scholarly journals Locale and chemistry of spermine binding in the archetypal inward rectifier Kir2.1

2010 ◽  
Vol 135 (5) ◽  
pp. 495-508 ◽  
Author(s):  
Harley T. Kurata ◽  
Emily A. Zhu ◽  
Colin G. Nichols

Polyamine block of inwardly rectifying potassium (Kir) channels underlies their steep voltage dependence observed in vivo. We have examined the potency, voltage dependence, and kinetics of spermine block in dimeric Kir2.1 constructs containing one nonreactive subunit and one cysteine-substituted subunit before and after modification by methanethiosulfonate (MTS) reagents. At position 169C (between the D172 “rectification controller” and the selectivity filter), modification by either 2-aminoethyl MTS (MTSEA) or 2-(trimethylammonium)ethyl MTS (MTSET) reduced the potency and voltage dependence of spermine block, consistent with this position overlapping the spermine binding site. At position 176C (between D172 and the M2 helix bundle crossing), modification by MTSEA also weakened spermine block. In contrast, MTSET modification of 176C dramatically slowed the kinetics of spermine unblock, with almost no effect on potency or voltage dependence. The data are consistent with MTSET modification of 176C introducing a localized barrier in the inner cavity, resulting in slower spermine entry into and exit from a “deep” binding site (likely between the D172 rectification controller and the selectivity filter), but leaving the spermine binding site mostly unaffected. These findings constrain the location of deep spermine binding that underlies steeply voltage-dependent block, and further suggest important chemical details of high affinity binding of spermine in Kir2.1 channels—the archetypal model of strong inward rectification.

1982 ◽  
Vol 79 (1) ◽  
pp. 115-130 ◽  
Author(s):  
W J Moody ◽  
S Hagiwara

Intracellular pH was recorded in immature starfish oocytes using pH-sensitive microelectrodes, and inwardly rectifying potassium currents were measured under voltage clamp. When the intracellular pH was lowered using acetate-buffered artificial sea water from the normal value of 7.09 to 5.9, inward rectification was completely blocked. The relationship between inward rectification and internal pH between 7.09 and 5.9 could be fit by a titration curve for the binding of three H ions to a site with a pK of 6.26 to block the channel. The H+ block showed no voltage dependence, and the activation kinetics of the inwardly rectifying currents were not affected by the changes in internal pH.


2005 ◽  
Vol 125 (4) ◽  
pp. 413-426 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hyeon-Gyu Shin ◽  
Zhe Lu

IRK1 (Kir2.1) inward-rectifier K+ channels exhibit exceedingly steep rectification, which reflects strong voltage dependence of channel block by intracellular cations such as the polyamine spermine. On the basis of studies of IRK1 block by various amine blockers, it was proposed that the observed voltage dependence (valence ∼5) of IRK1 block by spermine results primarily from K+ ions, not spermine itself, traversing the transmembrane electrical field that drops mostly across the narrow ion selectivity filter, as spermine and K+ ions displace one another during channel block and unblock. If indeed spermine itself only rarely penetrates deep into the ion selectivity filter, then a long blocker with head groups much wider than the selectivity filter should exhibit comparably strong voltage dependence. We confirm here that channel block by two molecules of comparable length, decane-bis-trimethylammonium (bis-QAC10) and spermine, exhibit practically identical overall voltage dependence even though the head groups of the former are much wider (∼6 Å) than the ion selectivity filter (∼3 Å). For both blockers, the overall equilibrium dissociation constant differs from the ratio of apparent rate constants of channel unblock and block. Also, although steady-state IRK1 block by both cations is strongly voltage dependent, their apparent channel-blocking rate constant exhibits minimal voltage dependence, which suggests that the pore becomes blocked as soon as the blocker encounters the innermost K+ ion. These findings strongly suggest the existence of at least two (potentially identifiable) sequentially related blocked states with increasing numbers of K+ ions displaced. Consequently, the steady-state voltage dependence of IRK1 block by spermine or bis-QAC10 should increase with membrane depolarization, a prediction indeed observed. Further kinetic analysis identifies two blocked states, and shows that most of the observed steady-state voltage dependence is associated with the transition between blocked states, consistent with the view that the mutual displacement of blocker and K+ ions must occur mainly as the blocker travels along the long inner pore.


2012 ◽  
Vol 302 (11) ◽  
pp. C1661-C1675 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne-Kristine Meinild ◽  
Ian C. Forster

Li+ interacts with the Na+/Cl−-dependent GABA transporter, GAT1, under two conditions: in the absence of Na+ it induces a voltage-dependent leak current; in the presence of Na+ and GABA, Li+ stimulates GABA-induced steady-state currents. The amino acids directly involved in the interaction with the Na+ and Li+ ions at the so-called “ Na2” binding site have been identified, but how Li+ affects the kinetics of GABA cotransport has not been fully explored. We expressed GAT1 in Xenopus oocytes and applied the two-electrode voltage clamp and 22Na uptake assays to determine coupling ratios and steady-state and presteady-state kinetics under experimental conditions in which extracellular Na+ was partially substituted by Li+. Three novel findings are: 1) Li+ reduced the coupling ratio between Na+ and net charge translocated during GABA cotransport; 2) Li+ increased the apparent Na+ affinity without changing its voltage dependence; 3) Li+ altered the voltage dependence of presteady-state relaxations in the absence of GABA. We propose an ordered binding scheme for cotransport in which either a Na+ or Li+ ion can bind at the putative first cation binding site ( Na2). This is followed by the cooperative binding of the second Na+ ion at the second cation binding site ( Na1) and then binding of GABA. With Li+ bound to Na2, the second Na+ ion binds more readily GAT1, and despite a lower apparent GABA affinity, the translocation rate of the fully loaded carrier is not reduced. Numerical simulations using a nonrapid equilibrium model fully recapitulated our experimental findings.


2005 ◽  
Vol 126 (6) ◽  
pp. 551-562 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shih-Hao Yeh ◽  
Hsueh-Kai Chang ◽  
Ru-Chi Shieh

Inward rectifier K+ channels are important in regulating membrane excitability in many cell types. The physiological functions of these channels are related to their unique inward rectification, which has been attributed to voltage-dependent block. Here, we show that inward rectification can also be induced by neutral and positively charged residues at site 224 in the internal vestibule of tetrameric Kir2.1 channels. The order of extent of inward rectification is E224K mutant > E224G mutant > wild type in the absence of internal blockers. Mutating the glycines at the equivalent sites to lysines also rendered weak inward rectifier Kir1.1 channels more inwardly rectifying. Also, conjugating positively charged methanethiosulfonate to the cysteines at site 224 induced strong inward rectification, whereas negatively charged methanethiosulfonate alleviated inward rectification in the E224C mutant. These results suggest that charges at site 224 may control inward rectification in the Kir2.1 channel. In a D172N mutant, spermine interacting with E224 and E299 induced channel inhibition during depolarization but did not occlude the pore, further suggesting that a mechanism other than channel block is involved in the inward rectification of the Kir2.1 channel. In this and our previous studies we showed that the M2 bundle crossing and selectivity filter were not involved in the inward rectification induced by spermine interacting with E224 and E299. We propose that neutral and positively charged residues at site 224 increase a local energy barrier, which reduces K+ efflux more than K+ influx, thereby producing inward rectification.


2003 ◽  
Vol 121 (3) ◽  
pp. 245-260 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Voets ◽  
Annelies Janssens ◽  
Jean Prenen ◽  
Guy Droogmans ◽  
Bernd Nilius

TRPV6 (CaT1/ECaC2), a highly Ca2+-selective member of the TRP superfamily of cation channels, becomes permeable to monovalent cations in the absence of extracellular divalent cations. The monovalent currents display characteristic voltage-dependent gating and almost absolute inward rectification. Here, we show that these two features are dependent on the voltage-dependent block/unblock of the channel by intracellular Mg2+. Mg2+ blocks the channel by binding to a site within the transmembrane electrical field where it interacts with permeant cations. The block is relieved at positive potentials, indicating that under these conditions Mg2+ is able to permeate the selectivity filter of the channel. Although sizeable outward monovalent currents were recorded in the absence of intracellular Mg2+, outward conductance is still ∼10 times lower than inward conductance under symmetric, divalent-free ionic conditions. This Mg2+-independent rectification was preserved in inside-out patches and not altered by high intracellular concentrations of spermine, indicating that TRPV6 displays intrinsic rectification. Neutralization of a single aspartate residue within the putative pore loop abolished the Mg2+ sensitivity of the channel, yielding voltage-independent, moderately inwardly rectifying monovalent currents in the presence of intracellular Mg2+. The effects of intracellular Mg2+ on TRPV6 are partially reminiscent of the gating mechanism of inwardly rectifying K+ channels and may represent a novel regulatory mechanism for TRPV6 function in vivo.


1994 ◽  
Vol 267 (4) ◽  
pp. C1103-C1111 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. G. Hammerland ◽  
A. S. Parihar ◽  
E. F. Nemeth ◽  
M. C. Sanguinetti

The effects of increased extracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]e) were examined on a delayed-rectifier K+ current (IK) and an inward-rectifier K+ current (IK1) in rabbit osteoclasts. Elevation of [Ca2+]e from 1.8 to 18 mM shifted the half point for IK activation by +11.5 mV and the voltage dependence of inactivation by +9.7 mV and slowed the rate of IK activation and deactivation. These effects of elevated [Ca2+]e on IK are consistent with screening of cell surface negative charge. However, elevation of [Ca2+]e increased the voltage-dependent kinetics of IK inactivation at all potentials tested, inconsistent with that predicted by simple surface charge theory. This finding suggests an additional, regulatory role for [Ca2+]e in the gating of IK channels. Some osteoclasts had an IK1, which was decreased when [Ca2+]e was raised from 1.8 to 18 mM. The physiological function of both types of K+ currents remains to be determined, and it is not clear whether these currents are involved with the coupling of cytosolic [Ca2+] to [Ca2+]e.


2021 ◽  
Vol 153 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Leticia G. Marmolejo-Murillo ◽  
Iván A. Aréchiga-Figueroa ◽  
Eloy G. Moreno-Galindo ◽  
Tania Ferrer ◽  
Rodrigo Zamora-Cárdenas ◽  
...  

Inwardly rectifying potassium (Kir) channels are broadly expressed in both excitable and nonexcitable tissues, where they contribute to a wide variety of cellular functions. Numerous studies have established that rectification of Kir channels is not an inherent property of the channel protein itself, but rather reflects strong voltage dependence of channel block by intracellular cations, such as polyamines and Mg2+. Here, we identify a previously unknown mechanism of inward rectification in Kir4.1/Kir5.1 channels in the absence of these endogenous blockers. This novel intrinsic rectification originates from the voltage-dependent behavior of Kir4.1/Kir5.1, which is generated by the flux of potassium ions through the channel pore; the inward K+-flux induces the opening of the gate, whereas the outward flux is unable to maintain the gate open. This gating mechanism powered by the K+-flux is convergent with the gating of PIP2 because, at a saturating concentration, PIP2 greatly reduces the inward rectification. Our findings provide evidence of the coexistence of two rectification mechanisms in Kir4.1/Kir5.1 channels: the classical inward rectification induced by blocking cations and an intrinsic voltage-dependent mechanism generated by the K+-flux gating.


2003 ◽  
Vol 122 (2) ◽  
pp. 239-246 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jill Thompson ◽  
Ted Begenisich

Recent molecular dynamic simulations and electrostatic calculations suggested that the external TEA binding site in K+ channels is outside the membrane electric field. However, it has been known for some time that external TEA block of Shaker K+ channels is voltage dependent. To reconcile these two results, we reexamined the voltage dependence of block of Shaker K+ channels by external TEA. We found that the voltage dependence of TEA block all but disappeared in solutions in which K+ ions were replaced by Rb+. These and other results with various concentrations of internal K+ and Rb+ ions suggest that the external TEA binding site is not within the membrane electric field and that the voltage dependence of TEA block in K+ solutions arises through a coupling with the movement of K+ ions through part of the membrane electric field. Our results suggest that external TEA block is coupled to two opposing voltage-dependent movements of K+ ions in the pore: (a) an inward shift of the average position of ions in the selectivity filter equivalent to a single ion moving ∼37% into the pore from the external surface; and (b) a movement of internal K+ ions into a vestibule binding site located ∼13% into the membrane electric field measured from the internal surface. The minimal voltage dependence of external TEA block in Rb+ solutions results from a minimal occupancy of the vestibule site by Rb+ ions and because the energy profile of the selectivity filter favors a more inward distribution of Rb+ occupancy.


1990 ◽  
Vol 64 (6) ◽  
pp. 1917-1928 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. V. Maricq ◽  
J. I. Korenbrot

1. Single cone photoreceptors were dissociated from the retina of a lizard with the aid of papain. The majority of the cells lost their outer segments but had well-preserved, large synaptic pedicles. Electrical properties of the cells were studied with tight-seal electrodes in the whole cell configuration. On the average, cone inner segments had a resting potential of -55 mV, and at this potential their input resistance was 2.6 G omega and their capacitance was 8 pF. 2. Under current clamp the cones exhibited a pronounced anomalous voltage rectification in response to hyperpolarizing currents. The voltage rectification was eliminated by external Cs+. 3. The Cs(+)-sensitive current underlying voltage rectification was isolated by blocking other currents present in the cone. Co2+ blocked a voltage-dependent Ca2+ current and a Ca2(+)-dependent Cl- current, and tetraethylammonium (TEA)+ blocked a delayed-rectifier K+ current. 4. The Cs(+)-sensitive current was activated by hyperpolarization to potentials more negative than -50 mV, and its current-voltage (I-V) relationship exhibited inward rectification. 5. The inward-rectifying current was selective for K+, but not exclusively. Increasing external K+ concentration 10-fold shifted the reversal potential by 13 mV. If Na ions also permeate through the inward-rectifying channels, the ratio of permeabilities (PK+/PNa+) in normal solution is approximately 3.9. 6. The kinetics of the inward-rectifying current were described by the sum of two exponentials, the amplitudes and time constants of which were voltage dependent. 7. The voltage dependence of the inward-rectifying current was described by Boltzmann's function, with half-maximum activation at -79 mV and a steepness parameter of 7.5 mV. 8. The voltage dependence and kinetics of the inward-rectifying current suggest that it is inactive in a cone photoreceptor in the dark. However, it becomes activated in the course of large hyperpolarizations generated by bright-light illumination. This activity will modify the waveform of the photovoltage--the current will generate a depolarizing component that opposes the light-generated hyperpolarization.


2000 ◽  
Vol 116 (1) ◽  
pp. 47-60 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Daniel Peluffo ◽  
José M. Argüello ◽  
Joshua R. Berlin

The roles of Ser775 and Glu779, two amino acids in the putative fifth transmembrane segment of the Na,K -ATPase α subunit, in determining the voltage and extracellular K + (K +o) dependence of enzyme-mediated ion transport, were examined in this study. HeLa cells expressing the α1 subunit of sheep Na,K -ATPase were voltage clamped via patch electrodes containing solutions with 115 mM Na+ (37°C). Na,K -pump current produced by the ouabain-resistant control enzyme (RD), containing amino acid substitutions Gln111Arg and Asn122Asp, displayed a membrane potential and K +o dependence similar to wild-type Na,K -ATPase during superfusion with 0 and 148 mM Na+-containing salt solutions. Additional substitution of alanine at Ser775 or Glu779 produced 155- and 15-fold increases, respectively, in the K +o concentration that half-maximally activated Na,K -pump current at 0 mV in extracellular Na+-free solutions. However, the voltage dependence of Na,K -pump current was unchanged in RD and alanine-substituted enzymes. Thus, large changes in apparent K +o affinity could be produced by mutations in the fifth transmembrane segment of the Na,K -ATPase with little effect on voltage-dependent properties of K + transport. One interpretation of these results is that protein structures responsible for the kinetics of K +o binding and/or occlusion may be distinct, at least in part, from those that are responsible for the voltage dependence of K +o binding to the Na,K -ATPase.


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