Two-pore cation (TPC) channel: not a shorthanded one

2018 ◽  
Vol 45 (2) ◽  
pp. 83 ◽  
Author(s):  
Igor Pottosin ◽  
Oxana Dobrovinskaya
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Channel Activity ◽  
Terrestrial Plants ◽  
Open Probability ◽  
Voltage Dependent ◽  
Intracellular Compartments ◽  
New Perspective ◽  
Sv Channel ◽  
Full Activation

Two-pore cation (TPC) channels form functional dimers in membranes, delineating acidic intracellular compartments such as vacuoles in plants and lysosomes in animals. TPC1 is ubiquitously expressed in thousands of copies per vacuole in terrestrial plants, where it is known as slow vacuolar (SV) channel. An SV channel possesses high permeability for Na+, K+, Mg2+, and Ca2+, but requires high (tens of μM) cytosolic Ca2+ and non-physiological positive voltages for its full activation. Its voltage dependent activation is negatively modulated by physiological concentrations of vacuolar Ca2+, Mg2+and H+. Double control of the SV channel activity from cytosolic and vacuolar sides keeps its open probability at a minimum and precludes a potentially harmful global Ca2+ release. But this raises the question of what such’ inactive’ channel could be good for? One possibility is that it is involved in ultra-local Ca2+ signalling by generating ‘hotspots’ – microdomains of extremely high cytosolic Ca2+. Unexpectedly, recent studies have demonstrated the essential role of the TPC1 in the systemic Ca2+ signalling, and the crystal structure of plant TPC1, which became available this year, unravels molecular mechanisms underlying voltage and Ca2+ gating. This review emphasises the significance of these ice-breaking findings and sets a new perspective for the TPC1-based Ca2+ signalling.

Abstract 950: Direct Evidence for an Important Role of Agonist-independent Constitutive I K,ACh Channel Activity in Atrial Tachycardia Remodeling

Circulation ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 116 (suppl_16) ◽  
Author(s):  
Niels Voigt ◽  
Ange Maguy ◽  
Yung-Hsin Yeh ◽  
Xiao-Yan Qi ◽  
Ursula Ravens ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Atrial Tachycardia ◽  
Single Channel ◽  
Channel Activity ◽  
Open Probability ◽  
Direct Demonstration ◽  
Open Time ◽  
Therapy Target ◽  
Channel Properties ◽  
Constitutively Active

Background: Although atrial tachycardia (AT) appears to promote agonist-independent constitutively active I K,ACh that increases susceptibility to AF, direct demonstration of dysregulated I K,ACh channel function is lacking. We studied AT effects on single I K,ACh channel activity in dog atria. Methods: I K,ACh channel activity was recorded with cell-attached patch clamp in isolated atrial myocytes of control (CTL) and AT (7 days, 400 min −1 ) dogs. Results : AT prolonged inducible AF duration from 44±22 to 413±167 s; N=9 dogs/gp, P<0.001. In the absence of cholinergic stimulation, single-channel openings with typical I K,ACh conductance and rectification were observed in CTL and AT (Figure ). AT produced prominent agonist-independent I K,ACh activity due to 7-fold increased opening frequency (f o ) and 10-fold increased open probability (P o ) vs CTL (P<0.01 for each), but unaltered open time and single channel conductance. With maximum I K,ACh activation (10 μm carbachol, CCh), f o was 38% lower, open time constant 25% higher, and P o and unitary conductance unchanged for AT vs CTL. The selective Kir3 blocker tertiapin (100 nM) reduced f o and P o by 48% and 51% (P<0.05 each) without altering other channel properties, confirming the identity of I K,ACh. Conclusions : AT produces prominent agonist-independent constitutive single-channel I K,ACh activity, providing a molecular basis for previously-observed AT-enhanced macroscopic I K,ACh , as well as associated AP-shortening and tertiapin-suppressible AF promotion. These results suggest an important role for constitutively active I K,ACh channels in AT-remodeling and support their interest as a potential novel AF-therapy target.

scholarly journals Function and Plasticity of Electrical Synapses in the Mammalian Brain: Role of Non-Junctional Mechanisms

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sebastian Curti ◽  
Federico Davoine ◽  
Antonella Dapino
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Mammalian Brain ◽  
Synaptic Membrane ◽  
Electrical Transmission ◽  
Electrical Synapses ◽  
Electrophysiological Properties ◽  
Voltage Dependent ◽  
Theoretical Evidence ◽  
Circuit Function

Electrical transmission between neurons is largely mediated by gap junctions. These junctions allow the direct flow of electric current between neurons, and in mammals are mostly composed of the protein connexin (Cx)36. Circuits of electrically coupled neurons are widespread in these animals, plus, experimental and theoretical evidence supports the notion that, beyond synchronicity, these circuits are able to perform sophisticated operations like lateral excitation and inhibition, noise reduction, as well as the ability to selectively respond upon coincident excitatory inputs. Although once considered stereotyped and unmodifiable, we now know that electrical synapses are subject to modulation and, by reconfiguring neural circuits, these modulations can alter relevant operations. The strength of electrical synapses depends on gap junction conductance, as well as on its functional interaction with the electrophysiological properties of coupled neurons. In particular, voltage dependent channels of the non-synaptic membrane critically determine the efficacy of transmission at these contacts. Consistently, modulatory actions on these channels have been shown to represent relevant mechanisms of plasticity of electrical synaptic transmission. Here we review recent evidence on the regulation of electrical synapses of mammals, the underlying molecular mechanisms, and the possible ways in which they affect circuit function.

scholarly journals Amino acid substitutions in the FXYD motif enhance phospholemman-induced modulation of cardiac L-type calcium channels

2010 ◽  
Vol 299 (5) ◽  
pp. C1203-C1211 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kai Guo ◽  
Xianming Wang ◽  
Guofeng Gao ◽  
Congxin Huang ◽  
Keith S. Elmslie ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acid ◽  
Calcium Channels ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Channel Gating ◽  
Fine Tuning ◽  
Amino Acid Substitutions ◽  
Dependent Inactivation ◽  
Voltage Dependent ◽  
Kinetics Of

We have found that phospholemman (PLM) associates with and modulates the gating of cardiac L-type calcium channels (Wang et al., Biophys J 98: 1149–1159, 2010). The short 17 amino acid extracellular NH2-terminal domain of PLM contains a highly conserved PFTYD sequence that defines it as a member of the FXYD family of ion transport regulators. Although we have learned a great deal about PLM-dependent changes in calcium channel gating, little is known regarding the molecular mechanisms underlying the observed changes. Therefore, we investigated the role of the PFTYD segment in the modulation of cardiac calcium channels by individually replacing Pro-8, Phe-9, Thr-10, Tyr-11, and Asp-12 with alanine (P8A, F9A, T10A, Y11A, D12A). In addition, Asp-12 was changed to lysine (D12K) and cysteine (D12C). As expected, wild-type PLM significantly slows channel activation and deactivation and enhances voltage-dependent inactivation (VDI). We were surprised to find that amino acid substitutions at Thr-10 and Asp-12 significantly enhanced the ability of PLM to modulate CaV1.2 gating. T10A exhibited a twofold enhancement of PLM-induced slowing of activation, whereas D12K and D12C dramatically enhanced PLM-induced increase of VDI. The PLM-induced slowing of channel closing was abrogated by D12A and D12C, whereas D12K and T10A failed to impact this effect. These studies demonstrate that the PFXYD motif is not necessary for the association of PLM with CaV1.2. Instead, since altering the chemical and/or physical properties of the PFXYD segment alters the relative magnitudes of opposing PLM-induced effects on CaV1.2 channel gating, PLM appears to play an important role in fine tuning the gating kinetics of cardiac calcium channels and likely plays an important role in shaping the cardiac action potential and regulating Ca2+ dynamics in the heart.

scholarly journals The syndromic deafness mutation G12R impairs fast and slow gating in Cx26 hemichannels

2018 ◽  
Vol 150 (5) ◽  
pp. 697-711 ◽  
Author(s):  
Isaac E. García ◽  
Felipe Villanelo ◽  
Gustavo F. Contreras ◽  
Amaury Pupo ◽  
Bernardo I. Pinto ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Intracellular Loop ◽  
Open Probability ◽  
Gain Of Function ◽  
Gating Mechanism ◽  
N Terminus ◽  
Voltage Dependent ◽  
Fast Gating ◽  
Dynamics Simulations ◽  
Connexin Hemichannels

Mutations in connexin 26 (Cx26) hemichannels can lead to syndromic deafness that affects the cochlea and skin. These mutations lead to gain-of-function hemichannel phenotypes by unknown molecular mechanisms. In this study, we investigate the biophysical properties of the syndromic mutant Cx26G12R (G12R). Unlike wild-type Cx26, G12R macroscopic hemichannel currents do not saturate upon depolarization, and deactivation is faster during hyperpolarization, suggesting that these channels have impaired fast and slow gating. Single G12R hemichannels show a large increase in open probability, and transitions to the subconductance state are rare and short-lived, demonstrating an inoperative fast gating mechanism. Molecular dynamics simulations indicate that G12R causes a displacement of the N terminus toward the cytoplasm, favoring an interaction between R12 in the N terminus and R99 in the intracellular loop. Disruption of this interaction recovers the fast and slow voltage-dependent gating mechanisms. These results suggest that the mechanisms of fast and slow gating in connexin hemichannels are coupled and provide a molecular mechanism for the gain-of-function phenotype displayed by the syndromic G12R mutation.

scholarly journals The Role of Histone Acetylation-/Methylation-Mediated Apoptotic Gene Regulation in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (23) ◽  
pp. 8894
Author(s):  
Pradeep Kumar Rajan ◽  
Utibe-Abasi Udoh ◽  
Juan D. Sanabria ◽  
Moumita Banerjee ◽  
Gary Smith ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽  
Histone Modification ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
Epigenetic Alterations ◽  
Therapeutic Approaches ◽  
Nuclear Changes ◽  
New Perspective ◽  
Effective Diagnosis

Epigenetics, an inheritable phenomenon, which influences the expression of gene without altering the DNA sequence, offers a new perspective on the pathogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is projected to account for a significant share of HCC incidence due to the growing prevalence of various metabolic disorders. One of the major molecular mechanisms involved in epigenetic regulation, post-translational histone modification seems to coordinate various aspects of NASH which will further progress to HCC. Mounting evidence suggests that the orchestrated events of cellular and nuclear changes during apoptosis can be regulated by histone modifications. This review focuses on the current advances in the study of acetylation-/methylation-mediated histone modification in apoptosis and the implication of these epigenetic regulations in HCC. The reversibility of epigenetic alterations and the agents that can target these alterations offers novel therapeutic approaches and strategies for drug development. Further molecular mechanistic studies are required to enhance information governing these epigenetic modulators, which will facilitate the design of more effective diagnosis and treatment options.

scholarly journals PLC-mediated PI(4,5)P2 hydrolysis regulates activation and inactivation of TRPC6/7 channels

2014 ◽  
Vol 143 (2) ◽  
pp. 183-201 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kyohei Itsuki ◽  
Yuko Imai ◽  
Hideharu Hase ◽  
Yasushi Okamura ◽  
Ryuji Inoue ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Data ◽  
Transient Receptor Potential ◽  
Physiological Role ◽  
Receptor Activation ◽  
Pleckstrin Homology Domain ◽  
Peak Time ◽  
Trpc Channels ◽  
Channel Activity ◽  
Open Probability

Transient receptor potential classical (or canonical) (TRPC)3, TRPC6, and TRPC7 are a subfamily of TRPC channels activated by diacylglycerol (DAG) produced through the hydrolysis of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PI(4,5)P2) by phospholipase C (PLC). PI(4,5)P2 depletion by a heterologously expressed phosphatase inhibits TRPC3, TRPC6, and TRPC7 activity independently of DAG; however, the physiological role of PI(4,5)P2 reduction on channel activity remains unclear. We used Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) to measure PI(4,5)P2 or DAG dynamics concurrently with TRPC6 or TRPC7 currents after agonist stimulation of receptors that couple to Gq and thereby activate PLC. Measurements made at different levels of receptor activation revealed a correlation between the kinetics of PI(4,5)P2 reduction and those of receptor-operated TRPC6 and TRPC7 current activation and inactivation. In contrast, DAG production correlated with channel activation but not inactivation; moreover, the time course of channel inactivation was unchanged in protein kinase C–insensitive mutants. These results suggest that inactivation of receptor-operated TRPC currents is primarily mediated by the dissociation of PI(4,5)P2. We determined the functional dissociation constant of PI(4,5)P2 to TRPC channels using FRET of the PLCδ Pleckstrin homology domain (PHd), which binds PI(4,5)P2, and used this constant to fit our experimental data to a model in which channel gating is controlled by PI(4,5)P2 and DAG. This model predicted similar FRET dynamics of the PHd to measured FRET in either human embryonic kidney cells or smooth muscle cells, whereas a model lacking PI(4,5)P2 regulation failed to reproduce the experimental data, confirming the inhibitory role of PI(4,5)P2 depletion on TRPC currents. Our model also explains various PLC-dependent characteristics of channel activity, including limitation of maximum open probability, shortening of the peak time, and the bell-shaped response of total current. In conclusion, our studies demonstrate a fundamental role for PI(4,5)P2 in regulating TRPC6 and TRPC7 activity triggered by PLC-coupled receptor stimulation.

Characterization and regulation of Ca2+-dependent K+ channels in human esophageal smooth muscle

1999 ◽  
Vol 276 (4) ◽  
pp. G843-G852 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bernard R. Hurley ◽  
Harold G. Preiksaitis ◽  
Stephen M. Sims
Keyword(s):  
Smooth Muscle ◽  
Patch Clamp ◽  
Functional Role ◽  
Channel Activity ◽  
Patch Clamp Recording ◽  
Channel Activation ◽  
Voltage Dependent ◽  
Human Esophagus ◽  
Current Reversal

We examined the properties of K+ channels in smooth muscle cells dissociated from human esophagus using patch-clamp recording in the cell-attached configuration. The predominant channel observed had a conductance of 224 ± 4 pS, and current reversal was dependent on K+ concentration. Channel activity was voltage dependent and increased with elevation of intracellular free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i), consistent with this being the large-conductance Ca2+-dependent K+(KCa) channel. ACh as well as caffeine caused transient increases in KCa channel activity, and the effects of ACh persisted in Ca2+-free solution, indicating that Ca2+ release from stores contributed to channel activation. Simultaneous patch clamp and fluorescence revealed that KCachannel activity was well correlated with elevation of [Ca2+]i. The functional role of KCachannels in esophagus was studied by measuring ACh-induced contraction of strips of muscle. Tetraethylammonium and iberiotoxin, blockers of KCa channels, increased ACh-induced contraction, consistent with a role for K+ channels in limiting excitation and contraction. These studies are the first to characterize KCa channels and their regulation in human esophageal smooth muscle.

scholarly journals Distinct Populations of HCN Pacemaker Channels Produce Voltage-dependent and Voltage-independent Currents

2006 ◽  
Vol 127 (2) ◽  
pp. 183-190 ◽  
Author(s):  
Catherine Proenza ◽  
Gary Yellen
Keyword(s):  
Channel Blocker ◽  
Hcn Channels ◽  
Hcn Channel ◽  
Single Application ◽  
Distinct Population ◽  
Open Probability ◽  
Pacemaker Channels ◽  
Conduction Pathway ◽  
Voltage Dependent

Hyperpolarization-activated HCN pacemaker channels are critical for the generation of spontaneous activity and the regulation of excitability in the heart and in many types of neurons. These channels produce both a voltage-dependent current (Ih) and a voltage-independent current (Iinst or VIC). In this study, we explored the molecular basis of the voltage-independent current. We found that for the spHCN isoform, VIC averaged ∼4% of the maximum HCN conductance that could be activated by hyperpolarization. Cyclic AMP increased the voltage-independent current in spHCN to ∼8% of maximum. In HCN2, VIC was ∼2% of the maximal current, and was little affected by cAMP. VIC in both spHCN and HCN2 was blocked rapidly both by ZD7288 (an HCN channel blocker that is thought to bind in the conduction pore) and by application of Cd2+ to channels containing an introduced cysteine in the pore (spHCN-464C or HCN2-436C). These results suggest that VIC flows through the main conduction pathway, down the central axis of the protein. We suspected that VIC simply represented a nonzero limiting open probability for HCN channels at positive voltages. Surprisingly, we found instead that the spHCN channels carrying VIC were not in rapid equilibrium with the channels carrying the voltage-dependent current, because they could be blocked independently; a single application of blocker at a depolarized potential essentially eliminated VIC with little change in Ih. Thus, VIC appears to be produced by a distinct population of HCN channels. This voltage-independent current could contribute significantly to the role of HCN channels in neurons and myocytes; VIC flowing through the channels at physiological potentials would tend to promote excitability by accelerating both depolarization and repolarization.

Activation of fast skeletal muscle: contributions of studies on skinned fibers

1981 ◽  
Vol 240 (1) ◽  
pp. C1-C19 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. W. Stephenson
Keyword(s):  
Skinned Fibers ◽  
General Context ◽  
Fast Skeletal Muscle ◽  
Transverse Tubules ◽  
New Methods ◽  
Voltage Dependent ◽  
Intracellular Compartments ◽  
Intracellular Ca ◽  
Charge Movements

The membrane potential of vertebrate twitch fibers closely controls Ca fluxes between intracellular compartments, which in turn control contraction. Recent work on intracellular Ca movement is reviewed in the general context of current efforts to synthesize physiological, biochemical, and structural observations on the contractile mechanism and its regulation, emphasizing the increasing role of functionally skinned fibers in this synthesis. Skinned fiber preparations, with removed or disrupted sarcolemma, bridge the gap between properties of isolated subsystems and their constrained operation in the intact fiber. Recent studies indicate that the surface action potential propagates along the transverse tubules, but not the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR), which appears to be a distinct intracellular compartment. Voltage-dependent charge movements in the transverse tubules probably control Ca flux across the SR membranes. Current questions concern the mechanism of the signal that bridges the junctional gap between the two membrane systems, the mechanism and properties of the activated Ca efflux to the myofilament space, and the operation of the Ca pump of the SR during activation. New methods applied to intact fibers, cut fibers, skinned fibers, and subcellular systems are yielding the kind of information needed for a complete description of these central steps in excitation-contraction coupling and of Ca regulation of the myofilaments.

scholarly journals The weak voltage dependence of pannexin 1 channels can be tuned by N-terminal modifications

2018 ◽  
Vol 150 (12) ◽  
pp. 1758-1768 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kevin Michalski ◽  
Erik Henze ◽  
Phillip Nguyen ◽  
Patrick Lynch ◽  
Toshimitsu Kawate
Keyword(s):  
Voltage Dependence ◽  
Single Channel ◽  
Atp Release ◽  
Channel Activity ◽  
Patch Clamp Recording ◽  
Open Probability ◽  
Pannexin 1 ◽  
Voltage Dependent ◽  
Gated Channel

Pannexins are a family of ATP release channels important for physiological and pathological processes like blood pressure regulation, epilepsy, and neuropathic pain. To study these important channels in vitro, voltage stimulation is the most common and convenient tool, particularly for pannexin 1 (Panx1). However, whether Panx1 is a voltage-gated channel remains controversial. Here, we carefully examine the effect of N-terminal modification on voltage-dependent Panx1 channel activity. Using a whole-cell patch-clamp recording technique, we demonstrate that both human and mouse Panx1, with their nativeN termini, give rise to voltage-dependent currents, but only at membrane potentials larger than +100 mV. This weak voltage-dependent channel activity profoundly increases when a glycine–serine (GS) motif is inserted immediately after the first methionine. Single-channel recordings reveal that the addition of GS increases the channel open probability as well as the number of unitary conductance classes. We also find that insertions of other amino acid(s) at the same position mimics the effect of GS. On the other hand, tagging the N terminus with GFP abolishes voltage-dependent channel activity. Our results suggest that Panx1 is a channel with weak voltage dependence whose activity can be tuned by N-terminal modifications.

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