scholarly journals State-dependent Block of BK Channels by Synthesized Shaker Ball Peptides

2006 ◽  
Vol 128 (4) ◽  
pp. 423-441 ◽  
Author(s):  
Weiyan Li ◽  
Richard W. Aldrich

Crystal structures of potassium channels have strongly corroborated an earlier hypothetical picture based on functional studies, in which the channel gate was located on the cytoplasmic side of the pore. However, accessibility studies on several types of ligand-sensitive K+ channels have suggested that their activation gates may be located near or within the selectivity filter instead. It remains to be determined to what extent the physical location of the gate is conserved across the large K+ channel family. Direct evidence about the location of the gate in large conductance calcium-activated K+ (BK) channels, which are gated by both voltage and ligand (calcium), has been scarce. Our earlier kinetic measurements of the block of BK channels by internal quaternary ammonium ions have raised the possibility that they may lack a cytoplasmic gate. We show in this study that a synthesized Shaker ball peptide (ShBP) homologue acts as a state-dependent blocker for BK channels when applied internally, suggesting a widening at the intracellular end of the channel pore upon gating. This is consistent with a gating-related conformational change at the cytoplasmic end of the pore-lining helices, as suggested by previous functional and structural studies on other K+ channels. Furthermore, our results from two BK channel mutations demonstrate that similar types of interactions between ball peptides and channels are shared by BK and other K+ channel types.

2012 ◽  
Vol 139 (3) ◽  
pp. 235-244 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jill Thompson ◽  
Ted Begenisich

Membrane voltage controls the passage of ions through voltage-gated K (Kv) channels, and many studies have demonstrated that this is accomplished by a physical gate located at the cytoplasmic end of the pore. Critical to this determination were the findings that quaternary ammonium ions and certain peptides have access to their internal pore-blocking sites only when the channel gates are open, and that large blocking ions interfere with channel closing. Although an intracellular location for the physical gate of Kv channels is well established, it is not clear if such a cytoplasmic gate exists in all K+ channels. Some studies on large-conductance, voltage- and Ca2+-activated K+ (BK) channels suggest a cytoplasmic location for the gate, but other findings question this conclusion and, instead, support the concept that BK channels are gated by the pore selectivity filter. If the BK channel is gated by the selectivity filter, the interactions between the blocking ions and channel gating should be influenced by the permeant ion. Thus, we tested tetrabutyl ammonium (TBA) and the Shaker “ball” peptide (BP) on BK channels with either K+ or Rb+ as the permeant ion. When tested in K+ solutions, both TBA and the BP acted as open-channel blockers of BK channels, and the BP interfered with channel closing. In contrast, when Rb+ replaced K+ as the permeant ion, TBA and the BP blocked both closed and open BK channels, and the BP no longer interfered with channel closing. We also tested the cytoplasmically gated Shaker K channels and found the opposite behavior: the interactions of TBA and the BP with these Kv channels were independent of the permeant ion. Our results add significantly to the evidence against a cytoplasmic gate in BK channels and represent a positive test for selectivity filter gating.


2006 ◽  
Vol 128 (3) ◽  
pp. 347-364 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christina M. Wilkens ◽  
Richard W. Aldrich

Intracellular blockade by quaternary ammonium (QA) molecules of many potassium channels is state dependent, where the requirement for channel opening is evidenced by a time-dependent component of block in the macroscopic record. Whether this is the case for Ca2+- and voltage-activated potassium (BK) channels, however, remains unclear. Previous work (Li, W., and R.W. Aldrich. 2004. J. Gen. Physiol. 124:43–57) tentatively proposed a state-dependent, trapping model, but left open the possibility of state-independent block. Here, we found BK channel blockade by a novel QA derivative, bbTBA, was time dependent, raising the possibility of state-dependent, open channel block. Alternatively, the observed voltage dependence of block could be sufficient to explain time-dependent block. We have used steady-state and kinetic measurements of bbTBA blockade in order to discriminate between these two possibilities. bbTBA did not significantly slow deactivation kinetics at potentials between −200 and −100 mV, suggesting that channels can close unhindered by bound bbTBA. We further find no evidence that bbTBA is trapped inside BK channels after closing. Measurements of steady state fractional block at +40 mV revealed a 1.3-fold change in apparent affinity for a 33-fold change in Po, in striking contrast to the 31-fold change predicted by state-dependent block. Finally, the appearance of a third kinetic component of bbTBA blockade at high concentrations is incompatible with state-dependent block. Our results suggest that access of intracellular bbTBA to the BK channel cavity is not strictly gated by channel opening and closing, and imply that the permeation gate for BK channels may not be intracellular.


1995 ◽  
Vol 15 (6) ◽  
pp. 515-530 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Vais ◽  
P. N. R. Usherwood

The effects of ryanodine, 9,21-didehydroryanodine and 9,21-didehydroryanodol on two types of K+ channel (a maxi, Ca2+-activated, 170 pS channel (BK channel) and an inward rectifier, stretch-sensitive channel of 35 pS conductance (IK channel) found in the plasma membrane of locust skeletal muscle have been investigated. 10−9M-10−5M ryanodine irreversibly induced a dose-dependent reduction of the reversal potential (Vrev) of the currents of both channels, i.e. from ~60 mV in the absence of the alkaloid to ~15 mV for 10−5M ryanodine, measured under physiologically normal K+ and Na+ gradients. In both cases the change in the ionic selectivity was Ca2+-independent. 9,21-didehydroryanodine and 9,21-didehyroryanodol also reduced Vrev, but only to ~35 mV during application of 10−5M of these compounds. Additionally, 9,21-didehydroryanodine reversibly diminished the conductances of the two K+ channels. To test the hypothesis that ryanoids increase Na+ permeability by enlarging the K+ channels, the channels were probed with quaternary ammonium ions during ryanoid application. When applied to the cytoplasmic face of inside-out patches exised from locust muscle membrane, TEA blocked the K+ channels in a voltage-dependent fashion. The dissociation constant (Kd(0)) for TEA block of the IK channel was reduced from 44 mM to 1 mM by 10−7 M ryanodine, but the voltage-dependence of the block was unaffected. Qualitatively similar data were obtained for the BK channel. Ryanodine had no effect on the Kd for cytoplasmically-applied TMA. However, the voltage-dependence for TMA block was increased for both K+ channels, from 0.47 to ~0.8 with 10−6M ryanodine. The effects of ryanodine on TEA and TMA block support the hypothesis that ryanodine enlarges the K+ channels so as to facilitate permeation of partially hydrated Na+ ions.


1993 ◽  
Vol 264 (3) ◽  
pp. C625-C631 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Carl ◽  
B. W. Frey ◽  
S. M. Ward ◽  
K. M. Sanders ◽  
J. L. Kenyon

We studied the effects of the K+ channel blocker tetrapentylammonium (TPeA) on the electrical activity of intact circular smooth muscle from canine colon. TPeA (10 and 20 microM) increased slow-wave duration and "locked" the membrane potential around -30 mV plateau potential after several minutes of application, suggesting that K+ channels are essential for termination of colonic slow waves. Repolarization and normal slow-wave activity resumed after 20-30 min of washout. The patch-clamp technique was used to study the block of large-conductance Ca(2+)-activated K+ channels (BK channels) by TPeA and tetraethylammonium (TEA) in excised and cell-attached patches from isolated colonic smooth muscle cells. Channel block was characterized by a voltage-dependent dissociation constant [Kd(V)] for the binding of TEA and TPeA to a blocking site located a fraction of the distance across the membrane field (delta). The extracellular TEA binding site had a Kd(0) of 0.33 mM and a delta of 0.23. The extracellular TPeA binding site had a Kd(0) of 2.2 mM but showed significantly less voltage dependence (delta = 0.02). The intracellular binding site for TEA was of low affinity [Kd(0) = 76 mM]. Intracellular TPeA was the most potent blocker of BK channel current [Kd(0) = 11.7 microM]. The voltage dependence of block by intracellular TPeA (delta = -0.21) was not significantly different from that of intracellular TEA (delta = -0.3). Internal TPeA (10 microM) also blocked a 70-pS K+ channel and a 23-pS K+ channel.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


2017 ◽  
Vol 149 (11) ◽  
pp. 985-1007 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yu Zhou ◽  
Huanghe Yang ◽  
Jianmin Cui ◽  
Christopher J. Lingle

For those interested in the machinery of ion channel gating, the Ca2+ and voltage-activated BK K+ channel provides a compelling topic for investigation, by virtue of its dual allosteric regulation by both voltage and intracellular Ca2+ and because its large-single channel conductance facilitates detailed kinetic analysis. Over the years, biophysical analyses have illuminated details of the allosteric regulation of BK channels and revealed insights into the mechanism of BK gating, e.g., inner cavity size and accessibility and voltage sensor-pore coupling. Now the publication of two structures of an Aplysia californica BK channel—one liganded and one metal free—promises to reinvigorate functional studies and interpretation of biophysical results. The new structures confirm some of the previous functional inferences but also suggest new perspectives regarding cooperativity between Ca2+-binding sites and the relationship between voltage- and Ca2+-dependent gating. Here we consider the extent to which the two structures explain previous functional data on pore-domain properties, voltage-sensor motions, and divalent cation binding and activation of the channel.


2014 ◽  
Vol 306 (5) ◽  
pp. C460-C470 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kiril L. Hristov ◽  
Amy C. Smith ◽  
Shankar P. Parajuli ◽  
John Malysz ◽  
Georgi V. Petkov

Large-conductance voltage- and Ca2+-activated K+ (BK) channels are critical regulators of detrusor smooth muscle (DSM) excitability and contractility. PKC modulates the contraction of DSM and BK channel activity in non-DSM cells; however, the cellular mechanism regulating the PKC-BK channel interaction in DSM remains unknown. We provide a novel mechanistic insight into BK channel regulation by PKC in DSM. We used patch-clamp electrophysiology, live-cell Ca2+ imaging, and functional studies of DSM contractility to elucidate BK channel regulation by PKC at cellular and tissue levels. Voltage-clamp experiments showed that pharmacological activation of PKC with PMA inhibited the spontaneous transient BK currents in native freshly isolated guinea pig DSM cells. Current-clamp recordings revealed that PMA significantly depolarized DSM membrane potential and inhibited the spontaneous transient hyperpolarizations in DSM cells. The PMA inhibitory effects on DSM membrane potential were completely abolished by the selective BK channel inhibitor paxilline. Activation of PKC with PMA did not affect the amplitude of the voltage-step-induced whole cell steady-state BK current or the single BK channel open probability (recorded in cell-attached mode) upon inhibition of all major Ca2+ sources for BK channel activation with thapsigargin, ryanodine, and nifedipine. PKC activation with PMA elevated intracellular Ca2+ levels in DSM cells and increased spontaneous phasic and nerve-evoked contractions of DSM isolated strips. Our results support the concept that PKC activation leads to a reduction of BK channel activity in DSM via a Ca2+-dependent mechanism, thus increasing DSM contractility.


2016 ◽  
Vol 38 (4) ◽  
pp. 1652-1662 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bernat Elvira ◽  
Yogesh Singh ◽  
Jamshed Warsi ◽  
Carlos Munoz ◽  
Florian Lang

Background/Aims: The oxidative stress-responsive kinase 1 (OSR1) and the serine/threonine kinases SPAK (SPS1-related proline/alanine-rich kinase) are under the control of WNK (with-no-K [Lys]) kinases. OSR1 and SPAK participate in diverse functions including cell volume regulation and neuronal excitability. Cell volume and neuronal excitation are further modified by the large conductance Ca2+-activated K+ channels (maxi K+ channel or BK channels). An influence of OSR1 and/or SPAK on BK channel activity has, however, never been shown. The present study thus explored whether OSR1 and/or SPAK modify the activity of BK channels. Methods: cRNA encoding the Ca2+ insensitive BK channel mutant BKM513I+Δ899-903 was injected into Xenopus laevis oocytes without or with additional injection of cRNA encoding wild-type OSR1 or wild-type SPAK, constitutively active T185EOSR1, catalytically inactive D164AOSR1, constitutively active T233ESPAK or catalytically inactive D212ASPAK. K+ channel activity was measured utilizing dual electrode voltage clamp. Results: BK channel activity in BKM513I+Δ899-903 expressing oocytes was significantly decreased by co-expression of OSR1 or SPAK. The effect of wild-type OSR1/SPAK was mimicked by T185EOSR1 and T233ESPAK, but not by D164AOSR1 or D212ASPAK. Conclusions: OSR1 and SPAK suppress BK channels, an effect possibly contributing to cell volume regulation and neuroexcitability.


1986 ◽  
Vol 124 (1) ◽  
pp. 5-13
Author(s):  
J. Golowasch ◽  
A. Kirkwood ◽  
C. Miller

Ca2+-activated K+ channels from rat muscle transverse tubule membranes were inserted into planar phospholipid bilayers, and the activation of these channels by Ca2+ was studied. On the cytoplasmic side of the channel, calcium ions (in the range 10–100 mumol l-1) increase the opening probability of the channel in a graded way. This ‘activation curve’ is sigmoid, with an average Hill coefficient of about 2. Magnesium ions, in the range 1–10 mmol l-1, increase the apparent affinity of the channel for Ca2+ and greatly enhance the sigmoidicity of the Ca2+ activation curve. In the presence of 10 mmol l-1 Mg2+, the Hill coefficient for Ca2+ activation is about 4.5. This effect depends upon Mg2+ concentration but not upon applied voltage. Mg2+ is effective only when added to the cytoplasmic side of the channel. The results argue that this high-conductance, Ca2+-activated K+ channel contains at least six Ca2+-binding sites involved in the activation process.


2020 ◽  
Vol 319 (1) ◽  
pp. F52-F62
Author(s):  
Shan Chen ◽  
Xiuyan Feng ◽  
Xinxin Chen ◽  
Zhizhi Zhuang ◽  
Jia Xiao ◽  
...  

14-3-3γ is a small protein regulating its target proteins through binding to phosphorylated serine/threonine residues. Sequence analysis of large-conductance Ca2+-activated K+ (BK) channels revealed a putative 14-3-3 binding site in the COOH-terminal region. Our previous data showed that 14-3-3γ is widely expressed in the mouse kidney. Therefore, we hypothesized that 14-3-3γ has a novel role in the regulation of BK channel activity and protein expression. We used electrophysiology, Western blot analysis, and coimmunoprecipitation to examine the effects of 14-3-3γ on BK channels both in vitro and in vivo. We demonstrated the interaction of 14-3-3γ with BK α-subunits (BKα) by coimmunoprecipitation. In human embryonic kidney-293 cells stably expressing BKα, overexpression of 14-3-3γ significantly decreased BK channel activity and channel open probability. 14-3-3γ inhibited both total and cell surface BKα protein expression while enhancing ERK1/2 phosphorylation in Cos-7 cells cotransfected with flag-14-3-3γ and myc-BK. Knockdown of 14-3-3γ by siRNA transfection markedly increased BKα expression. Blockade of the ERK1/2 pathway by incubation with the MEK-specific inhibitor U0126 partially abolished 14-3-3γ-mediated inhibition of BK protein expression. Similarly, pretreatment of the lysosomal inhibitor bafilomycin A1 reversed the inhibitory effects of 14-3-3γ on BK protein expression. Furthermore, overexpression of 14-3-3γ significantly increased BK protein ubiquitination in embryonic kidney-293 cells stably expressing BKα. Additionally, 3 days of dietary K+ challenge reduced 14-3-3γ expression and ERK1/2 phosphorylation while enhancing renal BK protein expression and K+ excretion. These data suggest that 14-3-3γ modulates BK channel activity and protein expression through an ERK1/2-mediated ubiquitin-lysosomal pathway.


1995 ◽  
Vol 106 (4) ◽  
pp. 745-779 ◽  
Author(s):  
T E DeCoursey

The mechanism by which the phenylalkylamines, verapamil and D600, and related compounds, block inactivating delayed rectifier K+ currents in rat alveolar epithelial cells, was investigated using whole-cell tight-seal recording. Block by phenylalkylamines added to the bath resembles state-dependent block of squid K+ channels by internally applied quarternary ammonium ions (Armstrong, C.M. 1971. Journal of General Physiology. 58:413-437): open channels are blocked preferentially, increased [K+]o accelerates recovery from block, and recovery occurs mainly through the open state. Slow recovery from block is attributed to the existence of a blocked-inactivated state, because recovery was faster in three situations where recovery from inactivation is faster: (a) at high [K+]o, (b) at more negative potentials, and (c) in cells with type l K+ channels, which recover rapidly from inactivation. The block rate was used as a bioassay to reveal the effective concentration of drug at the block site. When external pH, pHo, was varied, block was much faster at pHo 10 than pHo 7.4, and very slow at pHo 4.5. The block rate was directly proportional to the concentration of neutral drug in the bath, suggesting that externally applied drug must enter the membrane in neutral form to reach the block site. High internal pH (pHi 10) reduced the apparent potency of externally applied phenylalkylamines, suggesting that the cationic form of these drugs blocks K+ channels at an internal site. The permanently charged analogue D890 blocked more potently when added to the pipette than to the bath. However, lowering pHi to 5.5 did not enhance block by external drug, and tertiary phenylalkylamines added to the pipette solution blocked weakly. This result can be explained if drug diffuses out of the cell faster than it is delivered from the pipette, the block site is reached preferentially via hydrophobic pathways, or both. Together, the data indicate the neutral membrane-bound drug blocks K+ channels more potently than intracellular cationic drug. Neutral drug has rapid access to the receptor, where block is stabilized by protonation of the drug from the internal solution. In summary, externally applied phenylalkylamines block open or inactivated K+ channels by partitioning into the cell membrane in neutral form and are stabilized at the block site by protonation.


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