Dataset Information

A Non-canonical Voltage-Sensing Mechanism Controls Gating in K2P K(+) Channels.

ABSTRACT: Two-pore domain (K2P) K(+) channels are major regulators of excitability that endow cells with an outwardly rectifying background "leak" conductance. In some K2P channels, strong voltage-dependent activation has been observed, but the mechanism remains unresolved because they lack a canonical voltage-sensing domain. Here, we show voltage-dependent gating is common to most K2P channels and that this voltage sensitivity originates from the movement of three to four ions into the high electric field of an inactive selectivity filter. Overall, this ion-flux gating mechanism generates a one-way "check valve" within the filter because outward movement of K(+) induces filter opening, whereas inward movement promotes inactivation. Furthermore, many physiological stimuli switch off this flux gating mode to convert K2P channels into a leak conductance. These findings provide insight into the functional plasticity of a K(+)-selective filter and also refine our understanding of K2P channels and the mechanisms by which ion channels can sense voltage.

SUBMITTER: Schewe M

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4771873 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

A Non-canonical Voltage-Sensing Mechanism Controls Gating in K2P K(+) Channels.

Schewe Marcus M Nematian-Ardestani Ehsan E Sun Han H Musinszki Marianne M Cordeiro Sönke S Bucci Giovanna G de Groot Bert L BL Tucker Stephen J SJ Rapedius Markus M Baukrowitz Thomas T

Cell 20160201 5

Two-pore domain (K2P) K(+) channels are major regulators of excitability that endow cells with an outwardly rectifying background "leak" conductance. In some K2P channels, strong voltage-dependent activation has been observed, but the mechanism remains unresolved because they lack a canonical voltage-sensing domain. Here, we show voltage-dependent gating is common to most K2P channels and that this voltage sensitivity originates from the movement of three to four ions into the high electric fiel ...[more]

PMID: 26919430

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Project description:Two-pore domain potassium (K2P) channels maintain the cell's background conductance by stabilizing the resting membrane potential. They assemble as dimers possessing four transmembrane helices in each subunit. K2P channels were crystallized in "up" and "down" states. The movements of the pore-lining transmembrane TM4 helix produce the aperture or closure of side fenestrations that connect the lipid membrane with the central cavity. When the TM4 helix is in the up-state, the fenestrations are closed, while they are open in the down-state. It is thought that the fenestration states are related to the activity of K2P channels and the opening of the channels preferentially occurs from the up-state. TASK-2, a member of the TALK subfamily of K2P channels, is opened by intracellular alkalization leading the deprotonation of the K245 residue at the end of the TM4 helix. This charge neutralization of K245 could be sensitive or coupled to the fenestration state. Here, we describe the relationship between the states of the intramembrane fenestrations and K245 residue in TASK-2 channel. By using molecular modeling and simulations, we show that the protonated state of K245 (K245+) favors the open fenestration state and, symmetrically, that the open fenestration state favors the protonated state of the lysine residue. We show that the channel can be completely blocked by Prozac, which is known to induce fenestration opening in TREK-2. K245 protonation and fenestration aperture have an additive effect on the conductance of the channel. The opening of the fenestrations with K245+ increases the entrance of lipids into the selectivity filter, blocking the channel. At the same time, the protonation of K245 introduces electrostatic potential energy barriers to ion entrance. We computed the free energy profiles of ion penetration into the channel in different fenestration and K245 protonation states, to show that the effects of the two transformations are summed up, leading to maximum channel blocking. Estimated rates of ion transport are in qualitative agreement with experimental results and support the hypothesis that the most important barrier for ion transport under K245+ and open fenestration conditions is the entrance of the ions into the channel.

Dataset Information

A Non-canonical Voltage-Sensing Mechanism Controls Gating in K2P K(+) Channels.

Publications

A Non-canonical Voltage-Sensing Mechanism Controls Gating in K2P K(+) Channels.

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