scholarly journals Catalyst-like modulation of transition states for CFTR channel opening and closing: New stimulation strategy exploits nonequilibrium gating

2014 ◽  
Vol 143 (2) ◽  
pp. 269-287 ◽  
Author(s):  
László Csanády ◽  
Beáta Töröcsik

Cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) is the chloride ion channel mutated in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. It is an ATP-binding cassette protein, and its resulting cyclic nonequilibrium gating mechanism sets it apart from most other ion channels. The most common CF mutation (ΔF508) impairs folding of CFTR but also channel gating, reducing open probability (Po). This gating defect must be addressed to effectively treat CF. Combining single-channel and macroscopic current measurements in inside-out patches, we show here that the two effects of 5-nitro-2-(3-phenylpropylamino)benzoate (NPPB) on CFTR, pore block and gating stimulation, are independent, suggesting action at distinct sites. Furthermore, detailed kinetic analysis revealed that NPPB potently increases Po, also of ΔF508 CFTR, by affecting the stability of gating transition states. This finding is unexpected, because for most ion channels, which gate at equilibrium, altering transition-state stabilities has no effect on Po; rather, agonists usually stimulate by stabilizing open states. Our results highlight how for CFTR, because of its unique cyclic mechanism, gating transition states determine Po and offer strategic targets for potentiator compounds to achieve maximal efficacy.

2005 ◽  
Vol 33 (5) ◽  
pp. 1003-1007 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Vergani ◽  
C. Basso ◽  
M. Mense ◽  
A.C. Nairn ◽  
D.C. Gadsby

Unique among ABC (ATP-binding cassette) protein family members, CFTR (cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator), also termed ABCC7, encoded by the gene mutated in cystic fibrosis patients, functions as an ion channel. Opening and closing of its anion-selective pore are linked to ATP binding and hydrolysis at CFTR's two NBDs (nucleotide-binding domains), NBD1 and NBD2. Isolated NBDs of prokaryotic ABC proteins form homodimers upon binding ATP, but separate after hydrolysis of the ATP. By combining mutagenesis with single-channel recording and nucleotide photolabelling on intact CFTR molecules, we relate opening and closing of the channel gates to ATP-mediated events in the NBDs. In particular, we demonstrate that two CFTR residues, predicted to lie on opposite sides of its anticipated NBD1–NBD2 heterodimer interface, are energetically coupled when the channels open but are independent of each other in closed channels. This directly links ATP-driven tight dimerization of CFTR's cytoplasmic NBDs to opening of the ion channel in the transmembrane domains. Evolutionary conservation of the energetically coupled residues in a manner that preserves their ability to form a hydrogen bond argues that this molecular mechanism, involving dynamic restructuring of the NBD dimer interface, is shared by all members of the ABC protein superfamily.


2017 ◽  
Vol 149 (12) ◽  
pp. 1105-1118 ◽  
Author(s):  
Han-I Yeh ◽  
Yoshiro Sohma ◽  
Katja Conrath ◽  
Tzyh-Chang Hwang

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a channelopathy caused by loss-of-function mutations of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene, which encodes a phosphorylation-activated and adenosine triphosphate (ATP)–gated chloride channel. In the past few years, high-throughput drug screening has successfully realized the first US Food and Drug Administration–approved therapy for CF, called ivacaftor (or VX-770). A more recent CFTR potentiator, GLPG1837 (N-(3-carbamoyl-5,5,7,7-tetramethyl-4,7-dihydro-5H-thieno[2,3-c]pyran-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-3-carboxamide), has been shown to exhibit a higher efficacy than ivacaftor for the G551D mutation, yet the underlying mechanism of GLPG1837 remains unclear. Here we find that despite their differences in potency and efficacy, GLPG1837 and VX-770 potentiate CFTR gating in a remarkably similar manner. Specifically, they share similar effects on single-channel kinetics of wild-type CFTR. Their actions are independent of nucleotide-binding domain (NBD) dimerization and ATP hydrolysis, critical steps controlling CFTR’s gate opening and closing, respectively. By applying the two reagents together, we provide evidence that GLPG1837 and VX-770 likely compete for the same site, whereas GLPG1837 and the high-affinity ATP analogue 2′-deoxy-N6-(2-phenylethyl)-adenosine-5′-O-triphosphate (dPATP) work synergistically through two different sites. We also find that the apparent affinity for GLPG1837 is dependent on the open probability of the channel, suggesting a state-dependent binding of the drug to CFTR (higher binding affinity for the open state than the closed state), which is consistent with the classic mechanism for allosteric modulation. We propose a simple four-state kinetic model featuring an energetic coupling between CFTR gating and potentiator binding to explain our experimental results.


2016 ◽  
Vol 310 (5) ◽  
pp. L403-L414 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel T. Infield ◽  
Guiying Cui ◽  
Christopher Kuang ◽  
Nael A. McCarty

The cystic fibrosis (CF) transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) is a chloride ion channel, the dysfunction of which directly leads to the life-shortening disease CF. Extracellular loop 1 (ECL1) of CFTR contains several residues involved in stabilizing the open state of the channel; some, including D110, are sites of disease-associated gating mutations. Structures from related proteins suggest that the position of CFTR's extracellular loops may change considerably during gating. To better understand the roles of ECL1 in CFTR function, we utilized functional cysteine cross-linking to determine the effects of modulation of D110C-CFTR and of a double mutant of D110C with K892C in extracellular loop 4 (ECL4). The reducing agent DTT elicited a large potentiation of the macroscopic conductance of D110C/K892C-CFTR, likely due to breakage of a spontaneous disulfide bond between C110 and C892. DTT-reduced D110C/K892C-CFTR was rapidly inhibited by binding cadmium ions with high affinity, suggesting that these residues frequently come in close proximity in actively gating channels. Effects of DTT and cadmium on modulation of pore gating were demonstrated at the single-channel level. Finally, disulfided D110C/K892C-CFTR channels were found to be less sensitive than wild-type or DTT-treated D110C/K892C-CFTR channels to stimulation by IBMX, suggesting an impact of this conformational restriction on channel activation by phosphorylation. The results are best explained in the context of a model of CFTR gating wherein stable channel opening requires correct positioning of functional elements structurally influenced by ECL1.


2004 ◽  
Vol 287 (5) ◽  
pp. C1328-C1341 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew D. Fuller ◽  
Zhi-Ren Zhang ◽  
Guiying Cui ◽  
Julia Kubanek ◽  
Nael A. McCarty

Peptide toxins have been valuable probes in efforts to identify amino acid residues that line the permeation pathway of cation-selective channels. However, no peptide toxins have been identified that interact with known anion-selective channels such as the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR). CFTR channels are expressed in epithelial cells and are associated with several genetic disorders, including cystic fibrosis and polycystic kidney disease. Several organic inhibitors have been used to investigate the structure of the Cl− permeation pathway in CFTR. However, investigations of the wider cytoplasmic vestibule have been hindered by the lack of a high-affinity blocker that interacts with residues in this area. In this study we show that venom of the scorpion Leiurus quinquestriatus hebraeus reversibly inhibits CFTR, in a voltage-independent manner, by decreasing single-channel mean burst duration and open probability only when applied to the cytoplasmic surface of phosphorylated channels. Venom was able to decrease burst duration and open probability even when CFTR channels were locked open by treatment with either vanadate or adenosine 5′-(β,γ-imido)triphosphate, and block was strengthened on reduction of extracellular Cl− concentration, suggesting inhibition by a pore-block mechanism. Venom had no effect on ATP-dependent macroscopic opening rate in channels studied by inside-out macropatches. Interestingly, the inhibitory activity was abolished by proteinase treatment. We conclude that a peptide toxin contained in the scorpion venom inhibits CFTR channels by a pore-block mechanism; these experiments provide the first step toward isolation of the active component, which would be highly valuable as a probe for CFTR structure and function.


1994 ◽  
Vol 266 (4) ◽  
pp. C1061-C1068 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. C. Chinet ◽  
J. M. Fullton ◽  
J. R. Yankaskas ◽  
R. C. Boucher ◽  
M. J. Stutts

Transepithelial Na+ absorption is increased two to three times in cystic fibrosis (CF) compared with normal (NL) airway epithelia. This increase has been associated with a higher Na+ permeability of the apical membrane of airway epithelial cells. Because Na+ absorption is electrogenic and abolished by amiloride, Na+ channels are thought to dominate the apical membrane Na+ permeability. Three Na+ channel-related mechanisms may explain the increase in apical Na+ permeability in CF cells: increased number of channels, increased single-channel conductance, and increased single-channel open probability. We compared the properties of Na(+)-permeable channels in the apical membrane of confluent preparations of human NL and CF nasal epithelial cells cultured on permeable supports. Na(+)-permeable channels were studied using the patch-clamp technique in the excised inside-out and cell-attached configurations. The same types of Na(+)-permeable channels were recorded in CF and NL cells. In excised patches, nonselective (Na+/K+) cation channels were recorded, and no differences between CF and NL were found in the properties, incidence, single-channel conductance, and single-channel open probability. In cell-attached patches, channels with a higher Na+ vs. K+ selectivity dominated. There was no difference between CF and NL cells in the incidence (18.8 vs. 21.4%, respectively) and conductance (17.2 +/- 2.8 vs. 21.4 +/- 1.5 pS, respectively) of Na(+)-permeable channels. However, the open probability was higher in CF cells compared with NL cells (30.0 +/- 3.4%, n = 6, vs. 15.0 +/- 3.9%, n = 13; P < 0.05). We conclude that, in CF nasal epithelial cells, the increase in Na+ permeability of the apical membrane results from an increase in the open probability of Na(+)-permeable channels in the apical membrane.


1990 ◽  
Vol 95 (5) ◽  
pp. 981-1005 ◽  
Author(s):  
R H Ashley ◽  
A J Williams

Single Ca2+ release channels from vesicles of sheep cardiac junctional sarcoplasmic reticulum have been incorporated into uncharged planar lipid bilayers. Single-channel currents were recorded from Ca2(+)-activated channels that had a Ca2+ conductance of approximately 90 pS. Channel open probability increased sublinearly as the concentration of free Ca2+ was raised at the myoplasmic face, and without additional agonists the channels could not be fully activated even by 100 microM free Ca2+. Lifetime analysis revealed a minimum of two open and three closed states, and indicates that Ca2+ activated the channels by interacting with at least one of the closed states to increase the rate of channel opening. Correlations between adjacent lifetimes suggested there were at least two pathways between the open- and closed-state aggregates. An analysis of bursting behavior also revealed correlations between successive burst lengths and the number of openings per burst. The latter had two geometric components, providing additional evidence for at least two open states. One component appeared to comprise unit bursts, and the lifetime of most of these fell within the dominant shorter open-time distribution associated with over 90% of all openings. A cyclic gating scheme is proposed, with channel activation regulated by the binding of Ca2+ to a closed conformation of the channel protein. Mg2+ may inhibit activation by competing for this binding site, but lifetime and fluctuation analysis suggested that once activated the channels continue to gate normally.


2010 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Ming-Feng Tsai

The cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) is a chloride ion channel whose defects cause the deadly genetic disease cystic fibrosis (CF). Like other ATP binding cassette (ABC) proteins, CFTR encompasses two cytoplasmic nucleotide binding domains (NBDs). Upon ATP binding, the two NBDs can coalesce into a head-to-tail dimer with ATP buried at two interfacial composite sites (sites 1 and 2). Although evidence suggests that gating of CFTR is mainly controlled by site 2, the role of site 1 remains less understood. I have used pyrophosphate as a probe or adopted a ligand exchange protocol to investigate ATP binding status in site 1 in real time. With these novel approaches, I have identified a “partial” NBD dimer state mediated by an ATP molecule tightly bound in site 1. A molecular model of CFTR gating was then established with opening and closing of CFTR coupled to the formation and partial separation of the NBD dimer. Moreover, I discovered several mutations that enhance ATP binding in site 1 and demonstrated that the activity of CF-associated mutant channels, Î"F508- and G551D-CFTR, can be significantly improved by these mutations, thus providing evidence that site 1 is a potential target for developing pharmaceutical reagents to treat patients with CF.


1994 ◽  
Vol 267 (3) ◽  
pp. H1010-H1016 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Boraso ◽  
A. J. Williams

The effect of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) on the sheep cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca(2+)-release channel has been investigated under voltage-clamp conditions after incorporation of native membrane vesicles into planar phospholipid bilayers. In the presence of micromolar activating calcium concentrations on the cytosolic side of the membrane, H2O2 (3-5 mM) increased open probability of the channels. H2O2 did not affect the conductance of the channel or the response to activating compounds, such as ATP and caffeine. H2O2 did not alter the inhibitory response to magnesium or the modification of channels by ryanodine. At subactivating calcium concentrations (approximately 45 pM) on the cytosolic side of the membrane, 5 mM H2O2 was still able to open the channel. Analysis of single-channel open and closed lifetimes suggested that H2O2 had a direct effect on the gating mechanism of the channel. Open probability of the SR Ca(2+)-release channel is reduced by millimolar concentrations of dithiothreitol, a sulfhydryl-protecting compound, in a concentration-dependent manner. In conclusion, it is probable that H2O2 activates the SR Ca(2+)-release channel via an oxidation of cysteine thiol groups in the channel protein.


1989 ◽  
Vol 257 (1) ◽  
pp. C129-C140 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. E. Krouse ◽  
G. Hagiwara ◽  
J. Chen ◽  
N. J. Lewiston ◽  
J. J. Wine

Single-channel patch-clamp techniques were used to study the population of apical membrane ion channels in cultured sweat gland secretory cells from normal and cystic fibrosis subjects. Four types of anion channels and two types of cation channels were found. At physiological voltages, anion channels had chord conductances of 10, 18, 24, and greater than 200 pS. All had linear current-voltage relations except the 24 pS channel, which showed outward rectification. Cation channels had chord conductances of 5 and 18 pS, were linear, and were nonselective for a variety of cations. Channel types and proportions were equivalent in control, cystic fibrosis, and cystic fibrosis heterozygote cells. Beyond showing that the distribution of channel types remains unchanged in cystic fibrosis cells, the data provide a basis for comparison with cells cultured under different conditions, with other cell types, and with native tissues.


2018 ◽  
Vol 151 (3) ◽  
pp. 328-341 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juan M. Valdez Capuccino ◽  
Payal Chatterjee ◽  
Isaac E. García ◽  
Wesley M. Botello-Smith ◽  
Han Zhang ◽  
...  

A group of human mutations within the N-terminal (NT) domain of connexin 26 (Cx26) hemichannels produce aberrant channel activity, which gives rise to deafness and skin disorders, including keratitis-ichthyosis-deafness (KID) syndrome. Structural and functional studies indicate that the NT of connexin hemichannels is folded into the pore, where it plays important roles in permeability and gating. In this study, we explore the molecular basis by which N14K, an NT KID mutant, promotes gain of function. In macroscopic and single-channel recordings, we find that the N14K mutant favors the open conformation of hemichannels, shifts calcium and voltage sensitivity, and slows deactivation kinetics. Multiple copies of MD simulations of WT and N14K hemichannels, followed by the Kolmogorov–Smirnov significance test (KS test) of the distributions of interaction energies, reveal that the N14K mutation significantly disrupts pairwise interactions that occur in WT hemichannels between residue K15 of one subunit and residue E101 of the adjacent subunit (E101 being located at the transition between transmembrane segment 2 [TM2] and the cytoplasmic loop [CL]). Double mutant cycle analysis supports coupling between the NT and the TM2/CL transition in WT hemichannels, which is disrupted in N14K mutant hemichannels. KS tests of the α carbon correlation coefficients calculated over MD trajectories suggest that the effects of the N14K mutation are not confined to the K15–E101 pairs but extend to essentially all pairwise residue correlations between the NT and TM2/CL interface. Together, our data indicate that the N14K mutation increases hemichannel open probability by disrupting interactions between the NT and the TM2/CL region of the adjacent connexin subunit. This suggests that NT–TM2/CL interactions facilitate Cx26 hemichannel closure.


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