterially expressed ankyrinR-spectrin-binding domain (AnkSBD) is a demanded tool for studying spectrin-ankyrin interactions. In this communication, we report on the cloning and purification of AnkSBD and describe the results of binding experiments, in which we showed high-affinity interactions between the AnkSBD construct and isolated erythrocyte or non-erythroid spectrins. pEGFP-AnkSBD-transfected cells co-localised with non-erythroid spectrin in HeLa cells. The functional interactions of the AnkSBD construct in vivo and in vitro open many possibilities to study the structure and function of this domain, which has not yet been as extensively studied when compared to the aminoterminal domain of this protein.

Mapping the binding site on small ankyrin 1 for obscurin

Small ankyrin 1 (sAnk1), an integral protein of the sarcoplasmic reticulum encoded by the ANK1 gene, binds with nanomolar affinity to the C terminus of obscurin, a giant protein surrounding the contractile apparatus in striated muscle. We used site-directed mutagenesis to characterize the binding site on sAnk1, specifically addressing the role of two putative amphipathic, positively charged helices. We measured binding qualitatively by blot overlay assays and quantitatively by surface plasmon resonance and showed that both positively charged sequences are required for activity. We showed further that substitution of a lysine or arginine with an alanine or glutamate located at the same position along either of the two putative helices has similar inhibitory or stimulatory effects on binding and that the effects of a particular mutation depended on the position of the mutated amino acid in each helix. We modeled the structure of the binding region of sAnk1 by homology with ankyrin repeats of human Notch1, which have a similar pattern of charged and hydrophobic residues. Our modeling suggested that each of the two positively charged sequences forms pairs of amphipathic, anti-parallel alpha-helices flanked by beta-hairpin-like turns. Most of the residues in homologous positions along each helical unit have similar, though not identical, orientations. CD spectroscopy confirmed the alpha-helical content of sAnk1, approximately 33%, predicted by the model. Thus, structural and mutational studies of the binding region on sAnk1 for obscurin suggest that it consists of two ankyrin repeats with very similar structures.

Ankyrin-G is a molecular partner of E-cadherin in epithelial cells and early embryos

E-cadherin is a ubiquitous component of lateral membranes in epithelial tissues and is required to form the first lateral membrane domains in development. Here, we identify ankyrin-G as a molecular partner of E-cadherin and demonstrate that ankyrin-G and beta-2-spectrin are required for accumulation of E-cadherin at the lateral membrane in both epithelial cells and early embryos. Ankyrin-G binds to the cytoplasmic domain of E-cadherin at a conserved site distinct from that of beta-catenin. Ankyrin-G also recruits beta-2-spectrin to E-cadherin-beta-catenin complexes, thus providing a direct connection between E-cadherin and the spectrin/actin skeleton. In addition to restricting the membrane mobility of E-cadherin, ankyrin-G and beta-2-spectrin also are required for exit of E-cadherin from the trans-Golgi network in a microtubule-dependent pathway. Ankyrin-G and beta-2-spectrin co-localize with E-cadherin in preimplantation mouse embryos. Moreover, knockdown of either ankyrin-G or beta-2-spectrin in one cell of a two-cell embryo blocks accumulation of E-cadherin at sites of cell-cell contact. E-cadherin thus requires both ankyrin-G and beta-2-spectrin for its cellular localization in early embryos as well as cultured epithelial cells. We have recently reported that ankyrin-G and beta-2-spectrin collaborate in biogenesis of the lateral membrane ( Kizhatil, K., Yoon, W., Mohler, P. J., Davis, L. H., Hoffman, J. A., and Bennett, V. (2007) J. Biol. Chem. 282, 2029-2037 ). Together with the current findings, these data suggest a ankyrin/spectrin-based mechanism for coordinating membrane assembly with extracellular interactions of E-cadherin at sites of cell-cell contact.

Defining the Cellular Phenotype of “Ankyrin-B Syndrome” Variants

Background— Mutations in the ankyrin-B gene ( ANK2 ) cause type 4 long-QT syndrome and have been described in kindreds with other arrhythmias. The frequency of ANK2 variants in large populations and molecular mechanisms underlying the variability in the clinical phenotypes are not established. More importantly, there is no cellular explanation for the range of severity of cardiac phenotypes associated with specific ANK2 variants.

Methods and Results— We performed a comprehensive screen of ANK2 in populations (control, congenital arrhythmia, drug-induced long-QT syndrome) of different ethnicities to discover unidentified ANK2 variants. We identified 7 novel nonsynonymous ANK2 variants; 4 displayed abnormal activity in cardiomyocytes. Including the 4 new variants, 9 human ANK2 loss-of-function variants have been identified. However, the clinical phenotypes associated with these variants vary strikingly, from no obvious phenotype to manifest long-QT syndrome and sudden death, suggesting that mutants confer a spectrum of cellular phenotypes. We then characterized the relative severity of loss-of-function properties of all 9 nonsynonymous ANK2 variants identified to date in primary cardiomyocytes and identified a range of in vitro phenotypes, including wild-type, simple loss-of-function, and severe loss-of-function activity, seen with the variants causing severe human phenotypes.

Conclusions— We present the first description of differences in cellular phenotypes conferred by specific ANK2 variants. We propose that the various degrees of ankyrin-B loss of function contribute to the range of severity of cardiac dysfunction. These data identify ANK2 variants as modulators of human arrhythmias, provide the first insight into the clinical spectrum of “ankyrin-B syndrome,” and reinforce the role of ankyrin-B–dependent protein interactions in regulating cardiac electrogenesis.

Ankyrin-G and β2-Spectrin Collaborate in Biogenesis of Lateral Membrane of Human Bronchial Epithelial Cells

Ankyrins are a family of adapter proteins required for localization of membrane proteins to diverse specialized membrane domains including axon initial segments, specialized sites at the transverse tubule/sarcoplasmic reticulum in cardiomyocytes, and lateral membrane domains of epithelial cells. Little is currently known regarding the molecular basis for specific roles of different ankyrin isoforms. In this study, we systematically generated alanine mutants of clusters of charged residues in the spectrin-binding domains of both ankyrin-B and -G. The corresponding mutants were evaluated for activity in either restoration of abnormal localization of the inositol trisphosphate receptor in the sarcoplasmic reticulum in mutant mouse cardiomyocytes deficient in ankyrin-B or in prevention of loss of lateral membrane in human bronchial epithelial cells depleted of ankyrin-G by small interfering RNA. Interestingly, ankyrin-B and -G share two homologous sites that result in loss of function in both systems, suggesting that common molecular interactions underlie diverse roles of these isoforms. Ankyrins G and B also exhibit differences; mutations affecting spectrin binding had no effect on ankyrin-B function but did abolish activity of ankyrin-G in restoring lateral membrane biogenesis. Depletion of beta(2)-spectrin by small interfering RNA phenocopied depletion of ankyrin-G and resulted in a failure to form new lateral membrane in interphase and mitotic cells. These results demonstrate that ankyrin-G and beta(2)-spectrin are functional partners in biogenesis of the lateral membrane of epithelial cells.

Ankyrins and Human Disease: What the Electrophysiologist Should Know

The coordinate activity of ion channels and transporters in cardiac muscle is critical for normal excitation-contraction coupling and cardiac rhythm. In the past decade, human gene variants, which alter ion channel biophysical properties, have been linked with fatal cardiac arrhythmias. Ankyrins are a family of "adaptor" proteins, which play critical roles in the proper expression and membrane localization of ion channels and transporters in excitable and nonexcitable cells. Recent findings demonstrate a new paradigm for human cardiac arrhythmia based not on gene mutations that affect channel biophysical properties, but instead on mutations that affect ion channel/transporter localization at excitable membranes in heart. Human ANK2 mutations are associated with "ankyrin-B syndrome" (an atypical arrhythmia syndrome with risk of sudden cardiac death). Human gene mutations, which affect ankyrin-G-based pathways for voltage-gated Na(v) channel localization, are associated with Brugada syndrome, a second potentially fatal arrhythmia. Together, these data demonstrate the importance of the molecular events involved in the cellular organization of membrane domains in excitable cells. Moreover, these data define an exciting new field of cardiac "channelopathies" due to defects in proper channel targeting/localization.