GYGD pore motifs in neighbouring potassium channel subunits interact to determine ion selectivity

Nine patients with KCNQ2-related neonatal seizures and functional studies of two missense variants

Mutations in KCNQ2 encoding for voltage-gated K channel subunits underlying the neuronal M-current have been associated with infantile-onset epileptic disorders. The clinical spectrum ranges from self-limited neonatal seizures to epileptic encephalopathy and delayed development. Mutations in KCNQ2 could be either gain- or loss-of-function which require different therapeutic approaches. To better understand genotype-phenotype correlation, more reports of patients and their mutations with elucidated molecular mechanism are needed. We studied 104 patients with infantile-onset pharmacoresistant epilepsy who underwent exome or genome sequencing. Nine patients with neonatal-onset seizures from unrelated families were found to harbor pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants in the KCNQ2 gene. The p.(N258K) was recently reported, and p. (G279D) has never been previously reported. Functional effect of p.(N258K) and p.(G279D) has never been previously studied. The cellular localization study demonstrated that the surface membrane expression of Kv7.2 carrying either variant was decreased. Whole-cell patch-clamp analyses revealed that both variants significantly impaired Kv7.2 M-current amplitude and density, conductance depolarizing shift in voltage dependence of activation, membrane resistance, and membrane time constant (Tau), indicating a loss-of-function in both the homotetrameric and heterotetrameric with Kv7.3 channels. In addition, both variants exerted dominant-negative effects in heterotetrameric with Kv7.3 channels. This study expands the mutational spectrum of KCNQ2- related epilepsy and their functional consequences provide insights into their pathomechanism.

New Insights into Plant TPK Ion Channel Evolution

Potassium (K) is a crucial element of plant nutrition, involved in many physiological and molecular processes. K⁺ membrane transporters are playing a pivotal role in K⁺ transport and tissue distribution as well as in various plant stress responses and developmental processes. Two-pore K⁺-channels (TPKs) are essential to maintain plant K⁺ homeostasis and are mainly involved in potassium transport from the vacuoles to the cytosol. Besides vacuolar specialization, some TPK members display different membrane localization including plasma membrane, protein storage vacuole membrane, and probably the organelles. In this manuscript, we elucidate the evolution of the voltage-independent TPK (two-pore K⁺-channels) family, which could be represented in some species by one pore, K⁺-inward rectifier (Kir)-like channels. A comprehensive investigation of existing databases and application of modern bioinformatic tools allowed us to make a detailed phylogenetic inventory of TPK/KCO3 (KCO: potassium channel, outward rectifying) channels through many taxa and gain insight into the evolutionary origin of TPK family proteins. Our results reveal the fundamental evolutional difference between the first and second pores, traced throughout multiple taxa variations in the ion selection filter motif, presence of thansposon, and methylation site in the proximity of some KCO members and suggest virus-mediated horizontal transfer of a KCO3-like ancestor by viruses. Additionally, we suggest several interconnected hypotheses to explain the obtained results and provide a theoretical background for future experimental validation.

Identification of a novel calcium activated potassium channel from Leishmania donovani and in silico predictions of its antigenic features

Visceral Leishmaniasis is a major neglected tropical disease with increasing incidences of drug resistance. This has led to the search for a suitable drug target for chemotherapeutic intervention. Potassium channels are a family of membrane proteins which play a vital role in homeostasis and any perturbation in them alters cell survival which makes them an attractive target. To characterize a calcium-activated potassium channel from Leishmania donovani (LdK_Ca), a putative ion-channel like protein which showed sequence similarity with other Trypanosoma cruzi putative potassium channels was selected. It was cloned and expressed with a histidine tag. MALDI confirmed that it is a potassium channel. Homology model of LdK_Ca was generated by I-TASSER. It is a transmembrane protein localized in the plasma membrane as predicted by DeepLoc tool. In silico analyses of the protein showed that it is a small conductance calcium activated potassium channel. Point mutation in conserved signature domain 'TXGYGD' affects the protein function as predicted by heat map analysis. The LdK_Ca model predicted amino acids S207, T208 and M236 as ligand-binding sites. The sequence HSLRGRSARVIQLAWRLRKARKVGPHAPSLKQKVYTLVLSWLLT was the highest scoring B-cell epitope. The highest scoring T-cell epitope was RLYSVIVYL. This study may provide new insights into antigenicity features of leishmanial calcium-activated potassium channels.

Unraveling of a Strongly Correlated Dynamical Network of Residues Controlling the Permeation of Potassium in KcsA Ion Channel

The complicated patterns of the single-channel currents in potassium ion channel KcsA are governed by the structural variability of the selectivity filter. A comparative analysis of the dynamics of the wild type KcsA channel and several of its mutants showing different conducting patterns was performed. A strongly correlated dynamical network of interacting residues is found to play a key role in regulating the state of the wild type channel. The network is centered on the aspartate D80 which plays the role of a hub by strong interacting via hydrogen bonds with residues E71, R64, R89, and W67. Residue D80 also affects the selectivity filter via its backbones. This network further compromises ions and water molecules located inside the channel that results in the mutual influence: the permeation depends on the configuration of residues in the network, and the dynamics of network's residues depends on locations of ions and water molecules inside the selectivity filter. Some features of the network provide a further understanding of experimental results describing the KcsA activity. In particular, the necessity of anionic lipids to be present for functioning the channel is explained by the interaction between the lipids and the arginine residues R64 and R89 that prevents destabilizing the structure of the selectivity filter.

The Selectivity Filter Is Involved in the U-Type Inactivation Process of Kv2.1 and Kv3.1 Channels

Voltage-gated potassium (Kv) channels display several types of inactivation processes, including N-, C-, and U-types. C-type inactivation is attributed to a nonconductive conformation of the selectivity filter (SF). It has been proposed that the activation gate and the channel's SF are allosterically coupled because the conformational changes of the former affect the structure of the latter and vice versa. The second threonine of the SF signature sequence (e.g., TTVGYG) has been proven to be essential for this allosteric coupling. To further study the role of the SF in U-type inactivation, we substituted the second threonine of the TTVGYG sequence by an alanine in the hKv2.1 and hKv3.1 channels, which are known to display U-type inactivation. Both hKv2.1-T377A and hKv3.1-T400A yielded channels that were resistant to inactivation, and as a result, they displayed noninactivating currents upon channel opening; i.e., hKv2.1-T377A and hKv3.1-T400A remained fully conductive upon prolonged moderate depolarizations, whereas in wild-type hKv2.1 and hKv3.1, the current amplitude typically reduces because of U-type inactivation. Interestingly, increasing the extracellular K⁺ concentration increased the macroscopic current amplitude of both hKv2.1-T377A and hKv3.1-T400A, which is similar to the response of the homologous T to A mutation in Shaker and hKv1.5 channels that display C-type inactivation. Our data support an important role for the second threonine of the SF signature sequence in the U-type inactivation gating of hKv2.1 and hKv3.1.

Novel SCA19/22-associated KCND3 mutations disrupt human KV 4.3 protein biosynthesis and channel gating

Mutations in the human voltage-gated K⁺ channel subunit K_V 4.3-encoding KCND3 gene have been associated with the autosomal dominant neurodegenerative disorder spinocerebellar ataxia types 19 and 22 (SCA19/22). The precise pathophysiology underlying the dominant inheritance pattern of SCA19/22 remains elusive. Using cerebellar ataxia-specific targeted next-generation sequencing technology, we identified two novel KCND3 mutations, c.950 G>A (p.C317Y) and c.1123 C>T (p.P375S) from a cohort with inherited cerebellar ataxias in Taiwan. The patients manifested notable phenotypic heterogeneity that includes cognitive impairment. We employed in vitro heterologous expression systems to inspect the biophysical and biochemical properties of human K_V 4.3 harboring the two novel mutations, as well as two previously reported but uncharacterized disease-related mutations, c.1013 T>A (p.V338E) and c.1130 C>T (p.T377M). Electrophysiological analyses revealed that all of these SCA19/22-associated K_V 4.3 mutant channels manifested loss-of-function phenotypes. Protein chemistry and immunofluorescence analyses further demonstrated that these mutants displayed enhanced protein degradation and defective membrane trafficking. By coexpressing K_V 4.3 wild-type with the disease-related mutants, we provided direct evidence showing that the mutants instigated anomalous protein biosynthesis and channel gating of K_V 4.3. We propose that the dominant inheritance pattern of SCA19/22 may be explained by the dominant-negative effects of the mutants on protein biosynthesis and voltage-dependent gating of K_V 4.3 wild-type channel.

The K+ channel KZM2 is involved in stomatal movement by modulating inward K+ currents in maize guard cells

Stomata are the major gates in plant leaf that allow water and gas exchange, which is essential for plant transpiration and photosynthesis. Stomatal movement is mainly controlled by the ion channels and transporters in guard cells. In Arabidopsis, the inward Shaker K⁺ channels, such as KAT1 and KAT2, are responsible for stomatal opening. However, the characterization of inward K⁺ channels in maize guard cells is limited. In the present study, we identified two KAT1-like Shaker K⁺ channels, KZM2 and KZM3, which were highly expressed in maize guard cells. Subcellular analysis indicated that KZM2 and KZM3 can localize at the plasma membrane. Electrophysiological characterization in HEK293 cells revealed that both KZM2 and KZM3 were inward K⁺ (K_in ) channels, but showing distinct channel kinetics. When expressed in Xenopus oocytes, only KZM3, but not KZM2, can mediate inward K⁺ currents. However, KZM2 can interact with KZM3 forming heteromeric K_in channel. In oocytes, KZM2 inhibited KZM3 channel conductance and negatively shifted the voltage dependence of KZM3. The activation of KZM2-KZM3 heteromeric channel became slower than the KZM3 channel. Patch-clamping results showed that the inward K⁺ currents of maize guard cells were significantly increased in the KZM2 RNAi lines. In addition, the RNAi lines exhibited faster stomatal opening after light exposure. In conclusion, the presented results demonstrate that KZM2 functions as a negative regulator to modulate the K_in channels in maize guard cells. KZM2 and KZM3 may form heteromeric K_in channel and control stomatal opening in maize.

Localization-dependent activity of the Kv2.1 delayed-rectifier K+ channel

The Kv2.1 K(+) channel is highly expressed throughout the brain, where it regulates excitability during periods of high-frequency stimulation. Kv2.1 is unique among Kv channels in that it targets to large surface clusters on the neuronal soma and proximal dendrites. These clusters also form in transfected HEK cells. Following excessive excitatory stimulation, Kv2.1 declusters with an accompanying 20- to 30-mV hyperpolarizing shift in the activation threshold. Although most Kv2.1 channels are clustered, there is a pool of Kv2.1 resident outside of these domains. Using the cell-attached patch clamp technique, we investigated the hypothesis that Kv2.1 activity varies as a function of cell surface location. We found that clustered Kv2.1 channels do not efficiently conduct K(+), whereas the nonclustered channels are responsible for the high threshold delayed rectifier K(+) current typical of Kv2.1. Comparison of gating and ionic currents indicates only 2% of the surface channels conduct, suggesting that the clustered channels still respond to membrane potential changes. Declustering induced via either actin depolymerization or alkaline phosphatase treatment did not increase whole-cell currents. Dephosphorylation resulted in a 25-mV hyperpolarizing shift, whereas actin depolymerization did not alter the activation midpoint. Taken together, these data demonstrate that clusters do not contain high threshold Kv2.1 channels whose voltage sensitivity shifts upon declustering; nor are they a reservoir of nonconducting channels that are activated upon release. On the basis of these findings, we propose unique roles for the clustered Kv2.1 that are independent of K(+) conductance.

K+ transport characteristics of the plasma membrane tandem-pore channel TPK4 and pore chimeras with its vacuolar homologs

Vacuolar tandem-pore channels could not be analysed in Xenopus oocytes so far, due to misguided translocation. Owing to the conservation of their pore regions, we were able to prepare functional pore-chimeras between the plasma membrane localised TPK4 and vacuolar TPKs. Thereby, we found evidence that TPK2, TPK3 and TPK5, just like TPK4, form potassium-selective channels with instantaneous current kinetics. Homology modelling and mutational analyses identified a pore-located aspartate residue (Asp110), which is involved in potassium permeation as well as in inward rectification of TPK4. Furthermore, dominant-negative mutations in the selectivity filter of either pore one or two (Asp86,Asp200) rendered TPK4 non-functional. This observation supports the notion that the functional TPK4 channel complex is formed by two subunits.

Developmental expression of a functional TASK-1 2P domain K+ channel in embryonic chick heart

Background

Background K⁺ channels are the principal determinants of the resting membrane potential (RMP) in cardiac myocytes and thus, influence the magnitude and time course of the action potential (AP).

Methods

RT-PCR and in situ hybridization are used to study the distribution of TASK-1 and whole-cell patch clamp technique is employed to determine the functional expression of TASK-1 in embryonic chick heart.

Results

Chicken TASK-1 was expressed in the early tubular heart, then substantially decreased in the ventricles by embryonic day 5 (ED5), but remained relatively high in ED5 and ED11 atria. Unlike TASK-1, TASK-3 was uniformly expressed in heart at all developmental stages. In situ hybridization studies further revealed that TASK-1 was expressed throughout myocardium at Hamilton-Hamburger stages 11 and 18 (S11 & S18) heart. In ED11 heart, TASK-1 expression was more restricted to atria. Consistent with TASK-1 expression data, patch clamp studies indicated that there was little TASK-1 current, as measured by the difference currents between pH 8.4 and pH 7.4, in ED5 and ED11 ventricular myocytes. However, TASK-1 current was present in the early embryonic heart and ED11 atrial myocytes. TASK-1 currents were also identified as 3 μM anandamide-sensitive currents. 3 μM anandamide reduced TASK-1 currents by about 58% in ED11 atrial myocytes. Zn²⁺ (100 μM) which selectively inhibits TASK-3 channel at this concentration had no effect on TASK currents. In ED11 ventricle where TASK-1 expression was down-regulated, I_K1 was about 5 times greater than in ED11 atrial myocytes.

Conclusion

Functional TASK-1 channels are differentially expressed in the developing chick heart and TASK-1 channels contribute to background K⁺ conductance in the early tubular embryonic heart and in atria. TASK-1 channels act as a contributor to background K⁺ current to modulate the cardiac excitability in the embryonic heart that expresses little I_K1.

Functional consequences of leucine and tyrosine mutations in the dual pore motifs of the yeast K(+) channel, Tok1p

Tandem pore-loop potassium channels differ from the majority of K(+) channels in that a single polypeptide chain carries two K(+)-specific segments (P) each sandwiched between two transmembrane helices (M) to form an MP(1)M-MP(2)M series. Two of these peptide molecules assemble to form one functional potassium channel, which is expected to have biaxial symmetry (commonly described as asymmetric) due to independent mutation in the two MPM units. The resulting intrinsic asymmetry is exaggerated in fungal 2P channels, especially in Tok1p of Saccharomyces, by the N-terminal presence of four more transmembrane helices. Functional implications of such structural asymmetry have been investigated via mutagenesis of residues (L290 in P(1) and Y424 in P(2)) that are believed to provide the outermost ring of carbonyl oxygen atoms for coordination with potassium ions. Both complementary mutations (L290Y and Y424L) yield functional potassium channels having quasi-normal conductance when expressed in Saccharomyces itself, but the P(1) mutation (only) accelerates channel opening about threefold in response to depolarizing voltage shifts. The more pronounced effect at P(1) than at P(2) appears paradoxical in relation to evolution, because a comparison of fungal Tok1p sequences (from 28 ascomycetes) shows the filter sequence of P(2) (overwhelmingly TIGYGD) to be much stabler than that of P(1) (mostly TIGLGD). Profound functional asymmetry is revealed by the fact that combining mutations (L290Y + Y424L)-which inverts the order of residues from the wild-type channel-reduces the expressed channel conductance by a large factor (20-fold, cf. <twofold for the single mutants).

The selectivity, voltage-dependence and acid sensitivity of the tandem pore potassium channel TASK-1: contributions of the pore domains

We have investigated the contribution to ionic selectivity of residues in the selectivity filter and pore helices of the P1 and P2 domains in the acid sensitive potassium channel TASK-1. We used site directed mutagenesis and electrophysiological studies, assisted by structural models built through computational methods. We have measured selectivity in channels expressed in Xenopus oocytes, using voltage clamp to measure shifts in reversal potential and current amplitudes when Rb+ or Na+ replaced extracellular K+. Both P1 and P2 contribute to selectivity, and most mutations, including mutation of residues in the triplets GYG and GFG in P1 and P2, made channels non-selective. We interpret the effects of these--and of other mutations--in terms of the way the pore is likely to be stabilised structurally. We show also that residues in the outer pore mouth contribute to selectivity in TASK-1. Mutations resulting in loss of selectivity (e.g. I94S, G95A) were associated with slowing of the response of channels to depolarisation. More important physiologically, pH sensitivity is also lost or altered by such mutations. Mutations that retained selectivity (e.g. I94L, I94V) also retained their response to acidification. It is likely that responses both to voltage and pH changes involve gating at the selectivity filter.

Ion conductance vs. pore gating and selectivity in KcsA channel: Modeling achievements and perspectives

KcsA potassium channel belongs to a wide family of allosteric proteins that switch between closed and open states conformations in response to a stimulus, and act as a regulator of cation activity in living cells. The gating mechanism and cation selectivity of such channels have been extensively studied in the literature, with a revival emphasis these latter years, due to the publication of the crystallized structure of KcsA. Despite the increasing number of research and review papers on these topics, quantitative interpretation of these processes at the atomic scale is far from achieved. On the basis of available experimental and theoretical data, and by including our recent results, we review the progresses in this field of activity and discuss the weaknesses that should be corrected. In this spirit, we partition the channel into the filter, cavity, extra and intracellular media, in order to analyze separately the specificity of each region. Special emphasis is brought to the study of an open state for the channel and to the different properties generated by the opening. The influence of water as a structural and dynamical component of the channel properties in closed and open states, as well as in the sequential motions of the cations, is analyzed using molecular dynamics simulations and ab initio calculations. The polarization and charge transfer effects on the ions' dynamics and kinetics are discussed in terms of partial charge models.

Insight into the origins of the barrier-less knock-on conduction in the KcsA channel: molecular dynamics simulations and ab initio calculations

Since the pioneering work of Zhou et al. (Y. Zhou, J. H. Morais-Cabral, A. Kaufman and R. MacKinnon, Nature, 2001, 414, 43-48) it is now well established that the streptomyces lividans potassium channel (KcsA) can accommodate more than one ion, namely between 2 and 3. As a result, it is usually assumed that the conduction of ions proceeds through a barrier-less knock-on mechanism. This one is an alternation of two sequences containing either 2 or 3 ions which have nearly the same energies. However, the origin of such knock-on mechanism is not clearly known. The entry and the exit of ion in or out of the selectivity filter are suspected to be due to the repulsive interactions between ions. In this work, molecular dynamics simulations running over nanoseconds have been done in order to identify such events. Two specific situations, namely (S(1), S(3)) containing 2 ions and (S(2), S(4)) containing 3 ions, have been investigated regarding the different locations that ions can occupy during their diffusion through the selectivity filter of KcsA. We show that contractions of the (S(1), S(3)) file and dilation of the (S(2), S(4)) file are at the origin of the passage from one sequence to the other. The comparison between the experimentally observed diffusion rate and the occurrence's frequency of such contractions or dilation confirm the importance of such events. Ab initio calculations have also been conducted in order to examine the effect of ion polarization in the filter of KcsA. During the contraction of the ion/water file, one charge at the extra-cellular mouth of the channel strongly deviates from the others. This behavior could guide the diffusion direction to a certain extent since the contraction of the (S(1), S(3)) is favored.

Channel-mediated potassium uptake in Helicobacter pylori is essential for gastric colonization

To date, the biological role of prokaryotic K(+) channels remains unknown. Helicobacter pylori contains a gene encoding a putative K(+) channel (HpKchA) of the two-transmembrane RCK (regulation of K(+) conductance) domain family, but lacks known bacterial K(+) uptake systems. A H. pylori DeltahpKchA mutant presented a strong growth defect at low K(+) concentration, which was compensated by KCl addition. The role of the separate RCK domain was investigated in H. pylori by mutagenesis of its internal start codon, which led to a K(+)-dependent intermediate growth phenotype, consistent with RCK activating channel function. Tagging HpKchA C-terminally, we detected a 1:1 stoichiometry of the full-length HpKchA and the separate RCK domain. We constructed single amino-acid exchanges within the unusual selectivity filter of HpKchA (ATGFGA) in H. pylori and observed complete loss (G74A), a slight defect (G76A or F75G) or wild-type (A77D) channel function. HpKchA was essential for colonization of the murine stomach. These data show, for the first time, a biological function for a prokaryotic K(+) channel, as a K(+) uptake system, essential for the persistence of H. pylori in the gastric environment.

Control of single channel conductance in the outer vestibule of the Kv2.1 potassium channel

Current magnitude in Kv2.1 potassium channels is modulated by external [K+]. In contrast to behavior expected from the change in electrochemical driving force, outward current through Kv2.1 channels becomes larger when extracellular [K+] is increased within the physiological range. The mechanism that underlies this unusual property involves the opening of Kv2.1 channels into one of two different outer vestibule conformations, which are defined by their sensitivity to TEA. Channels that open into a TEA-sensitive conformation generate larger macroscopic currents, whereas channels that open into a TEA-insensitive conformation generate smaller macroscopic currents. At higher [K+], more channels open into the TEA-sensitive conformation. In this manuscript, we examined the mechanism by which the conformational change produced a change in current magnitude. We started by testing the simplest hypothesis: that each pharmacologically defined channel conformation produces a different single channel conductance, one smaller and one larger, and that the [K+]-dependent change in current magnitude reflects the [K+]-dependent change in the percentage of channels that open into each of the two conformations. Using single channel and macroscopic recordings, as well as hidden Markov modeling, we were able to quantitatively account for [K+]-dependent regulation of macroscopic current with this model. Combined with previously published work, these results support a model whereby an outer vestibule lysine interferes with K+ flux through the channel, and that the [K+]-dependent change in orientation of this lysine alters single channel conductance by changing the level of this interference. Moreover, these results provide an experimental example of single channel conductance being modulated at the outer end of the conduction pathway by a mechanism that involves channel activation into open states with different outer vestibule conformations.

K channel subconductance levels result from heteromeric pore conformations

Voltage-gated K channels assemble from four identical subunits symmetrically arranged around a central permeation pathway. Each subunit harbors a voltage-sensing domain. The sigmoidal nature of the activation kinetics suggests that multiple sensors need to undergo a conformational change before the channel can open. Following activation, individual K channels alternate stochastically between two main permeation states, open and closed. This binary character of single channel behavior suggests the presence of a structure in the permeation pathway that can exist in only two conformations. However, single channel analysis of drk1 (K(v)2.1) K channels demonstrated the existence of four additional, intermediate conductance levels. These short-lived subconductance levels are visited when the channel gate moves between the closed and fully open state. We have proposed that these sublevels arise from transient heteromeric pore conformations, in which some, but not all, subunits are in the "open" state. A minimal model based on this hypothesis relates specific subconductance states with the number of activated subunits (Chapman et al., 1997). To stringently test this hypothesis, we constructed a tandem dimer that links two K channel subunits with different activation thresholds. Activation of this dimer by strong depolarizations resulted in the characteristic binary open-close behavior. However, depolarizations to membrane potentials in between the activation thresholds of the two parents elicited highly unusual single channel gating, displaying frequent visits to two subconductance levels. The voltage dependence and kinetics of the small and large sublevels associate them with the activation of one and two subunits, respectively. The data therefore support the hypothesis that subconductance levels result from heteromeric pore conformations. In this model, both sensor movement and channel opening have a subunit basis and these processes are allosterically coupled.

Allosteric effects of external K+ ions mediated by the aspartate of the GYGD signature sequence in the Kv2.1 K+ channel

K+ channels achieve exquisite ion selectivity without jeopardizing efficient permeation by employing multiple, interacting K+-binding sites. Introduction ofa cadmium (Cd2+)-binding site in the external vestibule of Kv2.1 (drk1), allowed us to functionally characterize a binding site for external monovalent cations. Permeant ions displayed higher affinity for this site than non-permeant monovalent cations, although the selectivity profile was different from that of the channel. Point mutations identified the highly conserved aspartate residue immediately following the selectivity filter as a critical determinant of the antagonism between external K+ and Cd2+ ions. A conservative mutation at this position (D378E) significantly affected the open-state stability. Moreover, the mean open time was found to be modulated by external K+ concentration, suggesting a coupling between channel closing and the permeation process. Reducing the Rb+ conductance by mutating the selectivity filter to the sequence found inKv4.1, also significantly reduced the effectiveness ofRb+ ions to antagonize Cd2+ inhibition, thereby implicating the selectivity filter as the site at which K+ions exert their antagonistic effect on Cd2+ block. The equivalent of D378 in KcsA, D80, takes part in an inter-subunit hydrogen-bond network that allows D80to functionally interact with the selectivity filter. The results suggest that external K+ ions antagonize Cd2+inhibition (in I379C) and modulate the mean open time(in the wild-type Kv2.1) by altering the occupancy profile of the K+-binding sites in the selectivity filter.

pH sensing in the two-pore domain K+ channel, TASK2

TASK2 is a member of the two-pore domain K(+) channel family that plays a role in acid-base homeostasis; TASK2 knockout animals have plasma electrolyte patterns typical of the human clinical condition of renal tubular acidosis. It is expressed preferentially in epithelia, including the proximal tubules of the kidney. In common with the other TASK channels, TASK2 is sensitive to changes in extracellular pH, although the molecular mechanism of such pH sensing is not understood. We have examined the role of charged residues in the extracellular domains in pH sensing using a mutational approach. Mutant channels were expressed in CHO cells and studied by whole-cell and single-channel patch clamp. Neutralization of no single amino acid in isolation gave complete loss of pH sensitivity. However, the combined removal of five charged amino acids in the large extracellular loop linking the first transmembrane and pore domains, the M1-P1 loop, resulted in an essentially pH-insensitive channel, stabilized in the open state. Wild-type channels contain two such loops, but a concatemeric construct, comprised of one wild-type subunit and one containing the five mutations, was fully pH-sensitive, indicating that only one M1-P1 loop is required to yield a fully pH-sensitive channel, demonstrating a regulatory role of this distinctive structure in two-pore domain K(+) channels. Thus, pH sensing in TASK2 channels is conferred by the combined action of several charged residues in the large extracellular M1-P1 loop.

Kv2.1: a voltage-gated k+ channel critical to dynamic control of neuronal excitability

Neurons use a variety of mechanisms to dynamically control their own signaling capabilities. Regulation of voltage-dependent K+ channel localization and function has long been recognized as a major mechanism to achieve dynamic regulation of intrinsic neuronal excitability in a number of mammalian and non-mammalian neurons. Our recent evidence, together with compelling data from other laboratories, suggests that in mammalian neurons the Kv2.1 channel may play an especially prominent role in determining intrinsic neuronal excitability. Kv2.1 is widely expressed in brain and composes the majority of delayed rectifier K+ current in pyramidal neurons in cortex and hippocampus, and is also widely expressed in interneurons. Dynamic modulation of Kv2.1 localization and function by a mechanism involving activity-dependent Kv2.1 dephosphorylation dramatically impacts intrinsic excitability of neurons. Here we review previous studies of Kv2.1 localization and function in neurons, and summarize recent work regarding dynamic regulation of these characteristics. We also discuss possible roles of the Kv2.1 channel in neuronal and network excitability.

A gate in the selectivity filter of potassium channels

The selectivity filter of potassium channels is the structural element directly responsible for the selective and rapid conduction of K+, whereas other parts of the protein are thought to function as a molecular gate that either permits or blocks the passage of ions. However, whether the selectivity filter itself also possesses the ability to play the role of a gate is an unresolved question. Using free energy molecular dynamics simulations, it is shown that the reorientation of two peptide linkages in the selectivity filter of the KcsA K+ channel can lead to a stable nonconducting conformational state. Two microscopic factors influence the transition toward such a conformational state: the occupancy of one specific cation binding site in the selectivity filter (S2), and the strength of intersubunit interactions involving the GYG signature sequence. These results suggest that such conformational transitions occurring in the selectivity filter might be related to different K+ channel gating events, including C-type (slow) inactivation.

Regulation of K+ flow by a ring of negative charges in the outer pore of BKCa channels. Part I: Aspartate 292 modulates K+ conduction by external surface charge effect

The pore region of the majority of K⁺ channels contains the highly conserved GYGD sequence, known as the K⁺ channel signature sequence, where the GYG is critical for K⁺ selectivity (Heginbotham, L., T. Abramson, and R. MacKinnon. 1992. Science. 258:1152–1155). Exchanging the aspartate residue with asparagine in this sequence abolishes ionic conductance of the Shaker K⁺ channel (D447N) (Hurst, R.S., L. Toro, and E. Stefani. 1996. FEBS Lett. 388:59–65). In contrast, we found that the corresponding mutation (D292N) in the pore forming α subunit (hSlo) of the voltage- and Ca²⁺-activated K⁺ channel (BK_Ca, MaxiK) did not prevent conduction but reduced single channel conductance. We have investigated the role of outer pore negative charges in ion conduction (this paper) and channel gating (Haug, T., R. Olcese, T. Ligia, and E. Stefani. 2004. J. Gen Physiol. 124:185–197). In symmetrical 120 mM [K⁺], the D292N mutation reduced the outward single channel conductance by ∼40% and nearly abolished inward K⁺ flow (outward rectification). This rectification was partially relieved by increasing the external K⁺ concentration to 700 mM. Small inward currents were resolved by introducing an additional mutation (R207Q) that greatly increases the open probability of the channel. A four-state multi-ion pore model that incorporates the effects of surface charge was used to simulate the essential properties of channel conduction. The conduction properties of the mutant channel (D292N) could be predicted by a simple ∼8.5-fold reduction of the surface charge density without altering any other parameter. These results indicate that the aspartate residue in the BK_Ca pore plays a key role in conduction and suggest that the pore structure is not affected by the mutation. We speculate that the negative charge strongly accumulates K⁺ in the outer vestibule close to the selectivity filter, thus increasing the rate of ion entry into the pore.

Regulation of K+ flow by a ring of negative charges in the outer pore of BKCa channels. Part II: Neutralization of aspartate 292 reduces long channel openings and gating current slow component

Neutralization of the aspartate near the selectivity filter in the GYGD pore sequence (D292N) of the voltage- and Ca²⁺-activated K⁺ channel (MaxiK, BKCa) does not prevent conduction like the corresponding mutation in Shaker channel, but profoundly affects major biophysical properties of the channel (Haug, T., D. Sigg, S. Ciani, L. Toro, E. Stefani, and R. Olcese. 2004. J. Gen. Physiol. 124:173–184). Upon depolarizations, the D292N mutant elicited mostly gating current, followed by small or no ionic current, at voltages where the wild-type hSlo channel displayed robust ionic current. In fact, while the voltage dependence of the gating current was not significantly affected by the mutation, the overall activation curve was shifted by ∼20 mV toward more depolarized potentials. Several lines of evidence suggest that the mutation prevents population of certain open states that in the wild type lead to high open probability. The activation curves of WT and D292N can both be fitted to the sum of two Boltzmann distributions with identical slope factors and half activation potentials, just by changing their relative amplitudes. The steeper and more negative component of the activation curve was drastically reduced by the D292N mutation (from 0.65 to 0.30), suggesting that the population of open states that occurs early in the activation pathway is reduced. Furthermore, the slow component of the gating current, which has been suggested to reflect transitions from closed to open states, was greatly reduced in D292N channels. The D292N mutation also affected the limiting open probability: at 0 mV, the limiting open probability dropped from ∼0.5 for the wild-type channel to 0.06 in D292N (in 1 mM [Ca²⁺]_i). In addition to these effects on gating charge and open probability, as already described in Part I, the D292N mutation introduces a ∼40% reduction of outward single channel conductance, as well as a strong outward rectification.

Na+-induced inward rectification in the two-pore domain K+channel, TASK-2

TASK-2 is a member of the two-pore domain K+(K2P) channel family that is expressed at high levels in several epithelia, including the proximal tubule. In common with the other TASK channels, TASK-2 is sensitive to changes in extracellular pH. We have expressed human TASK-2 in Chinese hamster ovary cells and studied whole cell and single-channel activity by patch clamp. The open probability of K2Pchannels is generally independent of voltage, yielding linear current-voltage ( I- V) curves. Despite these properties, we found that these channels showed distinct inward rectification immediately on the establishment of whole cell clamp, which became progressively less pronounced with time. This rectification was due to intracellular Na+but was unaffected by polyamines or Mg2+(agents that cause rectification in Kir channels). Rectification was concentration- and voltage-dependent and could be reversibly induced by switching between Na+-rich and Na+-free bath solutions. In excised inside-out patches, Na+reduced the amplitude of single-channel currents, indicative of rapid block and unblock of the pore. Mutations in the selectivity filter abolished Na+-induced rectification, suggesting that Na+binds within the selectivity filter in wild-type channels. This sensitivity to intracellular Na+may be an additional potential regulatory mechanism of TASK-2 channels.

Selectivity and interactions of Ba2+ and Cs+ with wild-type and mutant TASK1 K+ channels expressed in Xenopus oocytes

The acid-sensitive K(+) channel, TASK1 is a member of the K(+)-selective tandem-pore domain (K2P) channel family. Like many of the K2P channels, TASK1 is relatively insensitive to conventional channel blockers such as Ba(2+). In this paper we report the impact of mutating the pore-neighbouring histidine residues, which are involved in pH sensing, on the sensitivity to blockade by Ba(2+) and Cs(+); additionally we compare the selectivity of these channels to extracellular K(+), Na(+) and Rb(+). H98D and H98N mutants showed reduced selectivity for K(+) over both Na(+) and Rb(+), and significant permeation of Rb(+). This enhanced permeability must reflect changes in the structure or flexibility of the selectivity filter. Blockade by Ba(2+) and Cs(+) was voltage-dependent, indicating that both ions block within the pore. In 100 mm K(+), the K(D) at 0 mV for Ba(2+) was 36 +/- 10 mm (n = 6), whilst for Cs(+) it was 20 +/- 6.0 mm (n = 5). H98D was more sensitive to Ba(2+) than the wild-type (WT); in addition, the site at which Ba(2+) appears to bind was altered (WT: delta, 0.64 +/- 0.16, n = 6; H98D: delta, 0.16 +/- 0.03, n = 5, statistically different from WT; H98N: delta, 0.58 +/- 0.09, not statistically different from WT). Thus, the pore-neighbouring residue H98 contributes not only to the pH sensitivity of TASK1, but also to the structure of the conduction pathway.

Electrostatics of Ion Stabilization in a ClC Chloride Channel Homologue from Escherichia coli

The structural determinants of electrostatics of ion stabilization within EcClC, a ClC-type chloride channel homologue from Escherichia coli, are studied using a continuum dielectric approximation. Specifically, the ion occupancy is investigated in the wild-type protein and a mutant thereof, and the contribution to the electrostatic binding free energy of local and non-local interactions is characterized at the single-residue level. This analysis shows that, in spite of the desolvation cost and the strong ion-ion repulsion, all previously reported binding sites can be occupied simultaneously. The stabilizing effect of the protein arises from hydrogen bonding as well as from longer-range favorable interactions, such as with the strictly conserved Lys131 side-chain. The latter is involved in the stabilization of the conserved GSGIP motif that delimits two of the binding sites. Interestingly, an additional low-affinity binding site, mediated by a structurally analogous motif including the side-chain of Arg340, can be identified on the extracellular side of the permeation pathway. Finally, it is shown that, in contrast to K-channels, and in analogy to the SBP/PBP sulfate/phosphate-binding proteins, the contribution of helix macrodipoles to chloride binding in EcClC is only marginal.

K channel gating by an affinity-switching selectivity filter

A universal property of ion channels is their ability to alternate stochastically between two permeation states, open and closed. This behavior is thought to be controlled by a steric "gate", a structure that physically impedes ion flow in the closed state and moves out of the way during channel opening. Experiments employing macroscopic currents in the Shaker K channel have suggested a cytoplasmic localization for the gate. Crystallographic structures of the KcsA K channel indeed reveal a cytoplasmic constriction, implying that the gate and selectivity filter are localized to opposite ends of the permeation pathway. However, analysis of K channel subconductance behavior has suggested a strict coupling between channel opening (gating) and permeation. The idea that the selectivity filter is the gate was therefore investigated by using Monte Carlo simulations. Gating is accomplished by allowing the filter to alternate stochastically between two conformations: a high-affinity state, which selectively binds K ions (but not Na ions) and traps them, and a completely nonselective, low-affinity state, which allows both Na and K ions to permeate. The results of these simulations indicate that affinity switching not only endows the selectivity filter with gating abilities, it also allows efficient permeation without jeopardizing ion selectivity. In this model, permeation and gating result from the same process.

The selectivity filter of the tandem pore potassium channel TASK-1 and its pH-sensitivity and ionic selectivity

We have studied pH sensitivity and ionic selectivity of the tandem pore K(+) channel TASK-1 heterologously expressed in Xenopus oocytes. We fit pH sensitivity assuming that only one of the two residues H98 need be protonated for channels to be shut. The effect of protons was weakly voltage dependent with a p K(a) of 6.02 at +40 mV. Replacement of His (H98D, H98N) reduced pH sensitivity but did not abolish it. Use of a concatameric channel permitted replacement of one His residue only; this concatamer was fully pH-sensitive. Increasing the number of His residues to 4 (mutant D204H) abolished pH sensitivity over the physiological range. The implication that D204 plays a role in pH-sensitivity was confirmed by the finding that pH sensitivity over the physiological range was also abolished in the mutant D204N. Ionic selectivity was also altered in D204H, D204N and H98D mutants. P(Rb)/ P(K) was increased from 0.80+/-0.04 (n=19) in wild type to 1.06+/-0.04 (n=19) in D204H. H98D, D204H and D204N were permeable to Na(+) with P(Na)/ P(K)=0.39+/-0.03 (n=14) in H98D, 0.64+/-0.04 (n=18) in D204H and 0.33+/-0.07 (n=3) in D204N. Thus, the arrangement of ring of residues HDHD appears to optimise both pH sensitivity and ionic selectivity.

Two-pore domain K+ channels-molecular sensors

Two-pore domain K(+) (K2P) channels have been cloned from a variety of species and tissues. They have been characterised biophysically as a 'background' K(+)-selective conductance and are gated by pH, stretch, heat, coupling to G-proteins and anaesthetics. Whilst their precise physiological function is unknown, they are likely to represent an increasingly important family of membrane proteins.

Open-state models of a potassium channel

The structure of the bacterial potassium channel, KcsA, corresponds to the channel in a closed state. Two lines of evidence suggest that the channel must widen its intracellular mouth when in an open state: 1) internal block by a series of tetraalkylammonium ions and 2) spin labeling experiments. Thus it is known that the protein moves in this region, but it is unclear by how much and the mechanisms that are involved. To address this issue we have applied a novel approach to generate plausible open-state models of KcsA. The approach can be thought of as placing a balloon inside the channel and gradually inflating it. Only the protein sees the balloon, and so water is free to move in and out of the channel. The balloon is a van der Waals sphere whose parameters change by a small amount at each time step, an approach similar to methods used in free energy perturbation calculations. We show that positioning of this balloon at various positions along the pore axis generates similar open-state models, thus indicating that there may be a preferred pathway to an open state. We also show that the resulting structures from this process are conformationally unstable and need to undergo a relaxation process for up to 4 ns. We show that the channel can relax into a new state that has a larger pore radius at the region of the intracellular mouth. The resulting models may be useful in exploring models of the channel in the context of ion permeation and blocking agents.

Pore topology of the hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated channel from sea urchin sperm

The current flow through hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated (HCN) channels, referred to as I(h), plays a major role in several fundamental biological processes. The sequence of the presumed pore region of HCN channels is reminiscent of that of most known K(+)-selective channels. In the present work, the pore topology of an HCN channel from sea urchin sperm, called SpHCN, was investigated by means of the substituted-cysteine accessibility method (SCAM). The I(h) current in the wild-type (w.t.) SpHCN channel was irreversibly blocked by intracellular Cd(2+). This blockage was not observed in mutant C428S. Extracellular Cd(2+) did not cause any inhibition of the I(h) current in the w.t. SpHCN channel, but blocked the current in mutant channels K433C and F434C. Large extracellular anions blocked the current both in the w.t. and K433Q mutant channel. These results suggest that 1) cysteine in position 428 faces the intracellular medium; 2) lysine and phenylalanine in position 433 and 434, respectively, face the extracellular side of the membrane; and 3) lysine 433 does not mediate the anion blockade. Additionally, our study confirms that the K(+) channel signature sequence GYG also forms the inner pore in HCN channels.

Splitting the two pore domains from TOK1 results in two cationic channels with novel functional properties

Potassium channels are membrane-spanning proteins with several transmembrane segments and a single pore region where ion conduction takes place (Biggin, P. C., Roosild, T., and Choe, S. (2000) Curr. Opin. Struct. Biol. 4, 456-461; Doyle, D. A., Morais Cabral, J., Pfuetzner, R. A., Kuo, A., Gulbis, J. M., Cohen, S. L., Chait, B. T., and MacKinnon, R. (1998) Science 280, 69-77). TOK1, a potassium channel identified in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, was the first described member from a growing new family of potassium channels with two pore domains in tandem (2P) (Ketchum, K. A., Joiner, W. J., Sellers, A. J., Kaczmarek, L. K., and Goldstein, S. A. (1995) Nature 376, 690-695). In an attempt to understand the relative contribution of each one of the 2P from TOK1 to the functional properties of this channel, we split and expressed the pore domains separately or in combination. Expression of the two domains separately rescued a potassium transport-deficient yeast mutant, suggesting that each domain forms functional potassium-permeable channels in yeast. In Xenopus laevis oocytes expression of each pore domain resulted in the appearance of unique inwardly rectifying cationic channels with novel gating and pharmacological properties. Both pore domains were poorly selective to potassium; however, upon co-expression they partially restored TOK1 channel selectivity. The single channel conductance was different in both pore domains with 7 +/- 1 (n = 12) and 15 +/- 2 (n = 12) picosiemens for the first and second domain, respectively. In light of the known structure of the Streptomyces lividans KcsA potassium channel pore (see Doyle et al. above), these results suggest a novel non-four-fold-symmetric architecture for 2P potassium-selective channels.

Nonselective cation channels in plants

Nonselective cation channels are a diverse group of ion channels characterized by their low discrimination between many essential and toxic cations. They are ubiquitous in plant tissues and are active in the plasma membrane, tonoplast, and other endomembranes. Members of this group are likely to function in low-affinity nutrient uptake, in distribution of cations within and between cells, and as plant Ca2+ channels. They are gated by diverse mechanisms, which can include voltage, cyclic nucleotides, glutamate, reactive oxygen species, and stretch. These channels dominate tonoplast cation transport, and the selectivity and gating mechanisms of tonoplast nonselective cation channels are comprehensively reviewed here. This review presents the first classification of plant nonselective cation channels and the first full description of nonselective cation channel candidate sequences in the Arabidopsis genome.

Potassium leak channels and the KCNK family of two-P-domain subunits

With a bang, a new family of potassium channels has exploded into view. Although KCNK channels were discovered only five years ago, they already outnumber other channel types. KCNK channels are easy to identify because of their unique structure--they possess two preforming domains in each subunit. The new channels function in a most remarkable fashion: they are highly regulated, potassium-selective leak channels. Although leak currents are fundamental to the function of nerves and muscles, the molecular basis for this type of conductance had been a mystery. Here we review the discovery of KCNK channels, what has been learned about them and what lies ahead. Even though two-P-domain channels are widespread and essential, they were hidden from sight in plain view--our most basic questions remain to be answered.