scholarly journals Exploring Kv1.2 Channel Inactivation Through MD Simulations and Network Analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Flavio Costa ◽  
Carlo Guardiani ◽  
Alberto Giacomello

The KCNA2 gene encodes the Kv1.2 channel, a mammalian Shaker-like voltage-gated K+ channel, whose defections are linked to neuronal deficiency and childhood epilepsy. Despite the important role in the kinetic behavior of the channel, the inactivation remained hereby elusive. Here, we studied the Kv1.2 inactivation via a combined simulation/network theoretical approach that revealed two distinct pathways coupling the Voltage Sensor Domain and the Pore Domain to the Selectivity Filter. Additionally, we mutated some residues implicated in these paths and we explained microscopically their function in the inactivation mechanism by computing a contact map. Interestingly, some pathological residues shown to impair the inactivation lay on the paths. In summary, the presented results suggest two pathways as the possible molecular basis of the inactivation mechanism in the Kv1.2 channel. These pathways are consistent with earlier mutational studies and known mutations involved in neuronal channelopathies.

2006 ◽  
Vol 396 (2) ◽  
pp. 363-369 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yan He ◽  
Youhou Kang ◽  
Yuk-Man Leung ◽  
Fuzhen Xia ◽  
Xiaodong Gao ◽  
...  

Distinct domains within the SNARE (soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive fusion protein attachment protein receptor) proteins, STX1A (syntaxin 1A) and SNAP-25 (synaptosome-associated protein-25 kDa), regulate hormone secretion by their actions on the cell's exocytotic machinery, as well as voltage-gated Ca2+ and K+ channels. We examined the action of distinct domains within SNAP-25 on Kv2.1 (voltage gated K+ 2.1) channel gating. Dialysis of N-terminal SNAP-25 domains, S197 (SNAP-251–197) and S180 (SNAP-251–180), but not S206 (full-length SNAP-251–206) increased the rate of Kv2.1 channel activation and slowed channel inactivation. Remarkably, these N-terminal SNAP-25 domains, acting on the Kv2.1 cytoplasmic N-terminus, potentiated the external TEA (tetraethylammonium)-mediated block of Kv2.1. To further examine whether these are effects of the channel pore domain, internal K+ was replaced with Na+ and external K+ was decreased from 4 to 1 mM, which decreased the IC50 of the TEA block from 6.8±0.9 mM to >100 mM. Under these conditions S180 completely restored TEA sensitivity (7.9±1.5 mM). SNAP-25 C-terminal domains, SNAP-25198–206 and SNAP-25181–197, had no effect on Kv2.1 gating kinetics. We conclude that different domains within SNAP-25 can form distinct complexes with Kv2.1 to execute a fine allosteric regulation of channel gating and the architecture of the outer pore structure in order to modulate cell excitability.


2021 ◽  
Vol 153 (9) ◽  
Author(s):  
Chang Zhao ◽  
Liang Hong ◽  
Saleh Riahi ◽  
Victoria T. Lim ◽  
Douglas J. Tobias ◽  
...  

Voltage-gated sodium, potassium, and calcium channels consist of four voltage-sensing domains (VSDs) that surround a central pore domain and transition from a down state to an up state in response to membrane depolarization. While many types of drugs bind pore domains, the number of organic molecules known to bind VSDs is limited. The Hv1 voltage-gated proton channel is made of two VSDs and does not contain a pore domain, providing a simplified model for studying how small ligands interact with VSDs. Here, we describe a ligand, named HIF, that interacts with the Hv1 VSD in the up and down states. We find that HIF rapidly inhibits proton conduction in the up state by blocking the open channel, as previously described for 2-guanidinobenzimidazole and its derivatives. HIF, however, interacts with a site slowly accessible in the down state. Functional studies and MD simulations suggest that this interaction traps the compound in a narrow pocket lined with charged residues within the VSD intracellular vestibule, which results in slow recovery from inhibition. Our findings point to a “wrench in gears” mechanism whereby side chains within the binding pocket trap the compound as the teeth of interlocking gears. We propose that the use of screening strategies designed to target binding sites with slow accessibility, similar to the one identified here, could lead to the discovery of new ligands capable of interacting with VSDs of other voltage-gated ion channels in the down state.


2013 ◽  
Vol 288 (7) ◽  
pp. 4782-4791 ◽  
Author(s):  
David K. Jones ◽  
Colin H. Peters ◽  
Charlene R. Allard ◽  
Tom W. Claydon ◽  
Peter C. Ruben

Science ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 362 (6412) ◽  
pp. eaau2486 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaojing Pan ◽  
Zhangqiang Li ◽  
Qiang Zhou ◽  
Huaizong Shen ◽  
Kun Wu ◽  
...  

Voltage-gated sodium (Nav) channels, which are responsible for action potential generation, are implicated in many human diseases. Despite decades of rigorous characterization, the lack of a structure of any human Nav channel has hampered mechanistic understanding. Here, we report the cryo–electron microscopy structure of the human Nav1.4-β1 complex at 3.2-Å resolution. Accurate model building was made for the pore domain, the voltage-sensing domains, and the β1 subunit, providing insight into the molecular basis for Na+ permeation and kinetic asymmetry of the four repeats. Structural analysis of reported functional residues and disease mutations corroborates an allosteric blocking mechanism for fast inactivation of Nav channels. The structure provides a path toward mechanistic investigation of Nav channels and drug discovery for Nav channelopathies.


2020 ◽  
Vol 83 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan Wray ◽  
Sarah Arrowsmith

We address advances in the understanding of myometrial physiology, focusing on excitation and the effects of gestation on ion channels and their relevance to labor. This review moves through pioneering studies to exciting new findings. We begin with the myometrium and its myocytes and describe how excitation might initiate and spread in this myogenic smooth muscle. We then review each of the ion channels in the myometrium: L- and T-type Ca2+ channels, KATP (Kir6) channels, voltage-dependent K channels (Kv4, Kv7, and Kv11), twin-pore domain K channels (TASK, TREK), inward rectifier Kir7.1, Ca2+-activated K+ channels with large (KCNMA1, Slo1), small (KCNN1–3), and intermediate (KCNN4) conductance, Na-activated K channels (Slo2), voltage-gated (SCN) Na+ and Na+ leak channels, nonselective (NALCN) channels, the Na K-ATPase, and hyperpolarization-activated cation channels. We finish by assessing how three key hormones— oxytocin, estrogen, and progesterone—modulate and integrate excitability throughout gestation. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Physiology, Volume 83 is February 10, 2021. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.


Science ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 363 (6433) ◽  
pp. 1309-1313 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaojing Pan ◽  
Zhangqiang Li ◽  
Xiaoshuang Huang ◽  
Gaoxingyu Huang ◽  
Shuai Gao ◽  
...  

The voltage-gated sodium channel Nav1.2 is responsible for the initiation and propagation of action potentials in the central nervous system. We report the cryo–electron microscopy structure of human Nav1.2 bound to a peptidic pore blocker, the μ-conotoxin KIIIA, in the presence of an auxiliary subunit, β2, to an overall resolution of 3.0 angstroms. The immunoglobulin domain of β2 interacts with the shoulder of the pore domain through a disulfide bond. The 16-residue KIIIA interacts with the extracellular segments in repeats I to III, placing Lys7 at the entrance to the selectivity filter. Many interacting residues are specific to Nav1.2, revealing a molecular basis for KIIIA specificity. The structure establishes a framework for the rational design of subtype-specific blockers for Nav channels.


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