TOK channels use the two gates in classical K+ channels to achieve outward rectification

Dissecting current rectification through asymmetric nanopores

Rectification, the tendency of bidirectional ionic conductors to favor ion flow in a specific direction, is an intrinsic property of many ion channels and synthetic nanopores. Despite its frequent occurrence in ion channels and its phenomenological explanation using Eyring's rate theory, a quantitative relationship between the rectified current and the underlying ion-specific and voltage-dependent free energy profile has been lacking. In this study, we designed nanopores in which potassium and chloride current rectification can be manipulated by altering the electrostatic pore polarity. Using molecular dynamics-based free energy simulations, we quantified voltage-dependent changes of free energy barriers in six ion-nanopore systems. Our results illustrate how the energy barriers for inward and outward fluxes become unequal in the presence of an electromotive driving force, leading to varying degrees of rectification for cation and anion currents. By establishing a direct link between potential of mean force and current rectification rate, we demonstrate that rectification caused by energy barrier asymmetry depends on the nature of the permeating ion, can be tuned by pore polarity, does not require ion binding sites, conformational flexibility, or specific pore geometry, and, as such, may be widespread among ion channels.

The molecular basis of pH sensing by the human fungal pathogen Candida albicans TOK potassium channel

Two-pore domain, outwardly rectifying potassium (TOK) channels are exclusively expressed in fungi. Human fungal pathogen TOK channels are potential antifungal targets, but TOK channel modulation in general is poorly understood. Here, we discovered that Candida albicans TOK (CaTOK) is regulated by extracellular pH, in contrast to TOK channels from other fungal species tested. Low pH increased CaTOK channel outward currents (pKa = 6.0), hyperpolarized the voltage-dependence of TOK activation, and increased pore selectivity for K+ over Na+, shifting the reversal potential (E REV) toward E K. Mutating H144 in the S1-S2 extracellular linker partially diminished pH sensitivity, suggesting H144 forms part of the CaTOK pH sensor. Functional analysis of chimeras made with pH-insensitive Saccharomyces cerevisiae TOK and point mutants revealed that CaTOK V462 and S466 in the final transmembrane segment complete the pH-responsive elements. A tripartite network of residues thus endows CaTOK with the ability to respond functionally to changes in pH.

Mammalian PIEZO channels rectify anionic currents

Under physiological conditions, mammalian PIEZO channels (PIEZO1 and PIEZO2) elicit transient currents mostly carried by monovalent and divalent cations. PIEZO1 is also known to permeate chloride ions, with a Cl-/Na+ permeability ratio of about 0.2. Yet, little is known about how anions permeate PIEZO channels. Here, by separately measuring sodium and chloride currents using nonpermanent counterions, we show that both PIEZO1 and PIEZO2 rectify chloride currents outwardly, favoring entry of chloride ions at voltages above their reversal potential, whereas little to no rectification was observed for sodium currents. Interestingly, chloride currents elicited by 9K, an anion-selective PIEZO1 mutant harboring multiple positive residues along intracellular pore fenestrations, also rectify but in the inward direction. Molecular dynamics simulations reveal that the inward rectification of chloride currents in 9K correlates with the presence of a large positive electrostatic potential at intracellular pore fenestrations, suggesting that rectification can be tuned by the electrostatic polarity of the pore. These results demonstrate that the pore of mammalian PIEZO channels inherently rectifies chloride currents.

The Role of Cornichons in the Biogenesis and Functioning of Monovalent-Cation Transport Systems

Monovalent-cation homeostasis, crucial for all living cells, is ensured by the activity of various types of ion transport systems located either in the plasma membrane or in the membranes of organelles. A key prerequisite for the functioning of ion-transporting proteins is their proper trafficking to the target membrane. The cornichon family of COPII cargo receptors is highly conserved in eukaryotic cells. By simultaneously binding their cargoes and a COPII-coat subunit, cornichons promote the incorporation of cargo proteins into the COPII vesicles and, consequently, the efficient trafficking of cargoes via the secretory pathway. In this review, we summarize current knowledge about cornichon proteins (CNIH/Erv14), with an emphasis on yeast and mammalian cornichons and their role in monovalent-cation homeostasis. Saccharomyces cerevisiae cornichon Erv14 serves as a cargo receptor of a large portion of plasma-membrane proteins, including several monovalent-cation transporters. By promoting the proper targeting of at least three housekeeping ion transport systems, Na+, K+/H+ antiporter Nha1, K+ importer Trk1 and K+ channel Tok1, Erv14 appears to play a complex role in the maintenance of alkali-metal-cation homeostasis. Despite their connection to serious human diseases, the repertoire of identified cargoes of mammalian cornichons is much more limited. The majority of current information is about the structure and functioning of CNIH2 and CNIH3 as auxiliary subunits of AMPAR multi-protein complexes. Based on their unique properties and easy genetic manipulation, we propose yeast cells to be a useful tool for uncovering a broader spectrum of human cornichons´ cargoes.

Secrets of the fungus-specific potassium channel TOK family

Several families of potassium (K⁺) channels are found in membranes of all eukaryotes, underlining the importance of K⁺ uptake and redistribution within and between cells and organs. Among them, TOK (tandem-pore outward-rectifying K⁺) channels consist of eight transmembrane domains and two pore domains per subunit organized in dimers. These channels were originally studied in yeast, but recent identifications and characterizations in filamentous fungi shed new light on this fungus-specific K⁺ channel family. Although their actual function in vivo is often puzzling, recent works indicate a role in cellular K⁺ homeostasis and even suggest a role in plant-fungus symbioses. This review aims at synthesizing the current knowledge on fungal TOK channels and discussing their potential role in yeasts and filamentous fungi.

In Silico Predictions of Ecological Plasticity Mediated by Protein Family Expansions in Early-Diverging Fungi

Early-diverging fungi (EDF) are ubiquitous and versatile. Their diversity is reflected in their genome sizes and complexity. For instance, multiple protein families have been reported to expand or disappear either in particular genomes or even whole lineages. The most commonly mentioned are CAZymes (carbohydrate-active enzymes), peptidases and transporters that serve multiple biological roles connected to, e.g., metabolism and nutrients intake. In order to study the link between ecology and its genomic underpinnings in a more comprehensive manner, we carried out a systematic in silico survey of protein family expansions and losses among EDF with diverse lifestyles. We found that 86 protein families are represented differently according to EDF ecological features (assessed by median count differences). Among these there are 19 families of proteases, 43 CAZymes and 24 transporters. Some of these protein families have been recognized before as serine and metallopeptidases, cellulases and other nutrition-related enzymes. Other clearly pronounced differences refer to cell wall remodelling and glycosylation. We hypothesize that these protein families altogether define the preliminary fungal adaptasome. However, our findings need experimental validation. Many of the protein families have never been characterized in fungi and are discussed in the light of fungal ecology for the first time.

The Pharmacology of Two-Pore Domain Potassium Channels

Two-pore domain potassium channels are formed by subunits that each contain two pore-loops moieties. Whether the channels are expressed in yeast or the human central nervous system, two subunits come together to form a single potassium selective pore. TOK1, the first two-domain channel was cloned from Saccharomyces cerevisiae in 1995 and soon thereafter, 15 distinct K2P subunits were identified in the human genome. The human K2P channels are stratified into six K2P subfamilies based on sequence as well as physiological or pharmacological similarities. Functional K2P channels pass background (or "leak") K+ currents that shape the membrane potential and excitability of cells in a broad range of tissues. In the years since they were first described, classical functional assays, latterly coupled with state-of-the-art structural and computational studies have revealed the mechanistic basis of K2P channel gating in response to specific physicochemical or pharmacological stimuli. The growing appreciation that K2P channels can play a pivotal role in the pathophysiology of a growing spectrum of diseases makes a compelling case for K2P channels as targets for drug discovery. Here, we summarize recent advances in unraveling the structure, function, and pharmacology of the K2P channels.