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Regulatory ?1 subunits defy symmetry in functional modulation of BK channels.

ABSTRACT: Structural symmetry is a hallmark of homomeric ion channels. Nonobligatory regulatory proteins can also critically define the precise functional role of such channels. For instance, the pore-forming subunit of the large conductance voltage and calcium-activated potassium (BK, Slo1, or KCa_1.1) channels encoded by a single KCa1.1 gene assembles in a fourfold symmetric fashion. Functional diversity arises from two families of regulatory subunits, ? and ?, which help define the range of voltages over which BK channels in a given cell are activated, thereby defining physiological roles. A BK channel can contain zero to four ? subunits per channel, with each ? subunit incrementally influencing channel gating behavior, consistent with symmetry expectations. In contrast, a ?1 subunit (or single type of ?1 subunit complex) produces a functionally all-or-none effect, but the underlying stoichiometry of ?1 assembly and function remains unknown. Here we utilize two distinct and independent methods, a Forster resonance energy transfer-based optical approach and a functional reporter in single-channel recordings, to reveal that a BK channel can contain up to four ?1 subunits, but a single ?1 subunit suffices to induce the full gating shift. This requires that the asymmetric association of a single regulatory protein can act in a highly concerted fashion to allosterically influence conformational equilibria in an otherwise symmetric K⁺ channel.

SUBMITTER: Gonzalez-Perez V

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6176617 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Regulatory γ1 subunits defy symmetry in functional modulation of BK channels.

Gonzalez-Perez Vivian V Ben Johny Manu M Xia Xiao-Ming XM Lingle Christopher J CJ

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 20180917 40

Structural symmetry is a hallmark of homomeric ion channels. Nonobligatory regulatory proteins can also critically define the precise functional role of such channels. For instance, the pore-forming subunit of the large conductance voltage and calcium-activated potassium (BK, Slo1, or KCa<sub>1.1</sub>) channels encoded by a single KCa1.1 gene assembles in a fourfold symmetric fashion. Functional diversity arises from two families of regulatory subunits, β and γ, which help define the range of v ...[more]

PMID: 30224470

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Project description:Large-conductance (BK-type) Ca(2+)-activated potassium channels are activated by membrane depolarization and cytoplasmic Ca(2+). BK channels are expressed in a broad variety of cells and have a corresponding diversity in properties. Underlying much of the functional diversity is a family of four tissue-specific accessory subunits (beta1-beta4). Biophysical characterization has shown that the beta4 subunit confers properties of the so-called "type II" BK channel isotypes seen in brain. These properties include slow gating kinetics and resistance to iberiotoxin and charybdotoxin blockade. In addition, the beta4 subunit reduces the apparent voltage sensitivity of channel activation and has complex effects on apparent Ca(2+) sensitivity. Specifically, channel activity at low Ca(2+) is inhibited, while at high Ca(2+), activity is enhanced. The goal of this study is to understand the mechanism underlying beta4 subunit action in the context of a dual allosteric model for BK channel gating. We observed that beta4's most profound effect is a decrease in P(o) (at least 11-fold) in the absence of calcium binding and voltage sensor activation. However, beta4 promotes channel opening by increasing voltage dependence of P(o)-V relations at negative membrane potentials. In the context of the dual allosteric model for BK channels, we find these properties are explained by distinct and opposing actions of beta4 on BK channels. beta4 reduces channel opening by decreasing the intrinsic gating equilibrium (L(0)), and decreasing the allosteric coupling between calcium binding and voltage sensor activation (E). However, beta4 has a compensatory effect on channel opening following depolarization by shifting open channel voltage sensor activation (Vh(o)) to more negative membrane potentials. The consequence is that beta4 causes a net positive shift of the G-V relationship (relative to alpha subunit alone) at low calcium. At higher calcium, the contribution by Vh(o) and an increase in allosteric coupling to Ca(2+) binding (C) promotes a negative G-V shift of alpha+beta4 channels as compared to alpha subunits alone. This manner of modulation predicts that type II BK channels are downregulated by beta4 at resting voltages through effects on L(0). However, beta4 confers a compensatory effect on voltage sensor activation that increases channel opening during depolarization.

Project description:Voltage/Ca²?(i)-gated, large conductance K+ (BK) channels result from tetrameric association of ? (slo1) subunits. In most tissues, BK protein complexes include regulatory ? subunits that contain two transmembrane domains (TM1, TM2), an extracellular loop, and two short intracellular termini. Four BK ? types have been identified, each presenting a rather selective tissue-specific expression profile. Thus, BK ? modifies current phenotype to suit physiology in a tissue-specific manner. The smooth muscle-abundant BK ?1 drastically increases the channel's apparent Ca²?(i) sensitivity. The resulting phenotype is critical for BK channel activity to increase in response to Ca2+ levels reached near the channel during depolarization-induced Ca2+ influx and myocyte contraction. The eventual BK channel activation generates outward K+ currents that drive the membrane potential in the negative direction and eventually counteract depolarization-induced Ca2+ influx. The BK ?1 regions responsible for the characteristic phenotype of ?1-containing BK channels remain to be identified. We used patch-clamp electrophysiology on channels resulting from the combination of smooth muscle slo1 (cbv1) subunits with smooth muscle-abundant ?1, neuron-abundant ?4, or chimeras constructed by swapping ?1 and ?4 regions, and determined the contribution of specific ?1 regions to the BK phenotype. At Ca2+ levels found near the channel during myocyte contraction (10 µM), channel complexes that included chimeras having both TMs from ?1 and the remaining regions ("background") from ?4 showed a phenotype (V(half), ?(act), ?(deact)) identical to that of complexes containing wt ?1. This phenotype could not be evoked by complexes that included chimeras combining either ?1 TM1 or ?1 TM2 with a ?4 background. Likewise, ? "halves" (each including ?1 TM1 or ?1 TM2) resulting from interrupting the continuity of the EC loop failed to render the normal phenotype, indicating that physical connection between ?1 TMs via the EC loop is also necessary for proper channel function.

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Regulatory ?1 subunits defy symmetry in functional modulation of BK channels.

Publications

Regulatory γ1 subunits defy symmetry in functional modulation of BK channels.

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