An intracellular pathway controlled by the N-terminus of the pump subunit inhibits the bacterial KdpFABC ion pump in high K+ conditions

The heterotetrameric bacterial KdpFABC transmembrane protein complex is an ion channel-pump hybrid that consumes ATP to import K+ against its transmembrane chemical potential gradient in low external K+ environments. The KdpB ion-pump subunit of KdpFABC is a P-type ATPase, and catalyses ATP hydrolysis. Under high external K+ conditions, K+ can diffuse into the cells through passive ion channels. KdpFABC must therefore be inhibited in high K+ conditions to conserve cellular ATP. Inhibition is thought to occur via unusual phosphorylation of residue Ser162 of the TGES motif of the cytoplasmic A domain. It is proposed that phosphorylation most likely traps KdpB in an inactive E1-P like conformation, but the molecular mechanism of phosphorylation-mediated inhibition and the allosteric links between phosphorylation on the A domain and the inactivation of the pump remain unknown. Here, we employ molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of the dephosphorylated and phosphorylated versions of KdpFABC to demonstrate that phosphorylated KdpB is trapped in a conformation where the ion-binding site is hydrated by an intracellular pathway between transmembrane helices M1 and M2 which opens in response to the rearrangement of cytoplasmic domains resulting from phosphorylation. Cytoplasmic access of water to the ion-binding site is accompanied by a remarkable loss of secondary structure of the KdpB N-terminus and disruption of a key salt bridge between Glu87 in the A domain and Arg212 in the P domain. Our results provide the molecular basis of a unique mechanism of regulation amongst P-type ATPases, and suggest that the N-terminus has a significant role to play in the conformational cycle and regulation of KdpFABC

Selectivity filter modalities and rapid inactivation of the hERG1 channel

The human ether-á-go-go–related gene (hERG1) channel conducts small outward K+ currents that are critical for cardiomyocyte membrane repolarization. The gain-of-function mutation N629D at the outer mouth of the selectivity filter (SF) disrupts inactivation and K+-selective transport in hERG1, leading to arrhythmogenic phenotypes associated with long-QT syndrome. Here, we combined computational electrophysiology with Markov state model analysis to investigate how SF-level gating modalities control selective cation transport in wild-type (WT) and mutant (N629D) hERG1 variants. Starting from the recently reported cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM) open-state channel structure, multiple microseconds-long molecular-dynamics (MD) trajectories were generated using different cation configurations at the filter, voltages, electrolyte concentrations, and force-field parameters. Most of the K+ permeation events observed in hERG1-WT simulations occurred at microsecond timescales, influenced by the spontaneous dehydration/rehydration dynamics at the filter. The SF region displayed conductive, constricted, occluded, and dilated states, in qualitative agreement with the well-documented flickering conductance of hERG1. In line with mutagenesis studies, these gating modalities resulted from dynamic interaction networks involving residues from the SF, outer-mouth vestibule, P-helices, and S5–P segments. We found that N629D mutation significantly stabilizes the SF in a state that is permeable to both K+ and Na+, which is reminiscent of the SF in the nonselective bacterial NaK channel. Increasing the external K+ concentration induced “WT-like” SF dynamics in N629D, in qualitative agreement with the recovery of flickering currents in experiments. Overall, our findings provide an understanding of the molecular mechanisms controlling selective transport in K+ channels with a nonconventional SF sequence.

External K+ dependence of strong inward rectifier K+ channel conductance is caused not by K+ but by competitive pore blockade by external Na+

Strong inward rectifier K+ (sKir) channels determine the membrane potentials of many types of excitable and nonexcitable cells, most notably the resting potentials of cardiac myocytes. They show little outward current during membrane depolarization (i.e., strong inward rectification) because of the channel blockade by cytoplasmic polyamines, which depends on the deviation of the membrane potential from the K+ equilibrium potential (V – EK) when the extracellular K+ concentration ([K+]out) is changed. Because their open-channel conductance is apparently proportional to the “square root” of [K+]out, increases/decreases in [K+]out enhance/diminish outward currents through sKir channels at membrane potentials near their reversal potential, which also affects, for example, the repolarization and action-potential duration of cardiac myocytes. Despite its importance, however, the mechanism underlying the [K+]out dependence of the open sKir channel conductance has remained elusive. By studying Kir2.1, the canonical member of the sKir channel family, we first show that the outward currents of Kir2.1 are observed under the external K+-free condition when its inward rectification is reduced and that the complete inhibition of the currents at 0 [K+]out results solely from pore blockade caused by the polyamines. Moreover, the noted square-root proportionality of the open sKir channel conductance to [K+]out is mediated by the pore blockade by the external Na+, which is competitive with the external K+. Our results show that external K+ itself does not activate or facilitate K+ permeation through the open sKir channel to mediate the apparent external K+ dependence of its open channel conductance. The paradoxical increase/decrease in outward sKir channel currents during alternations in [K+]out, which is physiologically relevant, is caused by competition from impermeant extracellular Na+.

High affinity Na+ transport by wheat HKT1;5 is blocked by K+

The wheat sodium transporters TmHKT1;5-A and TaHKT1;5-D are encoded by genes underlying major shoot Na+ exclusion loci Nax2 and Kna1 from Triticum monococcum (Tm) and Triticum aestivum (Ta), respectively. In contrast to HKT2 transporters that have been shown to exhibit high affinity K+-dependent Na+ transport, HKT1 proteins have, with one exception, only been shown to catalyse low affinity Na+ transport and no K+ transport. Here, using heterologous expression in Xenopus laevis oocytes we show that both TmHKT1;5-A and TaHKT1;5-D encode dual (high and low) affinity Na+-transporters with the high-affinity component being abolished when external K+ is in excess of external Na+. Based on 3-D structural modelling we propose that tighter binding of K+, compared to that of Na+ in the selectivity filter region by means of additional van der Waals forces, explains the K+ block at the molecular level. The low-affinity component for Na+ transport of TmHKT1;5-A had a lower Km than that of TaHKT1;5-D and was less sensitive to external K+. We propose that these properties underpin the improvements in shoot Na+-exclusion and crop plant salt tolerance following the introgression of TmHKT1;5-A into diverse wheat backgrounds.

Forecasting daily streamflow values: assessing heuristic models

Predicting streamflow values accurately is vitally important for hydrology studies. Two heuristic models, namely, gene expression programming (GEP) and support vector machine (SVM) are used and assessed utilizing data from four stations in China. The k-fold testing for local and external data management scenarios are tested extensively. Results indicate that models with inputs of current and one previous day's streamflow records provided the best accuracy. Both the GEP and SVM models can predict accurate streamflow values with respect to the observed records. GEP performed better than the SVM in all k-fold testing stages with lower skewness and standard deviation values for streamflow records. The test accuracy demonstrated high variations for the local and external k-fold case which proved the necessity of k-fold testing or data scanning procedure in daily streamflow prediction. Daily streamflow of downstream stations was also estimated using the data of upstream stations (external k-fold). The best results were obtained by the models trained using the data from the nearest upstream station. In some cases, the accuracy of the external models was found to be comparable to local models. This suggested the use of external models in streamflow prediction in the case of data scarcity.

Growth Inhibition by External Potassium of Escherichia coli Lacking PtsN (EIIANtr) Is Caused by Potassium Limitation Mediated by YcgO

ABSTRACTThe absence of PtsN, the terminal phosphoacceptor of the phosphotransferase system comprising PtsP-PtsO-PtsN, inEscherichia coliconfers a potassium-sensitive (Ks) phenotype as the external K+concentration ([K+]e) is increased above 5 mM. A growth-inhibitory increase in intracellular K+content, resulting from hyperactivated Trk-mediated K+uptake, is thought to cause this Ks. We provide evidence that the Ksof the ΔptsNmutant is associated with K+limitation. Accordingly, the moderate Ksdisplayed by the ΔptsNmutant was exacerbated in the absence of the Trk and Kup K+uptake transporters and was associated with reduced cellular K+content. Conversely, overproduction of multiple K+uptake proteins suppressed the Ks. Expression of PtsN variants bearing the H73A, H73D, and H73E substitutions of the phosphorylation site histidine of PtsN complemented the Ks. Absence of the predicted inner membrane protein YcgO (also called CvrA) suppressed the Ks, which was correlated with elevated cellular K+content in the ΔptsNmutant, but the ΔptsNmutation did not alter YcgO levels. Heterologous overexpression ofycgOalso led to Ksthat was associated with reduced cellular K+content, exacerbated by the absence of Trk and Kup and alleviated by overproduction of Kup. Our findings are compatible with a model that postulates that Ksin the ΔptsNmutant occurs due to K+limitation resulting from activation of K+efflux mediated by YcgO, which may be additionally stimulated by [K+]e, implicating a role for PtsN (possibly its dephosphorylated form) as an inhibitor of YcgO activity.IMPORTANCEThis study examines the physiological link between the phosphotransferase system comprising PtsP-PtsO-PtsN and K+ion metabolism inE. coli. Studies on the physiological defect that renders anE. colimutant lacking PtsN to be growth inhibited by external K+indicate that growth impairment results from cellular K+limitation that is mediated by YcgO, a predicted inner membrane protein. Additional observations suggest that dephospho-PtsN may inhibit and external K+may stimulate K+limitation mediated by YcgO. It is speculated that YcgO-mediated K+limitation may be an output of a response to certain stresses, which by modulating the phosphotransfer capacity of the PtsP-PtsO-PtsN phosphorelay leads to growth cessation and stress tolerance.

The inward rectifier potassium channel Kir2.1 is expressed in mouse neutrophils from bone marrow and liver

Neutrophils are phagocytic cells that play a critical role in innate immunity by destroying bacterial pathogens. Channels belonging to the inward rectifier potassium channel subfamily 2 (Kir2 channels) have been described in other phagocytes (monocytes/macrophages and eosinophils) and in hematopoietic precursors of phagocytes. Their physiological function in these cells remains unclear, but some evidence suggests a role in growth factor-dependent proliferation and development. Expression of functional Kir2 channels has not been definitively demonstrated in mammalian neutrophils. Here, we show by RT-PCR that neutrophils from mouse bone marrow and liver express mRNA for the Kir2 subunit Kir2.1 but not for other subunits (Kir2.2, Kir2.3, and Kir2.4). In electrophysiological experiments, resting (unstimulated) neutrophils from mouse bone marrow and liver exhibit a constitutively active, external K+-dependent, strong inwardly rectifying current that constitutes the dominant current. The reversal potential is dependent on the external K+ concentration in a Nernstian fashion, as expected for a K+-selective current. The current is not altered by changes in external or internal pH, and it is blocked by Ba2+, Cs+, and the Kir2-selective inhibitor ML133. The single-channel conductance is in agreement with previously reported values for Kir2.1 channels. These properties are characteristic of homomeric Kir2.1 channels. Current density in short-term cultures of bone marrow neutrophils is decreased in the absence of growth factors that are important for neutrophil proliferation [granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) and stem cell factor (SCF)]. These results demonstrate that mouse neutrophils express functional Kir2.1 channels and suggest that these channels may be important for neutrophil function, possibly in a growth factor-dependent manner.

The conserved potassium channel filter can have distinct ion binding profiles: Structural analysis of rubidium, cesium, and barium binding in NaK2K

Potassium channels are highly selective for K+ over the smaller Na+. Intriguingly, they are permeable to larger monovalent cations such as Rb+ and Cs+ but are specifically blocked by the similarly sized Ba2+. In this study, we used structural analysis to determine the binding profiles for these permeant and blocking ions in the selectivity filter of the potassium-selective NaK channel mutant NaK2K and also performed permeation experiments using single-channel recordings. Our data revealed that some ion binding properties of NaK2K are distinct from those of the canonical K+ channels KcsA and MthK. Rb+ bound at sites 1, 3, and 4 in NaK2K, as it does in KcsA. Cs+, however, bound predominantly at sites 1 and 3 in NaK2K, whereas it binds at sites 1, 3, and 4 in KcsA. Moreover, Ba2+ binding in NaK2K was distinct from that which has been observed in KcsA and MthK, even though all of these channels show similar Ba2+ block. In the presence of K+, Ba2+ bound to the NaK2K channel at site 3 in conjunction with a K+ at site 1; this led to a prolonged block of the channel (the external K+-dependent Ba2+ lock-in state). In the absence of K+, however, Ba2+ acts as a permeating blocker. We found that, under these conditions, Ba2+ bound at sites 1 or 0 as well as site 3, allowing it to enter the filter from the intracellular side and exit from the extracellular side. The difference in the Ba2+ binding profile in the presence and absence of K+ thus provides a structural explanation for the short and prolonged Ba2+ block observed in NaK2K.