scholarly journals Distinctive Properties and Powerful Neuromodulation of Nav1.6 Sodium Channels Regulates Neuronal Excitability

Cells ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 1595
Author(s):  
Agnes Zybura ◽  
Andy Hudmon ◽  
Theodore R. Cummins

Voltage-gated sodium channels (Navs) are critical determinants of cellular excitability. These ion channels exist as large heteromultimeric structures and their activity is tightly controlled. In neurons, the isoform Nav1.6 is highly enriched at the axon initial segment and nodes, making it critical for the initiation and propagation of neuronal impulses. Changes in Nav1.6 expression and function profoundly impact the input-output properties of neurons in normal and pathological conditions. While mutations in Nav1.6 may cause channel dysfunction, aberrant changes may also be the result of complex modes of regulation, including various protein-protein interactions and post-translational modifications, which can alter membrane excitability and neuronal firing properties. Despite decades of research, the complexities of Nav1.6 modulation in health and disease are still being determined. While some modulatory mechanisms have similar effects on other Nav isoforms, others are isoform-specific. Additionally, considerable progress has been made toward understanding how individual protein interactions and/or modifications affect Nav1.6 function. However, there is still more to be learned about how these different modes of modulation interact. Here, we examine the role of Nav1.6 in neuronal function and provide a thorough review of this channel’s complex regulatory mechanisms and how they may contribute to neuromodulation.


2006 ◽  
Vol 34 (6) ◽  
pp. 1299-1302 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Scheuer ◽  
W.A. Catterall

Currents through voltage-gated sodium channels drive action potential depolarization in neurons and other excitable cells. Smaller currents through these channels are key components of currents that control neuronal firing and signal integration. Changes in sodium current have profound effects on neuronal firing. Sodium channels are controlled by neuromodulators acting through phosphorylation of the channel by serine/threonine and tyrosine protein kinases. That phosphorylation requires specific molecular interaction of kinases and phosphatases with the channel molecule to form localized signalling complexes. Such localization is required for effective neurotransmitter-mediated regulation of sodium channels by protein kinase A. Analogous molecular complexes between sodium channels, kinases and other signalling molecules are expected to be necessary for specific and localized transmitter-mediated modulation of sodium channels by other protein kinases.



2010 ◽  
Vol 90 (4) ◽  
pp. 1437-1459 ◽  
Author(s):  
Henrike Berkefeld ◽  
Bernd Fakler ◽  
Uwe Schulte

Molecular research on ion channels has demonstrated that many of these integral membrane proteins associate with partner proteins, often versatile in their function, or even assemble into stable macromolecular complexes that ensure specificity and proper rate of the channel-mediated signal transduction. Calcium-activated potassium (KCa) channels that link excitability and intracellular calcium concentration are responsible for a wide variety of cellular processes ranging from regulation of smooth muscle tone to modulation of neurotransmission and control of neuronal firing pattern. Most of these functions are brought about by interaction of the channels' pore-forming subunits with distinct partner proteins. In this review we summarize recent insights into protein complexes associated with KCa channels as revealed by proteomic research and discuss the results available on structure and function of these complexes and on the underlying protein-protein interactions. Finally, the results are related to their significance for the function of KCa channels under cellular conditions.



2003 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raj Kumar ◽  
E. Brad Thompson

Abstract The N-terminal domains (NTDs) of many members of the nuclear hormone receptor (NHR) family contain potent transcription-activating functions (AFs). Knowledge of the mechanisms of action of the NTD AFs has lagged, compared with that concerning other important domains of the NHRs. In part, this is because the NTD AFs appear to be unfolded when expressed as recombinant proteins. Recent studies have begun to shed light on the structure and function of the NTD AFs. Recombinant NTD AFs can be made to fold by application of certain osmolytes or when expressed in conjunction with a DNA-binding domain by binding that DNA-binding domain to a DNA response element. The sequence of the DNA binding site may affect the functional state of the AFs domain. If properly folded, NTD AFs can bind certain cofactors and primary transcription factors. Through these, and/or by direct interactions, the NTD AFs may interact with the AF2 domain in the ligand binding, carboxy-terminal portion of the NHRs. We propose models for the folding of the NTD AFs and their protein-protein interactions.



2020 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 107327482097667
Author(s):  
Ju-Yueh Li ◽  
Chia-Jung Li ◽  
Li-Te Lin ◽  
Kuan-Hao Tsui

Ovarian cancer is one of the most common malignant tumors. Here, we aimed to study the expression and function of the CREB1 gene in ovarian cancer via the bioinformatic analyses of multiple databases. Previously, the prognosis of ovarian cancer was based on single-factor or single-gene studies. In this study, different bioinformatics tools (such as TCGA, GEPIA, UALCAN, MEXPRESS, and Metascape) have been used to assess the expression and prognostic value of the CREB1 gene. We used the Reactome and cBioPortal databases to identify and analyze CREB1 mutations, copy number changes, expression changes, and protein–protein interactions. By analyzing data on the CREB1 differential expression in ovarian cancer tissues and normal tissues from 12 studies collected from the “Human Protein Atlas” database, we found a significantly higher expression of CREB1 in normal ovarian tissues. Using this database, we collected information on the expression of 25 different CREB-related proteins, including TP53, AKT1, and AKT3. The enrichment of these factors depended on tumor metabolism, invasion, proliferation, and survival. Individualized tumors based on gene therapy related to prognosis have become a new possibility. In summary, we established a new type of prognostic gene profile for ovarian cancer using the tools of bioinformatics.



Microbiology ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 156 (10) ◽  
pp. 2920-2932 ◽  
Author(s):  
Goran Jovanovic ◽  
Christoph Engl ◽  
Antony J. Mayhew ◽  
Patricia C. Burrows ◽  
Martin Buck

The phage-shock-protein (Psp) response maintains the proton-motive force (pmf) under extracytoplasmic stress conditions that impair the inner membrane (IM) in bacterial cells. In Escherichia coli transcription of the pspABCDE and pspG genes requires activation of σ 54-RNA polymerase by the enhancer-binding protein PspF. A regulatory network comprising PspF–A–C–B–ArcB controls psp expression. One key regulatory point is the negative control of PspF imposed by its binding to PspA. It has been proposed that under stress conditions, the IM-bound sensors PspB and PspC receive and transduce the signal(s) to PspA via protein–protein interactions, resulting in the release of the PspA–PspF inhibitory complex and the consequent induction of psp. In this work we demonstrate that PspB self-associates and interacts with PspC via putative IM regions. We present evidence suggesting that PspC has two topologies and that conserved residue G48 and the putative leucine zipper motif are determinants required for PspA interaction and signal transduction upon stress. We also establish that PspC directly interacts with the effector PspG, and show that PspG self-associates. These results are discussed in the context of formation and function of the Psp regulatory complex.



2020 ◽  
Vol 117 (21) ◽  
pp. 11531-11540 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark J. Khoury ◽  
David Bilder

A polarized architecture is central to both epithelial structure and function. In many cells, polarity involves mutual antagonism between the Par complex and the Scribble (Scrib) module. While molecular mechanisms underlying Par-mediated apical determination are well-understood, how Scrib module proteins specify the basolateral domain remains unknown. Here, we demonstrate dependent and independent activities of Scrib, Discs-large (Dlg), and Lethal giant larvae (Lgl) using theDrosophilafollicle epithelium. Our data support a linear hierarchy for localization, but rule out previously proposed protein–protein interactions as essential for polarization. Cortical recruitment of Scrib does not require palmitoylation or polar phospholipid binding but instead an independent cortically stabilizing activity of Dlg. Scrib and Dlg do not directly antagonize atypical protein kinase C (aPKC), but may instead restrict aPKC localization by enabling the aPKC-inhibiting activity of Lgl. Importantly, while Scrib, Dlg, and Lgl are each required, all three together are not sufficient to antagonize the Par complex. Our data demonstrate previously unappreciated diversity of function within the Scrib module and begin to define the elusive molecular functions of Scrib and Dlg.



2004 ◽  
Vol 377 (3) ◽  
pp. 693-700 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeremy W. PECK ◽  
Emma T. BOWDEN ◽  
Peter D. BURBELO

Snf7p (sucrose non-fermenting) and Vps20p (vacuolar protein-sorting) are small coil-coiled proteins involved in yeast MVB (multivesicular body) structure, formation and function. In the present study, we report the identification of three human homologues of yeast Snf7p, designated hSnf7-1, hSnf7-2 and hSnf7-3, and a single human Vps20p homologue, designated hVps20, that may have similar roles in humans. Immunofluorescence studies showed that hSnf7-1 and hSnf7-3 localized in large vesicular structures that also co-localized with late endosomal/lysosomal structures induced by overexpressing an ATPase-defective Vps4-A mutant. In contrast, overexpressed hVps20 showed a typical endosomal membrane-staining pattern, and co-expression of hVps20 with Snf7-1 dispersed the large Snf7-staining vesicles. Interestingly, overexpression of both hSnf7 and hVps20 proteins induced a post-endosomal defect in cholesterol sorting. To explore possible protein–protein interactions involving hSnf7 proteins, we used information from yeast genomic studies showing that yeast Snf7p can interact with proteins involved in MVB function. Using a glutathione S-transferase-capture approach with several mammalian homologues of such yeast Snf7p-interacting proteins, we found that all three hSnf7s interacted with mouse AIP1 [ALG-2 (apoptosis-linked gene 2) interacting protein 1], a mammalian Bro1p [BCK1 (bypass of C kinase)-like resistance to osmotic shock]-containing protein involved in cellular vacuolization and apoptosis. Whereas mapping experiments showed that the N-terminus of AIP1 containing both a Bro1 and an α-helical domain were required for interaction with hSnf7-1, Snf7-1 did not interact with another human Bro1-containing molecule, rhophilin-2. Co-immunoprecipitation experiments confirmed the in vivo interaction of hSnf7-1 and AIP1. Additional immunofluorescence experiments showed that hSnf7-1 recruited cytosolic AIP1 to the Snf7-induced vacuolar-like structures. Together these results suggest that mammalian Vps20, AIP1 and Snf7 proteins, like their yeast counterparts, play roles in MVB function.





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